ALWAYS

THE ORDER

"Oh my god! They were so in love. The wedding was amazing" said Marlene clasping her hands together. "Yes, it was" said Sirius looking at a very happy and jubilant Marlene. They had just finished cleaning up the garden where the wedding took place and had said goodbye to the last of their guests. Sirius smiled at the sight of a very energetic Marlene humming the tune to a song and swaying from side to side. He slowly crept up behind her and with a swift yet gentle movement of his hand he spun her around by her waist. She gave a surprised smile, and flung her arms around his neck. Sirius looked into Marlene's eyes, and slowly moved away a strand of hair on her face. "I owe you a dance" whispered Sirius and with a flick of his wand, romantic and slow music spread through the air and the couple swayed from side to side, spun around, twirled in delight and danced to their hearts content under the stars. 

James woke up to Dorea's huge racket down the hall. She was mumbling about Dumbledore and his plans. He slowly opened his eyes, to see Lily, eyes closed, her hair sprawled across the pillow and her face serene. A smile spread across his face as he saw his girl - No, his wife, and with that realisation his smile grew wider. He lay on the bed for the next fifteen minutes taking in the view in front of him, and then decided it was time to wake Lily up. "Good morning" he whispered in her ear, as he tucked away a few strands of hair behind her ear. She stirred in her sleep before opening her eyes. The sight in front of her was picture worthy, James with a goofy expression on his face. "Hi, wife" he said, as he leaned in to kiss her. "Good morning to you too, husband" she said smiling. But their moment was short lived - they heard Dorea scold Charlus and that was it. They made a dash for the washroom and withing ten minutes they were dressed and ready to go. They walked to the kitchen hand in hand, to find Charlus, Dorea, Sirius and Marlene already sitting around the table. "Finally" exasperated Sirius and Marlene gave Lily and James an apologetic yet amused look. After everyone was calm again, Dorea explained to them about where they would be going and for what reason, though she couldn't disclose a lot of information.. 

Ten minutes later Sirius was helping Lily stand up - she and James covered in soot had just tumbled into some unfamiliar house using a portkey just after Sirius, Marlene, Dorea and Charlus. Dusting off the last of the soot on their clothes they walked in to a cozy looking house, the kind of house where you would immediately feel at home, where you would feel safe. They walked in to find Dumbledore, McGonagall, The McKinnons, Alice, Frank and a number of other people who were already seated. They walked in and occupied the last of the empty seats. Dumbledore cleared his throat and looked at McGonagall, who gave him an assuring nod, and he started. 

"Dear friends, as all of you know, Voldemort- yes Voldemort, I said his name" he said looking at the few people who had flinched at his name.

 "And yes you can say the name too, the name is nothing but the attempts of a boy with disturbing childhood to gain attention and seek voyeuristic pleasures. Coming back, Voldemort is gaining more and more power and his vengeance and hate of muggleborns continues to increase every second. The impending war needs to be averted, and I cannot do it alone. So today I stand here asking everyone of you to help me take Voldemort down for good, to help me make the world a better and safer place for not only your children but for everyone's. I beseech you to stand alongside me and fight he who calls himself the dark lord and win this fight. Because I know we are not going to back down, and every blow we receive will be answered with an even harder blow, and like a phoenix from it's ashes we too shall rise again and again, to kill Voldemort."

Dumbledore's speech was so powerful that no one dared to breathe for a full minute until Charlus spoke on behalf of the others. " I think I speak for everyone when I say that we stand with you Dumbledore". Dumbledore smiled at Charlus and looked at everyone in the room who nodded in agreement. And then without wasting any more time, they decided to call themselves, The Order of the Phoenix, as suggested by Alice and agreed upon by the rest of the members. Then they formulated a plan - a plan that largely involved patrolling the city at night and foiling the plans of the deatheaters one by one and saving the innocents caught in the crossfire. And they would do everything in shifts. 

After hours of pondering over various plans, discussing and talking they finally dispersed. Sirius and Marlene decided to go out and get dinner. Charlus and Dorea stayed behind with McGonagall and Dumbledore to follow up on some on going investigation. So Lily and James portkeyed back to Potter Manor without the rest. 

"So, this order is pretty serious isn't it?" asked Lily as they walked inside to their house. "Yep. I mean if my mum, dad and Dumbledore are part of it it should be. Moreover it's against Voldemort so I'm more than happy to help." he replied dutifully. "Me too" agreed Lily and a comfortable silence set in between them as James made breakfast and Lily went up to change. Ten minutes later he was done cooking and called out to Lily. "Lils" he shouted loud enough so that she could hear. "Lils" he called again, and again. But no reply. It was as if she wasn't there. And with a knowing and consuming fear growing inside him he ran upstairs, his feet thudding against the floor and his heart racing. He dashed through the door making a huge racket and halted abruptly. He stared at the sight in front of him, and couldn't help but .......... smile. There she was, his wife, lying down, her eyes closed and curled up into a ball and she didn't even change. James shook his head, but Lily stirred and groaned in her sleep, "Babe, what is it?" she asked, still asleep and her voice sleepy and tired. He climbed into bed, as he spooned her in, and gave her a kiss on the cheek as he pulled the blanket over both of them. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing" he whispered and he lay there with her, letting down his guard and reliving every single happiest moment in his life. 

James only left Lily when he heard Charlus and Dorea come in. He greeted them and told them that he made dinner. They all sat around the table and talked and laughed like old times. Ten minutes later Lily joined them. She walked in to the Potters happy and lively. She walked around the room giving both Charlus and Dorea a hug and finally went to James. He pulled her into a hug and gave her a kiss. Lily too took  seat at the table and they talked and talked until Merlin knew when. They popped a bottle of champagne, brought out the expensive glasses, turned on the music and it turned into a night none of them would forget. 

At around three James and Charlus decided that their respective wives had had enough to drink and it was time for them to go to bed. "Yes, darling I know, I know, I'm not allowed to go into the field without you by my side" said Charlus for the hundredth time to a very drunk Dorea as he struggled to push her away from the champagne and towards their bedroom. Charlus turned back to find James struggling with Lily who didnt want to be taken away from the drinks. And before he knew it James was done with Lily and her antiques and swept her off her feet, carrying her towards the bedroom. Charlus smiled as he saw James, "Looks like we got ourselves great wives huh" he chuckled. "That we did" agreed James and they went their separate bedrooms. 

"There you go babe" said James as he plopped her down and tucked her in. He was about to turn around and go and get more blankets. But Lily pulled him down, her arms wrapped around his neck, and James smiled at her. "I love you James Henry Potter" whispered Lily. "I love you too Lils" he replied as he climbed in beside her. Lily nestled closer to James as she rested her head on his chest and James held her close. And together they whispered to each other, "Always".