Diana took one final look around, checking if there was anything out of place. Seeing the shelves dust-free and the books arranged just as she wanted, she was ready to close up shop. With a satisfied smile, she shuts the front door, hearing the gentle click of a lock as she turned the key.

She didn't know exactly what she was thinking when she asked her mother if she could manage the bookstore she owned the summer after she graduated from Hogwarts. Diana wasn't sure what kind of job in the magical world she wanted to have. Then again, no one was thinking about jobs when they were in the midst of a war. While the rest of her classmates became aurors, joined the Order of the Phoenix led by Dumbledore himself, she went into hiding in the muggle world. She was scared, more than she cared to admit. But every day that passed the guilt that built up in the pit of her stomach as she heard news of former schoolmates dying at the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Maybe that's why she finally chose to reply to Dumbledore's letter, inviting her to join the Order, after months of ignoring it.

Diana tried to swallow her nerves, feeling her nervous energy fuelling every single step she took towards the Order's meeting place.

The house was unassuming, located on an unassuming street. The walls needed a new coat of paint, much like the houses that sat next to it. Both magic and non-magic folk wouldn't have given it a second thought. No one could have guessed that it would be used as a meeting place from some sort of secret order. The wooden door was a dark red, a knocker placed in the middle of it. Diana reaches a hand towards the knocker, but it opens on its own. Giving out a quiet creak in the process.

She wipes her boots on the doormat before entering. Her nose twitches at the dusty interior. Diana lets out a quiet squeal once the door shuts on its own with a harsh slam. She follows the familiar voices, leading her to the dining room.

A long wooden table was at the center of the room, six chairs along each side of its length. One chair placed at the head of the table, in it sat Dumbledore, who greeted her with a warm smile and gestured for her to sit in one of the several empty seats.

She sits beside Remus Lupin who gives her a small smile and a gentle pat on her shoulder in acknowledgement. In front of her sat Sirius Black, with Marlene McKinnon beside him. Sirius' eyes lit up at the sight of her entering the room, giving her an excited wave hello. The corners of her lips twitch upward as his gaze meets with hers. She sends a small nod to Marlene in greeting which she returns.

"Hi everyone." Diana greeted, feeling her nerves lessen at their welcoming faces.

They ask Diana how she was doing, listening intently on her life in the muggle world, managing her mum's library. Everyone figured some small talk was necessary before they sent her headfirst into the facts of the war. They don't ask her what took her so long to join them, only expressing how grateful they were that she eventually did.

However, their conversation was cut short by the sound of the door creaking open and slamming shut once again. They hear footsteps, quick and heavy, making their way towards them.

Diana sees him, James Potter, at the doorway.

She offers him a smile, which he gladly accepts, before taking the seat on the other side of Sirius.

"Sorry, I'm late. I might have slept too much during my afternoon nap." Jame apologized sheepishly, though it was mostly directed at Dumbledore who waved it off, already used to his tardiness from his school days.

"Now that everybody is here, we should begin the meeting. Though it will be very brief." Dumbledore stated, gently placing his hands on the table. "First thing's first: Welcoming our newest member. Miss Diana James."

Dumbledore gestures to her, a mischievous little twinkle in his eyes. Sirius, Remus, Marlene, and James clap their hands together in a soft applause. Diana sinks in her seat at the attention, her cheeks going several shades of red.

"Thank you." She says, her voice shy and gentle. "You can stop clapping now. Please."

They chuckle at her embarrassment, finding it adorable. They all stop clapping, turning their attention back to Dumbledore as he opens his mouth to speak once again.

"Sirius, Remus, and Marlene will show you the ropes." He said, addressing Diana before turning to them. "I trust you three will be able to help her should she have any other questions after this meeting."

"Alright, sir." Diana nodded, letting out a small laugh as Sirius sent a thumbs up her way.

"Don't worry, sir, we'll take care of her." Remus reassured, gently bumping Diana's shoulder with his own.

"I trust that you all will, Mister Lupin." Dumbledore nodded to Remus, before turning his attention back to James.

"Great. Now, Mister Potter, have you and and Lily found a place to hide?" Dumbledore asked, eyes trained on James. His gaze intense, almost terrifying. A look that they had never seen from during their days at Hogwarts.

"Why would they need to find a place to hide?" Diana asked, clearly confused. Everyone else exchanged uneasy glances, not wanting to be the one to explain to her the current situation.

"Well, you see, Lily is pregnant." Dumbledore explained, "and there is a prophecy that states that a child of those who have thrice-defied the dark lord would be the one to defeat him. We fear that James and Lily, as well as the Longbottoms, will be put in grave danger because of this."

Diana nodded in understanding, not failing to notice the downcast look that had fallen on James' features at the mention of his and Lily's, as well as their unborn's child's, safety being at risk. She made a mental note to check on him later, should she have a chance to.

The rest of the meeting went on without a hitch, Dumbledore giving an overview of Diana's role in the whole ordeal and Sirius, Remus, and Marlene giving brief reports of what they have been up to. Soon enough, it was time to say goodbye. Diana gave brief hugs to Sirius, Remus, and Marlene before giving Dumbledore a handshake before parting ways.

Diana stands in front of that unassuming house, letting the weight of what she had just agreed to finally sink in. She had never thought of herself as brave, but she grins to herself, the feeling filling her veins in nervous anticipation of what's to come. Was she scared for her life? Oh, absolutely. But she knew joining the Order was the right thing to do.

She lets out a surprised yelp, feeling a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey!" James said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "It's just me."

Diana puts one hand over her chest and uses the other to lightly hit James' chest, "Merlin! You scared me."

"Sorry." James muttered, but a smile was on his face, bright and welcoming. Like nothing had changed. "You going home?"

Diana nodded, unsure of what to say to him.

"So am I. Walk with me?" James asked, catching Diana by surprise. Her mouth is agape, causing James to let out a small chuckle.

"I'm not sure we should-"

"Come on," James said, cutting her off. "for old time's sake. We're going in the same direction anyway."

"How do you know that?"

"I have my ways." James teased, smirking.

"James." Diana warned, her voice stern.

"I know you manage your mother's library now, I assume you would live nearby. Though I don't think you'd be doing that for long now, with you joining the Order."

"How did you know I manage my-"

"Ara told me." James said, cutting her off again. He tilts his head to the street, signalling that they should start walking. Diana sighed as she signalled that he lead the way. "You know, it's nice that you two kept in touch."

"Mhmm." Diana replied, her gaze fixated on her feet as they pushed themselves forward. She had forgiven James the minute she stepped foot outside the astronomy tower, but she still couldn't help the awkwardness that arised from within her.

"You alright?" James asked, sensing her shift in mood. Quiet and unsure, not the Diana he had known from Hogwarts.

Diana's head snapped to look at him, "Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that?"

She didn't fail to notice the thin gold band that sat on the ring finger of his left hand, bright and shiny against his pale skin. Clearly brand new. Diana nods towards it, "How are things with Lily?"

"Great." He smiled, lifting up his hand to show off his ring. But it slowly falls down, defeated, as he remembers the meeting earlier. "But, this prophecy is really throwing a wrench into things."

"I would assume so." Diana said, her face falling along with his. "I'm sorry you two have to go through this."

James shrugged, having heard that line too many times from multiple friends and members of the Order. "Yeah."

"Hey," Diana said after a few moments, picking up on James' deflated mood, "Why don't you give me some tips on the Order. For duelling, dealing with members, things like that.

James shakes his head, "You don't need me to do that, Di. You're already very capable."

"Yes, but," Diana replied, a finger tapping on her chin as she thought of an excuse, "you have been a member far longer so you must have something to share. I need all the help I can get right now, being a new recruit and everything. Besides, this may be the last time we speak together before you and Lily go into hiding."

And with that, James spilled everything he learned from being in the Order onto Diana. Tips on duelling, members you'd want to avoid when they are in a bad mood, which of the members to go to when you want a free meal, which of the Death Eaters were the hardest to fight and what she could do to increase her chances of winning. He hadn't even noticed that he had moved from telling her tips and started telling stories of recon missions with the rest of the marauders, some more serious than others but some were filled with hijinks. Like the time they thought they'd lost Peter in one of the Death Eater's meeting places, causing them to spend most of their time looking for him, only to find him hiding in a tree.

Diana laughed when necessary, chiming in every now and then in disbelief at some of his stories, "You thought you lost Peter?"

Neither made any sort of mention of their time at Hogwarts. Not a single one of their times as Potions partners, of their time pretending to be in a relationship, of the time being in an actual relationship, and certainly not of those nights in the astronomy tower: the one where he first kissed her and the one where he broke her heart.

Before they knew it, they were in front of James' house. Facing each other, James was uncertain what to do next, "So, this is me."

Catching herself by surprise, Diana steps forward and embraces James in a hug.

"Take care of yourself," Diana whispered, "Lily, and your child too. Okay?"

James could only nod, melting into her embrace. They stayed that way for a few more seconds before pulling away.

"Take care of yourself too." James reminded, his voice stern but his features held nothing but worry.

Diana smiled, the warmth radiating from her enveloping him, "I always do."

The door opens, revealing Lily, looking more radiant than ever. Sure, there were a few cuts and bruises that littered her exposed skin and deep bags under her eyes, but she was glowing. With happiness, and with love. James gently pats Diana's shoulder before heading over to Lily, giving his wife a small kiss on the cheek. Lily gives Diana a smile, nodding at her in acknowledgement. She smiles back, before she gives them a wave goodbye. They do the same before stepping in and closing the door.

Diana takes a deep breath, stuffing her hands inside her jeans' pockets. She smiles to herself, the image of James and Lily at their doorway as they waved to her, smiling and clearly full of love. Their faces were still clear in her head when she pushed her legs to walk away and move forward.