Chapter Text
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” Asked Calla.
Forkle nodded firmly. “It’s the only thing we can do.”
Calla twisted her fingers, “But are you sure? I mean, they seem nice and all but-“
“Calla, you know as well I these are the best muggles in the nearby area. They have no other children, and they just recently moved from America so they haven’t made any strong memories here yet-“
“...so it’ll be easier to bend their minds with your washing spell.” Finished Calla. She and Forkle had been over the plan many, many times.
“And besides, I’ll be stationed across the street from them to keep watch over the girl until she’s old enough to go to Hogwarts.”
Calla sighed. Then she frowned. “Shouldn’t Jolie be here by now?”
Just then a hooded figure suddenly appeared.
Forkle and Calla quickly rushed over.
“Jolie, thank goodness you’re-“ Forkle stopped mid sentence.
The figure, who’s hood had fallen off in sudden gust wind was most definitely not Jolie.
“Oralie?!” Exclaimed Calla, “Why are you here? You know how dangerous this is for you. And what happened to your cheek?”
Oralie’s fair skin was paler than usual, and her azure blue eyes were watery and bloodshot. Across her cheek was a thin scar that went from ear to her chin. It looked as if it had been bleeding very recently. In Oralie’s arm’s was a tiny bundle of blankets. And in that bundle of blankets was a baby girl. The baby had blonde hair, just like Oralie and soft golden brown eyes.
Calla gasped when she saw the child. “I thought that Jolie was bringing her.”
Oralie shook her head, her whole body shivering. She kept stroking the baby’s forehead.
Forkle’s mouth went dry. “Where is Jolie?”
Oralie finally looked Forkle in the eye, and shook her head again.
Forkle’s face flushed. Calla had never seen him look so scared before. “Where’s Kenric? He was supposed to be watching you!”
At the mention of Kenric’s name, Oralie crumpled. Calla quickly took the baby girl as Oralie sunk into the floor.
“Oralie?” Forkle sounded so unsure in that moment, it was scary.
Oralie shuddered. “They're gone.”
Calla paled and tightened her grip on the baby.
Forkle choked, “What do you mean gone?”
Oralie looked broken as she murmured, “Fintan and some other Neverseen member set fire to the safe house. Kenric died getting us all out safely.”
“But what about Jolie?” Asked Calla
Oralie took a sharp breath, “Jolie ran back into the house. I don’t know why. The last thing she told me was this address and that I needed to apparate here immediately. I didn’t see her, Fintan, or the other member get out.”
Forkle looked up at the sky. Only the dark, black night stared back down at him. “This will change everything.”
Calls glanced between the Oralie and Forkle. “What should we do now?” She gestured to the simple house a few feet away. “The muggles will be up soon.”
“I can raise her.” Oralie finally said.
Forkle shook his head “No.”
Oralie looked pleadingly at him, “But I-”
“You may be her mother Oralie, but you are also a member of the ministry and the council. You aren’t dumb. The consequences-“
“I don’t care about the consequences!” exclaimed Oralie, who had managed to get back on her feet. Her frail body was quivering and her eyes were set on Forkle.
Calla tried to reason, “Maybe we could-“
“No.” said Forkle sighing. “We will stick to the plan, whatever is left of it at least. Hopefully her father’s blood will be strong and overpower her magic, and she can live a normal muggle life.”
Oralie looked as though a bolt of lightning had struck her in the chest, “You would really do that to an innocent child? Just hope that something works out and pretend it’s not your problem?”
“I will still monitor her of course but-“
Oralie interrupted him, “No! Listen to me.” She glared at both Calla and Forkle, “Either you give me my daughter, or I will sever all my ties and connections with the order.”
Forkle raised his voice, “Be reasonable Oralie! You can’t just-“
“I just saw Kenric be burnt to death. Jolie has probably been killed too.” Stared Oralie, a sadness seeping into her voice, “Your plan has failed, and we have to give it up.
Forkle held her gaze, “Some people don’t give up.”
Oralie looked broken. Then she turned to Calla and kissed the baby’s forehead.
With a sudden cracking noise, the azure eyed witch apparated away.
Calla sighed, “She is right you know. The plan cannot continue the way it was originally supposed to. It’ll be impossible.”
Forkle took the baby from Calla, cradling it in his arms. “Nothing is impossible Calla. You of all people should know.”
Calla looked at Forkle, “Well what should I tell the other order members? That we’re going with the impossible?”
Forkle looked thoughtful. “Tell them the order is done and for everyone to scatter and protect themselves. I will make sure the girl is safe with the muggles. If the time does come, well then…” He trailed off.
Calla sighed, “Just like that? The order of the Moonlark is gone?”
“Not gone...just waiting for the right time to resurface.” Said Forkle.
Calla nodded, getting ready to apparate.
“Oh, and one more thing Calla.” Said Forkle making eye contact with her. “We never speak of this to anyone.”