Book I: Birth of the Order

Chapter XXI: Elements of Surprise

Music Choice: Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra

Platform Nine and Three Quarters - September 1, 1976...

The whistle blew at Platform nine and three quarters as the Potter family, including their newest guest Sirius, made their way to the Hogwarts Express. Mrs. Potter fussed over Sirius, adjusting his tie and vest. "Now remember, don't let your robes wrinkle. Mae McKinnon just loves to brag about her boys having the best robes in school as if we don't all get them made at the same shop in Diagon Alley."

"And for Merlin's sake boys try to stay out of trouble," Mr. Potter said aloud for her to hear but then leaned down and whispered to his son, "You packed your invisibility cloak I gave you, didn't you?"

"It's in my trunk."

"Good lad. That will keep old Minvera off your tail." He pat James on the back. "You should go find Remus and Peter, now."

The Potter boy looked to Sirius who seemed a bit sad, not his normal self, and James leaned over and said, "We will get things sorted with, Remus. Ok, Padfoot? He can't be mad at you forever about last year."

"It's not that..." Sirius said and nodded forward.

James scanned the crowd then finally saw the man in question. "Dad," James said nudging Fleamont, "It's Sirius' father."

Orion Black stood beside his youngest son and stared daggers at the Potters.

"James. Take Sirius and get on the train," Mrs. Potter said cautiously.

"No, dearest," Mr. Potter replied calmly. "We can't keep the boy from his father."

"They've known where he is all summer." She defended, resting her hands on Sirius' shoulders and pulling him close to her as Orion began to stride across the platform. "They didn't come for him. Why deal with it now?"

"Because he's not your son, Euphemia." Orion Black said as he arrived in front of them.

"Orion," Fleamont said calmly, "Speak your peace, and let's let the boys get off to school."

"You don't dictate to me, Fleamont. That boy," he shot a bony finger towards Sirius, "Is my blood. Not yours. You've kidnapped him. I should report you to the authorities."

"He ran away, Black. And I'm sure the Ministry will see child abuse as a fair reason for the boy's impulsive choice and our decision to allow him to stay with us."

"Abuse? Don't tell me you're one of those parents who never struck a disobedient child, Potter. I would beleive it though." He looked James up and down. "It's no wonder that my son came to the cushy house of Potter knowing what a spoiled brat you have. It's probably your boy who filled Sirius' mind with all these insaine ideas about integration." He looked James up and down, "A bit ironic given that he takes his appearance more from you than from her anyway," he said in refrence to Mrs. Potter's dark skin.

Something triggered Mr. Potter and he shoved Black backward, causing Regulus to jump startled and other families around the platform to gasp and look on. "Now you, listen to me you pale, pretentious ass-"

"Fleamont," his wife warned trying to calm him. "He wants a scene. Don't give it to him."

Mr. Potter took a deep breath but stayed nose to nose with Mr. Black. "You keep calling Sirius your son, but as far as I can see you are no father to him. I decided a long time ago that Sirius was in need of a family in more ways than one and as far I can see, anywhere he goes will serve him better than under your roof. You set one step near this boy, and I will do what I must to protect him."

"And why would you do that?" Orion asked.

"Because Fleamont protects this family and everyone in it" Mrs. Potter said holding Sirius's shoulders tightly and pulling him closer.

"Well well... then let's hope the Potters will always be around to protect everyone," Orion mocked.

"Don't worry," Sirius said finally speaking up, "We will be."

Orion bristled at that comment but James beamed with pride at his friend. Orion Black turned his gaze from Sirius to Mr. Potter. "Well I have a family to protect too, Potter. And my wife has been bed-ridden since that child's deliberate act of spite against us. So you can stand in my way all you want, but I can assure you, you're only prolonging the inevitable." Orion stepped by Mr. Potter towards Sirius and looked down on him. The boy stood proudly and Mrs. Potter did the same as she kept her hands on his shoulders.

"Not one step-" Mr. Potter warned.

"Regulus!" Orion barked making everyone flinch a bit at the shout. "Get on the train." He turned and stormed away.

In that moment, Sirius couldn't tell if he was embarrassed, pleased or dissapointed as he watched his father walk away from him, his brother looking back sadly as he trailed after their father.

"Dad! That was brilliant," James said and Fleamont pat his son on the back.

"Well a wizard has to protect his family, no matter what. Doesn't he?" He looked back at Sirius and said, "On the train you two." They gathered their things and Mr. Potter set his hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Please write to us if you need anything. Ok, son?"

Sirius was taken aback by his choice of word and he smiled, "Ok, Mr. P. See you at Christmas."

James and Sirius boarded the train and Sirius said, "You know, James, your dad can be kind of scary."

"Not scary. Brave. I hope I'm just like him one day."

"It must be nice to have a father to look up to," Sirius said as they grabbed their usual compartment where Peter's things had been set but he had gone to find the trolly witch for sweets.

"He meant it, Sirius. You're family now. You always have been. You have my old man to look up to as well. You said it yourself. You're a Potter now."

"That kinda slipped out."

"Well it's the truth, mate."

"I know," Sirius said and smiled. "I know it's the truth."

Ministry of Magic - December 24, 1979...

More Death Eaters emerged from the corridors and surrounded The Order. They wore masks to disguise themselves, except for Rudolphus, his brother and Bellatrix.

"It's two against one," Remus whispered to James. "And if they hex any more of us like Sirius it will be game over."

"Then don't let their spells pass the tip of your wand," James warned.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle little brats-" Bellatrix sang as Sirius stood beside her. She wrapped an arm around him and gave a hug, more like a headlock.

"Don't touch him!" James shouted.

"Little bitty Sirius back with his family again. Isn't it sweet?" she cackled and pressed her face check-to-cheek with Sirius'.

"James, I'm sorry," Peter whispered. "I thought I'd tied him down."

"It's ok, Wormtail," James muttered back to him. "Lestrange. Let him go."

"No no no," Bellatrix said and pinched Sirius cheek as he stared blankly ahead at James. "He has to come home. It's been too long. Give our regards to your pathetic family for keeping him alive, but now it's time he returns to where he belongs. His daddy misses him something fierce, all alone in that great big house now that Auntie Walburga has kicked it."

Sirius swallowed hard and flinched slightly against the spell as if he'd been shot in the heart.

"What?" Bellatrix asked. "Didn't know your own mum had died, Sirius? Do you have questions about your dear departed mummy? What' Sirius?" She poked him. "Come on. Cat got your tongue?" She let out a cackle.

"That's enough!" James shouted, his heart racing knowing how much pain his friend was in.

"No, Potter." Bellatrix snapped. "It's not enough. It's only just starting. Sirius Black is one of us know. Too bad for him he failed his first target!" She hissed at Marlene, "But not everyone is perfect like me."

Marlene felt as if her throat was swollen and every breath felt like she was trying to swallow rocks. Angus put an arm around her and held her close but she pulled away slightly, wanting to let Bellatrix know that their attempt to have her killed didn't slow her down at all.

Remus however, forced his way in front of Tabitha attempting to hide her as he heard Greyback walk up.

"Lookie what I found." Greyback called, holding the chocolate bar that Remus had used to mark their shelf and was eating the rest of it. "You know Lupin, if you just satisfy your blood lust on the moon then you won't crave this much calcium the rest of the time for your aching bones."

"His what?" Frank asked and it made Remus bristle as his secret became more and more known.

"Oh look who joined the party! We have everyone here," Greyback continued. "Marked for death McKinnons, Pesky Prewitts, hmmm what's a good alliteration for a motherless Black?" He winked at Sirius then whiffed the air. "Well well well. Smells like someone in your group has a baby on board."

Frank stepped beside Alice and covered her with his arm and used his other to aim at Greyback, but Alice just held his arm and stepped beside him to aim her wand as well.

Lily moved closer to James and whispered, "James, I-"

"NOBODY SAID YOU COULD SPEAK, MUDBLOOD!" Sirius shouted at her as Rudolphus whispered the words into his ear.

That was all it took. It may as well have been a battle cry as Remus and James simultaneously sent spells towards their enemies. Bellatrix laughed as she shoved Sirius forward to be her personal defense but Rudolphus groaned, for he couldn't balance the fight and the hold on Sirius' conscious for long. "Fall back, Black." Sirius did so and Rudolphus grabbed him and pulled him towards the exit.

"They're getting away," Marlene whispered to Angus and started to run after Sirius and Rudolphus, but he pulled her back.

"You're too weak, Mar. Let me help him." She jerked away but he added, "I owe him, Mar. Let me save him."

"Together," She whispered and glanced at James who nodded for them to go after his mate and she and Angus chased after Lestrange.

The remaining nine Order members were now outnumbered even more yet holding their ground well.

"Come on then!" Gideon boasted. "My brother and I will take five of ye all to ourselves!" The fighting went on and some of the Death Eaters became unmasked in the fight which would result in them either running away to protect their identity or trying even harder to kill.

Meanwhile, Regulus was alone. He ran up and down the isles of the department and searched for any sign of the Guardian Prophecy. Finally he landed on the right area but when he located the pedistal tagged with "Guardian" as the label, it was empty. "One of them took it." He stared at it for a long time, contemplating if he should run and tell Bellatrix or not. He wasn't able to think long as he was thrust against the shelving by strong hands. He spun around and almost went cross-eyed at the wand tip shoved in his face.

"Having second thoughts about your loyalties, Black?" Max Forrestor had found him and was aiming right at his head.

"I- I - No... it's missing. The Prophecy is missing. What are you doing here? You were supposed to go on another mission with Lucious and Avery to the Bones Estate."

"The loon with the crazy eye and some old man with a funny hat had already beat us to there and gotten them out. So I guess you could say I'm a little parched for justice right now. I wonder who I could kill instead. Any ideas?"

"You can't kill me, Max. I didn't do anything to you."

"I got here in time to hear your pathetic attempt to warn your brother about Voldemort."

"I wasn't warning him. I was distracting him so-"

"Stop. Speaking." He pressed his wand into Regulus' cheek. "Now I don't know why Delaney covered for a measley little shit like you. I intend to find out. But I know you're the one who did it. You killed my brother."

"Are you going to kill me?" Regulus asked anxiously and Max couldn't help but smile at the first sign of fear he'd seen from the boy.

"If he does then he will have to answer to the rest of your family and the Dark Lord," came the voice of Severus Snape as he approached slowly and confidently. "Put your wand down, Forrestor.

"Oh, Reg and I were just playing, Snape" Max said removing his wand and brushing a bit of lint off Regulus' clothing. "Why would I harm someone who is going to help me?"

"Help you?" Snape asked.

"Oh yes, Regulus has agreed to help me in my efforts to win favor with Lord Voldemort."

"How generous of Regulus," Snape said in a monotone voice.

"Isn't it though. So see... there will be no reason for me to kill him," he strugged but looked back to Regulus and whispered, "yet."

Rudolphus found another chamber in the Department of Mysteries, covered with stars and planets. As he entered, he thrust Sirius forward and asked, "What is this place?"

"Space Chamber," Sirius replied. "Magic works differently in here."

Rudolphus gave him a sharp look. "What the hell does that mean?!"

"Just what I said."

Rudolphus aimed at Sirius to ensure the curse still had his hold on him. "Kneel." He commanded and Sirius did so. Rudolphus just chuckled and towered over him. "Well I guess we see what makes this spell unforgivable." He rest the tip of his wand under Sirius' chin to force his gaze upon him "Even in a room where magic works differently, it still does its deed."

"Back off, Lestrange," Angus said as he entered with Marlene at his side.

"Still as nosey as I remember you from our school days, McKinnon," Lestrange said, "Always shoving in where you're not wanted. "Get up, Black."

Sirius stood slowly and lifted his wand, panting heavily as he fought back as best he could, his arm shaking as he aimed at them against his will.

"Incarserous!" Angus said but the spell didn't work.

Marlene stepped forward, "Expelliarmus." But no magic emerged from her wand.

"Black tells me this room is of a different form of magic. Lucky for me, unforgivable curses are strong enough to still get the job done though so, Black. Kill them."

Sirius moved towards them, "A-Ava-" He faught against the spell with every fiber within him.

Angus took his sister's hand, "We have to run."

But Marlene wouldn't budge, "I won't leave him." She looked around the room. It was as if they were standing in space themselves amid the stars and the planets and yet, there was a tiny fountain in the center of the room, torches in the corners, small potted plants by the door. Strange to display something so simple as nature in a room that honored the cosmos. Suddenly she remembered the words of Olivander...

"Magic is all around us. The Druids learned to become one with the earth so that Magic could then be found within them. Many of them used spells without the help of wands. It wasn't until our ancestors decided to combine the magic of nature and the magic within us and construct wands with powerful cores, that the lives of wands were extended and they became magical beings all on their own."

"They're just sticks..." she whispered and grabbed the coreless wand from Angus.

"Avada-" Sirius started but bit so hard on his lip to prevent the next word that it split and began to bleed.

Marlene tossed the wand to the floor and took a deep breath, thinking of the many conversations she and Lily would have about old magic and the Druids. "Sirius. Stop!" She held out her hand in full confidence and the fountain beside him began to steam. "Stop." She repeated and the water overflowed, crashing over the edges and pouring towards Sirius. Marlene did not break her focus as the waters gripped the ankles of Rudolphus Lestrange and pulled him down. As the young man fell, his wand flew from his hand and Sirius collapsed as his body finally was able to stop fighting back.

"What the-" Angus muttered

"Get Sirius!"

He did as she commanded. He charged to Rudolphus who was still in shock.

Marlene shut her eyes and focused on the space around them and the room began to shake. Angus tackled Rudolphus decked him on the jaw a few times before knocking him out.

"Sirius!" Marlene ran over to where he lay in the puddle of water and carefully lifted his head. He was panting and weak from fighting every muscle in his body.

"Get back," He said weakly.

"You're not under the spell anymore, Sirius. You aren't going to kill anyone."

"You ok?" Sirius asked in relief.

"I should be asking you that question," she said.

"What... what the fuck did you just do?"

"Saved your ass. Was that not obvious?" She smirked then embraced him tightly, still a bit shaken from what she'd just done.

The Order fought noticeably better than their first match in Hogsmede, but they knew they'd need a plan to escape.

"Remus?" James said as he backed into his friend, "You said you had an idea. Now is a great time for it."

"Any moment now, Prongs. We need Padfoot." He looked to Tabitha and nodded. "Go on, Tabs. Just like we talked about."

Tabitha nodded and Fabian covered her as she escaped up the hall to find Kip.

The elf snapped his fingers at a shelves around the corner to make its bolts vanish then running to the next one to do the same.

"Almost done Kip?"

"That's the last of the shelves Misses Tabithas."

"Good. Come on then," She took his hand. "Just like you did earlier. Just bigger."

"Wont shelves fall on our friends?"

"Not if we time it right. Just make sure to catch me before I hit the ground." She ran with him up the hall and he apparated both of them to the top of the shelves that overlooked the ongoing battle.

Below, Alice and Frank held their ground against Bellatrix who chuckled, "I hope you know breaking and entering to this department is frowned upon in your line of work, Longbottom. Cousin Barty won't be too pleased with you."

"Well, you would know," Alice said, "Since Barty has grown so close to you in recent months."

"Gasp!" Bellatrix said with a laugh, "Are you accusing your dear cousin of something, Alice?"

"Someone had to let you in here and it wasn't an Auror," Alice said slicing the air with her wand and Bellatrix hissed as she reached up and felt her cheek that was bleeding.

"That was rude. Just because you're face is ugly doesn't mean you have to attack the beautiful ones, Hupplefluff."

"Get back," Frank said.

"Frank, I can handle-"

"Do as I say, Alice," Frank demanded and Bellatrix laughed.

"Ooooo, bossy. Now say 'Where is my dinner, woman?'"

Alice did as Frank said though, knowing he wasn't commanding her but may have a plan. He did indeed. News of Remus' plan had made it's way to him and he was starting to split the group into small escape groups. "Stay near me."

James, Remus and Peter were now all together. "It's not going to work," James said. "This isn't going to work without-"

"Don't sound so defeated, four-eyes," Sirius' voice came and James looked beside him to see Sirius had survived his ordeal and made it back to him. James wanted to wrap his arms around his friend and hug him tightly in relief but he pressed on as there wasn't time to waist.

"Mckinnons?"

"Watching the door to make sure we have no more surprises."

"By themselves?"

"Don't worry. She can handle herself," Sirius said still in shock from the events that he witness in the other room.

"Unlike you lot," Bellatrix said as she and others surrounded them.

"Leave the pregnant one to me," Greyback laughed. "Two for one dinner special."

Snape appeared from the shadows, "Still think Gryffindor always wins, Longbottom?"

"We also know where our loyalties lie," Lily said as she gave him a disappointed look.

"Pathetic," Bellatrix sighed. "You all could have been useful in our ranks... well... most of you. But your deaths won't be in vain. Rest in peace knowing you've bettered the world... by leaving it."

Snape looked at her surprised and muttered, "All of them?"

Suddenly, everyone heard a rattle in the distance. They looked up and saw Tabitha and Kip atop the shelves rocking back and forth and breaking each one off its hinges. Slowly everything fell and crash and the Death Eaters growled as they realized they were being trapped and the prophecies destroyed. "Take all the lives you can get!" Bellatrix shouted.

"Masters Potter!" Kip squealed, hearing James endangered and popped away as the shelf collapsed under him. He first stuck to the plan and returned to Tabitha who was trying not to panic as the shelf under her feet did the same. Just as she slipped away he appeared beside her, taking her hand and apparating them both to the ground.

"Marauders?" James shouted and his mates replied beside him. "Ready?" This time, together, they would get the spell right. Each drew their wand over their heads so all for points touched one another.

"FIENDFYRE!" they all shouted together and a flame shot upward as the Death Eaters advanced.

Bellatrix growled and aimed her wand, shouting "Morsmordre!" A black smoke filled the space and a Dark Mark made of smoke filled the air. It was not present long though, as the flame conjured by the Maruaders peirced through it and transformed into a bird of fire.

"It's a Pheonix!" Longbottom shouted and the bird dove circling The Order and surrounding them with a protective flame that kept the Death Eaters away as the cyrstals and shelving fell and pelted the enemy. Bellatrix tried to press through the flames while others, stayed back and protected themselves.

"Let's beat it!" Frank shouted and everyone surrounded Kip who held tightly to James. Once everyone was touching they all disapperated away.

Bellatrix put out the flames finally and shrieked in anger when the smoke vanished and she saw they had escaped. "No. NO!" She turned and began to choke Snape. "How did you let this happen? The McKinnon's are still alive! Sirius is gone! And the prophecies are all shattered!"

"Bellatrix," Regulus said as he approached with Max behind him. She turned and shoved Snape away who seemed unbothered by her outburst. "And just where the hell have you been?"

"Let them go, Bella," Max said. "Because one of them took what we need."

"The Guardian?" She shuffled forward as the glass crunched under her feet. "They have it?"

"Someone can only take a prophecy from this room if it pertains to them," Snape said, "So if they have it... then there is someone in that group that is worth more to us alive than dead. We just need to find out who."

Back in Hogsmede...

Everyone apparated into Hogsmede at different places, all separated from one another as Kip had lost control of apparating that many people in. Peter landed in a snow bank alongside the owlery when he sat up. It took him a moment to get his bearings when he quickly panicked and started to feel the pockets of his coat. He shuffled through the snow as he heard a whisper calling him. Finally he jumped towards it and dug into the snow where he recovered the crystal that had fallen out of his pocket. He tucked it away as he heard footsteps running up. "Peter?"

"Over here, Evans.. em, I mean Potter."

Lily ran over and instantly looked around him. "Where is James?"

"He didn't come in with me."

"I heard voices over here though."

"V-voices? No." He shoved his gloved hands in his pocket to muffle the prophecy. "I think I heard more people over that way."

"Right, come on then. We didn't make it this far to loose each other now."

By the pub, Remus was groaning. He reached over and felt the snow beside him and smacked someone in the face. The victim of his smack sat up quickly. "Sirius?."

Sirius just brushed the snow off himself and stared forward as the events of the last hour ran through his mind.

"Sirius?" Remus asked again. "You ok?"

"That was fucked," Was all he could manage.

"I know. But we made it out... and... I'm sorry about your mum. I'm so sorry you found out like that."

Sirius just fell backward into the snow and Remus did the same beside him. They lay there looking up at the sky when Sirius finally said, "I was like a prisoner to my body."

"I know."

"I almost killed Marlene, Rem. I was seconds away from watching the life leave her body at my hands, maybe even less time than that. If Peter hadn't..."

"But he did. We got you home."

"I'm just saying... I understand now."

Remus knew what he meant. Sirius was admitting that he had just walked a night in Remus' shoes. He now knew the pain and agony that Remus underwent every month at the moon. Remus just stood and faced Sirius. "Now you know why I asked you that favor. Are you willing to agree to it now?"

"I still don't think it's right, Moony-"

"It isn't right that someone should die on a moon because I can't control myself. Think of Marlene. I know you love her, Sirius-"

"Moony-"

"Don't, 'Moony' me, I know you better than anyone... how you love more than anyone else. You love her. Maybe you're too afraid to admit it, but you almost killed the woman you loved tonight. I'm begging you, Sirius... don't let me do the same. Because I may not be so lucky as the be stopped in time." He extended his hand and added, "Please. Promise me you'll do what it takes to stop me."

Sirius looked at his hand a long while before taking it and allowing Remus to pull him up. "Alright, mate. I promise. But I don't think I'll have to."

Marleen and Angus searched the dark streets for everyone when they saw Peter and Lily emerge. Everyone gathered under one streetlamp and kept their wand ready in case anyone had follow them. It wasn't long before they were joined by Frank and Alice who had located each other after appearing on either side of the street. They walked hand-in-hand beside Gideon and Fabian who were brushing the soot off their coats from the ash pile they'd landed in beside the bonfire pit.

Tabitha, Kip and James apparated in holding hands in the center of the street. James looked to Tabitha instantly and asked, "Where the devil did you come from? I thought you were at Mungo's."

"I just got a feeling to go straight to the Ministry. Something felt wrong."

"And Kip? How did you know to send for him?"

"I didn't. I just.. found him."

"You found Kip at the Wizard hospital?"

"We should go find Lily. She'll be worried about you."

"Delaney," James said as he realized.

"And Sirius. He's probably so upset."

"Tabitha... Why did Dumbledore send you to the hospital?"

"To... get potion ingredients."

"Why else?" He asked sternly.

Tabitha thought if she should say anything more but looked at Kip who just held James by the hand. "I saw Kip in one of the waiting areas outside an infirmary."

"Which one?"

Tabitha didn't answer and Kip added, "Kip couldn't just leave Masters Fleamont and Misses there alone to die. Potters is family."

James looked stunned at Tabitha who remiained quiet when they heard Remus.

"James! Tabitha!"

"Shhhh," Sirius hissed as he followed. "You'll wakeup all of Hogsmede before Father Christmas gets here."

"Kip will tell you all you need to know." Tabitha whispered looking back to James, his expression still frozen. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Potter. You don't know how much." She turned and faced Remus who was beaming to see all his friends had safely made it back but he frowned as she pressed past him with a sad face. He looked back to James who was exchanging words with the small house elf.

"Something's wrong..." Sirius muttered.

"Go on, Padfoot." Remus said as they watched James' face contort with grief and he removed his glasses to cover his eyes with his palm.

"Give me a shove, Moony?" Sirius asked, choked up, as he realized what message Kip must be delivering. Remus complied with a gentle push on his friend's back, causing him to move towards James and the house elf.

Remus turned and walked away, immediately locating Lily by the others. She turned beaming in relief at everyone's survival but her smile vanished as he whispering to her what was happening. She turned and looked over his shoulder just in time to watch Sirius and James embrace one another and the tiny house elf hug James around the legs.

Back in Common Room...

Frank's faction of Order Members thought it best to stay the night at Hogwarts to recover and the McKinnon's did the same. Sirius and James had immediately gone to speak with Dumbledore following Kip's message while the rest sipped on hot chocolate. Tabitha and Lily were curled up in the same armchair with a blanket and Tabitha had an arm around her friend. "It's Dragon Pox then?" Frank asked.

"I talked to the doctor," Tabitha said. "Both of them are there - Mr. and Mrs. Potter. It won't be long now."

"Oh, Tabs... those sweet souls," Lily sighed.

"This is all my fault," Remus said from his seat in the window as he watched the snow build up on the glass. "If I hadn't exposed our hiding place at Potter Estate they wouldn't have had to leave and they'd never contracted anything."

"Rem. When are you going to stop blaming yourself?" Lily asked. The door opened behind them and everyone turned expecting to see James, but only Angus entered.

"How's little sis?" Gideon asked.

"She'll be ok. Pomphrey has her resting now."

"I didn't think Sirius had caused that much damage," Alice said.

"That's not why I wanted Pomphrey to give her a once-over..." Angus said as he plopped down between the Prewitt Brothers. "Marley was able to use magic without any wands or spells."

"That's not possible..." Tabitha said but Lily just leaned forward as Angus continued.

"Magic works differently in the Hall of Space, I guess. She was able to control elements in there with little effort."

"Not differently," Lily mumbled and all eyes fell on her. "It's just old magic. I remember when we were kids. It was our first year and I caught Marlene in here by herself on a day like today. She was searching the mantle for a match because we weren't allowed to use fire spells on our own yet. She had only just found one and leaned over the fireplace when it ignited. The match still cold in her hand. Then she learned that trick she taught you Remus..."

"The candles," Remus said. "She showed me how to light candles with just the flick of a wrist. No spell or wand."

"We got some books on old Druid magic and studies together in our dorm. She learned to control it. She could turn the girls bath into a steaming spring with just a thought. Anything elemental, she had a different kind of control over."

"Explains why her Herbology and Potions scores were always in the top," Tabitha added.

"Why wouldn't she tell me?" Angus asked.

"Only you can answer that, Angus. You know yourself better than the rest of us. Marlene never kept anything from you unless she was afraid of how you'd react."

"That's why Lestrange wants them dead," Peter said bluntly and everyone whipped their heads around to gaze at him. "You lot are Druids and Pureblood. You probably are more powerful than you know. Especially when the whole family is together."

"It begs the question though," Remus said as he dabbed the cut on his cheek but then when everyone looked at him he stopped.

"Go on, Remus," Frank encouraged.

Remus hesitated a moment more, afraid to stir the pot, but he said, "If your family can control elements like fire then..." He couldn't bring himself to finish but Angus knew what he intended to say. If the McKinnons could manipulate elements, then why did the fire of McKinnon Castle kill his father.

Not wanting to dive deeper into the topic, Angus pulled something from his shirt pocket and tossed it to Remus. "Told pomphrey Greyback took a swipe at you and nicked your cheek. She said that would help." He tried to resist adding anything else but the long silence pressured him to add, "Not that it would make a difference for you."

"Angus!" Lily snapped. Remus jumped up and from the window and stomped up the steps.

"What the hell, McKinnon?" Tabitha asked setting her cocoa down.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just heard what Greyback said... is Lupin really a werewolf?" He whispered the question as if everyone else hadn't also heard Greyback's words.

The room was silent until Peter said, "That's why we use our animagus abilities. To help him each month"

Angus' eyes widened at a realization as he connected some dots in his head and said, "Shit..."

"What is it?" Gideon asked beside him.

"I just... think I owe Black an apology."

"For what?" He asked but Angus didn't answer.

"I should go check on, Rem," Tabitha said aloud.

"Let him be, Tabs," Lily whispered to her. "He just needs time." Tabitha huffed and leaned back in the chair and Lily added, "He'll come around. You'll know when he's ready to let you in."

"Lily?" a soft voice came from the door and the conversations in the room halted and looked at the door.

James had opened the door so quietly they hadn't even noticed him. "Can I speak to you?"

Lily handed her teacup to Tabitha, stood and followed James out without a word.

In the hall, she saw Sirius sitting on the moving staircase, his back to them and she looked to James to silently ask if he was ok and James just said, "Physically, he's fine. Doesn't want to go see Pomphrey with Marlene in there right now. Kip said my folks were moved from the Dragon Pox ward to a recovery room. They aren't contagious anymore but they aren't responding either."

"James," Lily said and rest her hands on his cheeks, "You don't have to be strong with me."

"It's just, um," he cleared his throat as a cover for his choking voice, "It's just that even going to see them I won't have the chance to um... the chance to say... goodbye. They um..." he cleared his throat again as his glasses fogged up. "They may be able to hear me but I guess we will never know."

"They know, James." She whispered. "They know, how much you love them."

"I got to tell, Dad. I told him the night we rescued Delaney but um... Mum. She doesn't know... I didn't tell her..." He finally shut his eyes tightly as he felt tears escape. "Oh Lil..." his voice cracked, "My mum," He covered his face but she pulled him towards her and he collapsed on her shoulder, clinging to her tightly.

Sirius had been sitting as still as a statue, the stream of tears leaving his face as he mourned his own mother and now another mother and father.

Later that evening, Albus Dumbledore entered Gryffindor common room to check on The Order members. Some had gone up the tower to bed while some fell asleep in common room like house pets curled up on sofas. He helped himself to a cup of hot chocolate that was still warm and took one sip before spotting the green Delaney Family book sticking out of Tabitha's bag. He walked over and lifted it, immediately opening it to a specific page.

"Albus?" came a voice cam through the open door.

"Come in, Theseus. The moratorium on non-Gryffindors is lifted tonight."

Theseus Scamander in his nightgown and robe entered and walked carefully by the sleeping Order Members, "Is it true about, Fleamont?"

"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore said casually flipping the pages.

"It's not right, Albus. He's younger than I. I just don't understand it. They were hiding at my personal home. Dragon Pox at my home?"

"Unless they contracted it some other way." Dumbledore suggested.

"W-well. You don't think someone intentionally exposed them-"

"Do you recognize this man, Theseus?" He held up the book and pointed out a photo on the page.

"Can't say I do. Recognize the picture though. That's Slug Club."

"Mhmm. Picture was taken in 1942. The boy in the top row of graduating students is Tabitha's Grandfather, Charles. He went missing about four years ago. Ministry never found him. Recognize anyone else in the picture?"

Theseus immediately set his finger on another face, "Isn't that the young bloke who tried to get the Dark Arts position before you hired me? Riddle was his name?"

Albus nodded and closed the book. "He was also the only Youth Representative of the Wizengamot to be dismissed after only a year."

"Dismissed?"

"By Fleamont Potter who never disclosed why, but it's the only time I saw the man fearful of anything. Riddle went to work at Borgin and Burkes after that despite many other Ministry job offers."

"Why are you telling me all this, Albus?"

"Because I don't think, Voldemort was after the Delaney Prophecy in this book, even though it does pose a threat to him. No, I think..." Dumbledore carefully removed the page holding the picture. "He was after this. I think he wants to destroy any evidence that Tom Riddle ever existed. First he got rid of Charles Delaney. Then Atticus McKinnon. Now the Potters, as well as getting his revenge on Fleamont."

"Revenge? Albus, are you saying this Tom Riddle boy is Lord Voldemort?"

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies, Theseus." He watched carefully as Theseus Scamander contemplated the possibility. "Do you wish to know everything, my friend? Surely all we have been through, you deserve to know if you'd like to. But know that if Voldemort finds out-"

"Only tell me this, Albus. Will my kids be ok?"

Dumbledore knew what he meant. While Theseus had not been blessed with children of his own, he knew he was referring to the students of his in The Order. "I wish I could tell you, Theseus. I was so certain that they'd find something tonight at the Department of Mysteries that would tell us what's to come. But alas, I'm afraid I may have sent them too soon. One day, a Seer will show us the answer though. Of that much I'm sure." He tucked the Slug Club picture in his pocket and pat his friend on the shoulder. "Shall we get to bed then?"

"No... no. You go. I think I'll watch over them a bit longer. It's not too late. I'd like to wait up for James and Sirius to get back, if you don't mind a Hufflepuff infiltrating your common room tonight."

"I don't mind at all. Goodnight then, my friend. Happy Christmas."

Remember when these chapters were short lol.

I only have one more chapter of Book I and then I think chapters will be a bit shorter in Book II since we have established most of the characters backgrounds now.

PLEASE TAKE THE POLL IN MY PROFILE on how you'd like Book I and II broken up. As always please review so I know what you're liking and what characters you'd like to read more about.

Also if you like Fleamont and Euphemia and are sad to see them go, please read my backstory on them that I've just started - "If All The World Were Paper and All The Seas Were Ink"