Book II: Age of the Pheonix
Chapter IX: The Goon Squad
Music Theme: Hells Bells - AC/DC
Hogwarts - Spring 1975...
Regulus sat in the courtyard grass and combed through his notes as he prepared for third year exams. He was nearly finished when someone dropped the list announcing the upcoming year Prefects and Head of Houses atop his notebook.. He quickly glanced up and saw Tabitha Delaney with her usual smirk.
"Are you going to explain what I'm reading?" He uttered.
"Meredith Avery made Prefect next year."
"Ten points to Slytherin," Regulus grumbled than removed the list, setting it beside him in the grass, and returning to his notes.
"Which means he's going to drop off the Quidditch team. You know Avery can't multitask to save his life."
"So you're here to boast about Gryffindor's Quidditch lineup for next season?"
"I'm here to tell you to try out for the team."
Regulus now looked up, confused. "What?"
"I listen to you ramble weekly about Quidditch when we clean the cauldrons. I swear you know just as much about the world cup than any other subject you're studying. You should try out."
"Father would never allow it," He shook his head and returned to studying only for Tabitha to snatch away his notebook. "Hey!"
"Your Father's probably too busy handling whatever trouble your brother has got into lately."
"You're not wrong, Delaney." He grabbed his notes back. "I'd have to drop out of the potions apprenticeship though... if I even make the team, that is."
"I'm sure Slughorn could work something out. And I'll put in a good word for you."
"You would?" He grimmaced, "Why? What's in it for you?"
"Nothing," she rolled her eyes. "Sometimes people just do nice things for their friends."
"Their friends?"
Suddenly a booming, Scottish voice emerged and Padrig Mulciber rounded the corner. "Friends? Interesting, Regulus. I thought you only had babysitters."
"Leave him alone, Mulciber." Severus Snape said as he walked slightly behind his classmate.
"What have we got here?" Mulciber looked at the list of Prefects on the ground.
"I told him to try out for the Quidditch team since Avery will likely quit. He tends to squirm when things get too complex."
"And you think little Reggie here can do any better?" Mulciber kicked the books off Regulus' lap and sent his papers flying onto the grass.
"Hey!" Tabitha grabbed the larger boy's arm to pull him back, but when he turned to face her, she saw an unsettling darkness in his eyes that caused her to stumble backwards away from him and into the chest of Snape who let out a grunt and grabbed her shoulders to stop them from falling.
"That's it, Snape. Hold her for me," Mulciber laughed and grabbed Tabitha's robe, "Let's see if we can make this little leprechaun dance for us, hmm?"
Snape quickly shoved Tabitha away and stood in front of her, "Back off, will you?"
"Don't tell me you still consider Delaney a friend," Mulciber laughed and peered over Snape's shoulder. "Although if you do, I'd appreciate a more formal introduction to the sandy-haired lass."
"She's a friend of Evans. Leave her be," Snape briefly replied.
"Why do you care who that mudblood hangs out with anyway?" Mulciber chortled.
"You fecker," Tabitha grumbled and started to lunge at him, but Snape turned and caught her.
"Get out of here," Snape whispered to her as he held her.
"You let him call Lily that!? Why are you even hanging out with gobshites like him and Avery?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Snape said with a gentle shove. "Now beat it!"
Tabitha looked past them at Regulus who stood to gather his things. He nodded to her to go and she reluctantly scurried away.
"Pesky little thing, ain't she?" Mulciber smirked. "How'd you two come to be so close, Black?" Mulciber asked but kept his eyes on Tabitha as she ran up the steps into the school.
"They clean cauldrons together for Slughorn once a week," Snape answered when Regulus refused to. "Fridays, right Regulus?"
"Something like that," Regulus grumbled.
"And it's just you two in there? No teachers?" Mulciber scratched his jaw and thought.
"...Yes," he reluctantly replied, not liking where this was going.
"Think you could catch the flu this Friday? Or some other illness that could dismiss you so she's alone?"
"Padrig," Snape said in a warning tone. "What are you-"
"All these girls in Slytherin are no fun. They're too easy. Someone with a bit of fire though," he smiled maliciously, "Someone with a little more... resistance. That could make things a bit more fun."
"Seriously?" Snape looked around to make sure no teachers could hear. "Not Delaney."
"Why? She's not your friend, Severus." He looked back and faced Regulus, "And she isn't yours either. Probably just wants you on Quidditch to be rid of you. I know I'd go mental if I had to listen to your pathetic obsessions on astrology and quidditch or any of the many other ridiculously nerdy obsessions you have."
Regulus began to turn red as the anger welled up inside of him.
Mulciber whispered to Snape in a cruel tone, "If she's so interested in Quidditch, I'll give her a broom to take a ride on." He started laughing and turned to face Regulus once more only to see the young boys' fist soaring towards his nose. The punch landed, but only made Mulciber stumble back a step or two in shock.
"Pick someone else to whore around with!" Regulus shouted at him, but his momentary victory was quickly ended when Mulciber socked the boy on the jaw and sent him sprawling. Still filled with anger, Mulciber drew his wand but Snape grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Enough," Snape said calmly. "Do you want every teacher on our asses? Black's right. Delaney is too close with Slughorn. Getting on her bad side wouldn't end well for you."
Mulciber pulled away and pocketed his wand, then slicked his hair back and took a long inhale. "Fine. Guess I'll see what sluts Hufflepuff has to offer. Just keep him out of my way." Mulciber then turned on his heel and stomped back towards the castle.
Snape gently lifted Regulus from the ground whose head was still spinning. "You bloody idiot."
"I couldn't let him talk about Tabitha like that."
"Why the hell not?" Snape snapped. "She's not your friend, Regulus. She just pities you, like Evans pities me. If you were smart you'd start making friends that could protect you at this school instead of befriending the ones at the mercy of someone like, Mulciber."
"Is that what you're doing? Just being his friend for protection? From Potter and my brother?"
"I don't owe you any reason for my choices. But I told your cousin when she graduated that I'd make sure you're looked after, so get your things and get to the hospital wing. Pomphrey will take care of your nose."
"No," Regulus shook his head. "No I don't want Mulciber to have the satisfaction of me walking around with a bandage across my nose." He said as he sniffed up the blood. "Don't you have something that could help it?"
Snape just sighed and thought for a moment. "Fine. Yea, I have something in my potion kit. Come on." He pat the boy on the shoulder and the two moved back inside.
Lupin Household - January 3, 1980...
"Anything?" Lyall asked as his wife entered the kitchen.
"No," Hope sighed. She'd just finished getting Remus' wounds cleaned and bandaged. "I've no idea what happened. He's not woken up since he passed out at the door." She tossed blood covered cloths into the laundry and went to wash her hands.
After a moment, Lyall heard the sniffles of his wife in tears. He rested his hands on her shoulders, carefully turned her to face him, and she rested her head on his chest. "I'm sorry, my dear," he said. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this world with its complexities."
"Oh don't start that again," she replied, still in his arms. "Don't play 'sultry wizard' with me, Lyall, always trying to blame yourself for our circumstances. Your son gets that from you, ya know? "
"So I'm right? It is my fault."
"That isn't what I meant," she apologetically looked up at him. "He ran away because he thought he was being noble and protecting us," she hugged him tighter. "Let's just be grateful that tonight, no matter what's happened, he knew he needed us."
Up the hall, Remus was reliving a nightmare in his sleep. He could see through the eyes of the wolf. He saw Padfoot and Prongs on either side of him, scurrying through the shack when the stag's scent seized his attention. The wolf locked in on the stag and no attempt to distract from Padfoot could stop him. He remembered pinning down his friend, the long neck of the stag looking delicious to the wolf and Remus forced to watch everything unfold like a tortured captive. He felt the phantom sting of Padfoot's bite on his shoulder that would release Prongs only long enough for the large stag to run, but not enough for him to get far as Moony's monster chomped down on his leg. The stag's cry rang in his ears as the wolf shook his head violently, Prong's leg still in his teeth and the sound of the femur snapping in its jaw. The only thing that stopped him was the smell of human blood. He dropped Prongs and licked his lips as he sniffed and turned. Sirius Black was standing there in his true human form, a gash upon his palm that he'd inflicted to draw blood. He offered his hand to the wolf but kept the wand aimed. Remus saw the determined look in his friend's eyes.
Do it Padfoot. Do it. Before I kill you all. You promised...
Sirius shouted, "Here doggy doggy doggy!" He lured Moony away as Wormtail scurried beside James who let out a cry as he changed back to himself. Moony howled as Sirius sent a binding spell at him, only temporarily holding him back but giving the rest enough time to get away, leaving Moony alone.
Remus awoke and jolted up in bed with a gasp as the memory faded. He looked around his room frantically. The tapping of tree branches on the windows made him shout startled as it always did when he was a child, triggered by the trauma of the night Fenrir Greyback had crept in to kill him.
"Remus?" he heard his mother call and she entered. "You alright?"
"The damn branches have grown back!" He snapped and rubbed his head.
"I know." She sat beside him and rest her hand on his shoulder but he pulled away. "Hey," she said softly, leaning over to meet his eye-line. "Look at me."
He hesitated but finally glanced up at his mother with tired eyes.
"Tell me. Nothing can be worse than my imagination, Cricket. Just tell me."
Remus just shook his head and his bottom lip quivered.
"Is anyone hurt?"
He nodded.
"Is anyone... worse than hurt?"
"I don't know," he said then finally covered his face with his hands as exhausted tears broke through. "I think James may be. Padfoot. He may have gotten away in time but he was loosing lots of blood, Mum. I don't know if he made it."
"Ok," She maintained the calm that only a soldier could as she listened. "Let me get your father."
She stood but Remus grabbed her wrist gently. "No, please. I didn't know he'd be here. It's bad enough for you to see me like this, but I can't-"
"Face him? Why? Because you ran away from us only to realize we need you as much as you need us? Remus, your father loves you."
"I know. I know that of course, but I don't want him to see me like this. He thinks it's his fault and it isn't."
"And what happened to James isn't your fault. But your pride and your father's pride isn't the priority right now. Making sure James is alive is what matters. We have to tell Dumbledore you're here. Does he know where James can be found?" She asked Remus and he nodded. "Then we will send your father to Hogwarts to get that answer. Not going to risk sending an Owl anymore now that we know someone is watching our mail. Get some rest, Cricket." She reached into the nightstand and pulled out a candy bar. She unwrapped it and handed it to Remus then encouraged him to lay down as he munched on the chocolate. After tucking him in she kissed him on the head. "You're safe now."
Remus watched her leave then softly said to himself, "No... nobody is safe now."
Isle of Skye Safe House - January 6, 1980...
"I don't understand," Tabitha sighed. "It's been three days. Why hasn't he returned?"
"You remember the last moon. He was in bed almost a week."
"But not a word from Dumbledore since his letter saying he'd heard from Remus. 'Remus is alive and well.' That's it. No mention of where he is or what he's doing, if he's hurt or coming back,"
"Tabs. We have to trust Dumbledore. Wherever Remus is, Dumbledore feels he needs to stay there for now."
"How can you manage this so coolly? He's your friend too."
"Of course he is," Lily turned to face her. "But what happened to James wont be easy for Remus to process. Perhaps him being away until James is back to health is for the best."
"I guess," she sighed and plopped down on the sofa. "I know you're right. I just... Black and I looked all over for him. We spent days looking everywhere he could be. For Dumbledore to find out and not even tell us, it just doesn't seem fair."
"And what right do you have to know, Tabs?" Lily said sternly.
"Lils-"
"You're not married to him."
"I know that."
"And you've hidden your relationship from everyone, quite poorly I'll add. How could Dumbledore know what the importance of Remus' wellbeing means to you specifically?"
"Ok, I get it..."
"Do you?" She crossed her arms. "Because the two of you have been acting like we're a bunch of blind idiots. We watched you two aganoise over each other and now you're finally together and you keep hiding it. Why?"
"Because..."
"Because why?"
"Because I'm afraid I'm going to lose him. I had so many dreams about this moment, Lily. I dreamt of Remus' back to me, walking away. I dreamt of a life without him. I dreamt that we would be parted for our own protection, torn away from one another by this war, and now it's happening..."
"Tabitha," Lily calmed and sat beside her friend. "I know your divination can be a burden, but it was just a nightmare. Sometimes a dream... is just a dream."
"And sometimes it isn't..." Tabitha muttered.
Lily just fiddled with her cameo necklace anxiously as she knew Tabitha was right then said, "I wish you weren't cooped up here. It would clear your head."
"I could take James' place on his mission to the Ministry."
"No, after what happened at Malfoy Manor, you shouldn't be where Death Eaters can easily find you. Albus wanted James to go because he wouldn't be out of place at the Ministry with his father's legacy there. Remus is the only other one with Ministry connections."
"What about Alice? Or Madeye?"
"They've exhausted Barty's patience by now for Frank. They'd be dismissed too quickly and we need more time for Peter to sneak around and get evidence against Barty."
"Well, what if you and Peter go? I can stay here with James and watch after him."
"I doubt Barty would give a muggle born the time of day," she sighed.
"Then swap roles with Pete. He always was good at being the distraction when the boys setup their pranks."
"Now that's an idea." She nodded. "That will work. I'll go get Peter."
"You'll have to be careful, Lily." Tabitha says. "Just because the Potter's aren't wanted by the Ministry, doesn't mean Death Eaters have forgotten your crimes against them. If Barty really is one, then this could be risky."
"With Mary there, Peter and I will outnumber him."
"Unless he has his friends. He used to follow Mulciber and Avery around a lot."
"I'll be ok. Trust me." She picked up some empty potion flasks and said, "I'll get everything you need for James together."
"And if James wakes up? What do I tell him?"
"The truth, I guess. It's not like he can chase after me on that leg."
"Don't be so sure. He's been chasing you for years. He's not likely to stop now."
Lily snickered at that and went to finish getting Tabitha supplies.
Meanwhile at the Ministry of magic...
Mary MacDonald walked up the hallways from the Dailey Prophet office with armfuls of paperwork. She cursed under her breath at the frustrating hours she'd just spent trying to get the Undesirable list updated, per Barty's instructions, she she came to a hault outside her office door. Padrig Mulciber stood there, smoking a Wizard cig and leaning against her door.
"Sweetheart," he said with a wink at her and she just stormed forward, grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"What? I'm not on the Wizengamot's most wanted like Snapey here." He nodded behind her and she whirled around to see Severus Snape and Meredith Avery sitting in the waiting room.
"None of you should be here. You're going to expose Barty and myself," she said. "And Snape has been cleared." She tossed the paperwork on her desk. "Just got back from the Prophet office."
"What a nice olive branch to prove your loyalties," Snape grumbled, his eyes glaring at her narrowly.
"Are you accusing me of something, Snape?"
"When are you going to take the dark mark, MacDonald?"
"The Ministry has started requiring workers to wear shorter sleeves. They're getting suspicious. I can't hide it as well as someone like Barty who has the Ministry's trust." A puff off smoke crossed her face and transformed into the shape of a falcon that soared around the room. She turned and snatched Mucliber's cigarette and tossed it on the ash tray on her desk. "Do you mind?"
"Feisty," he smirked. "Lay off my dame, Snape." Mulciber forcefully wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"Not here," she whispered harshly but his dominating stare forced her to calm her tone. "Please?" He just grinned and loosened his grip on her as she said, "You all shouldn't be here."
"They just wanted to welcome the company you're expecting. Potter, isn't it?"
Mary grumbled to Mulciber, "You told them?"
Avery chuckled, "If you don't want us knowing something, MacDonald, then Padrig is the last person you should tell. Bloke is too arrogant for secrets."
"Yes well," she sighed. "I have a hard time keeping things from him these days..."
"I guess you could say she tells me anything I want to know," He moved her hair from her neck and kissed it. "She's so thoughtful, that way."
"Keep it in your pants, Mulciber. Nobody wants to see that," Snape grunted then flicked his wand as he stood to ignite the floo so that all escape routs for Potter would be impossible.
"So," Mary asked finally pulling away from Mulciber, "What's your plan with Potter? Barty just planned to feed him a load of lies about the Guardian to get him off the trail."
"I thought it would be better if Potter comes with us," Snape said. "He's a leader of one of their factions."
"How are you so sure?"
"Because he's an arrogant little shit," Snape snapped, "Who can't refuse the opportunity to be the center of attention. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce he's got some leadership opportunity."
"I'll get it," Mary said. "You better hide."
"Get what?" Avery grumbled then there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked at each other confused then Mary shooed them again. All of them scurried to their places.
"Now remember," Snape said, "Potter is mine."
"And try to make the conversation worth the eavesdrop, Mary," Mulciber said. "We will be listening."
"Fine. Just hide."
Mulciber and Avery hid in the records closet while Snape walked in to Barty's office. Mary rest her hand on the door handle and took a breath before unlocking it and pulling it open. "Potter. Good to see-" she froze and muttered, "Lily?"
"Hey Mary. Can we come in?"
"You're not supposed to be here," Mary whispered. "Where is James?"
"It's a long story," Lily and Peter shoved into the room and Mary reluctantly closed the door behind her. This wasn't the plan.
"Well, I've got time."
"But we don't. You know Dumbledore's plan?"
"Yes, he told me," she nodded to the door. "Barty's on his way in. You can wait in his office."
"Good. Go on, Pete. I'll be right here."
"Dumbledore said Pettigrew is supposed to stay with me," Mary said as Peter hurried towards Barty's door.
"I doubt Barty wants to meet with a muggle born," Lily sighed.
Mary wasn't sure how to proceed so she simply motioned towards her desk. "Tea?"
"Actually, while Peter distracts Junior, I need your help getting evidence that could prove Barty's loyalties to Voldemort." Lily looked at the records closet. "Will there be anything in there?"
She began to move towards the closet but Mary jumped forward. "I'll get it. You sit."
"Okay..." Lily seemed uneasy and carefully watched her nervous schoolmate as she took a seat. She glanced at the ash tray and saw a cigarette still smoking. Lily removed her wand from her pocket and carefully set it in her lap as she realized Mary wasn't alone.
The nervous girl had tucked into the records closet and shut the door behind her.
"Well?" Avery whispered at her.
"This isn't going to work. If you three emerge from your hiding places, she's going to know I let you in," Mary whispered. "I'll be exposed and then won't be able to spy on Dumbledore's Order anymore."
"Then warn her. That will be our signal to come out and she will think you were just the bait," Avery suggested.
"Dinna fash, darlin," Mulciber pat Mary on the cheek. "We will give them a performance. I'll ensure nobody takes you away from me."
Isle of Sky Safehouse...
James felt someone's gentle hand feel his forehead to check his temperature. He stirred as they adjusted the pillow under his legs then slowly redressed his ankle. He hissed awake from the sting of the cool water and sat up.
"Sorry," Tabitha said. "Not as gentle as Lily."
"Delaney?" He looked around. "What day is it?"
"The sixth."
"Still no sign of Moony?"
"Not yet." James remained stiff and winced a few times as she bandaged him. "You know. If you want to date Moony, you're going to have to, ouch, get better at this."
"Sorry." She finished and carefully set his leg on the pillow. "That's the worst bit." She unbuttoned his shirt and snickered at his wide eyes and red cheeks. "Don't worry, Potter. I won't try anything."
He grinned and allowed her to continue. "I know you won't. You're spoken for, aren't you?"
"Did Sirius tell you?" She asked, "Or is Lily right and we are just terrible at hiding our... whatever we are."
"No, it's something Moony said the other night," James said but not wanting to reveal the concerning truth about Remus' lust for flesh he just said, "How's it looking?"
She looked ill at the sight of his scars across his chest but said, "It's healing well."
"Why are you doing this?" He asked as she removed the old bandage and prepared a new one.
"Because we want you to heal."
"No, I mean why isn't Lily doing this?"
Tabitha didn't answer and just said, "Sit up straight. I don't want to open the wound. Merlin only knows what spell Lily used to close it."
"Delaney? Answer me."
Tabitha sighed and admitted, "She's at the Ministry. She and Peter are completing the mission."
James began to get out of bed.
"Woah. You're not going anywhere."
"See if you can find me a cane or some crutches will you? Or I can try to use a charm."
"You're not hobbling off anywhere. I'm not going to have Lily kill me because I allowed you out of bed. Now sit still so I can cover those scars. They aren't fully healed."
"My wife is out there without protection-"
"She can protect yourself. You know that." She grabbed a bottle of sleeping potion from the table. "Here."
He took the bottle but gave her a look.
"Big old swig. Come on now."
James reluctantly drank down the potion.
"Good. That will have you in dreamland in a few minutes." She started wrapping his chest carefully.
"Where's Padfoot?"
"On his way to McKinnon castle to complete his mission."
"Alone?" James snapped.
"Blimey, you really are a control freak aren't you, Prongs? He took his two-way mirror though if he needs us."
"Where is it?"
"Just downstairs. I'll fetch it for you." She smiled as James let out a yawn. "There's a good lad."
"You... called me 'Prongs'." He said in a tired voice as Tabitha helped him lay back down.
"Did I?"
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're starting to be my friend."
"But you know better, don't you?" She smirked.
"Aye," he smiled and shut his eyes.
"You rest now." She covered him back up with the blanket and tip toed out of the room. She looked over her shoulder to check he was falling asleep before walking down the hall.
The moment she was gone James eyes shot open. His father had trained him on every potion in the book. He estimated he had about a minute left before the potion would put him to sleep. He reached, best he could, to Lily's potion kit on the table and rifled through it, biting his lip so Tabitha wouldn't hear himself straining. He found a bottle of Wide-eyed Awake potion and ripped the cork off with his teeth, quickly downing it.
Ministry of Magic...
Mary returned to her desk with some files for Lily. "There may be some things in here that can help us." She sat across the desk and flipped it open.
"Mary? When did you start smoking?"
"Lils, you know me. I don't-" She looked up at her ash tray and said. "That's from Barty's last appointment. His father doesn't like smoking in the office so I make them toss it out here."
"It's still smoking."
Mary sat still staring at her friend. She sensed Lily's suspicions then noticed the witch's wand in her lap. "It's a trap!" Mary shouted the moment Mulciber emerged and Lily flew from her chair.
"You!" She scowled at him as he came up behind Mary and the very sight brought back memories of their childhood. "Get away from her!" Lily aimed at him.
Mulciber, stood behind Mary and held her arm tightly, aiming back at Lily with his wand. "Don't be cross at your old friend, Evans. She wasn't expecting us, just as you weren't."
"Um, Lily!" Peter's voice came as he emerged from Barty's office, his hands in the air. Snape followed with his wand pressed into the boy's back.
"Lily?" Snape's contenance weakened at the name. Then he saw her. "You... you're not supposed to be here."
"I could say the same about you."
"What difference does it make?" Mulciber grunted. "You said you wanted us to leave Potter to you. Well there she is. A Potter."
Snape boiled at the thought and shoved Peter forward. Lily caught the small young man and kept an arm around him as all three Death Eater surrounded them.
"Drop your wand Evans," Mulciber said as he tightened his grip on Mary.
"Please, Lily, do it," Mary pleaded.
Lily scanned the room and looked for different escape routes. She knew they would be equally matched if Peter and Mary could just get their wands drawn, but Mulciber had his pressed against Mary's neck. She lowered her arm only for Avery to rip the wand from her hand.
"So? We take them with us instead of Potter?"
"No," Snape said quickly. "No. Send Pettigrew back as a pathetic little messenger. I'll take Evans with me."
"No private parties," Avery quipped. "The plan was to take one of their leaders to Bellatrix. The mud blood isn't of any use. We should just kill her now."
"In the middle of the Ministry? I always did kin you for an idiot, Meredith," Mulciber grumbled. "No. We take them with us. The bitch can be Potter's bait then we will get rid of her once we have him. No use keeping mudbloods around."
"Peter," Lily said trying to stay calm. "You know what you have to do."
"Lily I can't-" He stammered.
"We didn't give you permission to speak, bitch," Mulciber snapped. "Let's get out of here. We can decide what to do with them somewhere else where we have more options." He looked at Mary and lifted her chin. "You get to come with me."
"No!" Lily shouted as memories of their school days haunted her. She remembered how Mulciber used to chase Mary and once even assaulted her in school but managed to hide it from anyone who could punish him for it. Her blood boiled at the sight of Mary's face in Mulciber's hand. "Leave her out of this. I'll go willingly. Just leave her alone."
"See, that threat would actually carry some weight if you were worth anything, you pathetic Mudblood," he replied.
"Deal," Snape said quickly and approached Lily, taking her arm.
"You don't call the shots, Snape."
"Wait," Avery warned them quickly as he peeked out the door. "Someone is coming this way."
"Help-" Lily shouted but Snape just covered her mouth and started to pull her towards the floo. She jerked her head away and bit his hand and he let out a cry. As Snape diminished the flames in the floo with his wand Lily shouted, "Peter! Go!"
Peter did as she commanded and changed into Wormtail, scurrying between the feet of Avery and out the cracked door.
"What the hell!" Avery screamed like a girl and Mulciber said, "And that's why they named you 'Meredith'," he rolled his eyes and tossed Mary into the closet. "Be a good girl and wait in here."
"Be gentle with her," Mary whispered so Lily couldn't hear.
"I don't take my orders from you, MacDonald." He grabbed her by the jaw and forced a kiss on her lips before shoving her in further. "Stunning performance though. But I always knew you to be a good actress." She rolled his eyes at him as he closed the door and locked it with his wand.
"Stop fighting me, Lily!" Snape demanded but the witch refused as she struggled against his grasp, only a few feet from the floo.
"Hurry up!" Avery said.
Just then the floo ignited green and out stumbled James Potter. He held his chest in pain and leaned against the fireplace to stay upright with his broken leg. He aimed at Snape and said, "Sorry. Floo is in use at the moment. Now... get your greasy hands off my wife."
"James..." Lily now began to panic as Snape clung tighter to her.
"I said let her go!" James shouted.
"Not likely," Snape grumbled. "Take him. He can barely stand."
Mulciber laughed and approached James who just aimed towards them all, "Flippendo!"
Mulciber managed to dodge the spell but Avery crashed against the door with a groan.
"Oops," James said through gritted teeth as he surpressed the pain. "Sorry Meredith. Mum always told me not to strike a woman. My bad."
"And how's mummy doing these days?" Snape quipped.
"You bastard!" James shouted and lunged forward but stumbled slightly so his spell aimed at Snape missed and took out one of the lamps on Mary's desk.
Mulciber charged forward. "Crucio!"
James rolled away, letting out a loud shout as he rolled on top of his wounds to avoid the spell. Lily grimaced at his screams as he most likely undid the last three days of care. She heard Snape chuckle at James' pain and began to twist from his grasp. "No no no," He said as he locked his arm around her. "I remember that little trick from last time." Lily didn't bother responding but just elbowed his chest. Snape doubled over but kept his grasp, ripping her towards him by the arm so they stood face to face and his wand was pressed into her neck. he glared at her with fury but when he looked in her eyes, his gaze softened, even looking a bit alarmed at his actions and he stumbled away from her.
Mulciber flew into the air and crashed against the door, after James sent a knockback jinx towards him. His groans of pain pulled from the locked gaze at Snape, and she crouched down to help him up just as the door began to open. "It's ok, you bloody idiot." Lily said as James leaned on her to stand. "Someone's here to... help."
Both James and Lily felt their hearts sink in defeat as the door to the office opened and in walked Barty Crouch Jr. with a ministry official by his side. Barty scanned the room, Mulciber and Avery laying on the ground and Mary's desk ransacked from being caught in crossfires. He just snickered and said, "I had a feeling I'd have some unwanted company in my office today. Lower your wand, Severus."
Snape did so but James kept his firmly in his grasp.
"Now, let's just all calm down," Barty said in a condescending tone. He looked at Mulciber and Avery on the ground then nodded to them and said, "Now let's see if I can deduce what happened here. As I recall I had an appointment set with you, Potter. Mary said it was regrading Frank Longbottom. Looks to me like you didn't really wish to use your words today. Looks more like a break-in of my father's records closet."
"We weren't breaking in," Lily said. "As you say he had an appointment but your goons busted in on us and attacked us."
"My goons?" Barty laughed. "I had lunch plans with some old classmates, that's all. Good thing they got here early to defend my office." He glanced back at the official. "The Potters are friends with Frank Longbottom. They most likely they were involved in the Ministry break in on Christmas Eve. Arrest both of them."
"No!" James shouted and tried to stand on his own to protect Lily, but she held him firmly.
"No?" Barty asked. "You'd rather I send the officer away and let you lot all work this out together?"
James knew what Barty was suggesting. Their options were arrest by the Ministry or capture by the Death Eaters. He glanced at Lily and knew there was only one option.
"She's got nothing to do with this," James said. "She came here to stop me from my reckless actions."
"James..." She knew instantly what he was doing. If Barty sent the officials away though, they both stood the chance of being captured and she would be killed for being muggle born.
"Look, it's me you're wanting right? I'm Frank's friend. I'm the one who tossed the spells around your office.."
"James, don't-"
"I'm the one who knows the truth," James looked Barty in the eye and added, "The truth about you."
Barty Crouch just chuckled. "Have it your way, Potter. Arrest him."
"James, no!"
"Stay out of this, Lily." He said calmly as he was seized. He let out an excruciating cry of pain as he was pulled away from Lily and forced to put weight on his broken leg.
"You should probably go now, Evans," Barty said. "Unless you'd rather stay and talk some more."
"Lily. Go," James said. "Go now."
Lily racked her brain to think of what to do. "Wait! Mary!" She picked her wand up off the ground and flicked it at the closet, "Alohamora." The door opened and Mary stepped out. "Mary! Please tell them what happened."
Mary looked around the room at everyone without speaking.
"Mary, please."
Mary's eyes fell on James who shook his head at her then on Snape who gave her a warning stare. "I... I um..."
"What the devil is going on in here?" came the booming voice of Madeye Moody. He burst through the door with his massive cane and examined the scene before him. "Bit early in the day to be causing trouble, even for you, eh Junior?"
Just behind him, peeking through the door was Peter Pettigrew. Lily knew instantly they were safe. He'd done it. Her concerns of the angry and afraid Peter of this morning faded away as he stood proudly at the door with their savior, Madeye.
"Auror Moody," Barty grumbled. "My friends were attacked by Potter. He's under arrest for-"
But Madeye just cut him off and ingnored him, instead fixing his gaze on Snape," Rather brave to be at the Ministry only moments after your name is cleared, young Snape."
"Well, Barty wanted to tell me the good news in person. Surely you must know what it's like to have your name dragged through the mud."
"I'd say a good many people in my department are dealing with that, these days," He turned his attention to Mary. "MacDonald? You alright. You seem pale."
"She's just been attacked," Barty snapped. "Of course she's not alright."
"Well suppose I just take the Potters with me and we sort it out."
"I was just having the officer take him to a holding cell. He claims the girl has no part in this but I'll be the judge of that."
"No need," Madeye lunged forward and wrapped a strong arm around James to pry him away from the grasp of the Ministry official who was doing Barty's bidding. "I'll take it from here." He passed his staff to James when he noticed the pain on his face. "Ease up, Potter. Use this to get you to where we're going." He looked back to Lily. "You should go, Lily."
"Alestor..."
"Go," he said sternly and James nodded to her as well. "I've got him."
Lily watched as James hobbled away with Madeye and gave one last look to Mary.
"I'll be ok, Lily. Just go," Mary insisted.
Peter took Lily's wrist and had to pull her from the sight of Snape and up the hallways towards the exit.
"That was close," Mary sighed when they were alone.
"Close? Potter is with Madeye! He's a Dumbledore enthusiast."
"I mean it was close for me!" Mary said. "I only can hope Lily thinks I was just afraid to speak up. Otherwise my cover is blown."
"Potter will be released in an hour," Snape grumbles.
"Yes," Barty said. "But we know right where to find him until then."
Kinda a transitional chapter but was needed to get you introduced more to Padrig Mulciber and Meredith Avery as we know they play big roles towards the end of the war.
Next chapter will catch up with the McKinnon/Prewitt faction and we get to meet TWO new canon characters :).
Begging for some feedback though because we have so many options for the storyline and so much to cover but I want to write what people prefer to read so please please leave a review or send a PM with some feedback. What characters/plotlines do you like?