A streak of blue light flashed past Evan Rosier’s left shoulder. Merlin, that was too close for comfort. The curse nearly hit its mark. The sleeve of his black Death Eater robes singed with smoke. He whipped his head around and seethed at the man chasing him across the open field. He paused and let out a pained chuckle when he observed his opponent: auror robes, black hair which stood up on end, square glasses sat crookedly across a long nose. James Potter. Evan caught a glimpse of his old schoolmate’s wand raised towards him again, the tip of it lighting up. He groaned and pushed harder up the field.
It had been some time since he last saw James, and it had certainly been within the safety of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During their time at Hogwarts, they were not enemies like they were at the present, more like rivals. Marauders vs. Slytherin. A youth filled with pranks and jokes and the occasional duel. Things had changed drastically since their childhood, and now both men aimed their wands at one another.
Evan was ready to strike down anyone in his path with an Unforgivable, even if that included his old rival. James, on the other hand, had his own directives: apprehend Rosier by any means necessary and bring him into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE) to stand trial.
Glaring at James, Evan carelessly sent multiple hexes over his shoulder, hoping to deter his chaser. He picked up his pace, pounding the grassy field with his dragon hide boots, and continued to flee. His eyes searched the surrounding area for shelter or something to use as a distraction. He found a forest tree line about 200 meters ahead and to the right. James was hot on his trail. He had to lose his would-be captor if he wanted to avoid Azkaban and return to his family alive.
He was exhausted from running and hiding over the past two months. A warrant had come out for his arrest in early October. He had begged his wife to visit family on the continent, but she had refused. They were new parents, she said, their life together was on the verge of being something beautiful. She had misplaced hope in a Dark Lord who would never protect them. If he wanted to protect his family, he had to make it out of this scrape alive.
The darkest parts of Evan wanted to end the hunt now and face James directly. He was an exceptional dueler, one of the best at the Dark Lord’s disposal. That fact which made him a target of the DMLE. But his priorities had shifted, his life was no longer his own. He had a newborn daughter, and his wife was a new mother. His duty was to return to them both, safely and in one piece, and send them into hiding. Sure, one could say his life was not his own as soon as he took the Dark Mark, but that was different, this was his own flesh and blood.
The tree line came into view just as the sun was setting, covering both men in darkness. Evan veered to the right and ducked into its shadows. He quietly weaved in between the trees and finally hid behind a tall pine. He tried to suppress the heavy breaths that were filling up his chest. If he could slow down his heart rate and control his breathing, the chance to evade the auror was minutely better. He quickly threw a Disillusionment charm over his body and waited, ears alert for any crunch of twigs or leaves.
As Evan waited for James, he cursed the day he chose to follow the Dark Lord. Perhaps if he had not been so young and under his father's control, or had he listened to Dumbledore and taken the bloody proverbial olive branch that came in the form of an Order of the Phoenix invitation and chance to fight for the Light, he would not be hiding for his life in some random forest at present. But who was he kidding, his father basically handed him over to the Dark Lord on a silver platter the moment he turned 16.
James finally entered the forest and cast a quick Lumos, highlighting his face.
Evan stopped breathing. His back went rigid, and his grip tightened around his wand. He assumed James would be panting from the extensive chase, but the auror’s breaths were steady.
“Rosier!” James shouted. “Stop hiding and show yourself!” He slowly stalked through the trees, walking around massive trunks, moving aside branches with a flick of his wand.
Evan rolled his eyes. Over my Avada’ed body will I come out freely, he thought.
James would not willingly admit it, but as an auror, he was absolutely rubbish at being stealth-like. With that in mind, he decided on a different tactic. Earlier that week a file landed on his desk labeled Highly Classified. The mission was to retrieve and arrest the Person of Interest in the file and bring him back to the DMLE. Always eager to prove himself in the department, James dove head-first into the man’s file, soaking up all the information that could be useful for capture.
He continued searching between trees, sending Revelios into spaces where he thought there was movement.
"I heard congratulations are in order.” No response came out of the shadows, so James continued speaking. “A new heir for House Rosier, but a girl? That’s something of a disappointment in your Pure-Blood circles. No worries though, times have changed. How many months old is your new daughter?”
Evan internally growled at James' questions. That arrogant asshat’s tactic would not lure him out. He ground his feet firmly in place and made sure his body was still well hidden.
“I have a son, you know. Born around the same time as your daughter. One day they could attend Hogwarts together, yeah? You want that life for her, right? The only way that happens is if you come with me and turn yourself in.” James was about 50 paces away from Evan when he saw the glimmer of disillusionment. With quick wand work, he cast Locomotor Mortis at his target’s hidden body.
Evan’s legs immediately locked. The disillusionment fell and he swore under his breath. James’ aim was perfect, and the curse did not miss. His face remained covered by his Death Eater mask, and he hoped that would unnerve the auror.
Before Evan could react, James shot Expelliarmus at him. His wand flew out of his grip and into James’ waiting hand.
A dark growl rose out of Evan. “Fuck you, Potter!” He struggled against the leg-locking curse, perspiration trickling down his forehead as he hobbled towards James. “How fucking dare you.”
The fury in his voice had not gone unnoticed by James.
Evan quickly used a wandless counter-curse, freeing his legs. Rolling his shoulders and vanishing his mask with a wave of his hand, he stalked towards James, a murderous look in his eyes. His black robes billowed behind him as he sent wandless hex after hex towards his assailant.
The bright array of colors gave James some indication as to what was coming his way. A red blood boiling curse, green Verdimillious Tria, silver slicing hexes, a violet entrail-expelling curse, and an unusual deep purple streak James had never seen. He dodged out of the way, instincts taking over. He had trained for moments such as these, and he was not going to fail.
The two continued to battle. Evan, still without his wand, shrewdly casting dark curses at James. James, using more creative methods with Transfiguration, transforming the elements around him to his advantage.
Eventually, James decided the duel had to end. He was physically at his max, his magical core draining from exertion. He knew that Evan would not stop until either of them were motionless on the ground. He pointed his wand at the foot of a nearby tree and called out an enchantment. The tree’s roots lifted out of the forest floor and encircled Evan’s arms, entwining around his wrists. The charm forced the man into submission.
“Enough,” James said, dropping to his knees, sweat dripping into his eyes. “Enough.” It barely came out as a whisper. He rocked back into a sitting position.
Evan snarled but remained still. His mind set to work, trying to think of ways to break the bonds and Disapparate home. He cursed himself for not killing James when he first saw him, but something held him back from sending the darkest of Unforgivables. He looked at his old schoolmate, his stare pinning James to his seated spot. Perhaps James could be reasoned with?
“Potter," he spoke solemnly, “listen to me.” James' stare narrowed as he watched the Death Eater across from him. “You must let me go. My daughter... Her name is Aster… I need... you don’t understand.” Evan struggled to form complete sentences; he did not understand why his emotions were seeping out of him at that specific moment. Maybe it was his capture? Maybe it was the fear of losing everything he loved? Maybe it was the feeling of failure and knowing at the end of all this was death? Whatever the feeling, it had to be set aside.
James watched as Evan’s eyes transformed from deep pools of emotion to cold emptiness. The Order member knew that the trapped man was occluding.
Evan cleared his throat and spoke in a cool tone. He channeled his inner Slytherin and placed a disinterested mask over his face. “You’re a family man, Potter. Tell me, what must I do to return to my family, unharmed? If you throw me into Azkaban, the Dark Lord will torture them without hesitation, he’ll punish them for my failure.”
James balked at the question. “You honestly think that your plea will save your arse? Or your family’s? You chose the Dark; you must see that. My hands are tied.”
The high walls of Evan’s mind began to crack, and a pained laugh escaped his throat. “Chose this? You think I chose to follow a psychotic Dark Lord willingly? You’re dafter than I thought, mate.”
“You took the Dark Mark.” James pointed to Evan’s left arm. "From my understanding that can only be completed on a willing participant.” His face grimaced in disgust.
An exasperated noise left Evan as he struggled against the binds. “We were children, Potter. Fuck! We were kids! While you were marauding around, pranking second and third years, my father was brutally using the Cruciatus on me until my sanity was hanging-on by a thread. My body still has after-shocks from the curse. So sure, as you so diligently noted – I willingly joined the Death Eaters.”
James sucked in a breath. He acknowledged that not all children had the love and warmth that he had received from his parents. His experience with his best mate, Sirius, taught him that – but he admittedly had forgotten. He stared harder at Evan. What if he had been in Evan’s shoes? What if his parents had not been sympathetic to muggles and muggle-born witches and wizards and had followed Voldemort, supporting Pure-Blood supremacy? He saw a dark path that could easily have been his had his parents raised him differently. He shivered at the thought.
Both men continued to intensely stare at each other.
Evan was the first to drop his gaze. The cool mask completely vanished from his face, leaving emotions of regret and despair. “Potter,” he managed to choke out.
Hearing the desperation in Evan’s voice seemed to challenge something inside James. He waivered with an internal struggle. He always believed in good vs. evil, right from wrong, black and white. To James, Evan chose the wrong side, and any repercussions were a result of that choice; but perhaps he had been wrong. What if there were times when morally grey was necessary. The similarities between himself and Evan were now more obvious than he wanted to admit. Both men were new fathers trying to create a better world for their children, albeit from different sides and reasons; but the root of what motivated them was the same.
A wild idea crept into James’ mind. One that would absolutely get him in trouble with the DMLE, possibly fired, but if he decided to follow through with his idea, it could turn the tide of the war.
Voldemort was winning, there was no denying it. Even though the DMLE had received Ministry approval to use Unforgivables, the department struggled to contain the attacks and make arrests. Casualties increased on both sides, and the Order of the Phoenix’s members were depleting fast.
James abruptly stood up from where he sat and started pacing back and forth. Evan watched him with trepidation. He could see James working something out in his head and wasn’t sure if he liked it.
“I have a slightly crazed... well, it's absolutely mental –” James words trailed off and he didn’t stop pacing. “I mean, let’s be honest, it couldn’t be worse than your current predicament, but what I’m going to suggest is bloody mad.”
Evan’s heart rate picked up as he watched James move back and forth in front of him.
“Switch sides.” James stopped right in front of Evan and encouraged him with a lopsided smile.
Evan barked out a tortured laugh. “Merlin, you have gone mental. Are you out of your bloody gods forsaken mind?” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Listen, mate, this is your one chance to save your daughter and your family. Dumbledore mentioned when recruiting for the Order that he had extended the invite to multiple Slytherin students. He always saw the good in people; he must have seen it in you.”
Evan said nothing and James knew he was right.
“It’s not too late. Take Dumbledore’s offer. I’ll even vouch for you.”
“Potter, I’m in too deep. There’s no way the invitation still stands.” Evan let out a heavy sigh. He would give anything to have changed sides back when he had graduated Hogwarts, but he had done too much as a Death Eater, now. He had dug his own grave.
“And that’s exactly why we need you. Become an informant for the Order. Spy on Voldemort.”
Evan flinched. “Don’t utter is name.” He did not necessarily believe the taboo of speaking the Dark Lord’s name, but better safe than sorry.
James rolled his eyes. “He’s just a man, Rosier, not a god. Mortals can be defeated.”
Evan only replied with a shrug and shake of his head.
“Aid the Order so we can gain the upper hand. I’m positive Dumbledore will protect your family in exchange.”
To show a sign of good faith, James removed the enchanted bindings holding Evan’s wrists. The roots drew back into the ground from where they came.
Evan’s arms felt like lead as they dropped to his side. He slowly rubbed his wrists. There were slight bruises and cuts from where the wood had broken skin. He thought about the offer as he rose to his feet. As it stood right now, he was going to Azkaban for life. The things he had done, the heinous crimes committed; there was no redemption if he did not take the offer. Could this be his redemption? Would he willingly work against the Dark Lord, putting himself in precarious positions? He was just making headway into the Dark Lord’s inner circle, it could work. He knew more than enough to damage the Dark Lord's plan, but where would that get him? Six feet under, most likely. And then where would his family be?
“Assurances,” Evan whispered before he could take it back.
“What?” James asked, unsure if he heard him.
“Assurances,” Evan said, resolutely. “If I am to turn spy, become a traitor to everyone I know and everything I once believed in, I need assurances from the Order.” He paused letting determination flood through his body. “No, wait, I want them from Dumbledore himself.”
James wanted to smile, but he suppressed it. He accomplished what seemed impossible – he turned a Death Eater! He would bring one of Voldemort’s most relied upon duelists in as an informant for the Order. He knew, publicly, the DMLE department head, Alastor Moody, would punish him, but that same department head was a top organizer for the Order.
“This is good,” James muttered. The young auror tapped his chin with his wand. “Right, I’ll send my patronus now and inform Dumbledore.”
Evan nodded, taking a step closer to James. "One more thing, Potter, I want a Wizard’s Oath from you.”
Wand out and Expecto Patronum on the tip of his tongue, James startled. He turned to his captive unsure.
“I hardly trust Dumbledore to follow through with any assurances that we agree upon,” Evan said, “especially if I become expendable. I need your Oath to protect my daughter at all costs.”
Evan could not stress that enough. All he wanted was protection for his daughter if he or his wife were forcibly removed from her life. His mind could not even think about what the Dark Lord would have in store if caught. “Potter, watch over her, please,” he almost begged.
A nervous expression washed over James’ face.
“You think Dumbledore is infallible. A war hero who will forever choose the Light. But surely you can understand my hesitation? The man defeated Grindelwald. You don’t defeat one of the most powerful Dark Wizards without getting your hands dirty in some fashion. I doubt if I fail the Order, or find myself beyond the veil, that Dumbledore will protect and care for my family. If we come out on the right side of this war, I will be indebted to you.”
The thought never occurred to James that Dumbledore was anything but good. However, being in the war and working as an auror let James experience the lengths in which people would go to protect themselves and their cause. He could see how a person might use questionable means to get the outcome that they desired. Like the Ministry, allowing aurors to use Unforgivables. Sure, the Order was not the DMLE, but they overlapped.
“That’s asking a lot, Rosier.” James lowered his wand, not sending the Patronus. “We barely know one another. Wouldn’t her godparents be a better fit?” As he spoke those words, he felt instant regret. He knew why Evan asked; her godparents were either Death Eaters or followers of Voldemort.
“Look, you know as well as I that her godparents will either be in Azkaban or dead once this war’s over. If they are alive, they won’t acknowledge the vow to protect a traitor’s child.”
James shook his head. He could not imagine Sirius ignoring the vow made to take care of his son, no matter the cost. He could turn traitor to the Order and Sirius would still be there. He thought about Harry, his son. If something happened to him or Lily, surely Dumbledore would protect him. But that was his son, an Order member’s child, not a Death Eater’s daughter. Perhaps Evan had a point.
“Fine.” James agreed. “But only if you are, erm, no longer with the living.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, as they had slipped down.
Evan snorted with a genuine laugh. “Ah, yes, well phrased.”
James awkwardly shrugged, raised his wand, and then lowered his wand arm. “Wait, what’s your daughter’s full name?” An anxious laugh escaped his lips; it was absurd that he was vowing to protect a child he never met.
“Aster Minette Rosier.”
“Aster? As in the stars?”
Evan hummed in response. He and his wife chose Aster because their little girl was their star – their guiding light in the darkness that had taken over their lives.
“Aren’t the Blacks the only Pure-Blood family who name their progeny after stars and constellations?”
“Yes,” said Evan, “but she’s a bright light in our darkness. Aster has brought so much love and warmth to my wife and I.”
James nodded in recognition. “Harry, my son, he’s Lily and my world.” He paused for a moment, shifting on his feet. “You know, if this whole shite show works out, and we all come out of this alive, perhaps my son and your daughter will have an actual chance to be friends.”
Evan smiled sadly, and he hoped in all the possibilities.
James raised his wand again and made his oath. “I, James Fleamont Potter, vow upon my wand to protect and care after Aster Minette Rosier to the best of my abilities as a Wizard, if or when her parents no longer have the ability to do so and until I am no longer capable.” A bright gold spark flashed from his wand as the magic wrapped around his forearm, binding the oath.
Evan gripped James’ forearm and squeezed the man’s shoulder with his other hand. “Thank you, James.” The move surprised both men.
James nodded and quickly cast his Patronus. An elegant silvery-blue stag swirled out of his wand’s tip and cocked its head, waiting for directives. “To Dumbledore: have an emergent request. Please call an emergency Order meeting at HQ. Have a high-level informant from within the Dark’s ranks. Changing sides. Will vouch for him.”
The stag bowed and immediately leapt away, disappearing above the trees. Evan watched it in awe. He always wondered what his Patronus might be if he could produce one.
James was about to cast another Patronus and send it to the head of his department when there was a sudden crack of apparition about fifteen meters away.
Both men shot steel glances in the other’s direction, questioning looks in their eyes. James adamantly shook his head and pressed a finger to his lips. Evan rolled his eyes but nodded in agreement and motioned for his wand.
As soon as Evan’s wand was back in his hand, a second crack of apparition sounded off and sent dread down his spine. I’m absolutely fucked. He disillusioned himself to James’ chagrin, but he needed to protect himself.
The two wizards who landed in the forest pointed in James’ direction, and quickly sprinted towards him.
“James,” Evan whispered in a hiss, “please tell me that you didn’t fuck me over.”
“What?” James sputtered. “When would I have time to call for reinforcements.”
Evan slowly put space between himself and the auror, hoping to observe the exchange behind a tree.
“Potter, that you?” A tall, overbearing man shouted at James.
“Moody?” James said in surprise. “I mean, uh Director Moody, sir. What brings you out here this fine evening.”
Evan internally groaned. He was absolutely fucked.
“Don’t be daft, boy. You missed check-in over an hour ago. Nothing but radio silence.”
“Radio silence, sir?”
“Muggle term.” The other auror who James had not addressed yet interjected in a bored tone.
“Right. Thanks, McLaggen,” James let out.
Moody sighed, irritably. “Well, what in the bloody hell happened, Potter. Where’s Rosier?”
James tried to think of how he was going to get himself out of this one. “You see, sir, as you know Rosier is an excellent duelist… we fought, hard. Used some of those transfiguration enchantments you taught me. But as you know, sometimes things don’t go as planned.” He looked at his feet and then brought his eyes back up to Moody. His director looked like he was about to combust.
“Potter, please tell me –” McLaggen pinched the bridge of his nose, but James cut him off.
“He’s gone. He escaped.”
Evan watched nervously as Moody turned a deep shade of red. Fuck fuck fuck. This is not good. He decided now would be the best time to make his way out of the forest. Unfortunately, as he turned on his heel, he stepped on a twig, making a small snapping sound as it broken under his boot. He froze, panic washing over his whole body.
James’ eyebrows shot up, giving everything away.
Moody was too quick for either James or Evan to react. “Revelio,” he shouted, pointing his wand in Evan’s direction.
The disillusionment immediately dropped. All four men were stationary for a moment. Then as quickly as they froze, they unfroze, a fight broke out between Moody, McLaggen, and Evan – wands out and shooting off curses with an incredible fury.
“Stupefy!” both Moody and McLaggen shouted, sending the spell Evan’s way. He ducked, the spells ricocheting off each other with a bright light and singe of smoke.
James, unsure how to act, tried shouting above the noise. “Moody! For Merlin’s sake, stop! He’s going to join the Order! He’s promised!” A stinging hex swooshed past him. “Bloody hell McLaggen, watch where you point that thing.”
Evan rolled on his back, sending a blood boiling curse McLaggen’s way while holding his Protego shield, blocking Moody’s assault.
“Listen to your man, Alastor!” Evan surprised himself by the calmness of his voice, even if internally he was losing his shite. He had to distract both men long enough for Dumbledore to contact Moody. “We’re meeting your Order tonight to go over the details.” He sent another vibrant curse towards McLaggen. The guy just would not let up. “If Dumbledore hasn’t sent you a message yet, I’m sure you’ll be made aware in minutes.”
Moody ignored Evan and turned towards James who was pacing back and forth. “Potter!” he barked, spittle spraying from his mouth. “Have you lost your gods forsaken mind! Don’t just bloody stand there! That’s an order!”
James honestly did not know what to do. Capturing Evan was out of the question, but so was going against his superior and colleague.
Moody sent an Incarcerous which barely missed Evan has he dropped behind a tree. Smoke swirled around the entire area from all the curses being sent.
Evan paused a beat and then stepped out from behind the tree, the smoke partially covering him. As he held his shield, he sent a slicing hex directly at Moody. It hit the man in the face, slicing off a chunk of his nose. Blood began spurting from where Moody’s appendage used to be, sending the veteran auror to the ground.
James gasped and swore under his breath. How had this spiraled out of control? He ran to Moody’s side and cast a quick blood-clotting charm, trying to stop the bleeding. Moody cursed loudly as he pushed James out of the way.
Evan’s eyes went round. The slicing hex was only meant to graze Moody’s arm or shoulder, not hit him in the blasted face. Pushing aside an inner voice which screamed self-preservation and that it was the perfect moment to Disapparate the hell away from his surroundings, Evan found himself dropping his shield, hesitantly walking towards Moody. If he was going to work with the Order and place his and his family’s life in their hands, he had to make things right; and that began with taking care of the people he would be standing next to moving forward. Now was not the time to be a coward.
It was in that moment when Evan’s guard was down that McLaggen attacked. Angered by the curse which could have mortally killed his mentor, he cast Expulso into the trees and brought numerous heavy branches down on top of Evan, covering him with such an incredible force that the branches crushed the Death Eater’s body.
James looked over in horror at the scene before him. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no.” He abruptly stood up and rushed to the pile of branches. “Rosier? Evan? Say something, please!” When no reply came, dread settled into the pit of his stomach.
With his wand, he furiously worked to levitate the branches and remove them off Evan. “What the fuck is wrong with you, McLaggen?” He shouted.
McLaggen just shrugged, unaffected by what he had done.
“Help me, for Godric’s sake!”
McLaggen rolled his eyes and looked to Moody for approval. He received a nod from his mentor and made his way over to the pile of branches.
By the time both men had removed every branch, they stared down at Evan’s lifeless, mangled body, wand still grasped in his hand. James dropped to his knees and expelled the contents of his stomach. Tears burned his eyes as his body heaved.
“I failed. I failed him. He was going… he wanted…” a choked sob escaped James’ throat, tears fell down his face. Only minutes ago, Evan had changed sides; now he was dead. He was going to make a better life for his family and choose the Light, but now his light was forever snuffed out.
James stood up and stalked toward McLaggen, anger emanating from him. He shoved a finger into his co-worker's chest. “You! What were you thinking? He was going to be our spy! You’ve set the Order back by Merlin knows how much.”
Moody, finally having stopped the bleeding from his nose, forcefully guided James away from McLaggen.
“He was Death Eater scum, Potter. Whatever happened was little more than he deserved,” McLaggen spat.
James shrugged out of Moody’s arm and rounded on McLaggen, punching him in the jaw. His hand cracked but he did not feel the pain.
“He had a fucking family!” James growled in disgust. “His wife just gave birth to their baby girl! You’ve left her without a father, and that’s something that you’ll have to live with for the rest of your miserable life.”
“This is war, Potter, and we had our orders,” Moody said without leaving room for argument.
“To bring him in and to stand trial, not kill him!” Exasperation weighed heavily on James. “What good are we if we fail to support people who need us the most? Those people include Death Eaters who defect and choose the Light. We had a duty when he decided to change sides. And you fucking wouldn’t hear me out! What’s the point of having an Order and fighting this war if people can’t trust us when we say we’ll help?”
The three men stood silently for a minute. Eventually, a Phoenix Patronus flew in, settling between the men. Dumbledore’s voice came out, requesting all three arrive at headquarters for a highly sensitive meeting.
James derisively snorted and shook his head. Tears now dry on his face. “You go and explain this disaster to Dumbledore. I have a body to return to a family.”
As his Director and fellow auror Disapparated to the Order meeting, James knelt next to Evan. Placing a warm hand on the now cold, stiff form, he spoke. “Fuck, Evan, I’m so, so sorry, mate. Sorry we failed you. Sorry your life was cut short because if this gods forsaken war. I’ll look after your daughter, as promised. I won’t break my vow.”
With those last words spoken, James left the forest, vowing to make the war right, to protect those he loved the most, and like Evan, choose not to be a coward.