I'd Have to Kill You
The Order of the Phoenix meeting had just begun. Everyone was crowded around the kitchen table at Grimmuald Place. Even with Sirius Black's death this past summer, they continued to use it. It was clear now that Harry Potter was the sole owner of the house, even if he was not a Black.
Tonight however, the meeting was more crowded than usual. This was because the Order would be voting to induct Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger into their ranks. There at close to twenty-five people there. The entire Weasley family, bar Percy, was there to see the decision on their son. Even Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, who rarely attended meets because of Hogwarts, were there as well. Albus Dumbledore sat at one end of a long table watching everything unfold.
The three would be given Veritaserum and then questioned on their intentions. This was procedure for all new members of the Order of the Phoenix, but never had they inducted anyone that was under seventeen. After two hours of straight questioning, they were allowed to make their case. Hermione did most of the talking; she had a list of important points to talk about. Harry and Ron elaborated a bit.
"Finally, we think it would be safer for us to be completely informed instead of half-way in the dark. Like it or not, Harry, Ron, and I are a part of this," said Hermione, ending her thirty-minute speech.
"There is more to being in the Order than just being informed on Voldemort's movements," spoke Kingsley Shacklebolt. "You have to respond to this and know how to fight it."
"We know," started Harry, but Hermione shut him down.
"You have to make many sacrifices that people your age shouldn't have to make." Molly Weasley was completely against the idea of letting them be active members in the Order.
"We have made sacrifices!"
"It is nothing compared to what you would have to go through becoming a member of the Order," shouted another member. There was much shouting until Harry's voice rang above the rest.
"How about walking around with a scar on your forehead, thinking about parents you'll never get to meet. Or what about Cedric and Sirius? Does the Chamber of Secrets ring a bell?"
"Potter!" Minerva McGonagall's voice caused him to fall silent. This was the first time she had spoken all night and to be honest, most people had forgotten she was there. She stood slowly from her place at Albus' right side. "The way you are talking it seems that you think you are the only one making sacrifices."
"That's not what-" began Harry, but Minerva took no notice.
"Some of the people in this room have seen and lived through more than you. Ms. Granger has more brains than some of us put together. Mr. Weasley has more loyalty and brawn than he lets on. And of course, Mr. Potter is the reason we can win this war. However, you cannot do this alone, nor can you afford to think you are the only ones hurting because of it. Why don't you listen, instead of running your mouth? This is a war, Mr. Potter. The first thing you need to learn is to get along with other people and maybe learn something from the tales of hardship we have been through."
"Thank you, Professor," murmured Hermione. Harry and Ron stared dumbfounded at their teacher. "We want to know what we're up against. That is why we need to join. If you don't let us in, we'll try to do it without help, and that has never ended to well. We are stubborn and hard-headed, but we need to learn what we can to win this war."
"Well, you have my vote, Ms. Granger," replied Minerva with one of her rare smiles and took her seat.
"If that's good enough for her, it works for me too," said Dedalus Diggle, and raised his arm in a vote. Hestia Jones and Kingsley joined him. Tonks and Moody were next to raise their hands. A few hands of people who the trio had just met rose into the air until only Albus, Remus, Arthur, and Molly remained.
"I vote whatever Albus does," sighed Arthur. Molly was in tears.
"It doesn't really matter now. We're out voted," mentioned Remus, but raised his hand never-the-less. Albus stood, not waiting for Arthur and Molly to vote.
"I believe we should welcome Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger into the Order of the Phoenix." Albus continued with a short speech before the meeting was dismissed. Most people stayed for a nightcap while others returned to their families or jobs. Harry approached his Transfiguration teacher after much congratulating. Minerva was speaking to Albus away from the chatter of the crowd.
"Poor Molly…almost all of her children in the Order." Minerva had her back to Harry, but Albus saw him coming.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Sorry for interrupting- I was wondering if I could have a word with Professor McGonagall."
"Of course. We can carry on our conversation some other time," he smiled. "I'll be going back to Hogwarts, then."
"What can I do for you, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall's eyes followed Albus' retreating figure.
"I wanted to thank you." Hermione said Harry should thank her for keeping him in line.
"Whatever for?" She looked at him in confusion.
"For everything you said earlier. You were right, I was out of line. I'm sorry."
"I guess the only thing to say is you're very welcome." She moved to walk away, but Harry stopped her.
"Professor, you said something about making sacrifices and learning from other people's stories. If you don't mind me asking, what is your story? I pretty much know why everyone else is part of the Order, but after all these years I still don't really know your story." He looked at her eagerly. Curiosity, ironically, killed the cat, but he could not help it.
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Harry stared at her, almost causing her to laugh. "Well, I wouldn't kill you. Still, it's just better if my secrets stay secret. No one gets hurt that way." She gave him a soft pat on the back.
"Good luck, Potter. We're all going to need it."
A/N: This will be Albus/Minerva, not to worry. Next chapter will be more about them and their family. This is right before the sixth book, so Dumbledore is not dead. smiles Also, I'll give you a timeline for my story in the next chapter, which should be up tomorrow if not tonight. I know that Harry and the gang aren't supposed to join the Order before their 17th birthdays, but I needed them to be in the Order for this story.