Chapter 18: Proposition

The weeks flew by, Easter and April turned into May. The days were warmer and longer and many students took advantage of the sun and took to studying outside. James, Lily, Remus and Sirius all passed their Apparation exam with flying colours and Peter was a little bit disgruntled he couldn't take the exam but cheered up when James and Sirius said they would personally escort him to the Department of Magical Transportation so he could take his test on the first day of the summer holidays.

"Now I've passed my test I can come up and see you any time." Sirius exclaimed to Marlene one particularly warm day at the end of May. He stretched out and lay down in the grass under their favourite tree and started pulling up daisies and magically connecting them together with his wand. Remus and Lily were quizzing each other ready for their end of year exams and Peter was fiddling with his new watch. A birthday present from his mother. James had one eye on Lily and the other on Sirius.

Marlene swatted him playfully, "might be easier if I come and visit you."

Sirius sat up and even Remus and Lily looked over interested, the distance between London and Hogsmeade had always been in discussion. "I have a summer job." Marlene said proudly and glancing around at her friends. "I got invited into the summer internship at the ministry."

James whistled, "It's really hard to get into one of those, is that in the Auror office."

Marlene nodded, "and believe it or not it wasn't my father that got it for me. It was Moody."

"Isn't that the Auror that rescued us back in January." Lily asked.

Marlene nodded; "It's nothing special, I'll probably just be making teas or running errands. Although Moody hinted that because I am of age, they might throw in a few training sessions and push my application through. Apparently they are needing all the help they can get. Frank Longbottom was the intern last year he said it's really insightful, educational and a fantastic experience and opportunity. Father says it'll keep me out of trouble. I say the Ministry of Magic is closer to Soho then Hogsmeade is."

Sirius grinned; "Oh Marl you'll love Soho it's so colourful and on the weekend there's late night coffee shops and loads of bars and clubs to choose from. In fact there's this quaint little one round the corner from my flat it has this rainbow flag fluttering by the door so I'll know it's that bar when I see it again."

Lily let out a small giggle. She had forgiven him for the comment he made at the end of Easter, both Marlene and James had calmed her down and explained that he didn't mean any offence to her when he said it. She let him suffer for a while though, the boil hex she placed on him didn't just go on his face. "The rainbow flag is a Pride Flag it means that bar is a gay bar. There's probably loads of those bars in Soho."

Sirius blushed and Marlene and James laughed. "It explains why the guy that sold you the joint, raised his eyebrows suggestively and said plenty of nightlife for young lads like us." James said which made Marlene crack up even more.

"Why Sirius I never knew you swung that way," She gasped in between giggles,

Sirius scowled and blushed even more.

Soon summer was upon them trunks were being packed and lost items were being found six months later. Exams were finished and teary goodbyes were said.

"Oh God I'm so going to miss you." Sirius cried wrapping his arms around Marlene.

James, Remus, Peter and Lily all laughed at his – terrible – overacting abilities.

Marlene just rolled her eyes. "Tell you what why don't I come on the train with you."

Sirius looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "You would do that for me?"

Marlene seemed to think about for a moment then shook her head. "On second thoughts I can't be bothered going all the way down to London just to come all the way back, it's not like there's anything special in London, like a cute boyfriend or anything." Sirius' face was enough to make the rest of the group laugh even more. "Hey Lils I'm going to see Alice and Frank."

Lily nodded and the two of them set off to find the two seventh years before they ended their school year by crossing the lake. All seventh years finished off their graduation by going across the lake in the boats just like they first did when the were first years.

James put his arm around a distraught Sirius. "Cheer up Sirius. We'll have loads of fun this summer, we're seventeen the skies our limit, especially if we get your motorbike flying."

Sirius cheered up immensely after hearing that, he had plans for his new motorbike. "We also have a flat to decorate, when should I ask Marlene to move in with me?"

"Mate you've been dating for less than a year." Sirius looked disheartened. "Come on, Dumbledore said something about visiting him before we go catch the coaches. The Train leaves in a hour, if we hurry we can go see him now."

"I'll follow you I haven't seen him yet either, the girls went earlier this morning." Remus said as the four of them walked through the castle to his office.

"Oh really, hadn't realised he wanted the girls too, what's it about?" James asked slightly curious. Lily and Marlene hadn't mentioned anything about seeing Dumbledore.

Remus shook his head and Peter looked down at his feet. "I mustn't have got that letter, but I owe Barty some money so I'll erm.... meet you at the train...." Peter turned on his heels and ran back the way they came. The three remaining Marauders all shared a glance but continued on.

"Marathon." Remus said to the gargoyle and stepped onto the spiral staircase ignoring the looks of his friends.

"Dumbledore doesn't strike me as the athletic, running type." James said trying to imagine Dumbledore in shorts and a tracksuit top running laps around the lake,

Remus rolled his eyes, "It's a chocolate bar, filled with peanuts, you've heard of a Mars Bar?" Two nods confirmed they had. "Well a Marathon Bar is like a Mars Bar but with nuts."

"So it's Muggle?" Sirius asked as they knocked on Dumbledore's door. Remus nodded.

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place." James muttered; pushing open the door.

"Ah boys have a seat, come in, come in. Licorice Snap?"

James and Sirius politely declined, but Remus -who had a rather sweet tooth – accepted gracefully.

"I was hoping you'd come a little sooner, there isn't much time till the train leaves, but no worries I can make it quick then we can get down to business later on. I have a small business proposition for the three of you. You are all of age?"

James nodded; "Sirius was on Halloween and me and Remus have March birthdays. Idiot's older than me by seventeen days." He added muttering under his breath.

Remus overheard and smiled he knew that the leader of their group had a soft spot when it came to pointing out that he was the second youngest. Especially as now Lily and Marlene were both older than him as well.

Dumbledore smiled and clasped his hands together. "Good good, now I assume you have heard of the Order of the Phoenix and what were are doing about Voldemort." James and Sirius nodded eagerly, Remus looked pleasantly surprised he had heard James and Sirius talk about it but have never expected Professor Dumbledore to so casually mention it. "I would like the three of you to be actively involved I believe the three of you could bring a great deal of knowledge and talent to the group."

"Involved? Like turn up for meetings and go after Death Eaters and such?" Sirius looked excited and imagined himself single handedly fighting off fourteen Death Eaters all if whom looked like his Cousins.

Dumbledore laughed his blue eyes twinkling merrily. "Perhaps not that taxing however I'm sure there would be plenty for you to do, it'll certainly keep you out of trouble until you start seventh year."

Remus looked pensive. "What would you have us do?"

"I can explain all that at a later date, If you wish to be involved I will get in contact with you, I would like to say more, but I have the strange feeling you wouldn't want to spend the start of your summer holiday at Hogwarts."

James nodded and tried to be calm and collected but inside he was bursting with excitement. For so long he had sat by on the side lines and watched horror stricken as the wizarding world was thrown into turmoil. Now he had a chance to do something about it. "I would very much like to take part." He thought he sounded very responsible and Dumbledore looked at him surprised at his tone of voice.

Sirius and Remus both nodded as well, Sirius was happy to be doing something that contradicted his name. He could see the Irony a member of the Black family working against Voldemort instead of with, he glanced at his two friends. Lily and Marlene were probably part of this as well but what about Peter? He voiced his concern about the last member of their group.

Dumbledore tensed and seemed to struggle with what to say. "If you think he would be beneficial."

James spoke up. "I trust Peter as much as I trust, Remus, Sirius and the girls. With my life."

This seemed to settle the vortex of thoughts in Dumbledore's mind for he relaxed and smiled at the boys. "Very well, now you three better go the last of the carriages will be leaving soon."

The three boys nodded and stood up, they each shook hands with their Headmaster and rushed out the door – nearly knocking over Professor McGonagal who was waiting patiently on the other side.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the three teenagers disappeared down the spiral staircase and walked into her colleague's office. Closing the door behind her she turned and glared at the old wizard who was absent-mindedly picking at a loose thread on his purple robes.

"I could understand Ms. Meadowes and Mr. Longbottom and possible even Ms. Tearson. But those three and Ms. Evans and Ms. McKinnon are still children Albus. You shouldn't get them involved in something they are too young to understand."

Albus sighed and sat back in his chair, "It is very rare we find good help these days and they are willing."

Minerva raised her eyebrows. "If a fifteen year old was willing would you accept him in to the Order?"

"Every single person I have asked has been of age Minerva, you know that, each and everyone of them will be a great asset to the order. Especially since, Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Tearson and Ms. McKinnon will be in the Auror department over the summer. It gives Alastor some help."

"At least leave the hard jobs for the professionals. There are plenty of other Aurors who aren't directly associated with us but are still helping. The Order is after all working in partnership with the ministry."

"For now we are connected with the ministry and I can't deny that Michael has been a huge help, however he is retiring soon."

"We will always be with the Ministry." Minerva said flatly before standing up and smoothing down her robes. "I'll will be on my way, I have some final tasks to finish up before we lock up."

Albus nodded his eyes were no longer twinkling he was deep in thought. He wondered just how many more innocent lives will be ended until Voldemort reign of tyranny ended.

"Can you two not go five minutes without trying to suck each faces off? You remind me of a Dementor."

Marlene smiled and pulled away from Sirius. "Just wait till you get a girlfriend Potter then we can all laugh and tease you." She looked over to where a group of Slytherins were crowded round a tall brown haired man. "I'd best go a play the innocent little sister. I would come with you but I want to keep an eye on him." She jabbed a thumb in the direction of the group of Slytherins. Walking over she pulled her friends into a hug – even Peter. "I'll see you all real soon. Specially you." She winked at Sirius. She pulled Lily into another hug. "Come visit I get weekends off."

"Same to you." Lily had a summer job in a local book-store, she had been working there since she was fourteen. "No more being woken up at four in the morning by Vernon's snoring."

"Are you sure that was him snoring?" James asked but ultimately regretted it however smiled relieved when Lily let out a bark of laughter.

Marlene giggled and gasped as the train whistled "You guys best go. Owl me, phone me, muggle mail me just keep in touch yeah."

Sirius pulled her into one last kiss before boarding the train. "Miss you." He whispered then bit his bottom lip. "Love you."

Marlene snapped her head up but he was gone, he was sticking his head out the window his tongue hanging out like a dog in a car. She couldn't be sure what she heard it was noisy being so close to the train. She laughed as she waved the train out of the station. She waved at Hagrid who was heading back down to the harbour to check the boats were ready for September. She gasped as she felt a cool hand on her shoulder.

"All right sis?"

Marlene whirled around and nodded curtly before turning and walking towards the village. This was the first year her parents hadn't picked her up from the station. Martyn hurried to catch up with her, he wore a long sleeve robe despite the warm June sun.

Glaring at his choice in attire she sighed and slowed down so they could walk together. "I'd be lying if I said I was proud of your life choice."

Martyn looked momentarily confused and chose his words carefully. "Waiting until I'm twenty-four before settling into a normal job?"

"Actually no I admire that about you... it certainly made it easier to deny your existence. No I mean you becoming an agent to the Dark Lord." She knew better than to call him Voldemort.

Martyn sighed and looked around, there were people milling around shopping and visiting neighbours. Hogsmeade was always different in the Holidays, he supposed it had to do with the fact that there was no rambling school kids running around; he looked back at his sister. "How long have you known?"

Marlene shrugged, "You've dropped enough hints but mainly that letter you sent me, I just confirmed my suspicions with Regulus Black."

Martyn's eyes widened. "So you've actually been talking to Reg?"

"I kinda had to, we both play Quidditch."

"Oh." Martyn tried to hide his disappointment but failed.

"I'm not going to follow your proposistion, I'm perfectly happy with the Black I've got."

"But he's a disgrace, he's been disowned if you marry your child would be a half-blood." Martyn looked scandalised at the thought but Marlene thought his reaction was funny.

"You have truly changed, I remember when blood purity didn't matter to you, just remind me not to invite you to my wedding if I marry a muggle."

Martyn stared at the guts of his little sister and smirked. Only a McKinnon would have the gal to stand up to an agent of the Dark Lord. However that attitude would get her killed, she'd be put on the list for sure. Which is why he had to protect her, and the only way he truly knew how to protect her was to convince her to side with him. Convince her to side with the Dark Lord himself.

A/N: I remember reading about the Graduation and crossing back over the lake on a website (can't remember which one) but it is actually J.K Rowlings idea and she was going to put it into book 7 put the atmosphere wasn't right or something along those lines.

A Marathon Bar is a Snickers Bar they were made in the 1930s and they changed their name from Marathon to Snickers in 1990. I'm full of random information but just thought I'd let you all know :D

I suppose this is the quarter way point as sixth year has ended, there will be a few chapters of summer holidays and then on to seventh year. I'm hoping to get as much done as I can as I'm very much aware that I go overseas in about seven weeks and I'm not sure what my internet access will be like. I'll be taking my Laptop so I can still write however it might be that 2 or 3 chapters all get posted at the same time. But that's not until April and I will warn you before I go. Thanks very much for everything and as always please review.