Summary:
Harry has just finished his seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
Voldemort is an ever-present threat in the world with The Order of the
Phoenix doing all they can to keep him from taking over.
In this world of conflict, Harry has to decide what shape his future will
take.
Chapter Two - Dumbledore
After a moment's tense silence Remus caught Harry's eye. "I'm sorry that we were talking about you behind your back." He said softly.
"Don't change the subject, just tell me now. I have a right to know whatever it is everyone seems to think I should be doing." Said Harry looking back and forth between the two men.
"You're right of course Harry. Although personally I think it's all going to come to nothing. The Order will never agree." Started Sirius before Remus cut him off
"Sirius, shouldn't we explain it to him first." Remus suggested.
"What's to explain? Dumbledore wants Harry to run the bloody Order of the Phoenix. There it is, simple as a chocolate frog. Except that it isn't going to happen!" Sirius shouted getting up out of his chair and storming across the kitchen.
"He what?!" Harry yelled in surprise. "Me! Run the Order. This has got to be a joke! I don't know anything about. They wouldn't. I. I just couldn't!"
Remus glared at Sirius before turning to Harry. "Like I said before, I agree with Dumbledore. You'd be the best choice Harry."
Sirius was ignoring the conversation by now rummaging in a cupboard full of dishes.
"Sirius, can we talk about this properly please." Harry pleaded still blown away by the very idea.
"I don't know what you expect me to say Harry." Came Sirius' reply from the cupboard.
"Well, what gave you both the idea that Dumbledore means for me to take his place anyway?" Asked Harry suddenly wondering if perhaps this hadn't all been some amusing misunderstanding.
"Oh, it seems Remus here has known about this little plan for weeks." Growled Sirius, storming back over from the abandoned cupboard, having succeeded only in making a mess of the jars and cans.
"That's not true Padfoot. He told me yesterday and asked my opinion, that's all. There wasn't any point in telling you about it before now." Mumbled Remus cradling a mug of tea in his hands. "Albus is quite set on the idea. It's not as though either of us could change his mind."
Harry's mind suddenly snapped into attention. "Change HIS mind! Surely it's purely MY decision whether or not I choose to be considered for leadership!" He shouted angrily. "It's not as though I am a child any longer. I can make my own decisions. I'm not Albus Dumbledore's puppet and you two can't decide this for me either. It's all up to me!"
Sirius and Remus looked at each other, and then back at Harry before they both launched into apologies. But Harry didn't hear any of it. He stood up and marched out of the kitchen with deaf ears, thousands of thoughts ringing in his head.
***
Harry pounded his pillow with his fist. He knew that he was throwing a rather childish tantrum but he really didn't care.
'How dare they ask this of me?' His mind demanded. 'It's completely unfair.' He shoved his face into his pillow taking deep muffled breaths.
'How many people would I be responsible for, how much would lay on my shoulders?' He hardly noticed the violent shudder that went through his body.
'I'm too young, I wouldn't know what to do. Besides, there are better people for the job.' He suddenly sat up on his bed allowing his flushed face to cool. "Sirius is right, they'd never agree anyway." He muttered taking in a calming breath and letting his heart quit it's racing.
Feeling suddenly composed he looked down guiltily at the bedclothes strewn across his room.
"I really need to find a better way of controlling my temper." He mused to himself straightening the pillows.
"And perhaps you need to re-think the talking to yourself part." Sirius chuckled from the doorframe.
Harry blushed and sank back down onto his bed.
"Look Harry, I am sorry about all of that. I was stressed out and I should have thought about how you'd react." Said Sirius apologetically.
Harry shook his head. "No Padfoot, it's alright. I can't blame you for all of this, besides, it's not as if I reacted so very maturely myself!"
"Moony's upset you know." Said Sirius softly approaching the bed. "He really believes that Dumbledore's right. I guess he was kind of hoping that you would agree to it when you found out."
"Maybe we should talk this through properly without all of us losing our tempers again." Suggested Harry with a wry smile. "I don't think yelling at each other is going to resolve anything."
Sirius looked at Harry strangely then laughed. "You're right. Let's go find the silly old wolf and get this sorted."
Harry nodded and the two of them made their way back downstairs.
"Moony!" Yelled Sirius poking his head round the kitchen door.
Harry chuckled to himself and left Sirius yelling into empty rooms, making his way quickly through the house to the garden. He saw Remus sitting in a garden chair staring up at the sky. Making his way over he knew that Remus was aware of his presence. He was, after all, upwind of the perceptive werewolf.
"Hi Harry." Mumbled Remus softly.
"Hey Moony." Replied Harry sitting down on the soft grass beside Remus' chair. "Look, before you apologise I think you ought to hear me out." Said Harry quickly when he saw Remus open his mouth to speak.
"Alright."
"I was shocked to say the least when you told me what was going on. And I can honestly say that I'm still surprised at the whole thing. I can't quite understand what Dumbledore's motives are behind all of this but I think that it's worth having a calm conversation about it."
Harry observed the surprise and hope that blossomed on Remus' tired face.
"You. You really think that I should lead the Order, don't you." He said softly.
Remus nodded, giving Harry a pensieve smile. "You've inherited your Father's ability to command respect. I know that many people think very highly of you Harry, Mad-Eye and Dumbledore especially. It's not just the things that you've done. It's just the way that you live. People respect you Harry, and they will follow you."
Harry was about to comment when Sirius came bounding out of the house. "There you are! I searched the whole house!"
"And yet Harry here knew exactly where to find me. You're obviously not as perceptive as your godson Padfoot." Remus chuckled.
Sirius just rolled his eyes.
"Sirius. I think it's high time we went and had a little chat with Dumbledore. Don't you?" Said Harry, his eyes sparkling.
"I'll give that crazy coot a piece of my mind." Sirius mumbled.
Harry highly doubted that Sirius would make any headway with Dumbledore. He knew that his godfather deeply respected Albus no matter what he said to deny it.
"Well, we need to see what he's playing at." Said Harry calmly "Are you going to come Moony?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Replied Remus smiling back at Harry.
So the three of them trekked back up to the house and once again congregated at the fireplace.
***
Albus Dumbledore sat stiffly in his chair. It was true that not many things could unsettle him, but when he had to send his protégées into danger he always felt it weigh heavily on his soul.
His relief was not complete on Severus' return. Indeed the dishevelled and frightened appearance of his potions master, who swept hastily into the room, caused a knot of apprehension in the old man's stomach.
"He has many plans." Severus croaked, his voice strained after his rush to return to the castle.
Dumbledore simply sat back and nodded for him to continue.
"He has, of course, further devised my own punishment. Traitors of the Dark Lord are to be hunted down and brought to him for their penance before they are killed. But seeing as I have evaded his minions for so long already, he has begun to consider coming after me himself"
When Snape paused here to look up at the headmaster's face, Albus saw the strain in the younger man's eyes. He was still deeply saddened by the thought that Severus was forced to listen in on the dark lord's plans. Dumbledore had enlisted Snape into the high-risk task of spying on the Death Eater meetings. His dark mark allowed him the ability to find the gatherings and a specially protected and charmed invisibility cloak allowed him to hide from even Voldemort's perception. But neither of them doubted that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort would suspect their plan, if he hadn't already.
"I can only hope that you can save me from that particular fate Albus." Snape continued. "The more pressing matter though, of course, is Potter."
At the mention of 'Potter', Dumbledore visibly stiffened. He always detested hearing Tom's plans for Harry Potter and he knew that Severus' insistence on using Harry's surname rather than first was simply Snape's way of trying to distance himself from the fact that he'd actually grown to admire the young man.
"I am afraid that the Dark Lord refuses to reveal his plans for Potter's capture even to the other Death Eaters. I fear that he has enlisted Lucius Malfoy to the task. Certainly it was not elaborated upon at the meeting." Snape confessed growing angry.
"Yes. Perhaps Tom is learning to be cautious of his meetings. We shall have to keep an extra close eye on Harry. But hopefully that won't be too much of a problem after Sunday." Dumbledore said, in contemplation.
"You still insist on thrusting him further into the lime-light then?" Grumbled Snape shaking his head.
"I know that deep down you agree with me that Harry must be our new leader Severus." Chuckled Albus lightly.
"Perhaps." Conceded the tired potions master. "But I think you should consider if he'll want it."
"Once he realises that he has the full support of the Order, and once he knows what it will mean. I have every confidence that Harry will learn to relish the role, just as I have done. He already makes himself feel responsible for everyone as it is. This will only give him the tools he needs for that job." Said Dumbledore calmly.
"Perhaps." Mumbled Snape getting to his feet slowly. "I shall retire to my quarters now if you don't mind Albus. It's been a long day."
"Certainly. You deserve a rest my boy." Agreed Dumbledore with an affectionate smile.
Snape simply grunted acknowledgement and made to leave
Dumbledore heard the surprised yell from the potions master as he opened the door.
When he went over to join him, he was met by an amusing sight. Remus and Sirius stood frozen in embarrassment and behind them was a stunned looking Harry.
The headmaster forced back a grin and addressed the eavesdroppers. "If you've heard as much of our conversation as I think you might have it's about time we had a chat. Come in you three, let Severus get past."
***
A/N Chapter two bites the dust. So. Any comments?????
Luv, jona xxx
Chapter Two - Dumbledore
After a moment's tense silence Remus caught Harry's eye. "I'm sorry that we were talking about you behind your back." He said softly.
"Don't change the subject, just tell me now. I have a right to know whatever it is everyone seems to think I should be doing." Said Harry looking back and forth between the two men.
"You're right of course Harry. Although personally I think it's all going to come to nothing. The Order will never agree." Started Sirius before Remus cut him off
"Sirius, shouldn't we explain it to him first." Remus suggested.
"What's to explain? Dumbledore wants Harry to run the bloody Order of the Phoenix. There it is, simple as a chocolate frog. Except that it isn't going to happen!" Sirius shouted getting up out of his chair and storming across the kitchen.
"He what?!" Harry yelled in surprise. "Me! Run the Order. This has got to be a joke! I don't know anything about. They wouldn't. I. I just couldn't!"
Remus glared at Sirius before turning to Harry. "Like I said before, I agree with Dumbledore. You'd be the best choice Harry."
Sirius was ignoring the conversation by now rummaging in a cupboard full of dishes.
"Sirius, can we talk about this properly please." Harry pleaded still blown away by the very idea.
"I don't know what you expect me to say Harry." Came Sirius' reply from the cupboard.
"Well, what gave you both the idea that Dumbledore means for me to take his place anyway?" Asked Harry suddenly wondering if perhaps this hadn't all been some amusing misunderstanding.
"Oh, it seems Remus here has known about this little plan for weeks." Growled Sirius, storming back over from the abandoned cupboard, having succeeded only in making a mess of the jars and cans.
"That's not true Padfoot. He told me yesterday and asked my opinion, that's all. There wasn't any point in telling you about it before now." Mumbled Remus cradling a mug of tea in his hands. "Albus is quite set on the idea. It's not as though either of us could change his mind."
Harry's mind suddenly snapped into attention. "Change HIS mind! Surely it's purely MY decision whether or not I choose to be considered for leadership!" He shouted angrily. "It's not as though I am a child any longer. I can make my own decisions. I'm not Albus Dumbledore's puppet and you two can't decide this for me either. It's all up to me!"
Sirius and Remus looked at each other, and then back at Harry before they both launched into apologies. But Harry didn't hear any of it. He stood up and marched out of the kitchen with deaf ears, thousands of thoughts ringing in his head.
***
Harry pounded his pillow with his fist. He knew that he was throwing a rather childish tantrum but he really didn't care.
'How dare they ask this of me?' His mind demanded. 'It's completely unfair.' He shoved his face into his pillow taking deep muffled breaths.
'How many people would I be responsible for, how much would lay on my shoulders?' He hardly noticed the violent shudder that went through his body.
'I'm too young, I wouldn't know what to do. Besides, there are better people for the job.' He suddenly sat up on his bed allowing his flushed face to cool. "Sirius is right, they'd never agree anyway." He muttered taking in a calming breath and letting his heart quit it's racing.
Feeling suddenly composed he looked down guiltily at the bedclothes strewn across his room.
"I really need to find a better way of controlling my temper." He mused to himself straightening the pillows.
"And perhaps you need to re-think the talking to yourself part." Sirius chuckled from the doorframe.
Harry blushed and sank back down onto his bed.
"Look Harry, I am sorry about all of that. I was stressed out and I should have thought about how you'd react." Said Sirius apologetically.
Harry shook his head. "No Padfoot, it's alright. I can't blame you for all of this, besides, it's not as if I reacted so very maturely myself!"
"Moony's upset you know." Said Sirius softly approaching the bed. "He really believes that Dumbledore's right. I guess he was kind of hoping that you would agree to it when you found out."
"Maybe we should talk this through properly without all of us losing our tempers again." Suggested Harry with a wry smile. "I don't think yelling at each other is going to resolve anything."
Sirius looked at Harry strangely then laughed. "You're right. Let's go find the silly old wolf and get this sorted."
Harry nodded and the two of them made their way back downstairs.
"Moony!" Yelled Sirius poking his head round the kitchen door.
Harry chuckled to himself and left Sirius yelling into empty rooms, making his way quickly through the house to the garden. He saw Remus sitting in a garden chair staring up at the sky. Making his way over he knew that Remus was aware of his presence. He was, after all, upwind of the perceptive werewolf.
"Hi Harry." Mumbled Remus softly.
"Hey Moony." Replied Harry sitting down on the soft grass beside Remus' chair. "Look, before you apologise I think you ought to hear me out." Said Harry quickly when he saw Remus open his mouth to speak.
"Alright."
"I was shocked to say the least when you told me what was going on. And I can honestly say that I'm still surprised at the whole thing. I can't quite understand what Dumbledore's motives are behind all of this but I think that it's worth having a calm conversation about it."
Harry observed the surprise and hope that blossomed on Remus' tired face.
"You. You really think that I should lead the Order, don't you." He said softly.
Remus nodded, giving Harry a pensieve smile. "You've inherited your Father's ability to command respect. I know that many people think very highly of you Harry, Mad-Eye and Dumbledore especially. It's not just the things that you've done. It's just the way that you live. People respect you Harry, and they will follow you."
Harry was about to comment when Sirius came bounding out of the house. "There you are! I searched the whole house!"
"And yet Harry here knew exactly where to find me. You're obviously not as perceptive as your godson Padfoot." Remus chuckled.
Sirius just rolled his eyes.
"Sirius. I think it's high time we went and had a little chat with Dumbledore. Don't you?" Said Harry, his eyes sparkling.
"I'll give that crazy coot a piece of my mind." Sirius mumbled.
Harry highly doubted that Sirius would make any headway with Dumbledore. He knew that his godfather deeply respected Albus no matter what he said to deny it.
"Well, we need to see what he's playing at." Said Harry calmly "Are you going to come Moony?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Replied Remus smiling back at Harry.
So the three of them trekked back up to the house and once again congregated at the fireplace.
***
Albus Dumbledore sat stiffly in his chair. It was true that not many things could unsettle him, but when he had to send his protégées into danger he always felt it weigh heavily on his soul.
His relief was not complete on Severus' return. Indeed the dishevelled and frightened appearance of his potions master, who swept hastily into the room, caused a knot of apprehension in the old man's stomach.
"He has many plans." Severus croaked, his voice strained after his rush to return to the castle.
Dumbledore simply sat back and nodded for him to continue.
"He has, of course, further devised my own punishment. Traitors of the Dark Lord are to be hunted down and brought to him for their penance before they are killed. But seeing as I have evaded his minions for so long already, he has begun to consider coming after me himself"
When Snape paused here to look up at the headmaster's face, Albus saw the strain in the younger man's eyes. He was still deeply saddened by the thought that Severus was forced to listen in on the dark lord's plans. Dumbledore had enlisted Snape into the high-risk task of spying on the Death Eater meetings. His dark mark allowed him the ability to find the gatherings and a specially protected and charmed invisibility cloak allowed him to hide from even Voldemort's perception. But neither of them doubted that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort would suspect their plan, if he hadn't already.
"I can only hope that you can save me from that particular fate Albus." Snape continued. "The more pressing matter though, of course, is Potter."
At the mention of 'Potter', Dumbledore visibly stiffened. He always detested hearing Tom's plans for Harry Potter and he knew that Severus' insistence on using Harry's surname rather than first was simply Snape's way of trying to distance himself from the fact that he'd actually grown to admire the young man.
"I am afraid that the Dark Lord refuses to reveal his plans for Potter's capture even to the other Death Eaters. I fear that he has enlisted Lucius Malfoy to the task. Certainly it was not elaborated upon at the meeting." Snape confessed growing angry.
"Yes. Perhaps Tom is learning to be cautious of his meetings. We shall have to keep an extra close eye on Harry. But hopefully that won't be too much of a problem after Sunday." Dumbledore said, in contemplation.
"You still insist on thrusting him further into the lime-light then?" Grumbled Snape shaking his head.
"I know that deep down you agree with me that Harry must be our new leader Severus." Chuckled Albus lightly.
"Perhaps." Conceded the tired potions master. "But I think you should consider if he'll want it."
"Once he realises that he has the full support of the Order, and once he knows what it will mean. I have every confidence that Harry will learn to relish the role, just as I have done. He already makes himself feel responsible for everyone as it is. This will only give him the tools he needs for that job." Said Dumbledore calmly.
"Perhaps." Mumbled Snape getting to his feet slowly. "I shall retire to my quarters now if you don't mind Albus. It's been a long day."
"Certainly. You deserve a rest my boy." Agreed Dumbledore with an affectionate smile.
Snape simply grunted acknowledgement and made to leave
Dumbledore heard the surprised yell from the potions master as he opened the door.
When he went over to join him, he was met by an amusing sight. Remus and Sirius stood frozen in embarrassment and behind them was a stunned looking Harry.
The headmaster forced back a grin and addressed the eavesdroppers. "If you've heard as much of our conversation as I think you might have it's about time we had a chat. Come in you three, let Severus get past."
***
A/N Chapter two bites the dust. So. Any comments?????
Luv, jona xxx