Eleven Months Later
The graveyard was much as Marlene remembered it. She hadn't been back often enough. In fact, she hadn't been back at all. She'd made a point to avoid the place like the plague once they'd all graduated Hogwarts. For some reason, this specific November afternoon, she'd been inclined to visit Henry's place of rest.
It was clear his family had been to visit: a fresh bouquet of flowers rested against his stone. Marlene, with a small swoosh of her wand, produced her own, resting it beside. The earth below her feet was crisp from a morning frost as she crouched down.
Henry Alexander Fawley
Loving brother, friend, and son
Gone but never forgotten
"It feels like just yesterday I was sneaking down to Hogsmeade to come visit you," Marlene remembered, hand pressed into the tombstone. She liked to think he was sitting there with her, listening. "You don't need to worry about everyone now, though," she assured him. "We're all okay."
Marlene pressed her hands into her knees to raise herself up. It was overcast, snowflakes beginning to drift slowly from the clouds above.
"I thought I'd find you here," a familiar voice said from behind her. When Marlene spun around she saw Sirius was approaching, hands tucked into his pockets.
He paused in front of the tombstone, hovering awkwardly.
"Hey…Henry…" he finally said, placing a hand on top of it.
"Hey, Henry?" Marlene scoffed.
"I don't know what to say to a tombstone!"
"Anything but hey Henry would've been great." She was certain if Henry himself were witnessing the conversation he'd be in stitches. Leave it to Sirius to completely miss the emotion of the moment.
"We're supposed to meet James in ten minutes," Sirius reminded her.
"I know."
"Marls…"
"Please don't make me talk about it," she begged him. "I just want to get it over with so we can all move on."
Sirius didn't look very comforted by that statement, a heavy frown resting on his face. Marlene was sick to death of talking about it. It was part of the reason she'd decided to seek out the grave of an old friend. At least he couldn't ask how she was feeling.
"Come on," he urged her, stretching out a hand for to take. "He's probably there already. We shouldn't leave him alone."
She took his hand and suddenly the two of them were off, squeezed through the tight and uncomfortable constraints of Apparition until they landed, with a heavy thud, in front of the Potters' home. Hand in hand, the two of them travelled silently through the gate and up towards the front door, not bothering to knock before they stepped inside.
Sirius had been right of course. James was there, sitting in his father's office, eyes closed as though he'd drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Marlene and Sirius stepped into the room quietly, no one daring to say a word until James finally opened his eyes.
"Sorry," he apologised, as though he'd done something wrong.
It was difficult for Marlene to stand on the other side of the desk and look at him. James looked so much like his father sitting in that chair, a familiar scene. She had countless memories, sitting on the opposite end of the desk, listening to endless lectures from Alec Potter after she'd been particularly naughty with James.
"Come on, mate," Sirius encouraged his friend. "Let's get this show on the road."
Together, the three of them – plus Mimsy - packed up the Potters' home. Picture frames and family heirlooms stuck away into boxes. Caroline had specified that it was to be the three of them that took on the job.
For better or for worse, you were all children to me. I loved each of you with all my heart. Cherish each other. Love one another. You're all you have in this world.
She'd left a letter behind for Mimsy to pass along to James when she finally passed. She died two weeks after Alec, both taken by Dragon Pox.
She'd left a list of final requests. James, Sirius and Marlene were to all clear out the home together. The family house was to be sold, not kept as a reminder of the loss. James, Sirius and Marlene were to keep up the family tradition of Sunday night dinners. No matter what happened. They had to stick together.
Marlene had found herself packing up the kitchen alone, the room filled with ghosts. She could see Caroline Potter's graceful frame drifting in and out of the room. Baking with Marlene. Helping the young girl up onto the kitchen counter where she sat and ate the cookie dough (their little secret). All the times that she and James had gone sprinting through the room to reach the back door, Caroline shouting at them for tracking dirt through the house.
"Marley," James spoke, dragging her back into the present. "You okay?"
Marlene blinked back the tears in her eyes, nodding. "Just sad," she told him.
James came up and wrapped an arm around her waist, nuzzling his head into her side. They stood in front of the kitchen counter, facing the window, for quite some time. A light snow had fallen, coating the backyard, and Marlene could see a black squirrel in the distance, rummaging through.
"James."
"Yeah?"
"Please never leave me."
Alice woke up to the feeling of Frank's breath, warm against her neck. The couple had their first shared day off in months and they'd decided to spend it lounging around in bed doing absolutely nothing. Well, not nothing.
Alice smiled, eyes still closed, as she felt him roll on top of her, raising himself up on his elbows. His lips trailed along the side of her neck just as he knew she liked. Alice felt like she was floating on a cloud. There was no alarm to shake them both awake, no work to attend to. Just a quiet morning alone…
Alice yelped suddenly, Frank lips having reached her nipples.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked with concern.
Her eyes opened for the first time, feeling as though her bubble had been popped. She hadn't noticed until her husband's touch had reached them, how heavy her breasts felt. Alice cupped them in her hands to find them felt sore and hard as rocks.
"Period?" Frank inquired.
"Yeah," Alice nodded. She knew her monthly was due sometime soon. Her boobs were usually more sensitive when it rolled around but never before had she felt them literally ache. She pushed the worry from her mind, leaving it for a time when she wasn't lying in a bed of serene gestation with her husband.
Alice wrapped her arms around Frank's neck, as he leant over her, pulling him down so that his lips pressed to hers.
"You okay?" he inquired, his eyes still filled with worry.
Alice rolled over, pushing Frank down so that he lay on his back now and she sat on top of him, grinning.
"I'm perfect," she informed him, slithering down the bed slowly to pleasure him. When she emerged a short while later, lips meeting her husband's once more, he took her place, his head disappearing between her legs. Within minutes he had her gripping handfuls of the bed sheets, her breathing heavy. Gone were their younger days when their bodies had seemed like endless mazes as they both struggled to figure out what made the other feel good. It didn't take long before Frank was facing her once more, Alice dying to have him in her.
It was her favourite part of living together, being able to give themselves to each other – no restraints. For years they'd lived under the constant worry of having a roommate walk in or Augusta tapping on the door. Now, Alice cried out just the way her body wanted her to, no worries about who heard.
An hour later, after a morning filled with fun, Alice and Frank found themselves downstairs, sitting in their kitchenette. Both read the Prophet, Alice keeping on eye on the bacon and eggs she had sizzling over on the stove.
She flicked her wand, a pot of coffee floating across the room. She topped up their mugs, not a word being uttered between the pair of them. The silence was nice. They had quiet so rarely that the few hours they could spend, simply enjoying one another's company, were soaked up.
"Look," Frank announced excitedly. He turned his paper towards Alice, showing her a column he'd been reading.
The Increase in Anti-Muggle Prejudice: What Can You Do to Help Those Around You?
Of course, the article's title was not what drew Frank's excitement. It was the author that he was pointing to, Marlene McKinnon's name resting just below.
"We have to cut it out!" Alice insisted.
With the flick of his wand, Frank had the section of newspaper nicely detached from the rest, pinning it up against the fridge.
"Her first column…that's pretty big, isn't it? After just a year with the Prophet!"
"It's definitely not common," Frank agreed.
Alice felt like a proud mother as she glided around her kitchen, getting breakfast all ready to serve. Once Frank's plate had slid in front of him he put his paper down, the couple enjoying their time just the two of them.
"I think this is the second serving of bacon this week," Frank observed. Alice stuck her tongue out at him to acknowledge the teasing.
"It's been a bacon craving kind of week."
"Who am I to come between a woman and her cravings?"
"You remember that the next time you try and tell me buying a year's supply of coconut ice is unreasonable." Alice pointed a piece of bacon at her husband threateningly as she spoke.
"You do not need a year's supply of coconut ice!"
"That's what you think," Alice pouted.
Alice was just about to dig into her eggs when a knock at the door interrupted their quiet morning.
"No," Frank shook his head. "Nu-uh. I am not ruining this," he motioned to the table, "with whatever is waiting behind that door."
Alice had paused, fork hovering in the air before her. She waited until the second knock came, staring across the table in distress.
"It might be serious…"
"This is our first day off together in months!"
A third knock arrived solidifying Alice's fear. The young witch jumped from her chair and moved hurriedly towards their front door.
"Oh, bugger," she cursed, finding a worry faced Dorcas on the doorstep.
"Emergency Order meeting," she announced with a frown.
"It's our first day off together—"
"In months, I know," Dorcas, sighed. "It's not my idea of a fun afternoon either. Mooney expects you at the safe house in twenty minutes."
Alice groaned stubbornly, closing the door in her friend's face. She turned to see Frank had emerged from their kitchen, the same look of contempt worn on his face.
"Get your pants on," she instructed him. "Break's over."
Remus had found himself part-time work in a small used bookshop in Diagon Alley. The pay was minimal and the hours far and few between but at least he felt like he was doing something. He could stand behind that dusty old counter and be productive if only for a few hours.
Sadly, it was during one of these rare shifts that Peter Pettigrew entered his shop, the bell above the door ringing to signal his entry.
"Emergency Order meeting," Peter informed him, shoulder slumped forward as usual.
"I've got an hour left on my shift!" Remus protested.
"Moody insists everyone be there."
"Well, that's just bloody fantastic isn't it?" Remus couldn't help but be bitter about the arrangement. While the Order was important to him, it wasn't a paying job. It was frustrating to find himself constantly torn from his work just to abide by Alastor Moody's schedule.
"You could tell them you're not feeling well?" Peter suggested, attempting to be helpful.
"Or I could just quit right now, what's the difference? I'll probably be fired in two weeks time anyway."
"Don't say that!"
"Anyways, there's no one to tell. I'm supposed to be running the shop today. I suppose I'll just take my break now…"
"There you go," Peter smiled. "Look at you finding solutions."
It wasn't a solution that Remus fancied much but it was the only one he had. Sticking a sign on the window that promised his return, he slipped into the chilly afternoon with his friend, both apparating away in the laneway behind the shop.
The Order met at a safe house, a small, seemingly broken down shack, outside of London. Remus assumed it used to belong to whoever lived on the farm. The owner's business had clearly run dry and instead of selling the land they'd been forced to abandon the property, leaving the place untouched for years.
That is, until now. Standing in front of the front door Remus whispered the password so that upon opening it, the inside was transformed into a fully furnished two-story home. Couches surrounded the living room, a kitchen rested off to the side.
The home was half full, members beginning to filter in. Remus and Peter settled on one of the red sofas beside Emmeline and Gideon, both of whom looked equally unhappy about the sudden interruption in their daily schedule.
"It's a little difficult when you can't tell your boss that you need to leave halfway through your workday to fight a war," Gideon mentioned grumpily. Remus couldn't agree more.
"It's not like Moody wants to inconvenience you. He hasn't much of a choice either," Emmeline reminded her boyfriend.
"Easy for you to say when you don't have to worry about keeping a steady job."
Remus could sense the tension arising between the couple and quickly turned away, deciding he was best not to join in the conversation. He turned to see Marlene McKinnon entering the home, juggling two trays of coffee in either hand.
"To cheer up the masses," she announced, placing her delivery down on the table between everyone. She grabbed her own cup before it all went missing, squeezing in between Remus and Peter.
"Long time no see boys, what've you been up to?" A few months ago Remus would've told her the truth. He'd been gone the past week trying to get word from the werewolves communities on where their loyalties lay. He'd had frequent meetings with Dumbledore and Moody since arriving home to discuss what he'd learnt. Of course, they'd been strictly forbidden to continue this behaviour. As leaks seemed to continue, they'd been warned that despite friendship, they could be open with no one about their whereabouts and the work they'd been doing.
"Just been working, really," Remus lied.
"I was visiting with Aldora's family in Scotland this past week," Peter piped up. "It was lovely."
"Nearly two years you've been seeing that girl now, Pete!"
Peter smiled proudly, nodding his head. He always seemed to go bright red when his girlfriend was brought up, no matter how long they'd been together.
"Are we going to see a ring anytime soon?" Marlene poked him.
"Oh, I don't know…" Peter's eyes met the floor, seemingly embarrassed by the suggestion. Luckily for him, the rest of their friends entered the house swiftly after that, taking up residence on the various couches and chairs before the meeting began.
"I know you're all wondering why I've dragged you here so suddenly," Moody spoke to the room. A grim expression rested on his face. "Caradoc Dearborn has gone missing," Moody informed them. There were a few gasps around the room, people whispering to one another in shock. Beside him, Remus could feel Marlene gone rigid.
"How long?" Frank asked across the room.
"Over twenty-four hours. Edgar went to go check on him this morning, see why he hadn't returned any messages and found his place empty."
"It's not like him," Edgar spoke up, all eyes on the good-looking young man. "He wouldn't just get up and leave, not like this. It's a kidnapping made to look like an innocent disappearance."
"This is different than anything we've seen before," Moody continued. "This means they didn't want us to know he was gone, at least for as long as they could hold us off, and they want to keep us uncertain. This way we never know whether he was taken for real or if he just left, the uncertainty will make for a less dedicated search."
"Has the home been searched yet for any indications of a struggle?"
"I've got a team over there now," Moody affirmed.
"So then what's the plan?" James asked, frowning. "Where do we go from here?"
"I'll send a team of Aurors out on a search but I want a team from here to do more in-depth work. While my department searches specifically for Caradoc, I want people trying to sniff out their hiding spots. When people from the ministry and our team are going missing, where are they taking them? We need answers and fast. I don't like being outsmarted."
Dorcas rose from her seat now, Remus meeting his girlfriend's glance across the room as she stood by her boss's side.
"We need three volunteers willing to work over the weekend. It'll be gruelling but the results are vital. I'll be leading the effort."
"It goes without saying that the team is going to be staying in a safe house, an undisclosed location," Moody explained. "Let me make myself clear to everyone, if we have any indication that there has been a tip-off, those on the search team will be held responsible."
Remus squirmed in his seat, uncomfortable with the prospect that one of the people in the room – all of whom he trusted – could be a double agent.
"I'll go," Alice volunteered, hand shooting up.
Over a span of five minutes, James and Marlene both joined her, making up the team that would be heading off that evening.
Once the meeting was called and people began to slowly filter out Remus found his way up towards Dorcas. She was standing in the middle of the room, speaking in hushed tones with Moody. Their heads turned and Moody watched him like a hawk as he approached.
"I suppose I better be getting back to Dearborn's place," the middle-aged man grumbled. "Make sure they haven't messed the whole job up in my absence."
"I'll see you back at the office, sir," Dorcas smirked, watching the grumpy man waddle from the room on his peg leg. Alone, she leant in for a quick kiss, hands around Remus' neck.
"I hate it when you go."
"I'll be fine," she promised him. "It's not a raid, just a search. Should go off without a hitch."
"Don't say that. Saying it'll all go well never turns out good."
"Don't worry so much." Dorcas ran her fingers through his hair with affection. "Besides, you know what the best part of me going away is?" Her lips travelled along his jaw. "The present you get when I come home."
"When do you leave?" he asked, her brown eyes meeting his.
"Seven. You'll be home, we'll have lots of time for goodbyes then." With a final kiss, she pulled away to make her own exit, Remus following closely behind. Outside of the house, they waited for a moment, both about to go their separate ways.
"Doe," Remus spoke urgently, an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Do you think they're right? That someone's a spy?"
It took her a while to answer, her forehead drawn in concentration. He wondered whether she shared the same fear – wanting desperately not to believe it was true.
"Yes," she finally answered, making Remus' stomach turn. "I do."
Lily sat in the bedroom she shared with James and watched as he packed a bag for the weekend away. She hated that she didn't know where he was going or if he'd be safe. She hated being stuck home alone for two days simply worrying.
"Don't worry," James read her mind. "It's not going to be dangerous. It's one of the safer missions that's been assigned."
"I know that," Lily nodded, a frown still rested on her face. She sat in the centre of the bed, legs crossed, watching James tossing clothes into his bag. "I just hate when you go."
He stopped all his movement, pausing to look at her. "Come here," he said, motioning Lily forward. Slowly, she crawled across the bed, resting on the edge where James took her face in his hands. "I'm going to be okay," he promised. "I won't put myself in any danger."
"Liar."
"Well, I'll do my best to be safe."
Lily rolled her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her lips. James pressed into her, pushing Lily onto her back so that he could climb on top. His hands cupped her breasts, Lily inhaling sharply, their breathing heavy. Clumsily, Lily pulled her t-shirt over her head, giving James clear access.
His lips moved from between her breasts down her stomach, showering her with affection.
"This doesn't mean I'm not going to worry," she reminded him, struggling to keep her voice steady.
"This is so you don't call up any of your boys on the side while I'm away," James teased. He looked up at her, Lily removing his glasses and tossing them aside.
"I've already made three appointments for tomorrow afternoon," she shrugged. "Sorry, my love."
"I guess I'll just have to prove to you that I'm a better time than all those guys."
"Oh yeah?" she egged him on. "How're you going to do that?"
James tugged her pants down to her ankles, leaving Lily lying there naked. She stared up at him with admiration, her heart pounding in her chest as she yearned for him.
"Take your pants off," Lily ordered her husband, who grinned in response.
"What's that?"
Unable to take it, she unbuckled them herself. He pressed against her, hard, and their lips met once more. Kissing more fiercely this time.
"Now," Lily begged him. "Now." And then he was in her.
It was the greatest parting gift he could offer. Lily's heart pounding in her chest so hard she feared it'd burst, her legs locked around his hips as their bodies connected. It felt as though this was all they'd done since moving into their quaint cottage in Godric's Hollow. In their own home, they could make love whenever they wanted, no peering eyes around to catch them.
When they finished off, James collapsed on top of Lily, both of them panting with exhilaration. After a few minutes, he rolled over, Lily laughing as she gave him a congratulatory pat on the chest.
"Good job partner," she poked fun.
"Still planning to keep those appointments?"
"I might not have the energy now."
James turned his head to face her, a smirk on his face. They leant in for a quick kiss, hands intertwined on the bed between them.
"I never got the chance to ask how it went," Lily remembered, "packing up the house."
"It sucked."
James had spent the previous afternoon putting his whole life into boxes with Sirius and Marlene. Lily had offered to come of course, but she'd understood why it needed to be just the three of them. It had been their home more than anyone else's.
A year ago Lily had put her own mother in the ground, hoping that was her last heartbreak for a while, but burying the Potters' hurt almost worse. They had been a rock throughout everything and Lily knew how badly it hurt James to see them both go in such drawn out pain and so close together. He'd been forced to watch them grow weak and tired, their life slowly withering away.
The Dragon Pox had hit fast and suddenly, no one realising that they were sick until it was much too late. It had been horrible, finding out a few months into their marriage that the people they loved the most would no longer be with them. Lily hated that Caroline and Alec would never get to see the end of the war they'd fought so hard in. They'd never get to become grandparents or see their son grow old. It felt cruel.
"I'm so sorry, babe." Lily wrapped her arms around James and offered what little comfort she could.
"I knew it was coming eventually. I suppose it's for the best. We got everything packed up and out so that…" James' voice cracked. "The new family can get started…."
"It's just a house," Lily reminded him. "It's not them. Your parents are still very much alive. They're in you. They're in our home. We don't need a house to remember them."
"I know," James agreed. He pressed his lips to her temple. "You're right."
"Can I see that put down in writing?"
"Oh, piss off," he laughed, rolling out of bed. He put his clothes back on, Lily forced to watch as he returned to his packing. She was reminded that in a few hours he'd be leaving.
"I hate that I can't know where you're going."
"I can't have you selling my secrets to Death Eaters," James joked.
"Imagine finding out you'd married a double agent…"
"Might be kind of hot."
Lily tossed a pillow at his head, shutting him up. The truth was, it wasn't much of a joking matter. The fact that someone among them, one of their friends, might be trying to put them in danger was a horrific reality. They were supposed to have each other's backs, no matter what. How could someone in their inner circle be a spy?
"I'm going to be home before you know it, Lil."
"I know you will."
Lily sat up, pulling her knees into her chest. Until then, she'd simply have to wait.
Marlene had arrived at the Longbottoms' home to collect Alice. The two girls were going to eat dinner and then meet Dorcas at the safe house to begin their weekend mission. Frank was downstairs in his office, sulking. He hadn't been particularly happy with his wife's decision to head off to dangerous work for the weekend, especially when it was their big "day off."
"He'll get over it," Marlene shrugged. She was sitting in the armchair in the corner, watching Alice stick her things into a backpack for easy travel. "He's just mad he doesn't get to spend the rest of the evening getting laid, is all."
Alice laughed. That much was definitely true.
"Well, he'd better get over it. I hate when he gets in a mood like this, especially when one of us is going away."
"It only makes it harder," Marlene agreed.
"Does Sirius mind?"
"We don't interfere with each other's work. If one of us decides they're going to go on a mission the other one has to accept it."
"How's that working for you?"
"It's kind of nice, really," Marlene informed her. Alice was always amazed by the loose relationship Marlene and Sirius were able to keep up. Not living together but spending time with one another constantly, allowing the other freedom to make their own decisions without constantly consulting the other. "Makes the goodbyes easier."
"I'm sure," Alice grumbled, zipping up her bag. Her stomach was rumbling angrily, reminding her that she'd eaten barely anything since breakfast.
"I brought dinner," Marlene announced proudly, jumping up. "You'll be happy."
"I'll be happy with anything that is edible and tastes vaguely like food at this point."
The two girls headed downstairs into the kitchen where a paper bag with a grease lined bottom rested on the counter.
"I picked up some fish and chips." Marlene proceeded to pull the newspaper wrapped fast food from the bag. Alice's stomach, previously rumbling with hunger, suddenly curdled. The smell of the fish made something heavy form in the pit of it, her chest tightening.
"Are you okay?" Marlene asked.
Alice's vision felt funny as her palms began to sweat. She bolted towards the bathroom up the hall in just enough time to be sick in the toilet, Marlene rushing in after her.
"Shit," her friend cursed, watching Alice wipe the vomit from her lips as she flushed the toilet. Collapsed on the bathroom floor she leant back against the wall, staring up at Marlene with embarrassment.
"Sorry," she apologised.
"What was that about?"
"Probably just nerves," Alice shrugged.
That didn't make much sense, though. Not for someone whose job revolved around dangerous work and constant trips out of town. She'd been doing this for the past year of her life and never once had nerves gotten in the way. Alice pressed a hand to her stomach, her fingers tingling.
Her period was late. Her boobs hurt. She'd been craving bacon all week and now she'd been sick. The whole equation wasn't looking very good.
"Oh no," Marlene shook her head. "You're not…"
"No!" Alice snapped in denial. "Of course not, we always use protection." They did, at least…most of the time. Not including a few drunken nights where they'd been less careful than usual.
"Thank Merlin," Marlene sighed with relief. "That would be bad. I mean, can you imagine?"
"Yeah," Alice laughed half-heartedly. Her friend offered her a hand, pulling the witch up off the bathroom floor.
"Better?" Marlene asked.
"Yeah." Alice swallowed back a lump in her throat, her hand lingering over her stomach. Better, for now...
