Upside Down

Chapter One

 "Evans, get that file to the Auror Office," a voice croaked. "Now!"

Lily Evans sighed, and took the file that been thrown onto her desk so unceremoniously. She didn't bother to open it, because honestly, she had no interest in it. It was most likely the damn Death Eaters terrorizing some family again.

Now, it wasn't that Lily didn't care that people were dying around her every day. No, in fact, she cared so much that she didn't. As confusing as it was, it was her philosophy.

In her opinion, life was too short anyway, and Voldemort was making it far shorter. So why worry about lives that had already been taken when it could be her the next day? Shouldn't she spend the time that she had left in a way that she wanted to?

Yes, she knew that it was terrible of her to think this way, but what else was there to do? Be one of those people that tried to spend every waking moment in the cemetery, crying tears over something that couldn't be undone? What was the point of it?

She turned the corner, file in hand, and her heels clicking almost menacingly on the floor. Today, she was pissed, and a pissed Lily Evans was not good. You never wanted to tick her off when she was in a bad mood.

She walked straight into the lift, and headed down to Level Two, where the Auror Office, along with the rest of the Department of Law Enforcement, was located. Thankfully, the lift was empty. It wasn't normally so; Usually it was packed, and personal space was hardly respected. But today, it seemed like everyone was rather content with their own floors. They all seemed to be busy. Maybe it had to do with whatever was in the file.

Lily took advantage of the nearly completely vacant lift. She took a moment to massage her temples lightly, and released another sigh. Today was not an easy day.

When the disembodied witch's voice announced to her that she had reached her destination, she continued onwards to the Auror Office. When she finally reached, she hesitated a moment, before regaining her confidence, and calmly approaching the Head Auror.

She hadn't been here in two years. Two whole years. Her department didn't usually need to work with the Aurors much, and she usually got out of having to come down. But today, it seemed that her boss was having quite a crappy day as well, so she had figured that it was best not to cross him. And it just happened to be the worst day for this.

Though, two years back, it hadn't really been much of a problem for her. No, but last year, Auror training had ended, meaning that all the trainees were official Aurors. They'd all be here. And that was her problem.

"Sir, Barty Crouch sent this for you," she said, handing the file over to Alastor Moody, the Head Auror.

"Thanks, Evans," he said, loudly. Then, so that only she could hear, he whispered, "Tonight, seven o'clock sharp, at Black's flat."

Lily groaned internally. Sirius Black was one of her least favorite people, and he, in turn, would not be happy to see her tonight. But he'd do it for the Order.

Thankfully, she managed to escape the Auror office without any interruptions. No one seemed to be paying her any attention as she walked past everyone in their cubicles. Of course, she wasn't exactly parading around wearing a Death Eater mask or anything, but she liked to think that she was at least noticeable. Though, in this case, perhaps it was better for her.

She headed back to her office, in the Department of Magical International Cooperation, which was located on the fourth floor, and spent the rest of her day feeling quite sorry for herself (unless her boss walked by, in which case, she would try her hardest to appear as the hardworking, tireless employee).