So I keep having issues with fanfic. net because this wont bump up to the top of the page when I update. Hopefully you guys get alerts through email. If so, please comment and let me know!

Book One: The Birth of the Order

Chapter V

Hogsmede was quieter than the boys had left it a few hours prior. The sun had almost vanished from the horizon and the chill from the autumn night was getting stronger. Sirius, Nessa and Elise appeared a little ways away from the Hogshead. "Are we the first ones then?" Nessa asked. Sirius responded by holding up his finger, signaling them to wait. Peter appeared beside him a second later, clutching his stomach as if sick. His eyes bounded from side to side. "Can we please take a portkey next time?" Sirius smacked Peter on the back and gave the girls a nod. "Right then. We are the first so let's head to the pub." Peter groaned as the other three began to move. "Can't we just stand still for a moment until the world stops spinning?" Receiving no response, he moaned once more before following. Elise entered the Hogshead first. Rather than finding the meeting place or waiting for the others, she headed straight for the bar. "Want something?" She asked the others as she sat down. "Why not?" Sirius said with a shrug as he joined her. He ordered two firewhiskies for them. After taking a long sip, he turned to her. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Did seeing Greyback shake you up?" Nessa asked as she joined them, sitting on the other side of Elise who took a long drink from her glass. Her concentration seemed focused on picking at a chip in the rim of her glass, but she spoke. "Fenrir has tormented my family for years. We're Starkes, which are said to be tied to the origin of werewolves. How that could be, I have no idea. Fenrir has always resented us, and even went as far as killing my uncle."

"I thought werewolf attacks don't kill you, they turn you into a werewolf?" Peter said absentmindedly. Sirius rolled his eyes at him. "No, Pete. They can kill too."

"But I thought Remus said that-" Before he could finish, his face turned green and he covered his mouth as if about to vomit. The bartender pointed to the bathroom and Peter scurried towards it. "What is wrong with him?" Nessa asked. Sirius shook his head. "He doesn't apparate well."

"No, I mean how could he be so blunt about werewolf attacks with Elise sitting right here!"

"Oi, cool the jets. He was just being curious." Nessa just shook her head and Elise quickly said, "It's… alright." Nessa's hand squeezed her glass, and the liquid inside started to quiver as she muttered to herself. It was on the verge of an instantaneous boil. She couldn't let people like Greyback roam free. If anything this cemented her decision. Nobody noticed the butterbeer foaming in her hand. It was on the brink of erupting like a volcano when the door opened and Lily and James entered. "Hey you lot. Find everyone else?" They shook their heads. And James released Lily's hand to approach the bartender. He whispered something to him and the bartender jabbed a grubby thumb towards the stairs. "Right then," he said matter-of-factly with a nod. He looked at the stairs the way a groom looks at chapel doors before the wedding, or a performer at the stage. "Let's go. Where is Moony?" Just as he asked, Remus entered with Tabitha in tow. "Here, James. I saw the curtains drawn on the top floor. That must be where we are…" He didn't dare finish, knowing there could be unfriendly wizards listening in the bar. "That's it Moony. You ready?"

"If you are." James smiled and led the way up the stair case and to the end of the hall. They entered a small room with a fireplace, one window, and an old dusty table with familiar faces filling the chairs around it. At the head of the table, sitting pleasantly and almost regal was Dumbledore. He smiled kindly to all of them as they enter, as if they're meeting to discuss how their lives have been since Hogwarts, not to start a war group. The room buzzed with whispers from everyone. There was Alestor Moody, Frank Longbottom and his fiancé Alice, Edgar Bones, Benjy Fenwick, and, of course Marlene who was in deep conversation with both Fabion and Gideon Prewitt. A few more also filled the room. Friends of Dumbledore's but not well-known the younger members. "Ah James," Dumbledore said, "Welcome."

"Thank you, sir." James grinned back at him, but the room quickly fell quiet. All eyes fell on him. Sirius and Remus stood on either side of him and the girls entered behind them. James stood still and Sirius noticed. "You alright mate?" James didn't answer. The eyes on him made it clear that he was not just a fellow member of this order, at least not in their eyes. In their eyes… he was their leader. He was surprised by his inability to comprehend why. After all, it wasn't like him to be so humble. Perhaps Lily had softened him up. Peter staggered in and broke the silence. "Why is everyone so quiet?" Some kept their serious expressions, but one of the few who didn't was Frank Longbottom who stood and grinned. "Lads, welcome. Come inside, won't you?"

"Thank you Frank," Lily said as she gave James a gentle shove towards the table. James took a seat near Dumbledore with Lily by his side. The others joined and Dumbledore stood once everyone was seated. "Welcome, all" he smiles kindly, meeting each and everyone's eyes. "I am sorry that we must meet under these conditions, but times are changing. The world we know we will be changed forever, if we do not take a stand. Fear is a powerful thing. But hope, is stronger. I have faith, in each and every one of you. No matter what house you claimed during your time at Hogwarts, nor the status of your blood matters here. We are all here to protect our world and others. I'm sure many of you have noticed how sever things are getting." Tabitha leaned forward to be seen by Dumbledore "Sir. I've been traveling for months through Europe. The muggle world is being targeted as well. Anyone with potential blood impurity is being killed. Squibs and muggleborns. If these threats have already expanded passed our world's borders, then how can we stop it?"

"Miss Delaney, this will be difficult, but how can we expect it to stop if we do not do anything to hinder it? We must take a stand, or we all shall fall."

"Forgive me, but I only know as much as the prophet has told me." She hesitates. "Do we have any way of knowing who is an enemy or not other than the undesirable's listed in the prophet like Fenrir Greyback or Lucious Malfoy? I think I also saw your batty cousin in there, Black."

"Surprise, Surprise," Sirius said sarcastically as he leaned back in his chair. Marlene leaned forward to look down the table to Tabitha. "Tabs, you can't trust everything in the Prophet."

"Why not? It's never been wrong before."

"That you know of," Lily added. "We don't even know if the people listed as undesirables are as bad as they say."

"But I wouldn't dare take chances," Peter said to her with a hint of fear in his voice. Dumbledore nodded to them. "There is a way to identify followers of Voldemort. They are marked upon joining with a "dark mark." A skull on the forearm with a snake wrapping around it and protruding from the mouth. This is their link to the Dark Lord."

"So we trot about asking people to roll up their sleeves?" Gideon asked with a chuckle. "Laugh all you want, Mr. Prewitt," Dumbledore said. "Sometimes it is the only way to tell the good apart from the bad. Nessa leaned forwards and up slightly, enhancing what little height she had. "Sir, speaking of enemies. We saw Greyback in Diagon Alley. If enemies could be anywhere, even a place as public as there, then the Order might need to hide in plain sight. Elise and I work in Animagi regulations. We have friends in other magical law departments as well. If Order members need to be... well, covert, it would be relatively easy for us to cover for them." He the turns to Nessa. "Yes, Miss McCrimmon. That would be very helpful indeed. I dislike asking you to do things that are illegal, but as the muggles say, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." Any records of an order member's status as an animagus must be destroyed for their safety on missions. We can be assured that if there are order members in the ministry already, there are also death eaters." Nessa nodded then noticed Remus had been looking at her across the table. He calmly says, "Greyback was in Diagon Alley while we were there? This day just keeps getting better and better." He clasped his hands together and rested his chin on them, but stroked his scar with his thumb as if checking to see if it was still there. "Who else is expected to be a Death Eater?" Dumbledore nods knowingly. "I have been notified by another order member that Regulus Black was also spotted with his house elf in Diagon Alley." Everyone instantly looked to Sirius who looked up and shrugged. "Am I my brother's keeper?" He said with an apathetic look. Still it was strange to hear Dumbledore refer to Regulus as if he was a stranger. "Would it be safe to assume they are up to something in Diagon Alley?" Remus asked, "There seems to be so much activity there."

"I would assume so, yes. More than likely my guess is that they were going towards Knockturn Alley. Voldemort has ties there with Borgin and Burkes. It is quite possible they were having a meeting or even running and errand for the dark lord. But the question is, what did they go to attain?"

"Perhaps they didn't go there to shop," Alestor said. "As far as I see it, the band of rascals need a place to congregate. It could be that Regulus was sent to negotiate a meeting place at the store."

"Even so," James added as he nodded to greet Moody. "What are they meeting about? There meetings would be ones of action I would think, seeing as how they all already know who they are fighting for. Perhaps they are after something specific as Dumbledore suggested." Elise, who was also very good at being observant, spoke up for the first time since her confession to Sirius and Nessa. "What if...what if it isn't something? What if it's someone? Think about it. Voldemort wants control of the wizarding world. In order to do that, he has to get the Minister of Magic out of the way...or under his control." Elise reasoned, before laying out her cards. "What if he's trying to completely infiltrate the ministry...starting from the top?"

"Starke has a point," Tabitha said with a nod. "Although, if she's right then you-know-who won't just barge through the front door of the minister's office. He would make sure every loose end is tied first. Like the trick Regulus always played in school... If he was mad at Sirius then he went after one of the lads. What's to say the dark lord isn't recruiting death eaters and assigning each of them to take care of each of us when the time comes so he has no obstacles of infiltrating the ministry?" Nodding in acknowledgment of her statement, Elise waited for Tabs to finish speaking before voicing her thoughts. "But that would imply that Voldemort already knows about the Order."

"Don't assume Voldemort has no knowledge of our plans, Miss Starke," Dumbledore said vaguely. Elise nodded and continued, "Well, maybe he's not after us per-se, just those who are higher up in the ministry. Nessa and I are pretty observant. If we report back names of people who are either newly hired to assist the Minister, or are already in his good graces, we could investigate them further to see where their loyalties lie. We also need to remember that those who help Voldemort may not be doing so of their own free will."

"Then we find a way to know the difference between those who are forced and those who are willing," James says. He then looks to Dumbledore wanting to hear the rest of what he has to say but the older man remains quiet. "That is…" James stumbled trying to find something encouraging to say, but Dumbledore came to his rescue. "We will need more people in the ministry. There are some I have secured in our company. I'm sure you will meet them in meetings to come." James nodded, now feeling his confidence restored. Why was it so hard for him to be a leader now? He was captain of the quidditch team and head boy in the same year! This should be nothing new for him, yet it was. He looked to Nessa and Elise. "Girls, keep alert of anything strange you may see in your area of work. As for the rest of us, I think we should stay within groups and cover different areas of the wizarding world. Maybe a few of us could even keep an eye on the muggles."

"You can count on me to lead a group, Potter," Frank said with a smile. Alice nodded beside him and asked, "Where will we meet though? We will need a place to practice our defense spells." James then looks to Dumbledore who already wears a knowing grin. "I have a place at Hogwarts you can use. In the meantime, I cannot say I have very much to be done. This will be partly a waiting game. We must try to find out what Voldemort has planned and if need be, stop it. To do this, I ask that you think of places in which the dark arts are welcome. Knockturn alley, for an example, would be a good place to keep watch for suspicious activity or overhear conversations. Any lead we can get will be useful. But as I stated before, caution is important. Do not take this lightly. If you wish to get out now, this is the time to do so. Once you have committed to the order, you must not leave." He stands. "I end my speech, with this." His eyes seem to twinkle towards James and Lily for a moment before looking each and everyone in the eye. "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." The fireplace suddenly crackles to life and Dumbledore smiles cheerfully before making his way to the door. "Next meeting will be a week from now, here." With that, he disappears down the hall.

Ten long minutes later, the room had returned to a multitude of whispers. The fire had died down and a few people had taken their leave. The handful that remained looked to James. "Well, Potter? Are you in?"

"In what?" James said in confusion to Alestor's inquiry. "This order," the other man replied. "Are you all in. Dumbledore just said once you are, there is no backing out."

"Of course I am!" He said with a proud nod. Lily put her hand on his shoulder. "I am too, of course." Sirius let out a chuckle, "Because of what we are fighting for or because James is in?"

"Both, Sirius," Lily said. "What about you?" He sat up straight. "I could use some excitement. Besides, you lot will need me to come to your rescue when four-eyes here messes things up," he said with a laugh as he nudged James. He looked to Remus but didn't even have to ask before Remus answered, "Yes. I'm in."

"Even with Greyback on the other side?" Peter asked quietly. Remus gave a firm nod. "Especially with him on the other side. What about you Peter?"

"W-well… I already told you I would fight. Just as long as we all stay together." The three other lads grinned. "Well isn't that fine and dandy," Alestor Moody said. "Alright. Shall I gather a team then? Marlene, Edgar, you're with me." The Prewitt boys whispered to one another and nodded. "Longbottom, we will tag along with you," Fabian said. Elise stood and pushed her chair in. "Then Nessa and I can take the ministry. That is… well, I know you haven't really chosen to officially join yet, Nes." The young Scottish woman stood and began to pace. She'd made her choice. "I'll never be free from the war, and as long as I am a blood traitor, I may as well do something useful with my time." This earned a smile from everyone remaining in the room.

"Brilliant," James said clasping his hands together. "Then we are all agreed?"

Suddenly the door to the meeting room opened and a girl clearly a bit younger than the rest stumbled through the doorway. She manages to catch herself just in time and throws a glare at the floor as if it tripped her on purpose. "Loose floor board I think. Be careful." She said as she walks in. The girl, clearly no older than 16, had brown hair pulled back and a couple scrapes on her face. Her school uniform was a mess, hidden beneath her denim jacket. Looking around she noticed the room almost empty, but for the few stragglers. "No… I missed it?"

"Rose?" Remus stood and looked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I came for the meeting," she said proudly. James just chuckled. "Remus, please tell your cousin there are age restrictions." The young teen put her hands on her hips and made a scowling face to James. Sirius laughed at her pout and said, "James is right, little Mooney. This isn't meant for a 16 -year-old."

"Why not? You're just as immature as a twelve year old but you are here." She then stuck her tongue out and looked around the room. Her eyes fell on the chestnut-haired Irish girl. "Tabitha?"

"Rosie?" Tabitha had been staring in disbelief at the girl in front of her. She had grown so much within the last year. Tabitha was like an older sister to Rose Lupin. She had met her in the hall after chasing off some Slytherin bullies during Rose's first year. Seeing the young woman who she'd come to know as an older sister, Rose ran and hugged Tabitha. "I didn't know you would be here too!"

"Well, to be honest I didn't know I would be here either. It just sort of happened." She lets go and looks at Rose as Ness pipes up. "Uh... who's Rosie?"

"Oh! sorry..." Tabitha looked at Nessa and Elise "This is Rose Lupin. She and Remus are cousins. She was a couple years behind in Gryffindor."

"Still is," Lily adds. "Wait... why are you not at school?"

"I dropped out. I want to help and I'm ready to fight." Her gaze wonders to the lads. "That's what we are all here for right?"

"Wrong." Remus says sternly. "We are here for the fight. You are going back to school. Lily, back me up." The redhead nodded. "He's right, Rose. This isn't something students should be involved in." Sirius just leaned back and rocked his chair. "Why not? We were students when the signs were showing. We all were preparing for this at her age."

"Quiet, Padfoot," Remus snapped. Peter snickered, "Oh I like angry Remus." Remus gave no acknowledgment to him as he turned his look back onto Rose. "You're not going to join. That's final. You're going back to school, then back to Mum and Dad's." Tabitha stepped beside him. "I'm not letting you do this either."

"Hold on," Rose said with her hands in the air. "When did the two of you become my parents?" Sirius and Peter had pushed their chairs next to each other to watch the three argue. Both had elbows on the table with their faces resting in their hands as they watched as if viewing a play. "My bet's on little Moony," Sirius whispered and Peter shrugged. "Eh. Those are some bum odds."

To be honest, Remus had always seen Rose Lupin as his responsibility. She had a late growth spirt, making it difficult during her early years at school when she would be teased for her short stature and clumsiness. She could never seem to master the tasks put before her such as charms or potion making. Often times she spoke out of turn in class but she never tried speaking up in common room to meet people. Had it not been for her cousin Remus, who was more of a brother since his parents had cared for her, she wouldn't have had a friend in the world at school for some time. The one thing Rose Lupin did have that lived to her Gryffindor colors was guts. "You have to stay in school. There is no arguing that. You have a couple more years left and with the way the world is going you'll need all the training you can get."

"Not to mention you still have the trace on you for another year," James added. "That isn't something to play around with." Rose crosses her arms. "No because I'm not playing. This isn't a game." She looks at Remus seriously. "I want to help and I'm ready to fight." Her gaze wonders to Elise and Nessa. "That's what we are all here for right?" Nessa stood, looking at Rose, having fixed her socks back to their original state. "We're here to do what we have to. If that means fighting, then so be it. But none of us want a war. You are right, this isn't a game."

"Rosie, How did you even find out about this meeting?" Tabitha says pinching the brim of her nose. "Remus and the lads were acting strange when we met this weekend. I figured it was something about the war." Her voice drops. "So I might have put a tracking spell on them alter eavesdropping a bit." All eyes fall on Remus as if he now is expected to talk Rose out of her insane ambitions to join the Order. He sighs and nods, "Give us a moment, everyone." Those who remained from the meeting find this as a good to leave. They all step out and make their way down the steps, leaving Remus and Rose to talk.

Once outside, Tabitha stopped. She couldn't leave. Where exactly is she going? Back to her muggle friends or here to fight. She glanced up at her oldest friend, hoping for some guidance, "Lils?"

"Yea?" Her friend turned and brushes the red locks from her face only for James to step beside her and take her hand. "Can we talk?" He asked. She smirks at him, "You're actually asking permission to talk? That's unlike you." Her grin forced one on him as well. "It looks like a great night for a walk, doesn't it? Care to join me?" She glanced back to the Irish girl who nodded, "Go on. It wasn't important anyway." Lily smiled and turned back to her boyfriend who led her up the street. Sirius shuffled up behind her. "Where are they going?"

"To 'talk'." She said bluntly. Sirius heard her tone and looks at her. "So you disapprove of talking now?"

"Well, If I did, tonight would certainly be reason enough for it." Sirius tried to unencrypt her words but shook his head to spare looking like a fool should he misunderstand. He looked up the street to Lily and James walking hand and hand. "Well… I guess he really is hers now, huh?"

"Black," Tabitha looked at him. "He was hers long before they started dating. They just didn't know it. That's how love works."

"How would you know how love works? I thought you were anti-emotion." She didn't answer, but looked back to her best friend walking beside James. The two of them walking hand-in-hand, a sight Sirius and Tabitha both thought would never be for either one of them. They realized their best friends were not theirs any longer and it saddened them greatly. Little did they know then, this wouldn't be the first time their hearts were broken during the war.

The Adventure Continues Next As James Pops the Question!