A/N: OMG… I just realized why I can't ever find my damn story. Somehow I got Lily Evans Potter changed to Lily Luna Potter. Good Lord, help me.
Thank You to: Coolbluesmile, LilyHeartsMarauders, Binka Fudge, and my best friend DeFaeror, for the reviews on chapter 10. I especially liked yours, Binka Fudge, so super thank you, it was an awesome review.
--- --- --- Recap:
The two Head Students couldn't believe what their Headmaster was asking them.
"Naturally, you will want to start careers as Aurors, if I am not mistaken, and that will be fine. The Order consists of many Aurors already and others too. I would like for you to think on this, but I must say, I would prefer you to make a decision now, before I send you off."
Lily was the first to speak up. "I will do it." James still looked skeptical, but nodded his head in agreement. "What do you call this Order, sir?" Lily asked.
"The Order of the Pheonix."
--- --- ---
James and Lily made their way to their own dormitory in silence; each thinking of what had just happened. As they stepped through the entry way, Lily said, "We should look over the list of students Dumbledore gave us." She was referring to the piece of parchment in James hand.
It felt heavy to him, as if somehow, the names weren't just names, but the people themselves on the paper, entrapped. What he couldn't decide, was if this was a good or bad thing. On one hand, it was for the right reasons, but on the other hand, it seemed that it was a death sentence for some. It is not that they didn't have a choice, they did, but he knew which one they would choose.
Lily must have noticed he was deep in though, because she put her hand on his arm, "We are doing the right thing."
"I know, it just feels like a huge responsibility to have thrown at you."
"That's because it is James, but that does not make us responsible for each person who may die, or lose a loved one."
James entertained the thought that either they spend far too much time together, or she was well practiced in legilimency. He decided it was the first.
They sat down on the settee and opened the folded parchment.
James Potter -7th year Gryffindor (Head Boy)
Lily Evans -7th year Gryffindor (Head Girl)
Severus Snape -7th year Slytherin (Prefect)
Sirius Black -7th year Gryffindor
Emmeline Vance -7th year Ravenclaw (Prefect)
Effie Meadowes -7th year Gryffindor
Marlene McKinnon -7th year Ravenclaw (Prefect)
Alice Montgomery -7th year Hufflepuff (Prefect)
Remus Lupin -7th year Gryffindor (Prefect)
Michael Fenwick -7th year Hufflepuff (Prefect)
Fabian & Gideon Prewett -6th year Gryffindors
Dorcas Meadowes -6th year Hufflepuff
Caradoc Dearborn -6th year Hufflepuff
Timothy Peakes -6th year Ravenclaw
Caroline Fields -6th year Slytherin (Prefect)
Darlene Fawcett -6th year Ravenclaw
Gwenaline McLaggen -6th year Ravenclaw
Regulus Black -6th year Slytherin (Prefect)
At the bottom of the List, Dumbledore left a note.
These students were not chosen by who they are, or by their blood. They were chosen for certain strengths that I see in them, academic or not. I also took into account their loyalties, I am sure you do not need to know the details. However, I strongly caution you to letting others in the group. I am sure that Tom has followers within our school. I can only hope that they will change their minds before they leave. Be that as it may, I will leave you to your own devices now. Good Luck.
Signed,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Ps. as we are not following school regulations, per se, I would like to be on a first name basis with the two of you.
Lily could almost hear the cheerfulness that Dumbledore must have had in his mind with that last note. He was so odd sometimes.
She looked over at James, of who had the most incredulous look on his face. "What is it?" She asked him.
"Regulus?" He said with a disbelieving look.
Lily looked back at him pointedly.
James threw his hands up in resignation, "Okay… I get it. Same deal as with Sniv- Snape." He corrected himself before Lily could snap at him for it.
She smiled sweetly at him.
"So, when do we tell every one?" James wondered out loud.
"I asked Marlene earlier today, and also added for her to bring Alice."
James looked at her oddly, she was amazing. Who else could possibly be as unknowingly intuitive as Lily?
"I find it rather funny they are on the list, don't you James?" She said, rather dumbfounded.
James chuckled. "Yes. We should write out letters, and have one of the Prefects on the list distribute them."
"James!" Lily chided, "That is complete and purposeful misuse of your position as Head Boy!"
He just looked pleased with the idea. "I know Lily." He checked the time. "I could debate this with you? But then we would miss the scheduled Prefect meeting."
Lily sighed, "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." She grabbed her papers while James wrote a letter, and then charmed it into 17 different copies. Lily rolled her eyes when he looked at her, delighted with his cleverness. "Come on." She said, grabbing his hand as they began to head towards the stairs and down to the library.
The Prefects had all gathered at a corner away from Madame Pince, and were chatting quietly amongst themselves when James and Lily came in.
"Hi." Lily greeted them cheerfully. "Well, what a day it has been! I was very impressed by some of you. I will be awarding points to certain individuals later, for an outstanding job well done getting everyone into the Great Hall." She shuffled through some of her papers, finding a list of activities that needed volunteers.
"Also, there will be the annual October Fall Ball next month and we should start organizing a decorating committee. Anyone up for it, please raise your hands and give me your name as I call on you from left to right."
James wrote as she listed off each Prefect who volunteered.
"Great." She said.
"Also, I've tallied up patrols, and some of you will be working double shifts during the next few weeks, since some of you will be practicing overtime for the up and coming Quidditch match, and those of you getting that time off will have double rounds after the match." Some of them groaned, making Lily chuckle, "Alls fair in love and war my friends."
The rest of the meeting went fairly flawlessly, and as the Prefects were leaving, James asked a few that were on the list to stay behind, though not all of them. Severus was also a Prefect, he had failed to show up.
"Why did you ask us to stay behind?" Said a voice; one belonging to Emmeline Vance, a 7th year Ravenclaw.
James told them to be patient a second, and then passed out the letters he had conjured before leaving the Head quarters.
After reading the letters, most of them were satisfied, a few had more questions.
"Why should I do this?" Regulus asked insolently, but his voice was smooth, very much like his older brother's, Lily noticed.
"You don't." James replied simply. "But Dumbledore thinks you have what it takes, and wants you to learn, and join a group, greater than yourself."
"Aren't the Death Eaters greater?" He persisted.
"Its not about who's greater, necessarily, it's about good and evil. You will eventually have to choose a side, and why not now?" Lily said.
"My parents don't agree. There is no such thing as good or bad, but there is power."
"Three guessed who your parents support… I wonder." Marlene put in, with a seething look.
Regulus ignored her, his debate with the Heads becoming a competition.
"Yes, but what do you believe?" Lily asked him. "It's not about what our parents believe, or who they are; mine are muggles. It is about what you choose to believe. You have that power."
"Well said." Regulus agreed, nodding to admit defeat. He was quite a clever young man, no doubt about it, but the most important question still stood, was he sufficiently loyal?
James had Alice take the remaining letters, asking that she get those out to the students as soon as possible, for they were meeting the next night.
"Why didn't you just owl them?" she asked.
"They could be intercepted." James answered. She looked content with that.
Lily and James finally headed back to their Dormitory, hand in hand. It had been a long and wearing day. They said goodnight and went to their separate rooms, hoping to catch some much needed rest.
The newspapers arrived the next day at breakfast, informing students of the specifics on the attack at Hogsmeade.
Town in Ruins, after Brutal Death Eater Attack
Anonymous Reporter
Standing in the ruins of what used to be the little town of Hogsmeade; one can only imagine the devastating effects this will have on the wizarding world. The Hogsmeade attack was malicious and the Death Eaters had no grounds for this attack. Fortunately, nobody was killed, which points towards the possibility of novice Death Eaters. However, the fear that this attack has instilled in the wizarding communities is enormous. One must not be too careful to think they are safe in wizarding towns no more. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is very serious in his accusations of mudbloods, and blood traitors alike.
More on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, turn to page 5
The town is being magically restored, and shall be open for business October first. Just in time for the fall festivities.
If you have any information on the attack or attackers, please inform the
Wizarding Investigational Services Hotline (WISH)
Your assistance in this matter is greatly needed.
This article brought to you by: The Clean Sweep
Get yours at your local broom dealer
"Ey, Effie, di'ya geh a chance t'a read tha newshpapah?" Sirius said with his mouth full, though he knew for a fact she didn't. She didn't subscribe to the Daily Prophet.
She reached towards the paper and snatched it out of his hands, mumbling a quick 'Thank you" and disappeared behind it.
Alice approached the table and handed Sirius and Effie the letters, and said to Lily & James that was the last of them. Lily nodded to her before the other girl left, then went back to reading her own copy of the Daily Prophet.
"It's sad when you have to report anonymously." She commented, to nobody in particular. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Is that what they are calling him now?"
"Hey Lily?" Effie asked. "Didn't you say you needed some new dress robes?"
Lily blushed.
"Madame Malkin's is having a sale next week, we should preorder some."
"Sure Effie." Lily said, in a way that Effie knew meant they would talk about it later.
"What classes do we have today?" James asked Lily.
"Potions, Arithmacy, Ancient Runes."
James groaned, it was what he liked to call, 'Worst classes day of the week' which he knew meant it was the middle of the week and it could only get better from here. Sirius only had Potions and Ancient Runes, since a N.E.W.T. in Arithmacy was not a requirement for becoming an Auror. James had only taken the class because it put him in standings with the Advanced Auror Program.
Unfortunately, a N.E.W.T. in Potions was a requirement, and that was something only Lily enjoyed out of the lot of them.
As always, breakfast was a quickly passing affair, and Sirius was the last to leave. The students all went to their respective classes, and Lily, James, Remus, Sirius, and Effie found themselves walking into the dungeon classroom.
"Good Morning Students!" Professor Slughorn greeted them. They found their seats. Professor Slughorn had them work in Partners, pairing them by their abilities, which meant Lily was paired with Severus, Remus with Effie, James with a Ravenclaw girl, Sirius with Alice, and so on and so forth.
"Hey Sev." Lily greeted her friend as she took her seat next to him. "Did you get the letter?"
He nodded, "What's it got to do with Dumbledore though?" He asked.
"He found out about it and liked the idea, he's making it his own "training" group, I guess you could say. He hand-picked the students himself." She answered.
"I don't like the way that sounds." Severus muttered.
"Where were you last night?" Lily asked innocently enough.
"I was a bit tied up." Severus answered dismissively.
Lily ignored his statement, "You didn't miss out on much."
Before Severus could say a word, Professor Slughorn began class.
"Today we will be starting 'The Polyjuice Potion'. Now, I'm sure you all have read up on it, and know the properties. So I will just ask you to turn to page 673 in your books and start. You all know where the tools and ingredients are."
"This class is a joke." Severus muttered as he went to grab the lacewing flies from Professor Slughorn's store.
"Professor?" Lily asked.
Slughorn looked up from his desk, "Yes m'dear?"
"This potion is going to take nearly a month to complete, and the lacewing flies have to stew for 21, what are we doing in between?"
"Good question, class, as soon as you are done setting your flies to brew, we will be going to the green house to pick some fresh herbs for my stores. Some of them have been depleted."
Severus, and many others, gave Lily an irritated look. "Well, it was a reasonable enough question." She said, almost to herself.
The store greenhouse (the one where specifically planted vegetation was kept) smelled of bat dung and pumpkin flesh. Lily scrunched up her nose. She hated it when they had to come in here.
Effie was at her side in a matter of seconds, she linked her arm with Lily's. "What were you thinking, asking Slughorn what we are going to be doing? This is just… disgusting." She said as she looked at a pile of mandrake fertilizer, which consisted of blood and droppings, and all sorts of nasty things.
"I'd like to sort you into groups please!" Professor Slughorn called out. After everyone was grouped and had a task, he went back to eyeing the plants for defects.
"Mrs. Slate," he said. "Your Chinese Chomping Cabbages seem to be a little yellow, have you been supplementing them frogspawn as necessary?"
Effie & Lily cringed. "That," Sirius said to the girls, "is almost as repulsive as Snivellus." Lily gave him a livid look. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to harvesting a sizeable amount of goosegrass.
Effie seized Sirius' retreat to retaliate, "No, it's almost as repulsive as he is." She giggled as Lily smiled at her friend's joke.
They spent the remainder of the class period doing just that, harvesting plants, herbs, seed, whatever could be done in the light of day, then wandered back to the castle to grab their belongings from Potions and head to their next class.