Let's try this again. This is the third edition of Phoenix Malfoy, and so far, the one I am most proud of. There will be A LOT of changes from previous stories, some morally gray characters/choices, stories of heartache, growing up, making mistakes, and so on. I want Phoenix's life to mimic a real life person/story as much as possible while still keeping with the original idea of this story and keeping with the story of Harry Potter. Make no mistake, Harry is still the main character in this story arc, but it is mostly told through Phoenix's perspective.

That being said, I'm sorry for once again redoing this story after everyone seemed so satisfied with the previous story, but the errors and poor storytelling made me cringe and hate the story. I do hope you all enjoy this new story. The first few chapters will be the setup to the story, and boy are they long. This first chapter alone is nineteen pages and nearly 10,000 words. I promise, not every chapter will be this long. I just needed to get as much information in as possible in the first two-three chapters. AND you don't HAVE to read the first two-three chapters if you don't want to, it honestly just sets up WHY Phoenix is with Mary and what life is like when you are suddenly in the possession of a child that is not yours and you have to go on the run. It also sets up some juicy things for Prisoner of Azkaban onward, so, there's that. But again, the first three chapters or so are entirely optional.

Anyways, on to the actual chapter and new start of Phoenix Malfoy.

-Acro111

Mary Macdonald kept her curtains closed. She sat uncomfortably stiff on her own couch, watching her friends pace and twiddle their own thumbs in anticipation. She had been running her hands through her short, dark hair, which now hung in limp greasy strands over her shoulders. She chewed on her lip and glanced at anything that made a sound.

Present with her was Sirius Black, longtime school friend, and usual prankster. Today, however, he was uncomfortably quiet. Pacing back and forth in Mary's small living room, his shoulders tense, Sirius looked as though he'd rather be anywhere but there. Across from Mary, sitting in an armchair, was Remus Lupin. Scruffy, in dingy second-hand clothes, and yet as charming now as he was when they first met, Remus looked the most exhausted out of the group gathered there that day. He, along with Sirius, was also deadly quiet. Marlene McKinnon sat next to Mary on the couch. Her curly blonde hair was back in a high ponytail, and her dark eyes were looking at the floor. One of her arms was wrapped tightly around Mary, giving her reassuring squeezes. Her normally bright colored sweaters did nothing to brighten the room.

Mary was regretting ever allowing the Order of the Phoenix to use her house as a safe home. In the past week, she'd received no less than three death threats while out with Alastor, she'd taken to sleeping with her wand in her bed, and a disillusionment charm around her home. Today, she'd been rudely awakened by her old classmates under the guise of catching up. It was only after she fed them all that they told her the real reason for their visit. Dumbledore was bringing them a weapon. Something, she was told, that would protect Lily and James's newborn son.

"Not newborn," Mary had to remind herself, "He's nearly a year old."

Since their late breakfast, her house was placed under several enchantments, and everyone had taken to waiting an uncomfortably long time in silence for Dumbledore to arrive. Mary felt the tips of her fingers grow cold, and she wanted to do nothing more than excuse herself to bathroom for some peace in mind. However, being the host, and not wanting to go alone, Mary stayed still, heart drumming in her chest as the clock ticked on. Her stomach churned and she worried if she breathed too deeply that she'd be sick.

A soft pop came from outside, all four drew their wands and froze like statues in their places. There were three quick knocks on the door, followed by a short pause and one single knock. Mary glanced at her companions. Sirius, being the only one standing, silently moved to the door, he looked back at the other three. Mary's heart was pounding in her ears. She nodded to Sirius.

"Who goes there?" His voice wasn't as commanding as Mary had hoped. And the tremor in his non-wand hand gave away just how scared he was.

"Dumbledore." An old, familiar voice said. They'd all heard that voice just last week after their last Order meeting. It didn't sound fake, but Sirius kept his wand at the ready.

"What's the password?" Sirius demanded. Remus slowly crept to the opposite side of the door, both ready to open and aim should the Dumbledore outside prove to be false.

"Sherbet Lemon." The four let out a collective breath they'd been holding. Cautiously, Sirius opened the door, peeking his wand and head out first before opening the door and ushering Dumbledore inside. Mary held her breath until the door was closed and everyone was in the dining room.

"So?" Sirius asked, "What's the weapon?" He was the most anxious out of the four of them, wanting anything that could save his best friend and his family.

"Shh," Dumbledore cooed, "You'll wake her." He looked down at a concealed bundle in his arms.

"Wake her?" Remus asked. Mary glanced at the other three, who looked just as confused as she was. What had Dumbledore done?

There was a long silence, where Dumbledore stood with his back to the four, rocking whatever was in his arms. Mary could almost choke on the thickness of the air. "Did you kidnap a baby?" Marlene spoke first. Mary looked at the back of Dumbledore's head, cursing every trace of magical blood in her body that got her into this mess.

"Of course not." Dumbledore smartly remarked, "she was given to me." He turned, and with a grand gesture, revealed a sleeping toddler in his arms. She was perhaps a year old, maybe more so.

"Just like Harry." It felt like a stone dropped in Mary's stomach.

She had feathery, short, platinum blonde hair, and sweet rosy cheeks. Dumbledore wasn't fooling around, he had an actual, living, breathing child with him. A cold sweat rolled down Mary's back

"You have a child." Marlene sank into a chair, her head in her hands, "You took a child." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it still squeaked with accusation and shock. She didn't look at Dumbledore. Mary didn't blame her. Dumbledore was their former headmaster. They saw him as all-knowing and infallible. How could...Why would he kidnap a child?

"This is our weapon?" Sirius accused, "This is what's supposed to save my Godson?" He spoke quickly, his voice raising in rage. "What's supposed to save my best friends?!"

"She is our weapon," Dumbledore clarified, "And she is supposed to save Harry Potter." He remained calm in the face of four furious former students.

The silence that followed was deafening.

"How?" Remus asked. Mary was having a hard time accepting this child in her former headmaster's arms. Mary's knees felt weak. She wanted to blink and wake up. Why was this happening?

"Who is she?" She interrupted Dumbledore's train of thought. She couldn't keep her mouth shut any more. A thousand questions sat on the tip of her tongue, but Dumbledore cut her off.

"She is a weather witch." He easily ignored the actual meaning of the question.

Marlene drive heaved, "This is too much. You took someone's powerful child. A powerful child that has a power that hasn't been recorded since the founders of Hogwarts." Her arms began to shake, "Who's child is she?"

"Well she's a Malfoy, through and through," Sirius said pointing a disgusted finger at the toddler, "she's got it written all over her."

"She's just a child, Sirius." Dumbledore pointed out, "And your cousin." Mary looked at the little girl. She did sort of resemble Lucius, but there was a childish softness on her face that the older former classmate didn't have. Mary never paid too much attention to older classmates, not to mention Lucius was an older Slytherin who didn't associate with many people to begin with. However, she did recall Peter mocking Lucius, calling him "so many angels a geometry student would faint".

"I am of no relation to such scum." Sirius sneered. Mary could feel the daggers in his voice, and something made her want to protect the child from his hatred. "They made that perfectly clear."

"I do not approve of this plan." Marlene stood, looking ill, "You kidnapped a child all for what? To protect Lily and James? They have a secretkeeper. No one will find them. This will all just blow over after the war and then what?" She demanded. "Will you just take her back to her parents? Oh, I'm sure they'll love that." With one more huff, Marlene ran a hand through her hair, "I'm going home." Sirius left to make sure Marlene left properly, so as not to undo any of the charms they'd made.

"Someone must take care of her." Dumbledore said once Sirius had returned. He looked at Sirius as if hoping he'd step up to the challenge. He didn't, and Mary didn't blame him.

"Yeah, her parents." Sirius spat at him.

"Mr. Black," they paused, "This girl will be the tipping point in our war. She cannot be in the wrong hands." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes had turned hard, and he stared at Sirius over his half-moon spectacles.

"Why can't she just be placed in an orphanage?" Sirius crossed his arms.

"Her magic is controlled by her emotions," Dumbledore explained, Mary hadn't realized it, but she was gripping the counter next to her with such ferocity that her hand began to cramp. "They cannot be left unchecked. She needs to be under proper magical guidance."

"And you think I'm proper magical guidance?" Sirius asked, laying a hand on his chest as if he were offended. Mary could laugh, Sirius only made it through school with sheer dumb luck and the help of friends. He was good on a broom, and not much else.

"I did not send you to Miss Macdonald's house to have some tea and catch up," the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes had returned, if Mary's stomach had dropped to the floor earlier, it was now burying itself in the Earth's crust.

"Me?" Mary asked. "Why me? I don't know a thing about weather magic, let alone, raising a child! Why can't Remus do it?" She blurted before meaning to, motioning to the young man who had been quiet.

"She needs someone who won't be targeted by Voldemort," Mary and Sirius cringed, "and frankly, someone who is half capable of teaching magic," Dumbledore ignored their reactions and looked over his spectacles with a most amused smile on his face. Remus, who looked thoroughly confused and offended, just glanced between the other three people in the room. "With Remus's Lycanthropy he is a target. For recruitment, for death, for whatever they please." Dumbledore explained.

"More like you don't trust a werewolf to watch a kid." Remus said bluntly. Mary wanted the kitchen floor to swallow her whole, she should have never been friends with Lily, then she would have never had to deal with her boyfriend's friends and get caught up in all their trouble. Mary, of course, couldn't blame Lily. Lily was the best, and only friend Mary had had before Marlene, James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter came along. The girl in Dumbledore's arms squirmed, then gave out a soft sound that sounded like a pathetic wail.

"Wait, wait," Remus held up his hand, "Didn't The Daily Prophet announce the birth of Lucius's spawn?" Mary and Sirius looked at Remus, confused as to what he was mentioning, "There was a pair."

"What?" Sirius asked, "Like twins?"

"Indeed. Weather magic is bound to emotions," Dumbledore explained, "twins often share emotions. Separating them will make their emotions and powers grow, they will not be dependent on each other."

"So, wait, why not grab the both of them?" Sirius asked.

"Sirius!" Mary scolded, "This is someone's child Dumbledore's taken! Have a little heart." She couldn't believe this was all happening, she released her grip on the counter and hugged herself.

"Not for the Malfoy's." Sirius grumbled. "All I'm saying is," Sirius shrugged his shoulders in defeat, "why not have the whole set? Wouldn't that be more powerful?"

"We want this child to be powerful enough to protect Harry Potter," Dumbledore explained, "she must grow on her own, and be independent from her brother. I suspect the Malfoy's do not know the true power their children hold."

"So, you not only kidnapped a child," Remus rubbed his forehead, a clear sign of an oncoming headache, "but you're also experimenting with weather magic?"

"This is the only way we can ensure Harry Potter's protection. If this war will continue, she will be his companion and protector." Dumbledore said with a tone that told his former pupils it was the end of discussion. Mary could tell he was hiding something, but what, she didn't know, nor did she plan on asking.

"Miss Macdonald, I know this is a huge responsibility, I know I may be asking too much of you," it took all of Mary's willpower not to roll her eyes or say something sarcastic, "but will you, with the help of you friends," Dumbledore pointedly looked between Remus and Sirius, "raise our weapon?"

Mary took a breath. On the one hand, she would lay down her life if it meant protecting Lily and Harry (and sure, James too, if she really must). On the other hand, raising a child that wasn't even hers when she was still young and had plenty of life she'd yet to live. Mary glanced at Dumbledore, who had just happened to be holding the girl in such a way that Mary could see her in her entirety. It wasn't the girls fault she had weather magic, it wasn't her fault she'd been (wrongly) taken from her family. But that didn't mean she had to be left in the hands of someone like Dumbledore who was raising her for slaughter. Mary gave a single nod and pressed her lips in defeat, "I will, sir."

There was silence. It was deafening. Mary was acutely aware of how heavily she was breathing as the room was weighed down with silence.

"So, what is her name?" Remus spoke first. It was a question that one would ask at the birth of a child, he asked so casually that Mary felt her head spin.

Dumbledore smiled with relief. "Phoenix. Phoenix Malfoy."

"Can I hold her?" Mary asked after another long, uncomfortable silence. The words were out before she even realized what she was saying.

"Of course." Dumbledore nodded his head. Every step Mary took felt heavy, as if she was being weighed down by lead. It felt as if she were going to sink into her floor and be anchored to the spot, but somehow, she made it over to Dumbledore. Copying his arms, Mary was shocked at just how heavy the toddler was.

"How old is she?" Sirius asked, walking over cautiously, as if he expected Phoenix to attack him.

"Just over a year old." Dumbledore answered, his hands now clasped in front of him.

"So young." Remus ran a hand through his hair.

"What am I supposed to do with her?" Mary looked at Dumbledore, she felt as if the entire world had just been laid in her arms.

"Supplies will be brought to you," Dumbledore looked off into the distance, "there is no right way to raise a child." Mary could slam her head against the wall with how frustrating Dumbledore was being, "but for now, I must be off. I will visit as soon as I can." Dumbledore whisked away to the front door before anyone could grasp what he was saying.

"Wait, you can't just leave after dumping a child on her." Sirius tried to follow, but there was a soft pop and then silence.

"Now what?" Remus asked once Sirius returned to the kitchen.

"Now we just keep Phoenix safe until Dumbledore gives us further instructions." Mary was looking over the sleeping girls face, not noticing that she'd slowly started swaying.

"Do you need either of us to stay?" Remus offered, Mary and Sirius looked at him, "In case you need help." He clarified.

"I think I can manage." Mary mumbled, "thank you."

"We're just a floo away," Remus squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, he waited for Sirius at the kitchen door.

"Don't hesitate to call or come if things go wrong." Sirius said, "our pad is always open."

"Thank you." Mary said, she regretted not accepting their help when they offered it. She was about to be alone with a stranger's child. She watched as they left, and when a soft pop echoed in her empty house, Mary began to shake. She was alone with a child. A child that wasn't hers. A child that was taken from her home. A child that might possibly save the lives of her friend's family.

"What have I done?" Mary whispered.

She looked at the clock, "It's only noon." She wanted to go back to bed. She wasn't hungry, and Dumbledore left no food for Phoenix, or instructions on what to even feed her. "Well I guess, so long as you're sleeping," Mary shuffled back into her living room. She sat carefully on the couch, and laid down, with Phoenix laying on top of her, snuggled in her arms. The day had turned grey, and Phoenix began to whimper softly as rain began to patter down on Mary's roof. Mary absentmindedly stroked Phoenix's head and back, trying to soothe the troubled girl, but soon Mary had drifted off to sleep with the rain pouring down.

It felt as if her eyes had only been closed a second, but suddenly thunder was cracking overhead and Mary was aware of the squirming child on her chest. She opened her eyes and had to resist sitting upright, Phoenix had somehow wiggled her way upright, and was sitting on her stomach. She was crying and grabbing fistfuls of Mary's shirt and pulling at them.

"Hey," Mary sat up, Phoenix sliding down onto her lap, "hey," she gently shushed the girl, rocking back and forth, "it's okay." Lightning flashed and thunder roared again, only making Phoenix wail louder. "Please," Mary pleaded, bouncing Phoenix on her lap, "it's only rain, it's just a storm. Just calm down." Mary spent the next half an hour trying to soothe Phoenix, but it was only when Phoenix took a breath that Mary was able to do anything. Mary yawned, noting how late it was on the clock. Phoenix, having seen the yawn, yawned in response. Slowly, Phoenix slowed her breathing, her cries became whimpers, and then nothing. It was as if she'd spent all her energy on crying, because she was once against, fast asleep.

Feeling a crick in her neck, Mary stood up slowly. She shuffled to the stairs in the dark, climbing them carefully, with Phoenix on one hip, and the opposite shoulder on the wall to guide her up. Yawning once more, Mary laid Phoenix down on her own bed and then tucked herself in next to her. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

The next time Mary woke, it was to a soft pop outside her home. She was alert in an instant, wand at the ready as she rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Phoenix. There was knocking at the door, Mary looked at the clock in the hallway. It was either very early, or she'd slept clear into the afternoon. Judging on the little pink light filtering in the house, Mary guessed it was early morning.

She slowly walked down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. There were more knocks at the door. Mary finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, "who's there?" she asked quietly, wand pointed at the door. She took a few steps across the room, "I said, who's there?" she repeated louder this time.

"Sirius." His voice called from the other side of the door.

"And what's your actual name, Sirius?" Mary asked, she cringed at the wording of her question, but waited silently for an answer.

"If you mean my school nickname, it's Padfoot." Sirius answered. Mary took a breath and took the remaining steps to the door. When she opened it, she did not expect to see Sirius standing outside her house with a thousand baby supplies. Of what she could see, there was a crib, diapers, food, and about a hundred small trinkets and toys. "Dumbledore sends his best wishes." Sirius looked as if he'd gotten very little sleep.

"Oh." Was all Mary could say, sticking her wand in her pocket. He was still in the clothes he'd been wearing yesterday, but Mary couldn't complain or say much, as she was in the same boat as him. "Thank you." Mary finally stood aside, and Sirius levitated his load inside.

"Where's Remus?" Mary asked.

"Getting breakfast." Sirius stretched, "and then job hunting." He rolled his eyes, "I told him he could just crash at my place, but he didn't want to hear it." Just at that moment, with the door still open, Remus popped onto her front porch. "Thinks that by being 'roommates' that he has to 'get a job'." Sirius used air quotes. "I've got plenty money for us both, but," He shrugged.

"You know Remus." Mary smiled, she stretched, pushing the sleep out of her body, "Always trying to be so independent and edgy."

"Oh, you were able to apparate with it all. Good." Remus said, walking in. No alarms went off, so Mary trusted this was the real Remus. "I brought breakfast." He had a cupholder in one hand, and a bag in the other. "There's a cute little muggle café by Sirius's place. Cheaper, and less magical eyes."

"So, what's in the bag, then?" Sirius asked, gently dropping things on the floor to look in the bag Remus had brought.

"Bagels, spread, and muffins." Remus let Sirius snatch the bag from him, and laid the cupholder down on the coffee table, "bought us each a drink."

"Unless it's got fire whiskey in it, I'm not interested in muggle drinks. Too sugary." Sirius waved him off.

Remus clenched his jaw, "it's too early to be picky." He picked up one of the cardboard cups and shoved it at Sirius, "so drink."

Mary sleepily looked at all the stuff the boys had brought and smiled, "Thank you both," she accepted an outstretched muffin from Sirius. The three ate in relative silence, occasionally yawning in the early morning light.

"Well, while I do appreciate you both coming here and bring all this stuff," Mary motioned to the several bags and boxes around her living room, "I'm still very tired. So, I think I'll be going back to bed for now." She stood up. Not wanting to be alone again incase Phoenix had another breakdown like last night, Mary looked at the two boys, "you two are welcome to stay and get some more sleep as well, if you'd like."

"I think I'll take you up on that offer." Sirius yawned and stretched.

"I have an interview today in a little village not far from here. Mostly magical community, so I'll keep an eye out, but I'll come back later." Remus stood up.

"Stay safe," Mary smiled gently at him as he saw his way out. "Here," she helped Sirius stand up, "I'll show you to your room." She mocked the tone most prefects had when touring first years around. Sirius gave a sleepy laugh, but followed Mary without much fuss or sass. After Mary showed Sirius to a room, she returned to her own and was thankful to find Phoenix still fast asleep on her bed. Mary slowly crawled back into bed, careful not to disturb Phoenix, and willed herself back to sleep.

Hours later, Mary was woken by another soft pop, only this time it was Marlene. She'd returned after storming out, which was a good sign in Mary's eyes. Marlene's eyes widened as Mary let her in after questioning her. The explosion of children's stuff in her living room must have solidified that fact that yesterday had indeed happened, because Marlene just took a breath and closed her eyes. She cleared her throat, "So, where do we start in this mess?" she opened her eyes and laid her hands on her hips, shifting her weight onto one leg.

"Well, we should probably set the crib up." Mary rubbed the back of her neck, still stiff from the night before. She didn't feel like sharing her bed with a child.

"Alright," Marlene pulled her wand out, "You find a room, I'll take this up to it." Mary just nodded and waited until Marlene began levitating the crib before guiding her up the stairs.

"We'll just put her in the room across from mine." Mary said. At the top of the stairs was a narrow hallway with doors lining either side. Since she'd inherited the house from her grandparents, there was plenty of old, untouched rooms in the house. Her grandparents had several children who gave them several grandchildren, and fortunately, Mary had gotten the house as a gift once she'd left Hogwarts. Mary's room was the second door in on the left, as she opened the door across the hall, she tried to remember who used the room. The dozens of dusty boxes and broken bed didn't help her.

Marlene made a shocked noise behind her, "This will not do at all. It's too dirty."

"Well," Mary pulled out her wand and waved it, turning the old lights on, "We just have to clean it." The two got to work with cleaning charms. Dust swirled up and disappeared into thin air, curled wallpaper laid back down and appeared brand new, the scuffed and scraped floor was polished to a gleaming glow. The broken bed was transfigured into a smaller child's bed, they wouldn't use it until Phoenix was big enough to sleep without the worry of her falling out of bed. Now, with the room clean, the two ladies began to assemble the crib, charming the screws and pieces into place.

Before they could finish the crib, Phoenix let out a small cry from Mary's room. "I'll get her." Marlene said, "you dealt with her all last night." And with that Marlene left Mary alone. The crib settled into place and Mary gave it a little wobble, one of the legs was shorter than the other.

"Perhaps I could charm it to sit level." She attempted to do so, only to find it now sat off balance on another leg. "What?" Mary whispered out loud, "why?" she asked no one in particular.

Marlene came back in with a sleepy Phoenix and a bottle, "I grabbed some of that," Marlene looked at the bottle Phoenix held, "formula, she seems to like it. Muggles," she smiled, "what will they come up with next?"

"An imbalanced crib that no matter what charm you use," Mary rocked the uneven crib, "it remains uneven."

"Just take it apart and charm all the legs." Marlene said, transfiguring a bedside table into a chair. Marlene bounced Phoenix on her legs, watching Mary pace back and forth in the quickly assembled nursery room. "I cannot believe you accepted. I would have given Dumbledore a jinx or two if he'd offered me anything like this."

Mary stopped her string of curses on the crib, "Well what was I supposed to do?" she waved her wand, disassembling and reassembling the crib, as each incarnation was not quite right. "Let Dumbledore raise her? Let him put the idea in her head that she is simply being raised as a shield? A pig raised for slaughter?" Mary began placing old toys in the crib, charming them so they'd give off warmth when cuddled. "I do not know Dumbledore's entire plan, but I will make sure this child gets back to her family." Mary looked at Phoenix.

Her eyes were the palest blue, almost a steel grey, but they were full of life, and curiosity. Mary had witnessed Phoenix's weather magic last night with the sudden storm and temper tantrum, she was already a powerful witch, even at one years old.

"So, what's your plan?" Marlene asked, giving a yelp of pain and surprise when Phoenix roughly yanked at her hair.

"Well I want to obviously protect Lily, James, and Harry," Mary sat back, and looked at the ceiling, "I don't want to keep her. She's someone else's child." Mary ran her hands over her face, "I have no clue what I'm supposed to do. She's a Malfoy! If I return her they'll probably kill me or send me to Azkaban. And Dumbledore won't return her. But how do you just sneakily walk up to the Malfoy's home and drop off their missing child?" Mary glanced at the newspaper on the chair next to Marlene. Phoenix's baby portrait had been plastered on the front page as missing. How was she supposed to go anywhere when most of the magical nation was looking for Phoenix?

"What should I do?" Mary turned to Marlene, desperation in her voice and eyes. She wanted to know what to do.

"Drop her off at an orphanage?" Marlene was playing tug-of-war with her hair with Phoenix. Though it was more like a pitiful attempt to pull her hair back as Phoenix had a tight grip on her hair.

"I don't think Dumbledore would like that. He would know, and then he would do what he pleases with her." She paused, "and I don't think that includes returning her to her family." Mary sighed. They stayed silent, mulling over their options, Phoenix eventually broke it by letting out a wail.

Sirius barged into the room, his eyes were wild and sunken from general stress and lack of sleep, "Will that child ever shut up?" He asked the two women.

"She misses her twin," Mary sighed, taking Phoenix from Marlene, "she knows something is wrong." Marlene raised an eyebrow at her, "I can just feel it." Phoenix rested easily on her hip, still being cradled and held up.

"Send her back by owl." Sirius stormed off, "I should put a muffle charm on her." He muttered.

Marlene watched Mary rock Phoenix for a few minutes. A torrential downpour began outside, filling the house with white noise. "Did Mr. Black spend the night?" Marlene didn't look pleased.

"No," Mary rolled her eyes, "but he did arrive early this morning with food and other supplies."

"Considering he was just threatening to send her off by owl, I'm surprised." Marlene raised both her eyebrows in shock, her lips pursed into a thoughtful pout.

"Well I think we've both accepted this is our lives for the time being." Mary stared off in the distance, ignoring Phoenix as she began to push against Mary, wanting to escape her arms and explore.

There was a soft pop from outside, Marlene went to the bedroom door, peeking downstairs. Mary could hear Sirius shuffle around downstairs, then there was silence. Mary could feel her heart drumming in her head, her stomach felt like it'd been blended into a smoothie. Phoenix either didn't notice how thick and tense the air had gotten, or she didn't care. She began to babble and squirm, making it clear she no longer wanted to be held.

"Who's there?" They could hear Sirius from downstairs. Marlene slipped her wand out of her pocket, ready to slam the bedroom door shut or fight. They couldn't hear the answer, but Sirius asked, "And what is your marauder name?" Again, they could not hear the answer, but Sirius soon called up, "It's okay, it's Remus."

Marlene let out the breath she'd been holding, she looked back at Mary, "It's good. Just Remus." Remus made a fuss downstairs before sprinting upstairs, he looked more disheveled than usual, The Daily Prophet clenched in his hands.

"Did you check the news?" He asked.

"We know, Phoenix is plastered on the front page." Marlene stepped back, Remus having taken up the space she'd been occupying.

"No," He fiddled with the paper, Mary watched as he scanned the pages with wide eyes, "This!" he finally turned and showed the page to Mary and Marlene.

"Order your new feather quills today?" Marlene squinted at the articles on the page."

"No, look at all of the article titles, the first word." Remus pointed, "Order meeting tonight."

"Tonight?" Mary asked, "Why didn't Dumbledore just tell us about it yesterday?"

"Something must have come up," Remus insisted, "And look," he tapped his wand to the crumpled paper, "reveal yourself." He said, and several words on the page began to glow."

"Order meeting tonight," Marlene read, "mandatory for all, 8 o'clock sharp. Mary's house. The word is 'infant'."

"8 o'clock?" Mary stood, shocking Phoenix, who cried and pushed against her, "I'm supposed to have my house ready by 8 o'clock? Here," she handed Phoenix to Marlene, who gave a shout of protest. Mary began waving her wand, dust swirling up and disappearing as she raced through the house. She lit scented candles to freshen the place up, began charming her kitchen to cook for the meeting, and she extended her living room with the flick of her wand. She began transfiguring pillows and blankets into extra seats, and charmed her coffee table to expand as long as necessary.

Mary wanted desperately to open her curtains and windows, but feared how much noise the meeting would make and the attention it would draw. Thankfully, Mary's grandparents had been smart. Her little house was inconspicuous against the other similar houses on the street, but it was the tall trees that shielded the house that made making Mary's house the perfect safehouse. The charms her grandparents put on the few trees on the property made the walk from the house to the road seem like a journey. It was as if Mary was isolated in the center of civilization. To her neighbors, it was just a plot of trees the city had left alone, but to a wizard's gaze, it was a charming little house protected by thick woods.

Marlene, Sirius, Remus, and Mary spent the rest of the evening putting all of the care products for Phoenix away. Diapers in drawers and other odd containers, clothes in her closet and dresser, toys placed in a transfigured toy chest, food in the kitchen (the earlier charmed utensils did not enjoy being disrupted), and other necessities in their proper places.

"What am I supposed to do with Phoenix while the meeting is going on?" Mary asked, fighting to get Phoenix to eat. Remus had to wrestle the rambunctious witch into her feeding chair, so it was Mary who had to feed her. So far, Phoenix had managed to get food on the tray, herself, Mary, Sirius, Remus, Marlene, the floor, and (somehow) the ceiling. None of it had gotten in her mouth.

"Shove her in her room." Sirius wiped the food out of his hair, clear disgust on his face.

"She needs to eat," Marlene was reading one of the care books Sirius had brought, "that should make her sleepy."

"How much time do we have?" Mary asked, pitifully trying once again to put a scoop of food in Phoenix's mouth.

"Fifteen minutes." Remus looked at the watch on her wrist.

"Okay." Mary righted herself. Phoenix, who had seemed uninterested in everything around her, now looked at Mary with great interest, "Phoenix, you are going to eat this food," she scooped out some of the nasty, mushy, orange goop, "you're going to get sleepy." She put the spoon to Phoenix's lips, "and you're going to sleep through this meeting." The four watched with anticipation. Phoenix made a noise and took the whole spoon in her mouth. They all let out a sigh of relief.

There was a soft pop, "oh no!" they all exclaimed. Remus helped Mary take Phoenix out of her chair. Remus carried Phoenix upstairs while Mary followed and attempted to feed her as they moved. Phoenix must have found the situation funny because she giggled and whacked the spoon out of Mary's hand.

"Accio!" Mary called absentmindedly, grabbing the spoon as it came flying to her hand. Downstairs she could hear Sirius and Marlene questioning whoever had come to the door.

Remus and Mary closed themselves in Phoenix's room. The extra bed was transfigured into a feeding chair by Remus, who promptly plopped Phoenix down in it. "Okay, little one," Remus said, "let's do this quickly."

Quickly was not in Phoenix's vocabulary, she kept giggling at Mary and Remus, opting to clap and bounce instead of eat and get sleepy. The panic in Mary's chest had settled since they were safely in Phoenix's room. "Mary!" Marlene called, "it's Dumbledore," Remus and Mary paused, both aware of just how panicked they had been to hide Phoenix. "He says it's okay to have Phoenix down here."

"Of course he does," Remus stood up straight, cracking his back as he went, "after all the panic we went through to hide her."

"Not like we were doing a good job anyways." Mary took a breath. She looked at Remus who had food in his hair and on his face. She laughed at him.

"What?" Remus asked.

"You're covered in baby food." Mary laughed, she transfigured a baby wipe into a wet towel and pinched the baby food out of his hair.

"Well so are you." Remus looked away and flinched when she held his chin to wipe his face.

Mary remembered quickly that Remus hated his face being touched and pulled back, "Sorry." She thrusted the towel into his hands, "it's on your hairline and the crook of your nose under your right eye." She turned away, pulling out another wipe and transfiguring it. She pressed the entire towel to her face, hiding her ashamed blush. How could she forget Remus's number one rule? What kind of friend was she? She pulled the towel down and left out the breath she'd been holding.

She turned around and Remus plucked her towel out of her hands. He'd discarded his own in a hamper and pinched baby food out of Mary's hair. "Told you that you were also covered," he pulled the towel away and showed her the mushy orange food that was now on the towel.

"Thanks." Mary said shortly. She pulled out one last baby wipe and wiped Phoenix's food covered face off, "come on, then." She picked Phoenix up who was still giggling. A warmth came from Phoenix, and for a moment Mary panicked that she had made a mess of herself. Then, Mary realized the warmth was coming from Phoenix's chest. She was happy and radiating warmth, every giggle made her just a little warmer. It was like cuddling under a warm blanket on a cold day. Mary smiled. It felt nice.

She, Phoenix, and Remus walked back downstairs, Dumbledore had already seated himself at the table Mary had transfigured earlier. "Ah, there she is." Dumbledore smiled at Phoenix. "Looking quite happy here."

"Don't let that distract you from the fact that you've taken her from her family." Marlene accused, sitting across from Dumbledore, with Sirius next to her. "She's only happy because of all the trouble she's caused."

"Oh?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Before anyone else could say a word, more soft pops came from outside.

Alastor Moody and Alice and Frank Longbottom, were the first to arrive, Moody complaining that Mary's house was too close to civilization for comfort (as usual). He limped into the closest chair and sat down with a heavy thunk. Alice and Frank were without their little Neville. "He's with my mum," Frank said, pulling out a chair for Alice. Alice however, was distracted by the toddler in Phoenix's arms.

"Oh, Mary, she's a doll!" Alice clapped. Frank smiled and rolled his eyes at his wife as she went to sit by Mary and coo over Phoenix. Alice had kept her hair short as long as Mary had known her, but tonight it seemed even shorter than usual.

"Just got it cut," Alice explained when Marlene complimented her hair. "Neville's been grabby lately, so I just chopped it off to avoid the neck injuries."

"Alice we've only just left Neville two minutes ago." Frank laughed. Frank was dorky looking, but that didn't stop him from becoming one of the most respected members of the Order and a damn good fighter when the time came to it. Mary had only seen Frank duel once while she was out interning with Alastor, and once was enough to know she'd never beat him in a fight.

Fabian and Gideon Prewett came next, both looked tired. "We've had trouble leaving our house lately." Gideon said, "after Molly sent us a letter by unprotected owl some," he paused.

"Suspicious people," Fabian filled in, "have been snooping around our home." He ruffled his orange hair and gave a friendly nod to everyone.

"And how are Molly and Arthur? I assume still not joining us?" Dumbledore asked.

"Not that they don't want to." Gideon said defending his sister and her family. His own hair was equally as orange as his brothers, but not as shaggy, and held back by a black ribbon.

"They've just got so many children to take care of. Weasley number seven is due any day now." Fabian said with a smile.

Emmiline Vance and Dorcas Meadowes came next, "It's taken me ages to convince her to come." Emmiline said, shedding her jacket and hanging it up on a hook by the door. "She thinks you-know-who is personally following her." Her had her dark hair pulled back loosely in a butterfly clip. Her black sweater looked like it'd been in a fight with a cat, and her skirt and leggings were no better, patched up in odd places.

Fabian waved her off, "everyone knows he never gets his hands dirty. Probably one of his followers or a dumb kid playing a prank on you."

"I know what I saw." Dorcas said sternly. She kept the hood up on her silver and gold robe, hiding her dark curls. She snarled her dark lips at Gideon when he winked at her,

Elphias Doge, Edgar Bones, Peter Pettigrew and Rubeus Hagrid were the next to arrive, apologizing for holding the meeting up. Dumbledore only smiled and waved them in, "No, it's quite alright, we are still waiting for two more."

Elphias Doge was just like Dumbledore, eternally old. He'd been old the entire time Mary had known him, which wasn't long considering she joined the order just after leaving Hogwarts. Edgar Bones had his twiggy, slat and pepper hair loose, he'd grown a handlebar mustache since the last meeting. Peter Pettigrew hadn't changed much since Hogwarts. He was still the short and stubby boy Mary had known. Rubeus Hagrid was also as Mary remembered him. The groundskeeper was half-giant and his size alone proved that. It was nice to see him outside of tending to the Hogwarts grounds.

Mary looked around the table, some people had been missing for some time. If they'd seen the advert, like Remus had, they would have headed straight here, or sent word if they were unable to. "Lily and James." Something wriggled in the back of her mind. Lily and James had not yet arrived, if something had happened to them, this would all be for nothing. Harry was prophesized to end The Dark Lord. If anything had happened, Mary shuddered to think.

Then, just as stomachs were starting to rumble, and more people began to be aware of the small child at the table, two small pops were heard from outside. People had entered the property line. Mary breathed with relief as Lily and James came inside, James holding little Harry Potter.

"Sorry we're late." James said, "we'd never apparated with Harry before. Lily suggested we take the muggle way to avoid being traced or hurting Harry." Everyone only smiled and agreed. Some people got up to hug the couple, others simply smiled from their seats and said 'hello' to the very awake and alert Harry. Lily and James sat towards the back end of the table with Mary, Remus, Alice and Frank. James looked aged from stress, but his shaggy black hair was still as unruly as Mary remembered it. Lily also looked stressed, her red hair hung in waves around her face as she sat silently, only smiling and nodding to people who greeted her. Little Harry Potter was the spitting image of James, but even from a distance Mary could see he had Lily's eyes. He was just as cute as she remembered. He'd grown so much since the last time she'd seen him, and already she could tell his hair would be as unruly as his father's hair.

"Well, now that everyone is here," Dumbledore looked at Mary who nodded, "dig in." And somehow, even though this was Mary's house and she had charmed the food, Dumbledore was able to call it all to the table. Baked ham, fresh bread, trays of fruits and vegetables, and various other foods that Mary wasn't aware she had or was aware her kitchen could make, were laid out before the Order.

There was little pleasantry talk, and Alice turned to Mary, "has she eaten yet?" she asked.

"Well," Mary sheepishly admitted, "we tried to get her to eat," she looked at Remus.

"Who is she?" James asked, Dumbledore gave a cough and looked down at James from his spot at the table.

"In due time, Mr. Potter. But first, eat." Even though he smiled, Dumbledore did not seem in the mood for pleasantries. James raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore, but gave a shrug to those sitting around him.

"He doesn't know why we have Phoenix." Mary thought, she glanced at Remus, if he'd realized the same thing he didn't let it show. Mary glanced down the table at Marlene and Sirius who didn't seem to notice either as Peter was telling what must have been an enthralling story.

"Can I try?" Alice asked, and Mary looked at her.

"Oh," Mary said, "Oh, of course." Mary sat Phoenix between her and Alice.

"Hi there," Alice cooed, putting Phoenix on her lap, "aren't you just the prettiest little girl?" Alice smiled. "Oh," she smiled and looked at Frank, "do you think Neville would like a little sister?" Frank nearly choked on his drink.

"Alice? At the table?" He asked.

"What?" Alice smiled. "I've always wanted a little girl to dote on. You've got your son, why can't I have a daughter?"

"We can discuss this at home later." Frank laughed.

"I understand, mate," James said, bouncing Harry on his lap, "Lily's been talking about another little Potter."

"Isn't two Potter men running around enough?" Remus asked, and they all shared a laugh. Phoenix giggled and held Alice's hands as she tried to feed her. Mary noticed that Alice had a certain motherly charm about her, unfazed by Phoenix suddenly turning her head, or trying to smack food away. Alice would simply adjust and keep trying. In the end, Alice managed to get Phoenix to eat enough food for her small little belly.

While she ate, Mary glanced at Harry who simply grabbed what he wanted from James's plate and stuffed it in his mouth as James talked across the table to Sirius and Peter, and then turn to hear from Remus. Lily, who looked very tired, ate in relative silence, only nodding or shaking her head when someone addressed her.

Concerned for her friend, Mary leaned forward, "Lily? Are you alright?"

She nodded, "just tired. Being cooped up inside all day," she took a breath, "this is the first time we've been outside in half a year." She looked at James for conformation, he nodded.

Before Mary could say her condolences, Dumbledore stood from his spot at the table. "Good evening." Was all he said, and was all it took to silence every side conversation. "First, I would like for us to observe a moment for Benjy Fenwick, who, as Alastor has informed me, was found dead in his home."

There was a collective gasp around the table. "Benjy?" Elphias asked, "but he was so bright, so strong." The older man had personally tutored Benjy, everyone could see the tears welling up in his eyes, despite how hard he tried to hide them.

"Found only the bits of him." Alastor said, though if he were trying to be comforting, he failed. Elphias put his napkin to his mouth, as if to hide his silent, gaping, shocked, expression.

"How awful." Alice was absentmindedly petting Phoenix with worry.

Mary had always thought Benjy was a handsome young man. He'd had tanned skin, thick, curly hair, and had just recently started growing his facial hair out. Benjy was tall, with a broad, muscular build, but even so he'd shown his gracefulness in battle before. He was smart, and dripped with sarcasm. He was about five years older than Mary, "to die, so young." Mary thought with a frown as everyone bowed their heads respectfully.

"Second, Caradoc Dearborn is still missing. This is the third month he has been missing. No family or friends have heard from him, they assume him dead, and I believe that may be true."

"Poor lad." Edgar shook his head, "such a waste of potential." Caradoc had been one of their best strategists and duelers after Frank and Alastor. His disappearance shocked the entire Order. If he was killed, the Death Eaters had disposed of his body too well, for no one, not even Alastor could find him.

"Third," Dumbledore took the attention back, "as I'm sure you are all aware we have a little guest with us this evening. She is sitting on the table in front of Mrs. Longbottom." Everyone turned to face Phoenix, and Mary had the strangest urge to take hold of the girl and hide her from everyone. "Everyone, this is Phoenix Macdonald," Mary felt as if she'd been shot. The world went dark and quiet, but she could still hear Dumbledore, as if he'd submerged her head underwater and began giving a speech. "Formerly Malfoy, Miss Macdonald has agreed to keep and raise Phoenix as her own daughter."

"Why? If she's a Malfoy, she's got family." Rubeus asked.

"Phoenix has powerful weather magic," there was a collective gasp, "and thus, she has been selected to grow powerful and protect the Potters." Dumbledore explained.

"We never asked for this," Lily clarified after a long silence, "professor, you can't have kidnapped her, what if her family comes looking for her?"

"They won't." Dumbledore insisted gently.

"Like hell," Fabian said, "her face is plastered all across The Daily Prophet."

"They won't find her." Dumbledore reassured them. "As it is, if she were returned now, Miss Macdonald would be found out and surely killed or sent to Azkaban." If Mary had been shot before, this was the killing blow. Dumbledore was using her relationships with her friends to keep any of them from talking about Phoenix. There was no other choice now. Phoenix Malfoy was gone.

Everyone was looking at her, some with pity, some with fear, some with admiration, and some with anger. Mary wasn't sure if Dumbledore had wanted her to say something in her own defense, but if he had he didn't seem to want to wait too long. "Now," Everyone slowly turned their attention back to Dumbledore, "for the real reason we are here."

Mary felt her stomach knot up, suddenly all the food she'd eaten wanted to make a guest appearance on her plate. She couldn't focus on Dumbledore's words. Mary had admired him so much back at Hogwarts, she thought he was the smartest wizard in the entire world, he could stare at someone like You-Know-Who and not once buckle under his power. Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard in history as far as Mary was concerned, and there he was, using her life as a bargaining chip.

She wanted to get up and leave, but this was her house. Where was she to go? She couldn't leave. This was the Order's safehouse, if there was ever an emergency she would have to be here. The walls and portraits knew too many secrets to be trusted alone with an intruder. Mary didn't realize it, but Phoenix had leaned over from Alice's lap and placed both of her open palms on Mary's lap. Suddenly, her lap felt warm, and Mary looked at Phoenix for the first time since Dumbledore had started speaking. Phoenix let out a bubbly laugh, leaning back to clap her hands.

"I'm so sorry, Phoenix." Mary thought, "You've been kidnapped and given a role you never asked for."

"Finally," Dumbledore said, getting Mary's attention once again, "I would like for us to take a picture together."

If an outsider had been watching, they would have been able to hear a quill drop. There was silence. Pure silence. Even the two small children did not make a sound. And then, there was talking.

"A picture? But I'm not dressed for such a thing!" Dorcas whined, pulling the brim of her witch's hat down over her ears.

"And how am I supposed to fit in a picture, professor?" Rubeus guffawed.

"Albus, is now really the time?" Elphias asked, his eyes still red from earlier in the meeting.

"Our numbers are dwindling," Dumbledore said, his words echoed like a hammer pounding the last nail in the coffin, "let us remember these good times." He smiled and, as if everyone had forgotten how the meeting had started, everyone began readying themselves for the picture.

"Let's take it over here!" Emmiline pointed at the two windows on the left wall, "Between the windows." Slowly, everyone shuffled over between the windows, save for Mary and Lily.

"I cannot believe this is happening." Lily said, moving to stand next to Mary, Harry in her arms.

"I know." Mary said, Phoenix was in her arms, having taken her from Alice.

"I get the picture is so we can remember this night, but I can't help but feel it's because of how many people we've lost." Lily sounded exhausted.

Mary chewed on her lip, perhaps she and Lily weren't on the same page. Mary couldn't believe everyone had just accepted Dumbledore using her as a pawn in the war, "Then again," she glanced at Lily, "maybe we are on the same page."

"Ladies," Fabian waved Lily and Mary over, "We won't bite." He and Gideon had a laugh.

"I'll go over if you do." Lily set Harry down on an armchair. Harry opened and closed his hand at his father. In a moment of joy, James excitedly waved back at his son.

Mary sighed and smiled, "Fine." She set Phoenix down next to Harry, "you two behave."

Once Lily and Mary were standing with the other members of the Order, Dumbledore flicked his wand. A camera was transfigured from a dinner plate, "One." Dumbledore said, "two, three." The camera flashed.