Hello, my beautiful readers!
I AM SO SORRY! I CANNOT POSSIBLY APOLOGISE ENOUGH! Other than my awful updating skills, I am excited to say that it's nearly school holidays meaning, lots of writing time! Also Thank you so much to everyone that reviewed the previous chapter! I noticed some of you were absent from reviews, whilst I do not beg for you guys to review it is quite disheartening when I do not get that feedback. Thank you especially to Love. Fiction. 2017, Beetle126, raven that flies at night and mazeygrace18 for your kind words and constant support.
I hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Whenever we want to combat our enemies, first and foremost we must start by understanding them rather than exaggerating their motives." - Criss Jami
"Whats the plan?" Alice whispered under her breath, only loud enough for Frank to hear her. He turned to her and grimaced, twirling his wand in his hand.
"The plan is to get as much information as possible without getting caught." Alice nodded with a grin, rolling her eyes at his blunt tone.
"Yes, that could prove to be just a little problematic." The pair broke into laughter, with they tried to conceal with their arms. "In all seriousness though…"
Frank sighed and leant his back against the tree, lines etching into his youthful face, "This isn't an Auror sanctioned mission, Al, It's an Order mission." he shook his head, grimacing, "There's always less planning, less structure and less chance of success. We knew that when we signed up."
Alice bit her lip and furrowed her brow, scanning their surroundings she then leant back next to Frank. "I know that." She muttered, "It's just frustrating, I'm used to everything being structured and having an algorithm to success and now it's all a colossal mess." She flung her arms up into the air,
Frank bit his lip and sighed, resting his head on the bark. He didn't want to discuss this, he didn't want to be reminded of his doubts. He knew in his heart, it wouldn't be his commitment to the Aurors that would kill him, it would be his commitment to the order.
"We need to get closer to the site." He muttered as he stood up, dusting the dirt off his jeans "This is a bloody goose chase."
"You reckon?" Alice nodded, and followed him, ducking behind trees and crawling on the ground when necessary, "The only thing we can do is hope, and stay positive."
"Those are two things." Frank laughed, Alice shot him a mock glare and bit her lip to hide her laughter.
"That's even better!" She laughed and ducked under a branch, gripping her wand tightly in her hand.
"I'll never understand how you manage to stay so positive." He shook his head in awe of her strength. He loved that about, her infinite positivity, eternal kindness and sheer goodness within her. She was perfect without realising it.
"Just one of those things I keep under wraps." She winked, he swore he could feel his heart melt. He opened his mouth to reply back with a comeback so witty he almost couldn't believe he came up with it but was interrupted by the echoing of laughter. The pair swiftly turned so their backs were against one another.
"Frank," Alice whispered, fear coiling in the pit of her stomach, she used her free hand to draw a C on his hip. She felt him relax slightly and draw a tick on her hip and tap her hand. Together the pair grabbed onto one another and attempted to apparate, only for it not to work. Frank attempted once more only for it to fail. Horror plastered onto the couples face as they realised they had been trapped in the act.
"Run South." Alice whispered, her voice shaking "We'll go to the starting point, it was far away and stretches far enough that the apparition charm probably doesn't reach that far."
The pair ran as stealthily as they could, hearts pounding and blood rushing through their veins. But no matter how far they ran, the sound of high pitched laughter echoed through the woodlands, haunting them with every step. The whistling of the wind pierced their ears and the crunching of the leaves could not distract them from their goal.
Alice felt her heart pounding and the worst case senarios begin to inflict themselves on her mind, sweat beaded on her forehead and dripped as they sprinted through the woodlands. They ran for minutes on end, jumping over gaps and rocks, ducking and crawling. It was a race to the starting line. She felt as though her chest was about to cave in and her heart about to collapse. She just needed a break, all she wanted was for them to get out safely, that's why she kept going, So they could continue to fight against that tyrannical maniac. A smile crept up her face as she saw the clearing she knew was close to their starting point, She gripped onto Franks hand as they clutched one another.
The couple ran faster and faster, knowing they were racing against their lifespans. When suddenly they were thrown back as they impacted a clear wall at the clearing.
Alice spluttered as her breath was forced out of her, Frank let out a groan as he fell roughly against the leaf covered ground. His navy sweater ripping against a fallen tree branch.
"You cannot run forever." A deep voice boomed, Alice couldn't help but find humour in the fact that his voice was deep and rich, yet his laugh was high pitched.
The pair scrambled up and set their wands in front of them, pointing their wands straight at the monster standing tall infront of them. Frank felt as though the pounding of his heart was visible to all, and that his legs were going to fail him and he was going to collapse in a heap. Fear surged through him, what if he lost Alice, or what if Alice lost him? What if they lost their lives to the order at the hands of Voldemort. They would be martyrs.
"I can say the same about yourself Voldemort!" he spat, Alice nudged him lightly, her face ashen and lips trembling, her blonde locks falling around her face loosely. "When are you going to fight this war yourself instead of sending out your minions to do the dirty work."
A smirk graced Voldemorts features twisting his features into an ugly visual, it looked unnatural on my waxy skin.
"I don't bloody my hands with such pedestrian acts." Frank felt anger boil within, how dare this man act innocent in all this, how dare he pretend as though he is not the reason hundreds, if not thousands are dying every week. As though it was not his hands that were stained with copious layers of blood.
"Pedestrian!" Alice shrieked, spittles spraying ahead of her, her previously ashen face turning red with anger. "Pedestrian is it, when you send werewolves to muggle orphanages to rip out childrens intenstines, Pedestrian when you send your men to rape countless innocent women and then kill them, Pedestrian when you capture people opposed to you and torture them until they bend to your every whim!"
"Your precious Dumbledore does the same thing." The man almost seemed bored, his tone lacking any emotion,
Frank felt hate swell up in him, how dare this man compare them to the atrocities his followers commit due to his insistence.
"We don't-" he began before Voldemort raised him hand, unusally calm,
"Were you not ordered to be here today?" he questioned, raising a dark eyebrow, "Do you not follow his every whim? Do you not kill, spy and capture my men?"
Frank was stunned by his conviction, and the deadly tone his voice had taken on.
"How dare you compare us to your-"
Voldemort let out a chilling, high pitched laugh, "To my what? At least my followers do not doubt the organisation they are apart of!" Voldemort walked towards them at an agonisingly slow pace, causing their hearts to race in tandem.
"We do not doubt!" Alice spat, her hazel eyes alight with anger, her knuckles going white with the way she held her wand.
He raised a hand as he approached Frank, parallel to his face. His reddening eyes gazed deeply into his own and Frank's breathing hitched, and he turned away from the man, breaking the connection Voldemort was weaving.
"I have seen your mind." He whispered, his putrid breath on Franks' face. Frank shuddered back with revulsion, feeling disgusted by this mans attempts to penetrate his deeper, stronger, shields.
"Leave him alone!" Alice hissed, moving closer towards the pair. Voldemort put his hand underneath Franks' chin so he couldn't move from his legillimancy attempts. "I SAID LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Alice pushed Voldemorts arms off Frank causing all three to momentarily stunned.
"How dare you!" Voldemort seethed and windlessly pushed Alice towards a tree causing her to crash into it and fall to the ground. Franks entire body went rigid as anger rushed through him and poisoned his mind.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" he yelled, pointing the wand squarely at Voldemort's chest. Voldemort side stepped to avoid the curse, his eyes flashing with anger. The man swiftly sent the curse back at frank who transfigured a wall in front of him to absorb the coach.
"Stupefy!" Frank yelled, trying to spare time as Alice gathered herself, remembering that technically he wasn't on an auror sanctioned mission, therefore, breaking the law by using unforgivables. he couldn't go against his morals. He didn't want to lower himself to his level.
"Crucio!" Voldemort sneered as he pointed the wand towards Frank, the red coloured curse hitting him squarely in the chest. He crumbled to the ground as a scream ripped itself out of his throat, his body twitching as he felt as though his body was metaphorically being stabbed by hundreds of knifes. He wanted the spell to just end his life, the spell made him want to die. Frank willed his writhing body to move so he could grab onto his wand which had fallen when he was hit by the curse. In the background a shrill scream and echoing footsteps.
"Confringo!" Alice shrieked, aiming towards Voldmeort, He put up a wandless shield that absorbed the spell as he kept his wand trained on Frank. Alice felt panic coling within the pit of her stomach, he was going to torture Frank, he was going to ruin him, he was going to turn him into a mindless doll. She felt her heart breaking at the thought of Frank not being able to do anything, of losing himself due to the cruel acts of terrorists. She knew what the consequences of being under the cruciatus for too long were, and she would rather lose Frank forever than watch him live his life with no knowledge of his surroundings or without thoughts.
She ran forward, forgetting about her immensely small and petite structure compared to Voldemort, intent on barrelling him to the ground, her hands splayed in order to strangle him. She ran as close as she could before he pushed her away roughly.
Frank stumbled to his feet, feeling as though his body was going to fall at any moment. His arms felt heavy and as though he was going to collapse in a heap.
"Alice!"
"You will regret that!" The tyrannical monster hissed, his voice taking on a snakelike tone. He hurdled a ball of fire towards the pair. They both ducked and it landed behind them, causing the leaves to catch alight.
"Alice go!" Frank shouted, his voice shaking, "Run!"
She furrowed her brow and shook her head indignantly, throwing curses towards Voldemort.
"Without you?" she shouted back, her heart beating erratically in her chest "In your dreams lover boy!"
They continued to duel Voldemort ferociously, having no time to bicker.
And then suddenly Alice couldn't breath, the ground felt further then what it used to be and black dots were dotting her vision. She struggled against the uncontrollable force that had clamped her airways and was preventing her from breathing. She clawed at her neck trying to release it.
Frank let out a gasp of shock as he watched Alice dangled from the air, her face turning blue as she struggled to breathe.
"Avada kedavra!" Frank yelled, needing a curse that Voldemort coulnt use his hand to protect himself with. Alice was unceremoniously dropped to the ground, gasping for air and coughing as she adjusted to being able to breath properly. The purpleness of her face slowly dissipating.
"You okay Al?" He whispered grabbing onto her hand and helping her up.
"Small talk later!" She gasped, clutching her wand tightly as colour began to go into her face. She threw a silent reductor at the ground and grabbing onto Frank they sprinted as fast as their trembling legs could take them.
Alice threw yet another reducto at the clearing to make sure the clearing was no longer closed off, they ran through and the moment they passed through, unanimously apparated out, Voldemort having lost concentration and dropped the spell long ago.
They landed in an alleyway at Hogsmeade, clutching onto one another and crying, their trembling bodies aching for respite and safety.
Alice let out a sob as she wrapped her arms tightly around Franks' neck, drool and tears staining his jumper. Her body was shaking with harsh sobs.
"You're safe." She cried into his neck, "We made it."
He breathed into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent and ignoring the ache plaguing his body. He willed the trembling of his body to slow as he tightened his embrace.
They made it.
Elizabeth ran a hand through her tangled hair as she read over her notes. She had long abandoned trying to research sacrificial magic, rein checking on that project and tucking it into her files. She needed to focus on what would help them in the war, and a spell that wasn't readily available for everyone to use wouldn't bit her lip and sighed, whilst a possible feat, accomplishing this task would take over a year, and she wasn't sure if she had that type of time on her hands.
"What is troubling you young one?" Mr Croaker approached her from behind causing her to jump in her seat and turn around, hand on her chest gasping, her cheeks flushing.
She sighed and ran a hand over her face, gesturing for him to sit across from her.
"I decided to postpone my other project and pursue another one. It's simply too time-consuming when I could covertly do something to help the war effort" She shuffled the papers around, "My objective is to come up with a tracking charm that focuses on the dark mark. By being projected through an object such as a ring, you can locate if you are in the vicinity of a death eater, which would help Aurors, the law department and the general public."
The old man rubbed his chin and nodded along, understanding in his eyes.
"I'm assuming your motive is based on more selfish motives, or to assist the flaming chickens." Elizabeth choked on her saliva as she heard the euphemism.
"Flaming chickens?" she laughed causing the old man to let out a chuckle,
"I need some sort of a code name Miss Gilmore, alas I believe this one is rather fitting."
She nodded, her laughter attracting attention from her co workers. It was one downside to her job, everyone was very private, often you didn't even see the faces of the people who worked in your department unless they were on the same project. It was rather lonesome.
"You are correct in your assumptions Mr Croaker." She whispered leaning forward, "I believe that it will be extremely beneficial to us, but the concept would assist the Aurors and the ministry greatly."
The man nodded in approval, "I'm assuming that that is your initial report?"
"Do I still need to submit it?" she flashed him a smile, "I already provided my objective to you."
The man chuckled once more, his eyes flickering towards the alarm clock on her desk, "You know you have to Miss Gilmore."
She groaned and slumped in her chair, "Damn, I thought I would get away with it this time."
"Worm tail put the banner higher!" James groaned, sitting on the couch, eating salt and vinegar chips as his friends decorated his lounge room.
"Padfoot we need more streamers!" he yelled with a mouthful. Mary rolled her eyes and threw the packet of balloons at James' head.
"How about you get off your lazy, Quidditch toned ass and help us out James?" she snorted, whilst throwing another pack of balloons at his head. James, with his fast reflexes, was ready this time and caught it. She clenched her jaw and threw him a dirty look.
"Stop bossing around the birthday boy!" He exclaimed, munching on the chips.
Lily walked into the lounge with a tray of butterbeer but stopped in the middle of the doorway as she saw James sitting around eating whilst everyone else was decorating. She raised her brow causing him to look up, his facial expression that of a deer caught in headlights.
"James?" her voice taking on a questionable tone. "Why are you eating on the couch and not helping?"
He rolled his eyes and threw her a look, "I'm the birthday boy Lily, that's why!"
She hit him lightly on the head, "James what would your mother say?"
He looked up at her, his brow furrowed and swallowed his chips. When a voice behind them interrupted the group.
"She would say, James Potter, get off your lazy behind and get some work done, the world doesn't revolve around you!" James' head snapped around as he looked at the figure who was standing in the doorway. James jaw dropped and his face paled as he stood up, as if caught doing something naughty. Those scattered around the room let out a cheer as they saw the beautiful woman standing in the door.
"Mrs P!" Sirius exclaimed and hopping down from the ladder he was perched on. He strode over to the greying woman and embraced her tightly.
"Sirius!" she laughed and hugged him back, a deep voice interrupted the two.
"Sirius, how many times have I had to remind you that my wife is exactly that, my wife." The group laughed at Mr Potters exclamation. Mr Potter walked over to his son and clapped him on the shoulder before embracing him,
"Happy birthday son!" he exclaimed, A smile spread across James friend as his friends welcomed his parents. James mother pressed kisses all over her son's face, James sheepishly smiled into her embrace, wrapping his arms around her slightly shorter stature.
"I can't believe its been 19 years since I had you James!" she exclaimed, embracing him and passing plates of food into his arms, "It feels like so much longer!"
James grimaced at her words and pulled away slightly, Lily was laughing into her hand. Mrs Potter turned to the girl,
"Don't start laughing Lily!" she pointed at her with laughter, "One day you'll have your own, untameable haired children and you will remember me and this day and you will say- 'She told me so!"
Lily rolled her eyes at the woman, "MY child is going to be well behaved, not a prankster and has tameable hair." James grimaced,
"You know we're not married yet, I can still leave you."
She poked her tongue out at him, "And they're not going to be Quidditch obsessed, and they're not going to go fighting trolls and fighting in secret organisations."
"Dont speak so soon Lily!" Elizabeth laughed, "Sirius already said he was buying his future godson a broom!" Lily turned towards the boys and flung Sirius a stink eye behind his back.
"You won't let him, Liz!" She nudged her best friend who let out a melody of musical laughter. "Promise me!"
"Oh damn Lils, I was thinking of getting him a baby snitch for him to chase around." Liz laughed, "I can't promise you anything."
Mary joined in;" If Sirius doesn't then I will!"
The boys approached the girls who were laughing and sipping on Butterbeer. James looked around the room and turned to his friends,
"You guys didn't even finish decorating."
"Well, Sir James." Wormtail laughed, "We got bored of being bossed around by the birthday boy and decided to rebel."
"Guests are arriving in 10 minutes!" he groaned,
"I think you've forgotten that you have magic, James." Remus snorted causing the rest of the group to burst into peals of laughter.
Minutes later the room was set up and decorated, confetti was falling from the ground, music was blasting, balloons were floating, and streamers hanging. Tables were covered with food and there were two kegs of punch and bottles of Butterbeer and Odgens. Once the guests arrived they danced and ate and had fun, carefree and enjoying their time together, forgetting about the war.
Long after they had all gathered around a table, drunkenly singing happy birthday, with lopsided birthday hats and alcohol stained clothing. After he purposely touched the bottom of the cake only to turn and passionately kiss his future wife to be.
"Give a speech Potter!" Gideons drunken voice yelled over the pandemonium,
"Aw man, you always put me in awkward positions like this!"
"Come on!" Benji exclaimed, as everyone began to chant, 'speech!'
"Well okay then!" he sighed dramatically, "There is something I need to get off my chest."
"Is it your shirt?" Marlene exclaimed from the crowd surrounding them, causing encouraging cheers to echo around the room.
"Sorry to disappoint love!" he took a shot of fire whiskey that Sirius levitated in front of him and Mrs. Potter shook her head in the background, rolling her eyes at her grown up sons antics. "Okay, In all seriousness though, Thanks for coming guys, you're all pretty fun and I love you all."
"You're sappy drunk prongs!" Sirius exclaimed,
"Wait up Padfoot, I'm getting there!" he sighed and let out a laugh, "So I've done a fair bit in my nineteen years, and given mum, dad and Minnie more grey hairs than I can count, may I live long enough that I get to watch my kids do the same."
The room clapped and whistled as they all downed their drinks. Elizabeth buried herself into Sirius's side and let out a laugh at James's toast.
In her mind, she couldn't help but say her own toast.
'May they all celebrate much more birthdays to come.'
Elizabeth took a letter off of an unknown owl, her curiosity apparent. She felt unsure about opening an unknown letter, especially one with such expensive looking envelope. She cast a magnitude of spells on the letter and it surprisingly came out clear of curses. She bit her lip, on the front of the letter her name was written in very delicate calligraphy. It was definitely from a pureblood, even the owl acted like a stuck up, prissy pureblood.
She cautiously opened the letter, her heart beating in her chest, she was unsure of what to expect.
Elizabeth Gilmore,
You have captured the heart of my brother, and for a while now you two have been living in your loved up fantasy life. I apologize that I am about to intrude in that however, I have a matter of utmost importance that I need to discuss with you.
You may be wondering why I am contacting my brothers, muggleborn girlfriend, That is because I suspect my brother would rather spit on my grave then speak to me in a civil manner.
I request that we meet in the Hogshead, in Hogsmeade today at 2:00 pm; I understand that is a trusted location for you. Please come alone, I promise you that I wish you no harm; in fact, I am willing to take an unbreakable vow upon meeting.
I request that you take me up on this offer, I may be able to give you the power to save yourself from this war.
Yours Sincerely.
RAB.
Her arms trembled as she dropped the letter, she couldn't help but ponder on it. An intelligent person wouldn't even consider the option presented before her. Why would she voluntarily meet with a member of Sirius's family, a Black? But he said he could save them. Could she trust him?
She bit her lip and looked down, There wasn't a choice, she couldn't ignore the offer. She was going to go to the shadiest pub in Hogsmeade, meet with a Black and death eater to boot and hope she would survive.
She was finally going to meet Regulus Black.
Oooooh! All I can say is that the next chapter is quite an erm...interesting chapter! And we welcome back a character that a lot of you guys loved and enjoyed reading! Down below is a sneak peek! Also in your review guess who is returning next chapter, I'll send virtual chocolates to anyone who guesses correctly!
"Now I will face my lord one last time, tonight I will bid farewell to this life and welcome the next."
Now for our weekly (or whenever I update) question, What is your number one non-canon headcanon? In your review answer that and tell me who you think is going to return next chapter! I'm keen as a bean to read your responses.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and are excited for the next one! Since I feel bad about not updating, if you leave a review I'll send you a sneak peek or three!
I love you lots and hope you're having the best day/night!
Ruby xx