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we're a shot in the darkest dark
☾
Celeste stood at the head of the table, overlooking the row of Phoenix members. She willed her hands to stop shaking. She was done with being afraid. She could not afford fear, especially since the deatheater ball was tonight.
"Lily, Marlene, and Oliva. You girls need to all arrive separately. Do not travel together. I'm thinking fifteen minute intervals. Remember to use the fake names. We'll leave separately as well. If anyone is caught, you will not give away the rest of us. Am I understood?"
If she was being honest, Celeste was mainly directing all the information at Olivia. Olivia was too new to the Order, and Celeste didn't trust her. At all.
"I'll send a patronus right before I arrive at the ball. Marlene, you'll arrive twenty minutes after. Lily, wait for fifteen. And Olivia, another fifteen. Is this okay?"
"This works out very well, Miss Malfoy," Dumbledore nodded. "Let's all disperse and leave the girls to the rest of their planning."
The room slowly emptied, except for the four girls and James, Remus, and Sirius. Sirius made a very visible effort to dart away from Olivia, moving to the opposite end of the room. Remus stifled a snort and winked at Celeste, ever the all-knower.
Celeste grinned back before sombering. "The ball begins tonight at six. I probably won't arrive until half past six, since Evan likes being dramatically late. But be ready before then. Now, what are you all wearing? Clear descriptions, please."
"Sorry," Olivia cut in. "But I don't understand why that's an important factor here. They're just dresses, Celeste. It's not that serious."
"Unfortunately, being over or underdressed has consequences so horrifying that you won't want to even consider it. And there's a matter of blending in and not drawing any attention," Celeste answered. "So, Lils, what have you got?"
"Dark green satin, very modest," Lily announced. "Marls has seen it and approved."
Marlene snorted. "Modest is a very generous choice of wording. It's got a slit and possibly a thigh holster."
James' eyes widened. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Erm.. Lily, don't you think that's a bit dangerous if someone sees it?"
"I'll be a muggleborn amongst wizards that want me dead, James," Lily laughed. "I'll be very careful and quiet. Besides... this entire thing is kind of exciting."
James chuckled. "Alright then"
The group of friends, excluding Olivia, all eyed each other warily. Sirius cleared his throat. "Am I hallucinating or is this a new development?"
