A.N. Hey, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Gracie Miller who wrote one of the longest reviews that I have ever seen!!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy it!!!!
Malena
P.S. Don't worry people, we will be seeing Hermione and Ron soon! In just a few more chapters we might be back at Hogwarts, so you'll be able to see everyone.
Harry heaved a sigh and walked over to the chair beside Percy's bed. Percy was wearing some new, navy dress robes.
"Excuse me Mr. Potter," said the secretary, who had seemed to follow him into the room. "I'm sorry, but it might be a day or so before he awakens. In the meantime you are to read this book about Greeting and being and After-Greeter." She handed Harry a thin book.
"Er- Miss?" Harry asked. "Do you know how he died?"
"I believe that a bunch of Ministry members were attacked on a flight to the Ministry in Israel. I suppose that this is one of the victims." The secretary turned and walked out of the room. Harry leafed through the book for a few minutes until he heard a voice in his ear.
"Harry! Where the hell are you?" Exclaimed Max.
"I'm being a Greeter and After-Greeter for a day or so," Harry said into his microphone.
"Why?"
"My friend Ron's brother has been recruited," Harry replied.
"Bummer."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Are you and Celeste still going to come with us to the rock-gym tonight?"
"Not if he doesn't wake up. I have to be here 24/7 it sounds like."
"Bummer," Max repeated. "Well, we can always postpone…"
"Just have Ivy go in my place," Harry said. "She and Celeste are best friends, they'll get along great."
"If you insist…" Harry said goodbye to Max and then the music in his earpiece switched back on. It was playing a sad, mournful tune and Harry was getting really depressed by it. Harry commanded his earpiece to change songs, but then it changed to "Last Resort" by Papa Roach, and that didn't help his mood. At around eight o'clock that evening Victoria appeared in the room. She dropped off a sandwich and a small container of noodles for Harry. He ate it eagerly and then went back to watching Percy, waiting for him to reawaken.
A witch appeared at around mid-night and gave Harry a pill that made it seem that Harry had been sleeping for hours, even though he hadn't. Harry started pacing the room, wishing that Ron and Hermione were there keeping him company.
The next day was Saturday, and Jimmy came to keep him company. They played chess for a few hours, and it made Harry feel even worse. Chess had always been a game that he played with Ron and Hermione. Harry shook his head and made his next move.
"Checkmate," Harry murmured. And they started over again.
Percy didn't wake up till Monday morning. Harry had only been out of the room to change his clothes and to go to the bathroom. He was in the middle of reading the Greeter Handbook for the fourth time when Percy groaned. He sort of rolled onto his side and his eyes darted around the room and he sat up suddenly.
"Where am I?" Percy said in a raspy voice. He hadn't used his voice for days.
"Er- I'll tell you in a moment."
"You sound familiar? Have we met?" Percy asked, looking at Harry. Harry realized that he wasn't wearing his glasses.
"Um… well if you put on your glasses you could see me better. They're on your table."
Percy reached over and pushed his glasses onto his nose.
"Ah!" He yelled. "What the hell! It can't be! You're-you're not…"
"Percy calm down!" Harry said, standing up and walking closer to the bed.
"Calm down! I'm seeing a person who died over a year ago right before my eyes and you're telling me to calm down!" Percy bellowed. Harry clamped his hand over Percy's mouth, even though the room was sound proof and no one else could hear them.
"Percy, listen to me. You need to make a choice before this goes any farther." Harry slowly lowered his hand.
"What is this choice?" Percy asked, still frowning at Harry.
"You can either join us, or you can die. For real this time."
"What are you talking about?" Percy said. "Listen, can I talk to someone else?"
"No." Harry said stubbornly. "Now choose."
Percy glared at Harry.
"What do you mean, 'die for real this time?'" Percy asked. Harry sighed.
"To the rest of the world, we are dead. But to this group of people we are not. Now, you can either join us and continue living, or you can die. Choose."
Percy stared at Harry.
"Will I be able to see my family again?" Percy said timidly.
"Maybe. But they won't recognize you. You will have a disguise on. And that's only if you join us."
Percy nodded.
"All right, I'll join," he said slowly. Harry smiled.
"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix," Harry said. Harry started to explain about everything that went on at the Order of the Phoenix. He explained about the V.D, missions, and jobs. Percy was silent as Harry talked himself into silence.
"So you've been here for an entire year?" Percy finally said. "No one has known?"
"Er-no. But Percy it's not that bad here," Harry said. "I'm sure that you will get used to it. I have! And I'm happy here. I'm with my family." Percy looked up.
"Family?" Percy asked. "Your- your parents?" Harry nodded.
"They were recruited into the Order just like you were," Harry said. Percy nodded, but was silent again.
"Um, Percy?" Harry asked slowly. "How's Ron and Hermione?" Percy swallowed and said, "The last time I saw them they were okay. They're still in school. R-Ron took A-Angelina's place on the Quidditch team. Is Angelina alive too?"
"Yes. So is Cedric." Percy nodded.
"So… I might never see my family. Ever." Percy said.
"You can see them. But they won't see you." Harry said slowly. Percy nodded again, and Harry could see a tear roll down his cheek.
"Percy it's going to be alright," Harry said.
"I'm never going to see, Mum and Dad, Charlie, Bill, Fred, George, R-Ron, and G-Ginny again. Or Penelope," Percy stated, more tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Yes you are!" Harry exclaimed, not really knowing what else to say. "You will! I promise you that! Listen, I heard a rumor from someone that when Voldemort falls we will be able to go back into the real world and have a normal life. You will be able to see your family again!" Percy gave a shaky sigh.
"Now come on, I'm going to show you around the Order of the Phoenix, and you get a new job too!"
"I don't want a new job," Percy said. Harry was reminded of his little sister's whining.
"Oh come on, these jobs are fun! You learn martial arts and stuff! It's really cool. Come on, I have a change of clothes here for you. I'll see you in a few minutes."
Harry left the room.
Percy emerged a few minutes later and said, "Where are we?"
"These are the Recruition rooms," Harry said. "Follow me, I'm going to show you some more offices."
Harry showed him the A.A office and part of the V.D. He was in the middle of showing Percy the Leisure dome when Sarge contacted him on his earpiece.
"Bring Weasley to my office. Now." Sarge said.
"Okay Percy," Harry said. "It's time for you to go meet Sarge."
Percy nervously followed Harry up some metal stairs and up to Sarge's office door.
"You had to do all of this too?" Percy said nervously.
"Yes. Don't worry about it, Sarge is always nice to new recruits. You'll do fine and I'm sure you'll get a great job." The doors opened and Percy walked in.
Twenty minutes later Percy emerged from Sarge's office.
"I got a job in the Communication Office," Percy said, holding up a packet. "What's that?"
"Oh, that office mainly works with the Ministry and other places in the regular world," Harry said. "You know, keeping the Ministry from learning our secrets and such. We even have a few people in the Ministry of magic!" Percy and Harry walked to the Communication office.
"Er… I'm going to talk to the Head of this Office and see what you'll be doing and such," Harry said. He talked to Mr. Indis, a Russian man who was the head of the Communication Office. He was very excited because Percy had had experience with the Ministry. He called another office worker and told him to show Percy around.
"See you soon Percy," Harry said, walking toward the door of the Office.
"You're leaving?" Percy said.
"Yes, you are going to have to find your way to your Recruition office. If you get lost you can ask anyone for help. Good luck," Harry said.
Harry rushed off to his second class and hurried in just as Mr. X was finished talking to everyone in the class.
"What did he say?" Harry asked Sean.
"They've set a day for the next Transfer," Sean said. "It's on August 15th of next year."
"Oh," Harry said.
"Everyone is going to be studying intensively for the next few months," Max said, coming up behind them and putting his arm around Sean's shoulder. "You going to try out for a Master's position Harry?"
"I don't know…"
"Oh come on," Ivy said, coming up beside them. "You should try out for Dueling Master. Ever since you whooped my ass on your first day at this class I knew you had talent."
"Maybe," Harry said shortly.
"Hey, Max!" Ivy exclaimed suddenly "I challenge you!" The two girls went off to practice their fighting.
"Hold on, I gotta go watch this," Sean said. He ran off after them.
During the next couple of days Harry saw Percy taking classes and practicing with his new knowledge. He would probably be going on his first mission within the next month or so. Harry would occasionally stop and say hi and ask how Percy was doing. Percy would reply rather solemnly, and never went into great detail. Harry's mom was very eager to learn about Percy and two weeks after Percy had been recruited, Lily asked him to come to their house for dinner. Percy agreed, saying that he was glad to get away from his dorm room and his annoying roommate.
Percy happily chatted with Harry's parents over dinner, about his new job. He didn't really talk about his family until Harry's dad brought it up.
"Percy, how's your dad been? When I first started off at the Ministry he was always really nice," James said.
"Oh… the last time I saw him he was fine," Percy said. "He's working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office at the Ministry."
"Really? That's wonderful." James replied. "Harry would you pass the beans?"
"Before I came here I was working at the Ministry too," Percy continued. "I was in the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
"Really? I started out there," James said. The two of them started talking spiritedly about the Department.
Harry glanced at his mother, who smiled and winked at him. Harry smiled back.
"Thank you so much for coming!" Lily said, shaking Percy's hand later that night after dinner.
"Thank you Mrs. Potter, it was a really wonderful dinner. I loved the veal."
"Well, thank you!" Lily exclaimed, blushing slightly. "Good night."
"See you Perce!" Harry called from the living room.
"Bye Harry," Percy said. He walked through the door that led to the Order of the Phoenix and returned to his dorm.
"Well he was a nice boy!" Lily exclaimed. "I always liked his family."
"Yes, they're nice," Harry said. "I'd better go to bed, Ms. Zegar wants us to come in extra early tomorrow, event though it's a Saturday." Harry silently moaned to himself and then went upstairs again.
Harry was in the middle of eating breakfast when Sarge's voice came over the earpiece.
"97! You are to report to the V.D immediately. We have a mission." Harry gulped down the rest of his orange juice and ran out the door.
"Good, you're here," Sarge said when Harry ran panting into the room. Sphinx was standing beside Sarge. "I have a special mission for the both of you. I need you to go out immediately."
"Where is the location?" Sphinx asked, her Egyptian accent very noticeable.
"It is in a small Wizarding Villiage called Hogsmeade," Sarge replied. Harry's heart gave a leap. Hogsmeade!
"We have just received information from one of the spies that is acting as a Death Eater that there is going to be a Death Eater at the villiage pub called the Hog's Head. 97, you are to wear your disguise, and both of you are to wear your cloaks and sunglasses. Keep it on the setting to see magical objects so you will be able to see the Dark Mark on the Death Eater's arm. You are to make sure that he does not attack civilians. Understand?"
Harry and Sphinx nodded.
"Good luck."
Harry went quickly to his desk and opened a drawer. His sunglasses and his disguise bracelet were sitting on top of his neatly folded cloak. Harry pulled on the bracelet and instantly felt the changes take place. He pulled on his cloak and put the glasses over his eyes.
Sphinx was waiting for him near the doors, wearing an ankle length maroon cloak over her jeans and low cut black shirt that matched the color of her hair.
"Are you ready Potter?" She asked.
"Yeah, but my disguise nickname is Stealth."
"All right." A second later she disappeared. Harry readjusted his glasses and disappeared as well.
It was chilly and Harry pulled his cloak closer around him. Sphinx glanced around at the people who were milling around outside of the small pub before pushing the door open and going inside.
It was very crowded inside and Harry suddenly realized why. The room was packed with Hogwarts students. Sphinx started walking over to a table in the corner. Harry followed her, still glancing around the room.
"Would you two like anything to drink?" Asked Madame Rosemerta, coming over to their table.
"What do you have?" Sphinx said. Madame Rosemerta started listing off the special drinks and homemade beers while Harry looked around the room. Harry recognized Justin Finch-Fletchley in the corner of the room, swapping Chocolate Frog cards with a girl.
From what Harry could tell, there wasn't any familiar Gryffindors. Sphinx placed her order with Madame Rosemerta and then Harry ordered a Butterbeer. The door opened again and Harry saw Rubeus Hagrid's giant form walk through the door. He took a seat at the bar and didn't give another glance at the two Order of the Phoenix agents in the corner of the room.
"Stop looking around so much, it makes it seem as though we're looking for someone. Pretend we're having a conversation," Sphinx said.
"Well, what do we have to talk about?" Harry hissed.
"You used to go to the school by here, what was it like?" Sphinx asked. Harry started to talk a little about his classes and stuff, until the door opened once more and a few familiar students walked into the pub. Harry recognized these students. On the left was Dean Thomas, who was taller than Harry had remembered him to be. Next to him was Seamus Finnigan, arm in arm with Lavender Brown. And the two people on the end were… Ron and Hermione. Harry's heart sank a little as he saw the two of them. He should have been with them, having a Butterbeer over there with them…
"Stealth snap out of it!" Sphinx hissed. "Have you seen the Death Eater yet?"
"No, have you?"
"Why would I be asking you if I had seen it?" Sphinx snapped. "Okay, we have to pretend like we're talking…"
"Were you born in Egypt?" Harry asked in French.
"Yes," Sphinx replied in the same language. "My parents are both Egyptian and we live in Egypt. One of my ancestors was a pharaoh I believe."
"Really? That's-"
"Shh!" She hissed suddenly. "D.E!"
Harry's eyes flicked toward the door. A cloaked person had just walked through the door. With the sunglasses Harry could see the Dark Mark on his upper left arm.
"Should we wait until he makes a move?" Harry whispered.
"No, let's go approach him now. Take out your badge and your wand," Sphinx's chair scraped on the floor as she stood up. Harry followed her as she started walking over to the Death Eater. Harry saw the Death Eater start to reach into his pocket to find his wand.
"Touch that wand and your head gets blasted off!" Yelled Sphinx from ten feet away. The pub went deathly silent. Harry saw everyone's head turn toward them.
"Order of the Phoenix," Sphinx said. "Take your hand out of your pocket and put your hands high in the air." Harry saw the Death Eater hesitate and Harry lifted his wand so it was level with the Death Eater's head.
"Now," Harry growled. The Death Eater slowly took his hand out of his pocket and raised both of his hands.
"Place your hands on the back of your head and don't move them. If you try to do anything besides that you will be killed," Sphinx said. Still not lowering their wands the two of them walked over to the Death Eater, who was standing so still that Harry couldn't even see him breathing.
Sphinx reached the Death Eater first and put a binding spell on his wrists. Then she grabbed him by the hair and dragged him out of the pub.
"Stealth, stay back there and erase their memories," Sphinx said, "Then return to the Order of the Phoenix." Harry nodded and returned to the inside of the pub, where everyone stared at him fearfully.
"Er…" Harry thought quickly of a diversion, "Have you all heard the joke about the wizard who goes into the bar and sees a toad sitting on the piano?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Okay, well you see the wizard said, "Why is there a toad sitting on your piano?" to the bartender and the bartender said, "Obliviate Maximus!" There was a sudden burst of light from the end of Harry's wand. It spread to everyone in the room.
When the light had faded everyone sort of blinked and then resumed their conversation.
Harry went outside and Molecularized with a small ping!
A.N. I'm sorry if this is shorter than my other chapters, but I really wanted to get it up… Anyway, in the next chapter I'm going to skip ahead in time a little. The Transfers are going to be taking place!
Malena