Introductions

(ooc: This is set before the Ministry fell. I thought it'd be nice to get the Order together again, considering the leaders are new. Just want to point out, as well, that if anyone would like to help in planning events or activities for the group, they're welcome to PM me on Oliver's account, since I'm super up for suggestions I definitely prefer coming up with stuff as a group.)

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"So, remind me again why this has to be done?"

Audriana shot Oliver a frustrated look, crossing her arms over her chest. She was sitting at the table while Oliver sat atop the counter across the room. They were waiting in the kitchen for the first person to arrive for their meeting. "Because," she replied slowly, "we're new to this, and they need to know us. They need to see that we're not just taking the spots but doing nothing."

Oliver sighed, leaning his head back against one of the cabinets that hung from the backboards of the kitchen furnishings. "Right."

Rolling her eyes, Audriana stood to check that the wards wouldn't block any of the members, Oliver following close behind. When Hallie had decided she and her mother needed some space, Audriana had been more or less willing to step up. But without his agreeing to join her, she was fairly certain she wouldn't have even been able to keep it up the short time she had so far. As much as she liked to pretend otherwise, Audriana was not usually one for leadership roles. After all, Gavin had ended up as Captain during school, despite her attempts to best him.

Although, Quidditch was hardly the same thing as running a not-so-underground faction of the Wizarding population.

With a sigh, she settled in one of the armchairs in the living room of Number 12 Grimmuald Place, waiting for Oliver to do the same. Instead, he stood next to the fireplace, awaiting the members who were interested enough to apparate or floo in to meet with them.

Hazel heard about the Orders meeting and decided to go there but she couldn't go there with her sister, who was just four at the moment so she had to left her to her next door grandma, who liked to take care of her. She was very glad that she was at home, that grandma didn't had any grandchildren or then even any children at all, her only daughter had died few years ago in car accident. So Aqua is like her own grandchild who she doesn't have and also Hazel herself is. She always takes care of them as their own grandchildren, bakes cupcakes and even pancakes sometimes.

Anyways Hazel did left her sister to grandma and then came to the meeting. She decided to come through floo, it sounded the best idea at the moment for her.

"Hello," she said to there then when she was in the place where they needed to meet and saw there two other members. She really wasn't that sure who was yet, she had missed few meetings because she couldn't find the babysitter at the time for her sister and she really didn't wanna bring here with her.

Christian had really bad month and it seemed like it will never pass. All the bad things happened, and the consequences were enormous. With all that chaos in his life, younger O'Sullivan completely neglected his duties, including Order of the Phoenix.
It wasn't just his private life that was in the mess. It seemed like everything around was falling apart. The point is that he let his privet life be more important than his obligations, and that was something he swore will never happen. Well it did.
Christian felt guilty for not being around when he was needed.
He skipped few meetings so when he heard about new leaders he was a bit surprised. Anyways, he knew he has to go.

Christian was tired that day, he didn't sleep well for weeks and he wasn't so sure why he came. He needed to remind himself why he joined the order at the first place.
He was in front of the house half an hour before the meeting start, but decided not to come in yet. When it was about the time for start, he realized he can't stalling no more so he walked into the house, watching around to see familiar faces. And he did.
He recognized Audriana Swan. There was a man he never saw before and a girl he though he saw on Hayley's pictures.

"Hope I'm not late." He entered the room, greeting by nodding his head. He glanced at Audriana, remembering the article he wrote for her. As she specifically asked him to omit her name, he decided not to ask her a thing. Maybe later if he gets a chance.

Oliver couldn't really help the fact that he looked like he didn't want to be at the meeting. Any one of the people there could recognize him or his last name, and realize that his sister was the one the papers had been talking about. She had been killed when the werewolves attacked, and that was why Oliver had decided to help out with the Order. That was why he was so blank-faced and so tense. He would have much rather been home with Alice and Eric, preferably provided that Ariel would decide to make dinner. But he had to get through the meeting first. Then he could go home and deal with his frustration.

A girl arrived first, followed by a man - neither of whom Oliver recognized. Audriana seemed to know the man, though, based on the delicate look of surprise that crossed her features. He knew her well enough by now to pick it up, though he wasn't sure the others would actually understand what her expression meant.

Audriana covered it quickly enough that Oliver didn't have to make any comment to distract from it, which was lucky considering he wasn't sure at all what to say. His new colleague of sorts shot him a look, though, and he realized he was meant to introduce himself. He didn't see how it would help, if people showed up after he did so and he just had to say it over again.

But perhaps it would make him appear more friendly. That was probably what she was getting at, after all. He may have been a good-looking man (though Oliver himself wouldn't point it out), but he was not doing too well with other people as of late.

"Not late at all," he replied after a moment, extending a hand towards the girl first, and then to the man. "Oliver Connolly. And if you don't know her," he added, gesturing towards the brunette, "this is Audriana Swan. We're going to do what we can to get the Order put back together."

Hazel looked around and wondered what they shoukd exactly talk here now. She knew the leaders changed now on but she really wasn't sure why it happened. She was quite busy with her own life most of times. Her sister, work and her own life. She was always busy and even had hard time to meet her friends.

She saw one next person to arrive, who she have seen some where before but she couldn't tell where and what was his name now. She smiled and nodded her head there.

When one man extented his hand towards her and introduced himself. She then did same and did shake her hand. "I'm Hazel Parker," she said then her name now too. "Oh I see. It's good thing to do. Probably we should do it yeah," she said there now with a smile. She really wasn't sure how active Order member she can be.

(ooc: To get things moving and a bit more interesting, I'm going to jump to the start of their actual discussion. Anybody interested in joining is more than welcome to say their character showed up before Audriana started explaining! )

There was a bit of waiting around, as was expected for the start of meetings like this one, but eventually everyone was gathered in the living room. Some sat on the arms of the couch or chairs, others on the floor if they needed to, while Oliver kept his post by the fireplace and Audriana sat in the arm chair next to him. They had organized it so the both of them could look around the room and see everyone at once, so backing up against the shortest wall in the room was the most convenient. They just had to hope that nobody tried to pop in through the floo while they were talking. But it looked like everybody interested was already there.

"I'm sorry that our meeting cannot be one of getting-to-know-you's and general chatting," Oliver started, trying to appear less grumpy than he really was. "But there are things happening that you all should be made aware of, so I hope that we can have a conversation about what we intend to do. At the end of the meeting, though, you should all be sure to congratulate Audriana on the recent birth of her twins," Oliver added with a small smile. She shook her head at him but seemed rather pleased nonetheless. However, there were other important things to discuss.

"See," Audriana cut in, taking over as they had intended she would, "for those of you who don't know, there was recently a Death Eater attack. A personal friend of ours, one Keiran Hayes, started a secret safe house for the students who had been forced out of Hogwarts by the law about werewolves being banned from the grounds. Those that proved they would not cause harm were given refuge, and he gathered people to teach them as though they were still in school. However, information was leaked - I will not say by whom." Audriana's gaze jumped to Christian, hoping he wouldn't realize that it was Ben who had ended up giving away the facts. Regardless of his having been influenced by Veritaserum, the truth had been given away, and Ben blamed himself.

"I understand that it might be irritating that I keep the information private, but I can assure you that the person in question is working with us, and is not associated with the Death Eaters," Oliver added, mentally noting that Ben had switched sides. His father's betrayal had ensured that.

"Exactly," She nodded. "But our point is that, the information led to the Death Eaters going after those students, and injuring Mr. Hayes. They may not seem as much of a threat as the werewolves, but I suggest we keep an eye on them nonetheless. The Death Eaters, the werewolves... even the Ministry all seem like threats these days. And while things may just seem worse than they are, we need people to keep an eye on things. It would be easier if we all assigned ourselves to a certain group, out of those three, and subtly tried to gather information about what's going on."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Oliver let his gaze float over each person in the room. "If you have a preference, or have any arguments about this, now is the time to say so."

Christian gazed Audriana only for few seconds, but it was long enough to chach her surprised look. He had no idea what happened after he published the article and judging by her face, he'll probably never going to find out.
As she moved her gaze from him, he looked at the man who was introducing himself. Shaking hands with man, he introduce himself, then waved at Audriana.
Christian set down on the chair, waiting for the others to show. After uncomfortable silence, few people walked. The fact that Nymerian may show up made him hold his breath. He hoped that they will start soon, thinking about her lately wasn't  best thing he could do.
It passed only few minutes before the living room was full, but it felt like hours. He greeted with few people before the silence filled the room again.

Christian felt relief when Oliver started talking. Work was his stronger side, so when the meeting started, all private thoughts were gone. Christian looked Audriana a bit surprised. When he came in she seemed a bit different than last time he saw her, but he was obviously to absent to notice that her belly was smaller.
Strange, he was usually good with details.
As she started talking, Christian leaned forward paying more attention to the words. His job was to notice everything and he was pretty good at it. There was few things that have passed through his head when he meet Audriana's gaze, and all of them were possible and realistic. Though, before he bring the conclusion he'll have to dig a little more.

Christian couldn't resist ironic smile as they finish talking, though he hoped no one noticed.
Article he wrote for Audriana was pretty fresh so he still remember every word. He can say he was one hundred percent sure that the man was Bentley, the pieces have come together and mystery was solved.

"I have a question. You say that the person who gave the informations to Death Eaters is working for us, but then again, how sure can you be that that person is not with them? I mean, leading to the professor who saved kids isn't the act of friendly person." he stopped for a second, looking at Oliver and than moved his gaze to Audriana. "What happened to the kids? Are they safe?"