Friday, December 25th 1998

"Nani! Nani!" Lucy exclaimed, running through the front door and hugging her grandmother. Isobel laughed and hugged her tightly.

"Hello, darling!" she said with a smile. She picked Lucy up into her arms "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" Lucy said with a giggle.

Isobel looked over at Minerva, Nina, and Daniel with a smile. She gave each of them a hug and wished them a merry Christmas as well with Lucy still in her arms. She walked them into the living room where Malcolm, Robert and their families were already sitting. They said their hellos and merry Christmases before sitting down as well. Lucy sat down next to Lina on the floor.

They talked for a long time, opened presents and soon made their way into the dining room for dinner. After dinner the children moved into the living room while the adults stayed in the dining room to drink their tea and discuss the war.

"How are things at Hogwarts?" Rosalin asked, looking over at Minerva. "I mean all we know is what Lina's been telling us."

"Which isn't much," Robert added.

"Well, things are definitely escalating," Minerva muttered. "We have so many refugee families at Hogwarts now and the war looks nowhere close to coming to an end. We also may have a spy in the Order."

"A spy?" Isobel said with a frown. "You mean someone on the Order is working for You-Know-Who?"

Minerva nodded sadly. "We fear that is most likely the case. The Death Eaters are almost always one step ahead of us. They know our plans in advance and they've slowly been finding our safe houses."

"Do you have any leads on who it may be?" Malcolm asked.

"We have narrowed it down to a select few considering who had access to what information but in that group I have a hard time believing it's any of them," Minerva muttered. She shook her head and sighed. "All we know is that someone we trust is actually working against us and is putting all of our friends at risk."

"That's horrible," Daisy whispered. "You know, Flynn has expressed interest in coming back to the UK and fighting in the Order but I've said no."

"He is of age, Daisy," Robert said. "He can make his own choices."

Daisy sent him a look. "And how would you feel if Lina expressed the same interest?"

Robert didn't answer and Malcolm shook his head. "It's always different when it's your own child," he mumbled with a sigh. "We already have Lando putting himself in danger, we don't want Flynn doing the same."

Daisy sighed and shook her head. "Why can't he just listen?" she mumbled. "Why does he insist on helping?"

"That's just Lando," Isobel said with a sigh. "He sees a problem, he wants to help solve it."

"He'll be okay," Robert said. "He's a smart kid."

There was silence for a second before Malcolm looked over at Minerva. "So, what about this prophecy business with Lucy?"

Minerva furrowed her brow. "I don't even want to think about that."

"It said that she'd pick the winning side," Isobel said with a frown. "Why wouldn't she pick this one? The idea that she of all people would sympathise with the Death Eaters is laughable."

"Yet the way it's worded does make it seem like there will be a distinct choice," Malcolm said. "Whether that be under duress or otherwise. I think we'll have to be very careful."

"I agree," Daisy said. She sighed. "Lucy is much too small to have to worrying about things like this."

Minerva nodded. "She is. She is much too little and small and scared already. She knows about the war now and she's seen what it's doing," she mumbled. "She knew Marlene McKinnon and her death really hurt her."

"The whole McKinnon family..." Isobel mumbled with a shake of her head.

"It's a horrifying thought," Robert muttered, "to have the home you thought was safe bombarded like that."

"It's why we must take precautions," Minerva said. "Lina is very safe at Hogwarts and Flynn is safe in Northern Ireland but what about you four? You're all staying in Edinburgh right? What are the protections like around your home there, Malcolm?"

"Unplottable, of course," Malcolm replied. "Mother is our Secret-Keeper."

Minerva nodded. "Good."

"And Lando's been staying at home lately as well," Daisy said. "And I know he's safe but I still worry about Flynn in Ireland all the time."

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Isobel said, giving her a reassuring smile. "What about Daniel and Nina? Are you sure they'll be safe in Canterbury?"

"They should be fine," Minerva said. "Though I do worry about them a lot as well. Their flat is also unplottable. I'm their Secret-Keeper. We don't get to see much of them when they're down there because with schoolwork and Order business it gets so busy and I don't really have the time to go every weekend. Lucy does not like that very much."

Isobel smiled a little. "Well, she seems quite happy today."

"Well, it is Christmas," Rosalin said with a smile.

"So how are things at the Ministry?" Minerva asked, looking over at Daisy.

"Tense," she replied with a sigh. "All of our energy is going into reconstruction of everything the Death Eaters destroy. No one knows who to trust. The Ministry has more of a spy problem than the Order does. I don't think the Ministry really knows what it's doing and I don't know how much longer it will last."

Nobody spoke for a while, thinking over Daisy's words. All that could be heard was the clink of teacups being put down on saucers. Most conversations on the war ended like this it seemed. Finally the silence was broken by Isobel.

"Well," she said quietly, "all we can do is keep fighting and hope that things get better soon."

There were nods of agreement and then silence again. The silence did not last long however. It was broken by a loud banging noise and shouts from the living room. The shouting did not sound like child's play. The adults got up quickly, wands out, and ran to the living room.

To Minerva's horror they found Lando, Flynn, and Lina attempting to duel seven Death Eaters. Everyone sprang into action to help the children. Isobel took on two Death Eaters while everyone else took on one. Malcolm shouted for his sons and niece to get back. Lina fell back quickly, moving to where Daniel and Nina had pulled Lucy behind a couch. Flynn and Lando, however, did not. They wanted to help fight too.

"Flynn, Lando," Malcolm yelled. "Get everyone else back home! We'll Apparate back when we can!"

"No!" Flynn yelled, sending a red light towards one of the Death Eaters. "We're not going to leave you!"

"Go, Flynn! Keep the children safe!" Isobel called. "We can handle ourselves!"

Flynn looked at Lando who gave a small nod. He turned to look at where the others were hiding. He and Lando ran over to them and crouched behind the couch too.

"Okay," Lando said loudly so they could hear him over the fighting. "We have to get outside and far enough away from the house so we can Apparate. Flynn, you can take Daniel and Nina and I'll take Lina and Lucy." Flynn nodded. Lando looked at Daniel next. "I can take Lucy. You and Nina stick close."

Daniel nodded and let go of his sister. Lucy quickly crawled towards Lando who scooped her up. He stuck his head out over the couch a little so he could see what was going on. Lucy looked over too and saw a flash of green light just narrowly miss her mother. Her eyes widened and she held onto Lando more tightly.

"I'm going to crawl behind that armchair and then motion for you guys to follow one by one when it's safe, okay?" Lando said. He looked back and saw the frightened faces of his brother and cousins nod at him before looking back at the fight.

He waited for every Death Eater to be distracted before scurrying over to the armchair by the door with Lucy still in his arms. Once he made it, he put her down but she still clung to his side. He looked back up at the fight and motioned for the next person to follow. Nina came next and then Lina. Lando left Lucy with Nina and then crawled out the living room door, into the kitchen to check if it was safe. It was so he came back and sent Lina and then Nina and Lucy. He then helped Daniel and Flynn get over safely as well.

When they were all in the kitchen they could stand up and walk properly. Lando picked Lucy back up and looked out the window.

"If we get past the tree line we'll be able to Apparate," Lando said, scanning the back garden to make sure it was safe. "This house is old and has a lot of spells on it so we can't Apparate while we're inside."

He saw nothing so he was about to move towards the backdoor when in a very small and scared voice Lucy whispered, "Lando... there are people in the trees."

Lando looked again and his heart sank when he saw monstrous men standing behind the line of trees that he hadn't noticed before. Lina saw them too and tears filled her eyes.

"What are we going to do? We can't fight them all!" she cried.

"We need a new plan," Daniel said trying to remain calm. "What else can we do?"

"Hide?" Nina suggested.

"No, that won't work," Flynn muttered. "If they use a searching charm they'd find us immediately."

Lucy buried her face on Lando's shoulder as tears started to roll down her face. Lando sighed and rubbed her back. "It'll be okay. We'll think of something," he whispered, trying his best to come up with a new plan. They couldn't go outside. They couldn't hide. They needed a new way out and they needed to warn their parents that there were more Death Eaters waiting for them. Suddenly he had an idea. "The fireplace!"

"In the living room?" Flynn exclaimed.

"No," Lando replied. "Grandma has one in her bedroom! We just need to get upstairs and then we can Floo."

"The house in Edinburgh isn't connected," Flynn said. "We need to Floo somewhere else and then Apparate."

"We can Floo to my bookshop and Apparate from there," Lando suggested. "Yeah, that's what we'll do. Come on."

"We have to go through the living room again if we want to get upstairs," said Daniel.

Lando nodded. He walked toward the door and poked his head out. He saw that Isobel had managed to stupify one of the Death Eaters she had been fighting and was now focused on the other. Minerva had her Death Eater on the ropes and Malcolm had beaten his. He was now helping Daisy with hers. Robert and Rosalin were working together on their two as well. Lando saw his opening and crawled back towards the armchair.

"Dad!" he yelled as he looked back towards the kitchen and motioned for Nina to follow him. "There are more outside! A lot of them!"

"What!" Minerva cried. She blasted the Death Eater she was fighting backwards. He hit the opposite wall and slumped down to the ground limply. Minerva looked back at the kids coming back into the living room and ran back towards the couch they were behind now. "What are you doing?"

"We're going upstairs to use Grandma's fireplace," Lando said. "That's the only way out."

Minerva nodded. "Okay," she replied. "Get up there and we'll come up after you."

"We're going to Floo to my bookshop since the house is not connected," Lando said. "It's called Beedle and Bard Books."

Minerva nodded again. She was about to say something else when she heard another bang behind her and saw more Death Eaters file in. She looked back and put a hand on Lucy's back. "It'll be okay, sweetheart," she whispered. She looked at the other children, a lot of who were also tearing up. "Be safe. Listen to Lando. We'll see you all soon."

Lucy turned to see her mother getting up and running back into the fight. She didn't want her to go. She wanted her to come with them. Lucy looked back at Lando who avoided her gaze. He was looking for the best way to get to the hallway with the stairs.

Lando motioned to the next couch they would crawl behind and slowly led them through the room. They went behind couches, turned over tables, and moved shelves until finally they made it to the other side. The stairs passed by the front door so Lando peaked his head out the door first. Sure enough there were Death Eaters in the hall, looking around. He handed Lucy over to Daniel before he and Flynn barged through the door and took on the Death Eaters. While they distracted the Death Eaters, Lina led the rest of them up the stairs and towards Isobel's room. Once they had made it up the stairs, Lando and Flynn came up slowly too, still duelling the Death Eaters below.

Lina pushed through her grandmother's bedroom door and ran towards the fireplace quickly. She grabbed the little dish filled with Floo Powder from the top of it and held it out for Nina to take.

"Just step into the fire and say 'Beatle and Bard Bookstore' before throwing down the powder," she said as Nina took a handful of powder. "Oh, and keep your elbows tucked in. You don't want to hit them on the sides of the chimney."

Daniel handed Lucy over to Nina and she climbed into the fireplace. She said the bookstore's name and threw down the powder like she was told. The fire roared to life and encompassed the two girls before they disappeared.

"Okay, you next," Lina said, holding the Floo Powder dish towards Daniel.

He nodded and took a handful but before he could move, the door burst open and Lando and Flynn came inside. Lando slammed the door closed behind them and moved the bed in front of it.

"We've got a little bit of time," he said, turning around to look at them. "Let's go."

"What about Mum, Dad and the others?" Lina said, tears falling down her cheeks. "There's so many of them, Lando! How will they get out?"

"They'll find a way, Lina. Don't worry," Lando said as they heard pounding on the door. "We don't have much time. Let's go!"

Daniel got into the fireplace, threw down the powder, and disappeared. Then Lina went, then Flynn, and finally it was Lando's turn. He got in and as the room was disappearing behind him, he saw the bed blast across the room and the door swing open. He really hoped that the adults found a way out quickly. There were way too many Death Eaters for them to take.

Lando stepped out of the fireplace in the back office of his bookstore to find his brother and cousins sitting on the floor. Lucy was sitting in Daniel's lap and Nina was sitting beside him. He had his arm around her. Lina was sitting in between Daniel and Flynn. She was holding Lucy's hand. Lando sighed and sat down too. "It'll be okay, you guys. All of them are strong and skilled fighter. They'll find a way out. I know they will."

"We should send a message to Dumbledore," Nina said suddenly. "He can get the rest of the Order over there and help them!"

"That's a good idea," Lina said.

Lando nodded and flicked his wand. A silver panther came out the end of it and flew off with his message for Dumbledore. After it was gone he turned back to the others. They sat in silence for a long time before Lando decided to break the silence.

"Hey, don't worry. They'll be fine. They're McGonagalls after all. We don't give up," Lando said with a small smile. He stood up and walked towards the door of the office. "Come on. We can go to the storefront and look at some of the books to get our mind off it."

Daniel was the first to stand up. Lando gave him a smile as he put Lucy down beside him and took her hand. "Come on, kid," he said. "Maybe there are some nice books you'll like."

Lucy leaned in close to Daniel and walked with him towards Lando. The others got up too and followed behind them. Lando smiled and took them to the storefront.

"Wow," Lucy whispered. The store was huge. There were two floors. The bottom floor had lines of tall dark wood shelves on either side of the room of a long corridor with a high glass ceiling. If you looked up from the corridor you could see the second floor. The corridor had large, comfy looking armchairs and small tables. The second floor was just lines of shelves on either side of the corridor as well. It looked like a giant library except at the front by the door there was a desk with a cash register where you could buy the books.

"Like it?" Lando asked with a smile. He flicked his wand and candles at the end of each shelf came to life, lighting up the store a little bit more.

Lucy nodded. "It's nice."

Daniel took Lucy over to a bookshelf and picked her up so she could look at the shelves higher up while the others either sat down in armchairs or look at different shelves of books themselves. Lucy sighed and rested her head on the side of Daniel's.

"Daniel?" she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Mum and everyone will be okay?" Lucy asked.

Daniel took a deep breath. He thought about the amount of Death Eaters in the garden. They vastly outnumbered the McGonagalls. He wanted everything to be alright. He wanted everyone to be okay but he didn't know if they would. He wanted to be optimistic but at the same time he wanted to be realistic too. He sighed. "I don't know, Lucy. I hope so," he mumbled. He pulled out a book to try and distract her. "Hey, look. This book is about Leprechauns."

Lucy shook her head and squirmed so he would put her down. She walked away towards where Nina was sitting on an armchair. Nina gave her a small smile and moved a little so Lucy could come sit beside her. Lucy did and hugged her tightly, burying her face into her side. Nina put her arms around Lucy too and sighed.

"This is my fault," Lucy whispered. "I was the one that couldn't keep the secret that we were coming here."

"It's not your fault, love," Nina said soothingly. She realized now though that someone in the group they trusted most was the spy after all. She kept calm and consoled the girl, not wanting her to worry right now. "You didn't tell anyone bad where we were. You just told friends."

"I shouldn't have told anyone!" Lucy sobbed. "It's all my fault!"

"No, no, darling," Nina whispered. "Shh... it'll be alright. Don't cry. We'll be okay. Everyone will be fine. It's not your fault. It was an accident."

They waited for hours for someone to send word and tell them what was going on but nothing came. Everyone was started to get really worried now. They had pulled some armchairs up to where Nina and Lucy were sitting so that they could all sit down together and wait. They tried to read some books, Lando even tried to read a fairytale out loud for everyone, but every story or conversation fizzled out quickly. They were much too worried about their family to do anything else.

"Maybe we should send another message to Dumbledore," Lina suggested, wiping the tears off her cheeks. "Maybe... maybe he didn't get the first one."

"He got it," Flynn mumbled. "It was a patronus, not an owl. He got it."

"Well we could send another just in case," Lina said.

No one responds so Lina pulled out her own wand. She flicked it and a large silver butterfly flew through the room and disappeared with a message for Dumbledore. Once the butterfly was gone, they were back to sitting in silence thinking the worst had happened. Maybe Dumbledore and the Order didn't make it on time and everyone was dead. Elders from another Wizarding family all wiped from existence. Even with a Muggle last name they were still a prestigious wizard family. Nina felt Lucy's breathing become unsteady again and rubbed her back softly. Lucy leaned into her and cried silently.

More time past and they had all but given up hope when suddenly a silver deer came into the room. It opened its mouth and Daisy's voice came out of it. "We are fine. Sit tight, we're on our way."

"Oh thank God," Lina said quietly.

"See, everything is fine," Nina whispered to Lucy, holding her close. Lucy wiped her tears and smiled a little. Daniel reached over and tousled her hair a bit.

Soon a soft pop was heard and Minerva and the others Apparated into the bookshop. Lucy slid off the armchair she was sitting on and ran to her mother, tears running down her cheeks.

"Mommy!"

Minerva hugged her and picked her up while the other children went and hugged their own parents. Minerva put a hand on the back of Lucy's head as she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck tightly. "Shh, I'm here," Minerva said soothingly. "It's alright. We're all okay."

Daniel and Nina walked over and hugged her too. They were so relieved to see everyone alive and okay. They all had a few cuts and scrapes and their robes were a mess with dirt, blood, and rips but they were okay.

"We'll all Apparate to Malcolm's house," Isobel said. "We can relax and calm down a bit over there."

They all agreed and set off. Minerva Apparated with Lucy while Isobel took Daniel and Nina. They arrived on the doorstep of a small cottage on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The house was not nearly big enough for all of them but it was cozy and warm and safe and that's all that matter right now. They all sat in the living room drinking hot chocolate and snuggling close together under cozy blankets. A fire was going in the fireplace giving off some warmth and light. Minerva was sitting on the floor with Lucy fast asleep curled up in her lap and Nina asleep on her arm. Lina was asleep on the couch with her head resting on her father's lap. Everyone else was awake and talking quietly as to not wake the girls.

"You did a good job, Lando," Minerva whispered. "Of keeping everyone safe."

"I did my best," he mumbled.

"It was excellent," Daniel said. "He came up with a new plan quickly, took care of Lucy, Lina, and Nina, held off Death Eater with Flynn. He did great."

Lando gave Daniel a little smile. "It was nothing," he said. He looked over at his father. "What happened after we left?"

"Well, we were holding off the Death Eaters when more came," Malcolm said with a sigh. "Then a little while after you left more Order members arrived to help us. Said that you had gotten word to them. That was good thinking."

"Nina's idea," Lando said. "I hadn't even thought about it until she said that we should send word to Dumbledore."

Minerva smiled, looking down at the sleeping Nina resting her head on Minerva's arm. She couldn't imagine what they would have done if Nina hadn't thought quickly. They would never have been able to hold off all those Death Eaters alone. She was sure that right now they owed Nina their lives.

"Well," Malcolm continued. "It was a long battle but in the end we were able to secure enough of the house to remove some of the charms and Apparate out. Everyone was fine. A couple people had a few injuries but nothing that couldn't be fixed. However... a group Muggles did hear the commotion while they were driving by and came to see what was going on. They were not so lucky. I think the Ministry has told the Muggle news that it was a car crash."

There was silence for a long time. Minerva sighed. Those men had just wanted to make sure everyone was okay. They were innocent and the Death Eaters killed them anyway. She looked down at Lucy and pushed some hair out of her face.

"How did they find us?" Flynn asked, breaking the silence finally. "I thought that house was basically as secure as Hogwarts! How could they have gotten there without us knowing?"

"I think the only thing secure about Hogwarts anymore is Albus Dumbledore," Isobel mumbled quietly with a shake of her head. "That house was very secure. It had every charm on it possible without making it unplottable. Someone must have tipped them off. That's the only way they could have found it."

Minerva looked down at Lucy and sighed. She moved the blanket over her a little bit more. She moved a little in her sleep and hugged one of Minerva's arms tightly. The only people who Lucy had let it slip that they were going to Castletown was the group at Lily and James's dinner party. Minerva didn't like it, she trusted all of them with her life, but she wasn't stupid. One of them must be the turncoat.

"A very merry Christmas then," Robert muttered, raising his cup a little. "You got any whiskey I could spike this with, Daisy?"

...

"Why don't you come back to Hogwarts with us, Mother?" Minerva said quietly on New Year's day. They were all getting ready to leave Malcolm's cottage. Flynn was off, back to Ireland and Lina was coming with Minerva and Lucy back to Hogwarts. They would be dropping Daniel and Nina off in Canterbury on the way.

"That's alright, my love. You don't have to worry about me," Isobel said with a small smile. "I'll stay here in Edinburgh with Malcolm and the others for a little while. Maybe I'll come to Hogwarts afterwards."

Minerva nodded. "Alright, if you're sure."

"Of course," she replied. She pulled Minerva into a quick hug. "Stay safe, darling. Send me word soon. I expect a letter from each of you," she looked at Daniel, Nina, Lucy and Lina, "every week at least. Just to let me know you're all safe."

They said okay and goodbye, hugging their grandmother before taking their Portkey away. They arrived on the welcome mat of Nina's apartment and went inside. Lucy didn't want to drop off Daniel and Nina. She wanted them to come back to Hogwarts with her where it was safe. Everyone said that Hogwarts was the safest place right now because of Uncle Albus so why wouldn't they just take a semester off and stay with her. She hugged Daniel and begged him to come back to Hogwarts but he didn't give in.

"Don't worry, kid," Daniel said with a smile, hugging her tightly. "We'll be safe here. Nobody knows we're here. They think we're at King's College remember."

"But I still think it would be safer to just come to Hogwarts," Lucy said.

"But you know we can't do that," he replied.

She sighed and nodded. "Be safe, Daniel."

"Of course."

She said goodbye to Nina too and then took her mother's hand. Minerva Apparated Lucy, Lina and herself back to Hogwarts. They landed behind the gate and walked through the snow up to the castle.

When they finally made it up to the castle, Minerva looked over at Lina. "Alright, love, you still have about a week before the Hogwarts Express arrives. You can find something to do in that time I'm sure."

Lina nodded. "Yeah, I think one of my friends is here so I'll go find her. Thank you for bringing me back with you, Aunt Min."

"Of course," Minerva replied with a smile. "Lucy and I will be in my office if you need anything."

"Bye Lina," Lucy said. "See you later."

"Bye Lucy, bye Aunt Min," Lina said before walking away towards the Gryffindor dormitory.

Minerva looked down at Lucy and gave her a small smile. "Don't be sad, my love. Everyone is fine and they're safe where they are."

"Mum?"

"Yes?"

"Why do the Death Eaters keep following us?" Lucy asked with a worried look on her face. "Why do they want to hurt us? What did we do?"

"We stood up for what is right," Minerva said as she led the way back to her office. "Sometimes bad people get mad when you stand up for what is right."

"But we don't try to hurt them. Why do they try to hurt us? I don't want to die and I don't want anyone else to die!" Lucy said.

"You're not going to die, darling," Minerva said, stopping and going down on her knees so she could face Lucy. "I'm not going to let that happen. There are so many people here that are fighting to make sure you and everyone else lives. We don't want anyone to die either."

Lucy wrapped her arms around Minerva's neck. "I'm sorry for letting people know we were going to Nani's house. I won't tell anyone anything ever again."

Minerva sighed. "It's okay, love. It's not your fault," she said, lifting her up and continuing the walk up to her office. "Did you tell anyone other than James and them where we were going?"

Lucy shook her head making Minerva's heart sink. So it was one of them. She didn't want to believe it but her trust in all of those people had put her family at risk. At least one of them were working for Voldemort and she did not know which one. She sighed. Dorcas and Remus were still dropping Lucy off at school every day and she was quite certain that if it was one of them they would have done something by now. The idea made her shudder a little. What if it was one of them and they were just waiting for the right time to take Lucy out? No. They had both proven time and again that they were on the side of the Order. Dorcas herself had a great track record of arrests and Remus had done everything, even at the expense of his own health and sanity, to try and turn some werewolves onto their side. James and Lily had a child now and so they had to think about Harry's safety. They had defied the Dark Lord on multiple occasions but if the safety of their baby was at risk, Minerva couldn't be sure that they wouldn't spill Order secrets. She would not blame them if it were this way, of course. She couldn't be sure if she wouldn't do the same. However, James and Lily seemed very happy and relaxed, as one could be during wartimes. They were happy and healthy and cheerful. They did not seem to be under duress of any sort. Alice and Frank were the in the same boat. Then there was Sirius and Peter. Sirius had the history of course but he had proven time and again that he was not his mother or father's son. Peter had not done anything very remarkable in the past and Minerva doubted he would be able to keep up a charade like that. Either way, he's always been very loyal to his friends. He basically hero worshipped James and Sirius, he would never do anything to hurt either of them. Hagrid, Doge, and Diggle were much too loyal. Moody had lost an eye and a leg to this fight. He had literally given everything and was still giving more to this war. Why would he be the spy? Mundungus had his faults but he was still a good person. He had proved himself to be on their side time and time again. Podmore had also done the same and it obviously wasn't Amelia. Minerva was back to square one. She could not believe that any of those people were the spy but evidence was mounting to the contrary.

...

"What do you think, Albus? Who could it be? Is it one of them?" Minerva asked later that night during her meeting with Dumbledore. She was pacing back and forth in the Headmaster's office trying to figure out what to think.

"I wish I knew, Minerva," he replied with a sad sigh. He was sitting at his desk with his elbows in the table and his fingertips pressed together looking very deep in thought.

Minerva looked at him. "The Order is falling apart. Alastor and Emmeline got into a bloody duel after he accused her of being the spy. Doge still won't talk to Fletcher, convinced it's him. Sirius got ambushed in Essex two nights ago and is convinced that Remus is the one that told the Death Eaters he would be there! This is their plan, isn't it? Plant one spy and then all of a sudden it's like a... a, as the Muggles call it, witch hunt!"

"Strong language, Minerva."

"It's true though, is it not? The best term to describe it," she muttered walking over and flopping down in her chair.

Dumbledore closed his eyes and nodded solemnly. "Yes, I think you're right," he conceded. "This spy business is tearing us apart. If we are to survive we will need to find them as soon as possible. A task that, I'm afraid, the two of us will have to do personally."

"You don't trust anyone else?" Minerva asked.

"I trust a few but I would still think it foolish not to have them checked as well," he replied. "We must be very thorough in times like these."

"So how are we going to do this then? Have them come in and slip them some Veritaserum?" Minerva asked.

"I think that may ruffle some feathers and a lot of these people are on edge already," Dumbledore said with a shake of his head. "No, I think that a little feline friend of ours should take a little interest in the day to day routine of some of these Order members."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "If you want me to tail them while in cat form just say so, Albus. I don't like it when you talk about me like that."

He smiled. "Sorry, Minerva."

"So who should I do first then?"

"Well, we'll start with those who were there on the night of Lily and James's dinner party," he said. "It would be our best bet, I think, considering you said that Lucy hadn't let it slip to anyone else that Isobel lived in Castletown."

Minerva nodded, though she still didn't like it.

"I would suggest Dorcas and Remus first. Just to be a hundred percent sure with those two as they will be taking Lucy to and from school in just one week," he said. "It will put one worry out of your head."

Minerva nodded again. "That's a good idea."

"I'm known to have those every once in a while."

"A shame it happens so rarely."

Dumbledore put a hand over his heart. "Why, Professor, your words hurt like whips, I must say." She rolled her eyes at him and he chuckled. He continued, "You will probably need someone to watch Lucy while you're out on your mission. Might I suggest Andromeda Tonks or Molly Weasley?"

"I'll talk to them," Minerva replied with a nod. She sighed and looked down a little. "Lucy's still scared. She doesn't know who to trust anymore and I don't know what to tell her. I want to tell her that she should trust people but at the same time I don't know if that's true anymore and I don't want something like this to happen again."

Dumbledore nodded. "These things are tough and it's a shame that she had to learn such a complicated lesson at such a young age where she may not be in the right place to fully understand it."

"I just wanted her to have a happy, healthy, normal childhood," Minerva mumbled. "Was that too much to ask?"

He did not respond.

"She's only seven Albus," Minerva continued. "She shouldn't have to worry about saying something that could endanger our lives or worry about bad guys bursting in and hurting her. She absorbs more and goes looking for more information than other children her age. She asks questions that I can't even come close to answering properly. I just want her to run around and laugh and play like Nymphadora and Charlie and Bill but sometimes I see her sitting in the corner because she's too worried to play."

He nodded. "I know. It'll be okay. She'll learn to cope better. She's smarter than most children her age. Smarter than is probably good for her. So I'm certain that she will learn how to cope and be happy even when it seems awful outside."

Minerva sighed. I just don't want her to have to.

Author's Note:

The war is getting pretty intense and who knows who this dastardly spy could be!

Anyways, thanks for reading! Please leave a review! It makes me very happy to see that people are actually reading and enjoying my work!