Chapter II: The Meeting

NOTE: As for these blandish chapter names; they'll be gone as soon as more information comes to hand. 8-)

The next morning, Harry woke up, feeling much worse than he did the last night. It was fat chance that Harry would be treated any better just because it was his birthday. Harry was feeling the best he had ever felt on his birthday, considering that he would spend half of it away from Dudley's strict dieting regime. Over breakfast, Harry had great enjoyment in telling Uncle Vernon that he would be leaving with Mr Weasley. 'Weasley?' Asked Uncle Vernon, 'Will he be using our fireplace again?'
'I think Profe- Sorry, the Headmaster, said we would be using a bus.'
'As long as it's not a carpet-shaped bus!'

12 o'clock came faster than anyone could have ever expected. Straight away, the doorbell rung.

'Sorry, I've got to go straight away. Harry, have you packed?' Asked Mr Weasley, a tall, balding man, with orange hair, or at least, what he had left of it.
'Yes,' replied Harry.
'Great, Accio' said Mr Weasley, as the trunk came down the stairs.

As the two of them walked out onto the Kerb, Mr Weasley turned to Harry, and Harry noticed that these were the best looking Robes that he had ever seen Arthur in. 'Did you hear about my appointment? I trust Hagrid told you,' he asked.
'Why, no,' replied Harry'
'Defence against the Dark arts, for the rest of Ron's school career,' Harry looked back in amazement, It was the first Defence teacher that had even signed for more than a year. 'I was fired by Fudge when he found out about my involvement on the Order.'

The Order of Phoenix was a board of wizards assembled to fight Lord Voldemort, and from what he had heard from Sirius, the Order consisted of Albus Dumbledore, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher, Remeus Lupin, Sirius Black and Arthur Weasley. Although Harry knew four of these people, he had never been to an actual meeting. It all made sense now; only three people hade ever confronted Lord Voldemort: Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, and that left only Cedric Diggory, who was now dead.

Then, out of thin air, a triple-decker bus appeared, and from across the road, Mrs. Figg, the crotchety old lady who the Dursley's employed to look after Harry, crossed the road, and stood next to Arthur. 'Hello, Arthur,' said Mrs Figg, this scene was rather unusual for Harry.
'Good Afternoon, Arabella,' said Mr Weasley as the three of them boarded the bus.

''Lo Neville,' said Stan Shunpike, the conductor on the Knight Bus, and they all took the beds, and rested until Hogwarts came into view.


The three of them entered the castle, and were greeted by Albus Dumbledore.
'Good afternoon, Albus,' said Mrs Figg, 'There weren't any problems at the Dursley's.'
'That's very good,' replied Professor Dumbledore as he turned to face Harry, 'And how are you?'
'I'm fine, but why am I here?' Asked Harry

'You are here to tell us exactly what happened, and who you saw, last time you confronted Voldemort,' replied Dumbledore, 'we'd better get inside.'

The three wizards (and a witch) walked around the castle until Harry came across a familiar-looking gargoyle, when Dumbledore said a password, 'Sugar Quill,' and the gargoyle sprang to life, and jumped off to the left.  As they all made it to the bottom of the spiral staircase, Harry felt a question nudge him in the back, 'Professor Dumbledore, where are these meetings actually held?' he asked.

'Good question.  I'll show you.  Phoenico' it seemed like another password, although you never usually needed to use a password to get into Dumbledore's office.  Professor Dumbledore opened the door, and what greeted Harry was certainly not Dumbledore's office.  It was a large hall with a high ceiling, and a magnificent table in the middle. 'Please take the seat next to Sirius, Harry,' said Dumbledore, 'and then this meeting can get underway,'

'Good evening, Remeus,' said Harry.  Professor Remeus Lupin was by far, every sixth-year's (except the Slytherin's) favourite Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, although he was forced to retire when Professor Snape, the school potions master, exposed him as a werewolf.  Much to Harry's dislike, Professor Snape was also at the meeting.

'Happy Birthday, Harry,' said Professor Lupin.  He was the only one today, to actually remember Harry's birthday.

Well you've made it this far. This is my second chapter in the space of one night.  I've already come up with a not-so-bland chapter title for number 3, so don't get thrown off.

Harry Potter and all related insignia is TM & © Warner Bros

Harry Potter publishing rights ® Bloomsbury Publishing (or Scholastic in the US)

Stay tuned for the next chapter.  Hopefully some time today.