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CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT - 🍂୧ the first. . .
encounter ও🦌

IN THE MIDST OF HER responsibilities, Autumn found the opportunity to return home and share some news with her parents: she and James had decided to get married on her birthday.

James had offered to accompany her, but she wanted to ensure he spent time with his parents, during the rare moments they weren't preoccupied with Order matters.

As she sat down with her parents to share the news of her upcoming wedding, Autumn noticed the mixture of joy and concern on their faces. Her mother, always the emotional one, had tears in her eyes as she pulled Autumn into a tight embrace. Her father, on the other hand, looked sceptical, his gaze filled with worry.

"I know that we granted permission for your marriage once you reached the necessary age. However, the timing of your wedding, held immediately on your birthday, raises questions. You mentioned there was a reason behind the decision to marry so soon. Could you please shed light on what the reason is?" August inquired with a solemn expression.

Autumn took a deep breath, her eyes meeting her father's steady gaze. She had anticipated his questions and concerns, but it still didn't make it any easier to explain.

"There are... several reasons," she began, her voice steady. "It's mildly related to Order matters and... timing," she continued her choice of words carefully.

Autumn slowly revealed, "But the major reason for the urgency is that...Euphemia and Fleamont have been diagnosed with a magical illness known as dragon pox. It shares similarities with what muggles know as smallpox. So time is of the essence." Autumn's voice trembled as her heart felt the weight of the situation.

Her father's expression darkened even further with the news. His eyes widened and his jaw tightened, a mix of concern and anger on his face.

"Dragon pox?" he repeated, his voice low and grim.

Autumn nodded as she explained the disease in more detail, "The illness is known to be particularly aggressive and deadly, especially in older witches and wizards."

Her mother, ever the emotional one, gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, no! Euphemia and Fleamont..." she trailed off, a tear rolling down her cheek.

August clenched his jaw, his face a mix of anger and helplessness. He took a deep breath, trying to quell his emotions. "Have the best healers in this wizard hospital not been able to cure it? I remember you going on about how advanced they were in diseases?" he asked, his voice tight.

Autumn nodded again. "There is a cure, but I've heard from James that they have been trying all known methods, with no luck," she explained, her voice cracking slightly. "The healers are doing all they can, but dragon pox is known to be unpredictable and unresponsive to treatment and with their age...So for now, we just pray for the best and I know thinking the worst isn't what we should do, but..."

Her mother's face became ashen. She reached for a handkerchief and dabbed at the tears that had started falling silently down her face.

August's expression remained stoic, his gaze fixed on a point in the distance. He was clearly trying to process the information and figure out what to say.

"And... so that's why you two chose to have the wedding on your birthday...?" he asked after a long, heavy silence.

Autumn nodded again. "Yes," she said simply. "We initially thought there would be more time, but the dragon pox developed faster, and we realized... we can't wait any longer. We know it's too soon, and a little irrational, but... given the circumstances, it's the best decision we can make for ourselves and for... everyone involved," she explained, her voice low and quiet.

Her mother's sobs became more choked, her body trembling. Her father's face was still stoic, his hands clenching and unclenching involuntarily.

August finally stood up suddenly, his chair scraping against the floor with a loud screech. "And James... how is he taking all this?" he asked, his voice grave.

"He's... struggling," Autumn replied, her expression solemn. "He's trying to be strong for everyone involved, but I can tell it's taking a toll on him. The fear of losing his parents... it's a lot to handle."

She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "He and I have been trying to support each other the best we can, but...." She trailed off, her eyes stinging with tears.

Her mother let out a choked sob, her handkerchief now completely soaked through. Autumn's father, still standing, started pacing before the fireplace, his hands balled into tight fists.

There was a long silence as everyone seemed to be lost in their thoughts. Finally, her father spoke, his voice rough with repressed emotion. "I can't imagine the pain he must be feeling..."

Autumn nodded, her own emotions starting to become too much to contain. "It's... I've never seen him like this before. He's trying to hold it together for everyone, but when we're alone... he just falls apart. It hurts to see him like that," she admitted, her voice cracking.

She had always known James to be strong, steady, a rock. But now, in the face of this crisis, even he was crumbling.

Aurelia sniffled, her sobs getting louder. She reached out a trembling hand to Autumn, who took it in hers, trying to offer comfort.

August had stopped pacing and was standing near the window now, still silently watching the rain. After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and measured, "And you... how are you handling all this?"

Autumn took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. "It's tough," she admitted. "I'm trying to stay strong, not just for James but for all of us. But sometimes... sometimes I feel like I'm just drowning in my fear and worry. I'm scared for Euphemia and Fleamont, I'm scared for James. I'm scared for what could happen," she confessed, her voice breaking.

Her mother squeezed her hand tighter, a silent show of support. Meanwhile, her father approached her, his footsteps slow and heavy.

He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, his eyes meeting hers. "I know it's hard," he began, his voice gentle. "But you have to remember, you're not alone. You have us, James has us. We'll get through this, together."

Autumn looked up at her father, gratitude and love swelling in her chest. She knew that they were there for her. But at that moment, she wanted nothing more than to be with James, to wrap her arms around him and hold onto him like a lifeline.

"I know," she said, her voice soft. "And I'm so glad that I have you all. But right now, I just... I just want to be with James."

Her mother nodded, brushing away a tear from her cheek. "Of course, dear. We understand."

Her father's grip on her shoulder tightened for a moment, a silent gesture of reassurance. Then he withdrew his hand, his eyes meeting his wife's.

"We'll be here if you need us, ok? Just... take care of each other," he said, his voice gruff with emotion.

Autumn fought to keep her emotions in check as a lump formed in her throat. She empathized with her parents' struggle as they received the news about Euphemia and Fleamont. They had grown fond of them over time, and Autumn recognized the need to give them space to process the information. She deeply appreciated their steadfast support but understood their need for time to come to terms with the situation.

She smiled weakly and nodded, trying to keep herself from breaking down completely. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice almost lost in the tension and emotion swirling in the air.

Her parents nodded in response, their faces tight with the effort to hold themselves together.

As Autumn stood to leave so her parents could have a moment to themselves, her mother stood and hugged her tightly, clinging to her like a lifeline.

"We love you," her mother whispered, her voice cracking.

August watched as his wife and daughter embraced, a pained expression on his face. He said nothing, but the look in his eyes was enough.

Autumn returned the embrace, holding her mother tight. "I love you too," she replied, her own voice thick with emotion.

She pulled back after a moment, her eyes meeting her father's one last time. He gave her a nod, a silent gesture of acceptance and support.

Feeling like there was nothing left to say, Autumn left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

Her way to St. Mungo's felt like a blur. Autumn's mind was racing, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Images of James, her parents, Euphemia and Fleamont, the wedding, the Order... it all swirled together, a tangle of emotions and worries.

As she walked, the rain that had been falling earlier had picked up, turning into a steady downpour. But Autumn barely noticed, her focus entirely inward.

By the time she reached the hospital, Autumn was wet and cold, her hair sticking to her face and neck. But she hardly registered the discomfort. She needed to see James, needed to be with him.

She pushed through the main doors, the bustle of the waiting room washing over her. The place was busy as always, filled with witches and wizards seeking treatment for various maladies.

Autumn shivered and flicked her wand to dry herself before proceeding to Euphemia and Fleamont's room. She found James standing outside, leaning against the wall.

As she approached him, she could see that he looked even more weary than he had before. His clothes were dishevelled, his face taut with tension. But when he saw her, his expression softened a bit, and he pushed off the wall to meet her.

They embraced immediately, holding each other tight. There was no need for words; they understood each other's feelings perfectly.

Autumn buried her face in James's neck, breathing in his familiar scent. For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other, finding comfort in each other's presence.

Finally, Autumn spoke, her voice soft and shaky. "How are they?" she asked, even though she already had an idea of the answer.

James let out a deep sigh, his arms tightening around her. "Not good," he admitted, his voice low. "They're... hanging in there, the healers are doing everything they can. But... it's not looking good, Autumn."

His voice cracked on her name, and she could feel his body shake slightly. He was barely holding it together.

Her heart ached for him, for the pain he was going through. She wanted to say something, to offer some comfort, but nothing seemed sufficient. Instead, she just held him tighter, as if she could draw some of his pain into herself.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered against his neck, her own tears threatening to fall.

Autumn stood quietly for a moment before informing James about her discussion with her parents. She reassured him that they were completely supportive of the decision to move the wedding date earlier than expected.

James nodded slowly as he listened to Autumn's report about her conversation with her parents. The fact that they understood and supported their decision to marry early was a relief, but the tension and worry still lingered in the air.

"That's good," he said, his voice tired and weary. "I'm glad they're being supportive. I know it's a lot to ask of everyone, but..." James didn't dare to continue his words and Autumn held his hand understanding.

They stood in silence for a few moments, both lost in their thoughts.

"Speaking of our wedding," Autumn continued, "Lily and Raven have been meticulously planning a shopping trip for us this coming weekend. We'll be on the hunt for my wedding dress." She smiled, aiming to lift the mood.

A small, weary smile tugged at the corners of James's mouth. "Ah, the wedding dress hunt," he said, attempting to match her light tone. "I didn't realize such an adventure was necessary."

He paused for a moment, his expression turning slightly more serious. "But perhaps a shopping trip is exactly what we need right now; a distraction, something to look forward to. Probably get the guys to go on one with me"

Autumn nodded a hint of hopefulness in her eyes. The thought of their wedding attire was a small silver lining amid everything else they were facing.

"It'll be good to have something else to focus on, even if just for a day," she agreed. "And I'm sure the dress will be beautiful. Lily and Raven have always had excellent taste."

James pondered, "So, our first wedding ceremony will take place on your birthday. Any thoughts on when we're doing the other one with our friends?"

Autumn thought for a moment, and then a smile spread across her face, "Why don't we plan it for your birthday?" she suggested, amused by the symmetry.

James chuckled at Autumn's suggestion, a flicker of genuine amusement in his eyes. "My birthday? That's oddly fitting," he said, his tone lighter than before. "Both of us having a birthday wedding, huh? I fancy the idea."

Autumn smiled at his response. It felt good to see a hint of joy on James's face, even if it was just for a moment. "Well, I thought it made sense. Why not both of us experience the birthday wedding instead of just me? Plus, it'll give our friends something to look forward to," she said, her tone hopeful.

...

The days flew by in a blur of wedding dress shopping, Order assignments, and the approach of October. Despite the countdown to the big day, there was an air of excitement in the air.

As the month of October continued, the anticipation for the wedding on Halloween grew daily.

The days leading up to the wedding were a whirlwind of activity. Both James and Autumn were doing their best to navigate the chaos, their hands full with wedding preparations and Order responsibilities.

But despite the stress, there was an undeniable sense of anticipation in the air. October was here, and the wedding was drawing closer every day.

Autumn, James, Lily, and Sirius huddled together at the train station, diligently working on an Order assignment. The atmosphere held a hint of unease, and Autumn's fingers involuntarily twitched, a strange urge to draw surfacing unexpectedly.

Sirius led the way, walking ahead in the practically deserted train station. The impact of the war was evident, as most witches and wizards avoided being out after nightfall, fearing potential attacks.

The train station was eerily quiet, a sharp contrast to the usually bustling platform. A feeling of unease hung around them, a constant reminder of the dangers the Order was constantly facing.

Autumn, walking beside James, couldn't shake off the inexplicable urge to reach for her sketchbook. It was as if something was pulling her towards her art, an unconscious need to capture the moment.

James, sensing her distraction, glanced at her, a question in his eyes. "You alright? You look unsettled," he asked, his voice low to avoid drawing Sirius or Lily's attention.

Autumn nodded, her fingers twitching involuntarily again as she fought the urge to draw. "I'm... fine," she answered, her voice slightly strained. "It's just... something feels off," she admitted, her eyes scanning the deserted platforms around them.

James gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's just war nerves," he assured her, his voice steady. "You're probably just on edge. We all are."

Behind them, Sirius and Lily, engrossed in their conversation, remained blissfully unaware of Autumn's internal struggle.

"No, James," Autumn interjected, a sense of foreboding growing within her, "It's not that. Something doesn't feel right. There's an ominous presence in the air."

James's brow furrowed at her words. He was used to Autumn's intuition and knew better than to dismiss her instincts. "Okay," he said, his voice suddenly more serious. "If you say there's something off, then I believe you. What exactly do you feel?"

Autumn took a shaky breath, trying to put her feelings into words. "It's like... a heaviness in the air, a sense of... danger," she tried to explain, her fingers still twitching anxiously. "I can't shake off this feeling that something is wrong, that we're being watched..."

James's expression darkened as he considered her words. He scanned the station around them, his eyes narrowing, his senses on high alert.

Behind them, Sirius and Lily had finally noticed the tension in their voices and glanced at them, curiosity and concern etched on their faces.

"Stay on guard," James muttered to Autumn, his eyes still darting around the station. He shifted his hand to his wand, gripping it tightly, ready for action if needed.

Sirius and Lily, sensing the seriousness, also looked around, their hands going to their wands as well. A tense silence settled over the group, the ominous feeling in the air now undeniable.

Autumn's heart pounded in her chest as footsteps echoed behind them, slow and deliberate. She clutched James's arm tightly, her face reflecting growing unease.

Lily and Sirius swiftly turned around, positioning themselves in line with Autumn and James, sensing the imminent danger.

As the footsteps drew closer, the tension in the air grew palpable, a taut string begging to snap. Autumn's grip on James's arm tightened, her heart racing, as Lily and Sirius moved into position on either side of them.

James shifted his stance, moving slightly in front of Autumn as if to shield her, his grip on his wand so tight, that his knuckles turned white.

The footsteps continued their slow approach, getting louder with every step. The group stood frozen, everyone's wands at the ready, their eyes scanning the station for any sign of what was nearing them.

The ominous feeling in the air intensified, a chill running down Autumn's spine. She could feel her pulse racing, her body quivering slightly.

And then, abruptly, the footsteps halted. A few moments of excruciating silence passed, and the only audible sound was the rapid beating of Autumn's heart. And then, a voice pierced the air, cold and malevolent.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

A chill went down Autumn's spine as the voice sounded behind her, instantly recognizable. But strangely, she couldn't place why. She had never directly heard it before, but there was an uncanny familiarity, as though she had encountered it during her drawing of the diadem.

James stiffened beside her, his body taut and ready to spring into action. Lily and Sirius' restlessness was tangible, their wands poised for a fight.

As the voice echoed through the empty station, the group stood in a defensive stance, their bodies taut and ready for whatever was to come. James squeezed Autumn's arm, his grip tight and reassuring, as he shifted his stance slightly, putting himself in front of her again.

"What do you want?" James called out, his voice stern and unyielding.

The voice chuckled in response, a low, sinister sound that echoed around them, bouncing off the cold, empty walls. "Oh, I just wanted a word," the voice replied, dripping with condescension.

The footsteps started up again, closing the gap between the mysterious figure and the group.

As the footsteps echoed closer, the tension in the air thickened, like a tangible force pressing against them. Autumn's heart pounded in her chest, her grip on James's arm tightening even further.

James's eyes widened as the figure finally came into view, his body tense and on high alert.

The figure, cloaked in shadows and shrouded in darkness, stepped into the dim light, revealing a tall, muscular frame. The only part of his face visible was a cruel smile, his eyes two dark, sinister pools.

Autumn's heart almost stopped as she gazed at the figure, her mind racing as she tried to place where she knew that voice from.

Sirius raised his arm higher, preparing for a violent confrontation, but Autumn intervened, firmly grabbing onto his arm and pulling it down.

"Sirius, don't," she implored, her voice resolute.

Lily and James looked at her in bewilderment, perplexed by her intervention.

"Autumn?" Sirius questioned, clearly confused, as did the others.

Autumn's eyes locked onto the sinister figure before them, a sense of foreknowledge guiding her words. "He is not here for a fight," she stated, her words fueled by an inexplicable certainty.

As the ominous stranger unveiled his face, revealing himself as the dreaded Dark Lord, shock and disbelief enveloped the group. His piercing eyes, seemingly red, and his pale skin sent chills down their spines.

The group stood frozen, their bodies taut with shock and fear, as the Dark Lord revealed himself. No one dared to move, their minds reeling from the unexpected turn of events.

James's mouth dropped open in a small 'O'. Beside him, Lily's hands flew to her face, a gasp escaping her lips.

But it was Sirius who broke the stunned silence first, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Bloody hell," he whispered, his voice shaky.

The Dark Lord's gaze fixated on Autumn, a hint of acknowledgement in his tone, "Smart girl," he remarked. He then proclaimed, "She is correct. I have not come to seek battle. Instead, I bring you an enthralling proposition."

A chilling silence settled over the group as the Dark Lord focused his attention on Autumn. His words hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, causing the group's heart to skip a beat.

James's grip on Autumn's arm tightened in response to the Dark Lord's acknowledgement, his body tensing up even further. Lily and Sirius shared a look, their expressions a mix of fear and curiosity.

"What kind of proposition?" James asked, his voice trembling, despite the brave front he was trying to maintain.

"Ah, a question I was expecting," the Dark Lord purred, his gaze moving from Autumn to James. "And one that is rather simple to answer."

He stepped closer to the group, the sound of his footsteps reverberating in the empty station. The air grew colder around them, an ominous aura that sent chills up their spines.

"It would be a valuable asset to me if you would join me."

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. The group stood frozen, their minds reeling with confusion and fear. No one dared to speak, their gazes darting between the Dark Lord and one another.

James's grip on Autumn's arm tightened even further, his knuckles turning white. Lily's hand covered her mouth, a small gasp escaping her lips. Sirius's expression was a mixture of disbelief and fear, his eyes darting between the Dark Lord and Autumn who still held his arm.

The silence was deafening, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. The group just stared at the Dark Lord, their minds racing with a thousand thoughts.

Finally, James found his voice. "Join you?" he repeated, his voice hoarse and unsteady. "You're asking... us to join you?"

The idea was so far-fetched, that it bordered on absurd.

The corners of the Dark Lord's mouth curled into a sly smile, enjoying the effect his words were having. "Indeed, that is exactly what I am asking," he replied, his tone almost casual. "And I would advise you not to refuse. I do not take kindly to those who don't follow my orders."

Autumn's quick thinking was their saving grace. Before they even had time to register her actions, she yelled and cast "Fumos" enveloping them in dense smoke.

Her voice rang out in the smoke-filled air, commanding and urgent. "Apparate!" she yelled. In the blink of an eye, they vanished, escaping in a flash of magic, just as a menacing streak of orange light shot towards the spot they had just stood in.

They materialized back in the park a few blocks away from their safe house, stumbling a little as they caught their breath. The thick smoke vanished and revealed the familiar surroundings of the park, now eerily quiet and still.

James, still in shock, looked at Autumn, his eyes widened and lips slightly parted. "Bloody hell," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Lily and Sirius were equally stunned, staring at Autumn in disbelief.

The park seemed eerily quiet in the aftermath of their abrupt escape. The adrenaline still coursed through their veins, their hearts still racing. James, standing beside Autumn, shook his head slightly as he looked at her, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

"Remind me to never doubt your instincts again," he said, his voice filled with both relief and amazement.

Sirius chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair as he playfully grumbled, "I could've stunned him or something at least. My duelling skills are top-notch."

Lily shot him a disapproving look, rolling her eyes, "You're a good dueller, Sirius. But honestly, even you should know that going up against the Dark Lord himself would have been a bit cocky."

James let out a shaky laugh, his heart still racing. "As much as I love your confidence, Sirius, I have to agree with Lily on this one. Even if you're a brilliant dueller, taking on the Dark Lord on one would have been... well, let's just say it would have been a bit suicidal."

Sirius feigned an offended look, placing his hand dramatically over his heart. "Are you questioning my skills, James?" he teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

James chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Of course not, mate. But I think even you have to admit that the Dark Lord might be a bit above your pay grade."

Lily rolled her eyes at their banter, a small smile playing on her lips despite the dire situation they had just escaped from.

"You two are unbelievable," she said, shaking her head. "Even after what we just went through, you still manage to be the same old idiots."

James grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Can you blame us? Teasing each other is how we cope," he joked.

Sirius chuckled, slinging an arm around James's shoulder. "What would you do without us here to lighten the mood, Lily?"

Lily let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head in mock frustration. "Oh, I don't know," she responded, feigning irritation. "I'd probably have more peace and quiet without you two idiots around."

James and Sirius feigned hurt expressions, placing their hands on their hearts like offended ladies from a Regency novel. "You wound us, Lily," James said dramatically.

Sirius, following suit, added, "You're supposed to appreciate our company. We bring joy and humour into your life."

James eventually caught Sirius and Lily's gazes when he noticed Autumn not joining in their banter, so he signalled for their silence with a nod of his head. Everyone fell quiet, and they all turned their attention to Autumn, who hugged herself, a sense of unease apparent.

"This won't be the last time he tries to approach us," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of anxiety. "We need to alert the others because he will try again. I'm not sure when, but we must warn them."

James, Lily, and Sirius nodded in agreement, their faces suddenly serious. Autumn's words hung heavy in the air, the reality of the situation sinking in.

"You're right," James said, his face solemn. "We need to inform the others. They need to be prepared for his next move."

The group fell silent for a few moments, each lost in their thoughts, contemplating their next course of action. Then, Lily spoke up.

"We should tell Dumbledore as soon as possible. He needs to know what happened."

Sirius nodded his agreement, his expression dark. "Yes, Dumbledore should be informed immediately," he said, his voice tight with anger. "He needs to know about the Dark Lord's attempt to recruit us. And we need to figure out how he found us in the first place."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The fact that the Dark Lord had managed to find them was alarming and disturbing. Someone or something must have tipped him off, and they needed to figure out who or what it was as soon as possible.

James ran a hand through his messy hair, a look of contemplation on his face. "We should head to the safe house and tomorrow we head to the headquarters," he said. "We can inform Dumbledore and the rest of the Order, first we tell the others."

Autumn, James, and Sirius walked together, their pace matched, while Lily lagged, wrestling with her emotions. Her thoughts raced, struggling to comprehend who could have alerted the Dark Lord of their presence.

Autumn noticed Lily trailing behind and slowed her step to match hers. She leaned closer and whispered, "It's not Elliot. Trust me."

Lily's eyes widened at Autumn's gentle reassurance. She looked at her, surprise etched on her face. Then, she remembered that Autumn knew about her recent interactions with Elliot.

Autumn mustered a smile, but there was a tinge of tension behind it. "I think we need to have a chat," she said. "There's something I've been hiding from you, but I feel it's important to share it now."

Lily's eyes widened further, a mixture of curiosity and worry flitting across her face. "What is it?" she asked, her voice laced with a touch of apprehensiveness.

"Let's discuss it once we reach the safehouse," Autumn whispered softly, her voice tinged with a sense of secrecy.

Lily nodded, her curiosity piqued but her expression betraying a hint of worry.

"Alright," she said, her voice almost a whisper, her mind already racing with the possibilities of what Autumn had to reveal.