The Binding Vow
The sitting room of the Potters’ cottage was beginning to look more like a war strategist’s lair than a home. Books were strewn across every surface, ink-stained parchment covered in notes and theories stacked haphazardly, and the remnants of multiple cups of tea littered the table. The five of them—James, Lily, Sirius, Marlene, and Remus—were deep in research, trying to determine how to destroy a Horcrux once they found it.
“So, we know the sword of Gryffindor can absorb basilisk venom,” Lily said, flipping a page in Cursed Objects and Their Destruction. “That means it’s one of the few things that can outright destroy a Horcrux.”
Remus nodded. “Basilisk venom works because it’s so deadly that even the Horcrux’s regenerative magic can’t recover from it. The only way to counteract the venom is with phoenix tears.”
James sighed. “Shame we don’t have a bloody basilisk lying around and where the hell would be even if we could find one.”
Sirius smirked. “Or the sword of Gryffindor and a pet phoenix.”
Lily was still scanning the book. “Fiendfyre can destroy them too, but it’s uncontrollable.”
James winced. “So not ideal, unless we want to burn ourselves to ash along with the Horcrux.”
Marlene rubbed her temples. “Maybe an enchanted dagger? There must be something out there.”
A bright flash of silver filled the room before she could finish.
A regal phoenix Patronus soared through the air, its ethereal wings spreading wide before it landed lightly in the center of the room.
Dumbledore’s voice echoed through the space:
“The Order is gathering; your attendance is mandatory.”
The Patronus dissolved into a glowing mist.
James groaned. “Fantastic. We needed an Order meeting when we’re making progress.”
Sirius stood up, stretching. “We should go. We need to keep up appearances.”
Lily hesitated. “We agreed we wouldn’t trust Dumbledore blindly anymore.”
Marlene nodded. “Which is exactly why we need to go. The more we watch, the more we learn. We also can’t act suspicious because he will know we are up to something.”
James exhaled. “Alright. Let’s see what our fearless leader has to say.”
Order Headquarters – The Meeting
They apparated at the familiar safehouse where the Order held its meetings, an old, abandoned pub reinforced with the strongest wards available. The moment they stepped inside, Marlene’s eyes swept the room.
The usual crowd was there—Moody, the Prewitt’s, Edgar Bones, Hestia Jones, Kingsley, and more. But it was Minerva McGonagall who caught Marlene’s attention.
The Transfiguration professor stood off to the side, her sharp eyes fixed on Dumbledore, but there was something off about her expression.
McGonagall was not listening to a single word Dumbledore was saying.
Oh, she nodded at the right times and kept her face carefully neutral, but Marlene recognized the subtle signs of someone actively avoiding engagement. Her fingers were curled into her robes, her jaw locked tightly, and her eyes—normally filled with unwavering respect—were flat, unreadable.
Marlene frowned.
Why did it feel like McGonagall was… hiding something?
Dumbledore stood at the front of the room; his hands clasped behind his back as he addressed them. “The Death Eaters have been more active in recent weeks. We have reason to believe they are targeting key figures in the Ministry, attempting to destabilize our already fragile alliances.”
Moody grunted. “We’ve known that for months, Albus.”
Dumbledore gave a small smile. “And yet, the urgency grows stronger. We must be vigilant.”
Marlene tuned him out, watching McGonagall instead. The woman was staring right through Dumbledore as if she was elsewhere entirely.
Something was wrong.
The meeting continued with the usual updates—movements of Death Eaters, planned missions, discussions of protection strategies—but McGonagall never once contributed to the conversation.
Then, as the meeting concluded and people began dispersing, Marlene made her move.
She walked over to McGonagall casually, keeping her voice light. “Professor.”
McGonagall turned, her expression shifting into something more guarded. “Marlene.”
Marlene tilted her head. “You seemed… distracted during the meeting.”
McGonagall’s lips pressed together. “I assure you; I was listening.”
Marlene raised an eyebrow. “You’re an excellent liar, Professor. But I’ve been watching you long enough to know when you don’t agree with something.”
McGonagall inhaled sharply, adjusting her robes. “Marlene—”
But then, something happened.
McGonagall twitched, her left arm jerking slightly as though something had just pulled at her. She gritted her teeth and shook out her wrist.
And that’s when Marlene saw it.
A faint glow pulsed from beneath the sleeve of McGonagall’s robes, illuminating her wrist for only a moment.
Marlene’s heart skipped a beat.
That was not normal magic. That was binding magic.
A vow.
McGonagall quickly lowered her arm, her back stiffening as she composed herself.
Marlene’s stomach twisted. “Professor,” she said carefully, “what was that?”
McGonagall met her gaze, her own eyes filled with warning. “Marlene,” she said quietly, “this is not the time.”
Marlene narrowed her eyes. “Not the time? You have a vow on your arm. A magical binding.” She kept her voice low. “Did Dumbledore make you take it?”
McGonagall’s fingers twitched at her sides.
That was the answer enough.
But before Marlene could press further, a familiar voice interrupted.
“Minerva.”
Dumbledore.
Marlene straightened as Dumbledore approached, his piercing blue eyes to knowing as they flicked between the two of them. “It’s time to return to the school,” he said lightly, though there was something unreadable in his gaze.
McGonagall immediately composed herself. “Of course, Albus.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her back straight, her face unreadable.
Marlene watched them leave, unease curling in her gut.
Potter Cottage – The Reveal
The moment they returned to the cottage; Marlene told them everything.
“She has a magical vow on her wrist,” she said, pacing the room as she relayed the interaction. “It was hidden, but when she shook her arm, I saw it glow through her sleeve.”
James frowned. “That means she was forced to promise something.”
Lily’s eyes darkened. “And if it glows—that means the magic is still active.”
Sirius scowled. “What the hell did Dumbledore make her swear to?”
Remus exhaled slowly. “She didn’t deny it, did she?”
Marlene shook her head. “No. She just told me ‘This isn’t the time.’”
Lily tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. “That means she wants us to know but can’t tell us.”
James rubbed his face. “Bloody hell.”
Marlene leaned against the wall; arms crossed. “McGonagall is hiding something big. Something she swore an unbreakable vow for.”
Sirius exhaled sharply. “Dumbledore has a lot more secrets than we thought.”
Lily stared at the glowing journal on the table. “And we’ve only scratched the surface.”
The room fell silent.
Whatever McGonagall’s vow was it was tied to the very foundation of the war.
And they were going to find out why.