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Both Sides	By : ccino49 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 10429 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 27
- 28
- 29
I do not own any of the characters or places from the Harry Potter books or films. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. All that is mine is Lou and the plot. I am not making any money from the writing of this story.

Both Sides.

CH 28 I, Lady Louhi

Had she not been a shadow, Lou would have blushed at all the praise her cooking brought forth. Order members were arriving all the time and she could hear every word that was spoken.
Soon Ginny was ushered from the kitchen, she�d told her mum that Lou had already eaten and was in her room. Molly excepted the excuse and soon the meeting was brought to order.
Lou was stunned when she recognised the deep velvet voice that could only belong to Severus. �He lied. He told me he wouldn�t be coming back.�
She drifted closer to the pantry door, hoping to get a glimpse of him. She wished she hadn�t. His face was a mass of purple bruises and cuts. One eye was half closed and he was sitting awkwardly in one of the chairs.

Lou wanted to go to him, put her arms round him and make him feel better. She knew it could only have been Voldemort that did that to him and she was filled with rage now.
Molly suddenly stepped into the pantry and Lou pressed herself against the wall instinctively. But Molly didn�t even notice as she reach up to a high shelf and retrieved several small bottles. Taking them back to the kitchen, the older witch placed them on the table in front of the Potions Master.
He emptied each one in quick succession and Lou, who�d moved back to the doorway, watched as the bruises faded and the cuts healed. Soon he was sitting up straight in his chair and seemed much better.

She also noticed that he grabbed a souffle and tucked in with relish.
�I take it Miss Black has been let loose in the kitchen.� He said to Molly.
�She did all of this Professor. In fact I haven�t cooked at all today. Oh but there is one small problem.�

He stopped chewing for a moment to look at her.
�The poor girl, we had to leave her behind today when we went to Diagon Alley. No one bothered to tell me how to remove the restraining cuff. She said she didn�t mind not going, but we could all see how excited she was beforehand. Then when we returned, she was so pleased to see us, I felt terrible.�

�Aperio. I did not realise there was no one here to tell you.�

�Aperio. Aperio.� Lou repeated to herself. She was surprised when both the cuffs fell from her ankles, shadow or whatever, and she covered them hurriedly in case Mrs Weasley came back in.
She listened as they discussed various tactics they�d taken to prevent attacks on certain muggle families. Lou was appalled at the description of an attack on one particular family. She discovered that a wizard called Lucius Malfoy had been released from Askaban prison through lack of evidence, and that soon, McNair, Lestrange and Goyle were going to be released as well. She recognised the names. Her and Severus were gonna be in deep shit when those four got out.
She found out that Severus had been beaten because he�d been unable to discover the whereabouts of the muggle boy that helped him that night in Spinners End and she felt terrible.
Severus told the order that several more attacks were planned on particular wizarding families and quite a few random muggle ones.
Albus told the Potions Master how grateful they all were that Severus was able to glean information for them.
Lou�s shadow form was shaking with fury by now. �Grateful? They were grateful? He�d been beaten half to death and they were grateful?� Why didn�t they tell him not to go back? Why didn�t they tell him to stop? I was wrong, so wrong.�

After a lot more talk about things Lou didn�t really understand, the members started drifting into the drawing room, leaving Severus and Albus alone.
�How is she coping Headmaster?�

�She is doing well. She will not allow me to up her magical powers though. She says she will only allow it if you are present. I have no idea why.�

�You know it�s not possible Headmaster. She must learn to stand alone. If it is so much as suspected that she has an attachment to me, the Dark Lord will find out and up the operation to find her. At the moment he still believes he is looking for a young muggle boy. That is why he is waging so many attacks against muggle families in the area she was last seen. He�s hoping to find the child by sheer luck and have him brought in for punishment and a slow death.�

Lou felt sick. Whole families were being killed because of her. Innocent people, children, babies. She let out a choked sob and panicked when both men appeared in the pantry door.
�Oh shit. Ohshitohshitohshit.� She thought, screwing her shadowy eyes shut tight, trying to hold back her sobs and keep still at the same time.
When they moved away she let out a sigh of relief and was shocked when a bright light was suddenly shone down on her.
�Out. Now. And take on your normal shape.� Severus commanded. His voice hard, angry.
Lou was trembling as she shifted back to herself and crawled out of the cramped space. She really should have come out of hiding before changing.
�I �I�m sorry.� She said in a tiny voice.�
�What the hell do you think you are playing at?� he shouted, grabbing her arm roughly and dragging her into the kitchen. �How long have you been in there?�
�Since I made dinner.� she told him quietly.
�So you heard -
everything?�

Lou nodded, ashamed and scared at the same time. She was sorry, but only for being caught, not that she�d listened.
He turned to look at Albus, his hand still clutched painfully round Lou�s upper arm.
The Headmaster looked at her, disappointment written all over his face. �Louhi, what are we going to do with you. These meetings are closed for a reason. You were not supposed to hear any of it. I suppose you also heard the private conversation between Severus and myself?�
�Mm hm.� She murmured.
�Speak clearly girl.� Severus told her, shaking her roughly.
�I said yes.� She wailed. �I had to, I needed to know why you turned your back on me, I needed to know you were alright. You didn�t answer my letters, you only said you weren�t coming back and I thought I�d done something really bad. I let you in Severus and you walked away, you slammed a door in my face and it hurt. Then I found out you�re a spy for Voldemort and I wanted to find out what was going on. I�m not sorry I did it, I�m not. But I am sorry that all those people, and you, are getting hurt because of me. I want to help. I want to be involved, especially now those men are coming out of prison. I�d rather give myself up to them then any more families get hurt. He�d stop then wouldn�t he, and you wouldn�t have to spy anymore.�
�You stupid, stupid girl.� Severus raged. �Do you truly think that he would just sit back and do nothing more, give up his intention to rule the wizarding world just because you gave youself over to him. You are more of an idiot than I thought.�
�Enough.� Albus shouted. �Severus, you do no good speaking to her like that. She does not understand fully what is happening, she thought only to protect you, and the muggles. Shouting and calling her names is beneath you.�
Severus looked down at the terrified girl in front of him. Her eyes were filled with tears and she was shaking. He let go of her and she staggered backwards until she hit the wall.
His eyes, until now cold and hard, softened.

�You are right Headmaster, but it does not excuse what she has done.�

�No, it does not.� �Louhi, you do realise what you have done?�

Lou sniffed and nodded. �I shouldn�t have �have listened.� She said shakily.
�More than that.� Albus told her. �You have breached Order security, and learned too many of our plans.�

Lou�s eyes widened and she stared at the Headmaster. �Are you gonna �what are you gonna �please don�t kill me.� She sobbed, pressing herself against the wall.
�No one is going to hurt you Louhi.� Albus told her gently. �But you will have to take an oath.�

�I already did, ask Sev �Professor Snape. He made me take one a while back.�
�This oath is different Louhi, this oath will induct you into the Order of the Phoenix. It is the only way I know of maintaining your silence.�

�But I wont tell, honest.�

�Headmaster, you cannot be serious. She is fifteen, we cannot possibly admit her into the Order.�

�Do you have any better suggestions Severus?�

�Severus narrowed his eyes and looked from Albus to Lou, and back to Albus. He let out a sigh. �No, I do not, but when she is inducted, what then? She now knows how to remove the cuffs. She could walk out of here at any time.�
Lou was looking open mouthed at Severus. He was talking about her as if she wasn�t there, as if she were some errant pet instead of a person.

�I am here you know.� She said crossly.
When Severus turned to face her, she wished she�d kept her trap shut.
Severus scowled at her. �We had noticed, that is why we are having this conversation.�

�I won�t run away, I�ll stay here.�

�And you expect us to trust you, after what you have just done? I think not.�
�There is only one solution Severus as far as I can see.� Albus said gravely.
Severus and Lou both turned to look at him questioningly.
�We induct her into the Order, tonight since most of the members are still here, and then she must go home with you.�

�WHAT?� He shouted, enraged.
�There is no safer place Severus, you know that. Your wards are second to none, some of them are stricter than Hogwarts own wards. She will not be able to leave there unless you bring her out personally.�
�NO.� They both said together.
�Please, I wont run away, I promise. Don�t make me leave here now, I want to stay and help.�

�She is not coming with me Headmaster. It is contrary to everything we have been trying to do. I am not a babysitter.�

Lou was affronted. �Well I don�t need a babysitter. I can look after myself. You can stick your Order where the sun don�t shine, and your house. I have my own houses elsewhere. I�ll send Validus with a letter to Mr Ervast and he can come and get me. I�ll go to Finland.� Lou didn�t want to go to Finland, but she didn�t want locking up in some strange place either. The Griffindors were talking to her now, even Ron, maybe. All she�d wanted to do was help Severus and find out why he�d shut her out of his life. It wasn�t fair as far as she was concerned.
�Louhi. If you opened one of your properties now, it would be noticed and Voldemort would be made aware. As far as he knows, your mothers side of the family no longer exists. Already he has tried to get his hands on the Nilsen fortune. Your mother was married to one of his Deatheaters, your grandparents supported him, donated vast amounts of money to his cause. It was a great loss to him when he returned and no longer had access to those funds. Even the Malfoy�s could not compete with the Galleons they gave. No I am afraid it would not be safe for you to go anywhere but with Severus at this time.�
�Headmaster.� Severus warned.
The old wizard raised a hand. �Louhi, would you be so kind as to go and ask the remaining members to gather in here?� He made it sound like a request, but Lou knew it was an order and she did as she was told.
As soon as Lou left the room, Albus turned to Severus. �Severus, you know this is the only way. Especially now that she can shape shift. You are the only one who can control her.�

�Headmaster, it is just not practical. What happens when I am summoned? What happens when I return in such a state that I cannot care for her? What happens if I do not return at all?�
�First we shall give her more control over her magic. Now you are here, she should be willing to have more of it released. You have a vast library at Prince Manor Severus, teach her how to heal you, show her what to do, as well as giving her defence lessons. She may prove an asset to you.�
He scowled at Albus. He knew he would never win this argument, but he had to try. �And if I do not return, what then? You know as well as I Headmaster, there is a good chance the dark Lord will kill me in a fit of rage. News of Miss Nilsen-Black is bound to leak out eventually.�
�If it does, then you must use your initiative. He will not kill you if he believes you have control of her.�
�Headmaster, we are meant to be keeping her safe from his clutches, not using her as a pawn between Light and Dark.�
�She has already expressed a wish to help us, this way, we can keep you both alive, and perhaps give ourselves more time to come up with a plan to stop Voldemort.�

�True, but at what cost Headmaster, at what cost?�
Albus was saved from answering as the Order members started pouring back into the kitchen.
There was a lot of speculative muttering as they all took their places at the table, especially when Lou was made to stay and the door was locked and warded.
�Ladies, gentlemen. Thank you for returning for this impromptu little gathering. Unfortunately, something has come up, and we shall initiating a new member into our ranks this evening.�

There was a lot of grumbling and dark looks in Lou�s direction.

�What�s the kid doing here?� Moody wanted to know. �Shouldn�t she be in the other room with the Weasley girl?�

�No Alistair she should not. Louhi is the one to be inducted tonight.�
�You are joking, she�s a kid.� A witch at the back of the room shouted.
�No I�m not, I�m fifteen.�
A few eyebrows rose as if to say. �See what I mean?�
Severus pulled her to one side and quietly told her to; �Shut up, or else.�
Albus stood and raised his hands, his eyes stern, and everyone was quiet. One did not contradict Albus Dumbledore when he was as serious as this.
�Because of unforeseen circumstances, it has become necessary to allow Louhi here, to join the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix. She will take her oath before all here present, before being taken to a safe location until it is time for her to begin at Hogwarts. If any of you object to my decision, that is unfortunate. It is for your safety as well as her own that she become one of us. Kingsley, would you mind?�
Kingsley Shacklebolt stood and walked to the front of the room. Using his wand, he did an intricate pattern of movements over and around Lou.
Lou didn�t know it, but he was patterning the shape of a phoenix around her, readying her for taking the oath. Lou just thought he was being flamboyant. Not that she said so.

He gave her a piece of parchment. �Read this Lou, then the magic will take hold.� he told her kindly.
Lou stood and read the parchment, then she passed it back to Kingsley.
He chuckled deeply. �You are meant to read it aloud.� He said, passing it back.
�Oh.� She blushed slightly. �I didn�t realise.
�I Lou, do take this ��

�State your full name and title.� Severus told her. �And speak up so we can hear you.�
Lou was close to tears now with embarrassment. All eyes were on her and she wished she�d never snooped on the meeting.

�I, Lady Louhi Melaina Nilsen-Black,�

There were quite a few gasps and comments at Lou�s name but Albus gave them a stern look and they quieted.
�Do take this oath, to never reveal the secrets of the Order of the Phoenix.

To aid in the fight for the Light, and never succumb to the Dark.

I shall fight for the right of all, to live a life free of tyranny and fear.

I shall fight against evil, and offer my services freely to the Order.

Her voice began to crack with nerves.

Any member in need of assistance, may call upon me for help.

I will do my utmost to aid said person or persons and offer them safe haven should they require it.

I give my pledge.� She ended with a squeaky voice.

Lou looked up at Severus for approval, who in turn scowled at her. She turned her eyes to the floor and passed the parchment back to Kingsley once more.

She felt a rush of magic surround her and a white phoenix appeared in front of her, dropped a white feather at her feet and disappeared.
�Pick it up.� Severus hissed at her.
She did and it too disappeared. She looked at Severus again. �I�m sorry, I didn�t meant to. I don�t know how it happened.� She told him, holding out her empty hand.
�Lou, that was supposed to happen. Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix.� Albus told her.
Lou breathed a sigh of relief. She thought she�d somehow caused the feather to disappear and would get into more trouble for it.

�Right. Thanks. Do I still have to go?�
�I am afraid so. You have an hour to get your things and say goodbye to your friends. You will see them again when you start Hogwarts.�
Lou nodded and felt a hand on her back, urging her toward the door.
Severus wanted her packed and out of here as soon as possible. If he was taking her to Prince Manor, he wanted home quickly so he could instruct the house elves to make ready a room. He also wanted to re-check his wards.
She was packing the two trunks she now owned, one for her witchy things, as she called them, and the other for her normal stuff, or muggle things.
�We�re leaving Validus. We have to go to Professor Snape�s house. I hope it�s nice there.�

Just then, the Griffindor four came bursting into the room.

�Lou, what�s happened?� �Where are you going?� �Why did you have to join the Order?� �How come you got to join when your only fifteen?�
All four fired questions at her and she burst into tears. �Because I was stupid. Because I was too nosey for my own good. Because, because, because. I have to go somewhere they say I�ll be safe, somewhere I can�t leave. I learned the spell that removes the cuffs and now they think I�m gonna go dancing down the street or that I�ll run away or something.�
�I know how you feel Lou. I spend most of my summers locked away too, supposedly for my own safety. Pity I can�t come with you, at least I�d have someone to talk to.�

�I could ask.� She said, brightening up a little. �If I wasn�t on my own, it wouldn�t be as bad.�

�Harry, you know that�s not possible.� Hermione told him. �You have to go to your aunt and uncles for a reason.�
�We could write.� Ginny told her. Send a letter with Validus, and tell him to wait for a reply.�

�You�ll write back to me, really?� Lou asked, surprised.
�Of course. We write to Harry all the time. Don�t we Harry?�
�Sure do, it�s just that I don�t always get them until I leave. Can�t promise to get a letter back to anyone either. Hedwig, my owl, she�s usually locked in her cage same as I�m locked in my room.�

�That�s terrible.� Lou said. �Can�t you tell someone? The headmaster?�

�He already knows.� Ron told her.
�Huh. He likes locking people up doesn�t he? Why?�

They all shrugged their shoulders. Who knew why the headmaster did what he did.
Hermione and Ginny showed Lou the spells to pack her trunks neatly by magic, along with complaints from Harry and Ron, who said they weren�t shown how to do that.
�We were taught this in second year you two. You just didn�t listen as usual.� Hermione told them
�Mum told me to give you this.� Ginny passed Lou a small, grey book.

Housekeeping and Magic

by

Spellinda Quickclean
�Tell your mum thanks if I don�t see her. It�s not fair, I only just got friends, and now I have to go.� She said, her eyes misting up.
�We wont stop being your friend just because your not here Lou.�
She looked at Ron, surprised that he said that. �Thanks.�
�Reducing her trunks, she put them in her jacket pocket and put Validus in his cage. �Oh Hermione, your book.� She said, handing the borrowed book back. Thanks for lending it to me.�

�I�m glad it helped.�

�More than you realise.� Lou thought glumly. All she�d wanted was Severus back as her friend, maybe help him on the way. Now he was taking her to some place, which was probably dark and gloomy, to lock her up until she started school. �I don�t want to go.� She said quietly.
They each hugged her and promised to write as soon as Validus showed up. Until then they didn�t know where to send the letters.
Harry carried Validus as the five made their way down stairs.
Severus glowered at the Griffindors, snatched the cage, passed it to Lou, then grabbed her upper arm and led her out of the front door without a word.
Lou didn�t even get a chance to wave.
He led her to the green, still holding her arm and with a crack, they apparated.

TBC
- 27
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