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CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR - 🍂୧ we. . .
have to keep her safe ও🦌

AUTUMN HELD HER BREATH in disbelief, her mind filled with confusion as she watched her own arm rise and her wand point towards the hallway ceiling. She furrowed her eyebrows, feeling a strain in her forehead from the way her brows lowered.

A muffled voice spoke beside her, and as she turned, she could barely make out the person who spoke. They were blurry, and it was impossible to focus and distinguish their features.

Autumn held her breath, feeling a sense of being stunned and speechless. The sudden change in her surroundings confused her further, making it difficult to fully comprehend what was happening.

Autumn found herself standing behind a curtain, still lacking control, watching the scene unfold through her own eyes. Her eyes widened as she recognized the young, pale man walking down the hall—it was Remus, with Poppy following closely behind. It was evident that Poppy was escorting him to the Shrieking Shack.

Autumn hid as the two passed by, feeling even more confused by the situation. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and the blurry person next to her spoke in an indecipherable tone. She felt her head nod involuntarily, and then she peeked out from behind the curtain, her wand aimed at Poppy and Remus.

As the realization dawned on Autumn, everything began to make sense. The previous hallway scene where the prank happened and the person who broke the charm that concealed Poppy and Remus—it was this enigmatic individual behind all of it.

She realized how the individual had gone to great lengths to conceal their identity by using a cursed spell to keep her and the others from knowing who they were. But she couldn't comprehend why she was viewing the scene from their perspective—why did she see everything from their viewpoint?

Autumn struggled to make sense of things, wondering if she had some sort of connection with the duo, specifically the individual whose eyes she was seeing through. However, her contemplation was interrupted by Aspen's wailing.

Autumn looked down at her daughter, holding her breath as she realized she had fallen asleep while feeding Aspen from a bottle. She adjusted her grip and lifted the baby into her arms, apologizing softly. "Sorry, my darling, have you gotten enough to eat?"

Aspen babbled and giggled, her tiny hands reaching up to touch her mother's face, providing a rather clear answer.

A sudden click and a flash filled their vision, and Autumn and Aspen quickly turned to see James standing nearby, holding a camera.

"Can you two stop being so damn endearing? I feel like I might die from the cuteness overload!" James exclaimed, walking over to his wife and daughter. He planted a kiss on both their heads, chuckling affectionately.

Autumn, still somewhat unable to shake off the disturbing scene from her mind, tried to bring up the subject, but the warmth of holding Aspen in her arms and watching James make faces at their daughter seemed to drown out her concerns. She shook off her thoughts and remembered Raven's warning about being cautious. They had all promised not to talk about the identity of the one who led them down the path, but only focus on the reasons behind the mysterious events.

James looked back at Autumn, noticing her thoughtful expression. He gave her a small, reassuring smile before gently speaking, "You seem lost in thought, love. Is everything all right?"

James picked up on her silent message, understanding the hidden meaning behind her smile and the glance at Aspen. It was clear that she was unable to say more due to their daughter's presence.

He recognized that the matter revolved around the recent discoveries at the safe house—the book bursting into flames, the mysterious concealing curse, and the unknown identity behind it all.

James nodded subtly, acknowledging that he understood her unspoken message. He knew that they couldn't discuss the situation further in front of Aspen. He silently wondered if she had somehow seen something related to the mysterious person behind the concealing curse during her sleep.

"Later," he mouthed silently to Autumn, his eyes meeting hers in a knowing glance. They would have to continue their conversation when they were alone, away from the ears of their curious daughter.

For now, James tried to shift the subject and bring some lightness to the moment. He turned his attention back to Aspen, making another funny face and tickling her gently, which prompted giggles from the baby.

Autumn, trying to stay focused, played along and smiled at the sight of her husband making faces and tickling their daughter, eliciting laughter from Aspen. She knew that their conversation would have to wait for a later time without their daughter present.

The room was filled with the joyous sounds of Aspen's giggles as James continued to entertain their daughter. Autumn, although distracted by her previous thoughts, appreciated the lighthearted moments with her family. She smiled back at James, knowing that their conversation on the significant matters would have to wait.

James picked up Aspen and lifted her in the air, causing her giggles to grow even louder. He then brought her back down and pretended to eat her tiny hands. Autumn couldn't help but laugh along, feeling a mix of emotions as she silently wondered what the future held and the implications of their recent discoveries.

After hours of enjoying their time with Aspen, James and Autumn realized it was time for their daughter to sleep and rest for her nap. Carefully, they placed her in her crib and watched as her tiny eyelids began to flutter and her mouth opened in a yawn.

With a smile, James and Autumn quietly slipped out of the room, leaving Aspen to nap peacefully. Closing the door gently, they stood in the hallway, knowing that finally, they would have some privacy to talk.

Now alone in the hallway, James glanced at Autumn, their eyes meeting in a knowing look. Finally, they had a moment to discuss the topic that had been weighing on their minds all day.

"It's been some time since I had those dreams," Autumn began, James now listening intently. "But...it was different this time."

James leaned against the wall, his interest piqued. "In what way?" he asked.

Autumn sighed as she spoke, "It wasn't like seeing the future or an alternate reality this time. It was as if I was someone else, someone from the past."

James paused for a moment, mulling over her words. "Okay. Who was it?"

Autumn hesitated, biting her lip before responding, "I was seeing through the perspective of the ones......we can't talk about." She struggled to find the right words, but James understood her meaning perfectly. He reached out and gently grabbed her hand, trying to calm her, trying to comfort her as she continued to speak.

"I was seeing from their point of view, and it wasn't just a glance or a mere second," Autumn continued, her voice trembling. "I saw...everything they were doing...as if I was in their body."

James squeezed her hand, encouraging her to go on, his expression intense.

"I was watching through their eyes, experiencing what they were doing in real-time," Autumn continued, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and fear. "It was like being in their skin, like their thoughts were my own."

James listened in silence, his eyes fixed upon her face as he absorbed her words. He could see the fear in her eyes, the confusion, the questions swirling in her mind. He squeezed her hand again, silently reassuring her that he was there, that he was listening.

James studied her closely, observant of the subtle cues in her behaviour. "Love," he began, his voice gentle but firm. "There's something else, isn't there? I can tell."

Autumn sighed, acknowledging that she was indeed quite obvious in her concern. "Am I really that obvious?" she replied, her voice soft.

James moved his hand to caress her cheek, his touch tender. "Of course I do," he responded. "So...what is it? What have you decided?"

Autumn took a deep breath, her frown deepening as she considered her next words. "We have to go back to the Order," she finally said, her voice firm but tinged with unease. "We have no choice."

James's expression changed slightly, his eyebrows furrowing as if weighing the implications of her words. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and uncertainty.

James and Autumn had always known that they would eventually return to the Order, but actually having Aspen had delayed their return. It was a decision they had made when they chose not to go into hiding.

James spoke again, his voice heavy with the weight of the decision they were facing. "We won't be able to see Aspen for a while. Are you okay with that?"

Autumn shook her head, her eyes filled with pain. "I will never be okay with it," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you see how much has been going on..."

James nodded in empathy, knowing how difficult it would be for her to be apart from their child. He also understood the situation that had unfolded within the Order just weeks ago.

"Fenwick," James spoke solemnly, referring to the Order member who had lost his life to the horrific Blasting Curse. "No one deserves to die like that."

The Order had been shaken to its core as the news of Benjy Fenwick's death reached them. The details of his death had left them all in a state of shock and profound disgust towards the Death Eaters responsible. The fact that his remains could not even be fully recovered had only added to the horror of it all.

"To think they had reduced him to pieces," Autumn said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How can people be so heartless and cruel?"

James's expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he remembered the details of Fenwick's tragic death. "Death Eaters are beyond comprehension," he said, his tone filled with bitterness. "They're the embodiment of evil."

Autumn could feel the anger and sadness in James's voice. She shared his frustration and grief over the brutality of the Death Eaters' actions.

"It is unfathomable how someone can be capable of such cruelty," Autumn said, her voice trembling slightly.

James took a deep breath, attempting to calm his emotions. "We need to focus on bringing them to justice," he said, determination filling his words.

James and Autumn stood there in silence, their eyes meeting, both sharing a silent understanding of the choice they were making. They knew that by returning to the Order, they were taking a risk that could potentially lead to Aspen being orphaned. However, they both agreed that it was a lesser evil compared to the possibility of their daughter being hurt.

They couldn't shake the feeling of how precious little time they had left with Aspen, considering the danger that loomed before them. James sighed and pulled Autumn closer to him, holding her tight as if he was attempting to protect her or himself. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before he spoke again.

"We will come back to her, I promise" he whispered trying to convince himself.

Autumn wrapped her arms around James, seeking comfort in his embrace. The words he spoke were as much for her as they were for him. With a heavy heart, she leaned her head against his chest, finding strength in his presence.

"We will be back," James repeated himself, holding Autumn even tighter. The words were spoken again, almost as if he was trying to convince both himself and her. He stroked her hair tenderly and inhaled the scent of her, imprinting the memory of her in his mind. The thought that this might be the last time they held each other like this was devastating.

Autumn closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. The fear and uncertainty of the future hung heavily in the air. She could feel James's heart racing, mirroring her own anxiety. This moment felt like both a promise and a painful goodbye.

James gently lifted Autumn's chin, so that she could look at him. His eyes were filled with a mix of determination and sorrow.

"Listen to me," he said, his voice firm but affectionate. "We will survive this and come back to her. I will do everything in my power to make sure that we do."

Autumn added, "Both of us, James, not just one of us. Promise me."

James looked deep into Autumn's eyes, understanding the weight of her words. He knew she needed reassurance that they would both come back alive.

"I promise, love," he said, his voice steady and firm. "Both of us, I promise."

Autumn looked intently at James, searching his gaze for any sign of hesitation. His promise was sincere, she could see it in his eyes.

"You better not break your promise," she said, her tone a mixture of firmness and vulnerability.

James's voice was firm as he spoke, his eyes staring directly into hers, making sure that his message was clear. "No self-sacrifice from either of us," he repeated. "Promise me that you won't do anything reckless, that you won't put yourself in unnecessary danger."

Autumn took a deep breath, the weight of their promise hanging heavily in the air. She could see the worry in James's eyes, the fear that she might try to be a hero, and it touched her deeply.

"I promise," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "I won't do anything reckless or put myself in unnecessary danger."

James's shoulders relaxed a fraction, some of the tension leaving his body. He knew that she would do her best to keep her word, but he also knew how strong her protective instinct was, especially when it came to Aspen.

A few days passed, and James and Autumn found themselves sitting on a sofa in Autumn's childhood home. Her parents shared a look between them as they all took in the heavy mood of the room.

This was always the plan, they all knew, if James and Autumn were to return to the Order, Aspen would stay with them. It was a decision that had been discussed before, but now that the time had come, the reality of it all settled heavily upon everyone.

Aurelia spoke up, breaking the silence. "We understand the decision you both have made, and we respect it." Her tone was serious, but there was an understanding in her voice.

August nodded in agreement, adding, "We will make sure Aspen is well taken care of. You have nothing to worry about."

James and Autumn exchanged looks, their eyes reflecting a mix of relief and sadness. The realization that they were going to be apart from Aspen was difficult to accept, even if they knew it was necessary for her safety.

"Thank you," James said quietly, his voice tinged with gratitude. "We know she will be in good hands with you both."

Aurelia smiled faintly, her eyes flickering to Autumn, trying to gauge her daughter's emotions. Autumn's expression was stoic, but there was a deep ache within her as she thought about leaving her daughter behind.

August spoke again, his voice gentle but firm, "We will protect her with our lives, you have our word."

James nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He knew he could trust Autumn's parents to keep their granddaughter safe. But the thought of being away from Aspen for an unknown period of time was a bittersweet pill to swallow.

"We know you will," James managed to say, his voice betraying a fraction of his heartache.

Autumn remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor, her hands clenched into fists.

The room fell into another lull of silence, the air filled with a mix of heavy anticipation and resignation. Everyone present was aware of the sacrifice Autumn and James were making by leaving Aspen behind.

Aurelia gently placed her hand on Autumn's knee, a small gesture meant to offer comfort. Autumn looked up, meeting her mother's gaze before nodding slightly, appreciating the small sign of affection.

The room was quiet again, the silence only broken by the occasional ticking of the clock. Both James and Autumn found themselves lost in their thoughts, silently praying for the safety of Aspen and hoping everything would work out in the end.

Finally, August spoke up again, his voice filled with a mix of understanding and determination. "You should get going," he said, his eyes flickering toward the front door.

Autumn, meanwhile, gave her mother a long hug, embracing her tightly. Aurelia returned the hug fiercely, her arms wrapped tightly around her daughter's back. Autumn's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly blinked them away, her determination pushing the emotions aside for now.

With a final nod to Autumn's father, James and Autumn headed toward the front door, the weight of their decision weighing heavily on their shoulders. As they crossed the threshold, they both looked back one last time, their eyes meeting those of Autumn's parents.

Autumn's parents watched quietly as James and Autumn disappeared out of sight, their hearts heavy with worry and hope. The door closed with a resounding click, and the silence in the house was deafening for a few moments.

The grim part of this was that Aurelia and August only knew that they were going into a war in the wizarding world—neither have ever been made aware of just how bad it truly was for their safety.

Once James and Autumn had departed from the house, they stood outside for a moment, taking in one final glance at the place that held so many memories for Autumn, but also for James, even if it was nowhere near as long as hers. The air felt heavy with the weight of the situation.

James turned to Autumn, his expression solemn. "Ready?" he asked softly.

Autumn took a deep breath, steadying herself. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a nod, James offered his arm for Autumn to take. She clutched onto him tightly, feeling his strength helping to steady her nerves. Once they were both prepared, James raised his wand toward the house, muttering the incantation for the Fidelius Charm.

The house shimmered and disappeared in a ripple of magic, hidden away from the eyes of the outside world. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that the house and the family inside it would now be a closely guarded secret, hidden under the protective shield of the Fidelius Charm.

James and Autumn watched as the house faded from view, replaced only by the vacant stretch of field in the distance. The Charm had done its job, and even a whisper of its location would only be met with confusion and uncertainty.

James's hand came to rest on top of Autumn's which was intertwined with his. He gave it a reassuring squeeze, silently expressing his support and understanding.

...

Prior to the situation unfolding, Dumbledore had brought up the idea of having one of their friends become a Secret Keeper. He claimed it would be advantageous, but Autumn was vehemently against the idea. Her gut feeling was strong on this one, and she thought the Headmaster had momentarily lost his mind.

"James and I are more than enough to be the Secret Keepers," she had insisted. "The less people who know, the better. We will be fine."

James, who had been listening intently to the conversation, silently agreed with Autumn's stance. The thought of sharing such sensitive information with anyone else made him uncomfortable, and he trusted Autumn's gut feeling.

"Autumn's right," he chimed in. "We can handle it. We don't need to put anyone else at risk."

"You both know that if you perish, the place would be unconcealed, since you casted the charm." Dumbledore stated.

"He won't die." Autumn narrowed her eyes dangerously

James's voice was filled with confidence as he responded to Dumbledore's warning and held Autumn to calm her. "Come on, Dumbledore," he said, a touch of amusement in his voice. "Autumn and I are strong. We won't die that easily. We will make it out of this war alive."

Autumn nodded in agreement, her unwavering determination evident in her eyes. "James is right," she said. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep the secret safe, and ourselves alive."

Dumbledore looked at them both, his eyes scrutinizing their expressions. It was clear that their minds were set. Trying to change their decision would only lead to a stubborn battle, and he knew that neither of them would back down.

"Very well," he finally said, a resigned tone in his voice. "I trust your judgement on this matter. Just be cautious, and stay safe."

James gave Dumbledore a firm nod, and Autumn managed a small smile in response. They both knew that Dumbledore was only looking out for their safety, but they were resolute in their decision to keep the secret to themselves.

With a final nod, Dumbledore began to walk away, leaving James and Autumn alone with each other and their thoughts.

An: this was always the plan, i know James and Lily had longer with Harry, but Autumn would never be able to sit out of the fight, and obviously since she won't there is no way James will let her do it alone.