5A skinny, tall man with long black hair and loose robes walked quickly to the room with raising voices. Just before entering the room, he took a moment to clear his mind and pull on an apathetic face.
"Glad to see that you've finally joined us Snape. Is it ready?"
"It should be done in a fortnight."
"Isn't that cutting it a bit close?" asked Malfoy sternly.
"If it's adequate for the Dark Lord then you have no business questioning it."
"Well, which mission have you been hiding yourself behind Snape, if it is not the polyjuice potion?" asked Bellatrix Black
"I'm surprised that someone as connected as you boast to be have no clue of the Dark Lord's plans."
Bellatrix quickly pointed her wand between Snape's eyes with fury, while Snape remained unaffected. "Don't act like you deserve to be here, you're just a rookie. If I had my way I would've killed you the moment I heard about your love for the mudblood."
Malfoy calmly placed his hand on Bellatrix's wand arm, "Now now Bella, he's earned his spot. Don't forget that I brought him here myself. That mudblood was just a child's fascination, it's over now, isn't it Severus?"
Snape just remained apathetic and calmly spoke to Malfoy, "I'm done with this pointless conversation. I don't have time to discuss egos with the lovely Bella, but if she has a problem with me then perhaps she can be bold enough to ask the Dark Lord why he trusts me."
Lestrange pulled Bellatrix away from Snape so that he could sit down at the conference table, and she bitterly lowered her wand and sat down.
"Great, now Macnair you were just about to fill us in on what the Ministry has been up to."
"Yes, as you know, I've been working closely with the Minister's secretary for the past couple months. And I've found out some wonderful information about the Order of the Phoenix. The Foreign Minister Crouch sent a team three months ago to strengthen relations with the ministries in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, Denmark, and Ireland. We don't have detailed accounts of their meetings abroad yet, but what is interesting is that some of this party were on a mission for Dumbledore."
"This is perfect, the Dark Lord will be pleased." Bellatrix murmured while others agreed.
"And who exactly was on this mission for Dumbledore?" asked Lestrange.
"From what I understand, Marlene McKinnon, she was just appointed as the Ambassador for the Minister before the mission, was the lead. She appointed Alice and Frank Longbottom from the Auror department, Sirius Black, Benjy Fenwick, and Lily Evans," recited Macnair giving Snape a glance.
"What was Fenwick doing on this mission? Isn't he just doing paperwork for the Aurors?" asked Avery.
"Well, rumor has it that he's been seen around in the Department of Mysteries" replied Macnair.
"You think he's an unspeakable!" cried Goyle.
"Finally caught on have you?" replied Bellatrix annoyed. "I don't care why they're chosen, I want to know what they were doing."
"I have it on good authority that they were making deals with the ministers to join the effort against the Dark Lord. We don't know if they were successful, but what I do know for sure is that they are all meeting in London next week."
"Well, what did the Dark Lord have to say about all this?" asked Snape.
"This will be the perfect time to hold a party, won't it Bella?"
"Of course, if that is what the Dark Lord wishes."
"We need media coverage that the foreign ministers are supporting us, and what better way then doing it in style?"
"Well done, Macnair. This will set us up for the gala," replied Malfoy. "Let's keep a close eye on the Longbottoms, Black, Fenwick, McKinnon, and Evans until further orders are given."
As the people on the table began standing up and shuffling towards the sitting room for some drinks, no body noticed the sudden emotion on the one man's usually unaffected face.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes Evans," drawled Sirius.
Lily smiled and hugged Sirius before turning around to lock her apartment's door. "Is this the proper attire to wear?"
"Lily you will be the most stunning woman tonight," Sirius laughed as Lily raised her eyebrows.
"Why are you being nice to me?"
"Well, it might have to do with not telling you that James will be coming."
"Sirius! You told me that I wouldn't have to deal with that right now."
"I know, but he changed his mind last minute, he just got home this afternoon. Now hold on, we have to go."
With a quick pop they both arrived to the entrance to the quidditch pitch of the Montrose Magpies. Sirius led the way as Lily reluctantly followed.
"Did he say anything? I mean, he's alright?"
Sirius stopped and glanced back, "Lily, why don't you just ask him? I thought things were going to be okay after seeing you both canoodling last week at Dorcas's place."
"We weren't canoodling! He had to leave because Moody called him for an emergency Auror mission. He wouldn't tell me when he'd even be back! It was the same fight as before. I can't be in a relationship with him. It's not like he's a bloody unspeakable, he just chooses not to fill me in."
"Lily, it's not like that. He just wants to protect you. You're already doing a lot for the Order and he never gets paired with you on missions. You're already in the thick of this war, and it's just more danger that isn't necessary."
"Sirius, I don't care. If he wants me in his life in that way, then I need to know he's okay! I can't just sit at home and twiddle my thumbs waiting for my boyfriend. That's not fair. I tell him everything that's important when I leave on mission."
"Look, we'll chat later, just try to put your differences aside for tonight, okay? Tonight is important, and I want both of my friends there."
"Don't worry about that, I'll stay out of his way."
"Lily, there you are! I was starting to think that I'd be the only female here," called Alice.
"Isn't Dorcas supposed to show up?"
"Oh, did you hear? Dorcas apparently confessed her repressed feelings for Sirius when she was drunk last week at The Three Broomsticks."
"Oh god, what happened?"
"Well they snogged but he let her down easy."
"That's embarrassing. Maybe she won't show up."
"No, unfortunately I cannot stay away from free booze."
"Hello Lily and Alice," said Peter shyly while Dorcas took a gulp of her drink.
"Getting started early are you now?"
"You would too if you had the day that I had," responded Dorcas.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending this special night for the Montrose Magpies!" declared Ludo Bagman and everyone clapped.
"I'll fill you in later," whispered Dorcas.
"As you know, our owner had recently gotten ill. He has found himself unfit to continue his duties, and thus has sold the Magpies. It is therefore my pleasure to announce our new owner, the very charming Mr. Sirius Black."
Sirius smiled as everyone whistled and clapped, as he joined Bagman on the stage. "Thank you! First of all, I would like to thank my close friends for joining me this evening. I have been a Montrose Magpies fan since I've been old enough to fly on my very own broom. And I will continue to be one until my last living day. I share the same vision as all of you, and I wish this team the best of luck for the upcoming season! Now, let's all celebrate a night of new beginnings!"
As everyone began congratulating Sirius, and moving towards the buffet line, James sought out Lily and quietly asked her to meet him after dinner.
"What did he want?" Alice asked.
Lily sighed, "We had a fight last week, I think we need to talk things over."
"Actually, Lily I think it has to do with something else. It's what I was going to tell you about earlier," replied Dorcas.
"Well, aren't you going to fill me in?"
"Let's just wait until the night is over. We're here for Sirius right now."
"I don't think he cares that much, just tell me! I'm starting to worry."
"Okay, not here. Alice, why don't you both head outside, I'll be right there."
After a few minutes, Dorcas came out with James and Sirius. They placed some enchantments to prevent people from overhearing.
"What is going on?" asked Lily looking at James.
"Lily, today after arriving in London, James and I ran into Lestrange and Snape in Hogsmeade. Lestrange invited us to a dinner party next week with the Ministers of Magic from Europe."
"Dorcas, if they know about them coming to London next week, Voldemort must know too!" Lily exclaimed.
"How much do they know?" asked Sirius.
"I'm not sure. But they seemed pleased with themselves for figuring it out. As much as it loathes me to admit, we can't say no to this invitation Padfoot."
"I swore that I would never step foot on a Black's property again Prongs."
"Well, don't you think this is a bit more important?"
"Does Dumbledore know?" asked Alice.
"We owled him immediately afterwards, but no response yet."
"He's supposed to be in Johannesburg for a conference until tomorrow. It's a closed meeting; no owls in or out of the room. I found out from Marlene earlier at work," stated Lily.
"Then we will wait. If they know enough, then our death warrant just got placed higher on Voldemort's list," James said looking at Lily. "Stay cautious."