Chapter 2
They apparated to the Order of the Phoenix headquarters with a loud crack. Looking at the address, it was number 12 on a street called Grimmauld Place, squeezed tightly between numbers 11 and 13. It left Wood wondering whether ordinary Muggles knew this place even existed.
"Dumbledore is secret keeper of the house," explained Tonks quietly as they approached the house. "Sirius offered it to him as headquarters."
"This was his parents' house?" inquired Oliver softly, noticing that Sirius had turned back into his black, shaggy dog form of "Snuffles."
"Yes," said David with a sigh as they led the way up the stairs. Once inside, Sirius shifted back to human form as they moved along the crammed, dark hallways. But as Oliver looked above him towards the stairwell, he saw a flurry of caramel-colored hair rushing towards him as Katie Bell launched herself at him.
Oliver just held her tightly, breathing in her familiar scent. She smelled like lilacs. But he refrained from kissing her. With her dad standing right there, he knew better than that.
"Ollie," whispered Katie, her fingers gripping at his hair as his arms stayed tightly around her waist.
"I'm here, love," he mumbled to her, before pulling away and placing a kiss against her forehead.
"Oliver," she said, "we just heard about . . ."
Oliver nodded. "I know," he said. "Sirius just sent Harry an owl, telling him to stay where he's at. We'll find a way to get him here."
Katie nodded. "Whatever happens in the meeting, tell me, please."
Oliver wished with all his heart that he would be able to tell her. But, he didn't know what he could and could not say. And he was certain Dumbledore would insist that he keep the Order meetings a secret from his friends. But Katie gave him that blazing look, her eyes holding sheer determination. When she wanted something, she was determined. And it pained Oliver to deny her this.
"Katie, you know we can't say anything. You're still underage," David told his daughter sternly.
"But Daddy –" Katie protested.
"In this case, I agree with your dad," Oliver told her.
"But my family's involved in this, and my boyfriend is now, too! I have a right to know!" Katie insisted.
"Katie, go upstairs to your room," insisted David. "Bring Oliver's trunk upstairs, will you? He'll be staying with you, Angelina, Fred, George, and Alicia; we'll call you down for dinner once the meeting's finished."
Katie was about to protest again, but Oliver silence her by pressing his fingers to her lips.
"Listen to your dad, Katie," he whispered huskily. "I'll find out what I can and cannot say, and I'll tell you what little I can."
Katie groaned softly, but she took Oliver's trunk from him and began heaving it up the stairs, only for Angelina, who was at the top of the steps, to assist her with "Wingardian Leviosa." His trunk floated upward as Angelina flashed Wood a smile, her dark eyes twinkling slightly. Katie went up the stairs quickly and quietly.
Once ensured Katie was upstairs with Angelina and Alicia to keep her company, he followed the members of the Order into the basement kitchen, where others were sat around the table. He saw Mad-Eye Moody seated at the head of the table, along with McGonagall, Severus Snape, and a few other members he didn't know. But as soon as he sat down, he noticed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley already seated. But Dumbledore was also seated, looking beyond infuriated. There was no twinkle in his eye. His face remained steely with rage as he looked around the room. Oliver took his seat near Tonks, Lupin, and Sirius, but before he even sat down, Dumbledore began speaking.
"As you all know by now, Harry got attacked by two dementors that were in Little Whinging," he said, his voice calm, deadly calm. "The Ministry for Magic has sent an owl to his house, telling him he's hereby expelled for breaking the Decree for Underage Sorcery."
"But he wasn't doing the Patronus charm for no reason at all! It was self-defense!" said a dark-skinned wizard seated near Arthur.
"We know that, Kingsley," said Lupin in a calm voice. "But you also know as well as the rest of us that Ministry has been determined to paint Harry as unstable."
"Well, where the bloody hell was Mudungus?" demanded Arthur Weasley. "Where was he at?"
"Selling nicked cauldrons," said Bill, shaking his head.
"And he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the boy!" McGonagall looked infuriated, tight-lipped.
"We only keep him around because he may be a thief, but at least he knows the ins and outs," said Lupin.
"But who do ye think would send those dementors after the kid?" Oliver demanded. "The Ministry keeps tight hold on 'em."
"That's exactly what we're worried about. If someone on the inside of the Ministry sent those dementors after Harry to intentionally expel him, they managed to be quiet about it," said Bill.
"I managed to arrange a hearing," Dumbledore said.
"But who's to say he'll get off fair?" inquired Molly Weasley.
"We don't know," said David, shaking his head. "Fudge is so paranoid he thinks –"
"I'm going after his job," Dumbledore finished.
"That's insane, Professor," Oliver said. "If I reckon correctly ye turned that job down three times. And I also reckon Fudge wasn't even second choice for Minister. He was the third choice. And this shows it. The man's incompetent."
"He's shown his own incompetence many times over the years," Sirius said. "But Fudge isn't thinking clearly. He's being driven by fear, madness."
"With Voldemort back at large, he's in denial," said Lupin.
"But what about thing you're supposed to be guarding?" asked Oliver. "Why's it so important? Does it have something to do with Harry?"
"It does," said Snape softly. But before Snape could continue, they heard a loud thump and a soft curse, which led to Molly whipping her head in the direction of the door.
"FRED! GEORGE!" she screamed. "GO BACK UPSTAIRS! JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC OUT OF SCHOOL IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN USE THOSE EXTENDABLE EARS TO LISTEN IN!"
"Told you she'd catch us, you bloody git!" Oliver heard George hissing to Fred. It followed by a loud smack and a groan of pain, followed by more quiet cussing.
"By Merlin's beard! Both of ye get outta 'ere!" Oliver yelled to them, glaring in the direction of the door. If there was one person Fred and George feared more than their mother, it was him. He'd been their captain for four years. He heard the Weasley twins racing back up the stairs, followed by more quiet cursing and shoving. He watched as Molly placed a silencing charm on the door, along with an imperturbable charm to prevent anything from getting through. Turning back to the others, he looked imploringly at Dumbledore.
"Professor," he said, "what's this thing ye're guarding in the Department of Mysteries?"
"It's a prophecy that was made many years prior," said Dumbledore gravely. "It easily could've been about Neville Longbottom, but rather, it's about Harry. Because Voldemort made sure of that when he murdered Harry's parents."
"But what does the prophecy say, exactly?" asked Tonks, her hands fisted on the table.
"It was about a boy born specifically towards the end of July, and that his parents had defied Voldemort thrice," Dumbledore said. "Both the Longbottoms and the Potters did exactly that. But the Potters, Voldemort selected them because he saw Harry as his equal – both being half-bloods. That's all there is."
"And he marked Harry as his equal; he made it so the kid can talk to snakes," said Oliver.
"Exactly," said Lupin. "That's why the Potters went into hiding and why they needed a secret keeper to the house in Gorick's Hollow."
"But are we going to tell him eventually?" Oliver demanded.
"Potter isn't ready to know yet," Snape said coolly.
"He's fifteen! He's seen more than most," Sirius said.
"All the more reason to not let him know yet, Sirius. He's been dealing with quite enough!" Molly insisted.
"And how are we helping him by keeping him in the dark?" demanded Sirius.
"Perhaps we'll tell him and he'll grow up to become a convicted felon like his godfather," Snape sneered.
Sirius seemed to flare with anger at this. "You stay out of my relationship with my godson, Snivellus," he hissed.
"But he has a point," Tonks said.
"Of course, you'd take his side," Snape said coolly.
"Harry's not going to be happy knowing he doesn't know anything," Oliver said. "I know him. When he isn't told anything that's important he doesn't take kindly to that."
"He cannot know yet. Once he knows, Voldemort will use that to his full advantage," Dumbledore said. "The next people guarding the prophecy are Kingsley and Arthur."
"But what about Potter?" McGonagall asked. "Who's bringing him back to headquarters, and when?"
"A few nights from now," said Moody. "Tonks, Lupin, Kingsley, Emmeline, Elphias, Dedalus, Hestia, and Sturgis will be with me. David, you too."
David nodded. But everyone winced as Mad-Eye popped his magical eye out of his head and dropped it in a glass of water.
"Mad-Eye that's disgusting!" Tonks complained.
"It hasn't been the same since that imposter took my eye," Mad-Eye growled, popping his magical eye back into his head. It spun around madly.
Turning to Dumbledore, Oliver said, "So, where am I in all this? I can't do much from where I stand currently."
"Which is why that's already been taken care of, Wood," said McGonagall. "Albus and I handled the formalities while you were being recruited. You'll be taking the season off from Puddlemere United, and Madam Hooch will be taking a leave of absence. Therefore, you'll be teaching flying classes in her place, and refereeing the Quidditch matches."
Oliver felt shock settling in. He'd never considered teaching; playing professional Quidditch was always part of his plan. His granddad had played professionally for Scotland, therefor, he'd set that his entire life after Hogwarts would be centered around the sport. When he got placed on Puddlemere United's reserve team for Keeper, he'd landed his dream career. But knowing he'd be giving it up for a year, he didn't quite know how to process it.
On the other hand, it would allow him to focus on what he loved. But, that also meant he wouldn't be able to continue his relationship with Katie. Not only would people see it as him playing favorites, but it would look bad, a teacher dating a Hogwarts student, even though he'd only be teaching first-years.
Looking over at David, Katie's father just nodded softly in understanding.
"Katie's not going to be happy 'bout that," sighed Wood, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But she also understands that this is your responsibility now," said David. "Besides, it's only for a year."
"For Katie it'll feel like twenty," Oliver mumbled. "But why do ye need me in the school, Professor? Don't ye have plenty of teachers from Hogwarts in the Order already?"
"Yes, but the more the better, Wood," said McGonagall. "That, and I trust you'll be able to keep watch on Potter, and make sure he keeps his head low."
Oliver nodded. He understood why, now. If there was anyone who could help keep Harry in line during a time like this, it was him. Because Oliver was capable of having control over the whole team, Harry especially. He was one of the few whom Harry listened to; he was stern and direct, yet encouraging when Harry needed it.
"The Advanced Guard will leave for Privet Drive in three days from now," Dumbledore decided. "Until then, be on guard. Wood, you may head upstairs and be with your friends."
"But what can I or cannot say?" Wood inquired.
Dumbledore gave him a steely glance. "Just tell them Harry will be arriving any day now. But don't say anything about what we're guarding."
"What about Fred, George, Angelina, and Alicia?" Wood asked. "They are legally adults."
"Not yet," said Lupin, shaking his head.
Oliver sighed. He hated needing to hide things from his friends and his girlfriend, but he also understood it came with the job. Rising from his seat, he proceeded to make his way out of the room and up the stairs of the House of Black. Trudging the stairs, he opened the door to Katie's room, which they'd be sharing with Angelina, Alicia, and Katie's brothers. Upon entering, Katie walked over and hugged him tightly.
"How'd it go?" she whispered against his shoulder.
"I can't say much. Just know your dad, Mad-Eye and Lupin will be going to Harry's aunt and uncle's home to pick him up," Wood told her gently. "And Dumbledore's arranged a hearing. He's not expelled yet."
Katie nodded, pulling away from him and grabbing his hand, showing him where his sleeping bag was. She'd placed it right by the window bench, where she was sleeping.
"Home sweet home," she mumbled as she leaned her head against Wood's shoulder.
"Yeah," Oliver said around a sigh, tangling his fingers in her hair. "So, what've ye been doing here?"
"It's not that exciting," said Angelina from where she and Alicia sat on their bed. "Mostly, Mrs. Weasley has been putting us on cleaning duties. There's been stuff breeding in this house for years. We managed to clear out some of the bedrooms and the kitchen. At this point, it's livable."
Oliver nodded in understanding.
"So, what's your post as Order member?" asked Campbell from where he sat on his own sleeping bag.
"Dumbledore's posting me at Hogwarts. I'm taking over for Madam Hooch as referee and flying instructor," Oliver said.
Katie's eyes widened. "But, that means . . .!"
"I know. We can't date during the school year. I don't like it. But I'll go where Dumbledore needs me. That means when it comes to the teams, I cannot play favorites," he said.
"But you will still hope we win the Cup, right?" inquired Angelina with a raised eyebrow.
Oliver nodded. "Of course. D'ye think I want to see Slytherin take the Cup again? I still remember the look on Flint's face when Harry won us the Cup two years ago."
"Tell me about it," laughed Alicia as Fred and George came into the room, only for Wood to glower at them.
"Ye two shouldn't have done that," he told them sternly.
"Can you blame us for wanting to know?" Fred asked. "Harry'll be so mad if we know something, and he doesn't."
"It's bad enough nobody can write to him and tell him anything important. The only thing we could do was send him his birthday presents and ask him if he was okay, but he couldn't write back to us," Alicia said, guiltily.
She remembered the box of peppermint toads, along with the homemade birthday cake that she, Katie, and Alicia had baked for Harry, accompanied by his birthday card and some of Fred and George's homemade Nosebleed Nougats (from their assortment of merchandise for the Skiving Snack Boxes). They figured if Harry was stuck at home, unable to do anything except his homework in secret (because he once told them the Dursleys locked away his school stuff at the start of every summer), that they should at least try making it up to him by giving him something to look forward to on his birthday.
Oliver nodded in agreement, sadly, having sent Harry a book titled Quidditch Teams of Poland, Romania, and Czech-Slovakia (knowing he already had Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland)along with a bottle of pumpkin juice and a box of Pumpkin Pasties. He figured Harry could use some light reading to occupy his time, along with the treats, because according to Fred and George, Harry's aunt and uncle never gave him anything for his birthday. And with the awful start to the summer Harry had, witnessing Diggory's murder, Wood figured the least he could do was give Harry a birthday gift.
"I know," he said. "But even I didn't know much of anything, until now. And I hate lying to him. All I knew was what the Prophet's been saying 'bout him, and I was sure he didn't want to hear that rubbish from me, especially in his birthday card."
"You're right," agreed George, sounding surprisingly empathetic. "He didn't take it well when Fudge called him a liar a few months ago."
"We all know Cedric was murdered. He didn't just drop dead," Katie said, a hint of anger in her voice. "The facts are right in front of him, and he can't see it!"
"Because his mind is being twisted and warped by fear. Fear makes people think irrationally," pointed out Patrick; Wood recalled he was something called a psychology major in what Muggles called college?
"Yeah, but at some point, he needs to pull his head out of his arse and realize he can't go blaming everyone else," Campbell said. "He's bloody incompetent! He's a liability to the non-wizarding world as well! God forbid this Voldemort guy kills someone! Then what's he gonna say? That Sirius Black did it? Because that seems to be his answer for everything."
"Campbell!" Katie said.
"Katie, I'm not trying to be bloody brave saying the bloke's name," Campbell retorted. "But you've got to realize that he wants everyone afraid, too afraid, to face him."
"And what could you do against him?" Katie asked around a raised eyebrow.
"Mum taught me how to use a gun for a reason, sis," Campbell said.
"Like Muggle weapons'll do anything against You Know Who," scoffed Angelina.
"But it's all I've got," Campbell said. "And I intend to use all I have. If only David'll let us help!"
"And risk getting yourself killed? Bloody brilliant, Campbell," Katie said, shaking her head.
"Give us some credit here, sis," Patrick said in exasperation. "The wizarding world isn't the only one affected here. It's about everyone."
Wood nodded along in agreement. He understood where Katie's brothers were coming from. And while he admired their courage, he also agreed with his girlfriend.
"Dinner'll be ready any moment," said Angelina. "We should head downstairs. Just keep your voices down. Or else Sirius's mother's portrait will awaken again."
"'Mudbloods! Filthy halfbreeds! Blood traitors!'" screeched George in a high-pitched voice, which got Angelina and Alicia giggling fiercely. But while the others headed to dinner down in the kitchen, Wood and Katie stayed behind.
Katie locked eyes with Wood, her brown eyes meeting his hazel ones. She leaned her forehead against his.
"I know why you need to do it," she mumbled. "I just . . . I wish we spent more time together, just us, before you got the job."
"I know, love." Wood gently stroked her cheek. "But once this year is over, we'll be able to be back together. Besides, I think the flying instructor dating the star Chaser would be rather unprofessional."
"Good to know, Mister Wood," grinned Katy, grabbing Oliver's hand and leading him out of their room, but not before stealing a kiss from him, knowing that these next few weeks would be the last she'd get to spend with him.
But they were soon interrupted by Hedwig, Harry's owl, flying towards the window. Katie went and opened it, only for Hedwig to screech indignantly. She had a dead frog clamped in her beak; she'd been out hunting. There were also three rolls of parchment tied to her leg; letters for Sirius, Hermione, and Ron.
"Hey gorgeous," Katie said as Hedwig swallowed down the dead frog. But before she could even extend a hand out, Hedwig pecked her finger so hard, blood was drawn.
"Hey, no need to get surly with me!" Katie said indignantly to Harry's owl, attempting to reach forward to stroke her gorgeous white feathers once more, only to receive another peck.
"Ron, Hermione, Sirius!" she called to them, and the three climbed the stairs and entered the bedroom, only for Hedwig to soar through them, pecking harshly at their fingers. She even bit hard on Sirius's ear.
"That bloody bird," groaned Ron, taking the parchment from Hedwig which was addressed to him.
Hermione, who was already reading the letter said, "Harry wants answers."
"Well, we can't give them to him yet," Oliver said regretfully, only for Hedwig to fly forward and claw at his eye and cheek with her talons. A little blood spilled from the scratches over his eye and cheek. "Hey, don't take it out on me!" he said to her sternly. "I just bloody got 'ere!"
Hedwig hooted indignantly.
"Harry must've ordered her to peck us to death until we answer," Ron said.
"How'd you figure?" asked Katie.
"Hedwig listens to him," explained Hermione. "She's unswervingly loyal and will do anything Harry tells her to do."
Hedwig let out another screech in reply, nipping at Oliver's fingers harshly.
"Stop it, you ruddy bird!" he ordered.
"She won't leave until Harry gets what he wants," sighed Sirius.
"That won't be for another few days," Oliver said, only for Hedwig to nip harshly at Katy's ear, causing blood to spill.
"If I wanted a free piercing, I'd have let you know, Hedwig," Katie said with a shake of her head.
Hedwig screeched at her in anger, her wide amber eyes demanding as she moved to peck at Sirius fiercely.
Over on Number 4, Privet Drive, Harry James Potter lay on his bed, not finding any motivation to move any time soon. He recalled the letters he got from the flock of owls. The first one said he'd been expelled from Hogwarts. The second said that Dumbledore was scheduling him a hearing; that had come from Mr. Weasley. The third came from Sirius, telling him to stay where he was at. And the last one had been a howler, yelling at his Aunt Petunia reminding her that he needed to stay there.
Staring up at his bedroom ceiling, Harry couldn't bring himself to fall asleep. The nightmares of Cedric's murder remained permeated in his memory. Reaching over to his bedside table, he grabbed the copy of Quidditch Teams of Poland, Romania and Czech-Slovakia. Inside it was still the piece of parchment written to him by his old Quidditch captain.
He'd been surprised to receive it; Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnett and Angelina Johnson had never before sent him anything for his birthday. But their gifts did lift his spirits. Although he couldn't write back to them, at least their cards for his birthday weren't cryptic like Ron's or Hermione's had been.
Pulling Wood's birthday letter out, he read it again:
Harry,
Happy birthday.
I hope you're alright. I can imagine how frustrated you've been, holed up with those Muggles. I don't know much of what's happening. But I believe you when you say You Know Who is back. I'm going to find a way to help, as much as I can. I can't sit about doing nothing but playing Quidditch. If I did, what kind of Gryffindor would I be?
If you ever need anything, send me an owl. I'm sure Hedwig wouldn't mind stretching her wings out for a bit.
All the best,
Oliver Wood
Harry, despite his depressive mood, managed a smile, especially as he reached over for Katie, Angelina, and Alicia's letter. It read as following:
Dear Harry,
Happy fifteenth; how have you been? Are your aunt and uncle treating you right? We sure hope so.
We don't know much about what's been going on. It's been pretty quiet; too quiet. We've been staying the summer together and we made sure to owl order your gift so we could send you something for your birthday, for a change.
We hope you enjoy it. Also, Fred and George insisted on including one of their newest Weasley's Wizard Wheezes inventions; treats from the Skiving Snack Boxes. They claimed if you ever wanted an excuse to stay away from your aunt and uncle for a change (or maybe sneak your cousin one since he'd apparently eat anything in front of him) that it could be of good use. We tried to convince them otherwise, but they were pretty insistent on it.
We look forward to a new Quidditch season with you this year. We feel it's between you or Angelina for Quidditch captain post this year. If it's you, you'll be amazing. We know you would be. But Angelina's got more experience on her. Who knows? Maybe McGonagall will make you co-captains since Oliver Wood put in good word for you both.
Again, happy birthday. We'll see you at school.
With love,
Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. XXOO.
He reached for one of the peppermint toads Katie, Angelina, Alicia, and the Weasley twins had sent him for his birthday, along with the homemade birthday the girls had baked (which he'd wolfed down the minute he got it). He bit into the toad's head, relishing in the taste. But he suddenly felt a pang as he remembered he'd thrown out Ron and Hermione's gifts of Honeyduke's chocolates. He regretted that, knowing he wouldn't be having much in terms of food for the next week; not because he wasn't fed. It was because he just couldn't stomach any food. He just hoped Hedwig would be coming back soon with some answers. Because so far, she'd been gone for a total of two days.
Groaning, Harry got up and paced about his room, shaking with anger and frustration. Why wasn't anyone telling him anything? And why haven't Sirius, Ron, or Hermione written back to him yet? And if they weren't at the Burrow, where could they have been?
He threw himself down on his bed again, picking up Wood's birthday gift and proceeding to read. He needed something; anything to distract his mind. Unfortunately, even reading about various Quidditch teams didn't help. He still felt like he wasn't being told something. And above all, he hated being told, to stay in his home like a child, and to wait for somebody.
Looking towards his bedroom window, he waited for Hedwig to return. But he got the sinking feeling that she wouldn't be back any time soon.
As the days passed, Harry grew increasingly more frustrated. But on the fourth night alone, when the Dursleys told him that they'd be headed out, he heard activity down in the hall. Snatching up his wand, he jumped as his door gave a loud click, allowing him to exit his bedroom. But as he kept his wand raised and at the ready, he heard someone growl out:
"Lower your wand, boy, before you take someone's eye out."
"Professor Moody?" he asked.
Moody growled out, "I don't know so much about 'Professor.' Never got round to much teaching, did I? Get down here, we want to see you properly."
He lowered his wand only slightly as he descended, only to be greeted by the voice of Professor Lupin, who said they'd come to get him. Stepping into the light, he was greeted with witches and wizards standing there. He was introduced to them one by one: Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, Mundungus Fletcher, Nymphadora Tonks, Sturgis Podmore, Elphias Dodge . . . but that last name threw him for a loop.
"And this is David Bell," Lupin introduced, gesturing to the thin, dark-haired wizard wearing Muggle attire.
"Wait . . . Bell?" Harry asked. "You wouldn't happen to be Katie Bell's father, would you?"
"Yes, I am," David said with a grin. "I'm not sure if Katie ever told you, but I'm Muggleborn, and I married a Muggle woman and have two step-sons through her."
Harry shook his head. "She didn't mention much. We weren't ever that close," he said.
"Well, with You Know Who out there, I figured I might as well be of good use. Dumbledore needs all the help he can get," David said. "That, and my family is likely to be targeted."
Harry nodded. He knew Voldemort's attitudes towards those who weren't pureblood, which was hypocritical considering he was a half-blood. But knowing Katie could be a target in it all, it left him worried for his fellow Gryffindor Quidditch teammate. That made her at least a quarter witch by blood; her blood would be considered even dirtier than those who were already Muggleborn. In fact, Harry remembered her reaction to when Malfoy had called Hermione a "mudblood" years ago, almost as if she'd been called that personally. He hadn't paid much attention to it then, but, now that he thought about it . . .
"Nobody asked your opinion, you filthy little mudblood," spat Malfoy, glaring at Hermione.
The entire team was in an uproar. Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to prevent Fred and George from jumping on him. Alicia shrieked, "How dare you?!" But Wood just remained stony-eyed, his face like steel as he fought to control his anger. But Harry could see Oliver's face was going as scarlet as his Quidditch robes.
Katie, on the other hand, was in tears as she turned her head away, trying her hardest not to start crying. Her warm brown eyes were shattered as tears began streaming down her face, and Angelina moved forward to wrap her arms around her. And surprisingly, Wood walked over to Katie and leaned a hand on her back, smoothing it through her hair as he spoke behind a clenched jaw:
"Watch your mouth, kid!" he snarled.
"You'll pay for that one, Malfoy! Eat slugs!" Ron yelled, only for the curse to turn on him, sending him flying backwards, and for the rest of the Quidditch team to rush towards him as he began throwing up slugs.
That was why Katie had been so upset. And it made sense now; Harry couldn't blame her in the slightest. She was barely even half-blood, but that didn't mean she was any less a witch. She was a wonderment to watch on the Quidditch pitch, and could fly circles around anyone on the Slytherin team, who went for size instead of skill, in the words of Lee Jordan. And Harry remembered the day she'd stopped a Bludger from smacking into his head, which had been sent his way by one of the Slytherin Beaters. She knew her stuff, and was extremely gifted at Charms, only she never dueled. She was a pacifist by nature and was sweet, quiet, and gentle; it was why she didn't normally stand up for herself.
As Harry stood there, listening to the Advanced Guard, he was told to go upstairs and pack, which Tonks volunteered to help him with. Once he was packed, and a note had been left behind for the Dursleys when they returned, he followed everyone out of the house, his broom in tow. But because they were flying by broomstick, it meant that they needed to take extra precautions. It meant low to the ground, with Harry under several disguisable charms to prevent any Death Eaters or anyone in the Ministry from knowing his identity. They came pretty close to him nearly freezing to death several times due to Mad-Eye making them go off course, which Tonks ever so loudly pointed out.
"ARE YOU MAD, MAD-EYE? We're all frozen to our brooms! If we keep going off course, we're not going to get there until next week! We're nearly there now!"
The cold was nearly unbearable as Harry's teeth chattered violently. He found himself agreeing with Tonks more and more until finally, they landed somewhere in London. After Moody did a series of precautions with a dilluminator, the twelfth house on the street revealed itself:
Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
"What's the Order of –?" Harry asked.
"Keep your voice down, lad!" David whispered. "C'mon, inside. Everyone'll be glad to see you."
"Who's –?" Harry began.
David shushed him quietly, and they led him into the house, where the halls were so cramped and tightly crammed, they had to squeeze past one another just to make their way through the house. But as they got closer to a basement door, Harry noticed several people inside the drawing room.
His heart soared as he noticed one of the men in there; his godfather. The other was a face he hadn't seen since the Quidditch World Cup the previous summer, Oliver Wood. As Sirius and Oliver caught sight of him, both men offered him a quiet smile as Mrs. Weasley came through.
"Harry," she whispered.
"Mrs. Weasley," he said.
Mrs. Weasley, looking thinner and paler than he'd last seen her, turned to the others and said, "He's just arrived. Head on downstairs. Sirius, Oliver, you too."
Oliver and Sirius both nodded, following the others and moving quickly past Mrs. Weasley and Harry. Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a rib-cracking hug before holding him at arm's length.
"Thank heavens you're alright. A bit peaky; you need feeding up. But we can't have dinner until after the meeting's over," she said softly. "Head on upstairs. Ron and Hermione are waiting. You'll be sharing with Ron."
Harry was about to make his way to the basement kitchen, when Mrs. Weasley said, "No, meetings are only for members of the Order. C'mon, I'll show you to your room. Someone'll get your trunk for you."
"Mrs. Weasley, what's going on?" he asked.
"Ron and Hermione will fill you in a little. Katie, Angelina, and Alicia are here, as well," Mrs. Weasley said softly as she led him up the stairs, passing various mounted heads of past house elves which were nailed to the wall. Once at the top of the stairs, Mrs. Weasley pointed to the first bedroom door on the left.
"There you are. Now, I must head on downstairs," she whispered, bustling down the steps. Once she was out of sight, Harry opened the door to his room, where the first thing that greeted him was a flurry of bushy brown hair, followed by someone with soft, caramel-colored locks.
"Harry!" cried Hermione Granger, squeezing at him tightly.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Katie Bell said, her fingers running through his jet-black hair before she pulled away, cupping his cheek in her hand, her soft brown eyes warm, but filled with worry.
"Are you alright? Oh, gosh, you must be so furious with us! If it were me I'd be too. But Dumbledore made us swear not to say anything. But this hearing, I looked it up they can't expel you! It goes against the Decree for Underage Sorcery because it says you can only use magic in self-defense! Oh, when we heard about the dementor attack –!" Hermione rambled on.
"Let him breathe, guys," said Ron, closing the door behind them as Angelina and Alicia raced forward for the chance to hug Harry, only Alicia practically broke his ribs in her embrace as she kissed him on the forehead; she'd always been like the "mom" of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and was like a mother hen, to the point where even Harry would consider her a bit smothering. But looking at the round-faced, blue-eyed blonde, he felt a little bit of warmth seep in. But he then noticed Hedwig in his window, along with Oliver Wood's owl, Comrade. Pigwidgeon, Ron's little owlet, zoomed over their heads excitedly.
"Hey, girl," he said, walking towards her.
"She's been in a right state," said Ron. "Pecked us nearly to death when she showed up with your letters."
"She almost took Oliver's eye out," added Katie. Harry noticed her ear was considerably red and that there were cuts on her hands; the same with Hermione and Ron.
"Yeah, sorry, I just wanted answers," Harry said curtly, allowing Hedwig to nibble at his ear.
"And we wanted to give them to you," said Ron. "Really, we did. Only –"
"Yeah, Dumbledore made you swear," Harry replied, his tone surly. "So, what's going on? What is this place? What's the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Well, this is headquarters," said Angelina, pulling her thick, textured black hair out of its French braid. "As for the Order, it's a secret society, founded by Dumbledore when You Know Who first rose to power."
"Well?" Harry asked.
"Well, what?" asked Katie.
"Voldemort?" demanded Harry, causing them all to flinch. "He's back! What's been going on?!"
"We only know so much," admitted Alicia. "They don't let us in on meetings. Oliver's part of it; just got recruited a few days ago, the night you were attacked by the dementors. But he hasn't said much; there's a lot that he cannot say at all. We tried pushing him to tell us anything. Katie's been trying to get her dad to say something. But they won't talk."
"We've been trying to listen in, though," said Angelina. "Fred and George invented something called extendable ears; they used them for a while. But they got caught by Mrs. Weasley. We heard Oliver yelling at them during one of the meetings. And you know Oliver. Besides their mother, Oliver's one of the few Fred and George fear."
"Well, I suppose you couldn't have put that in your letters, I suppose?" Harry snapped. "I've gone all summer without a scrap of news! And why would Dumbledore want to keep me in the dark? Maybe I could help! I'm the one who had to survive through the Triwizard Tournament and end up in that grave yard and watch as Cedric Diggory was murdered before me! I'm the one who saw Voldemort return! I fought him!"
Hermione and Ron both flinched at this, only for Katie to step forward. Always the gentle and diplomatic one, she whispered, "We know, Harry. Even Ollie disagrees about keeping you out of it. He thinks not letting you know this stuff is outrageous. Sirius agrees, too. They both wanted to say something. I think they would've sent owls the moment Hedwig started pecking them half to death."
Harry glared at her, ignoring what she had to say. He continued with, "And all you have been here, together under one roof while I'd been stuck at the Dursleys nicking papers out of bins, trying to find anything!"
Angelina stepped forward and said, "Well . . . it isn't that exciting. Mrs. Weasley has been putting us all on cleaning duty. We know it doesn't compare to what you've probably had to deal with, but . . ."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a loud cracking noise, and Fred and George Weasley appeared. As they apparated, Angelina shrieked slightly.
"Freddie, will you stop doing that?" she said weakly.
"Hi, Harry," Fred said, beaming at him. "We thought we heard your dulcet tones."
"You shouldn't bottle that all up, mate. Let it out," George said, beaming just as hard.
Harry didn't smile back at either of them even as Ginny appeared in the room, grinning. "Hi, Harry," she said. Then to Fred and George, she said, "No go with the extendable ears tonight, guys. Mum's imperturbed the door."
"How'd you know?" asked George.
"Tonks showed me how," Ginny explained. "You throw something at the door to check if it's imperturbed. I've been flicking dungbombs at the kitchen door for about two minutes now; they just fly back. The ears aren't getting through that."
"Blimey," Fred said, shaking his head. "That's a major meeting they're having down there. Could be important. Especially if Snape's got something to say, the blimey git."
"Wait, Snape's here?" Harry asked, momentarily forgetting how angry he was.
"Yeah. Bill, too," Fred said.
"I thought he was in Egypt," Harry said.
"He chose to take a desk job at Gringotts. Says he misses the tombs, but he's got something else there to keep him happy. Old Fleur Delacour's there; Bill's giving her private lessons to 'eemprove her Eenglish,'" sniggered George. "We'll let you decide what that means."
Alicia and Katie wrinkled their noses in disgust, shuddering.
"You two are so gross!" groaned Alicia.
"Yeah. Could you calm it down with the sexual innuendos?" demanded Katie.
"No can do," grinned Fred, wrapping his arm around Angelina's waist and pulling her to his side, sitting her down on Ron's bed as Harry took a seat on his own bed.
"So, I take you guys are still together?" asked Harry, feeling happy for the pair.
Angelina nodded, smiling as she tousled her fingers through Fred's mane of red hair.
"Charlie's in the Order, too," Fred went on. "But he's stationed in Romania. Dumbledore wants as many foreign wizards as possible, so Charlie's recruiting. Wood's part of that, too, since he has connections to Ireland."
"Couldn't Percy do that?" asked Harry.
Everyone's faces darkened considerably at that. Angelina clenched her fists and Katie and Alicia just shook their heads. Even Hermione looked sour-faced.
"Whatever you do, don't mention Percy around Mum and Dad," Ron warned. "Whenever his name's brought up, Dad breaks whatever he's holding and Mum starts crying."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Well, Percy came home one night when we were about to join the Order, and told Dad he's been promoted," explained Ginny.
"You're kidding," Harry said.
"Well, he got into a load of trouble about Crouch as you know," said Ron. "He had a lot of damage control to deal with. But Fudge, he promoted Percy to be junior assistant to the Minister, probably to spy on Dad and Dumbledore, because Dumbledore's name's getting dragged around the Ministry. Anyone who is in contact with Dumbledore can clear out their desks."
"And Fudge knows Dad's friendly with Dumbledore," explained George. "So, he wants Percy keeping an eye on things. And Percy expected Dad to be all impressed with his promotion. Only Dad wasn't. And then they had a row; I'd never seen Dad yell at anyone."
"And Percy . . . he said loads of horrible stuff. I was there to hear it," Angelina said. "He went onto say he's embarrassed at Mr. Weasley's reputation in the Ministry; that his lack of ambition is why, you know . . ."
Harry felt shock settling in. "You're kidding me!"
"We wish we were," Ginny said miserably. "And Percy, he's disowned himself from us. He said his loyalty lies with the Ministry, and that he can't see himself being part of our family anyone. He's now living in London."
Harry cursed under his breath, still hardly able to believe it.
"We know," Katie said. "Ollie said Percy wrote to him about it. I guess he was expecting an old friend's sympathy. Only Ollie sent Percy a howler, saying he should be ashamed of himself." She snickered at this, as did Fred and George. "Percy must've been in for a surprise."
"I'd imagine," Harry agreed.
"And Mum's been in a right state. Bill's furious with Percy, too," Ron said.
"Percy takes the Daily Prophet very seriously," added Hermione. "Have you been getting it?"
"'Course, I have," Harry retorted. "I've read it. But not cover to cover. If anything about Voldemort occurred it'd be on the front page."
"Well, you need to read it thoroughly to pick up on what they're saying, about you and Dumbledore," said Katie, shaking her head. "You're not in too many big articles; just a few small ones. But occasionally, your name's brought up in a few. They're building off Rita Skeeter's stuff. But they slide stuff in, sneakily. They want to paint you as a fame-loving brat who wants everyone to worship him for sympathy."
"But . . . I didn't ask for . . . I mean . . . Voldemort killed my parents!" Harry spluttered, feeling his eyes prickle. "I'm only famous because he killed my mum and dad, and I survived it! Who wants to be famous for that?! I never wanted . . .That's why I didn't want to be in the Triwizard Tournament last year!"
"We know," said Ginny gently. "I know you never wanted all that."
Harry nodded in appreciation. Ginny understood; after all, she stood up to Malfoy when she was only ten, telling him off for accusing Harry of loving the attention Gilderoy Lockhart put on him in the book shop.
"Besides, if you were a glory hound and an attention-whore, we would've known first day we met you," said Angelina. "And Wood understands that just as well."
"It's why when you got on the team he wanted it to be a secret, to protect you as much as possible, because he knew once the school knew you'd be the center for attention," added Alicia. "He also knew McGonagall insisted you be on the team because you actually have raw talent. He's been furious with what the Prophet's been saying about you."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and hushed voices down in the hallway.
"Meeting's finished," said Alicia with a sigh as Katie's two older brothers, Patrick and Campbell, came into the room. Katie turned to her brothers, grinning.
"Harry, I take it you haven't met my brothers, Patrick and Campbell?" she asked.
Harry shook his head. Of course, he heard of Katie having siblings. Only, he'd never met them. But he did know they'd been at the Quidditch World Cup last summer, when Katie, Angelina, and Alicia were there.
"Hi, nice to meet you," he said, shaking their hands.
Patrick and Campbell both wore identical grins. They looked strikingly similar to Katie in their own sense; their smiles were the same. But they were soon interrupted by Mrs. Weasley.
"You can come on down now. We'll be eating down in the kitchen," she said, ushering them out of the room. They clambered on down the stairs, Fred and George apparated loudly.
"ARGH! JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC OUT OF SCHOOL DOES NOT MEAN YOU GET TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERYTHING!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked at them, rushing off to scold them as Angelina quickly climbed down the stairs, grinning slightly.
But no sooner did they reach the foot of the stairs, Harry heard a quiet voice saying, "Harry Potter."
TXHistLady - glad you think so too! I think that this story will give everyone more of the Gryffindor team to enjoy, especially since I want Wood to have a role to play here.
BadAZKenB - thanks for the correction there.
SapphireSkys001- thank you! And I promise you there won't be too many major cliffhangers. Even though I just ended this chapter with one. LOL. But I'll try keeping those down to a minimal.