Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing that you would recognize as the fantastic work of J.K. Rowling. I only take credit for those OC characters that appear here.

Late August 1978

She stopped on the edge of a small square and gazed around. The place was rundown and unkempt and she felt a chill run its way through her body that wasn't from the warm summer air. She pulled her cloak up over her blond hair and resolving herself to the task she walked out of the clearing and into a small street.

There was rubbish strewn across one of the front lawns and she turned her nose up slightly at the smell. She eyed the houses in front of her and frowned to herself. She looked from number eleven and then right to number thirteen. This was the spot.

She pulled a small round watch face out of her robes and gazed at it. The leather straps had long since worn out and she had discarded them years ago. Ten O'clock, right on time. She'd give him ten minutes and if he didn't show by then she was gone. Her impatience had grown over the summer along with her caution and although she knew it was stupid to stand here waiting for Regulus Black, she had felt obliged to at least hear what he wanted to say.

Dumbledore had been right to assume that they wouldn't ask her to do anything so soon after graduation but she was becoming increasingly concerned that something was going to happen within the month. Her parents seemed to have relaxed slightly now that she was home full-time and tonight when they had left for Malfoy Manner she decided to take the opportunity to call on Regulus.

Lucius had been around last week and had kept shooting her looks over her father's shoulder as they spoke. He managed to find her in the garden that evening and had stood beside her.

'Lucius.' She said, not looking at him.

'Eileen, it's so good to see you well.'

'Why wouldn't I be well?' she said, pulling her eyes away from the stars and giving him an irritated look.

'Careful cousin, I might think you didn't like me with that tone.'

'I'm indifferent to you Lucius.' She said plainly, turning back towards the house.

'Perhaps you won't be so indifferent soon cousin, after all we will both be serving a much higher cause before long.'

She hadn't seen his face when he said it but she was sure he had been smirking at her. Her blood had felt as if it had gone cold but she forced herself to turn around and look at him.

'Yes Lucius, I'm in no doubt of that.' And she had walked back into the house, feeling as if she had suddenly aged ten years.

She stood now, quietly looking at the space between numbers eleven and thirteen Grimmauld Place and checked her watch again. Five minutes after ten. She pulled a crumbled letter out of her pocket and smoothed it out to re-read it.

Dear Eileen,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying your summer. I have some important news I wish to discuss with you but it would be better said in person. Is it possible for you to meet me this Saturday at ten o'clock? Please send your response with this owl and I will let you know where.

Yours,

Regulus Black

Eileen scowled at the letter. Regulus always assumed too much of her and had not once given up on making advances towards her. She figured this was another attempt to ask her out but she had agreed to come either way. She never felt more than friendship towards him but she knew he wasn't a bad person. She had befriended him in his first year and slowly as those around them discussed joining Voldemort she had hoped that she could keep him from meddling too much or becoming too involved. She wasn't entirely sure she had failed but there was little she could do now for him if she had.

Severus was another story. She couldn't say she particularly liked Severus because from the moment they had met he had been immersed in the dark arts. She had only hoped to be some form of buffer to it for him, but it was clear that she couldn't help him. She had a hope that Severus would straighten himself up for Lily Evans, who he clearly adored, though getting him to admit it was less likely than taming a dragon. That hope had been dashed when Evans had started dating James Potter.

Perhaps Regulus had listened to her at some point, he was always clinging on her every word and if she hadn't been so determined to keep him out of trouble she would have felt bad for leading him on at times.

She wondered whether stubbornness was a Black family trait, Sirius had it too. She frowned at the thought of Sirius. He was certainly stubborn but in every other way he was different from Regulus. Sirius had this casual charm and ease about him that she admired. He was handsome where Regulus was ordinary and Sirius was intelligent to the point of arrogance. She had been curious about him for some time before talking to him and had only become more so after. He was witty and funny, daring to the point of recklessness, but she recognized that in herself and had been excited to see it in him. She had trusted him immediately for reasons she still couldn't understand but she was glad to find herself in his company in those rare moments when they were alone. She had felt both pulled together and unhinged by him and he set her blood on fire when he touched her. She knew it was ridiculous to even consider the idea of being anything other than his friend, the alternative was certainly impossible and the rational part of her brain told her that it was just her eagerness to have a friend that drew her to him.

A noise behind her pulled her out of her thoughts and she turned around to see two cloaked figures approaching her. She eased her wand out of her pocket and wrapped her fingers around it. As the two drew closer she realised they were both dark-haired men that she recognized.

'Eileen!' Said Regulus happily as they came close enough for her to see them properly.

'Regulus,' she said as he engulfed her in a hug. She turned her eyes on the other man. 'Severus, how pleasant to see you.'

Snape merely looked at her. 'We should get inside Black.' He said with little feeling.

'You're late.' She said, stowing her wand back inside her robes and heading towards the houses with Regulus and Snape.

'Yes well the meeting ran long.'

'The meeting?' she asked, a creeping speculation running threw her.

'Not here Grey.' Snapped Snape.

As the came closer to the houses, number eleven and thirteen seemed to slide aside as another house pushed itself into view between them. They climbed the steps and Regulus tapped the door with his wand and a series of clicks sounded from the other side. He flashed Eileen a smile and pushed his way into his house.

The hallway was filled with warm light and Eileen gazed around the hall which looked worn but in a lived in sort of way. The hall was lined with portraits and the place was decorated in such a style that it would be clear to anyone that this was an old family home with a tradition of producing Slytherin students.

Regulus lead them down the hall past rows of house elf heads and Eileen was reminded suddenly of her Grandmother Grey's house. They climbed the stairs until they reached the top landing, where there were two doors. The one directly in front of Eileen had a plate with Sirius's name on it. She had the sudden urge to walk over to the door and open it but Snape caught her eye and she turned towards the door Regulus was pushing open.

Eileen stepped into Regulus's bedroom with Snape following after her. Regulus had managed to cover almost every inch of his bedroom with the Slytherin house colours. She noticed Regulus had painted his family crest above his bed and she looked around at the opposite wall until a collection of crisp newspaper clippings that were pinned together caught her eye. She moved around Regulus to take a closer look at them and with a sick feeling, realised they were all about Voldemort. Regulus sank down unto his bed and watched Eileen and she examined the clippings.

'Brilliant isn't it?' he asked and she looked back at him, trying to hide the mixed feelings of sadness and pity.

'Yes.' She said and she glanced at Snape who hadn't taken his eyes off her. She looked away from him with a feeling of unease and decided to avoid his eye. Something was different about Severus and she had a sinking feeling she knew what it was.

'So why am I here Regulus, I'm very busy you know.' She said coolly, leaning against his desk.

'Well we've finally done it!' he said proudly and Snape gave him a bored look.

'What have you done Regulus?' she asked, and she was aware that she sounded accusatory.

Regulus pulled up the sleeve of his robes to reveal a bright red tattoo in the shape of a skull with a snake coming out of its open mouth. Eileen recognized the Dark Mark and before she could stop herself she let out a small 'No!'

Regulus looked at her but seemed to decide that her exclamation was of surprise instead of grief. Snape wasn't so easily distracted and he stood slightly straighter, his eyes narrowing.

'The Dark Lord honoured us both at tonight's meeting.' Said Regulus beaming with pride, and Eileen thought madness.

'The Dark Lord asked after you tonight Grey.' Said Snape suddenly, making them both turn to look at him.

'Did he now?' she said coldly, gaining back some of her composure.

'Your father assured him that you would be joining them at the next meeting, that you would be honoured to serve the Dark Lord.' Snape seemed to be enjoying some internal joke and his lip curled.

'As is only right.' She replied and tore her eyes off Snape's knowing face.

'My cousin Bellatrix asked after you as well.' Said Regulus absently, patting the spot next to him on the bed.

Eileen sat down reluctantly. 'Bellatrix Lestrange? What does she want?'

'Asked if we were friends. I told her we were, she wants to meet you.'

'I'm sure she will.' Said Eileen, thinking that meeting Bellatrix Lestrange was the last thing she wanted to do.

She noticed Regulus was inching his hand towards hers and she stood suddenly. 'I've got to go Reg, its, um – great news. Um- be careful.'

'You're leaving?' he asked, standing and looking sad.

'Yes, well my parents will be home soon.' She said, heading for the door.

'When will I see you again?' he asked, grabbing her hand in his.

Eileen felt uncomfortable as Regulus looked at her and she noticed Snape was again smirking to himself.

'Let her go Black, Grey isn't enjoying our company.' Snape said, crossing his arms.

'I'm becoming less fond of yours by the minute Snape!' she spat and he stopped smirking at her.

'So be it.' He said, and he swept past them and down the stairs.

'Don't mind him Eileen, the Dark Lord has given him Occlumency lessons and it's going to his head.' Said Regulus sounding slightly jealous.

Eileen swallowed, she knew she felt as if Snape was trying to look straight into her head.

'Regulus, I really do have to go. It was good seeing you. Try to stay out of trouble, I worry about you.' She said and for a moment she felt a surge of sadness for the boy in front of her.

Regulus looked suddenly extremely pleased and he wrapped her up in another hug, which lasted slightly too long. He dropped her hand but just as quickly moved his to her face and before she could think his mouth was on hers and he was kissing her.

His lips were rough and just like Regulus, were asking too much of her. She shut her mouth tight and pushed herself away from him slightly. She was embarrassed more for him than herself.

'Regulus, I -,"

'It's okay, I know you have to leave. You'll come to the next meeting?' he said and she couldn't do anything but nod.

Without another word she turned and took the stairs back to the front door. She turned back and Regulus was smiling happily from the landing. Feeling her stomach turn she rushed out the door and down across the street and back into the small square. Once she was out of view of the house she turned towards a clump of bushes and emptied his stomach violently.

'Tell me again why we are even bothering to see this one Moony?' asked Sirius who was walking half-heartedly behind James and Remus.

'You've turned down all the flats we've seen in the last week Padfoot. Give this place a try will you.' Said Remus without looking back at Sirius.

The trio was walking down a small slightly overgrown lane that led into a small village on the outskirts of Devon, and not terribly far from James's place in Godric's Hollow. They came over the crest of a small hill and looked down into the village. It was roughly the size of Godric's Hollow but not as well lived in.

'Look it's the brown and white cottage that's off by itself.' Said James, grinning happily at the small house down the hill.

'Well let's go see it then.' Said Sirius, knowing he would probably still be homeless by the end of the day.

Every place they had looked at this week just hadn't fit them. Either they had been too small or just 'not him' as he kept telling Moony. Remus had picked this place out after Sirius had refused the last flat they viewed. Remus had agreed to move in with him two weeks ago and in that time he had packed his things and had moved out of his parents' house to stay with James and Sirius at the Potter's house. The house was getting increasingly cramped and Moony was becoming increasingly irritated with him for not picking a place.

They marched up to the tiny cottage that had a 'For Sale' sign sticking out of the front lawn. The grass was browning and needed caring for and the place had the air of having been empty for some time.

James and Remus eagerly walked up the small path while he trailed behind, taking in the exterior of the house.

It was brown and white and admittedly was a handsome place that just needed some life in it. The windows were all empty and closed tightly. The house sat out-of-the-way of the rest of the village by about a five-minute walk and the back of the house faced a wood. He liked that it was secluded and even better there was a great view of the sea from the upper windows. Maybe Moony was on to something with this place. Feeling more hopeful he caught up to them at the door as Remus and James pushed their way inside.

'I arranged for a private viewing so there won't be any muggle sales folk showing up.' Said Remus happily.

'Muggles? This is on the muggle market?' He asked, gazing around the room they had entered.

'Well yes, the previous owners were muggles.' Said Remus shrugging.

Sirius raised his eyebrows at James but didn't say anything. They walked into the large living area and he noticed that there was a wood stove carved into the main wall.

'Get that going Prongs.' He said as James stopped to inspect something on the wall. He looked back at the wood stove and gave his wand a flick, and the smell of wood burning instantly filled the room.

'Oh I could get used to that.' Said Remus, sniffing deeply with a satisfied look about him.

Sirius grinned. 'It's definitely a bonus.' He turned away from the fire and headed towards the large doors that led out into the garden. He glanced out and was glad to see that it was properly overgrown and that the woods added to the secluded feeling.

The kitchen was connected in an open way to the living area. He hadn't really ever been a good cook, but he was sure Moony would approve. There was a small bathroom off of the hall that he glanced at before turning back and heading towards the entryway that lead into a huge room that was all wood floors and huge windows. He had no idea what the purpose of this room was but it had a warmth to it and he thought that maybe he could make it into a bedroom.

There was a small staircase in the corner of the living area and he decided that the rest of the house was worth seeing. He reached the top landing as Moony and James were chatting about something called electric plugs. There were only three rooms here and one was a large bathroom. The other two were decent sized bedrooms with fantastic views of the sea. There was an attic above him and he pointed it out to Remus who had joined him on the small landing.

'Fancy seeing what's up there Moony?' he asked chuckling.

'Sure, though I'm sure it's nothing you'd consider fun Padfoot mate.' Remus pointed his wand at the ceiling and a small ladder descended from the attic.

'Hey Pad come down here!' yelled James from somewhere below and Sirius started back down the stairs as Remus's body disappeared into the attic.

'Look at these.' Said James who was gazing interestedly at strange holes in the wall that Sirius recognized as 'those electric things'.

'They aren't that interesting really.' Said Remus happily, re-entering the living area carrying something large that Sirius didn't recognize.

'What on earth is that Moony?' said James, getting up to gaze at Moony's find.

'Well I think it's broken right now.' He said, setting the large object down on the floor.

'How can you tell?' asked Sirius, joining them and picking up a flat round black disk that Remus had also brought.

'I'll show you.' He said happily, pulling out his wand and tapping it gently against the side of the object. Sirius thought that he had seen something like this before but he couldn't recall what it did.

Whatever Remus had been trying must have worked because there was an audible click and Remus smiled. He plucked the disk out of Sirius's hands and placed it gently in the middle of the object. Unfolding what Sirius thought looked like an arm with a point on it, Remus lowered it against the disc as it started to spin. A scratchy noise erupted from the object followed immediately by music.

'It's a muggle record player!' said Remus happily, sitting back on his feet and grinning.

The music filled the large room and was magnified by the emptiness of it.

'It's catchy, is this muggle music Moony?' asked James who was peering down with interest.

'Yes, it's a Beatles album. My father used to keep some muggle music around.' Remus shrugged.

Sirius couldn't help but be impressed. The little music player was putting off a fantastic sound and these Beatles weren't half bad either. They were singing on about not being able to buy love as Sirius walked over to the large windows looking towards the sea. The song made him laugh a little and he thought that these Beatles should be introduced to buying love potions.

Remus and James came to stand beside him.

'Well? What's the verdict Padfoot?' asked James, who was giving him a knowing smile.

'Let's take it then.' He said and laughed as Remus pumped his fist in the air and James cheered.

'You're both fools.' He said and laughed with them.

'Shall we go down into the village and celebrate with a drink Padfoot?' said James, beaming at him.

'Why not.' He agreed and they headed towards the door.

'Make sure that music thing comes with the place Moony will you.' He added as Remus ended the song.

'Sure Pads.' Said Remus happily, and Sirius thought that he would have agreed to just about anything now that they found a place to live.

They closed the door behind them and took off up the path. Sirius pulled out his wand and with a flick the 'For Sale' sign changed to a 'Sold' sign.

The following day Remus had the papers drawn up by the muggle salesman. Sirius couldn't have been more thankful for Moony because he knew that he would have had to jinx the man in order to get anything done properly. Remus somehow had developed a good sense of how to deal with muggles that Sirius, James and Peter couldn't master. He had signed and officially bought the house before lunch that day and by dinner they had managed to bring all their things into the house. It was there in the living area that they sat now, surrounded by their possessions.

Lily had come over to help with the move and she had also brought them food and drinks.

'I hate to be the one to ask this but when were you three planning on buying furniture?' asked Lily who had taken a seat against a large box.

Sirius, James and Remus looked at each other. The thought hadn't occurred to them to that they would have to buy more than what they already owned.

Lily sighed at them. 'We will go out tomorrow and buy some furniture. You three are hopeless.'

They grinned at her as Peter came in clutching a butterbeer.

'There are only two bedrooms.' He said in confusion, waving his hand in the direction of upstairs.

'I'm going to take that room there. It's big enough for a bedroom.' Said Sirius, pointing with his butterbeer towards the room across from them.

Peter shrugged in agreement and sat down next to Remus.

'Thanks for coming to help Pete.' Said James, who was happily eating a sandwich Lily had made for him.

'No problem Prongs. When are you meeting Lily's parents?' he asked.

'Next week, she's taking me over to meet them.' He said giving Lily a huge smile.

'Don't get too excited James, you know what Tuney is like.' Said Lily and Sirius could hear the sadness in her voice.

'Don't worry about her Red, she's just jealous.' Said Sirius.

'That's the problem.' Said Remus who was sorting through a collection of those black discs that he said were called records.

'Any of you hear from Dumbledore yet?' asked Peter and Lily looked thankful for the change of subject.

'We'd have let you know if we did Pete.' Said Sirius logically.

As if Peter's words had summoned them, two large brown owls swooped into the open window.

'What!' shouted James as the owls soared over his head and deposited five envelopes in his lap.

Lily and Sirius scrambled up and over to him. Lily grabbed two of the letters as Sirius snatched up the other three.

'Here Moony, Wormy.' Said Sirius, thrusting the envelopes addressed to Remus and Peter towards them.

Lily and James had already ripped into theirs and were scanning the letter.

'It's from Dumbledore!' said Lily breathlessly.

Sirius looked at the address on the front of the letter and smiled in a bemused way. Dumbledore never missed a beat. He unfolded his letter carefully and read:

Dear Mr. Black,

I trust that you are well and send my congratulations on your new house. I hope you will remember to take all the necessary precautions to protecting your new home and do not hesitate to ask for any assistance in doing so.

If you are still of a mind to lend your assistance to the cause we spoke of before you left school then I will call upon you tomorrow night at your new address.

Kindly answer by return of this owl,

I am, yours most sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Sirius was the last to finish reading. He looked up around at them and his thoughts were mirrored on the faces of his friends.

'Anybody have a quill?' asked Peter, who was being pecked by one of the owls.

Remus jumped up and started digging in one of the smaller boxes and produced a roll of parchment a quill and some ink. He wrote a few lines on the parchment and handed it over to Lily to look over.

'Yes perfect.' She muttered and taking the quill from him she quickly signed the paper before passing it to James.

After Peter had signed he handed it to Sirius.

We await your arrival tomorrow evening at this address gladly.

Remus Lupin

Lily Evans

James Potter

Peter Pettigrew

Sirius added his name to the bottom of the page and folded it. He tied it to the owl's leg and it took off without hesitation.

'Well I think we should get this place in some order before Dumbledore arrives tomorrow.' Said Lily who looked as excited as the rest of them.

'Right.' Said Remus who stood, waved his wand and the boxes lifted, and soared off in different directions. Some flew towards the kitchen, others towards Sirius's new bedroom and the rest upstairs into the other bedrooms.

'Why don't you and Lily go get furniture while James, Peter and I sort this stuff out?' said Sirius, heading towards the front door. 'Take the money from my vault. I'm going to set up some household protection, James give me a hand mate.'

They agreed and Lily and Remus took off and disapparated at the gate. James and Sirius set to making protective charms around the house to ward off muggles, unwanted visitors and any other thing they could think of.

Ten minutes later they finished, wiping their faces and grinning at each other.

'Well you can't apparate within the borders of the house and I've added some charms to persuade muggles from calling. Obviously nothing can totally keep unwanted people away unless you make it unplottable or use the fidelius charm but I don't think that's necessary.' Said James stowing his wand back in his pants.

'Great, thanks mate. Let's go see what Wormtail is up to in there.' Sirius said, feeling better for having added some basic home security.

They found Peter slowly emptying a box full of kitchen supplies that Mrs. Potter had given them.

'I'll start in my bedroom, there isn't much we can do down here without furniture.' Said Sirius thoughtfully.

'Remus said he found a record player in the attic.' Said Peter who had joined Sirius in his room.

'You know what it is?' Said Sirius looking up from a desk that he was pushing into a corner.

'Yes.'

'You never stop surprising me Wormy.' Sirius laughed. 'Give me a hand with these curtains will you.'

By the time Lily and Remus had returned, the kitchen looked ready to use and James had set up a table with eight chairs.

Sirius and Peter had managed to hang long, light flowing drapes in each of the rooms that were now fluttering gently in the evening breeze. Sirius had completed his bedroom which contained a desk and chair, a large bed covered in a red duvet and a book shelf in the corner they held more knickknacks than books. He had brought along some new posters that he couldn't hang at James's place and they were now hanging about his room giving it a very warm feel.

Lily had bought them a large sofa and a few arm chairs that she and Remus were spacing around a large brown rug. They had also brought back a large bookshelf that Remus had happily stocked with three boxes full of books. Peter was stocking the shelves and cupboards in the kitchen with food that Mr. and Mrs. Potter had brought by and they each had to listen to Lily as she explained what the refrigerator did and how to use it.

By midnight the place looked altogether changed and a soft light was radiating from gas lamps around the room as well as the wood fire. Lily and Remus had taken it upon themselves to decorate the place in a way Sirius would never have achieved or considered alone.

The record player was playing softly in the background and Lily was using her wand to stir something in a pot on the stove.

'Well cheers!' Said Sirius happily holding up his glass of fire whiskey and clinking it against Peter, Remus and James's cups.

They beamed around at each other as Lily placed a large dish full of macaroni and cheese in front of them.

'Lily Evans, what on Earth would I do without you? Forget about this tosser and marry me?' said Sirius who was loading food unto the plate in front of him.

'Keep dreaming Padfoot.' Laughed Lily as James gave Sirius the finger.

'You'll stay here tonight Lily won't you? It's late after all.' Said James, failing to hide the hopefulness in his voice.

'Just keep it down, I'd like to get some sleep tonight.' Said Sirius, pointing his fork at James and Lily.

Lily blushed but agreed to stay. And Sirius made a mental note to put sound proof charms around the rooms.

Dear Miss Grey,

Please meet me tomorrow evening at eight o'clock sharp at the Hogshead Bar in Hogsmeade village. Apparate there directly. It would be prudent to ensure you are not followed or seen. If you choose to no longer assist us I will take your absence as such. If you cannot make it please send word by return of this owl. This letter will burn once it is read.

Yours most sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Eileen let go of the letter as it burst into flames and nothing was left of it after a few seconds. She paced her room for a moment in thought and then sent the owl back out without a reply. This was it, finally. She would have to tell her parents she was going into Diagon Alley for the evening and she would apparate from there to Hogsmeade.

She felt a certain amount of relief at Dumbledore's letter, hopefully he would have some advice about what to do about the meeting she was supposed to attend in two night's time.

Her father had told her that the Dark Lord had requested her at his next meeting and she thought she had managed to sound thrilled and pleased.

'Eileen.'

'Yes father?'

'You will attend the next meeting with us. The Dark Lord is eager to meet you and I suspect he will allow you to join his ranks as your friends Black and Snape have done tonight.'

'It would be an honour father to serve the Dark Lord of course.' She said, smiling at him while her heart leapt towards her throat.

'You will make us proud Eileen.' Her father said, but it sounded cold and demanding.

'Nothing would please me more father you know this.'

'Good.' He said and had turned and left her standing in the room with her mother who was lounging on a sofa and looked up from a piece of parchment as Dougal left the room.

'Don't worry darling, the Dark Lord holds our family in the highest esteem. You will be accepted eagerly by the others.' Said Vera Grey in a bored voice, looking back down at the parchment she was studying.

Eileen wanted to laugh at the way he mother had interpreted her silence. Once more she was thankful that they were so convinced of her.

'What is it you're looking at mother?' she Eileen, changing the subject.

Her mother didn't respond for a moment but finally laid the parchment down in her lap. 'It's a list.'

'Regarding what?'

Vera considered her daughter for a moment. 'Known werewolves.' She said simply.

'Why would you be interested in such things mother? You've always said we shouldn't be associating with half-breeds.' Said Eileen, standing and pouring herself a drink.

'Rightly so.' Said Vera sharply, making Eileen turn to look back at her. 'The Dark Lord wishes to use them to our advantage darling. Puppets if you must.'

'I see.' Said Eileen as her mother tucked the list inside her robes.

She remembered that conversation now, alone in her room, and thought that perhaps that information would be valuable to the Order. She wasn't sure what Dumbledore had in mind for her but the sooner she was free of this house and the hanging shadow of Voldemort the better.

Author's note: Thank you for reading! I hope you're enjoying this so far. I love hearing from you so please take a minute to send a review!