1979, Dumbledore's Secret Weapon
March 1st, 1979
Frank had prepared a beautiful cake for Agnes' birthday. She had woken up early, having to send a few letters by muggle post that morning. She believed it was a weird time to celebrate her birthday, but she was turning 21, and Alice insisted on having a small gathering. The Potters, Sirius and Remus, as well as Peter and the Longbottoms would be spending dinner together.
They had made various dishes, and had experimented cooking african food, because it was Alice's dream to visit the continent. Agnes had never had anything else than couscous back in France, and some tajin, which she adored.
The guests arrived after tea time, when the house was becoming livelier once the sun was setting. Peter Pettigrew arrived first, with a little flower bouquet he'd prepared for Agnes. It was a simple one, but she liked it very much, and had went to look for a vase right away. Sirius had picked up Remus and they had knocked on the door enthusiastically. Frank had opened to the door, scolding them for being too loud. At last, James and Lily had made it, the former Evans holding a beautiful fruit salad which was looking really tasty.
- Let's raise of drinks to the best duellist, the cleverest girl Ravenclaw has ever known, and the sexiest booze buyer a teenager could have ever dreamt to have as a friend! Announced Sirius while standing up, his glass high in the air.
Everyone laughed, Agnes the loudest, at his list of compliments towards the birthday girl. Remus gave him a little punch in the ribs before lifting his beer as well. Eventually, all the guests congratulated Agnes and they ate dinner in a festive atmosphere, which she had to admit, she had missed dearly.
After they had drunk the whole lot of alcohol and ate the cake, Lily and Agnes were sitting in the sofa in the living room while the others were playing some games in the kitchen.
- How is the married life? Started Agnes, a tipsy smile on her face.
- It is nice, very nice. Of course, I'd hoped we had other circumstances to build our home, without having to constantly care for our safety, being member of the order of the phoenix. But I really love James, and he is a great partner at that. He always supports my idea and listens carefully to what I say. I appreciate it, you know.
- I am glad, Lily, really. I'm sure things will get better, once we get rid of those fanatics. And we will, that I can promise.
- Right.. We already lost many people because of them. I don't want to imagine having to say goodbye to anyone else again.
Agnes marked a silence. Lily was obviously referencing to Antoine, as well as the people who were suspected to having joined the death eaters troups.
- Do you still have connections to that Snape guy? Severus Snape, he was in Slytherin if I'm not mistaken. He was your friend, wasn't he?
Lily suddenly seemed uneased. Her eyes lowered down to her laps where she was playing with the sleeve of her dress.
- He... We aren't friends anymore. Severus is.. He is complicated, you see. And I believe it was for the better we parted ways.
- Oh, sorry to hear that. It's true that I never saw him hanging out with anyone besides you. He was much of a loner, wasn't he?
- Yes...
- You should mention that time he insulted you. Said a voice behind them.
It was Sirius. He was finishing his glass of whiskey and sat on the top on the sofa, looking a bit drunk.
- That day, in fifth year, was it? When that Snivellus called you a mudbl-aAHHH
James had appeared from the kitchen and had filled his friend's mouth with a large piece of cake to shut him off. Lily sighed and thanked her husband with a smile.
- Time to sleep, padfoot! ordered the Gryffindor before helping his friend back to the entrance.
- I am sorry, Agnes. Sirius can be a little intrusive sometimes. But what he said is true. Severus fancied things I couldn't understand nor agree with. And him and James weren't the best of friends. It all resulted in this dispute we all had, and he called me... a.. he called me a mudblood.
Agnes felt an anger build up in her chest. She always thought of Snape as a strange character, but hearing about what he had done made her despise him at once. She was glad she had not become friends with him, after all. What a terrible thing to say to his only friend. especially Lily, who was so kind and thoughtful.
The young woman with dark ginger hair smiled to her, and stood up to join her husband and Sirius who were battling each other (one wanting to go home and the other one begging for another beer).
***
June 16th, 1979
She could hear the birds singing in the back yard of the Longbottoms. Dumbledore had just departed from the little cottage after their meeting. He had given fresh missions for everyone. Agnes had begged to finally get out of the house and earn some days at the Dunbars. She missed them, and they were starting to become suspicious of her absence. Agnes kept giving interviews using an intermediary journalist she knew personally, so people could think she was still on the road in Europe.
Dumbledore thought it was better if no one suspected her disappearance and believed she was still living the world champion celebrity life. She felt like her days she had spent in Russia the previous september were so far away now.
Agnes smiled at the thought of Alexei, and the memory of winning the world cup. What a memorable moment. The face of Antoine stroke her eyes, like it usually did at least once every day. She could not help but think of him, of what she could have done to protect him and save him from this tragic death.
But Frank was right. He had told her she could not have done anything more that she already had, and that it was mandatory to start looking at the present and the future instead of the past.
She had cried a lot the first weeks following Antoine's death. Jeanne had sent an owl every free moment she had, although Dumbledore had asked her not to, for safety reason. But Agnes was stuck at home for the most part of her days, and receiving her mail was the best part and only distracting one now.
Dumbledore had allowed the young witch to travel to center London and meet with her father for a bit, showing that she was alive and well. She would have to apparate discreetly out of the cottage and avoid being seen by anyone else.
This is a time where every acquaintance we have must be investigated. Anyone could have joined HIM. Had announced the headmaster.
Agnes had prepared a bag with a portkey inside, specially made for going back to the safe house directly. Frank had made it with the help of Alastor Moody, making it easier for Agnes to travel back in case she couldn't apparate.
She also carried her wand and was wearing casual clothes, to not bring attention on her.
When she finally made it to the Dunbars, it felt as if she was coming back home after years away. She could smell the hydrangeas blossoming in the front yard. Cosmey opened the door at once, seemingly guessing who was waiting outside.
Agnes couldn't restrain herself and hugged the little elf. She had missed her so much!
- Miss! Oh, miss is hugging Cosmey! Cosmey does not deserve such kind gesture, miss! Cosmey was cleaning the basement, miss! So dirty Cosmey is!
- Nonsense! Declared Agnes with a smile on her face.
It felt good to be home. Mrs Dunbar had been noticed of Agnes' visit in her previous owl, and had made her house elf prepare a copious tea set.
- How are things with you, darling? The housewife said, sipping on her china cup.
- Very good, thanks. I've been working with the spanish duelling confederation, teaching witches and wizards about the honorable practice I happen to be quite good at, answered Agnes with a joking smirk.
Dumbledore had told her to lie about where she had been, and where she was going to be. It was safer to everyone if they knew she was doing something abroad instead of being stucked in a house in suburban neighborhoods of the capital.
They were drinking team in the library, as they used to do since she had moved in here. Agnes liked the smell of the room. It brought her memories of her first arrival here, the hours spent reading and studying, flying to the Blacks in the mornings and coming back home later in the evening. It was another time, she thought.
Mr Dunbar came home a little earlier, wanting to meet with his daughter after all this time. He had expectionally left work in advance to not miss the rare visit of Agnes.
- I'm glad you are enjoying yourself in your work. Things are not so bright here. Joshua is not doing so good for his internship at the ministry, 'believes his fate lies elsewhere. Cannot really blame him, the atmosphere at work isn't what it used to be. People are stressed and doubt each other constantly. Not a good time, indeed.
- I heard Minchum is having quite a blast at overworking his aurors for searching the dark magic fanatics. Agnes asked, feigning a naive question.
- Well, that I can't refute... But I get his point. Especially after what happened to the poor Black family. First the father, Orion, dies earlier this year from whoever knows what, and then their son..
Agnes felt her heart stopped for a semi-second. She almost spilled the wine she was sipping on.
- The Black son? Sirius?! What happened to him? She rushed to ask, alarmed.
- Oh, no. Sirius had left the house a while ago, or so I heard. I meant the youngest son, Regulus. The poor boy has disappeared, most certainly dead.
- How do we know that? Maybe he's just.. hiding or something?
- Not what his mother seemed to think, according to how desperately sad she was when I met her at the ministry. The poor woman is left alone and her oldest son had turned his back on his family.
- Well.. I'm sure he had his reasons..but.. Is there really no way we could try and find Regulus Black?
- Our best investigators have tried but there was nothing left, no clue inducing he might be around. Such a shame..
Agnes had lost the track of the conversation after that. She had heard of the progression of the events related to the dark Lord and other things related to the order of the phoenix. But nothing about Orion Black passing or Regulus being missing. She knew Sirius had no contact with his family but she had seen him multiple time since the beginning of the year and he had not shown once a particular expression of grief.
He was, however most certainly, keeping his feelings for himself.
The young witch felt stupid for not having asked him about how he processed having left home so early in his life, nor if he needed to talk about it. Not that they were the closest of friends.
She left the Dunbars later that night, and apparated safely back to the Longbottoms. Both had been waiting for the young witch to make it back, so they could sleep comfortably, not worrying about her whereabouts.
Agnes was truly thankful for their commitment to Dumbledore and the order, but she hated feeling like so weak, having to be protected all the time. But she had to admit, being able to travel freely for a moment had been rather refreshing.
***
July 29th, 1979
Jeanne and Pierre were visiting from France. They had made it possible for Agnes to spend a few weeks in another safe house, as she had requested. She wanted to give some privacy for the Longbottoms and the opportunity to live as a couple for the summer without a guest wandering around the house all day. Agnes also thought she would go mental if she stayed one second more in the cottage without doing anything.
She had enjoyed reading and studying for months, helping Frank and Alice with their missions, doing some paperwork and reaching out for some favors by people she knew who could help the order. She did miss going on the field and doing actual tasks, but this was better than nothing.
On the other hand, Dumbledore was stuck at Hogwarts most of the time, attending a few order meeting from time to time. Months had passed and not much seemed to move. Only a few encounters with the death eaters had happened and James Potter had barely escaped, almost being recognized by one of the fanatics. Thanks to some polyjuice potions prepared in advance, he had changed into a muggle they had targeted previously and had fleed in the londonian subway.
Lily had reached Alice through Floo powder in the middle of the night when her husband was still not back from his mission. It was the first time Agnes had seen her cry.
Pierre and Jeanne had arrived the previous day, hands filled with gifts and french gourmet food they had especially carried to give the Longbottoms. Mad-eye Moody had helped finding a safe house near Dublin, and they had traveled there together. It felt good smelling the fresh wind of the irish fields, only an hour away from the capital city.
- Do you know why we chose this place in particular? Asked Pierre, half a smile on his lips.
- Err.. To spend time together? Agnes answered, now hesitating.
- We are actually on a mission. The wizard admitted, his smile widening.
- From Dumbledore himself. Added Jeanne, the same expression on her face.
- He wants you to practice your elemental magic here. The perimeter has been protected by a spell, so you'll be able to train freely.
- But.. train for what? He wants me to stay hidden, so what's the use? Agnes responded at once, confused.
- I believe his plan is to reveal you, to let you fight amongst us. My guess is that there.. there is a battle preparing. There will come a day where we will have to use all of our forces to fight against the dark lord. Continued Agnes.
- You'd be like... our secret weapon.