"Lily!" exclaimed Rupert, startled by the sudden appearance of his 18 year old cousin in his office at the British Museum. Well, to call it an office would have been very kind. It was basically a small corner of the Acquisitions floor of the Museum's Pre-history section.
"Hi, Rupert!" Lily's bright green eyes were dancing as she looked at her older cousin. "Like that spell? It's called Apparition. I'm one of the few in my class who can do it! It's very difficult..."
"I'm...very proud of you, Lily," Rupert grinned, hugging his cousin. "What brings you here? You still have a few weeks of the school term to go before you graduate. Shouldn't you be studying?"
"I came to visit you. The rest of the school are at Hogsmeade anyhow and I wanted to see you," Lily said, walking slowly around the ancient artifacts that Rupert had to catalog. "What's this?" she asked as she picked up an old dagger.
"It's an Aztec ceremonial disembowling knife," Rupert said. "They would sacrifice a virgin to their gods by slashing her innards out."
Lily gingerly put the dagger down. "Urgh, how dreadful."
"Oh, it's not so bad. Certainly not as bad as some of the things you had to learn in Defense Against the Dark Arts, hmmm?" Rupert said.
Lily shook her head quickly, sitting in the nearest chair instead of exploring the floor.
Rupert frowned. "Lily, what is it? There's...there's something you wish to tell me..."
"Oh, Rupert. I'm engaged!"
Rupert blinked a few times and then took off his glasses to clean them. "Ah..." he said, unsure of what to actually say. "Con-congratulations! It isn't that Potter lad, is it?"
Lily stood up and stared right into Rupert's eyes. "And what's wrong with James?"
"Well, you've...you've written to me about all that mischief he and his friends get into. Erm, becoming Animagi without Ministry of Magic authorization is a very serious offense! And...calling themselves the Marauders, as if they're...they're pirates or some such nonsense," Rupert said.
"Rupert," Lily said. "It wasn't so long ago that you had gotten into some serious mischief yourself. Besides, I love James."
"Yes, yes, love's a good enough reason...I suppose. When's the wedding?"
"We're planning on a small ceremony," Lily said quickly. "Nothing fancy. And I want you to give me away. You know, Dad passed on a few years ago and I just thought it'd be right to have you there in the ceremony. You've always been like a brother to me."
"Of...of course..." Rupert replied. "I'd be honored."
Lily hugged her cousin tightly. "Thank you, Rupert! You don't know how much this will mean for the both of us! Horace will arrive with the date and location later on. We're planning for some time after graduation."
A few weeks later, Rupert received an invitation by regular old Muggle mail. The envelope announced the imminent wedding of Petunia Marie Evans to Vernon Dursley. Unfortunately, Petunia seemed to have chosen the same date as Lily and James' wedding. Since Lily had asked Rupert first, Rupert felt obliged to attend her wedding instead. He regretfully sent his refusal (or so he wrote) to Petunia, saying that he needed to go supervise an archaelogical dig in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley. Petunia never wrote back, but this didn't bother Rupert a great deal. Petunia still had the habit of throwing a tantrum in front of Rupert when she didn't get her way, and Rupert doubted that she'd act any differently.
The location that Lily and James gave wasn't of the actual wedding area. It was just the directions to the Portkey which would transport anyone who touched it to the area. Protecting this particular Portkey was tricky. Since Rupert was a Muggle, the Portkey couldn't have a Muggle-repelling charm cast on it. James finally discovered that a lock of Rupert's hair was enough to alter the charm to allow Rupert through.
On the day of the wedding, people living in the countryside an hour outside of London might have been shocked by a most amazing sight. There was a man in a tuxedo roaming around the grass, seemingly looking for something hidden on the ground. The people would have gone closer to the man to ask him why he was there, but they suddenly remembered an important appointment they had to go to and left the man alone.
Rupert, meanwhile, finally found the Portkey. It was a beaten-up construction helmet. He touched it and was immediately whisked away to the site of the wedding. It was outdoors, with a canopy magically weaved out of the branches of nearby trees. Rupert nodded to the best man, Sirius Black, and then took his place next to Lily. As Rupert looked around, he felt horribly underdressed. Almost everyone else in the small wedding party had fancy robes, even Lily. Rupert was the only one in Muggle clothing.
"You didn't tell me it was going to be a Wizard ceremony," he whispered to Lily.
"You look fine!" Lily said. "I don't think anyone will care what you're wearing. You're my cousin and my guest."
Rupert nodded, even though he felt his cheeks begin to burn in embarassment. "Who's officiating?"
Lily gave Rupert a wink. "You'll see..."
Rupert didn't have to wait long because suddenly, standing at the end of the aisle, was Albus Dumbledore. He waved merrily to everyone and then took out his wand.
"Now, then," Dumbledore said. "Some appropriate music." He waved his wand and The Wedding March started to flow into everyone's ears.
Rupert offered his arm to Lily. "Here we go then."
Lily slipped her arm in Rupert's, and they began to slowly march towards the end of the aisle where James stood with Dumbledore and Sirius. Rupert scanned the tiny gathering, noticing friends of James and Lily, and his Aunt Iris (Lily's mother) who was bawling appropriately. Rupert suddenly wondered how they had gotten Aunt Iris to the area as well. Perhaps they used a different Portkey for her. Before he could work out the problem in great detail, he and Lily had already reached Dumbledore.
"Who gives the bride away?" Dumbledore asked after another flourish of his wand stopped the music.
"Her mother and I do," replied Rupert. He gently removed his arm from Lily's and took his place on the side next to Sirius.
While the ceremony was going on, Rupert couldn't help but be lost in his thoughts. During the vows, he thought about his own experiences with women, which were never that wonderful to begin with. He wondered if he'd ever find someone he truly loved, like Lily loved James. He knew that Watchers could wed, but he didn't know any women who were strong enough to accept his "line of work." Women like his mother seemed very rare. At least, Rupert hadn't been able to find one who came close.
By the time he brought himself back to what was happening around
him, the ceremony was over. Dumbledore and a few other
wizards sent bright sparks up into the air with their wands
as James and Lily kissed. Rupert, not having a wand or
a firework spell, simply clapped.
Rupert, his hands full with groceries, sprang up the steps to his tiny London flat when he heard the phone ringing. "Hang on a bit!" he muttered under his breath, trying to will the other person on the line to stay on. "Just a bit..." He set his bundles carefully on the floor of the corridor and started to fumble with his keys. As soon as he shoved himself through the door, he grabbed at the receiver and picked it up. "Hello?"
"Rupert Giles?" the voice, distorted and tinny, said into Rupert's ear.
"Yes, I'm Rupert Giles."
"I'm not sure if you'll remember me," the voice continued. "I'm...an old acquaintance. A friend of a friend, if you will..."
Rupert quickly scanned his memories in an attempt to match up the odd, inhuman-sounding voice with a face. "I'm terribly sorry, but, I can't...I can't seem to remember who you are. If you'd just give me a little hint or clue...?"
"You are in danger, Rupert Giles," the voice said in a frightening monotone. "You and your family are in great danger."
Rupert stiffened, pressing the receiver hard against his ear. "Who is this?"
"I know you. You care for your family very much. Flee England, if you wish to live."
The line went dead.
"Hello? Hello?" Rupert said futilly into the receiver. "Damn!" he exclaimed, throwing the reciever back onto its cradle. He stumbled into the nearest chair and stared at the telephone. Who had actually called, and why? Rupert tried to remember the many cases of the supernatural he had already investigated as a Watcher. Demons, poltergiests, zombies, vampires. No, none of these would actually care if a human died. There were cases of humans with psychic powers. A few actually worked with the Council as advisors. Did a fellow Watcher, with precognitive abilities, call and try to warn him about some upcoming event? Or did someone from his past have inside knowledge of the danger?
"Mr. Giles?"
Rupert shook himself out of his meditative posture and turned around. A small, elderly woman stood in the doorway of the flat. Rupert had forgotten to close the door when he answered the phone. "Oh, Mrs. Curtis. It's you."
"You've forgotten your groceries in the corridor again," Mrs. Curtis said, with all the gentleness of a mother. "You know, you really should get a ladyfriend," she said as she picked up the bags and carried them through the door.
Rupert stood up and rushed towards the doorway. "You-you don't have to help me with these," he said.
"Nonsense! I've done the same thing for over 40 years. A few minutes won't hurt..." Mrs. Curtis said as she brought the last of the groceries into the flat. "There we are."
"Thank you," Rupert said, genuinely grateful. "There's been....I've had much on my mind recently."
"Must be hard, working among all those relics from the past," Mrs. Curtis said. "But you do enjoy it, don't you, Mr. Giles?"
"Hmmmm? Oh, yes, very much."
"Well, I'll leave you now. I left the kettle on and you know how cross Mr. Curtis gets when he doesn't get his tea exactly at 4," she glanced around the flat, making sure everything was in its proper place. "Good day, Mr. Giles."
"Good day," Rupert said, smiling.
As soon as Mrs. Curtis shut the door, Rupert sank down into the chair again. He took his glasses off and began to rub his tired eyes. He turned the question over and over in his mind: Why would anyone want him dead?
The phone rang once again. Rupert eyed the receiver then cautiously picked it up. "Hello?"
"Giles, it's Quentin Travers. There's something the Council needs you to do."
"Uh, yes, of course," Rupert said. "What is it?"
"There's been a murder. We believe some sort of sorcery was involved. Bring your spellbooks. I'll be sending Cable along as well."
"Mick Cable?" Rupert asked. Cable was the Council's resident demon forensics expert. Show him a murder scene, and he could tell you what sort of demon killed the victim. "Alright, give me the address..." Rupert said, picking up a pencil. As he scribbled the address down on a piece of paper, he began to plan out which spellbooks might be needed.
"'Evening, Giles," Mick Cable said as Rupert arrived.
"Mick," Rupert said, nodding in greeting to the fellow Watcher. "So, this is the murder scene."
"Aye, door's closed but unlocked. Let's get in there."
"Dear Lord!" Rupert exclaimed as they pushed their way in. He fished out a kerchief from his coat pocket and placed it over his nose and mouth.
"That's a Ko'raff demon for you," Mick Cable replied. "The stench of death follows it around, no matter were it goes. Those things are scavengers, feeding on carcasses and then moving on when they're done. They don't kill. They get rid of evidence. It's perfect. Ah, here are the bodies...what's left of 'em anyway."
Rupert sidled over to the corner of the small front parlor where the victims lay sprawled. There was nothing left except their skeletons. The bones were picked clean of flesh.
"So, these unfortunates," Rupert said as he pointed to the skeletons. "were dead before that demon got here?"
"Fraid so," Cable said.
"Who or what killed them then?" Rupert asked, removing the kerchief from his face.
"That's what we're here to find out," said Cable. "You see these marks?" he asked, pointing out various small fractures in the nearest skeleton.
"Yes," Rupert said. "Are they teeth marks?"
"No, Ko'raffs don't have teeth. They have raspy tongues, like cats. They lick the bones clean with 'em. Very efficient. Their maws are like vulture beaks, very strong, able to rip stuff apart. You know, once I saw one in the middle of eating and..."
"Um, what about these marks?" Rupert said, quickly changing the subject.
"Oh, yeah. Well, these aren't from the Ko'raff and these aren't from any demon I know. And, trust me, I know a lot of demons! I was hoping you could figure it out."
"Me? What...how?" Rupert stammered.
"Can't you sense it?" Mick said. "Christ, I can smell it in the room even with the Ko'raff musk all over."
Rupert frowned, and then he felt it. The dank heaviness that hung in the air. The suffering. And the most frightening thing of all. The glee. The sheer exhultation of killing, of taking someone's life. The power. For a small moment, he remembered the power of killing. "There's evil here. Great evil."
"That's where you come in," Mick said. "You've got your spells and things, right? Isn't there something you can cast to find out what happened here? There's probably still magical residue all over the place."
"Yes...yes...there are spells which can reveal...if magic was used in a specific location. I've brought some books that might be helpful," Rupert said. "They're in the car."
"Get them," Mick said. "We've got to find out what happened here."
Rupert soon returned with a stack of books. He found the right spell and cast it. "Now," he said, placing the spellbook on a table. "This should work by shifting the magical residue to the visible light spectrum...Ah! There..." Rupert pointed out a sickly grayish light coming into view.
"What's that color mean?" asked Mick.
"Uh..." Rupert picked up the spellbook again. "The use of any of the Three Unforgivable Curses...Good Lord."
"You're the magic expert, Giles. You've got to tell me what that means."
"There are three spells in the Wizard world which are not meant to be used. Cruciatus, which causes intolerable pain to the victim; Imperius, which causes the victim to do whatever the caster wishes; and the Killing Curse. You can guess what that causes..."
Mick nodded and said nothing.
"Those fractures were probably caused by the Cruciatus Curse. And then the Killing Curse to finish them off."
Mick shook his head. "Tortured and murdered. By Wizards...humans...I thought demons were bad but this..."
"This is inhuman," Rupert said. "We've got to stop this. Whoever's done this is sure to do it again. Who were these people? Any information?"
Mick rummaged through his pockets until he found his small notepad. He flipped it open. "Just what I got from the Council files. The house was owned by a Mr. and Mrs. Petrie. Mr. Douglas Petrie was a Wizard. He worked in the Ministry of Magic, high up in Muggle Relations, something like that. Mrs. Emilia Petrie, she was a Muggle. No magical talent. Their daughter Anna's away at Hogwarts. She's a fifth year Ravenclaw. What a pity..."
Rupert's sighed. "Terrible thing to do," he agreed. "Wizards killing wizards...but why Mrs. Petrie as well? Why kill the Muggle? She can't defend herself, can't duel."
"Perhaps we've discovered the work of a mad wizard who hates Muggles," Mick said. "Any chance of you figuring out what sort of wand cast these spells? It'd narrow the suspects I think."
"Not with these spellbooks," Rupert said. "I'd need more powerful spells, and I'm not sure I can cast them with my meager power alone."
Mick frowned at the bodies. "There's something missing here. Something about this whole things doesn't feel right."
"A calling card," Rupert said.
"That's it!" Mick said. "A calling card, something to identify the killer..."
"No," Rupert said quietly as he picked up a small piece of paper from the floor. "A calling card."
"Ah, right...what's it say?"
Rupert squinted at the paper. "Nothing, there's a symbol though. A skull and serpent...Good Lord. I know this. It's a Dark symbol. The Dark Mark."
"Sounds ominous," Mick said softly.
"It's a great clue, nonetheless," Rupert said. "This narrows the suspects down a good deal. It's a Death Eater."
"A what?" Mick asked.
"A Death Eater. Things are going quite badly in the Wizarding world right now. There's talk of a powerful Dark Wizard named Voldemort. His followers are called Death Eaters. They bellieve that no one with Muggle blood should be allowed to practice magic. They're killing Wizards left and right. So, the Petries are just more of their victims..."
"Genocide," Mick breathed quietly.
"Madness," Rupert said. "Nothing but madness."
"Didn't your cousin go to Hogwarts?" Mick asked.
"She's already graduated, and married. And expecting a child soon." Rupert managed to smile. His little Lily had grown up, and he hadn't missed anything along the way.
"You should keep an eye on her," Mick said. "She can't end up like this. She's Muggle-born. They're sure to get her. And her child as well."
"Lily's strong," Rupert replied. "Stronger than any other person I know. Not just her magical powers, but her spirit. She's got more life in her than she knows what to do with. She'll make it."
Mick made a non-commital grunt and headed for the door. "Well, we've figured out who's done this, so, it's time to leave."
Rupert nodded and followed Mick out. He then remembered the phone call earlier in the day. His family was in danger. He was in danger. Did the caller mean Lily? Rupert made up his mind to visit Lily and James Potter out in Godric's Hollow.
"I refuse to leave," Lily Potter said with conviction. She placed her hands on her swollen belly. "This child will be born here, in England."
"But, Lily," Rupert said. "You've got to. We've...got to. He'll kill us...all of us if we don't. I've seen his work first hand..."
"So have we," added James Potter. "We're Aurors. You seem to keep forgetting..."
"Lily's safety will always be first and foremost in my mind," Rupert said. "I made a promise to protect her. I always will. So, Lily, please reconsider. It doesn't have to look like we're fleeing. Just a holiday, a month, two months, until this...this...Voldemort..."
Lily winced. "No one enjoys hearing that name, Rupert."
"Why shouldn't he say it?" James asked. "It's silly, getting worked up over a name. Do you think it'll conjure up the Dark Wizard himself? I'll say it if I want! Voldemort! There! His eyes and ears aren't everywhere..."
"Yet," murmurred Lily.
"If you won't leave England, I can't either," Rupert said. "Perhaps you can stay with a friend. That Remus or...or...Peter...yes...I trust Peter."
James looked at Lily. It seemed as if they were having a secret conversation that Rupert wasn't allowed to listen in on.
Rupert glanced at the pair. "What is it?"
"There's something we haven't told you," Lily said. "It's important."
James scowled. "Lily, please, he's a Muggle. He shouldn't know..."
"I am Muggle-born," Lily said, her gaze steady. "Do you think of me any less? Will you think of our child any less?"
"No, but..." James said. "We made an oath. Secrecy from all Muggles..."
"Rupert is no ordinary Muggle!" Lily countered. "He's a Watcher. He already knows that you and the rest of the Marauders are illegal Animagi. Has he told anyone? No, he has not! He can be trusted, and I personally think the Council should be informed!"
Rupert leaned back in his chair, hardly believing that Lily and James were arguing over his own integrity. "It's all right, Lily. Watcher or not, family or not, I'm not a part of your...your world. Magic does not run through my soul as it does in yours. I rely on books, not talent."
"Oh, you mustn't belittle yourself like that!" Lily said. "It upsets me so. You're so strong, Rupert...and bright. The Council should consider themselves lucky to have you as a Watcher. I am proud to be related to you."
James sighed. "Fine, if we should tell Rupert anything..." he paused for a long while, trying to put his words together. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose before he began. "As you Muggles have groups such as Watchers to protect your population from the Darkness, we have Aurors."
"I know that much," Rupert said.
"But," James continued. "These are not ordinary times in the Wizard world. He-who-must-not-be-named has control over our weak and gullible, as well as those who seek power for themselves. The Death Eaters have killed too many of us. Professor Dumbledore agrees, so he has put together a special group of allies. We are called The Order of the Phoenix. Our numbers are small, but together, we plan on stopping the Dark Wizard from claiming any more victims."
"An admirable goal," Rupert said. "But does Dumbledore really believe he can defeat Volde--er, the Dark Wizard?"
"Dumbledore has always kept his promises," Lily said. "I've no doubt he can lead us to victory. The Dark Wizard hasn't dared to infiltrate Hogwarts. He must be afraid of Dumbledore's power. The Order meets weekly at Hogwarts, but I haven't been able to attend the meetings lately because of...well..." she looked down at her stomach. "He's due in a fortnight or so now."
Rupert blinked. "How do you know it's a he? More magic, I suppose?"
Lily smiled. "No...just a mother's instinct..."
"Harry Potter," Rupert said, holding a tiny bundle in his arms. "Such a common-sounding name." He frowned slightly. "I suppose you don't care a bit, do you?" he asked, addressing the newborn.
"I don't think he minds at all," Lily said. She held out her arms, and Rupert gave Harry over to her.
"You know, you weren't any older than this when I first met you," Rupert said. "Seems so long ago."
"Speaking of family," Lily began. "How are Petunia and little Dudley doing?" The sisters hadn't seen each other since before Petunia married Vernon Dursley.
Rupert gave a slight frown. "They're spoiling the baby. I don't think it's good for little Dudley, at all. He wants for nothing."
"Petunia always wanted a family," Lily said. "She was overjoyed when she had a son before I did. I just hope she's happy."
"I think she is," Rupert said. "She seemed content the last time I visited. Vernon doesn't like me too much. He doesn't like my job at the Museum, says working among old relics from the past is irrelevant. If he only knew...but I can't tell him the entire truth. "
"Vernon doesn't like anyone, so don't feel too bad. You're in good company," Lily said.
"When is James due back?" Rupert asked.
"Hmmm, he might be a while. He's gone with Sirius and Peter to investigate some stirrings up in the north. They've heard that the giants are once again causing trouble. Obliviators are having a horrendous time trying to keep Muggles from spotting those huge creatures. Dumbledore suspects that the Dark Wizard must have allied with the giants. Dreadful! I hope Harry doesn't have to grow up in a world dominated by Darkness."
"He won't," Rupert said. "The Order will see to that. And if all else fails, I'll protect him."
"Rupert..."
"He's your son Lily, your blood. I made a promise to protect you. That goes for Harry as well."
"When did you promise that?" Lily asked.
"The moment I first saw you, I knew...I knew that I had to keep you away from any danger. You were just so small and innocent. But now, you're a powerful witch, much more powerful in magic than I'll ever be. But still, I have this need to protect you."
"And you feel the same way with Harry?" Lily said.
"Of course!" Rupert said quickly.
"If anything happens to us...if we succumb to the Dark Wizard," Lily said. "I'd want you to take care of Harry. I wouldn't entrust him to anyone else. Teach him what it means to be a Wizard, and what it means to be a Potter."
Rupert nodded. "I promise, I will."