Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Chapter Two: Too Late

"You idiot! What are you doing!"

"Shut up and get to work, we don't have much time..."

"Yeah, just play follow-the-leader..."

"What? You were included in this too?"

"Look! No more questions, just burn them. All of them."

Shuffling around the room, the three hapless figures threw the scrolls unabashedly into the fire, each one the countless recordings of people meticulously criticizing their every word so as to not make the wrong decision.

One figure picked up a dropped scroll and handed it to the other worker. The other's eyes went wide and they both tapped the still-throwing leader.

"Should we -(gulp)- dispose of this one?"

Pausing for a second, the leader turned to the parchment paper. It didn't seem different from the rest, but it obviously held a lot of importance in each of their minds.

"Just... just hide it."

"You're right... don't burn it. Bury it."

"But that's our entire existence. If it falls into the wrong hands, then who knows what could happen."

"The incantations have been memorized long ago by even our descendants... and we placed that charm upon them that reminds them of it once they reach that age..."

"Remember the potions? There is no way a normal person can be trusted to rely on memory alone for something like that."

From downstairs, an "Alomohora!" sounded, effectively interrupting any train of thought. The leader paused to yelled instructions from below, and said, "We don't have any more time for discussion. Do with it what you will, I'll just have to stall for time."

The two remaining stared at each other for a fraction of a second as the other raced out of the room, each one sharing the same thought. Nobody stalled for time with the Dark Lord... without paying the ultimate price.

"Voldemort! Do not go any farther!"

"Get out of my way! Don't bother my Death Eaters... I'll take care of this one... Ava-"

"Expellarimus!"

"-da Kedavra!"

A loud crack was echoed dimly through the downstairs of the house as the body slumped against the wall. Not caring at the moment, they all stepped upstairs, opened the door and found -

A roaring fire licking at their feet, ashes and a spice scattered around the ground, and two bodies, lying unceremoniously on the floor between the flames, composure locked within their faces.

Voldemort saw the bodies, put two-and-two together and apparated out. His Death Eaters on the other hand chose to stay behind.

"What?! Another one! Why can't they just stay alive!"

"Because they know what we do to people who withhold information."

"The Master always has to have his way with them in the end..."

"You know I was looking forward to doing the Cruciatus Curse on someone..."

"Do it on a Muggle!"

"It's just not the same..."

And to the sensation of their Dark Mark, they apparated away, throwing the Dark Mark into the sky above the house, and leaving the scene of the crime.

The next day the whole house was burnt down to its very foundation. Bricks and mortar still smoked, and half-hearted flames smoldered in the ground.

Only one thing lay untouched by the destruction around it. A small, folded, hidden parchment scroll was among the foundation, covered with ashes in a corner.

*~*~*~*

At Number Four, Privet Drive from the outside, life looked entirely normal. Inside however, there was complete havoc.

The horse-like Mrs. Petunia Dursley stood gaping widely at her living room. Just a few minutes ago her living room was perfectly pristine.

Now it looked like a hurricane had passed through the middle of her house. Dudley Dursley had waddled away from the eye of the storm, knowing that hurricanes move incredibly quickly. Vernon Dursley's face had every color in the rainbow somewhere upon it. China plates flew at a target, however missing each time. When the china had run out, champagne glasses were next.

That morning, with open arms of greeting and eyes of a murderer, Sirius Black had come into their house.

*~*~*~*

Harry buried his ears in the pillow of his room. They had been arguing for hours already... The first hour or so Harry had stood by his godfather, expecting it to die down afterward so they could negotiate, but after he left, their ranting and raving just seemed to worsen. He had no idea why his godfather was there and knew he had to talk to him. Where was he supposed to hide? Wizards on their side who knew the truth weren't after him... but that was less than a hundred thousandth of a percent of the population. And if they didn't work something out quick, every other person would be searching for him (or was searching for him) right this moment. He clearly wanted to go along with whatever Sirius had planned, but safety is an issue...

Oh my God, he thought, I sound like Hermione... But Sirius could be killed because of me... I don't want death on my hands.

But somehow, when tea time rolled around, the Dursley Family was all sitting around the table sipping tea and munching on crumpets from the same plate. Sirius pulled him aside and whispered, "You're family isn't really that bad... once you know how to talk."

Harry raised an eyebrow, watching one of Sirius's latest cuts bleeding anew. Sirius went on, "Harry, the reason I'm here is that Dumbledore told me to escort you to Hogsmeade. If we run into any trouble, I'll leave and have someone I trust pick you up."

Sirius and Harry left, reminding them of his constant vigilance. "Harry, you know, if they ever give you any trouble I made up a simple charm that is permitted by underage wizards..."

"What is it? It had better be worth the trouble I get into..."

"Believe me Harry... it is. And no one will ever find out. Remember? Muggles dismiss magic even if it is right before their faces. It's Sco-"

A few suspicious looking robed officials stepped out of a car and started heading their way. Sirius's eyes went wide and he apparated out with a final message. "I'll contact someone soon. Just walk left so they don't suspect you for a while."

Harry started walking, and when they did question him, he just said they questioned him for the time.

Taking his word at face value, ("The Boy Who Lived wouldn't lie about the murderer Si-"

"Don't say the name! He might not know yet," a voice whispered back.

"Idiot! The Boy isn't that dense..." as they walked off.)

The Boy Who Lived and wasn't that dense sat by the bus stop and waited for the mysterious someone.

*~*~*~*

A blazing red BMW stopped in beside the sidewalk. A middle-aged witch stepped out, loaded Harry's stuff, and ushered him in. Her hair was golden with faint highlights and her deep blue robes were a size too tight, but he didn't mention that aspect of the witch...

After about a few miles, Harry asked the question that puzzled him for so long. "Who are you?"

The corners of the witch's mouth lifted slightly and she retorted, "Didn't Sirius talk about me?"

"Um... he said someone was going to pick me up... he wasn't specific..."

"I was his first girlfriend... in Hogwarts that is. I believe he had a lot before me..."

"Did you know my parents?"

The witch's eyes got misty and she answered, "James and Lily were the best ever... Oh. My name is Athena McGonagall."

A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed! Reviews seem to make my fingers type faster so... keep doing it! I'm hoping this to be at least ten chapters...

I might need a beta-reader, so please email me or something. And when you *do* beta-read please do it well (state the pro's and con's and likes and dislikes...)

Oh my gosh! Does someone have *me* on Author Alert? Wow... two people...

Thanks a lot (I *do* feel very loved.)