▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

CHAPTER SIXTY NINE - 🍂୧ the secret. . .
between us ও🦌

AFTER SETTLING IN AT THE SAFEHOUSE, Autumn waited until James was asleep before heading to Lily's room. Although Autumn didn't need to keep this hidden from him, she was aware that he struggled being alone and given the many challenges he was facing, it was understandable.

Despite the situation appearing overwhelming to others, Autumn remained committed to being there for him. Whether they were at the safehouse or during their visits to his parents at the hospital, these moments provided them with their only opportunities for genuine connection. In the midst of their shared assignments for the Order, romantic thoughts were not a priority.

Once James had finally fallen asleep, Autumn quietly made her way to Lily's room, ensuring not wake him up. As she tip-toed into Lily's room, she found her sitting on the edge of her bed, her mind clearly still focused on the events earlier.

Autumn softly closed the door behind her, taking a seat on the bed beside Lily. She took a deep breath before beginning to speak, but words were hard to come.

So, Lily spoke up first, although she didn't meet Autumn's gaze directly. "I've always wondered why you never asked about seeing me with Elliot on that day," Lily mused. "But now, with your revelation that he might not be the one who leaked our location, it makes me curious about what else you might know." Autumn could sense the uncertainty in Lily's voice.

Autumn's expression softened as she listened to Lily's words. She could understand her curiosity and was fully aware that her revelation would only further raise questions.

"I had my reasons for not saying anything," Autumn replied, her tone gentle but firm. "I didn't want to worry you or cause unnecessary distress, especially given what we're already facing."

Lily's eyes shifted to look at Autumn, her gaze searching for answers. "I appreciate that, but I can handle the truth, Autumn," she said, her voice betraying a hint of frustration. "I don't appreciate being left in the dark. You must know that."

Autumn nodded, understanding Lily's frustration. "I do understand, and I apologize for not being completely open with you," she said sincerely. "But I assure you, I didn't keep it a secret to hurt you. I was doing it to protect you."

Lily let out a weary chuckle, her hurt slightly evident in her voice. "Elliot said the same thing..." she admitted, her gaze fixed on Autumn. "He still hasn't told me what he was up to..." Lily's eyes met Autumn's as she asked, "Did he confide in you?"

Autumn reached out and gently took Lily's hand in hers, shaking her head. "No, I only know that he chose to distance himself to protect us."'

Autumn's touch provided a small comfort for Lily, but her voice held an air of concern. "To protect us?" she repeated, her eyes widening as a thought occurred to her. "From what?"

"It's likely related to You-Know-Who," Autumn said quietly, her voice tinged with concern. "That much is obvious. But there's something more you should know..." She paused, her words carrying weight as she continued, "Elliot is involved in something extremely dangerous, something life-threatening." The seriousness in Autumn's tone was evident.

Lily's eyes widened as she listened to Autumn's revelation, a chill running down her spine. "What do you mean, life-threatening?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of dread and disbelief.

"Is that your intuition speaking?" Lily inquired cautiously, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty. "Just like today, when you had that inexplicable feeling...is it the same?"

Autumn bit her lip, her eyes darting around as she replied, "Yes, and... well, perhaps Elliot will be upset with me for sharing this, but if you and him are...?"

Lily winced, feeling a pang of embarrassment, "Just friends."

"Right..." Autumn nodded understandingly," Elliot is searching for something, although I'm not quite sure what it is."

Lily's gaze remained fixed on Autumn, her expression filled with both frustration and confusion. She found it hard to process the information being shared.

"Searching for something?" she repeated, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. "Something dangerous? Autumn, please, you need to give me more than cryptic riddles. What is it he's looking for?"

Autumn shook her head, her apologetic expression mirroring her inability to provide an answer. "I'm sorry, Lily," she said, "I honestly don't know what it is. But rest assured, if I ever figure it out and draw it, you'll be the first person I tell."

Lily's expression was a mixture of frustration and disappointment. She let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I appreciate it, Autumn, but this is maddening," she said, her voice tinged with a touch of irritation. "It feels like everyone keeps secrets from me. First, it's Elliot, and now you..."

Lily flopped onto her bed, a discouraged expression on her face, and murmured, "Who else knows about this...?"

Autumn responded, scratching her cheek, "James and probably the rest of the guys. I believe Raven is the only one who's still in the dark."

Lily's expression turned to genuine disbelief upon hearing Autumn's words.

"Wait...Everyone knew about this except me and Raven?" Lily said, almost in a state of shock. "You all knew, and not one of you thought to tell me? Do you plan to tell Raven?"

Autumn let out a sigh, and she collapsed onto the bed beside Lily. "I really want to explain everything to her," she said, her voice tinged with frustration, "but... she's already come to terms with Elliot's 'betrayal.' I honestly have no idea where to even start with Raven."

Lily leaned back and covered her face with her hands. "What a mess..." she groaned, her voice laden with defeat. "How on earth did we wind up in this situation?"

Autumn leaned back, a mix of sadness and understanding in her eyes. "I wish I had the answer," she murmured.

Despite their efforts to find a way to inform Raven about the truth, Lily and Autumn eventually concluded that it would be best to keep quiet. They acknowledged that Raven might never forgive them, knowing how fiercely protective she can be. With that in mind, they agreed to give Elliot the chance to reveal the truth to Raven himself. It seemed unfair that Raven, among everyone, was the only one still in the dark about Elliot.

The decision was a heavy one but a necessary one. They knew how protective Raven was, and how betrayed she felt by Elliot's actions. It felt wrong to keep her in the dark, but they hoped that Elliot would eventually be the one to tell her the truth.

Autumn and Lily fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of their secrets and the situation they found themselves in hanging heavy in the air.

After a few moments of quiet, Lily sat up, a determined expression on her face.

"Alright," she said, her voice laced with determination, "let's focus on what we can control instead of what we can't. Right now, all we can do is wait for Elliot to sort this out and hope he tells Raven soon."

Autumn nodded, sitting up and mirroring Lily's determined expression.

"You're right," she said, a hint of resolve in her voice. "We can't change this situation, but we can control how we react to it."

They both sat in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Then, Lily glanced at Autumn, her expression softening a touch.

"I know it wasn't easy for you to keep those secrets from me, especially about Elliot," Lily said, her voice laced with a hint of apology. "Thank you for finally being honest."

Autumn smiled gently, her expression filled with a mix of relief and understanding. "It wasn't an easy decision," she admitted. "But I felt you deserved to know the truth. I never meant to keep you in the dark on purpose."

Lily nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I understand," she said. "But maybe in the future, it would be best if we all kept each other a bit more informed. Just so we can avoid future messes like this."

Autumn chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "You're right," she said. "Open and honest communication is key, or we'll all end up getting ourselves into even more tangled messes."

Lily let out a tired sigh, a flicker of a smile still on her face. "I suppose we should get some sleep," she suggested. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"

Autumn, with a heavy sigh, confessed her uncertainty about how the Order would react to their revelations. She admitted," When we break the news, watch as everyone becomes cautious, questioning who they can truly trust."

Her friend Lily pondered for a moment before contemplating the grim reality of war," It's likely we have a leak, and I loathe the thought of the Order losing trust within itself. But, in times of war, even those we thought we could rely on can become potential adversaries."

Autumn nodded in agreement, the gravity of the situation heavy in her eyes. "You're right," she said. "It's a grim realization, but in times like these, loyalty is a rare commodity. And trust is becoming hard to distinguish from deceit."

Lily leaned back against her pillow, her expression a mix of worry and resignation. "It scares me to think that someone in our midst could be leaking information," she admitted. "We've always worked as a team, but now we have to start questioning everything and everyone."

Autumn's expression mirrored Lily's worry, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. "We'll have to be more vigilant than ever," she said. "But we can't let fear and suspicion tear us apart. We still need to work together and trust one another, even if it's more difficult now."

Lily's gaze drifted back to Autumn, her expression thoughtful. "Easier said than done," she muttered, a hint of scepticism in her voice. "How do we trust each other when any one of us could be a potential threat?"

Autumn sat up straighter, meeting Lily's gaze firmly. "We trust by being honest with each other," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "We trust by being open about our fears and concerns. And most importantly, we trust by supporting each other through these difficult times."

Lily fell quiet for a few moments, absorbing Autumn's words. She knew her friend was right but the idea of trust seemed like a fragile commodity amid such turmoil.

Finally, she nodded, a small sigh escaping her lips. "You're right," she said softly. "In the end, we have to trust each other because we're all we've got."

Autumn reached out, taking Lily's hand in her own, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Exactly," she said emphatically. "We're strong together, and we'll get through this. But only if we stick together."

Lily squeezed Autumn's hand in return, a small, tired but grateful smile on her face. It was a small comfort in a sea of uncertainty.

"Alright," she said, her voice laced with resolve. "Together it is, then."

The night took an unexpected turn as Autumn, instead of returning to her and James' room, found herself dozing off next to Lily.

Autumn, realizing she had spent the night in Lily's room, hastily made her way to her own room. The moment she stepped out, however, she was startled by James, who was waiting for her just outside.

"Merlin's pants!" Autumn whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and annoyance. "James Fleamont Potter, you scared the life out of me."

James let out a sigh, his playful tone evident as he teased her," I already have Marlene, Mary, and Dorcas to worry about. Now, I have to worry about you and Lily too?"

Autumn chuckled, a mix of amusement and mock irritation in her voice. "Oh, James," she said, rolling her eyes. "You're just as exhausting as ever. But rest assured, you've got no competition from me and Lily, at least not in the relationship department."

James feigned disappointment, dramatically clutching his chest. "Ah, you wound me," he said with a mock pout. "And here I was, hoping for a new love triangle to keep things interesting."

Autumn rolled her eyes good-naturedly, smiling at James' antics. "Oh, please," she retorted. "The last thing we need is relationship drama. We're trying to survive a war, not stage a soap opera."

James looked puzzled, his expression bordering on disbelief. "A soap what?"

Autumn couldn't help but snort in amusement. "Oh, right, I forgot that they don't have soap operas in the wizarding world. But one day, I'll definitely introduce you to them. It's an excellent way to while away those lazy mornings."

James chuckled, a hint of curiosity in his expression. "And what are soap operas, exactly?" He asked, his tone slightly intrigued. "Are they like those muggle theatre plays you've shown me before?"

Autumn nodded, a grin on her face. "Sort of," she answered. "But instead of it being just one play, it's a series. A never-ending story, if you will. And it's filled with drama, romance, love triangles, betrayals... all the makings of a juicy tale."

James's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of scepticism and interest in his expression. "Love triangles, you say?" he asked, his tone playful. "And betrayals? I might have to look into these 'soap operas' you speak of. Sounds like they could give my life a good dose of drama."

Autumn rolled her eyes again, chuckling. "Don't get too excited, James Potter," she said, her tone half-serious, half-teasing. "We don't need you getting any ideas about stirring up unnecessary drama in real-life relationships, particularly with Marlene, Mary, Dorcas or even Lily."

James feigned innocence, a cheeky smile on his face. "Who, me?" he said, placing a hand on his chest in a dramatic gesture. "Would I ever cause such a fuss? I'm the very picture of a well-behaved gentleman."

Autumn raised an eyebrow, her expression sceptical. "Yes, and I'm the queen of England," she said dryly. "James Potter, 'well-behaved' is the last word I would use to describe you."

James let out a carefree laugh, his mischievous nature shining through. "Ah, but you know you love me, Autumn," he said, his tone lighthearted. "Admit it, my antics keep things intriguing."

Autumn couldn't help but smile, a hint of reluctant agreement in her expression. "I suppose there's a certain charm in your chaos," she conceded, her tone light-hearted. "But don't let it go to your head, James. I still have my limits."

"Awww, come on, you adore it," James teased, reaching out to playfully nudge Autumn's arm. "My chaotic nature is a key part of my irresistible appeal."

Autumn chuckled and grabbed James' hand, her tone laced with playful sarcasm. "Alright, Mr Irresistible Appeal, let's grace the kitchen and make breakfast."

James feigned protest, his expression sceptical. "You'd trust me to cook?"

Autumn rolled her eyes, a knowing smile on her lips. "James, don't even try to wriggle out of it. I've witnessed you cooking with your mother before."

He let out a dramatic huff, his tone still playful. "Fine, fine," he said, pretending to be indignant. "I suppose I can't escape the kitchen duties. But don't expect a five-course meal or anything extravagant. Eggs and toast are the limits of my culinary skills."

She laughed softly, leading him to the kitchen. "Eggs and toast will suffice, James," she said, a teasing grin on her face. "And if we're lucky, they'll actually survive your cooking."

James mock-gasped, placing a hand on his heart once more. "Your lack of faith in my culinary abilities is hurtful, Autumn. Just you wait. These eggs and toast will be the best you've ever tasted."

Autumn chuckled, shaking her head. "I'll hold you to that promise, James," she said, her tone filled with mock seriousness. "But remember, no promises for no black, burnt toast or eggs that taste like rubber."

James let out a playful sigh, feigning disappointment. "Ah, the high standards you set for me," he said, a smirk on his lips. "Very well, I shall strive to meet your expectations. After all, the honour of the Potter family name is at stake here."

THE AFTERNOON SESSION SAW Autumn, James, Lily, and Sirius sharing their ominous encounter with the dark wizard, whose name Voldermort had become almost taboo to utter, given his malevolent actions. Already referred to as "You-Know-Who," he was progressively being called "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" due to the mounting fear and darkness surrounding him.

Sitting together in the room, the atmosphere was filled with a serious yet sombre tone. James looked visibly uneasy, a tinge of worry etched on his features.

Lily, meanwhile, sat with her arms crossed, her expression more guarded than usual.

OK Sirius, on the other hand, was unusually quiet, the usual spark of humour in his eyes replaced by rare sobriety.

Autumn, the first to break the silence, leaned forward, her tone grave. "What happened that night...it was a warning," she began, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We encountered You-Know-Who, and he was...terrifyingly composed. It was like he knew he already had us cornered."

James shuddered, his expression tight as he recalled the encounter. "His eyes..." he muttered in a low voice, the memory clearly etched in his mind. "There was a coldness in them...like he had no remorse, no humanity left."

Sirius chimed in, his voice unusually stoic. "He was powerful," he stated, his tone devoid of its usual bravado. "More so than any opponent I've ever encountered. It was like we were nothing in comparison."

Lily's eyes flicked between them, her expression becoming more guarded by the moment. "It's more than just power," she said, her voice serious. "He's cunning too. The way he spoke...it was like he could see through us, into our very souls."

The weight of her words hung in the air, the reality of their situation setting in. James, his gaze fixed on the floor, finally spoke up, his voice a mere whisper. "I never thought I'd feel this kind of...fear," he confessed, the vulnerability in his voice a stark departure from his usual carefree demeanour.

Sirius, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded slowly, his expression mirroring James'. "We all feel it," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncharacteristic honesty. "It's a fear that runs deeper than anything we've ever faced before."

Lily, still wrapped in her guarded shell, was the last to speak, her voice barely above a murmur. "We've always known there was danger," she acknowledged, her eyes locked on the ground. "But this...this is different. It's overwhelming."

Autumn looked at Lily, her gaze filled with empathy. She knew exactly what Lily meant - the fear that seemed to swallow everything else. But she also knew the importance of facing it, the necessity for courage. "We need to overcome it," she said firmly, her voice clear and steady. "We've come this far. We can't let fear rule us now."

James looked up, his eyes meeting Autumn's, a flicker of resolution in them. "She's right," he said, his voice slightly strained, but firmer than before. "We can't give in to fear. We have to stand our ground. For the Order, for our families, for everyone we care about."

Dumbledore observed Lily and Sirius intently, his gaze settling on them briefly before shifting to Autumn and James, who had made their decisions.

He silently watched the four young individuals before him, his gaze steady on each one in turn. He knew they held a choice, the right to retreat, but he had faith in them, in their strength and courage. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but commanding. "You all have the choice," he stated, his eyes flickering over them. "You can step back if you so wish," he paused, eyeing each one, "but I see the seeds of great valour in each of you."

The words hung in the air, punctuated by a hush. James swallowed hard, his jaw clenching stubbornly. Beside him, Sirius' eyes flashed with a determined fire. Lily's hands trembled slightly, her shoulders tensed, yet she held Dumbledore's gaze unflinching. And Autumn, her face as resolute as ever, stood straight and unmoving.

Dumbledore's lips curled into a small, approving smile. They would need that determination and strength sorely in the days to come. He rose from his spot, pacing gently around the four of them. "Each of you, in your own way, holds a powerful inner strength," he murmured, the depth of his voice soft yet firm. "Each has the potential to bring hope into this dark hour we're facing."

Sirius, taking the initiative to voice the question that lingered on the others' minds, inquired, "Sir, do you suspect that we have someone within our ranks leaking our location? Or was it just a coincidence?"

Dumbledore's pace halted as he listened to Sirius' question, a thoughtful expression on his face. He chose his words carefully before speaking, his voice measured and serious. "There is always a possibility of such treachery, Sirius," he admitted, his eyes flickering across them all. "But until we have solid evidence, we must trust that our inner circle remains tight-knit."

Sirius nodded grimly, his expression a mixture of annoyance and worry. James's gaze flicked momentarily to the others, a trace of doubt in his eyes. Lily's gaze, fixed on Dumbledore, held a hint of scepticism, while Autumn's expression remained steadfast, her trust in their unity remaining unbroken.

Dumbledore continued pacing, his eyes scanning each of their faces. "Understand, children," he said, his voice steady and gentle, "trust is the cornerstone of the Order. But do not let doubt consume you. Remain vigilant, yes, but do not let fear turn your hearts away from each other."

The four teenagers nodded, the intensity in the room slowly dissipating. They knew they had a long, difficult journey ahead, but Dumbledore's words echoed in their minds - trust, hope, and unity were their weapons against the growing darkness.

Dumbledore interlocked his hands behind his back and responded, "For the time being, we shall keep this to ourselves. We will not reveal this to anyone else, including your closest of friends."

"If we share this information, it would provoke a chain of suspicion within the Order, as you feared. It would sow too much doubt amongst everyone, as they question each other's trustworthiness. We cannot afford that kind of atmosphere. Not during this destructive war."

The four young individuals exchanged glances, a mixture of understanding and resignation in their eyes. They knew Dumbledore's words were logical - sharing the information could lead to chaos within the Order, creating an environment of distrust and suspicion. Yet, it was also hard to keep such a significant secret contained.

Sirius, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, voiced their collective concern. "But sir, how can we keep this completely confidential?" he asked his tone a mix of concern and frustration. "Especially from our friends?"

Dumbledore's gaze turned to Sirius, his eyes holding a depth of wisdom. "Ah, Sirius, you underestimate the power of discretion and the weight of secrecy," he responded, his voice calm. "This is not the first or the last secret we will keep. We will need to learn to bear the burden of keeping such crucial information to ourselves, even from those we care for most."

The night prior when they returned to the safe house that night of the encounter, they noticed that the others were either asleep or out. After a brief discussion, they decided to reveal the news in the morning. Yet, the next day, Remus, Peter, and Raven were missing once again.

Reluctant to keep secrets but bound by Dumbledore's command, the four were left feeling uneasy, grappling with the decision to tell the truth or keep their lips sealed.

After their meeting with Dumbledore, the four had returned to the safe house. The atmosphere in the house was unusually quiet, an air of trepidation and tension lingering in the air. James was feeling particularly restless, unable to shake the uneasiness he felt in withholding such crucial information. Yet, the memory of Dumbledore's words echoed in his mind, keeping him from breaking the silence.

Sirius was pacing, a storm of thoughts visible in his eyes. He was equally torn, the burden of keeping secrets weighing on him heavily. The only one who appeared outwardly calm was Autumn. She sat quietly, her expression neutral, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

Lily was the one who seemed to be the most conflicted. She sat on the edge of the couch, her eyes staring into the distance, her thoughts a mix of uncertainty and frustration. She knew they needed to stay loyal to Dumbledore and the Order, but the urge to tell their friends about the incident was strong.

Their silent vigil continued for a while, the only sound in the room the occasional shuffling or creaking floorboard. Eventually, James, unable to bear the silence any longer, spoke up. "Are we just going to sit here and say nothing?" he asked, his voice betraying the restless feeling he had tried to suppress.

The others looked at him, a mixture of surprise and relief in their eyes. They had all been thinking the same thing, struggling with their consciences.

Sirius, still pacing, nodded, the tension in his body somewhat easing.

Lily leaned forward, her expression weary yet determined.

Autumn remained silent, listening intently.

James ran a hand through his hair, his gaze flitting between the others. "This can't be right," he continued his voice a bit more firm now. "We're supposed to trust each other, and here we are, hiding something this big."

Sirius stopped pacing, his hands on his hips as he looked at James. "The old man has his reasons," he muttered, defending Dumbledore, even though he himself felt the weight of the secret heavily.

James clenched his jaw, his expression taut with frustration. "Maybe so," he responded, his voice a low hiss. "But does that make it right? We're supposed to be a team, all pulling together."

Sirius exhaled loudly, a mixture of frustration and resignation in his voice. "I know, James," he replied, his tone softer. "But what can we do? We're under orders, and we can't cross Dumbledore."

Lily, unable to hold back her thoughts any longer, leaned forward, her voice quiet but firm. "I agree, it feels wrong," she admitted. "But we made a promise, didn't we? To Dumbledore, and to the Order. And trust is key to us all."

Autumn, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Lily's right," she said, her voice calm but resolute. "Trust is the core of the Order. If we break that trust, we break the foundation of what we're fighting for."

James, still restless but a bit more subdued, nodded reluctantly. "I understand that," he conceded. "But the weight of this is..." he trailed off, his hands clenching into fists by his sides.

Sirius placed a hand on James' shoulder, a sign of silent support. "I know, mate," he said, his voice low. "Believe me, we all feel it. But we have to trust the old man on this one. For now at least."

Lily sighed, the tension in the room still palpable, but acceptance slowly setting in. "We can't change it now. We just have to wait for the others to return, and then we can handle it."

Autumn nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Until then, we should try and keep ourselves busy. There's no use in sitting here and dwelling on it."

James ran a hand through his hair once more, his frustration beginning to ebb away. "I guess you're right," he said, his voice steadier. "No point in driving ourselves mad with worry."

The mood in the room had shifted from unease to resignation. They knew they couldn't change the situation, but at least for the moment, they could try to distract themselves. They agreed to wait for the others to return and handle the situation then. In the meantime, they busied themselves, each trying to push the secret from their minds, even if just for a little while.