Chapter 29

        Drake is stalking around the edge of the Forbidden Forest with his dagger, 'just in case', and he is thinking about everything he just said and did.

"Dang women." Drake says.

"Dang indeed?" Says a voice which clearly belongs to a woman.

"Huh?" Drake says scanning the area and seeing no one.

"I said 'Dang indeed?'." The voice repeats.

"…" Drake just stays puzzled and silent.

"Hello?" The voice says.

"…"

"Are you going to answer me?" The voice insists.

"…"

"Fine…" The voice says.

"Where and who and what are you?" Drake blurts out.

"I thought you'd recognize me?" The voice says.

"But I don't even see anything much less recognize it." Drake says.

"…"

"Hello?" Drake says.

"Hello." The voice says. "How can you not see me? I'm right in front of you Drake."

"…" Drake pauses. "… No you aren't."

"Well then I have to figure something out." The voice says.

"O…k…" Drake says. "Who are you?"

"Now really Drake… Don't you recognize my voice?" The voice says impatiently.

Drake looks to be thinking heavily for a moment and then it hits him…

"DONNA!" Drake yells. "Donna McVeigh?"

"Finally. I was about ready to transport you back to The Pit." Donna says.

"But what are you doing here? How can you be here? Why can't I see you?" Drake rambles.

"I'm here following someone. I'm not alive anymore. And the last statement answers your third question." Donna says.

"But… De… Huh… How… DEAD?" Drake sputters. "Dead? How? Why? Who?"

"In order… Yes. Yes. Black Death; flung out of window with killing curse variant. I was the Minister Of Magic and in their way. I can't tell you that… You'd hate them and you shouldn't hate this person…" Donna explains.

Drake narrows his eyes at the last statement. "Shouldn't hate the killer of the person who lessened my time in The Pit? Why not? Do I… Do I… Do I… know them?"

"Ye… no… ok… yes… but… I still can't tell you Drake." Donna says. "But that is who I'm following."

"Why?" Drake says.

"Because that's my unfini…" Donna starts.

"No. Why? Why did you let me off so bloody easily? I killed you whole family… I… I… even used… dagger on them…" Drake says. "I let your smallest brother… bleed to death. I wasn't really 'under' Imperius it was just put on me… I can fight it." Drake finishes hanging his head in shame.

"I know." Donna says solemnly almost blank.

"Then why?" Drake yells at her. "Why? I should have been given to the whirlpool down in the bottom of The Pit. I should have been rolled down the length of the stupid tunnel until the last steep drop still in the barrel into the whirl pool and death. WHY?"

"Because… I knew you weren't evil… I knew you'd change with a chance… Alexander could change you I knew it and was right although according to some of his reports you almost didn't let him have a chance. I knew it when you came up to me and turned yourself in like you did. Just… flat out weeping in front of a girl who would want nothing more than to probably beat you to death right there… but you still turned yourself in you wanted to be punished for what you did. You didn't want to be evil Drake. You didn't. And you aren't. You are the exact opposite and quite important in fight for good. If you'd have died… who knows what would be happening right now… Rosalyn and Alexander might not be back together… Alexander would have never gone back to Britain he would have stayed in America to live out his years. Think about that young again Drake. Oh and, Women? Dang indeed?" Donna says her head appearing with a smile.

"I suppose not. But… I'm sticking to what I said to Ginny at least for a couple of weeks." Drake says.

"Yeah I figured." Donna says. "Well, I must be going to follow my killer. I will return to being invisible. My unfinished business if you're wondering is to forgive the person who killed me. But I will still be wandering this place for a while afterwards if you ever need to have a chat Drake." Donna turns invisible. "Oh and Drake don't make me regret your very light sentencing."

"I won't Donna. I won't." Drake says and continues on his walk.

"The Halo, class, is a fatal last ditch effort on the battlefield to destroy all evil around… except perhaps Voldemort. The Halo was created by Angel Gryffindor, Godric Gryffindor's son, in a fight against the armies of Salazar Slytherin, which included several minions like the Death Eaters are today and several dark creatures, the armies of what was known as the Order were desperately sort on people there were maybe fifty excluding Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Godric Gryffindor. The Order was falling badly so when in retreat and around a mile was gained between the armies Angel Gryffindor stayed at the halfway mark, on the 'line', so to speak, between the armies. Angel was in a rage of magic, a very controlled extreme bout of wandless magic, and he trekked into the enemy territory not among the army and released all of his magical energy and life force in a blast which somehow generated in the center of the army and spread out in a golden circle, or Halo, and dropped all but about 10 of the opposing army's men. Among those left standing was Salazar Slytherin. The Order quickly surrounded and bound the ten, but Godric was distraught over his son who was laying motionless where he had cast the Halo from. 'Son' Godric cried as he rushed to his son's side. 'I got them Dad. Did you see it?' Angel said like a kid smiling at his father 'They all went down it was great.' Angel started to cough up blood. 'Son…' Godric choked out hugging Angel to him. 'Goodbye Dad, tell the others their welcome and not to fret over what I did. Tell my brothers to carry on the Gryffindor name now. I love you, Dad.' Angel said and then took one last breath before he was taken by Death to the next great adventure. And thus a legacy was created." Falcore says dramatically on the first day back to classes after break, a week from Christmas.

Some of the girls were teary eyed and crying and the boys were mainly frowning mournfully trying to look like they weren't going to cry.

"That, my fine class of 5th years, is the greatest kind of sacrifice. That is nobleness. That is love. That is the selfless sort of act that proves your loyalty. When it comes down to a war against Voldemort… if it comes on a battlefield can you be as selfless? Would you retreat? Would you dare to take the 'easy way' out and join Voldemort? *Almost all of the class gasps at the saying of the name* Don't fear his bloody name or you've practically lost already. Say it aloud all of you. NOW."

"Voldemort." The class says in mainly a whisper except for Harry and Drake.

"I said to say it not whisper it in fear still." Falcore barks out like a drill sergeant.

"Voldemort." The class says almost normal except Harry and Drake who are just saying it normal.

"I SAID SAY THE NAME!" Falcore yells. "Are you that cowardly? I mean if you fear his name what will you do if you come face to face with him… say Master? My Lord? If so I hope I never run into you. Say the name loud."

"Voldemort." They say it in normal tone sort of loud.

"LOUDER!"

"Voldemort."

"LOUDER!"

"Voldemort."

"I SAID LOUDER!"

"VOLDEMORT!" The name is finally yelled out by Harry, Ron, Hermione, Drake, and a few others.

"Good you few." Falcore says.

"Stand up all of you. All of you who yelled it stand up." Falcore says.

All of the Gryffindor boys stand up and Hermione and Justin Finch-Fletchley from Hufflepuff stand up.

"I would like to have you 8 stay after class." Falcore says.

"Ok." They say except Harry who's mouth opened but nothing came out.

"Harry?"

Harry shakes his head yes.

"You'll come."

Harry nods yes.

"Ok. Now, class do you think any of you would perform a Halo. Raise your left hand." Falcore says and watches Harry. Harry tries to lift it but the hand is clamped onto the desk. "Drake you would? Anyone else? No? Ok well that's all class dismissed except for the 8 I asked to stay."

The 8 stay and come up to Falcore's desk.

"Now Drake you know the deal. Get on with it." Falcore says smiling and the trio and Drake get what he's talking about.

"Are you sure they're ready? I mean just because they shouted Voldemort…?" Drake asks puzzled.

"Well they do have a choice you know." Falcore reminds him.

"Oh yeah… the secrecy pact… yeah. Alright then, you are being asked if you would like to join the OPF. You do not have to and no more info will be given unless you say yes except that the OPF fights against evil… Alright. Anyone say no?" Drake asks.

"Errr… against evil?" Seamus asks.

Falcore gives him a piercing look.

"Of course." Drake says. "Oh and well you'll only be junior members and so not called all of the times to meetings or… be asked to fight a lot." Drake says with a look like he's kicking himself for that near slip.

"Harry, Ron, and Hermione are already members and full members. But that is do to the numerous times they faced off against Voldemort." Drake says.

"Oh so that's why you four ran off before." Dean says.

"Well are you in? Or was that bravery a shamble?" Falcore asks.

Justin Finch-Fletchley steps up out the line that, unknowingly, Dean, Seamus, Neville, and him had made. "Count me in."

"Anyone else?" Drake asks. "Please?"

Neville steps up too. "I'm in. Sorry about running away from you in the dorm that morning."

"Don't worry about I scare myself sometimes." Drake says with a weird spooky grin and then laughs at Neville's eyes widening. "Just kidding Neville; so you two going to be the chickens. Fine."

"NO." They say and step forward. "We're in."

"Good. Very good even." Drake says.

"Alright Drake… give them the mark." Falcore says and all four of the boy's eyes go wide in shock and fear.

"Thahe nsak ess ad dny skithlit aren. Ah it's fun to watch people squirm when I say that gibberish." Drake laughs. "Roughly translated from its form it means, 'Squirm and wiggle you little ones.' And there's a word I'd rather not say in front of Falcore. Hmm. I'm keeping them more in the dark than I did you three. I just hid the last two words from you… Ah well. So now time to give you four the mark of the OPF. Well, security is a little more and less tight now. You don't need to have a noble lineage or anything like that but the secrecy pact is still heavily in place and your name goes on it when you take this mark. If you ever reveal this secret your name will burn off of the paper and you will be hunted. So betray us at your own risk. Don't worry though you won't be killed just arrested into the O... err… headquarters."

Falcore gives Drake a hard look like 'one more near slip…'

"Me if I keep nearly tripping up I'm a dead man So we mark you now and I don't have to worry." Drake says. "Lift your right sleeve."

They all do.

"Ok. Now." Drake says.

A bright light hits each of their forearms. It lingers for a moment and then it disappears. When it leaves a mark is left. It is a Phoenix and a Falcon meeting in flight. Their tail feathers meet F on the falcon's and P on the phoenix's. Above it in Phoenix Tear like letters are the words 'The Order' below the tail feathers near the wrist are the words 'Sworn against evil in the fight of dark and light'. They almost circle up to the words 'The Order'.

"You are now officially members of the Order." Drake says smiling. "Well junior members…"

"Tell no one." Falcore says. "Goodbye."

Harry was in the nightmare world again. Everyone was blaming him except that one voice he couldn't recognize but Harry wasn't sure he wanted to. The voice kept telling him it didn't blame him and he wanted to find out who it was because of that. Yet he felt we he found out something about him would change… so he didn't try to hard to figure out who it was. He didn't want to risk it. But he was already treating his friends different at certain times like if Ron wouldn't take money still, or Drake 'did not want to be bugged right now', or if he even just saw Cho or pictures of his parents. Sirius and Remus even made him a little jumpy. Hermione was the only one he hadn't yet changed towards. She never did anything to make his eyes go wide in fear. He thought maybe she was the key to beating this nightmare world. [Note to self,] Harry thinks [Put this in Dream Catcher when you wake up.]

"Another pass out episode. Albus, this has been happened 5 times since classes started… and that was just yesterday." McGonagall says. "What did Voldemort give the boy? We couldn't hear a word you three said."

"Jeweled Snake, Minerva. He gave Harry the jeweled snake. Harry has changed towards everyone but Hermione that he holds dear, even Sirius and Remus. We can only hope he goes to Hermione and that she can somehow help him, like maybe come to us. I have informed her that we think she should come to us if he goes to her. Although if that snake somehow taps into her mind and discovers that then all would be lost for the boy-who-lived, Minerva." Dumbledore says.

"We can only hope she doesn't inadvertently read Harry's mind or the snake will read hers." McGonagall says.

"Yes, call her to your office today and explain this to her, pull her out of Arithmancy, Professor Vector will be informed that she is going to be pulled out immediately. Thank you, McGonagall." Dumbledore says.

"No problem, Dumbledore." McGonagall says and leaves.

"Harry what will we do with you now? What will we do?" Dumbledore muses.

"You're useless Potter. Nothing but a failure! And everyone says you're like me?!?! HAH!" The voice of James Potter screams at Harry venomously in the nightmare world.

Harry rocks back and forth muttering 'only a dream' over and over.

"Not just a dream, son. A nightmare to end all nightmares. You shouldn't even have my surname or first name as either of your names… you should be… just… Harry, no James or Potter afterwards… you aren't deserving of those names. I have no son!" James finishes with even more maliciousness and viciousness in his tone.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Harry screams as loud as he can shooting straight up in potions.

"Harry?" Alexander says. "Are you alright?"

"No! Of course I'm not alright. What gave you that idea was it my screaming?" Harry barks.

"Good grief man calm down. I just asked you a bloody question. You are dismissed. Go to the hospital wing or Dumbledore and I will check with both of them to make sure." Alexander says.

"Fine." Harry says and storms out.

"I certainly hope he puts that Dream Catcher to use." Alexander mutters low enough so only Ron and Hermione who are at the front hear him.

"So is this the three lock trunk. Yes. Harry's is the first lock. Drake's is last. He gets peeved having to open both of the locks before his will open because he stores that dagger of his in his compartment. 'What if I need it fast?' he complains. And I say 'Don't keep it in the compartment, keep it in the your trunk.' And then he says 'You wish.' And he is right. I do. Because he had to go to the forest twice today and although Harry leaves his key in a secret place he told me and Drake about I leave mine on me and drake stores his in the dorm too. Anyway, twice he interrupted me and Parvati snog… studying… *Ron blushes* And anyway, it was totally embarrassing but whatever I found a secret place where all of our keys are stored now. So here is the Dream Catcher." Ron says and Hermione gives his a look.

"Oh this looks so much like a Pensieve." Hermione says. "I've read all about these. You have to be the owner of the nightmare to use it. If you weren't you could exploit the user's weaknesses. His worst fears. They are all in here if he's stored them or not it isn't a 'catcher' for nothing Ron."

"Oh then what was the point of Alexander's hint?" Ron says puzzled.

"Wasn't an intentional hint, Ron. He didn't mean us to hear it. But we can leave Harry a note from himself." Hermione says and Ron just stares at her puzzled. "A writing copy spell Ron, get an old parchment of his."

Ron does that and runs back to Hermione. "Here."

"Ok. Copia letra. Dear Harry, Show this to Hermione. Signed, Harry." Hermione says saying the names of the punctuation marks too. "Ok put that on the Dream Catcher and put the catcher up and the trunk back. He will see the note and show it to me tonight."

"About that, why didn't you put my name on that?" Ron asks.

"I'm the only one so far he hasn't changed any toward Ron." Hermione says.

"Oh. Ok. I guess…" Ron says and puts every thing up.

Drake is walking the edge of the forest again but decides to go sit under a tree in the snow for a while.

Drake hums a tune unknowingly while thinking about what's happened since he issued the ultimatum to Ginny. He realizes is humming and that the song is 'Can't Help Falling In Love'.

"Weird coincidence." Drake mutters to himself.

"No coincidence." A familiar female voice says and makes Drake jump.

"Must you always scare me, Donna?" Drake says.

"Of course. I'm a ghost what do you expect?" Donna says.

Drake just gives her a withering look. "You forgive Rosalyn yet?"

"Nope not ye… Wait… How'd you know?" Donna says.

"Didn't just took a guess and I was right." Drake says smugly.

It's Donna's turn for a withering look. "You always were a sly one."

"Yeah it's why they wanted me and why OOP&F wants me now." Drake says. "So it was Rosalyn. Oh, yeah she was brainwashed by then… You're right I'm not mad at her wouldn't have been anyway."

"So you're still going to wait a week Drake? On the Ginny situation?" Donna asks.

"Yeah. I don't normally break my first word so I'm sticking with my second and I let her know with a letter this morning." Drake says.

"A letter? How tactful…" Donna says sarcastically.

"She replied with 'OK' so I guess it was good enough." Drake says. "Well if you don't really mind Donna I'd like to be left alone for a little while."

"Fine but if a beast is after you and you're asleep I'll have to chill you and wake you up." Donna says.

"Fine." Drake says and he sits back to think as the sun sinks lower in the sky.

At the dinner table Harry sits alone near the end ignoring anyone who tries to talk to him and recoiling when they get mad about it.

[No! More anger.] Harry thinks. [Enough angriness in the nightmare world.]

~Then follow the nice voice in your dreams.~ The Jeweled Snake suggests.

[No. Shut up. I won't do it!] Harry 'yells' at the snake and goes back to eating.

"I won't." Harry murmurs weakly to himself.

"Can't… in… you." Drake sings to himself thinking it's in his head.

"What?" Hermione says.

"Huh? I said something out loud?? Oops." Drake says.

"Yep. Can't and in and you." Hermione says.

"Oh well I have a song in my head must've been singing it out loud without knowing it." Drake says. "Though I didn't even know I had it stuck in my head."

"Oh. Alright." Hermione says and goes back to eating dinner as does Drake.

[Harry and Drake are quite weird lately. I wonder why… Hmm. Maybe I could read their minds… wait no not supposed to do that. At least not with Harry. No I can't pry. Hmm I have to help Harry I hope he sees the note before it's too late he looks close to the breaking point. He won't last too long. He's going to screw up and do something that glowing thing on his wrist says inadvertently. I know that's the only reason it's on his wrist. His left hand looks so pale I'd swear it was dead if I didn't see it move. He is so pale. Why do they think I can help? What can I do apart from reading minds and floating stuff and talking telepathically and being book smart I really don't have any talents.] Hermione thinks staring at her food. [Why me? *Hermione looks up at Harry* Why Harry?]