Chapter Ten
The flat that housed the Order of the Phoenix was exactly that and nothing more: a plain, nondescript building just around the corner from Diagon Alley on a plain, nondescript Muggle street. Because it was Unplottable, Moody had given them the exact location, as well as the password for entrance; there was a good deal of security on the flat that housed the fledging resistance to Voldemort's increasing rebellion.
Gideon Prewett let them in, though he did not appear surprised to see them, which meant Moody must have sent word ahead. Gideon was tall and broad, taller than Frank, with dark auburn hair that he wore long but pulled back. It highlighted a fresh cut along the side of his cheek that Frank couldn't help but stare at when he shook hands with the man as they entered. Gideon ran a finger over his injury.
"Death Eater up in Newcastle," he grinned, then eyed the cuts and bruises on Frank's face as well. "Yours too?"
"Hogsmeade," said Frank, nodding grimly as he glanced around, trying to assess his surroundings. It seemed much brighter than the twilight evening he'd just left, and there was an odd ringing in his ears that he couldn't place: was it actually in his head, or some sort of spell? Maybe it was just the grinding headache that had started back at the Ministry.
Gideon shook hands with Alice and led them into the flat. It consisted of one large open room, much bigger than it appeared on the outside. Frank assumed that there was magic at work, as the entire Order of the Phoenix could hardly fit into a tiny one bedroom flat in the heart of London. There was a kitchen that opened off from the main room, as well as a bath and what appeared to be a bedroom down a short hallway.
A second ginger-haired man was sitting at a dining table just outside the kitchen from eating a large plate of food. Frank's stomach rumbled loudly; he hadn't eaten since that morning, and the smell of whatever was on the table was suddenly overwhelming. Gideon gave him another grin.
"That's Fabian, my brother. You two hungry, then?"
Frank nodded absently, glancing sideways at Alice. She was also looking at the table, but not at the food. She was staring at Fabian Prewett, who finally glanced up and grinned. "Alice Hamilton!" he exclaimed, coming around the table, and to Frank's surprise, embracing her. She hugged him in return, obviously pleased to see him, and Frank felt his stomach drop at the unexpectedly warm response. "It's about time you showed up here."
Frank knew he was gaping. "You know each other?"
Fabian turned and stretched out his hand. "We were only a few years apart at Hogwarts. Alice and I played Quidditch for two years together. I remember you, too. How's it going, Frank?"
Frank shook Fabian's hand, trying to calm his muddled thoughts. "Fine," he mumbled. Beside him, he could feel Alice watching him strangely and took a deep breath to shake off the feeling of unreality that had settled around his shoulders. "Been a long day, though."
Fabian nodded in understanding as he headed into the kitchen. "I'll get you something to eat, then. We had a message from Moody to expect you," he called from the other room. "He said you'd tell us what's going on."
"I can't believe the Head Auror's been murdered," Gideon said, sitting down at the table and motioning them to join him. "What happened?"
"Poison," Alice answered for them both. Frank sat down with a sigh and stopped himself from letting his head fall into his hands. He was exhausted, far more exhausted than he had a right to be. Yes, he'd taken a bad hit in Hogsmeade after watching a man get killed before his eyes. Yes, he'd feared the worst for his partner and probably messed up any chance at a normal relationship with her by kissing her not just once, but twice now. And yes, he'd had to question a fellow Auror with Veritaserum, a good man who had been Imperiused to kill the Head Auror with the envelope Frank had brought to the Ministry full of …
"Poison," he repeated numbly. He felt faint. He felt light-headed. He felt ridiculous. Yet he suddenly had to get out of there and get some fresh air as his thoughts began to spiral toward unexpected panic. He jumped up and walked out as fast as he could from the flat, rushing back toward the cool air of a beautiful summer night. He could vaguely hear Alice calling after him, but his ears were ringing too much to understand what she was saying. He burst through the door onto the pavement and put his hands on his knees, letting his head hang down, certain he was going to vomit.
No, he was fine. He hadn't come so far to fall apart now. There was too much to do, too much going on for him to panic. Taking a deep breath, he stood. The world spun around him, but he clung to it fiercely, determined to stand upright and head back into the flat. He was probably just hungry and dehydrated after all that had happened.
But then Alice was there next to him, and her lips were moving, but he couldn't hear her. The look on her face grew alarmed, until it scared him as well, and he finally turned around and wretched into a nearby privet bush.
He vaguely heard the crack of Apparition before he was aware of a gentle hand on his back, helping him stand straight. A pair of sharp green eyes were gazing into his own, a frown underneath. "Frank Longbottom?" asked a female voice he could hear and understand with only a slight buzzing in his ears. He nodded vaguely, trying to focus. "Help him inside," said the voice.
He felt a warm hand take his and somehow knew it was Alice and not the other woman. The green-eyed witch guided them back into the flat and helped him sit in a nearby chintz chair. Frank laid his head back as Gideon gave him a sympathetic look.
"I think your day was far worse than ours."
"Of course it was," snapped the green-eyed witch. "He's got a concussion, you prat. You've got a nick I could have magicked away this morning if you didn't want to impress Dorcas with it."
Frank couldn't help but snort as Gideon scratched idly at his neck. "Fine. You can fix it later. Get Longbottom his color back first."
"I'm sorry," Frank muttered, hoping his voice was clear. "Who are you again?"
The green-eyed witch smiled. "I'm Lily Evans. I was in Gryffindor a few years behind you."
He nodded, although it hurt to move his head so he stopped. "Right. With Potter and the others." He frowned. "But you just left Hogwarts. You're in the Order now?"
"I am," she said, smiling gently at him. "I'm also training at St. Mungo's. And one of the first things I learned was how to spot a concussion. Did you have a blow to the head recently?"
"Yes," said Alice, and he was aware of her steady presence next to him once more. He could feel her worry and concern. "We had a duel with four Death Eaters in Hogsmeade this morning. They blasted apart the pavement beneath him in order to get away, and he was thrown backward with it."
Gideon whistled, earning an exasperated look from Lily. "What? That's way worse than our little scuffle."
"Right," she said, standing up. "You need to go lie down, and I'll get you a draught to help. We're well stocked here."
Frank tried to protest as Alice began to help him up. "No, there's too much going on. Robertson's been murdered, and there's going to be a major attack tomorrow that we have to get ready for."
Lily froze halfway to the kitchen. "Joseph Robertson has been killed?" she asked, sounding surprised; obviously not everyone knew about it yet. "What happened?"
"He was just about to tell us when he ran out to empty his stomach on the lawn," said Fabian, back at the table with a second plate of food. Lily rolled her eyes again as she continued into the kitchen.
"Give him a break, he has a concussion!" she called. "Go lie down, Frank, and then you can tell us what happened."
"Come on, Frank," murmured Alice, and she held him around the waist. He felt that familiar tingle from earlier--back in Robertson's office--and it was all he could do to stop himself from turning to her and snogging her senseless right there like some drunken fool. Instead, he let her guide him toward an old sofa in the corner and lay down as she tucked a pillow behind his head. Her hand gently brushed the hair from his face, lingering on his scratched cheek; he caught it as she straightened up.
"I'm sorry--" he started, once again ready to apologize for everything that had gone wrong that day. And once again she stopped him, this time wide-eyed with exasperation.
"Merlin's beard, Longbottom!" she swore. "Stop apologizing already!" She leaned down to kiss his forehead, and he wished he could lie there forever with her, until a cough behind them signaled Lily Evan's presence. He struggled to sit up as she held out a goblet for him.
"This should help," said Lily. "Although I'm surprised you haven't had one already." She was obviously both curious and concerned and searching for information about his condition. Alice frowned as he drank the heady concoction.
"Didn't Madam Pomfrey give you one?" she asked. "In the hospital wing?"
Frank shook his head as he handed the goblet back. "No, I told her I was all right. You were the one who was still unconscious."
Alice stared at him. "So she didn't look at you at all?"
"I was fine," Frank insisted. "It was you we were more concerned about." It had taken a bit of effort, but he had actually managed to convince Madam Pomfrey that he was uninjured aside from his cuts and scrapes; apparently it was catching up with him now.
Lily exchanged a glance with Alice. "I don't know how you got out of that. Pomfrey hovers over everyone."
"What can I say?" Frank shrugged. "I charmed her out of it?"
"I'd like to learn how to do that," came a voice from doorway. "She never let up on us."
Frank looked up and recognized James Potter and Sirius Black. So they had joined as well. Closing his eyes, he wondered if Remus Lupin and the other boy had joined, and how large the Order of the Phoenix really was.
"Just walk in with someone more injured than you," Frank murmured. "And keep acting like you're perfectly fine."
"You're obviously a good actor, then, considering what you look like now," James said, and Frank heard him walking over. He opened his eyes and caught Lily batting James on the arm. He gave the younger man a crooked grin.
"This is just intermission," he said, and beside them Sirius Black let out a laugh.
"Frank Longbottom, I don't remember you ever cracking a joke in Gryffindor," he said. "You must have been hit hard."
Frank heard Alice laugh to herself and couldn't help but smile as well. He already felt comfortable with these people, and he knew almost nothing about them other than what he remembered from school and that they had all chosen to fight against Voldemort. The potion Lily had given him worked quickly: the ringing in his ears died out and his headache began to subside. He sat up again, and Alice squeezed his hand before letting it fall. He smiled gratefully at her.
"It's definitely been one of those days," he replied. "Moody sent us over to fill Gideon in on everything that's going on."
James frowned. "What's happened?"
"Head Auror Robertson was killed," said Lily.
"And there's some sort of attack going down tomorrow," added Fabian from the table, now finishing off his drink. "So start talking, Longbottom. Or just let Hamilton tell us what's going on."
Frank motioned at Alice, who took a deep breath and began. Yet as she was talking, more and more people began to drift in, until finally they had repeated themselves so many times it was becoming clear that they should simply wait for everyone to arrive.
"This is ridiculous," said Lily. "They've obviously been through a lot so why are we making them tell us about it over and over again?"
Alice gave her a grateful look. "Fabian was going to get us something to eat earlier. I think we could really use it about now." She glanced at Frank, still convalescing on the sofa. "Are you up for something?" she asked.
"Absolutely," he said, his stomach growling at the thought. He started to stand, but felt his blood pressure drop and fell back, dizzy and weak. "Er, can I have it over here?" he asked sheepishly.
She patted him on the leg. "Of course." Frank watched her stand and head toward the kitchen. Fabian Prewett followed her, and Frank couldn't help but frown. There seemed to be some sort of history there and it bothered him, however irrationally. Maybe it was the concussion.
"Tell me about the Order," he said to James Potter, who was talking nearby with Lily Evans. It was obvious that they were a couple from the way they sat together, and Frank envied their easygoing manner with one another. He wondered if his relationship with Alice had any chance of developing into something more, or if too much had happened between them for such a thing now.
James shrugged. "We're small, but growing. We're up to almost two dozen." He paused and raised his eyebrows. "Especially if that's why you're here."
Frank nodded slowly. "Yes, I think that's why we're here. Or, Moody thinks so, at least."
"He has a way of saying things, that's for sure," Sirius said, pulling up a chair next to them and straddling it. "Actually, that man scares the shit out of me."
"I believe his exact words were, 'Welcome to the Order, Longbottom’," Frank said and laughed. "I think we're in whether we want to or not."
"We could really use two good Aurors," said James, leaning forward. "You're already fighting Dark Magic. This would just be a bit of extra fun on the side."
"Without the brilliant pay of your hard-working Ministry job, of course," added Sirius, and they all laughed.
"No, I'm in," said Frank. "I don't know about Alice, but I've been talking to Moody about it for months, unofficially helping out, I guess. Now we’re just making it official." He pretended to gaze around the flat in admiration. "Nice place you've got here."
Sirius snorted. "They used to meet at the Hog's Head. Imagine that."
"I'd rather not, having been there." Frank laughed again, but at that moment Alice returned with two plates of food and the conversation stopped there as they tucked in. A few more people filtered in as they ate; some he recognized, some he did not. Remus Lupin arrived and joined their small circle, though Frank thought he looked rather peaky, as if he too were fighting off the effects of injury or illness. His friends hovered over him a bit, but he waved them off, finally wandering to the kitchen for a drink. A man James introduced as Peter Pettigrew joined them as well, just as quiet and unassuming as Frank remembered from Hogwarts.
Frank felt his strength return with each bite and was grateful that there hadn't been more people around to see him run out earlier. Between the food and the draught Lily had given him, he was almost starting to feel normal. Alice sat close to him, and he was glad for her steady, comforting presence as well, even if it still felt a bit confusing at times.
It had been at over an hour since they had arrived when a silver Patronus floated into the room. It was a ferret, and to Frank's utter shock, it spoke with Alastor Moody's voice.
"Dumbledore's on his way. Get Longbottom talking. Long night here. Might need my Aurors back. I'll follow when I can."
Frank just stared as the Patronus dissolved. No one else seemed surprised that it had spoken; then again, Moody had mentioned something about them talking. Gideon Prewett stood up and took charge. "Right. You heard him. Frank, if you're up to it now, we need to know what's going on and get started."
Beside him, Alice turned and gave him an equally stunned look. "He said we were off for the night. Why would he need us back?"
"Maybe someone else has been poisoned," Frank replied. He ran a hand through his hair as an even worse thought occurred. "Or else we were wrong and the attack is tonight."
"What attack?" asked Sirius.
"And who was poisoned?" asked Remus, wandering back to his chair.
"That would be Griffin Pokeby," said a voice at the door. Albus Dumbledore stood there, looking weary. "The Head of the Department of Magical Creatures."
There wasn't a shocked gasp so much as a sad sigh that went around the room. A few curses fell as well, including from Alice, who immediately reached out and took his hand. Frank squeezed it in understanding: they had failed. Yet again, they had been too late. Dumbledore seemed to sense their distress and turned toward them.
"However, thanks to the quick thinking of Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Hamilton, we were able to alert St. Mungo's to the likelihood that Mr. Pokeby had been poisoned, and he is currently receiving high doses of an antidote." He inclined his head, and Frank released a breath, relieved that perhaps they had got something right after all. So Pokeby had been the second target; now the question was why?
"In the meantime, I will bring you all up to date on what is happening. It is imperative that you listen carefully, as it appears Voldemort is beginning a major offensive."
Dumbledore began to tell the assembled Order members about the attack in Hogsmeade and how it lead them to discover the poison from Godric's Hollow. He informed them once again of Joseph Robertson's death, although he did not mention John Dawlish's name, only that an innocent man had been Imperiused to poison the Head Auror and had indicated under questioning that there had been a second target. Frank let his head fall as he remembered the awful scene in Robertson's office; Sirius Black gave him a curious look.
"Did you question him?" he asked quietly, and Frank nodded before glancing up at Dumbledore once more.
"When the Minister informed me that Head Pokeby had fallen ill not long after Head Auror Robertson, I immediately informed the Healers of the poison, whereupon they began treatment with the antidote." He paused and looked at them very gravely. "The poison used was Moonbane, which is made from the lunar belladonna plant. He is lucky to have survived this long, for the full moon is tonight. The antidote may not work, but we are hoping that there is still a chance for survival."
This time Frank swore, and Alice laid her head on his shoulder. He let his arm snake around her shoulder and held her and didn't really care who saw them or what they thought. He was pretty sure Sirius Black flashed James Potter a curious look, but Lily Evans gave Frank a smile, and somehow he knew it was all right.
Except for the fact that the head of the department that oversaw magical creatures was in grave condition at St. Mungo's, leaving another Ministry department in disarray. It occurred to Frank that if Robertson's death had been a distraction for an attack the following day, perhaps Pokeby's death was part of the plan as well.
Alice beat him to it, however. "Sir, we suspect Robertson's death was a distraction. Could this be the same?"
Dumbledore nodded grimly. "Given what Alastor has told me about tomorrow, I believe you are correct, Ms. Hamilton." He gave everyone a piercing stare. "Two high level employees of the Ministry of Magic have been attacked or killed today, leaving their departments without leaders. We suspect this is in preparation for an attack that will take place tomorrow night. Mr. Longbottom, would you fill them in on what you told Alastor Moody? I am afraid I was only able to speak with him briefly before he was called away."
Frank nodded as he took a breath and stood. He felt better, having had something to eat, a strong draught, and a bit of rest. He was ready to continue the fight.
"You've all probably heard the word requiem thrown about over the past few weeks," he began, and there were several nods around the room. "After today's events, we suspect these whispers are referring to an attack on the Proms tomorrow night." When a number of people looked at him in confusion, he explained. "It's the opening night of a very important Muggle concert series near Hyde Park, by Kensington Gardens. Alice and I have already investigated several reports of Death Eaters in the area. We suspect they were checking it out in preparation for tomorrow's attack."
"Why tomorrow?" asked an older man Frank didn't recognize.
"Because they are performing a requiem mass, a mass for the dead. It would be just like You-Know-Who to kill dozens of Muggles at such a concert."
The man shook his head. "Or it could be another diversion. We could run out to Hyde Park with wands drawn, but he hits Hogsmeade instead. How do you know?"
Frank glanced at Dumbledore, who simply motioned at him to continue. "It fits. Everything, even the poisonings. You-Know-Who--"
"Voldemort," said Dumbledore, and in spite of a shiver, Frank swallowed and continued.
"Voldemort is setting his pieces in place. We went down to Godric's Hollow to investigate strange lights and sounds. We intercepted several Death Eaters exchanging an envelope with a man whom we have now identified as a known potioneer, Walden MacNair. That envelope contained the Moonsbane that was used to poison Robertson and Pokeby."
"But what does that have to do with an attack on the Proms tomorrow?" asked Sirius, sounding skeptical, and beside him James Potter was nodding in agreement. Remus Lupin was watching thoughtfully, though, as if trying to pull it all together on his own.
"With Robertson dead, the Auror office is without a leader. Moody is in charge right now, but that pulls him away from the Order," Frank said. "It's the perfect time for an attack, with the change in leadership and low morale."
"There's more," said Remus, and Frank nodded appreciatively at him.
"We think so." He turned to Dumbledore. "With Pokeby in St. Mungo's, that department will be upset too, and Voldemort's already got some of those creatures on his side. He'll probably use them in the attack."
"Or he'll use them tonight," said Alice from the sofa. Frank glanced down in surprise. She stood next to him, strong and determined. "I don't think he'll use them in Hyde Park. He could send them out tonight to distract both departments from the real attack tomorrow."
There was silence around the room. It was too dire to imagine: with Ministry officials stretched thin containing an attack that night, the Muggles could be left wide open and defenseless the following day.
"We have to stop the concert," said Lily Evans, her voice tight. "If we know it's a target, we have to tell them to cancel…" She trailed off as the silence continued.
"That is not a decision for me to make, Ms. Evans," said Dumbledore, his voice heavy. "That is up to the Minister, though I will certainly try to convince him to contact the Muggle Prime Minister and urge such a thing. I do no think, however, that either man will truly consider canceling the opening night of such an important event."
"Why not?" demanded Sirius. "We've proof of it--"
"We have very little proof whatsoever," said Dumbledore. "Just a theory that some might consider sound and plausible, but others will dismiss as fancy until it is too late." He paused to rub at the bridge of his nose. "I must go back to the Ministry. I will speak to the Minister about contacting his Muggle counterpart and postponing the concert."
"What about us, sir?" asked Gideon. "What should we do?"
"If what Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Hamilton suspect is true--and I believe they could be right--you should all return home and rest." There were whispers around the room, and Dumbledore held up his hand. "Hear me out. If Voldemort plans to wear out the Ministry tonight, leaving the Proms undefended tomorrow, then we must wait him out and be ready for that second attack."
"And just let the world go to hell tonight?" asked Sirius, sounding angry. "We should be out there, fighting. It's what we do."
"The Ministry can handle it," said Frank, but Sirius snorted. "Dumbledore's right. If Voldemort's idea is to weaken a Ministry response to the attack tomorrow, then the Order needs to be rested and ready in its place. That way we can take him by surprise."
Sirius frowned at him. "And you'd let your fellow Aurors fight on their own after losing their leader?" Frank turned and stared at him. "They can handle it," he repeated stiffly. "They can't handle two nights of it, though."
"So where does that put you?" asked Sirius. "Are you going to go and fight tonight, or sit it out with us?"
"I already told Longbottom he's mine," growled Alastor Moody as he stomped into the room. "Both of them do as I say."
"That's good," said Lily. "Because Frank has a concussion."
Frank threw her a glare as he and Alice sat down. Moody just snorted.
"Then take a good nap because you're on for tomorrow." He turned to Dumbledore. "Sorry for interrupting again, but I've only got a few minutes. Pokeby didn't make it." Dumbledore nodded sadly, but Moody continued as if nothing had happened. "With the department left leaderless for the moment, Voldemort's decided to start throwing his monsters around for my angry Aurors to mop up with a bunch of tender-hearted creature keepers still crying their eyes out."
So Alice was right: the creatures were yet another distraction. Frank wasn't sure Pokeby's Department was quite that disorganized without him, but Dumbledore seemed to understand the issue at hand and nodded. "What has happened so far?"
"It's early, but we've sent a team up north, where that missing dragon is causing trouble, and I've sent half a dozen Aurors out to Bath, where there have been reports of giant activity. I might have to send more, but I'm holding some back in anticipation."
"Anticipation of what?" asked Gideon. Moody gave him a piercing look.
"It's the full moon, Prewett. There will be werewolves out tonight."
Nearby, Frank heard Remus Lupin inhale sharply. James put a hand on his friend's knee and whispered something to him. Was Remus upset about the werewolves because of his father's murder? He looked pale and anxious and simply nodded at James before turning back toward Moody.
"I think this is Voldemort's way of weakening us for tomorrow's attack," barked Moody. "Yes, we can handle these things, but it's not easy having lost two Heads of Department, and it will put us at a disadvantage tomorrow when we've already been spent putting out fires all night."
"Those were our thoughts precisely, Alastor," said Dumbledore, stepping forward. "I believe our best chance is to let the Ministry handle whatever happens tonight so that we can be prepared for tomorrow."
"Agreed," said Moody. "I'll call if I do need anyone. And we'll meet first thing tomorrow morning for damage reports and planning." He turned and left as abruptly as he had entered, and everyone sat in silence once more.
"I don't like it," muttered Sirius, and Fabian Prewett and a few others nodded in agreement.
"You are not required to like it, Sirius," said Dumbledore, sounding uncharacteristically stern. "But we must do what is necessary. I do not believe that the Minister will be able to convince the Muggle Prime Minister to cancel the concert, therefore we must be ready when Voldemort's forces arrive. We are likely to be outnumbered and must be in top form, not injured and exhausted."
He pulled himself up straighter and nodded. "I should have left already. I expect you all to return home, rest, and await word from the Order. If you would like to remain here, you may of course do so." He paused, his blue eyes twinkling even in a situation as gloomy as this. "However, I surely need not remind you that this is not the Gryffindor common room."
Sirius snorted softly under his breath; James Potter looked slightly embarrassed. Frank nodded, remembering some of the wilder parties down there. Yet Dumbledore was right: they needed to rest, to be ready. He knew the draught Lily had given him would only last so long, and what he really needed was a good night's sleep so that he would be able to fight the next day.
With one last glance around the room and a set of quiet instructions to Gideon Prewett, Dumbledore left the meeting. Several Order members followed, until only about a dozen people remained. Remus Lupin looked positively ready to collapse.
"Come on, Moony," said Sirius abruptly, standing and practically dragging his friend to his feet. "Let's get you settled."
Remus sighed but did not say anything; he seemed too exhausted to speak. "Are you coming, Prongs?" asked Sirius.
"Seeing as it's my place and my idea, of course I am," said James. "Come on, Peter." He kissed Lily on the cheek. "I'll see you back here in the morning. Have Fabian walk you home."
Lily laughed and pushed him toward the door. "I'm perfectly capable of getting home on my own, thank you. You're the one who needs to be careful."
"I always am," he returned flippantly. At the skeptical look on her face, he amended his answer with a crooked grin. "Well, usually. I love you, you know."
"I love you too, James," she said softly, kissing him once more. The four friends left, leaving Lily sitting with Frank and Alice.
"Is Remus going to be all right?" asked Frank after a few moments. "He didn't look well."
Lily nodded slowly, her eyes still following their path. "He'll be fine, at least in a few days."
Alice was staring thoughtfully at the door as well. "He's a werewolf, isn't he?" she asked softly, completely out of the blue. Frank turned to her in surprise; even Lily raised her eyebrows.
"Very good," she murmured. "I suppose if you're really in the Order now, it's not a secret. Yes, he's a werewolf."
Alice nodded sadly as Frank turned to her. "How did you know?" he asked her. Really, how had he missed it?
She shrugged. "I picked up on some things when we were working with his father. And he looked so bad tonight I thought that might be why--not to mention his reaction when Moody mentioned the werewolves being out."
It made sense, and Frank suddenly felt a deep rush of sadness as he realized why John Lupin had fought so hard for the werewolf community. He was trying to make a better world for his son, and he had been killed for it. Now Remus had to go through his painful transformations every month all alone, with no family to look after him.
"Why did they go with him?" he asked, realizing James, Sirius, and Peter had left with Remus. Lily shrugged in reply, but it was fairly obvious she was not telling him everything.
"They take care of him, check on him in the morning, that sort of thing." She glanced away, but Frank didn't push it. He was starting to feel tired, and trying to figure out another mystery--and one that really wasn't his business anyway--would only make it worse.
Lily seemed to sense his sudden weariness. "Frank, you should just stay here tonight. And since you have a concussion, it would be good for someone to stay with you." When Frank started to protest, she raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want to go to St. Mungo's?"
Shaking his head ruefully, he agreed. "I'll stay here. Can I use that spare room I think is down the hall?"
"Of course," she said, standing as if to lead him back. "That's what it's for. And I'll stay too, to make sure you're all right."
Alice stood and laid a hand on Lily's arm. "I can stay with him. Really." Lily looked uncertain until Alice rolled her eyes. "I know what to look for when someone's had a concussion--at least, now that he's admitted Pomfrey didn't look at him. We'll be all right."
Lily nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. "Okay, then. He is your partner." There was a funny little emphasis on the word partner that Frank didn't miss, and for some reason caused Alice to blush. "I'll mix a few more draughts just in case. You can send word if you need anything else."
"Thank you," said Alice. She turned to Frank. "Come on, let's get you settled for the night."
He stood and smiled tiredly at Lily Evans. "Thank you for your help," he said as Alice led him away. "You showed up at just the right time."
"You're welcome," she replied. "Just get some rest. It sounds like we have a long day ahead of us."
Beside him, Alice sighed. Frank took her hand as they headed down the short hallway. It seemed only natural after how many times they had done so over the last few hours. He almost didn't care if she rejected him later; right now he needed her, and he was fairly certain she needed him.
"It'll be all right," he murmured as they entered the small spare room. She nodded and smiled.
"I know," she said, sounding completely confident. He gave her a questioning look, and to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. "We have each other."
He embraced her back and kissed the top of her head. Maybe there was hope after all--at least for a while, until the world ended.
* * *
Love and Order by Gmariam
Chapter Endnotes: Thank you so much to karaleydargen for beta-reading this and working her magic! And to the Marauders for showing up because they are always a joy for me to write. Thank you for reading!