Thank You For The Venom
Disclaimer – I own none of the characters featured in this story other than Sarah Melena who is a creation all of my own. The rest belongs to good old JKR. The title of this story is of course the name of a legendary song by My Chemical Romance. This fic has nothing to do with that song, it just seems to fit.
Harry awoke on a warm Thursday morning, the sun gently peeking through the drapes of his four poster bed, beckoning him out from under the sheets. Unwilling to emerge from his comfortable haven, he turned away and snuggled deeper under his heavy quilt. The sun shone ever so slightly brighter, not one to be perturbed by Harry's rude greeting. Eventually, the sun prevailed and Harry pulled back his drapes and lifted himself into the waking world of magic.
Breakfast was as usual a very busy affair, people shouting and chattering, running into the Hall late and half dressed and of course the owls delivering the morning post. Harry never received mail. Not ever. So, naturally, Harry was rather surprised when an envelope addressed to him bounced off his nose and into his jam laden slice of toast. He didn't recognise the slanted handwriting but he knew he'd seen it before. Ron leaned in, ready to read over Harry's shoulder. As soon as Harry had removed the letter he realised it was from Lupin and immediately immersed himself in the short paragraphs.
Harry,
Hope the year has gone well so far for you and the others. Everything is as good as can be expected with all of us, although there has been some interesting and potentially harmful news received. Due to this, I've requested that you Hermione and the Weasleys head here with the Order over the half term holidays. It's nothing to worry about; everything will be explained upon your arrival.
All the best,
Remus.
Harry read through it again and passed it quickly to Hermione, knowing full well that Ron would have been reading over his shoulder. He watched Hermione's sparkling eyes dash over one line then the next, awaiting her verdict.
"What do you suppose that's all about then?" she asked, her eyes flicking up to her two friends. Ron shrugged and emptied his glass of pumpkin juice.
"Can't be anything that bad. Lupin said not to worry." He concluded with a lazy stretch. Harry didn't say anything, he and Hermione shared a knowing glance that it would indeed be something for them to worry about.
The rest of the half term went irritatingly slow for Harry. His mind was constantly plagued by irrational thoughts of what Lupin could be talking about. Every now and again he would discuss the situation with Ron and Hermione but they had so little information that they really didn't have much to discuss at all. When the time finally came for them to depart from Hogwarts, Harry was relieved and more than a little apprehensive about what he would have to encounter this year.
"Another year a close brush with death." Ron muttered as he, Harry, Hermione and the rest of the Weasley children entered Sirius' house for their first meeting with the Order of the Phoenix.