Romeo and Juliet (Book 2)

Chapter 1 - Reunions And New Unions

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Date of Series Publication:
JULY 2013

Date of Book 2 Publication:
JANUARY 2015

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The world is not thy friend nor the world's law.

-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

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CHAPTER 1 - Reunions And New Unions

~ R ~

Summer was evident at a muggle infested area just along the outskirts of Diagon Alley, which was hidden by Charing Cross Road, where hundreds of ordinary people pass by everyday, oblivious of the magical dwelling situated somewhere in between the high street.

Accessibility was not the main reason why Remus Lupin chose to temporarily settle in a room in the Leaky Cauldron; it was simply because it was practical to have an abode where he could take a five-minute walk to work instead of regular apparition, which he found to be quite draining. However, he did not last long in the position and just spent his last day as a cleaner in Trackleshanks Locksmith, a keyshop at the end of the infamously shifty Knockturn Alley.

Renee Capulet spent her first week of summer break with Remus, doing nothing but reading whenever he was not around. She tried to convince him to let her go out and seek for a job of some sort but he refused, not wanting her to end up in a shady occupation with questionable employers. He told her that she might as well wait for the end of her last year at Hogwarts, when she could finally become an apprentice at St. Mungo's. Assuming that this would be her last summer as a laid-back student on vacation, she conceded, deciding that it would be worth spending with the people she loved.

The people I love...

"Remmy, why did you resign from your job?" Renee asked, absentmindedly wiping her sweat with a towel while rummaging through her trunk, looking for things she could dispose of. "God, it's absolutely sweltering."

"And I am positively exhausted," Remus sighed, flinging himself to the sofa. "I guess I should tell you now. I have a new one."

"Oh, really? Where?"

"You know how You-Know-Who has just returned, right?"

Renee raised an eyebrow. "Yes. What about him?"

"Well, that is exactly why we're moving to Grimmauld Place tonight. That is the new headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix."

"The what?"

Remus exhaled. "The Order of the Phoenix is a secret society headed by Dumbledore in opposition to You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. It was formed before the First Wizarding War. Now that there's likely to be a second one, we have reformed the group."

It was only a week ago when Renee witnessed the wrath of the Dark Lord. She was still unable to comprehend how everything started and how in Merlin's name he had managed to return even though she had seen his whole regeneration process. Knowing that a group such as the Order existed was beyond reassuring and even quite exciting for her; it was a relief to know that she was not alone. However, she did not tell anyone, with the exception of a certain Potions professor and a headmaster, about the new threat that may potentially cause huge problems for her.

"Do you know who the members are?" Renee asked.

"Absolutely. I was part of the first Order. Unfortunately, not many have lived to see this day because of the war. James, Lily, Sirius and I were among those who fought, but of course you know what happened to James and Lily. Pettigrew was part of the group until he betrayed us. We were backed up with a bunch of aurors; you know Mad-Eye, of course? The real one," Remus said.