Burning Love

•Godparents•

The moment the owl swooped down and landed on my windowsill, I felt a rush of apprehension. I recognized the Ministry seal immediately; it could only mean one thing: a secret mission. With a quick flick of my wand, I opened the envelope, heart racing as I read the brief message.

You are to report to Professor Dumbledore regarding an urgent matter. Remus Lupin will accompany you.

I glanced at Sirius, who was reading in the living room, his brow furrowed in concentration. The impending sense of dread pooled in my stomach. "I have to go meet Dumbledore," I told him, trying to mask my unease.

"Be careful, Grace," he replied, concern etched in his features. "You know he only calls when it's serious."

I nodded, my mind swirling with questions as I made my way to Hogwarts. The castle was bustling with life, students rushing around in their daily routines, oblivious to the weight of the war looming outside those walls. I found Remus waiting for me at Dumbledore's office, his expression grave.

"What do you think it is?" he asked, tension in his voice.

"I have no idea," I admitted. "But I have a bad feeling about this."

Dumbledore greeted us warmly but with a serious undertone. "Thank you for coming, Grace, Remus. I'm afraid the news I bring is troubling." He motioned for us to sit.

As we settled in, he leaned forward, his blue eyes piercing through the layers of formality. "I believe there is a traitor among the Order. Information has been leaking to Voldemort's side, and we must uncover who it is before more damage is done."

My heart sank at his words. "What do you need us to do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I need you both to investigate Malfoy Manor. There have been rumors that it is being used as a headquarters for the Death Eaters. Observe their movements and gather any information you can."

Remus and I exchanged glances, the gravity of our task sinking in. "We can do this," he said, his voice filled with determination.

As we set out for Malfoy Manor, the tension in the air was palpable. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the ground. "What do you think the traitor could be after?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood as we walked.

Remus sighed, glancing up at the darkening sky. "Fear, I suppose. Some people think siding with Voldemort is the only way to survive. It's tragic, really. They don't understand the true cost of that choice."

"Let's hope we can find whoever it is before they do more damage," I replied, my mind swirling with thoughts of our friends and the babies on the way. "I just want our children to grow up in a world where they don't have to face this kind of fear."

"I know," he said, a wistful look crossing his face. "Lily and James's baby will need all the protection we can give. And I can't help but think about Alice and Frank, too."

As we neared Malfoy Manor, the imposing structure loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. "This place gives me the creeps," I whispered, scanning the perimeter for any signs of life.

We found a vantage point behind a cluster of trees, peering through the branches at the entrance. Sure enough, we spotted a group of cloaked figures entering the manor, their voices muffled but the tension crackling in the air. We exchanged worried glances, knowing the risks involved.

"What do we do now?" I asked, feeling a mix of fear and excitement.

"We stay put and observe," Remus replied, his voice steady. "We need to see if anyone from the Order shows up."

As we watched, the meeting began, and the Death Eaters filed into the grand hall, their conversations dripping with malicious intent. My stomach twisted at the sight of them, but I focused on gathering information. Minutes turned into hours, and we noted every detail.