Book I: Birth of the Order
Chapter VII: Split Up
Music Theme: Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd
James Potter's Flat - September 1979...
James motioned for everyone to move away from the windows and turn off the lights. He walked towards the door and leaned his head against it. "Who is it?" He tried his best to disguise is voice.
"Potter?" A friendly voice came followed by another just like it, but a little softer. "Is that how you disguise your voice? Bloody dreadful. It's Gideon and Fabian. Open up."
James cracked the door slightly to confirm. It looked like them but he had to be sure. "What was the common room password your 5th year."
The two looked at one another and thought about it. "Lumos Tarentella," They finally said in unison.
"Thats... not even close."
"Well, Blimey, Potter. We went to school for fun, not a bloody education. Here's a question for you-" Fabian said.
"What's the something that runs, but can't walk?" Gideon completed
"Answer."
"Filch's nose during hey fever season." They both laughed at their pathetic attempt at a joke.
"Good Godric," James said. "Only you two could come up with a joke that bad." He nodded them in.
"Hello everyone," Gideon said as they walk in.
"Heard you lot had a bit of a row after we left the meeting," Fabian said. "Sorry we missed all the fun."
"How did you find out?" Tabitha asked.
"Dumbledore, of course. He's got us our assignments already."
"Assignments?" Marlene asked curiously.
"We're recruiters. Tasked to get as many good Wizards and Witches as we can to the cause," Fabian said proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Well that's no wonder," Peter said. "You two can talk anyone into anything."
"Thanks, Pettigrew. Couple natural-born salesman, we are.. Maybe we will go into some kind of business together when this blows over."
"I wish I could be as optimistic as you two." Tabitha interjected.
"Joy is a choice, Delaney." Fabian said. "And takes practice."
"Now then," Gideon started and pulled out a paper and read the instructions. "Potter, you and Evans report to Hogwarts. Maybe it's about a place to practice our dueling. Apparently the tussle you all had in Hogsmede was less than exemplary."
"I resent that," James replied. "We just weren't ready."
"All due respect, Mate," Fabian said. "I don't think these death eaters will care if you're ready or not."
"Ahem. May I continue?" Gideon motioned to his paper and Fabian did a little mock bow for him to go on.
"Lupin, you need to go to the ministry. Find Edna Bones. She's an older lady that works the desk for Department of Magical creatures. Edgar's sister."
"I know her." Remus nodded.
"Good. Take a team there. She's already got word from Albus to let you in. You need to destroy the Animagus records of the last 10 years.
"How ironic," James muttered. It wasn't lost on him that they hadn't finished their recent conversation.
"Why would we do that? Peter asked."
"For those of us who can disguise ourselves as an animal," James said to him. "It would be an advantage to spy, but if they know about us they won't take a chance of it being a real stag. They'd just kill it on site."
"And you heard what Dumbledore said at the meeting," Remus added, "You-know-who wants to recruit some other creatures like Werewolves and Giants. If he finds out who is an Animagi, he will go after them too." He looked to the Prewitt boys, "But why not have your brother-in-law, Arthur, do all that. Why me? He's got a job there. So do Frank and Alice Longbottom."
"Dumbledore didn't ask for Arthur or Frank or Alice," Fabian said.
"He asked for you," Gideon finished then looked to Tabitha. "Delaney, you need to go to Olivanders-"
"Woah," Sirius interjected. "She's not even staying. Why does she get an assignment?"
"Jealous, Black?" Marlene chuckled.
"I am staying actually." Tabitha said to him with a stern look.
"Really?" Lily asked and Tabitha nodded.
"As I was saying!" Gideon said. "Delaney, go to Olivanders. He knows what to do next."
"Finally, you all have to get the hell out of here," Fabian said. "You're surrounded by muggles here. It's not safe for them and it's too exposed for you."
"Where else is there?"
"That's for you to find out. For now, Hogwarts is our hub for any messages. That's all for now. Congrats by the way," Fabian said pointing to Lily's ring. He'd always been the one to notice the little things."
"Thanks, Fabe," Lily beamed.
"Right-O, kids," Fabian said."We're getting out of here. When you finish your missions, report back to Hogwarts. If nobody is there by tomorrow at breakfast, Dublemore will start getting nervous."
"Not to mention, you'll miss breakfast," Gideon added.
They older boys gave their departing messages before leaving. James turned and faced everyone. It was quiet a moment before Peter broke the silence. "So... you told Lily about Prongs, huh?"
Meanwhile at Malfoy Manor...
"Hold your ground," Snapped Lucious Malfoy at young Regulus Black as he sent spells at him for him to deflect. "No wonder your brother was able to beat you while he was drunk."
"I'd hardly say he-" Regulus wasn't able to finish as the knockback jinx hit him and he flex backward.
"Pathetic," Malfoy sighed and ran his fingers through his pale blonde hair as he lowered his other hand holding his wand. He turned on his heel. "Get up. Try again. You've got to prove to Voldemort that a fresh-out-of-school boy can be just as tough as the rest of - agh!" Lucious fell flat on his face after being hit. He rolled over and looked up and saw Regulus towering over him, wand aimed at his temple. "Not bad," Lucious said somewhat proudly as he brushed Regulus wand away.
"I told you," Narcissa said from her seat at the fireplace. "He was top of his class in duels."
"As was I," Lucious said and stands up.
"Looks like you missed a lesson. Never turn your back on your opponent."
"Quite right," Malfoy extended his hand and says, "Well done. But one more lesson," he started as Regulus took his hand to shake it. Malfoy yanked the boy forward and wrapped him in a choke-hold. "The fight isn't over, until I say it is." Regulus struggled in his grasp, unable to get his wand from where Malfoy had it pinned to his side. Finally he nodded his head to forfeit and Malfoy shoved him off. "Now, it's over."
Regulus tried to mask the gasps for air as he recovered. "Enough of this," he blurted out. "I've had enough practice. I'm ready to face them again. I'm ready to do Voldemort's work."
Just then the doors from the main hall burst open and Bellatrix Lestrange walked in. "Well well," she laughed as she carried a copy of the Dailey Prophet. "Look who is oh-so confident now."
"Bella..." Sighed Malfoy. "How long have you been in my bloody house?"
"Don't be so cross, dearie. We're family."
"Where's Rudolphus" Narcissa asked peering behind her.
"Who's-that-then?" Bellatrix muttered and plopped in the seat across from her sister.
"Your husband," Narcissa sighed, knowing her sister was pretending to forget, or so she hoped.
"Oh! My Rudy. He's off with his brother. They've got some appointments at the ministry to keep. Speaking of-" She smacked the prophet on the table between her and her sister. "Look who finally made headlines. Mummy would be so proud."
"I saw about Andromeda," Narcissa said without looking.
"What about her?" Regulus asked genuinely concerned.
"She's been listed alongside the undesirables," Bellatrix said with a slight chuckle.
"What? That makes no sense," Regulus said confused. "She's married to a muggle and -"
"What?!" Bellatrix jumped out of her chair and turned to face him. She stormed over and elbowed Lucious out of the way who had stepped slightly in front of Regulus. Bellatrix grabbed her younger cousin by his neck and yanked his face towards hers. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were defending the filthy blood-traitor."
"Bellatrix, please-" Narcissa muttered as she stood.
"No," Regulus said as he struggled. "I just meant that the Ministry is... the prophet is... and Andromeda-"
"PICK an answer, little boy. We haven't got all day," She snapped, "And need I remind you this is the same traitor to our family who helped fund the abandonment your brother committed against you?"
"The Ministry is blind to our cause, so they've only been reporting Voldemorts Loyal followers as undesirables. Wrongly so, but still. She doesn't follow the dark lord. So why would she be listed there? S-she doesn't deserve to have her name alongside yours. Not after what she did to our family, and to Lord Voldemort."
"Hmm," Bellatrix stared at him a while before letting him go with such a harsh shove that it sent him sprawling. "Perhaps, it is time to ensure you have what it takes, Regulus."
"I've been dueling with him," Lucious mumbled.
"Yes, yes, Malfoy," Bellatrix rolled her eyes, "And if he was taking his OWLS, we would all be very proud." She looked back to him. "No, I've got a mission for you."
"That's all I've been wanting," Regulus said as he stood back up, still a bit shaken.
"It's time to make sure you know what fate a blood traitor deserves. Forrestor has a little mission he's on the way to handle. I'm going to send you with him. It's time to see if you'll do what's needed to be done when the time comes."
Back at James Potter's Flat-
The group had assembled outside James Potter's flat as he fumbled for his keys to lock it as if that would do any good against a spell.
Marlene stood beside Tabitha and quietly asked, "So you're staying?"
"I am," Tabitha nodded.
"And still not going to share why you left in the first place?" She waited for Tabitha to reply but sighed at the long silence before saying, "You don't have to tell me, Tabitha. I know you don't share things easily. I just... I wish you'd written us more is all."
"I'm so sorry, Marley."
"I now you are. Truly. It's Lily who will take more convincing though. She's quick to trust, but when she feels betrayed. "
I know...I've always been the opposite. I never let anyone in but when I do... it's hard to let go of them. And if I ever have to, it's easier to just-"
"To leave." Marlene let out a sad grin. "I get it."
"Do you?" Tabitha chuckled. "A big family under one roof and you've never walked out on them."
"Not under one roof anymore," She said quietly and after a pause she shared, "With everything going on... we've all split. I have no idea where any of them are. It's safer that way."
"Marley... I'm so sorry." Tabitha took her hand. "You all will be reunited in the end."
"Is that one of your prophetic feelings?"
"It's more than that. It's hope. Something I forgot how to use this last year. But the Prewitts are right. Optimism is a choice."
"Hmmm. So? What version of Tabs are we getting in this new Order? Adventurous staying in hostels and traveling Tabs or the made of glass Tabs who keeps to herself?"
She glanced across the small lawn to the others. She caught Remus looking her way but he quickly looked back to Marlene. "Depends..." She muttered. "Oh! Hostel."
"Good!" Marlene cheered.
"No. No I mean my things are still in the Hostel in Paris. I have to get them."
"We can get you new stuff, Tabs."
"Marley, there is something very important in my bag. Need I remind you I only thought I was leaving for a few minutes to get a copy of the Dailey Prophet and send an owl home. For all I know they've thrown my things away. I have to go see."
"Go see what?" Remus asked as he walked up.
"Tabs stuff is still in France. I'll go with her to get it."
"That will take forever! Even if you use all the fastest routes to get their via magic. It's going to raise some alarms at the ministry." Remus said.
"I stashed a portkey in Diagon Alley." Tabitha replied. "If we get started now we should be back to Hogwarts before sunup."
"Oh... ok. Well Peter and Sirius are coming to the Ministry with me. James and Lily are going to see Albus.
"All-in-all, not bad first missions," Tabitha shrugged. Nothing life-threatening at least, right?
"Right." Marlene said but she could tell from Tabitha's face that she felt uneasy.
"Oi Moony," Sirius called. "Come on."
"Good luck," Tabitha wished him.
"You too. Thanks for getting my headache to go away." He then rejoined the group.
James locked the door and Lily took his hand. "We will be back for it. I promise." She looked around the quiet streets. "Think of it this way. If we leave now, it stays secret. Then one day when we need somewhere to hide, we have our home ready and waiting."
"Our home. I like that way that sounds." He kissed Lily on the head. "I'm so sorry about the secrets. I know showing you Prongs doesn't make up for what happened today with Snape, but I'm trying."
"I know, James. I know."
Moments later found everyone in the street, ready to go with their assignments. James waived his wand to darken the streetlights to hide them. "See you all at Hogwarts. The popping sound of everyone apparating away was heard, and the street went silent."
Just outside of Hogwarts -
James and Lilly were the first to arrive at their destination. First they aparated back into Hogsmede. It was the closest spot they'd managed to apparate too since the school was charmed with protections spells to keep anyone from coming or going too suddenly. James took Lily around the back of Honeydukes which had closed long before now and unlocked the door with his wand. "A candy store?" Lily asked. "Surely this can't be the task Albus assigned you. Sounds more like one Peter or Remus would put you up to."
"Shh," James said through a soft laugh. "Just trust me." He took her hand and escorted her in, sealing the door behind them. Lily closed her eyes and inhaled the nostalgic scents of the store that reminded her of innocent days gone by. When she opened them again, James was on the floor opening a trap door.
"How-"
"Never underestimate Pettigrew." He said and jumped inside. "Come on, it isn't a far jump."
"Peter discovered this?" Lily asked astonished as she allowed James to lead her.
"Lumos," he muttered to light his wand as a torch and they made their way uphill underground. "Peter has a penchant for finding hidden places. He used to come and go all the time so quickly with snacks from the kitchen. He'd get into Filch's office and leave stink bombs without even cracking the door open. One year he managed to find a way between the walls of the Professor's study. He could hear old Binns fighting with Slughorn over the history of liquid luck."
"How did Peter manage that? He isn't exactly the most limber of all you lot."
"He... had a lot of time to himself to explore is all," James shrugged but Lily didn't seem convinced. Still she allowed it to slide for now.
"Well," She said. "If I were you lot I would have written it down somewhere. Could come in handy." When James refused to answer she tried to peek at his expression. "James?"
"Hmm?"
"You did write it down didn't you? You boys have a map of this entire castle don't you?"
"In a way," he said coolly.
"What does that mean?"
"Lils," he finally stopped and faced her. "I don't want to keep secrets from you. I don't. But... not all secrets are just mine to tell. The boys and I have been through a lot. We've created secrets together. Prongs was my secret, so I let you meet him. But the Mauraders have their own secrets as a whole. Please don't make me betray that trust."
"James," she took his hand. "I promise never to force you to choose between me or your friends. Never. I'm sorry I was so cross about Sev earlier. But I do trust you. I do. With my life James. Until death do we part."
"Let's save that last part for a long time from now, hmm?" He asked and gave her a kiss after she nodded. "And I'm sorry too," He said once he pulled away. "I should have told you right away when I saw Snape. I just didn't want to ruin our moment and with the meeting with Dumbledore, and everything else... I didn't want to add more to the stress."
"Oh James," she smiled. "As long as you're alive, you'll always stress me out... troublemaker." She gave him a nudge and they walked up the passage towards the castle.
A Small Hostel just outside of Paris...
Meanwhile, Tabitha and Marlene had used a Portkey created by Tabitha during her travels, to arrive quickly in Paris. She had shared some details about her travels through Europe, the muggles she had met along the way and the small band of friends she'd made.
"So wait, at one point it was just you and two blokes... strangers... in a hostel?" Marlene asked.
"Yep."
"Who is this wild woman?"
Tabitha laughed. "She's always been in there somewhere. Hiding behind potions and divination books. Would you believe I'm also a good flyer? Mam just never let me practice too long. Thought I would get hurt." She sighed. "See that's where I envy you, Marley. Your home was always so warm and inviting, with a family that trusted you to make mistakes, grow and be confident. My home... Mam acting like I was made of glass."
"I bet that's why you and Rem connect so much. He mentioned to me once that he was a recluse as a kid. His folks almost didn't send him to Hogwarts. Dumbledore had to talk them into it. Can't imagine why, though..."
"Yea," Tabitha said avoiding eye contact. "Wonder why..." She just shrugged, acting clueless as they walked through the quiet, moonlit streets of Paris. "This is it." She nodded to a small hostel on the corner.
"It looks so warm and cozy. You'd never think a war is going on," Marlene muttered. The truth is, she had been surrounded by war since birth. Both of them had been. Their country was in a constant division in the muggle world, followed by the building climate of dark magic and war in the Wizarding World. The girls walked into the hostel and up to the front desk. Tabitha reached for the bell but Marlene rang it first. "You're no better than Peter," Tabitha chuckled. A woman came to the desk and recognized her, "Bonjour, ah, the young lady with that band of adventurers I see."
"Oui Madame," She said in broken French. "I believe I have a bag that my group left here by mistake. My name would be in it."
"Oh no no, you're group is still here." She tapped the desk with her finger and smiled kindly. "Ah" she pulled a spare key and handed it to her. "Your things are still in the room."
"Um, thank you." Tabitha took it confused.
"You ok, Tabs?" Marlene asked
"Huh? Oh. Yea. It's just that everyone was supposed to check out this afternoon and catch the train to Brussels."
"Maybe they all stayed back to wait for you?"
"Not likely. Dennis and Madeline are too new to the group to rearrange plans for the sake of someone else. We all were pretty much loners. Still," she sighed and walked to the narrow stairs that lead to the rooms, "Come on. Maybe we will get lucky and I can just grab my bag and sneak out."
"You really set the Irish back on the whole "Irish goodbye thing, don't you?" Marlene laughs. "I'll wait down here and keep an eye out."
"Good idea." Tabitha made her way up the steps and towards the room she'd been staying in all week. She listened carefully before unlocking the door and cracking it open. "Gas," she sighed in relief as she found the room empty and her bag where she'd left it. Quickly she began to search through it. "No..." she pulled out shirts and trousers, "no!" She lifted the bag and dumped out the small bit of contents. Something was missing.
"Tabitha?" She heard a thick Norwegian accent from the door and she jumped up from the pile of items. "Where the hell did you go?"
"Dennis!" She faced a well built, tall, blonde man with peircing eyes. "Sorry, I... something came up at home. I just had to come get my things."
"Hey hey it's ok," He said as he stepped in and shut the door behind him. "It's not like we are family or anything. I just was worried it was me. I mean it couldn't be a coincidence that I join your group and suddenly you vanish on us and other others decide to go on their own."
"Everyone else left?"
"That's right. Madeline went back to the states and Glen went on to Brussels. I took a hint that I wasn't exactly wanted. Figured I would wait for you to come back for your stuff." He looked at everything on the floor. "Loose something?"
"I'm sorry Dennis. I didn't mean to break the band up. Something more important than traveling came up. I guess you could say my... family needs me."
"You don't have to lecture me about family Tabby. I get it. I'd do anything for mine too. I assume you're talking about the troubles in Ireland?"
"Hmm? Oh right," She nodded.
"I understand," He says smiling. "Let me help you." He knelt down to start putting things back in her bag. "In fact, I'll even walk you to the station. I know a shortcut."
"No thanks. I'll be fine." She smiled at him but had an uneasy feeling suddenly.
"Well at least let me take you to get one more cup of tea before you go."
"Dennis, did you see a book in my bag? Leather, red font. It had my family name on it."
"Not at all. Say, I know. There is a little book shop on the corner. Maybe they have a new one you can get? I'll go with you."
"You know... I bet I left it in the common room." She stood and he did the same.
"I'll go look with you."
"No, you stay here." She tried to open the door but he reached over and pushed it shut. "Tabitha, what's this about? Why are you acting so nervous around me all of a sudden? You don't think I would have taken your book do you? What could I want with that?"
"I didn't say-' She turned to look at him, but his arm, holding the door closed, caught her eye instead. She froze. Dennis raised an eyebrow at her then looked to his arm to match her gaze. Peeking out from under his sleeves, is the edge of a tattoo of a skull, with a snake emerging from the mouth - the mark of the death eaters. His innocent face contorted into a twisted grin and let out a single laugh. "Oh Tabby..." He sighed. "I wish you hadn't seen that."