Harry Potter and the Order of St James
Chapter 1 – The Most Famous Woman in The World
A/N: Its new. Its short. It should be magical.
The last few weeks of term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the wake of the murder of Cedric Diggory had been some of the most miserable in recent memory. The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had departed after the memorial service. Over the past eight months, despite the rivalry, students from all three schools had formed tentative friendships with one another and so left their hosts with many optimistic promises to stay in touch. The castle was left feeling very empty and it was a subdued if not exhausted school population that boarded the Hogwarts Express for home.
"Listen, I don't need it but I feel that we could all be doing with some laughs in the near future," Harry said as he dumped the pouch containing the one thousand galleons worth of Triwizard Tournament prize money in the lap of an astonished Fred Weasley.
Fred winced at the weight of the bag. "Harry you can't, it's too much."
"Well I don't want it and can't really use it."
"Harry-"
"If you don't take it, I'll happily throw the lot in the bin. At least you can make use of it."
"We owe you," said George simply, offering his hand to the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry took it.
"Just don't tell your mother where you got it."
"Prankster's honour." The twins gave him a mock salute.
"I should be getting back to the others."
"Thanks Harry. With this we can do things we can only have dreamed of before."
"As long as we all get some pleasure from it, we're all square. No doubt I'll see you both on the platform gentlemen."
As Harry walked down the corridor to his friends' compartment in the rear-most carriage, the train began to slow.
'Strange.' Harry thought. 'We're in the middle of no-where." And then the Express halted all together with a jolt. Students began to peer out into the corridor, wondering what was going on.
It was all eerily reminiscent of the journey to Hogwarts the year before but the train remained warm. There were no Dementors.
"All students are requested to remain in their compartments. There is no need to be alarmed. We will be on the move shortly," came a disembodied voice that Harry supposed was that of the driver. In any case he drew his wand and hurried back to his compartment.
He nearly made it.
He felt a wave of magic as privacy and silencing charms were cast throughout the coach and the compartment doors were silently locked. The vestibule to the next coach sealed itself.
"Aurors! Lower your wand!" barked a baritone voice behind him from the other end of the coach, just as Harry was about to leave through the vestibule. Harry turned to see three aurors – a witch and two wizards – wands at their sides. Nevertheless, Harry did not put his wand away.
"Harry Potter?" asked the witch. She was a severe looking, blonde, middle aged woman wearing a monocle.
"Yes." Harry confirmed.
"There is no need for alarm Mr Potter. I am Madam Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and these are Aurors Shacklebolt and Robards. If you would like to come with us. Somebody will see to your luggage."
"Why?"
"It's quite alright Mr Potter. You're not in trouble," said Bones patiently.
Harry gave a short laugh. "The Minister would disagree with you. He thinks I'm a raving lunatic."
Bones smiled thinly. "We are not here on his authority Mr Potter, but that of a higher power. Rest assured we are not agents of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"His name is Voldemort," Harry said shortly. "You still haven't told me why."
"We won't be able to tell you until we've escorted you to the location." Bones said cryptically. "The sooner we leave, the sooner the Express can be sent on its way."
"How do I know who you are?" Harry eyed them warily.
"We all carry identification." Bones offered him her warrant card. Robards and Shacklebolt held theirs up for inspection.
"Do I have any choice in the matter?"
"No Mr Potter. But you are among friends," Bones said, "and allies," she added.
"I'd hardly call the Ministry my friends."
"We are not here in a Ministry capacity Mr Potter."
"I see."
"Come along Mr Potter." Bones beckoned.
Harry walked the length of the coach, past compartment after compartment – the occupants unaware of his presence but still confused as to why the Express had come to a stop. The aurors removed their privacy enchantments with a flourish as Bones and Harry stepped through the vestibule at the other end and climbed down from the train onto the lineside.
After Shacklebolt slammed the door and shot up green sparks with his wand, there was a loud blast from the whistle of the scarlet locomotive as the Express began to gather speed, racing towards the horizon.
Harry looked around him. They were in the middle of nowhere.
"Mr Potter," called Bones. "I'll see that someone collects your luggage from Kings Cross. Now take my arm."
"What?" Harry said with confusion.
"Take my arm." Bones repeated, offering the limb to Harry. "Hold on tight," she said. "Ready?"
"Yes, Ma'am," called the aurors.
"In three…two…one…"
There was a loud CRACK as the four disapparated.
One moment Harry had been stood on heathland in the middle of nowhere. The next, he was stood in a magnificent entrance hall, bedecked in red and gold with a long sweeping staircase. A clock somewhere chimed the hour.
"What did we just-" Harry began in astonishment but he was silenced by a pointed look from Bones.
"Madam Bones?" asked a voice behind them. Harry turned to see a man in military dress uniform.
"Major."
"Is this?" he indicated his head towards Harry.
"Yes. It is."
"Excellent. If you'd all like to follow me," the Major turned on his heel and marched away. A still slightly stunned Harry needed a little prod to get moving.
"He's a mu-"
"Not here Mr Potter. All will be explained in due course," she said a little sharply as they walked up the stairs and along a long carpeted corridor.
"Madam Bones, gentlemen, if you'd like to wait here. They'll meet alone first," the Major gestured to a row of chairs. "Mr Potter, with me if you please."
The Major knocked on the door once. Then opened it and walked in, Harry one step behind.
Harry's eyes were first drawn to the opulent chandelier, and then the high windows and then the large portraits that adorned the walls of the room before finally settling on the small, elderly looking woman stood, dressed in a pale purple dress, clutching a black handbag, a string of pearls around her neck.
She was the most famous woman in the world.
The Major bowed.
"Mr Potter, Your Majesty."
A/N: God Save The Queen! So there is plenty scope for this one. As you can see it will be a reworking of the Order of the Phoenix and will possibly incorporate and better use ideas from my other stories. All feedback, as usual, is very welcome.