A few weeks later for some reason Dumbledore summed me to his office. And Snape was there too. "Have a seat", Dumbledore said. "Did I do something wrong?", I asked. "No, we just want to ask you something", Dumbledore said. "Well uncle, why don't you not speak up, because you know how much I hate it when you turn around the subject", I said. "I know that Bella, so I'll start right away. Things are not going well with Hogwarts as you have seen since we had to hire professor Umbridge", Dumbledore said. "Oh you mean "the crazy cat lady", I said. "Cat lady?", Dumbledore said. "Or we also call her "crazy pink lady", I explained. Dumbledore sniffled. I knew that he had to laugh. I looked at Snape but of course he never laughs.
"Well back to business, we have reason to believe that this woman might not be working for Voldemort, but sure is a big supporter of the dark side, even though she doesn't shows it", Dumbledore said. "Oh she does show it, only not to you uncle", I said. "So... as I was saying, now please don't interrupt me now, we have an organisation against Voldemort, it's called The Order of the Phoenix, and we want you to be a part of it", Dumbledore said. "Me, I am just a student, don't get me wrong, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed that you want me to be a part of the Order", I said. "I get that you are overwhelmed, it's highly unusual, we only let in people who are adults, and since you are not, but we can use your skills, professor Snape told me that you use wandless magic, using the power of the elements", Dumbledore said. "Wait, you knew that I was the one pulling the prank on you, but yet you let me get away with it", I asked surprised to professor Snape.
"You see, professor Snape, is just as I am, astonished that you have the ability to to this, we have never seen anything like this before, those powers you seem to be in control off are coming of great use against Voldemort", Dumbledore said. "Please professor Dumbledore, don't use his name", Snape said and he shrugged. "I don't mind, I prefer you say his name, because fear for a name only makes you fear him more", I said reminding the words that Hermione said in our second year. "She is right Severus", Dumbledore said. Snape looked at me a bit angry. Like I his pride was wounded.
"But can you, will you be a member of the Order of the Phoenix?", Dumbledore said. "Yes, I shall, because this means that I'll be protecting people against Voldemort right", I said. "Exactly, and with your skills", Dumbledore said. "Can I tell my friends that I joined", I asked. "Sure, I trust them to stay quiet over this", Dumbledore said.
The meeting was over and I was confused but proud at the same time. Professor Snape didn't punished me while I was obviously fooling around in the class and as a reward I got to join a group of adult witches and wizards who are trying to track down Death Eathers and at the end try to kill Voldemort.
"Miss Hartly, can I have a word with you?", Snape said. "Hmm", I mumbled. "Good, well as you know this is a secret so...", Snape said. "I know that it is a secret, trust me", I said. "Can you follow me to my quarters please, in order to be filled in on the business, you must know something about me first", Snape said. He looked a bit worried instead of mad a few seconds ago.
I followed him to the dungeon's. It was getting chilly and darker. "Here", Snape said and he put his cloak around me. "Thank you professor", I said surprised by his kindness. "Have a seat, sorry I just have a bed to sit on", Snape said. I went to sit next to him. "Well, please don't be afraid of me after you've seen this", Snape said. Now I was curious. What did he not wanted to let the rest of the world to know and only a small group and me. He lifted up his sleeve. Then I saw it, the dark mark. The mark of a Death Eather. All though he warned me it was not a pretty secret, I was still sitting a couple of centimeters further.
Snape sighted. "How?", I whispered. "I am a spy, for Dumbledore, I play my role well, maybe too well. But it is all a big show to fool the dark Lord", Snape said. I sat back a little closer, because he looked a little bit hurt when I moved from my spot. I slowly touched his skin where the green/black tattoo was. It was now his turn to pull his arm away a bit.
"Ssh", I mumbled as I went over his tattoo really slowly. He shrugged a bit. Suddenly I stopped when I realized what I was doing and what he was doing. He was allowing me touch his skin and I didn't stopped myself. I removed my hand so quickly that it was like I burned myself. "Are you okay?", Snape asked. I nodded. "I just, I have to go", I said. "Oh, but I haven't told you the rest of it", Snape said. "I want to know, but I have to go, I have a big essay tomorrow", I lied. I felt quilt about that lie, but I couldn't be around him, not today. I had gone so far, without even thinking what I was doing. How can I be so stupid. I almost ran out of his room.
Once in the Tower of Gryffindor I decided that my friends could wait with the news I just got, I need to let myself get used to the fact that I am now a member of The Order of the Phoenix and that Dumbledore and Snape find my powers impressive enough to join the ranks. I slept with Hermione in the room, lucky she wasn't here yet. I noticed that I was still wearing Snape's cloak. Shit, how will I ever face him, Maybe before class tomorrow. Before prying eyes I can give him his cloak then. With those thoughts in my mind I fell asleep quickly.