Book I: Birth of the Order

Chapter XVII: Never Alone

Music Theme : "Pretty Maids All in a Row" - Eagles 1979

Hogwarts - March 17, 1978...

Minerva McGonagall made her way up the halls of Hogwarts. She'd just been assigned a difficult task. It was never easy for her to show emotions, and often she'd try to act as if she didn't care much for her students. This time was different, however. In her twenty years at Hogwarts, this class of Gryffindors had tested her more ways than she could count, and yet she felt closest to them which made today's job of delivering bad news a harsh one.

Lily and Tabitha sat on one of the hall benches, waiting for first-year potions class to finish. "Ah!" Professor McGonagall said and waived to them. "Delaney. Evans."

"Hello Professor," Lily said with a grin.

"What's wrong?" Tabitha asked, instantly sensing the woman's anxiety.

"I'm looking for your roommate, McKinnon."

"Well she's probably in our room. She doesn't usually help us clean the cauldrons. That's just something Slug Club volunteers to help Slughorn with," Lily said.

"No. No." The older woman said lifting her hand. "I just was in Gryffindor tower and there is no sign of her there."

As she spoke, James, Remus and Peter approached with James in his Quidditch robes. "Minnie my darling!" James said. "Coming to the match tomorrow, are you?"

"One impertinant word more out of you, Potter, and I'll snatch that Head Boy badge away as easily as I gave it to you." She waived her hands at them. "Where's the other one of you? Black."

"Black? Black who?" James asked and then chuckled.

"James," Lily said with a disapproving look. "Be respectful."

They'd only been dating a short while but James' smirk vanished at her request, trying his best to earn her trust. "Sorry. I couldn't say, professor. Just came to see if Lily wants to watch me practice."

Lily looked at Tabitha unsure and her roommate nodded. "Go on. You've got a boyfriend now. Go do girlfriend things. I'll clean up after the first years."

"I'll help you, Tabs," Remus offered.

"Ten points to Gryffindor, Lupin." Minerva sighed as he took a seat beside Tabitha on the bench,

"Well that didn't sound sincere, Minnie." James said and instantly regretted it at she glared at him.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Potter." She turned on her heel and sped off.

Lily jumped up and walked over to James. "Come on. I'll watch you practice and tell you what you're doing wrong."

"Don't you always?" He smirked, wrapping an arm around her, and looked at Peter. "Wormtail, you coming?"

"Um, no. No I'll catch up later." He walked off in the direction Mcgonagall had sped off and Lily and James departed towards the castle exit. Tabitha however gazed off after Peter and their teacher.

"Tabs?" Remus reached for her hand but when she faced him he pulled back. "You ok?"

"Something's wrong. I can feel it."

"With Minnie?"

"No. At least, I don't think so." She sighed.

"You know you can tell me if you need to," Remus said. "You can trust me."

"Oh, Rem, I know I can." She said. "I trust you completely. I just don't know what's wrong. I just feel it. I wish I knew where Marlene was."

"Um... about that. We know where she is."

"What?! But James said-"

"James said he couldn't say... which is true. He can't say because we promised we wouldn't tell a teacher."

"But, Rem, McGonagall seems upset. It could be important."

"I know, Tabs. But we promised. We can't break a promise to one another. It's just not what we do."

"Well I don't agree with your timing," she said but rest her hand on his and gave it a pat, "but I admire your reasoning. It's a great gift to have friends you trust."

Remus turned a bit red then pulled out his chocolate bar and split it with her while they waited.

Meanwhile Sirius and Marlene were together, inside one of Filch's many broom closets. They'd chosen it as it was the only one where Peeves didn't frequently come and "reorganize" and where Filch rarely came at this time of day. Sirius was spending most of their time exploring Marlene's mouth with his tongue when the door flew open and Proffessor McGonagall was standing there. The two were like shrapnel as they pulled away, but Sirius keeping a coy smile on his face. "Proffessor!" Marlene said in shock whie Sirius just snickered. "I um-"

"Fifty Points from Gryffindor. Each!"

"Don't be cross, Minnie. Nobody has to know," Sirius said.

"Out!" She snapped and the two of them exited. McGonagall raised her eyes and rolled them, "For goodness sake, Black, fasten your pants."

Marlene elbowed him, "When did you do that?!"

"Well... you know. Just thought I would be ready if you decided to-"

"In a broom closet?! I'm not a slut, Black!"

Sirius gave a high pitch, "mmmmmm" as if he disagreed with her statement but McGonagall cleared her throat to get them to quiet as Sirius fixed his belt. "Continue in this dialogue and I'll have both of you on the Hogwarts Express tonight and the only thing you'll kiss is your graduation next month goodbye Now then, McKinnon. I need you to come with me."

"Oh. Professor. It wasn't her idea to go in there," Sirius said stepping forward and blocking Marlene from leaving. "It was mine."

"How very noble, Black, but I'm not taking McKinnon away to punish her."

"Is... is something wrong?" Marlene asked.

"I um... your oldest brother is in the Headmaster's office."

"Atticus Og? Why?"

"It's regarding your father."

Marlene paled as the possibilities filled her mind. Sirius rested a hand on her shoulder. "Go on, McKinnon. I'll save you a spot at dinner."

"You won't be having dinner here, Marlene," McGonagall said. "Albus and your brother are going to speak with you. Then you're going to need to get some things and he will take you home. We will make excuses for your absence from classes this week."

"Has... has something happened to Dad?" Marlene asked softly.

"There's been an accident. Albus and I will explain it all. Please," she motioned up the hall, "come with me."

Marlene gave a look to Sirius before silently passing their teacher and walking ahead of her up the hallway. Before McGonagall could follow, Sirius called to her, "Ma'am? What's happened?"

"Mr. McKinnon has died, I'm afraid," she whispered to him. "Please, Sirius. Only tell who you must."

Sirius nodded but was stunned. She pat him on the back the way she always did when there were no words left to say and Sirius turned to go back to Gryffindor tower. McGonagall moved up the hall to catch up with Marlene but spotted someone peeking around the corner. "Oh! Pettigrew. Thank you for telling me where they were hiding. You did the right thing."

Peter seemed uncertain but nodded silently before scurrying up the hall.

The Potter Estate - November 1979...

Mrs. Potter woke up when she heard a pop outside. "Fleamont," She whispered and shook her snoring husband awake. "Fleamont, get up. It's the boys. Something is wrong."

She jumped out of the bed and he mumbled in his sleep. "Whatever they broke, we'll buy a new one in the morning," he instinctfully replied.

"Fleamont!" She smacked his shoulder. "Wake up and realize what year it is, won't you?"

"Hmm?" He opened his eyes hearing their downstairs door open up. "Stay here, Euphemia." He said jumping up getting his wand from his nightstand.

"Not likely," His wife said, already opening the bedroom door and going outside. Sirius was the first one she saw as he bounded up the steps. "Sirius?"

"Shit." He muttered and turned to face her. "Don't be mad, Mrs. P."

"Mad?" Mr. Potter said as he emerged. "Why is it every time you say that it usually preceeds us having that very emotion?"

"Good Gods!" Mrs. Potter gasped as she saw James reach the top of the steps with the bruised and bloody body of Tabitha in his arms. "Kip." Mrs. Potter called and the house elf appeared beside her with a nightcap on his head. She turned to him, "Please get hot water and banages to the guest room right away." The elf nodded and snapped away to the kitchen. She opened the guest room door where the girls had been staying.

"Were you followed?" Mr. Potter asked Sirius as James carried Tabitha into the room and set her on the bed.

"No, but they know we're here." Sirius replied as if Mr. Potter knew all the facts.

"Then you and James secure the rest of the property. I'll take care of the floo and send word to Dumbledore."

"Remus said your owl is being followed."

"I have my ways of getting word to Albus," Mr. Potter said. "Where is Remus now? Is everyone else still here?"

"Downstairs. Remus couldn't make it up the steps just yet." Sirius said as James emerged from the bedroom. "Come on, Prongs. Let's put more shields up."

Mr. Potter just pat his son on the back as he passed, unable to say anything else as he was still in a bit of shock. Kip came back up the steps with Lily and Marlene. "Euphemia is with her," he said to them and waived the girls in. As Lily passed he took her arm. "Where did this happen, Lily?"

"Malfoy Manor. They pinched Tabs in town. We used her wand to find her."

"You should have woken me."

"I'm sorry, Dad," she said. "I can't lose another parent."

Mr. Potter turned slightly pink and pat her shoulder. "Go on then." She walked ahead and Marlene followed, not sure what she meant by that. It was Marlene's understanding that the Evans family was still safe at home. Mr. Potter went towards the steps but he stopped before descending. "I like you calling me Dad," He said to Lily before she closed the guest room door behind her. They smiled at each other then separated.

Downstairs, Remus had sat down on the sofa, Tabitha's blood still on his cheek and her wand in his hands. It had snapped in his pocket when Sirius threw him back and now he just saw it as a representation of the events that had just unfolded. "This is all my fault," Remus said as he watched Angus McKinnon dab a cut on his head from some of the broken wine bottles that flew across the cellar during his fight. "If I hadn't sent my owl to Mum and Dad then Greyback wouldn't have intercepted it and they wouldn't know we are here.

"It's not your fault, Lupin." Angus said. "Wands break all the time and owls aren't always safe."

"But this wand is centuries old. It's all she has left of her family. And because of me, nobody can stay here."

"We always knew we would need to be on the move constantly. Once the holidays hit and the students leave Hogwarts, Albus will let us stay there."

"But that's weeks away. Where do we stay until then that is strong enough to keep Death Eaters out? Or somewhere they can't find us?"

"For now, Moody's faction of order members can help us guard the Potter Estate until James' parents can relocate. It's not safe for Tabitha to move now until some healing potions can kick in. We will need to take shifts sleeping tonight to stand guard until we are able to leave."

"I think it's safe to say I won't be getting much sleep tonight."

Mr. and Mrs. Potter came in the room together were Remus was waiting and he jumped up. "Is Tabs ok?"

"She's asleep." Mrs. Potter said. "She has some deep cuts that will take a while to heal and her head took a blow. Most of the injuries appear to be external. She is weak though. How long was she gone?"

"About an hour before we could find a way to track her. So at least that long she was being hexed."

"The spells just took lots of her strength and rest will restore that. Marlene and Lily are with her now."

"I have something that can help with the scratches," Remus said. "Once she's able to move, we will go somewhere they can't find us."

Mr. Potter looked at his wife and saw her sad expression. "Where will you all go?" He asked, knowing that was the question on her mind.

"McKinnon castle is still in ruins," Angus said.

"My house is in a muggle community," Remus said. "Lily's too."

"We will get it sorted when the boys are back, and I'm sure Albus will have some ideas. I can reach out to some comrades from the Wizengamot and see if they know any safe places. I think it's safe to say that if Voldemort's follows weren't certain of The Order's existence, they know it now. The question is do they know everyone involved?" Mr. Potter said and heard a motorcycle approaching outside and just shook his head. "Very discrete boys. Very discrete," He said to himself and looked at Remus. "Perhaps you should take up what you have for Tabitha's wounds, Remus? Lily will need it."

"Yes, sir."

Outside, Sirius pulled his motorcycle to a halt and James jumped out of the sidecar. "That should do it, Sirius."

"For now," Sirius said, not getting off the bike. "But they outnumber us. Those charms won't hold them off for long."

"Which is why I wanted to help," Fleamont Potter said as he emerged from the house.

"Dad," James said, "I know we should have told you we were going it's just that-"

"Well you were asleep, Mr. P-" Sirius said as he jumped off the bike to help James.

"Right, and then everything moved so fast. And it's not that we don't think you could help it's just-"

They both stopped rambling when Fleamont walked up and wrapped both of them in an embrace. "My boys," the elderly man said. "I'm so proud of you." He pulled away and looked at them both, "and so furious as well."

"Dad. We're fine."

"You forget the world I grew up in, James. This isn't the first war I've gone through. What you did tonight was risky. You all could have been killed. I'm so proud of you for saving your friend and working together. I saw the condition Tabitha was in. If you hadn't gotten there when you did she could be lost to us. If you hadn't worked together you all could have been lost to us."

"Dad... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to involve you in all this."

"I wish you would have involved me more, James. I know I'm no spring dragon anymore but, I still have some tricks up my sleeve."

"Mr. Potter," Sirius said. "You may get your wish to use some of those tricks if you stay here. They'll come for you."

"You think I don't know what they'll do to my home?" He looked over his shoulder to the house and then back to the boys to make sure nobody else could hear. "You know what happened to Atticus McKinnon last year?"

"Yea. That fire at McKinnon Castle. He didn't make it out."

"Atticus Jean McKinnon Sr. was a star Auror, and from one of the most powerful families of our day. He was a true Gryffindor. Fire-based magic is our bread and butter. You really think he couldn't find an exit in a castle that size through a few flames?"

"You mean, it wasn't an accident? It was a cover up?" Sirius asked.

"Atticus, in his later years, was having a bit of an identity crisis as an Auror with a long overdue need to retire. But he wouldn't listen to me or anyone else. He was so sure that he could still rid this world of the dangers that threatened us all and do it alone. We tried to get him on the Wizengamot, but he didn't want to leave the field. So he built a team and led them into a Werewolf colony. Many souls were lost... innocent ones. They were just victim to attacks just like Remus."

James eyes widen and he looked at Sirius who also had a dumbfounded stare.

"Yes. Yes. I know about Remus." Mr. Potter said to them. "But as far as Mrs. Potter is concerned, Sirius, she still thinks those fresh bandages on your chest are from a new tattoo. My point is that even though Atticus thought he was doing right, he did a wrong so severe that even both sides thought he should be held responsible. The Ministry dismissed him quietly. But Fenrir Greyback's friends didn't think it was enough."

"Yea... Greyback has a very specific form of justice that is overkill," James grumbled.

"And you think Voldemort will be any different? A man who kills his own family?"

James blinked at that, "He did?"

"Mr. Potter... did you know Voldemort at one point?" Sirius asked.

"Many of us knew him by another name, but only a few of us watched him become who he is and know him to be the same person. Remus' father knew him at school, but if he knows the connection from the man Voldemort was to the Dark Wizard he is now is uncertain. I've often wondered if Theseus knows. I assume he knows who he beat out for his current job."

"Voldemort tried to be Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?"

"Did Marlene's dad know?" Sirius asked. "Is that another reason they killed him?"

"It's likely. One of his last assignments as an Auror was searching for Tabitha's grandfather who I know for a fact was an acquaintance of Voldemort's when they were boys at school. He vanished about 4 years ago. Atticus never found him."

"Dad," James said concerned. "If that is true, if Voldemort is going to those lengths to bury is former identity then you and Mum could be in great danger."

"Which is why I keep his indentiy a secret from you, son. My point is this. My knowledge alone has always posed a threat to this house and to me and to your mother. We can't hide from that threat forever. All we can do is try to outwit it."

"But dad, I don't want you to face them alone!"

"I've never been alone, James. Never. You remember the gift I gave you the day Sirius moved in?"

"Of course. My invisibility cloak."

"And you remember the story I told you about it. That it will hide you from death until you are ready to face it like a friend?"

"Yes sir."

"Well," He looked up at his big house and took a puff of his pipe which he'd been holding this whole time then looked back to the boys. "I'm ready to make a new friend. I won't go looking for trouble of course, but when the time comes, I'll welcome death as a friend, knowing that I raised a son... two sons.. who risked their lives to do the right thing and save a friend and that I protected them as best I could. So don't you worry about me, James. Your mother and I will be just fine.

James leaped forward and wrapped his arms around his dad in a tight hug. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, son."

Marlene had fallen asleep at the foot of the bed with Tabitha resting silently in it. Lily was busy though, double checking the temperature of the potions she had made and keeping them organized on the nightstand. "Oh, Remus." She whispered as he came in.

"Hey. I brought this." He held up a jar. "It's balm Madame Pomphrey made for me to help after the moons. I thought I could put it on her scars."

"Thanks, mate. Maybe not the deep ones just yet though?"

"Yes, nurse Evans." He smiled.

"Doctor."

"Doctor Evans, my bad." He watched her expression carefully and asked. "You ok?"

"Hmm. I'm fine."

"That was some Patronus you cast. Never seen one so big."

"Thanks, Rem." She said and nodded. She turned to Marlene and gave her a gentle shake. "Marley. Mar, wake up."

"Hmmm, what is it?" She woke up and looked around and remembered where they were, instatly looking to Tabitha. "She ok?"

"She's not woken up yet, but she's breathing ok. Rem will keep an eye on her. You better get some rest."

"You both should," Remus said.

"I don't think I could, but I'll try." Lily said. "I better go make sure James got back safe."

"I just heard the bike pull up. He and Sirius are outside."

"And Pete?"

"Oh, Wormtail! I just realized I haven't seen him since we got back!"

"He went to bed," Marlene said. "I saw him go straight to his room when we got back. Mysterious little guy."

"More Mysterious by the day," Lily said with a yawn. She looked back to Tabitha and stroked her head. She gave her a gentle kiss on top of the forehead and Tabitha's complexion instantly softened and almost appeared to get a little color back into it. Marlene noticed and looked at Remus who looked equally surprised at the healing response Tabitha had to the gentle peck. Lily waived for Marlene to follow and they both left the room.

Remus walked over and sat beside Tabitha. His stomach turned as he looked over her. There was a gash on her head, a bruise over her eye. Her neck was black and blue. He tilted his head as he saw one of the buttons on her jeans was undone and nearly vomited as he thought what Fenrir was implying by messing with that. He pulled his attention to her arms and saw a few cuts Lily had cleaned. He opened the jar of balm and dabbed his fingers in some of it. The moment Remus pulled her arm towards him to administer the balm, Tabitha jolted awake and grabbed his wrist with the other hand her eyes wide with panic and fear.

Remus jumped but quickly tried to sooth her, "It's me, Tabs!" He looked into her eyes. The sight of them broke something inside him a bit. He stroked her hair out of her face and gently said, "It's ok. You're home. You're safe."

"Remus?" She sat up, groaning and grabbing her rib cage as she did. She looked around the room to make sure she wasn't dreaming and her wild a bit as she let him go. She looked back to him and rested a hand on his cheek to make sure he was real, brushing her own blood off of it from where Greyback had pinched him. When she felt sure they were safe, she practically collapsed into his chest exhausted and he wrapped her in a hug. "Oh Tabitha, I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. This was all my fault. I should have stayed with you."

"I'm ok, Remus," She finally whispered, feeling the safest she'd ever felt in his arms. "It wasn't your fault."

"I'll never leave your side again," he whispered. He thought he had only thought it to himself, but when he heard him say it aloud he glanced down to see if Tabitha heard as well. "I thought I'd lost you."

"I'm ok now. Just some scratches."

"Oh right," He reluctantly let go of her but still kept one hand around her as he picked up his jar. "Madame Pomphrey made this for me. It prevents scarring. Because you know… I have…"

"Trouble with scratches, sometimes?" She said with a soft smile knowing what he meant to say.

"Right." He dabbed a bit of balm on a scratch on her cheek. "Where else?" Tabitha sat up as best she could and rolled up her sleeves a bit to reveal her wrists that had been badly injured by the enchanted cords. Seeing it makes Remus boil. "So they um... they.."

"Enchanted rope."

Remus pushed through the thought and mended it with his balm. "Anywhere else?"

"I'll never leave your side either, Remus…" She answered suddenly, causing him to look up at her and she continued. "All I could think when I was there was, 'I can't die… because it would hurt my friends. I can't let them hurt Remus. I have to stay strong.' and that got me through. I'm stronger with you and I want to protect you from being hurt as well. Fenrir Greyback may have hurt you once but I won't let him do it again."

"He told you then?" Remus bristled. "He told you it was him that did… it." He asked motioning to the scars on his face and Tabitha just nodded. "Did he touch you? I mean I know he did. I know they hurt you, but I know the way he messes with people, especially women…" he got choked up not wanting to ask in more detail. "Did he… attack you?"

"Not in the way you're thinking, I swear."

Remus wasn't sure if he was satisfied with that answer when he saw a bit of blood bleeding through one of the fresh bandages on her upper arm. "Oh, that's still bleeding." He rolled up her sleeves more and she pulled away.

"No! Remus, that one stings. Just leave it be."

"This stuff will make it feel so much better Tabs." He started to unravel the bandage and she grabbed his hand.

"Don't." Here tone told him all he needed to hear.

"...What did he do?" He asked, his hand still frozen with the bandage half unfolded. "I have to see it, Tabitha. Please. Nothing can be worse than my imagination now."

She hesitated but finally removed her hand and allowed him to lift the bandage. Fenrir had carved his first initial, 'F,' into her flesh. Remus let go of Tabitha's arm and stood up from the bed, stumbling away from her. "No!"

"It's just a cut, Remus."

"Tabitha, that goes too deep. It's going to scar! Don't you understand what he's done? He's branded you! He knows about us. Does he know?"

"He… smelled your scent on me."

Remus ran his fingers through his hair and paced around the room. "He's marked you like one of his clan because he want's to remind me of what I am. Once again, my monster has hurt the people I care about!"

"Remus this wasn't you, this was Greyback."

"Because of me!" He had a quick realization and asked, "Tabitha, please tell me he didn't use his nails to do this."

"Remus the moon had been long gone. It's not the same as a werewolf scratch,"

"Please tell me, Tabs! Please, you can tell me."

"He used glass from one of the wine bottles."

Remus winced at the thought and let go of her, sinking to the floor and leaning against the bed.

"I should have known," he whisperd. "I should have known we can't be together."

"Says who," she said finally laying back down from exhaustion, but also so she could be at eye level with Remus though the back of his head was to her. She just reached over with her good arm and rested her hand on his head, stroking it.

"Fate, I guess." He reached up and grabbed her hand pulling it down so their clasped hands rested on his shoulder. "He won't ever stop, Tabitha. He won't stop until he's satisfied. That's what happened with my father, and now it's my turn to deal with him. Your safer if we stay apart."

"Haven't we already tried that? If tonight has shown us anything, Remus, it's that together we are stronger." He didn't answer and she knew he was intent on his decision. "Remus, please don't do this. Don't pull away now that we are so close to what maybe should have started a long time ago." Her voice was tired.

"Get some rest Tabs."

"No, I don't want you to go. I wish you'd never seen the bloody scar."

"I won't go then. I'll stay right here and protect you. Even if it means we can't be together, Tabs. I'll protect you."

He didn't look back at her the rest of the night. Eventually he fell asleep too, propped up against the bed. Their hands never separated.

Downstairs, Lily was still awake. While everyone else had collapsed into bed for what was left of the night, she was being powered by adrenaline and the shock of what had just occurred. She was hurrying around the sitting room which was to be used as a sitting area during the wedding, but she was packing up the decorations. She climbed atop one of the bookshelf ladders to pull down streamers. Suddenly she heard Peter's voice in the doorway. "You should just use magic to pull all that down, Evans."

"Peter." She looked at him standing with a glass of warm milk that Kip made for him. She climbed down the ladder she was on with a handful of streamers and set the on the table. "Doing things the muggle way helps me decompress. A little hard work gets out the nerves."

"Hmm…" he nodded in agreement.

"Why aren't you in bed yet?"

"Oh I was, I just couldn't sleep."

"I don't blame you. It's been a long night. That glass of milk should help you though."

"Am… am I bad person, Lily?"

"What?" She blinked at his blunt question.

"I think I am…"

"Peter you just risked your life to save a friend. That's not exactly something a bad person would do."

"It's just that… just now, I've been sitting up there in bed so angry. I get these feelings sometimes. I can't tell if it's pride or anger or envy. But I was just so angry and couldn't shake it."

"You have every reason to be angry, Peter. The Death Eaters-"

"I was mad at James!" He blurted out. "At all of you. After all that Malfoy and Forrestor and all of them did to Tabitha, and yet I was mad at my friends the most? I must be a bad person. I must be."

Lily walked over to the emerald green sofa and pat the empty spot beside her once she sat, "Come on," she invited and he walked in and plopped beside her and continued, still holding his glass of milk.

"Tonight everyone was in a rush to come up with ideas to help Delaney, and when I had an idea nobody listened. It took forever for you all to remember I'd come up with an idea… an idea that worked, mind you. I did it all. I knew where the Thestrals were. I had Wormtail to get around the house undetected and find Delaney. I even was the one who suggested Remus use a flare to signal everyone so we could surround them. I did it all. But we get home and nobody even gives me a 'well done, Pete.' And I sat up there hearing Mr. Potter outside with the boys gushing over them. It's always 'James this' and 'Sirius that' and Remus up there cuddled up with Tabitha-"

"Cuddled up?"

"Oh yes, they are madly in love," He rolled his eyes. "I heard Remus tell Sirius."

"How long ago was that?"

"Back when we went to James' flat after the first meeting. I was resting my eyes and they assumed I was asleep in front of the telly and started talking about it. See? The boys even exclude me from secrets and talk about them while I'm in the room!"

"Peter, I-"

"I have good ideas, Evans." He set down his milk and looked at her . "I'm smart too. But nobody listens to me. I should have just been happy that Delaney is home safe and that my plan worked, but hearing everyone but me get the credit for it… it just had me sitting up there in bed so angry. I felt like I was back in school again."

"Peter, you have to remember that James' parents had him so late in life. They doted on him when he was born because he was their only child. Sirius acts cool to hide his insecurities and his best friend is getting married. That's very hard for him. And hearing what you have to say about Remus and Tabitha would explain why Rem had a hard time paying attention to anyone tonight."

"Yea… That's true. But those are their excuses. What's mine?"

"I don't know, Peter. But I know you're not a bad person. Look around this room. I'm down here packing up my wedding and I got so terribly sad that I won't be putting on my dress and marrying James. Meanwhile my friend is up there, having been through hell. She could have… oh she could have died, and I was thinking about my wedding? And then I got even more mad at myself for having a moment of selfishness."

"But it was just a moment."

"Exactly. We are human, Peter. We all have moments when we feel selfish. We have to make sure that those moments don't last and that we look up from our own problems and focus on the people around us." She reached over and picked his milk back up. "Now drink up before your milk gets cold." Peter grabbed the glass with both hands like a child and gave it a few sips. "Peter?" Lily asked. "Why could you see the Thestrals?"

Peter kept drinking but looked over the glass as he gulped down the milk. When he was done set the glass down and wiped away his milk moustache. He thought for a moment about sharing but quickly stood up. "Goodnight, Evans." He walked hurriedly up the hall and looked back at her. "And thank you."

"Goodnight, Peter."

Sirius was staring up at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity before the pillow beside him levitated and smacked him on the bed. He jumped up and looked at it remembering he'd enchanted it to wake him in case he fell asleep. He checked the time. It was about 4am now and his turn to keep an eye on the corridors. He stepped out into the hall just as Angus made it to the top of the steps. Sirius just combed his hair out of his face with his fingers and walked by him.

"Black," Angus said.

"Thanks for keeping an eye out, McKinnon."

"About earlier..."

"See you at breakfast."

"Sirius, stop!" Sirius did so but didn't look back at him. "Enough is enough. I know you have beef with me and I know why. But I did what I did last year to protect my family. You won't understand that."

"Wouldn't I?" He turned and looked back at Angus. "Did it ever occur to you that night, that I might have been able to decide for myself what was best? But you didn't give me that choice."

"If I overstepped, I'm sorry. But certainly we can move past this. It was one night a year ago. You act as though I ruined your life when all I did was tell you the truth."

"The truth?" Sirius stepped closer so their voices wouldn't wake anyone up. "Where the hell have you been all year, McKinnon? You weren't in jail that whole year. You talk about doing what is right for your family but you run out on them right when they are grieving your dad's murder?"

"Murder? It was an accident."

"Was it? Or is that what you want everyone to think?"

"What are you accusing me of, Black?"

"You claim to put your family first, but all you've done is lie to them."

"And what would you know about putting family first?"

"I know I'm not perfect, McKinnon. Ask anyone and I'm sure they'll have an itemized list of grievances I've caused them over the years, but none of them can call me a liar. None of them. There is only one lie I've ever been part of and you were the cause of it. And until you tell the truth, I'm stuck in that moment... in that decision to protect you because I knew your sister needed you. I'm not a perfect man, McKinnon, and I'm still trying to figure out what kind of man I want to be. But you... I know exactly the kind of man you are. Don't think what you did for Delaney changes that."

Sirius turned on his heel and walked up the hall to keep watch on the house until the sun came up.

James held Lily a little bit closer that night. The morning haze started to appear outside his window and he sighed at the thought of how it was no longer safe for them to host their wedding.

"We could elope, like Alice and Frank did," Lily whispered as if reading his mind.

"Well good morning," he whispered back to her and pulled her in closer, her head resting on his chest. "What time did you finally come up last night?"

"Around 2am with Peter. You were snoring away. I didn't want to wake you."

"I wish you had, so I could tell you sooner how amazed I am by you." He looked down a bit as she tilted her face up at him and he stroked her cheek. "You saved me."

"I don't think Snape would have killed you."

"But he wouldn't have stopped his new friends from doing it." He sighed. "How did you conjure that patronus? It didn't even show your doe."

"I just thought of you." She grinned. "Do you remember the first time we learned to conjure a patronus?"

"You mean when you and I both had deer as our patronus and you got so embarrassed you punched me?"

"Well you teased me about it!"

"Because I was embarrassed too." He laughed. "That was when I had started to fall hard for you and thought maybe you would know it if you saw." They chuckled a bit and he said. "What did you mean when you told Dad you can't lose any more parents?" When she didn't answer he asked again, "What was it Dumbledore asked you to do the other day?"

"Do you remember that Ravenclaw named Lester Thomas? The Muggleborn?"

"Barely. I remember he kept to himself. Not a lot of friends. He was older wasn't he?"

"Yea. Dumbledore said he was invited to join The Order, but someone on Voldemort's side found out and killed his muggle parents because they refused to share his whereabouts."

"Godric that's awful."

"And now he's considering altering the memory of his muggle wife to keep her safe. They'd never be together again. It's happening everywhere. Muggles with magical relations are being targeted as leverage since they can't defend themselves."

"And Dumbledore told you all this because..."

"Because I have to protect my parents."

"And obliviate them?" When she didn't answer James just wrapped his other arm around her and hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Lily. What if they moved in here? Dad can protect them."

"Your parents can't even stay here now, James." She said sadly. "And my parents are too in the know about the Wizarding World. They subscribe to the prophet and I keep them aware of what is going on. In a way I've condemned them. I can't believe that I'm grateful Petunia hates me because at least that means she's safe."

"It's ok, love. It's ok." He clung to her as she cried on his chest. "When this is all over, we will go back and find them. We will find a way to get their memories back. We will remind them they have another daughter, and everyone will be reunited again. Do you want me to come with you to do it?"

"Please. I was going to do it alone, but after today I realize we never can do it alone."

The Adventure continues next as Lily decides to find happiness in their final days at The Potter Estate...