AN: Sorry this took so long. Been kinda busy. I'll try to update a little faster.
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Chapter 18: Aftermath
The next week or so went by in whirl of emotion and hurt for Harry and the rest of Hogwarts. Classes had been suspended for a week so the teachers could work on the castle's defenses. Filch had not been seen since the day that Voldemort had attacked.
The only thing Harry could think about was Hagrid. All of the memories. Hagrid coming for him when he was 11. Visiting Hagrid in his cabin. Hagrid and baby Norbert. Hagrid and Fluffy. Hagrid…
Harry was struck with the thought that this was a lot like what had happened last year. How had he not known what was going on? All of the clues and he had not caught on! Dumbledore had known that Voldemort was going to attack Hogwarts, he just hadn't known when or how. And now things were as tense as last year. Harry was numb. He felt like he couldn't have a good time with his friends, he couldn't devote his attention to Ginny; he was just blank. Nothing. Why should he become close with Ginny? He didn't want to risk it. What if she was hurt, just because of him?
And the nightmares. He usually had the same one every night. He would be with Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Ginny and Voldemort would appear. One by one, Voldemort killed his friends while Harry stood there frozen and the whole time Voldemort would be shouting, "Who is the sacrifice of the day, hm? Who else has to die for Harry Potter to live?"
And then he would wake up in a cold sweat, suddenly remembering that his friends were in fact still alive. After temporary relief, he would remember Hagrid and Harry was lost in grief.
Hermione and Ron were as grief stricken as he was. Harry was sure that they too, were remembering all the times that Hagrid had been there for them. It was hard…so hard to try and forget what happened and return to everyday life. However, Dumbledore had assured them that the measures would be taken to make sure that Voldemort would never find his way into the castle again. Harry trusted him, but other students were doubtful.
When they returned to classes, Harry felt he could barely concentrate. The teachers too, seemed far off. No one had been seriously hurt, excluding Hagrid and a few Death Eaters, but it was still a shock.
Everything was quiet and morbid. On Saturday, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had woken early and eaten breakfast before most of the school had risen. Harry and Ron were attempting to enjoy a chess game and Hermione was reading a thick book. Everything felt so normal, yet Harry knew things would never be the same again. Ron had just checkmated Harry when Dumbledore entered the common room.
Harry's immediate reaction was shock. This had to mean that someone else was dead. Something else had happened. He arose from his chair and looked questioningly at Dumbledore, searching for signs of alarm. He found nothing, but a kind, withered smile. "Everything is fine, Mr. Potter. However, I must talk with you, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley. It is very important."
Intrigued and relieved, Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed Dumbledore across the familiar corridors of Hogwarts and up the stairs to his office. After being seated, Dumbledore began to explain.
"Now I must ask you three something. But please do not feel that you must agree. You don't even have to answer now if you wish." He paused for a moment, shuffled a few pieces of parchment on his desk, and then continued. "I am going to ask you to join an organization known as The Order of the Phoenix."
Realization dawned on Harry. He remembered hearing that name before. "We fight Voldemort, the Death Eaters, and everything they stand for. Death. Suffering. Bigotry. Prejudice." Dumbledore continued. "Fudge is not taking the right approach with his talk of a peaceful approach against Voldemort. Before you agree, know this. It will be dangerous, at times it will be frightening, and even though you three have been in danger many times before, I still want you to consider your choice carefully.
Harry knew right away that he wanted to be a part of this. Though he wasn't keen on being in the center of war, he knew that he already was. Now he could avenge the deaths of the people he cared about. His mother, his father, Mr. Weasley Hagrid, and even Cedric. Before he could voice this thought, Hermione spoke. "Professor, why now? Why not before?" She asked curiously.
Dumbledore sighed. "I have been trying to avoid any younger students getting involved in this. Recent occurrences have made me see different. You are already involved in this war. There is nothing I can do about that except use it to the Light Side's advantage."
"I'll do it." Ron said quietly and Harry knew he was thinking of his father. Dumbledore nodded gravely.
"Me too." Hermione stated firmly.
"Count me in." Harry added.
Though he had suggested them joining in the first place, Dumbledore still looked a little weary of their decision. Harry could guess why. He didn't really want them fighting Death Eaters and Voldemort, but he knew there was no other choice.
"Very well." Dumbledore said. "Please sign your name on this list. Feel free to see whom the other members are. You may very well be working with them at some point." Harry took the sheet of parchment and read aloud the names for Ron and Hermione's sake.
"Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Molly Weasley, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley." Harry was shocked. "Fred and George are in this?"
Dumbledore nodded. "They became members a little over a month ago."
"What about Percy?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "Your brother has sided with Fudge, which is a very different side than ours. He stands by the ministry and nothing your mother said could make a difference."
"Even after Dad?" Ron continued.
Dumbledore nodded. "If anything, he became even more devoted to the ministry after your father's death. Hopefully he will come around before it is too late."
Harry grabbed a quill and scribbled his name under George's. He passed it to Ron, and then Hermione. They were now official members of The Order of the Phoenix.
"Now if the three of you are needed I will come to you. Thank you." Dumbledore told them.
When they left Dumbledore's office, Harry was filled with a new resolve. Now he could do something against Voldemort instead of just being a sitting duck. It felt good. Harry remembered the list of members. He hadn't read them out loud, but there had been two names crossed out, Arthur Weasley and Rubeus Hagrid. Maybe, by joining, he could prevent a few deaths.
The next day, Harry, Ron, and Hermione felt the best they had since the death of Hagrid. Now that they would be taking action, it felt better to go back to normal life. Harry and Ron discussed quidditch, and Hermione nagged them about doing their homework. Things were better.
On Monday, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed down to potions, dreading the class as they always did. They were a few minutes early, and Malfoy was waiting for them outside of the Dungeons.
"Potter. Too bad about the half-giant, eh?" Harry's blood was boiling. Lucius Malfoy had been there…hurting people, torturing people, and all Malfoy could do was make a joke of it. Well Harry hadn't seen Draco out there, the day of the battle. So maybe Malfoy just didn't really know what death and torture were like. Harry predicted a rude awakening for Malfoy whenever he first witnessed someone die or someone being tortured. It wasn't fun; it wasn't something to laugh at.
Doing his best to ignore Malfoy's comment, Harry shoved past him into their classroom. Ron and Hermione followed.
Potions was a nightmare as usual, made even more so by Draco's constant taunting during the lesson. Snape, being Snape, said nothing and Harry had to settle for glaring at Malfoy across the dungeon. Though Snape was as cruel as ever, Harry thought he looked different somehow. Older. His eyes looked like they had been through Hell and back. And Harry was surprised that he never noticed this before.
He remembered seeing Snape's name on the list. Even though he knew Snape was on the Light Side, it still struck him as odd to think that they were on the same side. Snape was always so vindictive towards him…but then that was to be expected, was it not? Snape was supposed to be a Death Eater. He couldn't very well be nice to him or some slime like Malfoy would tell his father and Voldemort would find out that Snape really liked him. Even if this was true, Harry knew Snape personally, did not like him all that much anyways.
That evening, Harry sought out Angelina. When he finally found her, she looked somber, like everyone else had the last week. "Er…Angelina? Have you talked to Dumbledore about quidditch?" He asked hopefully. He wanted, no…needed quidditch for things to be normal.
Angelina's expression looked pained. "I'm sorry Harry. I haven't made an announcement to the team yet, but Dumbledore has ended quidditch for the year. After all, it will take some time to protect the castle again. I think the teachers have too much on their plates right now to concentrate on sports."
Harry sighed. Though he had expected that answer, he was painfully disappointed. He knew it was selfish, but he couldn't help it. A thought struck Harry, and he felt worse for the rest of the team. It was their last year and they wouldn't be able to enjoy it.
After his talk with Angelina, Harry was approached by Ginny. "Harry. I have to talk to you." Harry nodded and followed her to a secluded corner of the common room. "Have you been avoiding me?" She asked quickly.
Harry felt horrible. He had spent a little time with her a few days after the battle, just reveling in the fact that they were both alive and well. But after that he had come to the conclusion that people were better off not knowing him. He tried to express this thought to Ginny. "Ginny, I just…don't want to put you into danger." He raised his gaze from the floor and looked into her eyes.
"Harry…" She began. "…I'm in this, just like you are. I survived Voldemort in my first year. My father died because of him. Knowing you isn't going to change anything." She smiled at that. "Well I lie. It will change things, but it will change them for the better."
Harry knew she was right, but the thought of her in danger made him feel ill. He was determined to keep her safe, but he knew he wouldn't do that by shutting her out. "Okay. " He whispered. "I'm sorry."
Ginny scanned the common room quickly to make sure know one was watching them and then kissed Harry quickly on the cheek. Harry smiled. "You can't leave me hanging and expect me to do nothing, Harry Potter." She said grinning.
Harry lay in bed that night, thinking of his conversation with Ginny. All he wanted to do now was spend as much time with her as possible. Playing chess with her, talking with her, joking with her, running his hands through her ginger hair, kissing her. Harry smiled thinking of how warm her lips felt against his. With these thoughts, he drifted off to sleep.
A few hours after sleep had overtaken him, Harry felt himself being shook roughly. "Harry get up." He heard a voice whisper urgently.
Harry groped in the dark for his glasses and realized it was Ron. "Ron what is it?" He asked groggily.
"Dumbledore needs us."
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