Book III: Requiem of Ashes
Chapter II: Little Phoenixes
Music Theme: Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
Hogwarts - September 1971...
Frank and Alice Longbottom were meant to be together for all time. It may as well have been written in the stars or prophesied by a seer. It's no wonder that they met in Alice's first weeks at Hogwarts. She had wanted to look so nice and grown-up for school that she allowed her mother to give her a haircut the week before but it turned out horribly short. She had just been teased by a 5th year Slytherin, Narcissa Malfoy, regarding the hair when she ran out of the castle and towards the woods where she was sure nobody could follow her. She sat on the bank where the Black Lake meets the trees and cried for a long while, wiping her tears away with her yellow Hufflepuff tie when she heard a voice call, "Hello? Are you crying over there?" Alice jumped and looked around but saw nobody. "Hello? Can you hear me?"
"I... I hear you..." she stuttered.
"Are you crying?" The voice came again. It sounded like a boy close to her age.
"I was. But I'm ok now I think." She looked all over and started wondering if the trees at Hogwarts were able to speak. "A Slytherin just teased my hair."
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. What's wrong with it?"
"My mum cut it too short. I wanted to look like Elizabeth Taylor."
"Who is that then?"
"Oh she's a famous muggle actress."
"Oh. Are you Muggleborn?"
"No, I'm a Crouch. My name is Alice."
"What a strange way to say it."
"W-what?" She blinked.
"I'm a Crouch," he mocked in a girly voice. "Can't you just say Alice Crouch. Or have you been brainwashed by that sacred 28 pure-blood family nonsense?"
"So first my hair is teased and now I can't introduce myself properly either?" She snapped.
"Sorry... You said 'A Slytherin' teased you though. Are Crouch's not all Slytherins?"
"No. My Dad and his Cousins were Ravenclaws about the same time. I take it you're a pureblood too?"
"Yea. I'm a Longbottom. My name is Frank." He said and she smiled with a bit of a blush at him mimicking her. "For the record," he added, "I wouldn't worry about your hair. Because if it looks half as pretty as you sound, then I'm sure it's just wicked."
"Cheeky!" She giggled. "And thank you Longbottom Frank. You've cheered me up to no end."
"Well, I haven't said much."
"You just been here. And that's something." Alice smiled and tried searching the trees for him.
"I'd say you're welcome but... I didn't have much choice in the matter."
"Oh? Where are you?"
"Over here. Behind the elm tree."
Alice stood and brushed the dirt off her skirt, following the boy's voice. She circled the tree and gasped as she saw the young Gryffindor up to his neck in Devils snare. He was holding out his hands and clasping a tiny baby owl.
"Hi-ya." He smiled.
"How long have you been stuck in there?" she gasped.
"Not sure really. How long ago was lunch?" He asked calmly.
"Well here give me your hand-" She reached for him but he didn't move.
"Can't. See, I found this little baby owl all alone and thought I should rescue him. Then I realized the snare was growing around my leg. I could have grabbed my wand but then I would have let him go and he could have gotten away."
"It's just an owl, Longbottom! Give me your hand," she insisted.
"Nope. This owl is coming home with me."
"Stubborn! Why is it so important for you to have that owl?!"
"Because... Because of James Potter made it into Gryffindor!" He blurted out. Alice looked like she had no idea what that meant. "He's one of the richest kids in school. His dad is famous. He's already shown off in charms class and flying practice-"
"I know who he is, now can you just give me your hand," she begged and shook her extended hand.
"I was the popular one last year," he said. "I can't become obsolete with Potter being here. I have to stay cooler than him!"
"And an owl will help you with that?" She muttered.
"Not just any owl. A baby owl that I rescued. Can't you just see how wicked it would be to be known as the bloke who nursed back to health a baby owl in his second year."
"You have very odd standards for what makes a person popular," she grumbled. "Here hand me the little guy." She reached forward and was able to pickup the owl. Alice drew her wand and tapped it on his feathery head. "Immobilus." The owl froze so she could set it on a nearby stump before returning to Frank. "Incendio," she aimed at the devils snare and little sparks flew from her wand just enough to weaken the branches around him. When Frank was free he hurried away and brushed himself off. "Not bad for a first year! Thanks, Alice."
"Well, I owe you. You cheered me up. I couldn't just leave you here." She shrugged.
Frank picked the owl up and set it on his shoulder as Alice tapped it with her wand to release the charm. The little bird fluttered away. "No!," Frank said. "See I told you he would-" he stopped as he saw the owl fly back down and land on Alice's shoulder, tucking under her chin. "So much for being most popular." He laughed as she scratched the little bird's feathered head. "I was right."
"What?" Alice asked. "That he would fly away from you?"
"No... that you're really pretty." He smiled at her then looked up to the castle. "We should get back."
"Yea. I guess I have to face those Slytherins sooner or later."
"Well, now you have what it takes to be more popular than them." Frank said as he motioned to the owl.
"You mean... I can keep him?"
"Sure. If you let me walk with you to class. After all. If I'm going to be popular then it only makes sense to hang out with the prettiest and nicest girl in school."
"Still, so cheeky," she blushed.
The two walked back up the hill to enjoy the rest of their afternoon and were never separated again.
Benjy Fenwick's Home - August 20, 1980...
Benjy Fenwick had escorted Madeye Moody into his humble bachelor's pad after such protesting. The trial of two Death Eaters was nearly upon them and there had been no word if Alice Longbottom would testify or not. Benjy stayed silent at any mention of her welfare or the baby's and Frank did the same. Now with the first meeting this evening, they had no other choice but to admit that Alice wasn't fit to attend.
Upon hearing that his feistiest auror wasn't recovered enough for an important Order meeting, Madeye whisked to the narrow street where he knew the flat once stood and waited stubbornly for Benjy to reveal himself fetching morning paper before shoving in to speak to the Longbottoms himself. He didn't get far past the entry though as he now stood just outside the kitchen, arguing with Frank who blocked the stairs.
They won't take a written testimony, Frank," Madeye snapped as he paced. "She's got to go in person. She has to testify to what she saw. You have to go too. You need to share all you've seen as an eye-witness, Longbottom. Put these cowards away for good."
"I'll go, but Alice stays here," Frank said. "And keep your damn voice down. She's resting and you'll wake my kid."
"You can't keep them locked in an ivory tower, for Godric's sake," Madeye groaned with a roll of his eyes. "I don't see why you're obsessing over her like this. She's my strongest auror. She's got what it takes to stand her ground in that courtroom."
"Things have changed, boss," Frank said sadly but defiantly. "Alice stays here."
"She can handle herself!" Madeye barked as he stepped nose-to-nose with Frank as if a father and son-in-law were duking it out over who cared more for the woman in question. Frank backed down first, his shoulders shrugging in defeat which surprised Madeye. "What is it Longbottom? What aren't you telling us?"
"Frank!" Called the voice of Benjy Fenwick just then as he scurried down the steps in his vintage dinner jacket. "It's Alice. The nightmares." But before Benjy could elaborate, a horrific scream emerged from the top floor of the townhome. Frank bounded up the steps, nearly knocking Benjy down, as he followed with Madeye, drawing his wand. A scream from someone as strong as Alice had to have been caused by a serious threat, but when he reached the bedroom there was nobody there.
Alice lay alone in the room, aside from the crying baby in the crib, startled by his mother's shout. She was drenched in sweat and gripped the comforter with one hand as if it was the source of her strength and used the other to swat the air. "No!" She screamed "Frank! Stop them!"
"Alice!" Frank shouted as he climbed the bed to take her into his arms. "Alice I'm here. Wake up darling."
"They're coming for him! They're coming for our son!" Alice shouted, but even when her eyes opened her panic remained and she continued. "Don't let them take him. Don't let them take our baby!" She clutched his shirt desperately and looked at him with wild eyes.
"Nobody's taking Neville from us, Alice. He's here. He's right here," Frank said quickly.
"I couldn't find you! They were everywhere in their horrid masks they wore in the Department of Mysteries. None of them had faces or names, but knew everything about us. They killed Mary and they're coming for us next!"
"Alice, it's ok!" Frank said and turned to Benjy who already had taken the initiative to retrieve Neville from the crib and bring the crying baby to his parents.
"Here, Alice," he said. "Here's your perfect boy. Safe and sound in my home. Nobody's coming for him. Nobody's going to find him."
Alice practically clawed for her son then carefully caressed him. She instantly soothed, despite the tears still emerging, and fixed her gaze on the infant who ceased his crying at the touch of his mother.
"That's it darling. Lay down now," Frank muttered and helped Alice lean back against the pillow with Neville resting against her chest. She shut her eyes and relaxed as the baby began to coo. Frank kissed her forehead and then Neville's then looked towards the doorway where Madeye stood in bewilderment as if he'd just experienced a side-show you'd have to see to believe. "Still think she can handle herself?" Frank said in an agitated tone.
"It's called postpartum paranoia," Benjy whispered once he joined Madeye at the door.
"She..." Madeye kept his eyes on the young mother, unrecognizable as she shook in the bed. "She was one of my strongest... most resilient fighters."
"She's still all of those things, Madeye. She watched her friend die a terrible death. She endured labor and now has her whole world at risk as her only child is under a threat by Death Eaters. Now you stand here and insist that some psychological symptom of her childbirth is a weakness? She's fighting battles we can't even fathom, and with her body having to heal itself from the inside-out after growing and delivering a bloody human. Shame on you, Madeye. Shame on you."
Benjy rarely scolded, but his time with Alice since the delivery and the entrustment of the Longbottom's safety had spurred a protective side of him. He'd grown fond of them and marveled more each day at the incredible strength of women like Alice as they battle to win back their bodies and minds after the miracle of childbirth.
He swiftly departed to fetch some tea as Frank finished tucking Alice into bed and making a safe spot for Neville to lay beside his mother. When he rejoined Madeye at the door, the older man grumbled, "How long does this last?"
"Every woman's postpartum season is different," Frank said. "This started about a week after he was born. It could last up to twelve, maybe more if we don't get her some help, but she won't let the baby out of her sight. She's worried something horrible will happen to him."
"She's been like this constantly?" He asked.
"It comes and goes. The depression and grief has been pretty constant but the nightmares trigger something more aggressive once or twice a day."
"Greif for Mary?" Madeye said.
"For all of them. Edna Bones, Scammander," Frank winced as the pain of the losses burned on his heart as well.
"What if your family comes and helps her? Your mother?"
Frank couldn't help but let out a laugh of disbelief as he considered it. "You met my mother at my induction ceremony. She's a good woman but not the gentlest. I don't think she'd be the best for sympathy right now."
"Maybe sympathy isn't something she needs," Madeye suggested. "Maybe she needs firm ground to stand atop to build back her strength."
"I'll consider it. But I don't like the idea of dragging my family into this," Frank glanced over his shoulder to watch Alice sleep.
"Alice's side of the family is already neck deep it in, more than they know if our suspicions about Barty Jr. are true." He shook his head.
Frank looked back to Madeye and recognized the genuine look of concern on his comrades face. "You really think they won't take my testimony on her behalf to put away Mulciber?"
"Maybe they will. We can try it. But if they don't lock up Mulciber and throw away the key then anyone who tried testifying against him will be the target as soon as he's sprung."
"Any word from Prewett? He got there in time that day to see what happened to Mary. He'll have undisputed eye-witness testimony."
"Wealsey says he's hold-up at their home," Madeye grumbled as he stepped into the hall, allowing Frank to close the door behind them but leaving it cracked. "Prewitt's worried what he will do if he comes face to face with Mulciber again. Says he could make things worse."
"There isn't much worse than Mulciber and Goyle walking free."
"Yes there is," Madeye muttered and lowered his voice. "This so-called 'plea bargain' of theirs."
"How's it bad if they reveal names of traitors?"
"It's not something they'd willingly do unless they have ulterior motives," Madeye suggested.
"What if I swing by the office before our meeting tonight? I can jot down as much as Alice has told me about her experience. Dorcas can take it to the minister ahead of the trial. Maybe if we can get to him before the trial, it will help."
"Maybe, but I still have a bad feeling about the trial altogether. Those scum are going to try something... I can feel it."
Later at the Safe House...
The warm air blew into the main bedroom of the safe house that now was crowded with baby items, but Lily didn't care. She beamed as she sat on the edge of the bed, watching Remus pace back and forth with her child in his arms. Her recovery from birth was nothing like Alice's. It was as if she'd never delivered a child. She was more tired than usually, and had some aches and pains, but no paranoia or depression. Nothing but joy filled her with every sound baby Harry made.
"See?" Lily asked. "He likes you."
"I don't know about that," Remus smirked as he bounced the baby in his arms but walked stiffly. "I'm afraid I'm going to break him. Are you sure this is safe?"
"Fur and teeth time is days away, Remus. He's safe."
"But the wolf has matured, Lils." Remus said anxiously. "I used to be able to smell people's blood as they passed me. I could be a threat to..." but Remus stopped speaking and froze as Harry lifted his tiny hand to the scarred cheek. "Blimey, he's so small..."
Lily smiled, "I know."
"He's got your green eyes too." Remus gently rocked the baby and paced around the room. He thought of the warning from Peter about Sirius and still wasn't sure if he could beleive it or not. He knew coming right out and telling Lily that Sirius could be a traitor wouldn't be received well, given that the young man was the child's godfather, so he pondered how to express the sentiment.
"What is it, Remus?" Lily asked as she sensed his tension.
"Just thinking... this house is going to get pretty crowded."
"We've had more people in this house before," Lily shrugged and looked around the room.
"I just mean it's hard to raise a baby in a tiny house like this with a bunch of bachelors around. Where will you go once it's safe?"
"Not Spinner's end again," she quickly said, suggesting to Remus that this had been something she'd already considered. "I thought London would be nice so James could get to the Ministry fast enough, but I think he really loved growing up in the country and wants Harry to have the same upbringing. With Kip's help we could manage a big place."
"You won't go back to the flat?" Remus asked as he looked up from Harry to speak with Lily.
"No," she shook her head. "James has other plans for that bachelor pad."
"Oh? Like what?"
"Like you," she whispered with a soft smile and his gaze locked on her and he paused as if waiting for the punchline of the joke.
"He... wants me to go housesit for him or something?" Remus asked.
"Don't play dumb with me, Remus," she chuckled. "I know you better. He wants you to have it."
"Lily, I can't do that," he sighed.
"Well I know you won't go back to your father's."
"No, of course not," Remus said shaking his head, "But I can get work and find my own flat." Lily frowned at that but refused to say anything until he said, "Who am I kidding? I'm shocked enough that it hasn't leaked out of the order yet. I wouldn't be surprised if I show up to interview for a job only to find out everyone knows of my... condition. People take one look at me and they know. There are very few scars in our world that don't heal. Only a certain attack could leave these marks."
"Not everyone is prejudice against werewolves, Remus."
"It's not legal, Lily. Werewolves can't legally do anything. They can't hold jobs. They can't get married or have families."
"Times are changing."
"Not that much... and not fast enough for me I'm afraid," he huffed. "So what, I just take James' flat as charity?"
"You know it's not charity."
"But what about Peter? That flat is too small for two people. I can't just leave him alone."
"I have a feeling Peter has more assets than he's willing to admit," she muttered.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked. "Oh..". he thinks of Peter's recent confessions about his upbringing and said, "You think he's rich?"
"I think him depending on us isn't for financial reasons... but personal ones. He's lonely. He's codependent. He needs to try standing on his own two feet. Maybe he will live with Sirius for a bit to get on his feet. Sirius will give him the push he needs."
"No," Remus soured at the thought. "No, I can't allow that."
Lily grew concerned, "And why not?" When Remus didn't answer she leaned over to attempt finding his gaze. "Remus? Is there something you want to tell me?"
"I better go see if Kip needs help cleaning up dinner. We'll be leaving for the meeting soon."
"Kip can manage just fine," she said sternly as Remus carefully but quickly set the sleeping baby back into Lily's arms. Remus turned and made his way to the door and she called, "Remus you're not telling me something."
"Blimey look at the time," he looked at his wrist only to discover he had no watch on but briskly attempted to depart.
"Remus!"
He was nearly to the door when the solid oak slammed in his face. He whirled around, wanting to see how Lily managed her wand and Harry at the same time when he saw her looking just as stunned as he. "Lily?"
"It wasn't me," she said and glanced down at the baby in her arms who had awoken and was reaching out for Remus and fussing. "Well, I'll be damned."
"That's not possible," Remus said and approached Harry again, extending his hand as he knelt so Harry could wrap his baby fingers around Remus' thumb. "Even the purest blood wizards can't manage magic at this age."
"He must have really wanted his big teddy bear to stay and keep holding him," Lily grinned. "And I managed something like that as a baby. Not quite this young, but a baby still."
"Well, your magic is different, Lily. I've never seen anything like it."
"Except Marlene," Lily said.
"Even Marlene's. She's powerful but your magic... it's beautiful Lils." He glanced down at the baby and stroked his head. "Alright then."
"Alright?"
"The flat," he said. "When the time comes, I'll take it. If only because I know it will keep me close to my Potters. But not too close just in case... well... in case furry gets out of hand."
Lily smiled and kissed Remus atop the head. "Good man."
Remus was quiet a while and kept his eyes on Harry, thinking of how he'd move heaven and earth to protect this little thing when finally he said, "It's Sirius... the thing I'm not telling you?"
"What about Sirius?"
"I can't trust him anymore."
"Because of what happened with Tabitha?"
"Because of something Peter said. I won't go into the details until I'm certain, but Pete said he doesn't trust him anymore or his intentions."
"Peter isn't one to speak of intensions," Lily said. "I know he's got loads of his own problems to sort, but he risked so much by keeping the prophecy a secret for so long."
"Because he didn't trust Sirius to hear it," he said.
"Remus, Sirius has hurt you... I know this... but there is a side of him I don't think he'll even allow you to see. The only part of him that poses a threat to us is his recklessness. But disloyalty? Don't be so skeptical. You've lost so much this year, Rem. Don't lose more than you have to by pushing people away.
The two smiled at each other a moment but Remus refused to take her advice to heart. He thought of all Sirius had done. He'd failed to protect James the night the wolf lost control. He failed to avoid capture twice. He failed to protect Tabitha. Remus was pulled from the angry thoughts as he heard James call up the steps.
"Lily? Did you feed Harry yet? It's almost time to go."
"Yes," she called back as Remus stood. "He's fine."
Downstairs James had gathered some nursing items and shoved them in a bag of Lily's along with some baby paraphernalia. He slung the bag across his shoulder. "Ok, I've got his things. How long before you'll have to nurse again."
"An hour," Lily called down the stairs. "I can just do it at the meeting."
"You'd just whip your breast out in front of Frank!?" James muttered.
"He's seen nursing at home enough," she laughed.
"I don't want Longbottom checking out my wife's chest. You'll have to just take Harry into the loo or something."
"Oh yes, that's sanitary." She continued to lecture him on the fragility of males when it came to the natural process of breast-feeding as James mouthed half her speech, having heard it before, and picked up some baby items from the living room, barely paying any mind to Sirius who stood in the foyer. Finally everything was packaged and he approached his friend. "Padfoot, have you seen Harry's blanket? I can probably convince Lily to cover herself with-" It was now that James moved closer and saw what Sirius was holding. There had been a letter on the foyer table, the one from Dumbledore, that James had yet to toss. "You weren't supposed to see that."
"He wants you two to go into further hiding and not tell anyone about it."
"We don't need to Padfoot. We're fine here."
Sirius glanced at the note and read aloud, "It's my personal opinion that you use the fidelis charm to conceal your new hiding place, the whereabouts of which known only to me. Nobody is to be trusted, James. Nobody..."
"He doesn't mean you," James said
"He never has trusted me, James. Don't be a fool."
James snatched the note from Sirius and said, "There's no reason to worry because Lily and I aren't going anywhere."
"Marvin McKinnon already isn't attending meetings because of the blood oath on him. But what's stopping him from trying to get our location out of Marlene. She's been here."
"And since then, we've been able to improve the fidellus charm on the house and appoint you as secret keeper so even if she tried to remember this place she wouldn't be able to unless you told her about it."
"Marvin may not know that. Blood oaths are curses, James. They take over you and make you do unspeakable things," Sirius said nervously.
"You're worried about her, then?" He asked. "Marlene?"
"I'm worried about all of you," he huffed. "What if Dumbledore is right?"
"I won't leave my friends, Padfoot."
"And I can't let my friends die. I only got real parents for about three years, James. I won't have it said that Harry had his for even less because you were too stubborn to do what's best for him."
"I'm all for hiding Harry. I've been trying to convince Lily to take him to wherever Dumbledore wants to hide them, but I can't abandon this war."
"And you think she'll abandon you? You said Scammander told you to listen to Dumbledore's warnings," Sirius said sadly.
"And I am listening," James faced him. "But all his words are right now is some cautious advice. We aren't desperate yet... are we?"
Sirius smiled. "No, mate. We're not."
"Good," James smiled. "Because for a moment I feared you were wanting the band to break up. Now go get Wormtail and lets get a move-on."
"Dumbledore won't be cross you're bringing Harry?" Sirius said as he started up the steps.
"I expect him to be very cross, but I'm not leaving my son here and forcing one of us to miss out on the meeting. We are safer if we all stay together."
"We will, James." Sirius grinned. "All of us are here for you."
Meanwhile At The Burrow...
The calm of the Safe House was a vast contrast to the bustle of the Weasley home that now had six boys, two uncles and a set of young parents packed inside. Arthur had already added a secondary level to the home and was using the opportunity of having his brother-in-laws home to assist him in building out a third as his twins made the house feel even smaller than usual now that they running about.
Inside the make-shift tower of a house, was a cozy place of warmth and family which made Fabian and Gideon long for homes of their own someday, despite their sister's fussing.
"I swear this house has been nothing short of chaos since you arrived," Molly Weasley muttered to her younger brother as she stirred the stew for dinner. "I've got two more mouths to feed. You leave your things everywhere. Arthur's had to put up additional wards to keep your location a secret to say nothing of the horrid degnoming you've done. I think their population has doubled in my garden! If it were up to me, I'd.." She stopped when Gideon moved beside her and pecked her cheek.
"I'll miss you too, Molls," he said.
She smiled but shoved him off only for him to step forward once more and take the spoon from her hand. "Give me this."
"You'll ruin it," she fussed.
"You need to sit and you refuse to use magic on your cooking so I'll have to do it for you."
Molly just smiled at her younger brother as he stirred the soup and she muttered. "I wish you could stay."
"I do too, Molly. But I have work to do. Maybe Fabe isn't ready to go back, but I am."
"Fabian will never come out of this depression without you by his side," Molly insisted as she finally sat and held a cup towards the levitating teapot to pour herself a cup.
"Don't count yourself short, Molls. Everything Fabian is, his joy his optimism his spirit, it all came from you. I'm old enough to remember how much of your own life you gave up to raise us. It helps me have perspective, but he's been a bit more sheltered. That's not a bad thing. I don't want him exposed to more pain than he's already endured. I just need to extend a bit more patience to him, I suppose."
"No," Molly shook her head. "No you don't. You're his older brother, Gideon. You pick him up, dust him off, and tell him to not give up."
"Molly, he's more sensitive than I am."
"We all are sensitive, Gideon. But there are problems in this world more important that the lot of us. You say I gave up my life to raise you? I didn't. You two simply became my life. So the time has come to ask yourself... what is your life meant to be? Because for Fabian, hiding in this house of mine and avoiding problems isn't an option no matter how much he'd prefer it."
Gideon considered her words. He'd spent weeks playing with his nephews, helping his sister and brother-in-law and speaking with Arthur about suspicions of Ministry corruption and the upcoming Death Eater trials in hopes it would encourage Fabian to start working for the Order again, but nothing seemed to work. All it prompted was Fabian to distance himself even more from his brother. Gideon couldn't help but wonder if he'd done something to cause the distance or if it was just Fabian's heartbreak causing the young lad to fall away.
The door to the house swung open and in walked Arthur. "Oh. Gideon. Still here are we?" He asked as he tossed a stack of magazines on his desk.
"Not for much longer, Arthur. I'm going back. I've tried prying Fabian from this house long enough. I can't force him to go if he doesn't want to. But the Order needs me. And I need... my friends," he said hesitantly though his mind was solely on one individual in particular.
"How was work, Arthur?" Molly asked followed by a pleasant 'hmm' as her husband pecked her cheek.
"Bloody reporters from The Prophet were everywhere trying to get news on the upcoming trial," he said.
Gideon's eyes fell on the table and noticed a pink magazine with odd illustrations across it. He stopped stirring and asked, "What's that?"
"Oh, Xenophilius Lovegood was there. He practically forced a handful of these into my hand. Told me to pass them to everyone I could find, even if they were muggles. I haven't had a chance to read it but just looking at some of the titles, it seems a bit eccentric. I wouldn't expect anything less of the man though or his wife. Still, it's refreshing to see someone so unapologetically themselves these days in a world that's crowded with charlatans."
Just then, Molly heard baby Ron crying and Arthur started towards the stairs.
"No," Molly said standing and pushed by him. "Last time you just made it worse. Just keep up with my dinner and don't burn it or I'll have your crying worse than Ronald."
"Yes, dear." Arthur waited until she was out of earshot before casually saying. "Gideon, did you have a chance to take the ford out for a spin?"
"I did. Splendid car."
"And um... did you manage to..." Arthur waited patiently until Gideon smiled over his shoulder at him.
"I got it about three meters off the ground."
"Really?" Arthur plopped down at the kitchen table, fascinated. "Did it stay as steady as you say Black's bike does?"
"No. I couldn't figure out how to keep it balanced. I think you need two people in it to equal the weight out."
"And Molly didn't see you flying it?"
"As far as she knows, it's just a vintage Muggle car that stays on the ground." he smirked
"Good man." The soup started to bubble and Arthur jumped up to take over the stirring as Gideon took a seat and skimmed the magazines at the table.
"Odd... Lovegood's got quite the combination of articles. Some of these are current events and others are just news on new gadgets. Kids might like that bit. What's this... Five little Pheonixes went flying with dragons, through the country and far away, Mummy said caw, caw, caw, caw but only three came flying back... Doesn't really rhyme."
"Because it's wrong," Arthur said then nodded to the crooked bookshelf in the other room. "I've been collecting Muggle storybooks for the boys since Bill was a toddler and I remember that one. It's supposed to be Five Little ducks. Five little ducks went swimming one day, over the fields and far away, mummy duck said quack quack quack but only four ducks came swimming back.' It's the same every line but the ducks decrease until there are none."
"Why would Lovegood change it?"
"Why does Lovegood do half of what he does? Don't hurt yourself trying to find out," Arthur chuckled then returned to the soup.
Gideon lowered his voice but kept reading the rhyme. "Three little pheonixes went working one day, through the halls and far away, mummy Pheonix said caw caw caw, but only two came flying back. Two little phoenixes went spying one day..." suddenly Gideon froze at the word and noticed Arthur listening in as he started again, "Two little phenixes went spying one day, around the alleys and far away, mama Pheonix said caw caw caw but only one came flying back."
"Good Lord," Arthur muttered to himself. "Is it talking about..."
"One little Pheonix went teaching one day," Gideon slowly stood as he focused on the poem. "Through the castle and far away. Mummy Pheonix said caw caw caw but no little phenixes came flying back. Mummy Pheonix alone one day, in his castle far away, she turned to ash and was born again but her little phenixes shan't return..."
"Gideon... that was talking about Mary... and Theseus..."
"And the Potters. Flying with Dragons? They were poisoned with Dragon Pox. Edna Bones was arrested just for being at work and leading the Order through the halls of the Ministry and she never returned. How does Lovegood know all of this? How did he know Mary was a spy?"
"I don't know Gideon. But what does it mean at the end?"
"Not sure," Gideon said examining the rest of the magazine.
"There already are rumors of the Order circling the ministry. The Minister isn't naive. She knows what you lot are up to but as long as it doesn't become too public she's willing to look the other way. The minute magical law enforcement finds out though, she'll be forced to shut you down."
"We have to find out who wrote this," Gideon said. "Preferably before the Mulciber and Goyle trial. I have a feeling those two will cause an uproar."
Arthur grimmaced at the names. "Fabian needs to go to that trial. He needs to testify against Mulciber so that man doesn't get off on a plea bargain."
"You try telling him that," Gideon grumbled and glanced up the steps to ensure his brother was out of sight. "I think if he ever came face to face with his true love's murder, he'd kill him then and there. I know I'd do the same if anything ever happened to..." He paused to stop himself and Arthur pretended not to notice the slip. "Anyhow," Gideon said, "Alice Longbottom was a witness too. She'll testify."
"The Death Eater's may be counting on that. She'll be awfully exposed in that courtroom."
"Alice won't let that scare her away," Gideon said. "She doesn't back down from a fight easily."
"Perhaps," Arthur said and lowered his voice. "But we'd have said the same about Fabian before Mary's death. War changes you, Gideon. It brings out our darkest fears and makes them a reality." Just then the clock chimed over the sitting room fireplace. "You better get ready to go. Dumbledore will be back from the funeral soon."
Gideon nodded, "Whatever happens, Arthur. I've cherished these weeks with the kids and my sister and you. You've a wonderful home. I promise I'll do what I have to in this war to ensure you don't lose it." Arthur smiled softly before the two shared an embrace and Gideon caught sight of the stew over Arthur's shoulder. "That is if Molly doesn't kill you first for ruining dinner."
"Blimey!" Arthur jumped out of the hug and ran back to the now scorched pot.
Ministry of Magic...
Frank sat at his desk in the empty Ministry office. He was bitterly tired from the long night that all he could do was sit. As he sat in the still, quiet office, he sword he could hear the hisses of Voldemort in his ears and the sting of his wand on his chest. He clutched at the knob to his dest drawer and pulled it open to reveal the magical ultrasound where Alice had tucked it. He pulled out the photo and considered if it was safe enough to get a real photo of Neville taken now that he was born, or if they should keep his birth a secret a while longer... not that people couldn't remember Alice's due date had long past.
"Frank?" Someone called behind him and he glanced back to see Dorcas Meadows approaching. Her attendance at Order meetings had been few and far between at best during the last year due to her appointment as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, but her loyalty was with Dumbledore just the same and her heart was still with her original office of Magical Law Enforcement and the Auror team. "I thought I'd find you here. Most everyone else has gone home."
"Does Dumbledore have you babysitting me now?" Frank asked over his shoulder to his colleague then turned to face her when she didn't respond. "Or didn't he tell you of his recent note, that I'm not to return to work until the trial?"
"Clearly a suggestion you didn't take," she chuckled. "Yes he told me. He also predicted you wouldn't listen which is why I thought I'd find you here." She moved forward. A robe was across her arms. It was plain and dark brown with the department crest. It was a requirement upon entering the Wizengamot to wear color coordinated robes as some of its older members remembered departments by the color of their robes rather than by their names or titles. "For the trial. I won't need it in my new department."
"Can't believe it's my first trial. Usually I just sit up in the gallery and observe. But if Alice can't testify, I'll do it for her." He looked up at the photo on his desk of Alice. He'd taken it his final year at Hogwarts. She sat with a tawny owl on her lap, gently petting it then smiling towards the camera. On the corner of the photo she'd etched the message, "Longbottom Frank, darling. This year will be ghastly without you, but I'm so proud of you for taking on the auror program. You'll be the most talented of the lot... until I get there. Hold down the fort until I do. Love you always, your Crouch Alice." She'd gifted him the photo upon his graduation but now her note resonated with him the most. Without Alice here, it was up to him to keep things in order. "It's like she's dead, Dorcas..." he whispered.
The young woman moved closer and pulled out the chair from the desk beside him and sat in it but still towered over him as she was one of the tallest women he knew. "You know... I had a fiancé when I was your age. Madly in love, we were. One day... a Dark Wizard they were pursuing sent a strong memory charm at them. It was so powerful that not only did it take the memory of me away, but it gave them horrid nightmares as well. The love of my life went mad before my eyes... and it was like they were dead." She glanced to him. "What you and Alice have been through is traumatic, yes... but not unrecoverable. I know right now, she seems miles and miles away. But really, she's just trapped. Her own mind is a devil's snare of anxiety and fear. You're the light that's going to break her out of it, Frank. She's a fire, your Alice. She won't give up that easily. Neither should you. This season will pass. Her body will bounce back. Sometimes I think we forget just how traumatic delivering a baby can be," she sighed. "I know I couldn't do it. But Alice will recover. Just give it time." Frank nodded in thanks and Dorcas checked her watch. "You should get going. Dumbledore will be wondering what's become of you."
As she stood and hung the robe up by Franks desk he asked, "Are you going to come to the meeting?"
"Can't. That Umbridge lass is after my job. Can't let myself fall too behind in my work," she smirked. "Don't stay too late." She pat his shoulder and took her leave.
Frank sat a few moments longer with the ultrasound in his hand before standing and donning his raincoat. As he did, he heard a shuffled from one of the cubicles on the hall. "Dorcas, are you still here?" When he heard no response he simply took a breath and drew his wand, acting casual as he collected some items from his desk and locked them in his drawer. He then turned and held his head high as he approached the door, once more hearing shuffling. He paused, halfway to the door, and listened quietly.
At the first sound of a bumped pencil cup, he twirled around and aimed, "Petrificus Totalus." As the spell fired, he spotted a hooded figure who'd been approaching him. The figure was hidden behind a silver mask like the ones the Death Eaters had worn in the Department of Mysteries at Christmas. Frank was unable to investigate further as a strong arm grabbed him from behind and held him in a tight grip. "Don't move, Longbottom."
Frank felt the cold edge of a knife against his neck.
"Drop your wand," the horse voice said and grew impatient when Frank refused to do so. "I said drop it."
"I won't," he said, "And I recommend you release me unless you want to see first hand what the Aurors are taught to do with criminals like yourself."
"You think I'm bluffing? Testimonies don't come from deadmen, Longbottom. You're worth more to us dead than alive. Now drop it unless you want your wife to be a single mother in one swift movement."
The suggestion of dragging Alice into this caused Frank to huff out a sigh of defeat and drop his wand on the floor. His attacker kept one hand pressing the knife to his neck but drew his own wand and waved it over the petrified foe on the floor who sprung up when the charm lifted.
"What do you want with me?" Frank asked through gritted teeth.
"It's what we don't want," the figure in front of him said, also in a disguised voice as he drew his wand and aimed it at Frank. "Your silence."
"Unless you're planning to curse me into submission, I won't be able to accommodate that. The Wizengamot will hear what your friend Mulciber did to my wife and her friend. No plea bargain will save him."
"Pretty brave for someone who has already let his idiot wife and himself fall into our hands once before," the voice said and neared him. Frank quickly glanced at the wand in his hand and recognized it as the wand belonging to Barty Crouch Jr. he was the right build and figure and even his voice sounded similar, but he knew Crouch too well. Exposing him at that moment would only lead to one outcome from the death eater desperate to keep his anonymity - death. Frank glanced back towards the masked face as he was approached. "Go home, Longbottom. Go to your wife and little brat and we will spare you the burden of the prophecy."
"What?" Frank struggled.
"You heard us. You and your wife stay away from this trial and we will tell our lord that the Potter boy is the priority."
"I still think we should permanently silence him," the larger man who held Frank said as he pulled the knife closer to the man's jaw.
"That... won't be needed," Crouch Jr. whispered. "He will do what we say. Because if you don't... we know your secret keeper is Benjy Fenwick. Shouldn't be too hard to break him and find out where you lot are hiding."
"Frank?" Called a soft voice upon entering. "I forgot to ask you..." It was Dorcas Meadows, returning for one more comment when she spotted the scene before her. If Frank had been unsure of the disguised Death Eater being Barty, he was certain now as the young shadow of a man ran off, leaving his partner on the receiving end of Dorcas' wand, already drawn.
Feeling he had the upper hand, Frank reached for the knife and pulled it away from his neck best he could. As he did, Dorcas flicked her wand towards the foe and sent him flying backward with a blast where he landed on the floor with a thud and his mask flew from his face. Dorcas ran towards him and Frank scooped up his wand. "Who is it?"
"On of the Travers brothers. The one that manages the Prophet Office."
"Rexlin," Frank said. "Well I guess now we know who has been influencing the undesirables column."
"Suppose so," she said and levitated the unconscious foe to escort him to the holding cells. She glanced over at Frank with a sympathetic expression, "So... decided to ignore Dumbledore's advice on returning to work. How did that work out for you?"
"Not as easy as expected," Frank replied and walked beside her to the cells. He looked back in the direction of the exit Barty Jr. had taken and reflected on Madeye's words from earlier - I still have a bad feeling about the trial altogether. Those scum are going to try something... I can feel it.
A/N: I didn't say it yet but welcome to book 3! This book focuses on setting up the end of the war and the start of Harry Potter as we know it, we will get to know more Order members as well as other events that happen alongside this war in the Wizarding World. Welcome new readers and thank you for the follow. Please leave a comment/review so I know what parts you like best or what you'd like to read more about.