Just a random funny thought I had while writing this chapter: when I imagined Carina angry, I immediately thought of that one scene from Game of Thrones where Greatjon Umber says, "I'll not sit here and swallow insults from a boy so green he pisses grass." On a side note, they'd hate Walder Frey the moment he came on screen.

When everyone had settled at the table with Dumbledore standing at the far end, the meeting came to order. In total, there were fourteen members there, plus Fred, George, and Carina, so most of the spots around the table were filled, and Fred and George had plopped themselves down on either side of Carina with their parents across from them. Sirius sat at the opposite end of the table with the Weasley's nearest to him. Then Tonks and Remus were across from each other both by a Weasley.

It put plenty of distance and support all around Carina, so she couldn't help but feel as though it was intentional, especially given how Dumbledore addressed the group, of which Carina didn't recognize three. She had immediately spotted Elphias Doge the moment he walked in as he was a member of an old pure-blood family as well as an advisor to the Wizengamot, but she didn't recognize the two women that had arrived nor an older wizard wearing a purple top hat.

"Thank you all for coming," Dumbledore began then gestured to Carina. "It goes without saying most of you recognize or know Miss Lestrange who is here to join the Order."

The faces of the strangers dropped while Moody grumbled in his seat and Elphias and Kingsley seemed skeptical at best. Carina had seen it coming.

Sure, she had talked to a few of the Order of the Phoenix members already as she was in good standing with Snape, Remus, McGonagall, and Dumbledore, then Arthur and Molly seemed to at least relatively support her due to her closeness with Fred and George, and Sirius and Tonks were both for sticking it to pure-blood tradition.

Since sitting at the table was the real Alastor Moody and not Barty Crouch Jr. in disguise, Moody didn't know her at all aside from being the daughter of a Death Eater and having been raised by another. He didn't teach her like McGonagall. He wasn't privy to some of her more rebellious thoughts like Snape when teaching her Occlumency. And he hadn't seen her interact with Harry like Remus. She could hardly wrap her head around the Moody in front of her not being the one that had taught her for an entire school year, so there was no way he was going to support her one hundred percent right off the bat.

Kingsley knew her even less than Moody did. The only thing he could claim was seeing her in the Daily Prophet and knowing her mother, Lyra Burke, who had died when Carina was young. He had no reason to trust her, and if he did, it was likely due to Dumbledore's influence considering he would have no backing as to how similar she might've been to her mother. No one even knew how similar she might've been to her mother anyway, considering Lupin didn't know Lyra much, Kingsley didn't know Carina much, and Carina's father was in prison. And if Kingsley was for Carina joining due to her being her mother's daughter, that was clear bias and not something to be trusted as it wasn't based on logic or reasoning.

Elphias Doge, due to his long-lasting friendship with Dumbledore, might trust her with some basic reservations considering how close he was to Dumbledore, but that was the most she could remotely count on. And considering he was an advisor to the Wizengamot, Carina was willing to bet he had been present for her father's hearing. Not exactly a point in her favor.

The final three, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, and Hestia Jones, Carina didn't know at all, so she doubted they knew anything about her either, aside from the occasional Daily Prophet article Carina had been in regarding the Triwizard Tournament or the Malfoys.

"You can't be serious, Dumbledore," Emmeline said after eyeing Carina for a few moments. "She's a pureblood Slytherin, the daughter of a convicted Death Eater, and was raised by the Malfoys. How can you be certain she's not here as a spy?" She had meant to leave the question open for Dumbledore to answer but quickly added on after realizing she had left one stone unturned. "And don't say it's because she was taught by Snape who trusts her intentions. As you recall, not everyone in the Order is fond of his involvement either."

Elphias huffed, leaning forward in his chair. "You can't include 'pureblood Slytherin' as an argument, Emmeline," he said. "There's usually one each generation. Sirius Black, Andromeda Tonks, Cedrella Weasley, Phineas Black, Rionach Gaunt, the list goes on. If Albus trusts her, I do."

"That doesn't answer any of the other concerns," Hestia said in a more diplomatic manner than Emmeline had spoken. "We don't know anything about her. You can't blame us for being weary. Especially at a time like this."

"I can address any and all concerns you may have," Dumbledore said calmly. "That is why I've gathered you all here, to lay everything bare and answer all questions you may have." He gestured to other members at the table. "And I'm not the only one who can so don't just take my word for it, but others as well."

Dedalus folded his hands in front of him. "Let's start with the first one, shall we? Should be easy enough. She's the daughter of convicted Death Eater, Rabastan Lestrange. There's no refuting that."

"As well as the late Lyra Burke," Kingsley added, "both of whom, she wasn't raised by. Thus, regardless of her familial ties, neither parent impressed their own beliefs upon her."

"Ah!" Emmeline quickly cut in, raising her hand. "But she was raised by the Malfoys. Everyone in their right mind knows Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater in the first war and was not under the Imperius Curse. And since Dumbledore said Harry saw Lucius at the graveyard when You-Know-Who returned, it's safe to say he is a Death Eater still. And the Malfoy family are openly pureblood supremacists, regardless of open affiliation with You-Know-Who."

"But it is possible that her beliefs don't coincide with theirs," Hestia said. She gestured to Elphias. "As Elphias said, there are many people raised in those families that don't believe, one of whom is sitting at this table." She nodded toward Sirius before focusing on him. "Although, I am surprised we haven't heard a peep from him. Merlin knows he's dying to add some witty words."

Sirius perked up in his seat with a proud smirk. "She insulted the décor. I like her."

"That wasn't what I meant."

"No, I know what you meant." Sirius waved his hand and rolled his eyes. "You want logic and reason behind our feelings, so how's this for a compelling argument on why I trust her intentions?" He leaned on his arms, looking around at the curious faces seated at the table. Then he said something that was guaranteed to garner exactly the reaction he was hoping for. "Her snogfest with one Frederick Weasley."

Remus began choking on the glass of pumpkin juice he had been drinking, and the faces from a majority of the members were a mix of shocked and scandalized.

Carina's eyes narrowed at Fred who raised his hands and exclaimed, "I didn't say anything!"

"No, the lovely Georgie did," Sirius added nonchalantly.

Both Fred and Carina turned to George who froze in place. "George!" they chorused in outrage.

George quickly waved his hands and shook his head. "I didn't think he'd announce it!"

Arthur looked at his children and the girl sitting between them. "I was not expecting that," he muttered. On the one hand, he was glad his son found someone he liked, but on the other hand, it meant they were growing up. And he'd never have imagined Fred, the rowdiest of the Weasley bunch, to be involved with someone Arthur had only ever seen stoic and disinterested, especially not romantically.

The only member of the Order who wasn't surprised in some respect at the revelation seemed to be Dumbledore, though he could've been masking his shock, like McGonagall and Snape were doing their best to. While Molly had seen their feelings written on their faces clear as day, she hadn't for even a single moment expected to hear something like that come from Sirius about her son. Remus was giving Sirius a disappointed look at announcing their secret, but he couldn't hide the amusement in swimming in his eyes from anyone. While Tonks was surprised, she looked more like she wanted to burst out laughing than anything else.

Carina pinched the bridge of her nose and slid back in her seat while Fred continued glaring at his brother.

Sirius sat back and gestured to the two teenagers. "Now, I believe that's the only true bit of information that's likely to sway anyone."

Sighing, Remus felt the need to agree. "As crass as he may be, I believe Sirius has a point. We can talk for hours about how Minerva and I taught her to produce the Patronus Charm, or how Severus taught her Occlumency, or how she and Harry helped each other throughout the Triwizard Tournament. But the only thing that has any bearing on the type of person she is, is emotional involvement. Emotional involvement is a driving factor for morality and loyalty."

Carina peeked up from behind her hand to see Remus give her a supportive smile.

"The Triwizard Tournament?" Dedalus repeated, looking toward Carina. "Really?"

"Car was one of the few who believed Harry when he said he didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire," George explained.

"She offered to help him with anything he needed," Fred added.

"Harry told her about the dragons," George continued.

"She told him how to hear the clue for the second task."

"Harry saved her from a hexed Krum."

"They worked together against a giant spider."

"And they grabbed the cup together."

That was where Carina cut in, "Actually, I tricked Harry into grabbing it alone."

Fred focused on her, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What?"

"I didn't want to win," she quickly explained. "Harry tried to convince me to tie with him, but I only pretended to grab it. The only reason I went with the portkey was because he couldn't walk, and I was helping him stand."

At least one member of the Order was still skeptical. "And we're supposed to believe that?" Emmeline asked.

Carina's eyes hardened as they focused on the older witch near the other end of the table. "Will I get bonus points if I act like I care?" she countered. She didn't appreciate indirectly being called a liar, especially in regard to something she had gone through a momentary crisis to figure out.

While Emmeline gaped, Sirius and Tonks outright laughed, making Emmeline even angrier. Molly swatted Sirius on the arm to get him to stop.

Sirius sobered up a little for Molly's sake, but he was still red in the face as he spoke. "You learned something from Narcissa, but it certainly wasn't propriety."

"You're praising her for a snappy comeback?" Emmeline asked, her tone sharp and betraying her massive annoyance. "For acting like a child?"

"You insulted me," Carina said, turning it back around. "What did you expect me to do? Give you a trophy? Lie down and roll over so you could step over me?" She jutted her thumbs toward the blokes on either side of her. "There's a reason I've lasted since first year as a friend of these two troublemakers, and it bloody well isn't because I make them do their homework."

"Never even once offered to do our homework for us," George muttered, setting his chin on his palm.

Carina ignored his offhand comment as she continued. "Regardless, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall heard the story from both Harry and me after it happened. I'm certain they would've had something to say if the stories didn't add up. Or you can ask Harry himself just who was the one to save him from a crushing cabinet in Borgin and Burkes or helped him figure out how to conjure a Patronus or comforted him after his best friend started acting like a git. I may not share the same morals as my family, but I am still a Lestrange, and I will not sit here and listen to someone who doesn't know a thing about me as they rake my integrity through the mud, especially in my own damn house."

She leaned forward, full-on glaring at Emmeline, eyes darkening from a cool icy blue to a thundering grey. "If anyone is acting like a child, it's someone who doesn't listen to reason after being handed loads of information on a silver platter. I'm here to fight in a war, and if you can't handle yourself in a battle of words, how do you expect to handle yourself in a battle of wands?"

Fred reached over and set his hand on top of hers. At the sudden warmth, Carina tore her gaze from Emmeline to look up at Fred, and she sat back in her seat again, the tension leaving her joints. As much as he loved seeing her edge and display her true thoughts and feelings, he also knew she was toeing the line between, using her example, a battle of words and a battle of wands. He'd seen it clearly the day he doused her and her Yule Ball date in paint. After a certain point, she'd bring on the jinxes and hexes. And they did not need that at an Order of the Phoenix meeting where she was trying to join up.

Silence rolled through everyone in attendance, with Emmeline Vance quietly fuming but biting her tongue, Snape showing outward disappointment at Carina allowing her temper to get the better of her, and Sirius lapping up the tension like there was no tomorrow. He wasn't allowed to leave the house, so it was the best entertainment he'd gotten in weeks.

Kingsley watched the effect Fred had on Carina with a simple touch. He wondered if she knew just how similar to her mother she was. A mask of calm in place that needed enough pressure to make it slip. Easily lost in her anger, but only needed a prod from the right person to be pulled out of the dangerous heat and have their mask return. Perhaps it was a female Slytherin thing as he remembered his mother being similar.

Dumbledore stood from his seat and clasped his hands in the silence. "Well, with that all cleared up, all in favor of Miss Lestrange joining the Order?" he asked the group as though they had all just had a pleasant meal and conversation. "Any other reservations on the matter should be raised otherwise."

Sirius was the first to raise his hand in favor, followed closely behind by Remus, Tonks, and to Carina's surprise, Mad-Eye Moody. The others joined with their show of support, but Carina hadn't nearly imagined Moody to be one of the first to agree considering his gruffness earlier and him being a renowned skeptic. Predictably, Emmeline was the last to raise her hand in favor, but by that point, she seemed more resigned than angry as she had been just a few minutes before.

Dumbledore seemed pleased with the result. "Excellent. Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Miss Lestrange." He sat back down in his seat. "Now, let's catch you up to speed, shall we?"

"At the moment, we're focusing on raising our numbers," Elphias explained. "We're certain You-Know-Who is doing the same. It's slow-going due to the slander the Daily Prophet has begun to churn out, but there's still progress."

"Sylvia Melville and Cedric Diggory would likely be up for joining," Carina said. She wanted to add Terence, Miles, and Adrian to that list, but while she knew they didn't prescribe to the blood purity beliefs, she wasn't certain they'd be willing to actively fight against Death Eaters. She knew Cedric had an underlying desire to prove Hufflepuffs could be brave and wanted to do something worthwhile and that Sylvia would fight tooth and nail to protect her family.

"Mr. Diggory is quite excellent with transfiguration," McGonagall added. "More talented than any student I've seen in years. And although Amos is quite loud, his connections in the Ministry and within the Magizoology community could prove invaluable."

"Molly and I can visit the Diggory's," Arthur said. "There are some things we've been meaning to pick up from the house, so we can visit while there."

Molly nodded in agreement, but she didn't seem quite as into the idea. "I'm not sure how I feel about the induction of school children to the Order."

"Mum, we have one year left," George argued, dragging out the words.

"And we're of age," Fred added.

"You can't keep everyone in our year out."

"Especially not Pretty Boy Diggory."

Both the twins sniggered at the nickname while their mother gave them disapproving looks.

"I assure you, Molly," Dumbledore said, grabbing their attention, "all younger members of the Order will be kept from the more dangerous tasks and missions to the best of our ability for as long as we can sustain it. After all, it's us older members that fully understand what we're signing on for. However, this is their fight, too."

Molly looked sadly at the two children of hers that were present. She understood, but that didn't mean she wanted them to continue growing up. But it was inevitable. They wouldn't be children who needed their mother forever.

"And what of this Sylvia Melville?" Hestia asked, moving the conversation along. "Any relation to Gracelynn?"

"Of course, Gracelynn Melville," Kingsley said. "I knew I recognized the surname." A few of the other members of the Order gave him curious looks, so he went on to explain. "She works in the Wizengamot Administration Services. Oversees the maintenance of all court documents. I believe she also married a Muggle."

"If she'd be up for joining, we could use her access," Moody said. "She'd know when all court dates and times are. Fudge's judge schedule. Agendas. Court transcriptions. And we can never have too many eyes in the Ministry."

"I've been asked to come into the Ministry tomorrow, so I can meet with Mrs. Melville while I'm there," Dumbledore said. He then looked down the table toward Carina. "Miss Lestrange, you mentioned to Alastor and Sirius that you were willing to open your homes as safe houses."

"If I may," Snape cut in before Carina could agree. "While her intentions are admirable, it is more difficult than face value." Even Carina couldn't see where he was going with it. "There are four properties listed under the control of Miss Lestrange. One is this townhouse, which we're already using as headquarters. Another is in France, requiring a portkey or other means of long-distance travel. One property will need to remain open as a front because Narcissa and Lucius will grow suspicious if they cannot visit. Leaving the last one as the only readily available option."

It didn't seem to sway Dumbledore's point in the slightest. Of course, he was a member of the Wizengamot, so he likely knew of Carina's inheritance before she did. "That's one more than we have now." He turned to Carina again. "The one in Scotland, yes?"

Carina nodded. "The Burke Moor. Ten acres nestled on the side of a lake on an island with one settlement."

Tonks scoffed with a grin. "The perfect place to disappear. Sounds perfect for emergencies."

"It could benefit from more protective spells," Carina said, "but according to the house-elf, no one's lived there for fifteen years."

"Demelza returned to the Rowle home after her daughter died," Elphias explained. "Was always rather vocal of her dislike regarding the secluded nature of the Burke's, so with no daughter tying her there and Edmund having long passed to a potion experiment gone wrong, she returned to her sister Euphemia. If she had stayed in Scotland, she wouldn't have been mauled by a werewolf a year later."

It was the first time anyone had ever mentioned Carina's maternal grandparents as more than caricatures on the family tree. She'd known they were no longer in the picture but had never asked beyond that. But her reaction wasn't what drew her own interest.

She noticed Remus wince at the mention of a werewolf mauling, drawing immediate sympathy from Carina, Sirius, and Tonks as the only three who noticed his reaction.

"I can meet you at Burke Moor tomorrow evening," Dumbledore offered, "after your shift at St. Mungo's. We can put up the Fidelius Charm and other protections."

"Thank you," Carina said.

Dumbledore then addressed the rest of the group. "I suppose that's everything we need to cover. Hestia, if you could inform Mundungus of the changes when you take over his shift and Sturgis when he takes over yours." She agreed with a nod. "Arthur and Molly, if you could tell Bill and perhaps owl Charlie?"

"Yes, of course," Arthur said.

"Thank you. I'll owl Arabella just so she's aware." Dumbledore stood from his chair then remembered something. "Also, a reminder, Molly, Miss Granger will be arriving in a few days' time."

That piqued Carina's interest. Why was Hermione staying at Grimmauld Place when summer wasn't very long and she should really be enjoying her time with her parents?

Molly grinned and said, "I'll get her space ready in Ginny's room."

"Excellent." Dumbledore then gave the room a small smile. "Well, I'd best be off. Welcome to the Order, Miss Lestrange." He nodded once more at Carina before he began making his exit, and the others followed suit, standing from the table.

Anyone not staying at Grimmauld Place started leaving, most through Apparition or the Floo. Arthur, Remus, Sirius, Tonks, and Moody began making their way up the stairs. Molly went to the kitchen area, leaving the remainders at the dining table. And when it looked like they were almost completely alone, Carina and Fred swatted George on his arm.

"Blimey! That hurt!" George cried, rubbing his arm as he looked at them indignantly.

"Good, you prat," Fred said with a glare.

George rolled his eyes. "He figured it out on his own, all I did was confirm it. And it helped, didn't it?" They went to hit him again and he dodged out of the way. "At least you don't have to hide it here like you have to at school!"

"He has a point."

The three teens jumped and spun around to where Kingsley was watching them in amusement by the fireplace. They hadn't known he was still in the room.

"You've grown so used to not letting anyone know your business that it's difficult to realize it doesn't have to be hidden here," Kingsley advised almost sage-like.

Fred was still frowning but more in a resigned away. "Reckon that's true." George gained a triumphant grin but hid it when Fred shot him another glare. Fred then looked down at Carina by his side, meeting her eyes, and he lost all annoyance. He held out his hand for her to take, and she linked her fingers around his as the corners of her lips twitched up.

The sweet moment was then interrupted by George placing a loud, wet kiss on Carina's cheek then another and Fred's before running away.

"George!" Fred howled, taking off after his brother.

"Quiet!" Molly called out from the kitchen, but the twins didn't listen as they ran up the stairs, the door leading down to the basement shutting behind them.

Carina swore she heard something start shouting profusely upstairs but didn't get the chance to think much about it as she caught Kingsley looking at the stairs. He still looked amused at the happenings with Fred and George, but something about his eyes seemed sadder than before, the way his smile didn't quite reach them, and Carina had a feeling she knew why.

"You were more than friends, weren't you?" she asked. Carina didn't know much about Kingsley or her mother, but the way he softened at the interactions Carina had with Fred or the way Remus and Sirius hyped Kingsley up made her question just how close he had been with her mother.

Kingsley turned his attention to her, taking a moment to realize what she was asking. "Is it that obvious?"

So it's a yes then. "A little." Carina tilted her head. "Both Remus and Sirius made such a big deal about you, that I had a feeling. They aren't exactly subtle."

He shook his head with a sad smile. "No, definitely not. I am sorry about her. I cared greatly for her." Kingsley sighed and looked away at a paint of a valley nestled above the fireplace. He internally debated with himself for a few moments before he decided to be honest with her. "I wanted to propose, you know. Our seventh year. My father had passed along the ring that he had proposed to my mother with. The same ring his father had proposed to his mother with. We had been dating in secret for three years. We knew that even with me being a pureblood that our relationship wouldn't be wholly accepted, so we were waiting for graduation to tell her mother."

As Kingsley spoke, Carina noticed Molly busying herself with food preparation, trying not to eavesdrop on the conversation. She appreciated the discretion at the sensitive topic.

Taking a few steps over to Kingsley, her voice was soft as she asked, "What happened?"

"At the start of our seventh year, she could hardly look at me." Kingsley shook his head as he focused on the painting, not able to look her in the eye as he told his story to which Carina didn't mind. "She looked gaunt, frail, like something was eating her up inside. When I finally got her alone to talk, she started crying. And when she calmed, she told me her mother had arranged for her to marry Rabastan Lestrange."

"Did she. . . try to run? Try to do anything to get out of it?" Carina hugged around her stomach, not liking where the story was going. She knew it was something that might still happen to her now that she was of age and about to go into her seventh year. Carina might have more agency since the Malfoy's weren't her true parents, so they had little ability to forge an arrange marriage on Carina's behalf, but that didn't mean they would try to convince her to do so. And she didn't want to see Fred's face if it ever came up.

"She told her mother about us," Kingsley explained, "hoping that it might change her mind, tried to play into any empathy, but it only made her angry." He finally tore his gaze away from the painting to look at Carina, believing she deserved to hear it straight. "Your grandmother threatened to tell the Lestrange's, and Lyra knew that at least one of them wouldn't hesitate to kill me, so she agreed to the engagement as long as her relationship with me was kept quiet and I was left alone. I told her the same thing you said, that we could try to run. Runaway together and neither of us would be caught in it. But Lyra asked about my father. What would happen to him?"

Carina's fingers clenched around her top at the nauseous feeling flowing through her. "I'm sorry. My family seems to mess everything up."

That made Kingsley smile. "Not everyone in your family. Your mother was a great person. And despite everything, she never had anything bad to say about Rabastan, only the others. I think the one that worried her most was Bellatrix who had married into the family a few years prior."

Carina grimaced and nodded. "That's understandable." The way Bellatrix's eyes gleamed in pictures of her incarceration in Azkaban had always unnerved Carina.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you more beyond that," Kingsley said, bowing his head. "I don't know for certain how she died or even when exactly she did."

"Thank you still. Part of me hopes I never learn it."

And there you've gotten to learn more about her elusive parents. Thanks for reading!