CHP 2: THE SECRET ORDER
A/N WELL, WHO CARES, NO ONE READS THIS STORY ANYWAY. NOT EVEN BEKA! WAAAAAA! IT'S OKAY, I STILL LOVE YOU. SORRY, THERE IS A LOT ABOUT SIRIUS, BUT EVERY CHAPTER TRIES TO BUILD ON AND CHARACTERIZE ONE PATICULAR PERSON, AND CONVEY THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. IF YOU WANT SOME IN SIGHT ON THE NEW CHARACTER WHO IS INTRODUCED, READ THE ASTERIKED FOOTNOTE....
Sirius leaned forward, gaining more speed. He had to hurry; he should have been at the meeting five minutes ago. His motorbike blew off an exhaust stream into the dark night sky.
Though, Sirius had many good attributes, one his faults was lack of punctuality. He was flying low to reach the castle in time, he hoped no Muggles were awake and looking skyward at this hour, or he'd be in big trouble with the ministry.
Not that he wasn't used to trouble, of his group of friends, he was definitely the rebel. James didn't live by the rules either, but he didn't have Sirius' temper, and he had more respect, since he had been Head Boy and prefect. Remus, had a taste for adventure as well, but he was kind and considerate, and had the sense to know when a situation was too dangerous. He also expected a lot of himself; he had a lot to live up to. Peter, well, he just didn't like trouble, and like Remus, he was very hard on himself.
Sirius felt he was different from all of them. Though they were his best friends in the world, they were too perfect for him. Everyone knew James was perfect. Remus didn't believe in himself, but everyone else trusted and respected him. And Peter would never have set a toe out of line if it hadn't have been for their influence.
Sirius certainly looked the part of the rebel. His long, black hair, and unshaven face gave him a rough appearance. And his lopsided daredevil grin was his most catching feature. He was tall and lanky like James, but not so thin.
Sirius had finally arrived at Hogwarts castle. It was half-past midnight and he was extremely late now. The meeting was to be held into one of the larger dungeons. He was led in through the front doors by a house elf, who beckoned him to follow. Sirius grinned at the tiny, earnest creature.
"This way, sir, this way. Gribley show you where. No standing in doorway now, you not shy! Gribley amember you, you and other boys come in me kitchen lots. Always hungry boys! Come now, this way!" the elf squeaked.
Sirius followed. The elf led him down a flight of stairs and to the left into a rarely used dungeon. Sirius was used to the Potions Room, but this dungeon was appalling. In the old days, before the castle became a school, it must have been used as a torture chamber. Rusted, spiked mace-and-chains, assorted swords and daggers, thumbscrews and write suspensions hung from every corner of the dungeon. Over in the far corner lay the deadly rack, and instruments used for disembowelment.
"Um, you sure this is where the meeting is?" Sirius asked. He couldn't picture Dumbledore utilizing such a place.
"Oh, yes, sir, I is very sure. In here, yes."
A door on the far side of the room opened with a resounding creak. Sirius and the elf both jumped. Sirius wasn't normally one to be afraid, but this dungeon was quite freaky. A beam of light shown through the crack made by the door, and a long, broken nose poked it's way though. The door opened further to reveal the Headmaster standing there.
"Well, don't be standing, in the doorway, now, come along," he said quietly to Black. Then, turning to the elf, "Gribley, will you return to check the entrance way for the others?"
The elf hobbled off obediently. "So, I'm not too late?" Sirius asked.
"Well, perhaps you could stand to be a bit more punctual in the future. Hagrid is still to come, though, he's working with those giant molerats in the forest, you know. Very pesky, those things, already felled two trees with their tunnels."
They entered the room in to another dungeon room; chairs on either side surrounded a long wooden table. The occupants of these chairs were chatting quietly. This room was not as dismal as the first. Perhaps this was because it was partially lighted by windows on either wall, near the ceiling. The moonlight shone through the blue glass, tinting everything in the room an eerie blue.
Dumbledore took his place at the head of the table. Sirius sat next to James, who had saved him a seat, and a pale young man whose name he did not know on the other side of him.
Hagrid arrived momentarily, brushing dirt from his coat. "Er, sorry, Professor Dumbledore, sir, but me hand was in need of wrapping, y'see. Bloody rat critter went and bit me-"
Dumbledore smiled at Hargid's sincerity, "Don't worry, Reubeus, we weren't ready to begin as it was."
Hagrid took his seat at the foot of the table. It was the only place where there really was room for him to sit. Dumbledore smiled slightly in greeting to those seated around the table.
"Well, I'm glad you were all present and accounted for. I'm afraid I really haven't told any of you much of anything. So I have a rather long explanation, please forgive me, I know that listening to an old fogy is probably the last thing on your to do: list."
Everyone chuckled, he continued, "As you know, the Dark Lord is growing ever stronger. The Ministry is torn to shreds. Half of them have convinced themselves that things are getting better and are blind to the truth. The rest, Bartemius Crouch especially, have taken drastic measures. They condemn innocent men without trials, and authorize the use of Forbidden Curses."
"You all now have the opportunities to become members of a secret alliance against Voldemort. We have links to the Ministry, as our intents are the same, but we are virtually independent. We call ourselves The Order of the Phoenix."
A strange singing filled the air, and everyone looked upward from whence the sound was coming. A beautiful red and gold plumed bird suddenly appeared in the room and alighted on Dumbledore's shoulder. He chuckled. "Yes, Fawkes is our mascot."
Dumbledore turned back to the assembled wizards; "If you choose to join you are all members now. There will be no turning back. If you choose to walk out and leave, we shall not think any less of you. I will perform a small memory charm before you depart, merely to ascertain the secrecy of our order. Please decide now."
No one moved, they had all either decided to stay or where still pondering a decision.
James and Sirius were thinking much the same thing; "I'm brave. I can face this. I must help Dumbledore." They both felt they owed to the wizardring world, it was their solemn duty to defend those weaker than them.
Remus jumped in too quickly, perhaps. He did not yet realize the full weight of his decision. He knew it would be hard, he knew some of them would die, maybe his friends, maybe even him. But he wasn't considering the danger, or how permanent death was. He wanted to prove himself. That he wasn't evil just because of one wolf bite, he wasn't incompetent. He was capable, he wanted to prove this. Once he had convinced the others, he could convince himself. He was the first to lay down his wizard's hat, in significance of his joining.
Sirius and James followed suit. They all looked on expectantly at Peter, but he paid them no heed. He was not yet ready to make his decision.
Peter wanted to help, he really did. Not just to be like his friends, to fit in, or to prove himself, but because he wanted to help others. He didn't want his family and friends to fall victim to Voldemort. But Peter was no fool, he knew he wasn't very bright, nor was he brave. He didn't know if could live up to this. Then he realized that he must, this is what they wanted, what they expected of him. And what he expected of himself.
He laid his hat upon the table beside those of the others.
Only two wizards rose to leave. One of them was very old and shook his head sadly at Dumbledore before exiting through the door.
"I'm sorry Albus, but I grow old. I cannot run around chasing dark wizards. I'll never be able to keep up with these youths. If you need my help in any other way, I will not hesitate to give it." Dumbledore nodded at him to show understanding, and murmured a quiet goodbye, saying that he would take him up on his offer if need be.
The other was the pale young man who had been sitting on the other side of Sirius. "Sir," he began, "I-I cannot.... my father, if he--"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Barty, as your father is high-placed in the Ministry, if he found you out, you'd be in a considerable amount of trouble. We will miss you, though."
Dumbledore shut the door and turned back to face the remaining wizards. Well, I am glad to see that so many of you chose to stay. I hope you made the right decision, I certainly do." Here he stopped and looked around. When his gaze fell on Peter's face, he let his eyes rest there for a moment before continuing. "We will be needing to find two to fill these places...any suggestions?"
"Lily," volunteered James immediately. "She's great with a wand and--"
"And very pretty to boot?" asked Sirius, winking at his friend. Remus and Peter laughed at this.
James turned red, but Dumbledore spoke to save him from further embarrassment. "Lily will do fine. But we need one more. Anyone else you know of?"
"My brother,"* Remus answered. "He'll do in a pinch. I'm sure he'd be happy, well, perhaps happy isn't the word, willing, well, erm, no. He won't mind helping. Much," he murmured this last part to himself, but everyone heard it.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows skeptically, "Are you quite sure Romulus is up to this?"
Remus nodded.
"Very well then, we will meet again in three days. By then I will have everything ready. Remus if you could tell your brother, and if someone could get a hold of Lily, that would leave one less thing for me to look after. It will be a pleasure working with all of you in a not so pleasurable business."
*Romulus Lupin. Twin brother to Remus. They are not identical; Romulus is basically taller and has darker, sharper features, though they still look like brothers. But their whole family looks alike. I'm not the biggest Remus fan in the world, but he is VERY important in this story. His whole family is actually. In addition to Romulus, he has five other siblings, all male, and all older than himself. Anyway, back to Romulus.
There is an ancient Roman legend, that tells the tale of Rome's founding. Two brothers are abandoned in a dark forest. An angry goddess is pursuing their mortal mother, so she leaves them where the goddess' wrath cannot reach them. They are found by a female wolf who raises them as if they were her own cubs. When they are older, their father, who is a god descends to tell them about their past. They then realize that they are humans, not wolves, and build a town for their own kind to live in. (An interesting addition is that they made their own clothes, as they had none before. Remus made his from bark, but Romulus killed the wolf that had raised him and wore its coat.) The city they built was what is now called Rome. Many Harry fans know this much but they don't know how Rome got its name, the second part of the fable.
Both brothers wished to rule the city, and they bickered. Finally, Remus suggested that they both rule as equals. Romulus would not consent to this. He slew his brother, and declared himself king. Thus, Rome bears his name.
Basically what I'm trying to get at is that Romulus wasn't a very nice guy in the legends. He won't be a very nice guy in this story either. I mean, he killed his whole family for his own benefit. I'm not saying anything more.
Also, later on in this story you will learn that the Lupin family has many secrets and hidden powers. Just things to think about, if you like:
a) Remus in relation to the rest of his family. Not his parents but his brother.
b) Romulus is also a werewolf, but of a very different sort.
c) Why Dumbledore is uneasy about asking favors of Romulus.
Longest footnote in the world, sorry bout that!
A/N WELL, WHO CARES, NO ONE READS THIS STORY ANYWAY. NOT EVEN BEKA! WAAAAAA! IT'S OKAY, I STILL LOVE YOU. SORRY, THERE IS A LOT ABOUT SIRIUS, BUT EVERY CHAPTER TRIES TO BUILD ON AND CHARACTERIZE ONE PATICULAR PERSON, AND CONVEY THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. IF YOU WANT SOME IN SIGHT ON THE NEW CHARACTER WHO IS INTRODUCED, READ THE ASTERIKED FOOTNOTE....
Sirius leaned forward, gaining more speed. He had to hurry; he should have been at the meeting five minutes ago. His motorbike blew off an exhaust stream into the dark night sky.
Though, Sirius had many good attributes, one his faults was lack of punctuality. He was flying low to reach the castle in time, he hoped no Muggles were awake and looking skyward at this hour, or he'd be in big trouble with the ministry.
Not that he wasn't used to trouble, of his group of friends, he was definitely the rebel. James didn't live by the rules either, but he didn't have Sirius' temper, and he had more respect, since he had been Head Boy and prefect. Remus, had a taste for adventure as well, but he was kind and considerate, and had the sense to know when a situation was too dangerous. He also expected a lot of himself; he had a lot to live up to. Peter, well, he just didn't like trouble, and like Remus, he was very hard on himself.
Sirius felt he was different from all of them. Though they were his best friends in the world, they were too perfect for him. Everyone knew James was perfect. Remus didn't believe in himself, but everyone else trusted and respected him. And Peter would never have set a toe out of line if it hadn't have been for their influence.
Sirius certainly looked the part of the rebel. His long, black hair, and unshaven face gave him a rough appearance. And his lopsided daredevil grin was his most catching feature. He was tall and lanky like James, but not so thin.
Sirius had finally arrived at Hogwarts castle. It was half-past midnight and he was extremely late now. The meeting was to be held into one of the larger dungeons. He was led in through the front doors by a house elf, who beckoned him to follow. Sirius grinned at the tiny, earnest creature.
"This way, sir, this way. Gribley show you where. No standing in doorway now, you not shy! Gribley amember you, you and other boys come in me kitchen lots. Always hungry boys! Come now, this way!" the elf squeaked.
Sirius followed. The elf led him down a flight of stairs and to the left into a rarely used dungeon. Sirius was used to the Potions Room, but this dungeon was appalling. In the old days, before the castle became a school, it must have been used as a torture chamber. Rusted, spiked mace-and-chains, assorted swords and daggers, thumbscrews and write suspensions hung from every corner of the dungeon. Over in the far corner lay the deadly rack, and instruments used for disembowelment.
"Um, you sure this is where the meeting is?" Sirius asked. He couldn't picture Dumbledore utilizing such a place.
"Oh, yes, sir, I is very sure. In here, yes."
A door on the far side of the room opened with a resounding creak. Sirius and the elf both jumped. Sirius wasn't normally one to be afraid, but this dungeon was quite freaky. A beam of light shown through the crack made by the door, and a long, broken nose poked it's way though. The door opened further to reveal the Headmaster standing there.
"Well, don't be standing, in the doorway, now, come along," he said quietly to Black. Then, turning to the elf, "Gribley, will you return to check the entrance way for the others?"
The elf hobbled off obediently. "So, I'm not too late?" Sirius asked.
"Well, perhaps you could stand to be a bit more punctual in the future. Hagrid is still to come, though, he's working with those giant molerats in the forest, you know. Very pesky, those things, already felled two trees with their tunnels."
They entered the room in to another dungeon room; chairs on either side surrounded a long wooden table. The occupants of these chairs were chatting quietly. This room was not as dismal as the first. Perhaps this was because it was partially lighted by windows on either wall, near the ceiling. The moonlight shone through the blue glass, tinting everything in the room an eerie blue.
Dumbledore took his place at the head of the table. Sirius sat next to James, who had saved him a seat, and a pale young man whose name he did not know on the other side of him.
Hagrid arrived momentarily, brushing dirt from his coat. "Er, sorry, Professor Dumbledore, sir, but me hand was in need of wrapping, y'see. Bloody rat critter went and bit me-"
Dumbledore smiled at Hargid's sincerity, "Don't worry, Reubeus, we weren't ready to begin as it was."
Hagrid took his seat at the foot of the table. It was the only place where there really was room for him to sit. Dumbledore smiled slightly in greeting to those seated around the table.
"Well, I'm glad you were all present and accounted for. I'm afraid I really haven't told any of you much of anything. So I have a rather long explanation, please forgive me, I know that listening to an old fogy is probably the last thing on your to do: list."
Everyone chuckled, he continued, "As you know, the Dark Lord is growing ever stronger. The Ministry is torn to shreds. Half of them have convinced themselves that things are getting better and are blind to the truth. The rest, Bartemius Crouch especially, have taken drastic measures. They condemn innocent men without trials, and authorize the use of Forbidden Curses."
"You all now have the opportunities to become members of a secret alliance against Voldemort. We have links to the Ministry, as our intents are the same, but we are virtually independent. We call ourselves The Order of the Phoenix."
A strange singing filled the air, and everyone looked upward from whence the sound was coming. A beautiful red and gold plumed bird suddenly appeared in the room and alighted on Dumbledore's shoulder. He chuckled. "Yes, Fawkes is our mascot."
Dumbledore turned back to the assembled wizards; "If you choose to join you are all members now. There will be no turning back. If you choose to walk out and leave, we shall not think any less of you. I will perform a small memory charm before you depart, merely to ascertain the secrecy of our order. Please decide now."
No one moved, they had all either decided to stay or where still pondering a decision.
James and Sirius were thinking much the same thing; "I'm brave. I can face this. I must help Dumbledore." They both felt they owed to the wizardring world, it was their solemn duty to defend those weaker than them.
Remus jumped in too quickly, perhaps. He did not yet realize the full weight of his decision. He knew it would be hard, he knew some of them would die, maybe his friends, maybe even him. But he wasn't considering the danger, or how permanent death was. He wanted to prove himself. That he wasn't evil just because of one wolf bite, he wasn't incompetent. He was capable, he wanted to prove this. Once he had convinced the others, he could convince himself. He was the first to lay down his wizard's hat, in significance of his joining.
Sirius and James followed suit. They all looked on expectantly at Peter, but he paid them no heed. He was not yet ready to make his decision.
Peter wanted to help, he really did. Not just to be like his friends, to fit in, or to prove himself, but because he wanted to help others. He didn't want his family and friends to fall victim to Voldemort. But Peter was no fool, he knew he wasn't very bright, nor was he brave. He didn't know if could live up to this. Then he realized that he must, this is what they wanted, what they expected of him. And what he expected of himself.
He laid his hat upon the table beside those of the others.
Only two wizards rose to leave. One of them was very old and shook his head sadly at Dumbledore before exiting through the door.
"I'm sorry Albus, but I grow old. I cannot run around chasing dark wizards. I'll never be able to keep up with these youths. If you need my help in any other way, I will not hesitate to give it." Dumbledore nodded at him to show understanding, and murmured a quiet goodbye, saying that he would take him up on his offer if need be.
The other was the pale young man who had been sitting on the other side of Sirius. "Sir," he began, "I-I cannot.... my father, if he--"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Barty, as your father is high-placed in the Ministry, if he found you out, you'd be in a considerable amount of trouble. We will miss you, though."
Dumbledore shut the door and turned back to face the remaining wizards. Well, I am glad to see that so many of you chose to stay. I hope you made the right decision, I certainly do." Here he stopped and looked around. When his gaze fell on Peter's face, he let his eyes rest there for a moment before continuing. "We will be needing to find two to fill these places...any suggestions?"
"Lily," volunteered James immediately. "She's great with a wand and--"
"And very pretty to boot?" asked Sirius, winking at his friend. Remus and Peter laughed at this.
James turned red, but Dumbledore spoke to save him from further embarrassment. "Lily will do fine. But we need one more. Anyone else you know of?"
"My brother,"* Remus answered. "He'll do in a pinch. I'm sure he'd be happy, well, perhaps happy isn't the word, willing, well, erm, no. He won't mind helping. Much," he murmured this last part to himself, but everyone heard it.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows skeptically, "Are you quite sure Romulus is up to this?"
Remus nodded.
"Very well then, we will meet again in three days. By then I will have everything ready. Remus if you could tell your brother, and if someone could get a hold of Lily, that would leave one less thing for me to look after. It will be a pleasure working with all of you in a not so pleasurable business."
*Romulus Lupin. Twin brother to Remus. They are not identical; Romulus is basically taller and has darker, sharper features, though they still look like brothers. But their whole family looks alike. I'm not the biggest Remus fan in the world, but he is VERY important in this story. His whole family is actually. In addition to Romulus, he has five other siblings, all male, and all older than himself. Anyway, back to Romulus.
There is an ancient Roman legend, that tells the tale of Rome's founding. Two brothers are abandoned in a dark forest. An angry goddess is pursuing their mortal mother, so she leaves them where the goddess' wrath cannot reach them. They are found by a female wolf who raises them as if they were her own cubs. When they are older, their father, who is a god descends to tell them about their past. They then realize that they are humans, not wolves, and build a town for their own kind to live in. (An interesting addition is that they made their own clothes, as they had none before. Remus made his from bark, but Romulus killed the wolf that had raised him and wore its coat.) The city they built was what is now called Rome. Many Harry fans know this much but they don't know how Rome got its name, the second part of the fable.
Both brothers wished to rule the city, and they bickered. Finally, Remus suggested that they both rule as equals. Romulus would not consent to this. He slew his brother, and declared himself king. Thus, Rome bears his name.
Basically what I'm trying to get at is that Romulus wasn't a very nice guy in the legends. He won't be a very nice guy in this story either. I mean, he killed his whole family for his own benefit. I'm not saying anything more.
Also, later on in this story you will learn that the Lupin family has many secrets and hidden powers. Just things to think about, if you like:
a) Remus in relation to the rest of his family. Not his parents but his brother.
b) Romulus is also a werewolf, but of a very different sort.
c) Why Dumbledore is uneasy about asking favors of Romulus.
Longest footnote in the world, sorry bout that!