Book II: Age of the Pheonix

Chapter IV: Start with Sorry

Music Choice: Baba O'Riley - The Who

Hogwarts - September 1976...

Every time James entered the Great Hall after Quidditch Practice, he always felt like a celebrity. Even the first years, recently sorted and welcomed to Hogwarts, knew his name. Today however, he was self contious about the dirt stains on his clothse and his mussed up hair. He didn't feel like taking in the shouts of "Hey way to go, Potter. Ready for another year of Quidditch? You're going to smoke the Slytherin's this year!" Not today. It was the second week of school and yet it had felt like a prioson sentence as his best friends were divided. James looked over to the Gryffindor table, hoping that maybe today Remus would be sitting with them but his shoulders dropped when he saw Sirius and Peter sitting alone.

"Hey," James said as he walked up to the lads.

"What pumpkin patch did you crash into?" Peter chuckled and Sirius just looked up, mid-bite of apple.

"We practiced knock-off defense today. I guess I was too distracted to stay on my broom."

"You ok, mate?" Sirius asked. "Physically, I mean." He felt the need to add the last bit knowing that emotionally, James felt torn inside over the discord between his friends.

"I'll be fine. What you got there, then?" James asked Sirius who clutched a note in his hand. "Letter from Mum again?"

"Yea, I swear I get more than you do. I think I'm her favorite son now." They chuckled together and heard the doors to the Great Hall open. James looked over, half-expecting and half-hoping to see Remus there coming to join them after two weeks of nothing but silent treatment. Instead, Lily Evans was walking in with her head held high. She walked to the end of the Gryffindor table and took a seat. Her plate appeared before her and she began to assemble her lunch.

James and Sirius met eyes and exchanged a moment of silent conversation before Sirius said, "We talked about this James."

"I can't keep avoiding her."

"You aren't the one who called her a you-know-what. You don't owe her anything."

"I just want her to know I'm not like him."

"Woah," Sirius nerely spit out his apple. "Like Snape? Come on mate, you wouldn't call someone a name like that. You're not capable of something that cruel."

"If we've learned anything this year, Sirius, it's that we're capable of worse things than we thought. Just ask Moony."

Sirius grumbled, "Cheap shot," to himself as James approached Lily. He brushed the dirt off his shirt, walked up the hall and swiftly slid to the seat across from Lily.

She was pouring over her books and didn't look up when he sat. She just said, "Save me. This history chapter Binns assigned is like a car crash. I can't take my eyes off it and yet it is the most agonizing bit of writing I think I've ever set my eyes upon." James just reached forward and closed the book, allowing her to breath. "My hero." She said and looked up with a smile which instantly turned to a glare. "Potter?"

"Hey Evans."

"What are you doing?"

"Can I sit here?"

"I'm expecting someone else."

"Ah. So I guess I'm not the hero you had in mind to rescue you from Binns assignment?"

"Why do you want to sit here? Don't you usually sit with with the rest of the rabble," She looked over and Sirius and Peter had been staring but when she made eye contact they darted their eyes away and stared down at their plates. "Or your Quidditch team?" She added. "Or who is the lucky girl this year that gets to chase you around until you notice her?"

"Ok, Evans. I get it. Can I sit here or not?"

"I'm just saying you have no shortage of actual friends to sit with. Why do you want to sit with me all of a sudden?"

"Because sometimes it can be hard being me, to know who your true friends are." He bragged.

"Oh you poor little rich boy," She grumbled then opened her book again.

"Hey," James said and reached across to slam it shut. "I'm trying to be nice here. Can't we just let the past be the past? I feel bad about what Snape did last term and realized now you may not have a friend because of it. I thought I would come help keep you company."

"Is that what you think? That Sev is... was my only friend?" She stood up disgusted and gathered her books. "You are honestly the most conceited and close-minded boy I know." She turned to leave and nearly crashed into the gangly teen that had come up beside her. "Rem!"

"Rem?" James asked as he saw Remus beside her. She had a nickname for him?

"Rem, I'm sorry. I've lost my appetite. I think I'll just go have some tea at Hagrid's. Dinner tonight with me, Mar and Tabs?"

"Um. Sure."

Lily stormed off and Remus looked down at the stunned Potter who said, "You're hanging out with Lily and her roommates now?"

"Why not? They're nice to me."

"Yea? Well I'm trying to be nice to them but she won't have it! What am I doing wrong Moony?"

"Well for starters," Remus said taking Lily's empty seat across from his friend. "I don't think girls like it when you're covered in dirt. But with Lily specifically, it isn't what you've done. It's what you haven't done."

"Which is?"

"Apologize. I apologized for participating in our pranks on her, but some of the things you did were really cruel at times."

"They were just pranks."

"James. How long are you going to defend it? When are you going to grow up and realize that even pranks can go too far and hurt the people you care about most? The people who trust you the most?" His voice had raised a bit and body tensed. They fell silent for a long while as the noises of the Great Hall surrounded them.

"We aren't talking about Lily anymore are we?" James gently asked him. Remus glanced up the table and locked eyes with Sirius who had the most genuine, broken expression on his face that would make him unrecognizable to anyone but Remus. Then Remus' gaze fell to the Slytherin table where Snape also was staring. He gave a knowing gaze to the young Gryffindor and refused to break eye contact. James glanced over his shoulder to see what Remus was looking at and when he saw Snape, he slipped his fingers around his wand that he'd set on the table.

"James," Remus warned.

"You don't have to worry about him, Moony. Just know that."

"Yea well..." Remus stood up. "I think I've lost my appetite too."

"Moony?" James asked and Remus stopped and turned back to him. "What do I do?"

"We talking about Lily still?"

"About everything. What can I do to fix... everything?"

"You can't always fix everything, James."

"Let me try, please."

Remus took a deep breath and said, "Start with 'I'm Sorry' and... see where it goes from there?"

James just nodded at his suggestion and Remus left the room. James sat and ate by himself with only his thoughts the rest of the hour.

Knockturn Alley - January 1, 1980...

"You are a weak fool, Regulus. As Merlin is my witness, I will train that weakness out of you. I won't have it said that I married into a family of traitors."

The memory of Rudolphus's words rang in Regulus' ears as he stood outside of Borgin and Burkes, excluded from the remainder of the meeting that only a select few could participate in. He knew the real reason though. They didn't trust him any more. His performance at the Ministry had been too believable. It was enough to fool Sirius into falling into their trap, but too convincing to leave his cousin-in-law settled in his mind, then there was the matter of Max Forrestor, Regulus thought. Despite Tabitha taking the blame for his brother's death, Forrestor had a feeling Regulus was guilty.

He felt a tug on his pants and glanced down upon the concerned, somewhat grumpy face of his house elf, Kreecher. Regulus just raised an eyebrow without a word as if to inquire what brought the family servant to Knockturn Alley.

"Master sends for you, sir."

"Tell him he isn't my master anymore."

"Well isn't you a tough un now. No matter what becomes of Kreecher when he returns without Master Regulus at his side. No care-"

"You know that isn't true, Kreecher. But surely Father won't hold you responsible if I refuse to come."

"hmmmm, Master Orion isn't himself these days. He's a dark dark man, destroyed by grief and anger without the Mistress."

"Hmph. Sounds like the same father I knew."

Just then the door opened and Max Forrestor emerged, an unlit cigarette on his lips. His eyes locked on the boy and the house elf.

"Stay behind me, Kreecher," Regulus warned and the elf did as he was told. "Well?" He ask calmly when Max leaned into his face.

Max stared a long while, his dark eyes were some that could stab into a man's soul. "You going to light this shit or what? It's the least you could do..."

Regulus sighed and drew his wand, igniting the tip of the cigarette and Max leaned back after blowing a puff of smoke into the boy's face.

"Well, Reggie... You're quite the topic of discussion in there today."

"Can't imagine why."

"Rudolphus is a bit concerned you're straying from the path."

"As far as I have seen, we are still creating the path. That tends to happen when you make history."

"You're smooth, you know? I'd wager you're a better liar than your brother. But I can see right through it. Well no need to worry. I vouched for you."

"You did? Why?"

"Don't you remember? We are a team now, you and me. See... you did something that would cement you as a blood traitor when you killed my brother-"

I didn't-"

Regulus was unable to finish as the tip of Max's wand emerged from nowhere and was shoved against his neck. "Don't interrupt little boy, the grown up is speaking." Max took another puff of his smokes, Regulus staying frozen with the wand still under his jaw. "As I was saying. I covered for you in there. I'll keep your little secret about Dennis to myself. You may see that as a favor, but I see it for what it really is. I own you now."

"Maxy-" called Fenrir Greyback as he entered the scene. "I thought we agreed, no threatening little children until after lunch." Greyback chuckled. He stood beside the man who passed the cigarette to him to take a drag then moved away from Regulus.

"I'm not afraid of you. Either of you. I'm not afraid of Rudolphus either. He's the one who ran away from a little girl!"

"I tried to warn ye about their lot," Greyback said. "The McKinnon's are direct Druid descent. They have a closer bond to old magic, something more Powerful than Lord Voldemort himself. He'd be wise to get them out of the picture sooner rather than later. If they tried, the McKinnon's could bring back the practice of old magic and defeat all of you lot."

"How dare you," hissed Barty Crouch as he emerged from the shop, overhearing Fenrir. "Lord Voldemort can weild any power he wants!"

"Can he, Junior?" Fenrir chuckled over his shoulder at the young man, "I haven't seen him manipulating the elements without the help of a wand like the McKinnon girl did. Perhaps you should pull the sand from your eyes and ask why. If he's so powerful, then why can't he do it? Why did he need the McKinnon's Patriarch dead, or Fleamont Potter or Charles Delaney? All are from long lines of Purebloods and yet he snuffed them out."

"They were blood traitors. They knew too much," Barty said to Greyback.

"Perhaps... Perhaps they just have something, he hasn't got."

"Don't forget you're only here as a mercenary, Fenrir. Word of this treacherous outburst getting to Voldemort wouldn't bode well for you."

"Do you really find it wise to threaten me the day before a full moon, Junior?" He licked his finger and stuck it in the air, "And a doozy moon it feels like. Never took you to be a fool... oh. Wait. I did."

"Oh for Godric's sake," Max groaned, "Stop bickering like children and get back to the point. The McKinnon's are all divided right now. They aren't going to bring back old magic when they are spread across the continent. What matters now is making sure we find The Guardian."

"Already have, in a matter of speaking," Barty said.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"I already gave Snape all the information. Someone got to the Prophecy before us. It has to be someone in their group."

"Still no idea what the Prophecy says?" Regulus asked.

"No. Only that we're looking for a traitor in their midst."

"Or a traitor in ours..." Max said as he stared deeply into Regulus' eyes.

The Hogshead Pub...

It was well-past the time for the meeting to begin. Finally, James, Remus and Sirius crept up the streets of Hogsmede, all crammed under James' cloak, after stashing Sirius' bike in some bushes nearby. While Sirius snuck a smoke in the back alley, James and Remus snuck into the pub and up the winding stairs to the meeting room above.

James took a breath before pushing in the door to the meeting room, Remus beside him. As it opened, the warm hum of voices filled their ears along with the welcoming glow from the fire. After one step into the room, however, the voices stopped. All eyes fell to the Potter boy.

"Master Potter," Benjy Fenwick muttered and removed his hat. His humble and kind eyes meeting James'. "Please accept our condolences. Your father, well... he was one of the brightest and strongest wizards of his day."

"An understatement," Alestor Moody added.

"It's true, Potter," Edgar Bones said. "My mother was also so close with your mother in school that I feel I knew the woman too through the stories she shared. If she set her mind to it, sounds like your Mum could have smacked down Voldemort with that temper of hers."

"We so wanted to be there, James," Benjy said. "At the burial. But surely you can understand-"

"No, I know," James said finally speaking as the overwhelming reception began to calm. "I guess I never realized how many of you knew my family."

"Fleamont knew everyone," Edgar said said. "Whoever he knew, they knew Euphie. And in turn, your Dad knew a great deal of our community."

"And the secrets within it," Moody muttered, somewhat sourly and his gazed out the window and puffed his pipe.

"Speaking of," James lifted the file, "There are some things in here I think may help us with the War."

"Well don't leave us in suspense, Potter," Frank said, still exhausted from his inquiry but managing to stay awake.

"We didn't read all of it," He replied and pushed the file across the table to Dumbledore who stood in his usual place at the head of the table. "Dad left a note in there saying it's for your eyes only, sir."

James went to sit beside Lily and found no vacant seat, with Tabitha on one side and Frank on the other. "Um... Longbottom. Think I could sit with my wife?"

"Why?" Lily asked. "You didn't wish to share your plans earlier, then why would you want to share a spot with me at the table?"

A few of the younger lot snickered at Lily's sassy remark and James instantly realized he was in the doghouse.

Tabitha just pushed out of her seat, to end the uncomfortable moment and said, "Just take my seat, Potter." He did so, but sat a bit stiffly beside his wife.

"Trouble in paradise, Potter?" Teased Moody

"We're fine," Lily insisted and her tone silenced the room. "Albus, what's the folder say?"

The older man raised a finger as he poured over the contents of the file and everyone silently waited.

Remus pulled out to chairs and took one as Tabitha joined in the one beside him. "Where's Black?" She whispered.

"Outside having a smoke."

"Where the hell did you go?"

"The Potter Estate? It's actually good Lily didn't go. I'd hate for her to see her wedding place the way it looks now?"

"You mean?"

"Destroyed. It's unrecognizable. And it's all my fault."

"Please don't do that to yourself. I've spent a good deal of years constantly blaming myself for things, and I know the burden it can be."

When he didn't reply she just slipped her hand into his under the table where nobody could see and he gave it a squeeze.

The room watched patiently as Dumbledore sat and read each page carefully for what seemed like an eternity.

Outside, hidden in the shadows of the back alley, Sirius was enjoying silence as well. After cramming into the Safehouse with six others, including the house elf, the peace and quiet was therapeutic.

"Are those wizard smokes?" A familiar voice came from behind him.

Sirius just smirked, not startled, and blew out the smoke, "Nah. The Muggle ones."

"The Muggle ones will kill ye," Marlene McKinnon replied and Sirius turned to face her.

"Better a sexy corpse than-"

"Than an old square," She finished with a disapproving smirk.

He'd only been apart from her for a week, but with their last interaction being such an inpleasant one it felt like an eterinty as he pondered if she was still cross with him or not.

"So," Marlene said. "Fate keeps bringing us back to this old place hmm?"

"SO it would seem. How's life in the elemental business? Still conjuring floods with nothing more than a sniff?"

"No. But I work on it."

"At least now I know why the stone fountain in the garden broke that one time we decided to hook up in exterior corridors. I must have really been good that night."

"Keep it up and I'll see if I can amplify the smoke on that cigarette to suffocate you." He smirked and she stepped a little closer. "Sirius. About last week. I said some things that were a bit blunt. And I-"

"Oh come now, McKinnon. Don't start going soft on me now. I'm fine. Good ol' Sirius is always fine, right?"

"I just. I want to make sure we're ok."

"Sure." He rest a finger under her chin to lift her eye-line to his. They gazed at one another in silence for a moment and Marlene felt the same old feelings arise. "We're good." Sirius let go and nodded her into the Pub. "Better run along, then. I'll be up soon.

"Fashionably late?"

"Well I do have a reputation to keep up. Where is brother dearest anyway?"

"He and the Prewitts were taking too long to get going and I needed some space. Should be here soon. I'll leave you to your disgusting habit. See you up there, Master Black."

"Master? I thought you only called me that when we would-"

"Does your foot ever get uncomfortable in that mouth of yours?!"

"I canna-say it does," He mumbled to mock her accent and she just rolls her eyes and rushes in.

Dumbledore had finished reading the file and though his countenance changed, he refused to discuss its contents during the Meeting. Everyone could tell he was distracted by what he had read, but continued to address matters of The Order of the Pheonix. The Prewitts and Angus arrived shortly after Marlene had with Max Forrestor's notebook and was now revealing some of the contents.

"Is this all we've got?" Moody belted. "We think we can bring down Voldy with some old Wizengamot files and a diary?"

"Don't be fooled by small bits of the puzzle, Alastor, or you'll miss the whole picture," Dumbledore warned.

"Fabian?" Mary MacDonald spoke up, "Where did you and Gideon find this diary?"

"Right on the creep's nightstand," he said proudly and walking over to her and booped her nose playfully. "We rung in the New Year atop his roof in Knockturn and watched the little cloak and dagger meeting begin."

"Got a roster for me and the Longbottoms do ya?" Moody said. "Not that Frank could do much with it for the time bein', seein' as how he's gotten booted off the Auror league."

"Thanks, Madeye," Frank mumbled.

"As a matter of fact we do!" Frank listed every Death Eater they had seen, some names everyone knew but he hesitated a moment before saying "Lastly, we saw Mulciber there too." Mary MacDonald exhaled and he just rest a hand on her shoulder, remembering how Mulciber had toyed with her in school.

"And you're sure it was Barty Junior?" Sirius said from his spot against the doorway.

"Does a one-finned mermaid swim in a circle?"

"He means, yes," Gideon grunted.

"But no evidence," Lily sighed. "For any of them really except those listed in The Prophet already as undesirables. Mary, don't you work in Crouch's office?"

"Yes, I'm his father's legal assistant, but Barty is there all the time stalking about the halls as if he runs things."

"Yes," Remus said, "We witnessed that on one of our missions. He's got droves of Ministry workers wrapped around his finger. Without evidence, his father will never accept that he's guilty."

"Don't assume the inner-workings of the Crouch household, Remus," Dumbledore warned as he walked back to Max's diary on the table and flipped through it.

"Sir? Is there anything in there that could suggest my father is in danger?"

"Your father, Remus?"

"Professor," James said speaking up. "Someone vandalized my father's estate." The room hummed with concern at this and he added, "Our family portrait had, 'revenge is sweet' carved into it. We are starting to see a pattern here.

"Ah, and you think that Lyall may know more about Voldemort than he should?"

"Yes," Remus said with a nervous nod.

Albus just smiled softly, "I'd considered it too. I wrote to your father a week ago and suggested he return home to take care of your mother. He's safe and sound."

"For now," Sirius said bitterly and when everyone looked at him he grunted, "Sorry..."

The meeting dismissed, everyone with their assignments, Dumbledore with a slew of questions in his mind. He flipped through the notebook as people broke into subgroups to chit-chat and wish on-another a happy New Year.

"Albus," Theseus Scammander whispered.

"If this is about Lyall..."

"If what you told me is true, Albus, then Remus could be right. If Lyall makes the correlation between the Riddle boy he went to school with and Voldemort-"

"As Fleamont did?" The professor looked confused and Dumbledore just passed the file too him. The man's eyes widened as he read and Dumbledore said, "Fleamont, with limited information, was starting to find information I only had as an eye-witness. It's all in there. But sadly it isn't enough..."

"Isn't enough?!"

"Yes. Professor Slughorn. He's holding a secret I thought would be in here. If Fleamont couldn't get it out of him, being such good friends as they were, then I dont' know who could. But something happened when Riddle was at school. Something that made Horace fearful. And if it happened in the presence of the other students, then Remus could be right about his father's safety."

"Well, we will just have to ask Horace what he knows then. This is for the greater good."

"My friend, there are some things that can make a man so fearful that even the threat of impending doom could not bring it from his innermost soul."

"Sir?" A voice came and both men turned to face Angus McKinnon. "Just wondering if you have heard anything from my brothers?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. McKinnon. But do not give up hope. Family has a way of finding its way back to one another. Ah, and thank you and the Prewitts for this," He lifted Max's journal. "Max Forrestor has done some research. I daresay even some McKinnon secrets were in here that I'm sure you'd like to keep hidden."

"Oh, no sir." He said calmly, "There aren't any secrets in there about us. I mean, not any bad ones."

"I didn't say that though, did I?," He asked with a gleam in his eye. "I said there 'were' some in here... at one time."

"Sir," he said nervously, "Are you saying I tampered with-"

"Mary?" Dumbledore cut him off to call her and she pat Fabian on the arm as an apology for breaking their conversation.

"Sir?"

"I'd like you and Mr. McKinnon to deliver this to my brother. He can put it somewhere safe. Should be downstairs."

"Takes two of us to do that?" Angus grunted then shook his head and said, "I'm sorry sir, that was rude. I'll escort you MacDonald."

"Much obliged, head boy," she smiled and took the book then they silently exited.

Sirius glared at the McKinnon boy as he passed and Lily couldn't help but notice. "Padfoot?"

"Don't scold me, Evans," Sirius huffed.

"I won't. I just wish you would tell me what happened between you two. I know it has to do with Marlene."

"Doesn't matter. It's over. Until he fesses up and tells her the truth, there isn't much I could do."

"Oh? Don't suppose you ever considered telling her what happened?"

Sirius didn't answer, but promptly changed the subject. "Don't be cross at your idiot husband. He just didn't know what state the house would be in. He wanted to keep you safe."

"I know. I'm not cross," She sighed. "I'm disappointed." She looked over her shoulder to James who was speaking with Alice and Frank and when his eyes met hers he gave her a soft smile.

"He'll apologize and you two will make up. You always do."

"True," she looked back to him. "But that's not your style is it?"

"Hmm?" He now looked at her with a cool stare.

"Tabitha? You two have had a grudge over something since 1st year and won't budge and it's only gotten worse since we graduated. Marlene? Doesn't matter what Angus did to come between you two. An Apology will fix it all. And then there's Regulus..."

"Don't, Evans."

"It's Potter now," she insisted. "Sirius, did it ever occur to you to forgive him? Even if your relationship is never repaired, then at lease you aren't bitter."

"He's got a dark mark now, Lily. He's beyond redemption."

"Beyond redemption? Is that was Remus thought about you end of fifth year?"

Sirius looked at her stunned.

"What? Shocked that I know things?" She smirked. "And look at you two now. Still friends."

Sirius glanced across the room to Remus who chattered on with Tabitha at their seats, more relaxed than Sirius had seen him in a while. "Still friends, but changed forever."

"Well, I find that staying the same is vastly overrated," She grinned.

"Speaking of apologies... looks like one is coming your way," Sirius nodded behind her and she saw James heading their way. Sirius pat Lily on the shoulder then went to speak to Dumbledore as James took his place beside his wife.

"Lily. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept it from you where we were going but-"

"But you wanted to protect me," she nodded, "I understand, James."

"Really? I thought you'd rip into me."

"Let's just say I'm learning why it's important to keep things from people in order to protect them." She looked at Sirius across the room then to James and whispered, "Not many know this, but... Regulus has had that mark since his sixth year at school."

"What?" He moved closer to her. "Does Dumbledore know that?"

"All I know is that when he broke his arm in Quidditch his 6th year, he stopped playing. Everyone called him a chicken, but I know why now. He was afraid another injury like that on his other arm would reveal the mark. I knew something had changed about him that year, there was a new darkness around him. Mary sensed it too. So did Tabitha. I was going to tell Sirius but, I don't want him to give up hope in his brother just yet."

James exhaled at the information and paused before asking, "Do you think there is hope for him? Reg I mean?"

"Well... There wasn't much hope for a prat like you back then and look how you turned out."

He grinned and then pulled something from his pocket. It was a ladies wristwatch, tarnished from smoke damage, but still ticking away. "This was mums. Dad gave it to her when they found out she was going to have me. They say a watch ticking symbolizes a heartbeat. He said it was a reminder to her on the outside, that a heartbeat was on the inside... my heartbeat. A reminder that she was going to have a child and that their life was about to change forever. I want you to have it now." He took her wrist and fastened it on then the both of them rest their hands on her stomach. "So that you can hear our child's heartbeat and remember that they'll be here soon."

Lily rest her hands on her husband's cheek then kissed him softly. "Thank you, James.

Time passed and the fire died down as more and more members left. Mary and Angus returned from delivering the diary to Aberforth Dumbledore. Mary walked over to the professor who still was speaking with Sirius and whispered something in his ear.

"Thank you, Mary. I appreciate you notifying me." He looked over to Fabian, "I'll let you pickup where you left off with Mr. Prewitt."

"Thank you sir, but I should probably get going. It's been a rather long day for me." She looked to Sirius and said, "Sorry for interrupting. Oh... where is Pettigrew by the way? He missed the whole meeting?"

"He's working on an errand for the Order," Sirius replied.

"I see. And who requested that he run this errand?" Dumbledore asked.

"You did sir. Or he says you did."

The remaining Order members fell silent as they overheard.

"Judging by your expressions, I feel it will be redundant to confirm that I made no such request of young Pettigrew."

Alice stared at them across the room, looking at her watch and see how late it was becoming. "Come-on, Peter," she whispered to herself, hoping the boy would burst through the doors and reveal his discovery of the Prophecy, sparing his trust with The Order. Much to her relief, everyone heard steps approaching.

Moody and Bones rushed to either side of the door, their wands drawn and ready. The remainder of the Order did the same, save for Sirius who was in a bit of a trance at the realization that his friend had lied. Mary nudged his arm to bring his attention to the steps approaching the door.

"Sir," Alice whispered, "That will no doubt be Pettigrew and I'm sure he will make sense of all this."

"No..." Tabitha whispered. "It's not him."

Those who wre familiar with the witch's keen and prophetic senses grew nervous. Remus made a point to gently pinch her sleeve to pull her backwards from the door as everyone kept their eyes on it. The candles in the room flickered and the fire crackled as Marlene aimed her wand, Angus rest a hand on her shoulder to calm her but it only resulted in the candles blowing out in their lanterns. The room dimmed and the footsteps stopped. The knock to the rhythm of the Hogwarts March game, a secret code Dumbledore invented as the secret known despite its corny namesake. Moody just nodded to Sirius who approached the door.

"Easy, Padfoot..." James whispered as his friend grabbed the door handle.

Sirius pulled the door open blocking the view of the visitor. He paused a moment then muttered, "I'll be damned." He stepped aside to reveal a young man of about 25-years-old in the door with auburn hair and scruff on his chin, small in stature.

"I hope it's not to late to accept my invitation to the cause," the boys said.

Marlene felt Angus' hand tighten on her shoulder. The visitor was their older brother, Marvin McKinnon. He stepped into the room and instantly met the gaze of of siblings. The two of them smiled and Marlene rushed forward, wrapping her brother in a hug. "Marvin!"

Everyone sighed in relief and Angus moved forward to wrap his two siblings in a hug as the candles in the room reignited.

"Marvin we missed you so much!"

"I know, wee one," he said to his Sister. "I'm sorry." The McKinnon family separated and Marvin spotted his best friend, Fabian, in the room. "Prewitt, you old bastard."

"I take it you got my note then?" Fabian chuckled.

"Note?" Marlene looked confused.

"Aye. I told him he was being an ass for hiding away from the fight. Never could turn down an opportunity to prove me wrong."

"Are you really going to help us fight?" James asked.

"Aye, Potter. If you lot'll have me?"

"All are welcome here, Marvin. It's good to see you back."

"I knew we would talk you into it!" Angus added.

"You didn't," he admitted, "I had to talk to someone who I knew would understand my avoidance with this War - The reason I've stayed away so long. Please don't take offense, I know you lot love and support me but.. I think she knows exactly what I'm conflicted about when it comes to fighting the other side."

"She?"

Marvin nodded to the door and everyone gasped as if they'd seen a ghost. It took Sirius a moment to realize they were looking behind him at the entryway and not at him, but when he turned to see who stood at the threshold, he froze as well.

"Hello everyone," A young woman with long black hair said in a soft voice. She stepped further into the room and smiled at Sirius, speaking more to him than anyone else. "I bet you thought they'd nicked me."

Sirius just smiled, "Nobody could ever nick you... Andromeda."

The Adventure Continues Next as we get ready for the first full moon of 1980...