Characters are property of J.K. Rowling. I intent to do no harm of copyright infringement or make a profit off of this fanfiction. I just wanna write. .

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Chapter Eleven: Abuse and Apologies

"Why!" Lily exclaimed.

"Because I'm a Black. They wouldn't be after me if I wasn't a pure blood Black. Because my parents are in their inner circle, I have to be, too. If not, they'll probably kill me,"

"No! They can't!"

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"Master, Sirius Black is no where to be found."

"Look harder! If you don't find him in three days… leave him. It's time we let them know Lord Voldemort is still powerful. By a fortnight, They will know that Lord Voldemort still rules them!"

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It seemed that Lord Voldemort had fled for now, but there was a silent relief. The tense atmosphere was now slack and relaxing. Children were outside, playing, people were much more friendly on the street and Godric's Hallow looked much more bright. One family, The O'Connor's, felt the most relief. They had six children, all of whom attended Hogwarts, who were at high risk of being attacked. Mrs. O'Connor's brother was a death eater. Melinda, Mrs. O'Connor refused to join him in his silent riot, causing him to cast a revenge upon her and her family.

It was a week after life had become relaxed and all of the O'Connor's were sleeping. There was a click of a door and a cloaked man stepped inside. He came and left. Before he apparated, he muttered and incantation. By morning, the whole neighborhood was surrounding the house. The Dark Mark was floating above the house and everyone knew that there were no survivors. Medi-wizards moved the bodies on a stretcher from the house to the ambulance. The tense atmosphere hung in the air once again. Lily and James were worried for their safety and asked Sirius to be their Secret Keeper. They're worst fears were indeed confirmed, Voldemort was more powerful than ever. The O'Connor's weren't the only doomed ones. Over the next few weeks, more and more people in the neighborhood were falling victim to Voldemort's plan.

Fall slowly turned into winter and November, the expected month of the wedding, was fast approaching. As a great surprise, they received a letter from Albus Dumbledore.

To the Potter's

Due to the outcome of the recent events of our society and it's witches and wizards, an order has been established. An order to create a downfall to the Dark Lord. Please meet at number sixteen, Taperfield Place. A photo will be taken.

Albus Dumbledore

"James! This is great! We can try and stop what is happened to the O'Connor's!" But James looked hesitant.

"Are you sure, Lily? I mean, we have a wedding to plan, a family to start. We could be killed."

"If we want to start a family, hopefully the dark days will be over by then, the wedding is already planned and if we die, we die heroes."

"Well, alright…"

"James, if you don't like the idea, the we won't join. I've never known you to be so hesitating when it comes to making decisions."

"Let's join."

It was about eight in the evening and it was snowing. They put on their cloaks and headed for Taperfield Place. A small crowd had gathered in front of the grotesque looking building. The door swung open and everyone gathered inside. A fire was burning and a lantern shone from inside the kitchen. They all made their way in and took a seat. There was a sudden pop and Albus appeared in front of them.

"I thank you all for coming," he said in his calm, assuring voice. "We have extreme matters to discuss, but first, a photo." They moved to the library and stood, lined up in two rows. The photo was then taken and everyone moved back to the kitchen.

"Welcome to the first gathering of the Order of the Phoenix,"

"Why the 'Order of the Phoenix'? Couldn't it be something a little more… fierce?" Asked a plump woman.

"It's his name, Dorcas, now shut up and listen.

"Now, now, Gideon…" Dumbledore smoothed. "Now, back to business. I'll make this quick, I'm sure some of us have things to plan and people to see. We'll meet on the eighth of every month and only have emergency meetings if something comes up. Any questions?" Lily stood up.

"May I make an announcement?"

"Certainly,"

"Yes, well, you see, James and I are getting married on the 28th, and we'd like to invited you all to the festivities!" Lily sat back down.

"Lastly, I'd like everyone to get acquainted so could you please stand up, state your name and occupation then we may adjourn the meeting."

"Peter Pettigrew, postman for muggles,"

"James Potter, stocker at Flourish and Blotts,"

"Lily Potter, I mean, Evans, searching…"

"Sirius Black, bartender at the Leaky Cauldron,"

"Dorcas Medowes, aurorer,"

"Elphias Dodge, ministry,"

"Rubeus Hagrid, gamekeeper at Hogwarts,"

"Caradoc Dearborn, ministry,"

"Sturgis Podmore, ministry,"

"Edgar Bones, aurorer,"

"Benjy Fenwick, ministry,"

"Remus Lupin, unemployed,"

"Emmiline Vance, ministry,"

"Alastor Moody, ministry,"

"Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts,"

"Dedalus Diggle, aurorer,"

"Marlene McKinnon, ministry,"

"Alice Longbottom, aurorer,"

"Frank Longbottom, aurorer,"

"Gideon Prewett, aurorer,"

"Fabian Prewett, aurorer,"

"Aberforth Dumbledore, headmaster,"

"Excellent! Meeting adjourned!" Lily and James shuffled through the crowd, muttering goodbyes. Marlene McKinnon brushed past them. Lily said goodbye.

"Goodnight, not goodbye," she said.
"Goodnight," It was the last they saw of her. On the 22nd of November, Marlene was dead as the Dark Mark floated overhead. She was buried the next day.

"This is horrible! Five days from the wedding, a member of the Order dies. Lovely, just bloody lovely,"

"Lily, just relax. It's not going to change any of our plans, just the way they're arranged. The wedding is going to happen." Lily sighed. He was right, as usual. Ever since they left Hogwarts, he'd gotten so serious. He wasn't the same. Suddenly, she despised him. She wanted to hurt him. Next, she felt her hand contact the side of James's face. What had she just done? Tears welled in her eyes as she dashed up the stairs. James just stood there, thunder-struck. He rubbed his face and collapsed on the couch. An hour or two passed and Lily reappeared in the kitchen.

"James," she started. "I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me. It's just that you've gotten so serious since we left Hogwarts that it hasn't been the same. Will you forgive me?" There was no answer. She looked around. He was gone. She called Sirius but he hadn't even heard from him since the meeting. Finally, it struck her. She pulled on a coat and left the house, running. She came to a hill where a shadowed figure sat atop. It was staring up at the sky as if it was trying to decipher the stars.

"I was looking for you, you know," she said to it. "You made me apologize to the couch." James turned to face her.

"Well, you did give it a few undeserving kicks from time to time."

"Listen, I'm real-"

"No need for apologies. All is well and ends well, right?"

"Right,"
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Well, Sirius is going to come live at the house for four days and I'm living with Tanya for four days.

"Why?" James exclaimed, sitting up and staring at her.

"Because I have to find a wedding dress yet, believe it or not and you aren't allowed to see me."

"Those are going to be the longest four days of my life." After those words, they simply sat in silence, watching the stars.