Book II: Age of the Phoenix

Chapter XXVII: Vow of the Heart

Music Theme: Elenor Rigby - The Beatles

April 19, 1980 - Diagon Alley...

Diagon Alley had changed so much in only less than a year. The shops were quiet and there was a lack of warmth that made winter feel lingering. Still, Lily deeply inhaled the Diagon Alley air as if it was the best oxygen she'd ever experienced. "Ah, feels splendid to be outside for a change." She spring air flowed through the nearly empty streets as she peeked around the corner of Fortescue's.

"Lil, for the love of Merlin, will you stay under this damn cloak," James grumbled as he caught up to her, wrapping the cloak around her shoulders and concealing them both.

"We're in the back alley, James. Nobody's going to see us."

"You should have stayed home," he muttered.

"All I've done is stay home lately. Dumbledore hasn't given me a mission in weeks."

"Because of the new Dark Aurors at the Ministry," James insisted. "You can't trust anyone these days."

"If Alice still feels safe enough to go to work, then I can pick up some ingredients at the apothecary for Remus."

"She shouldn't be working," James replied. "You heard Frank at the last meeting. He said a case worker there knows about their pregnancy and is an enthusiast for Voldemort."

"Which is why we have to help," she said with a determined look.

"Which is why you need to hide that bump of yours," he rest his hand on her stomach only for him quickly to pull his hand away as if something had bewildered him. "Did it just.."

"Kick?" Lily smiled. "Mhmm."

James looked up at his wife and gently tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I wish we could go for an ultrasound or something to see what it is. Only a few more months."

"Less than a few," she whispered. "Scared?"

"Me? Scared. No. Never," he shrugged off then finally admitted, "Bloody terrified."

"Me too," she said grabbing his hand. "But in a good way."

"Yea. Scared in a good way." James leaned forward to give her a soft kiss then turned back to their mission at hand. "Ready?"

"Yea. Let's go." The two of them secured the cloak and rounded the corner, a passerby staring confused at the steps to the apothecary as they sneaked but nobody was seen upon them. Lily then pushed against the shop door but it wouldn't budge. She tilted her head in confusion and tried again but to no avail.

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Lily," James said impatiently as he reached forward and shoved the door open. "Not amused."

"James, I wasn't fooling around. It really wouldn't open for me," she harshly said with some offense.

"Just come on," he sighed and moved inside before removing the cloak. The storekeeper practically leapt out of her chest when James and Lily appeared.

"Good Goblins!" She declared. "Where did you two come from?!"

"Outside. Miraculous thing, doors. They allow people to come and go from just about anywhere," James quipped.

"Speaking of," Lily added as she moved towards the wolfsbane potion ingredients, "You may want to fix yours. Took two of us to get in."

"What do you mean by that?" The woman asked with a cold stare to Lily.

"Nothing," James said, not wanting to strike up a conversation. "It was just jamming for her at first, but I got it opened. Now we need a list of potion ingredients and in a rush so-"

"Mudblood!" The woman shouted. Lily and James froze and looked horrified at the elderly woman on the other side of the counter. "Get out! I don't do business with Mudbloods. They'll kill me if they knew I did. Get out! Get out! Don't have nobody else let you in again!"

"Let us in?" Lily asked with her armful of floral sprigs and potions, unable to move following the woman's confusing and offensive outburst.

"Out! Keep your bloody ingredients and get out," she shooed them off as she came around the corner and reached for Lily to shove her away, only for James to intercede with a look of fury at the attempt to grapple his wife.

"Oi ok ok! We're going! Just keep your damn hands off her," He pulled Lily to the door, the shop owner not caring for the ingredients that they took with them. When the door slammed behind them, James was unprepared to place the cloak over them once more. He just took Lily's by the arm and pulled her around the corner to the alley.

"What was that about?" James asked.

"I'm not sure..." Lily said, though her tone suggested otherwise.

"Well," James said softly when he saw her sad expression. "At least we got what we came for." He nodded to the ingredients in her arms.

Lily glanced at everything in her arms then back to James and said, "More than what we came for, I'd say."

Later at The Werewolf Sanctuary...

A shout rang out and alerted Remus awake. He instantly held out an arm to protect the other side of the bed, despite it being empty, and grabbed his wand with his free hand. Anxious voices caused a low rumble outside and the glow of lanterns emerged. Remus concealed his wand best he could up his sleeve and opted for the torch which he flicked on and raced barefoot into the night. He collided with an elderly man from the neighboring tent. The man was a longtime resident of the sanctuary, his scars very similar to Remus'.

"Mr. Bartley? What's going on?" Remus asked him.

"Over there," the old man pointed with a boney finger. "Someone's taken the boys. The ones you've been befriending."

Remus looked towards a tent he'd been keeping an eye on for weeks. He'd noticed some young werewolves in their late teens getting particularly close with one of the shady characetrs Samari had described. Now all three had vanished in the night. "Get back in your tent, Bartley. It's going to be ok," Remus said gently to the elder who gave a nervous nod but did as he'd suggested. The cold grass froze Remus' toes as he wandered the grounds, looking for any sign of the boys. He gazed up and noted the moon, nearly full, and doubted it was a coincidence for the boys to be whisked away. As he gazed up, he used the opportunity to eves-drop on what others had seen.

"I think one of them was a wizard like Chawala over there," one woman said to another.

Remus froze as he heard Sarami's surname called in reference to a wizard, as it was his understanding she was muggle. "Pardon me," he asked as he neared the two women outside their tent, one with mild claw marks on her face like Remus but one with a mutilated arm covered in scars from werewolf bites as if it had once been someone's chew toy. "Did you say Samari is a wizard?"

"What? You don't believe in a little magic?" The woman snapped, irriated at his invasive question. "And do you need your ears checked? I said Chawala's the wizard. I meant her husband." The woman nodded in the direction she'd been pointing and Remus waisted no time in following her gaze to spot Samari at the treeline, whispering to a pale man with light brown hair in a plain flannel jacket and slacks. He held a wand as a light to illuminate their faces, but as Remus turned, the light of his torch flashed against both of them.

Samari shooed her husband away and he vanished into the trees, then she rapidly climbed the hill back to camp, ignoring Remus as she passed but the young werewolf didn't take the hint as he said, "So that's your husband?"

"Yes. It is," she muttered.

"He doesn't look-"

"Look what?" She asked quickly, whirling around to face him.

"He doesn't look like a 'Chawala,' is all."

"As if a 'Lupin' is supposed to have some physical characteristics?" She snapped.

"He looked familiar," Remus noted.

"Well aren't all you Wizards related or something like that?"

"Only some..." He said. "Where are the boys?"

"Gone. Left. Kidnapped... I don't know," she said in frustration. "Where were you when all this happened?"

"Oh right," he rolled his eyes. "I kidnapped them and stashed them somewhere in my pajamas."

"Well I don't know, You could have... 'magiced' them away."

"Sam, I swear. I'm here for the right reasons. I just want to make sure the same goes for... everyone," he said glancing towards the trees.

"My husband started this place, Remus. He's here for the right reasons," she insisted. "If you can't trust him then at least trust me."

"Trust isn't something I've had great luck with lately."

She looked at him thoughtfully and said, "Well it's the only option you've got at the moment." She then left him in the dark night as she walked back to her tent.

April 20, 1980 - The Room of Requirement...

"Alice and Frank? Attacked?" Edgar Bones asked anxiously at the Order Meeting. Everyone who had already gathered around the table in the Room of Requirement, shocked at Madeye's explanation as to why the two Longbottoms had yet to arrive. Most of the assembly was there save for a few, as they waited for the Potter Faction to arrive. The Prewett Brothers and McKinnons sad in awkward silence as they were the most sleep depraved with the most tension among them, and Fabian went to make his third cup of tea of the night while his brother rest his eyes at the table, the caring eyes of Angus McKinnon glancing at him whenever he could.

"Not exactly attacked," Madeye said as he looked at the others. "Someone Hexed Frank's desk. The whole thing lit ablaze the moment he sat at it. Alice ran to get help when the she got caught in the corridors. The passwords suddenly didn't work for her. She's lucky I was the next person coming through that hall and found her before someone else did."

"It's a warning," Amelia Bones said as she shook her head. "Umbridge knows we broke a Muggle-Born out of her little jail. She wants to make sure they know not to interfere with her work again."

"I want that woman out of my Ministry," Madeye grumbled.

"With what evidence?" Emeline asked. "The Minister thinks she's a saint."

"Where are the Longbottom's now?" Sturgis asked.

"Safe in my home," Benjy Fenwick said as he stirred his tea. "Frank will recover just fine and Alice is keeping an eye on him."

"And Frank's family?"

"On their way to their relatives in America."

"Good. Let's hope for now, we don't have anymore damn surprises," Madeye groaned.

Just as he said it, the room's door opened and Lily and James entered. "Hate to tell you this, Madeye," James said, "But Lily and I already have news."

"You weren't attacked too, were you?" Sturgis gasped.

"Only our dignity," Lily grunted. "There are stores in Diagon Alley that have begun implementing blood charms. Muggleborns can't enter."

"What?" Amelia gasped and looked over to Emeline as if for explanation.

"What? Just because I work at the book store, I'm supposed to know all the ins and outs of Diagon Commerce? This is the first I'm hearing of it."

"Me too," Madeye said. "Something like that would require ministry approval through the Office for the Use of Magic. They'd never approve that."

"Unless Crouch pushed it through like his little Dark Aurors shtick," James suggested. "All I know is last night my wife couldn't enter any businesses and when we did get in we were promptly asked to leave. I think the store owner felt as if she was being watched."

"Being that close to Knockturn Alley, she probably was," Lily added. "People are scared of the Death Eaters and their ranks are growing. They'll intimidate who they can to push their agenda. More and more people are going missing and we aren't any closer to finding them."

"Add werewolves to the MIA list," Remus said upon entry and everyone jumped at the sight of him. He looked exhausted as if he hadn't slept in days.

"Remus!" Lily hurried to her friend and embraced him, his scowl and stiffness vanishing at her touch as he hugged her back tenderly. "We've been worried sick about you. You didn't come to the last meeting."

"Because I feel like I'm being watched," Remus said as he pulled away. "The woman that runs the camp is onto me, I think."

"Then call it," James said. "Come home, Moony."

"You know I can't do that, James. This is too important. I'm just starting to make a difference. The potion worked during the blue moon and people at the sanctuary witnessed it. They've started taking the potion and believing they're more than the curse in their veins. Of course, those same individuals are the ones going missing. Three teenage boys I'd bonded with were snatched last night."

"That's not your fault Remus," Lily said.

"Isn't it?" He forced out but quickly continued. "I'm just surprised they haven't made a move on me yet."

"What do you mean?" Fabian asked as he finished making his tea but waited to sit until Remus answered.

"Well, if they know I'm a spy then why haven't they killed me yet?"

Lily flinched at the thought and motioned for him to take a seat as they waited for Dumbledore. Fabian didn't reply. He holding his tea until it began to cool. Everyone discussed amongst themselves for a bit as they waited when Fabian suddenly set his cup down and moved for the door. His brother, who had been dozing off, jumped at the rattle of the cup, and glanced up to him. "Fabe?"

"Meeting's not over, Prewett," Angus McKinnon called.

"Let him go," Marvin said with a yawn to his brother. "We haven't been getting much sleep."

"How late was your session last night?" Angus asked his brother with a glance to Edgar to open the question to both of them.

"Pretty damn long," he replied.

"Whoever locked his memory has to be one of the most skilled wizards I've see on mind hexes," Edgar said. "Pettigrew is bringing the stone back tonight so that we can try a deeper dive again."

"Woopie," Marvin grunted. He spotted Lily as she took her seat with a wince of discomfort. "Ok there, Potter?"

"Fine," she said, "The baby's just as restless as we are, I guess."

"I'll get you something to eat," James said with a kiss atop her head then went to the refreshment table to get her a scone.

"Where's the rest of the faction, anyway?" Angus asked, trying to act cool about his sister's absence.

"Dumbledore's office, dropping off the stone. Marlene's with Sirius," she felt the need to add and gave him a look.

Angus grew uncomfortable as his suspicions were confirmed that Lily had always been a bit cross with him since discovering his involvement in the breakup of the two. He looked away and glanced beside him to his brother only to notice that he had his gaze fixed on Lily. He'd not taken his eyes off her since she'd joined them at the table. "Marvin?"

Remus had also taken note of the intense stare of the McKinnon and grumbled, "Oi. Didn't your mummy tell you it's rude to stare."

Marvin kept looking at Lily though, who said nothing. She just looked up and met his gaze as if trying to decipher the reason behind his glare.

"McKinnon? Want to keep your eyes off my wife?" James said. The room fell quiet and Marvin gave no reaction. He kept his stare on the redhead, sitting so still that he looked lifeless. "Marvin?" James asked again but received no response.

Finally Angus rested a hand on Marvin's shoulder and gave him a gentle shake. The young man instantly snapped out of it and looked at his brother. "What?"

"You... were staring at Lily."

"No, I wasn't," he chuckled and and looked around the table. Everyone sat silently, staring at him concerned, save for Emeline who just looked sour as always. "Wasn't I?"

"You looked like you wanted to leap across the table at her," James said with a clenched fist.

"I... didn't realize. Sorry." He said, but felt unsettled at the moment he couldn't even remember. He just slumped down in his chair and wracked his brain for some kind of memory of the interaction, but when he tried, his mind seemed blank.

Marlene and Sirius had stopped at Dumbledore's office with Peter to deliver the memory tomb safely. All three took turns keeping watch on it, to avoid the emotional outbursts they knew it could cause. Now all three waited patiently as Dumbledore examined it on his desk, taking great care not to handle it too much. He listened to some whispers, trying to decipher which memory was which. "Sirius," he said.

"Sir?" Sirius stood upright more from his place leaning against the office wall.

"Did you use this at all?"

"No sir," Sirius said.

"You're sure?" Dumbledore looked up at him now.

"Yes, of course. Why?"

"There's a memory in here that takes place at your home. Hard to tell who it belongs to though."

"How can that be?" Marlene asked.

"A great many people have used these stones over time," he said as he lifted his head and looked at her. "Could belong to anyone."

"Well it can't be mine," Peter said. "I've never been to Sirius' house."

"It wasn't too long ago," Dumbledore said. "Of that I'm sure."

"What relevance does it have, Albus," muttered Professor Scammander.

"At the moment... maybe none."

"Well..." Peter said, "That's good then... isn't it?"

Dumbledore did not reply to him. He simply drew his wand and levitated the stone into an intricate box, engraved with the initials 'N.F' and closed it. "This will keep the power of the stone concealed so it doesn't impact anyone in travel. Please take great care with it. It's borrowed."

"Of course sir," Sirius said stepping forward and grabbing the box then turning to the others. "We should go."

"Marlene," Dumbledore reluctantly whispered as if questioning if he should add one more thought. "Were you ill as a child?"

She blinked at that in confusion. "Yes, sir... very, so Mum said. I almost didn't make it."

"And your brothers remember this?"

"Mostly just Marvin and Atti. Ang would have been too young," she shrugged. "Why?"

Dumbledore thought moment before saying, "You and Lily have been working on your druid spells together?"

"Yes, sir."

"While I appreciate her help, I suggest you get another tutor."

Peter and Sirius reacted as if their own mother had been offended and Peter spoke up first, "Lily's brilliant though! She's helped Marlene so much."

"Sirius," Dumbledore said without so much as a look towards Peter. "Perhaps you give it a go. You were rather skilled in charms class."

"Skilled and dedicated are two different things, Albus," Theseus smirked as he remenisced on Sirius' former attitude towards schoolwork.

"I'll help her sir," Sirius said and grinned at Marlene who just gave him an eye roll. She hurried out the door and Peter tottered after her, with Sirius giving a nod to the room before leaving.

When Theseus and Albus where alone, the former said, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Dumbledore said as he cleared his desk to prep for the meeting.

"You've been upset ever since Peter explained the Prophecy to you and just now you wouldn't even look at him. I'll admit, there are a few people that have already run through my mind as to who the Guardian can be, but I'm not ready to give up hope yet. You're expression makes it look like we've lost the damn war already... or are destined to."

"There's more to that prophecy that you're realizing, Theseus," Dumbledore said as he gazed up to the portraits in his office.

"So? We will just stay one step ahead if it. Or are you suggesting we stop fighting?"

Dumbledore looked at his friend with a smile. Theseus was in a wheelchair now, the majority of his body completely paralyzed except for one arm below the elbow and his head and neck. "You know we don't give up that easily. Even when we know the inevitable."

"Inevitable? Are you saying the prophecy suggests how this will end?"

"I can read between the lines," he muttered.

"And that's why you're distancing yourself from the kids," he muttered. "I asked you once before if my kids will be ok, Albus. If that answer has changed. I want to know."

"We can't know for sure, Theseus. But sometimes I wonder if we're doing all we can to protect them."

"What do you suggest?"

"It doesn't matter," he shrugged. "I know if I suggest they hang up their wands and go into hiding they'll just defy it."

"Don't be so sure," Theseus sighed. "They're losing hope these days. All these attempts on the Bones' lives, the incident at the Ministry with Frank and Alice, now Mary going missing. They haven't had a solid win in some time against Death eaters. Even saving Marvin came at the expense of losing Tabitha."

"We have to count the small victories, Theseus. It appears the secrecy of the Potter pregnancy is still strong. The Longbottoms are safe. We've not lost anyone yet."

"Why'd you have to go and add 'yet'..." he grumbled.

"We'd nearly won against Grindelwald but then he escaped and went on a killing spree."

Theseus shut his eyes at the memories of the Global War when he muttered, "Speaking of, Albus. "There is one wand that could break that ward at Lestrange Manor with minimum effort." When Dumbledore didn't answer he added. "Voldemort doesn't know you have the Elder Wand... does he?"

"While my fight with Grindelwald is legendary, I've gone to great lengths to shield the details in case anyone came searching for the wand. The ward around Lestrange estate is too strong for even Bellatrix to make. I think it's Voldemort's doing. It's a response to the wards we have around Hogwarts. If I used the elder wand against his magic, I think he'd feel its power."

"And the lives in that house aren't worth risking the salvation of some wood?"

Dumbledore looked to his old friend and said, "Don't start doubting me now, Theseus. Please. At times I think you're the only one who fully understands it all."

"Sometimes I wish I didn't," he sighed. "Do you think it was Voldemort who tampered with Marvin's mind?"

"No. As we saw with Peter, a person must have consented for that much of a memory to be repressed. Peter consented out of fear when he concealed the prophecy. Marvin though... he has never struck me as fearful."

"No. He'd bury something out of loyalty though." Theseus began to think. "But loyalty to who?"

"I'm not sure. But we are starting to run out of time. If Marvin doesn't remember, then we may have to find a new solution."

Just then there was a knock on the office door and Dumbledore waited a moment as if trying to sense who it could be before allowing them entry.

"Fabian," he said as the Prewett boy stepped into his office. "Everything at the meeting alright?"

"There's still no sign of Mary."

Dumbledore gave a sad nod but didn't reply as Theseus glanced between the two.

Finally, Fabian added, "I know you know she's been spying sir. But there's more she's been keeping from you."

"Mary? A spy?!" Theseus burst.

"I knew you wouldn't approve, Theseus," Dumbledore said.

"You're bloody right, I wouldn't! She's been through enough as it is!"

"That's just it," Fabian interrupted. "I think she's been found out and that's why she's not shown up to work or to the meetings."

Dumbledore folded his hands and stared at his feet in thought. "You understand if that's true, it is very likely she been..."

"No sir," Fabian said. "She's alive. I know she is. I think she's being controlled." He took a breath and said, "I promised her I wouldn't say anything, but I can't keep that promise. Not anymore. You need to know about Mulciber."

Meanwhile at Borgin and Burkes...

The Meeting at Borgin and Burkes was finishing in the early morning hours and had turned hostile as Bellatrix stormed back and forth. "Weeks. Weeks and and we haven't found a single one of them. We are no closer to finding the Guardian than they are."

"There's still an option you're not exploring, Bellatrix," Narcissa mumbled. "Crabbe said-"

"Crabbe said he'd only disclose who he thinks the Guardian is if we let him back in our ranks," she snapped. "I won't be bargained with."

"And yet you involved yourself in a plot to bargain with the Lupin kid," Malfoy scoffed. "Then let him go."

"Questioning my methods, Malfoy?" Max Forrestor asked as he reclined casually in his seat.

"Not questioning. I'm actually quite certain that your methods don't work," Lucious quipped.

"Where is Crabbe now?" Forrestor asked sourly.

"Who the hell knows. Groveling in his little hole in the wall in Belgravia most likely," Bellatrix grumbled.

"What of the next round of tests?" Her husband piped up.

"Tests are no good without access to the contenders," Bellatrix hissed then her eyes turned to Mulciber. "Isn't that the point of your little girlfriend. She's supposed to be spying for us."

"MacDonald has been preoccupied recently," he said with a smirk.

"Good Godric, Padraig," grumbled Barty Crouch Jr. "Just tell me if I need a new secretary or not. The paperwork is piling up."

"She just needed a cooling off period for a bit. Got a little overwhelmed with things. She'll be rejoining us shortly." When he looked back to Bellatrix though his smirk vanished. She was glaring at him. "What?"

"Just make sure you little bitch is who she says she is. If you're concealing ulterior motives, Mulciber, we will find out and the Dark Lord will not show you any mercy."

The two stared harshly at each other when suddenly the door flew open and Snape came rushing in with jars of soot in his arms.

"Science fair is in another classroom, Snape," chuckled Crouch at the sight of him.

Snape ignored him and set the jars on the ground, "I've done it. I've tested it. It works."

"What works? Cremated your enemies or something?" Bellatrix crossed her arms.

"Listen to him, Bella," Narcissa insisted.

Snape looked around and muttered, "This will lead our enemies right to us. It took some time to perfect, but it will work. We just have to set it in the right place and we have to be strategic which means no more process of elimination on your Guardian theories. We have to target a small handful we want to confront."

"What are you going on about?"

"The Prophecy!" Snape shouted. "The Longbottoms. This will bring them to us. We can also set a trap for the real Guardian and put them to the test."

"Unless they're already among us," Malfoy said with a gaze towards Snape.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rudolphus asked.

"Nothing," Snape hissed. "Lucy here just has trust issues." The two maintained a cold glare across the dimly lit room.

"So what do you need to get this trap set?" Max asked.

"Someone on their side," Snape said. "A spy. Someone we can have set the bait."

All eyes turned onto Mulciber who just crossed his arms and smirked as he said, "I'll see what I can do."

Back at Hogwarts...

Fabian had finished his discussion with Dumbledore and Scammander and all three quietly made their way up the hall. "I just wish there was some way to find her."

"Mulciber must be at his family home, no doubt. We can go there," Theseus suggested.

"You're in no condition to go anywhere Theseus," Dumbledore said.

"I just wish I knew she was ok," Fabian said.

Suddenly Dumbledore stopped and the other two hesitated. "Albus?" Theseus asked.

Dumbledore listened and said, "We're not alone." He looked over his shoulder and heard footsteps approaching before saying, "It appears we may not need to locate Mulciber after all."

Just then, Mary rounded the corner and halted at the sight of them. "Fabian? Dumbledore? Scam..." She gasped, "Professor Scammander? What happened?"

"A rather slow progression of a spell gone wrong that you'd be privy to had you not been absent for weeks," he said as if scolding her for tardiness to class.

"Mary," was all Fabian could manage as relief swept over him at the sight of her safe, but looking rather disheveled. "How?"

"How what?" she said and gave him a look.

"How'd you escape him?"

"Escape?" She looked between the three of them.

"Mary," Dumbledore said stepping forward, "I think the time has come for you to remain under the protection of The Order."

"Albus, no. I'm doing fine. I know I've missed some meetings but I'm ok."

"Are you?" He said. "Or have you gone to lengths you can't come back from?"

She pondered his meaning when finally her eyes fell on the guilty face of Fabian. "You told him?" When he didn't reply she just whispered. "How could you?"

"How could you continue like this?" Fabian replied.

"I'm sorry, Dumbledore," Mary said to her former headmaster. "But no. As I'm sure Fabian has already briefed you, you understand I'm bound by a vow."

"You're bound by Blackmail, which jeopardizes not only our mission but your safety."

"Listen to him, Mary." Fabian begged. "You said Mulciber is starting to care about Voldemort's cause more and more. That means he won't let you interfere anymore. Your work there as a spy is done. Just let us protect you."

"Let YOU... protect ME?" She said softly and shook her head as if some sort of irony wasn't lost on her. "I'm sorry, but this was a mistake. I've got to go."

"Mary!" Fabian called as she dismissed herself and exited. He looked to Dumbledore who watched her leave carefully. "Sir? What now?"

"She's concealing something," he said. "She's afraid."

"Of course she is!" Theseus said. "I'll speak with her."

"No," Dumbledore shook his head. "Fabian. I think you're the best for this task."

"I'll talk to her sir," he said with a nod and raced up the hall.

"Fabian please walk away from me," Mary called over her shoulder when he caught up.

"Like hell... how'd you even escape him? I know he got onto you when he saw us at the Ministry."

"He was in a rush today and forgot to command me to stay put so the house elf helped me sneak out. Now, I've got work to do. We both have work to do for the order."

"Don't let him blackmail you like this. We can get you somewhere safe, reveal to somebody that you're a spy for us and Voldemort will kill Mulciber for treason and this stupid vow will be over."

"Or they'll kill me for for being a spy," she chuckled at his optimistic theory.

"I know you put on this meek and meager show, Mary. I've always seen past the flirtation to the bravery. I recognized the strength within your femininity. But when it comes to him, you are defensless. This vow won't let you do anything against him. Even without the vow he's got a grip on you."

"I resent that."

"It's true. You're not afraid of anything in this world except for him. True or not?"

She reluctant said, "True... and it I hate myself for that."

"It's ok to be afraid of things, Mary. It's ok to ask for help."

"No," She began to walk away from him. "I won't drag you into this. You're already at risk..."

When she stopped herself he called, "He's threatened me hasn't he?" Mary stopped and he continued. "He said he'll kill me if you defy him? That's it, isn't it?" When she din't answer he turned red, a fury building in him that seldom showed itself. "Well I'll kill him first."

"Fabian no," she faced him now. "We are not cold blooded killers like them. You can't let your mind start racing to a dark place like that."

He stormed up to her and said, "My mind races about a hell of a lot more when it comes to you." He took her hand and pulled her back. "I'm just grateful you try to stay out of my head so you won't call me a hypocrite."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't-" he grit his teeth to suppress words.

"You can tell me, Fabe."

"No. Not after what you've been through."

"Ah..." she nodded. "I see. You think my fragile soul is too traumatized to hear that you want to shove me against the wall and make love to me? Is that it?"

Fabian released her hand and stepped back, eyes shocked.

"Don't shy away now, Fabian. You were just getting started-" She smirked at him. "And before you accuse me of prying into your mind, I haven't. I swear I've known you liked me longer than you have.."

"Mary, I-"

"What's worse is I like you too," she chucked. "Your charming jokes and dopey smile. Most importantly though, you care about people. I don't want my circumstances to take away who you are, Fabian, by allowing you to go after Mulciber and commit murder over a crush."

"A crush? A crush?!" He stood shocked.

Mary's smirk faded as the reality sank in and she stepped back. "I... have to go."

"No. No, I've got to say this."

"Don't say anything, I'm leaving." She retreated.

"Mary I-"

"Don't say it, Fabian. It will just hurt both of us," she rushed away.

Fabian caught up to her, grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her against the wall to stop her. "No! You're not rushing back to that monster. You're going to listen to me!"

He stood in awe at her alarmed expression and instantly released her. "Mary... I..."

"It's ok, Fabe."

"No, it's not. I never should have touched you like that. Please forgive me, please..."

"Of course I do. But you see why you can't go after him now. You'll let your anger command you."

"It's not anger. It's jealousy," he snapped still staring at the floor in shame. "That's what I said about being a hypocrite. How can I have jealousy for that when i'm the one who constantly told you you're more than just a prize to be one."

"Fabian," she took his hand. "There's a difference between you two. Mulciber wants me as a game. You want to protect me."

"But I still want-" He stopped himself. "I still feel no better than him. That's why I want to tell you how I feel. If you knew the truth then you'd see it isn't just lust, Mary. I think the world of you. The way I feel about you-"

"Fabian if you keep going when we know nothing can change about my circumstances then it will just hurt us both."

"You deserve to know-" he said softly and rest her hand on his cheek and held it there. "Please. Go on."

Mary shut her eyes and tears welled up within them as she heard his racing thoughts. The love he felt for her poured over her with warmth and security until a single, happy, tear fell from her eye. Her concentration was broken as she felt a kiss on her palm. She opened her eyes to see Fabian holding her hand and tenderly kissing it. When their eyes met he said, "If I'm not allowed to say it, at least you'll know I think it."

She smiled at him, tempted to speak up but frozen with fear of the risks involved.

"I won't let you down, Mary. I got you away from him once before. I will do it again, I swear." He stroked her cheek. "Can I... can I kiss you?" He asked cautiously.

"You never have to ask, Fabe. I trust you."

The two embraced in the quiet halls of Hogwarts, feeling free and unwatched for just a moment. In that moment, Fabian grew resolved to defy the prophecy Trelawney had presented before him. The end of his path would be Mary and nothing would change that for him if he had a say in it. Mary however, did her best to surpress the thought that this moment was fleeting and may be their last. She couldn't tell if the thought was prophetic or fear as she clung tightly to him and finally let go of it all, every wall in her mind crashing down as she gave her soul to him, his thoughts racing through her mind of unconditional love.

Later at the Bones Home...

Following the meeting, Marvin returned with Edgar Bones to his home to once more attempt the penetration of his mind. He watched carefully, sitting in Edgar's study, as the stone was removed from the ornate box and carefully walked to the sofa, setting it under the pillow. "Ok. Now for our secret weapon." He looked across his study to Lydia who was curled up by the fireplace with a book - Elemental Magic for Young Wizards.

"Good book, Lydia?" Marvin called which only received one nod. "Think I might borrow it for my sister? She's working on elemental magic herself." Lydia glanced over the brim of the book as if he'd requested her first born child to which he added, "Ok... never mind. It's all yours."

"Lydia," Edgar called. "We're ready."

The girl closed the book and walked towards her uncle before plopping next to Marvin and staring lazily at him.

"Can you hear the voice in Marvin's head?"

"Mhmm. She's still there," she replied stiffly.

"Can you tell what she's saying?"

"It's too quiet, just like last time. A whisper."

"Can you help Marvin hear it? Any words he can focus on at all?"

"Well..." she squinted as if reading him. "I think it's latin," she said. "It sounds like she's crying but she's not. She's... determined. It's a vow... but like a spell."

"No burns from an unbreakable vow on my arm though," Marvin spoke up only to be promptly shushed by Lydia.

"She's asking for something. I think it's a promise she's requesting," the girl says, "Sanguis... I can hear Sanguis..."

"That's the only word I remember too."

"Start there. Focus on it," Edgar said and instructed Marvin to lay down. "Lydia. Get ready to listen to the stone, please?" The girl nodded and Marvin focused on the word over and over again as he closed his eyes. This time, there was no need for a sleeping potion as the exhaustion caused him to relax and the stone instantly took hold of his mind.

Marvin observed the haze of a memory. He saw the dark, damp corridors of Lestrange Manor. The stone floors of the cellar were covered in blood. Bars had been installed that looked almost like prison cells, not that they mattered as half the poor souls there were dead and the rest were bound or suspended mid-air with their limbs contorting different directions. The memory flashed through the cellar and towards a dimly lit corner where Marvin McKinnon had passed out. He had been bound hand and foot upon his capture with enchanted cords that dug further into his skin with ever movement. His shirt was covered in blood, but his wounds had finally stopped bleeding.

Marvin recalled the warmth of a damp towel brushing across his face, cleaning the blood. He squirmed to see if his arms were still bound behind him and winced as the cords dug deeper into his skin. "Don't move," whispered a voice he knew too well as it went on. "I stopped the bleeding on your back but couldn't heal the scars. They can't know I've been here."

"Why are you here?" He grumbled as he realized he was reclining into the arms of Narcissa who had done her best to clean his wounds. His unease of him being bound but protectively in her arms made his stomach turn. The last time they had held each other was under the warm summer skies outside Hogwarts the last week of school, kissing each other tenderly. "I thought they sent you away..."

"They did. I snuck in the back. Had to strike the fear of God into their kitchen elf to distract Rabastian so I could get down here."

"So why did you come back?"

"I... I heard you screaming. I just wanted to make sure you're still alive. When I saw you laying here... saw your back-"

"Oh yea," He smirked then instantly hissed in pain as his broken jaw moved. "Courtesy of your brother-in-law. Said he wanted me to remember my place as a 'blood traitor'. I'll be surprised if the eejit spelled it right though."

"Marvin-"

"Don't, Black," He snapped at the sound of her saying his name and shifted in her grasp. He went on, "We aren't on christian names anymore. I'm not your friend, I'm your prisoner."

"You're not my prisoner-"

"Then prove it! Let me go."

"I-I can't do that..." she sighed.

"Then get the hell away from me and let me die with some dignity," he said in a low, agitated tone.

"Marvin, please look at me-"

He just turned his head further away but felt her soft hand stroke his hair. Her fingers ran down his cheek and carefully stroked away the last bit of blood. She gently pulled his face towards hers, her heart heart breaking at his painful breaths, and when he finally saw her for the first time he calmed and said, "Damn you... You're just a beautiful as the last day I saw you."

"Marvin..."

"How could you do this to me, Cissa? I never let any harm come to you when we were together but you leave me to be with Malfoy and his cult, and now things have come full circle with your family imprisons me like some criminal? I tried so damn hard to stay away. Andromeda and I avoided this war like the plague and yet your bloody sister dragged us into it."

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what they want with you. Maybe if you told me, I can help."

"You can help by letting me go. Narcissa, you have to. You can come with me. I'll protect you. Andromeda will protect you."

"Darling, it's not that simple..." She stroked his chin with her knuckles and he pulled his head away as she touched a tender spot. "I'm sorry. Here. I brought something for the pain." She kept him held in one arm and lifted a bottle from her supplies beside her, ripping the cork off with her teeth and lifting it to his lips.

Marvin drank it whole and then nodded to her in thanks when he was done, then rest his head on her chest and took some deep breaths. "Thank you for patching me up..."

"I did what I could. They won't kill you, Marvin. Voldemort wants you. He wants Pureblood loyalty. If only you would just listen to-"

"Don't start again, Cissa," He cut her off. "Maybe you're ok being branded but I'm not."

"The mark isn't a brand. It's a symbol of loyalty."

"Well it doesn't suit you," his tone grew more and more frustrated and Narcissa just shushed him and gently stroked his head.

"Marvin?" She asked softly in a flat tone, "What did Rudolphus want from you?"

"To know where the others are," he quickly replied.

"And do you know?"

"No. Just some secret place Dumbledore found for them. Potter's the leader of an Order faction. He's got others with him as well - Sirius, Remus, Delaney and Peter I think."

"What else did Rudolphus want to know?""

"To know what I heard about the Prophecy Seer Trelawney told Dumbledore about and if the rumors about Longbottom being pregnant are true." Suddenly Marvin panicked and lifted his head and groaned to sit upright, his back to her. He started pulling at his binds as if attempting to break free but when they cut further into his flesh, his shoulders just dropped in defeat and he said, "That wasn't pain killer... that was Veritaserum."

Narcissa moved quickly to get in front of him, holding his head in her hands to force him to gaze at her. Her desperate voice asked, "Who is the prophecy referring to if not Longbottom?"

"I don't know. Prophecies are vague," he snarled.

"Is anyone else expecting a child or is it just Alice Longbottom?"

He tried to resist but said, "P- Potter... Potter is."

"When is it due!?"

"I don't know," he said defiantly, "I didn't ask her how long ago her husband got lucky to do the math."

"What else do you know of where they are hiding?"

"Thankfully nothing. I just know Dumbledore found a house that nobody's used in some time. Pettigrew said it was a Safehouse during World War II. No more details after that."

"I need you to find that hiding place, Marvin." She demanded as he heaved painful breaths through his nose and gazed at her in pain.

"This is about your kid isn't it? The prophecy puts it at risk?"

"You made the same mistake Bellatrix and Lucious make, McKinnon. You think I need protecting. Well I can protect myself. And I will protect my child before anyone else."

"I never thought you needed protecting because you were weak, Narcissa - far from it. I wanted to protect you because I recognized you were special. You have more you can offer to this world than doing the bidding of some freak who only cares about power for himself. It's not too late for you."

Narcissa ignored him, kneeling in front of him and drawing her wand. She picked up the bloody cloth and wiped Marvin's blood from it on to her wand. "Fine. If you care about helping me then you'll protect my unborn child by ensuring Longbottom or Potter's kid fullfills that Prophecy." She pulled her wand across her palm and muttered, "Diffindo" and her palm sliced open. She grimmaced at the pain and quickly covered her wand while muttering, "Sanguis amoris. Matrem esse. Accipe petitionem meam et ministra mihi."

"Narcissa-" He tried to stop her but she pressed the wand against his chest and it felt as if his heart was being held in someone's hand. "Bring one of those children to me, the moment they are born." She muttered the latin again over and over until the pain in Marvin's chest was released and he fell forward, Narcissa catching him in her arms and holding him against her chest. Marvin took deep breaths against her as his head rested on her shoulder, sweat trickling down his temple. "I'm sorry, Marvin. But I have no other choice..."

"I'm not surprised," he said weakly. "You continue to choose poorly. I gave you a choice once before, Narcissa, and you picked someone else."

"I choose myself, Marvin." She stroked his hair then carefully pushed him back to prop him against the wall then stood and collected all items she'd brought to prove she'd not been there. She lifted her wand toward him but stopped as he started to chuckle. "What's so funny?"

"Not funny, just unbelievable," He groaned then looked up at her solemn expression hiding under her blonde locks. "After all these years, Cissa. After everything you've done... I still love you." He winced a bit and said, "Whoops. I was going to just say 'care' about you... but I guess the potion works too well for that."

Narcissa just lifted her wand once more and took a breath before saying, "Obliviate."

Marvin ripped his head from the pillow on Edgar's couch as the memory faded and clung to the arm of if, taking some breaths. "It was Narcissa..."

"I saw..." Edgar said in shock. He looked to Lydia. "Lydia was right. That was a latin spell."

Lydia quickly translated, "Blood of my love. A mother to be. Accept this request and serve me."

"A blood oath," Edgar sighed.

"What have I done?" Marvin gasped, sarting at the floor in shock. "She used me. She knew I still loved her so she could force an oath out of me." He finally looked at Edgar, "Bones you have to believe I would never willingly..."

"She manipulated you, Marvin. This is not your fault," Edgar said."But now we've seen the inside of that place and can get those innocent lives out. Now we know why you couldn't stop staring at Lily at the meeting. It was the oath's hold on you."

"I feel like I've got a bloody parasite in me."

"There's only one question left to answer," Edger thought and both Lydia and Marvin stared at him as he said, "If she knows Lily is pregnant, then why haven't they come after them yet?"

"They've been hidden well. Thank the fayes that I've not been to their safe house before."

"Let's just hope there is nobody else under that roof who could fall into a trap like the one you experienced. The moment the Potters or Longbottoms are found... this may very well be the end of things as we know it.

"And sounds like the moment their kid is born... I'm a danger to it."

A/N: BIG chapter but it's been a while and I had to setup things for the end. Trying to conclude this book in the next two chapters.