Brightest ✯ Sirius Black

✯fifteen✯

"you may have to fight a battle more than once to finish it."

Christmas break came quickly, and Cleo wasn't sure if she was to go home or not, as her parents hadn't answered any of her letters in 2 months.

She had gone to see Dumbledore the day after she got the letter from her parents, and he advised her to simply be patient, write to them, and wait for a response. He sent someone to check on them, and he helped her write the letter to her parents as well, so that she made sure she didn't say anything that could be used against her or them in case the mail was being intercepted. He would take care of things from there, but Cleo wasn't exactly sure what that meant.

She was going back to Dumbledore's office again the day before the train would come to take students home for Christmas break, not knowing whether she should stay or go.

"Come in," he said calmly after she had knocked, and Cleo opened the large door and stepped inside. "Ah," he hummed, "I was wondering when I would receive a visit from you."

"Yes sir," she said, giving a nod to Professor McGonagall who stood next to his desk. "Professor, it's been two months since I've heard from my parents. Do you think..." she couldn't finish her sentence, too afraid to speak the thing she was most dreading.

"We do not think it would be wise to go back home," he said. "Not at this time. We are unaware of the severity of your sister's precautions," he stood up. "What we are most afraid of, however, is what would happen to you if your sister should get a hold of you."

"But sir, my parents-"

"Are fine. They are still alive."

"Then why aren't they writing me back?" she asked, worried. Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall.

"My dear, we have reason to believe that the Dark Lord is watching your home very closely. Perhaps they fear to write you because it could give the Dark Lord exactly what he wants," she said darkly.

Cleo was befuddled. "And," she said, "what is that, professor?"

"Access to you, my dear," Dumbledore said solemnly. Cleo's face grew pale and her breathing hitched. "Your parents are muggles, Cleophus, and Renesme has given them to He Who Must Not be Named, now why do you think that is?"

Cleo thought for a moment. "Because she's..." she trailed off, staring at the ground.

"Go on, dear."

"Because she's trying to lure me in," Cleo whispered, finally understanding the severity of her situation. "But Ren wouldn't hand me over to the Dark Lord," she stood up quickly, becoming frantic. "I'm her sister, and we have the same blood status, why would she-" Cleo couldn't breathe.

"We do not know Renesme's thoughts behind her actions, unfortunately," McGonagall started. "If we did, you can rest assured that she would already be stopped," her voice wavered towards the end.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, trying to calm her down. He turned to Cleo who had tears pooling in her eyes.

"I want to see my parents," she whispered. She had only spent one Christmas without her parents, and it was permanently etched in her mind as one of the saddest Christmases she's ever had.

"I know you do, Ms. Markis, but at this moment in time, it is not safe for you to go home," Dumbledore said softly. She sighed, but nodded understandingly. She was fully aware of the danger she was in now, and yet all she wanted to do was go home.

"Perhaps you could spend your Christmas with Ms. Evans? Or Mr. Lupin?" Dumbledore smiled, trying to cheer the fifth year up. She nodded.

"Professor," she began, a new thought growing on her mind. "If I wanted to stop my sister, stop her from trading her family for the Dark Lord's loyalty... how could I get through to her?" Dumbledore smiled, as if this was the question he had been waiting for.

"I believe it is time you know about something that is currently at work, Ms. Markis," he began. "It is called, The Order of the Phoenix. We are a secret society," Dumbledore continued, "that is working towards the greater good in fighting Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Cleo listened intently.

"I should like to ask you to join, Cleophus," he said. McGonagall behind him gasped.

"But Albus, surely a young student such as Cleo should have no part in the violence," she said, appalled.

"Minerva, it is in the best interest of the newest generations that bright, powerful, and personally inclined witches and wizards like Ms. Markis should join in the cause," he stated.

"I would like to join, very much," Cleo said quickly. She was tired of sitting back and watching her sister work for a powerful dark lord that violently slaughtered innocent lives, including putting her own parents at risk. She would stand for it no longer.

"Exactly what I thought you would say, Ms. Markis," he nodded, smiling. "You are much different than your sister, in every way," he said, standing up again. "I would like to personally, and with the help of professor McGonagall, aid you in becoming equipt for the oncoming war," he said calmly, far too calmly for the topic being discussed. McGonagall gave a small whimper of defiance, not wishing for Cleo to get involved in all of this.

"We shall teach you more advanced defensive spells, and train you to be well aware of any and all conflict that may ensue in the near future. It will be difficult, Ms. Markis and no doubt take a lot of your time, effort, and energy," he said.

"I don't mind any of that, professor. I want to help," she nodded surely.

"Excellent," Professor Dumbledore mumbled. "Then we shall waste no time. Your lessons will begin after the break, every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with either me or Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you, professor," Cleo nodded gratefully, nervous but excited. She turned to the door and began to walk away.

"And miss Markis?" Dumbledore stopped her. She turned to see a distressed Professor McGonagall and a very calm Dumbledore. "It is best that you do not share any of this information with your peers. As inclined as you are to tell each other everything, we wouldn't want the fear of a wizarding war to disrupt the learning environment just yet," he commanded. Cleo wished she could tell Remus or Sirius or Luna, but she understood his reasoning and agreed. "That will be all," he waved, and Cleo walked away with the prospect of a war on her mind. 

this one was dark

okay I have three more chapters THAT ARE THE CHRISTMAS CHAPTERS and then i'll go back to updating probably every week unless any of you tell me to do something different

yay 

i listened to "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon to write this chapter lollll

love you all vote and comment it would mean the world to moi

em