A/N - Here you are, sorry it's late, but as they say - better late than never! Hope everyone enjoys it! This part is dedicated to 'Dumbledore's True Love' who cheered me up no end with all their wonderful reviews! Anyway, here you go...

Harry Potter and the Order of Praesentia

Chapter One - A Mysterious Start....

"Who," Harry stuttered, slightly startled, "or what, are the Order of Prae-"

"I can't tell you any more, Harry," Sirius said with a shake of his head. "You'll have to wait for a while."

"So," Harry said, glaring at his godfather, "you tell me that some mysterious group wants to speak to me, and then tell me nothing about it?!"

Sirius grinned. "Yep. It'll keep your mind off exam results, which," he said, glancing at his watch, "are due in 2 and a half-hours."

Harry groaned, sinking his head down into his hands.

"I think I'll go upstairs," he said, voice slightly muffled through his arms. "Maybe I'll throw myself off the roof."

**

"He has been told then?"

"Yes."

"In what detail?"

"None, as agreed."

"Very good. We shall meet with him, on the eve of the day of resurrection."

"As you wish, Causidicus. It shall be arranged."

"Thank you, Vasillus."

**

"HARRY!"

"Are they here?"

"Yes!" Sirius shouted up the stairs in a teasing voice. "Come down and see your fate!"

Sirius Black held back a grin as his godson sprinted down the stairs, skidding towards the table to grab the crisp envelope from the owl's clutches, ignoring its squawk of annoyance. Whilst Harry ripped open the envelope impatiently, Black turned around to wave his wand over the kettle, heating it to a sufficient temperature.

"Well?"

He waited for a reply, but upon receiving none, turned to face Harry, who was staring, gob-smacked at the paper.

"What is it?" He asked, beginning to worry.

"I-I passed - everything!" Harry replied joyfully, "And I even got 'honourable credit' in Defence, Charms and Transfiguration!!"

Sirius gave a whoop of joy and hugged Harry tightly. "I knew you could do it!! You up for celebrating?"

Harry grinned widely. "Sure, but I'll just owl Ron and Herm and see how they did…"

"Don't bother. We'll stop by to pick them up!"

"A night on the town?"

"Erm, sort of - nothing too rowdy, since I'm supposed to teach you to be responsible - and I certainly don't want to get on Molly Weasley's bad side."

Harry grinned and then ran off to tell Elise the good news. Sirius shook his head in amusement. Harry had seriously been afraid he'd fail something. He shouldn't have been Sirius thought, well, other than Potions. (Which, incidentally, was basically a worry to anyone who wasn't a Slytherin, or perhaps Hermione, who didn't really need to worry about anything.)

As Harry reappeared, Elise in tow, Sirius threw a pinch of Floo Powder into the kitchen fire, motioning both children towards it. Elise had already faced the trials of her first trip by the Floo network, and apparently, had enjoyed it more than Harry had - perhaps because she had arrived in the right place. The trio stepped through the flames, simultaneously shouting 'The Burrow,' and were quickly whisked away.

As the interior of the kitchen appeared in Harry's view, he saw his two friends dancing around happily, waving pieces of paper around in joy.

"Good news, then?" He heard Sirius ask over his shoulder. Everyone's attention shifted to the fireplace and Hermione screeched in delight.

"LOOK! All honourable credits!!"

"Oh," Ron smirked, "like there was ever any doubt. Honestly."

"How'd you do, Ron?" Harry asked, a grin spreading across his face at the sight of the smiles in the room.

"I passed everything!"

"Me too!!"

Sirius stepped in front of the three over-zealous teenagers and spoke to the exceedingly proud Mrs Weasley.

"Molly," he whispered, "I thought I'd take them out to Hogsmeade to celebrate. Do you mind?"

"Not at all - It'll do them some good - get rid of all this energy they suddenly seem to have." She rolled her eyes in a good-natured manner. "They didn't seem to have it earlier when I asked them to clean the attic though. Strange indeed."

Sirius grinned in sympathy, and then clapped his hands, announcing, "All set then, off to Hogsmeade."

**

It was a while before the euphoria of the trio's OWL results was gone, but once it had vanished, the new school year was looming only a few days away. Harry had long forgotten his conversation with Sirius and nothing more had been said about the matter, although the topic more than once crossed Sirius' mind. As the final days of the holidays passed, the letter from Hogwarts came - later than usual due to the exams - but containing vital information on which NEWT courses they could choose from. They had to choose only 3 subjects to 'major in', but still had to study all other subjects, 'in the background,' so to speak. Harry, having achieved three honourable credits, had an easy choice. For Hermione, it was a case of getting rid of some things, and in the end, she decided to continue with Defence against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Ancient Runes. Ron had struggled more with the decision, but eventually went with Charms, Defence against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. Nobody questioned the trio's unanimous decision to study Defence - with the dark times that were surely on they way, they would more than need it.

As always, the day previous to the student's departure to school was one of frantic packing. In every household it was more than likely, no matter how many times a list was checked, that something would be forgotten. However, Harry still went about packing as he always did - the well used 'chuck and stuff' method. Elise was of little help - insisting that he really did need the pile of mud with worms from the garden, or the extra jar of jam from the cupboard. Sirius occasionally put in his two pennies worth, suggesting extra things that needed to be added, but other than that, Harry kept packing without interruption and finished in plenty of time.

Harry had already decided that he would catch the Hogwarts express, even though he lived in Hogsmeade - only five minutes from the school. Sirius had pointed out how silly this was - travelling 400 miles south, just to come back again - but Harry had insisted that he wanted to spend the time with his friends. Having checked everything over one last time, they threw Floo powder into the fireplace and jumped through.

Harry stumbled out of the fire, one hand on his glasses, the other grabbing onto the nearest object in an attempt to balance himself. Having knocked over what appeared to be a rather large hat stand, he was in the process of picking it up when Sirius and Elise appeared, Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage floating along behind them. Finding the small room to be deserted, they exited, heading towards the platforms. However, upon reaching the entrance, they came across a bored looking youth that stood up, straightening his uniform as they drew closer.

"Sorry folks, station's closed - there ain't no trains running today."

"Closed?" Harry asked, completely astounded. "What do you mean the station's closed?!"

"Big train crash t'other week, sonny. Didn't ya hear 'bout it? Still ain't cleared up proper. Big news it were, on the telly 'n everythin'!" The man puffed up, full of pride "Gave an account of what 'appened me self, to the cameras- me mam saw it 'n all - dead proud, so she were."

Harry glanced at Sirius and shrugged, wondering where this conversation was leading.

"Course, 'orrible thing it were really - dozens o' people killed - strange too - not found no cause yet, the coppers ain't."

Hedwig shifted inside her cage, causing Harry to almost drop it. It drew the porter's attention and he looked down at the bird.

"Unusual one that is - you don't get many owl round 'ere normally - mind you, there was another one earlier on."

"Really?" Harry asked, his interest in the man's conversation re-instilled. "When?"

"'bout ten minutes ago - noisy little bugger it were though, not like this 'un." The man tipped his hat back and looked curiously at Harry. "Why?"

"Er, no reason - did you see where they went?"

"Yeah - strange lot they were - big group too, headed into the booking office - something about fireplaces and fur they were sayin'." He frowned at the group's desperate looks. "I dunno - I can't be expected to remember ev'ry little thing that goes on, can I? Now, clear orf, the station's closed."

The man re-adjusted his cap, span on his heel, and returned to the gate he had previously been stood by.

Harry turned to Sirius, his forehead wrinkled in thought.

"It's got to be the Weasleys," he said.

"With Piggy!" Elise chirped.

"Yes," Sirius agreed, "certainly sounds like it could have been them - looks like they were heading for us though, Harry - we'd best go back and check. We can't get on the express anyway, that's for sure."

"What do you think about the train crash, Sirius?" Harry asked, still deep in thought.

"Bloody unreliable Muggle inventions, that's what. I wonder how they're getting everyone to Hogwarts then? Not many people seemed to have turned up - somebody must have got word around."

"It just seems strange, that's all" Harry continued, ignoring his godfather. Sirius looked at him concernedly, before pushing open the door which led back to the fireplace which they had reached whilst talking.

"Harry," Elise whined. "I've lost my ribbon."

"That's all right, there're plenty more at home."

"OK - me first!!"

"Right then, through you go," Sirius said, watching carefully to make sure Elise got through all right. "You next, Harry."

Harry glanced around once more - unable to shake the feeling that all was not as it seemed- before stepping through the bright flames. Sirius followed shortly, moving particularly quickly as he heard footsteps coming in their direction.

"'ere, mate - I found the kid's ribbon - blimey!" The youth looked around the empty room in confusion. "I'm sure they came in 'ere. They've vanished, so they 'ave. I'm going round the bend, me - mam always said I should 'ave gone to an airport - there's more people there, not so bleeding lonely, unlike this place..."

**

"So let's get this straight then - the Express isn't running, and every student is using our house to floo to?!"

"No, just the Gryffindors," Minerva McGonagall rationalised, trying to calm the frantic Sirius Black down. Sirius rolled his eyes and continued to guide children through the house and out of the front door where Harry was directing them towards the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts.

"To be perfectly honest," she continued, "I'm surprised you didn't hear about it - we sent messages to everyone."

"We must have left too early - we didn't know."

As the last of the children wandered through the now extremely dirty living room, all present heaved a sigh of relief. Harry wandered in with Ron and Hermione and came to talk to the two older members of the remaining group, one of who was wondering if his house would ever be free of soot.

"Professor McGonagall, could I ask you something?"

The transfiguration teacher looked slightly surprised, but re-applied her normal calm exterior and replied, "Certainly, Potter."

"That train crash - was there a wizard killed in it?"

Sirius blanched at his words, and McGonagall opened her mouth in amazement.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"I don't know - just a feeling, I guess." He turned to Sirius. "We're going to go up to the school now, ok?" Receiving a nod, he gave a cheery goodbye and left the room talking animatedly with his two friends. Sirius turned to the teacher, a questioning look on his face.

"It's uncanny," she stuttered. "How could he know?"

"Who was it?"

"Ollivander - the wand maker."

**

A pale, bony hand extended towards the sign nailed to the door and pulled it off.

"Ollivanders : Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC - Temporarily closed due the unfortunate death of the proprietor, Mr Ollivander. How sad." The hand threw the sign to the floor. "Break it open - and make sure you find the feather. Only the right phoenix one will do."

Cloaked figures strode into the deserted shop, searching desperately for the elusive feather. A few were gathering other items from the workshop in the back. A tall wizard - a mask covering his face - rushed to the door proclaiming,

"I have it, Master." He raised his hand to display a red and black feather.

"Excellent. Now that we have the feather of the dark phoenix, we can begin to remould it at once."

"Of course, my Lord."

"And then once again, I, Lord Voldemort shall rise to defeat the light - beginning with the creation of a new wand of darkness, and the destruction of Harry Potter."

**

"The Aureus will be brought to see us, Vasillus - the resurrection has begun."

"Very well, Causidicus, they shall be informed."

"Indeed."

**

To be continued...

A/N - I really need to stop with the cliff-hangers don't I? ^_^ Ah well...

As ever, thanks to the great people who reviewed - and to those who didn't - naughty naughty :-

Pleiades - Thanks - you've reminded me to go and see if a new part of your story is up! Everybody should read this story!! ARE YOU LOT LISTENING? Read this authors work - it's great!

Sarah - Glad you like it!

Kelzery - I know, just the beginning - hope you enjoyed this part as much.

Coqui - as ever, thanks for reviewing, even though you already beta read it!! (And I love the new part of your story!)

Shadow - Thanks

Maxwell Coffee House - Sorry, it took a bit long really, didn't it?

Someone2 - Sorry! I didn't miss you out deliberately - consider this a triple thanks - two for the great reviews for this part, and one for the review I missed last time!

Lizzy/Tygrestick - Thanks, hope you enjoyed this too.

NK - glad you like the sequel.

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~*Dumbledore's True Love*~ - *ANNOUNCER* "Presenting, to Dumbledore's true love, the reviewer of the chapter!" You reviewed 4 times!! I'm very very sorry to have kept you waiting!

Ravenclaw Filly - er, now?

Simplefan - There you go!

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A huge thanks to my two beta-readers, Tanya and Coqui, who both do an absolutely fantastic job at making my stories presentable! You only have to look at the mistakes in my aouthors note to see the great job they do!

Anyway, until next time.. Lord knows when that'll be, since I have exams in 5 weeks, but I'll try. ^_^

Rufus