It took a few hours but soon me and James were able to go outside without bursting into tears. Sirius took a little longer but by the time the guests began to arrive at the house for the funeral and wake, he promised he would be able to hold it together.

In a weird way, it would have been better if the funeral was held somewhere else, not in the place where Euphemia and Fleamont had lived. Now I would just associate the house with their death in a depressing way. James and an old friend of the family that had only just been introduced to me in the past few weeks, had planned the funeral together so I was just as much in the dark about the arrangements as everyone else.

My brief hope was that Marlene had agreed to come for moral support, I could definitely do with seeing her amongst all the sadness and gloom even with the fact there was a small chance she was a spy. Strangely, it was a risk I was willing to take, I almost wanted to give her a chance to prove herself.

Me, James and the other two slowly walked down the hill to the traditional burial sight of the Potters, underneath an oak tree in a small grove. The funeral was quite formal, with only close friends and what limited relatives the Potter's had. I saw a girl who looked distinctly like Eden and James went over to talk to her, leaving me standing alone with all the strangers. Remus was comforting Sirius who had suddenly got emotional again and judging from Remus's warning glance, I should stay away. I looked around hopefully for Marlene but she wasn't there yet, my eyes instead resting on Peter who was stand awkwardly by a group of people, slightly on the outside. I slowly wove my way over to him and he gave me a small smile.

"Lily, lovely to see you," He said. As he turned to me, I noticed that his once plump cheeks were looking considerably gaunter and his brown eyes had large bags under them.

"It's lovely to see you too, Peter," I replied, hushing my voice as I said, "Peter, this is rude to say I guess, having not seen you in ages but... are you okay?"

"Not really," He replied softly, "But who is these days, you know? I guess I'm just tired and stressed except usually when I'm stressed I just eat but my Dad is an awful cook."

"Oh, you're staying with your Parents?"

"My Dad," He corrected, "Child of divorce... recent thing, only happened in the past year or so."

It suddenly struck me how little we really had seen Peter in the past few months. I wasn't entirely sure who was to blame, Sirius was quick to say that it was Peter who had cut them out and not the other way around but from my experience, Sirius nor James was the best at keeping in contact; perhaps Peter had just slipped through the cracks.

"I thought I'd see you more on Order missions..."

He gave a shrug, "I went on a few initially but I just wasn't... cut out for it, I guess. I still help though but mostly at the bases now, occasionally helping with planning although I don't feel I'm much good at that either... I try."

"That's all we can ask for," I replied, unsure of what to say. Out of the four, Peter was the one I interacted with least so I wasn't entirely sure whether he was the type who wanted me to uplift him or allow him to wallow in pity, "You came today and that's more than just effort, that's friendship. It's a small thing but James said earlier it meant a lot that you came."

"I should go over," He said, as drizzle slowly began to slip from the sky, forming little droplets on his brown hair, "Say something. I just feel so distant from the boys right now, I guess... look at this, I'm awful. At a funeral and I've managed to make this about my problems." He shook his head, "Please don't tell James about my moaning."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied, "See another thing you've done right! Realised that you were off topic and changed it..."

It was a reach and we both knew it. He gave me a half-grateful and half-awkward smile before sidling off towards James who was no longer talking to the Eden lookalike. He seemed very absent minded, allowing the droplets to form on his glasses without bothering to wipe them off. However, when Peter came over, his face broke into a smile, a genuine smile of happiness at being reunited. Although Peter seemed to think he couldn't do anything right, just by morally supporting James, he had made him happier which was a big deal even if it seemed small.

"Oh, you must be Lily," I turned around to see a tear stricken face belonging to a vaguely familiar old woman. A tall, solemn man with white, crazy hair sticking out at odd angles, his face sombre stood next to her, "I don't think you've met us before, the Pendragons, very, very old friends of the Potters, have been for generations."

"Oh... yeah..." I said, gathering my thoughts as I tried to figure if and where I'd heard their names before. Luckily Mrs Pendragon sensed my discomfort and confusion and cut in.

"We were with them days before they ... passed away," She began to sniff and her husband quickly pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it her and she quickly dabbed away her tears, "We live in New Zealand, James has visited us since he was just a little boy. Euphemia was telling us about him just the other day, how proud she is... was... oh goodness!"

She burst into snuffling tears yet again, "Engle! Handkerchief!"

He quickly handed it to her again and I stood there a little awkwardly, unsure of whether to try and comfort her or just let her 'cry it out'. I chose the latter, standing there patiently as she sobbed into the handkerchief, Engle standing solemnly behind her like a Queen's bodyguard.

"... I should have seen it... Fleamont did say he was feeling a bit poorly but it never occurred to me it could be fatal dragon pox... I assumed they were immune like us, you get that from spending enough times around Dragons.... oh goodness, I'm making a terrible introduction, aren't I," She said in between muffled sobs, "Oh goodness, I am sorry, I'm not usually like this - "

"Yes, you are, Rosemary," Engle murmured, his voice much higher than I'd expected from a tall, broad man such as himself.

"Well, I am - "

"Mr and Mrs Pendragon, so lovely to see you again," I felt a slight shiver of nerves go down my spine as I realised who was behind me. Albus Dumbledore. A million thoughts raised through my mind and the main one seemed to be to run away and hide yet I stayed put somehow. Even though my theory that he was the spy was still a hunch, I had proof that he had or at least was planning to meet with the wizarding equivalent of a Nazi. He was definitely not who I wanted to be around. 

"Oh Albus!" Rosemary said, her eyes widening, "It's been too long, far too long... and to think we have to meet under such... grievous circumstances. It's frightful, just frightful... oh goodness, I am a mess today, an utter mess, it's just that I feel to blame, you see."

"Rosemary, my dearest, you have no reason to blame yourself," Dumbledore replied soothingly, "There was nothing you could have done, death will come to everyone."

"Oh Albus, you always have something philosophical to say but sometimes you just have to let me wallow... it's like Elphias said, a cat never changes it's fur... something like that," She laughed despite her tears.

"As lovely as it is to see you, I was wondering if I could perchance steal Mrs Potter away from you for just a few moments," He said, placing his hand on my shoulder. I gave them an apologetic smile, trying to pretend that I wasn't completely freaking out inside.

"Oh of course," Rosemary replied, "Lily, tell James that we simply must have him back at the house... you too, of course and any future children you have would be more than welcome... Euphemia would love that, reincarnation - "

I didn't hear the rest of what she said as she turned away as me and Dumbledore grew further away. Once we were a decent distance away, he stopped, slowly turning around to face me. As usual, he was dressed in a strange, decadent robe which fell to the floor, somehow not getting muddy or wet despite the conditions.

"Lily," He said, frankly, "How are you holding up? I can imagine this must be a difficult time for you."

"... about?" I asked dumbly, my mind still half panicked.

"Euphemia and Fleamont's passing. They were two of the most gifted and in Euphemia's case, wisest witches and wizards I have had the pleasure of meeting. I can only imagine how James must be feeling to lose his parents in such a hard time. Of course, you would understand, having gone through the pain yourself."

"Yep. I do," I replied curtly, hastily wiping away the prickle of tears that had formed in the corner of my eye at the mention of my Dad. I had already have a vague breakdown in front of Dumbledore, crying wasn't really that big a step at this point, "It's tough to say in the least but he has us..."

"And the Order."

"The Order is an organisation to stop the war, " I reminded him, feeling slightly annoyed that he was acting all high and mighty given that he was meeting with Grindlewald, "What will they do? Send a gift basket?"

"They can be your friends as well as allies."

"I think he has enough friends," I snapped again, keeping my voice curt, "And he has me. A wife."

"I meant no offence, Lily," He said, quickly, "I am simply trying to offer my condolences."

"Well, for that I thank you," I said, murmuring under my breath, "You're doing a bad job."

"I'm sorry?"

"Nothing," I said, hastily, cursing myself for not controlling my temper. For a brief second, his face darkened and I felt a slight wave of panic; his aura of serenity and calm never broke.

"Did you enjoy your trip to Hogwarts recently?" I tensed up, slowly looking up at him, trying to read his blank expression, "Professor Flitwick thought he saw you in the corridors and Alice came and spoke to me personally. I expected to find her in my office but when I came she was gone."

"Yeah, we meant to," I said quickly, "But then when we got there, Dorcas... broke her toe on a step and we went home."

I had no idea where that came from but it sounded very Dorcas-like and Dumbledore didn't object.

"I'm sorry but James looks a bit upset," I said, glancing over at James who thankfully did look like he was on the verge of tears, giving me a legitimate excuse to escape, "But we will come again, have a more thorough visit - "

"Strange," He gave a small, vaguely mischievous smile, "I would have thought searching through my office disguised as fourth years and taking several of my personal letters would have been thorough enough."

I froze on the spot, slowly turning around. He didn't look angry, more disappointed than anything and I looked away, no longer able to meet his eyes.

"How did you - "

"Know?" He finished as I trailed off, "Very little gets past me at Hogwarts, I'm afraid it takes a lot more than Polyjuice potion to fall me. We've answered the questions as to who it was and how did you do it but we are missing a vital question... why?"

"It's..." I tried to think of a kind way of saying I suspected he was the spy but instead all I managed was, "Complicated."

"I had a feeling you would say that," He said slowly, "Perhaps we can have a more personal discussion at Hogwarts perhaps? Lily, I am not angry although I have good reason to be, simply confused although I expect this will all be made clearer once you explain."

"Yep."

"I will arrange for a portkey then," He replied. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut in by someone throwing their arms around me. Blonde hair fell over my shoulders, the hair of Dorcas Meadowes.

"Will you excuse me?" I said quickly, "We can arrange further details by owl..."

"Of course," He said before swiftly departing.

Behind Dorcas was a tall dark haired man with dark eyes and a solemn demeanor.

"Lily, that was awkward... did he make a move?"

"What?" I said, laughing softly, "No, not important."

"I came. James invited me and I thought I should be here for you," She said, "I hope it's okay but... I brought someone."

I glanced back at the tall man who stepped forward as Dorcas pulled him. She bit her lip slightly, glancing up at the man who was staring very intently at me, his eyes boring into me.

"Lily, this is Glenn. Glenn Fletcher," She said softly, "You may remember him - "

"Yep. The Slytherin captain, I - " I glanced up at him as I heard a soft growl behind me.

"I remember him, alright," I glanced around to see Sirius standing there, his grey eyes suddenly wild. I hadn't even noticed him sneak up and clearly neither had Dorcas, her blue eyes widening,  "I remember Glenn Fletcher and he's... he's not welcome here."