The Matchmaker

Chapter Fifty Four: Missions

Chapter Fifty Four: Missions
"We don't know where we're going, but we know where we belong." That Picture
~

James Potter couldn't help but stare at the clock on the wall. He had offered up his home to the Order for their first meeting, so Remus had no excuse. Remus knew very well how to get here from anywhere in the world, but something happened that night that hadn't happened before.

Remus Lupin was late.

Everyone seemed to be staring at the door for a few minutes because almost everyone in that room was familiar with Remus Lupin. There were a few that weren't- Elphias Dodge was an old friend of Dumbledore's, as well as Aberforth, but even he had exchanged pleasantries with Remus in the past. Arabella Figg was a squib that Lily had spent the last few minutes chatting with. Dedalus Diggle graduated a few years after Charlus, Dorea and Lyall, all of whom were there as well. Edgar Bones was exchanging pleasantries with Hagrid, Mundungus Fletcher and Alister Moody were talking in hushed tones in the corner of the room, and the Prewett twins, who had graduated just a few years before were joking with Sirius and Peter.

Marlene was chatting with Dorcas Meadows and Emmeline Vance, and Peter was chatting with Frank and Alice Longbottom. A very pregnant Emma was sitting with her feet up next to Regulus and Anna, and looked like she would rather be giving birth than sitting in this meeting (though that was probably due to the back pain).

When Remus Lupin finally walked in, he was on the receiving end of many thrilled looks- especially from his friends and parents. Tonight was, after all, the first night that he had left the safety of a barricaded room to visit others on a full moon.

"Now that we're all here," Dumbledore's voice echoed through the room, "let's begin."

"Where were you?" James asked in a hushed whisper. Remus gave him a starry smile.

"I was stargazing with Holly."

Despite James' discomfort at having to share his sister with Remus when they first met, he had to admit that he liked them together. They both seemed to relax around each other, and James couldn't help but be thrilled that his sister was dating someone as amazing as Remus, and Remus was able to find that love connection that he'd been craving for years.

Remus definitely brought out the best in Holly, and he would need someone when this war was over.

"We need to get ahead of his recruitment," Moody was saying, causing both boys to pay attention.

"We know that he's going after all sorts of different supernatural creatures. Hagrid, we need you to go after the giants. Out of everyone, they'll trust you the most."

Hagrid nodded.

"We also need to keep an eye on the minister of magic, as well as other pureblood maniacs. Black and Drake, I need you to keep an eye on Bellatrix LeStrange; Potters and Lupin, watch out for Lucius Malfoy; other Black and Potter, we need you to watch out for-"

The list continued on as many people that Sirius, Emma, and Regulus grew up with were added to a watchlist. It shouldn't have surprised them, but they couldn't help but mourn for the childhood they knew before the darkness invaded their homes.

The group was quiet when they came back home, trudging straight upstairs into bed. They had been excited about the prospect of helping people and saving lives, but the realness of everything seemed to hit in that moment, and the idea that their loved ones could all die seemed to dawn on them.