Under a willow tree (open)

[Alice Prewett]

Alice felt a sense of kinship stregthen between them and responded "I already have actually just a few weeks ago.. I .. well I had to do something and it's the right thing to do. But I still don't know much of who else is part of it. Well, except you I guess and Frank. But I haven't heard of any meetings lately and I'm getting antsy to do something besides just sit here like a lump." She knew Frank had joined as well since they'd joined together before he'd gone off and kissed her and ruined everything between them. But they had both decided that was where they needed to be to fight against the growing dark wizards even among some students she was sure.

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi gave her cousin another hug. "I'm proud of you," she said. "It's not easy to take a stand against something that you feel is wrong... especially when it means going against someone like Voldemort." She was unable to stop herself from dropping her voice to a whisper when she said the name. Some people were already refusing to say the name altogether, but Andi swore to herself she wouldn't stoop to such superstitions.

[Alice Prewett]

"So it's true?" Alice looked slightly surprised by the mention of the name... she'd known there was some mastermind dark wizard but had not yet known his name except in rumors though there had been doubt on who was the real dark lord. "Va.. err.. he is really the dark wizard behind these attacks then? I hadn't heard yet if it was really him or well there was that article in the paper not long ago.. I wasn't sure what was true yet... just that I knew there was one of course and the dark wizards growing in numbers it seem like with the increase in deaths lately." she was almost whispering with a horrified expression but she wasn't frightened of her involvement just startled with the truth of the matter.. it's one thing to have rumors it's another to have a name.

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi sighed. There was so much misinformation out there, and articles like the one in the Daily Prophet weren't helping matters. "Yes," she answered quietly. "There is a Lord Voldemort. No one knows his real identity for sure, though. It seems that it's just a name he made up or something, because we can't trace it. He also seems to hide his appearance a lot of the time, or even disguise it, because even those who have seen him, like the Rothschilds, all describe him differently. I think he uses the name to create fear, but remains mostly unseen. When it's just a faceless name, there's an element of the unknown that makes him even more frightening."

She looked at Alice worriedly. She seemed almost fragile at times, but Andi knew better. She was tougher than she looked, and she had a good heart. Andi feared that things would get worse before they got better, and she hoped Alice would be OK.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice shivered unconsiously, it was one thing to be brave but that didn't mean she was imune to the fear that went with the name of Lord Voldemort. A man who killed without remorse and used the unforgivable curses without hesitation. And now he was beginning to rise in power and that was even more dangerous. The fact that he was building forces by those who were calling themselves Death Eaters was proof of his influence and power that was already being gained within some pureblood families and she wondered privately if he recruited witches and wizards that were all former Slytherins for no other reason than blood status.

Alice wasn't sure what she would do if ever face to face with Lord Voldemort let alone one of his nasty little minions, but she did know she'd face them down to her dying breath to prevent them from harming anyone else if she could help it. That was why she'd joined the Order when Frank had told her about it, and she was glad to know that her cousin, Andi, had chosen the same path to fight whatever may come.

Alice looked at Andromeda, "Andi, do you really think the school might be a target for them? I mean that you are here and all to protect us, I'm glad about.. but... is the school in such danger? What interest would he have in a school and bunch of kids?"

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi thought about this for a minute. "There are some theories," she replied slowly. "We don't really know his motivations as of yet. But Vincent--the Minister of Magic, I mean--has some ideas. One is that Lord Voldemort doesn't want to gain control of Hogwarts so much as to get rid of Dumbledore. A lot of people think that since Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, he'll be the one to defeat Voldemort, too." Andi shrugged and turned to look out at the lake. "I'm not so sure. I mean, I can't help but think that if that's all there was to it, Dumbledore would have done something already."

She shivered as a cold breeze blew in, ruffling through her long dark hair. Looking back at Alice, she gave a wry smile. "Another theory is much darker. Angelique thinks that Voldemort wants to gain control of Hogwarts so that he can kick out all of the muggleborns, then train the children that are left to be mini-Death Eaters. Like his own personal child army."

[Alice Prewett]

Alice shivered a bit thinking of an army of mini-death eaters as they graduated.. easy to control and numbers, especially if all you had to teach them was dark arts. "Either way it doesn't bode well, especially with so much to risk with all the wizarding family children in once place.. at least for this part of the world but if he had one he could probably take others..."

She wasn't worried as much about herself as she was about those she cared for. What if he did take over the school and got rid of those he didn't think worthy? She could never turn so vile and would die fighting for what she thought was right.

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi nodded quietly. "I know... it's a scary thought. I'm especially worried about what might happen with the Triwizard House Tournament," she admitted. "Vincent strongly advised against doing it, but you know Dumbledore... when he has an idea in his head, there's no stopping him. I think they're going to assign another auror or two to oversee the games." She smiled slightly. "I hope Ted is one of them... then he'll be around a lot more!" She laughed slightly, even though she knew that even if Ted were to be assigned to cover the tournament, they probably still wouldn't be able to spend much time together at the school.

"I just hope everything goes well with the tournament, you know? It does seem like a perfect opportunity for Death Eaters to try something..."

[Alice Prewett]

Alice frowned and looked a little worried. "I put my name in that cup" she almost whispered with a heavy voice as if she might have made a huge mistake. "I don't know what I was thinking at the time, I wanted to see Gryffindor win.. but... now I wonder if that was such a smart move. What if I get picked? At least I'm part of the order now and I guess it's better for me to be there than some helpless student who might be in danger. But.. I can't help but wonder if it was the smartest thing to do... " she hoarsly chuckled with worry "...but then I guess being courageous isnt' always the smart thing even if it is the rigth thing. " then she quoted something she'd heard once long ago...." With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity. Courage is not the absense of fear, but the ability to accept and master it to act anyways."

[Andromeda Tonks]

"I don't mean to worry you!" Andi said quickly. "After all, Dumbledore is a smart man and one of the strongest, most powerful wizards of our time. If he thinks it's a good idea, I'm sure he knows what he's doing. And like I said, they're taking a lot of precautions to make sure everything's safe. I'm sure you'll be fine. And I hope you're chosen! You'd be a great champion."

She was rather impressed that Alice, who she had always thought was a bit shy and quiet, had decided to put her name in the goblet of fire. Andi was sure she would have done it back when she was in school, but she wouldn't have expected it of Alice. She was glad she'd be able to be close by to help keep an eye on her cousin.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice looked comforted and even blushed at Andi's support, "Thanks I'm nervous anyways though! But you're right, besides I'll have you around too!!" she added to Andi's comment about Dumbledore. "But I think the challenges are a good test for me to see if I'm worthy to become an Auror. I figured that if I can prove to myself I'm good enough to survive the challenges then I can survive Auror training." She chuckled and winked at her cousin as she explained why she'd even decided to place her name in the cup.

"I am actually pretty excited now that I turned 17 that I'll get to learn apparating finally too. I just wonder who's going to be teaching it this year."

[Andromeda Tonks]

Andi smiled. "I'm very glad that I'm going to be able to be close to you this year, especially if you're going to be competing in the tournament. I'm really sorry I fell out of contact last year... I feel like I missed so much. You've become so pretty... just more proof that I'm the ugly duckling of the Black family tree." Despite her words, there was laughter behind her eyes.

"Anyway, I really do hope you'll take my advice and talk to Frank. I think that if he doesn't want you, then he's an idiot and no longer worthy of your time."

[Alice Prewett]

"Thanks Andi.. and you're right if he would rather be with that other girl then I don't need him anyways." She noticed the sun was starting to go down and her study time was up. "I guess I should be getting back to the castle. I'll try to to talk to Frank next time I see him. I really enjoyed talking to you though. I've missed you!" Alice leaned over and gave her cousin a hug.