Disclaimer: The World of Harry Potter and it's characters are property of J.K. Rowling. I am just going to mess around with it after all since this is fan fiction. Reviews are always welcome. Criticism as long as it has merit are as well.
Title: The Order
Chapter Summary: The summer break has finally come to an end for the teens. As they prepare to return and with the knowledge and relationships that they have gathered in the past month. They discuss how to use it to bring the fight to the Death Eaters and Voldemort once the War officially goes out in the open.
Rating: T
Hermione and Ron
Harry walked outside to the front of Bones Manor dragging Neville's school trunk behind him. There he met his most faithful companion throughout the years, Hedwig. The snowy Owl flew from where she was perched towards Harry.
"Time for you to head to Hogwarts girl, can't have you not there by the time I arrive." Harry whispered softly to the Owl as she stared with her big round eyes and flapped her wings.
"I'll be fine and I'm not just saying that either." saying it quickly knowing his snow owl has a personality on her own causing her to stop flapping her wings. Smiling at the bird believing as if she understood him she launched herself to the sky and headed towards Scotland and Hogwarts.
"Be safe girl" Harry whispered to himself.
For a moment it was silent as Harry watch his owl grow smaller in size as she flies farther and farther away when he heard a voice coming from behind.
"Daphne just floo'd and told us she and her godmother are leaving towards King's Cross now. Neville and his gran are about to head over there as well." said Susan.
Harry turned around to smile at her "I guess it's time for you to go then."
It was planned that aside from Neville. Daphne and Susan were to head for the Hogwarts Express like as if they never met up with Harry. Harry thought the whole thing was not necessary however Sirius was more than convinced the Order of the Phoenix would intervene somehow and isolate Harry in some way. Possibly worse is the thought that couldn't escape Sirius in which Death Eaters and or worse Dementor's attack the platform.
Amelia called out towards Susan as she walked up to where she and Harry stood.
"It's time to head out Susan." Amelia said putting a hand over Susan's shoulder. "Harry, it truly has been an honor getting to know you a little bit this past month. I hope to continue whatever 'this' is that your godfather has cooked up if it helps keep my niece alive."
Susan then approached and hug Harry. As she released the hug Harry whispered to her. "Before I forget I wanted to say thank you for getting me out of my relatives."
"That is what friends are for." Susan smiled back at him.
Amelia then stepped forward and right alongside her was Cici the house elf.
"Cici will be apparating both you and Neville's trunk in an alley just two blocks away from King's Cross. From there it shouldn't be more than a ten minute trek." said Amelia before turning towards Cici "Cici, you will apparate Mr. Potter to the location I told you about when Mr. Potter says he is ready. You will then return here and continue your duties."
The house elf bowed "Cici will do good and do what she has been ordered."
Amelia walked over and lay a hand on Harry's shoulder and smiled as if trying to assure him all is fine. "See you in a bit Harry."
Harry smiled back as Amelia then walked over to Susan and with Susan holding onto her trunk apparated.
Harry took in the peaceful atmosphere. Wishing it could stay like this forever. He sighed when he thought of just how close war is about to break out once again in the Wizarding World. While it has yet to break out into the open he will have his own battles once again heading into Hogwarts.
With that thought Harry turned towards Cici the house elf as she looks on patiently. Nodding his head giving the signal that he was ready. She walked up and with one hand on Neville's trunk and the other holding Harry's hand apparated away.
In an alley nearby King's Cross station in London a small vacuum sounding pop was heard.
"Well, at least I found some sort of wizarding transportation that does not result me landing on my back." Harry said as he wobbled for a bit before steadying himself.
"Thanks for bringing me here Cici." He said bidding farewell to the elf as she bowed and apparated away.
Looking over he spotted Neville's trunk and began to drag it towards the station. As usual the foot traffic heading towards the station were plenty. Coming nearly late a couple of times to the platform he was able to find the quickest route to where he needed to be.
On the way he spotted some Hogwarts students given the way they were dressed. They did not look particularly friendly to which Harry remembered the slandering the Daily Prophet has done to his name. He was quickly distracted by a PA announcement when a moment later he had bumped into another person knocking them down.
"I'm sorry, I didn't watch where I was going." Harry said as he quickly examined himself checking to make sure everything was fine.
"It's okay" said a feminine voice.
Harry recognized that voice immediately snapping his head to take a good look at her.
"C-C-Cho?" Harry stammered.
Cho Chang smiled shyly at Harry with a hint of a blush on her face. "Hey Harry, uhm… going to the platform?"
Harry just nodded his head unable to put the words to his mouth. He still felt nervous being around Cho. Now things are just completely awkward as they began to trek towards the platform in relative silence.
"How was your summer?" She asked
"It was pretty uneventful, a few new things here and there but that's it. You?" As soon as Harry said it he inwardly cursed himself. Way to bring her dead boyfriend up on a conversation he thought. He was surprised at how Cho seemed to close up as if she wanted to escape the summer as much as possible.
"same" she whispered.
From that moment they both walked in silence together. As they approached Harry signaled Cho to go on first.
"T-thank you for accompanying me Harry… see you on the train?" Cho said shyly.
Harry attempted to smile at her and quickly said "y-y-yeah see you in the train."
With that she paced and went through the barrier. Looking around Harry spotted another Hogwarts student, Natalie McDonald if he remembered correctly. She smiled at him in which he smiled back before he walked up and through the barrier.
The platform was filled as the students hanged about the platform to be with their friends and families after dropping their trunks inside the Hogwarts Express. As Harry began to trek around the platform he noticed people began to once again stare at him. The same stare he received from the student body when his name came out of the Goblet of Fire the previous year.
Deciding to ignore the looks and whispers as much as possible he kept his face looking forward. As he was moving along he spotted Remus amongst the many adults that seemed to be just standing around. Remus caught his eye and gave him a reassuring smile before turning around and pulled a witch with pink spiky hair the opposite way.
He then felt someone put something on his hand. As he looked up he saw the back of Daphne walking away along with her friend which he could not name as their backs were towards him. Looking down to his hand was a piece of parchment that was neatly folded. Looking around to see if other people in the platform were ignoring him as he was them he opened and read the neat scripted parchment:
Harry,
The Weasley's and Granger arrived the same time as I did. They are in the Express right now. Adults must have forced them to stay inside. Dumbledore's order is standing around. Looks like your godfather's instincts may not be off after all. A large dark skinned man approached Neville, seemed he thought after spotting your trunk he thought he was you. His gran gave the man a number for his transgression.
~ D
As he finished reading the letter he refolded and pocketed it. As soon as he done so a scream was heard amongst the crowd of people in the platform and what look like spell fire can be seen in the distance.
Harry's attention immediately went to hyperdrive as he took out his wand and gripped it tightly. He was full of adrenaline as he ran towards the source of the scream and spell fire. Along the way he bumped to a couple of stragglers who are running the other way. He was just hoping no student was harmed through the fracas.
As he finally arrived on the scene. He could see Amelia and Augusta alongside Remus and a dark skinned man battle with what appear to be masked individuals. The woman who was with Remus earlier seemed to be out cold as she lay motionless on the floor. As he saw one of the opposing forces about to cast a spell towards Amelia. Harry reacted quickly shouting.
"Protego"
Erecting a shield solid enough to block the unknown casted spell. It brought the action to a momentary halt as they all turned to see the newest arrival to the battle.
Remus reacted quickly "Harry?! What in Merlins name are you doing here?!"
As the spell fire exchange ramped up once again Harry stood alongside him forming a line with the other dark skinned man as well as Amelia and Augusta. "Aside from just protecting Madam Bones here from some unknown spell? Evening the odds with the pink haired witch out."
As Harry quickly dodged someone who casted Confringo and launched one of his own quickly followed by the disarming spell he has refined this past summer. Not caring who it was he pointed his wand to one of the five in front of him and casted:
"Stupefy"
Hitting it's intended target knocking one of them off their feet and on their backs relatively unconscious. The odds were now on their favor. It resulted to have the dark skinned man, Remus and Harry fighting one on one while Amelia and Augusta teaming up against the other.
It seemed Amelia and Augusta were easily overpowering their opponent as they were quickly advancing and it seemed their opponent was retreating. Harry and the others on the other hand were handling everything quite well on their own.
People were watching from a safe distance stood in awe as they were watching the ongoing battle. The students who went inside the train immediately filed out to see the action that was happening in the platform. Arthur and Molly Weasley were in shock as the arrived on the scene after being with their kids hoping to see Harry only to see him there fighting alongside Remus and the dark skinned man.
Molly was adamant the kids stay in the train given the dangers. Arthur quickly nudged his wife out of her thoughts and brought her to the knocked out pink haired witch.
Harry was doing well on his own until his opponent casted the Cruciatus Curse. Harry's eyes widened and a gasp of shock could be heard to those who heard the curse words uttered. Just as it was about to come into contact with Harry a brick floated in front of Harry blocking it.
"You've done well boy, but it's time for me to take over from here."
Harry recognized that grizzled voice. It belonged to none other than Alastor Moody who approached and launched:
"Stupefy"
Remus stepped aside for Moody to take his opponent on while he grabbed Harry to the side and away from the fight.
"You've done well Harry. It should be okay now that the numbers favor us." Remus said with a relief look on his face.
"Were those Death Eater's? Is Voldemort finally showing himself?" Harry quickly asked
Shaking his head "Not sure, not until just now did they actually launched an unforgivable towards us. They kept things pretty tame. I know you have more questions but you have to get in the train. I'm sure padfoot, once he knows what has happened will fill you in."
Harry then remembered he left Neville's trunk somewhere on the platform. Cursing inwardly he pocketed his wand and started to walk back towards where he remembered leaving it.
"Rennerverate"
Remus casted the revival spell on the pink hair witch. As the dark skinned man, and Moody are seen speaking to Amelia and two other Auror's.
"W-what h-happened?!" the witch said still in a daze as she was being helped up to her feet.
"Take it easy Tonks, the fighting is over. Ended rather quickly when Harry jumped into the fray to even up the numbers after you fell." said Remus with a smirk.
"Harry? Harry Potter was fighting?" asked an astonished Tonks.
"He wouldn't if you had not been knocked out cold Nymphadora." growled Alastor as he walked over with Kingsley.
Tonks' hair noticeably changed from pink to flaming red. It must be said that Tonks hates her given name and wishes to be referred to as just Tonks. Very few could actually get away with the transgression. Alastor being one of them.
Remus smirked at Moody calling her Nymphadora knowing she will only show her anger by the changing of her hair color.
"So anything of importance about these masked individuals, Kingsley?" he asked the dark skinned individual.
"Well good news is that Madam Bones knows about the Order of the Phoenix and will not punish Tonks nor myself for taking part of it. As long as it does not conflict with Auror business." he said in a baritone voice.
"I take it there is actually bad news?" asked Tonks.
"Yes, it seems the masked individuals we just faced were under the imperious curse. They have no recollection of anything since three days prior. They are ID'ed as regular wizards with no connection to Voldemort or the Death Eaters." he replied.
"W-wait how is that bad?" she asked quickly.
"Even though we think otherwise this will not be seen as proof of Voldemort's doing or the Death Eater's. The ministry and the papers will most likely place this on your cousin's head. Given how we easily took them out as soon as Moody joined the fight. People will believe the Ministry and in particular the Auror is well staffed." said Remus
"Which we all know is a whole bunch of dung." muttered Tonks "wait a tic, where is Mundungus I thought he was with you?" she asked Alastor.
"That good for nothing thief bolted out of there as soon as spell fire was heard on this end of the platform. Blast having only one good leg for I would have been there much sooner." growled Alastor.
"Well, it's good thing the boy came when he did. He sure made things a lot easy for us." said Kingsley having been entirely shocked at how good Harry was until that masked wizard casted the unforgivable. "seems as if he has been training to refine his spell work. He does not have the repertoire as an adult wizard but he is probably the best when compared to other wizards and witches his age."
"He is James Potter's boy after all. To face the darkest of dark wizards and live to tell the tale more than twice should say a lot." Alastor said "If we had lived in different times he would put the Auror department to shame as soon as he graduated Hogwarts."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Mad-Eye" spouted Tonks.
"Well, Madam Bones require I stay and join the investigation as to how this happened. See you all soon." Kingsley said as he bid the group farewell.
"I guess that is my queue to head back to the Ministry." Tonks said quickly as she walked back towards the entrance of the platform.
"Hmph, I shall be making a report to Dumbledore. I'm sure he would like to know what has happened including the boy's involvement." Alastor said.
"If I may ask, leave Harry out of the report." Remus said quickly.
"Why?" Alastor replied looking at him quizzically.
"Sorry" said Remus doing a double take "I mean don't mention Harry's involvement in detail. I'm sure with the witnesses in the platform. There would be no way Dumbledore not to find out Harry was involved."
"Very well Lupin." Alastor said as he hobbled away.
"I don't know what you are up to Sirius but I hope for your sake Harry will live through this." Remus said as he turned his head to the side looking over towards a large shaggy dog hiding in the shadows staring back.
Ten minutes into the travel Harry was walking around the compartments looking for Neville. He noticed once again his school mates giving him looks and side glances. It never crossed his mind that he may actually bump to any of his friends before then. After all there should be a prefect meeting coming up and given the pool of students to choose from. With a bit a process of elimination he figured they both were named prefects.
As he spotted Susan Bones with another student a compartment door opened and a short blonde girl bumped into him.
"Oof"
The girl who already had her Hogwarts uniform on looked up with a dreamy look in her eyes and apologize in a mild manner way.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you." she said "I'll be going now excuse me."
Harry being too shocked stepped aside and let her through. He couldn't help but notice but the girl didn't just walk but pranced. Remembering seeing Susan he walked over to them noticing the girl beside her tense up as they noticed his approach. He made sure to remember to act as if he is only an acquaintance of Susan and not be overly friendly with her.
"Susan?" Harry asked shyly
"Hello Harry" Susan responded which got her a slight elbow from her friend.
"Just wondering have you or your friend seen Neville Longbottom around?"
"Well funny you should ask cause he did ask me if I ever bump into you before he does that to tell you that he is in the second to last compartment on the train. It's locked so he mentioned to knock four times."
"That's odd why four?"
"Something you will need to ask him when you see him Potter." said the girl standing next to Susan cutting into their conversation. Harry noticed the Prefect badge on her robes.
Harry looked over to her and remembered her name was Hannah Abbott. The first girl sorted in their year and Susan's friend. She is Susan's Ron the way Neville explained it.
"Well, I should be going again thank you Susan… and you as well Hannah." Harry said quickly and began to walk towards the compartment Neville would be in.
After a couple of more side along glances, stares, whispers he finally found the compartment that Neville was in. He remembered it was four knocks. He smirked at the idea knowing why he stated four knocks. As he did so he could feel the door being dispelled and open as Neville allowed Harry in.
"We haven't even gotten to Hogwarts yet and you just had to go do that. Susan would have scolded you for being reckless but she was with Hannah Abbott." Neville said
"Yeah, thank Merlin for Hannah Abbott." Harry said sarcastically
"Don't let her get to you Harry, it's just she had a huge crush on Cedric and…" Neville said nervously.
"Got it." said Harry finally understanding why Hannah was very reserved around him.
"So how long do you suspect before they show up?"
"Probably after the Prefect meeting. I'm sure one or both of them are it and given that Hannah seems to be one as well it had yet to start when I bumped into her and Susan."
"Do you still not know what to do when you do talk to them?"
Harry nodded his head and stared outside the window. The view just changed to the country side.
"I guess I'll have to wait and see just as Sirius and even Remus suggested I do."
"What do you reckon we do until they show up?"
"Don't know."
"We could talk about that fight and what you know of it or word around the express has it you were seen walking alongside Cho before coming tot he platform." Neville said with a smirk on his face after seeing Harry looked a bit distressed when he mentioned Cho.
As the Hogwarts Express continues towards the countryside. The compartment door opened to reveal Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins. Neville looked over at them and quickly noticed the tension that filled the room. It was very suffocating and he now understood why Harry was actually dreading this meeting.
"Well, I need to find the trolley for some more snacks. See you all later." said Neville as he stood up and got out while the others entered the compartment. As soon as it the door closed the storm that is Hermione Granger's voice started. "HARRY!" Hermione moved to hug Harry but he put his hand up to stop her. The others quickly noticing the gesture.
"What's going on Harry? Where have you been? Why did you leave the Dursley's? We have been so worried about you? Why didn't you answer the letter's Ron and I sent you?" Hermione spoke rapidly.
Harry kept silent for a bit more when Ron spoke up.
"What's up mate? Gave mum a scare when we heard about your relatives."
Ginny noticing that Harry seemed to be fighting internally about the two stood up.
"I think these two need to be alone with Harry, come on Fred, George." she said grabbing the twins who feint a hurt look on their faces as she pulled them out of the compartment.
As soon as they left they heard the compartment door lock.
"You two can't come in here thinking I owe you any answers!" exclaimed Harry causing Hermione to flinch while Ron looked at him nervously as he continued.
"What's going on?! you tell me what's going on… we leave for summer break and I don't hear any bit of news from either of you."
"But…"
"Shut IT! I know about Dumbledore giving you orders. What?! surprised I knew about that? Did he pay or bribe you or something to not contact me all summer?"
"Professor Dum…"
"I'm not done! When you two decided to not be a friend all summer you lost the privilege to know what I've been up to."
Hermione had tears streaking down her cheeks while Ron looked down unable to look Harry in the eye.
"We're sorry Harry. P-please Harry." Hermione pleaded through her sobs.
Silence filled the compartment, the only sounds being of Hermione's sobs and hiccups. Harry finally let out the pent up frustration he had with his friends ever since they were ignoring his letters.
"Things are different from now on. Your actions this past summer saw to it, regardless whether you were following someone's orders. Friends don't do that to friends."
Ron slumped where he sat looking utterly defeated. Hermione on the other hand hung her head.
"I'm sure you already had an idea who I was with when I left the Dursley's this past summer. I'll leave it at that for I no longer have the trust I once had for you two to let you in where I was."
"A-are you saying you no longer want to be friends?" Ron said sputtering.
"no, that is not what I am saying." Harry replied causing Ron and Hermione's faces to brighten up a bit at the chance there is still hope.
"It's just as I said it is no longer like the previous years. I have easily confided and trusted the both you unquestionably without no reservations or doubts. While we could still be friends I don't see us going back to the way things were before the summer."
Hermione may not have completely lost her friend but Harry's last words caused her to crumble and leave the compartment. Ron made to follow her outside knowing she will need a friend at this time but stop by the door and turned to Harry.
"You may have lost your trust in us Harry but I haven't and I'm sure the others haven't lost our trust in you. So I will just say this… we will gain that trust back Harry or we'll die trying. I promise to make that happen."
So Harry finally confronts his two old friends, it may have been short but I felt it would get too childish if I let the ranting go on further than it did. Then there was the bit of fight sequence in which I initially did not have him join but decided in the end to throw him in there. It was suppose to be Natalie McDonald Harry bumps into in Kings Cross but decided to bring in Cho Chang instead. Before anyone gets any ideas Cho will not have a huge part of the story.
Next Up: Harry V Umbridge!
You may have noticed that the word count on the chapters did get a bit of bump lately. Next chapter is probably going to be about 5,000 and that would be the norm from then on. Also the Poll will close on Wednesday September 3, 2014. Last chance to get the votes in but to update, it is Umbridge banning Hogsmeade 11 and banning Quidditch 9. As for the next chapter... once again if you want to have an idea when it will be released click on my profile for it will be updated every Friday unless something comes up otherwise.
