I ran into James’ room. He was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He sat up and instantly grabbed me into his arms. “Lils, it was all fake…. Shh, it was all fake.”

He was rocking me gently as I sobbed into his shoulder. “I… He told me that he’s tortured you to your death.”

He sat back a little bit and looked me in the eyes. “Look, I’m perfectly alive.”

I hugged him tightly, and we separated as Remus came into the room.

He was incredibly pale and his knees seemed a little shaky, and I realized that they’d probably gone though a lot, too. “They want us downstairs.”

I stood up, James following, and we entered the living room holding hands.

“Go ahead, take a seat,” Elphias said, nodding to the three of us.

I still felt odd, being bossed around in the house that’d been mine for months. I sat down anyway.

“We’re going to review your individual tests and make some points,” Marlene said, looking at a piece of parchment. “Remus, you’re first. You did excellent spell work and you seemed to know what was going on before it happened. Your werewolf abilities have definitely come into play.

“Next, James. It was a spectacular idea to transform into your Animagus form; though if used in front of a Death Eater please remember that he will tell Voldemort about your disguise. You work well as a human and animal, though, so we will not discredit you for that.

“And finally, Lily. You were a little slow at first but the spell you used to kill the Death Eater was not only effective but also well researched. That kind of magic is extremely hard with a wand; the fact that you did it without one is even more impressive.”

James and Remus stared at me. “You killed someone?”

“Kind of.” I didn’t look either of them in the eyes.

“How do you kind of kill someone?” Remus laughed, voice still remotely serious. “Either they’re dead or they’re not. There’s not really an in-between marker.”

“This isn’t really the issue,” Dumbledore interrupted. “Avery is… If you’re to ever be a member you have to learn to be honest with the rest of us. You can’t hide this.”

“You weren’t going to tell them?” James asked, flabbergasted, and then told them the story.

“We’ll have to look into that…” Dumbledore said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “The school expects you all back in a month. James, when you get back, would you be interested in taking the Head Boy position?”

His mouth dropped open. “Well… ah… sure!”

I squeezed his hand. “Wow! Congratulations.”

“Congratulations to you all,” Dumbledore smiled. “And welcome to the Order of the Phoenix.”