AN: Okay, here's chapter eight. I told you I'd have it out soon. I'm not sure when chapter nine will be out. I'm going to start typing it up after I'm finished with this. Just to let you all know. I have from chapter nine to twenty-two written out on paper. Now all I have to do is type it up on the computer! It's a little depressing. I'm almost finished writing Harry's year and you guys don't even now how his year starts yet. Oh, well, there's nothing I can do about that. Hope you guys have fun reading this! Enjoy!
– Chapter Eight –
The Order's SecretThe rest of the summer just seemed to fly by to Harry. But his birthday had to have been the best. Everyone had gotten together behind his back and panned a surprise party for him. They had almost given him a heart attack when he had entered the common room and they all jumped out yelling 'Surprise!' But he enjoyed it thoroughly nonetheless. It was his first real birthday party that he could remember.
He had gotten many presents. Some had been extremely predictable, like Hermione's. It had been a book, surprisingly, that was like a spell journal. It kept a record of all the spells he had learned from his first year to his fourth and Hermione said that it would update itself every time he learned a new spell or charm. He could even make notes in it on the different charms and spells to study from.
Sirius' present had been the best though. Both Sirius and Remus had taken him out of the room and gave him a Lightening Bolt, the best new broom out there and it was modeled for seekers. They had even bought him his own carrying case to go with it. They had also made him swear not to tell anyone because they wanted to see the looks on everyone's face at the first Quidditch match when he came out carrying a Lightening Bolt. The Weasley twins had given him a box full of WWW ideas and Ginny had given him a bracelet that she had made with the Gryffindor colours. He thanked them all and gave Ginny a little kiss one the cheek, which made her blush profoundly.
Ron had given him his own chess set saying that he would need the practice and Molly Weasley had backed him a huge bag of treats. Remus had given his own crystal ball (Ron snorted at this) and a neat looking watch, which not only told the time, but also would allow him to become invisible and breath underwater.
Dumbledore's present (Harry had been surprise that the headmaster had gotten him one) had puzzled Harry. It had been a very old book full of complicated spells and little journal notes, but they were written in a langue Harry had never seen before. Dumbledore had said that it had been James' spell journal and that one of these days; he would be able to read it. Harry had merely shook his head in confusion at this.
Since his birthday, they had all played Quidditch everyday and sat in the common room discussing a variety of subjects. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had also spent time in the library, trying to discover what the golden Phoenix emblem meant. Harry had told them about his dream and about the three people that kept popping up in the most unexpected places that had the emblem on them. It wasn't until the very last day of summer vacation that they found anything.
"I knew I had seen that symbol somewhere," said Hermione, sitting back down at the table with Harry and Ron, holding a very thick and old book. She opened it to the proper page and showed Harry and Ron. The symbol they had been looking for was displayed at the middle of the page with a title under it.
"The Order of the Phoenix?" said Harry in confusion. What was that suppose to be? Maybe this was what Voldemort was looking for. Harry frowned. The name sounded very familiar, but he couldn't remember ever having heard it.
"Yes," Hermione answered. "Those three people we seem to see everywhere. Abigail, Donavan, and Ethan. They're part of the Order of the Phoenix."
"An what is that exactly?" said Ron.
Hermione sighed. She was use to this. "The Order of the Phoenix is a group devoted to destroying Dark Lords."
"Like Voldemort." Said Harry, looking up at her as Ron shivered.
Hermione nodded. "Exactly. Merlin had been the one to start it and only those with a pure and righteous heart can enter it. But from what I've gathered, the Order sort of disappeared about fourteen years ago. Right after You-Know-Who's downfall."
Ron looked up curiously. "Why's that?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm not sure. There are only two explanations that I can think of. Either there was nothing left for them to fight until now or they were busy doing something very secret."
Harry stared at the symbol in deep thought. He knew that there was more to the Order then it said in this book. But what was it? Voldemort's voice suddenly rang through his head. 'Who's the one the Order protects?!'
Harry shot his head up. "Hermione, did you find anything else about the Order? Like are they guarding or protecting anything?"
Hermione stared at him for a moment, and then shook her head. "No, I didn't find anything like that, but I'll go look again." She said, getting up and walking back into the aisles of books.
She decided to start where she found the last book. Maybe she would find something near it. Her eyes scanned the rows of books, many of which looked very interesting to read, but now wasn't the time for that.
As her eyes wandered, she came across a book she hadn't noticed earlier. It was a beautiful golden book that had a tint of red in it when the light hit it. It looked very old and the title was worn off of it.
Curious, she pulled the book off the shelf and opened it. He eyes went wide when she realized what this book contained. It was all about the Order of the Phoenix and looked like Merlin himself had written it.
She flipped through the book until her eyes landed on a certain page near the back. It was a prophecy and a very interesting one at that. She was just about to head back to Harry and Ron when her eyes glanced over a line in the prophecy: The mark of thunder's light shall be upon him. 'Harry?' she thought. He was the only one with a lighten shaped scar. She started to read the whole Prophecy.
Prophecy of the Phoenix
A Phoenix shall emerge in a time of great darkness and despair,
Sired by a stag from the lion's line
And born of a stainless bud.
The mark of thunder's light shall be upon him,
Calling to the end the serpent's first reign of darkness.
In the second reign of darkness,
Serpent and Phoenix will be joined by blood;
The crimson bridge of the bringer of death and salvation.
The Phoenix will die by the hand of the Serpent,
Unless the Phoenix is helped…
Hermione stared at the book in frustration. Either someone had ripped the rest of the Prophecy out, or Merlin wasn't about to finish it. 'Or, maybe, that's how the prophecy ends,' she thought. 'But, God, Harry?' she knew it had to be Harry that is prophecy was talking about. Who else defeated You-Know-Who and had the mark of thunder's light upon them?
"Sired by a stag from the lion's line," said Hermione staring down at the book again. Harry once said that his father could turn into a stag, but form the lion's line? That would me that Harry was-
"Hermione?" Hermione jumped and turned to see Harry standing at the end of the bookshelf, a puzzled expression on his face. "Are you okay? You look worried."
Hermione nodded quickly. "I'm fine, I just… I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore." She said quickly. "I'll… I'll meet you back in the common room." And with that, she left.
Harry watched her go with a frown. "What was all that about?" Ron asked, coming to stand next to Harry.
Harry just shook his head. "I don't know."
"Albus, I just want to be sure. I don't want anything to happen to Harry," said Sirius, standing by Dumbledore's desk with his arms crossed.
Dumbledore sighed from behind his desk. "Sirius, Harry will be fine. He's taken these extra lessons as a precaution just in case something may happen. He'll need them in the long run."
"I'm still not sure how he'll reacted to all this when he finds out. The boy has a knack for discovering things that he's not suppose too," said Professor McGonagall.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Harry does have a tendency to figure these things out, but we've taken extra measures to try and prevent him from finding out."
There was a sudden knock at the door that startled everyone in the room but Dumbledore. "Come in," said Dumbledore and the door swung open to revel a very tired looked Lupin followed by a nervous looking Hermione.
"Yes, Remus. What is it?" Dumbledore asked with a knowing glance.
Lupin sighed. "Hermione has something she needs to tell you."
Dumbledore merely nodded and gazed down at Hermione. "What is it, Ms. Granger?"
Suddenly, Hermione didn't feel so nervous anymore. Dumbledore could have that affect on people. She took a deep breath before answering. "I know about the Order of the Phoenix and I know about Harry."
McGonagall stared at her in surprise, while Sirius tried his beast not to laugh. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "But you just finished saying that no one would find out, Albus?" said McGonagall in bewilderment.
Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, I said 'Harry' wouldn't find out. And if I'm correct, Ms. Granger has not informed Harry of what she has discovered," Hermione nodded in response.
"I brought the book I found the prophecy in," said Hermione, bringing the book up to Dumbledore and handed it to him. He took it and stared down at it's contains.
"Ah, Merlin's journal. I was beginning to wonder where this had gone off too," said Dumbledore, placing the book down on his desk and turned to face Hermione. "Did you tell Harry anything that concerns this?"
"He knows about the Order of the Phoenix and that it's a group that fights Dark Lords, but besides that he doesn't know anything. He seems to have a hunch that the Order is protecting something, but he doesn't know what." Said Hermione, carefully watching how all the people in the room reacted.
"Ah," said Dumbledore, scratching his bread in thought. "Very well. Now, Ms. Granger, I must ask you not to tell Harry, Mr. Weasley or anyone else off what you have discovered. It could place Harry in even more danger if anyone found out. The word my get to Voldemort and we can't let that happen. He'd be in even more danger then he already is in, Understand?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, sir. I promise I won't tell anyone."
Dumbledore smiled. "Right then. Off you go." He watched Hermione leave before facing the other three people in the room. Some of the were looking shocked.
"Albus, if Hermione can find out, so can Harry. A few months ago, this would be fine cause Harry isn't that good at research, but now, it's a totally different story," said Sirius.
Dumbledore lend back in his chair. "Sirius, I assure you. Harry may find out little bits about this, but that can't be help. What he wouldn't find out is what that prophecy is really telling us. He will not find out that he is the 'Heir of the Phoenix'." He sighed. "Now, I believe that most of you have to get ready for classes?" They all nodded. "Good. We will meet again tonight about this matter. I'll see you all then."
They all made their way out of his office, with Dumbledore behind them, but before he closed the door, he turned and gave Fawkes a knowing look. Fawkes understood and took flight out the window as the office door shut.
Ron observed the chessboard. Harry had been getting him good. 'He's been practicing,' Ron thought to himself as Harry made yet another move. Now he was only two moves away from checkmate.
Ron shook his head when he noticed something about the board. The he laughed, earning himself a puzzled look from Harry. Harry was going to win and there was no way for him to stop it. He had seen this game being played before.
Harry stared at him in puzzlement. "What's funny?" he asked.
Ron tried to calm himself. "Harry, take a closer look at the board. Where have you seen this layout before?"
Harry looked down at the board. He had Ron's king in check with one of his knights. Ron's Queen was right across the board from his knight. Ron would have to take his knight, leaving his bishop to put the king in checkmate.
'Don't you understand, Harry?' Ron said, sitting on top of one of their knights. 'Once I make my move, the Queen will take me,' he said starting over at the Queen. He turned back to Harry. 'Then you'll be free to check the King.'
Harry shook his head in amassment. This was the same layout as when they were trying to get to the stone in their first year. It felt like ages ago. "How do you suppose that happened?" Harry asked.
Ron shrugged. "I don't know, but we might as well finish this. Queen to H3." Ron's Queen moved swiftly across the board, got her chair and smashed Harry's knight.
Harry smiled. "Bishop to B6." Harry's command sent the bishop to B6 and the game ended.
Ron sighed. "You're getting better at this, Harry. That's the second time you beat me out of three games."
Harry just smiled. "Ron, what do you think Hermione needed to talk to Dumbledore for?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't know. She had a golden book with her when she left. Maybe she found something that Dumbledore would want to know about."
Harry nodded. "Maybe." He couldn't help wondering if it had something to do with the Order of the Phoenix. What if she found out what of whom the Order is protecting. But then why would she have gone to Dumbledore and not told them?"
Another thing that he couldn't help wondering about was what the Order was doing here. Why weren't they off trying to find a way to destroy Voldemort and his Death Eater? It just didn't make sense.
Just then the portrait opened and Professor McGonagall walked in. She looked as serious as ever with her hair pulled back in that tight bun of hers. Ron and Harry watched her in puzzlement. McGonagall very rarely came in here. Why was she in her now?
"Hello, Professor," said Harry, trying to sound casual. It worked.
"If you don't mind me asking, Professor, but why are you in here?" Asked Ron, not at all keeping the surprise out of his voice.
McGonagall stood before both of them with two envelops in her hands. Harry could just see his and Ron's names printed neatly on the front of each.
"I'm here to present these to both of you and to congratulate you," she said, handing them their letters. Harry quickly opened his and saw two badges fall out. One was sliver with a big letter P on it and the other was golden and red with a big letter C on it. They were Perfect and Quidditch Captain badges. Harry stared at both in shock.
Ron looked over ate Harry and opened his mouth wide when he saw the Quidditch Captain badge. "Oh, wow, Harry! You made Captain!"
Harry nodded in amassment. He couldn't be more then happy that he made Captain, but it was the Perfect badge that puzzled him the most. Ron had one as well.
"Umm, Professor? Why did you pick us to be Perfects? Especially me. I've pretty much broken every rule that Hogwarts has and I'm always losing points." Harry said, looking up at her.
McGonagall nodded. "Yes Potter, that is true, however you always broke the rules to help someone else and never to help yourself. As for the points, you always seem to earn back whatever you lose, so I don't see a problem."
Ron smiled. "Wicked." Then he remembered his brothers. "Oh, Fred and George are going to kill me."
Harry laughed. McGonagall just shook her head. "You two will also be pleased to know that Ms. Granger has also been made Perfect and before you ask Potter," she said, just as Harry was about to open his mouth, "In light of recent events, each house will now have three Perfects."
Harry nodded his head in approval. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to get done before tomorrow. "And with that, McGonagall swiftly left the common room.
Ron looked down at his badge and couldn't be happier. But there was one thing that he refused to do now that he had this badge. He refused to turn into another Percy. One of them is bad enough.
Then a thought occurred to him. "Awwwww, what if Hermione forces us to stay in line and follow the rules. Or even worst, make us read the Perfect handbook?"
Harry laughed. "Don't worry about it. If there's trouble this year, like there is every year, she'll help. She always has, even if it was against her better judgment."
Ron sighed in relief. "Yeah, you're right."
Harry wandered the halls of Hogwarts with Flame perched on his shoulder. It was late in the night and he was supposed to be in bed, but he wasn't. He had another nightmare again. This one had a mixture of things in it. The Third task, his Uncle and his parents. They looked disappointed in him and it hurt. Right now the last thing he wanted to do was sleep.
The last day of summer had been fun. Besides their discoveries in the library, they had played Quidditch and Harry and Ron had played chess and exploding snaps for hours. Harry had burnt his bangs and Ron had almost burnt off his eyebrows.
Harry sighed as the thought about everything that had happened this summer before he came to Hogwarts and about the Third task. Why did everything happen to him? It always seemed like it did. Was it because he was Harry Potter, 'The Boy who Lived', or was it for another reason. He wasn't sure. Everything that happened to him almost always had a connection with Voldemort.
Flame brushed her head against his in a comforting manner. She seemed to sense that something was troubling him. Harry smiled as he reached up to pet her. "Thanks," he whispered to her softly.
Harry continued to walk down the corridor. Everything was dark as it should be. He looked out one of the windows into the night and stared at the moon. It's light made all the trees outside glow as it was approaching the full moon phase.
A light flickered out of the corner of his eyes. Harry turned his head sharply, puzzled. There was a smidge of light streaming out of an almost closed classroom door. It was not opened by much, just enough to let the light out.
Harry stared at it in puzzlement. Who could be up at this time of night? He thought everyone would be asleep. Harry cautiously crept closer to the door 'til he stood right outside of it. It was only then that he could hear the hushed voices that were speaking form within.
"Albus, he'll be in danger no matter where he is. The Order can't protect him forever," Harry's eyes opened wide. The Order of the Phoenix. That's what they were talking about. But whom was McGonagall referring too?
"I am well aware of that, Minerva. Which is why he will be doing all those extra courses. Voldemort will come after Harry whether he finds out who Harry is or not." Dumbledore stated quietly.
Harry stepped back in shock. They were referring to him? The Order of the Phoenix was protecting… him? But that can't be. There was nothing special about him. Okay, yeah sure he defeated Voldemort as a child, but that was all his parents doing. Why would the Order be protecting him?
"Voldemort is getting closer to figuring out the truth, Albus. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep him from figuring it out," Snape said in that emotionless tone of his.
Harry heard his Godfather sigh. "This year is going to be way too hard on him. Especially now that his powers are starting to show. You should have seen the amount of power he displayed in Diagon Alley, and he can't even control them properly yet. Malfoy would most likely be worst then dead if Harry had been able to control his powers," said Sirius.
Harry could have sworn that he heard Dumbledore nod and stroke his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, Sirius you are right. Harry is starting to show the signs and they will become more apparent as the year progresses."
"Exactly what are we going to teach him?" Lupin asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "We will try to help him harness and control his powers. As we don't really have an idea what he is capable of, this will be difficult, but his powers can't go untrained. If they did, then who knows what could happen."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. None of this could be true, could it? And if it was true, why were they keeping it from him. He had a right to know about this. He couldn't believe that they were keeping it from him.
Flame sat quietly on Harry's shoulder. She knew that he shouldn't be listening to this, knew that he wasn't ready to hear this, but what could she do? The only thing she could do was to try and comfort him the best she could.
She rubbed her head against his and poured some of her magic into him, letting it calm him down. It seemed to work as she felt him relax.
Harry looked up and her and nodded his thanks. She merely watched him now, knowing that there wasn't much else that she could do.
"Well, then what should we do?" Sirius asked.
"For now, all we can do is be there for him and watch him. You're right Sirius, this year will be hard on him, but there isn't much else we can…" Dumbledore trailed off. He stared at the door thoughtfully. 'Oh dear,' he thought to himself. 'This is not good.'
Everyone stared at Dumbledore puzzled. Harry held his breath. Did Dumbledore know he was here? He wouldn't put it passed the old wizard. If he did know, Harry knew he was in for it.
"Albus, is everything alright?" asked McGonagall.
Dumbledore tore his eyes away from the door to look at her. He smiled. "Yes, Minerva. I just thought I heard something, that's all." 'No sense worrying them and scaring Harry, But I'll need to talk to Sirius about this.'
"Well, I think that's all for tonight. Sirius I'd like a word in my office please. Good-night everyone." He said and headed for the door.
Harry quickly ran behind a pillar near the door and crouched down. It was a good thing he was small for his age and that the corridor was dark, otherwise they would see him. Not that that mattered. He knew Dumbledore knew and know he was going to tell Sirius.
The door opened and Dumbledore emerged followed by Sirius. They walked towards Harry, but to his relief, passed right on by. The other teachers slowly exited until only Harry remained and the corridor was completely dark once more.
Harry sunk to the floor and sighed. He was sure that he was going to be caught when Dumbledore passed. Dumbledore seemed to have away of knowing when people were around. Like in his second year when he and Ron had hid under the invisibility cloak in Hagrid's hut. He had seen them.
Harry slowly stood and dusted himself off before headed back to Gryffindor Tower. Right now all he wanted was to be alone. He stooped, though, when he noticed that something was missing. Where did Flame go?
Dumbledore entered his office with Sirius behind him. The Cloaked Figure whirled around when he heard them. He had waiting for Dumbledore to come back and tell him what meeting had been about, but he was a little surprised to see Sirius.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
Sirius shrugged. "That's what I'd like to know."
Dumbledore walked behind his desk and sat down. He knew neither of them was going to like what he had to tell them. "I think it's best if you both sat down."
Puzzled, they both took a seat. "Albus, what's all this about?" said Sirius, fully confused.
"It's about Harry," said Dumbledore.
Both men looked even more confused.
"Nothing happened to him, right?" The cloaked figure asked.
"Harry's fine, but… he overheard the meeting tonight." Dumbledore lend back in his chair, letting his words sink in.
Sirius stared at Dumbledore in shock. "Is that why you were staring at the door?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. I didn't say anything there because this is strictly between the three of us. Harry no doubt feels betrayed and angry at all of us for not telling him."
The Cloaked figure sighed. "Why tell me though. I can't help. No one's allowed to know I'm here, especially Harry."
"I realize that, but you need to know. Right now, you affect things that go on with Harry, whether you realize that or not and It's important that you understand all that is going on. You'll be able to help him in your own way. I know you know what I'm talking about." The Cloaked figure nodded. "Good."
The song of the Phoenix interrupted him. Flame flew in through the window and landed on the cloaked figure's shoulder. The man looked up at Flame in surprise. "Well, hello Flame. I haven't seen you in awhile," he said.
Flame sang out in response. Then she turned to face Fawkes, who was also starting at her in surprise. She then sang out again, telling Fawkes something.
"Albus, what exactly are they saying?" Sirius asked
Dumbledore watched the two Phoenixes converse and sighed. "Harry's worst off then we thought. Sirius there's something that I need to explain to you. As the Heir of the Phoenix, Harry has many different powers. He is linked with Phoenixes, but that link can be broken when it's not very developed. Whether Harry realizes it or not, he's trying to break that link."
The Cloaked figure snapped his head towards Dumbledore quickly. "What?!"
Dumbledore sighed. "Harry's in great emotional distress right now. First the Tri-Wizard Tournament, then his deal with the Dursleys and now this, he just can't handle it all. Flame as done all she can, but she's only a phoenix and Harry's powers aren't devolved enough for her to do anything more by herself. Sirius, I'm asking you to try to help Harry as well as you can. It is your job anyways. Plus you know what it's like to have your whole life crashing down on you and I know that Harry needs you."
Sirius nodded sadly. "I'll try my best." He said standing up. He then swiftly left the room. Flame and Fawkes also left through the open window.
"What are we going to do about this, Albus?" the Cloaked figure asked.
Dumbledore sighed, his age finally starting to show. "I'm not sure. All we can do for now is just be there for Harry."
The Cloaked figure nodded sadly. "I just hope that will be enough."
Harry sat alone in the dark common room, curled up on the sofa. Why didn't they tell him? He had a right to know. He was sick and tired a being treated like a child and being protected from everything.
"Why?" Harry asked himself softly. He felt angry and betrayed. They should have told him. They should have. Voldemort was killing all those people to find out whom they were protecting. They were protecting him. They were dying at Voldemort's hand to protect him and he hated it.
Harry heard the portrait open, but didn't look up. He was too angry and hurt. They kept it from him.
"Harry?" said Sirius, as he sat down beside him. Harry kept his face turned away. Sirius sighed. He had been hoping Dumbledore had been wrong, but, as usual, he wasn't.
"Harry?" Sirius tried again.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked keeping his face turned away.
Sirius was started by the anger he heard in Harry's voice. He'd only heard it when Harry was talking about Peter, Voldemort or the Dursleys. He sighed. "We were going to tell you at Halloween. We didn't tell you now because you weren't ready to hear it. We were afraid that you'd take it like this."
"That doesn't change anything. All those Order members are dying because of me," said Harry, in a softer tone then before. He was finding it harder and harder to stay mad at Sirius.
"No, Harry. Voldemort would go after them anyways. The Order of the Phoenix was created to defeat Dark Lords like Voldemort. It's not your fault," said Sirius.
Harry shook his head. "Yes it is. Voldemort's back because of me. He killed Cedric and now more innocent people are going to die." Harry's voice shook with emotion. It was his fault. Everything was his fault.
Sirius, not knowing what else to do, pulled Harry into his lap. Harry didn't struggle. He was grateful. Everything was just becoming too hard. He felt like he was suffocating in it.
Sirius cradled Harry and sighed. The year hadn't even started yet and Harry was already struggling. "It's not your fault Harry. There's nothing that you could have done. You couldn't have known that the cup was a Portkey. Just like I couldn't have known that Wormtail was the traitor."
Harry calmed down a bit. His Godfather was right and he knew it. But he couldn't help but feel guilty. If only he had done something different. "Do you miss them?"
Sirius knew whom Harry was talking about. "Yes, Harry, I do. They were the best friends I ever could have had."
Harry sighed. "I wish I could have known them."
"They loved you very much, Harry, and they would have been very proud of you. Don't let anyone ever tell you different." Said Sirius, brushing Harry's bangs out of his eyes.
Harry just simply nodded. They sat quietly and after awhile Harry fell asleep. Sirius gently stood up with Harry in his arms and went up into the boys' dormitory.
He passed Ron's bed quietly and carefully laid Harry down on his bed noticing that Flame and Fawkes were there waiting. He quickly took Harry's glasses off and tucked him in.
"Goodnight, Harry." He whispered quietly.
"Goodnight, Sirius," came the sleepy reply.
Sirius smiled and left. Flame and Fawkes watched him go, knowing that Harry would need all the comfort he could get.
AN: Did you guys enjoy it! Review and tell me. I'm not posting anymore until something next week, hopefully, so I hope you guys will still want to read this even after the real Order of the Phoenix comes out tomorrow! Don't spoil it for me in reviews cause I might not get a chance to read the book until I go down East. My mom said that she'll buy it for me! Enjoy everyone and don't forget to review!
