The Phoenix Resistance - Chapter 1
The Burrow - August 1st, 1997
Devon could feel the vibrations of the music in her feet radiating up her legs. The rhythmic thumping in her chest matches the beat of her heart as she glides around the room guided by Henry’s hand on her waist. Her gold sequin dress catches the candlelight and reflects it against the tent. With a smirk, Henry suddenly dips Devon low, his lips catching hers. The beat of her heart increases and drowns everything out as the moment seems to last forever. Finally pulling away, Devon grins at Henry who grins back. The dance finishes and they leave the dance floor, hand in hand.
“Excuse me, darling. I promised I’d have a drink and catch up with Charlie. I’ll see you later.” Henry signs before kissing Devon’s temple.
Devon watches him disappear into the crowd, the smell of his cologne fading. Sighing wistfully she navigates the crowd in search of anyone she knows.
There’s no sign of Kathryn yet. Will told Devon earlier in the day that she had a late shift at the Ministry but would try to get away in the evening for the dance. However she did see many people she recognized.
Luna Lovegood was over on the dance floor with who she assumed was her father. Mercy was in the act of shoving an uncomfortable looking Septimus onto the dance floor as well. A motion outside the tent catches her eye as she notices Remus Lupin on patrol, his wand in his hand as a precaution.
Turning back towards inside the tent she scans the crowd again and spots Lara Fairbourne who catches her eye and gives a wave, which Devon returns with a smile. Walking towards the tables she notices even more people. At the first table she passes sits the Silversmith brothers, Edgar and Alaric. Sitting at the second table, hands entwined and deep in conversation is Azariah Steele and his girlfriend Irena Janda. It seems like Lou Yaxley must be on patrol duty as she isn’t with them. At the last table sits Harry Potter himself talking with a man she knows to be Elphias Doge.
As she reaches the other end of the tent having found nobody free to chat with, Devon decides to wander outside for some fresh air. The stars shine brightly on a crisp clear August night. One particular star looks brighter than the others. It shines a brilliant blue and there’s a moment where Devon thinks it must be Neptune or Uranus. Except it’s moving. In fact, it’s also getting bigger and bigger. With a gasp, Devon watches as the blue orb rushes towards the Burrow and disappears into the tent.
Grabbing the fabric of her skirt and pulling it up she breaks into a run towards the tent and pushes past a blur of people until she spots the orb gently floating in the center of the tent. The orb pulses and shifts to show pictures and faces. Concern and fear fills the faces of the wedding guests and suddenly dozens of voices cry out in her head.
“What’s going on?” “Oh my god!” “The Ministry is taken?” “They killed Scrimgeour?!” “Merlin’s beard” “Where’s my kids? We need to get out of here” “They are coming. They are coming. They are coming” “Oh my god”
In a heartbeat a dozen black clouds descend upon the party and people scatter. Spells whiz by and smash glasses and knock candles over, flames quickly consuming the tent fabric. Snapping back to her senses, Devon tries to shut out the voices in her head and focus. They fade a bit but still flood her mind as she runs and ducks behind an overturned table.
Where’s Henry. I need to find him, oh god. Please be ok.
Fumbling beneath her dress she pulls out her wand and with a deep breath she darts out of her cover, firing a stupefy at the nearest death eater. Her eyes dart around furiously as spells fly and voices scream out in her head. In a panic she starts running, too disoriented to fight and eager to find Henry. They had to get out of here now.
Her foot catches on something and she hits the ground hard. Looking behind her to see what it was she discovers someone laying on the ground motionless. Suddenly she’s grabbed and hauled to her feet. Devon struggles against them but stops instantly as she meets Henry’s concerned eyes. With a flash of magic he apparates both of them and the chaos of the wedding turns into a darkened street. She knows where she is in an instant and she rushes inside the illuminated bakery.
London, England - 11:45 PM
Devon has prepared for this. She knew it would come eventually. The war has started and the Ministry has fallen. As she rushes upstairs to the apartment she goes over her checklist in her mind.
Step One: Make sure her family is safe.
Bursting into her fathers bedroom she gently shakes him awake and flips on the lights.
“It’s time. Pack only what you need. I’ll help Asri. Henry is downstairs on guard. Meet us downstairs, we have to go.” She hastily signs, repeating it a second time when Charlie doesn’t quite catch it the first time.
Leaving the room she goes down the hall and, more gently this time, wakes her fourteen year old brother and helps him pack his things. Finally she rushes to her room and grabs her emergency bag, having it packed and ready for months. Hesitating at the doorway, she turns back around and quickly scans her room. Her eyes fall on a miniature of the Eiffel Tower she keeps on her windowsill. Scooping it up she then dashes downstairs to her family.
Checking her watch, she sets down the trinket on the bakery counter and points her wand at it. The tip of her wand glows blue as she silently casts portus. In a hurry she motions for them to all grab on to it and, as the clock strikes midnight, their surroundings blur past and the warm lit interior of the bakery is replaced by darkness.
Paris, France - August 2nd, 1997 - 12 am
“Cool!” Devon hears her brother echo in her mind and she suppresses a smile.
“Devon, I know this place. This is our old bakery in Paris! Why the hell are we here?” Her father’s voice comes a second later.
“I bought it. Last year with my own money. Henry helped too. I’m going to sell the one in London. It’s not safe there anymore. Set up shop here and live normally. Henry and I are going to return to London tomorrow.”
“-But you said it’s not safe! Stay here with us honey. They will be targeting you as a muggleborn.”
“If I can help in any way to save people like me then I have to try, Dad. I’ll try to be safe, I promise. This portkey can take me back here every day at midnight so I’ll visit as often as I can. Look after each other. I love you both.” She replies in sign and then hugs them tightly and kisses each of them on the head.
With a final wave goodbye she grabs the Eiffel Tower and then takes Henry’s hand as they disapparate into the night air.
London, England - 12:05 AM
Back in the bakery, Devon shuts off the lights and lowers the blinds, placing a For Sale sign she retrieved from her bag in the window. A pang in her chest hits her as she gazes around what was her home for 14 years. Tears well up in her eyes but she quickly wipes them away. She can’t hesitate now.
I prepared for this. I’m ready. I know what to do, she reminds herself.
Then why are you shaking? She counters back.
Henry takes her hand in his and they share a quiet moment together, fear on both of their faces.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear.
Squeezing Henry’s hand and taking a deep breath, they walk out of the shop for the last time and into the cold dark night.
Step Two: Disappear
I have no idea if I’ll even finish this but I’m finally writing Devon’s story! It’s a huge mess and I’m sure I fucked things up but I’m not a writer I’m just trying to put things in my head down on paper. Featuring MCs from: @thatravenpuffwitch @cursebreakerfarrier @brothergrimm71 @lgvalenzuela @slytherindisaster I hope you enjoy it 🥺