Another chapter! Time for tipsy Remus followed by the Order's first showdown with some of it's members!

Book I: The Birth of the Order

Chapter VII: Ambush in Hogsmede

Empty glasses surround the cackling boys at the bar. Sirius noticed Lupin's eyes droop. "Feeling alright there, Moony?"

"I'm fine," Remus hiccuped, "Why?" He stood up, swaying slightly as he did, and patted Sirius on the back. James who had laughed so much that tears were covering his glasses said, "You're both going to do something incredibly embarrassing. I bet on it." He ordered a drink for himself and took a sip before adding, "Remember that time Sirius got so drunk he put a lamp shade on his head and insisted he was Dumbledore so he started making up rules?" Remus's brain seems to be on a bit of a delay but once he recalled the memory he laughed. "You weren't much better, Prongs. You were wearing the drapes and pretending to be McGonagall."

"My impression of her was pretty good if I say so myself" James grinned, finishing the glass and ordering another. "Do you remember that time you had so much chocolate you actually got a sugar high off of it? You were nearly drunk." James laughed. "You cried when Sirius told you nargles weren't real."

"That was right after NEWTS. I was so stressed I ate my entire chocolate stash." Remus looked upset at the memory. "You don't have any chocolate do you?"

"Not right now, mate," Sirius said as he leaned on the counter, still sober enough but exhausted from drinking so much. "You about finished, Moony? I can tell the bartender to stop refilling your mug if your head is starting to hurt." The tipsy Remus, with tired eyes, pulled his mug towards him like a child would hog a toy. Lily sighed from her seat at the table. She fiddled with the ring on her finger. "Men."

"At least they aren't forcing it on Pettigrew," Elise commented. "Poor chap seems like the type who would pass out after a couple sips." She took a whiff of the air, "Blimey I can smell their rum all the way over here."

"Oh, sorry," Tabitha said as she pulled her glass towards her. "That's mine actually."

"I thought that was water," Lily said with an eyebrow raised like a knowing mother, causing Tabitha to turn a bit red. "Not anymore."

"You can turn water to rum?" Elise said, not sure if she believed it. Tabitha nodded. "For some Irish purebloods, it's the first spell we learn."

"I think it's a nasty little trick," Lily said, but was smiling. "Cheating the poor waiter out of the price of rum."

"Alright, Mam," Tabitha said. "I'll leave the man a decent tip." Elise laughed, "Hey, it's resourceful if you ask me." Tabitha grinned, I'll teach how to do it someday."

"Does that mean you're staying," Lily asked. The table went quiet and Tabitha ran her finger back and forth along the brim of her glass. "Um… well." Her eyes flickered to Remus who was now pale as a ghost. Tabitha just sighed and glanced at the boys. "Black... Leave him alone. He doesn't look well." Remus's eyes widened at Tabitha's words. Normally he would have ignored her but for some reason he thought it made him sound weak. "I can handle just as much as he can." He said clearly offended. Remus carefully found his way back to his seat. "Order another one of those fizzy drinks!"

"Remus," Lily shook her head. "Tabitha is right. You need to slow down."

"Lily!" He said in unison with a hiccup. "I'm celebrating yours and James's engagement." He said it louder then he intended too and motioned towards her with the glass only to spill a good portion of it onto the floor. He looked down at it upset. "Bloody waste." James looked up at Remus's outburst over spilling his drink. He figured he better stop his friend before he did or said something he would regret. He got up and walked over, placing a hand on Remus's shoulder. "Hey Moony, why don't you um...slow down a bit. I'll just take that, ok?" He reached for the mug in Remus's hand. "Oh, leave him be, Potter," Elise said as she adjusted in her seat. "This is one of the last nights we all have to cut loose." The girl turned her head back to Nessa's seat only to notice she still had not returned from her walk. Tabitha shook her head at Elise then looked to Remus "No, you've had enough, Remus..." Remus reluctantly let go of the mug, noticing himself that he was starting to feel tipsy. He stared down at his feet and rubbed his stomach. "I feel sick."

"Come on, Rem. Let's get you home," Tabitha said as she stood. "You should have a drink, Tabitha," he mumbled. "You must be as sad as I am." Tabitha was taken back by this. He glanced up. "Sorry, that came out harsher than I intended."

"It's alright, Remus."

"Why…" he mumbled, "didn't you tell me…" Remus let the words slide out, unaware he had said them. Tabitha let that question go without an answer. She carefully wrapped an arm around him and helped him stand to his feet without wobbling. "Come on, you giant." Remus pointed towards the stairs, "Wait. Rose," he said, eyelids heavy, and pointed upward towards the stairs. "Went back to school an hour ago, mate," Peter said as he followed. James paid for everyone's drinks but Elise insisted on paying for her own before suggesting, "Let's find Nessa. She tends to take walks when things get a little too rowdy."

Remus nodded then moaned as if shaking his head was the worst choice he could have made. He rested his entire body weight on Tabitha who tried to keep him on his feet as they walked out. He'd never noticed how small she was. She always seemed to strong and independent to him. But in that alley, admitting her feelings and being transparent with him, showed him sides of her he had never seen. She was afraid to let her guard down, just like him. Perhaps they had more in common than he had thought before.

"Nessa?" Lily called as she stepped outside. James stepped beside her. "She probably went back to work," Peter suggested. "Don't you ministry workers always work your brains out?" He said as he looked to Elise. "Thanks for the charming mental image, Pettigrew," she retorted. "It's possible, but I don't see why she wouldn't tell me she was going back to work." Tabitha spoke up, "She could be in one of the shops. The book store up ahead is where all the Ravenclaws used to hang about. Is she very nostalgic?"

"Nessa?!" Elise let out a, "Ha!" Tabitha's face turned stiff. She opened her mouth to respond to Elise's rude laughter but suddenly stopped. Her eyes suddenly seemed dazed as if remembering something terrible. She looked down as if deep in thought and stopped in her tracks, causing Remus to stumble a bit. Elise frowned and said, "Godric, Delaney. I didn't think that would offend you." Hearing this, Lily turned around and looked at her friend. "Tabs?" She had seen that look before. Tabitha looked up at her old roommate as she muttered, "Something's wrong." Suddenly, a painful grunt was heard up the street. It sounded like Nessa. "Red?" Sirius called. He looked to James who already was looking back at him. Without a word the two took off, Lily and Elise beside them. Peter and Tabitha were left in their dust, holding the wobbly Remus.

Up the street, in the dark of night, Nessa was holding her own. She had just been knocked back a bit by Severus and Regulus circled her. The girl scrambled to her feet, wobbling a bit. "Look at her, Snape. She can hardly stand, just like at school."

"I think I'm handling quite nicely, Black." She snapped back as she balanced herself and re-aimed her wand. "Especially, considering the fact that I'm one witch against two of you, even if you are a couple of pansies."

"Stupify!" Snape shouted as Nessa quickly levitated a nearby bench to block the blow. When it crashed on the street between her and Snape, his eyes were still locked on her. "I liked you better in school. You were quieter and mousy back then."

"Of course," Regulus added from behind her. "You talking could be beneficial. Now… we know Dumbledore sent that owl from here which means the meeting for his new order was here. What do you know about it?"

"So you two are pathetic as well as deaf? I told you I haven't seen Ablus Dumbledore since my last day at Hogwarts!"

"Fine," Regulus said as his voice turned cold. "Go ahead and keep lying. I suppose I don't need to remind you that by fighting and lying to us, you're a traitor to your own bloodline! You're no better than…."

"Black!" Shouted James as he arrived on the scene first, wand drawn. "Leave her alone."

"Potter-" Scoffed Snape, but his face changed when he saw who approached from behind. "Lily…" Her face showed hurt and disappointment, just as it did the day their friendship shattered to bits. The day he called her a mudblood. The day, Lily Evans saw him for who he truly was… a snake. "Severus," she said, "What are you doing?"

"He's trying to tell me Albus Dumbledore just had a meeting with us all." Nessa said coolly.

"Is that so? Honestly, I'm flattered you would think the headmaster would come to me before you… but I tend to always be Favorited over you, Snivillus. Don't I?"

"Good one, James," Sirius said from behind. His eyes briefly fell on Regulus who looked at his own brother as if he was a stranger. "Nessa?" Elise shoved by them all. "I swear, if you've hurt my partner I'll-"

"You'll what?" Regulus asked. "Have your family buy her bandages made of gold? Oh wait, they can't. You don't talk to mummy and daddy anymore, do you?"

"Shut up, Regulus," James barked. The skinny youth mockingly looked surprised. "I'm shocked, Potter. I thought this morning we were friends."

"What?" Sirius mumbled. Regulus kept his eyes on James, Wand on Nessa as he said, "Didn't he tell you? Today in Knockturn Alley he tried to make peace with us." Sirius looked to James who instantly said, "I didn't think I needed to tell you."

"James," Lily looks at him. "Is that where you wondered off to?"

"I didn't mean to… watch it!" He leaps in front of Lily just in time to deflect a spell sent by Regulus. "Don't you know better than to strike at a woman!"

"What are you suggesting Potter?" Elise asked with an eyebrow raised. Regulus just rolled his eyes. "We don't have lots of time to waist chatting with you lot. We just need to know what Albus Dumbledore told you all and we will be on our way."

"Fight all you want with me and your brother, Regulus," James said with a scowl as he pushed up his glasses. "But leave my fiancé out of it!" This statement brought immediate silence until it was broken by Severus' quiet voice. "Your... your what?" He looked at Lily's hand and sure enough the ring was there. His eyes remained locked on it. How could his old friend have joined sides with Potter, he thought. "What's wrong, Snivy?" James said which brought the attention back to him? "Sad you aren't going to be invited to the wedding?"

"No," he said coldly with something changing in his eyes. "Um," Nessa whispered, "This doesn't look promising." Severus tightened his grip on his wand and said, "There won't be a wedding… because you won't be here for it." With a quick wave of his wand, a great wind was summoned, causing most of the group to shield their eyes as Snape approached James. He started to chant, "Sectum Semp-" but was stopped as Sirius tackled him to the ground. The two scuffled for a bit while James tried pushing Lily away. "No," she said, "I'm fighting beside you." An 'oof' was heard as Snape punched Sirius off of him which brought a chuckle from Regulus. "Always fight by wand and not by fist, brother." Sirius groaned as he sat up in the dirt. "I'm not sober enough for this," he mumbled. He rubbed his jaw then saw a hand extended to him. Looking up, he saw Elise. He took her hand and she helped him stand. They all watched as James and Snape had their match. "Severus!" Lily shouted, "Stop this! You and Regulus are outnumbered anyhow."

"She's right there," Elise said, wand casually aimed knowing Regulus and Snape wouldn't stand a chance. However she was surprised when she was hit with a minor knockback charm. Nessa and Sirius helped her from falling backward. "Who-"

"Snape," Sirius answered. "He learned to be quick with that wand of his to stand up to the likes of us in school." He grinned proudly. "Oh," Nessa said. "So Elise should be thanking you for her stiff legs?" Sirius was caught without an answer, so he dashed to help James but heard Regulus shout. "Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!" He said as he aimed while running and the wand flew from his brother's fingers. It tumbled onto the floor where Regulus dove for it. Sirius let it alone, for assisting James was his top priority. Lily had beat him to it though and by the time he joined their side, Lily was taking no hesitation on her old chum. "Duprimo!" She yelled and a large gust flew Severus back. He flopped onto the ground, bum first. All order members were surrounding the two Slytherin's. "Like my fiancé said," James said smugly, "You two are outnumbered."

"Are we?" Regulus asked. "Call them, Snape." Severus didn't move. He met eyes with Lily as she stood over him, her wand unshakingly aimed at him. "Snape," Regulus said again but the potions protege shook his head. "This is my fight. I don't need their help." James laughed at this. "How heroic. Or are you just trying to hide the fact that you have no friends?"

"James," Lily said quietly with a warning tone. "Do not push him."

"Why not, love? What is he going to do?" James' words made Severus' eyes shift. He stared at him coldly. "Oh, I have friends, Potter. I wasn't going to call them. I wanted to settle this between the two of us. But since you want to meet them so badly... fine." He pulled up his sleeve, revealing a dark mark which made Lily cover her mouth to stifle a shocked gasp. Snape tapped his wand to his arm and the tattoo began to move. After a little while it stopped. "Fancy trick with some ink," James said as he threw an arm around Lily. "But we should be going." Snape stood. "You. Are not going. Anywhere." A couple of pops were heard in the shadows as if others had arrived. James looked around and stepped back. Sirius stepped towards Elise and Nessa. "Right… well I've had enough family time for one day," Sirius said. "Shall we get going?" Suddenly a voice came from the shadows, "Ohhh cousin, don't be like that," Bellatrix said with a dramatic pout, wandering into view. "You'll make me feel unwelcome."

"shët." Sirius said as he heard the voice. "Bellatrix?" Nessa said. "Lestrange's cooky wife?"

"My batty cousin," Sirius said. "We have to go," he added in a low whisper. "No," Elise said. "We've stood our ground this long. Why stop now?"

"There I was," Bellatrix said before Sirius could answer. "Trying to have a pleasant night of rest when wittle Severus calls. 'Why?' I wonder would he call us so late?" Everyone immediately looks around as she suggests others are with her and sure enough, more death eaters emerge. "Good Godric…" Lily whispers as they are surrounded. "Now then," Bellatrix squeaks. "Let's clean up the street's shall we?" She snapped into position and flicked her wand, throwing a nonverbal spell at Sirius. The young boy felt his feet leave the ground and he was sent hurling into the stone wall of the building beside them.. Sirius heard his shoulder crack as he slammed into the wall and he let out a painful cry. "No!" James shouted. He ran to help his friend but began to scream in pain as Bellatrix muttered, "Cruicio," under her breath at him. Lily attempted to help, but Ruby emerged from the shadows and grabbed her by the hair before tossing her to the ground. "Evening, Evans." Sirius was recovering from his blow. He rolled onto his stomach and reached for his wand but was stopped when Bellatrix trapped his wrist under her heel. "You would have been better off sticking with your family, Sirius."

"M-my friends, are my family," he gasped as he attempted to reclaim his breath. "Hmm…" Bellatrix said, "A bit sappy for you, don't you think?" She stood up straight and aimed her wand but shrieked when she was hit in the back with a spell and knocked onto her back by Elise who scrambled to help Sirius up. Nessa reached for James who was attempting to stifle his pain filled shouts. She took his head in her hands. "Focus on me, Potter." She started mumbling some unfamiliar words under hear breath over and over. The pain slowly began to die down. "Lily," he managed to shout out. Looking past him, she saw Lily deflecting all of Ruby's spells and holding her own.

Meanwhile, up the street a silent battle was brewing. One that involved man vs awkwardness. Tabitha paced back and forth in front of Remus and Peter who sat on the curb. Even Peter was not oblivious to the tension Remus was exhibiting. What had happened between these two? In an attempt to break the silence he spoke up, "Why do you think something is wrong?" He said followed by a hiccup. "I felt it." Tabitha said, still pacing. "Is that a woman intuition thing?" He asked and hiccupped again. She sighed and stopped pacing. "I've been studying divination since I was a girl. I even inherited the habit a bit from Mam. I just get these feelings sometimes that somewhere… something is off."

"Have you ever been wrong," He asked. The three of them jumped when they hear James shouting from up the street. "No…" She whisperd and Remus scrambled upward, without hesitation. His head was still spinning, but the sobering thought that his friends were in trouble gave him the strength he needed. He was quickly followed by Peter. Lights in the apartment windows began to turn on above the shops. A couple of people poked their heads out the windows to see what the commotion was about. "Come on." Remus stumbled up the street and Peter and Tabitha followed.

The street was in shambles. Nobody could doubt a fight had ensued. The victor was becoming more obvious though. The death eaters were fast and took cheap shots. They held back nothing and the order was suffering because of it. Tabitha was the first to arrive on the scene. She instantly spotted Severus in the crowd. Her blood began to boil. "Levicorpus!" She shouted with a quick aim at him. Before he could even notice her presence he was in the air. Remus was not able to run about since his head still spun but he flicked his wand and set a line of flames between everyone in an attempt to divide the makeshift battlefield. Peter looked around as if trying to pick what his best move would be. He took a couple steps back until he bumped into someone. He turned quickly and squinted to see who stood before him in the shadows. Fenrir Greyback grinned down at him but lifted a finger to his lips and whispered "shhh."

"Peter!" James shouted, having recovered from the hex by Nessa's mysterious mumblings. "Get over here." Peter looked to the battle then back to Greyback who winked at him before slipping further into the dark. "Now, Peter!" The tiny man hiccupped again and cursed himself for drinking so much before wobbling towards the others and drawing his wand. James had his main focus on Regulus. "I tried, Black." He said. "I tried to help you!" He backed into two others. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed that Sirius and Remus had also backed into him. "Fancy seeing you here," They all said at the same time before Peter joined them, out of breath from running. "Lily," Tabitha shouted as she joined her friend. "What happened?" She heard a spell shouted at them and they both ducked just in time. "Oh you know," Lily said. "Never a dull moment." Elise had full feeling back in her legs and started running around the perimeter of the fight. She caught the eye of Greyback, his lips curling into a smile as she did so. It quickly vanished when a phoenix was heard. Looking up everyone saw Fawkes flying overhead. "Dumbledore," Nessa said. Immediately Death Eaters began to vanish in great quantities. "Cowards!" Bellatrix shouted. "Get back here! He's just an old coot!" Before long, the order was only facing Regulus, Bellatrix, Ruby and an upside down Severus Snape.

"Old coot, am I?" Came an elderly voice. Dumbledore approached quickly. "Bellatrix. Don't you think we are too old to have me still getting you out of fights?"

"You bite you're tongue old man." She groaned and flicked her wand at Snape who fell to the ground with a thud and a moan. "Fine. Take you're little playmates, Dumbledore. Trust me though, the dark lord does not shy away from a fight. Our ranks are growing while you sit here with your school children. If you did care about what is best for them, you would let them spend what little time they have left in peace." She turned on her heel them apparated followed by the others, but Snape gave one more look to Lily before following. "What happened," Dumbledore said looking at the four marauders, still back-to-back. Peter gently shoved James forward. "We came to save Nessa," he said. "Oi," The Scott shouted. "I didn't need saving!"

"We came to assist Nessa," he said, "And ended up getting our asses handed to us. Snape had this bizarre thing on his arm. It looked like the dark mark you described to us. That's how he summoned them all here."

"Yes, that is it. It's Voldemort's calling card. All his members have one." Dumbledore said. "So that's it then?" Lily asked. "Severus is branded as one of them?" Dumbledore gave her a sympathetic grin. "A mark is just a mark, Miss Evans. A heart is much different." She nodded and Tabitha mumbled, "Hard to believe that eejit even has a hart." Dumbledore raised his wand and began to put out the flames caused by Remus. "All of you need to find somewhere safe for the night." James nodded, "I have a place. Right lads?" They all nodded as if knowing what he was referring to. Dumbledore finished cleaning up the wreckage caused by the fight. "You all look like you took quite a beating."

"Yes sir," James said. "We will practice our spells."

"If I were you, James, I would practice teamwork. People like Bellatrix expect fancy spells. What they don't expect is teamwork. That is a concept they will never understand."

"... Yes sir."

"Then I shall say goodnight for now," Dumbledore said. "As well as congratulations." He said motioning to Lily's ring. "Thank you," she said with a slight smile, finding it hard to look joyful right now. James scooped her hand and apparated. Peter reached towards Elise, "My lady?" He said cheerily and she took his hand with a smile before they vanished. Sirius, who was massaging his shoulder, looked beside him and saw Tabitha. They both gave each other looks of disgust. Reluctantly he took her wrist. "Just don't get Irish germs on me."

"Black, what the Bloody hell are Irish-" But before she finished he apparated with her. Remus walked towards Nessa and waved as Dumbledore walked away. He looked over the scene. "Blimey. What a mess you lot made."

"You were the one with the fireball might I add," Nessa sighed. "Right." He looked around once more and something caught his eye in the shadows. He did a double take. He swore he had seen Fenrir Greyback lurking there. It was as plain as day. Now, he saw nothing. "What's wrong?" Nessa asked. "Huh? Oh nothing. I just… I guess drinking does things to me." He took her hand and apparated.

The Adventure Continues Next As Our Hero's Realize... War Has Chosen Them

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