Book One: The Birth of the Order
Chapter 2
"So where exactly will this be? The Order, I mean. Will we have a base or headquarters?" Marlene asked.
"Dumbledore says we'll be meeting in the Hogshead pub in Hogsmeade" James replied to Marlene. "We'll change headquarters when needed. I don't know what Dumbledore is going to ask us all to do. We may be spying on death eater affairs to gather what their next move will be and stop it. I'm sure we'll have to duel so I would start practicing spells again." He can't help but smirk as he casually talks about it, as if it excites him a tiny bit.
"We should arrange for some dueling practices together. Since we will most likely be fighting alongside one another it would be best to know one another's strengths and weaknesses." Marlene suggests.
"That's a good idea. For all who have decided to join, Dumbledore has invited you to the meeting tonight."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "But the Hogshead? Isn't that a little public for a meeting like this?"
"We're meeting upstairs in a private room. Apparently Dumbledore knows the bartender" James replies.
Remus nudges Sirius. "They have the firewhiskey you like there. I'm surprised you of all people would object." He says with a smile.
Sirius smirked, "I wasn't complaining, Moony."
"Just what we need, Black to be less sober than he already appears." Tabitha smirked at her own remark and leaned back in her chair while fiddling with her claddagh ring.
He gave Tabitha a grin. "I'll just pretend to be sober, Delaney. I've gotten good at it."
"Sure you have," Marlene muttered under her breath.
Lily cleared her throat to keep everyone on topic then looked to James "So what time is the meeting?"
"In a couple of hours to go over some things with Dumbledore,"
Lily nodded and her eyes drifted to Peter sitting at the table and staring downward. "You've been quiet, Pete."
"Huh?" He looks up at her and glances to everyone else who has now started staring at him. "Well, I just think you lot are all talking about it like we are going back to school. Practicing duels, getting into mischief… it all sounds fun and exciting but what James said about possibly dying… well, am I the only one that resonated with?"
"I don't know what Dumbledore has planned for us" James said to Peter, "but I'm sure there will be danger." He tried to hide any signs that he was worried. "But I know this is the right thing to do. Besides, who is a match for the four of us, let alone all of us combined?" Just as James said the words, he noticed a familiar figure pass the window before them. A slender, tall boy roaming the streets of outside. It was someone he hadn't seen since school.
"I know, James, " Peter continued, "But given all Tabitha saw. And you heard what Frank and Alice said last week spoke to them." He turned to Tabitha knowing she would have missed the update, "They're training to be aurors and things are getting... strange at the ministry. Frank said-"
A distracted James stood up, letting go of Lily's hand. "I'll expect to see you all tonight then." He looked down to Lily. "I'll be right back, I just have to go to Gringotts and make a deposit. I'll catch up. in a bit"
With that, he exited the leaky cauldron and headed out into the streets of Diagon Alley. Not two seconds into his treck, he spotted the boy again among the crowd. "Regulus?"
The boy stopped and the house elf beside him looked back and said, "They're coming for you, Master Regulus." Regulus glanced over his shoulder to James. His eyes were cold and stern and his face was the typical countenance that every Black carried. He met eyes with James for only a moment before turning and hurrying through the crowd towards Knockturn alley.
James chased after him, weaving through crowds of people. "Regulus! I just want to talk!"
Regulus stopped and turned around, his wand at the ready "What do you want?" They stopped in a small alley, secluded from the crowds of Diagon alley.
James held his hands up to suggest he had no plan to harm Regulus or his house elf. Still, he stayed on alert in case Regulus didn't comply so he could dodge a spell. "Alright. Just lower your wand...and we can talk."
"Just a talk, eh?" He glanced over James' shoulder to ensure nobody was with him before lowering his wand. "What is it you want?"
James looked around to make sure no one could see them. "I want to offer you a way out. You don't have to do your family's bidding. If you leave this crazy group of dark one followers, I can offer you protection through Dumbledore. I know you think this is what you're destined to do. I know you think this is what your parents want for you. But I'm telling you. If you stay with you-know-who, he's only going to use you and once he has what he needs, and from the first mistake you make, he will kill you. You're 17-years-old. You're in way over your head."
"I'm not falling for this, Potter. I know that this is just one of your classic schemes."
"Regulus, I'm not joking" James's expression was serious. "You don't know what you're dealing with."
"And you do?" He claps back. "Oh wise, mature Potter... can't even mutter the dark lord's name. Or do you only act like you know it. Maybe you don't even believe he exists... would you like to find out?"
"You won't be alone if you leave them," James replies calmly trying to stay focused. "You could go back to school and finish your studies. Sirius I'm sure would be more than happy if you choose to join us. What I'm saying is, these crazy people don't have to be your only option. You can leave all this behind you."
"Can I?" He said it with more sarcasm than anything else.
James nodded, "Yes. Just trust me."
Regulus didn't say anything for a long moment. His expression softened and he looked as if he was truly debating the choice. "Master?" His house elf pulled on his sleeve. "We have to leave this place." Regulus didn't break his eye contact from James until a voice was heard up the ally.
"I would listen to your elf, Black."
James looked up and saw the slender young man walking up behind Regulus. "Snape."
"Potter." He stared down his long nose at him, his wand in his hand. James noticed and quickly, but calmly said, "I don't want trouble."
"That's a change. What do you want, Potter? Want to steal another friend from me?"
"I don't recall that being how it happened."
"What a surprise. Perfect Potter never remembers his faults only his triumphs. Well, here is a failure for the books, Head Boy." He looked at Regulus and nodded up the ally. "Let's go, Regulus."
The younger boy turned and started up the alley, only for James to call after him. "Regulus…" but he was stopped when he heard Sirius' voice calling him from the street.
Snape gave a little bow and smirked. "Your followers are waiting, Lord Potter." With that he turned and James resisted the temptation to have a row then and there.
Knockturn alley was a dismal place. The windows were blackened from the dirt that long had settled there and water from dark, damp corners leaked onto the stone streets. Among the odd characters that collected in this dreary corner of the world, was a slender boy named Lucious Malfoy. The recently graduated wizard leaned against a wall and waited patiently for other members of Voldemort's ranks. The clop of heels on stones brought his eyes up and he grinned at the sight of Regulus with his house elf. "Look who is finally here. The Black's little prince."
"Don't call me that."
"What were you doing in Diagon Alley?"
"You have to walk through it to get here, you know."
"Yes, but it doesn't take as much time as you've been gone. Careful, Regulus. Someone may think you were having second thoughts about your loyalties."
"Careful, Lucious," He grunted. "Your marriage to my cousin is still fresh. I could arrange for an annulment if you push me too hard. Blood is thicker than water. Now then, where is the meeting with the dark Lord?"
"He won't be joining us today."
"I'm not surprised."
"Sad? Don't worry, Regulus. I'm sure you'll have a chance to show off in front of him soon enough. In the meantime, Narcissa is waiting for us at the table. Come inside."
The Adventure Continues Next as We Meet the enemy and Get to Know the Order