"you have me. until the very last star in the galaxy dies, you have me."
With a war on the rise, 8 friends must try to understand their importance in a world that is slowly crumbling around them. Darkness appears out of every place in their lives...
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"We'll find a way to make this mean something"
There were people milling about the small room, anxiously tapping their feet and chatting quietly. The Order of the Phoenix, or what was left of it, waited impatiently for the remaining members of their group to join them.
The hushed voices of the Order died quickly when they heard the motorcycle's engine in the driveway. When they heard the engine cut off, the light chatter began quietly again. The door opened, and Sirius Black came through the entryway in his signature leather jacket, hair shorter than the last time they had met, a relatively solemn expression on his face. Cleo trailed in right behind him, the helmet she had worn while seated on the back of her fiancé's bike dangling in her right hand.
"So sorry we're late," she expressed, and some familiar faces nodded and smiled in return. She took a look around the room and saw that neither Remus nor Peter was there. Cleo frowned.
"Cleo?" a woman's voice called behind her. She turned and saw Alice Longbottom, the host of their meeting. The Longbottom home was cozy and warm, as Cleo had expected it to be; Alice had always been the kindest soul she had ever met.
"Hello Alice," Cleo greeted, and Alice came forward and wrapped her thin arms around her quickly. They had never been close friends at school, but Alice never failed to greet Cleo like she was the oldest friend she had.
"It's so good to see you," Alice smiled. Her dark hair was cut short and rested gently on her forehead. She was wearing a pink sweater and light jeans, and Cleo could see the faint bags under her eyes. "I know things have been quite different, what with James and Lily went away now," she spoke softly. "Dumbledore told us we should think about leaving too, but Frank insisted we stay put."
"Are you worried your son might be a part of the prophecy?" Cleo inquired in a hushed voice, her face scrunching up as she asked. She hoped it wasn't too insensitive, but Alice was too nice to say anything if it was.
The brunette shook her head. "Our Neville's a good boy already," she smiled brightly, but her eyes flashed with something that Cleo recognized more and more these days: fear. "If we have to, we'll protect him, whatever the cost."
"We'll be beside you in an instant should you ever need us," Cleo nodded to Sirius across the room. Alice gripped Cleo's hand and squeezed, her voice failing her. Thankfully, Albus Dumbledore entered the living room, and Cleo gave Alice one more hug before turning to her seat across the room by Sirius.
"Ah good, Sirius, you're here," Dumbledore mumbled as Cleo sat down too. "Good to see you both, good to see all of you." He seemed a bit dazed, his eyes vacant and his voice sounding distant. Cleo met Sirius' gaze with a frown. Still, Dumbledore continued.
"I first want to begin by saying that while we are fewer in number, we are still strong. I know that we have suffered incredible losses, of those that we will grieve and remember," he paused. Cleo took a deep breath and felt Sirius' hand snake into her own. "While the dark has continued to creep in, we remain well lit. I would also like to reach out my deepest condolences to the Bones family, who are grieving the loss of their three daughters and son, who all died valiantly for the greater cause." Dumbledore stopped a moment, his head hanging softly. Everyone in the room watched as he breathed in reverence. Sirius squeezed Cleo's hand.
