August 6th, 1995

"I say it's time to take action," Sirius announced.

There was clattering from the hallway, only for us to be met with Moody, Shacklebolt, Tonks, Elphias Doge, and Emmeline walking into the kitchen. They joined us at the table with Sirius, Remus, Molly, Arthur, and Snape.

It was still weird to have Snape on our side.

"Shh! Keep your voices down," Molly instructed.

I glanced around the corner to see Harry standing in the hallway, looking confused but slightly relieved.

"... Stronger and stronger by the minute! We have to act now-" Sirius trailed off when he caught sight of Harry.

Molly stepped out of the kitchen. "Harry," She greeted.

"Missus Weasley!"

The kitchen door was swung closed, leaving our conversation to continue.

"Sirius, we need to think rationally about this, we have no plan whatsoever," Remus said.

Regulus sat up straighter in his chair. "Remus is right. Think about it, we have absolutely no knowledge about the current situation. It'd be like taking a knife to a gun fight."

"We have to make it known that we're back, and that we're going to fight back," Sirius continued.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to get rid of the headache I could feel coming on.

"Sirius, we don't have to do anything tonight," I muttered. "We don't have to do anything until after Harry's trial. That is our priority right now."

"Right, and he deserves to know what's going on," Sirius said.

Everyone in the room collectively groaned.

Molly frowned, "Sirius-"

"If it wasn't for Harry, we wouldn't even know Voldemort was back," Sirius argued. "He's not a child, Molly."

"He's not an adult either! He's not James, Sirius," Molly said.

That struck a nerve with Sirius, and it made Remus shift uncomfortably in his seat.

Sirius muttered, "He's not your son."

"He's as good as. Who else has he got?"

"He's got me," Sirius answered.

Snape said, "How touchingly paternal, Black. Perhaps Potter will grow up to be a felon, just like his godfather."

"You stay out of this, Snivelus."

"That was too far," Tonks whispered from her spot to my left.

"I don't care what you think you know-"

Sirius cut Snape off again. "I know better," He argued.

"Then why don't you just go tell him everything right now, Sirius?"

Remus slammed his hand on the table, getting everyone's attention. "Can we not do this tonight? We can figure this all out later, now is not the time."

"We have all the time," Snape countered. "Since he's hiding in his mother's house."

"Enough," I yelled, "Both of you! It's embarrassing, you are grown adults. Work your issues out on your own time."

Regulus placed his hand on my thigh reassuringly.

"Right, Meredith is right," Remus agreed. "Let's drop it for now. The meeting can be done for tonight."

"Someone go get the kids for dinner," Molly said.

- - - - -

After Snape, Emmeline, and Elphias left, the rest of us sat around the dinner table while Molly placed bowls and plates filled with food around.

There was a crack of apparition, followed by Molly yelling, and Fred and George entering the kitchen with smug looks on their faces.

Atlas and Elio followed close behind the twins, taking a seat on the right side of them.

Molly and Arthur stepped into the hallway to properly greet Harry, followed by Sirius and Remus. I stood slightly behind them, not wanting to intrude.

I love Harry and I would do anything to keep him safe, but I'm not his godparent. I don't want to intrude.

"Harry Potter," Sirius said.

Harry went into Sirius's extended arms. "Sirius!" He exclaimed.

I stood by Remus and watched as Sirius's previous anger disappeared.

"Alright, we don't want the food getting cold," Molly chimed, brushing past me to get into the kitchen.

We all found our seats at the table, and I saw between Regulus and Tonks, across from the boys.

"How does it feel to be in the same room as half of the Marauders?" I asked, scooping food onto my plate.

Fred and George's faces went slack, and they both just stared at me.

I glanced over at Regulus, who just shrugged.

"I'm sorry, did you not know that?" I questioned.

"No, of course we didn't know that," George said, his voice an octave higher than usual.

Fred nodded, "If I knew that I was sitting in the same room as royalty, I would've worn a tie."

"Oh, well you've got Padfoot and Moony right there," I whispered, looking down at Sirius and Remus, who were speaking with Harry.

Fred gulped.

"Who were the other two then?" George asked.

"Harry's dad, James, and then the fourth one was Peter Pettigrew," I said quietly.

"Peter? As in-"

I nodded, "Yes, but you didn't hear that from me."

I don't want to talk about Peter Pettigrew. He was a spy, he murdered my sister and my mother, he sold out James and Lily, and was responsible for countless deaths. Not to mention he framed Sirius and had him sent to Azkaban for twelve years. After believing that Sirius was the spy for twelve years, it was a bit of a shock when the truth came out. However, it was also extremely relieving. When Regulus and I spoke with Sirius after he escaped, I felt bad for ever believing that he would do that.

"I don't understand, what has the Ministry of Magic got against me?" Harry asked, his voice bringing me back to reality.

Moody nodded, "Show him. He'll find out soon enough."

The entire kitchen went silent, everyone's attention turning to Harry as Kingsley Shacklebolt handed him the latest edition of the Daily Prophet.

"He's been attacking Dumbledore as well," Sirius said. "Fudge is using all his power, including his influence at the Daily Prophet, to smear anyone who claims the Dark Lord has returned."

Regulus tensed beside me, and I intertwined our hands under the table. I glanced across the table at Atlas and Elio, who looked confused about the topic of conversation.

"Why?" Harry asked.

Remus frowned, "The Minister thinks Dumbledore's after his job."

"But that's insane," Harry said, "No one in their right mind could believe that Dumbledore-"

"Exactly the point. Fudge isn't in his right mind. It's been twisted and warped by fear," Remus answered. "Now, fear makes people do terrible things, Harry."

Peter Pettigrew.

"The last time Voldemort gained power, he almost destroyed everything we hold most dear," Remus added. "Now he has returned, and I'm afraid the Minister will do almost anything to avoid facing that terrifying truth."

With a glance over at my sons, it seems that they had fortunately become bored with the conversation and were now whispering to each other.

"We think Voldemort wants to build up his army again," Sirius explained. "Fourteen years ago, he had huge numbers at his command, and not just witches and wizards, but all manner of dark creatures."

I squeezed Regulus's hand tighter, trying to bring him some comfort.

While Regulus has come so far and done so much good since the age of seventeen, baring the Dark Mark is his biggest regret, and it's a very touchy subject.

"He's been recruiting heavily, and we've been attempting to do the same," Sirius continued. "But gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in."

Alastor Moody cleared his throat.

"We believe Voldemort may be after something."

"Sirius," I said sternly.

"Something he didn't have last time," Sirius added.

Harry stuttered, "You mean, like a weapon?"

Molly dropped her knife onto the cutting board, clattering against the plastic. "No. That's enough," She demanded. "He's just a boy! You say much more and you might as well induct him into the Order straightaway."

"Good, I want to join," Harry said. "If Voldemort's raising an army, then I want to fight."

Sirius clapped his hands together and smirked.

"That's enough," Regulus announced. "Can we just eat one meal in peace?"