She glared at Amos, as he delivered the news. "You're joking, right?" Aquila demanded. A few members on the team looked at her in surprise. "Quidditch doesn't cancel for anything. You're trying to tell me that the entire world came to the concensus that Quidditch is canceled?"
Amos sighed, but nodded. "The leaders of the national teams had a Floo conference... we decided that it was safer for the attendees. We don't want a repeat of the World Cup last time, and that was before he even rose to power. What would you-know-who do now that he has as much power as he has?" Aquila supposed it was a valid point, but it didn't make it suck any less. The whole reason she joined the team was to fulfill her dream of actually playing on a professional team, through Worlds.
"We'd keep our standings, of course. Once the war is over, we'd play our season just like Europeans were yesterday."
"They were yesterday," Tara muttered.
"Everything is just a bit frozen."
"This is crap," Aquila sighed, dramatically leaning back on the couch she was seated in for the team meeting. "All I want is to play in Worlds. Is that too much to ask for, Merlin? Or do you just sit there on your mythical high-horse laughing at us all?"
"There's always after the war," Amos reminded them gently. "It's just too dangerous to play at the moment. We don't want to endanger our fans."
"Sometimes people need a little sport to keep the morale high," Lynch pointed out. "But I suppose if everyone's on board with this, there's nothing to say." And just like that, Aquila was out of a job. Out of her dream job. The job she gave up Dudley for. The job she gave up everything for. She hadn't even tried to talk to her mother.
She didn't need to know how rough that relationship was to know it was going to be an angry death-match whenever she saw her again. What was she supposed to say to Dudley? Sorry, Quidditch was cancelled, so I'm home? No... it would lead to ill feelings.
Not to mention she still felt ill, all the time. How did she even breach the topic that he was her Veela mate? It was freaky magic stuff. The magic stuff that he was still getting used to. Merlin, she didn't even know what to say when they first met. Hey? Dudley! No. They were all too inadequate.
Rest. She just needed some rest and then she could figure it out.
Rest, however, was not destined to happen. She was woken at dawn to the sound of the wards being breached. The thrumming of power trying to hold the intruders back. She sprang out of bed, grabbing her wand and her rucksack, containing everything valuable to her. She ran for the hall, seeing many others doing the same as her, to group, to find out what was going on.
"Death Eaters!" she heard Mr. Lynch shout from the living room. Aidan looked wild, his beauty sleep obviously ending before he got a few hours in, and he glanced at his team that had gathered.
"Get going, your respective safe houses," Lynch ordered. "I'm heading to Diggory, to tell him what's happened." And then people were apparating. Maeve and Mr. Lynch, however, stood very resolute, their faces grim.
"You aren't leaving?" Aquila questioned, her eyes darting between them.
"Our home. Defending it to our last breath," Mr. Lynch grinned at her. "We'll be fine lass. You need to get going if you ever want to see that boy of yours."
Dudley... No, she couldn't stay. Besides, there was the chance the Death Eaters would simply monitor the Lynch home for a while, without harming them.
"Be careful," was Aquila's final warning before she apparated away, landing at the ward line of the Tonks residence. She sprinted the way to the doors, knowing the path by heart. Afterall, what use was a safehouse if you didn't know how to get there? She was the only one from her team to head to the Tonks residence, as it wasn't just her safe house, but the Dursley's as well.
When the time came, they would be brought here, too.
Andromeda gave a shout as Aquila burst through the door and Aquila apologized, but found that most of them were up, meaning they had gotten news. A patronus? She wasn't sure.
"Lynch home," Aquila managed to wrangle out between her pants for breath. "Wards were falling, we had to move fast." Remus, who was also awake, looked her over, carefully. "I helped you heal Dorcas Meadowes," Aquila identified. "A week ago?"
He nodded, taking her bag and setting it on the ground, before Andromeda Tonks looked the girl over. "You're alright, dear?"
"Wonderful," she stated sarcastically, before sighing. "Fine. We didn't run into anyone. Lynch's parents stayed... I hope they're alright."
"We'll know later," Andromeda said gently. "Come, take a seat, catch your breath. Tonks, could you make up her room for her?" To Aquila, she said. "We weren't expecting you so soon. Later, when the Dursleys came, yes, but..."
She didn't need to finish. Aquila knew she was early. "I'm sorry," Aquila admitted. "I'd just like to know any news."
"We'll know in a few hours," Remus said quietly. "I need to go to the Burrow. Tell Arthur the patronus was real."
"Patronus?" Aquila questioned, but Remus was already gone and it was Andromeda that answered.
"Maeve Lynch. Sent it five minutes ago," Andromeda said. "I suspect when the wards were first breached, notifying all of the safe houses of the teams arrival. We couldn't have been sure, until you showed up."
She was given tea, some breakfast, and then was sent upstairs with the promise she would be told any news as soon as they got it.
-
Aquila spent the next two weeks in the comfort that the Dursleys were alright, and that the Lynch's were also hanging in there. They had only been mildly bruised in a scuffle, but were safe. Their home, on the otherhand was... well, not so lucky. It had been burned to the ground, all of their possessions lost as they watched.
Aquila couldn't imagine what they felt.
The Tonks' house was wonderfully accomodating, and Aquila found that Ted loved watching Muggle programs. She would sit with him for hours, watching whatever he wanted, remembering some shows from her time at the Dursleys. She would never admit it, aloud, at least, but sitting there... well, it eased the ache in her just a bit. It was the closest she came to Dudley since Christmas.
The Muggle news was on and she watched it with rapt attention, the Prophet stretched out on her lap, as they told of more misfortune that day. Three Muggle buildings caught on fire, and four were missing - all children. Her mind immediately jumped to Greyback.
"Shame, lass, isn't it?" Aquila could only nod, unable to respond to Ted. She didn't know what she could have said. The front door shut and Remus answered Tonks's security question, before he joined Aquila and Ted in the lounge.
Something Aquila noticed was that no one watched the telly as much as Ted, and Tonks and Andromeda mostly worried themselves over the radio instead, listening to the news.
But Wizarding Radio didn't report everything that went on in the Muggle world, only the magical. Aquila wanted to know everything that was happening, how close they were getting to Privet Drive.
"Good news," Remus said as he sat beside her. She glanced at him only briefly, moving her legs so that he had more room. "The Order's put you on Potter duty." Her heart jumped and she glanced at him in surprise. "You're on the extraction team."
She frowned slightly. "But you already have the seven Potters picked out. And their partners... What am I supposed to do?" Did they need extra wand power? Were they planning on being intercepted?
"Someone needs to extract the Dursleys." Oh my. Her eyes must have widened in surprise, because he grinned. "You, Hestia, and Dedalus. I'd brush up quick on your driving skills, because any suspicious activity could delay you, or give up your cover... you're driving the Muggle way."
She blinked. Drive? She didn't even know how to operate a car. "Where am I taking them? Here?"
"It's a bit of a drive," Remus agreed. "But it's safer to drive than to portkey."
"I'll teach you, lass," Ted offered. "We've got a car out back. We can drive it around the grounds until you're good and ready. All night, if we have to."
She nearly cried in joy. She would finally be seeing them again. "I'll get my jacket," Aquila said quickly, leaping out of her seat, the paper falling to the floor in a heap of parchment, and she hurried up the stairs, towards her room. Merlin, so much to do, so little time.
-
Dedalus and Hestia shoved everything in the trunk, shrinking what they could. She could hear them talking, discussing where they were going – no information was given. Aquila could hear Vernon getting agitated, demanding to know where his family was being sent. And the car shifted as the large, beefy man slammed the car door shut behind him, sealing himself inside. Petunia was second to get in, and then the two Order members.
Dudley was last.
He was talking to Harry, she could see it in the mirror. He looked... off. She didn't know what it was, but he wasn't himself. Perhaps it was a lack of sleep? He had exercised... and grown even taller. He had to have been into the six feet mark, making his body proportioned. "Won't even bloody tell us where we're going," Vernon muttered as Dudley wandered back, getting in the car and shutting the door.
Aquila waited for everyone to buckle up, their bodies as compacted together as the small car would allow. She took a breath and started the car, finally getting to test her skills.
"Miss me?" Aquila asked from the driver's seat, pulling away from the home she had visited frequently in the last few years. Now it was vacant, and her mother residing a few houses down was alone, dark, and as cold as she had been when she was younger.
There was a muffled murmur of confusion and Aquila waited until they were at a stop sign before she turned her head to look over a suitcase pressed between the two front seats. Dudley's eyes widened in disbelief and Petunia gave a small cry of joy. Even Vernon looked pleased to see her. "Ella, dear, how have you been? We haven't seen you all summer!"
"Sorry 'bout that," Aquila insisted, hitting the gas pedal as the way was clear. Dedalus was anxiously peering through the windows in the passenger seat. "Had a bit of a nasty training session in Ireland for a few months. And then they go and cancel the World Cup. Had no job, no safe place to stay. I stayed with Lynch for a while – his dad's an Auror so it was safer than coming back here. First mission as a member of the Order? Get you lot out safely."
Hestia made a noise from the far back seat as soon as Aquila hit the freeway, sitting with Petunia. Aquila glanced in the rear view mirror as she turned sharply suddenly, the occupants jamming against the door of the car. "What's wrong, Hestia?"
"We have a following of strange clouds. I thought the sky looked weird when we took off."
"Damn it," Aquila muttered. She pulled her wand from her pocket, holding it tightly as she continued to drive.
"What's wrong?" Dudley questioned. "The clouds-"
"How did we first meet, Dudley?" Aquila interrupted. "What's in the clouds?"
"The dementors?"
"This time it's a bit worse." Petunia gave a scream as a black figure slammed into the car from the side, causing Aquila to slam on her breaks. It was a country road, so there wasn't anyone too close, and it was pretty empty. Early morning and all that. Dedalus was already out of the car, flinging spells at the figure. "Stay in the car," Aquila ordered. Her heart was beating fast and she opened the door, shutting it firmly behind her, before helping the red-top hatted man that was a member of the Order with her. Soon another Death Eater joined the brawl and Aquila had to give it her attention, Hestia joining Dedalus.
"Such a shame that the Black line's going to end tonight."
Aquila laughed. "Yeah, well, I'm sorry, Aunty. But I'm pretty sure you and Narcissa are still Blacks too. Stupify!" The lunatic gave a high pitched laugh, the laughs of most people's nightmares, and went for Aquila again.
"I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black!"
"Yeah? He was a dick anyway!" Aquila cried. "Filipendo!"
"Got to use better spells than that of first years, deary," Bellatrix cackled. "Here, let me teach your Muggle friends-"
"No!" Aquila shouted. "Reducto!"
Bellatrix dodged, her wild hair getting into her face as she grinned maliciously. "Grow fond of them have you? Well, let's show them what our world's really like, shall we, darling neice? Crucio!"
Aquila screamed as soon as the spell touched her skin. Not even her Quidditch abilities could have made her dodge a spell coming at her that fast. It was hot against her skin, the fire burning under her flesh as though she was roasting. And her muscles felt like they were being ripped apart, and her head felt like it was being smashed against stone repeatedly.
"Where's Potter?"
"He's not here! He's away- He's heading in a different direction. We were only meant to be a diversion-"
"You're lying! Who are these Muggles?"
"We modified their memories!" Aquila panted as the spell was released. "They don't know anything about us. I swear to you- They're normal Muggles... There's nothing special about them. We snatched them and made it look like we came from Potter's neighborhood-"
"You're lying, you stupid traitor!" Aquila got to her feet, shakily. The woman before her was insane, she knew, but that didn't mean she was a horrible fighter. She was one of the best.
"Want me to use something you taught me?" Aquila questioned. "Well, why not this? Cor Impetum!"
Bellatrix gave a strangled cry and Aquila quickly disarmed her, throwing the wand out into the field near them, before rushing to Dedalus's aid, who was tiring quickly. Only two Death Eaters. They probably didn't expect to run into any resistance. Dedalus received a well aimed knick to his skin, sending him flying back a few feet and groaning in pain. "Reducto!" Aquila shouted. The masked Death Eater flew into the field, and Hestia disarmed him before casting a strong body bind. Aquila rushed to Dedalus's side as the man still hadn't gotten up.
He was bleeding very badly, a wound on his arm coating the road underneath him. It was like that dream so long ago of Dudley. Dudley. "Dudley!" she cried. The car door opened. "In my bag – in the driver's seat – there's a vial labeled Essence of Dittany. Get that quickly!"
There was fumbling and then a clear vial was being pressed into Aquila's hands. "What can I do?"
"I need you to hold the arm still. I know – I know there's blood and everything, but just... keep it as still as you can." She went to the groaning man's arm, uncorking the vial. "Dedalus? This is going to hurt, okay? I need you to stay calm. Be as still as you can." She glanced at Dudley, who seemed to have turned white. "Ready? Once I get a layer, we need to start moving. Vernon needs to drive. Or Petunia. It doesn't matter. I can't, if I'm administering the Dittany."
He nodded, gripping both above and below the deep wound tightly. The Essence of Dittany was in no means a quick acting potion. It would take moments for the skin to start healing. And even longer for the pain to go away. She sprinkled the drops along the wound, watching as the bleeding began to slow. "Quickly, keep holding his arm firmly," Aquila insisted. They pulled Dedalus to his feet and Aquila called into the car. "Someone needs to drive. I'll give instructions. I need to sit in the back with Ded." The seats were rearranged and Aquila didn't bother with the seatbelt as the car took off again. "You're going to follow this road until it ends," Aquila told Vernon, who had taken the wheel. "Then, take a right."
The Dittany continued to heal his wound, but still Aquila applied more, leaning over Dedalus so that she wouldn't obstruct Dudley's hold on it. Slowly, the twitching began to diminish, as the pain numbed. And once the wound looked like a fresh scar, the man was still, exhaling slightly in relief.
"Well that was a close one." Aquila laughed, corking the Dittany and relaxing back into her seat, staring out the window. "What did I miss?"
"You idiot," Aquila chided. "You almost died. You missed me kicking Bellatrix's ass. It was beautiful."
"Andy's waiting for us."
"Andy?" Dudley asked, confused.
"You'll see," Aquila said softly. She cast a cleansing charm on Dudley's hands, ridding them of the blood, and she gave him a once over. "Thanks."
"Yeah, well, you needed another set of hands."
She smiled slightly. "Yeah, I suppose I did." She pulled off a necklace suddenly, handing it out to him, reaching over Dedalus's lap. "Here. I'm returning it, just as I promised. I'm sorry I didn't sooner, but I literally didn't have any time to return at all."
"Quidditch was more important," Dudley shrugged as it was no big deal. He moved to take them, but stopped. "Keep them."
"These mean a lot to you," Aquila began to protest. "They're your Uncle's and-"
"Keep them," he repeated. "Hopefully they bring you good luck."
She frowned, "But... You should keep them. Dudley, I can't-"
"I refuse to take them back."
Aquila sighed, but put the necklace back on. "Very well."
They stopped once for lunch and then continued the drive once more, from county to county until Aquila, who had resumed driving, pulled into a long, dark and shaded path that was barely wide enough for the car.
"When did you learn to drive?" Vernon asked from the front seat.
"Today," Aquila admitted quietly. Her eyes were darting around nervously. The dark brush could let anyone attack them and they couldn't see. She made sure doors were locked and windows up, glancing back behind her to see that the others in the car were just as nervous. Eventually she turned the car into a driveway, pausing at a locked gate to enter the property. Unrolling her window, she shot an unlocking charm and a repelling charm, opening the gate. As she drove past, she relocked it with another charm. She didn't want to get out of the car. It made her vulnerable.
The driveway was long, twisting, and silent. No animals could be heard outside of the car and the occupants inside breathed very quietly. Nighttime meant there was more Death Eater activity. "Andromeda will have dinner," Aquila told them when she stopped the car, no house in sight. "The car won't work inside the wards. We have to walk the rest of the way."
"And carry all of our things?" Vernon asked, aghast.
Aquila shook her head, "Of course not. I just said the car won't work. That doesn't mean magic doesn't either. You won't have to carry anything." She got out of the car, her gaze immediately flying to the sky. There was a nasty dent in the passenger seat in the back, causing the door not to open. Petunia had to get out the other side.
Her eyes darted to the trees they had just driven through, trying to find any faults. "Hestia, now. I have you covered."
"Wingardium Leviosa!" The Durlseys gasped at the display of magic as the car lifted into the air. Dedalus signalled for them to start walking and Aquila slowly backed up until she felt the wards close in around her, comforting her. Only then did she begin to lead the way to the house she had called home for the last few weeks.
"There isn't a house," Vernon stated.
"It's a bit of a walk," Aquila admitted. "On the other side of the hill. It's safer that way. Even if you did enter the wards, the family would have more time to get out before the Death Eaters are on their doorstep. Not much, as it would only take Death Eaters two seconds, but it's enough to get everyone out."
"Who are these people?" Petunia asked.
"Family of mine," Aquila stated simply. She gave them a quick grin over her shoulder. "Andromeda and Ted, they're my first cousins, my father's aunt's children. And their daughter, and her husband – Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin. Well, Nymphadora Lupin, I suppose. They probably won't be here tonight. They were in the group to get Potter out. It'll be very late."
"Aren't your entire family bad?"
"Oh, very much so. Bellatrix, who was the woman that ran into us earlier. She's Andromeda's sister. As is Narcissa. The three Black sisters, all very close in their school days, until Andromeda broke tradition and married a Muggleborn. And then she was disowned by her family, living on her own and supporting a family with no wealth she was intended to inherit. Her and Ted built a life together and she's never regretted it. If she had stayed... she'd be like Bellatrix or Narcissa by now."
"And what did Bellatrix do to you?"
"I'm fine," Aquila insisted. She made sure not to let her shaking hand be noticable. "It's just a bit of a spell."
"What did you do to her?"
"Heart attack spell. It would weaken her for days, giving us enough time to get away and safely without her following." Aquila was particularly proud of it. "It hasn't been used for a while, and unfortunately for us, it has no lasting health affects to her, but it simulates a real heart attack."
"That's... wow."
"Cruel, but for the spells she would have dished out to all of you, mine was a pat on the back."
"She's one of the best and most vicious fighters of the Dark Lord," Hestia said simply, concentrating on the car floating ahead of them. "She was notorious when she was a teenager and in her early twenties for murder, torture, and arson. She tortured two very strong and qualified aurors to insanity, leaving their infant son to die if Order members hadn't gotten there to rescue him. She has been in the world's toughest prison for fourteen years, and it took a big toll on her mentality. If she was vicious then, she's even more so now."
"That's such a shame," Petunia sighed. "She's so pretty. So much potential."
"Her mother was part Veela as well," Aquila told them. "Druella Rosier, a sister to my mother, born nearly twenty years beforehand. It's not uncommon for children to be so spaced out in wizarding families. Druella … She still lives, cheering on her sadistic children from afar. I believe she is with my grandmother in the Ukraine. She's only in her sixties now. My mother in her early forties."
"She's your relation twice over, then? Through your father and mother?"
"Intermarriage is very common," Aquila told them simply. "Long ago in the seventeen hundreds, brothers and sisters would marry to keep the bloodline pure. There are laws against that now, otherwise I'm quite certain it'd still be in practice. Now, people as close as first cousins marry. Which I suppose leaves me two options – Draco Malfoy and Rabastian Lestrange, Bellatrix's brother-in-law. Thankfully Draco's spoken for and Rabastian..." She shuddered. "He's been in prison for fourteen years. It's said he raped a thirteen year old girl just a few months ago, so I'll greatly pass on him. He's a horrible man, as are all of them. And my Uncle?" She crinkled her nose. "Evan Rosier is even more filthy of a man than Rabastian. I'll leave that up to your imagination.
"All dark Purebloods in our world are... they're very pureblood oriented. That's why we have to keep you away from them. Anyone less of a pureblood than them, even most half-bloods, are deemed unworthy of living. They're murdered, tortured for information, and then tossed onto the road for a family member to find. No one leaves their homes anymore. Quidditch is cancelled. The Ministry's in an uproar. Four Aurors are looking after the Minister himself to make sure he isn't murdered in his sleep. Four more guard his office 24/7. It's mad out there."
"All because of one guy and his henchmen?"
"His henchmen do more damage in a week than your wars do in its entire duration," Aquila told her maybe-possibly still boyfriend. She wasn't sure what they were anymore. "Welcome to the war. We receive complimentary death notes when loved ones die and a fear of being murdered in our sleep every second of any day."
"But you're a pureblood," Dudley said quietly, confused. "Shouldn't he spare you?"
"I've chosen my side in this war, and it's not with him. That alone will land me in jail. He's winning, and if he defeats Potter... no where's safe. Being pureblooded will only save my life. But worse things can happen." She began the climb of the hill, the car already floating over it. And then the house was in view. It was impressive, a stone manor house built from the ruins of an old castle. To Muggles, it looked like ruined lands, but to her... and to those that were granted access in the wards, it was magnificent.
"We're staying in that?" Vernon asked, subconsciously straightening his shirt.
"It's not as impressive on the inside," Aquila informed them with a wink. "Ted and Andromeda are very warm people. It's very warm inside. The outside is misleading to most."
"I don't..." Petunia murmured. "Are all witches and wizards that wealthy?"
"Oh, no," Aquila laughed lightly. "Not in the slightest. Andromeda was an astounding healer in her day, but she quit when the second war started. I hear it paid quite well. Of course, I've never asked. Ted is a mechanic in the Muggle world. He likes to stay connected to his heritage. The Weasley family... they're quite poor. With seven children, six of them adults now, it's very difficult to save money when you are constantly buying clothing and other items. They're amazingly good people, however. Arthur is fascinated with Muggles, and Molly... Merlin, she's an amazing woman and an even greater mother. Other families... half-bloods mostly descend from Purebloods and they receive that money through their heritage. But it's the Muggleborns, the Ministry workers that aren't quite high up, and the normal shop keepers that are not as well off as most. We live in an aristocratic society. Money and prestige are everything. Hopefully by the end of the war, all the big names will be tarnished and we can work to create a more equal society. Doubtful, however. Most of the times the money will keep their name as high and mighty as ever and buy them out of prison sentences."
"That's not fair."
"It's what happens to your celebrities, is it not?" Aquila returned.
Petunia had to agree. So they walked the remaining half mile in silence until Aquila was on the doorstep of the impressive estate. She knocked twice and then reached for the doorknob. Before she had a chance to grab it, the door was flung open and a woman that looked very much like Bellatrix Lestrange appeared.
"You're late," Andy said flatly.
"We ran into your sister and her husband on the way," Aquila said off-handedly, just as flat. She gestured behind her to the Dursleys and the two Aurors. "Dedalus was hit with a nasty jinx. Hestia's alright."
"And you?"
"Cruciatus," Aquila shrugged. "I'll live."
"Aquila, you know the effects of the Cruciatus-"
"It was only for a few seconds," Aquila insisted. "It's too dangerous to be hanging around on the porch, Andy."
"Oh," Andy surged forward and hugged Aquila tightly. "I'm so glad you made it safely! Oh, Hestia, dear, you can put the car right there. I'll have Ted get all of your things from it in a moment. Please, come in. My name's Andromeda, I'm Aquila's cousin."
"One of my favorites," Aquila winked at the elder woman before laughing.
"That's a relief. I heard from Dora that you were her favorite."
"Ah, but the real question is if the feeling is mutual," Aquila giggled. She led the others in and they saw what Aquila meant. On the outside it seemed like a very prestigious home, but the inside it was like a small cottage. The entrance blended with the living and tea room, a small Muggle television in the corner, where Ted was watching the late night news. On the other side, a kitchen and dining area was placed, the lights off and making it dark. The living room only had lights from the tv and the lamp where Andromeda had been reading a book as she waited.
"You're late," Andromeda repeated. "Harry and Hagrid arrived already, but they're gone now. They were late as well. They were attacked in the air-"
"Everyone was?" Aquila pressed, immediately on alert. "Where did they land?"
"The lake. They said everyone... everyone was fighting. They saw Mad-Eye go down. I haven't heard word since. I'm hoping when Remus and Dora arrive, I'll... we'll get some news."
"Mad-Eye?" Aquila whispered. "Dead? But... he's the best auror-"
"Fletcher apparated and he took a curse that would have hit Fletcher instead. I heard it was chaos. Dora's already pregnant, she doesn't need that stress or grief."
"Pregnant?" Aquila pressed. Merlin, everyone was growing up so fast. "Good God, does everyone have to be so happy?"
"I wouldn't call it happy," Andromeda sighed. She glanced to the others. "I'll make us all some tea. Go and join Ted in the living room. Aquila, if you'll..." Aquila was already following her cousin. "Remus and her have been having issues since they found out. He wants to leave."
"Her and the baby?"
"It would be a werewolf child, and Remus will see no sense," Andromeda stated simply. Aquila took a seat at the bar as the woman flipped on a candle light, to keep the house as dark as possible. "Dora insists it's alright, but Remus doesn't want that life for the child. He wants her to get rid of it."
"And Dora refuses," Aquila murmured. She glanced towards the living room where everyone was meeting Ted. "Of course she does. She doesn't care about that stuff."
"I know that, but Remus is so worried. With the war, Greyback... it's so dangerous to have a child now, especially a werewolf child."
"That's ridiculous," Aquila insisted. "I've been here for two weeks and I never noticed that tension."
"Yes, well, they hide it remarkably well," Andromeda sighed. "And with Moody's death... I'm worried she'll be too stressed out. You know how she is, so easily unphased. But with the right pressure points-"
"She blows up," Aquila finished. "She's a strong woman. One of the strongest. She loves Remus dearly, and he loves her more than she'll ever understand."
"The werewolf in him just won't let him see it," Andromeda agreed. "I sometimes wonder how Sirius did it... How did he make Remus see he wasn't just a werewolf?"
"I think only Sirius will know," Aquila said quietly. "When Sirius died... Remus changed. He became reserved, spooked, and... almost quiet."
"Dora balances him out," Andromeda sighed. "He needs her, and I don't think he realizes what would happen to himself if he left."
"No one ever does," Aquila pointed out. The kettle began to steam and Andromeda took it off. "What time is it?"
"Nearly ten. The Order news will be on soon."
"Do you need any help?" Aquila asked, as the woman had just gestured for the teen to go away.
"I'll manage. Now, turn on the radio before it starts."
Aquila did as asked, kneeling in front of the fireplace as she played with the radio, trying to get the correct dials. "What's the password, Ted?" she asked as she drew close.
"Prongs."
Aquila nodded and when they got to the right channel, a high pitched sound echoed in the room and then a voice that was very familiar. "Password?" It was a gruff voice, as moody as Mad-Eye Moody himself. It had been recorded long ago, but used every night since the Order news had been instituted. It was too dangerous to communicate with Order members in person these days.
"Prongs," Aquila said clearly, her wand tapped into the speaker.
There was a pause, during which she gave Ted a glance, but the mousy man just shrugged. And then they heard the voice of the twins. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Or all magical folk that are listening-"
"Let's not discriminate, Rodent."
"I quite agree, Vermin. All are welcome, as long as you aren't a bad guy."
And together, Fred and George spoke, "Please stay tuned for the broadcast."
Aquila set the radio on the floor tiles of the fireplace, which was glowing dim, and scooted back a few feet so she could lean against the arm of the sofa Dudley was sitting at. Andromeda came in just then with a cup of tea for everyone, and Aquila sipped from hers, her eyes darting to the television which was playing the news more. "Mass fire in Edinburgh this evening," the reporter was saying. "The entire block of intersection Guthrie St. to Chambers St. has erupted into flames. Authorities do not know yet what the cause of the blast is, but say a gas leak is likely." Aquila could see the flames behind the reporter, the people running away from their burning buildings, firetrucks putting the fires out. "It's unsure yet how many casualties there are, but the numbers of those missing are rising by the minute."
"Merlin, you think he'd just leave them alone."
"Your lot caused that?" Petunia gasped.
Ted nodded. "There are Aurors on scene. You can see them in the background. The Dark Mark is mixing into the smoke, and it's difficult for Muggles to see, but I can see it."
Aquila nodded in agreement. "That brings it to what? Four attacks today?"
"Six," Andromeda said quietly. "Including the one on the Order in Little Whinging, and another just after midnight last night in Jersey."
"Bloody hell," she muttered, tucking her knees to her chest. Her wand was still gripped in her hand, but the grip was loose and relaxed. She was safe here.
"Where are we, exactly?" Dudley asked suddenly. "We drove for hours-"
"Thurso," Andromeda interrupted. "Scotland. It's very small and uninhabited area. If the Queen has a castle here, it's got to be a safe spot."
"And the Queen... is she like you lot?" Vernon asked carefully.
"Oh, of course she is. Pureblood from the oldest line of Purebloods. She's a neutral in this war. Her and the Dark Lord have made a pack. He doesn't kill her family, she will let him do as he pleases. A mass murder of the royal family would be very difficult to explain to the Muggles, you see. It's a matter of secrecy. The Dark Lord doesn't want Muggles to know about witches or wizards just yet. He's not quite that strong. And he doesn't want to start a full blown panic until the Ministry has fallen."
"But wouldn't that make the Queen a bad guy?"
"No," Aquila said, shaking her head. "Many Pureblood families are choosing neutrality, in an effort to save their lines. It's not an alliance by any means, but it'll keep the families safe until they have a place to hide. The Queen has already contacted the Order in search of a safe house. She knows it's only a matter of time until the Dark Lord goes back on his word."
"And you're placing her away in safety?"
"Of course. She's the most influential authority in the world. We're placing her in the safest place we can find. Imposters will be put in the royal family's place until the war is over." Ted's words seemed to sink into the Muggles. "If they aren't safe, we aren't safe. Bottom line, lads and lass."
"Good evening, gentlewizards and ladywitches!" Fred and George greeted suddenly. Ted muted the tv immediately and Aquila tightened her grip on her legs. "This evening on Order news, we have some fantastic and some horrible things to tell you."
"Let's get started, Rodent."
"Agreed, Vermin."
"Tonight, we've lost a fair amount of people, both Order and Muggle, due to attacks from old snake face himself-"
"Scaly skin-"
"Cold-blooded-"
"They're going to get themselves killed," Aquila muttered.
"Point is, a lot have fallen tonight," their voices suddenly solemn said. "We'll begin with that and continue onto the good news."
Suddenly, it was Remus's voice. "To those that we've lost. Alastor Mad-Eye Moody, Auror. Harold Lee Newton. Miranda Lee Newton."
"Those are neighbors," Petunia gasped.
Aquila jerked her head up, glancing at Petunia before glancing to the radio. "Mary Crasswell. Parker Newtown. Barbara Bent. Samuel Sanders. Morgan Adams. Joshua Lintfield. Harrietta Polkeiss. Piers Polkeiss." Aquila glanced towards Dudley, but his brow was furrowed as if he was confused. "Lesley Barks. Feona Vernandez. Euryale-" Aquila's head snapped to the radio. "-Rosier Black. Arabella Figg, all in Little Whinging, Surrey." They continued on for a few more minutes, the news getting longer and longer as each place had an increasing amount of dead. "Theodore Nott, Trinity Nott," were not names she took surprise in hearing. "Quidditch players today include-" Aquila held her legs to her chest, listening to the names of people she knew quite well. Names of people that she had grown up with.
"Do you know any of them?" Dudley asked quietly.
Aquila swallowed. "I know them all. Every last one of them."
"Missing witches or wizards," was even longer. It broke Aquila's heart.
Her mother, though... The woman she hadn't even spoken to in nearly a full year... not since Quidditch trials and being informed that she was signed in a contract that would have her married when she was nineteen. It was soon. "I had no idea-" Andromeda said quietly.
"I haven't talked to her in ages," Aquila shrugged lightly. Her mother had grown distant and if she was turning dark... it was no place Aquila wanted near. "She was consorting with the Dark Lord. Buying things from him, feeding him what little information she knew. She wanted in his good graces. Even after father." She shook her head. "Mother was an idiot, and that idiocity got her dead. The Dark Lord doesn't spare anyone. Not *even those he strings along for information."
"She was still your mother," Ted said gently.
Aquila glanced at him, nodding. "Yes, well... war happens. We've all been preparing for loved ones now... It's only a matter of time they get the Death Eater's wife, right?" Aquila reached for her tea cup, sipping from it lightly. Her mother's death was a shock certainly, but Aquila didn't know how she should have felt. Saddened? Angry? The woman hadn't cared for Aquila in the slightest since her father died. She didn't listen, she didn't do anything but sign away her life. Sure, Aquila was allowed to participate in school sports, and the Ireland team, but that was as far as that would have gone once Aquila graduated. She had already announced her retirement so that others could take her position on the team at trials – but that wasn't happening. All Quidditch was on a stand still.
Aquila didn't have the marriage contract anymore. She didn't have a mother, either.
She honestly didn't know how she felt.
"Lightning is resting in the cloud," the broadcast finished. He was safe. Potter surviving was all that mattered.
He was their only hope.
"Aquila-"
Aquila's head snapped up when the door opened loudly and there was a scramble as Hestia and Dedalus – though the man was a bit peekish still – aimed their wands at the intruders. It was just Remus and Dora, however, solemn faced and a bit wet, though Aquila didn't know how.
"Nasty storm on the flight here," Tonks explained. "You've heard the broadcast then?"
There were nods and still Aquila didn't move her wand away from them. "The last words we spoke?" Aquila said flatly, her eyes darting across each of their postures. They went through the same routine every night when the two returned from Order duties.
"Funny how you wear that necklace all the time, mate," Tonks said, her tone exactly as it had been that morning during breakfast. "You'd think Muggles would wear something more fancy than just metal plates."
"Yeah, well, I suppose it's the sentimentality of it all, right, wolf?" Aquila's gaze dropped to the werewolf, whose own wand was aimed at Aquila stiffly. It was lowering though as he replied.
"Dora's ring belonged to my grandmother. It's not a metal plate."
She grinned, rolling her eyes at the wolf before sitting back down on the ground. "Andy made tea."
She could feel Dudley's hand playing with the hair that had fallen atop the cushion by his leg, but she didn't pay any mind to it. It was nice. Her gaze turned to the television once more, Ted turning up the volume. "What happened?" Remus asked, sitting beside Aquila on the floor, though he was more in the corner, and not near the couch at all.
"Fire in Edinburgh," Aquila informed him simply. "Muggle block. Too many dead to count, really."
Remus nodded and, despite his age, seemed more energetic this evening than she had ever seen him. He always was after a fight. It was his wolf kicking it. She just wished he'd embrace it instead of fighting it all the time. It'd make him stronger, it'd make him... healthier. He stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning against the wall. "Remus, you've met the Dursleys before, yes?" She glanced behind her to Petunia and Vernon. "This is Remus Lupin, he was a professor at Hogwarts, the best we've had. Remus, this is Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley Dursley."
Remus nodded to each of them. "Yes, I used to know Petunia when I was younger. I was friends with Lily."
"Oh," Petunia said quietly. "That's where I've heard that name before." She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "It's nice to see you again."
"And you," Remus said politely. "And it's lovely to meet your family. I've heard great things from Aquila these past few weeks we've been here."
She felt Dudley's hand stop in her hair and retract. The weeks bit. She had had loads of free time to visit them, but she hadn't. It wasn't that she could. She knew the area was being monitored. Mass apparation to the area – noticable magic activity – had to be watched.
"Oh, Aquila, before I forget," Tonks said, oblivious to the tension. "Bill's invited you to the wedding. It'll be at the Burrow. He says Charlie will be there, and so will a few of your school mates. People that work with him at Gringotts, you know."
Aquila nodded. "I'll... I'll probably go. I haven't anything to wear though. I've been living on jerseys and jeans for weeks now."
"What happened to all your clothes?"
Aquila cleared her throat uncomfortably. "While I was training, I was staying with Meave Lynch, uh, one of my teammate's mother's..." she responded to Petunia, who had asked. "Her husband's an auror, so there are really strong wards around their house to keep us safe. It was where the entire team stayed. It's safer there than anywhere but the locker room at the pitch. It was... well, it was about two and a half weeks ago, and around dawn, I'd say? Maybe a little after. We were all asleep, Mr. Lynch on patrol duty to watch the wards and alert us if anything happened. And there was a massive … just boom. The wards were collapsing. We got out, thankfully, but with just the few things we could grab. We all had emergency bags for that, with important things in them. I always wore my jewelery, I slept with shoes on... Other teams are like that too. They all live in safe houses together... We lost everything else. I have my Irish jersey, my broom, my bat, and a few pairs of jeans and other practice jerseys. I'll go shopping soon, but not right now. A few weeks, probably. We can't travel too often outside of the wards. It attracts attention."
"Do you know who attacked?"
"Evan Rosier," Aquila admitted, relaying the information Remus had told her as soon as the Lynch's were safe. "My Uncle. He's still out there somewhere, trying to recruit me. Apparently, they found a way to break into wards. Whatever they're using, gives them access to anywhere they know about. As far as we know, they don't know about this."
"Precisely why we'll be giving you emergency port keys to take you to an even safer destination," Ted said simply.
"We have a safe house in Paris. It was my father's long before the first war," Remus continued. "I'm the secret keeper there and it's as safe as it will get. If I die, Aquila's secret keeper and she's ready to take the vow within seconds of my death." Aquila nodded in confirmation. She had already memorized the vow to take place with his dead form. Had thought about it for days until she had desensitized herself to it. "When you arrive there you are to wait for Ted or Andromeda to arrive and escort you to another location."
"But I thought that location was safe."
"Yes, but you have to throw them off your scent," Aquila stated. "They can track you once, but it's hard to track a double apparation point." She shook her head. "It makes sense when your life's in danger." She glanced at Remus, then to Tonks. "I need to get their bags. Why don't you show them to their rooms? It's late."
Tonks nodded and hopped up, her hair turning a bright pink. Now that Aquila knew, the smile she put on her face was obviously forced. Aquila glanced to Remus, "Can you help me with the bags?"
"Of course." He stood and offered a hand to help her up, which she took. She didn't give the others a glance as she disappeared out the door, immediately unlocking the trunk and pulling out the magically shrunk bags that Hestia and Dedalus had worked on while Aquila got comfortable with driving. It was only two trunks, but she wanted him alone.
"Don't you dare leave her," Aquila told him as she clutched a trunk in her hands, closing it as Remus got the other trunk out.
He stumbled in surprise. "What?"
"Do you think that's fair to her?" Aquila pressed. "She's done nothing but love you, Remus. She cares for nothing else but you and your child. You're everything to her. And if you left her, she'd be heartbroken, know that. Get over the werewolf in you," she paused outside the front door. "You look so much healthier after a fight, Remus, because your werewolf side is getting the freedom it needs. You need to loosen the chains, just a little. It's healthier for you, Tonks, and your relationship..." Aquila shook her head when he seemed pained. "Please, Remus. Don't leave her."
"Aquila, it's complicated. You don't understand," Remus said with a sigh.
"Because I'm a child?" Aquila pressed. "I'm of age. I have been. Don't tell me I don't understand. I understand better than anyone. Everything in the war is dangerous. Just smiling at someone is dangerous, let alone having a child. I may not have children, or be a werewolf, but I've gone through what you're going through. Dudley... He's a Muggle. It was so dangerous to take him anywhere with me, but I would because I wanted to. I wanted to show the world him, even if they didn't know. We took precautions so people would think he was from Durmstrang..." She sighed. "I'm a Pureblood, he's a Muggle. It was suicide just to associate with him. And it's been an entire year since we've spoken... since we've seen each other. Quidditch wasn't worth that, I'll tell you. I'd take it all back if things could go back to how they were before. He hates me now, I'm sure of it... He must think the worst of me... All because I left. Don't leave her, Remus. Please. It's not worth it. If you only have a few months left, wouldn't you rather spend it with her and your child?"
"That's different-"
"It's not at all," Aquila returned sharply. "Don't be a coward. You're a Gryffindor. You should act like one."
He didn't say anything more, nor did she expect him to. She set the trunk down in the foyer and noticed that it was her school trunk she had carried. She had expected it lost. She didn't think they'd keep it.
"What are the rooming arrangements?" she asked Remus quietly.
"Dudley is with you. Petunia and Vernon have their own."
Of course. Aquila nodded once and levitated Dudley's things towards the stairs. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Remus. Think of what I've said."
"Goodnight."
She retreated and when she got to her bedroom door, found Dudley standing at the mirror, looking at the pictures of the team and practice. Her first Ireland robe fitting. Her broom sizing. Her first official match on the team, as a tried out member. "Hey," she said awkwardly. Dudley spun, seeing her. She set the trunk down at the foot of the bed. "We're rooming together... I hope that's alright."
"Yeah," he shrugged. "Nothing less than usual, right?"
She nodded, biting her cheek to keep from commenting. "How are you? After, you know, the summer and the rest of the year, I guess? Graduation. How was it?"
"Pretty alright," he shrugged once more, opening the trunk and finding something else. He looked different, now. Thinner, but not too much. More muscular, but not disgustingly so. Fit. He had exercised. "Nothing special. You?"
"Same," she admitted. "Just practice."
"I thought you had no free time."
Aquila bit her lip. "I couldn't get to you. The Ministry has been siding with you-know-who... It's only a matter of time until they fall. And I couldn't risk them knowing the location before... I'm sorry."
He just shrugged. "I guess we did give each other a year."
"You look great," Aquila complimented quietly. "Rugby?"
He shrugged. "I guess."
"I hate this, you know," Aquila said quietly. "I wish I had never gone to Quidditch. We're so distant... I'm sorry about Piers... We couldn't save everyone. My mother... she wanted to die. She thought about it all the time. No loss there, really. She's with my father now." Aquila studied the boy in front of her, who hadn't reacted to any of her words. "Are we going to be awkward?"
"Are we going to make it awkward?"
"Fair enough," Aquila murmured. She transfigured her clothing, too tired to change. "I don't want us to be." She sat on the edge of the bed, facing away from him. "I'm sorry... I really am."
Was it supposed to hurt, even after they had seen each other once more? Because the ache in Aquila's heart still hadn't gone away. She played with the dog tags around her neck, her eyes filling with tears. "I-" Dudley began to say, but he stopped.
"I'll sleep in the living room," Aquila said suddenly, standing. She didn't look in his direction as she moved to the door. "I think it's best."
He began to say something when she was at the door, but he stopped when Aquila paused. And he didn't start again for a few more steps. Aquila continued out, shutting the bedroom door behind her. She was about fall asleep on the sofa when she heard footsteps.
"Remus, I swear to Merlin. If you don't apologize-"
"It's me," a voice said quietly. She shot up under the small blanket, her wand falling beside her as she stared at the boy standing in the doorway. "Um, if you were sleeping-"
"No," Aquila said immediately. "I was awake. I don't sleep well these days."
"Oh. Right." Dudley shuffled before moving towards the chair opposite her. He sat heavily, rubbing his hands on his knees. "So... the last year. Did you... you know... find someone else?"
Aquila turned so that she was facing him and bit her lip. "I slept with someone, if that's what you're asking." He nodded, his shoulder's falling slightly.
"I did, too."
Aquila nodded. She had that feeling. That feeling that they were distant... that he had moved on. She hated herself for feeling so empty inside. It always happened. She didn't know why she was surprised. Every guy she picked ended up with someone else. "Does she make you happy?"
"No, not really," Dudley admitted. "It was just a one time thing... I got really drunk at a party... more so than I normally do, at least."
Aquila nodded. "Yeah, same. After a game... It was a one time thing."
"Did he make you happy?"
"No," Aquila shrugged. She played with the tags around her neck, biting her lip slightly. "I don't think he ever could have, even if he tried."
"Yeah," Dudley agreed, as though he felt the same. Aquila didn't feel as empty, though. Not with knowing that he wasn't still seeing the girl. There was silence for a moment. The fire crackled slightly and the house creaked in its age. "It was Amber," he blurted.
"I had a feeling it was someone I knew," Aquila admitted. Her eyes dropped to his feet, a sad smile on her lips. "It was Lynch for me."
"Why didn't you date him?"
"He's a jerk," Aquila shrugged. "An arse, really. We both fell asleep halfway into it. We aren't compatible."
"Why?"
She glanced at him, shrugging once more. "He just is... I don't know... We're still friends, but we don't talk about what happened. We didn't really mean for it, you know? It just sort of … happened. It's my fault, really. I drank too much to celebrate, and I... I was disgustingly clingy to whoever I could grab onto. And eugh..." She wrinkled her nose in distaste as she thought back to the memory she had reviewed. "He had a few drinks, too. Why didn't you date Amber after?"
"She's not my type... Sort of happened the same way as you and Lynch, really."
Aquila nodded. "Okay."
"Okay," he repeated after a second.
"I miss you," she admitted. "A lot." She brushed at the tears in her eyes, that were about to spill over. She didn't want to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything. For leaving, for not visiting... for never trying to sneak a letter. I'm so sorry, Dudley."
"I'm sorry, too... I sort of stopped sending them after Christmas."
"I thought you gave up," Aquila admitted. "You found someone else. And... and it was all my fault. I was going to quit, I was going to visit that Easter, but... but I kept convincing myself that you needed to move on. You needed to be happy. And we were so different – from different worlds. I wasn't good for you."
"Says who?"
"I'll get you killed in this war," Aquila told him softly. "And then... and then a part of me was sure that once I stopped receiving things, they had found you... and that my dream came true from so... so long ago..." She let out a shakey breath that she supposed could have been a laugh. "I'm sorry..."
"That's why you didn't visit, too, once the year was up. You thought you would see me with someone."
She nodded. "I guess that was part of it." She wiped at her eyes again, her grip tight on the dogtags. "And the only thing I could figure out what I did wrong was going off to Quidditch. I'm sorry."
"I should have kept writing... I just kept pushing it off, because I never would get replys... and I just didn't know what else to write. So I kept sending them less frequently, and then..."
"I don't blame you at all," Aquila insisted. "I caused this... this riff... I'm sorry."
"I still love you. The same as the day you left."
She sobbed before she could hold it back and she stumbled across the room, hugging him tightly as though he would vanish. "I love you, too," Aquila murmured into his shoulder. "I love you more than I love anything else in the world."
"Even life?" he teased.
"I would die for you in a second," Aquila murmured seriously. "I would kill for you..." He smelled so much like she remembered that she struggled to take breaths, because she didn't want the pause in smelling it. Cologne, no matter how faint. "God, don't ever get hurt... because now I know what my mother would always feel for my father."
"Aquila..."
"It hurts," Aquila murmured to him. "Promise me you won't get hurt."
"I promise."
She pulled away to watch his face, a face she had nearly forgotten. "I love you. I want to tell you that every day. And every second. To make up for all the days I couldn't-"
"Aquila..." Dudley said quietly. "That's not necessary. Say it only when you mean it."
She kissed him lightly, her grip on his shoulders tight. "I love you," she murmured when she pulled away. "I'll always mean it."
"I don't know what I did to deserve you," Dudley admitted after a moment. He almost seemed to be disbelieving. "I came down here expecting that what I'd tell you would make you hate me..."
"Never," Aquila murmured.
"For as long as I'm given you, I'll die happily." She didn't like the way he said it, but didn't quite care in that moment. Him was all she could ask for, because she felt the same way. "Now, let's go upstairs... You can't sleep on the couch."