Order of the Otter
12 Grimmauld Pl.
Once again, all the Weasley kids marched up to their bedrooms. Once again, magi were gathering and they would be cut out. One thing they did notice was the unusually large number gathering downstairs. Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix seemed to be a smashing success.
The drawing room/conference room and the table magically grew to accommodate all the new arrivals. Dumbledore stood to address the group:
"I am gratified to see the response to my request for volunteers", he began.
"Anything for the Boy Who Lived", one called out.
"Thank you, Hestia", he answered. This was Hestia Jones. She had never met Harry Potter. Most of them had not, but they were willing to serve a Living Legend, the vanquisher of the Dark Lord during his first rampage through Magical Britain.
"The more we have, the better", Mad Eye Moody added. "That way, they won't be able to kill us all, and we'll see Potter here safely".
"Always cheery, aren't you?", the youngest member of the group said, a shockingly violet-haired young lady. She looked right out of Hogwarts.
"No one's going to die tonight", reassured Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"As I was about to say", Dumbledore called their attention to the business at hand, "Mr. Potter has been scheduled for a disciplinary hearing in three days. He is accused of underage sorcery after driving off two dementors who were attacking him and his step-brother…"
"Dementors in Little Whinging? In a muggle town?!"
Dumbledore raised both hands for silence: "Yes, and this is a wanton act indeed. Dementors are in the exclusive employ of the Ministry itself. If Voldemort's agents are acting this openly, we can no longer rely on – or trust – the Ministry. I was afraid something like this would happen. Cornelius has gotten the idea that I have been plotting against him. He has so fallen in love with his own power, that he sees plots where there are none. This has led to this situation: Voldemort's supporters inside the Ministry feel themselves able to operate in such an open manner.
"This has placed Mr. Potter in a most precarious position, as we can no longer assure his safety should he remain with his step-parents. For this reason, he needs to be brought here to Headquarters. He can stay here with his friends until the start of the next term…"
"I thought Harry wasn't attending Hogwarts?", one asked.
"After this latest incident, I am confident that Mr. Potter will be rejoining the Hogwarts family. It's the most secure place he can be, where the Order can be available on a moment's notice should any attempts be made against him. The logic is inescapable".
"We're on for tonight", the youngest announced.
"What about the Dursleys? We all know how Vernon feels about the Professor", Mad Eye said. "How can you be so certain, Nymphadora?"
"How many times do I have to tell you I hate that name? I prefer Tonks or Dora. I sent the Dursleys a letter by muggle mail on a nice, professional letterhead even, informing them that they were finalists in the All-England Best Suburban Lawn Contest. Vernon is very vain when it comes to his lawn, it's an obsession. He won't resist, and I doubt Potter will be going. The letter was delivered earlier this week, plenty of time for them to get ready".
"Very good, very clever", Dumbledore congratulated.
"We'll be evacuating Potter by broom", Mad Eye informed them. "Potter can't apparate yet, and we must assume the Floo Network is being searched for any sign of Potter. Unauthorized portkeys aren't a good idea either, as the Ministry will be alerted when they go off. We'll take an indirect route to HQ, in case anyone attempts to follow.
"Our advance guard will be: myself, of course, Tonks, Hestia Jones, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Winifred Conner. We'll have a back-up, rear guard available if we need it, and spotters stationed around Little Whinging to let us know when it'll be best to go without risking being seen".
"So we're on for tonight?", Dumbledore asked.
"Unless there are any unforeseen contingencies", Moody agreed.
"What about this hearing?", Lupin asked.
"I shall be handling Harry's defense", Dumbledore said. "it's a straight forward case of use of magick for the preservation of innocent life and self defense. The Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery explicitly allows for this exception. Since the Ministry's dementors were involved, they will want to resolve the matter quickly and quietly".
Owlery Holt
The Daily Prophet's headline today:
DUMBLEDORE'S EMBARRASSMENT
During the annual meeting of the International Confederation of Wizards, Albus Dumbledore, instead of doing the Ministry's business, gave a long winded speech about his latest obsession: the alleged "rebirth" of Youknowwho. Ever since the close of the Triwizard Tournament, which was marred by the unfortunate death of Cedric Diggory in an unfortunate portkey accident, the Supreme Mugwump has become obsessed with a "vision" in which the attention seeking Harry Potter claims to have witnessed the rebirth of a man known to be dead for over ten years. Potter has claimed that it was the reincarnation of Youknowwho that was responsible for Mr. Diggory's unfortunate death.
It is enough that Mr. Dumbledore spreads these unfounded rumours around the Ministry of Magic. He has chosen to embarrass Minister Fudge, Magical Britain, and himself in front of an international audience with this wild tale. How this is relevant to the business of the Conference remains a mystery to us. To the credit of the Conference, a vote was held to relieve the Supreme Wugwump of his duties.
Minister Fudge: "It is indeed unfortunate that Mr. Dumbledore has chosen such an ignominious way to close an otherwise illustrious career. Perhaps we share some of the blame? After all, all too many of us have idolized Mr. Potter ever since the Dark Lord fell from power. It really had nothing to do with Potter, as it was his mother's sacrifice – a sacrifice any mother would choose – that caused the backfiring of the Killing Curse. I suppose it was natural, as Potter is alive while the real hero, Lily Potter, is no longer with us. Is it right to so idolize a youngster before he has the maturity to handle it? I do not blame Mr. Potter for his attention-seeking. However, I very much blame Albus Dumbledore for his self-serving exploitation of the youngster. To what end, I do not know. Is this Mr. Dumbledore's raging against the fading of his light in an attempt to relive his glory days? Is there a more sinister aim? I do know this: it is highly irresponsible to be creating discord and panic among the public at large.
"It is my unfortunate duty to bring this matter before the Wizengamot. Mr. Dumbledore has shown he is no longer fit to serve as the Chief Warlock. Whether he will still be Headmaster of Hogwarts is up to the Board of Governors. I have launched an initiative for the improvement of educational standards at Hogwarts, starting with the upcoming term of 1 September".
"Talk about damnation through faint praise", Harry said after reading the article. "At least they got something right for a change: all the credit goes to my mother. I've been saying that all along to anyone who bothered to listen…", he paused.
"Unforch, this will go a long way to lull the sheeple back to sleep. Fudge'll have a lot of innocent blood on his hands".
"I hope you're wrong, but I'm afraid you're right", Sirius said. "It's starting all over again, and he does nothing about it".
"We will be having our own meeting", Lucius announced.
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
They gathered around the conference table: Lucius Malfoy, Amelia Bones, John Dawlish, Clive Williamson, Sirius Black, Harry Potter, and Susan Bones.
"Thank you for coming", Lucius Lutra began, "As you are undoubtedly aware, we are facing a serious situation, and we can expect no help from Cornelius Fudge and the Ministry in the foreseeable future. First, I would like to know who we have, who we can count on".
"If I may", Dawlish began, "my Auror Cadets are coming along. It is what they trained for, it is why they signed on to the Corps".
"Very good", Lutra said. "Congratulations to your Cadets, and your leadership".
"Thank you", he replied.
"You can count on mine as well", Williamson said.
"Excellent. Now we shall hear from Lucius".
"As you may or may not be aware, the Ministry is in total disarray", Malfoy began, "split between those who support the Minister, and those who believe Mr. Dumbledore. Percy Weasley has received a promotion to Junior Undersecretary to the Minister. This promotion, despite the reprimand he received for his negligence in the matter of Barty Crouch, senior. While it is the official position that Mr. Crouch was never under Voldemort's Imperious Curse, the official line is that he lost his mind. Mr. Weasley, being left in charge, took the power and willfully failed to report the increasingly erratic behavior of his immediate superior. This should have tarnished his reputation, and essentially ended his career, as promotions should have been a long time in coming, nor should he rise so far up the ranks of the Ministry. He should have been seen as hopelessly clueless if he failed to notice the changes in Mr. Crouch, or he should have been seen as essentially an usurper if he had and failed to report it. Percy Weasley was promoted over more deserving, more qualified candidates..."
Lucius Lutra added: "If I may interject.
"I have heard from Arthur regarding the matter. Percy came home to announce his promotion with pride. The news wasn't so well received. Arthur pointed out that Mr. Fudge probably gave him that promotion in order to learn of Dumbledore's plans. A perfectly reasonable assumption, I might add.
"Percy countered this suggestion with accusations that Arthur and his fascination with muggle technology had ruined his reputation, and that his lack of ambition led him to forego attempts to rise within the Ministry. Percy said he was ashamed to be known as a Weasley, that he was distancing himself form the rest of the family. He has since moved into a London flat. When his mother attempted to visit, Percy slammed the door in her face. Families are being torn apart over Fudge and his intransigence".
"Fudge's latest obsession is what he regards as the declining academic performance at Hogwarts", Malfoy continued. "However, this is simply an excuse to undermine Headmaster Dumbledore: his latest project instead of readying his forces and his public against Voldemort. We can count on no support from that quarter", Malfoy concluded.
"It is indeed most unfortunate that they eat their own and play their silly political games, especially during these times", Lutra said. "As for countering Voldemort, his one vulnerability..."
"One thing", Sirius spoke up, "his obsession over blood purity. That was the whole point: rally the pure blood families to dispossess those of mixed heritage".
"Even though Voldemort himself is, at best, a half-blood hypocrite", Lutra announced.
"How do you know that?", Malfoy asked, "can you prove it?"
"It's a matter of muggle record, and is beyond dispute: his father was Thomas Riddle – muggle. Any ancestral connection to Salazar Slytherin passed through his mother's side only".
"That's all well and good", Amelia said, "but how does that help?"
"We publicize his hypocrisy, and slow down his recruitment of followers", Lutra pointed out.
"The Daily Prophet would never…", Williamson started.
"The Quibbler would…", Dawlish said. "Xeno is always looking for a story, even if he is obsessed with his fanciful creatures, I don't think he could turn down..."
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!", Harry called out. "That would put Xeno at serious risk".
"Look, Potter, you are allowed at this table as a courtesy", Amelia said, "stay out of it!", she reprimanded.
"One minute…"
"OK, Harry, you have your minute", Lucius Lutra said.
"Luna's still going to Hogwarts, and will be at extreme risk. The muggles have what's called a 'vanity press'. Aspiring writers often pay a fee, up front, to have their writings published if no publisher will take a chance on them. They pay for a run of books. If we contracted with a vanity publisher, it would prevent any danger to Xeno and Luna".
"You're forgetting one thing", Dawlish said, "the Secrecy Statute".
"The muggles won't know a thing. If we did this right, they would think it's a work of pure fiction, like any other Sword 'n' Sorcery fantasy. Spread them around Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and those who know, will know to whom we're referring. No violation of the Secrecy Statute. Even if it were seen that way, they don't have to know who did it".
"Sounds good, but aren't you simply transferring the risk from your friend Luna to some muggle strangers?"
"They won't have to know if we change the name…", he paused to think.
"Order of the Otter", Susan Bones called out.
"OK, Potter, since you seem to know so much about it, you help us deal with the muggles", Williamson suggested.
"I can help out with illustrations", Sirius added. "I did the art work for the Map…"
"I draw pretty well", Susan added.
"We've heard the suggestions, and thank you, Harry, Susan", Lutra said, "what do you think?"
"It's brilliant", Malfoy said. "Low risk, but it really is a sharp poke in the eye for Voldemort, and a damn sight more than Fudge has given us – or Dumbledore, for that matter.
"Order of the Otter – apropos, and sticks it to Dumbledore and his do-nothing Order of the Phoenix".
"Then it's agreed: Order of the Otter, and we distribute rebuttal propaganda".
"I will get right on it", Malfoy said, "I was in the Dark Lord's inner circle and learned a thing or two about his past".
"I have already done research using the 'Net", Lutra announced. "Will contact the Grangers, as muggles, they can provide the help only muggles can. So it's decided, our propaganda campaign is shaping up".
There were no objections.
"As for the matter of Emmiline Vance?"
"We have our cadets working on the investigation", Williamson and Dawlish said. "We should have answers before too long".
"Excellent. I have news from Arthur", Lutra announced. "The Order of the Phoenix believes they are going to 'rescue' Harry from his muggle step-parents tonight".
"Day late and a Galleon short", Malfoy said. Even though it wasn't all that funny, there was some laughter around the table.
"What is even more significant", Lutra added, "is that it was Dumbledore's intention that Harry face the charges before the Wizengamot. This, I believe, to be a very bad move on his part, and makes absolutely no sense, given the facts of the case. That Fudge plans for what should be a minor matter that should be cleared up with a simple interview with Hopkirk to be presented to the full Wizengamot indicates his intentions to railroad Harry".
"Dumbledore still believes he can carry the day", Malfoy said. "As far as I'm concerned, this demonstrates just how out of touch with reality he is. He's not at the Ministry as frequently as I am; no one of any consequence will talk with him".
"Harry and I will be paying a visit to Harry's friends, the Grangers, Parkinsons, and the Lovegoods. They need to know as well. Voldemort will know who they are soon enough. He may be a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them. We can't rule out the possibility that Voldemort won't attempt to use them to get to Harry".
"If there is nothing else?", Lucius Lutra asked…
"Then I call this a productive meeting… the first of the Order of the Otter"
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
12 Grummauld Pl.
"Everyone clear on what we're supposed to do?", Mad Eye asked. He waited. "No questions? Then let's be off"
They were gathered in the back yard, broomsticks in hand. The night was a bit too clear to suit Moody, though the sliver of a setting Moon cast not enough light to give them away to curious eyes below.
"To 4 Privet Drive", they kicked off, Potter's Advance Guard.
Moody was in the lead, saying the incantation that would let them through the ward, allow them to land in the back yard. As they descended toward their objective, Tonks watched as Mad Eye collided with something unseen. He went flying in one direction, his broom in another. He landed in an adjacent backyard with a thud.
"PULL UP!", Tonks ordered, as they flew up and away to circle around to drop into the other back yard.
"Dammit!", they heard Moody call out. A dog was barking, but, so far, no indication they'd been seen. They heard the klaxon going off inside the still dark windows of the house on 4 Privet.
"What happened?", Tonks asked as she was at Moody's side. "You OK?"
"Just a bit shook up", as his eye was whirling as he pushed himself to his feet.
"What happened?", Remus asked, "I thought we could get through the wards?"
Kingsley had his wand out: "Expecto patronum", he sent a silver streak soaring over the roof tops, back towards Grimmauld Place. About a half minute later, a silver streak returned, resolving into a shimmering, shining, silvery phoenix.
"Albus", Shacklbolt said, "we have a problem. It doesn't look like Potter's here. We also can't get through the wards…"
"We ran into goblin wards", Moody added, "as formidable as any I've seen. Looks like a Gringott's job, why didn't you warn us?"
"I didn't have the goblins ward the Dursleys' place", Dumbledore said.
"Well, somebody sure did. We're stuck. Doesn't look like anyone's home. Potter must have gone with the rest of the family. He's not here", Remus added.
"Are you certain, Remus?"
"No lights in the window, no one's coming to see what set off the wards".
"Nothing more to do, then, come back to headquarters", the phoenix dissolved.
They arrived sooner than expected.
"Harry?", Molly asked.
"He wasn't there", Remus told her.
"Then where is he?", she asked.
"I don't know. Looks like he went to Tonks' bogus best lawn award ceremony. I will investigate and we'll bring him along later. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, and these things happen", Dumbledore reassured.
"Tell me about these wards around the Dursleys?", he asked of Mad Eye.
"Like I said: goblin wards, quite formidable, the best Gringott's has to offer".
"What can you tell us, Arthur?"
"A couple of summers back, Bill visited, said he was here for a warding job. He didn't say, and we didn't ask, Gringott's confidentiality agreement, you know. I suppose he was here to ward the Dursleys?"
"While I am gratified to know of the added security, what concerns me is how Harry found out?"
"He didn't hear it from us", Arthur agreed.
"I will see Arabella later tonight, ask her to invite the Dursleys over for a discussion, hopefully persuade them to allow Harry to come here, for his own protection".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Since only muggles could get through the wards, Arabella Figg presented herself at the door, soon after the Dursleys returned from church.
"May I help you?", Petunia answered the bell.
"Arabella Figg", she introduced herself.
"Harry visits you?", she knew who this was.
"Yes, he does, fine young man, spending time to keep an old lady company".
"Do come in", she invited.
"Mrs Figg", Vernon greeted her… "Dudley, say 'Hello' to Mrs Figg"
"Fine mornin' isn't it?", Dudley said.
"So what brings you here?", Vernon asked. "Missing a cat?"
"Oh no, all the kitties are fine. It's just that I would like to invite you over to meet someone".
"And who might that be, and why didn't your guest come with you?"
"There's a problem with that: he can't get past your wards…"
"You know about that?!"
"Like your wife, I am a squib. It's Albus Dumbledore: he wants a word…"
"I'll give him a word…"
"Vernon, Dear, it won't hurt to see what he has to say".
"I don't see what good it does… Harry's not going back to Hogwarts…"
"He wants to discuss Harry and his protection from Youknowwho".
They went farther down the cul-de-sac, to Number 11.
"Thank you for coming", Dumbledore greeted. "May I serve you a drink?"
As the Dursleys settled onto the sofa, Dumbledore took out his wand and conjured a cut crystal decanter, and crystal goblets for everyone. The decanter tipped, filing the goblets, which floated over to everyone.
"Madam Rosemerta's finest oak cask aged meade", he explained.
"Never had meade before", Dudley said before taking a sip. "It's good. What is it?"
"Honey wine", Dumbledore explained, "Madam Rosemerta makes it herself to serve in the Three Broomsticks".
"Harry wrote us about that place, main watering hole for Hogwarts students?", Petunia added.
"The very same", Dumbledore said. "Although I suspect Harry was breaking the rules if he knows the Three Broomsticks. Only third year students and up are allowed to visit Hogsmeade".
"OK, you got us here, now what do you want?", Vernon asked.
"I understand Harry isn't home?"
"We… don't know where he is", Petunia admitted.
"Has something happened?", Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, it sure has Dumbledore", Vernon began.
"Be nice, Dear", Petunia said.
"Harry was attacked by these dementors of yours, and no thanks to you or that lousy Ministry of yours, Harry came very close to a very bad end. While that may be your business, these dementors of yours also attacked Dudley, and he has no part in any of this. Even though we did our best to separate Harry from you, your Ministry, and your fucked up excuse for a school, you still endanger his life".
"I understand I haven't fully earned your trust…"
Vernon raised his glass: "Raise your glasses in salute to the greatest understatement of the century!", he said with heavy sarcasm.
"I am leading a secret society dedicated to opposing the return to power of Lord Voldemort. We have the resources, resources beyond your comprehension, to see that no harm comes to Harry. But, in order for us to protect him, we need to evacuate him to our headquarters".
"Resources like that Fletcher character who fled when Harry needed him the most? I am not reassured by that Dumbledore…"
"I am as dismayed over his conduct as you are. Mr. Fletcher has been a full member ever since the last war, and should have been as capable as any member…"
"Not much of a judge of character, are you?", Vernon complained.
"We have no idea where Harry is", Petunia said, "however, we know he is safe".
"If you don't know where he is, how can you be so sure?"
"Look, Dumbledore, WE. DON'T. KNOW. Even if I did, I sure wouldn't tell you. I wouldn't turn him over to you. This conversation is over… Tunie? Dudley?"
He finished off his meade: "Thanks for the drink. We'll be on our way"
"What now, Albus?", Arabella asked after they'd left.
"I… honestly don't know", Dumbledore said in resignation.
12 Grimmauld Pl.
The Weasley kids noticed a flurry of activity. People in and out, at all hours of the day and night. Yet another meeting they would not be allowed to attend.
"I went along with Dumbledore's being the leader of a renewed Order of the Phoenix, but I am questioning this decision. Albus, you have lost both the leadership of the International Conference, and been voted out of being Chief Warlock…", Mad Eye Moody was making his case against Albus.
"I will become concerned when I lose my Chocolate Frog card…", Dumbledore said.
"This is no joke, Albus, you lost us Potter! If he doesn't show tomorrow, he becomes a fugitive. I question your judgment, giving Mundungus Fletcher that much responsibility. We have no idea where Potter is, for all we know, Voldemort's grabbed him…"
"I believe we need to consider another possibility", Dumbledore said, "we are not alone in our opposition to Voldemort".
"Upon what do you base that assumption?"
"When I met with the Dursleys, I used a gentle application of Legilimancy. As Petunia is still Lily's sister, it is likely she inherited some magical abilities. Most squibs do, so I had to be very careful. Vernon and Dudley – likely Petunia as well – knew where Harry went, and with whom. They have had their memories modified, so all they remember is that Harry is in good hands. But since he isn't in our hands, or Voldemort's, then someone the Dursleys trust", Albus explained.
"Who?"
"They have Sirius Black, and of course, Harry Potter".
"If they have Harry, then they have Harry's friends, certainly Hermione Granger, and likely Pansy Parkinson", Remus added.
"The Malfoys are somehow involved…"
"You're as mad as he is! Arthur!", Moody raged. "There was no fiercer supporter than Malfoy! For Merlin's sake, Bellatrix is his sister-in-law…"
"I happen to know that Malfoy was instrumental in getting Sirius' case reopened", Arthur raised his voice to cut Mad Eye off. "Lucius lobbied Fudge himself; I heard him doing just that. It's all over the Ministry's rumour mill. He even made a sizable 'donation' to St Mungos, and it's an open secret that that involves kickbacks to Fudge himself…"
"Potter is friendly with Draco…", Moody objected.
"Then he was investigated by the Wizengamot, and he does not have Voldemort's Dark Mark…"
"And Death Eaters persisted in naming him…"
"And, you, Alistair", Snape drawled, "pointed out that some spots never come out. Have you changed your mind?"
"Why is it so hard to believe that the Malfoys have left the Dark Side?", Arthur said.
"Good Merlin man! You were there! You saw! Even if we accept Malfoy's persistent claims he was under the Imperious, the Imperious doesn't prevent your knowing everything you did! If he's with the Light, then why in the HELL hasn't he come forward?! He can't be held responsible for anything he did under the Imperious, so no risk to him for telling us everything he did! Instead, he's spent ten years denying he did anything! I wouldn't put it past him from pretending to be on Potter's side to take him straight to his Dark Lord! Getting his godfather's case reopened would fit right in! Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater!"
"Let us set aside that question for now", Dumbledore suggested, "but let us keep our minds open to the possibility. Who else might they have?"
"I'd guess Amelia Bones", Tonks suggested. "Neither she, nor her niece have been seen since the attack at Bones Manor".
"It's well known many of Voldemort's victims disappeared without a trace", Moody pointed out.
"It's a possibility", she reminded, "but Amelia Bones wouldn't go down that easily, especially not when Susan is concerned".
"No, no she wouldn't", Moody conceded. "If these people are going underground, then how do we contact them? Wouldn't it make sense for us to join forces?"
"Indeed, it would", Dumbledore agreed.
London: Ministry of Magic
Arthur's office was up on the second floor, to reach it, he walked through heavy oak doors into an open area divided into cubicles. Above one, was a sign: Auror Headquarters. Memos shot between cubicles like miniature rockets. The walls of the aurors' cubicles were covered with wanted posters, and some, with posters of favorite Quiddich teams.
Kingsley Shacklebolt called out: "Mornin' Weasley, got a sec?"
"If it really is a second".
Sirius Black's face smiled down from nearly every poster covering the walls of his cubical. Newspaper clippings and old photographs, even the one of Sirius as best man at the Potters' wedding. The only thing not Sirius pictures was a world map with red pins stuck in it.
"I'll be needing a report of every sighting of flying muggle vehicles during the last twelve months", he explained, "we have reason to believe Black's using his old motorcycle"
He said as he handed over a thick stack of reports.
They spoke as if they barely knew each other, just passing acquaintances.
"You'll have to wait a bit", Arthur explained, "prior commitments, you understand"
"Well, don't take too long. That delay on the firelegs report held up an investigation for a month".
"If you'd actually read the report, you would know the term is 'firearms'", Kingsley, like all too many magi, were absolutely clueless about any and all muggle technologies. If he couldn't even get that right, it was no wonder his office was always several dozen steps behind the technomages. Just another sign of just how incompetent the Ministry actually was. No one suspected that Arthur was damn near a technomage himself.
"Molly's making meatballs for tonight, if you can get away by 7:00", he said in a very low voice.
"Don't keep us waiting too long, Weasley", Kingsley reprimanded.
"Where's Potter?", Kingsley whispered back.
"Not comin'"
"I'll have it ready by this evening, just a matter of regurgitating toilets to clear up, shouldn't take too long".
"See you tonight".
Arthur proceeded out by a different set of oak doors, into a rather dim, shabby corridor that was a dead end. Off to the left, a broom closet, and to the right, a door with a tarnished brass sign: Misuse of Muggle Artifacts.
The office wasn't much larger than the closet. Barely room for two desks shoved together, and barely enough room to maneuver between the desks and filing cabinets that overflowed, folders piled on top of the cabinets. He was early, and settled behind his desk, a photo of his family next to the inbox. Percy was hiding behind the frame, he saw. Even the damn photographs kept reminding of the schism within the family.
An old, stooped wizard with white hair came panting in:
"Oh Arthur!", he said. "I didn't know what was for the best, come here or not…", he paused to catch his breathe. "Urgent message…"
"I know about the regurgitating toilet…"
"It's not that. I sent an owl, but obviously you missed it. The Potter boy's hearing has been rescheduled for 8:00, in old Courttoom Ten"
"For the love of Merlin! That was five minutes ago! Cover for me".
That meant a trip to the lowest level the lifts served, then down a flight of stairs. That meant two things: the "minor" matter of a hearing would be a full dress trial before the whole Wizemgamot, and that they were deliberately trying to make Potter late to create a bad impression.
Arthur stood just outside, swallowed hard, took a deep breathe and turned the large iron handle.
A cold male voice called out: "You're…", before realizing it wasn't who they were expecting.
"Forgive me, Mr. Minister…"
"Who're you?"
"Arthur… Arthur Weasley, Sir".
"Why are you here? Where's Potter?"
"That's what I came to tell you, he's not coming".
"Not coming?", said a strange woman seated to Fudge's right. "Whatever do you mean, not coming?", in a faux pleasant voice.
"Harry Potter disappeared without a trace a week ago", Arthur explained.
"I see", Fudge said. "Thank you for not letting us waste even more time, Arthur. I'm issuing a bench warrant for the apprehension of Harry Potter", he declared. "The Wizengamot is adjourned".
Dumbledore was there as the rest of the Wizengamot filed out, grumbling about their wasted time.
"No good", Arthur explained, "Harry didn't show. He's done a runner".
"I was afraid of that, Arthur. This just hands Fudge more provocation to discredit Harry and by extension, the Order. I could have cleared up this matter".
"That's assuming Fudge would let you".
"It was a chance well worth taking, Arthur. This makes our job all that much more difficult. Fudge has been discrediting Harry all summer. I fear this plays right into his hands"
"I wonder what they're saying", Arthur pointed out Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius having a quite conversation.
The next day, the Daily Prophet told all about it
Harry Potter: Fugitive from Justice
Harry Potter failed to appear for a disciplinary hearing before the Wizengamot to answer charges of performing underage sorcery in a muggle area, and in the presence of a muggle: his step-brother: Dudley Dursley.
Malfalda Hopkirk: "My office extended Potter the courtesy of not immediately confiscating his wand at the behest of Albus Dumbledore, who assured me personally that Mr. Potter was innocent on the basis of self defense. He further assured that Mr. Potter would attend his hearing. I feel as though I was played for a fool, and regret very much that we didn't follow protocol and confiscate his wand that very evening".
Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic: "Potter, once again, demonstrates his belief that rules and laws do not apply to the Boy Who Lived. It is unfortunate that his former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore chose to indulge the boy by overlooking numerous violations of Hogwarts Code of Student Conduct. If he had disciplined the boy as he should have, we could have avoided this situation.
"Undoubtedly, Potter was showing off for his brother, demonstrating that he could cast the Patronus Charm. As you well know, this is advanced magic beyond a third year student. It would seem he could not resist the urge to show off. This he did, despite knowing that performing magic outside of school is prohibited. Undoubtedly, Potter did not take seriously his summons to appear before the Wizengamot, that he could openly demonstrate his contempt for the law without consequence. Perhaps he believes he can join his godfather, the escapee from Azkaban as a fugitive. I can assure the public, these two can run, but they can not hide forever. We will catch them, and when we do, Mr. Potter is in for a rude awakening".
We here at the Daily Prophet regret that the fame of being the Boy Who Lived has gone so far to his head. We encourage Mr. Potter to turn himself in before he makes this any more difficult for himself. We hope that whatever the consequences, they are a wake-up call.
Owlery Holt
Harry was accosted by a bushy-haired missile that nearly took him off his feet. "Harry!", as he was in a rib cracking embrace.
"Thank you for coming", Lucius said to Ted and Marilyn Granger.
"Hermione!", Harry said, "Been too long, never thought I'd see you again".
"Weird boarding schools, Dark Lords and talking otters", Ted began, "why am I not surprised anymore? Are you sure, I mean, is Hermione in any danger?"
"Not any more", Lucius reassured. "We can use your help".
"How? We're not magical, what can we do?"
"A lot, actually, if you'll permit me to explain", Lucius pulled out some papers. "This is an article I pulled from news archives. The story concerns the closing of Wool's Orphanage. There's even a picture of the place here.
"I have also recovered some names of people who'd been through, and I would very much appreciate if you could interview them, ask them of their memories of one of their companions, a Thomas Marvolo Riddle. The more accurate we can make our story, the better.
"I am also preparing emergency portkeys that all of you can use in case you need to make a quick get-away, they'll transport you straight here. We will do our best to keep your names out of it, but I'm not one to assume anything".
"Is this Voldemort character that bad?"
"I'm afraid he is".
"Then why didn't we hear anything?"
"You weren't suppose to, at least not the real reasons behind the attacks, the weird murders, the freak accidents. We do not want anything like this happening again".
Susan and Sirius were busy with illustrations: an accurate rendering of the old Wool's Orphanage. Hermione got busy with editing the text.
Over the next few says, Ted and Marilyn contacted some of the names they'd been given. Bill Stubbs agreed to discuss:
"Haven't thought about Wool's in years", he said, "I guess they're not in business anymore? Haven't gotten a begging letter in years. So what did you want to know?"
"About Tom Riddle, he was there when you were".
"I remember him, how could I forget? I figured he'd be doing life by now, nasty piece of work".
"How do you mean?", Ted asked.
"I had an argument with him over something – I don't remember – anyway, two days later he killed my pet rabbit. We found him hanging by the neck from a high rafter. Of course, no one could figure how he got up there without flying, but he did it. Just because Mrs. Cole couldn't figure it out doesn't mean he didn't do it. He was always pulling stunts like that, but no one could ever prove anything, but we all knew.
"Then there was the picnic. Wool's didn't have a lot of money, you understand, but Mrs. Cole, bless her, she did her best to make things nice. We had this seaside picnic, so we could get out, see the sea for the first time. Of course, Riddle ruined it, just like he always did".
"What did he do?"
"We were all supposed to stay together, not go wandering off. Riddle convinced a couple of kids… let's see… an Amy… Something, can't remember her last name, anyway, he talked them into 'exploring'. They found this cave, it was low tide, and I doubt they would have seen it otherwise. She said something happened in that cave".
"She say what?"
"She could never bring herself to say, but she was never the same since. Once again, Riddle got away with it because the other two kids would never say what happened. No evidence, so he never got punished for it. He never did. I think even Mrs. Cole was afraid of him".
"So I guess he wasn't too popular".
"That's an understatement, born criminal, Tom Riddle was. When he was about ten… maybe eleven… he got some sort of scholarship. Believe me, no one was sorry to see him go… though I pity the kids who went to this special school they took him to. Hope it was a reform school, or a psychiatric facility. Figured he'd grow up and probably kill someone… he was that type, always thinking he was better than anyone else, that rules were for everyone but him".
"Thanks for your time".
"Say, what did become of Riddle?"
"You don't want to know".
"That bad, huh?"
"That bad".
The "Amy" Mr. Stubbs mentioned was Amy Benson now.
"What's your interest in Wool's? They closed down back in the sixties".
"One of my geology students is Tom Riddle's son…"
"He got married? He has a son?"
"Does that surprise you?"
"You bet it does. He was so irresponsible and horrible to everyone. So what's this about?"
"Teddy Riddle mentioned a cave his father had discovered during an outing. We're looking to map it".
"If you have a map…"
Marilyn produced one just for this occasion.
"Here", she marked the location.
"Are you sure?"
"I'll never forget that cave. It's visible only at low tide, so you need to be careful going in there".
"What was it like?"
"Dark, dank, we did see this vast underground lake. You couldn't see the other side. Couldn't tell how deep, it could have been inches or a hundred feet, you couldn't tell. I'd forget it, stay well away. You don't want to go down there".
"I see. Thank you for your time".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
12 Grimmauld Pl.
The summer break was winding down fast, the Express would leave day after tomorrow, Molly off to Diagon Alley to buy the kids' books. Fortunately, this year, they required just two: The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 by Miranda Goshawk, and Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard – someone they'd never heard of before.
"Guess this means Dumbledore finally found a new DADA prof", George said.
"Heard Mum and Dad a few weeks ago over the Extensible Ears", Fred explained, "they were saying Dumbledore was having difficulty finding anyone willing to teach it this year".
"How do you mean?", Ginny asked.
"Not too hard to figure", Ron told his sister, "one dead, one sacked for gross incompetence, and the last attacked, impersonated, and locked in his trunk". He counted them off on his fingers.
"Oh?", she said. "Hope whoever it is, is better than Lockhart…"
"And doesn't have Youknowwho's face sticking out the back of his head…"
"Or lets little girls get the drop on him", Fred reminded.
"Moody was pretty good", Ron said.
"Good… and strange. Who else but someone named 'Mad Eye' would put his students under the Imperious so's we'd know how it felt", George said.
"At least it wasn't the Avada Kadavra", Fred reminded.
"Or the Cruciatus", George added.
"That too… oh, by the way, we haven't shown you what Mundungus brought us".
Fred pulled out of his pocket what looked like shriveled, dried-up, old black seed pods. There was a faint rattling noise coming from them, though they weren't moving. Venomous Tentacula seeds. We need 'em for the Skiving Snack Boxes", he began…
"But they're a Class C Non-tradable Substance, so we've been having a hard time getting them".
"Isn't that illegal", Ginny asked.
"Why we needed 'Dung, he's good at that sort of thing…", Fred was explaining.
"...Wanted 20 Galleons, but we talked him down to 10", George said. "Insisted on not a Knewt less…"
"Pointing out Mad Eye could see through pockets convinced him", Fred finished that thought.
"If Mother finds out…", Ginny didn't need to explain farther. "So what are Skiving Snack Boxes?"
"New line for the shop. Each an assortment of 'treats' (finger quotes) if you want out of class. Just eat one end, and you'll get sick enough to be excused from class. We have Puking Pustules, Nosebleed Nougats, and Feinting Fizzies. Once out the door, the opposite end is an antidote so you're feeling as good as new. Free hour to do what you like!"
"Hell'd you get ten Galleons?", Ron asked.
"Never you mind, little brother", Fred said.
"We have an investor", George said…
"Oh c'mon! I saw that! I think we can trust him. If you can't trust family, who can you trust?"
"So who is it?", Ron asked.
"He wants to remain anonymous – a silent partner", George explained.
After a supper of fried chicken, the kids were sent to their rooms, the adults to the drawing room, as more were arriving.
"I said we were not alone", Dumbledore started the latest meeting of the Order of the Phoenix, "and now, we have confirmation".
Molly handed out something, a booklet of some sort. It was she who first saw them at Flourish and Blotts when she went to pick up this year's required texts. They were in a newsrack with a sign: "Free! Take One!" The proprietor couldn't say who brought them, just that they were there, waiting, when he opened the shop. The rack magically replenished itself.
"These have been turning up in Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, Godric's Hollow, Ottery St Catchpole, Tinsworth… any where magi might be found", Lupin was explaining.
They looked at the cover: A Tale of Two Toms. Inside, were drawings that did not move, but the first depicted some place called "Wool's Orphanage". More illustrations of a rabbit hanging from a rafter, children at the entrance to a foreboding seaside cave below the cliffs. Descriptions of a very bad boy who talked to snakes. An older man looking a lot like a younger Dumbledore who was sitting with a child in an institutional room. Scenes of the boy at a magical school that was a castle, waving a wand, doing magick.
More depictions of the House on the Hill that was obviously the Riddle home in Little Hangleton. This Tom, Tom the Muggle, a dandy riding in a fox hunt, and doing other muggle things. A wedding between the wealthy muggle and a poor young lady in stereotypical witch's attire. The woman, abandoned at an orphanage.
Later, a charismatic figure railing, threatening, mudbloods and muggle-born, though he was actually a half-blood. He was referred to as "Tom the Hypocrite". There was a picture of a cottage with half the upper story blown off and a rat with a wand in his teeth fleeing the scene. A description of how Tom the Hypocrite tried to murder an innocent child.
Most of the artwork was cartoony, like illustrations for the picture books given to muggle children.
"Who made this?", Dedalus Diggle asked.
"It's right there on the inside cover: 'Courtesy of the Order of the Otter'. This was printed by muggles", Arthur pointed out. "Or they are using a muggle printing press, which would account for the still pictures".
"Who the HELL is the Order of the Otter?! Where did they get this information?", Moody called out.
"Is there anything to this?", Sturgis Podmore asked.
"I do not know any more than you do", Dumbledore confessed, "I don't know who they could be, but I can assure you, it's quite accurate. I well remember meeting Tom Riddle in Wool's when I invited him to Hogwarts. I heard the story of the rabbit from Mrs. Cole herself".
"HOW do they know?! WHOARETHEY?!", Moody called out.
"Some of this artwork, looks like Sirius'", Lupin said. "He did the artwork for the Marauder's Map…"
"So that's what it's called?", Moody said. "I took a map from Potter that shows everyone in Hogwarts".
"That's it, I gave it to him during his first year. You open it with the spell: 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good' and close it with: 'Mischief managed'. Sirius drew it.
"If they have Sirius, then they have Potter", Lupin explained.
"That's assuming it is Sirius", Tonks pointed out.
"I'm pretty sure it is. Where ever he is, you can be sure Harry's there too, and he's all right".
"I hope you're right", Elphias Doge said.
Moody stood as he slammed his copy of A Tale of Two Toms on the table top: "Ever since Potter left that maze, we have been holding meetings and dithering, while this Order of the Otter has been doing something! We should have done this!"
"Then we should find out who they are, contact them, and join forces", someone called out.
"Riiiiight", Moody replied sarcastically, "they've been two steps ahead of us the whole way. How, exactly, do you propose to do that?"
"One thing's for certain, when Youknowwho sees this, he's gonna be pist", Tonks said.
