𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ twenty-five

MADDILYN SNAPE THREW DOWN the Daily Prophet in annoyance. All she was was reading was about the coup that Prince Alexei had successfully won. What about the fact that England was on the verge of war? Was that not newsworthy? 

She and Regulus Black had returned from their somewhat successful trip from Russia. Regulus had mad friends with Demetri Belsky, and they had agreed to keep in touch. Belsky was a powerful ally, Maddie knew, but something about the guy felt off.

Maddie was in the process of gathering her belongings for her return to Hogwarts. Just one more day of fake dating with Regulus, Maddie thought in relief, then Maddie could explain what she was allowed to tell the Marauders. 

She also had to find where Rabastian Lestrange was hiding Sapphire Selwyn, if the Son of House Lestrange would divulge her that information. It was long time for Maddie to find out what Sapphire knew about Persephone and Rayne Rosier's death, and what she knew about the Death Eaters. Maddie had given the heiress a year to mourn over deaths that weren't even her fault, Maddie couldn't wait anymore. She needed answers, and Sapphire Selwyn had at least some of them. 

Maddie also had to worry about inducting the new leaders of the Order, because they needed some guidance. And then Maddie had to get a report from Elodie Ollivander, get James Potter on a desperately needed recon mission, and Celestria Nightshade to pool together some resources the Rebellion needed. So yes, Maddie had a lot on her plate that she could only do so quickly, especially while she and Regulus were doing Operation Fake Dating to Find Crucifix or whatever Voldy called it, the Rebellion was under the eyes of Milla Parkinson and Lucius Malfoy, and she needed reports on the other Rebellion projects the two had been overseeing. 

Maddie groaned in annoyance. "I never get vacation," Maddie mumbled to herself. 

At that moment, Regulus entered the room. "Mads, Mother wants us to leave for King Cross in half an hour," Regulus informed the witch. 

Maddie nodded. "I'll be ready," Maddie said, the Black heir leaving the room. Maddie sighed, using her wand to levitate the trunk. "Here we go again," she exclaimed, turning off the light and leaving the room to face the last few months at Hogwarts. 

REMUS LUPIN KNEW THERE was something up when he saw James Potter and Regulus Black talking willingly, and not attempting to kill each other. James and Lily Evans had just ended the Prefects meeting, and Regulus had seemed to initiate the conversation. 

Remus couldn't hear them, even with his advanced hearing as a werewolf, but from what he observed, they seemed to be cautiously looking around, as if somebody would catch them. Then he saw them nod, and part their separate ways. 

James went to Lily, and Regulus left the Prefects apartment, and nobody seemed to notice anything amiss. 

Remus nearly jumped when Maddilyn Snape sat next to him. "Hey, Remus," Maddie greeted. 

"Maddie," Remus responded. 

"I don't know what to do, Remus, and you're one of the wisest people I know," Maddie said. "Have any advice?"

Remus didn't know what context Maddie was speaking about, but he could tell the Slytherin was exhausted and at wit's end. "Do what everyone does nowadays, fight until you can't, and rely on others to lend you their strength," Remus told the onyx haired girl. 

"Thanks, Remus, you're a good person," Maddie said, disappearing as abruptly as she had appeared. 

SIRIUS BLACK WASN'T EXPECTING to hear shouting in the Great Hall when he arrived there for breakfast. It was evident that someone was angry. When he entered, Maddilyn Snape was shouting angrily, wand raised, to Sirius's brother, Regulus Black.