Year Five: The Order of the Phoenix
Darkness is rising as Marie's fifth year approaches. The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts and is represented by a new breed of vile known as Dolores Jane Umbridge. Determined to learn proper magic, Dumbledore's Army is formed in secret. All the while, Marie must quickly learn how to walk the fine grey line between the Dark and Light or else she may be her own undoing...
Chapter Two-Dementors and Dursleys
The green fire of the Floo died down as Marie's spinning came to a stop when she arrived at the residence of Arabella Figg. Minding her head, she had to nearly bend in half to step out of the fireplace, trying to shake the soot and ash from her clothes and hair before stepping onto the carpet.
"Mrs. Figg?" she called out. She was greeted with the sound of meowing cats and an overwhelming smell of cabbage. Looking around the small home, the first thing she noticed with the abundance of cats and even more photos of the said cats. They regarded her coolly from their spots around the room, a secret intelligence emitting from them that seemed a bit more magically inclined.
"Mrs. Figg-?"
The front door suddenly opened and an older woman with grey fly away hair rushed into the house. Startled, the girl regarded her with wide eyes, remaining quiet. It took the woman a moment and she jumped at the sight of the girl. When she recovered, she began to explain what had happened.
"He's left the house! Taken off toward the park, according to Mr. Tibbles," she explained, out of breath.
"Harry's left? But he's supposed to stay put!" gasped Marie, alarmed. "What about Mundungus Fletcher? He's on watch-"
"That sleazy dunderhead left! Just Apparated and I told him not to!" said Mrs. Figg. "Go and get him, you'll reach him much faster than I ever could-go down the street and take a right at Wisteria Walk!"
Without another word, Marie bolted out of the house. Her bag bounced against her as she ran down the empty street of Little Whinging. Street lamps were just flickering to life as she took the right turn as directed, the sun slipping under the horizon. She really hoped that Harry hadn't left his current location because she wasn't sure how to navigate in the new town. Her instructions only gave her directions to Harry's home from Mrs. Figg's, nothing else. The park was drawing nearer, just up ahead.
To her good fortunate, it was empty with the exception of two figures. One she recognized as the slender figure of her brother and he was facing a heavier set boy whom she didn't know. Her legs pumped hard as she ran at the low standing fence. The proper gate was out of her way and so she gripped the ledge and swung herself over instead. Loose gravel shifted under her feet as she stood up straight, regaining her breath. The wizard noticed her first, incredulous.
"Marie?" The girl gave a bright smile.
"All right, Harry?" He gave a smile at their usual phrase and gave the returning answer.
"All right."
The Boy-Who-Lived was still quite shocked to see her as she walked up to him and the other boy. She threw her arms around his neck in a hug, which he returned once he recovered from his surprise. Stepping back, her hands found her waist as she gave him a good once over. He was taller than she remembered and still very thin which plucked at her concern.
"What are you doing here?" asked Harry, still looking at her as if she had Apparated from thin air. It was so strange for him to see her outside of their uniform. This Marie was dressed in dark colors and the well worn too-large trench coat, the only brightness being her vivid green eyes, identical to his own. Her hair was still the same and she wore it free down her back, allowing her misbehaving mane full reign that strangely suited her.
"Never mind me. What are you doing out here? You should be at home," she said. Before Harry could speak up, the other boy stepped closer, openly staring at the girl.
"Who're you?" he asked. Marie looked quickly to Harry, unsure if she should speak. Her brother sighed.
"This," he gestured to the boy, "is my cousin, Dudley Dursley."
Marie took a moment to look between the thin, almost peckish frame of her brother and then to the threatening vastness of her cousin. She raised a brow in concern.
"Are you quite sure? You look nothing alike," she checked. Harry gave a shrug and then Dudley stepped up especially close, using his size to overshadow the girl and cause her to look up at him since she did not take a step back.
"I said, who're you?" he repeated. It was clear that he was using an intimidation tactic and she gave a smile. She had faced a dragon, merpeople, and the rebirth of Lord Voldemort all just last year. A Muggle boy was not about to frighten her simply because he was bigger than she was.
"Yes, I heard you quite clearly the first time, Dudley Dursley," she said, trying out his name. "My name's Marie Rogue."
"And you're like him?" he asked, glancing over to the dark haired boy. She noticed a strange flicker of emotion across his features and wasn't sure what to make of it.
"I'm a witch, if that's what you mean," she answered, correction as her undertone. He openly flinched at her proper term. She turned back to Harry with a slight huff.
"If you don't mind leading the way, we're a bit behind schedule."
"Schedule for what?" he asked as they started to leave the park. Dudley followed them, still staring hard at the girl as if she was going to sprout wings at any moment. Marie only gave a smile to Harry instead of answering his question and sent a wink to Dudley which caused him to take a few shuffled steps away from her. She was surprised by the reaction. They really weren't joking when it came to the Dursley family's sensitivity to magic and wizards alike.
Marie was quiet during the return walk but it seemed as if Harry and Dudley were continuing their argument she had interrupted at the park.
"You haven't got the guts to take me on without that thing, have you?" snarled Dudley, referring to Harry's wand. Of course he had it on him, he would be stupid not to, especially after Voldemort's rising. Marie's was stored safely within her coat, even though she couldn't use it outside of school.
"You just wait til I tell Dad you had that thing out-"
"Running to Daddy now, are you? Is his ickle boxing champion frightened of nasty Harry's wand?" returned Harry.
"Not this brave at night, are you?" sneered Dudley.
"This is night, Diddykins. That's what we call it when it goes dark like this."
"I mean when you're in bed!" he snapped.
"What d'you mean, I'm not brave in bed?" asked Harry, nonplussed. "What-am I supposed to be frightened of pillows or something?"
Marie rolled her eyes. How much farther was it to the house? The arguing was becoming irritating to listen to. She sighed as she slipped her hands into her pockets.
"I heard you last night," said Dudley, breathless with his triumph. "Talking in your sleep. Moaning."
"What d'you mean?"
Dudley's voice took a simpering mocking tone as he imitated Harry. "Dad! Help me, Dad! He's going to kill me, Dad! Boo hoo!"
Marie inhaled sharply, turning to look at the two boys. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the dream was about the night Voldemort returned. She still had the dreams too, and even woke up screaming sometimes. At least she had Draco to help calm her down, while Harry was being mocked by his family. Dudley wasn't directly looking at Harry and her brother had drawn his wand as the other boy continued.
"Come and help me, Dad! Mum, come and help me! Dad, help me! He's going to kill her -don't you point that thing at me!"
Harry had his wand pointing directly at his cousin's chest and he backed up against the alley wall.
"Don't you ever talk about that again," snarled Harry. "Do you understand me?"
"Harry, stop!" shouted Marie, lunging forward and dragging him away from the Muggle. He struggled against her hold but she was able to force him a safe distance from Dudley. "You can't use magic on a Muggle, especially your cousin!" she whispered harshly.
"I don't know, how about some Transfiguration? Would you like to be an insect, Dudders?" suggested Harry, breathing hard from the anger.
"Stop it, both of you-"
The next instant, it had become so bone chilling cold that they could see their breath. All talking stopped as the darkness became unnaturally thick, snuffing out the nearby streetlights. Marie whipped around, looking for the source. Goosebumps broke out and her nerves stood on end, pulse picking up. The stars overhead even vanished in the black.
"W-what are you d-doing? St-stop it!" came Dudley's terrified voice.
"I'm not doing anything! Shut up and don't move!"
"I c-can't see! I've g-gone blind! I-"
"Shut up, both of you!" hissed Marie. She turned her head to the left and then to the right, doing her best to pick up an any additional sounds. The temperature was bitingly cold now, even with the addition of Tess' coat. Carefully, she tugged on Harry's shirt, still right next to her.
"How far are we from your house?" Marie gave a breath of a whisper.
"End of the street," Harry answered just as softly. She nodded, unseen.
"Lead the way." Harry grabbed her sleeve as she carefully stepped toward Dudley's whimpering, blindly reaching for him.
"Dudley, it's me," she whispered. Her hand came in contact with his jacket just as a terrible sound was heard. The very sound both students dreaded and hadn't properly heard since their third year. Something was drawing long, hoarse, rattling breaths. Phantom voices were starting to whisper in her mind, sounds only she could hear.
Dementor.
"Run!" shouted Marie, her voice bouncing in the alley.
She yanked Dudley by his jacket, pulling him along. Harry held her hand tightly as he blindly led them out of the narrow space and out into the open street, hanging a quick left. The witch and wizard were quite fast, legs kicking into high gear. The light up ahead from the other street lights were steadily darkening as they ran, swallowed by the creature's darkness that followed. Dudley, on the other hand, was not as quick. Looking over her shoulder, she caught sight of the two dark creatures that flew after them.
"There's two of them!" she cried out.
The Muggle boy couldn't keep up with the girl's stride and was slowing down. Her grip didn't lessen on him but her hand did start to slip from Harry's as Dudley pulled her back. Soon, her fingers had lost her brother's, grasping air. His voice called out for her in a panic.
"Marie!"
"Keep running!"
Marie threw all her weight into yanking the boy forward, the dementors gaining on the two easily. "C'mon Dudley, run! You need to bloody run!" she yelled to be heard past whatever mental voices the creatures were causing him to hear. He was slowing down.
"Listen to my voice! Whatever they're making you hear, whatever it is-ignore it and listen to me! Now-RUN!"
Her words seemed to be somewhat helpful as he did push himself to go faster as he held onto her coat, but the motion backfired as he tripped over something unseen. He brought Marie down with him, not daring to let go of her. Marie's head cracked hard against the curb, the rest of her body slamming to the ground, partially pinned by the boy. Pain erupted violently as she pressed her hands to her head, trying to smother the ringing, unaware if she had even cried out. Nonexistent stars blinded her vision as she struggled to get to her feet, body unwilling to stand, ground slanting under her.
The dementors loomed over them, pleased that the two souls had come to a stop. Their rattling breaths were closer and the girl groped in the dark for Dudley. When she grabbed his collar, she threw herself over to him and covered his face with her body, hiding her own face in her arms. She was not about to let the dementors suck the soul out of a Muggle boy, especially one she was related to. Keeping her head down, she felt the clammy hands reach out and grip her arms, slowly forcing them apart, as if a loving gesture. Somewhere deep within her core, something was slowly being lured out of her as she fought the dementor's grip, her body numb...
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
There was the explosion of magic and a great silver stag charged forward, lifting the dementor with its antlers. Warmth returned as the Patronus phased through her, making her gasp at the sudden absence of cold. The stag circled around and took care of the second dementor as well, trotting back to the three to make sure everything was taken care of before it vanished in silver mist. The streetlights returned to life, stars twinkling overhead, the smothering darkness leaving them with a warm breeze of summer.
"MARIE! DUDLEY!" Harry shouted as he ran toward them. Vision still out of focus, she slowly sat up and raised a hand to show where they were, but by then Harry was already kneeling beside the two. Dudley was whimpering on the ground, shaking like a leaf, but his soul was still intact so there was some victory.
There was the sound of loud running footsteps and the two looked up and Mrs. Figg came into sight, panting heavily with her grocery bag clanging around her wrist. Harry quickly lowered his wand, trying to store it away before she could see.
"Don't put it away, idiot boy!" she shrieked at him. "What if they are more of them around? Oh, I am going to kill Mundungus Fletcher!"
"He's still not back?" asked Marie, bringing her hand to her temple. It came away red.
"What?" asked Harry blankly.
"He left!" explained Mrs. Figg, wringing her hands. "Left to see someone about a batch of cauldrons that fell off the back of a broom! I told him I'd flay him alive if he left before his shift ended or before Marie even got here, and now look! Dementors! It's just lucky I put Mr. Tibbles on the case! But we haven't got time to stand around! Hurry, now, we've got to get you back! Oh, the trouble this is going to cause! I will kill him!"
"But-"
"C'mon, let's get him up," interrupted Marie. She and Harry managed to bring Dudley to his feet with much effort as he didn't seem willing, or capable, of moving on his own.
"You're-you're a witch?" asked Harry, bewildered by the new information.
"I'm a Squib, as Mundungus knows full well, so how on earth I was supposed to help you fight off dementors? He left you completely without cover and I warned him not to go!" she fretted. The older woman led the way down the empty street, looking over her shoulders every few steps.
"And-Marie-you knew?" panted Harry as the two did their best to move the Muggle forward.
"Course I knew, I came through her fireplace," she managed. Sweat was beading at her hairline, stinging her cut. "Anyway-Dumbledore's got to know right away 'bout this."
"I've got an owl, you can use her-"
"Harry, you don't understand!" said Mrs. Figg. "Dumbledore will need to act as quickly as possible, the Ministry have their own ways of detecting underaged magic, they'll know already, you mark my words-"
There was the sharp crack of a wizard Apparating and, out of thin air, a short man smelling of drink and tobacco was standing before them. He quickly stuffed a silvery bundle into his tattered coat before looking at them.
"S'up, Figgy?" he noticed the three teenagers, blood shot eyes taking a moment to focus. "Oy, what 'appened to staying undercover?"
"I'll give you undercover!" shrieked Mrs. Figg. "Dementors, you useless, skiving sneak thief!"
"Dementors?" repeated Mundungus in honest concern. "Dementors, here?"
"Yes, here, you worthless pile of bat droppings, here!" she shrillingly clarified. "Dementors attacking the boy on your watch!"
"And where were you?" asked Marie, finally speaking up. "You're not off until midnight."
"I-well, I-" he cleared his throat, very uncomfortable. "It...it was a very good business opportunity, see..."
"Someone's got to tell Dumbledore," instructed Marie, closing her eyes to try to ignore the roaring pain her head was still battling. "He needs to know about this now."
Mrs. Figg raised her arm and used her grocery bag to hit Mundungus about, the bag clanking with tin cans. "Yes-they-have-and-it-better-be-you-and-you-can-tell-him-why-you-weren't-there-to-help!" she told him in between hits.
"Keep your 'airnet on! I'm going, I'm going!" he said, arms over his head. With another loud crack, he was gone.
"Oh, I hope Dumbledore murders him!" said Mrs. Figg furiously. "Now come on, you two, what're you waiting for?"
The twins didn't comment on the fact that it was taking all of their combined bodily strength to keep Dudley upright, let alone propelling him forward. Taking another breath, they did their best to force the half conscious boy down the street toward his home. Thankfully, number four Privet Drive was not much farther away and they slowly, but surely made their way there. Both Harry and Marie were covered in sweat from the exertion by the time they reached the front door. Mrs. Figg told them that she needed to return home to await further instruction. Marie agreed while Harry asked her to stay, but the woman was already trotting back down the street. Speaking of awaiting instruction, Marie needed to get the word out as well. They couldn't take Harry to the Order, not tonight.
She reached out and rang the door bell, leaving a faint bloody fingerprint behind.
The rippled glass distorted the figure of a woman as she approached them. The door opened to reveal a thin dark haired woman dressed in a very prim summer dress. Petunia Dursley, sister to Lily Evans.
"Diddy! About time too, I was getting quite-quite-" Petunia noticed the unusual state of her son, her face growing pale. "Diddy, what's the matter?"
In response, Dudley proceeded to vomit onto the welcome mat.
"DIDDY! Diddy, what's the matter with you? Vernon? VERNON!" she called. A large man with a thick mustache came hurrying into the room. The parents did their best to walk their son into the house, completely over looking the two dark haired siblings. They slipped inside just before Vernon slammed the door closed.
While they were directing Dudley into the kitchen, Marie hurried over to the fireplace, dropping to her knees as she rummaged through her bag. Harry stood nearby, watching what she was doing with curiosity.
"The fireplace, can you get it to light?" she asked. She fumbled for her inkwell, quill and finally, the scarlet piece of enchanted parchment.
"It's electric-"
"-Is it real fire?" she asked, exasperated.
"Yes-"
"-Then please light it!" While Harry moved to flip a switch that brought the fireplace to life, Marie dipped her quill and put the ink to parchment, scribbling furiously. A few drops of blood fell, blending with the ink, but she didn't notice.
Abort.
Dementors. We're safe, at house.
Abort.
At least, that was what she hoped she wrote. Her vision still wasn't back to normal and her hands were shaking terribly, turning her script into more of a scrawl. Folding the parchment, she pulled the screen open and threw the note into the instant fire.
"We're not connected to the Floo Network," explained Harry quickly. "It's not magical at all. The Weasleys had to make special arrangements last year."
"S'okay, the parchment was magical, I just needed some type of fire," she said. "Should just take a minute-"
The fire glowed green and the returning note shot out of the flames, allowing her to catch it. As best as she could, she unfolded the message and had to take a good moment to stare at the words in order for them to make sense.
Confirmed.
Stay with Harry.
You will be collected shortly.
Guilt thrummed throughout her body. The whole night was a disaster. It was supposed to be a very simple, straightforward assignment for the underaged witch. No magic needed. She was to arrive at Mrs. Figg's house, go straight to the Dursley's, recite some made up story to get them out of the house, wait with Harry, and then return to the Order with the Advanced Guard. Clean and to the point, and yet, here she was, in the middle of giant mess.
"BOY! COME HERE!" shouted Vernon Dursley. The two jumped and Harry slowly headed into the kitchen as Marie packed up her bag, following right behind him, stumbling slightly.
The kitchen was unnaturally spotless, noticed Marie. It was unnerving, to be honest. Dudley was sitting at the table with his mother right beside him, his expression still very vacant. Vernon was standing by the counter, face flushed as he glared at Harry. They hadn't seemed to notice the girl yet, maybe she was actually getting quite good at vanishing in plain sight.
"What have you done to my son?" growled Vernon.
"Nothing," answered Harry. That answer didn't seem to go over very well as Vernon's face darkened as he stepped closer.
"You tell me what you did, boy! If you used that thing on my son-!"
"He didn't do anything!" interrupted Marie.
The two adults jumped at her voice, wide eyes finding her quickly. A stranger had entered their home and they hadn't even noticed. Marie moved so to stand beside Harry, adjusting her bag under their scrutiny. Petunia continued to pale the longer she stared at the girl, especially since she was standing next to the wizard.
Before she could further explain, a screech owl soared in through the open window, dropped a letter at Harry's feet, and flew out all in one smooth motion. Ignoring the Dursleys, Marie quickly read the letter over her brother's shoulder. It was from the Ministry.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle.
The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.
As you have already received an official warning for previous offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statue of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on August 12th.
Hoping you are well,
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
"No, they can't do that," whispered Marie after she finished reading. "They just can't! It was self defense against a dementor, you had to use magic! They have to understand-"
"AHA! So you did use magic! You admit it!" called Vernon, having heard the girl. "Now tell me what you did to Dudley!" The two started to talk at the same time.
"Nothing, that wasn't me-"
"He didn't-"
"Was," croaked Dudley. The parents whipped around to focus on their son, bending low to hear him.
"Go on, son," encouraged Vernon, "what did he do?"
"Tell us, darling," whispered Petunia.
"Pointed his wand at me," he mumbled. Marie rolled her eyes, unnoticed. That was relatively well deserved.
"Yeah, but I didn't use-"
"SHUT UP!" roared the parents at the same time. Marie jumped at the sudden volume and quickly took her place in front of Harry, determined to act as some kind of barrier.
"Go on, son," Vernon repeated.
"All dark," shuddered Dudley. "Everything dark. And then I h-heard...things. Inside m-my head...Horrible...really cold...Felt as if...as if..."
"You'd never be happy again," supplied Marie softly.
Dudley nodded.
"So," started Vernon, volume working its way back up to full power, "you put some crackpot spell on my son so that'd hear voices and believe he was-was doomed to misery, or something, did you?"
Marie heard the distinct sound of a person Apparating outside, but she didn't dare take her eyes off of the Muggle who was very red in the face and marching toward the two with his big hands balled into fists.
"It wasn't Harry!" she defended. "It was-"
"Then you!" accused Vernon, switching targets. His glare focused on her and before she knew it, he had grabbed her by the collar, lifting her clean off her feet. He gave her a good shake.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SON!" he roared at her. She was so startled by the sudden action plus she could scarcely breathe with his meaty fists against her throat. Sparks flew from Harry's wand in an emotional spike as he shouted back at his uncle.
"LET GO OF HER!"
Then Petunia Dursley gave a shrill scream.
Out of nowhere, there was a tall dark figure standing in the overcrowded kitchen with his wand pointing directing at Vernon Dursley's head. He dropped the girl after a moment of realizing what kind of danger he could face at the end of a wand. Snape directed the man to the other side of the kitchen before swiftly putting his weapon away. Petunia could only stare in horror of the man, a haunting recognition coming over her. Harry helped her to her feet and she quickly made her way over to the professor, slightly staggering.
It took all of Severus Snape's control not to end the Muggle where he stood. He had Apparated after receiving word of Marie's assignment failing. When he didn't see her outside, he certainly could hear the arguing through the open window and then he saw the Muggle lay his hands on his daughter. The door blew open without incantation and he sufficiently nullified the threat, without any kind of bodily harm. Marie hurried toward him and he could see the head injury she sustained, his anger flaring at the sight of her bloodied state. Wrapping his arm tightly around her, they stepped out into the night and Apparated without another glance.
REVIEW! Whew, lots of talking this chapter, to make up for last time! I really enjoyed Mrs. Figg's character, I forgot how much I liked her. All sorts going on! Bit of a protective Snape (which makes me smile) and Harry/Marie sibling moments (yay!), Mundungus Fletcher being a sneaky thief and slacking on responsibilities, dementors, and the Dursleys being an overall unpleasant bunch of people, ouch! Sorry Marie, looks like family picnics aren't going to be a thing.
P.S: Mr. Tibbles is one of Mrs. Figg's cats
Next time: The Order of the Phoenix and Mathias Flint comes to Marie! What could that mean?
I hope you enjoyed and your thoughts would be lovely as always!
