Book I: The Birth of the Order
Chapter XIII: Play the Music
Music Theme: Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Hogwarts 1972...
The sounds of Mowtown music blasted through the Gryffindor Common room on the first week of the year. Tabitha Delaney had just received a gift from her father full of new albums for her birthday that ranged from the Jackson 5, to the Beatles, to a new band called Led Zeppelin. It was a Saturday, so Professor McGonnigal was allowing the students to play the music for a little while as there wasn't much homework to do yet. Lily and Tabitha sat on the floor as other students crowded around to listen.
"So these are all Muggles? Marlene asked from her seat on the couch where she had levitated a bottle of nail polish to do her nails for her.
"Yea," Tabitha said. "Dad grew up at a Muggle Boarding school before Hogwarts, so he has a whole collection at home. But the Led Zepplin is new."
"Who is the little girl singing," Asked Remus Lupin from his seat beside the fireplace where he was writing a note back home.
"That little girl is a little boy, Remus." Tabitha laughed. "He's part of a group called the Jackson 5. And who are you writing? We've only been back to school for a week."
"Mum," he said. "The albums made me think of her. She introduced me to muggle albums too."
"It's nice you are close to her," Tabitha said. "I envy that." The record scratched and she pulled it off. "What next then?"
"How about silence?" James Potter suggested as he entered the the common room, an older student entering behind him.
"Ignore him," Lily huffed. "So spoiled," she added under her breath as she picked an album and handed it to Tabitha.
"Your test run for Quidditch didn't go so well then?" Remus asked young James.
"I've got to make that bloody team..." James grumbled.
"You will, James." The older student said. "You're incredibly fast, but McGonnigal was right to introduce you to me. You've got some technique that needs tweaking. We will get you ready for those Chaser tryouts though. I bet you can even be Seeker one day."
"Who is this then?" Sirius asked as he walked down the steps from the dorms and pointed to the older student.
"It's rude to point, Black." Tabitha said.
"Did someone hear something?" Sirius said, pretending to ignore her as he walked to the others.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce Angus. Lads, this is Angus McKinnon."
"McKinnon?" Lily asked and looked to her roommate on the couch. "Marlene?"
"It's true," Marlene sighed. "My brother is working with the enemy."
"Enemy?" Angus raised an eyebrow.
"That would be me," James said and Remus looked up from his letter and added. "Him and Evans don't get along."
"I rarely get along with spoiled brats," Lily said.
James just flicked his wand at the victrola and whispered, "Wingardium leviosa." Tabitha's album floated from the turntable and into the air. "Potter!" The girls yelled and started chasing Tabitha's 45 of "I Want you Back" around the room.
Sirius just ignored them and extended his hand to Angus, "McKinnon huh? So you're familiar with my family, no doubt."
"I remember your sorting ceremony a couple years ago, Black," Angus grinned and shook his hand. "I think it's wicked that you're the first Gryffindor of the Black family. That takes guts."
"Thanks," Sirius said. "You're not too bad, McKinnon."
Remus stood and caught the album floating midair and handed it to Tabitha. "Thanks Remus. For that, I'll let you pick the next song."
"Really? Well... I have been waiting to hear... i mean if it isn't too much trouble... the new Led Zeppelin?"
"Sure. Come on." She motioned of him to follow her to the record player. "Oh wait. Lily? I know he's one of Potter's friends but..."
"Remus is always welcome," Lily said with a smile and pat the spot on the floor next to them. She took the wrap off Tabitha's album and set it on the record player. A song called "Stairway to heaven," began to play and the enitre room when quiet.
"What is this masterpiece?" Sirius asked.
"It's like it speaks to my soul." James added.
"It's so... mellow... and yet so... chaotic," Tabitha said.
"It's not The Beach Boys, that's for sure." Lily noted.
"... I don't like it that much." Angus said. Everyone turned to him and said, "SHHHHHHH" at the same time.
Potter Estate - November 1979...
Sirius and James stopped at the front steps of the house as they met their new visitor.
"Angus McKinnon?" James beamed. The boy was about 3 years older with sandly blonde hair and scruff. He was as tall as Remus, so he towered over the boys. He'd been a bit of a role model to James in school, as the McKinnons were already highly regarded in the Wizarding community. Angus, however had been a Beater on the Gryffindor team and played with James during his Chaser years. It also was Angus' recommendation to McGonnigal that James be head-boy after Angus graduated. "Blimey I haven't seen you since you and the other alumni crashed our year-end party at Hogwarts!"
"Me either," Sirius said sourly, clearly with tone that suggested he didn't share the admiration for Angus like the others. "What are you doing here?"
"Didn't Frank tell you? I'm joining the club."
"It's not a club," Sirius snapped.
"Well The Order then," Angus said rolling his eyes, clearly not letting Sirius get to him.
"Where have you been all this time?" James asked.
"There will be time for that. Trust me I brought stories."
"Your stories were always the best at the Quidditch bonfires, mate," James said nudging Angus.
"But first, where is my kid sister?"
"Inside," Sirius said. "She's been living with us. Ironic isn't it?"
The three stood silently and James watched and Anugs and Sirius had a bit of a stare-off. "How... is that ironic... exactly?"
"I assume he means because it's just like we are back in school again," Angus said and his smile reappeared, "Or have you let rival houses infultrate our ranks?"
"Only Gryffindors here, but don't worry. Every house has representation in the Order. Come on. Let's find Marlene."
The three entered the house, with Sirius dragging behind slightly. The last time Sirius saw Angus was a moment that changed his life for good, and he didn't wish to be reminded of it.
James was chattering on his his personal news about the wedding, the missions they had been on so far and the new wands they were using when suddenly they heard Marlene coming out of the back hall. "Potter?" She called. "Since you and the boys will be out for Sirius birthday this week, we were thinking of setting up for the party early to get it out of the way. Can you help with-" She stopped and dropped her wand when she saw who was waiting for her in the main hall. "Angus?" She covered her mouth in shock and shook her head. "I can't believe it." Suddenly she sprinted over to him and lept into his arms. "I can't believe it!" She gave her older brother a strong hug and pulled away to get a good look at him. "Your here! You have facial hair! Where have you been? Have you seen mum or the other boys? Is everyone ok?"
"Easy kiddo, easy. There will be time for that. Blimey, it's grand to see you."
"Oh brother," she hugged him again. "You have no idea."
The morning flew by and plans for Sirius' bithday, the wedding party or the full moon became an afterthought. Everyone except for Remus gathered in the study where Angus McKinnon stood in front of the fireplace telling stories of his past year.
"So you've been in muggle jail for 2 months."
"That's correct, Pettigrew," He said proudly. "Disturbing the peace at a rally in Ireland alongside other proud Irishmen. I knew I could have 'magiced' out of there any minute, but it was about the principle. We can't hide in our Wizarding World forever. Muggles are affected by us too. The oppression in our country has been manipulated by greedy men, both magic and muggle. Wars like this benefit Voldemort. What is it that old American President once said? Lincoln."
"A nation divided against itself cannot stand," Lily said from her seat beside Mrs. Potter. The two were wrapping jordan almonds into favors for their guests and the older lady said, "I remember learning about that war in my History of Magic class. MACUSA did a lot to repair the damage after the war and try to unite the states again. I'm glad to hear of what you're doing, Angus. You're right. It's important to Wizards to remember our place in the human race. We are not immune to muggle wars and You-Know-Who will use divided nations to his advantage."
"That's why Dumbledore recruited me," Angus said proudly. "He wanted me to stop any dark magic that death eaters are using in wars. Would you believe half the drugs going around the music festivals right now are laced with potions to amplify their affects. They are making muggles go mad so that Purebloods will believe Voldemort's crazy cause, that muggles are a threat to us."
"That's right," Tabitha said. "I traveled with a girl last year from the States. She said there is a new drug that makes you forget your own name. It went around a big festival in New York. Some people don't even wake up from it." She was standing in the doorway and looked behind her to the hall. "Shouldn't we be discussing this with everyone though? Where is Remus?"
"He's... not feeling well," was all Lily said.
"What?" Mrs. Potter looked shocked. "Why didn't you tell me? We can't have that."
"Oh, Euphemia. Leave the boy alone," Mr. Potter said smoking his second pipe of the day.
"I absolutely will not," She stood up. "Lily you finish the rest of these dear. I'm going to get some tea put on for Remus. It will perk him right up." She looked to Angus. "You can get unpacked in the library, Angus. Couch is quite comfortable there."
"So is the local hotel..." Sirius grumbled but Tabitha was the only one who heard it. She and Sirius locked eyes when he realized she'd overheard but she shrugged it off to spare him the embarrassment. "I'll get the tent setup in the back," Sirius said to change the subject. "Party is in a couple days so we should get it up and give the grass time to dry." He turned quickly and exited but was only a few paces up the hall when he heard someone behind him and he said, "Stop following me, Delaney. I don't want to talk about it." He turned expecting to see Tabitha but instead stood upright when he saw Mrs. Potter smiling at him. "Oh... Mrs. P. Sorry, I thought you were-"
"Tabitha isn't the only one with ears, Sirius." She walked beside him and wrapped an arm around him. "What's say, you and I get a batch of scones in, hmm?"
Sirius smirked and walked alongside her. They entered the kitchen, but it hardly looked like one. It was more a hybrid of multiple hobbies. The table was covered in art projects, the counter had vases filled with flowers, the sink was piled high with dishes that Kip worked quickly to wash. Despite the mess it was still as warm and inviting a place as Sirius remembered. "Sit," Mrs. Potter said and pointed to the barstool at the counter. Sirius did so and waited patiently while Mrs. Potter rolled up her sleeves and gathered ingredients. "Ok, I'm listening."
"I just don't understand what he's doing here."
"Who? Angus? Helping Dumbledore, same as you," she said as she pulled her wand out of the kitchen drawer and waived it at ingredients and they began to contribute to the mixture in the bowl.
Sirius took out his wand, as if by habit, and twirled it over the bowl to mix. "He's here to show off."
"What happened between you two? I've only met Angus once before but I remember you and James chattering on about your classmates for all hours of the night when you were home for the Holidays. Angus' name came up a bit between both of you and always in high regard."
"He was fine in school. He just... he came between me and a friend." Sirius caught something she said and quickly added, "When did you meet him?"
"He didn't come between you and James, I daresay," She asked, disregarding his question.
"No. Not James. It doesn't matter. He's here now. I have to deal with it," he pinched some dough out of the bowl and tasted it. "Needs vanilla."
Mrs. Potter smiled and flicked her wand towards the cabinet. The bottle of vanilla left the cabinet and landed by the bowl. She reached across the counter and brushed some flower out of Sirius' curly bangs where it had fallen. "My Sirius. You always find reasons to be so somber. This week you will be 20 years old. Don't you suppose it is time to stop putting on heirs and find a reason to be happy."
"I had a reason... Angus took it." Sirius said and stood up not wanted to say any more. "I better get to work on the tent." He started to exit but stopped. Quickly he walked around the counter and kissed Mrs. Potter on the cheek. "Thanks Mrs. P. I'll try to be a man worthy of you."
"You already are." She said patting him on the cheek before he left for the backyard.
Remus tossed and turned upstairs. The insomnia from the night before caused him to crash into a deep sleep after finishing his tea. His dream made him sweat. He heard Lily's voice in the distance over and over again, "Alas it was to none but me... so fill to me the parting glass..." Remus heard the voice but ran through a dark hall in his dream, it was the Ministry and his Dad's office was at the end of the hall. The closer he got the farther the door moved away. His dreams were never this detailed. He dreamt that he pushed through the door and tripped over something. He landed face first on the ground and looked up. He saw a werewolf in the room, licking its paws. At first it looked like Greyback but when it turned, Remus recognized it and yet he didn't. He never know what he looked like as a wolf, but somehow he could tell that this was his wolf in his dream. He looked on the floor and was overwhelmed and terrorized by the sight of his friends, all of them, dead on the ground. It had been a massacre. Something grabbed his ankle and moaned. He glanced back and saw Tabitha, still barely alive. "Tabitha!" He called to her and scooped her up. "Remus," she said. "We forgive you." He felt her slipping away and the light in the room began to fade. "Tabitha... no! He shouted. I didn't do this! I'll never do this!" She reached out for him as she faded away and spoke, but her voice wasn't hers, but James as it repeated "There isn't Plenty of time, Moony." Something reached around and grabbed Remus. He looked over his shoulder to see Fenrir Greyback had wrapped him in a bearhug. "You've made me so proud, son." Greyback said and laughed. "No! No I'm sorry. Everyone, I'm sorry!"
"NO!" Remus shouted and sat upright as he woke up in a fury. He looked beside him at the tea tray still there from when Kip sent it up, the note from his father about Edna Bones and his wand and practice wand placed on the table. "It was a dream," he said to himself. "Just a dream." He looked across the room at the stack of albums on Sirius' table and it reminded him of his days at Hogwarts - real life - and that grounded him. Still, he knew he had to find everyone to shake his dream. He jumped out of the bed and hurried up the hall and down the service stairwell into the kitchen where he found Mrs. Potter.
"Remus," She smiled and walked over to him. "My dear, you look ghastly." She used her fingers to comb his hair. "Lily said you weren't feeling yourself today. I put in some scones with chocolate chips. Think that will help?"
"That should do the trick, Mrs. P. Thanks," he smiled softly and felt his heart rate slow back to normal at her calming voice.
"Well good. Sirius is out back putting up the tent for next week. Why don't you go help him. The fresh air will help you. Oh, did you get your letter to your father last night?"
"Yes. He wrote back this morning. It was good to let them know I'm safe with you and Mr. Potter. I... didn't exactly leave properly. I know they miss me and have been worried."
"Well I do hope they come to the party next week.
"I told Dad about it in the letter. I think they'd like that." He smiled. "You said Sirius is out back?"
"Mhmm." She nodded. "And Peter has just gone out to the garden. He's going to put some baubles in the trees or something to make them shine. Go on now. I'll call when the scones are done." She waived him off then walked over to her floral arrangements to continue working on those.
Remus stopped at the screen door and looked back to her. "Mrs. P? Did you ever worry that you had run out of time to have James?"
"Why Remus, in my day you never asked a lady about such things." Remus blushed and Mrs. Potter laughed. "But I'm not really a lady. Still just a robe-makers daughter who loves to gossip." She beamed and thought for a moment before answering. "Yes. Sometimes I did. It also gets dangerous for a woman my age to have children."
"Well that's just it. James gave me some advice. He said there isn't plenty of time... but I worry if I force something for the sake of time it will be too dangerous. But if I don't do something now, I'll risk losing it."
"You'll just have to decide what you fear most. Do you fear getting what you want with the risk of loosing it? Or do you fear never having it at all?" She smiled. "When it came to James, the answer was easy for me."
"Oi, Moony!" Peter called when he spotted Remus through the screen door. "Can you help a bloke out?"
Remus looked back to Mrs. Potter and thanked her for the advice before moving to the backyard. "What's up, Wormtail?"
"McKinnon has put is way behind schedule with his stories. If we ever want to get everything for this party together and get to dueling practice, then get back in time for Sirius' birthday, we have to hurry."
"His stories?"
"Oh yea," Peter said. "Angus McKinnon just showed up."
"Get in!" Remus exclaimed. "That's brilliant."
"Yea, he's sharing all his stories with everyone."
"Everyone? So Everyone is in the house with him... safe?" He felt the need to ask after his dream.
"Except me and Padfoot. He's in there." Peter pointed to the tent that was fully up but the top of it had beams of light flashing across it. Remus moved towards the entrance.
"What's going on in here?" Remus asked as he entered the large garden tent. His jaw dropped when he saw Sirius in the middle of the space sending small sparks of stars from the tip of his wand to the celling. "Oh... Padfoot..."
He stepped beside him and looked up at the swirling night sky that bewitched the top of the tent. "It puts the great hall to shame." He looked at his friend. "I'm proud of you, mate."
Sirius looked at him with sincere eyes. "What?"
"I know this is hard for you. James is the closest thing you have to a brother. Letting him go isn't easy, I know. It's not that we are really loosing him though. We are just gaining Lily."
"Moony... I..." Sirius looked for a moment as if he was going to say what was really on his mind. He felt vulnerable and yet strong. "I... don't know... how I feel..." was all he could say, but his pride pushed through the moment and added, "about wearing a tux. It's very un-rock-and-roll."
Remus just shook his head and patted Sirius on the back. "Sure Pads. Listen. You and James will be friends for life, no matter who he marries. And no matter who you end up with either."
"Who I end up with? Don't you remember, Moony. You and I are supposed to run off together. Or has Delaney snatched you away for good?"
"Shh-" He waved his hand down to quiet him. "Pete is right outside. I told you that Tabitha said she loved me in confidence Padfoot. I don't want people knowing. She trusted me with that."
"With her heart. Don't break it," Sirius grinned. "You never did answer me though when I asked how you felt. You feel the same way about her?" Remus just stared at his friend a while before giving him a nod. Sirius felt his heart sink. He couldn't decypher why though. Was it the fact that his friends were all pairing up and leaving him behind? Was it something else? Or was it the fact that Remus had picked one of the girls who got on his very nerves? "Can't bloody stand her." He whispered aloud but added, "But I'll give her a chance."
"And don't tell anyone. Please."
"I promise. I won't say a thing."
Just then Tabitha walked up, "About what?" she asked as she entered the tent with a box in her arms.
"What's in that?" Remus asked her quickly to change the subject, but his voice betrayed him when it nervously cracked a bit.
"These are some records I selected from Fleamont's stash, along with a couple of my own I managed to keep with my things for sentimental reasons. You remember. I had some of them at Hogwarts. Lily said Mr. Potter put his gramophone out here for the party."
"Oh yea," Sirius sighed, "That racket. Well you go ahead and play your muggle music. I'll be outside helping Pete."
Tabitha and Sirius gave each other a sultry look as he passed and Remus came over and took the box. "I'll help with that Tabs. Ya know, my Mum has lots of these too." He froze and turned pale when he saw cuts on her hand and instantly he thought of his dream of his friends covered in wolf scratches. "What is that?"
"What?" She looked down. "Oh," she laughed at them. "Lily had a breakthrough with those core-less wands. We've been practicing today and I practiced a bit too close to the rose bushes." Remus took a deep breath and she asked, "Are you ok?
"So you listened to lots of album as a kid?" He changed the subject as he set the crate down on the one picnic table available.
"They used to be my only company in my younger years before Hogwarts. Most Summers my dad would bring a handful home from town." She blew the dust off one and laughed. "The Jackson 5. Remember this one?"
Remus peeked over at it. "Oh yea! With the little girl singing."
Tabitha just shook her head and laughed. "Oh tease all you want, but Michael Jackson's voice is one-of-a-kind. Even came out with his own single a couple years ago. This one is my favorite though." She set the album down and started to play it.
"Nice beat," Remus nodded as he listened. He glanced over his shoulder and made sure Sirius has left. He thought of what James had said about waisted time and looked at Tabitha. "You should probably pick a slower song too. Lily would want to dance to some of those with James."
"Right. This one might work. She flipped the record and "Ben" by Michael Jackson starts to play. "That's ok, isn't it?" She turned and leaned on the table and shuts her eyes. "Might be too slow."
"Well... let's see." He held out his hand and immediately regretted it when her eyes flew open in shock. He lowered his hand. "You're right. Better not. Given... well with us being... I don't want to mess up our friendship, if you think it's too soon to-"
"No," Tabitha said, "No. Let's try it. Just to be sure it's a good song, right?"
"Right. That's all."
The two of them stepped together and swayed.
Ben the two of us need look no more. We've both found what we were looking for...
With a friend to call my own. I'll never be alone. And you my friend will see. You've got a friend in me...
"So far so good," Remus said. He kept Tabitha a few inches away, and looked over her head, but she inched a little closer.
"This is my favorite part," She said and starting singing along. "Ben most people would turn you away. I don't listen to a word they say," She finally looked up and found that Remus was glancing down at her as well. "They don't see you like I do, I wish they would try to..."
They stopped swaying for a moment, eyes locked, having softened their hold on one another until they were just standing in each other's embrace and looking up at each other, seeing one-another in full clarity. Remus didn't know what to do. He didn't want to let go but knew he should. Tabitha felt like the moment to pull away had passed and yet she stood still. The music stopped and the record scratched which caused them to finally let go and step back from one another. Tabitha took the needle off the record "That was..." She looked back at Remus who was still standing still.
"Nice... It was nice."
"Very nice." Tabitha agreed.
They didn't know it but Sirius had been peeking through the curtain at them dancing. Peter, who hadn't seen but only heard the music came up next to him and blurted out, "Did you know that song is about a pet rat?"
Sirius looked at him and grunted, "Oh, shut up, Wormtail."
Malfoy Manor was quiet. It had been the hub of Death Eater activity recently, but Lucious Malfoy was struggling to stay in favor of Voldemort as he wasn't keeping up with the other Death Eaters as well. Regulus had gone to stay with his cousin and her husband, as Snape recommended, but didn't reveal his murderous history to them. He sat in the study and read through the paper as Narcissa Malfoy gazed into the fireplace at the flames with such concentration that it was as if she was speaking to it. Her husband entered. "There you are," he said. "I thought you were still out with your sister."
"I left early. I was tired."
"Still tired?" He huffed. "You sleep more these days than any of us. Rudolphus isn't pleased with it. And now that Forrestor has returned with a vengeance he's going to be wanting more from us." He plopped down at the desk and leaned back in it exhausted.
"Why did he ask to meet with you?"
"He needs to use our house for something. He thinks he knows who is responsible for his brother's death."
"What?" Regulus snapped and looked up. "Who?"
"He didn't say."
"I don't think he should come stay here," Regulus said nervously.
"Did I ask your opinion, Regulus?" Lucuious snapped.
"Don't scold the boy," Narcissa said still staring into the fire. "He's family."
"He's in the way," Lucious said as if Regulus wasn't sitting right there.
"You need to do as Max says. He's high in the ranks with Lord Voldemort. Getting on his good side will help you."
"You being a little more present at these meetings and missions would also help us, Narcissa."
"I'm tired, Lucious."
"You're being lazy." He said but his face softened when she whipped her head around and finally looked at him with a furious gaze. "Sorry." He grunted and stood. "I don't know the plans Max has, but if you think it's best then I'll tell him he and Fenrir can use our home. You're right though. This is a good move for us. Can you imagine." He walked across the room to her and gently turned her to face him. "You and Me at either side of Lord Voldemort. We've waited so long to have something worth fighting for, something to be remembered for. This is our moment my dear." He kissed her cheek and she forced a soft smile. Lucious grunted a goodbye at Regulus and hurried out of the study to send his response to Max.
"You didn't tell him," Regulus said to Narcissa who just looked at him with soft eyes and he added, "You know he will eventually find out you're pregnant."
"I know."
"What did Bellatrix say?"
"She said it was a terrible inconvenience and yet another reason I shouldn't have gotten married."
"Well forget her," He said and crossed his legs. "Lucious is right though. Just focus on what you're fighting for."
"That's the thing," Narcissa rested her hand on her stomach. "I have a feeling what I'm fighting for is about to change..."
The adventure continues next when it's the week of the full moon and the eve of the wedding and everyone has a burden to carry. The War also becomes a bigger reality as a member of the gang goes missing.