Book II: Age of the Phoenix

Chapter XXIV: Wouldn't it be Nice

Music Theme: Wouldn't it be Nice - The Beach Boys

Hogwarts - June 1976...

Fabian made his way to the dungeons with an armful of old, broken broomsticks from Quidditch that would be used as kindling for the potions room fireplace. Not a soul was in the corridor as most everyone was in the Great Hall for dinner, something his stomach kept reminding him of. As he neared the potions room he swore he heard a crash that sounded a bit closer than the storm that raged outside. Fabian froze and listened. He heard soft whimpering coming from the walls. "Myrtle? Is that you?" he called for the ghost who often moaned and sobbed, but no answer came. He walked a bit more and the cries grew louder, now accomanpied by the sounds of a struggle. "Who's there?"

"Help!"

The cry chilled his blood. He heard the pain and desperation in it and sobs that followed it. He heard someone harshly whisper words he couldn't make out and the crying and struggling stopped. Fabian dropped the brooms and raced up the hall to the classrooms, drawing his wand and opening every door simultaneously with it to search as he passed. He finally found the potions classroom with Padrig Mulciber inside, standing over Mary MacDonald. Fabian ran in and grabbed the boy with all his might, ramming him against the stone wall and pinning him there.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He asked Mulciber. But the Slytherin just laughed. Fabian looked down at Mary who sat up on the floor and hugged her knees into her chest. Her robe had been ripped off and her jumper sleeve was torn at the seam. She looked at Fabian and tears flooded her eyes. "You bastard!"

"Nothing happened," Mulciber laughed.

"Like hell it didn't!"

"Go on, MacDonald. Tell him."

"Nothing happened," Mary repeated without hesitation.

"See? The girl and I were just having fun. Tell him MacDonald."

"We were fooling around. It was my idea."

"Fooling around?" Fabian looked around the upturned classroom. "Looks ilke a bar fight took place in here."

"Well what can I say, the girl wanted me badly," Mulciber laughed.

"Shut up!"

"Ya know, Prewett. It doesn't look good for one Head Boy to be assaulting another."

"Only one person has been assaulted here and it wasn't you. Come on, Mary. What's the truth?"

The young girl didn't answer.

"Tell him, Mary," Mulciber said.

"It was my idea," she said emotionlessly and Mulciber burst out laughing. It was then that Fabian realized Mulciber was holding his wand and aiming it at Mary.

"Why you little..." he snatched it away and Mary instantly exhaled as the imperious curse left her. "You had her under a curse!"

Mulciber now laughed uncontrollably. "Maybe. Maybe she just really wanted me like she said."

"Shut up!"

"Oh come on, Prewett. Surely you aren't the only boy in Hogwarts who doesn't want a taste of a tramp like her."

Without thinking, Fabian reeled back and decked Mulciber square on the jaw, sending the boy slamming against the wall and tumbling to the floor with a groan.

"Get out before I do worse, Padrig. I'm turning over your wand to Dumbledore. I can't promise what he will do to you but I'm sure it will involve you packing up and shipping out."

"Don't be so sure," Mulciber groaned and he stood, rubbing his jaw. "If History has taught us anything... nobody ever believes the bitch."

Fabian began to lung towards him again but Mulciber bounded out like a spooked deer, laughing as he went. Fabian instantly turned and scooped up Mary's cloak. He walked to her and wrapped it around her shoulders, crouching in front of her. He extended his hand and said, "May I?" She nodded and he took her arm to help her up. "What do you need from me right now, Mary?" Was all he could think to say.

Mary just fell forward into his chest, clutching his jumper and sobbing into it.

"He won't get away with this, Mary."

"No... please, Fabe. He's right. They won't believe me. I am a flirt. I'm all the things he said."

"Woah. Mary! This isn't your fault. He's an evil, violent, messed up kid that's going to be expelled!"

"I could see and feel his thoughts in his eyes. He's been wanting this for some time. He waited for his moment, letting me flirt and date so I would build a reputation so that he could use it against me."

"Mary, look at me," he gently requested and waited until she met his gaze. "I don't want to live in a world where a young woman can't express who she is, love on other people, make friends and be happy without it being used as a reason to r-... attack her. You did nothing wrong. Do you understand me?"

Mary just nodded then fell against his chest again. "He used the imperious curse because I was fighting back so much. Mulciber said if I tell he will just spread lies and say I begged him for it."

"Dumbledore can check his wand for the hex, but you have to tell what he did."

"His family is too powerful, Fabe. No matter what I do, he won't get expelled."

"Well I'm at least getting that Headboy badge off his lapel, but I'll let you share what Mulciber's intensions were... if you want to. I think you need to, but I won't force you to share it."

"I'm scared, Fabian. Of Mulciber. And of the world we live in."

"Me too, MacDonald. Me too." He held her gently and said, "Wouldn't it be nice if one day... we will change it."

McKinnon Castle - March 29, 1980...

"You're up early," Marvin said to Gideon after descending the steps. The repairs to McKinnon castle had drastically slowed since Marvin's ordeal at the Lestrange's and with Marlene leaving to join the Potter faction. Still, the McKinnon boys with the help of the Prewetts had finished conjuring many of the first floor walls and some of the bedrooms. The castle would never be back to it's full glory, but it was well on its way to being a home again. In addition to the project being a distraction from war, it had been a bonding opportunity between the brothers who'd drifted apart from too many secrets and lies.

"Well I used to have a Head Boy in Gryffindor that always gave me demerits for oversleeping," He smiled at him from his seat at the kitchen table where he'd already finished his breakfast and was almost through the full pot of tea.

Marvin smiled at the callback to his days as Headboy in Gryffindor and said, "Sounds like an ass."

"Sometimes. But rarely." Gideon motioned to the empty chair beside him and conjured a spare cup with his wand.

"What are you listening to?" Marvin nodded to the antique radio that Gideon had moved from the study to clean off the smoke damage. He took his seat and poured himself some tea.

"QuadPod game is being broadcasted from Uagadou. It's their international finals against Ilvermorny.

"I was always so bitter we didn't have that at Hogwarts." Marvin grunted. "You know they used to have it? But a few headmasters ago had no respect for anything fun so he banned it." Marvin glanced at the radio and listed to the commentator. "Is it even worth it to listen? The best part of the game is watching the Quaffle explode."

"I'm listening more for the Uagadou students' game techniques. Did you know they don't use wands?"

"I did. Yea. It's why their schooling starts so much younger than any other school."

"I'm trying to hear how they do it. Maybe I can get something that will help Marlene with her magic."

"Marley-lass's magic seems more complicated though. It's not like she's doing basic spells with her bare hands. She's manipulating elements with her bloody mind."

"I guess..." Gideon shrugged and caught Marvin smiling. "What?"

"I noticed the way she treated you last night at the meeting. She was being brat. But you're sitting here trying to find a way to help her?"

"I guess I just want to win her over again. You've got to believe me, Marv. I wanted to tell you about Angus and I. I hated sneaking around as if we were bloody undercover agents in your home. I had no intention of accepting your hospitality while deceiving you."

"Gid. As I said, I've know about you two longer than you realize. Sometimes I think I saw the spark you had for one another before you two realized it," he chuckled.

"Maybe," he laughed bashfully and stared into his tea cup as the sounds of the radio went on.

"Give Marlene time, Prewett." Marvin said. "Bad luck has always followed her. She puts her faith in people for protection from that and they always let her down."

"You've never let her down..."

Marvin's face fell and he looked almost sad as he said, "Don't be so sure about that."

The doors burst open and in walked Fabian. Marvin looked shocked and he stared up the steps then back to the door as if to wonder if Fabian had teleported from his room. "Have you been out all night?" Fabian doesn't reply but just plopped beside him at the table. "Gid, did you know he was gone?"

"I knew. He left after the meeting. Any luck, Fabe?"

"No," Fabian grumbled. "I stayed in Knockturn most of the night. I went by Emmeline's to be sure. She wasn't there. I'll go to the Ministry the minute it opens."

"That's risky, mate."

"I'll pretend I'm there to talk to Arthur. Nothing odd about that."

"What's going on?" Marvin interjected.

"Mary." Gideon whispered.

"Ah," Marvin nodded as if that was the only explanation required.

"She's scheduled to be to work at half-eight. Thought I'd get there before that so I'm here to sit and eat. Have to have my energy in case I need to punch someone's lights out."

"Fabian," Gideon grunted, "Will you just spit it out. What danger is Mary in?"

"I'm not sure. But I think Mulciber has something to do with it."

"Oh," Both Marvin and Gideon said.

"Sorry, mate." Fabian whispered. "He's a nightmare. I know he hexed her when you were in school."

"He did more than that! He..." Fabian stopped himself, not wanting to reveal Mary's secrets. "He doesn't need to be anywhere near her is all."

"You better go lay down for a minute, Fabian. Cool off. I'll get some breakfast scrounged up for ye."

Fabian was stationary in thought for a moment before grunting in response and taking a deep breath to calm himself. He moved to the stairwell without a word and up to his room.

"Poor bloke," Marvin sighed. "I haven't seen him like this since your mum passed."

"He uses humor to hide how he's really feeling most of the time. When he runs out of jokes and starts acting like this you can see right through him." Gideon slurped more tea then heard the radio announcer speak up.

"Sorry listener. There has been an upset on the field. A political protest has interrupted the game. We have and Ilvermorny fan running across the turf with a sign, we are trying to see what is says... oh... it appears to say 'Sordida Sanguis.' The Ilvermorny team is jumping off their brooms and taking him down. They won't claim fans like that. Some Ugandou team members have joined in the removal, putting the bloke on a hexed broom and soaring him out of the pitch! He. Is. Out of there!" they listen intently as they heard the crowd cheering at the removal of the protestor by both teams as the commentators once again apologize for the disturbance.

"Sounds like ignorance isn't exclusive to Voldemort's cult," Gideon sighed as he lifted his wand from his pocket and aimed at the radio to turn it off, "Silencio." Once the room is still, only the slurping of his tea is heard. It was a moment before he realized Marvin wasn't finishing his cup. Instead, the middle McKinnon stared at the silence radio as if he was pondering something. "Marvin?"

"I've heard that before... Sanguis."

"It's Latin," Gideon looked at Marvin intently.

"What's it mean?"

"Oh right, I forgot you took Ancient Gaelic instead of Latin fourth year. It means Blood. That radical protestor had written Sordida Sanguis which means 'dirty blood'. Uagadou just started enrolling Muggle Borns and Squibs into their athletic programs and that idiot was throwing a tantrum about it. Sounds like the teams took care of it though."

"I've heard it before," he repeated in a whisper then finally looked back to Marvin. "Sanguis. But I can't place where. It's the strangest feeling. It's like when you say a phrase and know its from some book or movie but can't remember who said it."

"Hate when that happens. Think it's from a film? Or Maybe it was mixed into a common room password at one point?"

"No I think it's the-" He stopped and gazed at Gideon, wondering if he could trust him. He elected to continue and said, "The lady in my head. Lydia Bones said she heard a woman talking to me in my mind somehow."

"Ed said Lydia's a linguist. She'd recognize the Latin. She said a woman's in your head though? Freaky."

Marvin leaned back in his seat and wrapped his fingers on the table where his arm rested. "Maybe that's the key to targeting the memory of Lestrange castle. Something must have happened in there. The lady in my mind might be whatever is causing me to forget."

"You do realize if anyone else overheard this conversation out of context, they'd throw us in a cell with padded walls?" Gideon said.

"What's so strange about a lady in my head?" Marvin replied.

"A what now?" Angus asked as he descended the stairs.

"I rest my case," Gideon stood and approached Angus, a levitating teapot following him as it poured a refill of tea into his cup. "Morning." He leaned towards Angus to kiss him only for Angus to slightly lean away. Gideon froze at the response and glared at Angus, the hurt evident on his face.

"I think my mind's been tampered with by more than just a memory spell and more than just trauma. I think if I just think of that latin word - Sanguis- as I fall asleep with the stone, I can target the memory."

"Worked for me every time I counted sheep," Angus said brushing past Gideon who stayed where he was. "Always had nightmares about a really big sheep chasing me on a broom."

"I've got to get the stone back form Pettigrew," Marvin said.

"Didn't he need it for something?" Angus said then spotted a scone on Gideon's plate. "Gid, you done with this?" He asked as he lifted the plate and offered it towards him.

"Yep, I'm so done." Gideon sharply said as he marched up the steps to his room.

Later at the Safe House...

James woke and heard the tea set tinkering on the nightstand. He ran his hands along the bed and found the space empty beside him, then rolled over and grasped the air, "Come back to bed," he grunted. He flopped his hand on a tiny shoulder and wondered why Lily suddenly felt two feet tall. He opened his eyes and his blurred vision made out a tiny figure in a blue coat.

"Um, Teas is getting colds Master James."

James yanked his hand away and sat up so quickly he got a bit of a head rush, "Kip!"

The house elf handed him the glasses from the nightstand which he quickly donned.

"W-what are you doing up here?"

"Master James oversleep. Kips didn't wants him to miss breakfast." The little house elf pulled a lid off a tiny tin to reveal beans and toast, his face beaming with pride.

James swung his legs around the bed and yawned, "Well, announce yourself next time please."

"Of course, Master James," the elf bowed and stepped back.

"Kip," James said bluntly at the bow. "We talked about that. No more of the Master stuff. You've been free a long time."

"So sorry, Master James. Whatever you says."

"Kip!"

"Sorry!"

James scooped some beans with his toast and took a bite as Kip finished setting up the tea then wandered about the room snapping at piles of messy clothing to neatly fold them and put them away. Watching the little house elf made James feel so at home. Kip performed his tasks as if Fleamont would be home soon and Euphemia was finishing one of her paintings in the garden. "No, Kip... I'm sorry."

"You?" The tiny elf now turned his whole attention onto James. "But why?"

"I never asked you how you were doing after Mum and Dad died. They were your family even before they were mine."

"Oh No! The Mister and Misses waited so longs for Master James that they knew him even before meetings him."

"Kip," James softened his tone and set down the toast on the plate. "I'm really ashamed to admit this, but when Mum and Dad freed you, all I could think was 'why doesn't he just leave'? Not that I wanted you to. I didn't. I was scared you'd leave us and this constant person in my life would be gone. You'd been my friend since I was born, always watching after me and helping Mum and Dad with the house. All those late-night study sessions in my room when I had summer projects for Hogwarts and you'd bring the tea just like this. I never asked you why you stayed with us because I guess I was afraid you'd wonder why yourself, not find a good reason, and leave. So... I stayed silent. Then I met Lily and we are starting our family and in a way, I've left you behind. I didn't ask you if you needed anything. I never ask anyone what they need. Maybe it's because I'm an only child, so I never was wired to think about others needing something when they don't ask. Anyway, I know you stayed with Mum and Dad because you loved them. They're gone now. If it's too hard for you to stay, then I don't want you in danger in this war for my sake. Please... go if you must."

"Does Masters Potter want kips to goes?"

"No. You're the closest person in this house I have to Mum and Dad. I don't want to say goodbye to you. It will be like saying bye to them all over again."

"Then Kip stays."

"But Kip! I don't want you staying just because I asked you to."

"Why not?" The elf asked as he piddled about, tidying the room.

"Because you're free."

Kip smiled and James felt instantly naieve as the elf said, "Freedom means Kips can leaves if he wants to. Kips doesn't wants to." He stood still and looked to James. "Kips promised Misses Potters to look after Master James. Kips wasn't commanded. He promised because he loves Master James. He loves Misses Lilys. He'll loves Master Harrys."

"Harrys?"

"Or Harriettes?"

"Henry or Henrietta," James chuckled and Kip swiftly smacked himself on the head and cursed himself for sounding stupid. James waived the elf over and rest his hand on his shoulder. "Oi! It's ok, Kip. Those are good names too."

Kip softly smiled at that as the door opened and Lily walked in.

"Oh good morning," James grunted. "At least it would have been if I'd woken up in my wife's loving arms."

Lily gave a long slurp to her tea and glared at him silently a while before saying, "Want to give that another try?"

"Morning dear..."

"Better. Good Morning," She chuckled. "Has he been this fussy all morning, Kip?"

"No mores than usuals Mrs. Lilys." Kip said before tottering off.

"So where were you so early?" James asked as he continued chowing down on his beans and toast, trying to hide an evidence he'd been vulnerable just moments before. "Helping Marlene?"

"No. I just needed some time away from your snoring this morning." He gave her a look at that but she sat beside him and added, "Also thought I'd try to look at the stone that Bones lent to Peter but he's still asleep with it."

"I thought he was still afraid to use it. Sirius made it seem that way, at least. Did something happen between he and Sirius? Padfoot's gotten so protective of Wormtail. It's like they aren't telling me something. I feel like I'm the last to know everything these days and I'm supposed to be the bloody leader of this faction."

"Sounds like you're projecting a bit about Longbottom."

James wrinkled his nose the same way he father did when he felt defensive. "I can't beleive the only reason I'm here is because of Frank."

"He's not the only reason you're here, James." She now walked to him and set beside him on the bed, meeting his eyeline as he angrily munched on his toast. "He vouched for you, that's all. But I do think it's important to recognize how much he respects you."

"I know."

"Do you?"

"Yes, I do. I guess you could say I'm learning not to take people for granted these days."

"Well well. Is James Potter finally maturing?"

"Slowly. But yes," He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks to you."

"Don't count yourself so short, Potter. You've always been capable of bettering yourself all on your own."

Meanwhile in the other room...

Peter awoke from the worst night sleep he'd ever had and yet it was the deepest he'd slept in years. His nightmares were more than just dreams though, as memories came to life once more. He was panting heavily and sweating, so anxiout that Sirius' snores startled him from across the room. After a few deep breaths, Peter pulled the Clach Uaighe stone out from under his pillow. He gazed into what was once a yellow stone with black moving marks and now the entire thing looked plagued with darkness. As he lifted it to his ear, he heard it all. He heard his mothers psychotic screams, the screach of tires as his father shouted, "Peter watch out!" He heard the laughter of James and Sirius and their relentless teasing that always was in good fun but hurt Peter more than he cared to say. Finally he heard the prophecy. It was there. Removed from his mind, trapped in the stone. Every word he'd pushed back in the recesses of his mind was in this rock now.

Peter heard Lily and James in the other room. He tucked the stone into his pocket and tip toed out as to not wake Sirius. He neard their room, the door cracked open, and carefully listened from the hall.

"It's not a competition anymore, James. Quidditch is over," Lily said.

"Which is a shame, because I'd smoke Longbottom at quidditch," He chuckled. "But you're right. I guess my competitive spirit never leaves me."

"I guess in a way we are still in a competition. A fight against Death Eaters. It's like a giant chess game." There's a moment of silence before Lily says, "You don't think Tabitha's the Guardian do you?"

"I hope not. I don't want to hate her."

"You'd hate the Guardian regardless of who they are?"

"Yes," his voice turned cold.

"James..." Lily said softly to calm him.

"I know you try to find the best in people, Lily. But Peter said there's a traitor out there and Dumbledore says Voldemort may be after our kid. If this 'Guardian' plays a role in you-know-who getting ahold of my family then I'm going to stop it, no matter who it is."

"What if it's a friend?"

"Snape was your friend and he betrayed you," he said. "Didn't give you much opportunity for forgiveness, did he?"

"I tried to give him a chance though."

"The Guardian does have a chance, right now. They can chose who they want to be, not be chained to some words from a Seer. It's like my dad said. Evil can be born by just one selfish act. The Guardian is out there. They know who they are. They just don't want to speak up because they know we will crush them, just like Peter wants to. When he wakes up, we are going to listen to that damn prophecy word for word. We are going to find the Guardian and stop them."

Peter shuttered at the conversation. He thought over and over about how Crabbe insisted he was the Guardian. In many ways, Peter believed it too. He just didn't want the confirmation. He'd worked so hard to bury the prophecy in his mind so that no Seer or Ligilimens could hear the fear he had of every concealed word. Now he wondered if the stone worked the same way. Would it reveal the prophecy as just a wordless whisper to anyone but him, or would it declare every sentence with so much clarity that everyone would hate him for concealing it and realize he'd only shared the bits that didn't terrify him.

Peter backed up and went down the hall, past Marlene's room and down the steps. There was no sign of kip in the kitchen and he raced into the backyard. Peter quickly located a rock that lined the garden path where tiny tulip buds began to grow through the winter earth. He set the Clach Uaighe stone atop it and grabbed another garden rock. He no longer would have to fear releasing those words to be interpreted into a fate he didn't wish for. Now they would be gone as if never spoken. He hesitated only a moment and wondered if he'd regret this, but it was a pointless worry for as he tried to destroy the stone, he was stopped.A strong hand grabbed his wrist and pulled the rock out of it.

"What are you doing?!"

Meanwhile in London...

Fabian Prewett paced outside the telephone booth looking exhausted. With more and more tracings on floo networks and restrictions on Portkeys, it was becoming just as lengthy and draining to travel via magic from place to place. What he wouldn't give for a bike like Sirius' at a moment like this.

He leaned against the door to the booth, shooing away the Muggles who attempted to use the phone with nothing more than grunting, "Out of Order." Suddenly he heard someone wrap on the back of the glass. He spun, startled, and saw his brother-in-law inside the booth waiving him in.

"Have you been waiting long?" Arthur Weasley asked as he opened the door for Fabian. They waited until the coast was clear before dialing the entry number on the rotary and descending into the Ministry via the hidden lift.

Fabian shook his head and silently stood as the lift clattored down, yet the silence seemed louder.

Arthur recognized the bashful look on Fabian's face and said, "Molly's doing fine. She's a professional at these things you know. Baby came out healthy as ever. A boy like we thought. His name's-"

"Ronald," Fabian nodded. "I know. It was Gideon's suggestion." They stood quietly a moment more before he said, "She ok alone while you're working?"

"My brother, Bilius, took the boys for a couple weeks while I try to negotiate some lesser hours."

"So she's alone then?" Fabian asked.

"Your sister is strong, Fabian. You know that."

"She doesn't want us in this war," he said as the lift came to a stop.

"She wants you safe. And she misses you terribly. But I understand you are doing what you feel is right." He opened the door and let Fabian out. "You said you're here to meet with Mary?"

"I know you think she's a traitor, Arthur. But there is more to her story than you realize."

Arthur didn't seem as convinced but nodded, "Well. If you ever need anything. You know where to find me."

"Actually, if you could loan your Ford to Gid and I that would be a start." Fabian chuckled.

Arthur contemplated it for a moment then a whimsical smile crossed his face. "I'll see what I can do."

Back at the Safe House...

Lily held Peter's wrist in shock. She'd just left James and was retreiving more tea when she heard him outside and stopped him. "Peter, what are you doing?"

"Im sorry." He melted onto the ground in a puddle and hugged his knees to his chest. "Lily I'm sorry. I just don't want those words to be a burden to me anymore! I'm afraid of them. I'm afraid of what it means."

"Peter, this isn't about you! This is about all of us."

"My whole mind is in that thing, Lily!" He pointed to the stone in its place. "You can't pass it around the next Order meeting to see who else hears the prophecy, because everyone will hear my secrets! It's why Marvin wanted nothing to do with it, isn't it?"

"What secrets are you so afraid of?" Lily asked as she crouched in front of him, like a parent trying to stay on their child's level. "Peter please, you've not been yourself since we got to this house. You've been worse since your errand with Sirius."

"How do you know about that?" He asked in fear that Sirius had shared about the trip to Saint Mungos.

"Because I have eyeballs, genius," she said impatiently. "And the house has windows. I saw you two leave. Now what is going on with you?"

"I don't want this to be my responsibility anymore," he motioned to the rock.

"What happened to the Peter who told me he has good ideas, and ambition, and nobody ever listens to him? Well here is your opportunity to shine, Pete. And you're trying to crush it... literally." She watched him tremble in front of her. "Peter please please tell me what's going on with you. What are you so afraid of?"

"I just... don't want to let anyone down."

"And what would make that happen?"

"If I'm... If I'm..." for a moment, he thought of saying it. He considered undermining every story he'd spun to keep suspicion off himself. He thought of the enchanted butterflies Lily had gifted him and that they were the reminder that he was capable of change and growth. For one fleeting moment he considered opening up to Lily and telling her the whole truth. But then that moment ended as he sat silently.

When he didn't reply, Lily just offered her hand and pulled both of them up. "If you're going to lose us?"

He nodded. "If we don't find the guardian it will be my fault for losing the prophecy in the beginning."

"And so you've decided it's not worth the attempt to hear it now?" she pointed at the stone on the ground.

"You're right," he shrugged. "All this work to keep a traitor away from all of us, and I ended up being the one who messed up everything."

"Pettigrew, did it ever occur to you that the reason you're so bloody anxious about this is because you don't want to let your friends down? Isn't that proof enough for you that you're not a traitor."

"You...You're right," he said hopefully.

"Peter-" she started to speak when she heard a pop on the other side of the house. "That will be Rem," she sighed in frustration at the timing of his visit. "Peter I need to go help Rem with the wolfsbane, but then I want us to talk. I think it's time you have someone to confide in that isn't some rock." Her gentle smile and soft chuckle eased his nerves.

"Maybe it's a good thing he's here," he said as a bit of hope and vulnerability grew in his soul. Lily had a way of making someone feel pulled into the light as if they'd been rescued from the darkest shadows of the world. "Maybe it's time."

Ministry of Magic...

Fabian was the last person Mary expected to see enter when she glanced up from her papers. "Fabian?" She lit up at the sight of him. "What are you doing here? Visiting Arthur?" But as he approached her desk, she leaned forward and her face shifted to one of concern. "What are you up do?" She whispered harshly. If Barty sees you talking to me..."

"He will think I'm just an Order member unaware that you're spying on us," Fabian finished.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she recognized his protective tone.

"You haven't been staying with Emmeline Vance."

"I-"

"You've been staying with him. With Mulciber. He's got you on some sort of tether doesn't he?"

"Fabian, I can't do this here," she whispered.

"Then I'll follow you home. I'll follow you back to him and I'll rip his head off his shoulders if I find out he's done anything to you." Fabian began to raise his voice.

"Come here." She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to a records closet, closing the door behind them for privacy. Fabian raised his wand and lit the tip of it so the glow would reveal her face.

"Tell me, Mary."

She sighed defeated, "He knows I'm a double agent. He saw me in Hogsmede leaving an Order Meeting but it was before Barty asked me to be a spy. Of course, Padrig never lets a good opportunity to blackmail go to waste."

"Don't mutter his pathetic name as if you're friends, Mary. If he knows the truth then why hasn't he told Voldmort? Isn't he aware your pressence in their meetings underminds their cause?"

"He doesn't care about their cause, Fabe. He just cares about his own endevors." Fabian clenched his fist but Mary quickly rested her hand on it. "Although. Lately I think he's starting to buy in to more of their beliefs. He's starting to exclude me from certain meetings, ever since he realized I warned Alice about the attack on the Bones."

Fabian huffed sharply, "So what's his blackmail deal."

"That I move in with him. That I obey whatever he says. And he won't turn me into the Death Eaters.."

"Whatever he says? He can do whatever he wants to you?"

"Lily was right about him. He's crueler than the rest. He says he only goes so far with me because to go all the way would spoil his imagination. But one day... he will run out of things to imagine."

"Not if I kill him first," Fabian said through gritted teeth.

"He's friends with Barty. If you come after him then Barty will know why and peg me as an Order loyalist in an instant."

"Mary, did you ever realize that Voldemort could search Mulicber's mind and find out your secret? Then what? And if you say Mulciber is starting to buy into the Death Eater's cause and hiding their plans from you, then what good is your spying with him there to sabotage it? It was a fine plan in the beginning but he caught you. Why don't you abandon this? Why didn't you tell Dumbledore that Mulciber knows?"

"Because it won't make a difference."

"What do you mean?" When Mary didn't answer he said, "Mary, please say it's not-"

"An unbreakable vow. For a while he just used the imperious curse on me, but when he discovered my secret he knew the vow was the best way to blackmail me," she rolled up her sleeve and revealed the markings of the vow on her dark skin. "I've been trying to find a spell to undo it."

"Which is why your arm is always bruised."

"Better than the ones he gives me."

Fabian takes her hand to examine the markings. His heart breaks for her and he shakes his head. This incredible young woman who always was pegged as a flirt or a ditz at school had surrendered her freedom in order to fight Darkness and now she's trapped, indebted to the man she fears most in order to allow others to be safe. Without thinking and overwhelmed with passion for the girl Fabian had always felt protective of, he lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. "Mary, I'm going to fix this." His heart skipped a beat as he realized the tender moment he'd just had with her, looking up at the reality of his feelings. He quickly hurried to think of something else, anything else, as he knew Mary could most likely feel the emotions and thoughts that were pouring through his mind.

The exchange came to an abrupt halt as the door to the closet was flung open and a records keeper stood there looking judgingly at the two young people. Mary just glanced at Fabian before moving out of the closet and back to her desk.

"Mary," Fabian said as he followed her out nearly knocking over the records keeper who huffed then went back about their business. "Come to McKinnon Castle?"

"For what, Fabe? For dinner? Before I have to go back to him?" She whispered in frustration.

"You don't have to go back to him. If he can't find you, then you won't be breaking the vow. You won't be denying him if you can't hear his commands."

"Until the next meeting when I see him, then he will command that I go with him."

"So don't go back to a Death Eater meeting."

"Fabe no!" Her voice echoed before she lowered it again and whispered, "This is how I can make a difference. This is how I can help people. Every day since I was 17, I have walked past men and heard the things they think of me. I have to endure it every day no matter where I go. What difference does it make if I put up with it from Mulciber?"

"Because he's doing a lot more than thinking to you, Mary."

"Yes well..." she wiped the tear away as it escaped from her eye. "It doesn't matter if he takes something he already stole from me when I was 16."

Just then the door opened and Fabian did everything he could not lunge at the young man who entered - Padrig Mulciber. He looked happily sleep deprived, pale yet strong, and his green eyes would give chills to anyone who stared directly into them. "Well well... what have we here? Head Boy Prewett on a Ministry field trip?"

"Hello Patty," Fabian hissed and stepped in front of Mary slightly.

Mulciber caught sight of Mary as she rolled her sleeve back down. His sinister grin faded as he looked between the two of them. "Having a nice... chat?"

"Splendid one," Mary said as her acting skills kicked in. She rested her hand on Fabian's shoulder. "Tell your sister, I'm sorry, but Barty has no ruling on the hours of Arthur's department and it's a bit inappropriate for me to ask him again."

"What's this then?" Mulciber asked.

"Fabian was just worried that his brother-in-law is working too many hours with a newborn at home. The department turned down Arthur's request to reduce hours, and us being good friends, Fabe thought maybe I could have some influence with Barty."

"Well maybe tell your sister to keep it in her pants and stop having so many kids," Mulciber said then chuckled to himself.

Fabian's fist clenched at that. Speaking of people who should keep it in their pants! Mulciber's toothy grin caused the hairs on the back of Fabian's neck to stand up. He imagined that grin staring down at Mary as she trembled in fear, but unable to fight back. He imagined laughter pouring from Mulciber's mouth as he beat and abused her. Fabian suddenly could tell Mary had been hearing his thoughts because she set a gentle hand on his arm.

"I just stopped by to see Barty," Mulciber lied. "Is he in?"

"No, he's not." Fabian answered for her.

"Fabian," Mary said quickly. "You should get going."

"Yes. You should," Mulciber said. "Rumor is you've been seen with Potter and his vigilante friends. I don't want a bad impression rubbing off on Mary here."

"Right," He forced himself to move away from her, every fiber of his being feeling tretcherous as he abandoned her alone with Mulciber who opened the door for him with a condescending stare. "Mary," Fabian said and turned around to face her once more. "If anything changes, please let me know. I'd like to help how I can." Mulciber shot a look at her and Fabian quickly added, "About Arthur?"

"Oh, about Arthur. Yes, of course. I'll send word... the moment I can."

Back at the Safehouse...

Lily exited the house carrying a crate of potion flakens and Remus raced to grab it from her as he came up the pathway. "What are you thinking?! James will ring my neck if I let you strain yourself like that."

"I'm pregnant, not cripple, Rem," she laughed but allowed him to take the box from her. "How's it going out there?"

"Good. I need to check in with Madeye and tell him my findings," Remus said in reference to his undercover work at the camp. It's not the same group of people I was with last summer. James doesn't know I went there right?" He asked in a low voice.

"I haven't told him, but I wish you would," Lily encouraged.

"Lils, he'll feel responsible. He already tried to give money to me when Mum died. I know the minute he finds out I willingly went to that sanctuary last year that he will try to fix everything."

"Because back then there was something to be fixed," she smirked.

"Ok Ok, don't go all mentor on me like that Odi-Dawn Kedobi guy."

"That's... not even close to his name," she replied. "But if I was Obi-Wan, I'd tell you the same thing I told you in my letter last year when I encouraged you to join the Order. Your never alone when you have friends. You're never without purpose where there is love. And you're never homeless as long as you have arms to hold you."

"I remember," he smiled softly as he recalled her letters. Lily had been the only person he'd written to share his whereabouts last year. She was the only person he could trust to not come after him, but still advise him on if it was the right choice to stay at the camp.

"Just don't forget that you're never in this alone," she nodded to the crate and he glanced inside. Tucked between the flasks of potion was a pack of pop rocks which brought a smile to his face.

"Thanks, Lils." His smile quickly faded as he remembered the first time they swapped the candy. It was the morning after Sirius' betrayal. Now he glanced at the window to the house.

"He's up there." Lily admitted. "Remus. You two need to talk."

"What's there to talk about? He knows what's best for me after all. Why bother discussing anything," He sourly grunted.

"Did it ever occur to you, that he may have been right. What he did was stupid and impulsive and he didn't handle it well. But He was right about one thing. They would have used Tabitha to bait you. Until we get her wand back she needs to be somewhere safe."

"Bait me to do what, Lily? What could they possibly want form me that Sirius fears so much? Unless he thinks I'm the Guardian."

"Nobody thinks that of you."

"Well he was quick to assume it about Tabitha."

Lily stopped speaking when he heard his rise in his tone. After a pause to let him settle off she said, "Blue Moon this week."

"I'll be fine."

"You're already not fine. I hear your anger in your voice."

"I've got the potion," he insisted.

"And what about everyone else at the camp? There isn't enough potion there for all of them, surely."

"I couldn't convince everyone to go for it," Remus said sadly. ""The kids at the camp are scared. They don't trust me yet. They keep talking about someone called 'the collector'."

"The collector, the guardian, the chosen one. You'd think this world would just call people by their names," she teased.

"It's no joke, Lils. The head of the camp said there are dark characters, there for the wrong reasons, trying to pull the kids away. I'm trying to get more information from her but she doesn't seem to want to share."

"Right," Lily crossed her arms frustrated as she considered her conversation with Peter. "Lots of people don't feel like sharing secrets these days."

Just as she thought it though, the door flung open. "Evans, Wormtail needs you. He says-" Sirius froze in the doorway at the sight of Remus. "Hey..."

"Hi." Remus said in the shortest syllable possible.

"What is it, Padfoot?" Lily asked over her shoulder.

"Wormtail said to tell you, 'He's ready?'. Whatever that means."

"Ready for what?" Remus asked.

"Ready to introduce himself fully... for the first time."

"To you?" Sirius asked.

"To all of us."

Later at McKinnon Castle...

Gideon had taken the rest of the morning to himself. He'd avoided Angus and stayed in his room, writing to his sister about how much he wished to see the new baby and ensuring he was safe. He spent more time talking to Marvin about the "lady in his head" and working out possibilities while sending a patronus to Dumbledore to arrange another meeting with Bones.

He heard the door down the hall open where Fabian was staying and quickly made his way towards the room. As he entered, he saw his brother standing at the window, looking our over the Moores.

"Fabe?"

He heard Fabian sniffle. He knew his brother was the more sensitive of the two, but still tried to always keep a brave face. It was rare he allowed tears to come. Whenever they did, it meant he was truly broken.

"Did you get to talk to Mary?"

"She was the cloaked figure beside Mulciber the night we spied on Knockturn. I didn't tell you. I told Marvin but I was afraid to tell you. I guess we're even now when it comes to secrets."

"Secrets be damned," Gideon finally said. "I'm tired Fabian. I'm tired of worrying what people will think. Maybe there are some people in this house who care about that shit but you and I aren't one of them."

"There's more I haven't told you," he admits, thinking of the prophecy from Seer Trelawney about the end of their path.

"Then start at the beginning. Let's start with Mary. What's going on?" Gideon said in a soft, understanding tone.

"She can't get away from him. He's got her trapped under a vow. She can't leave him... and he's abusing her."

"What? That bloody phsycopath. Does Dumbledore know?"

"She won't let me tell him. She says she'd rather be a prisoner to that ass than forfeit her ability to help the war effort."

Gideon just rubbed the back of his neck as the weight of the situation weight on him. "I'm so sorry, brother. I know she's your friend."

Fabian didn't say anything. He just rested his hands on the windowsill and doubled over as he did everything he could to keep in the pain in his voice, but it broke anyway as he said, "I love her, Gideon." When his voice betrayed him, Gideon moved forward to rest a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I just realized two truths in the same ten seconds. That I've always loved her, but that she can never be with me as long as he's alive. I've got to standby and watch her endure pain and suffering all alone."

"No mate," Gideon said softly. "As long as you're alive... she'll never be alone."

Later at Malfoy Manor...

"So," Max Forrestor said to Malfoy in his foyer. His impromptu visit wasn't well-received by Malfoy, especially considering Narcissa's distain for Max. She stayed silently to the side though, sitting in the armchair beside her husband but keeping an eye on Max who said, "What do you think?"

"It's risky," Malfoy replied, "Setting traps for each of them could result in them bringing along reinforcements. Then if we expose the Guardian, whoever came with them will know and report it to Dumbledore."

"Which is why we communicate the stakes ahead of time," Max suggests.

"What do you mean?" Malfoy grunts.

Greyback, who had not made it far past the door when he arrived with Max due to the overwhelming scent of Narcissa's unborn child, tossed a ring across the room and Malfoy caught and examined it.

"Delaney?" Malfoy almost looked sad at the sight of it as he recalled the last time he'd encountered the witch in his home. "You have Delaney?"

"She's an unwilling participant, I guess you could say," Greyback said in a stifled mutter.

"Why are you standing over there like you're about to vomit?" Narcissa scowled at him

"Trust me sweetie, I stand back here for your health... not mine," His attention turned back to Lucious, "Tell my mutt she's in trouble and he will come alone if we ask."

"Don't be so sure. Potter and the other two follow him everywhere, especially Black. It's like they're Bloody married."

"Then split the lot up. Maybe having them all seperated for a time will sew some distrust amongst them. They won't know who was put to the test and who wasn't. Who is lying and who isn't," Max offered.

"What about the other one we need to test. What leverage do we have for him?" Max asked.

"Leave him out of this," Narcissa said.

Malfoy ignored her and said, "That will require a bit more entrapment than bait. He won't be expecting this being in our ranks."

"Lucious!" Narcissa snapped. "I said leave him alone."

Her husband just stared down at her with a warning stare. "Be silent, Narcissa." he looked back to Greyback and Max. "You lot set the test for Lupin... leave the other one to me."