Adjusting to the new schedule was hard for Barbara at first, but with the support of her friends she was able to accomplish all of her work in nearly no time.

It helped that she had huge advantages over the homework assignments, having already read about them before Fifth Year. The only tricky classes for her now were herbology and charms because of her course to be a Mediwizard. Instead of her lessons with Angel she had taken on more missions than ever before.

Every mission was a bit harder than the last. Barbara's main focus was on recruiters, those who promoted the Dark Lord anywhere they could. There was a big hot spot of them in Knockturn Alley, where many pure bloods congregated. When she was at Hogwarts, she also had to watch for students who were promoting Voldemort.

There were a couple in Gryffindor, both Seventh Years, who were quietly expelled from Hogwarts for pressuring the First Years into committing acts against the Muggle borns. There were many seventh years who were quietly expelled or taken out of Hogwarts by their parents. Though Dumbledore tried to save the majority of them from that prejudice, some were too far gone and had to be taken out. There was no use keeping somebody around to leave a sinister impression on the younger Hogwarts students.

As Christmas break came to a close, Barbara, Lily, and Marlene became closer than ever. Marlene didn't know about the Order specifically, but she knew that they were a part of a group that did what the Ministry evidently couldn't.

Her blonde hair and blue eyes were always alight with fire, something Barbara loved about her. She was an incredible young woman, tough, smart, and humorous. She fit right into the trio of young women.

Lily and James were on better terms their Sixth Year, not close enough to be friends but to be acquaintances. After all, James was always present when Lily had her rant sessions against Petunia, and the day she came back from Christmas break was no exception.

Barbara was sitting on the couch in the Gryffindor Common Room with Sirius's head on her lap. She was speaking with Peter about the upcoming Transfiguration test while running her hand through her boyfriend's hair, who had his eyes closed. Peter was just about to tell Barbara about an upcoming prank against Snape until Lily entered the room.

Sirius shot up from his position when he heard the portrait door slam shut. He turned to see Barbara with an alarmed look on her face, clearly concerned for the ginger.

"Lily, you're matching your hair color. What's happened?!"

"He proposed!"

Silence.

"And she said yes!"

More silence.

"And I had to hug him!"

Even more silence.

James raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I know you don't like him, Evans, but shouldn't you be happy for your sister? She managed to find somebody instead of becoming a lonely prune. Now she can lean on another prune for support instead of lashing out at your parents."

"Potter, I don't care about Tuney right now. The only thing I care about is wiping that oaf's stench off of me! I've been taking long showers every day for the past week trying to get the stench of Dursley off of me!"

After her litter tirade, Lily stamped upstairs to the girls' dormitory and slammed the door shut.

"James, I'm proud of the advice you gave. But next time give her some more time to elaborate on why she's truly upset rather than immediately jump in to give advice." Barbara told her brother.

"I was just trying to help-"

"-and you did, mate," Sirius said. "And don't worry. She'll come around soon, I bet you two will be dating by next year and engaged as soon as we leave Hogwarts."

"Oh yeah," Peter retorted, "I'll bet that they'll be dating before spring break!"

"I'll wager five galleons that James will have Lily admitting she likes him aloud by next summer and begin dating during the first semester of our seventh year." Barbara wanted in on the fun. Peter made bank last bet on who would date, now if was her turn to make some money.

"Okay, I want to bet that she'll admit she likes him before the year ends and begin going out with him this upcoming summer." Remus declared.

"I would bet but I'm pretty sure it's between Barbara and Remus." Marlene commented dryly. "Damn, and I needed more money for my family's annual gambling day!"

Finally, everybody looked at James to see his response. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"May the best wizard or witch win."

"Oh, I will," chorused the players.