HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX Chapter 1: Calling Upon Ms. Figg

The wind howled as a big black dog walked alone on a cloudy night. He headed down the street of Privet Drive to a little apartment. The rusty numbers on the mailbox said six in a big gold letter, reflecting the moon's light. This big dog had been to this place many times and headed up the stairs to the front door.

The so-called mutt took form of a man, a man by the name of Sirius Black. Sirius was a tall, scrawny man in his thirties with shaggy black hair, much like the dog's. He knocked on the door of Arabella Figg's home and waited impatiently. After three nerve racking minutes, the door opened revealing an older women who had cat hairs all over her body.

"Sirius!" she screamed, grabbing hold of Black and hugging him tight. "I have already heard from Dumbledore. He said that you already rounded up Lupin, Fletcher, and some of the others," she said.

"Yes, but the order still wouldn't be the same without you," Black said.

"Is it true then? Has Voldemort really risen again?" Arabella asked, sounding worried.

"Yes, and all of his Death Eaters have returned to him. Harry was even there to witness it," Sirius said. "I actually really feel bad for him. I bet that he is blaming himself for Cedric Diggory's death, but from what I hear, he was nearly killed himself. If it weren't for his wand practice for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, he might've been killed."

"Oh my," said Arabella, with tears streaming down her face, "Harry was there at Voldemort's resurrection? Poor Harry."

"Poor Harry indeed, but I'm not here about Harry, even though I know that you are close to him, with you being his secret-keeper while he lives at the Dursley's. Harry doesn't even know that you are a witch," Sirius retorted, "Well, I'm not here about Harry; I'm here about the order. If you could let me in, we could talk a little more. It's very chilly out here,"

"Oh, sorry, of course. We better get back to business," said Arabella.

Arabella Figg stepped back, letting Sirius in, and looked up and down Privet Drive, expecting Voldemort to be lurking behind the bush. She turned back in and shut the door.

"I'll go make some tea, so then we can have a long talk," said Arabella.

"No, we don't have much time. Remus and Fletcher are already at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore is expecting us," said Sirius; "I just came to get you."

"Well, I know that the Order of the Phoenix will be started again, but what would you need me for? I have retired from being an auror," Arabella said.

"Arabella, we will always need you. Now go gather your things, and we will apparate right outside of Hogwarts and we'll walk the rest of the way," said Sirius, almost like giving an order.

"Ok, but don't give me that tone of voice, young man," said Arabella, raising her voice. At that, she left upstairs and was gone for about twenty minutes.

She came down, a large suitcase levitating right next to her, and now wearing a maroon cloak, had a wand poking out of the front pocket.

"Let's go," said Sirius. As soon as Sirius said that, there was a loud pop and they were both gone, on their way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.