𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ twenty-nine

"YOU ALL KNOW THE plan?" Auror Alastor Moody asked, his eyes looking around at the young adults. Among them stood Lily Evans, Maddilyn Snape, Sirius and Regulus Black, as well as the Prewett twins.

"You've told us numerous times, Moody," Maddie said, wand held tightly in her hand. "I think we know."

"Thanks to Black the younger, the Order has intel of Death Eaters planning to attack Hogsmeade today," Moody said. "Our job is to protect civillians, and only engage with the Death Eaters if necessary. Black the younger will be taking the Invisibility Cloak Potter so kindly loaned."

"Let's go," Maddie said, Disapparating from their sight.

Hogsmeade was eerily silent, as Maddie performed the Shield Charm, assisted by Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Hogsmeade had no doubt been evacuated.

"Why isn't Remus sent out on missions anymore," Sirius asked Lily quietly. Lily and Remus were an odd friendship, but they both respected and trusted each other. His fellow Marauder had seemed more withdrawn from the group as the days went on.

"Headmaster Dumbledore sent him to infiltrate the Greyback Packs," Lily replied, wand held steady. "It's a long term mission."

"Now that you think about it, why isn't James on any more missions?" Sirius inquired. His best friend wasn't the type to sit back, but like Remus, Sirius had scarcely seen Lily's fiancé.

Before Lily could answer, the two saw red sparks go up, before seeing a deathly skull go up in the air.

"Come on!" Lily shouted, dashing in the direction the sparks and the skull went up.

They were met with a battle scene. One where they were badly outnumbered. "Constant vigilance!" Moody screamed, as he battled. Several Death Eaters fell as phantom spells and curses were performed by Regulus, underneath the Invisibility Cloak.

Maddie, Gideon and Fabian proved to be a deadly trio, their backs facing each other as they formed a whirlwind of magic. Even with their talent, however, they were badly cornered.

Lily and Sirius wasted no time attacking the Death Eaters, when a terrible scream errupted. It came from Moody, as Sirius could see blood gushing out from where his eye should have been.

In that moment, Apparations, that sounded more like thunder, arrived on the scene.

"About time, Belsky," Maddie shouted, wasting no time to stun the distracted Death Eaters.

"Apologies, my lady. I had to sit through a stuffy meeting in the Council," Demetri Belsky responded dryly.

With the House of Belsky's help, the Death Eaters were quick to scatter, leaving a bloody aftermath, and a ruined Hogsmeade.

"Lils, bring Moody to the Order HQ for healing. Reg, you need to get out of here before you're discovered. Everyone, get as far away from here as you can," Maddie ordered.

Sirius made his way over to Maddie. Maddie was talking to Demetri and two women he didn't recognize.

"Oh, hello Sirius, you know Demetri, this is his sister, Yelena Belsky and their sister in law Anastasia Petrova-Belsky," Maddie introduced. "This is Sirius."

"Thank you for your House's assistance," Sirius said greatfully.

"Britian is in worse condition than we thought. How did your Ministry allow such corruption?" Yelena Belsky said in disgust.

"The Ministry is corrupt already," Maddie said, shrugging. "The Wizengamot is basically our government, and all of those seats are hereditary, passed down through bigot to bigot."