Cast Aside

Aurors and Order Meetings

Chapter 26

His left index finger worried at a worn chip in the countertop as George stared off into nothingness, his thoughts running rampant. That afternoon, Remus Lupin had seen them in London. It wouldn't have been terribly interesting had he not also seen their spy.

The wind had picked up a few steps down the street and a vaguely familiar, anger-tinged scent cut through the crowd. As soon as their eyes met, George knew Remus would be a problem. He'd frowned at him, confused, his eyes flicking over Gideon and Fabian, glanced down the street in the opposite direction at Snape, before turning back to glare at him.

George had tugged Hermione around and began cutting through the crowd towards the werewolf but he'd immediately ducked into an alley and disapperated. They had tried to follow but couldn't, Fabian suggesting he'd likely apparated straight to some safehouse.

Damn. He wished they'd caught him. Who knew what he might have assumed. There was hardly any doubt and that he'd run straight to Dumbledore and that would surely—

The kettle erupted, screeching and startling him from his thoughts.

"Shite!"

Flicking his wand to turn off the heat, he gathered up and prepared the tea things, setting out an extra mug for their expected guest. With another moment's thought, he grabbed a pack of digestives and threw them on the tray as well. Prepared for the worst, George headed for the sitting room.

Fabian had sent a patronus to Kingsley as soon as they'd returned from the city. Thankfully he'd been able to come right away. They needed to talk to him before Dumbledore had a chance to spin whatever Remus would tell him. The idea of dodging zealous Order members as well as Death Eaters every time they went out did not appeal.

With an exhausted sigh, he shouldered open the door to the sitting room. Kingsley looked to have only just arrived, banishing soot from his purple robes and exchanging greetings with his uncles.

"I was surprised to get your message. What's happened?" He saw the tea and biscuits George offered and sighed in pleased relief. "Ah, thank you. Just a dash of sugar if you don't mind—thank you, it's been a bloody long day." Taking the mug, he smiled, grabbing two biscuits as well. "Dealing with your Death Eaters turned into something of a circus... actually..." He looked around the room. "Is that why I'm here? Had another run in since I've seen you?"

Gideon, adding what George considered far too much sugar to his tea, shook his head. "No, Kings. Reckon the next time we do it won't be nearly so easy. This—and please Kings, don't interrupt until we finish—is a bit more complicated."

Kingsley frowned but, already having decided to trust them, he nodded for them to get on with it. Hermione perched herself on the arm of the velvet sofa George had claimed and launched into it.

"We have a spy, a Death Eater." When Kingsley naturally tried to interject despite Gideon's warning, Hermione rushed on. "We trust him completely. No, I can't tell you why, and I hate keeping things from you. It feels like something Dumbledore would do, but that explanation is extremely sensitive." She tipped her head to the side and watched him pensively for a moment before deciding. "One might even say, time sensitive."

A brief flare of panic shot through George at her almost-admission that he tried to hide, first frowning at Hermione, then watching Kingsley for any sign of understanding. The other man's frown was deep and confused, her addition seeming to make no sense. But before she had time to go on, his confusion turned thoughtful. His gaze swept over both of them as though seeing them for the first time.