Two

Erin was standing still in front of a line of buildings made of grey and white bricks. They all had three floors and a black door at the right. It looked like a muggle neighbourhood but there was something odd about the flats. The first block was number 11 and the second one was the number 13.

''What about number twelve?'' She asked Kingsley, who was by her side.

They had met there quite late, it was almost six o'clock and the day was horrendous compared to the previous day. The sky was completely covered by black clouds; it was going to rain sooner or later.

''That's a good question. '' Kingsley started to say. ''What I'm about to reveal, Erin, makes you a secondary keeper. The number 12 of Grimmauld Place is hidden under the Fidelus charm. This is the headquarters of the Order at the moment. ''

Erin's breathing stopped for a second. The fidelus was an extremely difficult and powerful charm that was used to keep a location from the eyes of others, so it couldn't be found. Now that the secret had been revealed she was also a keeper.

''How many people know about this?''

''Too many, I'm afraid.''

''Then the power of the charm will increase. ''Erin noted. ''It won't be safe for anyone if there are too many secondary keepers. ''

Kingsley turned around to look at her while he moved his head. He seemed a bit annoyed.

''We don't have another choice.''

Then, he raised his wand and a third building appeared in the middle of the ones Erin had seen before. They had seemed to be together but there was obviously a lot more to see. The number 12 of Grimmauld Place was identical to the others although its facade was darker. Erin had been staring the whole time with her mouth partially open, how powerful had the person who designed that for first time been? Magic would never cease to impress her.

''Now that you've seen it you can go in and out on your own. And of course, you mustn't tell anyone. ''

''Of course'' She was convinced. ''Am I going to stay here? ''

''Yes."

Erin picked up her bag from the floor and started to walk past him. She had a lot of questions.

''Is someone living here already? ''

''You'll find out now. ''

The door opened and Erin saw a dark, large corridor. She could only hear their steps echoing as they walked, Erin was behind Kingsley, looking at everything her eyes could reach. There were a couple of paintings hanged and a lot of doors at one side and the other. At the end, there was a big staircase and a frame at its right side with a curtain hiding whatever there was underneath it. Undoubtedly, the place looked fancy but a bit strange at the same time. Everything was decorated with carpets and tapestries; it looked nothing like her tiny flat or her parents' house.

''This looks so Slytherin. '' Erin said when they were reaching the end of the corridor.

''That's because it belonged to a family of Slytherins.''

Erin turned around immediately, raising her head to see where the voice had come from. It was pretty clear it hadn't been Kingsley who had spoken because the voice sounded deeper than his. She wasn't able to recognise who the voice belonged to until she saw a tall and skinny man coming down the staircase. His hair was long enough to reach his shoulders, he had a beard and his eyes had the same colour as his hair, she could see that. Erin knew that face but it took her a moment to process it. That man was Sirius Black. It made sense she hadn't recognised him at first because he looked quite different from the pictures. The last time Erin had seen him in the newspapers he had looked wasted away, with his eyes sunken and his skin totally pale. However, that man walked with elegance and his eyes were shining full of life. She had never had the chance to see him in person until that day.

''Erin, this is Sirius Black owner of this house and member of the Order. '' Her boss introduced him. ''Sirius, this is Erin Hardy, our last incorporation. ''

Sirius finished walking down the stairs and stopped next to Erin. She extended her hand to stretch his, as she always did when she was introduced to someone.

''Nice to meet you.''

He stretched her hand without looking away, more intensely than Erin expected.

''Nice to meet you too.'' He said in return and then looked to Kingsley. ''You didn't tell me she was that young.''

Erin blushed even though she had no reason to. She was about to say she was there and listening as well, but Kingsley spoke first.

''Dumbledore recommended her. She had been working for the ministry for a few years, she is a good Auror and a good girl. She is friends with the Weasley family, we can trust her. '' He said trying to convince Sirius.

Erin was speechless. What had he said about Dumbledore?

''He didn't say a thing to me.'' She murmured.

''I don't doubt her skills, I respect that Dumbledore considered her right for the Order. ''Sirius clarified. ''But I don't want problems of loyalty, Kingsley. This is my house and our only safe place. Snape might've comprimised us already. ''

The girl felt her stomach sank and she wasn't able to look at either of them. Did she look like a traitor? On the one hand, she understood what Sirius was saying bearing in mind what he had been through. Suddenly she realised something he had mentioned.

''Snape was a keeper as well. '' She interrupted. ''Merlin's beard, how many people know?"

Sirius stared at Kingsley and even though he had look pissed, he laughed. Erin was surprised to see him laughing like that.

''At least we agree.''

They all stopped talking and Kingsley and Erin followed Sirius to another room. It was a big space, with a kitchen and a living room with more fancy furniture. Erin would've been impressed if the house didn't seem so old. She followed them without saying a word, she was still processing she was going to live with Sirius Black. Who would've though?

''Are you willing to die to keep the secret? ''Sirius inquiered.

He stared at her, solemny. Next to Erin, Kingsley had frozen.

''Sirius.'' He tried to say.

''No.''He cut him off by raising his hand. ''This is between her and me. You've chosen the person, I choose whether she joins or not.''

Erin's heart was beating so fast she thought they'd be able to hear it as well. She understood again his suspiciousness but if he was talking about what she thought... Sirius' eyes were piercing her soul.

''Are you refering to the Unbreakable?''

When he nodded it felt to her that her whole body had been shaken. Sirius Black had been betrayed by one of his best friends, how could he trust her if she said no? Erin swallowed before grabbing his arm; she knew how it was done. Both of them grabbed their arms while one of them asked the question and the other answered. Another person had to pronounce the words. They were three. The situation couldn't be any better and Erin thought Sirius had it planned since the beginning. He'd been very clever.

She took his arm and spoke, trying not to show how her lips were trembling. Erin didn't dare to look away either.

''I'm not a Gryffindor but I can be brave.''

That sentence had become her personal motto. She always calmed herself down by thinking about it. Then, when Kingsley had already raised his wand with disapproval showing in his eyes, Sirius Black loosened a little and Erin's arm fell.

''I just wanted to know if you'd be willing.'' Erin sighed. ''You've passed the test so you stay.''

''Damn you, Sirius Black.'' Kingsley spoke, already smiling. He still had his wand in his hand. ''You almost gave me a heart attack.''

''I almost had a heart attack.'' Erin added. She had her hand on her chest. Her heart was beating fast again.

Sirius didn't say anything else but he was also smiling a bit when he sat on an armchair next to where they were standing.

''I have two requests. The first one: Harry's birthday.'' It was almost impossible not to see how his face lightened when mentioning his godson. ''And the second one, the following day, if this lady is a friend of the Weasley family, I believe we have a wedding to attend.''

Bill and Fleur! She suddenly remembered the wedding.

''It'd be very nice if we could go.'' She supported the idea.

If she was going to be trapped the whole summer, at least she wanted to enjoy a happy day with her friends. It'd be a spark of light between all the darkness. She couldn't feel better when Kingsley fell for it.

''You can go together as long as you don't leave the house for a long time, understood?''