Who: The Order - Aberforth, Emmeline, Moody, Remus, Marlene, James, Sirius, Mary, Dung, Gideon, Peter Where: The Hog's Head When: 8 June 1979, around 1am What: The Order's impromptu meeting in the aftermath of the deaths of the Bones family.
Rating: PG-13 for language Status: Complete
Aberforth booted the last of his customers out of the pub, ignoring their complaints and even literally booting one or two up the arse when they didn't move fast enough for his liking. Most didn't complain too loudly, they simply took one look at his expression and wisely got out as quickly as they could. As soon as the last one was gone, he summoned a piece of parchment and scrawled a quick note on it simply stating that the pub was closed until further notice and pinned it to the door. His next move was to close down the floo network and make sure the back door was open. He then raised every ward he could without stopping people from entering.
Once that was done he headed behind the bar and started pulling out glasses and mugs and pulling down bottles of alcohol of varying types, thumping them down on the bar and trying to ignore the shaking of his hands. He'd been at that party. He'd enjoyed himself especially with the children, even if he had gotten a few exasperated looks from Edgar and his wife. He'd liked Edgar and right now he couldn't decide whether he was angry or upset or perhaps both.
He decided that he had enough alcohol there and if anyone wanted something else, they could damn well get it himself. He grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey and a glass and headed over to one of the tables, pouring himself a generous measure and waiting for the Order to arrive.
Emmeline.
The night looked daunting as Emmeline peered out her window. It was probably safer to Apparate while she was inside. Grabbing her worn leath satchel from the table, she scurried around the small living room gathering her journal and throwing on a warm cloak over her crumpled white shirt and jeans. After Moody's admonitions, Emmeline decided it was probably sensible not to leave her journal lying around in her empty flat. She stood in the middle of her living room, preparing to turn and Apparate but the weight of what had happened overwhelmed her again and Emmeline rushed to her cramped bathroom to splash cold water on her face.
Right, she thought, squaring her shoulders. It wasn't the time to fall apart. Emmeline turned on the spot and disappeared with a loud pop, which was muffled by the sound of the band playing in the bar next door.
She appeared at the Hog Head's backyard and had to dodge rather quickly to avoid getting bitten by the lurid purple goat. Emmeline already had her wand out, detecting Aberforth's wards. They seemed sufficient enough, as she had expected, but she added another layer or so of protection around the backyard just in case. She was surprisingly awake even by the lateness of the hour and Emmeline supposed it was due to her constant late nights writing reports for work. She knocked on the wooden door leading inside the main pub and made her way inside quickly when it opened. It wasn't the time to linger overlong out of doors.
Moody, Marlene & Remus
Moody had wasted enough time, bickering with Fletcher. And they needed at least some of them in control of their emotions tonight. Mourning could wait until later, when he had the luxury of time and privacy. The Death Eaters weren't going to give them time to grieve and recover from the loss, and while he wanted to be able to give some of the younger members the space they'd need, there just wasn't time.
He and Fenwick had collected Marlene from her parents before heading to the Hog's Head. The fact that she was well enough to be up and about, however shakily, was encouraging, but that didn't stop him from worrying, although he wasn't vocalising his concern. Still, he had an arm around her as they entered the pub, scowling darkly at the goat in the backyard.
"Sit down, girl." No disparaging remarks, not now. She'd been hurt, fighting Death Eaters, and she'd survived. She'd done well. "Rest until the others get here."
And if they didn't show, at least the ones who'd replied to his message, then he was damn well going to find out why. They'd all suffered a terrible loss with Edgar's death, but the cold, hard truth was that they just didn't have time to waste. Grieving for the fallen would have to come later.
Marlene was relieved that the Order was meeting. She didn't want to talk about what happened, she didn't want to relive that yet, and she had no desire to acknowledge the fact that when everyone got here, Edgar Bones wouldn't be among the "everyone." It didn't make sense. He was an Auror. He was Edgar. It was too quiet at her house, though, and the quiet only left her space to think, and Marlene really needed to be around other people right then.
Her family hadn't been home when Marlene had apparated in (her parents had probably taken Harlan to another Healer, another appointment; there was always another appointment.) and it was just as well. She doubted that they would've let her back out of the house if they'd seen her, given the state she was in, even if she was leaving with Moody.
Once arriving at Abe's pub with Benjy and Moody, Marlene took Moody's advice (Command? No one could ever really tell where he was concerned) and moved to sit down, collapsing into one of the chairs and wondering if maybe laying down on the counter would be better. ...Yep, she was doing that. Pointing her wand at the few bottles that still graced the top of the counter to move them off to the side, Marlene climbed onto one of the chairs and up onto bar's surface, laying down and resting her head in her arms, watching the door and waiting for the others to arrive.
Watching Marlene with a frown that may have been concerned and may have been Moody's usual bad-tempered frown, he shrugged his coat off and folded it into a semblance of a pillow, going over to the bar and offering it to her.
"Here. Softer than your arms."
So he wasn't being as brusque as normal. He'd been worried, when he saw the names on the list of the wounded. And none of them had ever seen him in anything other than a state of anger or his default wariness. But she'd survived a Death Eater attack, which meant... perhaps he'd been too hard on her, in the past. And right now, she could probably use a little coddling.
Remus wasted no time leaving as soon as the Order meeting was called. He couldn't believe Edgar was dead. That his family had been murdered, innocent children and all. Why? How could they do such a thing? Was in in retaliation because Edgar has killed Cygnus Black? It shouldn't be so surprising, as this certainly isn't the first time they have killed children, nor is it the first time they've just killed innocent people (and, with a sick feeling in his stomach, Remus knew it would not be the last time, either). Remus had planned to send over a gift for Edgar's son, since he wasn't able to make the party. Now he wished he had gone, so he could have at least tried to help. He didn't know if his being there might have made a difference or not, or even made things worse, but Remus couldn't help thinking about how things might have gone differently -- even a single life saved would have been worth it. But there was no way of knowing the answer to all these 'what if' questions. They were going to have to accept things as they happened, and try to get past it.
As soon as he arrived in the Hog's Head, Remus looked around to see who was already there, feeling relief as soon as he saw Marlene. He walked over to her immediately, sitting down on a stool at the bar -- he didn't say anything, didn't know what he could say, because words wouldn't make anything better right now, and so all he did was place a hand on her shoulder. The fact that she could have died along with everyone else at that party had scared him, and he felt a little guilty thinking that at least she hadn't died, too. But she was here, and she was still alive and breathing and maybe a little worse for wear, but it was okay because she would heal. Merlin, how did this happen?
Marlene accepted the coat from Moody thankfully, giving the gruff man as much of a half-hearted smile as she could muster at the moment, curling her arms around and laying her head down on the make-shift pillow. It felt incredibly strange; she must've looked worse than she thought for him to be acting like this. Moody was being almost frighteningly nice (for him). She appreciated it more than she could bring herself to say, as getting yelled at in that moment probably would've sent her bursting into tears, which was just not something that Marlene allowed herself to do.
She zoned out for a few minutes, not sure if she'd fallen asleep or simply drifted off into her head as she tried to ignore the painful hollowness that was growing in her stomach, concentrating on it being the fault of getting booted hard there by the death eater and not memories of what had happened settling in. She didn't look up again until she felt someone touch her shoulder. "Hi," Marlene nodded to Remus nearly inaudibly, then set her head back down onto the coat, knowing that she didn't need to say anything else. She didn't know what else she could've said anyway.
James & Sirius
James had just gotten home from his patrol when his father pulled him into his study to tell him the news. The elder Potter still had many friends in the DMLE from his years and years there, and the news had gotten to him quickly. James had immediately gone for his journal, only to see that an Order meeting had been called. He didn't know where the rest of the Marauders were, and knocked both on Remus and Sirius's rooms to see if they were home.
Sirius was more or less completely stunned by the news. He supposed he had assumed there would be a form of retaliation and leaving your wards down after killing of a supposed Death Eater. He noted the supposed because if there was proof od it, wouldn't they have been told? Or was Edgar killed to be silenced? It would just make it that much sicker under the circumstances. He wasn't exactly surprised that a meeting had been called but it did mean he didn't really know what to say. He just let his quill drip ink and sigh. Luckily, his door knocked and it didn't give him much chance to think about it anyway. Probably James, having seen the same thing or possibly Mrs Potter giving one of her rather trademark tea and sweetness routines. Either way, it meant something to do other than drip ink and for that, he was pretty thankful.
James didn't have to ask Sirius if he'd heard the news because he knew his friend well enough to read his face.
"Well, it's just shit isn't it?" he asked. "But c'mon, we need to get moving," he sighed, before heading down the stairs, not even waiting to see if Sirius was coming, because of course he was following. He didn't actually speak to his friend again until they apparated to the rear of the pub and walked inside together.
"Suppose we'll sit with Remus... At least he's near the alcohol," James mumbled, sticking a bit closer to Sirius than he usually might, wanting the closeness of a friend, even if it made him sound like a complete and utter girl. He sat down on the stool nearest the other Marauder and grabbed a bottle of something or other and two glasses, pouring one for himself and one for Sirius.
There didn't seem to be much to say. What could you say after that? There were a lot of casualties in a war but children were never supposed to die that young. Somewhere in the Ravenclaw part of his brain (about five percent shoved off to the side that he'd gotten from his father) he did realise that was a bit of a contradiction in terms but he wasn't exactly thinking clearly. He nodded at the idea of sitting with Remus, because seeing Remus near alcohol, well, it was either something really good or something really bad and he honestly wasn't sure how anyone could deem this a good thing. He accepted the glass with just a nod, more for something to hold on to.
Mary & Agnes
Mary hadn't really slept in quite some time, since she was attacked by that Death Eater in Diagon Alley, really. She found her nights long and dreadful, and spent most of the time staring out the windows in her flat that looked towards Hyde Park. It amused her minimally to watch the smashed, careless Muggles that would wander around during those early hours of the morning, but it made her feel old and worn out. It was hard to imagine that those people- those wreckless stupid drunk people- were her age, and that she would never experience that lack of responsibility they apparently experienced.
Edgar was dead. It weighed on Mary like a sack of potatoes. It was almost like an unreal dream. Tonight, Mary stared down at her journal, left open to look for any responses instead of watching the stupid drunk Muggles. She felt like she was spacing out.. hallucinating.. imagining things instead of experiencing them like reality. Sure there had been attacks and people getting hurt, but dead? Now this seemed more real than ever, and Mary was scared. With a sigh, Mary tore herself from staring at her journal to packing it into the inner pocket of her robes. Alright, she told herself. You've got to face the music. Easier said than done.
She looked once more outside. It was probably safer to Apparate. No one should be outside alone at times like these. She detoured in her flat for a moment to locate her cat, Todd, and tell him to be good- not that Todd was going to go running outside or anything, but Todd was important to her. It took her but a moment to Apparate to an alley outside of Aberforth's pub. She drew her cloak tightly around her tiny frame and made sure to have her wand at the ready. It was late. No one should be up and out and about anyways. She shivered. She didn't like this feeling of being constantly afraid.
Looking around a bit to make sure no one followed her, she dashed towards the pub. Her cloak's hood concealed her bright blonde hair. It would have been a give away if anyone was looking for her. Once inside the pub, she glanced around. Abe was there, of course, and Emmeline, Marlene and Moody. Mary shifted uncomfortably. Even though she had been in the Order for quite some time now, she still felt a bit intimidated by the older members. The second thing she observed with the bottle of Ogden's on the bar. With an inaudible sigh, Mary bee-lined for the firewhiskey. She had a feeling they were going to need it this time.
Though Agnes wasn't particularly fond of firewhiskey, herself, she'd taken to the bar as a kind of 'safe place' where she could hover, smoke a great deal of weed, and keep an eye on Marlene. She'd been puffing on said pipe as Mary headed straight for her, and set it down so as to pull out a glass from beneath the counter. "Need a drink?" she asked vaguely, trying to focus more on feeling high and less on the grief welling up in her. Agnes could usually keep it together - after all, it was easier to feel angry than sad - but she could feel herself splitting at the seams.
Mary was startled to see Agnes sitting there already. How did she miss seeing the newest Order recruit? Nevertheless, Mary offered a knowing smile and nodded. They ought to be mates, right? They were both in the same boat- or something like that. It didn't take long for Mary to lean against the bar next to Agnes. She nodded again. "A strong one," she replied with a grin. "Thank you, Agnes." Mary could tell the newest Recruit needed some sort of.. something. She just wasn't sure what. Agnes had really stood up for her over the journals though, she so felt like she owed the girl one. "How are you doing?" She nearly chuckled at her stupidity. They all seemed to have the same grim expressions on their faces.
"Feel like shit, same as everyone else I 'spect." She shuffled around on the bar with seemingly great knowledge of every odd and end, which made sense, really, since she'd been working and living here the better part of two weeks. Two shots of firewhiskey and a squeeze of some fruit juice into a small glass made a good enough drink, and she passed it along to Mary. It occurred to her to collect one of her own, but she had her pipe and her friends and for now she needed a clearish mind (as clear as one could get on drugs, anyhow). "We'll carry on and all that." Her voice was transient, airy - but Agnes seemed always to carry with her the confidence needed to stick by her words.
Mary nodded rhetorically. Her question was a silly one. Everyone seemed to be wearing the same grim expression- or well on their way to getting completely smashed. Mary felt in limbo.. she was obviously feeling the impact of this loss, but she and Edgar barely knew each other. Nevertheless, she would drink all the same. As Agnes moved to the other side of the bar, she slipped onto the stool and watched the other Order recruit move gracefully around the bar. "You know this place well," she commented as she glanced around the bar. She hadn't spent much time here herself, but she knew it from their Hogwarts Hogmeade trips, if nothing else. Mary lifted the glass in a silent toast before taking a hardy sip (about half of the drink) of the firewhiskey and juice. It stung in her throat, but it felt good. "The pineapple is a pleasant surprise," she commented at the aftertaste of the drink. She pushed the half empty glass to Agnes. "It's yours if you want it."
Dung
Dung was still living in the world of disbelief as he moved from his place across the way from the Tavern to go inside of it, looking around at the group of people already gathered. He mumbled something unintelligible underneath his throat before going and moving, sitting at the far end of the bar not quite willing to believe that the man was dead. He actually liked the bloke, he never really talked to him much but the bloke was alright in his books as far as other blokes went. He rubbed his nose before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his pipe. He almost reached for the tobacco pouch in his right third pocket from the left on the outer jacket before decided he needed something else. Coughing as he reached into the fourth pocket on the right on the third coat as he reached for his laced stuff. It didn't take long for his pipe to be smoking, green rising up into the air as he took a long swallow and relaxed, looking around wondering if he should go for the Whiskey or not yet.
Gideon & Peter
Was he late? Actually, Gideon didn't really care, apparating into the back garden and coming inside with barely a sideways glance at the goat. Barely a glance around the room, once he got inside, before he slid quietly into the nearest chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be anywhere. He wouldn't be here, but Fabian was... well, definitely better all 'round if Fabian went to check on Molly and Arthur and the boys. Besides, Molly deserved to be told too that their uncle, their aunt, their cousins... For fuck's sake, Gideon had been playing with them scant hours ago, the children running around on an almighty high from sugar and excitement. "Tears before bedtime," he'd predicted, laughing as he and Fabian left.
Gideon closed his eyes for a moment, knocking his head back against the wall, and then sat up straight and tried to pay attention.
Peter had cleaned up at best that he could, not really having made any efforts to change after getting home from work, the news having knocked him rather flat. It had been difficult enough to work up the motivation in order to get to the meeting, but Peter knew all too well that if he didn't show, there would be far too many question than were worth it. Apparating into the back garden of the Hog's Head, Peter slipped into the bar, raising a hand to rub at his eyes as he crossed over to one of the far walls, reclining back against it next to Gideon, his eyes slipping to the ceiling with a soft sigh.
"What are we even doing here?" Peter asked, keeping his voice as soft as he could so that only Gideon could hear him. "Everyone is only going to make suggestions that we can't follow through with."
Regroup, his arse. This was only going to be a mess.
Distracted as he was (even for Gideon) he hadn't heard Peter come in, and looked at him with all the surprise he could muster at present - which was barely any. But he was a good lad, was young Pettigrew, possibly the least annoying of that bundle of young Gryffindors, though Gideon supposed Lily was also not without her... what had he been thinking? Oh, yes. Peter deserved an answer, so he dredged one up. "We're here so that we don't all feel so fundamentally alone in the face of death." Possibly not the sort of answer he'd been after; all Gideon had at the moment.
Not that it was really working for him. Gideon wished he could have gone with Fabian. Nothing he wanted more right now than to be in Molly's kitchen with at least one determined toddler hanging off him. But one of them needed to be here, and much better saying too little than saying too much.
After everyone arrives
It would have been nice if they'd been able to just talk together, to come to terms with Edgar's death, to mourn. But there wasn't time, Moody knew there wasn't time, and one of them had to be the one that the others would all resent for pulling them out of their grief. Better for it to be the one who could manage his grief alone; they'd clustered automatically into groups, and that said something. Everyone needed someone.
"We need to take something from this," he said, raising his voice so they would all hear. "Losing Edgar, the death of his family, we can't let it mire us down in guilt and grief. It was a terrible tragedy, but we need to learn from it and go on. Letting them have this victory over us, letting them weaken us, does nothing but dishonour the Bones' memory."
Mary bit her lip as Moody spoke. He was right, of course, but then again, he always seemed to be right. Her hands were folded in her lap and she wrung them nervously. Just because she hadn't been as close to Edgar as the other members of the Order didn't mean she, too, felt the impact of his death and his family's death. This was a whole new leaf.. a new can of worms, but what were the supposed to do about it? Hunt down the specific Death Eater that did this? It would be a waste of their time and a strain on them. The Order wasn't big enough to do justice for each attack and murder.
Mary glanced to the person sitting next to her, but did not say anything. If only they had.. training groups or something. She shook her head at herself. What was she even talking about? Edgar was very well trained. Before Mary knew it, she found herself piping up. "We should toast to him," she suggested meekly. She still was a bit timid at these Order meetings. "A proper toast to him and his family and everything he did for us. A.. proper send off, if you will."
"Yeah I'm down for that," Agnes replied smoothly, holding up her pipe. It wasn't much, but it was what she had, and though some might have found it depressing that those respecting Edgar's memory most fully were a band of rag-tag law-breakers, he probably would have found it rather comforting. She hoped.
Moody nodded. It wouldn't hurt, and maybe it would mean something for the younger members.
"Edgar Bones was a good, decent man, and a damn fine Auror. He died fighting for what he believed was right, protecting his family and protecting the people who couldn't protect themselves. It was a privilege working with him." He held up his hip flask, looking around the room at the Order. "To Edgar and his family. May they have a more peaceful way of it in the next life."
Marlene was not quite so ready to toast her goodbyes. That meant that it was official, that Edgar was really gone, that the nightmare of a night had actually taken place. She considered briefly pretending to have fallen asleep on the counter. No one would question it; she hadn't moved in a few minutes except to re-adjust the coat-pillow, and frankly, Marlene wasn't sure if sitting back up would be the best idea.
But with the way things were going? This might be the only goodbye they got to have for a man who Marlene looked up to quite a bit, despite her feeling that Edgar likely couldn't tolerate her a majority of the time. And even though she felt like utter shit, Marlene refused to let herself be that selfish. The room was swimming as she tried to push herself up onto a sitting position on the bar top, her feet kicking off the side of the counter. She barely had to glance back at Agnes behind the bar before a drink was shoved into her hand, and she held tight to Remus's hand with her other. "T'Edgar," Marlene added quietly, for once not up to being her verbose and toast-happy self. "To Edgar and his family and... and his stupid, foppy hat." Not waiting for everyone else to join in, she almost immediately began drinking, hoping to mask the sound of how badly her voice had started to crack at the end of her sentence.