CHAPTER ELEVEN

DISCLAIMER: J.K.ROWLING owns Harry Potter.

Monday, 21stOctober 1990

Things were getting bleaker for the ministry as the days went by. The attacks were becoming frequent, increasing to almost weekly now. The Aurors had to go on raids more often and came back exhausted.

"Merlin, why can't these death eaters stop just bloody once?" groaned Sirius, collapsing in a heap in James' office as the three Marauders talked.

"Because it's their hobby, Sirius, these gits enjoy torturing and killing," said Remus tiredly.

James opened his mouth to speak when the door opened and Irena popped her head, reporting," Meeting in Scrimgeour's office in five minutes. I've got to collect you along with the rest of the Aurors."

She left without giving them a chance to reply, closing the door sharply as the three men scowled at each other.

"He's probably going to assign us patrol duties. Brilliant, as though we haven't enough Order patrols as it is," muttered James as they got up to leave.

Scrimgeour's office was starting to fill in and the Head Auror waited till the last person-Irena-closed the door before saying, his eyes sharp and voice curt," Due to the increase in attacks, I have got a request from the Minister to be more ah, alert as to when and where the attacks are held."

There were angry mutters from the back, with Sirius commenting loudly," How about the Minister trying to find out the locations of the attacks then, if he thinks we're so slow?"

Scrimgeour looked at him coolly before continuing," Black, much as you might want, the Minister is not free enough to manage our tasks," he ignored Sirius's snort as he said," I believe something should be done about this. Most of the time we arrive at the scene when it's already begun, getting surprised quickly and losing in fights-and numbers. After some talking through with Moody, and a few senior Aurors, we've decided to hold patrolling duties in some common areas in case of a surprise attack. "

He waited for comments but there were none. All the Aurors had been looking expectant and resigned and Scrimgeour said, voice authoritative," There's a list stuck up in the Headquarters. See to it before leaving."

With a few muttering and some comments thrown between them, the Aurors left the office, leaving Scrimgeour alone. Remus caught sight of Felicity, who was looking a bit irritated as she left the Training Rooms and headed towards her cubicle in the Headquarters. As though sensing his eyes on her, the brunette looked up before quickly looking away, though she looked curiously at the mob of Aurors heading towards the noticeboard.

Remus scanned the board, noting that his duties were in a secluded village not far off the muggle world. James and Sirius were both kept in the same village a mile or two from Remus.

"We take in turns going there," said Sirius, his eyes looking quickly through the list.

"Patrol duty?" asked Felicity, looking at the list of names behind them. She wasn't addressing the question to anyone but Sirius replied," Yes. Scrimgeour's decided to put us on patrol duty because Fudge thinks we're too slow."

Remus sighed," You know that's not the only reason Padfoot," he turned towards Felicity, who had raised her eyebrows at Sirius' surly tone," Usually in attack Aurors are supposed to be ready. Ever since the attacks have been increasing we've lost three of our numbers and majority are injured. The death eaters have been taking us by surprise more frequently."

To his slight surprise, Felicity crossed her arms," Well, hasn't Scrimgeour heard of tracking charms?"

They blinked at her before James said," What good's a tracking charm in this situation?"

Felicity stared at them before rolling her eyes. She gestured at the locations put for each Auror before saying," All these locations. Place a charm on each of them alerting you whenever the death eaters appear here. That's better than having you all stay up late trying to fight when you're obviously knackered."

Some of the Aurors who were listening gaped at her and a voice said behind them," Not a bad idea Cade, but for your information charms have been put all over these places."

An Auror called from the back," Then what's the point of us going there if you've already got alarms ready in place?"

Moody's electric eye swiveled alarmingly as it landed on the Auror, a newbie by the looks of it as he looked as though he was wishing he'd kept his mouth shut. The Head of Training took a step forward before looking at them all, growling," You chose this field to protect the people. What point is there continuing with this career if you're going to groan about it every minute? The charms placed on these areas are not enough. A death eater could start damage with a simple spell and by the time we'd reach there it'd be too late."

He looked intently at Felicity before continuing," If you're into the situation go to Scrimgeour and tell him to assign you a spot in one of the locations. It'll be a boost in your training."

James spoke up," You can't let her into the real world yet Moody. She doesn't have the full training-"

"No, actually, I'll go to Scrimgeour," interrupted Felicity, nodding at Moody, whose eyes were looking triumphant.

"But you aren't-"started Remus but Felicity waved him aside.

She made towards Scrimgeour's door but Marlene blocked her, lowering her voice as she said," Are you sure, Felicity? Last time you broke a leg and almost got killed by Lestrange."

Felicity looked at her stoutly," I'm sure of my capabilities thanks, Black."

Marlene scowled at her tone but didn't stop her as she knocked on Scrimgeour's door.

"Come in."

"Miss Cade," greeted Scrimgeour, his yellow eyes looking at her distractedly.

"I'd like to part of the patrol duties," said Felicity bluntly.

Scrimgeour looked up sharply," This is no joke, Miss Cade. Aurors have been killed from performing a simple duel."

Felicity nodded," I know, but currently you're short in numbers and I could help. Moody said it'd be a boost in my training."

Scrimgeour looked even more surprised but he nodded," Very well then. You will be allocated in Auror Longbottom's group. Ask him for more details."

Felicity nodded again," Thanks."

She made to leave before stopping as Scrimgeour said," And Miss Cade? Do not get too overconfident in these situations. You have proven yourself against Auror McKinnon, but you do not seem accustomed to the use of unforgivables, as the death eaters are."

Felicity stiffened before giving a short nod and exiting. She moved back to her cubicle, glad that most of the Aurors had returned home since it was nearing night. She caught sight of Irena in discussion with Kingsley but didn't pay them much attention.

With a sigh, she seated herself in her cubicle, staring absentmindedly at the papers given to her by Kingsley. She had about ten of them, all in different aspects in dueling to be turned in at the end of the week. Without a doubt, she'd be getting some from Moody as well tomorrow. Felicity wondered whether she actually was doing a lot.

There was still her self-project to be finished, and another spell she had in mind to invent. She'd taken a look at the patrol duties and she'd seen the timings set forth for them. If she were lucky she'd get the ones from eight to eleven at night every day except for the weekends.

"Finally rethinking about the rather reckless choice you made?" asked Remus, appearing next to her with a frown.

Felicity looked at him briefly before saying," I'm just thinking about my hours is all."

Remus' frown deepened," Look, Felicity, the attacks have been intense the past few weeks and Moody's right, we are few in numbers. More trainees have been taken in quicker now due to the shortage, and those same trainees are the ones wounded and injured in battles."

Felicity nodded slowly," I know, but as Moody said, we chose this career to get rid of the dark wizards. What good are we if we choose to stay back because we're tired?"

Remus sighed before asking," Whose team are you in?"

"Lord Longbottom," replied Felicity, going through some of the papers in front of her.

Remus had long given up telling her to stop with the names and instead said," Have you talked to Frank about your timetables then?"

"Not yet, I thought I'd ask him tomorrow," said Felicity, scribbling quickly on one of the blank parchments.

Remus gave a small cough," You do know that the patrol duties start tonight, right?"

Felicity paused mid writing before pursing her lips," I'll go to Frank then. Thanks for the information."

Remus watched her silently as she gathered her stuff and walked in the direction of the senior Auror's offices.

Kingsley called to her," Hey, Cade, report to Training 6 at nine. You'll be here till six."

Felicity nodded, her feet leading her to her leader's door. She knocked once before opening the door, looking a bit apologetic as she saw Alice in there as well.

"Sorry, but Scrimgeour said I'm to be in your group, Auror Longbottom," she greeted politely.

Frank looked surprised as he said," So he's agreed then?"

Felicity nodded.

Frank looked at her carefully before saying," I think it's reckless of you, Felicity. Regardless of whether or not we're few in numbers you should think about the extent of your training. You're going to be completely busy with all the training and work, not to mention the patrols now that you've added it to your workload."

Felicity said nothing as she listened, her teeth gritting before Frank took a handful of papers, tapped them with his wand before they duplicated and he handed them to her. She took them without a word and he added," You'll be with Marlene and Ferguson from eleven to one every night on Tuesdays and Sundays."

Felicity's eyebrows knitted at the timing and Frank asked, rather harshly," You've seen the timings. Still keen on the patrols?"

"Frank, that's enough," said Alice firmly, looking at Felicity's stoic face.

The brunette though was thinking something else as she left the office and headed towards the lift. She couldn't help thinking Scrimgeour was being a bit stupid putting the patrols this late at night. The death eaters have attacked only five times out of a hundred this late, unless it's a festive occasion. Putting the Aurors up late then expecting them to call in early morning was too much.

Felicity left the Ministry building quickly, noting how full it was yet it was getting late. Witches and wizards were rushing about as she flooed away.

She landed a bit wobbly in her house. Melinda greeted her with a smile, sipping tea while Darrell was in the kitchen.

"Hello dear. How was training?" she asked.

Felicity looked at her mother before sighing," Mum, Scrimgeour's put in this ridiculous patrol duties till one in the morning. I was talking it with some of the Aurors, telling them they should put a tracking charm on these places when Moody heard me. He suggested going to Scrimgeour to ask for a place in one of the teams and I-well, agreed," she explained a bit wearily.

Melinda looked worried," Jas, don't you think you're taking up a lot now? What with the training and all the tests, not to mention helping your father with the building and now the patrols? You'll barely have time for Reyna and Rylan when they come for the holidays."

At the mention of her kids, a guilty look crossed her face but she said quickly," I'll manage, it's just I think Scrimgeour's being a bit foolish putting these patrols late at night. I mean, the only times death eaters have attacked at around midnight was five times before."

"He's being cautious Jas, a bit like you at times. Just because he's put in the Auror patrol duties at night doesn't mean there's not someone during the day," said Melinda wisely.

Darrell suddenly said, coming in from the kitchen," Your mother's right. I've known Scrimgeour for a while and while not a very amiable fellow, he still knows what he's doing. And it's your own fault for getting into this mess."

Felicity scowled at being told off again before getting up and stretching.

"Where should I put the papers on all the spells I told you about, dad?" she asked.

"In my study," answered her father before turning to explain about the spells Felicity had made to Melinda.

Felicity was grateful it was Monday which meant she started patrol tomorrow.

When Irena got back home at nine Malcolm was the only one in the parlour. Her husband smiled at her before frowning," How many raids today?"

Irena let out an unladylike groan as she said," Four, but the raids each took around three hours. I had to organize all the patrol duties as well before taking care of Thora's necessities."

Malcolm winced," Sorry about that, next time I'll do the shopping."

Irena chuckled," You wouldn't know a diaper from a napkin Mal," she teased.

A small voice wailed from above and Irena sighed, getting up. Malcolm pulled her down gently," I'll do it, go and get some rest."

He gave her a kiss on the forehead before going up the stairs. Once he had left Irena got up to go to the kitchen and jumped when a voice called out," The milk's all finished mum. Cathy finished it all up."

Irena turned on the lights to see her ten-year-old son sitting on one of the kitchens stools with his arms on the table and a small smile on his face.

"Aaron, what are you doing here, in the dark of all things?" she asked, going towards the larder and removing a large chocolate cake before putting it on the table and summoning two forks.

Aaron's eyes lit up as she handed one fork to him and he said cheekily," Knew you'd give me one."

Irena rolled her eyes before saying," So what's your excuse?"

Aaron sighed," I was just thinking about the war outside I guess."

Irena looked at him in surprise," What for?"

"Hogwarts. Mum, what House do you think I'll be in?" he asked suddenly, changing the subject as he ate a large slice of chocolate cake.

"Careful you don't choke on that," said Irena warningly before she looked at him, her eyes serious as she said," I don't really care what house you'll be in, Aaron, as long as you're happy there. Whichever house you're best suited for is fine by me."

Aaron smiled at his mum as she continued," What brought this on anyway? You never cared about houses before."

Aaron shrugged," I was at Ron's the other day and we were talking about what house we'd be in. They said Gryffindor of course but I wasn't so sure. Then it came on to Slytherin and-"

"-and they couldn't even imagine being there," finished Irena.

Aaron nodded.

"Aaron, you do know that Slytherin's not as bad as they say. Your uncles have been there and-"started Irena but Aaron waved her off.

"I know mum, it's not about that. It's just- I was wondering what would happen if one of our cousins were to be in Slytherin, you know, without any of us there. The house was fine when you were there but now it's bound to be filled with mini death eater kids," explained Aaron.

Irena couldn't help chuckling. She shook her head," You think Hogwarts was better back in my day, Aaron? Hogwarts was worse then, probably because the Marauders are there to wreak havoc."

Aaron grinned.

Irena smiled back before saying softly," Hogwarts right now is better than before. It's safer than ever, even if the outside world isn't."

Aaron finished the last of his chocolate cake before yawning and getting up," Thanks mum. I'll head up to bed then."

"G'night, and make sure you're at your grandmother's tomorrow. She's expecting you," said Irena.

Aaron paused before saying quietly," The war will get better, won't it, mum?"

Irena sighed," With time, it will."

Tuesday, 22nd October 1990

Felicity was close to cursing Moody as he made her practice her aiming for the fifth time that day. She'd done it three out of four times without any mistakes yet he still made her try out for the fifth time. Fifty squares to vanish were enough for a witch to weaken. As she blasted the last square in the center, Moody was eyeing her with a smirk.

"You'll be dueling one of the trainees in ten minutes Cade," he said, barely allowing her to rest after using her magic nonstop for two hours.

It was almost lunchtime and yet Felicity had had nothing to eat since nine.

"Moody, when am I going to have my lunch?" she asked him as he sat in one of the chairs, apparently glad to rest while she had to warm up for the duel.

"After the duel. Three turns defense and offense, before another three times at dueling each other," he told hr.

Felicity held back her groan as she waited for the trainee to turn up. When he did, she had to hide back another groan.

It was none other than Axton, Axton Henley, the trainee who had shown dislike on her the minute he'd seen her. At seeing who it was he scowled at her before addressing Moody," I have to duel her?"

His scornful tone caused Felicity to eye him with distaste as she said, not letting Moody answer," I thought I showed you the other day."

He snorted, muttering something she didn't hear and making her long to hex him.

Moody tapped sharply on the table in front of him," I see you've met. Good. Now enough bantering and get in the bloody ring before you make me extend the timings of this practice match. Axton, likely Kingsley's told you why you're here. Cade, you'll be defense, Axton, offense, switch sides when I tell you to."

They started and Felicity admitted grudgingly that Axton was good at offense. He was quick and sharp, able to sense the best ways to quickly get rid of an opponent. Felicity had trained for years and hours, so getting through to her was proving a challenge, she noticed.

He kept on throwing spells at her feet, seeing that her shield charm couldn't reach that far down when she moved. He aimed only at the shield whenever one of his spells almost got her.

"Cade! Is the shield charm the only charm you know to defend yourself? When I said offense I meant you should cast enough spells to stop him from attacking," Moody barked.

Axton smirked at her as she flushed.

"And Henley, throwing at the sides is not going to help you in a battle. Are you aiming at Cade or the walls?" he demanded before adding," Switch turns."

Felicity cast a sideways look at him, wondering what he was so angry about. He seemed in a more aggressive mood than usual, and keener as he watched the way she threw spell after spell at him. In 3 minutes she had Axton disarmed and in a body bind. His weakness was at defending himself. She removed the charm quickly and threw his wand back to him, noting his subdued face and glum look.

"You'd be dead before the battle even begins," growled Moody.

He took out his wand and threw a spell at him. Too surprised to react the wand flew from his hand to the Head of Trainee's palm. Axton looked abashed and slightly afraid as Moody glared at him. Felicity couldn't help being sorry for him.

"Tell Kingsley to put you down in the dueling category. Tomorrow you duel her again, and see if you can last five minutes," he barked, waving his hand towards the door and watching as he left quickly.

Felicity remained where she was, staring at her once mentor.

"Well, Cade? You wanted your lunch," he growled at her.

"That was not fair of you, Moody. You can't expect him to win against me, I know more spells than he does, and a decade of more experience," she said defiantly.

Moody stared at her, his electric blue eye making her feel as though he could see past her glamour," If he went up in the dueling category than he'd be lying dead when he enters the Auror force. You've seen him offense, he's good, but he lacks in defending himself. The killing curse could come at him at any time and he wouldn't move in time."

Felicity pursed her lips before saying," What time do I come back?"

"Quarter to two. You'll be doing antidotes today till four, then you come back to aim again here," he instructed.

"What, five times wasn't enough?" she said sarcastically.

Moody eyed her," You won't be aiming at silly squares this time, Cade. We're moving towards harder and more distant things."

"Who'll be conducting the lessons?" she asked.

"Frank."

Great. Someone who thought her a fool for taking part in patrols.

There was a raid before four that didn't go well. One of the wizards had tried to hex the Aurors and a small duel had broken out. Frank, who had been in charge along with Dimitri, had returned in a bad temper and scowling when he entered Training Room 6.

"Cade, we won't be using this room today. I've already arranged a room in Training Room 7 so we'll be there," he said curtly.

Felicity nodded before following him to the other room. She'd been here once and saw how big it was, bigger than the other training rooms. It was in a rectangular shape, with rectangular glass sphere directly across from the room. There was a small dummy placed in all four corners, looking alert and tense.

She turned inquiringly towards her instructor, seeing how he was watching her carefully," You've moved towards the advance aiming quicker than most."

Felicity said nothing, waiting for him to start explaining to her what she was supposed to do.

Frank gestured towards the dummies," They're magically powered to protect those glass spheres across the room. If you throw a spell towards the one of the glasses, it powers a dummy and they start aiming at you. The main goal here is for you to destroy those glass spheres, all of them, in order to deactivate them. The difficult part is that the dummies are fast, fast and their aim is terrific, the easy part is when you destroy a glass sphere, the dummy in charge of that sphere stops attacking."

Felicity had been eyeing the glasses and the dummies as he talked. Once he was done she asked," How do you know which dummy belongs to which sphere?"

Wryly, Frank said," You don't. You have to aim properly, and you have to learn to avoid being aimed at when you're in this training room."

Felicity quirked an eyebrow as she said," And I assume Moody came up with this?"

Frank chuckled as he nodded," Right you are. Now, any other questions before we begin?"

"A few. Is there a time limit?" she questioned.

"An hour to see how well you're faring. More if you're completely not advanced. At most two hours to defeat all of them, one to defeat two," answered Frank.

"Isn't it dangerous to aim at the glass spheres? I mean, they could injure me if I get too near them," pointed out Felicity.

Frank shook his head," The minute you aim at the glass the shreds won't touch the ground, they'll disappear before they reach down which will leave you in no danger."

"Am I limited in spells?" she asked.

Frank hesitated as he thought before saying," You should know that these glasses are charmed to not break at first contact. Which means it'll have to be a really powerful spell to knock it off, or you'll have to use a spell atleast three times to vanish the sphere."

"Where will you be while I complete my assignment?" she asked him.

Frank pointed at a section of the room a distance between two dummies. There was a sort of shield-likely to protect the one inside from harm, guessed Felicity.

"OK then. I'm ready," she told him.

Frank nodded before moving quickly towards the circular area and looking expectantly at her.

Felicity looked at the glass spheres before eyeing the one on the right side. She wondered which dummy was in charge of that one. For all she knew, it could be the one in the left corner from where she was standing, the one with the perfect aim at hexing her.

She pointed her wand discreetly towards the right sphere before muttering," Reducto!"

The green jet of light had barely reached it when Felicity yelped. The dummy on her right had activated and had aimed at her right elbow on her wand arm. She hissed as she felt a small drop of blood on her robe but she had no time to contemplate. Frank had meant it when he said the dummy was fast and had perfect aim. It seemed to know where she was at all times.

Felicity had to put up a shield every now and then, barely being able to be on the offense side. She glanced at Frank, who was looking sympathetic-probably because he had once been in the same situation when in training. Felicity gritted her teeth before throwing her own volley of spells. What she hadn't anticipated was the dummy actually moving towards her as she threw spell at him, defending herself as well. She barely had time to aim at the glass sphere.

When she felt time was passing by with her having scratches all over and the dummy moving in quickly, Felicity changed tack. She looked towards the glass sphere, glanced quickly at Frank and saw that he was scribbling madly, waved her hand towards the glass sphere with a muttered," Bombarda maximum!"

The glass sphere exploded but before it did the dummy managed to hex her with a nasty stinging hex. Felicity watched as the bits of glasses barely touched the ground before vanishing and her eyes darted to the dummy, which was now moving back to its corner.

With a small grin, though it felt more like a grimace, Felicity got to work with the other glass spheres. She huffed indignantly as she saw that bombarda maximum did no longer work on the other spheres. It seems like Moody wants you to be creative as well.

When Felicity had managed to vanish all the spheres, plus getting bruised all over thanks to the aim of the dummies, she conjured an armchair before collapsing on it, groaning.

Frank grinned at her as he approached, looking a bit impressed," I'm surprised you can still use magic after all the spells and energy you used up. Brilliant though Cade, you managed to finish in an hour and forty five minutes."

"Great. Do I have the remaining fifteen minutes to rest then?" she asked, looking up at him.

Frank let out a small laugh before saying," If you want, but I'd like to know what spells you used the first time. I thought expulso since it sounded loud but I'd like to clarify."

Felicity tried to remember before saying," I think it was Bombarda maximum."

Frank looked surprised before nodding," Makes sense. Well, Kingsley told me you have to report in Training room 2 tomorrow at nine."

Felicity nodded again before getting up and vanishing the armchair. The room looked as good as before, clean and neat.

Frank hesitated before saying," About yesterday Cade, sorry for being hard on you."

Felicity smiled at him," I deserved it in a way, Frank. Now, I'll head home so I can be in time for the patrol. See you around."

It was when Felicity was flooing back home that it hit her. She'd called him Frank.

"Please mum, you said I could invite anyone," whined Nathan, hanging on to Lily's arm while she read.

Lily sighed," Look honey, I know she gave you that IPod for a gift, but I doubt she'd want to come. Your father says she's very busy as it is," she told the soon to be eight-year-old.

Nathan widened his eyes cutely as he pouted," You haven't even asked mum! Please?"

Lily sighed again but ruffled his hair," Al right Nat, I'll go over to your grandmother's later to see if she's there."

Nathan grinned, showing off some baby teeth as he gave his mother a hug and ran to Harry's room.

Lily watched him go, wondering whether it was a good idea to invite Felicity Cade to her son's birthday party.

It was nearing eight but her husband still wasn't home. Lily couldn't help it. She tensed as she thought of his job as an Auror. Any time she might get a floo call telling her he was injured, or he'd disappeared, or worse. Her eyelids shut but snapped open quickly when she heard the floo.

Jumping to her feet, she ran to the living room, smiling with relief when she saw James.

"Missed me?" he teased as she gave him a quick peck.

"I was worried," admitted Lily, then saw how tired he looked," Dinner's in the kitchen. Nat and Harry ate because we weren't sure when you'd be back."

James nodded, following her into the kitchen and watching as she removed some pastry, heated the bowl of spaghetti before putting it in front of him.

"How's the research going?" he asked, eating eagerly.

Lily's face looked a bit frustrated as she said," We're on the new runic patterns but somehow we feel as though something is missing. I've tried to go through the theories again, and Nedra's checked the magic reserves, as well as the placement of the runes but it's still not working. The Arithmetic department had to have it inspected incase the numbers were misplaced or missing, but everything seems fine."

James used the basic knowledge of runes that he had to suggest," Perhaps you need a spell to work it out."

Lily gave a small nod," We've tried all the protective spells we know of, as well as some healing spells but it's useless."

James watched as her shoulders slumped and he said," You'll figure it out Lils, and atleast we have Nat's birthday."

Lily looked a bit anxious," You'll be able to come on time, won't you?"

James smiled at her," I wouldn't miss my little man's day for the world."

Lily rolled her eyes before saying," Oh, your 'little man' wants to invite Felicity for his birthday."

James looked slightly surprised before asking doubtfully," Will she come?"

"That's what I thought, but he was determined that I ask," Said Lily before adding," though she seems to be a bit different around them."

She got up, saying," I better go now. When do you have patrol, dear?"

James groaned before answering," I hate Wednesdays. It's a two-hour station from ten."

Lily winced before leaving and flooing to the Culbert's home.

It was dark when she flooed in, the only lights being in the kitchen. Likely Melinda had already gone to sleep and Darrell was still at the building. Cautiously the red head walked towards the kitchen, not hearing any voices as she stopped at the doorway.

Felicity's back was turned from her so the brunette witch couldn't quite see her. Her head was bent as she seemed to be concentrating deeply. All around her the table was scattered with papers and parchments, along with books.

Lily cleared her throat but Felicity didn't turn. Frowning, she knocked lightly on the door but the brunette didn't even stir. Feeling a bit annoyed, Lily entered the kitchen and walked towards Felicity. She opened her mouth to speak when she saw the parchments on the table.

It wasn't the words that caught her attention, but the handwriting. It was Jasira's handwriting. Lily could barely believe it. Her best friend's handwriting, she was sure. She'd seen Jasira write since they were thirteen so she couldn't be mistaken. Without her knowing her breathing had become louder and Felicity's head snapped up.

Her eyes widened when she saw who it was and with a flick of her wand the papers arranged themselves neatly on the table. She narrowed her eyes at the red head," Lady Potter? What are you doing here?"

Lily barely heard her as she gestured a bit violently at the papers and demanded," Whose parchments are those?"

Felicity looked confused," What do you mean?"

Without even asking the redhead snatched the nearest paper, ignoring Felicity's protests that she might tear it and shook it in her face," This is my best friend's handwriting. Jasira Sergey's handwriting. What I want to know is how these papers got into your possession," Lily glared at Felicity, waiting for a response.

Felicity had grown a bit pale but now she crossed her arms, glaring right back as she said coolly," I do not know why you come barging into the kitchen, uninvited and interrupting my work, before snatching a perfectly innocent piece of parchment and demanding explanations, but I want a reason."

Lily blinked at her before calming down and saying, her voice no longer rude though still impatient," Forgive me for my rudeness, Felicity, but I did knock before I entered and tried to get your attention, only you did not respond."

Felicity nodded once, before she asked sharply," How did you get in?"

Lily raised her eyebrows," I flooed in."

"I meant how you managed to floo in. Last I checked I thought the floo closed at eight, unless you know the password, and it's past now," elaborated Felicity, looking annoyed.

"Oh, Darrell fixed it up when James and I got married. Members of the Culbert family can come in if you know the password," explained Lily.

Felicity looked even more annoyed at that and she nodded shortly before opening her mouth but Lily beat her to it, and this time her voice was steely as she said," You haven't answered my question, Felicity. Why are those parchments filled with Jasira's handwriting?"

Felicity noticed her voice shook slightly when saying her name but she merely replied," I was friends with her."

Lily inhaled sharply," Where did you meet her?"

When Felicity didn't answer Lily grasped her by the shoulders, making the brunette flinch as she said," Please, she was my best friend. We've been trying to find her for twelve years with no luck. Just tell me, where?"

Her green eyes were large and pleading and Felicity almost answered but she remembered her own eyes that day, they had been worse; filled with tears, filled with hurt that her friends, her family had done this to her.

She shook her head, whispering," Lady Sergey wouldn't want you to know, and even if I told you it would make no difference, she's no longer there."

Lily gave a small gasp," You're in touch with her? You're still in contact with Jas?" she asked, and Felicity wished she could shut her ears just so she wouldn't hear the eagerness in the red head's voice.

Felicity took a step back, forcing Lily to remove her hands from her as she said evenly," Occasionally."

Lily's eyes lit up as she asked eagerly," Can I talk to her? Can you ask her if she would see me? I need to-"

"Lady Potter," interrupted Felicity.

Lily's eyes seemed downcast as they saw her expression. Her eyes showed an emotion Lily couldn't quite understand as Felicity continued," I'm sorry, but no."

Lily stared at the woman in front of her, whose back was now to her as she arranged her parchments once more. She felt a pool of anger erupt within her and she couldn't hold back her harsh tone as she said," Why not? You've no idea the pain we've been put through because of her absence. The least we want is an explanation from us and her."

Lily nearly took a step back as Felicity whirled on her, her hazel eyes blazing from behind her round glasses. She opened her mouth to retort before saying in a frosty voice," Whatever pain you were put through would not equal the pain Jasira endured-and is still enduring."

Lily felt as though she'd been slapped as Felicity asked, her voice calmer," What did you want from me?"

Lily didn't quite feel in the mood to talk about parties. Her eyes suddenly filled up with tears at Felicity's words and without another word she turned on her heel and left.

James looked at her in alarm as she appeared back in their home, collapsing in his arms as she sobbed. He cast a quick silencing charm around them so Harry and Nathan wouldn't hear before asking gently," Lil? Lily what happened?"

Lily looked up tearfully," James," she said before shaking her head.

Once she was calm enough James asked again," What happened? Did she deny coming to Nat's party?" though he couldn't quite imagine Lily crying over something as stupid as that.

Lily rolled her eyes slightly before the real reason she was crying sank in," When I went there, I saw Felicity in the kitchen, surrounding by parchments and papers. I tried to get her attention but she didn't seem to hear me, so I went forward and I saw the parchments. And James-they were in Jasira's handwriting. I knew it was hers the minute I saw them!"

James had stiffened though his eyes were now alert as he asked," How did she get them?"

"That's why I asked, and I found out Felicity was Jas' friend, and is still in touch with her," said Lily, her words coming out quickly.

James' hands had curled into fists," All this time she knew how much we were trying to find her-"

Lily interrupted her husband, saying quietly," I protested, said how much her absence was hurting us, and you know what she told me? Whatever pain you were put through would not equal the pain Jasira endured-and is still enduring."

James looked pale as he listened to the words," No wonder she doesn't even want to see us anymore," he whispered.

A head poked through from the floo and Sirius called out," Prongs mate, are you coming? We've been waiting ten minutes and-"

He suddenly caught sight of their expressions and asked fearfully," What happened?"

Lily rubbed her face quickly, gesturing at her husband to go. James grasped her hand tightly before heading towards the floo.

Felicity had apparated to her parent's cottage in the garden. She transformed into her animagus form and flew, barely pausing as she launched herself into the sky-higher and higher until the chill of the wind made her numb. Images flashed through her mind-their expressions, their protests, their words as she demanded for an explanation. Aidan's face appeared in her mind and her eyes prickled before she flew downwards and she transformed back into herself.

Why had she not been careful in hiding her stupid handwriting? She should have done her work in her room, uninterrupted. When her sobs died down she conjured a bucket and filled it with water before washing her face. She removed the glamour from her face and took off the glasses.

Jasira didn't know how long she stayed there, remembering her past and present, but when her phone beeped in her robe pocket, reminding her of her patrol duty, she got up numbly, removing all remains of her being there before disapparating.