A/N: wow really fast right? Less than 24 hours. My fingers are so tired. Well read and review!! I hope everyone has a happy vacation too!
Thank You's:
WolfMoon: No matter how fast I update I just can't seem to get up a chapter before you reviewed the last one. Even when you're on vacation! You're awesome. I believe it is 'Hogworts' and that I just misspelled it when I wrote 'Hogwarts' but I have no idea about the Crutains curse and I would really appreciate it if you looked it up and told me. I haven't reviewed chapter 8 yet. I would do it now but it is 12:50 a.m. and I have to be up at 6:30 in the morning. I will be sure to do it sometime tomorrow. I didn't get an e-mail, did you not send one or did I just not get it? Oh well now I know and I will go and review tomorrow.
Blank: Thank You I'm glad you liked it. Please keep reviewing. Oh yeah, are you the same person that reviews with no name every time? Or is it someone else? It doesn't matter I'm just curious. Thank you for the review!
White Owl: I have taken your advice. Is the spelling better in this one? I will later go back and check on the Jacob Jason thing and I really appreciate you pointing it out. I love getting reviews like that. I know this one was not as long but I hope you still like it.
ER: there will be lots of pranks…I don't know if this one was good or not, let me know. I didn't really want to say anything about it but yes, in time Ron and Hermione will be joining the Order. You will have to wait to see how and when the join. Thanks for the review!
Harry Potter and the Return of the Dark Lord
"What new branch is this?" Sirius asked. Dumbledore and Sirius were apparently over their previous fight and were going back to being friends.
"It will be called the Broom Brigade," Dumbledore said and all seven people looked equally confused. The only one who looked like they understood anything was Harry, 'this is why he wanted me to be flying so much' Harry told himself. "You are all the very best when it comes to flying. So, I have devised a new plan. It is actually a very old plan that I am carrying out. When brooms where first invented, contrary to popular belief, they were for war purposes. They were going to be used as extra fighters, from the air. No one knows this because it was never actually done. The broom was never perfected enough to send people up on them. But now, I believe they have reached that point. If you could all follow me I would like to show you what you will be flying." They left Dumbledore's office and headed out of the castle. They made their way across the grounds and into the quidditch pitch. As they entered the shed that is underneath one set of bleachers, everyone looked at what was sitting there amazed. In place of where the old school brooms usually sat were the oddest looking brooms (if you could even call them that) that anyone of these people had ever seen.
"What are these, sir?" Victor was the first one to speak.
"These are combat brooms. You will be going in on them into combat zones during this war." These were not any regular brooms. There was a broom on the base of the contraption, but that is where it ended looking like any brooms these people had used playing quidditch. Around the broom was a plastic looking cone shaped shield that was glowing blue, and inside there was a sort of control panel with buttons on it. There even looked to be something like a seat. When Dumbledore felt that everyone was sufficiently confused, he spoke again, "This is the best design that there is. I have had some of the best and most respected broom designers working on this since Voldermorts last reign. It took them twenty years to master it, and make their final product, we need you to learn how to master flying it in two weeks." Dumbledore said this with no glint in his eye. "You will be the order's greatest assets. You will do everything from gathering intel, to going in to fight. This means that while you are in the air, and even when you have both feet on the ground, you will be prime targets of Voldermort. If anyone wants to go, now's the time." Dumbledore paused, though everyone knew that no one was leaving. "Good, I knew I could count on you. Now I'm no expert flier, but I know how this thing works. I will tell you everything I know about it, but learning how to master it will be your tasks."
Dumbledore levitated the 'broom' and began explaining all the features. He started with everything on the outside. There was a camera on the bottom of the nose of the broom for when they wanted to do reconnaissance missions, it would take a picture whenever it thought is saw something suspicious and you could trigger it to take a picture from the inside. On the back and both sides were hooks that you could rig some kind of rope to incase you needed to strap one of the brooms or something else that couldn't fly between two of the brooms. Apparently the blue cone thing was a shield, to protect you from curses. "This shield has not yet been perfected. Do not be surprised if your shield goes down. That's when you will really have to show your flying skills." It sounded like this shield would go down easily but no one said anything. "Now I'll show you the inside. The seat is detachable, you can use it if you think it is better or you can take it off if it will be in the way. There is a wand that is right at the tip of the broom," Dumbledore pointed to a wand that was about 10 inches long, and appeared to be made of mahogany wood, later they found out that there was a phoenix feather for the core, "you control that wand with this thing here," Dumbledore now pointed to something back inside the cockpit (A/N: that's what I'll call where all the buttons are so I don't have to keep saying 'inside the broom or stuff like that') that looked like what Harry recognized as a joystick and a computer screen, some muggle toys that Dudley played with, "When you are on the broom, anytime you look at the screen you will see what the wand is pointed at, line up the crosshairs to what you want to curse, say the curse, then press this button," the old man indicated a red button on top of the joystick. "The curse will be shot out from the wand." The six men and one woman were standing astonished at what this broom could do. "Don't get to excited yet, you haven't seen the best part. There are three buttons here, this white one is used as an visibility button."
"You mean we can fight them and they won't even be able to see us." Charlie said with a large smile on his face. This was the first time anyone said anything since Dumbledore started explaining things.
"Not quite, Charlie," Dumbledore answered with a chuckle. "Close, but not quite. As long as all you're doing is watching them, the invisibility button will work, but once you fire a curse, or take a picture it doesn't work anymore. And you can't just keep putting it back on." Dumbledore added that last part to Sirius, he was always trying to find a way around things. "it takes days to recharge it after you use it, so make sure you're ready to be seen when you take a picture or throw a curse. This button here," he pointed to a red one, "let's you do the most damage. It's a new curse, but it doesn't work out of regular wands. It is the 'bandario' curse. It's not very accurate but it causes an explosion big enough to collapse a whole building. This too can only be used once a flight, because it has to be recharged. Make sure you really need it when you use it. This last button, the purple one, is the most helpful one, but it also needs to be used with the most care. You can not apperate while in this broom, but if you hit this button while thinking of a place, you can apperate there. It even works when anti-appiration wards are up. Now this one can only be used once, not once and then recharged like the other ones, but you can only use it once. The only time you should use this button is if the death eaters are about to capture the broom. Death eaters can never know about this, they need to be protected above anything else." Dumbledore said this very seriously, and though it was not said, it was clear that if you had to lay down your life to keep these brooms secrets secret, than that is what you had to do. "I will leave you all to practice, please take this very seriously, some day you could be our last defense." With that Dumbledore walked out of the room.
"Well, let's get started." Sirius said. Each one found a broom and got into it.
For hours and hours they flew around Hogworts grounds, they broke up into two teams for a while and tried to attack each other. So that they wouldn't do any damage they used color curses. You just said a color and that color flew out of your wand. It was how the auror's trained for battle. Harry had been taught this spell a couple weeks back. After about six hours of training they decided to call it a day. Harry, Remus, and Sirius went back to Harry's place and had supper. Sirius had just finished telling the story about a particularly mean prank the Marauder's had played on Snape when they were at school. This gave Harry an idea, "Hey, this school year is going to need some laughs, maybe even more than Fred and George can provide."
"Ya, what's your point?" Sirius asked.
"Well, you two will be staying at Hogworts to work with the Order and stuff, I'll be there." Harry continued.
"Do you have a point or are you just rambling?" Remus asked. In the past weeks Harry noticed that being around Sirius took Remus out of his mature Professor mode and put him back into his Marauder mode.
"You two were Marauder's, I'm a son of a Marauder, what do you say? Think it's time the Marauders made their return to Hogworts?" Harry said with a great huge smile on his face. And for the rest of the night the three spent their time trying to come up with a way to start the New Year with the Marauder's off with a bang. They couldn't wait until the welcoming feast!
The next day the seven broom pilots, as they were calling themselves, trained for six hours again. They were starting to get the hang of controlling these things.
Before Harry knew it Remus, Patrick, and Sirius (in dog form) were walking into Kings Cross station. Dumbledore thought it was best for Harry to take the train as to limit questions asked. Sirius, Remus, and Patrick had to be there anyway because they were patrolling the train, so they all went together.
"Harry!" Harry heard someone call his name and saw a two people rushing towards him. The first one to reach him was Hermione, and she engulfed him in a long hug. She continued to hug him and ask a million incoherent questions until finally Ron was able to pull her off.
"How was your vacation, mate?" Ron asked Harry a little more calmly than Hermione.
"Interesting." Was Harry's only answer. This made the two of them look a little confused.
"So I've heard." Ron answered and motioned his head back towards his parents indicating that the two of them knew about the order.
"You haven't heard half of it." Harry answered mysteriously. This made the two very confused and Harry simply said, "I'll tell you on the train. When we have a little more privacy." With that Remus, Snuffles, and Patrick reached the group on Harry's side, while Molly, Arthur, Fred, George, Ginny, Charlie, Bill, and Percy approached from Ron and Hermione's side. The whole group exchanged greetings and then they were left staring at Patrick.
"Ah, Ron, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, this is Patrick English. He is part of the Order." Mr. Weasly introduced the man. 'I'll explain latter.' Harry mouthed to Ron and Hermione.
"Are you all patrolling?" Remus asked the older group of the Weasley's.
"Just Charlie, and myself. We convinced mom and dad that it would be embarrassing for Fred, George, Ginny, and Ron to have their parents on the train. And Percy has to get back to the Ministry, he starts to get migraines if he's away too long." Bill joked. Percy made a face, even though he worked for the Order now, they still liked to make fun of Percy's dedication to the Ministry. "Speaking of patrolling, we better be off, we should get there soon." Bill added and the group said their goodbye's.
"Be careful." Mrs. Weasley warned. "And don't get into to much trouble." She added threateningly to Fred and George as they ran through the barrier.
"They'll have a little competition this year." Harry added quietly to his two friends who looked at him curiously. The three got onto the train and found their own compartment. Hermione had obviously been made a prefect, but Harry and Ron convinced her not to sit with the rest of the prefects. They spent the trip telling stories about their vacation, Harry told them everything about the Order and his new castle and all of that. But what they really wanted to know Harry wouldn't tell them.
"Come on Harry, what did you mean when you said they'd have a little competition this year?" Ron begged Harry to tell him for the tenth time.
"I told you before Ron, you're just going to have to wait until the feast to see." Ron was about to argue when Malfoy and his two goons walked into the compartment.
"I see the Mudblood, the Muggle Lover, and scar face found each other again." Malfoy said mockingly. Harry stepped in front of Ron and simply said,
"Did you all have a good summer? Or did you just lie where we left you until people started to load onto the train today?" Harry asked, referring to when they cursed Malfoy and his gang for disrespecting the memory of Cedric Diggory. Malfoy tensed up and stared coldly back into his enemy's eyes.
"That was luck Potter. It took five of you to bring us down, it won't happen again." Malfoy spat.
"Well we'll see won't we. Maybe we'll meet up in the dueling tournament." At this statement Malfoy looked slightly confused. "Oh you don't know about the dueling tournament? Didn't your father tell you? Ah, that's right, your father found himself in a little bit of trouble didn't he? Got thrown in Azkaban with the dementors. How is his arm doing by the way?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"He's out of Azkaban now, and he's coming after you and that muggle friend of yours. Only a muggle would pull a sword on a wizard." This put Harry over the edge. He wasn't sure why, but he had taken a particular liking to Patrick.
"Patrick English is far from a muggle. Now leave this compartment while you can still do so on your own accord." Harry whispered between his teeth venomously. Draco didn't look like he wanted to test Harry so he turned and left, Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
"Well that was interesting." Ron said. And they spent the rest of the trip talking and joking.
The Order members and the protection auror's had stayed out of site during the train ride and the first sign that something as different at Hogworts came when Hagrid's shout's of "First Year's follow me!" were accompanied by Remus yelling "Second and above come this way." The students thought I was odd, no one had ever lead them anywhere when they got off the train before. Harry knew it was because Dumbledore didn't want anyone to see the dragons at the gates until he had told them all. The trio climbed into a carriage and were shortly joined by Neville and then they were off. As they were walking into the Great Hall Remus walked up to Harry.
"Harry, I need to speak with you before the feast." Remus said.
"Just watch this." Harry whispered to his friends and walked off with Remus. Ron and Hermione looked at one another and then went to find seats at their table. As everyone was filling in and all sat down, Dumbledore stood up to begin his beginning of the year feast. The whole hall got silent but before he could get started a huge eagle soared into the hall out of the owlry. Everyone looked up at the bird. Not only was this a beautiful bird to be delivering mail, but no mail usually came until the next morning. As it got closer to the tables, the students were further intrigued by the fact that it appeared to be carrying a howler. The bird soared across the hall and over to the Slytherin table. It landed right in front of Malfoy. The boy was stunned. Never had his parents thought to send him a howler. But knowing that running would only make him look like a coward, and not opening it worse, Malfoy, with trembling hands opened the letter, instantly it began to roar: MALFOY YOU SLIMY SLYTHERIN! THE MARUARDERS MINUS ONE ARE BACK; WITH PRONG'S SON STEPING IN FOR HIM! LOOK AROUND EVERY CORNER! CHECK EVERY BIT OF FOOD! NO ONE IS SAFE FROM THE MARUARDERS PRANKS! THAT GOES FOR SLYTHERIN'S, HUFFELPUFF'S, RAVENCLAWS, THE STAFF, AND YES, EVEN THE OCCASIONAL GYRIFFINDOR! THE MARUARDERS ARE BACK TO RULE THE SCHOOL! SLIMY, GREASY HAIRED, COCKY, RICH LITTLE SLYTHERIN'S (YES, MALFOY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU) WILL BE PRANKED THE WORST AND YOU WILL WISH YOU WERE BACK AS A BOUNCING FERRET WHEN WE ARE DONE WITH YOU! HAVE A GOOD FEAST! And with those words the letter was reduced to ashes. Malfoy was so red in the face the house elves could have cooked the eggs on him. The whole hall was silent for a few moments before everyone (with the exception of the Slytherines) burst into laughter. Even some of the teachers had to hold back smiles. Some of the teachers that is, but Snape looked like he was about to explode himself. There's no doubt that after the Marauder's last reign Snape knows what it is like to be embarrassed in front of the whole school. After minutes of roaring laughter Dumbledore had to shoot off sparks and make loud bangs to regain the attention of the student body. "Well, that was interesting." Dumbledore commented with a slight smile. "However, on a more serious note, amusing or not, any student that is found sending howlers to fellow students will face severe consequences." Dumbledore still had the glint in his eyes that showed he had been amused. He knew that it was Harry's animugus for that delivered the letter, but could not say anything because it would give away that Harry was an unregistered animugus. He also knew that if the Marauder's were mentioned in the note that Sirius and Remus were probably involved too. But now was not the time.
"I'm afraid that I can not keep up the joking mood. I have some grave announcements to make. As you may have noticed, you were ushered to the school by grown wizards. These wizards are known as The Order of the Phoenix. Some of the Order members will be staying at Hogworts during this school year. I assure you they are here for your protection and I ask that you do not bother them. Anyone found interfering with Order business will be dealt with harshly. In result of the Order staying here, again the third floor corridor will be out of bounds. Another precaution we have taken I'm sure none of you have noticed. Guarding the gates to the school are two fully grown dragons." At this announcement Dumbledore again lost the students in an uproar of conversation. "I promise you that they will not leave their post, and therefore will not attack any student. However, if you are not escorted by a teacher or Order member, I must tell you that you can not come into the grounds, unless you feel you are ready to take on two fully grown guard dragons, and I guarantee you no student is. I do not know why I have to continually say this, but the Forbidden Forest is, as the name states; forbidden. There are more creatures in there than ever before and no student should try to sneak in. On a lighter note, I am happy to reinstate the inter-house Quidditch Cup!" Dumbledore didn't even try to calm the crowd down for a few minutes after this announcement. "However I warn members of the Quidditch teams that you do not have much time to train. The season will be over and the cup awarded before Christmas Break."
"WHAT! WHY SO SOON! THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME TO TRAIN!" The Weasly twins roared.
"It will end so soon, because when we get back from Christmas Break we will be holding a tryout for a Hogworts team. Anyone who wishes to join the team can try out. This team will be competing in a tournament against Beauxbatons and Durmstrang." Again the hall burst into conversation. "I ask that you hold your excitement until I am done with all my announcements." Dumbledore added a little coolly. The hall was instantly silent. "Another inter-school tournament is set to be held between the three schools. It will begin in early November and end just before Christmas Break. This will be a Dueling Tournament." You could feel everyone's excitement but no one spoke. They just continued to listen to Dumbledore speak. "To prepare for this tournament, and unfortunately to prepare for the upcoming fight against Voldermort," the whole hall flinched, "we will be hosting a Dueling Class for everyone fourth year and above. You also have to meet those age requirement to compete in the tournament." Many one the younger students looked disappointed at this. "This class will be taught by an old teacher, everyone please welcome back Professor Lupin." The hall (excluding the Slytherines) burst into a huge ovation. This is one of two new courses added to the curriculum, for longer than I can remember dark creatures have been taught in with Defense Against the Dark Arts. Well starting this year you will take Defense Against the Dark Arts in addition to Defense Against Dark Creatures. As not many people have volunteered for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, something about it being cursed," Dumbledore gave a small smile, "I will be coming out of teaching retirement to instruct this class." The whole student body was in awe of the thought of learning from the great Albus Dumbledore, and the whole burst into an applause about the same size as Lupin's. "The teacher for Defense Against Dark Creatures will be Patrick English." Harry clapped particularly loud for Patrick but from the rest of the hall it was pretty much just the polite applause. Now I have rambled for long enough its time for the sorting. (A/N: I am hopeless at poetry and none of the first years will play a big part in the story so let's just pretend the sorting is over with).
"Wow it's about time we've got some food. I'm starving." Ron said as he shoveled food in his mouth.
"You're always hungry, Ron" Hermione pointed out.
"Saddup." Ron tried to tell Hermione to shut up and shove food in his mouth at the same time.
"Say Ron, you thinking about trying out for the team?" Harry asked breaking up the fight he saw that was about to come. They didn't need a fight on the first day. "You know, we need a keeper and a chaser."
"Ya I think I might." Ron answered.
"I'm really looking forward to the dueling tournament. You two will try out right?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron both shook their heads 'yes'.
"If she tries and make us study for that I'm going to go insane." Ron whispered to Harry. The rest of the feast went on uneventful and before he knew it Harry was asleep in his bed.
A/N: Well that's it. What did you guys think? It wasn't as long as the last one but it was a decent size I think. Plus it came out really fast! Less than 24 hours. But don't expect another chapter until a couple days after Christmas. I'm so happy I finally got to the school year. That's what I've been waiting for. Please tell everyone you know about this story, I want to have 50 reviews by the time I put my next chapter out. So review and tell everyone you know to do the same!! Thank you for reading!