Ardent Adversaries

Chapter 18: The Order

The shouting and screaming starts and I cringe and move slightly behind Fred. The people at the table stand up angrily. Everyone is yelling at him and he throws his hands up in surrender.

"What?!" Fred asks. "Why is everyone bloody yelling!"

"We're yelling because you're a complete idiot, Weasley!" Moody shouts. "She lives with the Malfoy's, how do you know this isn't a plot to get information to the You-Know-Who?"

"Because I trust her!" Fred shouts back. "We're friends! She's not a Deatheater!"

"Fred," Lupin says calmly. "We understand that she's your friend but can't you see why we're worried?"

"She could be a spy!" Moody shouts again, his eye spinning rapidly in its socket. "We have to have constant vigilance!"

"Aye," Another man says. "How can we trust her when the only one vouching for her is a seventeen year old boy. She could have tricked him for all we know or Imperiused him!"

"Yeah!" A woman agrees. "This could all be a trap. Deatheaters could be storming the door as we speak!" The man who's name I couldn't quite place speaks up and I finally recognize him. Sirius Black. My father's brother. So I guess my uncle.

"Oh piss off you old coot," Sirius says. "Does she look like a bloody spy? The girl's hiding behind Fred for Merlin's sake. And Emmeline, I highly doubt she knows how to properly cast an Imperius charm." I scoff and everyone looks at me, the commotion quieting.

"I'm not a fucking spy, I'm not a Deatheater and I sure as hell am not a Malfoy," I say angrily, the rage I've been feeling since I learned who I was bursting out of me. "Names aren't everything. Do you think Sirius is a spy because he's a Black? No, you don't, so piss off. I don't believe in any of that Deatheater bullshit. I'm my own person, separate from the Malfoy's. They may have raised me, but I'm nothing like them."

"Ooh," Sirius says with a grin. "I like this one."

"But-," Moody starts to say, but I cut him off.

"No but's," I state. "I'm not a spy and I will keep repeating that until it gets through your thick skull. I hold no allegiance to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You can check my mind if you'd like. I'm sure one of you is a Legimens." I cross my arms in front of my chest defiantly and step out from behind Fred.

"Alright," Moody says gruffly, eyeing me suspiciously. "Check her head." He motions to Emmeline, who steps forward. That was a mistake. If they check my head, they'll see what Snape told me and I could be in danger. A robust, ginger witch steps forward and cuts me off from Emmeline.

"Let the girl breathe Moody," The woman says. "Emmeline, sit back down. She looks like she needs supper and a nice warm bed."

"Thanks Mum," Fred says.

"Oh, you are in trouble young man!" Mrs. Weasley rounds on him. "Bringing a person into the Order safehouse without asking! You know better Fredrick Gideon Weasley!"

"Mum, I did ask!" Fred complains. "Last week, before Dad got attacked! Her family said she couldn't come home for the holidays, so I asked if she could stay with us."

"And I said yes," Mrs. Weasley replies. "To her staying at the Burrow. You should've asked again." Fred sighs and hangs his head.

"Sorry Mum," Fred looks up at her. "She had nowhere to go and I couldn't leave her alone at school."

"Okay," I interrupt. "If you're done airing out my family problems to everyone here, I would really appreciate supper, Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh yes, dear," Mrs. Weasley says and I cringe at the term of endearment. Narcissa always calls me that. "Let's get some food in you. And please call me Molly." I smile at her and follow her into the kitchen. She loads a plate up with stew, carrots and potatoes before handing it back to me along with a glass of pumpkin juice.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," I say and she gives me a look. "Er, right, Molly."

"There, now go sit and eat," She pushes me back towards the table and I take a seat in between Fred and a woman with bubblegum pink hair.

"Wotcher," She says. "I'm Tonks." She offers me a bright smile and I watch in awe as her hair shifts from pink to purple.

"Woah," I say shocked. "I'm Olivia."

"Pretty cool right?" Tonks asks me. "I'm a Metamorphagus." She changes her nose into a pig snout and I burst into laughter, my tension easing. On the other side of her sits Hermione, Ron and Harry and they look at me hesitantly. I give them a small smile before digging into my plate of food. This tops Hogwarts cooking by far and I have to keep myself from moaning in delight.

"Sorry about all that," Fred says into my ear. "I didn't realize how hostile they'd be."

"Well," I say in between bites. "It's probably because you didn't tell them I was coming. And besides, I've endured detention with Umbridge, I could take on Moody in my sleep." Fred laughs and bumps my shoulder. I blush and return to my meal. Throughout dinner I notice glares aimed my way from the people around me, from everyone but Sirius and Lupin. Sirius just keeps staring at me and I shift a little in my seat, worried that he knows who I am. The glares continue throughout dinner and once I'm finished eating, I decide I've had enough.

"Okay," I say suddenly and everyone looks at me. "Let's just get this over with. Read my mind, see that I'm not a spy and then stop treating me like one. This is going to be a long holiday if you keep this up."

"Emmeline," Moody gestures at her. "You're up." Emmeline nods and approaches me. I occlude my mind and make sure my conversation with Snape and the subsequent revelation about my history are tucked away and shielded nice and tightly. Emmeline takes her wand out and points it at me.

"Legimens," She says and I feel her enter my mind. A minute later I feel her leave and I let out a sigh I didn't notice I was holding in.

"There," I say to Moody. "Happy now?"

"Did you find anything?" He asks her, ignoring me.

"No, sir, she's good," Emmeline says and glances at me before going back to her seat. I smile at Moody.

"Told you," I say smugly. Thankfully she didn't get to the memories I tucked away and I smile internally. Snape would be proud, or at least sort of proud, at my skills.

"Who wants dessert?" Molly asks, breaking the tension that's descended around the table. Everyone says yes and I'm figuring out quickly that no one can refuse Molly Weasley's cooking. Molly levitates a few puddings onto the table and everyone digs in. Conversation flows a little more easily now and I chat amicably with Tonks, Lupin and Fred. Soon, everyone finishes their food and the older folks start to leave. The only ones left are the Weasley family, Harry, Hermione, Sirius and me. I feel very out of place in this setting and all I want to do is go to bed.

"Molly?" I ask.

"Yes, Olivia?" She replies.

"Could I possibly be shown where I'll be sleeping?" I smile softly at her. "I've had quite a long day."

"Oh of course," She stands up and heads over to me, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Fred, why don't you show Olivia to her room. She'll be right across from you and George, it's the last room left."

"C'mon Olivia," He says standing up and I follow suit. He grabs my trunk.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, Molly," I say as I push my chair in. "Goodnight." I follow Fred to a large staircase and trail behind him as I go. He pushes open a door and puts my trunk at the foot of a large bed.

"There," He says. "All set. I'm across the hall if you need anything. Goodnight Liv."

"Night Freddie," I say and he quirks an eyebrow at me. "What? I can't call you Freddie but you can call me Liv. Fair is fair." I shrug and raise my eyebrows playfully. Fred blushes and scratches the back of his head nervously.

"See you tomorrow," He smiles at me and then shuts the door behind him. I sink onto my bed and fall right asleep fully clothed.