Just a couple of notes before we begin: First: This is shorter then usual because I had such a hard time writing it! I promise the story is going to pick up in the next chapter! Second: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE IS OUT TODAY!! YAY (It's awesome btw) and Fianlly: PLEASE Review! Thank you as always -Lena Knight
The ferry was pulling into the Poole port while Sirius and James stood next to each uncomfortably. Sirius glanced over at his best friend with contempt; James' saw the look and with a frown turned away from Sirius. Frank who stood next to James saw the looks of anger between the two friends. With a sigh, he shook his head and wondered if the girls knew what they were walking into.
The night before James had effectively split the Order of the Phoenix. He had accused Ashlynn of betraying the mission in front of everyone, without her being there to defend herself. Out of the twenty-six members of the Order only eight of them, believe Ashlynn to be innocent. The Dumbledore brothers and Minerva McGonagall had remained neutral during the explosive fight that had sent James and Sirius firing hexes at each other.
In the end, Sirius had rallied the Prewetts, Dedalus Diggle, Remus Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher, Marlene Mckinnon, and Dorcas Meadowes to his side including Ashlynn that was only that was only ten.
The three men tensed up when they saw the three girls walking towards them. Alice held Aludra as Ashlynn and Lily flanked her; they were all smiles and laughs as they made their way towards their husbands. They were not going to like the sudden divide in the Order's rank.
Ashlynn's eyes sought out Sirius when they finally made eye contact, his heart began to thud. He had not realized how much he had missed her in the week she was gone. Suddenly his heart ached with the need to kiss her, to hold her, to feel her and look into those beautiful grey eyes and now she had not betrayed the Order. He did not realize that his feet were propelling him forward until his arms were around Ashlynn. As they kissed deeply Sirius knew she had not betrayed the Order, because it would have put him in danger and if there was one thing he knew was Ashlynn loved him with all her heart.
When they pulled away from each other, Ashlynn saw the looks that James and Frank were both shooting at her. She raised an eyebrow and began to open her mouth to ask when suddenly Sirius waved his hand. "We will discuss it once we are back at Hogwarts." He said to her quickly then turned to Alice. "Can I have my daughter please?"
Alice nodded and handed off Aludra to Sirius surprised at the crispness his voice had held. "Is everything alright Sirius?" She asked with a frown.
Sirius nodded at Frank and James. "Ask them, come on Ashlynn." He said with that he turned on his heel.
"You think Ashlynn betrayed the Order by apparating from France to somewhere in England in a matter of twenty minutes she was out of mine and Alice's sight?" Lily asked her husband as her anger rose.
James nodded slowly. "It's possible Lily! Ashlynn could be a double agent how do we know she's not working for You-Know-Who?" He cried unhappily.
"James Potter you're a fool! It is because Sirius barely has time for you anymore that you are doing this! If Ashlynn's gone you'll have your best friend back!" Lily raged at him. "How can you do this James? You are such an ass! I know she did not and look at what you have done; you have split the Order apart. We are supposed to be one cohesive unit you've made us two."
"Lily who's to say she didn't betray us." James said.
Lily slammed her hand down and glared at her husband. "I say! I was there with her she was only out of our sight for twenty minutes. You are stupid. I love you to death James but I side with Sirius and Ashlynn and until you fix this I'll be staying with them." With that, she stormed through their little cottage and was gone with a tiny pop.
James shook his head and narrowed his eyes. Ashlynn had everyone fooled but him and the ten others who doubted her allegiance to the Order. She had been able to escape the Dark Lord twice now, and she even bore his mark who's to say she was not a double agent. He slammed his fist into the table and stormed out of the house.
Ashlynn shook her head that night while Sirius fed Aludra for her. He had missed doing things like this while they had been away. Being a father meant everything to Sirius and his little girl was his Princess, while Ashlynn was his queen. "I just don't understand it, I thought James trusted me. Why am I suddenly being accused of being a traitor?" She asked looking at him her eyes wide with sadness.
Sirius shrugged and looked over at her. "I don't know love but things will go back to normal soon. I promise." He said as he walked over to the
Ashlynn scoffed and rolled her eyes as she looked over at the papers she was supposed to be grading. "I don't think so Sirius." She said softly as someone knocked on the door. Ashlynn looked over at Sirius with a confused look. "Are you expecting anyone?"
Sirius shook his head as Ashlynn stood up and he pulled the bottle away from Aludra. The door opened slowly and in walked Lily. "I cannot believe how much of a bloody prat he is!" She cried unhappily. Instantly Ashlynn and Sirius knew that Lily spoke of her husband. Sirius began to chuckle as he stood up and made his way into Aludra's room. "I'm so sorry about him, Ashlynn. I know you didn't betray the Order I trust you with my life and my unborn child's life."
Ashlynn smiled and patted her hand as she looked at her best friend. "It's alright Lily. I can see where he's coming from. I just thought things had changed, you know? I thought he finally trusted me."
Lily hugged her closely and sighed. "Can I stay here for a while?" She asked hopefully.
Ashlynn sighed and nodded slowly. "You can but I don't want to be the cause of some distance between you and James." She said softly.
Lily smiled and shook her head. "Oh it's not your fault that James is a bloody prat." She said as she pulled off her cloak.
"It's late; let me set up a bed for you in the living room." Ashlynn said as she made her way into the living room.
She felt horrible that she had caused a riff between Lily and James, and between James and Sirius. Hell, now that she was getting down to it she felt horrible that she had split the Order in two. She felt Lily behind her as she made the couch into a bed. "There you go Lil. I think I am going to sleep though I have a long day tomorrow. Goodnight." Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and scurried into her room where Sirius was waiting with open arms.
A week later the Order of the Phoenix had gathered in the Great Hall of Hogwarts as was the usual for them now. Yet all there seemed to be was screaming and yelling about Ashlynn. After allowing, it to go on for some time Dumbledore finally pointed his wand at his throat and said. "Sonorus." Once the spell was cast, he stood and said. "Silence!"
The whole of the Order stopped and looked towards Dumbledore. "That's better." He said and took the spell off his voice. "Now that we are all rational adults here we shall discuss what has caused this divide in our ranks. James?"
James stood and turned to face the gathered Order. "Ashlynn Black could be a double agent. It is unusual for someone to escape from the dark lord once, but twice is unheard of. She carries his mark and could easily have apparated from France to England to warn her real master!" He cried.
Sirius and Lily both jumped to defend Ashlynn who held out her arms and shook her head slowly. "I can defend myself love." She said to Sirius as she stood and looked at James. "Yes it is unusual for someone to escape the dark lord that being said I never escaped him. I escaped my family both times, and the second time was not even my plan. I was willing to go through with the marriage to protect Sirius. Yes, I carry his mark, so in essence yes, I could easily find him but no, and I am no double agent James. Everyone here knows what kind of witch I am. I'm decent at short distance apparition but one as long as France to England isn't in my league." She paused as she swallowed.
She had spoken to Dumbledore earlier in the day about the choice she was about to announce. "Yet even though I know where I stand and know I am no double agent, I've decided to leave the Order of the Phoenix. I will no longer attend meetings, and neither Sirius nor anyone shall discuss happenings within it with me. I will not be the reason we fail in defeating You-know-who. You all need to be of one mind, and to trust the person besides you. If ever you need my help just find me." With that, she turned on her heel and walked back to her quarters.
James smiled smugly and crossed his arms, while Lily glared at him. "What have you done James? We need all the help we can get!" She cried unhappily.
James shook his head. "We don't need that traitors help."
"That's my wife you're speaking of!" Sirius cried jumping up and pointing his wand at his best friend. "You may have forced her to leave the Order but you will remember that she is my wife, and the mother of my daughter. She trusts you with her life why can't you do the same?"
James gaped at Sirius for a moment before saying. "Because she's nothing but a Malfoy, a You-Know-Who Lover!" James cried. The words were barely out of his mouth when Sirius' fist met his lower jaw.
"That's my wife!" Sirius yelled as he punched his best friend. "You bloody prat! Your own wife is staying with us because your stupid ideas."
"That's right James!" Lily screamed. "You're a silly immature child who is jealous of how close Ashlynn is to Sirius. Come on Sirius let's get out of here before I hex him to hell and back." With that, Lily placed her hand around Sirius waist as the whole of the Order watched them stunned as they left the Great Hall slowly.