JKR owns the people and places, I own Karista, Julia, Amaia and the dream...
Chapter 7: Draco Malfoy, proprieter of evil?
The Hogwarts express bumped its way through fields and past lakes causing Ron and Hermione to fall asleep. Harry and Karista sat together, losing consciousness slowly until the compartment door slammed open.
"Potter, Weasel, Mudblood and Flannigan. How nice to know that nothing has changed since the end of last year," Draco Malfoy sneered, stepping into the compartment, waking Ron and Hermione instantly.
"Ah…Malfoy, how un-pleasant it is to see you here. Do tell us how your summer was?" Karista asked sarcastically, letting out a yawn.
"Can it, Flannigan. I need a word with you and Potter out in the hallway," he spat, motioning towards the outside. Karista groaned loudly and arose from her seat, taking Harry with her.
"What is it Malfoy…need a diaper change?" she muttered, slumping against the wall outside their compartment.
"No…nothing of the sort." Malfoy's face suddenly became stricken as he looked up and down the hallway. "I need your guys' help."
Harry let out a snort of laughter while Karista pinched her arm. "No, not dreaming."
Draco's face contorted with fury.
"Have you no idea what is going to happen this year? The dark lord is planning on starting a war against something called the Order of Phoenix," he whispered harshly, catching Karista and Harry off guard.
"How do you know this?" Harry managed through unsteady breaths. At once he wished that he didn't say anything as Draco slowly rolled the sleeve on his left arm up to reveal a tattoo of the dark mark on his forearm. Karista let out a gasp of horror as Harry clapped a hand to his forehead.
"I was initiated last week and have been requested to keep an eye on the both of you, as in tell the Dark Lord of your plans," he whispered, pulling in closer to the two. "You have to trust me."
Karista and Harry looked at each other, then at Malfoy.
"Why us? Why come to us?" Harry asked, his voice shaking a bit. Draco Malfoy was an official death eater. He was everything to be feared except Voldemort.
"You guys and Dumbledore are the only people Voldemort fears more than himself, therefore you can end the war before it even starts. Hell, I never wanted to join my father yet it happened," Draco pleaded, his eyes glazing over. "As soon as we get into school, we have to speak to Dumbledore. Even Snape and McGonagall can listen in."
Harry and Karista could do nothing but stare. Voldemort feared him. Of course, that might not be a good thing, Harry said to himself, walking a little ways down the corridor to be alone.
"There are a lot of aurors that are going to be hanging around Hogwarts this year," Draco added, turning slightly pink. "I'd rather be one of them than a supporter of the Dark Lord."
Harry spun around and faced Draco, looking him straight in the eyes.
"If I find out you are lying about everything, I will make sure that this is the last time you ever set foot on this train, you hear me?" Harry spat, anger pouring across his face and coursing through his veins. Karista nodded her assent and followed Harry back into the compartment, where they immediately relayed everything to Ron and Hermione.
"What is the Order of Phoenix then?" Hermione asked, reaching for her Hogwarts, A History book that was laying open on a seat beside her. "I have never read or heard about it."
"Well, from what Malfoy said, this orders of phoenix probably was the exact opposite of the Death Eaters," Karista mumbled, ticking the information from Draco off on her fingers. "It could be a hush-hush operation and only the most powerful Voldie opposition join it."
"Makes sense," Ron said, staring out the window.
"Have your parents ever mentioned anything about it Ron?" Harry asked, sitting down in the seat across from his best friend.
"Well, I remember hearing about an organization or something banned by the ministry…other than that, I haven't a clue," he said, sitting back in his seat, deep in thought.
"Looks like we are going to have to wait until we get to Hogwarts then," Hermione mumbled, resting her head on Ron's shoulder as he sat deep in thought.
***
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Karista stepped off the train into a very cold breeze. Off in the distance they could make out the horse-less carriages coming down the lane and stop in front of them. Harry felt almost as though everything was out of place… like something was wrong. Immediately he realized what it was. For the first time in the nearly six years that Harry had attended Hogwarts, Hagrid wasn't taking the first years across the lake. Instead, it was a rather short woman with curly auburn hair and a very pleasant face. Her voice, however, was anything but the calm demeanor of which she looked.
"First years this way!" she called, waving her wand above her head at the end of the platform. She caught sight of Harry and paused for a moment, staring at him intently before resuming her tirade.
"That woman looks familiar," Harry said, attempting to take a step forward yet feeling someone catch the back of his robes.
"Not right now, Harry…remember, we have to keep a promise," Karista said in his ear, glancing at the woman that Harry was staring at. She was now turning to step off the platform, following all the first years down the slope.
"Who is she? You guys know her?" Harry asked once they were inside of the carriage
"Never seen her before," Hermione said, looking out the window.
"We'll find out soon enough, I think," Ron chided, wrapping his arms around Hermione in an attempt to keep warm.
***
"Now, as all of you know, I have taken the liberty to inform you of some recent events," Dumbledore chorused over the clinking of goblets and silverware. "My first announcement is that we have added two new teachers to our staff. Please welcome Professors Glideron and Romiliono. Professor Glideron will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts while Professor Romiliono will be your Care of Magical Creatures teacher."
At this, a tall black-haired woman with a shapely figure and gray eyes stood up to a tumultuous applause while the same woman Harry had seen earlier, with auburn curls and a pleasant face with sharp blue eyes, stood up. They both smiled pleasantly and resumed their seating. Dumbledore then nodded his head towards them, and resumed his speech.
"I would also like to welcome back Mr. Lupin as well as Mr. Black, who will be here all year around."
Sirius and Remus waved from the table while Snape glared at them. Soon the applause died down again and Dumbledore continued.
"There will be a bit more action this year at Hogwarts. Many of you will be seeing some different faces come and go, as well as many familiar ones from previous years, yet you shouldn't worry at all. These are merely people who are seeking help for the defense of Hogwarts as well as the fight against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore paused, the twinkle in his eyes growing slightly brighter. Harry could have sworn that Harry saw all eyes at the staff table flick towards Harry, Ron, Hermione and Karista. "Now, I need to remind you that there will be no more midnight wanderings, no more going into the forbidden forest and I think that it is safe to say that you will not be going to Hogsmeade except for the supervised visits. I now encourage you all to get some rest. Good night."
The last part of Dumbledore's speech seemed almost rushed as he and the staff exited the hall. Harry stood up with the rest of the Gryffindors and noticed something glinting on Karista's chest.
"What's that?" Harry asked, even though he knew well what it was. She had been made a prefect.
"What? Oh, this? Well I got it when I received my Hogwarts letter," Karista mumbled shyly, stepping away from the table.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Slipped my mind, I guess," she said, crossing the hall to the exit. "Are we going to speak to Dumbledore or not?"
Harry, Ron and Hermione followed her out into the crowded entrance way until the met up with Draco a few feet away from the stone gargoyle.
"Let's go," Ron said, looking suspiciously at Malfoy and muttering non-sense words to the statuette. Finally, after some gentle coersing, the gargoyle leapt away from its spot and admitted them into a spiraling staircase where they soon met with the solid oak doors of Dumbledore's office, where a conversation was already taking place within.
"Something tells me this isn't a good time to do this," Karista said, backing away from the door, but it was to late. A loud, gruffy voice that oddly sounded familiar to Harry had already sensed their presence.
"Dumbledore, I think we have some important visitors," the voice said, a dull clunk approaching the door.
"Who is it, Alastor?" asked a voice that Harry recognized as well. The door opened before they could turn back.
"Ah, this must be Harry Potter," Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody laughed pulling Harry in by the front of his robes. Karista, Ron, Hermione and Draco followed timidly. Dumbledore's office was nearly bursting to the brim with people, with Dumbledore himself sitting at his desk with an amused expression on his face.
"Ah, the four Gryffindors that I enjoy the company of most…that is, except for the Marauders," he chuckled, rising slowly from his seat. His eyes flickered on Draco for a second, as he smiled approvingly. Harry looked around the room and noticed that most everyone in there were witches and wizards that they all didn't recognize, that was with the exception of Snape, McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, the two teachers that were introduced and the Weasley children. Fred, George, Bill, Charlie and Percy stood by the fireplace, grinning stupidly at their brother, Ron.
"Sir, I think we came at a very, very bad time," Karista squeaked, backing towards the door. "If you will please excuse us, I have to feed my hinkypunk."
Dumbledore, as well as most of the room laughed at her while she slipped closer to the door.
"No need, Miss Flannigan. It is actually by a pleasant miracle that you all showed up."
"Sir, I am a bit confused right now," Ron moaned, still glaring at his brothers who were laughing stupidly at him. Draco and Hermione were standing silently in place.
"No need to be. Harry, I am sure that you remember me?" an older witch said from Dumbledore's left. Harry immediately realized who it was.
"Mrs. Figg?" he asked, unable to control the shock in his voice.
"Yes Harry…crazy old Mrs. Figg from down the street with the cabbage-smelling house and the over-abundance of cats," she chuckled amidst looks from her co-horts.
"Your protection, I'd suppose," Karista mumbled in Harry's ear. He didn't realize that she had returned to his side and therefore jumped.
"Yes, well I think it is as good of a time as any to introduce them to our meeting," Dumbledore said merrily, standing from his seat. "Harry, Ron, Karista, Hermione, Draco…this is the Order of Phoenix."
Chapter 7: Draco Malfoy, proprieter of evil?
The Hogwarts express bumped its way through fields and past lakes causing Ron and Hermione to fall asleep. Harry and Karista sat together, losing consciousness slowly until the compartment door slammed open.
"Potter, Weasel, Mudblood and Flannigan. How nice to know that nothing has changed since the end of last year," Draco Malfoy sneered, stepping into the compartment, waking Ron and Hermione instantly.
"Ah…Malfoy, how un-pleasant it is to see you here. Do tell us how your summer was?" Karista asked sarcastically, letting out a yawn.
"Can it, Flannigan. I need a word with you and Potter out in the hallway," he spat, motioning towards the outside. Karista groaned loudly and arose from her seat, taking Harry with her.
"What is it Malfoy…need a diaper change?" she muttered, slumping against the wall outside their compartment.
"No…nothing of the sort." Malfoy's face suddenly became stricken as he looked up and down the hallway. "I need your guys' help."
Harry let out a snort of laughter while Karista pinched her arm. "No, not dreaming."
Draco's face contorted with fury.
"Have you no idea what is going to happen this year? The dark lord is planning on starting a war against something called the Order of Phoenix," he whispered harshly, catching Karista and Harry off guard.
"How do you know this?" Harry managed through unsteady breaths. At once he wished that he didn't say anything as Draco slowly rolled the sleeve on his left arm up to reveal a tattoo of the dark mark on his forearm. Karista let out a gasp of horror as Harry clapped a hand to his forehead.
"I was initiated last week and have been requested to keep an eye on the both of you, as in tell the Dark Lord of your plans," he whispered, pulling in closer to the two. "You have to trust me."
Karista and Harry looked at each other, then at Malfoy.
"Why us? Why come to us?" Harry asked, his voice shaking a bit. Draco Malfoy was an official death eater. He was everything to be feared except Voldemort.
"You guys and Dumbledore are the only people Voldemort fears more than himself, therefore you can end the war before it even starts. Hell, I never wanted to join my father yet it happened," Draco pleaded, his eyes glazing over. "As soon as we get into school, we have to speak to Dumbledore. Even Snape and McGonagall can listen in."
Harry and Karista could do nothing but stare. Voldemort feared him. Of course, that might not be a good thing, Harry said to himself, walking a little ways down the corridor to be alone.
"There are a lot of aurors that are going to be hanging around Hogwarts this year," Draco added, turning slightly pink. "I'd rather be one of them than a supporter of the Dark Lord."
Harry spun around and faced Draco, looking him straight in the eyes.
"If I find out you are lying about everything, I will make sure that this is the last time you ever set foot on this train, you hear me?" Harry spat, anger pouring across his face and coursing through his veins. Karista nodded her assent and followed Harry back into the compartment, where they immediately relayed everything to Ron and Hermione.
"What is the Order of Phoenix then?" Hermione asked, reaching for her Hogwarts, A History book that was laying open on a seat beside her. "I have never read or heard about it."
"Well, from what Malfoy said, this orders of phoenix probably was the exact opposite of the Death Eaters," Karista mumbled, ticking the information from Draco off on her fingers. "It could be a hush-hush operation and only the most powerful Voldie opposition join it."
"Makes sense," Ron said, staring out the window.
"Have your parents ever mentioned anything about it Ron?" Harry asked, sitting down in the seat across from his best friend.
"Well, I remember hearing about an organization or something banned by the ministry…other than that, I haven't a clue," he said, sitting back in his seat, deep in thought.
"Looks like we are going to have to wait until we get to Hogwarts then," Hermione mumbled, resting her head on Ron's shoulder as he sat deep in thought.
***
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Karista stepped off the train into a very cold breeze. Off in the distance they could make out the horse-less carriages coming down the lane and stop in front of them. Harry felt almost as though everything was out of place… like something was wrong. Immediately he realized what it was. For the first time in the nearly six years that Harry had attended Hogwarts, Hagrid wasn't taking the first years across the lake. Instead, it was a rather short woman with curly auburn hair and a very pleasant face. Her voice, however, was anything but the calm demeanor of which she looked.
"First years this way!" she called, waving her wand above her head at the end of the platform. She caught sight of Harry and paused for a moment, staring at him intently before resuming her tirade.
"That woman looks familiar," Harry said, attempting to take a step forward yet feeling someone catch the back of his robes.
"Not right now, Harry…remember, we have to keep a promise," Karista said in his ear, glancing at the woman that Harry was staring at. She was now turning to step off the platform, following all the first years down the slope.
"Who is she? You guys know her?" Harry asked once they were inside of the carriage
"Never seen her before," Hermione said, looking out the window.
"We'll find out soon enough, I think," Ron chided, wrapping his arms around Hermione in an attempt to keep warm.
***
"Now, as all of you know, I have taken the liberty to inform you of some recent events," Dumbledore chorused over the clinking of goblets and silverware. "My first announcement is that we have added two new teachers to our staff. Please welcome Professors Glideron and Romiliono. Professor Glideron will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts while Professor Romiliono will be your Care of Magical Creatures teacher."
At this, a tall black-haired woman with a shapely figure and gray eyes stood up to a tumultuous applause while the same woman Harry had seen earlier, with auburn curls and a pleasant face with sharp blue eyes, stood up. They both smiled pleasantly and resumed their seating. Dumbledore then nodded his head towards them, and resumed his speech.
"I would also like to welcome back Mr. Lupin as well as Mr. Black, who will be here all year around."
Sirius and Remus waved from the table while Snape glared at them. Soon the applause died down again and Dumbledore continued.
"There will be a bit more action this year at Hogwarts. Many of you will be seeing some different faces come and go, as well as many familiar ones from previous years, yet you shouldn't worry at all. These are merely people who are seeking help for the defense of Hogwarts as well as the fight against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore paused, the twinkle in his eyes growing slightly brighter. Harry could have sworn that Harry saw all eyes at the staff table flick towards Harry, Ron, Hermione and Karista. "Now, I need to remind you that there will be no more midnight wanderings, no more going into the forbidden forest and I think that it is safe to say that you will not be going to Hogsmeade except for the supervised visits. I now encourage you all to get some rest. Good night."
The last part of Dumbledore's speech seemed almost rushed as he and the staff exited the hall. Harry stood up with the rest of the Gryffindors and noticed something glinting on Karista's chest.
"What's that?" Harry asked, even though he knew well what it was. She had been made a prefect.
"What? Oh, this? Well I got it when I received my Hogwarts letter," Karista mumbled shyly, stepping away from the table.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Slipped my mind, I guess," she said, crossing the hall to the exit. "Are we going to speak to Dumbledore or not?"
Harry, Ron and Hermione followed her out into the crowded entrance way until the met up with Draco a few feet away from the stone gargoyle.
"Let's go," Ron said, looking suspiciously at Malfoy and muttering non-sense words to the statuette. Finally, after some gentle coersing, the gargoyle leapt away from its spot and admitted them into a spiraling staircase where they soon met with the solid oak doors of Dumbledore's office, where a conversation was already taking place within.
"Something tells me this isn't a good time to do this," Karista said, backing away from the door, but it was to late. A loud, gruffy voice that oddly sounded familiar to Harry had already sensed their presence.
"Dumbledore, I think we have some important visitors," the voice said, a dull clunk approaching the door.
"Who is it, Alastor?" asked a voice that Harry recognized as well. The door opened before they could turn back.
"Ah, this must be Harry Potter," Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody laughed pulling Harry in by the front of his robes. Karista, Ron, Hermione and Draco followed timidly. Dumbledore's office was nearly bursting to the brim with people, with Dumbledore himself sitting at his desk with an amused expression on his face.
"Ah, the four Gryffindors that I enjoy the company of most…that is, except for the Marauders," he chuckled, rising slowly from his seat. His eyes flickered on Draco for a second, as he smiled approvingly. Harry looked around the room and noticed that most everyone in there were witches and wizards that they all didn't recognize, that was with the exception of Snape, McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, the two teachers that were introduced and the Weasley children. Fred, George, Bill, Charlie and Percy stood by the fireplace, grinning stupidly at their brother, Ron.
"Sir, I think we came at a very, very bad time," Karista squeaked, backing towards the door. "If you will please excuse us, I have to feed my hinkypunk."
Dumbledore, as well as most of the room laughed at her while she slipped closer to the door.
"No need, Miss Flannigan. It is actually by a pleasant miracle that you all showed up."
"Sir, I am a bit confused right now," Ron moaned, still glaring at his brothers who were laughing stupidly at him. Draco and Hermione were standing silently in place.
"No need to be. Harry, I am sure that you remember me?" an older witch said from Dumbledore's left. Harry immediately realized who it was.
"Mrs. Figg?" he asked, unable to control the shock in his voice.
"Yes Harry…crazy old Mrs. Figg from down the street with the cabbage-smelling house and the over-abundance of cats," she chuckled amidst looks from her co-horts.
"Your protection, I'd suppose," Karista mumbled in Harry's ear. He didn't realize that she had returned to his side and therefore jumped.
"Yes, well I think it is as good of a time as any to introduce them to our meeting," Dumbledore said merrily, standing from his seat. "Harry, Ron, Karista, Hermione, Draco…this is the Order of Phoenix."
