Chapter 12
Betrayed
Lily Potter spent a sleepless night alone in her room. She regretted kicking James out, because she almost always had difficulty in sleeping without him, but she knew that she needed this time alone to process what he had told her. The fact that Remus was a werewolf was something that she could deal with. The fact that James, Sirius, and Peter were Animagi was also something that she could deal with. The fact that James had kept these two gigantic secrets from her was something that she could not deal with. At least, not right away.
Lily placed her hand over her stomach as her baby kicked. She knew perfectly well that, in time, she and James would make up and that she would get over her sense of betrayal. However, at that particular moment, she was far from over it.
With a sigh, she kicked back the covers of the bed. It was only six o'clock in the morning, and she wasn't scheduled to go in to work until noon, but she figured it was best to go ahead and get up, since she wasn't getting any sleep.
When she reached the door to the bedroom, however, she nearly ran into James. He was pale and looked as though he had just gotten out of bed himself. Lily started to walk around him, deciding instantly that she didn't want to talk to him at that moment, but James grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him.
"I know that we're having a problem right now, but I need you to put that out of your mind and listen to me. This is serious," he said forcefully, giving her a little shake to emphasize his words.
"What is it?" Lily asked, instantly weary.
"Remus and I have been tracking a spy in the Auror Department for a while now, and it looks like whoever he is has decided to make a move on Remus. He was supposed to check in with me three hours ago to discuss our suspicions, but he never showed up. I think he knew who the spy was, but he never got the chance to tell me. This means that whoever it is, he may be ready to launch an attack on the department. You and I are quite likely the only two people alive who know what's going on."
Lily's eyes were so wide that the whites were no longer visible.
"You think Remus is dead?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
"I hope not, but I think that's what we have to assume," James replied. "We need to get a message to Moody as soon as possible, but it has to be done in secret. He may be watched. We may be watched as well. I don't know how deep the conspiracy goes, and I don't know if they know how much I know."
"We have to go in to the Ministry, then," Lily said.
James nodded.
"Be ready in five minutes," he said, stepping into their bedroom.
Everything seemed perfectly in order when Lily and James arrived at the Ministry. It wasn't until they entered Auror Headquarters that they realized that something was truly and terribly wrong. The place was complete and utter chaos, people running in every direction, apparating in and out, shuffling papers, shouting orders to subordinates.
Lily and James entered the fray and quickly located Sirius.
"What's happened?" Lily asked her partner.
"We have no idea!" Sirius exclaimed. "But Aurors and Magical Law Enforcement are being attacked all over Britain. Somehow, they know where we are, and we're dropping like flies. We're trying to get everyone back here to base so that we can figure out what's going on and get everyone on lockdown. Then, we're going to evacuate to a safe house. I don't know where, yet, but-"
James cut him off
"It's a trap!" he exclaimed, looking from Sirius to Lily. "They're trying to get us all in one place so that they can slaughter us. Listen, Sirius, there's a spy. Remus and I have been working on this for months. Remus was supposed to be in contact with me hours ago, but I haven't heard from him. I think the spy is ready to make his move."
"We have to tell Moody," Lily said, rushing toward the older wizard's office.
"He's not here!" Sirius shouted. "No one can find him! We think he may be one of the ones who's been attacked. Olivers is acting as temporary Head of Department, since he's got the most seniority of the people we can find. He's trying to figure out a location for the safe house, now."
Suddenly, dawning comprehension hit James.
"It's him," he said. "Olivers is the spy!" Lily and Sirius both looked at him incredulously.
"I know he's not exactly the kindest person here, but, James, we can't blow all of this on a guess!" Lily exclaimed.
"It's not a guess, Lil. I know it's him. Trust me!" Their eyes locked for a moment.
James had kept huge secrets from her. Trust was not something that she could easily give him, now.
"We can't operate on a guess," she said firmly. "I'm going to try to find Remus and Moody. Maybe they can help us figure out what's going on." She turned on the spot and apparated.
"Lily, damn it!" James shouted after her. He turned to look at Sirius, who looked confused. "I know it's Olivers," James said seriously. "Are you with me?"
"Of course," Sirius said quickly. "What's you plan?"
A/N: Okay, so I've been a very bad author.... My wrist has officially been slapped. I know that it's been.... an extremely long time since I updated this story, but I do stand by what I have said before: I will not abandon this fic. I have a plot worked out, and I will stick with this until the end, becuase I love this fic, and I love writing. I'm so sorry that it's taken so long. I know that that is not easily forgiveable, but I ask forgiveness anyway. I mean, it was my first year of University, which I suppose isn't a great excuse for not having time to write, but, well, that's the honest truth.
Please review! Even if you just say "Cute Story, I like it!" or "Crappy story, i hate it." (I prefer option A in this scenario) Please, just drop me a quick line to let me know you've been here, you've read it.
Sorry, too, that this is so short, but I really did want to get something up, because, well, I haven't had something up in a very long time.
OH, and this chapter is dedicated to MoonStarDuchess! Your incredible work in the FMA fandom has really inspired me to write again, so thank you!
Love from,
Lyny Angell