From Out of the Shadows

From Out of the Shadows

"This is the story of how two people found love during a time when love seemed like an emotion that was not to be afforded. But, then again, love seems to come from out of the shadows when you least expect it to and when you aren't even looking for it."

-Albus Dumbledore

Chapter One - And So It Begins

Dumbledore sat at this desk and looked down at the letter he just finished, sighing as he did. He knew it was most likely pointless to write to Ellis Grubb, but he needed to try and rally as much support as he could. The number of supporters following Voldemort was growing every day and despite the prophecy Dumbledore knew it was unfair to expect one teenage boy to save the entire wizarding world. Harry might be the only one that would be able to defeat Voldemort, but that didn't mean he should be required to fight all of Voldemort's other supporters as well. So far Dumbledore had managed to enlist several dozen wizards and witches besides The Order of the Phoenix and the Aurors, yet it still saddened him that some of the most powerful ones would probably never be informed of what was really happening. He was sure Grubb would not bend the self-imposed rule of no outside contact, but he had to at least try. After all, he had seen many miracles in his time on Earth, so maybe this would become one more.

Reaching out, Dumbledore tied the rolled parchment to the leg of the tawny owl that sat on his desk. "Please take this to Ellis Grubb at Shadowland Headquarters."

As the owl took flight, Dumbledore watched him go with a heavy heart.

* Two Days Later *

Amaya Stewart walked down the corridor that led to her quarters, muttering under her breath. She could not believe what she had just read. Granted she wasn't supposed to have seen it, but what else was she supposed do while waiting for Grubb to get back from his meeting with Mahree and Wynn? Just sit there? Sure, reading the letters on Grubb's desk was wrong, but she was glad she had. How else would she have known what Grubb was keeping from them? And how on earth could he just turn down this Albus Dumbledore's request without so much as asking any of the Field Agents if they would be willing to help? How was keeping pixies and hobgoblins away from non-magical people more important than helping to defeat this Lord Voldemort person? (Though personally she thought that the name Lord Voldemort sounded like it belonged to some bad guy from a horrible B-rated Sci-fi movie. Surely he could have come up with something a bit more terrifying.) From what she had been able to gather from the letter, the situation sounded quite urgent and was becoming graver as each day passed. She could not believe that Grubb was so tied to his precious "No outside Non-Agent contact except on missions and only when absolutely, positively necessary" rule that he was unwilling to send Dumbledore any help at all. After all, if Lord Voldemort won, who knew how long it would be before he came after Shadowland. Wouldn't it be better to help defeat him now? Well, she would just have to amend Grubb's little rule because there was no way she was going to stand idly by and do nothing, not when there were people out there in danger.

Upon entering her room, Amaya started to quickly throw things into her workout bag. Since she had no idea what she would be facing, she tried to toss in a variety of things from her work arsenal. As she packed, she tried to think of how she was going to get to England. The only way she could think of was to change the coordinates on her transport module the next time she was sent out on a mission since communications were so heavily guarded at Headquarters.

Suddenly, Amaya's thoughts were interrupted by the beeping of the Headquarters intercom system. She walked over and activated the switch. "Stewart here."

Within seconds the gravely voice of Ellis Grubb could be heard through the tiny speaker in the wall. "Stewart, get ready and meet me at the landing pad ASAP. I'm sending you on a mission. I'll give you the details as soon as you get here. Grubb out."

Amaya stood there speechless for a moment. She could not believe her luck. But since she knew better than to waste such a chance, she quickly used a shrinking spell on her bag and then put it in her pocket. Grabbing her cloak, she exited her room and headed toward the landing pad. Any worry or doubt would have to wait. Now was the time for action.

*The Next Day*

Bill Weasley wrapped his cloak closer around himself and tried to fit further back into the outcropping of rocks that he was huddling under. It was just his luck that on his night for watch a sudden thunder storm had cropped up. He had used a water repelling charm on himself, but it did not seem to be helping very much. He was cold, wet, and thoroughly weary of mind, body, and soul. When he had been a little boy and had sat on the fence of the pig pen at the Burrow dreaming about how his life would turn out, this was not at all what he had envisioned. True, he had imagined danger and adventure, what little boy didn't, but he had never dreamed of the kind of situations where people were killed. Now he longed to be the carefree child that had been filled with such innocence he had been once long ago.

Bill sighed deeply and tried to stop the pessimistic train his thoughts were taking. Normally he was an upbeat person who tried to find the best in situations, but that was the trouble. There was absolutely no positive to having to fight for one's very existence.

As Bill tried to change positions again and find a more comfortable place among the rocks, he noticed a small figure walking toward him. When the person tripped on one of the rocks, he smiled. There was only one person who could be coming to join him. Nymphadora Tonks. His suspicions were proven correct when the person pushed back the hood of their cloak to reveal a head of neon green hair. Bill's smile grew. One couldn't help but like Tonks. Her upbeat, devil-may-care attitude did help to make things seem like they were less dire than they really were. In fact, Bill could definitely see why Charlie was as taken with her as he was. Yet, even though he knew that it was indeed Tonks, he knew he had to follow the Order's protocol. "Password," he said as Tonks came up beside him.

Grinning, Tonks said, "You know, following correct procedure is only going to make you have to stand out in the rain a bit longer."

"Tonks," Bill said in mock warning.

"Okay, okay. It's Gummy Bears. We really need to let someone else besides Dumbledore pick the codeword."

Bill had to agree, but he kept that to himself. "So, what's going on? I didn't expect anyone for several hours yet."

"There's been word from Snape that the Death Eaters are planning to lay low for at least a few days to regroup after our last meeting with them. Also, this particular spot has been removed from their area of interest," Tonks replied, slipping into Auror mode with obvious ease. "Moody thinks that it will be pretty fruitless to watch this area now, especially when we could focus our attention on more important areas."

"What happened to Constant Vigilance?"

"Well, if you want to stay out here and play in the puddles that is fine with me. I can go back and tell Moody that you felt leaving your post would not be something a former Head Boy would

"Clever, Tonks. And just why is Charlie dating you again?"

Tonks just shrugged and raised an eyebrow slyly. "Maybe it's because I have talents that I am unwilling to share with the likes of you."

Bill had to laugh. "I'm sure. So, do I need to go scout out the new location or am I being called back in?"

"You're being called back in. Now, get your bum back to Headquarters and get warmed up before you catch cold."

"Yes, mum. See you back at Headquarters," Bill said and then Apparated directly into his room at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. As he made his way to the bathroom, he stripped off his wet clothes. Since he had nothing important to report, he knew Dumbledore would not care if he got a quick shower before he gave his account of the night's events.

About twenty minutes later, Bill, now dressed in one of his "Weasley Sweaters" and a dry pair of pants, walked down the stairs and made his way toward the conference area. Since his mind was on what he was going to say at the briefing it took him a moment to register that there was someone lurking in the shadows of the front room. Whipping out his wand, he shouted a quick spell that sent the person flying off their feet and into the wall behind them. Running over, he pinned the person to the wall and demanded, "Who are you and what business do you have here?"

A soft voice came from beneath the hood of the cloak the person wore. "I'm here to see Albus Dumbledore."

Bill took a step back from the person, but made sure to keep his wand trained on them. "Why?"

The newcomer reached up and pushed back the hood of the cloak revealing a beautiful, young woman. "I wish to join The Order of the Phoenix."

*** To Be Continued . . .