Incognito

✑ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓.𝟒

𝙷𝚘𝚐𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝙷𝚀
𝟾:𝟶𝟶 𝚊.𝚖 I

The plan was simple: visit every single sight Evelyn had visited as Ophelia in the past six months.
There were teams of people spread across this task; some dedicated to making a drawing board of all the places other spies remembered she'd been– since all Ophelia's mission files were gone, memories were all they had.
But most of the inner circle was dedicated to visiting these places.

That was why Lily and James stood outside with Marlene and Dorcas, bidding them goodbye as they set off for France. They were going back to the hotel they'd caught that Death Eater what felt like years ago.

Lily was watching James over Marlene's shoulder as they embraced. He was holding Dorcas as close as he possibly could, a look of obscene worry on his face.
Lily knew how difficult this was for everyone, but sending Marlene and Dorcas back to France must have felt like nothing else to James. The girls, especially Dorcas, were the closest thing he had to sisters and Lily knew exactly how she would feel if it were Petunia being assigned to danger.

She watched as James pulled back, holding onto either side of Dorcas' head and placing a rapid fire of what must have been ten kisses on her forehead.
"Don't do anything stupid or I'll change the password to the HQ gate. That's an order," he muttered into her dark, curly hair, "and keep your girlfriend in line."

Lily forced herself to look away, the moment felt too personal. Instead, she focused on Marlene.
"Same goes for you. And make sure Dorcas stays out of trouble."

Marlene nodded into Lily's shoulder, "I'll protect her with my life. For my sake and James'."

When they left in a blacked-out SUV, James subconsciously took his girlfriend's hand as they watched the girls disappear.
"This is getting harder by the second."

"But it's got to be done."

"I know. Anything for our baby."

●·○·●·○·●

𝙷𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚙𝚞𝚏𝚏 𝙼𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚎
𝟾:𝟸𝟹 𝚊.𝚖 I

Lily found Frank alone in the medical center, the back cupboard was designed especially to keep experimental medicines, and Frank spent more than enough time brewing the odd thing in the confines of this room.

"Frank?"

Abruptly Frank turned to face her, clearly, he hadn't heard her come in.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Me? I'm alright."

Lily gestured to the wildness of the room.
"Clearly."

"I'm just being selfish is all. I can't stop imagining what it would be like if it was Neville that went missing."

Lily sighed and gingerly wrapped her friend in a hug.
"Do you want to do more than just sit here and brew antidotes for every possible outcome?"

"I thought I was still sworn off active duty since I got shot?"

"I had a word with Molly. She reckons you've been fine for a week or so."

This made Frank pull back abruptly, "so I can help?"

"If you like."

His eyes lit up and he nodded aggressively, "what do you need?"

"We're short of a Hufflepuff on the mission to the Malfoys. You'll be with Moony and Wormtail."

"When do we leave?"

"Now."

A sincere look of service crossed Frank's face as he nodded.
"I'll stop by the armory on my way out," he said, already packing medicines into a bag.