Hey, Everyone! This chapter will be very familiar, up until Harry is sent upstairs at Grimmauld Place. At that point, we will follow Duncan into the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix.
A few things to remember at this point: Dumbledore, while aware of the arrival of Margaret and Duncan and who they are, is not yet aware of the full extent of their new involvement in Harry's life. He IS, however aware of other aspects of their liason mission to the British Ministry of Magick, due to his connections to the ICW. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: The Order of the Phoenix
Harry held his wand at the ready while Duncan tensed, a fireball ready in his throat, as the knob to Harry's bedroom door turned. The door creaked eerily open…
"Very clean these muggles", a feminine voice whispered, the tip of her wand lit by the lumos charm, revealing a pretty young lady with pink hair wearing auror robes. Behind her was a large African-British men in blue robes and a large, scarred man with an artificial, magical eye.
"Tonks, for God's sake.", the scarred man admonished.
"It's unnatural", the young woman added, then drew up short at the sight of Duncan with flames in his mouth. "Oy! Wotcher, Duncan! We're on your side!"
"Nym", Duncan scoffed, swallowing his fireball. "You shoulda knocked! I coulda blown your head off!"
"Nah! Ya love me too much, ya Yank."
"Professor Moody", Harry breathed in relief. "What are you doing here?"
"Rescuin' you, of course", the old auror growled with a small smile.
The group exited the front door with Moody in the lead. Once outside, they readied their brooms; except Duncan, who grew and extended his wings.
"But where are we going?", Harry asked. "The letter said I've been expelled from Hogwarts."
"You haven't been", Moody replied. "Not yet. Kingsley, you take point." The Blue-robed man stepped forward.
"But the letter said…"
"Dumbledore persuaded the Minister to suspend your expulsion pending a formal hearing", Kingsley Shacklebolt assured Harry, getting a derisive snort from Duncan.
"A hearing?", Harry asked.
"Don't worry, Harry", Tonks smiled. "We'll explain everything when we get back to headquarters."
"Shhh!", Moody hissed. "Not here, Nymphadora."
"Don't call me Nymphadora", Tonks glared at him, her hair turning from pink to fiery red. Then she glared at the chuckling Duncan.
"Still touchy about your first name after all these years, huh, Nym?", Duncan smirked.
"Ah, shut it, Dunky", Tonks grinned mockingly.
"If you two are quite finished", Moody growled. "Stay in formation, everyone. Don't break ranks if one of us is killed."
With that, they all took off into the night sky. Flying at high speed from Surrey to London.
Flying low over the river, Harry had Tonks to his right, and Duncan flanking his left. As a ferry was approaching, Tonks grinned at the boys and kicked up to an even higher speed. Not to be out-done, Harry and Duncan took off after her like shots to catch up.
'Bloody kids!', Moody growled to himself, then urged Kingsley along to catch up.
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They set down in an overgrown park across the street from a long block of connected brick townhouses. When the coast was clear, Moody opened to old wrought-iron gate of the park and crossed until they were standing on the street between Numbers 10 and 14 Grimmauld Place. Checking again that they were unobserved, he tapped the ground with his staff a few times.
A rumbling sound arose, as the seam between Numbers 10 and 14 began to expand —the muggle residents completely oblivious—and Number 12 was revealed.
"In ya go, son", Moody said to Harry, who was still awed by the reveal.
The front door creaked eerily, like the lid of a vampire's coffin, as they entered. They could hear a muffled conversation coming from a closed door at the end of the entry hall. When Harry paused beside a covered portrait on the wall that seemed to be snoring, Moody stepped past him and continued down the hall.
As they got closer, words became clearer….
"We must trust Dumbledore on this."
"Was he able to protect Harry last year? Tonight I say it's time to take action", the familiar voice of Sirius said.
"I agree with Sirius", the voice of an unfamiliar woman agreed. "My nephew was almost killed! And he saw one of his friends murdered right in front of him by that psycho. Then Dumbledore sent him back to the Dursleys, the last place he would get any peace or support!"
Tonks winked at Harry as she passed him, while Duncan gripped his shoulder and nodded supportively when he followed. He and Harry both stifled a chuckle when Tonks stumbled over a troll-leg umbrella stand.
"Cornelius Fudge is a politician first and a wizard second. His instinct will be to ignore it", Sirius was saying as Moody opened the door to enter. Harry saw Sirius, Arthur Weasley, and Remus Lupin among the gathered witches and wizards in the room. "Voldemort is getting stronger and stronger by the minute. We have to act now."
"Keep your voices down", Molly Weasley urged. Arthur and Sirius looked up to smile at Harry in the hall as Duncan entered the room. Molly appeared in the doorway, followed by a woman he didn't recognize.
"Harry", Molly greeted him warmly, shutting the door to the room behind them.
"Mrs. Weasley", Harry smiled.
"Thank heavens, you're all right", she gushed, hugging him. "Hmmm, a bit peaky, but I'm afraid dinner will have to wait until after the meeting is finished.
"B-but…."
"Nope. No time to explain. Straight upstairs, first door on the left."
"Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley", the other woman said in a firm but calm voice with an American accent.
"Of course, I apologize", the red-headed matriarch replied, standing aside for the taller woman. "I'll see you back inside."
"Harry", the other woman breathed looking at him as if he were precious, then pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. Releasing the hug, she held his shoulders. "Harry, I'm your Aunt Margaret. The last time I saw you, you were just a baby. Oh, you look so much like my brother, your dad. Except your eyes. You have…"
"My mother's eyes, yes. It's wonderful to meet you", he smiled. He could feel the familial bond with her, just as he did with Duncan; warm and comfortable. Her brown eyes held a gentle strength, and her dark auburn hair framed her kind face. He saw runic tattoos on her hands, along with various rings, bracelets, and a rather unique amulet with a glowing jewel around her neck. "Am I really never going back to the Dursleys'?"
"You never should have gone there in the first place", she huffed. "Dumbledore could've found us easily if he had bothered trying! But to answer your question; no, you never have to go back there. Duncan and I are now fully your custodial guardians. Dumbledore doesn't realize it yet, but we are also now you magical guardians as well, so we can rectify a few things that have…gone awry thanks to his tenure as your MG. And once Potter Manor is completely reopened and ready, you'll live there with us until you go back to school. We'll talk more later. For now, head upstairs. Your friends are there."
"Ok", he said, hugging her again. "Thank you, Aunt Margaret."
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Duncan looked up as his mother came back in to rejoin the meeting. When he'd learned of their arrival, Dumbledore promptly asked them to join the Order; possibly to assuage some of his own guilt as well as some of their anger.
Unfortunately, they were talking in circles. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and a few others insisted that they trust that Dumbledore knows what he's doing and that they should bide their time and simply continue recruiting for now. Sirius, Remus, Moody and others believed that they should move against Voldemort sooner rather than later. But what really irked Duncan was…
"If Harry really is the key to defeating Voldemort, then he should be in on this", Duncan said, cutting in. "Keeping him in the dark is stupid! Especially if he's also number one on the bastard's 'most wanted dead'-list!"
"I agree with my son", Margaret said firmly. "As much as I don't want my nephew risking his life, it's an even greater risk isolating him like you have without any support or any current information that could help or save him."
"Very touching, Mrs. Rosenblatt", Snape said coldly. "Spoken like an over-protective mother hen with no concept of the stakes involved. I don't know why you're even here. Granted Duncan is powerful enough to….possibly be useful, though the nature of that power is still not clear. But you? A squib has no business being here at all."
Duncan face-palmed with a smirk. The greasy snob really stepped in it now!
"Don't test me, Snape!", Margaret hissed, her 'jewelery' and runic tattoos beginning to glow; showing that the tattoos were not isolated to just her hands, as they went up her arms, down her back, and across her chest. "I was never a 'squib'. My magick was only dormant, until some of my friends in the States helped me tap into it. So if you piss me off, you'll be choking on that greasy mop you call hair!"
Sirius and Remus both burst out laughing while Severus scowled. He despised Margaret almost as much as he'd despised her younger brother, James Potter. Her… arrogance rivaled that of James. And growing up in America had only made her worse; she lacked the reservations and respect that a British-born noblewoman should have, magical or not.
And giving a squib magick? It just wasn't natural! What next? Muggles doing magick?!
"We're getting off topic here", Arthur cut in, just as Snape was about to sharply retort. "While You-Know-Who was gathering his forces for the last war, people started disappearing; magical and muggle. We've all seen the Daily Prophet and the London Times, it's happening again."
"Harry is too young to be involved", Molly urged.
"If anyone has the right to know, it's Harry", Sirius said. "If it wasn't for Harry, we wouldn't even know Voldemort was back. He's not a child, Molly."
"But he's not an adult either", Molly argued. "He's not James, Sirius."
"Well, he's not your son", Sirius said dryly.
"He's as good as", Molly said, getting a sharp look from Margaret and Duncan. But Duncan's more sensitive hearing picked up on the minute inflections in her voice as Molly said that; a vague certainty and finality that spoke of much more than just being the only mother-figure Harry's had the last few years. He would have to keep an eye on Molly Weasley. "Who else has he got?"
"Ahem! He's got us!", Margaret reminded her, with a growling agreement from Duncan.
"And he's also got me", Sirius glared at the red-head.
"How touchingly paternal, Black", Snape huffed snidely. "Perhaps Potter will grow up to be a felon, just like his godfather."
"You stay out of this, Snivellus", Sirius growled. "As for your supposed 'reformation', I know better."
"While I agree with you, Sirius", Remus cut in as Snape bristled, "this arguing is getting us nowhere. I suggest we adjourn for this meeting, as it smells like dinner is ready. Good night everyone. Those of us who are staying, lets head down to the kitchen. Molly, if you would please call the children?"
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After a touching reunion between Harry and Sirius, dinner proceeded. Tonks entertained Ginny by using her metamorph abilities to comic effect while the others discussed the goings-on since Voldemort returned and the Minister's stubborn refusal to believe it. They showed him a copy of the Daily Prophet, vilifying him and Dumbledore while Minister Fudge claims 'all is well'.
Sirius then went into how Voldemort was most likely building up his forces again; not just dark witches and wizards but possibly all manner of dark creatures and monsters.
"That's one of the reasons I'm here", Duncan interjected. "To try to prevent that this time, and maybe recruit some magical creatures to our side."
"Voldemort has been recruiting heavily", Sirius nodded, "and we've been attempting to do the same. But gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in."
Moody audibly cleared his throat from his watchful position in a nearby corner.
"We believe Voldemort may be after something", Sirius continued.
"Sirius", Moody warned.
"Something he didn't have last time", Sirius concluded.
"You mean…like a weapon?", Harry asked.
"No. That's enough", Molly Weasley interjected, coming around to place her hands protectively on his shoulders. "He's just a boy. You say much more and you might as well induct him into the Order straight away!"
"Good! I want to join!", Harry said, shrugging her off. "If Voldemort's raising an army, then I want tofight!"
"And there you go", Sirius smirked at Molly with a clap of his hands. He winked proudly at his godson.
"Way to go, Cousin", Duncan cheered, punching his fist into his hand. "Between you, me, and all of us; that snake-faced ass-hole won't know what hit him!"
"Duncan!", Margaret admonished. "Language!"
Then she looked in Harry's eyes. She saw his determination and courage. She nodded proudly. He was a true Potter.
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"Kill the spare!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
"No! Cedric!", Harry screamed.
*Flash!*
"Bone of the father…unwillingly given."
*Flash!*
Flesh of the servant…willingly sacrificed…Aauurgh!"
*Flash!*
"And blood of the Enemy…forcibly taken."
"Aaagh!", the blade ripped a pained scream from Harry as it cut into his arm.
"And the Dark Lord…shall rise…again."
*Flash!*
"Crucio!"
Harry screamed in agony, writhing on the ground, until the newly resurrected Voldemort saw fit to break it.
"Atta boy, Harry. Your parents would be proud. Especially your filthy, Muggle mother."
*Flash!*
"Don't you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you look at me when I kill you! I want to see the light leave your eyes!"
Harry thrashed and moaned fitfully in his sleep. The door to the room he was sharing with Ron opened quietly, and Hermione tip-toed in wearing a house-robe over her nightgown, her hair in a braid; deep concern written on her face. Harry's discomfort and moans of fear had awakened her. She glanced at the snoring Ron and rolled her eyes, turning back toward the trembling Harry.
Hermione gently laid down beside him, on top of the covers. She gently pulled him into her arms, whispering comforting reassurances to him. Harry slowly stopped his trembling, his moans and whimpers quieting. He seemed to bury himself into her comforting embrace, then settled into a more restful sleep. A small smile and a yawn, and Hermione dozed off herself.
Watching quietly from the partly-open door, having been awakened himself by Harry's cries, Duncan smiled and nodded knowingly. He silently closed the door.
'I better wake up early and make sure Hermione makes it back to the room she's sharing with Ginny before anyone else is the wiser', he thought to himself as he headed back to his room. 'Nobody needs that kinda drama from Mrs. Weasley first thing in the morning!'
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Over the next few days, Duncan noticed a peculiar pattern. The Black home was a mess of many years neglect, and Kreacher—the house elf—was less than helpful; preferring to spend his time comforting the covered portrait of Sirius' mother, Wahlberga Black. While he would obey Sirius, Kreacher was generally an unpleasant grouch with everyone.
After Margaret left to return to Potter Manor to help the staff get it ready, Molly insisted on doing all the cooking for everyone, despite Duncan's many offers to either help her or cook a few meals for everyone himself.
Even more puzzling was whenever she would split the teens up to clean or other chores, she always split them the same way: Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione. Any time it appeared Harry was alone with or 'too close' to Hermione, either Molly would subtly interject herself or Ron or Ginny would 'mysteriously' appear to collect their 'partner' for another chore.
Then came the morning he went down to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, to find Molly as she finished adding something to the cup most often used by Harry. Keeping quiet, he saw that the cups commonly used by Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were sitting next to it as well. Suspicious, he stepped back, then made a noisy entrance.
"Morning, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, Good Morning, Duncan!", she replied cheerfully, dropping a small bowl into the sink. "Have a seat. The coffee and tea is almost ready. Unless you'd like some pumpkin juice?"
"Yeah, no thanks", he said with a slight grimace. "Any orange or pineapple juice?"
"Afraid not, dear", she replied. "But there is chocolate for your coffee, and breakfast will be ready soon."
Later, he brought up what he saw with Sirius.
"Yes, I caught her one morning as well", he confirmed, not pleased. "When I asked what she was doing, she claimed that they were just health-boosting and nourishment potions. She doesn't know that I used to be pretty good with potions myself, and the ingredients I saw didn't match her claims. She's up to something."
"What were they then?"
"I didn't see enough to guess", Sirius confessed. "But I've been brewing a mild flushing draught, just in case. We just have to sneak it into their drinks without her knowing. That will neutralize all but the strongest potions."
"I oughta…..!", Duncan started to snarl.
"No, Duncan", Sirius whispered. "I know how you feel. I feel the same, but we can't prove anything. Plus we haven't seen any negative effects on Harry or the others. Unless and until we can prove anything, we can't afford any dissention in the Order."
"*Grrrrrrrr!*You're right", Duncan huffed. "I don't like it, but you're right. And Harry also has his hearing tomorrow to worry about. After dinner tonight, I'm flying back to Surrey to get the evidence to exonerate him. Then after the hearing, My mom and I will take him to Diagon Alley to take care of some…..business at Gringotts before doing his shopping for school. Then we're going directly to Potter Manor."
"Oh, 'business' at Gringotts, eh?", Sirius smirked slyly. "I'm guessing a few things that should have been done long ago will be part of that? Things that might….. irritate our 'Leader of the Light'?"
Duncan merely smirked back.
xxXXxx
Author's notes: I plan to go back and forth from a Harry POV and Duncan POV often, to show as many facets of the story I can, as well as skip some parts that are well-known in the movie by showing the other part of Duncan's mission. What is it? Wait and see! LOL!
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