A/N: Hi guys, sorry for the extremely long wait, but I was out of town, busy, and just had writer's block, so I'm sorry, but I promise the next chapter will be up in a week. as long as nothing terrible happens. As for the poll, most people wanted to get married in the church, but there were a few that wanted out doors during the fall (which I want too) or the beach, or outside during the spring (which is pretty too). And one for France. Which would be pretty and romantic. Next poll? What is your favorite winter time tradition? AND…Do you think Snape is evil? Answer either or both, but review!

Chapter Fourteen: New Assignments

Wednesday came slowly for Lily. Madam Bones complimented her on her outstanding performance and effort, and then gave Lily a completely new set of files to look over and a dozen new cases to document. Owen Scruggs had offered a dozen times to help her, but for some reason she found herself rejecting every one of his offers. There was something about his manner that Lily didn't like, almost as if he was too eager all of the time. Owen Scruggs, however, was the least of her worries. Her mother had called her four times (since Charlotte had finally gotten the phone to work) wanting to make wedding arrangements, as Beverly kept reminding her that January was only a few months away and that Lily hadn't even picked out her dress yet. James had been too busy with training to spend time with her, although he had written several sincere apologetic notes, and Lily was still trying to figure out who Dorcas was exactly. She knew there was no romantic connection between her fiancé and his training partner, but Lily couldn't help but feel jealous. The time she couldn't spend with James was spent with someone else. Overall, she just missed not having the chance to spend every moment in James' arms.

When Wednesday evening came, Lily was ecstatic. She would finally have something fresh and interesting to focus on (not that she didn't love investigating cases, but filing was rather dull), she could see most of her friends, and she could spend time with James, who she was meeting an hour beforehand for a quick dinner at The Three Broomsticks.

She got to the pub at six-fifty, ten minutes earlier than she and James had set the date for, but Lily was to see him. She got them an intimate table away from the windows and normal hustle of the restaurant. As she sat there waiting, realization dawned on her. It had barely been two days since she had last seen James, and yet, she felt as if she hadn't touched him in years. A sense of longing came over her and she dumbly watched the seconds tick by until seven.

James appeared at two after seven, he seemed surprised to see Lily already with two glasses of water at the table and looking through a menu.

She had been so intently looking at the menu—as if she didn't know exactly what she and James would order—to distract her self from her watch, that she jumped when she put the menu down and saw James sitting, grinning across from her.

James chuckled softly. "I'm sorry, Lily."

Lily blushed slightly at her jumpy behavior and smiled.

"I was just looking at the menu here…"

"Like you didn't know that you were going to order a ham sandwich with lettuce and mustard with chips and a sliced pickle on the side?" James asked, smiling playfully.

Lily frowned as she played with the menu. "I was hoping to try something a little more exotic."

"Like what?"

She scanned the menu for a brief second, making it evident to James that hadn't really been reading the list of dishes at all.

"Grilled chicken club with Swiss cheese." she said with a triumphant tone.

"Sounds delightful, I suppose we're ready to order." James said quickly, motioning for the waitress to come take their requests.

A young woman of about twenty hastily appeared and asked what they would like to eat.

"I'll have the ham sandwich with lettuce, mustard, with chips." Lily said and then nodded towards James.

James shook his head and smiled. "I'll have the same, except add onions and mayonnaise to my sandwich."

When the woman disappeared, James looked at Lily for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Is there something on your mind?" he inquired finally.

Lily took a quick sip of her water and shook her head. "No, I'm fine." she lied.

"Are you sure?" James asked again.

"Yes, I'm sure." she laughed like it was a foolish question. "Why wouldn't I be?"

James studied her for a brief second and shrugged. "You don't seem yourself. You just looked over a menu for Merlin knows how long and didn't get anything other than what you originally would have…you're eyes aren't sparkling. Usually they have a twinkle unless you're tired or bothered. And you haven't said much, like you're thinking about something. What is on your mind, Lily?"

Lily didn't know how to reply, she was quiet and lost for words. How was she supposed to word exactly what she had to say to him?

And before she could stop herself, she heard herself speaking.

"I'm falling even more in love with you."

The words sounded odd to Lily—yes, she loved James, but even she was puzzled at acclimation.

James, however, just nodded.

"I know exactly what you mean."

His words were easy and comforting, and Lily couldn't help but grin confidently at him as their food came.

With her feelings liberated, Lily enjoyed her dinner with James, and then they left hand in hand for the meeting.

"Please be seated." Dumbledore echoed through the old classroom immediately after James and Lily entered. Before they could spot their friends, James found them two seats in the very back beside an older wizard in a brown cloak that they hadn't met before.

"Thank you. Now, I'll call Fenwick up to give the reports, and we will get started." Dumbledore said with a respected authority.

The man named Benjy Fenwick quickly took over the spotlight and gave a somber smile before reading off the parchment in his hands.

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's followers were thwarted by Order members a few nights ago, as two wizards in dark hoods attacked a Muggleborn witch in the hopes of getting information regarding the Minister of Magic. The Death Eaters were stopped, but disappeared before they could be properly captured and turned into respective authorities. A Muggle bus vanished with three passengers on board three nights ago. Officials think Death Eaters may have been behind the attack, and several investigations are under way…"

James got the same chill as the last meeting, and the same influx of rage pumped through his veins. The color drained from Lily's cheeks, and her eyes were sparkling with energy. James wordlessly reached for her hand and began to stroke it, Lily's eyes met his and some sort of communication passed through them.

Once Benjy was done, Dumbledore stood and gave his directions for what was to be done. He then called several people to see him, two being Lily and James.

Both surging with curiosity, they swiftly walked over to the old Headmaster.

"Good evening, Professor." Lily greeted with her usual friendly but business like manner when it came to teachers. James smiled to himself and then greeted Dumbledore as well.

Dumbledore smiled at them with the usual twinkle in his eyes, three others joined them, Dumbledore showed the way to his office.

One witch James seemed to recognize, a petite young woman with bobbed brown hair.

"Dorcas!" James greeted with a pleasant smile, still holding on to Lily's hand.

The petite woman that was walking a few meters ahead of them and steps away from Dumbledore, turned around at James' voices and smiled back.

"Hello, Potter." she replied easily, coming into stride on the other side of James.

Lily felt herself move instinctively closer to James, who put his arm around her, but kept his eyes on Dorcas.

"I thought I saw you at the meeting last time, but I wasn't sure." Dorcas continued, her eyes darted around James, and she spotted Lily, who tried to look as friendly as possible.

"You must be Lily Evans." she said rather plainly. "I've heard a lot of things about you…I'm Dorcas Meadows."

Lily nodded. "Yes, I've heard a few things about you too—"

Before Lily could continue with an inquiry, they arrived at the door to Dumbledore's staircase.

They followed Dumbledore quietly and they entered his office, taking respective seats.

Dumbledore took his chair behind the desk and looked at the five people standing before him.

James looked around the room to see two people he hadn't really noticed before. One was the man that had been sitting beside him at the meeting; the other was a witch that looked a few years older than him in bright colored robes that he didn't recognize.

"James Potter, Lily Evans, and Dorcas Meadows." Dumbledore pointed out. "Elphias Dodge and Marlene McKinnon."

The two groups looked at each other and nodded in recognition without saying a word, and Dumbledore proceeded.

"I have called you up here because I have a favor to ask each of you." Dumbledore started. "The Order has a few tasks that need to be carried out, as privately and discreetly as possible. In front of you is a folder containing your assignment. If you have any questions owl me. I'm sorry for such a brief meeting, but I have some business in Bulgaria that I must attend to."

Before they could blink, Dumbledore had vanished. Lily looked down at her lap, where a green envelope sealed in a gold binding had appeared as Dumbledore disappeared.

Lily looked to James who was fumbling with his, but not tearing the gold seal. He looked up at Lily.

"Well, if that's it. Are you ready to go or would you like to stop by and see the guys?" James asked her.

Lily shrugged. "I think we should probably just go on home…usually if Dumbledore gives out something so secretively he doesn't want it known to everyone right away, and you know how Sirius questions."

James nodded as he thought of all the scenes Sirius was capable of making. "I suppose that's best."

Dorcas smiled at them. "Yes, Sirius does make a ruckus when he wants to, doesn't he?"

James raised his eyebrow. "Do you know Sirius?"

"Oh, a little bit, I remember him from school." Dorcas explained. "And I've bumped into him a few times at the Academy."

Lily was about to inquire further when James mentioned that they should probably get going.

She waved at the three remaining people and left with James.

"I was just about to ask about how she knew about the engagement!" Lily said with exasperation as James clutched on to her hand and they found their way back to the classroom and back down to the Hog's Head.

"I know." James said shortly. "And I thought it best to get out of there before you did something irrational."

Lily stopped walking immediately and pulled her arm away from James' just as they returned to the dirty bar.

"What do you mean, irrational?" Lily questioned, fire burning in her eyes.

James took a deep breath, he had gotten himself into something he wasn't sure he could get himself out of.

"I just mean…well, you seem very frustrated with Dorcas and I didn't want you to, oh…well. Let your anger sort of…well, take over and make the situation bad and uncomfortable, because Dorcas hasn't really done anything."

Lily's brow furrowed as James spoke. "Hasn't done anything? James, she told you father we were engaged!"

"But she didn't know not to!" James retorted. "And besides, I think I know how she found out."

Lily's rage lessened with James' usual rational, calming words. "How?"

"Well, she mentioned she sees Sirius every once in a while. I wouldn't be surprised if he let it slip." James explained as the attention they had drawn in the bar began to turn itself back to drinking. James reached for Lily's hand again and she didn't resist. They entered the street of Hogsmeade before Lily spoke again.

"Do you really think he would do that?" Lily asked.

"Not on purpose, but out of excitement or forgetfulness or something." James explained, trying to appease his fiancée and defend his best friend at the same time.

Lily nodded quietly. "Well, I guess that could make sense, but we should really ask Sirius."

"I will the next time I see him." James promised, hugging Lily.

"I should really apparate home." Lily mentioned. "Would you like to have some tea?"

James grinned and nodded, and together they apparated to Lily's flat.

When they arrived back at Lily's, she walked to the kitchen and put a kettle on the stove (using her eyes) and began bustling around the kitchen in search for some biscuits.

James smiled as she scurried around the kitchen, and finally approached her and grabbed her around the waist.

"I'm not that hungry, Lily. Don't worry about the biscuits." James commented. Lily turned around and smiled. "Who says I was worried about you being hungry? I'm famished…" Lily laughed and James couldn't help but feel his grin broaden.

He leaned in and kissed her, breaking apart after a minute. "You know what we haven't done in a while?" he said.

Lily raised her eyebrows playfully. "What?"

"Snogged."

Lily folded her arms and pouted. "I beg to differ. We kiss all the time."

James nodded. "Yes, we kiss. But Lily, when was the last time we just snogged?"

Lily thought for a moment. "I can't say that I know what you're talking about."

James opened his mouth to argue, but Lily closed his with hers and began kissing him feverishly before he could say anything.

Many minutes later, they resurfaced for air.

"I think the water is ready." Lily whispered, out of breath.

James nodded slowly and pulled his hands away from her.

Lily poured two cups of tea for them and gave one to James before heading to the sitting room and turning on the television. James followed her and took a seat on the couch beside Lily. Outside it began to rain and Lily felt herself curl up to James for warmth and comfort.

It wasn't until she was in perfectly comfortable position that she remembered the green envelope.

"James?" she asked as a commercial blared.

"Yes?" he replied, rubbing his hands over her sides.

Lily looked at him for a moment. "Have you read what is in your envelope yet?"

James sat up straight. "No, have you?"

Lily shook her head before untangling herself from James and rushing towards the kitchen. She returned with the identical envelopes and stopped as she looked at them. Which one was hers and which one was James'?

"Mine should be a little torn on the gold seal." James mentioned, rising to meet her.

Lily nodded and handed him the worn one, and then tore hers open.

She read it carefully and found nothing too exciting. She was to research and pay careful attention to the cases of Carrow and MacNair.

James read his letter, and Lily watched as his face grew pale.

"What is it?" Lily asked, walking to him.

"Voldemort's using these things called Inferi." he said after a moment, the look of disgust remaining on his face.

Lily pressed his arm. "What are those?"

"They're dead bodies of witches and wizards taken from the grave and possessed with dark magic. Voldemort uses them as real people…real soldiers. I've got to research them and come up with a spell to use against them."

"That sounds dreadful." Lily commented, holding on to James. "But I'm sure you can do it. You're brilliant."

James looked down at her and smiled. "I'd better go, it's getting late…and we both have early days tomorrow."

Lily nodded and let him go. Before he left, she gave him a final kiss. "Don't worry James, it'll be okay. "

James gave her a final grin and waved. "I know."

Thanks to the reviewers!

thanks…Scooter5710, heather gernenz, xxfirephoenixxx, dancergrl119, Missing Summer, complicated123, official cheeky devil, IAMSOAP, blvc, maraudergirl89, sharp-tongued, luv24+Alias, glowing-ice, Jude Harrison, Zippy-Wings, and chikichiki for being so wonderful!

and thanks to my beta, and that my humps song gets in everyone's head…it's just so catchy