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Albus Dumbledore knew power when he saw it.

He had been trying to get those with the most power on his side before everything went to shit, and now he realised, maybe he had taken time for granted.

Because everything was slowly going to shit, and Dumbledore needed all the people with him, and fast. But with how uncooperative Aquila Black was being, he might be in more trouble.

He had considered slipping James Potter hints about telling his girlfriend to join, but James could pretend to be very daft in order to give his girlfriend a choice.

A black owl, or rather, a Black owl tapped on his window, carrying a letter with the Alchemic Academy's seal on it. Dumbledore sighed, sure it was another letter with Aquila Black passive aggressively, or even outright insulting him for sending people to convince the twins to join.

- - -

James was late.

Which was terrible timing considering Dumbledore said he had new information, some new mission for some members.

And it was also terrible, because the Headquarters were very small, and the amount of members were really large, and James really didn't want to stand in the back after six hours of Quidditch practice.

Entering the door after murmuring the password, he was met with the backyard of the small house they conducted their meetings in. It had a large hall, but not large enough for the many people assembled. He was met with various cheers of hello's and even some giggles from a group of recently graduated girls from Hogwarts. He glanced around the room, looking for familiar faces in the crowd.

"James!" a voice called out. He looked over from where it had come, only to find one of the girls waving him over as the other girls blushed and made teasing remarks. Thankfully, Sirius let out a loud whistle to get his attention and winked at the girls, who grew even more red if possible and faced their own group.

"Keep your eyes for your girlfriend, mate," Sirius said wryly as James joined him, squeezing beside him.

James grinned. "Telling me to eye your sister? Noted."

Sirius whacked him on the head as Dumbledore entered. Everyone fell silent, putting their attention on the Headmaster and the people who flanked him. Alastor Moody, Head Auror. Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Auror Training. Professor McGonagall.

There was a chair at the head of the room, identical to the Headmaster's chair. Dumbledore sat down in it and greeted everyone with a pleasant smile. "We have some more inside information about the whereabouts and activities. You all shall be organised into groups of six and be handed out your tasks for this week."

Before he could continue, a loud croak of a bird from outside cracked through his speech. Another one joined. The people in the room waited in silence, waiting for some more.

"It's an omen," a voice murmured shakily from behind. James looked around to see who had spoken, squinting about. The crowd was already turning around and whispering among itself, with even the heads at the table speaking in hushed tones. Technically, birds couldn't fly here unless they were owls who belonged to somebody. So for two ravens to come out of nowhere and start screaming, well, it wasn't a good thing.

Dumbledore realised the tense atmosphere of the room and smiled. "Nature's beauty," he said amusedly. "Minerva is standing at the door, with the group organisation. When you leave, be sure to take your group's assignment from her," Dumbledore said, a clear dismissal.

James and the rest of the Marauders stood up with frowns on their faces. Clearly, the ravens' call had unnerved Dumbledore. He was never one to dismiss the Order meeting so early. They stood up in a group, hanging back till the crowd dissolved from the door. The full moon was near and Remus had a tendency to lash out at anyone and everyone during this time.

As Peter was speaking to Sirius in hushed tones, Remus leaned his head against James' shoulder. Which was a miracle in itself, considering James was bony to the point where it hurt.

Lily Evans and her friend, Marlene McKinnon approached the group. Lily was already flushed, embarrassed about the encounter between herself and James some while back. "Hey, guys, you're with us for the mission," she said, looking only at Remus. Marlene was staring off somewhere else, her hands in the pocket of her bright orange trousers which she somehow managed to pull off.

Remus smiled. "Great. What's our mission?" he asked, his smile turning strained.

Lily shrugged. "Professor McGonagall said that missions were going to be delivered by owl post. Oh, and she's calling you outside," she said, peering over at Sirius and Peter. Peter waved at Lily in response, while Sirius squinted his eyes as his hair fell in his face. Lily simply shook her head before turning back to Remus. "Well, goodbye, then. I'll let you know if I get our mission," she said, pausing for acknowledgement.

Remus sighed. "We'll let you know, too."

She gave him a nod and grabbed Marlene's robe to turn her around. Marlene threw up a haphazard wave, wiggling her fingers in the air as Lily pulled her along.

"Why'd you reckon McGonagall wants to see us outside?" Sirius asked, looking up from whatever he and Peter were doing.

A throat cleared. "Perhaps if you did me the favour of meeting me, I would have told you. Now, out with me," Professor McGonagall said sternly.

Sirius swung an arm around McGonagall's shoulder. She glared at him, and he withdrew it sheepishly, but kept in stride with her. "And what about you, Minnie? How is life?" Sirius asked, pushing his hands into his pockets as he walked.

"I have less headaches now that you boys have graduated," she replied curtly.

James jogged up to them. "Aw, is that emotion I hear in Minnie's voice, Siri?" he asked, pouting.

"Absolutely, James! Professor McGonagall is sad to see us go!" Sirius said, mock-wailing.

"Not just Professor McGonagall, Mr. Black, but rather all of us," Dumbledore said as the group approached him and Moody, standing outside in the garden. Everyone greeted him pleasantly as McGonagall went to his side.

"Now, Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Lupin, you'll notice that you have been grouped with Miss Evans and Miss McKinnon. However, since the four of you function very well as a unit, the four of you shall also work independently on the more, ah, delicate missions. Is that any problem?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly. The four of them looked at each other, silently communicating that came with years of friendship and escaping near-disaster situations.

"No problem at all, Professor," James concluded for all four of them, just as another raven squaked above. It was the same raven which had driven the meeting to be finished early.

Dumbledore clapped his hands as a smile graced his features. "Wonderful. Now, I'd like for you to meet the sources of my information directly so that you have the exact information," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, letting the boys know this was more than just an information-knowing meeting.

Suddenly, Dumbledore let out a loud whistle, and James could do nothing but watch as the two ravens from the sky dived towards Dumbledore at an alarming speed, but. . .changed their form mid-way.

"Told you before, there's no need to whistle at us," said Regulus Black, landing on the ground as his wings disappeared, wiping a feather from his all-black attire.

"Hello, Marauders," Aquila Black, twin to her brother, not just in face, but in her Animagus form as well, grinned at the four boys. 

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omg i have been wanting to write this chapter since i began this book

SURPRISE!!!

i always imagined reg and aq to kind of have a hugin munin thing?  

but omg im so excited for y'all's reactions, leave a comment and let me know!