Author's Note

Don't hate me! I know I've been really slow getting this chapter out but here it is! I sincerely apologize. With finals coming up and a bunch of winter concerts and performances for band, life has just been crazy. However, these things will be over soon and I'll have MUCH more time to write, I swear!

Alright, now that I've gotten that desperate plea of forgiveness out of the way, please enjoy this chapter! It was hard to write for some reason, but its pretty long and I think the ending is not bad. It definitely make things interesting. Also Sirius is being totally adorable, though I can't guarantee it will last. But, oh my gosh, I love him!

A huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed and favorited this story! Let me just say that I am completely blown away by the support! Thanks so much!

Alrighty guys, here's the story! Read, enjoy, and review! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own HP!

6. Opportunity

I woke some time later, around late-afternoon. I sat up, bleary-eyed, and my gaze fell upon Lily, sitting in her own bed with books and pieces of paper strewn all around her.

"Hi," I said softly, blinking away tears as the memories of this morning came rushing back into focus; the newspaper, the murders, and the pain of it all. But I was determined not to cry. I'd done enough for one day.

It wasn't something I was used to, either. I never cried. I took things in stride, I kept my emotions hidden. I felt a brief flash of shame as I thought back to the hysterical state I had been in this morning, but a voice in my head told me there was no helping it. You just couldn't hold something like that in.

"Hi," said Lily, setting down the book in her hands and coming over to sit on the edge of my bed. "How are you feeling?"

I bit my lip, trying to think of an answer. Ashamed of my family? Betrayed? Haunted by the very thought?

"Resolved." I finally said, meeting Lily's eye and feeling, for the first time in a while, totally at peace with myself. My life, my future, and my beliefs had absolutely flipped in the past week, but I had never been surer about things.

Today's events had just verified something I had subconsciously known for a while: I was not like my family.

I might look like them and share the same name, but I didn't believe in the hateful and ignorant ideals that they had devoted their lives to preserving. I may be the sister of Roy Villori, but I could never kill an innocent person in cold blood, just to assert my non-existent superiority over witches and wizards who had every right to live in peace.

My family and their friends might be the cause of this war, but no longer was I fighting on their side. Because, if the horrible events of this morning had any positive effects, it was that they had solidified one idea for me: I was not one of them.

"Dumbledore came by while you were sleeping." Lily told me as we both readied ourselves for dinner a few minutes later. "He was very concerned about you and apologetic that he couldn't have helped sooner."

I nodded, expecting this. I figured that since virtually every idea my parents had tried to instill in me since birth had turned out to be hate-filled, supremacist crap, Dumbledore was probably not the crazy liar I had been led to see him as. "What did you tell him?" I asked as I brushed my hair and slid my black ankle boots on.

"That you were in capable hands." she said simply, smiling at me. "And that you would be sure to speak to him at some point."

"Thank you." I told her as we both headed for the door, "honestly. I'm not used to…" I trailed off, almost embarrassed.

"Having someone look out for you?" she asked, her hand on the door knob, though she made no move to turn it. Instead, she faced me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Adeline, I'll always be here to look out for you. As will Sirius, and the rest of the boys. You're one of us now. You aren't alone anymore."

I felt tears well up in my eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that day and blinked them away before any could fall. I surprised myself by suddenly leaning forward and hugging Lily tightly, feeling slightly overcome. But then again, I had been surprising myself a lot lately.

I descended the stairs slowly behind Lily, my stomach in knots. This morning was still fresh in my mind, as was the memory of my fellow students' faces as they saw the newspaper headline and stared at me in disgust and shock. If I hadn't already been a social oddity from the start, with my lineage and the behavior I had exhibited during the past week, I was surely the most hated girl in school now that this morning's news had confirmed everyone's suspicions about my family: the Villori were vicious, Dark Lord-worshipping murderers, and I was one of them.

But I wasn't really, or at least, not any more. But they didn't know that, and I had no idea how to tell them. If I was being honest, I was terrified to enter the Great Hall and face them once again.

To my relief, the Gryffindor common room was empty—save one person—when Lily and I reached it. Sirius Black got up from the chair he had been sitting in the second he saw us and was by our sides in an instant.

I felt my cheeks flush as our eyes met, his full of silent questions that I knew would have to be answered.

"How are you?" he asked, as the three of us made our way across the room and out into the corridor, I suppose trying to get the simple one out of the way.

"Better," I said, giving him an uncertain smile. He breathed a sigh of relief and I could see him relax visibly.

"Good." he said, grinning at me. "Very good."

"Yeah," I said, smiling back at him.

But my brief, happy mood vanished instantaneously as we reached the doorway that led into the Great Hall. For a moment I considered turning tail and running when Sirius put a gentle hand on the small of my back. "It's okay," he whispered in my ear as Lily began to open the door. "No one blames you. And anyway, I'm here."

I blushed for the second time that day as I began walking forward at the gentle urging of Sirius. It was a strange comment for him to make, seeing as we really barely even knew each other, yet it left me feeling completely at ease. Maybe it stemmed from our shared experience from this morning, as I had cried my heart out in his arms, but I felt oddly close to him despite our very recent friendship.

A hush filled the room as we entered, all eyes turning to watch our little group, and more specifically, me.

Sirius kept close to me as we made our way over to the place where James, Remus, and Peter were eating and sat down across from them, Sirius and Lily on either side of me. I breathed a sigh of relief as little conversations started to resume all around us, though many students were still sending curious glances over at me.

It felt odd to be sitting among friends, but I found, as conversation between our little group of six flowed among a great many topics and no one said a word about this morning, for which I was amazingly grateful, that I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.

I vaguely wondered, as I munched thoughtfully on the first food I had eaten in nearly twenty four hours, how odd this new seating arrangement seemed to my fellow classmates. Were they confused as to why I suddenly seemed to be friends with Sirius Black, the pure-blood clan run-away, and Lily Evans, a muggle-born, as well as all their friends? Were they as shocked as I was that I had not only recovered from this morning's horrible events but was now suddenly accepted into the Gryffindor social circle?

Probably, I mused.

Before long dinner was over and people began leaving the Great Hall, heading to their dormitories for some last-minute studying or much needed sleep. We were all getting ready to leave ourselves when I felt a long-fingered hand on my shoulder.

"Miss Villori," said Professor McGonagall from behind me. I cringed at the name, which now seemed so sinister and full of hate, and I could see Sirius clinching his jaw out of the corner of my eye as I turned around to face McGonagall, who, by the look on her face, also regretted her choice of words.

She cleared her throat. "Adeline."

"Yes, Professor?" I responded, and even though Lily and the other boys had already made it to the entrance of the Great Hall, I noticed Sirius hanging back, waiting for me.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office." she told me in her matter-of-fact tone of voice. She then gave me an apologetic smile before turning on her heel and departing through a side-door.

I took a deep breath and ran a hand through my hair, the good mood I had developed from dinner evaporating as I considered what this meeting with Dumbledore would entail. I didn't know if I was able to face this discussion by myself.

That was, until I felt a hand on my arm and turned around to gaze into the clear blue eyes of Sirius Black. "You want me to come with you?" he murmured, nodding his head in the direction of Dumbledore's office.

I didn't hesitate. I needed support now more than ever. "Yeah, thanks."

We made our way into the headmaster's office side by side, not quite touching but close enough that I could feel his warm presence emanating towards me. Instantly, I was at ease.

Dumbledore greeted us with a smile, although his eyes betrayed him. He seemed almost guilty. But it certainly wasn't his fault that my brother had decided to go on a murderous rampage. I wondered if something else was plaguing Dumbledore's thoughts.

Sirius and I sat down in two purple-velvet chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk, and he eyed me thoughtfully for a second before speaking. "Miss Adeline. May I first say that I am deeply sorry for the tumultuous events that occurred this morning. I can only imagine how upset you were at the news, and I sincerely regret the fact that you were informed of it in such a horrible manner." He finished this little speech with a curious glance at me, as though trying to figure out how upset I had been in the first place.

"It's okay, Professor." I told him, returning his gaze sincerely. "It was a huge shock, but Sirius and Lily have been extremely comforting."

He nodded, apparently content with my answer, and I could see a glimmer of hope in his eye, although that look of guilt was equally present. "Am I correct in assuming, then, that you are maybe not as loyal to the Villori name and cause as you once were?" he asked.

I sucked in a quick breath at the bluntness of my question, and glanced quickly at Sirius. Of course I didn't condone murdering other witches and wizards and felt nothing but disgust towards my family, but there was something about putting that thought into words that made me hesitate slightly. But when my eyes met Sirius's and I saw nothing but confidence and quiet encouragement looking back at me, I made my resolve final.

"Yes, Professor." I said determinedly, holding Dumbledore's gaze unflinchingly. "that is exactly correct. I am nothing like my family."

He nodded, smiling at me and Sirius. "Good. I knew that from the start. The sorting hat made an excellent decision when it placed you in Gryffindor, Adeline…" his smile faltered a bit, and my heart sunk. I had a feeling that the reason for Dumbledore's guilt would shortly be revealed.

My fears were confirmed a moment later when he continued speaking. "There is, however, a slight complication."

I felt Sirius stiffen beside me and I too froze in my seat, dreading what Dumbledore would say next. "What is it, Professor?" I asked quietly.

Dumbledore sighed and adjusted his glasses, looking tired as he fixed me with a serious and regretful stare. "There is a secret order, called the Order of the Phoenix, that is dedicated to the destruction of Lord Voldemort and his followers. We met a few hours ago and came to a decision—one I did not support—involving you, and your future."

"Me?" I asked, confused. Why would the Order of the Phoenix be discussing me?

"Yes." said Dumbledore. "Adeline, you must understand that you are in a unique position. You are a Villori by all official means, though you may no longer consider yourself one. In essence, you are a member of the dark side's inner circle. And, the Order has decided that I shall ask you to do an extremely dangerous task, although you have every right to decline…" he trailed off for a moment, and I saw Sirius clench his jaw and ball his fists beside me, apparently already guessing what Dumbledore was going to ask of me, although I myself was completely clueless.

"Adeline, what we ask of you is to spend your winter holidays at the Villori house, pretending as though you are still a loyal member of the family. While you are there, you must try to gather any information you possibly can, pertaining to Voldemort and your family's plans. Basically, we are asking you to play the role of a double agent."

I felt my stomach drop. All day, ever since learning the truth about my murderous family, I had been comforted by the fact that I could separate myself from them once and for all. I would never have to be in the presence of my blood-thirsty family and their friends ever again.

But now, Dumbledore was asking me to do exactly that, but for the good of the entire wizarding world.

"Absolutely not!" Sirius practically yelled from beside me, rising out of his chair and glaring at the remarkably calm Dumbledore across from him. "That is way too dangerous! Headmaster, how could you possibly request something like that from a sixteen year-old student?"

Dumbledore sighed, his gaze traveling back and forth between an angry Sirius and myself. "I agree wholeheartedly, young Mr. Black. Unfortunately, it is the hope of the Order that Adeline will accept this task." He looked at me, his eyes calm. "Adeline, you are a courageous, talented young witch, in an opportune position. You are a trusted member of the Villori house, and the information you collect there could be of dire importance to the Order and the future of our world. On behalf of the Order of the Phoenix, I must ask this of you."

Sirius was shaking his head, looking at me desperately, while I kept my gaze firmly fixed on Dumbledore, my thoughts racing. The idea of being back at the Villori house—especially after my recent fall from my father's good graces—terrified me. But then I thought of the people I could possibly save from carrying out this task. The image of the eighteen year-old girl my brother had killed in cold-blood came rushing into my mind again, and I suddenly knew that this decision was easy. I hadn't been able to save her, but maybe I could save others like her.

I lifted my gaze, fear and determination coursing through my veins as I answered Dumbledore in a steady voice.

"I'll do it."