1978, James and Lily's Wedding
April, 1978
The weather was perfect for a trip outside of London. Being back at Hogwarts felt strange. Everything looked the same, but the atmosphere was different, it looked smaller than she remembered. It is true that almost two years had already passed since she had graduated as a Ravenclaw, leaving the school uniform for duellist clothes.
She did not regret any of her choices, and felt proud of the path she had taken.
But being back here brought up all sorts of memories, and she felt a slight itch of nostalgia in her chest.
She did not have much time to spend wandering around the school, and quickly climbed up to the headmaster's office. Albus Dumbledore remained the same old wizard she had known during her years at Hogwarts. His beard had lengthened a bit. But his fashion had remained the same : peculiar.
- Agnes, thank you for coming all the way here. It's been hard for me to go back and forth to London these days.
- No problem, professor. It's a pleasure to see you. I believe you know why I am here today.
- Yes, yes. Come, take a sit. Let's not waste more time. I know you are thinking of revealing you elemental power to join a good cause.
- A friend of mine has reminded me of the urgency of the situation. The Death Eaters are increasing their numbers of recruits.
- Right. It is true that dark magic is becoming widespread around Europe. I am afraid your worries are not vain. But I believe joining a fight by using your elemental magic would be walking into a den of death.
- But why? Professor. I don't undersand why.
- Your magic, Agnes, not only allows you to control the elements and the nature around you without using a wand. It also provides you the possibility to be immortal. You can live forever, thanks to your magic. And such power is more than envied by many dark wizards. The faculty of sharing that longevity with someone else is a particularity of the elemental beings. If you were to marry and ally yourself with someone, they could beneficiate from the same immortality. Thus, you are the most precious element the dark lord could wish for.
He marked a moment. He stood up and walked around the room, thinking.
- Fortunately, he continued. He does not seem to know of your existence, and your secret power. And I believe it must stay this way. You must be able to defend yourself and protect people around you, but only use your special gift when there is no other choice and you are deprived from your wand. Or else, if a death eater sees you, they will report it to their master.
Agnes was listening carefully to every word the headmaster was telling her. All these precious information she had been longing for were finally being shared. So it was what she had suspected. That so called immortality she was apparently gifted with could become the end of her.
- If.. You wish to take part in helping the cause... I could perhaps recommend you something. The old man added, a curious look in his eye.
- I am not sure if I want to join any group. But I know I need to support my friend. And I want to be there for him.
- Good. You can visit this address in London, I will let them know of your visit.
He handed her a paper with a few words scratched on it. She folded it carefully and put it in her pocket before thanking the wizard.
Before leaving Hogwarts, Agnes could not help but walk around a little bit. She missed how innocent she was allowed to be back, only having to focus on making friends and be good in class and at duelling. Now, everything was different.
She saw some silhouette flying around on the Quidditch pitch and decided to check on the on going practice. She had some flashbacks of the few matches she had attended.
There, she recognized the Gryffindor uniform worn by the students on the pitch. A few 7th years were flying around while the younger players were still warming up and getting some instructions on the ground.
The weather was nice, and a little wind came to juggle with Agnes' hair. She sat on the bench, looking at the students laughing and getting ready for the next round of practice. It seemed so simple, so cheerful.
Agnes recognized James Potter who was still on the ground, focused on helping a 3rd Year attempt a looping technique. After a few seconds, as if he had felt her gaze on him, he looked up at her. In a surprised smile, he hurried and flew over to her. In the split of a second, the 8th Year was at her height, up in the air.
- Lenoir! How come you're here?! He asked, his cheeks pink from the wind.
- Came to visit Dumbledore. And thought I'd came to check on that Wronski Feint of yours!
- Hahaha! And you shall see it!
At that words, the young man flew back down and announced the beginning of practice. Agnes stayed for an hour or so, enjoying the teenagers flying around, and decided to go home.
The trip back seemed longer and exhausting compared to the journey she'd made in the morning. She had hoped to see either Joshua, Jimmy, or Remus at Hogwarts. But she had to accept the fact that they were probably busy preparing for their O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts. Everybody was deaing with their own life obligations. And hers right now was Antoine.
She had decided to try and check on that place Dumbledore had mentioned. She trusted her professor, and felt ready to commit. She could not ignore the fact that Antoine had been right the entire time and she had just been stupid not to admit it. She wanted to see him and apologize, and help him.
The house was a rusty looking cottage, old enough to have been built in the Pre World muggle war. She knocked on the door and was welcomed by a tall young man. He seemed to be in his 20s and gave her a bright smile before inviting her to enter the house. The inside was modern and clean, and she noticed the outside did not look as odd anymore. Probably an enchantment made to not attract anyone near the house, she thought.
- Welcome, Miss Lenoir. I heard from Dumbledore about your visit. My name is Frank Longbottom, and this is my wife Alice.
- How do you do, said a young woman with the softest smile and most gentle look Agnes had ever seen.
- Nice to meet you. She answered, a little shy.
Inside, the full furnished cottage seemed to be inhabited continuously, having all sorts of objects and a small range of books in the shelves above the dinner table. Agnes sat down on the chair, facing her hosts. They looked like really kind people and she felt at ease with them. No one else seemed present.
- I know it isn't the best house for a young married couple to live in, but it is very useful for the order's headquarters. Admitted Alice.
- The order..?
- Yes, the order of the phoenix. Continued Frank. It is a secret group uniting people who want to fight the dark wizards polluting our cities.
- We meet once a week or so, and try to get some news and advances about the on going mission.
- What kind of..mission do you do? Asked Agnes, her curiosity was now picked.
- We convince people not to follow the death eaters ideas, and we fight when necessary. But we always try and keep our identities hidden. It is a very dangerous task to be part of the order. Are you sure you want to commit to it?
Agnes thought for a moment.
- I have a question. She said. Is someone named Antoine Deguire part of this order? He's my friend and I.. I think I'd want to join the group if he's there as well.
Alice and Frank smiled kindly and nodded. According to them, Antoine had entered the order of the phoenix on a special request, and was going back and forth to France for overseas missions. He was mostly absent, as always on the run. But he was indeed part of the group.
How relieving.
After one more hour or discussing the rules of the order, Agnes had finally accepted to take part in it. She had not mentioned her elemental magic or anything she had talked about with Dumbledore. But she felt confident in being a good asset for the team. Indeed, her close relations in the higher social classes could be beneficial in getting a wider hand on who was corrupted or not.
She knew she was putting herself in danger. But it was too late now. She was ready for this new adventure.
A few days later, Agnes had attended her first meeting with the order. Not everyone was present, some being on missions outside of the city. She barely recognized any faces but some names sounded familiar and she was pretty sure a few wizards were working for the ministry.
When Antoine finally entered the little house, she couldn't restrain a sigh of relief. He was safe and sound. When he lowered his eyes to the people sitting around the table, his look softened when he stopped at Agnes. The young wizard hugged her from behind and kissed her on the head, thanking her for being here. He seemed genuinely happy to see her.
The meeting was mostly, as had explained the Longbottoms, making sure everyone was aware of the latest news about the death eaters. A few members added in some details about the current events at the ministry and some others shared lists of potential people who could be death eaters. Agnes saw Yaxley's name on it, and shivered. Well, at least they already knew about him.
After the meeting, Antoine had joined Agnes on the sofa, a cup of coffee in his hand.
- How was it? Your first meeting. He asked.
- Everyone seems really committed, it's good to see. I don't really know what I can contribute to yet, but I'll find my place. She admitted.
- I'm sure you will. And they will need you at some point. Just try and attend the meetings often, so you can keep track of what's going on. We are expecting a few more members to join by the end of the year.
***
Somewhere in October 1978
The sky was grey in Britain, but the spirit was lifted by the beautiful event Agnes was attending today. She had dressed up from the occasion, and felt so excited to attend her friends' wedding. She had gotten to Godric's Hollow earlier that day to meet with the other guests, alongside Joshua and Jimmy who were also invited.
She had received the invitation earlier that year, during the summer. She was just back from a trip in Portugal where she had spent two weeks on a duelling seminar and had taught a few students on the basic tactics. She had been surprised to see the Potter's owl at her window.
"James Potter
&
Lily Evans
Invite you to celebrate their marriage
On october, 18th, 1978"
And now, here she was, about to witness her younger friends get married at 18 years old. They were so young and everyone had wondered why they'd decided to unite so early on in their life. But it seemed like their love was enough to convince anyone of their prosperity as a married couple.
It was a happy day. Everyone had dressed up, even Sirius, who looked the most aristocratic she'd ever seen him. He was James' best man, and seemed emotional to send his friend away to a young woman. Peter Pettigrew and some other gryffindors were sitting in the front rows, behind the Potters. Sadly, Lily had lost her parents a little while back, and was therefore escorted by Remus, who had kindly accepted to walk her to the isle.
It had been a happy wedding, and everyone had enjoyed the ceremony. James and his new wife looked more in love than ever.
Now, everyone had finally graduated from Hogwarts (besides Jimmy) and were now entering the adult life. Somehow, Agnes felt less alone. She was now part of the order, she was still busy with her world champion responsibilities, and had now more opportunities to see her friends from school.
***
November 16th, 1978
Agnes had just come back from Paris, where she had met Jeanne at the ministry, and had told her about the latest news (she kept it concise, for the sake of the order's secretive policy). Everything seemed to go well between her friend and Pierre, and she had seen the spark in Jeanne's eyes when she had told her all about the Potter's wedding.
Today was the second meeting of the month for the order, and Agnes had heard new recruits would arrive that day. When she entered the little cottage with Antoine, her eyes widened at the sight of the few people standing in front of her.
- Lenoir! Said a first voice
- Agnes, what a surprise to see you here! Continued a feminine voice.
- Now, that's something I hadn't expected.
Sirius Black had clapped his hands in a applauding gesture, and looked as surprised as Lily (formerly Evans) Potter and James Potter next to him. Agnes had no idea why her friends were here. Were THEY the new recruits Antoine had told her about a month ago?
Remus Lupin stepped out of the kitchen where a few other wizards were chatting in, and let out a sigh of shock, and couldn;t restrain a smile towards Agnes. Behind him, Peter Pettigrew was trying to access the sofa, to enjoy his cup of tea before the meeting. He saluted her with a timid wave. James came forward and shook Antoine's hand. They both look so adult now, and mature.
Once everyone was arrived, the cottage looked smaller than it already was, now filled with witches and wizards from the order.
Agnes was happy. But slightly worried. These kids she had met at Hogwarts, they had joined to order right after graduation, not even hesitating in trying to live their own life before committing to such a dangerous cause.
She felt ashamed of herself, for it took her so long to realize where she truly belonged. Yet, the marauders and Lily were tow years younger than her and still knew exactly what they wanted to do.
But they had not lived yet. Was it the right decision to come and fight recklessly for the order? They were barely 18..