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CHAPTER SIXTY THREE - 🍂୧ new members . . .
& wedding talks ও🦌

AFTER THE INCIDENT THAT SAVED Mary, Marlene, and Dorcas, Dumbledore extended an invitation for them to join the Order. Initially, there was some hesitation, but seeing their friends already part of the secret society ultimately swayed them to join the Order as well.

The newly recruited members, now officially part of the Order, were briefed on the details of the Order and their roles within it. They were also filled in on Autumn's ability, which was met with a mixture of fascination and concern.

A few of them whispered among each other in hushed tones, glancing at Autumn every now and then with intrigued and somewhat nervous expressions—but only lasted for a moment before the girls began to smother her.

Sirius, who was observing the room, chuckled and nudged James playfully. "Looks like your girl has acquired a new member in her fan club," he quipped.

James sighed and rolled his eyes, scoffing as he said, "I thought I had escaped the girls when we graduated, but now they've found a way to smother her again."

Remus snickered as he walked by, adding, "And to make it even better, it's not just Dorcas and Marlene this time – Mary seems to have grown fond of Autumn too."

Lily looked up from her book and added, "Can you blame them? Autumn is the one who practically saved them."

Peter, who was listening intently, chimed in with a slightly nervous laugh, "Looks like our little artist friend here is quite the popular one, the tables have turned huh, Prongs?"

"Popular and talented," James said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I don't know why any of you are surprised. She's brilliant."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Careful, Prongs, people might start mistaking you for a lovesick sap if you keep talking like that."

Raven placed the cup of tea she had just finished drinking down on the table. "Well," she began, "she is to be his wife next year."

As soon as the words left her lips, James' eyes grew wide, and the others in the room fell silent. Her voice meek, she continued, "Oh, bloody hell...you haven't told them yet?"

James, who had been stunned into momentary speechlessness, quickly tried to regain his composure. "Yeah, well..." he stammered "we've been keeping it quiet-"

But the shock and confusion on the faces of the others quickly cut off his explanation. Lily's eyes widened in disbelief, Peter's mouth hung open, and Sirius looked utterly dumbfounded.

Marlene and Dorcas both fell silent, Mary covered her mouth with a hand to hide her smile.

Autumn chuckled and scratched her cheek, "Well, we were planning to tell you after my birthday."

Raven snorted as James gave her a look, "Hey, we tell each other everything."

Autumn rolled her eyes, "Okay, so I didn't tell you this time. But my dad was drunk and he started complaining about it. That's how you found out."

The room fell into a brief stunned silence, everyone processing this unexpected revelation. James' face was turning redder by the second, his eyes darting around helplessly at the various shocked and amused faces around him.

Finally, Peter managed to speak up, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. "You're getting married?" he asked, his eyes still wide with shock.

James cleared his throat and ran a nervous hand through his hair. "Yeah, well, that's the plan, anyway," he confirmed, though his voice sounded more like a squeak than anything else.

Sirius, still processing the news, broke out into a wide grin. "Prongs, you old dog. You finally did it. I can't believe you're actually going to tie the knot."

Remus chuckled and gave James a friendly pat on the back. "Congratulations, mate. I can't say I'm completely surprised, but it's still big news."

Lily, her shock turning into a warm smile, gave Autumn a friendly shove. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Autumn blushed and shrugged sheepishly. "Well, we were waiting for the right moment, but I guess now is as good a time as any."

Marlene finally spoke up, a slightly sly smile on her lips. "So, James, how did it go asking her parents?"

A slight grimace tugged at the corner of James' mouth at the question. "Well, my parents were over the moon," he admitted. "Her mom didn't take long to accept But Autumn's dad... He didn't take it too well at first. Let's just say that was a rather uncomfortable discussion."

Dorcas perked up, her eyes widening. "He didn't threaten to curse your bits off, did he?"

James shuddered, recalling the memory. "Not quite, but he definitely made it clear he wasn't too thrilled about the idea."

"Oh, come on," Mary teased, a cheeky grin on her face. "It can't have been THAT bad. What did he say?"

Autumn was attempting to sneak away as the girls began to question James, but was stopped in her tracks as Sirius, Lily and Peter blocked her path.

"Not so fast, Rivers," Sirius said, grabbing her arm. "We need to hear it from you as well!"

Autumn sighed dramatically, knowing she was caught. "You lot are relentless," she said with a small laugh.

Lily gave her a playful nudge. "You can't drop a bombshell like that and expect us not to pry, darling."

Autumn rolled her eyes and leaned against the nearest wall. "Okay, you got me," she relented. "What do you want to know?"

Sirius crossed his arms, a smirk on his face as he began firing questions. "Was the proposal fancy? Candlelit dinner, bouquet of roses, down on one knee and all that shite?"

Autumn chuckled softly, "No, there wasn't really a proper proposal, we just...knew we wanted to be together. We discussed our plans and all of that, so it was something we just knew was going to happen."

Raven spoke up from the chair she was sitting in, "Seems fitting, I mean, we know James likes to go big with his plans, but something as simple yet unplanned as this, it just feels right."

James couldn't help but chime in at that. "Hey, what's wrong with going big?" he interjected, feigning hurt.

Remus let out another chuckle. "You know full well that subtle isn't exactly your strong suit, Prongs."

"Fine, fine," James conceded, his mock pout fading into a grin. "I prefer the grand gestures, but I can appreciate the sentiment of a more spontaneous decision as well."

Lily shook her head, still wrapping her head around the news. "I can't believe you two. You've been together since sixth year, and now you're getting married. It feels like only yesterday we were all sitting in the Great Hall, rolling our eyes as you two practically had heart eyes for each other."

Autumn turned a shade of crimson at Lily's remark, earning a chorus of laughter from the others.

"Hey, I was subtle!" James protested, trying to defend himself. "I was always the picture of restraint and decorum."

Remus snorted incredulously. "Restraint, yes. Decorum? Not a chance, mate."

The teens all began to reminisce about their time at Hogwarts, and a few playful teases were made at Autumn and James. The good news brought with it a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, for the times before the war became dangerous.

A sense of unease settled over them, as a dark thought lingered in the back of their minds. They knew that this moment, and the wedding to come, would likely be the last time they would have a moment of peace and happiness. The dark and looming effects of the war cast a shadow over them, and they knew they could not ignore it.

THE GROUP RELOCATED TO A RECENTLY ACQUIRED SAFEHOUSE, discreetly provided by Raven, ensuring the knowledge of its location remained exclusive to them. Even key figures like Dumbledore and the older members were blissfully unaware of its existence, thereby maintaining the utmost security and secrecy.

The safe house was spacious enough to accommodate them all comfortably, offering a sense of security they desperately needed. It was decorated with simple yet stylish furniture, giving the place a homey feel.

Sirius was the first to enter, taking in the surroundings with approval. "This place is wicked," he commented, running a hand over the back of the sofa.

"Raven really knows her stuff," James agreed, joining Sirius in admiring the space.

Remus nodded as he looked around. "Indeed she does. The location is strategically brilliant."

"Yeah, you really wouldn't even know this place existed," Peter said, his voice filled with surprise.

"That's the whole point, Wormtail," James replied, ruffling Peter's hair affectionately.

As the others began to settle in, unpacking their belongings and making themselves at home, a sense of comfort began to fill the room. However, there was an undercurrent of tension. They knew deep down that this moment of respite, while they were surrounded by friends, was a fleeting one. The reality of the world outside the safehouse, and the war threatening it, weighed heavily on them.

The group's conversation shifted to more serious topics as they gathered around the living room. They spoke in hushed tones, mindful of the fact that their voices might carry beyond the walls of the safe house—even if it was impossible they still had the caution.

Although Marlene, Mary, and Dorcas were their trusted friends and active participants in the Order, the group elected to keep them uninformed about the safehouse for the time being. At present, they plan to preserve the knowledge of its location solely within their immediate circle.

James leaned against one of the walls, his arms crossed as he spoke lowly. "We need to be vigilant. This safe house is our haven, and we can't risk anyone outside of us knowing about it. Once they figure out where we are, it becomes compromised."

Peter, ever the nervous one, fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve, worry etched on his face. "What if someone finds out? I mean, we can't be sure that the information won't slip out somehow."

"That's why we're not going to tell anyone," Remus reasoned, his voice calm but firm. "The only way to prevent a security breach is to limit the number of people who know about this place. We trust each other implicitly, but we can't say the same for others, unfortunately."

As Raven entered the space, guiding a large box floating ahead of her, she placed it on the table and exhaled a contemplative hum. "Let's prioritize organization before delving into the next steps," she suggested, emphasizing the importance of sorting matters at hand before addressing additional concerns.

The group nodded in agreement, understanding the need to stay focused. "You're right," James said, his mind already starting to shift gears into planning mode. "Organization is key."

Lily moved about the cottage, acquainting herself with the surroundings, pausing briefly by the window to gaze at the beach. Turning her attention to James and Autumn, she suggested whimsically, "You know, why not hold your wedding here? Even a small gathering amongst us can be special."

Autumn looked up from the box she was organizing and exchanged a knowing glance with James, their silent communication speaking volumes.

James chimed in, his hands firmly settled on his hips, nodding in agreement with Lily's suggestion. "I think having a wedding here with just us sounds perfect," he mused, a smile playing on his lips. "We can still arrange a private one with our parents later, but having you all here would mean the world to us."

The others, overhearing the exchange, chimed in their agreement.

"That's a splendid idea," Sirius said, a smirk forming on his face. "Your wedding in a secret safe house on a secluded beach. Sounds like a proper secret elopement to me."

Remus chuckled and nodded. "And it's a safe bet that no one will stumble upon us here. We'll have a secure location to keep the big day intimate and special."

Lily, engrossed in helping with the organization, inquired casually, "So, you two are planning the wedding for next year? Any idea when?"

Autumn, her arms crossed, thoughtfully pursed her lips. "Well, it really boils down to our schedule," she replied.

James chuckled and sighed in agreement. "Yeah, we can't just pick a day when we're free, can we?" He then added, a spontaneous glint in his eyes, "Why not just do it when we're not drowning in missions? Be spontaneous about it?"

The friends exchanged bemused glances, silently expressing their surprise at the nonchalant attitude James and Autumn had towards their impending wedding. They couldn't help but marvel at how laid-back they were about planning such a significant event. It seemed like the chaos of their lives and the looming threat of missions had made them adapt to a spontaneous and unconventional approach to life.  But deep down, they knew that despite their casual demeanour, James and Autumn were deeply in love and committed to each other, regardless of the timing and logistics of their special day.

Raven couldn't help but chime in. "You know, most couples would meticulously plan such an event, down to the tiniest detail. But the two of you are just... winging it," she said, shaking her head in mock disbelief.

Sirius let out a hearty laugh. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Prongs here has always been one for spontaneity. It's a wonder he hasn't got himself into a scrape he can't charm his way out of yet."

James feigned offence, placing a hand on his heart in exaggerated hurt. "What is this, an attack on my character? I'll have you know, I can charm my way out of nearly any situation," he retorts.

Sirius rolled his eyes, a hint of playful mockery in his expression. "You keep telling yourself that, mate. But the day will come when even your legendary charm fails you, and then we'll see who's laughing."

The room filled with laughter, and James couldn't help but grin at Sirius' remark. "Challenge accepted, Pads. That day will never come, I assure you."

Remus chuckled, shaking his head at James' confidence. "You're quite the optimist, Prongs. But even the most charming can stumble upon situations that can't be solved with a charming smile."

"Oh, ye of little faith," James retorted, his eyes glinting with mirth. "I'll prove you all wrong. There's no situation a James Potter charm can't fix."

Lily chimed in with a chuckle. "I admire your confidence, James, but I've seen you fumble your way through too many situations to entirely believe that."

James feigned horror, placing a hand dramatically on his chest again. "You wound me, Lils! I thought you had more faith in me than that!"

Autumn, who had been listening silently to their banter, finally spoke up with a snort. "James, love, your charm hasn't failed you yet, but I wouldn't be so overconfident. Fate has its ways of humbling us all."

James turned to her, a pout on his face. "And you're supposed to be on my side," he said, fake indignantly.

Autumn laughed and ruffled his hair fondly. "I am on your side, love. But I can't let you get too cocky now, can I?"

Sirius, grinning widely, jumped in. "Listen to your future wife, Prongs. She's wise beyond her years. Your charm only goes so far, and trust me, I've seen you at your least charming."

James mock-glared at Sirius. "Oh, and who's the one who's gotten into more trouble than he can count? It's not me, that's for sure," he shot back.

Sirius put up his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk on his face said he was amused. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But the difference is, I embrace my troublemaker status. You, on the other hand, seem to have this illusion that you're some angel."

The others snickered at Sirius' remark. James huffed in mock irritation. "I may not be an angel, but I'm far from a troublemaker like you, Pads. I just... have my moments."

Remus, chuckling, chimed in. "Those 'moments' are a bit more frequent than you might like to admit, Prongs."

The girls made their way to the kitchen, leaving the guys to their banter in the main room, Raven waved her wand, causing the intended ingredients to fly out of the paper bag resting on the counter. With a smirk, she remarked, "I never thought you'd be the first to get married."

Autumn let out a snort and chuckled, arranging the cooking utensils on the counter. "I never even imagined I'd be in a relationship"

Lily, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, tilted her head and teased, "And with James Potter, of all people."

Autumn chuckled, leaning against the counter as she began prepping the ingredients. "Well, to be fair, I didn't anticipate being with anyone. And as for James, well, life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn't it?"

Lily nodded in agreement, her smile widening. "James has always been a force to be reckoned with. He has that effect on people, whether we want to admit it or not."

Autumn's eyes softened as she glanced momentarily in the direction of the main room where the guys were still engrossed in their playful banter. A hint of fondness shone in her gaze. "He's a lot more than his carefree demeanour lets on. Deep down, he's actually quite thoughtful and loyal."

Lily couldn't help but tease, "You sound like you're defending his honour. Careful, or the boys will think you've gone soft on him."

Autumn rolled her eyes, but her smile was tinged with affection. "I'm not soft on him. I'm just stating the facts. Underneath the pranks and the jokes, he genuinely cares about the people he loves."

Lily hummed in agreement, her expression softening. "That's true. James has a way of surprising you. He may come across as carefree and confident, but he's also fiercely protective of those he cares about. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he's not afraid to hide it behind humour and pranks."

Autumn chuckled, grabbing a knife to chop the vegetables with practised ease. "That's James for you. He hides his depth under a facade of jokes and pranks. It's almost a defence mechanism for him. And yeah, he can drive me mad, but I can't deny that there's something endearing about his unwavering loyalty and his ability to make me laugh, even in tough times."

Lily nodded, her eyes sparkling in amusement. "Sounds like you two are quite the match, then. James with his charm and pranks, and you with your ability to see through his facade and still appreciate him for who he truly is."

Raven chuckled, a knowing smile on her face, "James has certainly done a lot for Autumn. When you think about it, she's definitely someone who's hard to crack open."

Autumn rolled her eyes affectionately, her voice tinged with a hint of amused irritation. "You make me sound like I'm an impenetrable fortress or something."

Lily snickered, her eyes glinting with amusement. "That's not far from the truth, honestly. I've known you a long time, and you're not exactly one to open up easily."

"I open up to the people that I trust," Autumn retorted, a hint of defensiveness lacing her voice. "But I don't see the point in sharing intimate details with everyone and their mother."

Lily held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm not judging, Autumn. I get it. You've got your boundaries, and that's completely fine."

Raven chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, we all know you're a private person, Autumn. It's just that James has managed to break through that armour of yours better than anyone else."

Autumn paused her chopping and let out a resigned sigh, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. James has a way of making me feel comfortable enough to let my guard down. He's more observant than he lets on, even if he hides it behind all those pranks and jokes."

"Exactly," agreed Lily. "He may act oblivious at times, but James is quite astute and perceptive. Deep down, I think he uses his humour as a shield, but he also knows how to get to the core of people, including you, Autumn."

Autumn let out a laugh, her eyes sparkling. "You're right. He can be quite insightful when it comes to understanding people, even if he tries to conceal it behind his carefree persona. But once you get past that, you see another side to him, which is surprisingly endearing and thoughtful."

Lily leaned against the countertop, her gaze drifting to the small window that revealed the beach beyond. Her voice betrayed a subtle urgency as she turned to her friends. "Let's make a pact," she said, a serious tone in her voice. "We have to promise one thing – we have to survive this war. All of us."

Raven's playful demeanour faded, replaced by a sombre expression. "That, my friend is the promise of all of us," she said quietly.

Autumn, her hand clutching tighter around the knife she was holding, nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll survive, Lily. Whatever it takes, we will make it through this together."

Lily took a deep breath, her eyes locking on each of them. "No matter how tough it gets, and how many challenges this war throws our way, we can't let it break us. We have to keep going, for ourselves and for each other. And we'll fight like hell to ensure that we make it out of this in one piece."

The guys finished in the main room and strolled into the kitchen. James couldn't help but notice how tightly Autumn was holding the knife and playfully winced. "Careful with that, love," he teased, "Who are you planning on using it on the way you're clutching it?"

The girls, amid their serious conversation, couldn't help but break into laughs, lightening the mood in the room.

Autumn rolled her eyes fondly at James' jest, letting out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry, James. I was just chopping vegetables. No plans to use it on anyone at the moment."

The guys chuckled, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, and Remus, ever the perceptive one, raised an eyebrow at the girls. "What were you lot talking about so seriously just now?"

Lily, glancing at the guys, shrugged casually. "Oh, nothing much. Just girls' talk, you know how it goes."

Sirius, who could sense when something was being kept from him, smirked and leaned against the counter. "Yeah, right. I don't believe that for a second. Spill it, ladies. What were you talking about?"

Raven chuckled, playfully shoving Sirius aside. "Nosy as always, aren't you? We just had a serious discussion, but it's nothing you boys need to worry about."

James, his curiosity piqued, couldn't help but join in the playful banter. "Come on, don't keep secrets from us. We're part of this team, after all."

Remus, ever the mediator, stepped in before the playful banter could escalate. "Leave them alone, you lot. If they say it's just girls' talk, then we should respect that."

Sirius rolled his eyes, feigning disappointment. "Oh, Remus, always the voice of reason. Where's the fun in that?"

Remus chuckled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Someone has to be the voice of reason, especially around you, Sirius."

Sirius shrugged a playful smirk still on his face. "You've got a point there, Remus. But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun, does it?"

Autumn chuckled, finally setting down the knife and turning to the boys. "Trust me, Sirius, you don't need to worry about us. It was just girl talk, like Lily said."

James, still a little curious, but not wanting to pry too much, nodded. "Alright, fine. Keep your secrets. But don't think we won't try to weasel it out of you later."

Autumn laughed, her eyes sparkling with humour. "Oh, I have no doubt you'll try, but good luck with that. We girls know how to keep our secrets."

Sirius chuckled and gave a dramatic sigh. "You're all such teases. But the challenge was accepted. We'll get it out of you one way or another."

Raven rolled her eyes playfully, a smirk on her lips. "You can try all you want, but my lips are sealed."

The guys chuckled and exchanged grins, silently vowing that they'd try their best to figure out what the girls were keeping from them.

Remus, watching the playful exchange with a small smile, shook his head slightly. "You guys are incorrigible, you know that?"

James shrugged, a smirk on his face. "What can I say? We're naturally curious and mischievous. It's in our nature."

Peter shook his head with a bemused smile, strolling over to join the girls in the kitchen. As the only one among the guys with cooking skills, he was determined to lend a hand.

As the girls and Peter busied themselves preparing for supper, the group effortlessly transitioned into lighthearted conversation. For the evening, there was no mention of the war, creating a rare moment of respite. Instead, they talked freely about anything and everything, simply relishing the temporary reprieve the safehouse provided.

James, leaning against the kitchen counter, joined in the conversation. "So, what is our plan for the evening? Games? Or are we feeling adventurous and fancying a trip down to the village?"

Autumn, who was chopping vegetables alongside Lily, smiled warmly at James. "I think a quiet evening in would be nice, actually. I mean we all planned to stay the night, so anything really"

Sirius, perched on a stool, chimed in, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, come on, we can't just stay cooped up all night. We need a bit of fun, yeah? A few magical games to bring excitement."

Remus, ever the sensible one, raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "Or we could avoid getting into trouble for once, and stick to some harmless fun like maybe a board game or two. That way, we don't end up setting something on fire or breaking the furniture."

Sirius, always ready to play the instigator, couldn't resist a mischievous smirk as he challenged Remus' words. "Please, mate," he quipped, "the only ones breaking furniture here are either Autumn and James or you and Raven."

Lily couldn't help but scrunch up her face in playful disgust. "Merlin's beard, Black," she protested, "we really didn't need that mental image in our heads."

Sirius erupted in laughter, slapping the table in pure amusement. "Oh Lils," he quipped, "you're starting to understand my dirty talk! I'm so proud of you!"

Raven, shaking her head and rolling her eyes, interjected. "Sirius, you're incorrigible. Honestly, your mind is filthier than a kneazle's fur."

James, grinning from ear to ear, couldn't help but join in. "You've got that right, Rave. Pads is the king of filth, and he's damn proud of it, too."

Sirius smirked, his eyes gleaming with unabashed mirth. "I wear that title with honour, Prongs. Someone's got to keep things interesting around here, after all."

A symphony of groans filled the air as the friends completed the meal preparations and eventually settled down to eat.

As they all took their seats around the table, passing plates and bowls around, James noticed that Autumn was unusually quiet. He glanced at her, a look of concern crossing his features.

"You alright, love? You've been awfully quiet," he asked softly.

Autumn looked up from her plate, a small smile on her face. "I'm okay, James. Just a bit tired and lost in thought, I suppose."

James studied her for a moment, concern etched across his features. He knew her quiet moments often masked deeper thoughts or worries. "You sure? You know you can talk to me, right? About anything?"

Autumn nodded, her expression softening as she looked at him. "I know, love. It's just..." She hesitated, her gaze darting around the table, not wanting to worry the others. "... a lot on my mind, that's all. It's hard to escape the thoughts sometimes."

James, respecting her reluctance to share her thoughts, didn't push further. Instead, he reached for her hand, gently squeezing it as a gesture of reassurance. He knew he had to be patient and trust that she would open up when ready. For now, he refrained from probing, simply offering his silent support.

Remus, observing the exchange, couldn't help but notice the concern on James' face. Being the perceptive one, he decided to nudge the conversation towards neutral ground.

"So, speaking of escape," he said, aiming for a lighter tone, "What do you think about a little game of truth or dare after dinner? Just for a laugh and a bit of mindless fun."

James, grateful for Remus' attempt to lighten the mood, chimed in, a hint of his usual playful grin returning. "Now that, Moony, is a brilliant idea. A bit of harmless fun is exactly what we need."