THIS IS THE NEW CHAPTER

Thanks for all the reviews and sorry it's taken me this long to update. Lots has happened, I have a new job and have been super busy leaving things ready at my current job, so that it's not too crazy once I'm gone and my crazy boss takes months replacing me. I'm super excied about my new job and though writing resumes, interviewing, etc took a lot of my time, it's a really good thing. Anyhow, I have done some big revisions of the entire story (adding a chapter at the very begining, and changing the chapter of the first kiss, then some other minor changes). If any of you reread the full story again, let me know what you think of it now that most of it was reviewed by a beta and myself. Any feedback is welcome :) If you're just reading this chapter please still R&R.

Chapter 21: The Young Phoenix Society

Right before all students returned, a group of Aurors took Ely Swanson to the Ministry for questioning. It had been a few days since that happened and Ely still had not returned Hogwarts. Melinda Cooper often looked like she was ill and her eyes were constantly red. Estella on the other hand was serious and composed. Still, through his usage of the map George knew that Estella spent every night in the Head Girl room and must have been feeling something about this situation.

Meanwhile, Fred, George and Lee got an invitation from Hermione to join her and several others in a meeting.

Hermione explained, "When Ely Swanson found out the Black Hand was recruiting students at Hogwarts, he decided to recruit students as well. We fight for the good side. Come to our training room on Thursday after dinner. It's a small chamber hidden behind the big broken mirror on the seventh floor. You just open it by saying-"

Fred interrupted her by uttering the spell that was needed to open the place.

"How do you know that?" asked Hermione.

"Me! We found that place ages ago! How do YOU know about it?"

George had a good idea of who had revealed that chamber, but he stayed quiet.

"The Swansons," Hermione answered.

Fred gave George a meaningful look.

Thursday arrived and George joined Fred and Lee in the room behind the mirror. Many other students were crammed in there and waiting expectantly. Among them were Neville, Ginny, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Chloe Esgecombe, her cousin Marietta, several Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, and even some Slytherins. Hermione, Estella, Malfoy, Melinda Cooper, Chrysta Moyne, Sam Roberts and Leah McDowal were in front of the room and told everyone to wait for Harry and Ron. Once the two Gryffindor boys arrived they were called to the front with the others. Then Hermione spoke determinately.

"Estella and I called this meeting to discuss the events that took place during Christmas and recruit more members for the Young Phoenix Society" she stated. Then she told everyone about the Black Hand and how they wanted to get rid of Muggles and Muggle-borns. She explained how six men in black masks came into her house, killed her parents, and moved to curse her. The Swansons were the first help to arrive, followed by the Snapes and Professor Dumbledore who took her to safety. The discussion then turned to the how the students at the front of this room were part of a group called the Young Phoenix Society training to fight the Black Hand.

"Who started the society?" asked Ginny.

"It was my cousin's idea. He thought that if the Black Hand was recruiting and training willing students, he could do the same for the good side. Except we don't make you commit to an unbreakable vow," said Estella firmly.

"How did you and Ely survive last year?" asked Blaise Zabini out of nowhere.

"I reckon only YPS members and Slytherins have heard about that," Estella answered. She played with her own fingers and swayed, unintentionally revealing her nervousness. George had never seen her like this before.

"We'll have to start at the beginning. Last year, the accidents Hermione, Chrysta, Leah and I had with that wildflower, were not really accidents," said Estella.

"But, we asked. Professor Sprout said that Chrysta had been poisoned by a wildflower in the forbidden forest," said Hannah Abbot.

"I was, but someone put that flower in the grounds on purpose. Then they had the thing call for us and trap us," said Chrysta.

"The flowers were called Periculum Bellati. Estella, Leah, and Chrysta got fully trapped in cocoons of the Periculum last year. I was almost half-way in, but Ron and Harry got to me. At the end of the year Ron destroyed the source and that's when Leah, Estella and Chrysta were freed," added Hermione.

"Wait, weren't Chrysta and Leah the only ones trapped in those things in the hospital?" questioned Cho Chang.

"I was in one towards the end of the year, but only for a few hours, then Ron destroyed them," answered Estella.

"He just fell. Ely was the one that got stunned defending you. And Snape fought Roberts," added Malfoy cheekily.

"Ron fell while he was helping me! And if he hadn't, where would we be?" said an exasperated Hermione defending the youngest Weasley boy.

"Bloody git," added Ron.

"Is this the moment?" asked Harry a bit angry.

"No, it isn't," said Roberts looking sternly at Malfoy, Ron and Hermione. He definitely played the role of interim Head Boy well.

Roberts added, "I reckon this is where I explain that I was not at Hogwarts for most of last year. I was trapped in a cellar while a witch named Miranda took my place in school using Polyjuice. She put the flowers around the castle and trapped Chrysta and Leah. She tried with Estella and Hermione. But Ely got to Estella on time and Ron and Harry saved Hermione. Unfortunately, when the year was close to an end, she used the Imperius on me and made me go after them. I stunned Ely, got to Estella, and put her by the flower so it would trap her. If Harry hadn't stopped me, I probably would have gotten Hermione trapped too. I'm sorry."

"We told you it is fine," said Leah taking hold one of his hands.

Hermione explained the legend of the four witches to the group and how that was the reason the Black Hand wanted them last year. Harry told them how after the person behind the attacks died, his parents and Dumbledore asked them to stay quiet.

"We did what they asked, but we knew something was wrong because my Mum and Dad met with the Swansons in Norway over the summer," added young Snape.

"Once the school year began we followed Estella and found out that the Black Hand had a list of targets that included Hermione, Leah, Chrysta, Sam, Mrs. Snape, and a load of other people," stated Ron.

"How did you know about it? You're not in the Black Hand," said Daphne Greengrass looking at Estella.

"Draco," called Estella

"Right," answered Malfoy looking even more anxious and unsure than Estella.

For the first time since George had met Draco Malfoy, he gave the Slytherin his undivided attention.

"Last year Ella helped me realize that joining the Black Hand would not work for me. She found a way for my Mum and I to get protection from them. In exchange I spy. I secretly meet with Estella, tell her their plans, and she passes the information to Ely and the Snapes. The first breakthrough was figuring out why they were using the flower last year. Then during summer holiday Mum found out that they would use an enlistment scroll to recruit and bind Hogwarts' followers. And after the Christmas attacks we overheard that they were going to strike at King's Cross while students were boarding the train to come back to school. I let Ella know and that was avoided."

That's the git she had to thank, George thought reminiscing on the owl that had scratched him.

"But you are marked! When McDavol was trying to convince me to join he said you signed the scroll. There is no way you can betray them without dying for it," argued Zabini.

At that Draco lifted his sleeve and showed the group the moving tattoo of a black hand wrapped in a snake, along with the knots of an unbreakable vow, all stamped on his arm.

"How can we trust you if you are one of them!" George exclaimed.

Draco muttered an incantation under his breath and it seemed like his skin unglued from his arm and it turned into a glove with the marks on it.

"I was lucky enough to find out enough of their plan before they asked me to sign the scroll. The Swansons and Snapes found a way to use these gloves and a special quill to have me sign without being dragged into the unbreakable vow that would bind me to follow them," he said as he showed his clear arms now.

"Estella and I will share this secret with anyone who is willing to help with spying on the Black Hand. But it is dangerous and requires finesse, so I understand if you leave this to Slytherins," he said cheekily while looking at George.

Ginny Weasley let out an unexpected smile in the blonde's direction. Then Malfoy put the glove back on and muttered the incantation that returned the marks to his arm.

"So, you spy and practice what we learn in Defence against the Dark Arts?" asked Ernie McMillan.

"No. I mean, only Ella and Draco spy, and yes we do practice spells from class, but we also learn more about hands on combat and how to protect and transport ourselves. Last term we practiced how to dodge and run from curses and to produce stronger shield charms than what we learn in class. If I hadn't learned that, I would have died. We were planning on moving to learning Patronuses, Occlumency and how to make untraceable portkeys this term," said Hermione.

"And you should have help to learn even more," said the stern voice of Severus Snape who was closely followed by his wife.

"Mum! Dad!" exclaimed a surprised Harry.

"I talked to the professors and they are willing to teach us more than we learn in regular lessons. If you want to join just sign this parchment and you are in," said Hermione. "If not -"

"If not simply come to stand by me and I will erase these memories. It will be like you've never heard of the Young Phoenix Society or the Black Hand," said Severus Snape.

Within a few minutes the scroll was filled with names even though a few people, including the two Edgecombes, left the room obliviated. Then the professors assigned the original Phoenixes to help the rest with catching up in smaller sessions and after a month the Professors would share new material. Assignments were given as follows, though Ely's students had to start with someone else until his return.

Ely Swanson - Luna Lovegood (start with Harry Snape) and George Weasley (start with Estella Swanson)

Estella Swanson - Fred Weasley and Neville Longbottom

Harry Snape - Cho Chang and Blaise Zabini

Hermione Granger - Terry Boot and Ernie McMillan

Ron Weasley - Anthony Goldstein and Susan Bones

Melinda Cooper - Daphne Greengrass and Alicia Spinnet

Sam Roberts - Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas

Draco Malfoy - Ginny Weasley and Angelina Johnson

Chrysta Moyne - Lee Jordan and Colin Creevey

Leah McDowal - Katie Bell and Hannah Abbot

Each group was to find the best days, times and places to meet. All Slytherins were given permission to go in the Snapes' office since they ran into too much danger by meeting with students from other houses anywhere else. They voted on leaders and after much debate chose Harry and Estella. They also took on the assignment of looking for a place big enough for everyone to meet and hold practices.

Hermione gave everyone enchanted coins that would tell them the day and time for the general meeting once it was determined. She also told them she had at least five more coins, so if they knew other students that would want to join they could have them contact her.

The Young Phoenix Society was now revamped. And even though life was shit right now, Estella thanked Merlin for the existence of Hermione Granger, who had given her the guts to share some of her secrets and pull this off.

The next morning George felt the pinching of one of her notes during breakfast. He reached under the table quickly and with such enthusiasm that it earned him questioning looks from Fred and Lee.

"A bug bit me," George said.

"It's January. Bloody cold for bugs, isn't it?" asked Fred sarcastically.

"I'm sure weirder things have happened in magical places."

"Like?"

"Huh?"

"Come on bro, enlighten me. How do weird things happen? Last term you also kept getting bitten by unusual bugs, so you must know a lot about this."

"I didn't get bitten by many bugs."

"You did," added Lee.

"What is this? Two against one?"

"No, just wondering. Honesty is a good thing you know," said Fred.

"I don't know what you're talking about," answered George.

He then ignored his brother and friend as he finished his dinner. Later that evening, George read the note in the loo.

Meet me in the room behind the mirror tomorrow at seven.

Thanks,

~E

The next day he did as asked and got to the room exactly at seven, but she wasn't there. It took a few minutes but she arrived at the small chamber.

"Hello," she said.

"Hi," he answered awkwardly.

They stayed silent for a couple of minutes until he gathered all his courage and spoke.

"I'm really sorry, about your aunt and uncle, and the whole thing with Chloe. I'm just –"

"That's not why I asked you to come here," she said softly.

"What?"

"I didn't ask you to come here so you could be sorry for me."

"I'm not! I mean I am sorry but –"

"Just listen okay. I asked you to come here to make sure you will keep things quiet and also to ask for a favour."

"I know I messed up, but if you could just let me explain."

"It's fine, really. I just need to know you won't tell your mates or anyone about what happened. The last thing my cousin needs is to get gossip about how I spent last term in bed with someone who is engaged. Just, please don't brag about how I was your conquest. Ely is going through enough right now."

"I would never say things about you to brag. You were not a conquest. My time with you meant –"

"Do you promise?"

"Ella please."

"Do you promise not say anything?"

"Of course I do!"

"Thank you. I really appreciate it. About that favour -"

"I'm trying to tell you something important!"

"Don't, just let it go."

"I can't, I -"

"George please, maybe in time, we could be friends. But right now, I just... I need to be able to move on and deal with what's happening. I need you not to say anything, especially when we have to meet with Longbottom and your brother. And I need this favour. Could you just do this for me? Please."

He looked at her and couldn't believe that she wouldn't let him explain. She just gave him the 'we could be friends' line and it was maddening! And yet, after hearing her plea, he could do nothing but agree to do anything she asked.

"Thank you," she said after he had consented to her demands.

"So what's the favour?"

"The first part is taken care of. Just keep things quiet, and act like you don't really know me when we have to meet in the trainings. The second part... well... I need some of your wheezes. But, it is awkward for us to meet and be alone. At least I feel awkward. So, I want to know if it's okay for me to buy things from your brother."

"What?"

"I won't ask for the recipes or anything. I just want to buy products when he goes to sell them in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. But, I need you to make sure he starts selling the things I need."

"I can just give them to you."

"No George, I'll pay for what I need to pay for. I just want the products I need to be available."

"Let me just give them to you. You helped with half of them anyways and I want to give you back all that money."

"Forget I asked," she stated turning to leave.

"Wait!"

"What?"

"Why can't you just take them? Or make them yourself?"

"Just say no."

"It's not that I don't want you to have them. But I -"

"Thanks for promising not to tell anyone about what happened. See you at the meetings," she stated and again started to leave.

"I'll do it! What do you need?"

She enlisted all she wanted: Fainting Fog, Puking Powder, Portable Swamps, Decoy Detonators, and if he and Fred finished them, she could use some Extendable Ears.

"You'll use them to spy?"

"Yes."

"Are you alright? In Slytherin?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I've lived there for five years."

"Come on Estella, I know you're in there with Black Hand followers."

"So. I'm fine. Plus, if hell broke loose in Slytherin, I have a way out. Right out of my room. You should wish others were so lucky."

"Is it that bad?"

"No."

"Then why did Malfoy seem scared?"

"Courage is not exactly something us Slytherins are known for. We run, which is why I have a way out."

"Starting the YPS was courageous."

"I didn't start the YPS. That was Ely. Harry and I are just stuck with it until he comes back."

"Still, it takes bravery to spy and do what you do."

"Could you just get Fred to sell what I need?"

"I said I would."

"Thanks. I should go."

"Wait," he said walking towards her. "Menace I -"

"Please don't call me that. I really thank you for what you're doing for me. But I have to go."

"I didn't lie," he stated as she reached the mirror entrance. She turned to face him.

"About loving you, I didn't lie. I love you very much."

She swallowed hard and then said, "Thank you for your help and... everything else. It really was... it was... really fun." She paused briefly before seriously telling him, "Good bye Fun Man."

Then she exited the small room.

After that, time passed quickly. They trained in their small group weekly. Estella showed them some escape techniques, spoke on the beginning skills of Legilimency and Occlumency, and shared several warding spells; including one he was familiar with, 'Repello Magihum.' She also showed them several protective charms, which he and Fred mastered quickly. Unfortunately, Neville was a different story and ended up hexed plenty of times as his shields did not work. George admired how she seemed like the most patient witch in the world whenever she had to deal with Neville's clumsiness.

George realized that Estella was actually a good teacher and he could see why the Snapes pushed for her to be one of the YPS leaders. Whenever he or Fred thought something was useless she always had a cheeky comeback, an example of how this could be used to escape, or protect yourself, or even to attack. It was interesting to hear her. Sometimes she spoke as if she knew exactly how Dark Wizards would act. Maybe it was the fact that she read Dark Magic books.

Still, though getting to know this side of her was good, it was torturous to see her weekly and pretend not to know her, not to want her, not to love her. Worse of all was Fred's shameless flirting! Each time he called her 'my pretty leader' George felt ready to hex him silly! At least Estella looked as uncomfortable about the whole thing as he felt. But that didn't matter. George knew she talked to Fred outside the meetings because the stock of the products she had asked for was getting considerably low. Fred got to talk to her! Fred got to sell her the products! Because stupid me got Fred to make those available to her and maybe even get in her good graces! he thought in annoyance. This really was maddening and sometimes he didn't even feel like talking to his brother, especially when Fred came back from selling all the things she asked for and bragged about it, "My pretty leader just spent eighteen galleons on me. Brilliant! Right?"

Arrhh! Mad! Just Mad!

A month had passed this way. It was late on a Thursday night and Fred and George sat in a corner of the common room talking with Harry about the next Quidditch match. Then they heard the portrait hole open. All Gryffindors, besides Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Neville, were already sleep, so they readied their wands quickly. To their surprise they heard a "meow" and then saw Professor McGonagall followed by Ely Swanson, Melinda Cooper, and Estella. The large cat leaped out of Ely's arms and ran to his owner. Hermione picked him up and proceeded to pet and hug him like her life depended on it.

"Well I'll leave you to talk Mr. Swanson," said the professor before exiting the area.

"How?" asked Hermione

"Is anyone else here besides the six of you?" asked Ely

"No," they said in unison.

"Can they -?"

"Yes Ely, they can be trusted," said Estella swiftly.

"While I was in London this last month for my interrogations I stayed and worked with the order. They found the cat a few days after the attacks trying to get back in your house. So, I just told them I would bring him with me when I came back here."

Hermione was still in awe at seeing her cat, but soon ran to Ely Swanson and gave him the biggest hug while enthusiastically thanking him. The hug lasted no more than a few seconds and soon the group was engrossed in conversation. Ely Swanson explained how Earlene Anderson's testimony about what happened in her house was able to get him safely back to school and reinstated as Head Boy.

"The Order also caught a break and we found out the Black Hands' next targets, so we are going to protect them."

"Who are their targets now?" asked Hermione with mix of anxiety and pain in her voice. Ely hesitated, but Estella quickly spoke.

"Harry and me."

"What?" uttered the five Gryffindors.

"But why? Do they know you two lead the meetings?" asked George with an extremely concerned tone.

"No they don't know that and the reason is not important. What matters is that we know that they will try to attack one or both of us, probably using the Hogwarts students that have signed the enlistment scroll. So, you need to stay around Harry and make sure he is protected," said Estella sternly.

"I can protect myself!" Harry argued.

"But what about you?" asked George looking at Estella with pleading eyes.

Soon heated discussions were flying between all the Gryffindors and Estella.

"Enough!" shouted Ely. "This is not a debate. You five will watch over Harry as I'm sure his parents will. Mel and I will be protecting Estella with some help."

"Who's going to protect her when she's alone in Slytherin?" asked George exasperatedly.

"I understand that me teaching you defence might make you think that you should be my friend or something, but whatever happens to me is really none of your business Weasley. I can take care of myself and I do have Draco... and Greengrass and Zabini of course. Also, Professor Snape is my head of house and trust me he can keep an eye on both Harry and me without difficulty," said Estella sternly. George looked like he had been slapped in the face.

They continued to discuss the matter and finally laid out how Ron, Hermione, Neville and the twins would help ensure Harry's safety. Mel and the Swansons left soon after.

George climbed up to the sixth year boys dormitories and was angry beyond belief! How could she expect him to not care? He had told her that he loved her. Twice! He had said it twice! And it seemed like she didn't care at all!

The next day passed quickly. He peaked at Estella during meals, but got no response. All he could see was the back of her head with her shiny black hair flowing down her back. She was such a nightmare! She said they could be friends! She should realize that he had a right to worry about her protection. He bloody cared! He bloody cared a lot! He did not deserve to get dismissed the way he did, in front of her cousin, Melinda, and his own friends and family! George got back to Gryffindor, changed to his pyjamas and laid on his bed, stewing. Then Fred made matters worse.

"Maybe I can protect my pretty leader."

"What?"

"You seemed so worried about her and Harry yesterday, that it made me wonder how I could help. You can't since you're Ely Swanson's pupil now. But I meet her weekly and would gladly charm her into my protective arms," said Fred grinning.

"She's a Slytherin!"

"All the same, she's a good ally. Plus, she keeps coming to get products from me. I think she fancies me. And she is pretty enough, I'd shag that."

"Shut up and go to sleep!"

"Merlin! It's not like it affects you. If I shag her it's my business, for my own pleasure, right?"

George never answered. He knew that he needed to stay in bed, not move a muscle, and avoid getting anywhere close to Fred right now, or he might just strangle him!

The feeling of her skin against his own was driving him mad. He kissed her luscious lips, sucked her succulent tongue and then moved his hands to grab her naked firm bun. He lifted her and carried her to his Gryffindor bed feeling aroused and ready to pounce at his beauty.

Her legs hanged at the edge of the bed, open wide, dripping in need, inviting him to enter and do as he pleased. He penetrated slowly, teasing her and enjoying every second of their passion. Once he was fully inside her, he couldn't taunt any longer and began to thrust fast and with force. She moaned deliciously and moved her hips to meet him as he went in and out, in and out, overflowing with desire. He pulled her legs to his shoulders, got deeper in and continued his motions with even more vigour. Eventually his legs got tired and he began to slow down, but she wouldn't let go. She got him to sit on bed and then climbed on top to take him in full.

He could tell she liked this, riding hard and being in control of what was happening. She arched backwards and swayed wildly while whimpering in ecstasy. He had to hold onto her tightly. Then he felt it, her inner walls clenching around him and bringing him to orgasm right along with her.

She moaned wonderfully and he couldn't hold back his grunt before he screamed, "Yes! Estella! I love you!"

"Ah! I love you too! I love you Fred!"

Evil ending for this chapter, but I do have most of the next chapter finished, jiji. Plz R&R.