Chapter Six
It was almost five hours later before I came back again. I slipped into the Entrance Hall hoping to remain unnoticed. Unfortunately it was not to be, half the Order were standing in the hall listening to instructions from Sirius. They looked ready to do battle.
"Okay, we will split up into two groups to search the surrounding area for Vanessa. She wouldn't have gotten very far; she knows it's not safe for her out there!" Worry and stress was written all over the man's face as he checked that he had his wand in the pocket. "Alright, let's hope we find her!" He made to walk out when he was held back by Mr. Weasley.
"I know where she is." He offered calmly as he looked directly at me, Sirius all but exploded at him.
"You've known all along and you didn't tell me! Arthur, I've been worried out of my mind for her, after all it's my fault she ran away."
"That's right, it is your fault!" I snapped from the doorway, my anger and annoyance at his flirtatious behaviour resurfacing. His eyes lit up as he ran up to me.
"Vanessa! I thought I'd lost-" he cleared his throat as his blushed slightly, "I mean, we didn't know where you went." At his wording, my anger softened. As he stared at me with those deep grey eyes of his, I gave in.
"Well I'm here now, right?" I replied with a small grin.
"I'm glad." He said simply, beaming at me causing my heart to beat terribly in my chest, so much I thought it would burst. Sirius then broke away his gaze,
"We should head back into the kitchen," he said after realising the Order had trickled away, "We have a meeting now, would you like to come in. Dumbledore has granted you permission to join."
"Thank you! It is such an honour!" I was so surprised; it was such a privilege to be apart of the Order of the Phoenix. I know here I could do my part in this war, to help bring down mine and my parents' enemies. I walked ahead of Sirius towards the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, you know." He whispered behind me, I paused with my hand on the kitchen door and turned around.
"For what?" I replied, pretending not to know what he was talking about.
"About Julia." I scowled at the mention of her name, "She came onto me so fast, I didn't even know what I was doing. Besides you know what I am like." He winked at me. I just rolled my eyes.
"Yes, unfortunately I do. Come on, let's go." He smiled at me, seeing the forgiveness in my words as he followed me into the kitchen.
"I know you were jealous." He whispered in my ear as we sat down. I blushed a deep red, knowing I couldn't say anything to him in a room full of people, some I barely knew. I faced resolutely away from him as Professor Dumbledore started speaking.
"We are very lucky to have such a knowledgeable source about Death Eater activity from the public point of view. This everyone is Michael; he works at the coffee shop in Diagon Alley, Jean Gloria's." There was a wave of recognition amongst the gathered people, myself included. I had seen this man at that shop many times before. My hands flew to my mouth in a gasp. Oh Merlin no! Not him, anyone but him! Whenever I had gone into that coffee shop on my breaks from work, he would buzz over me incessantly, asking me out every other day. It was safe to say this man bordered close on obsessive every time he saw me.
"What's wrong?' Sirius whispered in my ear upon noticing my shocked expression. I shot a sidewards glance at him. There was no way I could tell Sirius about Michael.
"Nothing, don't worry." I whispered in reply, smiling at him. I looked back to Professor Dumbledore as he continued speaking.
"He will be staying here for a few days while on leave from work, this is to ensure his safety as he interacts with Death Eaters all the time. It would be unfortunate if they should find him at his home." I almost died inside at his statement. Michael? Staying here? Oh, great! Things could not be getting any worse, first Julia now him.
"Alright, now that's settled." Dumbledore said, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Onto other business. Miss Granger is staying away for the next few days; she has gone to stay with her dear friend Miss Wheeler due to complications arising during her friend's brief stay here." At this he shot Sirius and me meaningful looks. I schooled my features, desperate not to react to that. At last Dumbledore looked away and continued talking, I was glad she was gone now; all I had to worry about was Michael. "And finally, we welcome another into our happy folds today, Miss Vanessa Ravensdale. She knows very well the stakes in this war, having both of her parents working as Aurors and she is close family friend of the Weasley's; I welcome you." I stood up as everyone clapped.
"Thank you, it is an honour to be asked to join. It the least I could do to help out, considering I am staying here for an extended period of time." Professor Dumbledore handed me a slip of parchment.
"Please, Miss Ravensdale, read the Oath to seal your agreement. Remember this is a magically binding contract." I nodded determinedly as I looked down to the parchment and read it clearly.
"I, Vanessa Ravensdale, hereby accept a position within the Order of the Phoenix and I will do everything within my power to uphold the principles that this organization lives by and dedicate everything I am to the downfall of Lord Voldemort. I understand the risk that is involved, but it is a small price to pay for the peace and freedom of a united Wizarding World." The moment I finished reading the paper, glowed a bright blue and disappeared.
"Excellent! Now that is all said and done, meeting adjourned." Dumbledore smiled benignly at everyone before walking out of the room. I stood up after a few minutes and made my out, saying my goodnights to everyone in the room, my eyes lingering on Sirius for a moment longer before I walked out into the hall. I knew I was grinning like an infatuated schoolgirl but I couldn't help it.
"Hey Vanessa! Wait a minute!" I paused in the hallway. I'm only metres from my bedroom, I thought exasperatedly. I sighed inwardly before turning around.
"What do you want?" I said shortly, I was tired and not in the mood to deal with him of all people.
"I just wanted to see how you are going…I miss you." Michael said stepping closer to me. I took a step back.
"You didn't have me in the first place, so how can you miss me?" I snapped coldly, my patience disappearing by the second.
"Oh come on, Vanessa!" he said stepping forward once again, "I know you have feelings for me, its okay."
"What in the name of Merlin would ever give you that idea?" I shouted at him, highly affronted at his assumption.
"Why else would you come into my shop everyday?" He answered as if that won the argument.
"To buy coffee perhaps, did you think of that?" I glared at him as I continued, "And secondly, you don't own the shop, you just work there, so don't give yourself a promotion yet." Fed up with his behaviour I turned around, ready to walk away when I felt a hand grasp my shoulder.
"Get your hands off me Michael!" I practically shrieked as I spun around, ripping his hand off my shoulder. "Don't ever touch me again!"
"Is there a problem here?" the familiar voice of Sirius floated up the stair case as he joined us. He was eyeing Michael warily. He put a hand on my shoulder, "Are you alright, you look a bit flushed?" he asked kindly, peering into my face. I smiled up at him, my heart speeding up to its usual pace whenever I was around him.
"Oh! It's alright for him to touch you!"
"You got that damn straight! Because I like him!" I shot back; aware of Sirius' raised eyebrow I quickly amended my sentence, "As a friend, which is more than I can say for you. Good night!" And with that I stormed off down the hall and into my room, slamming the door shut behind me.
"Just leave Vanessa alone, will you? Respect her wishes." Sirius practically snarled as he stopped Michael from leaving with a firm grip on his robes. Michel nodded profusely as he struggled in Sirius' firm grip. He let him go before walking off to his own room, glaring at Michael before closing the door.
"Oh she wants me, I don't' care what Black says!" he murmured to himself as he made his way to the guest rooms.