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.
September 7, 1978- Head Quarters of the Order of the Phoenix
The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix belonged to Hagrid, the Hogwarts Gamekeeper. It had been his father's place and Hagrid hadn't ever found a use for it until Dumbledore asked whether they could use it for Head Quarters. Hagrid had told Sirius and Remus when they arrived that he had grown up in the house and his father had used some charms to make the ceilings and rooms slightly larger to accommodate him.
They had both thought it was a brilliant place to have Head Quarters and they told him so, watching him beam at them with pride. He led them into a large sitting room where a large table had been extended to fit many chairs.
A few people were already sitting around the table chatting happily together. Sirius spotted James, Lily and Peter at the far end and he and Remus smiled and joined them.
'What took you two so long to get here?' asked Lily, turning towards Sirius who sat next to her.
'Moony couldn't decide what on earth to wear.' Said Sirius, mock seriously.
'Funny Sirius,' said Remus sitting across from Lily. 'We took a wrong turn.'
Lily, Peter and James laughed.
'Sirius, Remus you remember Fabian and Gideon Prewett?' said James, and the two red-haired men at the table nodded their heads towards them.
'Yea of course, how're you?' asked Sirius politely extending a hand towards them.
'Fantastic mate couldn't forget you four.' Said Fabian, smiling at James, Remus, Peter and Sirius.
'We try to leave an impression.' Said Sirius grinning.
'And this is Benji Fenwick and Dorcas Meadowes.' Finished Lily, introducing the last of those around the table.
Benji gave them a polite smile and shook their hands and Dorcas bowed her head towards them in greeting. 'Pleased to meet you both.'
'How many people are in the order?' asked Remus to the table.
'Around twenty before tonight, but obviously you lot make twenty-five.' Said Gideon, looking to his brother for confirmation.
Just then Dumbledore and McGonagall entered the room followed by five or six others that Sirius didn't know.
'Ah, wonderful, wonderful. Shall we wait for the others before making introductions?' Said Dumbledore happily, waving his wand and causing bottles of butterbeer to appear in front of all the chairs. A soft knock came from the hall and Hagrid bustled out to answer, nearly knocking a small wizard off his feet.
Another group of people piled into the room and took seats around the table, with Dumbledore at the head. After thirty minutes the table was almost full and Sirius was starting to wonder whether Eileen Grey was going to show up.
Sirius's stomach had been doing a mighty jig all day thinking about it and it was all he could do to sit still in his chair when another knock sounded from the hallway.
The last few people shuffled into the room with Hagrid after them and Sirius was surprised to see that he instantly recognized all of them. Frank, and his now wife, Alice Longbottom took seats next to him, giving him large smiles. Marlene McKinnon took a seat across from Alice and waved at Lily who looked surprised and pleased to see her friend. Aberforth, the barman from the Hogshead looked grumpy but sat next to McGonagall and finally Eileen Grey entered the room and he caught her eye.
She smiled at him and he let out a breath that he hadn't realised he was holding. She was okay, and here she was taking the seat across from him, next to Remus. He returned her smile and winked at her, making her cheeks turn a rosy pink.
'Well then, if I may bore those of you who already know each other so well for a moment, let me introduce you all to those that are joining us tonight for the first time.' Said Dumbledore, standing and smiling over the table.
His eyes passed to the right of him where McGonagall sat. He began naming each person down the row and they all politely nodded or smiled in acknowledgement. 'Minerva McGonagall. Aberforth Dumbledore. Edgar Bones. Rubeus Hagrid. Mundungus Fletcher. Alice Longbottom and Frank Longbottom. Sirius Black. Lily Evans. James Potter. Peter Pettigrew. Fabian Prewett. Gideon Prewett. Benji Fenwick. Remus Lupin. Eileen Grey. Sturgis Podmore. Marlene McKinnon. Dorcas Meadowes. Emmeline Vance. Dedalus Diggle. Elphias Doge. Caradoc Dearborn and Alastor Moody.'
Dumbledore finished and Sirius felt that the table seemed to buzz with a silent like-mindedness that everyone here knew and understood that they each meant something more as a whole than they had as individuals.
'Now that that is out-of-the-way I am interested to hear from each of you if you have any news.' Said Dumbledore, steeping his fingers in front of his mouth and looking at them over his glasses.
'Albus, I can confirm that the rumours about the werewolves are unfortunately true. We don't know who is leading them but they are most definitely being gathered together.' Said Caradoc Dearborn.
'I might be able to help there.' Said Eileen suddenly, causing the whole table to turn and look at her.
Dumbledore nodded slightly for her to continue. 'Well, I – ah Walden Macnair was supposed to contact the werewolf Fenrir Greyback and have him gather others.' She said, her face flushing slightly from the attention.
Remus had gone a nasty white colour and Sirius aimed a nudge at him under the table, widening his eyes in an attempt to tell him to relax. Remus let out a breath and Sirius gave him a small smile of encouragement.
Dumbledore considered her for a moment. 'Greyback is violent, brutal and dangerous. If we are to assume he is working for Voldemort I suggest you all take that much more caution.'
The table nodded in silent agreement.
'We will have to attempt to persuade any werewolves that may be persuaded that Voldemort will not help them gain any ground for their cause. Caradoc you have a strong voice in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, it would be helpful if you could find out more and perhaps extend a hand to those willing to take it.'
'I will do what I can Albus.' Said Caradoc.
'Eileen do you have any other information?'
She nodded, and Sirius noticed that she had relaxed slightly.
'They have begun tracking Giants. Voldemort wants them on his side.'
A murmur ran around the table and Sirius exchanged a mortified look with Remus.
Dumbledore didn't seem surprised by this news but turned to Hagrid. 'Rubeus what do you think?'
'Blimey Professor Dumbledore, Sir. If He-Who-May-Not-Be-Named is tryin' to recruit giants he'll be havin' a 'ard time doing it.'
'This is true. Perhaps we may be able to ruin their attempts. Who has Lord Voldemort sent to rendezvous with the giants Eileen?'
'Avery. That was the only person who was mentioned.' She replied, frowning at her lack of information.
'Sturgis, you and Hagrid would be well suited to interrupt these plans.' Said Dumbledore and Sirius was impressed to see Sturgis agree to the task.
'They are also trying to plant as many people inside the ministry as possible. Travers and Thorfinn Rowle have been making attempts to put people under the imperious curse. They are after a McKinnon in the Department of Law Enforcement, among others.' Eileen looked apologetically at Marlene who was looking sick.
'We cannot prove Rowle is a Death Eater.' Said Dedalus Diggle.
'Alastor I trust you'll look into Travers and Rowle.' Asked Dumbledore, turning to the man beside him.
Moody grunted in reply.
'Lucius Malfoy as well.' Added Eileen with a scowl.
'I've had my eye on him for some time already.' Said Moody.
Dumbledore ignored them and looked to Marlene. 'Marlene please warn your brother, he should be prepared to resist attempts on him.'
'Of course.' She replied, looking like she'd like to go do just that immediately.
'They already have three people under the imperious curse, though I couldn't tell you who.' Said Eileen.
'Three is not many but it is also too many.' Said Dumbledore gravely. 'Dedalus, Elphais, be on the lookout for anyone acting oddly in your departments. I suggest we take every precaution to ensure none of us fall victim to this curse.'
Sirius exchanged a glance with Eileen. He'd be damned if he let himself be put under that curse and he could tell from her expression that she was thinking the same.
'There have been more muggle killings in the last week.' Said Emmeline Vance, speaking up.
Dumbledore bowed his head slightly. 'A tragedy.' He said sadly. 'Edgar, how is the ministry responding in regards to the safety of muggles?'
'Doing all we can Albus, the Muggle Prime Minister is being guarded by the ministry but we are already stretching thin. So many disappearances, the Prophet is having a field day with it all.'
'As is natural.' Said Dumbledore.
'Fabian, Gideon, I understood you thought you were being followed last we spoke?'
Fabian and Gideon glanced at each other and Sirius thought they looked amused.
'Well we were,' said Fabian.
'That brother and Sister, Carrow I think their name is.' Said Gideon.
'But we gave them the slip a few days ago.' Continued Fabian.
Sirius was certain now that the brothers were enjoying the memory of whatever happened with the Carrows.
'Well done.' Said Frank Longbottom, giving Fabian a smile.
'How're things in the Auror office Frank?' asked Fabian.
'Going as well as possible. Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband are still evading capture. We are certain now that they are responsible for killing that family of Muggles in the Lake District.'
Dumbledore nodded, thinking. 'You have all brought good information tonight, thank you. I have a few more things to ask of you and of our newest members.'
Sirius felt something nudge his foot and he looked back to see Eileen watching him. He narrowed his eyes at her and she nudged his foot again with hers making him lose concentration on the discussion until Dumbledore repeated his name again.
He snapped his head back, but seen Eileen giving him an amused grin. 'Sorry Professor.'
'Not at all Sirius, not at all. I was saying that if you, James, Lily and Peter would be so inclined Alastor has offered to except you into the Auror program.'
'I- Yes of course. Thank you!' Said Sirius feeling excited and irritated with Eileen.
Remus was rolling his eyes at him and Eileen was scratching her nose in a guilty sort of way.
'Good, you can take places within the ministry. This Monday will be your first day, don't be late.' Growled Moody but he looked pleased.
'Fabian, Gideon, Dorcas, Marlene and Benji, I'd like you all to continue with the task I have already given you. We have already made some advancement and stopped some of Lord Voldemort's plans. Mundungus, continue to keep your ear to the ground, report anything of significance at once.'
Dumbledore looked satisfied and stood. 'I think that will do for tonight. I will extend on Hagrid's hospitality and let you know that you are welcome to come and go here as you please. There are a few beds up stairs if the need arises. Remus, Eileen if I could speak to you both privately.'
The table stood and Remus and Eileen shuffled through the others to join Dumbledore in another room. Sirius downed the rest of his butterbeer and joined James, Lily and Peter near the back of the room.
'What do you think?' he asked.
'Well we couldn't have found a better teacher in Alastor Moody.' Said James. 'Dad has mentioned him a few times, he is head of the Auror department at the ministry.'
'I wonder what Dumbledore wants with Moony?' said Peter, straining to see through the crowd.
'We know what he wants Wormtail.' Said Lily, waving to Marlene. 'Excuse me I'm going to say hello to Marlene and Alice.' She broke away from them and headed across the room.
'I can't see how he expects Moony to convince the whole lot of them not to join Voldemort, especially if Greyback is the one leading them. That would be suicide.' Said Sirius, frowning.
'Well he doesn't expect him to do it alone, he's asked Caradoc to put the word out also. I don't expect Dumbledore would ask Moony to do anything he wasn't capable of Padfoot.'
'Yes well I still don't like the idea, maybe one of us should be with him.'
'I appreciate that Padfoot but as none of you are werewolves I don't think you'd be much help.' Said Remus who had come up beside Sirius.
'Do us a favour and don't get hurt.' Said Sirius.
'What's the worst that could happen? I'm already a werewolf, they can't bite me.' Said Remus sourly.
'Well that certainly explains a lot.' Said Eileen, who had come up behind Remus. 'Calm down I'm on your side remember.' She added seeing the horrified looks on their faces.
'It's not nice to eavesdrop Grey.' Said Sirius, though he wasn't angry.
She shrugged, 'I overheard. I'm sorry to hear that you were bit Lupin.' She said and the look she gave Remus wasn't one of pity but of sympathy and kindness.
'I- thank you, it was a long time ago.' Said Remus who looked startled.
Sirius felt a sudden rush of emotion for Eileen that he didn't understand but it was her reaction towards Remus that had caused it.
He remembered one summer when he and James had dragged Remus out of the house and into London where a muggle fair was taking place. Remus had been reluctant but had gone, as he always had, and they had snuck into the fair, laughing at the muggles and the strange contraptions that they strapped themselves into to be flung into the air. There was one of these things that Remus had pointed out and said was called a roller coaster. Muggles were riding the thing and it was sailing through the air on thin rails, soaring straight up and then straight back towards the ground at great speeds. They knew they had to try it and the three of them had raced towards it and stood in line for twenty minutes waiting their turn.
When they finally were strapped into it Sirius had felt suddenly that maybe it hadn't been a good idea, that maybe he'd rather sit out on this ride. He hadn't made his mind up to it when he knew he couldn't get off and in those first few seconds, as the roller coaster began to climb he had leaned back because his heart had suddenly jumped into his throat and he had looked sideways at James because he was certain that his pounding heart could be heard by everyone. The roller coaster had reached the peak of the climb and suddenly they were pelting back towards the ground and even if he had wanted to scream he couldn't and he wished desperately in those seconds, as they were sliding over the edge, that he could have stopped the ride, that he was still back there before the roller coaster had reached the peak and that he could have stayed there for just a few moments longer.
This was the closest thing he could remember to how he felt now, watching Eileen smile at Remus and start chatting amicably with his friends, his brothers. It happened so suddenly that for a moment he wasn't aware that anything had happened at all but he knew in that moment that something had changed. She looked at him and her nose was crinkled as she smiled and Remus looked at ease for once next to her and James was laughing at something she had said. She reached out to him and her fingers made contact with his arm and the spot burned under her touch and he remembered that even though the roller coaster had left that empty feeling in the pit of his stomach it had ignited his blood and they had rode it over and over and over that night, never getting enough of the exhilaration or that feeling of helplessness and then thrill as they were pitched over the side towards the ground.
September 12, 1978
'You know what I would enjoy?' said James, hurrying across the street with Lily in the lead and Sirius, Remus and Peter following behind him.
'I could name a few things that you probably wouldn't want Evans to hear.' Said Sirius, who had removed his jacket like the muggles around them and held it over his head to shelter himself from the downpour.
James chose to ignore him, 'I'd really enjoy it if this persistent rain would do us a solid and stop.' He said, reaching the alleyway and standing under a protruding wall to avoid the rain.
'I'll dry us off once we aren't in a street full of muggles.' Said Lily, huffing slightly. 'Come on in here.' She said, motioning to a muggle telephone box.
The four boys simply looked at her with identical looks of incredulity.
'You expect us to all fit inside that?' said Peter.
'Well unless you'd rather continue standing in the rain Wormy.' Said Lily testily.
'Alright you lot, pile in.' said James finally and he stepped into the box after Lily.
Sirius squeezed himself in after Peter and Remus and pulled the door shut behind him.
'Move your elbow Moony.' Said Sirius, who was pressed against the door.
Lily picked up the receiver and punched a series of numbers in.
'This isn't how I pictured spending my day.' Said Remus, sulking from behind Peter.
'What you don't fancy being trapped inside a small box with three handsome, intelligent, hilarious, brave, tantalizing, courageous –,'
'You forgot arrogant, simple-minded, sarcastic, disagreeable and irritating.' Offered Lily as Sirius continued to talk.
'Brilliant wizards and one overly excitable and sometimes wild -,' Lily turned and gave Sirius a glare. 'I mean beautiful and talented witch!' he added, grinning at her.
A voice rang out inside the box, stopping their chatter.
'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.'
'Lily Evans, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and -.' Lily turned again and gave Sirius an evil grin. 'Sirius Bighead. Here to see Alastor Moody for Auror training.' She finished and Sirius stared open mouthed at her daring.
Five name tags slid out of a chute and Lily grabbed them up. The voice rang out again and told them they had to submit to a search and wand registration. The box moved suddenly and Sirius noticed the street outside disappearing above them.
'I can't believe you did that Lily Evans!' he said as James, Remus and Peter laughed.
'Serves you right Sirius Black.' She said, smirking.
The doors slid open and Sirius burst out into the Atrium and a few people made noises of indignation and walked around him.
'Here you go Sirius Bighead.' Said Lily, smirking and handing him a nametag that read Sirius Bighead, Auror Training.
'Thanks.' He said grinning at her and pinning the tag to his jacket.
Lily led them over to a wizard seated at a desk under a sign saying Security. 'We are here to see Alastor Moody, first day of Auror training.' Said Lily confidently.
The wizard stood and moved a rod over each of them. Sirius and James exchanged a confused look but handed over their wands when the wizard asked for them.
He placed each of their wands on the instrument in front of him and a piece of paper slipped out and the wizard read it off to them, confirming each of their wands.
Sirius tucked his wand back inside his jacket. Lily pointed her own wand at them each in turn and Sirius felt his clothes grow dry and warm.
'Thanks Red.'
'You're welcome, let's get going.'
They stepped into a lift that had opened in front of them and waited patiently as two witches stepped in behind them.
The doors opened on Level Six and the two witches got off, chatting happily.
'What floor are we going to?' asked Peter who looked slightly nervous.
'Level two I think,' said Lily and she pulled a folded piece of parchment out of her robes. 'Yes level two, Auror Headquarters.'
As she said it the doors opened again, announcing that they had reached level two.
A man with red hair hustled by them looking slightly flustered. He smiled at them as they passed and Sirius remembered that his name was Arthur Weasley.
They passed through a pair of oak doors and into a room divided into cubicles. The room was buzzing with chatter when Sirius spotted Alastor Moody heading towards them.
'About time you lot showed up.' He growled at them and Sirius and James exchanged gleeful looks.
'Don't look so happy -.' Moody leaned in and looked at the nametag on Sirius's jacket. 'Bighead? Aren't you a Black?'
'Yes.' Said Sirius, glancing at Lily who had turned away to avoid his eye.
'Well fix it then.' Growled Moody again and he beckoned them to follow him.
Sirius followed along, taking the nametag off his jacket and tapping it with his wand until it read Sirius Black.
He led them to the back of the room to a group of empty cubicles. 'These will be yours for now or until you flunk out. The last lot that used them are all dead now.' Said Moody, glaring at them.
'How pleasant.' Said Sirius dropping into one of the chairs.
Moody ignored him and continued, 'I don't expect you all to make it through training, so unless you're willing to give it two-hundred percent effort at all times you should leave now.'
None of them moved. 'Good, let's begin.'
For the next month they worked tirelessly with Moody and other fully trained Auror's in and outside of the ministry. Peter had decided two weeks in that it wasn't for him and Dumbledore had given him another job within the Order that Peter was much happier doing. Lily and Remus continued to advance with them as training became increasingly more difficult.
They had one day off a week which was sometimes filled with Order meetings or spent simply inside Sirius's house all day sleeping. Dumbledore hadn't asked Remus to do anything about the werewolves yet and Sirius could tell that Remus was thankful for it. Their current job was focusing on their training and keeping their eyes and ears open within the ministry.
They had already learned so much in the last month that Sirius's brain was starting to ache from it all. It was on one of those rare days off that Sirius and Remus found themselves sitting around the living room in front of the wood stove with the muggle record player droning out one of the Beatles songs that Sirius had become familiar with.
Lily and James were upstairs sleeping while he and Remus sat too tired to hold a conversation. A rumbling from his stomach brought him out of his sleepy daze and he realised he hadn't eaten in over two days.
Groaning he stood and cracked a window to help un-fog his brain. He pulled his aching muscles towards the cupboards, feeling the ache of each of the spells he had been hit with yesterday in practice.
'Moony we don't have any food.' Said Sirius, reaching into the empty cupboards and groping around.
'Hrm?' said Remus who was now lying with his feet hanging over the side of a chair with a book covering his face.
'No food Moony. I'm starving.' He added, whining slightly and heading back towards Remus.
'Go get some then.' Replied Remus waving his hand vaguely.
'Come with me.'
'No.'
'Please?'
'No.'
'I'll buy you some chocolate Moony.'
Remus removed the book from his face and reluctantly opened one eye. 'Fine.'
'Good, I'll leave a note for Prongs.'
'He won't wake up.' Said Remus, standing and going to retrieve his cloak.
'Yes well either way.' Said Sirius scribbling on a piece of parchment and leaving it on the counter.
He swung his black leather jacket over himself and stowed his wand in the inside pocket.
'Diagon Alley?' asked Remus.
'Unless you have some muggle money I think that's our only choice mate.' Said Sirius turning and locking the door with a tap of his wand.
'Alright, let's not be long I'm exhausted.'
They climbed the small hill overlooking the house and aparated to the muggle street in front of the Leaky Cauldron. The small street bustled with people as Sirius pulled open the door to the bar. They stepped inside and instantly they both knew something wasn't right.
The bar was empty and the barman, Tom, was nowhere to be seen. The both slipped their wands out at the same time and glanced at each other.
'Come on.' Sirius moved with Remus on his heels to the small courtyard that lead to Diagon Alley.
Sirius tapped the bricks a few times with his wand and they started jumping away, creating a passage into the street.
The chaos taking place in the street hit their senses and they both gaped for a spit second at the noise and commotion coming from the alley.
'What the hell?' said Sirius as people ran frantically up the street in all directions. The shouting was growing louder and they stepped into the alley, the doorway behind them sealing itself again.
A frantic witch in blue robes ran past, clutching her young child to her chest as a loud crashing noise sounded up ahead followed by more screaming and a cloud of dust that ballooned into the air. People were disaparating out of the street and those that couldn't were running into stores and down connecting alleyways.
'Black, Lupin! What are you doing here?' yelled Marlene McKinnon who had come bolting into the street in front of them, wand raised and looking stricken.
'What's going on?' Asked Sirius, looking up the street as another horrific crash sounded.
'Death Eaters. They attacked Fabian and Gideon in the street. You're Aurors now aren't you? She yelled over the noise.
'Close enough lead the way!' yelled Sirius and with a glance at Remus they took off up the street after Marlene.
Sirius felt his heart racing in his chest as they ran full speed towards whatever danger was happening. Remus was beside him keeping pace, wand held tightly in his hand. They reached the scene at a sprint and Sirius aimed a stun over Marlene's head as a masked Death Eater turned towards her. The road ahead of them was littered with debris and Sirius noticed that there was someone lying face down in a puddle of blood. Fabian and Gideon were each duelling a masked Death Eater and Moody was there too, taking on another. Marlene ran straight into the fighting and sent a shield charm flying in front of Fabian, blocking the Death Eater's curse. They pelted themselves into the action at once, Sirius running to help Gideon and Remus to Moody.
Fabian suddenly went flying backwards and Sirius looked up to see two more people joining the fight. He was momentarily shocked to see Eileen Grey running towards him, with Rabastan Lestrange at her side, that the Death Eater he had been dueling managed to send a curse within inches of his left arm.
'Fuck! Sirius pay attention!' shouted Remus in exasperation.
Fabian had recovered himself and was back on his feet, launching himself into the Death Eater and they both went rolling across the street. Marlene had also noticed the new arrivals and left Fabian to attack Rabastan who had been heading towards Moody.
'Not so fast Grey!' said Sirius and he stepped neatly in front of her, causing her to crash into him.
'Black!' she yelled and they both looked up in time to see the balcony above them collapsing.
Sirius pushed her roughly to the side and he dove after her, rolling into the street as the rubble cascaded where they had been standing.
She sprang to her feet a few feet away from him and sent a jinx towards him that he easily dodged.
'Oh it's going to be like that is it?' he said, grinning at her.
She flashed him a quick smile back and sent another jinx flying towards him that he blocked with ease.
He looked around to see Moody and Remus still fighting a Death Eater and he had to duck as another jinx was sent towards him by Eileen.
She widened her eyes at him and he flicked his wand in her direction, purposely missing and causing a statue behind her to crumple.
The flicked jinxes and curses at each other, neither dueling at their full capacity, and having their spells blocked or easily dodged. To anyone looking on they would have seemed to be dueling just like the others.
People were still running up and down the street and the commotion of the fighters and those fleeing made Sirius lose track of Remus and Moody. He noticed Rabastan glance over at them and he sent a harder spell towards Eileen, surprising her and forcing her to launch herself to the right. She responded with a quick curse and the ground at his feet slid sideways.
They both regained their footing quickly and Sirius narrowed his eyes at her, the speed in which they were dueling each other was picking up and suddenly they were dueling as hard and as fast as those around them and Sirius knew that it was both an act and a way of them taking measure of each other.
He blocked a stunning spell she shot at him quickly and he thrashed his wand, stepping into it to send a blasting spell at her but at that same moment Marlene McKinnon had been slammed backwards through a glass window by Rabastan Lestrange and Eileen had stopped paying attention to their duel for a second to yell 'NO!' as Marlene disappeared through the glass window.
His spell hit her with a force that sent her flying backwards up the street twenty feet. Sirius realised what happened as she was soaring through the air and was sprinting towards her as she hit the ground hard.
He was a yard away when she sat up, looking breathless and she flicked her wand at him in shock and, Sirius realised, warning. He went soaring off his feet as she clambered to hers and he seen that Rabastan was by her side.
If she hadn't blasted him away he would have given her away by going to help her. Eileen yelled something in Rabastan's ear and taking hold of his arm they disaparated.
Sirius turned back and ran towards the spot Marlene had disappeared.
'MARLENE!' he yelled, jumping into the store through the smashed window.
'I'm here!' she called and Sirius found her stuck under a fallen shelf. 'Lost my wand - I couldn't get this shelf off me.' She said, struggling slightly under the weight.
Sirius levitated the shelf off her and helped her up.
'I'm okay, where are the others?'
'Outside still, I lost track of Remus and Moody.' He helped her limp back into the street and Fabian and Gideon were running towards them.
'You two alright? Where did Grey and Lestrange go?' asked Gideon whipping the sweat from his brow.
'I almost blew her cover, she disaparated with him. What happened to the two you were fighting?'
'They ran too once they seen their friend fall.' Said Fabian looking sour.
'Moody and Lupin took down a Death Eater, he's dead but Moody is hurt. We should get him back to headquarters.'
'Where are they?' said Sirius, letting Marlene stand on her own and anxious to see that Moony really was okay.
'We're here Padfoot.' Said Remus who was helping a pale and blood drenched Moody walk.
'Thank god!' said Sirius, embracing Remus for a moment and then ducking to help support Moody.
'The Death Eater hit him with a nasty curse. I can't tell how much damage there is through the blood though. It hit him and he paused only for a second before sending a killing curse at him. Then he, well, here we are now.' Said Remus.
'Okay, you two take him back, we will stay here until the ministry shows up. Never around when the actions happening are they Gideon?' said Fabian, turning back to the street.
Sirius and Remus turned on the spot, Moody semi-conscience between them. They reappeared in front of headquarters and pulled Moody up the stairs, and knocked on the door.
To their surprise Peter pulled it open, looking worried. 'Padfoot! Moony! What happened?' he said as they pushed their way into the house.
'Padfoot!' shouted James, who came pelting around the corner into the hall.
'Oh thank – Moody!' said Lily. 'Quickly into the kitchen!'
They staggered into the room as Emmeline Vance and Dedalus Diggle stood.
Emmeline took one look at Moody's face, turned and started digging in a cupboard.
'Lay him on the table.' She said over her shoulder.
They did as they were told and she turned back to them holding a small brown bottle labeled Essence of Dittany.
'Hold him steady.' She said confidently. She unstoppered the bottle and squeezed a few drops unto Moody's bloody face.
The wound began to smoke and stop bleeding and Sirius could finally make out that Moody's eye was gone.
'Oh fuck!' said Sirius, turning away from the table.
'He'll be fine, I've known Alastor forever. He could out-duel a Death Eater without either eye and he's still got one so he'll be fine.' Said Emmeline seriously.
'Oh he will be fine,' said James. 'Pissed, but fine.'
'Moony, Padfoot what happened? Peter came by and woke us up he said something was happening in Diagon Alley and you were both gone.'
'We were going to get some food the house is completely bare.' Said Sirius sinking into a chair in the sitting room opposite the kitchen.
'Fabian and Gideon were attacked by some Death Eaters and we showed up in the middle of it.' Answered Remus sinking down next to Sirius.
'We were worried sick!' said Lily attempting to scold them but failing as she let out a tiny sob.
James was by her side in an instant and wrapped his arms around her, giving his friends a sour look for causing her distress. 'You're lucky you're both alive or I would have murdered you myself.' Said James.
'It wouldn't have been too bad if Lestrange and Grey hadn't shown up. We outnumbered them until then.' Said Remus running a hand down his face and yawning suddenly.
'Eileen was there?' asked James, forgetting that he was annoyed with them.
'Yeah, she was dueling with me. She couldn't have helped or her cover would have been blown.'
'You know for a moment there before I lost sight of you I wasn't sure you two weren't dueling to harm.' Said Remus looking curious.
'We weren't. I almost gave her away but then Moody killed one of them and they disaparated.' Said Sirius, remembering how foolish they had been, toying with each other while people next to them were in real danger.
He looked away from his friends and felt suddenly guilty for the rush of exhilaration he had felt duelling Eileen. She had matched him spell for spell and she was quick, maybe quicker than him. The rush was still moving through his body, the fight and seeing her there having totally erased the fatigue he had felt a little over an hour ago.
'Well thank goodness you're both okay. Moody isn't going to be happy and neither is Dumbledore.' Said James, finally realising Lily.
As if James's words had summoned him the door opened in the hallway and Dumbledore came into the room, followed by Fabian, Gideon, and Marlene.
'Marlene!' said Lily, hugging Marlene.
'How is Alastor?' asked Fabian as Dumbledore disappeared into the kitchen.
'Lost an eye.' Said James.
'Damn.' Gideon cursed and left the room to see Moody.
'The ministry are cleaning up the street. Two dead, some poor man named Edgecombe and the Death Eater.' Said Marlene after Lily released her.
'Of course the only one we could name was Lestrange and we didn't want to say anything about Grey since she's with us.' Said Fabian.
Dumbledore swept back into the room. 'Alastor will be fine though his eye cannot be repaired. Emmeline and Dedalus are going to take him to Saint Mungo's. Would two of you please escort them?
'We'll go.' Said James, volunteering himself and Lily.
'Thank you.' Replied Dumbledore. 'Fabian, Gideon we need to go to the ministry and give a simple statement and I'd like to hear what happened first. If two of you could stay here until we return,'
'We'll stay.' Offered Sirius.
'Thank you.' Said Dumbledore and he left with Fabian and Gideon following behind him.
'If you guys are okay here I'm going to get back home, they'll be worried.' Said Marlene.
'I'll go with you.' Offered Peter and Marlene smiled at him in thanks.
After they had all departed Sirius sat at the kitchen table as Remus prepared some food for them.
'I almost forgot I was hungry in all that excitement.' Said Remus, handing Sirius a glass of fire whiskey.
'Yea me too.' Said Sirius absently.
'What's wrong?' asked Remus, turning back to him.
'Nothing,' he blinked and dragged his mind back to the kitchen with Remus. 'Was just thinking.'
'About Eileen?' asked Remus, sitting a plate of sandwiches down and taking a seat.
Sirius smiled at Remus. 'Yes actually.'
'Sirius what's going on?'
'I have no idea Moony really. We were just throwing spells at each other at first and then we both sort of started really duelling but I know she wasn't trying to really hurt me or she would have.' He replied honestly. 'It was almost like we were testing each other or something. Does that make sense?' he asked, looking Remus in the eye.
'No. But everyone can see there is something between you both. I'm just going to say be careful Padfoot.'
'Yea yea.' Said Sirius, waving off Remus's concern.
Remus rolled his eyes at him and stuffed a sandwich into his mouth.
She took the steps two at a time and knocked on the front door and waited. It had taken her four hours to get away after the fight in Diagon Alley. Rabastan hadn't wanted to leave but she insisted that they were losing the fight. Really she was worried that if it continued much longer she was going to have to abandon Rabastan to help her friends in the Order and in doing so completely blow her cover.
They had spent the last hours reciting the fight to Dougal, Bellatrix, Lucius and Rodolphus and by the end of it Rabastan had told them who was there, with the exception of Remus who Rabastan didn't know. Eileen didn't feel it necessary to say that she did know and was glad that she wasn't asked. Bellatrix had hissed through her teeth when Sirius's name was brought up and she spent a few minutes huffing about blood traitors before they could continue with the story.
She had finally left Malfoy Manor around midnight and was desperate to see if her friends were alive and well. The last she had seen Marlene had crashed through a store window and she had blasted Sirius off his feet to stop him from running to her. She was still glowing from the excitement of the fight with him and even though she knew it was ridiculous she felt like she had learned something private about him during that duel.
She held out her hand to knock again when the door was pulled open by Sirius himself, standing in front of her still wearing the clothes he had dueled her in, which were filthy and covered in blood.
'Eileen!' he said, surprised.
He moved to let her in quickly and she pulled her hood down and took her cloak off in one swoop.
'Where is everyone? What happened?' she asked, turning to him and asking the questions that had been burning inside her for the last few hours.
'Everyone is fine. Well Moody lost an eye but he'll be okay.' Said Sirius ushering her into the kitchen and handing her a glass of wine.
She downed the cup in one gulp and felt it fill her belly and burn there. 'Lost an eye?' she said, feeling light headed both from the wine and the news.
Sirius was eyeing her thoughtfully and she looked at him fully. It was the first time they were alone since their meeting in the owlery at Hogwarts. She eyed the half empty bottle of fire whiskey on the table.
'Have you been drinking alone?'
'No,' he said and looked slightly offended. 'Remus just went to bed.'
'Oh okay.' She said, feeling slightly awkward for asking.
He took a step towards her but seemed to think better of whatever he had wanted to do because he stopped mid stride.
'You're an excellent dueler.' She said and her voice came out quieter than she had meant it to.
'So are you.' He said and she felt the intensity of his stare go straight to her stomach and without meaning to she reached out to him.
'Fuck!' he said and before she could think Sirius dropped his glass and had launched himself at her, pinning her to the wall behind them.
She gasped slightly in shock or pleasure she didn't know but his lips were on hers and her brain was drawing blanks. Sirius's lips seemed to be asking her a question and she parted hers slightly in answer, deepening the kiss as he responded to her. His arms were around her in an instant and he lifted her off her feet and unto the table. She moved her hands up and tangled them into his black hair and he made a noise that sent her body into a frenzy. One hand was cupping her face, the other moving at the hem of her shirt. Her body felt like it was on fire and her brain was filled only with the desire to be as close to the man as possible. Her arms were above her head without her realising that she was doing it and Sirius lifted off her shirt in one fluid movement.
She could taste the whiskey on his lips, on his tongue, and she gasped for air as his mouth left hers and moved down her throat to her collar-bone. She was clutching his shoulders as his lips moved down her chest and torso and she shuddered under his mouth, feeling the electricity sparking through her.
Sirius's face was in front of hers again and she looked into his eyes for a split second and saw her desire reflected there. She wrapped her legs around him and his lips were on hers again and his hands were in her hair gripping it and holding her mouth to his. She was suddenly aware of the material of his shirt against her skin and she slipped her hands under the hem of it and felt the warmth of his stomach under her searching fingers.
He released her mouth for an instant, pulling his shirt up and over his head and she inhaled slightly as she ran her hands down his chest than back up to his face to reconnect their lips. She wanted nothing more than to be closer to him and to never let him go. His hands explored her body and his touch radiated through her, burning every spot he touched and repeatedly igniting the flame inside her. She knew that she couldn't and wouldn't stop even if she had, for one awful moment, wanted to.
His hands wandered to the waist of her jeans and stopped there asking, pleading, for permission. She wanted to give it to him, and the rest of their clothing seemed just an obstacle to Sirius's body and she answered with her hips. He lifted her off the table and walked into the hallway, tripping slightly and banging her backwards into the hallway wall.
She gasped in pain but wouldn't let him break their hungry kiss. She pressed herself frantically against him, and he moaned into her lips and she knew then that she was now, and had been from the first, addicted to his touch.
'Sirius what was that nois-,'
In an instant Sirius had let go of her and released her mouth. She was standing, pressed chest to chest between the wall and Sirius.
'What the fuck?' said Remus who was staring, open mouthed down at them.
'Moony.' Sirius breathed and his voice was husky. He was panting slightly and he slowly backed away from her.
Remus was still standing at the top of the stairs, apparently lost for words.
Her brain was catching up with her and she quickly dodged past Sirius and back into the kitchen to retrieve her shirt. She pulled it over her head and grabbed Sirius's from the floor.
When she returned to the hall the two men were still staring at each other, having some sort of conversation with their eyes.
'Um – here.' She said, passing him his shirt and avoiding his eye as he turned to look at her.
'I-,' he started but at that moment a knock on the door made them all jump. Sirius threw his shirt back on and marched over to the door, pulling it open.
James, Lily, Fabian, Gideon, Dumbledore, and Frank Longbottom piled in.
They were forced into the kitchen and Eileen noticed Remus had gathered himself together enough to follow them in.
'Eileen you're here, I thought you might come by.' Said Dumbledore and his eyes seemed to narrow slightly as he looked at her.
She felt as if she was being x-rayed and wondered whether it was obvious to everyone that she was burning with desire.
Sirius was standing against the same wall he had pushed her against a few minutes before looking calm, but he seemed to be radiating some energy, or maybe, she thought, it was just her.
She managed a smile for Dumbledore and he turned away from her and she watched his gaze slide directly unto Sirius who was looking anywhere but at her.
'Moody is going to be fine. It was a task and a half to convince him that he needed to stay at Saint Mungo's for the night.' Said Fabian, grinning slightly.
'He's one of the toughest men I know.' Added Frank, taking a seat at the table.
'Thank you all for your work tonight. I must return to Hogwarts.' Said Dumbledore, finally looking away from Sirius.
'I'm going to go too, Alice will worry.' Said Frank, getting up again.
'Goodnight Albus.'
'Night Professor.'
'See you Frank.'
Dumbledore and Frank left, leaving them standing and sitting around the table.
'Anyone want something to eat?' asked Lily thought she was trying to stifle a yawn.
'I think we're going to crash here tonight.' Said Fabian and he and Gideon stood.
'Us too, we'll eat in the morning. Moony cancelled training tomorrow but I don't think we'll get so lucky the next day.' Added James.
Eileen figured she better leave now. Before she was missed too much at home or because she couldn't bear to be so near Sirius without touching him, she couldn't decide which made her want to leave more. That or the way Remus was looking at her.
'I'm going to go.' She said trying to back out of the kitchen as Fabian and Gideon headed up the stairs.
Sirius's eyes locked on hers. 'I'll see you out.' He said, earning looks from Lily and James and a wide eyed stare from Remus.
She moved into the hall and pulled her cloak on before Sirius reached her.
'Eileen.' He said, reaching the door before her and putting a hand on the knob.
'Sirius.' She said and she felt her body yearning for him, sparking and pulsing again as he looked down at her.
'Eileen I-,' he started.
'I can't Sirius. I -,' she seen a flash of some emotion pass over his eyes and felt her stomach lurch. 'I want to Sirius.' She said in barely a whisper and his eyes widened. 'But if I do I'll never stop and how can I possibly do what I do with you hanging over me.' She said and she felt a piece of her protesting so badly against logic and reason that she wanted to forget it and just kiss him again.
'I see.' He said briskly and he turned away from her. She sighed slightly and reached for the door but then Sirius had turned, strode back to her, his eyes burning and kissed her, hard and fast and it took everything she had not to buckle at the knees.
'It won't stop me.' He said breaking the kiss. He pulled open the door for her and she had no choice but to step out into the night.
Author's note: Eck! Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review! They mean so much to me!