The Order didn't break down after Benjy's brutal death, though the new members felt like it should. Everyday, different groups of people were sent to disrupt Death Eaters meeting, or spy on suspected people.

As Christmas drew near, Frank came into the Headquarters, looking careworn. "Death Eaters planning to take over the Ministry."

Moody stood up immediately. "Have you found out their plans?"

"Yes, tomorrow around ten, they'll put Robinson under the Imperius curse," said Frank heavily, "Oh, and Dawlish is already under the curse."

"So that explains letting those Death Eater off last month," said Edgar, who had been sitting by the fireplace with Hestia, after coming back from saving a Muggle school from a Death Eater attack.

"We need to stop them. We'll go early just in case," said Susan.

"I'm going," said Frank.

"So am I," said Alice. They decided on Alice, Frank, Lily, Edgar and James.

Remus, Sirius and Marlene were told to patrol a Muggle area in which a Death Eater base had been found two days ago.

--------------------

"When d'you think they'll come?" whispered Lily as the group huddled behind a shop on the opposite foot to the lift leading to the Ministry.

"And how will we understand that they are Death Eaters?" asked Alice.

"Leave it to us, we're experienced," said Edgar, grinning. But when the enemy did come, neither Edgar nor Frank could realize it.

"Sectumsempra!" shouted a voice behind them. James stumbled in shock and pain as his back felt like it was being sliced open. The members of the Order turned quickly. Three hooded figures were approaching them.

"Expelliarmus!" Lily aimed at the person who had hit James. As he lunged for his wand, his hood fell off...to reveal Severus Snape.

Lily gasped, and she was so stunned that she lowered her wand for a moment. One of the other Death Eaters petrified her; the other tried to curse Edgar, who deflected it and stunned his enemy in return.

James stepped in front of Lily and glared at Snape.

"Snivelly..." he said, his voice cold and scornful. "Working for the Dark Lord..."

"Potter...working for a Muggle loving old fool," spat Snape.

James narrowed his eyes; a moment later Snape was hanging upside down.

"Stop playing games, James!" shouted Lily, who had been rennervated by Edgar. James petrified Snape, who collapsed.

When all three were unconscious, James looked around.

"Where are Alice and Frank?"

"I think they went to take care of the people who were going to attack Robinson," said Lily. "These were obviously sent as a distraction."

Looking worried, Edgar beckoned at them to follow him. When they went out into the open, they saw a stunned Death Eater beside the Ministry. But Alice and Frank were nowhere to be seen.

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"Members of the Order, I believe," said the cold voice of Lord Voldemort, sneering down at Frank and Alice. "Sent here by Dumbledore...or perhaps Mad-Eye Moody...to fight against the Dark Lord."

"Isn't the Dark Lord a dumb name, Alice?" asked Frank, turning to his girlfriend. Alice, who was looking terrified, glowered at him for his light-heartedness.

"Courage, courage...I value it, yes," said Voldemort. "But not when it is shown against me, Frank Longbottom. You were saved from me once by Dumbledo-not twice." Voldemort raised his wand. "Avada kedavra!"

Frank ducked out of the spell's way. "Impedimentra!" he shouted, pointing his wand at Voldemort.

"Crucio! Crucio! Crucio!" Alice screamed, pointing her wand at Voldemort too. He staggered back, looking almost pained for a moment.

"Crucio!" screamed an unknown voice. Alice cried out in pain and collapsed, writhing and screaming. Frank looked around.

"Bellatrix," he hissed, looking furious. "You try to hurt her once more-" Frank slashed his wand at her, and she shrieked, holding her hand, which was burnt.

"Now, now, Bella, I've got it under control," said Voldemort.

"NO, YOU HAVEN'T!" yelled another voice-and a very welcome one for Frank. His best friend's voice.

Edgar charged into the field with James and Lily and a huge group from the Ministry following. Voldemort and Bellatrix were badly outnumbered.

Voldemort raised his wand and cast numerous killing curses, suddenly looking mad.

"Protego!" A man from the Ministry cast a shield around them.

Barty Crouch had arrived. As he raised his wand, Voldemort hissed, "Another time, Longbottom."

Edgar looked almost as mad as Voldemort himself. "The next time we meet, it'll be over your dead body!" he roared, moving to stand in front of Frank...and out of the Shield Charm's dome.

Frank reached out to pull him back, but a second too late.

"Avada Kedavra."

Edgar fell backwards into Frank. Voldemort and Bellatrix disappeared.

--------------------

Frank's screams kept echoing in James' ears.

"EDGAR! EDGAR-NO-YOU CAN'T-YOU'RE NOT...EDGAR!"

Five hours had passed since Edgar had fallen down for a last time, and Frank hadn't stopped crying.

Lily could never forget the look in Hestia's eyes when they returned to the Headquarters and gave her the news.

"Edgar?" she sobbed, and dashed upstairs into her room. She still hadn't come down.

Alice sat beside Frank, trying to comfort him, but Frank wouldn't be comforted.

Dinner was a silent affair. Frank and Hestia's grief striken faces hung over everyone like a bad omen.

Alice stared at her boyfriend silently and wondered what was worse-losing a best friend or the person you loved. Maybe they were equally bad.

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On Christmas, Frank got his primary Auror's degree, but no one dared to congratulate him. It would have been the day Edgar got his degree too, and they knew Frank couldn't stop thinking about it.

That night, Frank and Alice had a long discussion, after which Frank quietly announced in the morning that they were getting married.

"You're only eighteen, Alice," protested Marlene. "Isn't it too early?"

"Nothing is too early when we're in a war, Marlene," said Alice softly. "Most of the time...things tend to happen too late."