Chapter 2
Mundungus Fletcher turned out to be a gray haired wizard in his sixties. He arrived on broomstick and noon, the Dursleys were in the back yard so Harry left them a note explaining he was going to his godfather's trial.
"Well Harry, you sure look different, haven't really seen you since you were a baby." He said as they rode invisible over muggle towns. Harry, full of nerves, could only nod. "Listen Harry it won't be that bad, outcome's already been picked, Sirius will be free. We've got the right judge and the perfect jury. And Sirius saved the Minister's life a month ago, you did get that paper right?" Harry nodded, it was true, Sirius had saved the ex- Minister from a group of death eaters in Diagon Alley. "He'll be fine, just keep your cool, Peter will be in Azkaban, or dead, by nightfall. Have you got a speech prepared?" Harry swallowed the lump in his throat, Mundungus seemed to know what he was talking about.
"Yeah, and Wormtail will say anything I ask him to, he owes me his life." Harry said, "will he be questioned under Vertisarum?"
"Yep, so will you, don't worry about it though, all questions will be kept reasonable." Mundungus said, as they circled down towards a large white building with hundreds of others, on top was written Landing Station
"I'm not worried about the truth potion, I've been working these past two weeks, I'm almost completely immune to it." Harry said, it was true, he'd brewed his own and had been using it on himself and withstanding it quite well. Despite his horrendous grades in Potions class he was actually pretty good when he tried, without Snape breathing down his neck. He landed and locked his broom in a cupboard, got the combination from an Auror by the doors and followed Mundungus inside.
Mundungus led him to a room in which people were sitting or walking around, some just pacing back and forth. Even if everything seemed okay the outcome of the trial wasn't at all easy to figure out. Harry noticed Remus, Mrs. Figg, and a large number of Aurors. Dumbledore found Harry quickly, he beckoned them over to where he was sitting. Mundungus and Harry took the two remaining chairs and a glass of fruit juice each.
"Harry, Mundungus, finally, we'll be starting shortly." He said, Harry sipped his drink quietly, mentally reviewing all he had to say.
"It should go well! Did you know he's immune to Vertisarum?" Mundungus said to Dumbledore softly, gesturing in Harry's direction. Dumbledore turned to Harry in surprise.
"You are? How did this happen, it's nearly impossible to do." He asked, keenly interested, Harry felt Dumbledore's eyes boring into him and put down his drink.
"I made my own Vertisarum, and practiced with it, it only took a couple tries. I've been working all summer, I'm immune to most truth potions and most poisons. Not that I'm going to lie or anything, the truth is far more convincing then any lie I could come up with. I'll just skip certain details that only I know that might, ah, catch unneeded attention." He said, phrasing his words carefully. Dumbledore nodded and gave him a small grin, at that moment a witch appeared at the door to tell them it was time.
From his seat Harry stared around the auror courtroom, it was truly grand, only the aurors used it for very serious cases, such as convicting death eaters. Five thousands seats sat around in half-circle bleachers covered in dark red velvet. The gold and white floor glistened, the auror flag flew out over the entire thing up near the domed ceiling. Observing his surroundings Harry noticed nothing else until he saw a door open on his left.
Sirius entered accompanied by five aurors, he was wearing dark purple robes with gold and white runes beaded on it. He really didn't look like a prisoner, in fact he looked more important then the top auror guards accompanying him, except for the cloak they all wore with the auror symbol on it, and his robes were fancier. Harry's attention was caught by the talk coming from the people seated around him and the guards voices.
Audience member: He's innocent alright, if the auror's believe it I do.
Audience member: he looks innocent, does that matter?
Audience member: I knew him and James in school, Sirius would rather die then betray James, in fact he almost did once while on a mission for the aurors.
Audience member: I agree, I signed that petition to get him freed and give him a trial after Voldemort's downfall.
Audience member: James trusted him, I do too.
Audience member: Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore both say he's innocent they'd never say that without good proof, and they'd never be wrong about something that important.
Guard: Good luck Sirius, we're all rooting for you!
Guard: I'm really sorry we didn't do more to get you freed before now!
Guard: They'd better let you go, if they don't the aurors are pulling out of the fight altogether, we won't protect such idiotic fools!
Guard: At least that's what I think the council has planned, they're all here Sirius, all on your side.
Guard: It's ten a.m. now, by this time tomorrow you'll be free, just concentrate on that.
Sirius nodded to them and caught Harry's eye, he smiled slightly before the judge called for quiet and he was distracted.
Harry, who had never been to a trial and had no idea how they worked watched the proceedings with interest. Everyone was given Vertisarum, the aurors had to force it down Wormtail's throat. Even from the start it was plain that Sirius was telling the truth and was innocent, the only ones who thought otherwise were the deatheaters, and even they could see that it was hopeless to try and save Wormtail. However they did their best to make sure Sirius wasn't freed. When it came to Harry's turn he drank the Vertisarum, knowing it would have almost no effect. He told the truth, but kept back information he knew only he had, information that could hurt Sirius. Despite the fact that the outcome was already known he wanted it to be a sure and easy a discussion as possible.
The trial ended at six p.m. the jury left and so did most others. Harry went with Dumbledore to a large room where a large crowd had gathered. They ate dinner together and Dumbledore introduced Harry to most of the people there, though Harry was sure he wouldn't remember every name. For some reason Dumbledore felt he should get to know these people. The doorway opened and a group of Aurors came in, instantly the crowd seemed to rush over to them, asking how Sirius was. While everyone else was clustered around the high ranking aurors who'd eaten with Sirius Harry had a chance to find out who his new teachers were.
"Professor, who's the new defense teacher? And the Care of Magical Creatures teacher?" he asked, Dumbledore smiled and beckoned Remus over.
"Remus Harry just asked who our Care of Magical Creatures teacher is, how about you tell him?" Remus grinned at Harry
"I'm the new teacher, and the new Defense teacher might be Sirius, if the aurors can spare him, he's one of their best you know." Harry grinned, he'd been scared that Snape would finally get the Defense job.
The jury was out for a total of five minutes, but a dinner break was given to everyone. Such a quick decision could mean only one thing, when everyone was back in the court room Sirius's broad grin assured them of the outcome. Sirius was announced free, given his wand, house, and 500,000 Galleons, Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to either life in Azkaban or the dementor's kiss. Under the circumstances the dementor's kiss was finally agreed upon, but only after Wormtail was questioned thoroughly on what he knew of Voldemort. According to Dumbledore this really meant that he'd be kept alive for years maybe, but in a state rather coma-like, un removable by anyone but the auror jail keeper. They'd do this so that they could get information from him whenever and they'd know when Voldemort had his meetings from Wormtail's dark mark burning. The auror questioners led him away screaming, before anyone had even begun to leave everyone's attention was caught again by a silence sweeping up from the floor. Dumbledore and Sirius were conversing quietly.
"Sirius since Hogwarts currently has no Defense teacher I'm free to offer you the job if the aurors can spare you." Dumbledore said loudly, Sirius turned to the aurors waiting for him by the door.
"I can't give you an answer yet, I'll have to check with the aurors and the Order of the Phoenix first." There was instantaneous quiet, then hushed whispers that slowly rose in volume as people exited.
"Did he say the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yeah, didn't you read in the prophet, it's being reinstated tonight at Hogwarts."
"What does that mean?"
"The chosen people join and they all pick a leader, the Phoenix to be exact, I suppose he's a member."
Harry too was wondering what was up as he gathered he broom and trunk and used a portkey to get to Hogwarts. He was quite sure that Sirius had planned that remark, purposely let that little tid bit of information slip. Once in his dormitory he put his stuff away, he'd just started a letter to Ron when Remus walked in.
"Harry! Listen we need to go to Dumbledore's office, he wants you to be there when the Order is reinstated."
"Okay." Harry put the letter away and, very surprised and curious, followed him to the Headmaster's office and through a door he could have sworn wasn't there before.
They entered a room, people, lined the walls, Harry recognized most of them from earlier that day. In the middle of the room was a table, on it lay a flag, Harry couldn't see what was on the flag, the table was covered mostly by a statue. It was a crystal globe about the size of Harry's head filled with black flames, in the center was what looked like a small statue of a phoenix, beak tilted upwards, slightly open. A golden glow surrounded the bird which was outlined in flames. Around the globe were six figures, each attached to it by a foot or tail, around the top were a Dragon, a majestic black and gold War Unicorn, and a gray and black and white Dire Wolf. Coming up off the base, leaning against the globe was a fire breathing Lion, a Basilisk, and a copper-colored Hippogriff. All the statues were in full color, on the base in the front was written The Order of the Phoenix Below it were carved two places shaped exactly like hands, the hand spots were painted on the bottom in a glowing gold. On the area not covered by the statue were dozens of small, pale blue, balls of light. Harry noticed instantly that the whole thing seemed to glow a bit, and that everyone was quiet, waiting.
Harry found a space in a corner where he wouldn't be noticed and waited. There were no lights in the room, but it seemed that everyone there including himself cast a glow, combined it was enough, out side the sun set. Dumbledore walked in, he went to the center of the room.
"We are gathered here to reinstate the Order of the Phoenix, designed to fight the dark arts and protect people from the current dark wizard, Voldemort. Once you become a member you stay a member unless death or retirement stops you, if this Order is no longer needed it will shut down. If any here do not wish to join leave now." No one left, Harry shifted a bit, did that include him? Probably not. Dumbledore placed both hands in the spaces, instantly he and the statue began to glow, the phoenix inside seemed to take flight, all other light in the room went out. Dumbledore stayed there in the same position with his eyes closed for half a minute, then he stepped back. The statue remained glowing, suddenly the glow faded a bit and the phoenix stopped moving, a single note of phoenix song filled the air, then there was quiet. Dumbledore picked up on the blue balls of light and pressed it to the back of his right ear, it vanished. "These everyone are communicators, through them you can communicate with other Order members, just think their name to the communicator and think whatever it is you wish to tell them, you don't always need to speak out loud." He moved back to a position on the walls, next went Mundungus Fletcher, then Sirius Black, then Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and many others. Harry kept count, figuring it to be 139 in all, once everyone had finished Dumbledore went to the center again. Harry noticed him make eye contact with Sirius, he seemed to be trying to relate a message before he spoke. "Now, we need to choose our new Phoenix, I was the Phoenix last time, I have decided that I do not wish to hold that station again. I will except the vote of the majority, I will not be voting, my vote might sway others minds, you have as long as you need." With a last look around, he beckoned Harry and they both left.
Outside in his office he sat down in an armchair, Harry followed suit.
"Do you have any idea who they'll pick as Phoenix, sir?" Harry asked, possible names running through his head. Dumbledore leaned back in his armchair and sighed, his fingers on the arms of the chair were twitching and slightly white knuckled.
"I'm no seer, I know who I would choose without a doubt, but as a whole they may decide differently. I can't be sure, I wish for once I did know the future…" Harry stared into the fire, tuning out Dumbledore's voice, not noticing that for the first time the headmaster sounded uncertain and very nervous. He heard a voice speaking, someone, miles away, slowly he became aware again and understood its words.
"…He shall be a phoenix, and a great one, this Order will last for many years yet, and in that time it may change phoenixes, who can tell? Danger is great, but danger breeds great warriors, battles and death cloud our future, nothing is certain. Our choices are all that count, no one can predict anything that will be happening, all is uncertain and open to change, with such a delicate future their choice will be a wise one…" He realized it was he who was speaking, and that Dumbledore was on the edge of his seat, watching Harry intently. "I'm sorry, what did I say?" Dumbledore merely smiled and shook his head.
"You told me who'd they chosen, and part of the future, I must say, they chose as I would have, or shall I say will choose as I would. You have no idea what you said?" He seemed amused, and surprised.
"No, it's very aggravating, who did I name?" He scowled angrily as Dumbledore smiled even wider and shook his head. "HUMPH! That's very helpful!" Dumbledore chuckled.
"Most such predictions are not remembered by the person who spoke them Harry, don't worry about it. You may be, as Professor Trelwany would put it, 'very well attuned to the clairvoyant vibrations when under stress,' or when it is needed, so I hope."
Harry gave him and sharp and annoyed look. "From now on I'll carry that dream recorder everywhere, it'll pick up predictions too." Dumbledore smiled slightly, he looked much more relaxed, while Harry's nerves were humming with worry, what had he said? Who had he named?
"But while we're here how about you tell me how you managed immunity to most truth potions and most poisons?" He asked curiously. Harry began explaining how he'd used Vertisarum on himself and how he'd slowly built up his poison immunity through Basilisk poison ordered under a false name from a shop in Knockturn Alley.
Eventually around midnight the Order entered the office,
"Albus, Harry, we have chosen Sirius Black as the new Phoenix, shall we transfer the Phoenix power to him now?" Mundungus asked, Sirius was smiling, and to Harry's surprise Snape wasn't throwing a fit, though he did look like he'd swallowed several rotten lemons.
"I guess, yes now would be a good time." Dumbledore led everyone back inside, Sirius moved to stand in front of the statue and again put his hands in the spaces.
"The members of the Order of the Phoenix have chosen me with a 100% in favor vote to lead them. I Sirius Black vow to do all the Phoenix's job requires regardless of what sacrifices I myself must make. I swear I shall stay their leader unless a 100% vote removes me or I retire or die, or the Order is shut down, I will not disband this Order until I am certain that the wizarding world no longer needs our protection." He bowed his head slightly, the statue's glow around him was blinding, bright flashes of light made him impossible to see. Phoenix song filled the air, slowly the light died away, and then went out. Sirius moved back from the statue, both his palms were bleeding, on a gold chain around his neck hung a square, inside was a circle of flames inside of which was the statue that had once stood on the table. The entire thing was beautifully done, only one square inch. Once he cleaned off his palms they healed in seconds, he had a rune branded on both. Harry recognized it as the rune for Phoenix.
Harry walked back up to his dormitory slowly, his feet heavy. The Order had the third floor corridor all to themselves, it had been remade with rooms for everyone and meeting rooms, workout rooms (all members could fight with sword and knife, or unarmed) a dueling room for practicing and a number of other rooms. There were no classrooms currently on that corridor so it didn't change much. Remus had explained to Harry that, as Phoenix, Sirius could communicate with anyone without a communicator, and he knew how they were feeling at all times if he wished too and read minds. He also had been given an extraordinary amount of power in wandless magic, despite that fact he was already very adept at it anyway, and the ability to transform into any of the Order creatures. Normally he would be given a phoenix, but he already had had one, this surprised Harry, he'd never heard of it or seen it until that evening. It had flown in the window, bigger then Fawkes with a white scar on its chest, glowing brilliantly and delighted to see him, it was named Raslith. I wonder where it was while he was hiding from the Ministry? Harry wondered absently as he dodged a paper airplane thrown by Peeves.
The Order was probably still awake now discussing things, and Sirius would be awake for many hours planning, as know one knew what Voldemort was up to, in fact he might be up all night long, but Harry intended to wake up early and practice quidditch. His other training could wait for a day or two.
That night Harry once again dreamed, mist covered the ground, death eaters slowly walked through it toward Hogwarts, from his position, flying above them, Harry could see many dropping into covered pits or being jerked up by traps to dangle by their feet in the air. A few walked into clouds of white/blue mist, when they emerged they walked slower and slower until they collapsed. Thunder sounded, a figure stood on a tower top, arms outstretched, lightning lashed down to it, blinding him. Raising his hand to cover his eyes Harry rolled off his bed and woke.
"Darn! I really wouldn't mind these dreams so much if I didn't keep falling out of bed!" He said angrily, he checked his clock 6:00, well he wasn't going back to sleep now. Harry grabbed his broom and jumped out the window headfirst. After enjoying a quick free-fall Harry swung his broom under his feet and, standing, slowed his decent, he zoomed around the tower once before taking off for the quidditch pitch, not seeing the people who had been watching from a window.
Mundungus Fletcher turned out to be a gray haired wizard in his sixties. He arrived on broomstick and noon, the Dursleys were in the back yard so Harry left them a note explaining he was going to his godfather's trial.
"Well Harry, you sure look different, haven't really seen you since you were a baby." He said as they rode invisible over muggle towns. Harry, full of nerves, could only nod. "Listen Harry it won't be that bad, outcome's already been picked, Sirius will be free. We've got the right judge and the perfect jury. And Sirius saved the Minister's life a month ago, you did get that paper right?" Harry nodded, it was true, Sirius had saved the ex- Minister from a group of death eaters in Diagon Alley. "He'll be fine, just keep your cool, Peter will be in Azkaban, or dead, by nightfall. Have you got a speech prepared?" Harry swallowed the lump in his throat, Mundungus seemed to know what he was talking about.
"Yeah, and Wormtail will say anything I ask him to, he owes me his life." Harry said, "will he be questioned under Vertisarum?"
"Yep, so will you, don't worry about it though, all questions will be kept reasonable." Mundungus said, as they circled down towards a large white building with hundreds of others, on top was written Landing Station
"I'm not worried about the truth potion, I've been working these past two weeks, I'm almost completely immune to it." Harry said, it was true, he'd brewed his own and had been using it on himself and withstanding it quite well. Despite his horrendous grades in Potions class he was actually pretty good when he tried, without Snape breathing down his neck. He landed and locked his broom in a cupboard, got the combination from an Auror by the doors and followed Mundungus inside.
Mundungus led him to a room in which people were sitting or walking around, some just pacing back and forth. Even if everything seemed okay the outcome of the trial wasn't at all easy to figure out. Harry noticed Remus, Mrs. Figg, and a large number of Aurors. Dumbledore found Harry quickly, he beckoned them over to where he was sitting. Mundungus and Harry took the two remaining chairs and a glass of fruit juice each.
"Harry, Mundungus, finally, we'll be starting shortly." He said, Harry sipped his drink quietly, mentally reviewing all he had to say.
"It should go well! Did you know he's immune to Vertisarum?" Mundungus said to Dumbledore softly, gesturing in Harry's direction. Dumbledore turned to Harry in surprise.
"You are? How did this happen, it's nearly impossible to do." He asked, keenly interested, Harry felt Dumbledore's eyes boring into him and put down his drink.
"I made my own Vertisarum, and practiced with it, it only took a couple tries. I've been working all summer, I'm immune to most truth potions and most poisons. Not that I'm going to lie or anything, the truth is far more convincing then any lie I could come up with. I'll just skip certain details that only I know that might, ah, catch unneeded attention." He said, phrasing his words carefully. Dumbledore nodded and gave him a small grin, at that moment a witch appeared at the door to tell them it was time.
From his seat Harry stared around the auror courtroom, it was truly grand, only the aurors used it for very serious cases, such as convicting death eaters. Five thousands seats sat around in half-circle bleachers covered in dark red velvet. The gold and white floor glistened, the auror flag flew out over the entire thing up near the domed ceiling. Observing his surroundings Harry noticed nothing else until he saw a door open on his left.
Sirius entered accompanied by five aurors, he was wearing dark purple robes with gold and white runes beaded on it. He really didn't look like a prisoner, in fact he looked more important then the top auror guards accompanying him, except for the cloak they all wore with the auror symbol on it, and his robes were fancier. Harry's attention was caught by the talk coming from the people seated around him and the guards voices.
Audience member: He's innocent alright, if the auror's believe it I do.
Audience member: he looks innocent, does that matter?
Audience member: I knew him and James in school, Sirius would rather die then betray James, in fact he almost did once while on a mission for the aurors.
Audience member: I agree, I signed that petition to get him freed and give him a trial after Voldemort's downfall.
Audience member: James trusted him, I do too.
Audience member: Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore both say he's innocent they'd never say that without good proof, and they'd never be wrong about something that important.
Guard: Good luck Sirius, we're all rooting for you!
Guard: I'm really sorry we didn't do more to get you freed before now!
Guard: They'd better let you go, if they don't the aurors are pulling out of the fight altogether, we won't protect such idiotic fools!
Guard: At least that's what I think the council has planned, they're all here Sirius, all on your side.
Guard: It's ten a.m. now, by this time tomorrow you'll be free, just concentrate on that.
Sirius nodded to them and caught Harry's eye, he smiled slightly before the judge called for quiet and he was distracted.
Harry, who had never been to a trial and had no idea how they worked watched the proceedings with interest. Everyone was given Vertisarum, the aurors had to force it down Wormtail's throat. Even from the start it was plain that Sirius was telling the truth and was innocent, the only ones who thought otherwise were the deatheaters, and even they could see that it was hopeless to try and save Wormtail. However they did their best to make sure Sirius wasn't freed. When it came to Harry's turn he drank the Vertisarum, knowing it would have almost no effect. He told the truth, but kept back information he knew only he had, information that could hurt Sirius. Despite the fact that the outcome was already known he wanted it to be a sure and easy a discussion as possible.
The trial ended at six p.m. the jury left and so did most others. Harry went with Dumbledore to a large room where a large crowd had gathered. They ate dinner together and Dumbledore introduced Harry to most of the people there, though Harry was sure he wouldn't remember every name. For some reason Dumbledore felt he should get to know these people. The doorway opened and a group of Aurors came in, instantly the crowd seemed to rush over to them, asking how Sirius was. While everyone else was clustered around the high ranking aurors who'd eaten with Sirius Harry had a chance to find out who his new teachers were.
"Professor, who's the new defense teacher? And the Care of Magical Creatures teacher?" he asked, Dumbledore smiled and beckoned Remus over.
"Remus Harry just asked who our Care of Magical Creatures teacher is, how about you tell him?" Remus grinned at Harry
"I'm the new teacher, and the new Defense teacher might be Sirius, if the aurors can spare him, he's one of their best you know." Harry grinned, he'd been scared that Snape would finally get the Defense job.
The jury was out for a total of five minutes, but a dinner break was given to everyone. Such a quick decision could mean only one thing, when everyone was back in the court room Sirius's broad grin assured them of the outcome. Sirius was announced free, given his wand, house, and 500,000 Galleons, Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to either life in Azkaban or the dementor's kiss. Under the circumstances the dementor's kiss was finally agreed upon, but only after Wormtail was questioned thoroughly on what he knew of Voldemort. According to Dumbledore this really meant that he'd be kept alive for years maybe, but in a state rather coma-like, un removable by anyone but the auror jail keeper. They'd do this so that they could get information from him whenever and they'd know when Voldemort had his meetings from Wormtail's dark mark burning. The auror questioners led him away screaming, before anyone had even begun to leave everyone's attention was caught again by a silence sweeping up from the floor. Dumbledore and Sirius were conversing quietly.
"Sirius since Hogwarts currently has no Defense teacher I'm free to offer you the job if the aurors can spare you." Dumbledore said loudly, Sirius turned to the aurors waiting for him by the door.
"I can't give you an answer yet, I'll have to check with the aurors and the Order of the Phoenix first." There was instantaneous quiet, then hushed whispers that slowly rose in volume as people exited.
"Did he say the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yeah, didn't you read in the prophet, it's being reinstated tonight at Hogwarts."
"What does that mean?"
"The chosen people join and they all pick a leader, the Phoenix to be exact, I suppose he's a member."
Harry too was wondering what was up as he gathered he broom and trunk and used a portkey to get to Hogwarts. He was quite sure that Sirius had planned that remark, purposely let that little tid bit of information slip. Once in his dormitory he put his stuff away, he'd just started a letter to Ron when Remus walked in.
"Harry! Listen we need to go to Dumbledore's office, he wants you to be there when the Order is reinstated."
"Okay." Harry put the letter away and, very surprised and curious, followed him to the Headmaster's office and through a door he could have sworn wasn't there before.
They entered a room, people, lined the walls, Harry recognized most of them from earlier that day. In the middle of the room was a table, on it lay a flag, Harry couldn't see what was on the flag, the table was covered mostly by a statue. It was a crystal globe about the size of Harry's head filled with black flames, in the center was what looked like a small statue of a phoenix, beak tilted upwards, slightly open. A golden glow surrounded the bird which was outlined in flames. Around the globe were six figures, each attached to it by a foot or tail, around the top were a Dragon, a majestic black and gold War Unicorn, and a gray and black and white Dire Wolf. Coming up off the base, leaning against the globe was a fire breathing Lion, a Basilisk, and a copper-colored Hippogriff. All the statues were in full color, on the base in the front was written The Order of the Phoenix Below it were carved two places shaped exactly like hands, the hand spots were painted on the bottom in a glowing gold. On the area not covered by the statue were dozens of small, pale blue, balls of light. Harry noticed instantly that the whole thing seemed to glow a bit, and that everyone was quiet, waiting.
Harry found a space in a corner where he wouldn't be noticed and waited. There were no lights in the room, but it seemed that everyone there including himself cast a glow, combined it was enough, out side the sun set. Dumbledore walked in, he went to the center of the room.
"We are gathered here to reinstate the Order of the Phoenix, designed to fight the dark arts and protect people from the current dark wizard, Voldemort. Once you become a member you stay a member unless death or retirement stops you, if this Order is no longer needed it will shut down. If any here do not wish to join leave now." No one left, Harry shifted a bit, did that include him? Probably not. Dumbledore placed both hands in the spaces, instantly he and the statue began to glow, the phoenix inside seemed to take flight, all other light in the room went out. Dumbledore stayed there in the same position with his eyes closed for half a minute, then he stepped back. The statue remained glowing, suddenly the glow faded a bit and the phoenix stopped moving, a single note of phoenix song filled the air, then there was quiet. Dumbledore picked up on the blue balls of light and pressed it to the back of his right ear, it vanished. "These everyone are communicators, through them you can communicate with other Order members, just think their name to the communicator and think whatever it is you wish to tell them, you don't always need to speak out loud." He moved back to a position on the walls, next went Mundungus Fletcher, then Sirius Black, then Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and many others. Harry kept count, figuring it to be 139 in all, once everyone had finished Dumbledore went to the center again. Harry noticed him make eye contact with Sirius, he seemed to be trying to relate a message before he spoke. "Now, we need to choose our new Phoenix, I was the Phoenix last time, I have decided that I do not wish to hold that station again. I will except the vote of the majority, I will not be voting, my vote might sway others minds, you have as long as you need." With a last look around, he beckoned Harry and they both left.
Outside in his office he sat down in an armchair, Harry followed suit.
"Do you have any idea who they'll pick as Phoenix, sir?" Harry asked, possible names running through his head. Dumbledore leaned back in his armchair and sighed, his fingers on the arms of the chair were twitching and slightly white knuckled.
"I'm no seer, I know who I would choose without a doubt, but as a whole they may decide differently. I can't be sure, I wish for once I did know the future…" Harry stared into the fire, tuning out Dumbledore's voice, not noticing that for the first time the headmaster sounded uncertain and very nervous. He heard a voice speaking, someone, miles away, slowly he became aware again and understood its words.
"…He shall be a phoenix, and a great one, this Order will last for many years yet, and in that time it may change phoenixes, who can tell? Danger is great, but danger breeds great warriors, battles and death cloud our future, nothing is certain. Our choices are all that count, no one can predict anything that will be happening, all is uncertain and open to change, with such a delicate future their choice will be a wise one…" He realized it was he who was speaking, and that Dumbledore was on the edge of his seat, watching Harry intently. "I'm sorry, what did I say?" Dumbledore merely smiled and shook his head.
"You told me who'd they chosen, and part of the future, I must say, they chose as I would have, or shall I say will choose as I would. You have no idea what you said?" He seemed amused, and surprised.
"No, it's very aggravating, who did I name?" He scowled angrily as Dumbledore smiled even wider and shook his head. "HUMPH! That's very helpful!" Dumbledore chuckled.
"Most such predictions are not remembered by the person who spoke them Harry, don't worry about it. You may be, as Professor Trelwany would put it, 'very well attuned to the clairvoyant vibrations when under stress,' or when it is needed, so I hope."
Harry gave him and sharp and annoyed look. "From now on I'll carry that dream recorder everywhere, it'll pick up predictions too." Dumbledore smiled slightly, he looked much more relaxed, while Harry's nerves were humming with worry, what had he said? Who had he named?
"But while we're here how about you tell me how you managed immunity to most truth potions and most poisons?" He asked curiously. Harry began explaining how he'd used Vertisarum on himself and how he'd slowly built up his poison immunity through Basilisk poison ordered under a false name from a shop in Knockturn Alley.
Eventually around midnight the Order entered the office,
"Albus, Harry, we have chosen Sirius Black as the new Phoenix, shall we transfer the Phoenix power to him now?" Mundungus asked, Sirius was smiling, and to Harry's surprise Snape wasn't throwing a fit, though he did look like he'd swallowed several rotten lemons.
"I guess, yes now would be a good time." Dumbledore led everyone back inside, Sirius moved to stand in front of the statue and again put his hands in the spaces.
"The members of the Order of the Phoenix have chosen me with a 100% in favor vote to lead them. I Sirius Black vow to do all the Phoenix's job requires regardless of what sacrifices I myself must make. I swear I shall stay their leader unless a 100% vote removes me or I retire or die, or the Order is shut down, I will not disband this Order until I am certain that the wizarding world no longer needs our protection." He bowed his head slightly, the statue's glow around him was blinding, bright flashes of light made him impossible to see. Phoenix song filled the air, slowly the light died away, and then went out. Sirius moved back from the statue, both his palms were bleeding, on a gold chain around his neck hung a square, inside was a circle of flames inside of which was the statue that had once stood on the table. The entire thing was beautifully done, only one square inch. Once he cleaned off his palms they healed in seconds, he had a rune branded on both. Harry recognized it as the rune for Phoenix.
Harry walked back up to his dormitory slowly, his feet heavy. The Order had the third floor corridor all to themselves, it had been remade with rooms for everyone and meeting rooms, workout rooms (all members could fight with sword and knife, or unarmed) a dueling room for practicing and a number of other rooms. There were no classrooms currently on that corridor so it didn't change much. Remus had explained to Harry that, as Phoenix, Sirius could communicate with anyone without a communicator, and he knew how they were feeling at all times if he wished too and read minds. He also had been given an extraordinary amount of power in wandless magic, despite that fact he was already very adept at it anyway, and the ability to transform into any of the Order creatures. Normally he would be given a phoenix, but he already had had one, this surprised Harry, he'd never heard of it or seen it until that evening. It had flown in the window, bigger then Fawkes with a white scar on its chest, glowing brilliantly and delighted to see him, it was named Raslith. I wonder where it was while he was hiding from the Ministry? Harry wondered absently as he dodged a paper airplane thrown by Peeves.
The Order was probably still awake now discussing things, and Sirius would be awake for many hours planning, as know one knew what Voldemort was up to, in fact he might be up all night long, but Harry intended to wake up early and practice quidditch. His other training could wait for a day or two.
That night Harry once again dreamed, mist covered the ground, death eaters slowly walked through it toward Hogwarts, from his position, flying above them, Harry could see many dropping into covered pits or being jerked up by traps to dangle by their feet in the air. A few walked into clouds of white/blue mist, when they emerged they walked slower and slower until they collapsed. Thunder sounded, a figure stood on a tower top, arms outstretched, lightning lashed down to it, blinding him. Raising his hand to cover his eyes Harry rolled off his bed and woke.
"Darn! I really wouldn't mind these dreams so much if I didn't keep falling out of bed!" He said angrily, he checked his clock 6:00, well he wasn't going back to sleep now. Harry grabbed his broom and jumped out the window headfirst. After enjoying a quick free-fall Harry swung his broom under his feet and, standing, slowed his decent, he zoomed around the tower once before taking off for the quidditch pitch, not seeing the people who had been watching from a window.