May 14th, 1979

After the events of Friday and Saturday, I spent all day Sunday in Gryffindor Tower and on the quidditch pitch. N.E.W.T. 's are a month away, and I needed to study. We had a two hour practice in the afternoon, which was exhausting. Since the final match is only two weeks away, Jack has been pushing the team harder than usual.

When I walked into potions class with Emmeline on Monday morning, it felt like everyone's eyes were on me. Over the weekend, the "rumor" that Regulus and I had left the party spread like wildfire throughout the castle. This sparked a "rumor" that we're together and we have been since Christmas. They were close enough to the truth, but nobody needed to know that.

I didn't mind that much, but Regulus's mum would murder him if she ever found out that he was hanging around a blood traitor, he would get his shit rocked. Again.

So, I did what I had to do and denied, denied, denied.

It didn't matter, because people were still staring when I sat down next to him in class.

I had barely said hello to Regulus when Evan turned around with a smug look on his face.

"You two are a pair of fucking idiots," Evan teased. "This whole year I've watched you both be like 'no we can't', 'people would talk', blah blah blah. And now, all of the sudden the whole castle is talking about you both."

"Wait-, whole year?" Emmeline interjected.

I brushed her off, mouthing 'I'll tell you later'.

"Yes, the whole year, and I've had a front row seat for all of it," Evan answered.

"Huh, that's weird because I have no idea what you're talking about, Evan," Regulus said. "Do you, Meredith?"

I shook my head. "No clue, such a crazy rumor about us," I said sarcastically.

Evan rolled his eyes. "Idiots I tell you," He muttered to Emmeline.

Emmeline shrugged, "I kind of expected this actually."

Regulus raised an eyebrow.

"It just seemed like something would even happen, and it did," Emmeline explained. "It's hard to explain but it's actually not as surprising as other people think."

I leaned on my elbow, staring at Emmeline and Evan. "And what about you two then?"

"Great question, I've been wondering that too," Regulus added.

Emmeline's cheeks went slightly red, and she looked over at Evan. "We decided to just stay friends," She said.

"Huh, is that so?" Regulus asked, looking at Evan.

"Very much so," Evan answered.

Before I had a chance to pester them for any more information, Professor Slughorn walked into the classroom, the door closing with a bang.

"Happy Monday, class!" Slughorn chimed. "We've only got four weeks left so we're going to get right to it."

- - - - -

May 21st, 1979

The bell rang, and Transfiguration ended. Jack was waiting as I packed my things back into my bag. The classroom was clearing out pretty quickly. It was the last class of the day, and it was sunny and warm outside.

Professor McGonagall approached us and cleared her throat.

I slung my bag over my shoulder, and gave Jack a quick look before looking at Professor McGonagall.

"Miss McKinnon, Mister Trouche, Professor Dumbledore would like to see the both of you in his office," She explained.

"Now?" Jack asked, looking confused.

McGonagall nodded, "Yes, now."

"I don't understand-," I said, "Are we in trouble?"

"No, not at all. He'll explain everything to you both," Professor McGonagall said. "The password is lemon drops."

Jack glanced over at me. "Okay, thank you, Professor."

We both left the classroom and started towards Professor Dumbledore's office on the third floor. We walked in silence for a bit, but once the gargoyle came into view, Jack spoke.

"Do you have any idea what this is about?"

I shrugged, "Quidditch? I have no idea."

Jack stepped up towards the gargoyle. "Lemon drops."

The gargoyle twisted around to reveal a circular staircase leading up towards the actual office. Our shoes echoed on the stairs, and when we reached the door at the top, I knocked softly.

"Come in."

I opened the door, and Jack followed me into the office.

Dumbledore was standing by the phoenix's perch, watching the creature. He glanced over at us. "Ah, Miss McKinnon, Mister Trouche, I've been expecting you both."

"Uh-, hello, Professor," Jack said, standing awkwardly beside me.

Dumbledore smiled, gesturing at the two armchairs across from his desk. "Please sit," He offered.

I set my bag down and got comfortable in one of the overstuffed armchairs. I had no idea why either of us were here, and it was starting to make me extremely anxious.

"Did something happen, Professor?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing out of the normal," Dumbledore answered. "But I've been wanting to speak with the both of you for a while now."

I glanced over at Jack, who looked every bit as confused as I felt.

"Have either of you heard of the Order of the Phoenix?"

Oh.

Jack shook his head, "No, I haven't." He looked over at me. "Have you?"

"Yes, Marlene's a part of it," I answered. "I'm pretty sure that all of them are."

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, your sister is a member, Miss McKinnon. A lot of her friends, as well."

Dorcas. James. Lily. Sirius. Remus. Peter. Alice. Frank. Mary?

"It is a secret society that I have founded, Mister Trouche. A society whose goal is to take down Voldemort and his Death Eaters," Dumbledore explained.

Jack's face dropped, "Oh."

"We are the only sort of resistance against the evil, and we have been playing a big part in the war so far."

The evil.

I think of Regulus. How it was his only option, how his mother would have killed him if he refused anymore. And I think of how many more people might have been in the same position.

"So where do we fit into all of this?" Jack asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"I want both of you to join the Order. We need loyal, skilled witches and wizards. Like you, Mister Trouche, and you, Miss McKinnon."

I stared at Dumbledore.

I always figured that I'd join the Order, just like Marlene did. But now that the opportunity was being offered to me, I didn't know what to say.

"Isn't this dangerous?" Jack questioned, glancing over at me again.

I was being too quiet.

"War is dangerous," Dumbledore replied. "But you can either choose to take a stand, or sit back and watch."

Jack went quiet too. He was watching me, I could tell that. Waiting to see what I would say or do.

Maybe, I'll be able to stop the murder of innocent wizards because of their blood status. Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to get Regulus out. If I'm in the Order, they might give him more leeway once the war is over.

Maybe, we'll come out of this war and finally get to have the life that I want with him.

"So, will you join the Order and help take down Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "I'll join the Order."

I glanced over at Jack. He sat up straighter and looked Dumbledore in the eyes.

"I'll join the Order," Jack announced.

Dumbledore nodded, folding his hands on the desk in front of him.

"Good, I knew that you two would be able to step up," Dumbledore said. "You'll make good soldiers."

Soldiers.