Look how quickly this new part's out! Thanks to Coqui and Tanya for checking this before I posted it! Please bear with me for future chapters..Exam stress looms over me like a bad cold, but I try to use writing as a relaxant.. I'll do my best, anyway. Here's to the next part then.. I'll dedicate this next part to, I don't know.. the lads in my further maths class for making me laugh..

Rufus ^_^

Harry Potter and the Order of Praesentia

Chapter Two - The Aureus

Having travelled by the horse-less carriages up to the school, the students were dismayed to realise that they had arrived too late for the feast. The elves insisted that none of the food could be eaten now, and that everybody would have to wait for more to be prepared. The trio, along with the rest of the students, headed for the common room of their house, looking forward to returning to what had been their home for the last five years.

"You've got to get looking quickly, Harry!"

"I know, Ron. I know," the emerald-eyed boy replied. "I have two weeks to find two beaters and three chasers."

Ron coughed. "Er, and a keeper."

"WHAT?"

"Yeah, well, Ian Daley's Mum transferred him to America - something about his grandmother, I think."

"Wonderful," Harry said as he pushed open the door for Hermione, "That's just what I needed."

"Can't you two change the subject?" Hermione groaned. "You've talked about nothing but bloody Quidditch all afternoon, and don't look like you're planning on stopping this evening."

Harry and Ron grinned at each other, rolling their eyes.

"Sorry," Ron said. "What would you like to talk about Herm-own-ninny?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron, trying to determine whether this was said with any kind of hidden meaning. Eventually deciding just to ignore him, she snapped "mitoile" towards the portrait guarding the Gryffindor common room and marched up the stairs to the girls dormitory. Harry and Ron snorted in amusement once she was out ear-shot, before heading upstairs themselves.

"Who do you think'll make the team then, Harry?"

"Not a clue, mate." Harry said, lying back on his familiar bed.

"I was thinking of trying out," Ron said, glancing at the captain of the team. "Do you think I should?"

"Sure!"

"Oh, can I borrow the Magical Beast textbook?" Ron added as an afterthought. "I've not quite finished my work yet."

"Yeah, sure. How much is 'quite'?"

"Erm, none."

Harry laughed and pulled himself up, walking towards his trunk in the corner of the room, where, since he had yet to unpack, the book would be found. He undid the clasps, grabbed the handle to pull open the battered case, and vanished.

"HARRY!?"

(I would like to point out at this time, that I was originally going to end the last part with this..but I thought that was a little cruel, even for me.)

**

Harry felt the familiar tug of a Portkey as he put his hand on the handle of the trunk, and he closed his eyes in dismay. Once he opened them again, there was only darkness as far as he could see. Feeling in his robes for his wand, he cursed as he realised it was lying on his bed back at Hogwarts. Focusing once more on his surroundings, he conjured the fireball he had once shown Sirius and began to try to determine where he was.

**

"Is this really necessary, Causidicus?"

"Yes, Mr Black, it is absolutely necessary. Mr Potter's abilities must be assessed in an environment which allows them to work to their full potential."

Sirius frowned as he watched his godson stumble towards the edge of the room. He still wasn't sure that he trusted these people but Dumbledore had assured him that Harry was in no danger.

Harry doesn't know that though, does he?

Sirius contemplated this. After all that happened last year, was transporting Harry, by surprise, into what must seem like a dangerous situation, such a good idea? Did Harry need this right now?

It's all for the best, he reasoned. This will help him in the long run...If he doesn't have a heart attack first.

With that, Sirius' attention returned, along with everyone else's, to the room below them, where Harry had finally found the edge of the room.

**

Upon reaching a wall, Harry found himself with no further clues as to what was going on. Nobody had attacked him thus far, and he hadn't come across any deadly animals. What had happened? He shivered despite the small fireball in his hand, as it did very little to take away the chill of the room, and strained to see further in the room. Looking at the flames in his hand once more he willed them on, smiling as the ball began to swell in size. Soon, it had reached a size which made it possible to see across the room, and warmed Harry up considerably. Realising that it was beginning to block his view, Harry stopped the flames from growing any bigger, and left the giant sun-like structure to float along behind him, lighting his way. Looking up, he was sure that there were voices coming from somewhere - he could hear noises coming from above him, but how to reach them?

As soon as Harry had this thought, there was a cracking sound, and then silence. Looking around, he saw nothing. Shrugging, he looked up again for the voices, only to see a large boulder falling from the ceiling towards him. Throwing his hands upwards in what was a natural reaction to the oncoming threat, he closed his eyes and prayed for the best.

**

"HERM!"

Hermione looked up, along with the other occupants of the 5th year girls room, as Ron burst through the door, pale-faced and reckless.

"HE VANISHED!"

"Who?"

"HARRY!" Ron shouted in frustration, "Who else?"

"What do you mean?" She asked, a familiar panic beginning to creep through her body.

"He was opening his trunk to get a book out and vanished!"

"Are you sure?"

"Herm," he whined. "I think I would know whether Harry vanished or not!"

"Come on, we've got to tell Dumbledore!"

The two friends sprinted out of the room, leaving a very confused group of girls behind them.

**

Harry opened one eye carefully. I'm not dead, he thought, but I'm still here. Looking up towards where his hands remained stretched upwards, he gaped at the boulder, which was floating quietly. Still staring, he walked away, trembling at the close shave, never taking his eyes away from the strange sight. Did I do that?

**

"Did he do that?" Sirius asked in amazement.

"Yes, Mr Black. He is indeed what we have been looking for." Causidicus waved his hand at two of the men. "I have seen enough - stop the course."

"Yes, Causidicus."

"That's it then?" Black said, slightly puzzled that everything was over so quickly.

"For now."

**

Having stepped away from underneath the boulder, Harry let his arms drop back down and watched as the boulder fell to the floor with a loud thud. If I can float a boulder, he thought, trying to instil confidence in himself, I can float myself up to those voices. Closing his eyes, he concentrated hard on an image of himself rising upwards. A strange tingle spread throughout his body, loosening all his joints, his heart started to beat at an impossible rate, a strange golden light shone on the inside of his eyelids and a strange humming rang through his head. Opening one eye a fraction, Harry gave a startled yelp as he realised he was a hundred feet in the air and could see people on a balcony below him watching in amazement. His concentration shattered, he lost his balance and began to fall. Lunging for the wall in front of him, he grasped a brick which stuck out with his fingertips and scrambled to find a foot-hold. Having regained some sort of balance, he looked up to the balcony he had fallen past, squinting at the shocked faces of the figures leaning over looking at him. Seeing one face in particular, he started - almost losing his grip in the process.

"Sirius?"

"Oh. Hi, Harry."

**

"Vasillus, go arrange for Mr Potter to be brought to the hall."

"At once, Causidicus."

Sirius frowned as the cloaked figure scurried from the room. These people seem less trustworthy by the minute.

"Was that entirely normal?" He asked, turning to the leader who was stood in deep thought.

"Fairly," came the reply. "Although, he seems to be developing these powers quite well by himself. He is more advanced than even I had predicted." The mysterious man paused, treating Sirius Black to a suspicious glance. "And you tell me you knew nothing of these further abilities? He told you he could only do smaller things?"

Sirius looked down. It was true. Harry hadn't told him any of this. "He doesn't trust me, I- I don't - why?" He asked, immediately fearing the worst, not understanding that Harry probably didn't realise he could do these things.

"Why, Mr Black?" Causidicus turned on him. "How has Mr Potter had the chance to learn to trust someone? He probably trusted adults, until they locked him in a cupboard and refused to feed him; children, until they teased and hit him; Professors, until they tried to kill him, and friends, until they betrayed him." He stopped at the look on Sirius' face. "I am aware that this is not something Mr Potter believes - but no doubt it is what Mr Weasley does, and trust relies on both parties, Mr Black. Give him some time - he must learn to trust eventually - but it will take time. It is hard to learn to trust people at a time like this - especially when one is being pursued by the Dark Lord, I should think."

**

"You knew, Sirius?!"

Harry looked around the room incredulously. He was still confused as to what he was doing here - all he knew thus far was that his disappearance from Hogwarts had been arranged so that his powers could be tested. Thousands of questions buzzed through his head all at once. Who were these strange people - and what was Sirius doing consorting with them?

"Yes, but I think you'll understand better if you allow Causidicus to explain his motives."

Harry frowned at his godfather, but then turned to what seemed to be the leader of this strange organisation, an expectant look on his face. The man obliged him and began talking.

"We, Mr Potter, are the Order of Praesentia. Founded in 1401 by the great King Arthur himself, our mission is to destroy the darkness that often overwhelms the country. Of course, we have had several problems along the way - The Great Fire of London in 1666 perhaps being the worst - although the member in question insisted that the fire saved lives by ending the plague - anyway, I digress. Our mission was set in the hope that one day, the prophecy given by Merlin could be solved. We believe that in you, it has."

Harry remained silent, disbelief written across his face.

"Come, follow me."

Causidicus began to lead Harry, Sirius, and the rest of the members down a corridor lit by blazing torches. The walls seemed to glow with an eerie iridescence, lighting those who walked within them to a similar shade. They walked in silence, the thumps of feet treading on the ground and the swishing of robes along the floor the only sound to be heard. Finally the chain of people drew to a halt, stood in front of a large bronze plate. Neatly inscribed in the dull metal were a series of paragraphs in what Harry assumed was Latin. He understood some of it - most of the spells the students had learnt to date were in Latin, so they were all roughly familiar with the language - but most of it was gibberish in his eyes.

"This," Causidicus stated, "is the collection of Merlin's prophecies. Over the many years in which he lived, several of these prophecies came true, and now, only one remains to come to fruition."

He extended one arm towards the paragraph at the base of the plaque and began to translate it for those around him.

"Before the millennium has come to its close,

Whilst the leaders make sure that no person knows,

The true light side admits the horror has risen,

And so, in the darkness, a golden hope shall be given.

With the blood of the founder, and powers of old,

The Aureus' tale for many years shall be told.

To be recognised by these signs, four,

They shall extinguish darkness for evermore.

The looks of the heir, both in stature and eye,

Stealth of the animal, black of the sky.

Known throughout all the world, but fully by few,

Many times breaking through darkness, but always staying true."

Harry's mouth was agape.

"You're kidding me - you don't think - you can't think - I mean there's no way-"

Causidicus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder in a calming manner.

"Mr Black mentioned you could turn into a panther. Would you mind showing us?"

Harry glanced at his godfather - still unsure as to what Sirius was doing here, but receiving a nod, continued with the transformation. There were gasps from around the room as the panther swished its tail from side to side, watching the group with narrowed eyes.

"The animal!"

"Black fur!"

Harry changed back before any more comments could be made, a scowl evident on his features.

"I am not some, some - Aureus, I'm just a kid! A kid who's lucky to made it this far! Lucky, that's all."

"Harry," Sirius soothed, "calm down-"

"NO!" Sirius jumped back at the outburst; it was extremely unusual for Harry to raise his voice to anyone. "I won't calm down, Sirius! First, I get whisked away from Hogwarts - Ron and Hermione will be nicely worried by now, by the way - second, I land in a strange dark room; third, I get a big boulder dropped on me; fourth, I nearly fall one hundred feet to my death and finally, to top it all off, I get told I'm some golden hope for the light side - and you try to tell me calm down?!"

The room's occupants looked on in amazement as Harry span around and made to leave the room. He had only reached as far as the wide archway in the far wall, when he span around, his cheeks a slight pink shade.

"I don't know the way out," he said sheepishly, the anger fading quickly from his system.

"You're not leaving until you accept this, Harry." Sirius said, glad to see a slightly calmer version of his godson, but still anxious that he should accept the truth. "You can't afford to ignore it - Voldemort," he paused here, slightly surprised as some of the members shuddered. "Voldemort," he repeated, "is not far away from achieving his full power - we have to harness this power you're showing - for your own protection!"

"But I can't, Sirius - I'm nothing special!" Harry looked up at Sirius with pleading eyes. "Can't you just tell them they've got the wrong person and then I can go back to school?"

"I know how much you hate to hear this, Harry, but you are special - and you're needed to help defeat the dark arts, much like you have been doing for the last five years. For now, it will just mean a few extra lessons - it can be a secret, nobody needs to know!"

"Really?"

"Yes, in fact, you can't tell anybody. That was going to be another problem, but we weren't going to tell you until later."

"Not even Ron or Hermione?"

"Sorry."

"If I say ok, can we go back to Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"Alright then. Can we go?" Harry lowered his voice to a whisper. "These people are giving me the creeps."

"Me too, Harry - let's get out of here."

"Great."

Sirius began to lead Harry down the corridor towards what he knew was a Portkey, all the while trying to explain the prophecy.

"Gryffindor, of course," he replied to one of Harry's many questions, "through Lily's side."

"Really? I thought my mum was Muggle-born."

"No, although I'm not surprised you thought that - Petunia was a squib, which is mostly why she resented magic so much." He paused, looking at Harry. "It's really the eyes that give you away, Harry. Everyone always comments how you have Lily's eyes, which is significant as they were Godric Gryffindor's most prominent feature, passed through his line to you."

"Like the prophecy?"

"Yes. Have you ever seen a portrait of Gryffindor when he was young?"

"No. The one I've seen is of him when he's old - a wizened wizard, so to speak."

"Find one when you get back to Hogwarts -trust me, you'll get a shock."

With this, both Harry and Sirius touched the Portkey in the centre of the room and were whisked away from where the Order was situated. Landing with a thump on the floor, Harry looked around and determined that they had arrived in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, and that Dumbledore himself was sat at his desk, regarding them with anxious eyes.

"So, Harry, I presume you met Causidicus and the Order?"

"You both knew?" Harry asked, his gaze switching rapidly from one man to the other, and back again. "You both knew, and neither of you told me?!"

"We weren't sure, Harry - it is only recently that the Order has come to us showing an interest in you."

Dumbledore observed Harry with his blue eyes, making the boy squirm under his gaze. Smiling slightly, the headmaster tried to reassure Harry.

"You may be reluctant to believe us, Harry, but will you at least agree to attend the lessons?"

"How can I, though?" Harry said cautiously, "I have a full schedule for my NEWT courses."

"Most of the lessons would be at night, I'm afraid. Nevertheless, will you agree?"

Harry looked at his godfather who smiled and nodded encouragingly.

"Yes."

At that point there was the sound of muffled yelling from outside and then the sound of a door slamming. A few seconds later and the door to the office was flung open, Ron and Hermione falling through hurriedly explaining their presence.

"Professor! Harry's vanish-"

Hermione stopped in the middle of her tirade, upon seeing Harry sat in the large chair in front of her.

"I required a counsel with Mr Potter, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said with a smile. "I assure you, he will be returned to you as soon as I am finished."

Ron stared, slack-jawed at his friend and Sirius. Hermione pushed him out of the office, and as the door shut, a slap could clearly be heard, along with Ron Weasley's muffled yelp.

"Ron! You said he vanished - now I look like a right idiot.."

Harry held back a laugh as he turned to face the headmaster again, who himself was wearing a slight smile.

"It took them long enough to figure I was gone, didn't it?"

Sirius smirked. "Er - the Portkey we used has a time-charm on it, Harry. You've only been gone for a maximum of five minutes."

"Really?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Now, your lesson will be every Tuesday evening. If you come to my office at midnight, I will have a Portkey ready to transport you back to the Order. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded his head slowly. Dumbledore smiled and clapped his hands together

"Well, then," he said brightly, "I think it's time for you to head back to the common room - we're going to send food up for everyone - students haven't arrived in time for the feast, due to the unfortunate circumstances."

Harry grinned, expressing his thanks to Sirius and Dumbledore as he left the office, heading towards the common room, and after only a short while, his bed.

**

"What did Dumbledore want yesterday then, Harry?" Ron asked through a mouthful of cornflakes.

"Not much - just telling me to be careful, that's all."

"Why?" his friend asked in a cheerful manner. "You defeated You-Know-Who last year! What's there to worry about?"

"Nothing, Ron. Really."

"Alright, then!" he said defensively. "Sheesh, someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

Harry rolled his eyes and continued to eat his breakfast, paying little attention to what he was shovelling into his mouth. Hermione, as ever, was sat at the table with a large book; Ron was involved in an animated conversation with Dean who happened to be sat beside him. Hermione vaguely appeared to be listening half-heartedly to what Ginny was saying, all the while shooting suspicious glances in Harry's direction.

"Why did Dumbledore transport you by port key?" She asked. "Why not just call for you?"

Harry quickly thought of an answer. "Quicker, I guess."

Hermione frowned - she obviously wasn't satisfied with his answer but, nevertheless, she returned to her obviously enthralling book. She only tore her eyes from it as the morning owls flooded into the halls, distributing mail to their various owners. Ron snorted in annoyance as Pig flew around him in circles before dropping a letter on his head. Hedwig glided gently down to land on Harry's shoulder, although no letter was attached to her leg. Feeding her a bit of bacon off his plate, Harry gently stroked her head and watched as she flew once more from the room. He was just refocusing on his breakfast, when a large tawny owl swooped down, dropping a large envelope onto his lap.

"What's that, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I don't have X-ray vision, Herm, give me a chance to open it."

He ripped open the cream-coloured envelope and unfolded the letter which was inside it. Scanning through its contents quickly, his mouth dropped open in amazement.

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked again. "Harry?"

"Oh, nothing," he said, stuffing the letter back in the envelope and putting it down on the table. Hermione smiled and grabbed the letter off the table, opening it for herself.

"Herm!"

"Oh shush, Harry."

She carefully read the parchment, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"That's fantastic, Harry!"

"What?" Ron whined annoyed that he wasn't involved.

"Hermione, don't." Harry warned.

She looked up at Harry, frowning. "Why not - it's great!"

"What is?" All the people around the trio chorused, now thoroughly involved in the conversation.

"Harry's been asked to play quidditch for the England youth team!"

A/N - now wasn't that nice - not even a proper cliff-hanger or anything! ^_^

Thanks to those who reviewed last time:-

James Bond - Thank you soooooo much - you spotted I hadn't uploaded the right thing! I owe you a lot!

Lizzy/Tygrestick - I know..strange, hmmmm - oh no - i sound like that green thing out of star wars ...ahhhhhhh

Pleiades - yes, Causidicus means advocate (peacemaker type person) and Vasillus means servant..so they do have a meaning! And for the record, Aureus means golden, hence the golden hope.. I really loved your lasted part - but it's been ages since you posted!! You've left me in suspense..I'll cry if you don't post another part soon!!

Dumbledore's True Love - Again, very nice reviews (note the plural, again ^_^) thanks, and try not to turn into Ginny..*blushes* :-)

Zara - It's a mystery - woooooooooo..

Shadow - sorry...I've tried to stop with the evil cliff-hangers- it's just so tempting - i've done better this time!

Ravenclaw Filly - Glad you like it!!

Svolkame - thanks for reviewing both parts at once!

Quirky, Insane, Flakey - I agree..very suspicious..hmmmmmm..and so does Sirius, it seems....

Kelzery - I'm glad that you liked it really...the wand thing will be cleared up eventually..

nagh - thanks!

Demon child - yep, thanks!

Stark-raving-loony - aaahhhhhh sorry - I nearly always miss someone - consider this a triple thanks as consolidation ^_^

Quidditch Twin - glad you enjoyed them...

Rachel - Thanks!

Adelina - Thanks, and I'm glad to see you're posting on your sequel too! Some people aren't.*glares at bliss...*

Jamie Potter- Thanks

Katie Potter -Thanks, *looks above* hmmmmmmm, any relation...? ^_^

water nymph - glad you liked it, and thanks for reviewing both parts!

Zybenkizzashanta - Thanks, and take the name by all means - it translates to 'advocate' or 'pleader' if you're interested..

No Reply - Thanks!

Potter Hal - This wasn't too long a wait..well, not by my standards!

Katy D *in spirit* and Angelface - Glad you're enjoying it!

Coqui - Thank you for reviewing..and you're now on author alert! Aren't you pleased! Thanks for beta-ing (is that even a word?!)

Linz - look Coqui and Tanya - they said well done to you! Honestly - you have no idea - they deserve a bloody medal..my grammar is appalling..

izzy - thanks!

Simplefan - Glad you're enjoying it!

Kylana - Thanks for reviewing both stories at once! Glad you like them!

Well...that was long..

Thanks again to Tanya and Coqui for the great job they do! ^_^

Until next time..

Rufus

Another bad joke, courtesy of my dad:-

Did you hear about the pizza delivery guy who committed suicide?

No, why?

He topped himself.

Hahaha. Not funny.