Longbottom Manor was already busy with guests when the chimney flamed before the Potters' arrival. Despite them mingling immediately, being followed by both Sirius and Remus, a couple eyes lingered in the newly arrived, especially in the Potter heir.
However, they were some of the last expected visitors, and soon all the wizards and witches assembled moved to the library, where the Longbottom elves had arranged a large table for everyone.
"Thank you, everyone who agreed to come. Thank you, Madame Augusta, for hosting this reunion" Started Dumbledore. "I had hoped to never pronounce these words again, but I welcome, new and old members, to the Order of the Phoenix."
The Elder wizard looked around, saddened by what he was seeing. The Potter siblings where young, Neville was literally one day older than Harry, and even the elder Weasleys where barely considered young adults. He remembered not so long ago how the roughed and pierced William Weasley was the young mentor of the talented generation of Charlie and Nymphadora.
"Last June, our host, Neville Longbottom, was attacked by someone impersonating Alastor Moody. This individual intended to deliver Neville to an unknown place, with the intention of reviving Lord Voldemort"
He ignored the gasps, considering with sadness how many more he was going to hear. He was at least glad that James and Lily hadn't transmitted that fear to their children, as both young Harry and young Alice remained stoic, he wasn't surprised to also see Augusta undaunted.
"Professor" interjected Percy Weasley, a young man with more discipline than anything else. "Can we be sure of this? It's just, it's an outlandish question, and things like memory and confusion charms exist…" the young man trailed off as he was subjected to Augusta Longbottom infamous death stare. The elder woman said imperiously. "I do hope you are not accusing my nephew of being a liar, young man."
As the poor boy fumbled, one of his brothers, a buffed and untidy redhead who Dumbledore took a while to identify as Charlie Weasley gave him a one-arm-hug to keep him from embarrassing himself any further. Albus decided it was time to intervene. "Your question is valid mister Weasley" he said, a smile slightly placating the Longbottom matriarch. "The testimony of a highly-stressed young man, over the word of a deranged one is not something to base a strategy around"
A bony finger pushed his glasses in position. "However, the possibility of Lord Voldemort returning was too concerning to ignore. So, I made my research" Grasping the Elder wand, Albus casted a Patronus, sending it to bring his guest to the reunion. Due to his presence in the Manor, he entered less than two minutes later. Minerva could complain a lot about his "theatrics", but sometimes you needed the message delivered.
The Marauders and Lily Potter grasped their wands immediately, followed by the Potter siblings who followed the example of their parents. "May I introduce you" said Dumbledore, ignoring the commotion. "To Severus Snape."
The man had a long and crooked nose, with shoulder length hair, or so Harry estimated, tied in a ponytail. He looked around the room with a bored stare. The small commotion in the Potter side of the table was magnified when Dumbledore finished. "He was a Death Eater during the first war."
Credit to the directors' influence and the respect he commanded, a lot of the Order didn't complain to him, choosing to look suspiciously at the man. Some, however, were less lenient. Augusta was not surprised but kept sending death glares to Dumbledore that the older warlock was pointedly ignoring. Kingsley Shacklebolt was looking uncomfortable, and Mad-Eye was raging. "I trust you will give more details, Albus"
"Calm down, my old friend." The wizard said placatingly. "Severus was a big help during the last months of the first war, and he has kindly agreed to resume his labour as a spy. I guarantee you, all of you, that he holds no love for Lord Voldemort"
Despite some still shooting nasty glances, the rest relaxed, assured by Dumbledore's words. Lily personally thought it was dumb. Albus was wise, experienced and a generally good man, but he wasn't infallible. Voldemort wouldn't exist if he was.
"Would you give information about our enemies, Severus?"
"Gladly." The man had a bored voice. "During last year, the mark branded in my skin by the Dark Lord regained its colour. It was gradual, but it became noticeable around December. I contacted Dumbledore to warn him about the danger."
"I have always feared" interjected Albus "the possibility of Voldemort returning. Both Severus and the Potters had helped me research some avenues, but I always thought we had more time."
"Around the 24th of last June, the mark burned, as it did whenever he was calling for us in the first war. I was not in the country, so I arrived a couple of days later. I can confirm that the dark Lord has regained a physical body"
A stunned silence travelled through the room, despair and anguish in the faces of the attendants. Some had lost family and friends in the last war. The others had grown with the fear of the crimes and brutalities committed by He-who-must-not-be-named. Fear was back.
"What's his plan then?" you could count on Alastor Moody to keep a cold head. "What is that little bitch doing?"
"As of now, he is focusing on measuring his strength." Answered Snape easily. "Sending envoys to the vampires, the giants and the different clans of werewolves, measuring the positions his followers are now, testing their current influence."
"That explains how aggressive Malfoy has been" muttered Sirius
"And you think he is going to start the raids again?" asked a moody Moody, still looking suspiciously at the former death eater.
To that, Snape stopped to think for a moment. "I don't think so. I believe he wants to enjoy his anonymity for a while, maybe try to crumple the Ministry in one decisive and surprise attack."
"And THAT explains Fudge's attitude towards Diggory's case" exclaimed James.
"Yes" nodded Albus. "Could you two shed some light over that particular problem?"
Despite his general disdain for politicians, Albus knew the importance of the Wizengamot. He oversaw the organism, understood its procedures, and admired the representatives that managed to vote for themselves, for what they believed, and he also understood the overall function of block votes. But creating a new group from nothing, exploiting the gullibility of some, the passivity of others and the greed of the lasts. That was something he would never be able to do, but Albus Dumbledore was glad that the mischievous marauders were doing some rough work for the war against Voldemort. There are few dirtier works than politics.
"Officially, it is considered a disappearance" started Sirius, who was working closer to Corban Yaxley and Amelia Bones in the DMLE. "Originally they wanted to push it under the rug, but we managed to convince them otherwise"
"How?" inquired Nymphadora Tonks, a young woman with more passion and a meaner streak than common sense, something Tulip Karasu used to boost in school. He was kindly glad that the two young women had managed to find their true passions and overcome their affection for pranks. "Fudge doesn't normally change his mind".
"The boy is a pureblood." Explain James, with a hint of distaste understanded by Albus, seeing how the raven-haired man grabbed the hand of his wife. "We brought up the argument about the blood of the kid during the plenary session. Lucius cannot push back, or he would alienate the part of his block that doesn't know about Voldemort's return".
"Very well. Thank you both." Nodded the warlock. "Any more moves we can make in the political field?"
"I can only think of reverting the Umbridge decree." Answered Remus, always with a soft voice. "Werewolves and vampires flock towards Voldemort because he promises the freedom taken away from them by the ministry."
And so, small accords were made. Albus hated it. He knew, he wasn't stupid, that the side limited to react was always on the back foot, but there were few things they could realistically do if Tom was working in the shadows. Everyone was searching for new allies, listening for possible rumours to complement Severus' efforts. James and Sirius would work in the Wizengamot to diminish the conservative side's influence, Kingsley and Nymphadora watching over the auror corps, trying their best to prevent infiltration. They didn't comment on it, but Albus knew perfectly how the elder Potter sibling was making moves in Slytherin, forming an alternative power group in the politic-infested house.
Next comment, however, sent a chill through the old wizard's spine. Lily Potter had used the considerable Potter fortune to ensure almost complete control over the production and commerce of dittany in the island. The consequence of that was not lost to the Hogwarts director, despite his moderate knowledge in the art of brewing. By the concerned looks of Kingsley and Severus, and the vicious glint in Augusta's eyes, a few, but not a lot had understood the implication.
Dittany was a key ingredient in almost every healing potion, and it was so cheap to commercialise that almost no one grew it for personal consumption besides large magical herbalists. Controlling the plant would be not only a gigantic financial income for the Potters, and all but ensured terrible damage for every wound delivered to the enemy, if the war escalated to those instances. Again, Albus was glad he had called the Potters for assistance. Just because he wasn't able to do certain acts didn't mean he wasn't glad when someone on his side could. He just wished that they weren't necessary.
With vague plans they dispel the reunion, some old friends gathering to exchange information. He had hoped for so long that he would not see another war, not see another generation of brave wizards and witches forced to have to choose between life and freedom. But alas, he had a duty. Moving towards Neville and his grandmother, he nodded to the formidable witch that was Augusta Longbottom. "Have you considered my proposal milady?"
The witch huffed "No lady to see over here Albus, just a decrepit old hag that cannot keep her family safe."
"Grandmother."
"Alas!" interrupted smoothly Dumbledore. "Politeness is never something to discard."
The young Longbottom rolled his eyes and was ready to ditch the adults before his grandmother answered. "But yes, I do agree, Albus. Neville will need all the help possible if he is to fulfil his role."
The mention of the prophecy had caused Neville to stiffen, his gaze hardening and his shoulders heavier under the weight of the Boy-who-lived title. Albus directed the next words to him. "The first Friday of school, please come to my office my boy. I have agreed with your grandmother on some lessons that will help you on these darkening days".
Further away, two redhead twins were talking amusedly to Alice, who looked the appropriate amount of concerned. "So" Twin One pointed with his chin towards Harry. "Snake Potter has made up with your family, little Potter?"
Alice bit her lip. The ruse was never meant to last long, but she needed a good alibi to convince the rest of Gryffindor that she was only a small little girl. "Yes. After… all of this" she waved her arms a bit. "My parents don't want to push Harry into bad people."
Both of the twins' faces softened, as they nodded. They had rows with their brothers, Percy by being too arrogant, Bill too rough or Ron too simple, but they loved their siblings. "Aye" said Twin Two with a small smile. "But you always saw through that, didn't you?"
At Alice's puzzled expression, the twins smiled. "Don't worry little Potter. Your nocturnal escapades to see your snake sibling are secret. They are safe with us."
As the twins hugged her, Alice's brain was running miles an hour. They hadn't been near her; both Harry and her knew the basic detection spells to see if they were being listened to. And they had acknowledged escapades as in plural, as if they knew it was a regular occurrence. And then, the Marauders old battle stories came to her mind. Just because she didn't jump up and down like Harry didn't mean she didn't pay attention. She knew it was a longshot, but she tried anyway.
"Accio Marauders Map"
As she pickpocketed the parchment, she sniggered. Why in the world did the Weasley terrors carried a map of the school outside school was beyond her. Not for the last time, Alice wondered how in hell had she and her mother Lily-I-discover-new-potions-every-other-day-Potter been sorted into a house full of dimwits.
Near the chimney, Lily intercepted Severus, with the watchful eyes of the marauders following her attentively. The dark-haired man nodded politely, but without showing any emotion in his face. "Mrs Potter"
"Professor Snape" she acknowledged him, following the discrete announcement Albus had made near the end of the planning.
"How can I help you?"
"My son and daughter, Professor, will be your students this year. I understand that we are not on amicable terms anymore, and your rivalry with their father is probably still bitter." Formal and detached, Lily kept talking. "Given how much they show their Potter heritage, I ask you to please, leave your feelings for me and my husband to us. Don't involve my children."
A flash of pain crossed through Snape's face, and he sighed heavily. "Sadly, I understand why you might think this question is necessary. I will treat your children as any other student." He looked uncomfortable before completing. "I actually was hoping if we could talk sometime. I have things to say both to you and your husband."
Lily looked taken aback before regaining her confidence. "Sure. Do you prefer muggle or wizarding venues?"
"I was actually thinking Hogwarts, if you wish." The look of mistrust returned to Lily's face, so he promptly explained. "I need privacy, and I don't trust any other corner in this Merlin forsaken island. As I say, you can bring any protection and assurances you deem necessary. I just need you two to hear me"
They agreed on a date, due to change to accommodate James' agenda and with that, the Potter Marauder family left Longbottom Manor, heading to Grimmauld Place.
Not wanting to attract attention, they had been hoping from locations, settling in the secretive ancient House of Black. After the war, they would consider between returning to the Americas, or remaining in England and rebuilding the old Potter Manor to its former glory.
Receiving them was a beautiful black owl, an annoyed expression on its face at the waiting time. Harry rushed to grab the letter, forgetting for a moment who he was walking with. The Marauders wasted no time in tripping him, tying him up and snatching the letter from the owl.
On the floor, Harry knew that he would not receive help. Alice was even more curious about the subject than the adults, and his mother would only intervene if the others took it too far, which to be fair, they almost never did.
"Who, might it be, Mini-Prongs, this lovely Miss Greengrass, may I ask?" Sirius said with a mischievous smile, eyeing the closed envelope. Harry knew he wouldn't open it, but that gave him little comfort on the floor.
"Miss Greengrass, you say?" asked an amused Remus. "Wouldn't she be Miss Daphne Greengrass, the serious Slytherin from your generation?"
"Don't leave details Moony. Is she cute?" James asked before earning a stinging hex from his wife. "I don't think its proper to discuss the attractiveness of an adolescent girl, boys" Lily said, with a veiled threat in her voice.
James and Sirius looked ready to argue before thinking about it for a second and considering that, indeed, it would be improper to discuss such topics. Alice, however, was safe by age and by gender. "She is quite pretty. Face a bit bony and on the short side, but her eyes are really cute"
"You left the most important detail Prongslet" continued Sirius with a smile. "Hair colour?"
James groaned while Remus looked like someone had offered him chocolate chips. Alice looked confused before answering. "Blonde, like, not strawberry blonde, a bit closer to honey. Ridiculously straight by the way." She said the last part with a tinge of resentment. Both siblings despised the Potter hair.
James groaned once again as the other two roared with laughter, the Potters looking confused. After calming themselves, Remus explained. "We have a theory about Potter men"
"A lot of shite is what you have" muttered James.
Sirius took the opportunity. "There is a pattern you see. Lisa Potter née McMillan, a beautiful ginger. Kristen Potter née Bergström, a Nordic blonde. My dear Dorea Potter née Black, of course had raven-hair. My mother-in-everything-that-counts Euphemia Potter née Crouch, brunette."
"And we begin again with our dear Hellflower" Lily flipped Remus the bird. "And our little Harry continues with another blonde.
James looked annoyed as he rebutted. "It's not like he is going to marry the girl! And you don't even have anything before Lisa Potter!"
"Because there is no data, my dear Prongs" Sirius answered cheekily. "If your family was as obsessed as mine with "legacy", I'm certain we could corroborate Alessandra Potter as a brunette, like the rest of the Corvi family"
"I don't know," commented Alice. "Even if he doesn't marry Daphne, both Marissa Applebee and Michelle Winthrop were blondes as well…" She trailed at both the murderous expression in her mother's face and the panicked one in Harry's.
"Michelle what?" asked Lily in a deceptively calm voice. She and Marie Winthrop had been in a classical mother rivalry during Harry's first year of school, so the news about a dalliance between Harry and that devil's spawn was not something she wanted to hear.
With a yelp, Alice bolted from her couch to her room, as Harry twisted himself in the bindings. James counted silently to three before finishing the spell, letting Harry go. "Come back here you little snitch!" yelled the boy, another distant yelp notifying them that Alice had heard.
It was chaos, it was random. But it was family. And between Remus and Sirius' laughter and Lily's indecision between checking on her children's safety or throttle Harry for betraying her side against the Winthrops, James was certain. This was worth fighting for.
AN1: It was supposed to end with a fluffy joke about Harry and Daphne and we finished in a fluffy family scene. Also, my twist on the "Potter-man-have-a-type-cliché"
AN2: Does it count as a Snape redemption story if he took different decisions and have less things to redeem?
AN3: I'm a bit ashamed of the chapter title but… Is the chapter, where the Order of the Phoenix gathers. And nothing more. What do you want from me?