Cheating Life

Written by Christina E Lupin

Notes: It's been awhile since I updated this, haven't I? But guess what: I'm back on track with this! Thanks to you all for waiting and also telling me that you really like this one. I was kind of afraid what you would think of this after what happened in Cheating Death. But I guess I don't have to worry. I have been thinking what to do in this chapter and I think I have a good idea now. Please keep on reviewing!

Chapter Four: Reviving the Order

Minerva glanced around at the gathered witches and wizards, who were talking amongst themselves. So many lives had been lost in the previous war. Many more would be lost in this one as well, she knew. Lord Kaiser was attacking with more strength and she knew that she had to do something. With a sigh, she set off sparks. Everyone stopped talking and glanced over at her.

"I bet you are wondering why I have gathered you all here," she began. "And I bet some of you already know why. Since the newest Dark Lord is destroying both worlds, I have reached the decision to bring the Order back once again. You all have your strong points and that is why you have been summoned. If you don't want to be a part of this new Order, you are within your rights to walk away and go back to your lives."

No one got up to leave and that made Minerva smile. "Now, I will be passing around a parchment. I want you to sign your name next to your printed name. This will help keep our organization secret from the public until I feel it is time to reveal ourselves."

Minerva signed her own name and passed it to her left, where Caitlin sat. She flashed the Headmistress a smile and she signed the parchment with the quill. One by one, each member signed their name until the parchment made it back to Minerva. The parchment flashed blue and vanished when she touched it.

"Welcome to the new Order, everyone," she announced, smiling.

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"Where are the professors?" Briana asked during dinner that evening.

Teddy and Greg glanced at the Head table and only a few professors sat at the table. The boys frowned.

"I don't think there is a faculty meeting," Greg said. "That's strange."

Teddy took one glance at his friends' faces and he groaned. "No, guys. If they are having a private meeting, we shouldn't be snooping around."

"It's probably about the war," Briana spoke up. "What else would they be in a meeting for? Headmistress McGonagall would be talking to us if it had something to do with a student."

"You should have been in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor, Bri," Teddy replied.

She grinned. "I know."

The doors to the Great Hall opened and the other professors entered, quietly. The students stopped talking and watched them move to their positions at the table. McGonagall seemed to notice their looks, for she smiled. "Nothing to worry about, children. Go back to your meal."

"Bull," Greg whispered.

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The Potters and Lupins congregated in Harry's quarters, discussing the latest meeting.

"I am surprised they asked me to join," Aubrey began, staring at her folded hands. "Normally you don't hire Healers, especially a Healer like me."

"That is why Minerva asked you to join, honey," Harry said, smiling. "We need more Healers. Besides, you are also a general Healer, not just a psychologist. You have practiced magical and Muggle medicine before. We can't always use Poppy when we heal our war wounds."

She giggled. "War wounds. You have such a way with words."

"He gets it from his father," Lily confessed, smiling.

"Hey!" James yelped. "I'll have you know, Mrs. Potter, I was Head Boy when you were Head Girl."

"That still shocks me to this very day," she said, winking. "It should have been Remus."

James pressed a hand to his chest and pretended to have suffered a heart attack, draping himself over his wife's lap. The others in the room laughed.

"I think you killed your husband, Lily," Tonks answered, chuckling.

"Oh well." Lily shoved him off her lap and he went tumbling onto the carpet.

He pouted on the floor. "You are a cruel woman."

"You always said that, Prongs," Remus said, amused. "Whenever she denied your offers to date her, you told us that she was cruel and would eventually see what she was missing."

"That sounds like him," Aubrey replied, leaning against her fiancé.

"You are cruel, all of you. I should find other friends," James said, still on the floor.

Everyone collapsed back into laughter. They never heard the door opening nor did they see Teddy standing there, looking amused at the scene.

"Why is James on the floor?" he asked.

"Lily is being mean to me, Teddy," James pleaded, making his eyes grow wide. "Help me."

Teddy pretended to think, his hair changing from his light brown he favored to blue before he changed it to red, like Lily's. "Nope."

"No one loves me!" James wailed. He convulsed on the floor and pretended to die again.

"Poor guy," Tonks said in fake concern.

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"You have failed me."

The man on the floor winced as his Lord's quiet voice washed over him. He kept his eyes averted, never connecting with Kaiser's. The man, as was Voldemort, was a natural Legilimens, able to read his servants' minds once they met his eyes.

"I am most sorry, Lord. She fought me the entire way, never giving me the information you so desired."

"And so you killed her in your frustration. That was most unwise, Acker. Now who else am I to use to gather those plans?"

Acker didn't answer. He knew it wouldn't do to argue with his Lord.

He heard his Lord sigh. "Remove yourself from my sight until I call for you."

"Yes, Lord."

Kaiser watched the man walk away and he rubbed his temples where his headache resided. He needed those plans and he needed them now. Did he have to do everything himself? Maybe that was where Voldemort had failed before. A grin lit up his face and he stepped down from his seated position. He screwed his face up and felt the familiar tingle of his Metamorphmagus ability working on distorting his figure. It would not do to be recognized.

Kaiser strode out of his room and down the passages until he was outside. He inhaled in the sweet air and he stood there for a minute, letting the cool breeze brush him. Then, with his destination firmly in his mind, he turned and Apparated without hardly a sound.

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End of chapter

Sure, it isn't the longest chapter of all, but I think it gives you something to read for now. What is Kaiser up to? What kind of plans does he want? And will the Order be able to foil his plans as well as reveal who he is? Stay tuned for more! And sorry about the long wait, everyone.