Chapter Two: A Time For Change

There was a small sound of applauding, and Dumbledore happily looked to the front row of wizards and witches. He glanced at Hagrid, and waved his wand. Out of thin air popped a gigantic chair, the size of a throne, and it took the place of Hagrid's chair, which he couldn't fit into. Dumbledore smiled as Hagrid mouthed Thanks.

"My friends," he continued. "This meeting, though you may not know, shouldn't be a joyful occasion. It is my terrible misfortune to have to remind you of the event that took place here only a few weeks before. In this graveyard behind the Riddle's house, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." The entire crowd winced, as if simultaneously.

"But it is because of this that this meeting is critically important. Since last year has had numerous signs of the Dark Lord's rising-" Dumbledore could hear frequent whispers about the Dark Mark, Voldemort's sign, which had been sent up at the Quidditch World Cup.

"-safety precautions will be increased at all three wizarding schools: Beauxbatons, Hogwarts, and Durmstrang. That is why, since many of the Death Eaters and, as we know of, Voldemort, are situated close to Hogwarts, the school's students, teachers, etcetera, are to be transferred to Beauxbatons and for the time being until the Death Eaters and Volde-, You- Know-Who, are found and captured. However, Durmstrang does not wish to partake in any of this high-security matter."

A murmur swept over the Order of the Phoenix. They knew that this would not be an easy task, and as most of them had loved ones at or had something to do with Hogwarts, everyone panicked. Just how long would it take for He- Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to be found? And with the great fear of him, who would defeat him? Surely Dumbledore couldn't do it alone?

"That is why I've called this meeting tonight. We're going to need all the help and security we can get. Since Fudge stepped down from the position of Minister of Magic, security has reached an all-time low. So this drastic decision must be final. We will send out letters to the current students and teachers of both schools informing them of the change as a select number of you will be sent to Beauxbatons to add extensions to the castle."

There was a long period of silence. People were contemplating about how classes and living would work for the students, but they knew that this was the only thing they could do at the time.

"And so ends this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. Draco Dormiens Nunquat Titillandus." He pointed his wand at his throat, muttered "Quietus", and Disapparated.



***



"Mail's here!" grunted Dudley Dursley, who was eating breakfast at the kitchen table in his wheelchair. He was a short and incredibly fat boy of 15, who was wider than he was taller. He had been put into a wheelchair because his legs could not support his layers of blubber. He looked around the room, from his portly and ill-tempered father, Vernon, to his skinny, blonde mother, Petunia, and to his messy-haired cousin, Harry Potter, who lived with them because his parents were dead. "Well, aren't you going to get it?"

"Only because you can't walk anymore," Harry mumbled under his breath as he got up and walked past the cupboard under the stairs to the mail slot. Harry was an thin boy of 14, who would celebrate his birthday tomorrow. He currently attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After all, he was a wizard. In fact, one of the finest there was, except for his best friend Hermione Granger, who was the top of their class in all four years he had been there.

As he picked up the mail, a smile slid across his pale face. There was a letter from his other best friend at Hogwarts, Ron Weasley. Ron was a tall, freckled, red-haired boy the same age as Harry. He was the second oldest of 7 children in his poor family. Of course, the letter had dozens of stamps on it. Ron's family was all wizard, so they were not used to using Muggle (non-wizard) post. They had used to mail letters by owl. Harry pocketed the letter and looked at the next one.

He knew at once it was by Hermione Granger, his friend with bushy brown hair and buck teeth. It was the only normal letter in the bunch that was addressed to him. Hermione was muggle-born, meaning that she had muggle parents (both of whom were dentists).

After scanning through a few letters addressed to Vernon, his uncle, Harry spotted one with incredibly messy writing. He could tell it was from Hagrid, his half-giant of a friend.

The last letter of the group was written professionally, in scarlet ink, and had a seal on the back. This was a letter from Hogwarts that contained his school book list that he would get in Diagon Alley, the place for all wizarding needs.

Harry threw his uncle's letters onto the kitchen counter and ran upstairs to his room. His wand, broomstick (for playing Quidditch, of course), and current books were locked in the cupboard under the stairs, his old bedroom. As he hopped onto his bed, he tore open the letter from Ron:

Hey Harry! What's up? I thought I might try to use the Muggle post again, but this time with a few less stamps? Did it get there ok? Anyways, did you get the letter yet? I can't believe that's happened! Maybe I'll get to see Fleur again! Who knows? Dad's coming to pick you up again in a week, so we can go shopping in Diagon Alley! Can you believe what they're making us get this year? Anyways, I'll see you next week!

-Ron

What was Ron talking about? Harry wondered. He threw it to the side and ripped open Hermione's letter:

Hello Harry! How are you? Guess what? I've received my letter saying I'm Head Girl! Aren't you happy for me? My mum and dad are taking me to Diagon Alley next week, so I can meet you and Ron there! I wonder why we have to go all the way up there with all those crazy items! Hmmm, I'm still trying to find out. Also, did you hear about Fudge? What a coward!

Love,

Hermione.

Harry blushed a bit, but was still confused. What were they talking about? He had no idea as he read Hagrid's note:

Hello, Harry, how's it been? So did you hear about what happened with Beauxbatons and Hogwarts? I can't wait! Also, I've got some very special news about me and Olympe! I can't wait to tell ya at Beauxbatons!

From,

Hagrid.

What was all this talk about Beauxbatons? What news was Hagrid talking about with Madame Maxine? What did he have to buy in Diagon Alley? All these thoughts rushed through poor Harry's head. He had no idea what any of this had meant until he opened the next letter…the letter from Hogwarts.