Chapter 38: Crossing the Line

Emily tied the letter to the owls foot. She looked it in the eyes. "You know who it's for. Give it to him and only him." Emily released the owl. She watched it fly away and continued to stare after it even as it disappeared into the night. Sighing, she turned away from the window and leaned against the wall, her shoulders slumping. She felt a relief of sorts, feeling for once she was doing the right thing.

However, there was still anxiety within her and she knew it was time to have a talk with someone important. Maybe after speaking to him she'd remember why she was deciding to do this and realize what she was doing was right. She had no doubts he would let her in.

She left the owlery with intent and didn't let herself change her mind from what she was going to do. The path she was choosing, because she knew that once she made this decision and joined there would be no turning back.

"There is a line I have to cross, for my sake and the sake of the ones I love."

Her mother had taught her that.

Regulus entered the Quidditch pitch, pulling his cloak closer as a harsh wind blew. He looked around curiously at the tall stands and seats, trying to spot his summoner. He stopped in the middle of the field, where he was able to have sights of everything at every angle of the pitch.

A throat was cleared and he turned around, his wand out in a flash. His eyes widened and he lowered it to his side. "You..."

Bellatrix smiled. "Hello cousin."

He took a step towards her and whispered harshly. "What are you doing here?"

She rolled her eyes. "There's no need to whisper. And don't be so rude." She looked around. "Follow me, we'll talk in private if it makes you feel better." She walked off and it was then Regulus noticed the broom she was holding, as well a her somewhat ruffled appearance.

He followed after her. "Did you fly here?" He asked, shocked.

"Well there was no other way to get in." She said over her shoulder irritably. She stopped next to the door to the Slytherin locker room and gave Regulus an expectant look. "Well, open it."

"What?" He said bewildered. "Don't you have your wand?"

She rolled her eyes. "You're captain this year, aren't you? You have the key, and you of all people should know about the enchantments on the locker rooms. Any of the teachers would know about a trespasser on the pitch after hours if I tried to open it."

Flushing in embarrassment he nodded and pulled his captain's badge out of his pocket. Tapping it with his wand it turned into a key and he used it to open the door. As Bellatrix swept inside Regulus turned the key back into his badge and pocketed it along with his wand. He entered and closed the door behind him. Bellatrix had already made herself comfortable by transfiguring one of the benches into a large black armchair, her broom leaning against the arm of the chair.

Rolling his eyes, he settled on sitting on the other wooden bench.

"So," He started. "What are you doing here?"

Bellatrix pouted. "What? No meaningless greetings and 'how are you's?'"

"Hello Bella, you look fine." He said rolling his eyes again. Everything about Bellatrix made him annoyed and exasperated, something only family could do to him. "Now tell me what's so urgent that you have to see me in person. A raid gone bad? Casualties?"

Bellatrix waved a hand. "No, no, the Dark Lord's plans have been going off without a hitch, of course, and there have been no deaths. This is something that can't be told through a letter, in case that fool Dumbledore gets his hands on it." She smirked. "Something the Dark Lord wishes for you to do, and only you."

Regulus leaned forward eagerly. "A job? For me?"

"Well, a test really." She corrected. "You're still in the lower ranks and haven't been given much of a chance to prove yourself, what still being in school and all. So the Dark Lord has thought of something special for you, not the normal test he gives to the new Death Eaters."

"What's their test? Did you have to do it?" He questioned.

She nodded. "Of course, it is what earned my promotions to higher ranks. My Lord said that I was the most powerful and passionate witch he's ever met." Bellatrix smiled then, as if recalling the greatest memory of her life. Regulus had no doubt that it probably was. She smiled wistfully. "It was a raid of only the new recruits. I killed five Aurors that day." She sighed.

Regulus swallowed nervously. "And...What will I be doing?"

"Your assignment is much simpler, and has three parts." Bellatrix said flippantly. "The first. You are an inside man here at Hogwarts and will be an informant for our Lord on whatever Dumbledore is doing."

"Why does the Dark Lord care about that now?" He interrupted.

Bellatrix gave him a sour look. "Our great Lord's reasoning are no concern of yours Regulus, only his orders, which you will follow."

He reasoned with her. "But then what will I know to be looking for?"

"Dumbledore is raising a resistance to the Dark Lord. Not much of a threat to our Lord, but the Dark Lord will not underestimate Dumbledore, he is the biggest threat to our goal."

Regulus nodded. "Alright, and the next?"

"You must secretly watch and evaluate the graduating class and recruit. This is the most important partof the message we could not let Dumbledore know. If he knew that the Dark Lord was already recruiting students it would cause trouble for our Lord, and we want all his plans to go smoothly, don't we Regulus?" She asked seriously.

He nodded. "Yes. Does that count people in other houses as well?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Of course. The Dark Lord does not hold back for mere House rivalries, however they all must be Pureblood."

Regulus snorted. "That one is obvious, Bella."

"Just making it clear, Regulus." She gave him a look. "We do not need any dirty blood mucking up His ranks."

He agreed wholeheartedly. "And his Lordship's third order?"

She suddenly frowned and an icy look came into her eyes. "That information is something the Dark Lord has not bestowed upon me. It is something he himself will tell you personally when the time it right, personally."

His face became pale as his eyes widened. "Personally? Why? When?"

"I already said he didn't tell me anything else." She snapped. "Just be prepared for when he speaks to you. This will be a personal mission, as I'm told. Now, on a different matter, how is Emily?"

"Emily?" He repeated.

"Yes, Emily. Your girlfriend." Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. "You are making progress with her as well so she will be ready for her initiation, right?"

His eyes darted nervously. "Of course. Things are fine."

"Regulus." Bellatrix said sternly, seeing his lie easily.

He buried his head in his hands. "No, no they're not. I've ruined things terribly, Bella. I don't know what to do anymore with her. I want her back."

"Get a hold of yourself, Regulus." Bellatrix scowled. "You have to get control of this if you ever want to be a great wizard. A Black must always be in control of their partner. Petty emotions should not get in the way. If you wish to whine and cry instead of doing something about this then maybe you don't deserve her."

"You're wrong." He said angrily. "I do deserve her, and I am not whining and crying over this. I have taken action in the process to get her back."

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow. "Really? What have you done?"

"I've pretended to move on to make her realize the mistake she's made and will take back her decision." Regulus said proudly.

Bellatrix laughed. "Or she will think that you have moved on and will move on herself."

Regulus colored, embarrassed. "Well...I thought that...maybe..." He sighed, defeated. "I underestimated her again. I should have realized Emily wouldn't react like a normal girl would by letting jealousy fuel her."

She clapped, a mocking smile in place. "Bravo Regulus, you've finally seen her in a more realistic light. Grow up Regulus, you have a lot of catching up to do. If you want her back then you have to realize that you're not a child anymore. You have more responsibilities than to school. Your focus is to the Dark Lord and the Dark Lord only. Fulfill your duties and you will win her back"

Regulus bowed his head. "I understand." He said softly.

Bellatrix grinned and rose, turning the chair back into a bench with a wave of her wand. "Well now that I've forced you into such a good mood I think I'll leave you now." She picked up her broom, giving Regulus one last cruel smile. "Good luck, cousin. I'll see you again after you graduate." With a twirl of her robes she was gone.

On the outskirts of London the wind blew harshly and dark clouds blocked the moon and its light. Trees swayed and its leaves were rustled and blown off, landing on the stoop of a small apartment Complex.. On the top apartment James Potter and his fiancé Lily Evans were relaxing in a warmly lit living room. James was flipping through the channels of the muggle telly with boredom. Lily had explained how it worked to him, but he still couldn't wrap his head around how they could make pictures move in a small box without magic.

"It's like our photos." He had said, marveled.

It had lost it's miraculous appeal, however, and now it's function was just as normal as flying a broom.

Lily glanced up, the continuous flipping of channels and bored sighs coming from her boyfriend something not able to be ignored. She was situated in the armchair, a book in her hands. She closed her book and smiled in amusement. "Will you pick a channel and stick to it?"

James rolled his head and gave her a dazed, bored look from the couch. "But Lily, maybe if I make another cycle around the channels then I might find something."

She rolled her eyes. "That's irrational."

"Maybe it is, but there is nothing else to do." He suddenly got a sly look on his face. "Unless..."

She raised an eyebrow. "Unless what?"

James held out his arms "Come 'ere."

"No thanks, I'm quite comfy here." Lily said, opening her book and hiding her smile behind it.

He pouted. "Come 'eeeere."

She looked at him over her book and laughed at his puppy dog face. "Well since you look so pathetic." Setting her book down she strode over to the couch and sat next to him.

He placed an arm around her shoulders. "Pathetic? I think you mean cute."

Lily smiled and snuggled closer to James, resting her head under his neck. "Sure, cute."

He smiled softly and moved his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. It was times like this he looked forward to, just being wrapped up with the woman he loved. Nothing else mattered at that moment, only Lily and him. Placing a hand on her cheek he smiled down at her softly and brought his lips down onto hers.

Lily smiled against his lips and placed her own hand on his cheek. She kept her eyes open to stare into his own and pulled back. They gazed into each others eyes, their foreheads resting against her own.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." She smiled and kissed him again.

Sirius stepped out of the kitchen with a bowl of chips in his hands. He made a face when he saw the dealings on his couch. "Oh, yuck. If you're going to get all cheesy and gross do it in your own house."

The couple pulled apart. Lily rolled her eyes and rested her head on James's shoulder again. James gave Sirius a sheepish look, but Sirus didn't miss the delighted look in his eye.

"Sorry, Padfoot." James said.

Sirius rolled his eyes and sat on the armchair. "I'm sure." His eyebrows furrowed and he shifted, pulling Lily's book out from under him. He tossed it without a care and began munching on his chips.

"Hey! Don't throw my book." She said annoyed, getting up to retrieve it.

"Well don't leave it on my chair." Sirius said offhandedly.

"You could have just set it on the coffee table." Lily said, hugging her book to her chest protectively.

Sirius reached an arm forward without leaning or making an effort. "But it's just so far."

Lily scoffed and rolled her eyes, taking a seat on the couch again, putting her book safely on the coffee table. "You're so immature. You should be considerate of other peoples' property."

He shrugged. "It's my apartment."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "James..." She said sharply gave her boyfriend a look.

Sirus smirked and looked at James as well. "Prongs..."

James looked between them. His gaze finally settled on Lily and he shrugged. "Well it is his apartment."

Lily glared and crossed her arms. She looked away with a huff.

Sirius winced. "Oooooh, wrong choice mate."

"But...It is your apartment." James tried.

Lily huffed and turned to him. "James Potter, you are-"

There was a tap at the window and James jumped up. "Owl!" He said pointing, effectively cutting Lily off and finding an way out of an argument. He practically ran to the window and pulled it open, allowing the bird entry. It was a brown barn owl with glaring black eyes.

It swooped in and landed on the coffee table. Sirius reached for the letter, assuming it was for him, but it hopped away from his reach and stopped on the edge nearest James. He pointed to himself. "For me?"

The bird held out its leg as an answer. James reached down and untied the parchment.

"Who's it from?" Sirius asked.

James unrolled the parchment and looked at the signature. He blinked, startled. "It's from Emily."

"Emily?" Lily repeated, stepping to his side. "What does she want?"

"Dear James." He read. "It has come to my attention that I am just too smart for this school and its Slytherin groups. The only reason I'm telling a drip like you this is because a righteous yuck Gryffindor like you doesn't know it. Knowing this, a baboon like you won't know it. When will you think rationally? Ask your know-it-all fiancé about it. You're an idiot, really. You bully so much you are never going to get any smarter. Ha. I seriously mean this. You are just a fool James to think love is right."

James looked up. "Well, it finally happened. Her brain has exploded from being in Slytherin for too long."

"Maybe she was drunk." Sirius pipped in.

James examined the letter again. "Well that would explain the wording, but not the letters. They're capitalized all wrong."

Lily grabbed the letter. "Let me see." Her eyebrows furrowed. "You're right."

DEAR JAMES,

It hAs come to My attention that i am Just tOo smart for thIs school aNd its SlytherIN Groups. THE Only Reason i'm telling a Drip likE you this is because a Righteous Yuck gyffindor likE you doeSn't know It. KNOWing this A BabOon like yoU won'T know IT. WhEn WILL you Think rAtionaLly? AsK your know-it-aLl fiAnce abouT it. you'rE an idiot, Really. you BUlly so much you aRe Never going To get any smarter. Ha. I SeriousLy mEan This. you are jusT a fool jamEs to think love is Right.

EMILY

Sirius got up and looked at it as well. His eyebrows shot up. "Maybe she was really drunk."

"Or really paranoid." Lily muttered. She placed the letter on the table and sat on the floor in front of it. Her black purse was on the other end of the table and she leaned forward to grab it. She brought it to herself and rummaged through it. Pulling out a pen she set to work on the letter, scribbling at words furiously.

James and Sirius watched her go over her shoulder. They were both confused, but let Lily work.

"What does being paranoid have to do with a messed up hate letter?" Sirius asked.

"It's not a hate letter. It's a message." Lily said.

James cocked an eyebrow. "A message? How do you know?"

"Well, if either of you even tried to think rationally you'd realize the clues." Lily said smartly. She put down her pen and looked up at them. "Emily would never use such incomplete sentences, or words like 'yuck' or 'baboon', mention me, or mess up letters like this. And most important, in a drunken frenzy who would really write a letter to a brother they hate?"

Lily held up the letter and on the black bottom she wrote a new message. "This is what she really wrote."

James's eyes widened and he took the letter, staring at it in disbelief. "What?"

Sirius smiled, delighted. "This is good."

"But why?" James whispered. "What happened?"

"Does it matter?" Sirius asked.

"Of course it matters." James snapped, crushing the parchment in his hand. "What if it's a trick?"

"James." Lily said softly, standing. She placed a hand on his arm. "I know Emily is a little harsh, but she wouldn't..."

He sighed. "I suppose, but how does she know about it?"

"We'll just have to wait." She said softly.

Sirius grinned. "Well I think this calls for a drink." He said excitedly. "To the kitchen!"

He hurried off, laughing. Lily gave James a comforting smile and went after Sirius. James sighed and looked down at the secret message.

DEAR JAMES,

I AM JOINING THE ORDER

YES I KNOW ABOUT IT

WE WILL TALK LATER

BURN THIS LETTER

~EMILY

"You better be serious." He muttered.

"Are you sure, Miss Potter?" Dumbledore asked, looking at her over the top of his half-moon glasses. "Is this what you really want?"

Emily nodded, sitting straight-backed and determined in the armchair across from the headmaster's desk. "Yes, headmaster. I have been thinking of doing this for a long time, ever since I was invited into the Death Eaters."

Dumbledore pressed his fingers together. "I'm sorry to doubt you Miss Potter, but someone asking to become a spy for the Order, an organization I have not yet completed to fill and you should not know about leaves me skeptical."

"I understand." She said calmly, not batting an eyelash. "But headmaster, your Order is not as secret as you think. To a civilian, yes, but.. V-Voldemort knows and his servants know, and I know you are not completely naive to know that some of the Slytherins have connections with said servants and plan to become apart of that organization once they graduate."

Dumbledore noticed her use of the Dark Lord's name, but gave away no emotion. He stared at her thoughtfully. "No, I am not naive, Emily." He said sadly.

"I know that headmaster." Emily said. "And I don't agree with the Pureblood mania and think they should be stopped, which is why I'm here. If that means I have to become a spy to stop them, so be it."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "You're wrong, Emily. You have a choice."

"No, headmaster, you're wrong." She smiled just as sadly. "My fate is already set. All my work for school and strength has only made me a better recruit. After everything Bellatrix Black has done to make me seem like the perfect candidate for the incoming Death Eaters, I have no other choice. If I resist, I'll be targeted. If I hide, I'll be found. If I don't become a spy then I will be seen as a traitor to my family for the rest of my life." There was a desperate light in her eyes as she finished and she met the headmaster's eyes.

Dumbledore was silent, searching her eyes, It was the first time in her school life that Emily had willingly met his eyes. She felt a pull at her mind and she let him search. Dumbledore knew that it was whatshe wanted, for him to look into her mind for the true answer. He saw memory after memory. Happy ones, sad ones, ones that made his heart clench in despair.

"Trust me Headmaster Dumbledore. I will not be a traitor. Not anymore. Whatever you decide I will have to become a Death Eater, and if I am not able to aid the Order then I will have no one else to turn to. And I'd rather die then see a solely Pureblood world, no matter my feelings towards certain people."

She wasn't lying. Dumbledore drew back from her mind, convinced. There was no light or twinkle in his eyes, just an expression of complete seriousness.

"You really love your family." Dumbledore stated.

Her face remained blank. "I am willing to give up my life, in whatever way I can so that nothing happens to them. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is."

He smiled sadly and nodded. "Well put, Emily." He gave her another look, his smile gone. "I will think about what you've said. Do not expect an immediate answer. Remember Miss Potter, you are still a student, also..." He smiled, his twinkle returning. "You can come to me for anything, I'll keep an open ear for you."

Emily smirked and stood, bowing her head. "Thank you for your time, headmaster. I'll keep that in mind."

Turning she headed for the door. Once outside her grin widened and she knew he agreed, it was merely the timing that was off. Her grin dropped.

It was after she graduated that the real challenges began, where drawn lines had to be crossed for the sake of all those she loved. She was no longer a child. Silly romances didn't matter. Those of higher regard came first.

She was willing to cross the line and sacrifice everything up till the very end.

A/N Well, this is the end. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story. Would like to thank all the readers and reviewers.

~PurpleHaze09