Chapter 2- Members and moody moments
There was a light knock on the door, and it carefully opened Tonks's bright purple hair poked in "need a hand?" she asked seeing Athena
Athena turned and smiled as she folded up a t-shirt and packed in her bag "yes please" she said as Tonks joined her folding up a few shirts and robes
"When are you leaving?" asked Tonks casually
Athena shrugged "when I'm finished" she said "I don't even know where I'm going"
Tonks took a letter from her pocket and placed it on top of the open bag "that will take you to where you need to go" she patted the cream envelope "burn it afterwards please"
Athena smiled "what are you doing tonight?" she asked
"I'll actually be at headquarters" she said dropping onto the bed it protested noisily "we've got a meeting"
Athena stopped folding "am I invited?"
Tonks nodded "Albus will explain all later" was all she said.
Athena finished her packing and then started to collect a few items from the living room, she picked up the dragon tooth and claw Charlie had sent her. She packed her and Tonks's little owl in to a cage- Tonks said to take him because she would also be at headquarters a lot and it wasn't fair to leave him alone- the owl protested and only shut up squealing once Athena fed him a few treats- dead mice lovely.
Athena then went to the mantle, there were photos in frames, little knick knacks from their travels and a small wooden box decorated with owls and frogs, it gleamed gold and silver in the light. Athena tucked the box in the inside pocket of her robes. That needed to be kept safe.
She then loaded herself up with her trunk, backpack, suitcase and owl cage. Somehow she had more clothes now then she did two years ago. Okay she'd inherited some of Tonks's old stuff and even splashed out on several new robes, jeans and shirts. She was a girl.
Once she was loaded up Athena opened the letter
The Order of the Phoenix is located at 12 Grimmauld place, London.
Athena frowned, that could be anywhere in bloody London
"Ahem!" said someone loudly
Athena realised she was blocking the doorstep, and that a wizard was trying to get past her
"Sorry" she moved aside "hey do you happen to know where Grimmauld Place is?"
The man frowned "That muggle neighbourhood?" he looked at her funny "yeah apparate to King's Cross, head east, keep straight for six streets, then turn right bam right there- not a nice place like" he looked her over "you moving out there?" he examined her bags
"Um no visiting a friend then heading off to Europe for some travelling" she smiled
"Lot of bags for travelling" he said suspiciously
"I'm heading to Romania to stay with my boyfriend"
"Oh" he smiled in reply "have a nice time" and then he vanished
Athena rolled her eyes- nosey git- she picked up her suitcase and balanced it on top of her trunk. She fixed the owl cage to her backpack so that it hung safely and thought of Kings Cross, the alleyway down the side where there were dumpsters and rats.
Once the swirling sensation ended Athena rocked her trunk onto its wheels and pulled it behind her. She blended in with a load of muggles who'd just come out of the station. She headed east and kept walking. Then turned right straight onto Tinsdale Crescent- well that wasn't correct.
She doubled back and kept going, god the trunk was slowing her down, how her backpack was pulling on her shoulders. Tobey was getting restless.
She turned right again onto Thimbleton Road- Merlin help me I'm lost.
Athena kept going and going, until she spotted something up ahead, she didn't need to sniff the air to recognise the scent.
"Am I that predictable?" she called to the tabby cat sitting at the end of the pavement "did you know I'd get lost?"
The cat swished its tail grumpily and then leapt lightly across the road to the left side of the street.
Athena followed behind the cat, the man had said right. However the tabby cat was quiet correct, and so was the guy he just forgot to mention the left turn before the right turn.
Grimmauld place loomed right in front of her; it was a dirty street, with a park in the centre that was rounded by black iron railings.
Athena approached the house that read eleven. Then went to walk to the next house but that said thirteen, but that couldn't be right, where was twelve? But just as she thought 'twelve' there was a grinding noise, a large brick wall was sliding out of the house opposite right where the drain pipe was. The windows popped out followed by a big black door with a bell and no letter box. The cat leapt up the steps and waited for Athena to follow.
Once she regained herself she did and rang the bell.
The bell rang deep in the house and it was followed by a screaming.
Athena jumped back and saw the cat roll its eyes
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP RINGING THE GOD DAM DOORBELL!" a voice roared as the chains rattled the other side and the door flew open to reveal
"Athena" said Sirius Black. Athena smiled at him "Hey Sirius" she said
Sirius looked down "Come in Minerva" he said over the wailing "let me help you there Athena" he took her trunk and carried it inside
"Thanks" the wailing suddenly stopped and Minerva stood in her human form
"I thought you were going to move that painting?" she whispered brandishing her wand at a heavy red curtain
"It's stuck on with gluing charms" whispered Sirius; he glared at the curtains like they personally offended him
"Why are we whispering?" asked Athena in a hushed voice
Sirius sighed and motioned for Athena to follow him down a set of steps, which led into a large kitchen with a long wooden table with a bench on both sides and a chair at each end. The place wasn't the cleanest, cobwebs in each corner and soot on the floor by the fire.
Sirius shut the door "sorry" he sunk into a chair "my mother had a magical portrait of herself made" he said propping his feet up on the table "it's taken on the way she looked when she died, its hideous and has a tendency to scream and wail"
"Oh" said Athena pushing his feet off the table and sitting down "so I didn't expect to see you here Minerva"
Minerva sat down also "I came to remind Sirius about the meeting tonight" she said "and to see you safely here, Albus had a feeling..."
Athena rolled her eyes, of course Albus had a feeling "where is he?"
Minerva shrugged gently "he'll be here tonight"
"Good because our meeting yesterday wasn't fully informative" said Athena rubbing her forehead
"Well Albus told me you understood everything clearly" said Minerva scolding
"I did, about why the order was restarting, and why I have to be here" said Athena just as stern "but I don't quite know how to approach my sister"
"Sister?" asked Sirius "is she hot?"
Minerva and Athena glared at him
"She's twenty years old Sirius, you're too old for her" said Athena shaking her head
Sirius folded his arms and grumbled "so?"
Athena just shook her head again "she's a werewolf also Sirius" she said "she's my half sister, we have different mothers"
"What use is she to us?" he asked
"Because we have a mode of communication" said Athena taking the decorated box from her pocket "and she hates Greyback as much as I do"
Minerva reached over and patted her hand "and yet she lives with him?"
Athena nodded "she's one of his senior werewolves, she knows everything he's up to, where he goes, who he talks to" she moved her hands as she talked "he trusts her and yet hopefully she'll rat him out"
"Good" said Sirius grumpily "that bastard needs to be locked away"
"Sirius that is Athena's father you talk of!" Minerva hissed
"Let him say what he wants" Athena folded her arms and relaxed in her chair "I agree with him anyway, I just hope he has his soul sucked out first"
"Athena!" gasped Minerva
"Minerva you of all people know what he did to me and my brothers" protested Athena "and I also know what he does to young children" her faced paled "he deserves to rot in a cell"
They were all quiet for a moment.
"I should unpack" said Athena standing up
"Here I'll get your bags taken up" he sounded so posh when he spoke then "Kreacher!"
There was a loud crack and a very old deep wrinkled house elf wearing a loincloth appeared "yes master" he bowed awkwardly and muttered "that stench is awful, a werewolf in the house what would my mistress say-"
"Shut up Kreacher" snarled Sirius "take that trunk and suitcase upstairs to the twin room"
Kreacher bowed again and didn't speak then he snapped his fingers and the luggage began to levitate out the door.
"I hate that elf" said Sirius
"What's his problem?" asked Athena, she was shocked an elf would even speak those words
"He's lost his mind been here all alone" explained Sirius "he serves my mother's painting and has picked up her opinions. He was like that when I was a child, he use to agree with my parents when Regulus and I were naughty"
"This is your house" said Athena catching on "I didn't know you had a brother"
"I didn't know you had a sister"
"Touché"
Athena unpacked her trunk and was working on her suitcase now; it was approaching evening time, about 7 o'clock, when a few people popped in.
"Athena!" squealed Hermione and Ginny
Athena enveloped them both into a hug then smiled at Ron, Fred and George who stood in the doorway
"Hey you're looking good" said Fred grinning
Athena rose her eyebrow "you've all gotton so big" said Athena, she felt almost like a proud mother
"So are you here so you can start Hogwarts again?" asked Ginny happily
Athena sighed "no, not this year" said Athena, she doubted she'd ever return there to teach "I don't know when I'll be back"
"Aww" said the twins together
"Can't you come back?" asked Ron his ears pink "that Grubby-Plank women who filled in for Hagrid was rubbish"
"Well she wasn't that bad" said Hermione honestly
"That's because she was nice to all the girls" said Ron harshly
"Sexist that is" mumbled George
Athena smiled at them all, she'd missed them "I'm really sorry, I am" she said putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder "but I'm working for the order now"
That lit their faces up "What's going on what are they planning?" drilled Fred
Athena folded her arms, they were asking because they didn't know. Therefore they weren't been told. That meant that they weren't allowed to know. She shook her head "you guys tell me what you know first"
They all froze and then swapped worry glances
"Yeah that's what I thought" said Athena "I'm not telling you anything, because one I don't know much and two I doubt your parents would agree to me spilling secrets"
Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked guilty. Fred and George held their poker faces.
"Oh come on Athena" groaned Fred
"No" she smiled enjoying him wriggle
Just then the door downstairs opened and all of them- bar Athena- rushed to the balancer. Athena followed slowly she heard them speaking even though they whispered
"What's going on?" asked George
"Dunno" replied Fred "but that was dad who just came in"
The door opened again downstairs and they all sucked in sharp breaths
"Dumbledore" squeaked Hermione
Athena went quickly to lean over the staircase
"What's he doing here?" wondered Ginny
The door then opened again and Athena saw Dumbledore leave.
Athena pursed her lips, and then descended the stairs. The others followed until she turned and beckoned them back "I'll go" she mimed and headed down the stairs to the kitchen.
When Athena entered the kitchen she saw Sirius throwing Tobey out the window a letter attached to his leg "Sorry Athena" said Sirius, he looked anxious and slightly wild "it's an emergency"
"What's happened?" she looked between Arthur, Molly and Sirius
"Harry's been expelled" said Arthur. Athena felt her mouth fall open "Dumbledore however is trying to smooth everything over at the ministry"
"Why was he expelled in the first place?" she felt shaky
Molly also looked closed to tears as she sat down with Athena
"He used the patronas charm in front of a muggle- his cousin" said Arthur shaking his head "I know Harry would never use magic unless he had to"
Sirius barked a laugh "Harry respects laws"
Molly, Arthur and Athena all raised their eyebrows
"Serious laws" he corrected
"What's going to happen now then?" asked Molly worriedly "Poor Harry, stuck over there-"
Athena smiled as she spoke the others looked bewildered but then they heard the front door open and close, and then they heard a big group of people enter the kitchen "thought I'd smelt them" said Athena standing
Tonks pushed past a blonde witch to hug Athena gently. Then the other person Athena smelled hobbled into the kitchen he smiled at Athena- well half smiled due to his scars- "he won't be there for long Molly"
Molly blinked in surprise at the new group of people
Remus stepped forward and embraced Sirius in a friendly hug, he turned to Athena who just adverted her eyes and said "you're going to get him?"
"Yes we are" said a black-haired witch "I'm Hestia Jones" she shook Athena's hand
"Dumbledore just contacted us, we are to fetch Mr Potter from his house right away-" began a tall black wizard- Athena knew this was Kingsley Shacklebolt Tonks's boss
"Mum!" Ron interrupted loudly entering the room he then stopped and blushed when everyone turned to look at him
"What is it Ron?" said Molly impatiently
Ron walked towards her, Athena noticed his hands were bleeding "Harry's sent me, Hermione and Sirius a letter" he handed the letter to Sirius who ripped it open "I've just been attacked by dementors and I might be expelled from Hogwarts. I want to know what's going on and when I'm going to get out of here" Sirius's expression was troubled and full of pain when he finished
"Oh poor Harry" gasped Molly dabbing at her eyes quickly
Ron looked at his mother and then round the room nervously
"Well we have no time to waste then" barked Moody "everyone if you can retrieve your brooms and we will leave immediately"
"Wait I'm coming too" said Sirius walking after them
Remus put his arm out and caught his friend "no Sirius" he said seriously "you know Dumbledore's orders"
Sirius's nostrils flared angrily "Then take Athena in my place"
Everyone looked at Athena whose face had turned blank "Sirius..." she whispered
"Athena can't fly" said Tonks quickly
Athena scowled
"You told me Charlie taught you" said Remus
Athena wanted to slap him
"Athena please" begged Sirius
Athena was embarrassed "I can't Sirius; Dumbledore has told me to stay put"
Sirius gaped at her, Remus looked guilty, Tonks spoke first "I'll take good care of Harry, so will Remus"
"Then you better get going then" said Sirius disappointedly
Tonks kissed his cheek, Remus squeezed his shoulder and mumbled "Sorry" to Athena, and she didn't accept the apology.
"They should be there by now" said Bill; he'd just got in from seeing his girlfriend Fleur on his afternoon off
"Yeah" said Sirius grumbling into his bottle of Butterbeer
"I'm sorry Sirius I would have gone-" Athena had been apologising for over an hour
"I know" he dismissed her apology again "I blame Dumbledore"
"Dumbledore does everything for good reasons" scolded Molly
"I know" Sirius would be in a bad mood until Harry returned to him.
Athena sat listening and waiting. Dumbledore watched her intriguingly, while Bill, Molly and Arthur looked slightly awed. Sirius rocked backwards and forwards on his chair while the other order members stayed silent. Athena wished he wouldn't because she could hear the chair squeak and groan, while listening to the sounds outside the house.
Athena could hear everything, the squeak of the floorboards upstairs, as the kids moved around. The flutter of owl wings in her room. The gentle whisper of the wind as it caressed the windows. Then there were the murmured voices of the muggles walking by the house, the groan of muggle car tyres on the road. Then came a gentle whistling sound, which got increasingly louder and louder followed by the thud of feet hitting the ground.
"They're here" said Athena picking out certain footfalls. Harry's weren't as loud as the others but she heard the squeak of his trainers. Tonks's sounded uncoordinated and clumpy as she wore boots. Though she didn't want to, she picked out Remus's the gentle heel toe tap of his batted shoes clumped up the steps. The chains rattled and Molly got out of her seat. There were voices in the hallway and then Molly spoke as she stepped outside.
"Oh Harry its lovely to see you" she whispered "a bit peaky, you need feeding up but you'll have to wait a bit for dinner, I'm afraid...he's here the meetings just began"
That made Athena stop listening as the kitchen door opened and the last of the order members arrived.
"He arrived safely then?" asked Albus as Moody dropped into a seat next to him "There was no trouble?"
"None" puffed Moody
Tonks sat down next to Athena and smiled reassuringly at Sirius, who looked relived.
"Then let us begin" Dumbledore waved his wand and a load of large pieces of parchment appeared "I have been able to obtain plans and sketches of the Department of Mystery's"
The plans were suddenly spread over the table as order members began to look at them
Athena frowned at the plans in front of her
"Of course I forgot" said Dumbledore apologetically reading her expression "I believe that Voldemort-" several people shuddered "- is planning to obtain a prophecy from the department of mysteries"
Athena frowned "Why?"
"Fourteen years ago" explained Dumbledore "Sybil Trelawney, unknowingly made a prophecy. I was there at the time interviewing her for her current job. Voldemort-" again more jumping "- sent a spy-" he gestured to Snape, Athena pursed her lips death eater she thought "-to hear it due to the fact that it contained information about himself and another"
"The other been Harry" said Athena understanding "and we're trying to prevent Voldemort from obtaining the information" Albus nodded "What's in the prophecy?"
A few people looked to Dumbledore, while others avoided eye contact "It's not my place to say" he said "now as you can see" he went on normally, and the room relaxed "there are several doors leading to the chamber of prophecy's" they noted the marked entrances "the door you first pass through when entering the department is designed to confuse you, spinning the walls so you don't know which door you entered through" a few people swapped nervous glances "however asking the room for a certain door will automatically give you the correct one"
Kingsley spoke first "which room would it be best to enter through?"
Dumbledore smiled "I recommend the Time Room" he said "less distraction and also the easiest to pass through" he then frowned "the oddest thing is though most of the rooms are connected at two points" he held up a map of one room "it is known as the Archway Room...I do not know why, but it seems like an important room"
"What do you purpose Albus?" asked Minerva
"I believe we should have a guard set outside the department of mysteries every night, just encase there is a break in or worse..." he trailed off "I was wondering if we could burrow your invisibility cloak Alistair?"
Moody nodded "do we need volunteers again?" he asked, several hands shot up. Dumbledore smiled and then waved his wand to conjure a quill and pen which automatically took down the names.
"Thank you everyone" he said "now I would like to introduce Athena Grey to you all properly" Athena smiled timidly "she is here to relay information from a werewolf who has agreed to spy on Fenrir Greyback"
A few whispers sprang up
"Athena?" encouraged Dumbledore
Athena leant forward on her elbows "this werewolf" she avoided she or he "hasn't yet agreed"
"What use is that?" said Hestia Jones
Athena folded her arms "I believe they will help us" said Athena determinedly "I know them well, and they do not like Greyback as much as I do"
"He changed you then?" asked a short wizard
"Yes" said Athena, she took a deep breath "he is also my farther"
There was a shocked silence then Snape spoke "how can we trust you?"
Athena went to argue
"I trust Athena" said Dumbledore fiercely "as much as I trust you Severus"
"As do I" said Moody
"So do many here" Remus added. That upset Athena, she glowered at the table.
"Good" said Dumbledore he clapped his hands together "now to another matter at hand. Harry"
Sirius, Remus and Athena all leaned forward and so did the rest of the room
"He can only be told about certain things" explained Albus "he will clearly have questions, but not a word about the prophecy or anything to do with his link to the Voldemort and the department of mysteries"
Everyone nodded
"Harry is to not be told more than he needs to know"
"We understand" said Molly nodding
"Excellent" said Dumbledore, but then he frowned "I mean it Sirius"
Sirius gaped at him as Dumbledore stood "Athena a quick word" Athena nodded and stood. The order members broke away, some talked over the plans while people like Snape, Minerva and Hestia moved into the hallway.
"I apologise for the inconvenience today" he said gently "I know it was uncomfortable for you to not go in Sirius's place"
Athena blushed of course he would know "It's ok" she replied "but can I ask..." she cringed mentally
"Go ahead"
"Am I now allowed to leave the house ever?"
Dumbledore sighed and relaxed his shoulders, for a moment he looked like an old worried man "I will allow you to leave headquarters" he said "but there are conditions"
"Like what?" asked Athena eagerly...she'd take them whatever they were
"You're not to leave without another member of the order" he said seriously- ok that was fair "and no visiting family members"
Athena sucked in a breath, he knew about her sister Artemis.
"Clear?" he asked pleasantly
"Perfectly" she replied
He nodded and then left.