Harry Potter and Gryffindor's Secret
Chapter 15: The Order
By: Lin-z
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed chapter fourteen! I love getting reviews! Also, special thanks goes to Dumbledore's True Love and Lily Evans for betaing this for me – they did a pretty good job, huh! Now on with the story…
*
"Quiet down, students!" Professor McGonagall yelled over the din of the Great Hall at breakfast the next morning. "Professor Dumbledore has got an announcement to make." She took her seat at the teachers' table and watched on as Dumbledore stood from his seat.
"Students," he began, once they had quieted down enough to be heard over, "we will be having some guests in the castle over the next few days. They may be joining your tables at mealtimes, and I expect that you will treat them with the hospitality and respect that they deserve. Any disrespectfulness will not be tolerated. Thank you, that is all."
Immediately the noise level in the room shot up. Shouts of "Guests?" and "Wonder who!" could be heard from every table. "Who do you think they are?" Dean asked Ron.
"Dunno. Reckon they're from the Ministry though, eh?" answered Ron. "Who else would it be?"
Seamus nodded. "Yeah, I reckon you're right Ron, probably stuffy old ministry officials just checking up on the place. Boring!"
The bell rang then, signaling the end of breakfast. The students said their good-byes, and hurried off to their classes, already forgetting the visitors.
*
"How's he doing?" Arabella asked gently as she approached Sirius, who was keeping up his vigil at Harry's bedside.
Sirius turned around to face her and Arabella could see how weary he looked. "Not too well, I think. The sooner we can get this done, the better." He answered, turning back around to face Harry. "Who are we waiting for?"
"I think only Fletcher," she began. "He should be here tomorrow morning; he was abroad with some important business to attend to." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He'll be okay, Sirius. He's made of tougher stuff than you think."
"Yeah." Sirius mumbled, checking the glowing sphere at Harry's bedside once more, in vain hopes that the temperature had dropped. "I just don't see why everything has to happen to him, though. He's only a fifteen-year-old kid, for heaven's sake! He's only just had his first real birthday party!" Sirius ranted.
Arabella took a seat next to him and Sirius turned to look at her. "He was meant to be more than that and we all know it. All you can do is be there for him, and help him when times get too tough for him on his own. And you're doing just that. Harry is so fortunate to have you as a godfather, and I'm sure he knows that."
Sirius lowered his head to hide his reddening face. "Thanks, Arabella. That means a lot to me." he said.
Harry stirred in bed, mumbling for his mummy. Sirius took Harry's hand in his and held it until he calmed down. "It'll be okay, kid. Be strong."
*
When Harry next awoke it was with the most lucid thoughts he had been capable of for quite some time. He lay there with his eyes closed, head pounding. Slowly he tried to open his eyes. "Can someone turn the lights off?" he asked.
"Harry! You're awake!" Sirius declared happily as he jumped from his seat and blew out the candles. Soft beams of moonlight filtered in through the gauze curtains, scattering across the downy blanket. Sirius resumed his seat in the chair at Harry's bedside, grabbing Harry's hand in his and placing it under his chin. "How are you doing?" he asked softly.
Harry favored him with a grin. "Great!" he said. He pushed himself up against the pillows, Sirius aiding him.
"They're all here now, Harry," Sirius said, with his eager grin reaching into the depths of his eyes. At this moment, even though he appeared haggard and worn with worry, Harry could see very few traces of the emaciated convict he had first met. "Now that you're awake, we can get started."
Madame Pomfrey offered to levitate Harry down to the room where the ceremony was to be performed, but Sirius refused, saying he would rather carry him down himself. Sirius gently lifted Harry from the bed, noticing sadly how much weight he had seemed to lose. 'But that'll all change, very soon.' he thought to himself with a smile. He looked down at Harry, who had his eyes shut tight. "You okay kid?" he asked worriedly.
Harry didn't answer, but moaned softly and went limp in his godfather's arms.
"Harry?? Harry! What's wrong? Harry?" Sirius shouted, successfully getting the attention of both Albus Dumbledore and Poppy Pomfrey. They turned around to see Sirius lowering Harry to the ground carefully.
Sirius had never been that desperate for a response, not even when he had Apperated to Godric's Hollow to find the bodies of two of his closest friends. His eyes filled with hot tears as he rubbed Harry's face, desperate for a reply. "C'mon Harry, what's happening to you?"
*
"Now is the time boy," Voldemort said with cool maliciousness. "Your detestable godfather and that willowy fool Dumbledore are going to try to lift the curse. When that happens, you will know the secrets of Gryffindor's order, is that right?" he asked, his sneer turning Harry's already churning insides to frozen slush.
He let none of this show though, as he stared at the very pinnacle of evil. Eyes narrowed in contempt, he remained silent.
"I will not tolerate your insubordinance!" Voldemort shouted, bringing his fist down painfully on the armrest of his throne. "Imperio!"
The fire left Harry's eyes and they went slightly unfocused as the clouds rolled in over his brain. He was blissfully aware of nothing other than the fact that the pain and queasiness that he had been feeling constantly for so long was gone.
A soft voice was willing him to say something. "Apologize," it said, "apologize to your master." Harry thought about it for a moment. He was starting to win out over the influence of the curse, and as his mind defogged, he could feel the pain returning.
"No! No… Voldemort…could NEVER be my master!" he shouted, falling to the floor as the former discomfort returned, worse than ever.
*
The vision slipped away as Harry willed himself back into Sirius' arms. He opened his eyes to see his godfather franticly trying to revive him, tears streaming down his care worn cheeks.
"Oh Harry, you're alright," Sirius said emotionally. He wrapped Harry protectively in his arms and Harry sighed in relief. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" Sirius said, smiling as he wiped the tears from his face. "Now lets hurry up and get this done before anything else happens."
Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore went ahead, Sirius, now with Harry in his arms again, followed quickly. They reached the old Phoenix room, the same one they had used for Order of the Phoenix meetings for generations.
Harry, his head pounding fit to explode and fever reaching new heights, was placed on a reclining chair in the centre of the room. He felt as though he were about to pass out again, and all he could see of the various order members were their pale faces and their dark cloaks barely discernable in the darkened room.
At once a brilliant golden light flooded the room as a Phoenix with sweeping crimson plumage entered the room, landing on Harry's knees. Harry raised his head. "'Lo, Fawkes." he whispered softly.
The Phoenix sang a few sweet notes, and Harry could feel their soothing warmth in his heart. Fawkes spread his glowing plumage and fluttered to a post at Dumbledore's side.
"Let us begin." Dumbledore said, stepping forward.
Mundungus Fletcher, followed shortly by Arabella Figg, Minerva McGonagall, and Severus Snape proceeded solemnly to their places. There were a few faces there that Harry didn't recognize. Sirius gave him an encouraging smile and drew his wand.
Dumbledore stepped forward and placed the tip of his wand on Harry's scar. "Fortis voluntas, captiosus mens, castus anima, lumen cor!"
Each member of the order followed in turn, with Sirius as the last. When Sirius lifted his wand and stepped back, a sudden feeling of warmth spread through Harry's body, almost making him forget his discomfort. The golden light focused into a pillar, descending on Harry gradually until he was totally immersed in its warmth and brightness.
"You, young Gryffindor," it began, "have been chosen for this order because of your many wondrous qualities. You are, as my heir, a perfect Phoenix member. Much is expected of you in this position; there are very perilous duties ahead that only you can perform. But know this: as you are now a member of this order, you will never be expected to go through anything alone. The members are here to strengthen and support you, Harry Potter, and you must allow them to. The power of the Phoenix will always be there to help you if you need it. Never expect too much of yourself, and above all, protect the artifacts with which you are entrusted." The voice was then silent, and Harry felt himself slipping away into nothingness.
*
Voices managed to weave their way through the thick fog that was clouding Harry's head, but as yet, none of them made the least bit of sense, and he was perfectly content to just lay there in the blissful nothingness.
Snippets of conversation managed to meander their way through Harry's weary brain. "…awake…" and "…yet…" The bits he was able to make out still made little to no sense, but at least his brain was processing them as words. His head was sore and his body felt weak; all he wanted to do was fall back to sleep when a hand brushed some hair from his forehead.
A soothing voice, one he recognized as being very familiar, whispered "Harry, are you awake?"
The very act of opening his eyes seemed a chore, but he accomplished it to find his godfather smiling down at him. "Welcome back, Harry. How do you feel?"
Tired, Harry realized with a start. Not sick, not hot, not anything but tired. It was a wonderful feeling, and a drowsy smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as he told Sirius so. "Tired. Just tired."
*
So how was it? Leave me a note and tell me what you think in a review! I'm trying really hard to have chapters out every two weeks or so, so keep checking back. If you'd like, you can leave your e-mail address in a review and I'll e-mail you when the next one is posted. Thanks!
Chapter 15: The Order
By: Lin-z
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed chapter fourteen! I love getting reviews! Also, special thanks goes to Dumbledore's True Love and Lily Evans for betaing this for me – they did a pretty good job, huh! Now on with the story…
*
"Quiet down, students!" Professor McGonagall yelled over the din of the Great Hall at breakfast the next morning. "Professor Dumbledore has got an announcement to make." She took her seat at the teachers' table and watched on as Dumbledore stood from his seat.
"Students," he began, once they had quieted down enough to be heard over, "we will be having some guests in the castle over the next few days. They may be joining your tables at mealtimes, and I expect that you will treat them with the hospitality and respect that they deserve. Any disrespectfulness will not be tolerated. Thank you, that is all."
Immediately the noise level in the room shot up. Shouts of "Guests?" and "Wonder who!" could be heard from every table. "Who do you think they are?" Dean asked Ron.
"Dunno. Reckon they're from the Ministry though, eh?" answered Ron. "Who else would it be?"
Seamus nodded. "Yeah, I reckon you're right Ron, probably stuffy old ministry officials just checking up on the place. Boring!"
The bell rang then, signaling the end of breakfast. The students said their good-byes, and hurried off to their classes, already forgetting the visitors.
*
"How's he doing?" Arabella asked gently as she approached Sirius, who was keeping up his vigil at Harry's bedside.
Sirius turned around to face her and Arabella could see how weary he looked. "Not too well, I think. The sooner we can get this done, the better." He answered, turning back around to face Harry. "Who are we waiting for?"
"I think only Fletcher," she began. "He should be here tomorrow morning; he was abroad with some important business to attend to." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He'll be okay, Sirius. He's made of tougher stuff than you think."
"Yeah." Sirius mumbled, checking the glowing sphere at Harry's bedside once more, in vain hopes that the temperature had dropped. "I just don't see why everything has to happen to him, though. He's only a fifteen-year-old kid, for heaven's sake! He's only just had his first real birthday party!" Sirius ranted.
Arabella took a seat next to him and Sirius turned to look at her. "He was meant to be more than that and we all know it. All you can do is be there for him, and help him when times get too tough for him on his own. And you're doing just that. Harry is so fortunate to have you as a godfather, and I'm sure he knows that."
Sirius lowered his head to hide his reddening face. "Thanks, Arabella. That means a lot to me." he said.
Harry stirred in bed, mumbling for his mummy. Sirius took Harry's hand in his and held it until he calmed down. "It'll be okay, kid. Be strong."
*
When Harry next awoke it was with the most lucid thoughts he had been capable of for quite some time. He lay there with his eyes closed, head pounding. Slowly he tried to open his eyes. "Can someone turn the lights off?" he asked.
"Harry! You're awake!" Sirius declared happily as he jumped from his seat and blew out the candles. Soft beams of moonlight filtered in through the gauze curtains, scattering across the downy blanket. Sirius resumed his seat in the chair at Harry's bedside, grabbing Harry's hand in his and placing it under his chin. "How are you doing?" he asked softly.
Harry favored him with a grin. "Great!" he said. He pushed himself up against the pillows, Sirius aiding him.
"They're all here now, Harry," Sirius said, with his eager grin reaching into the depths of his eyes. At this moment, even though he appeared haggard and worn with worry, Harry could see very few traces of the emaciated convict he had first met. "Now that you're awake, we can get started."
Madame Pomfrey offered to levitate Harry down to the room where the ceremony was to be performed, but Sirius refused, saying he would rather carry him down himself. Sirius gently lifted Harry from the bed, noticing sadly how much weight he had seemed to lose. 'But that'll all change, very soon.' he thought to himself with a smile. He looked down at Harry, who had his eyes shut tight. "You okay kid?" he asked worriedly.
Harry didn't answer, but moaned softly and went limp in his godfather's arms.
"Harry?? Harry! What's wrong? Harry?" Sirius shouted, successfully getting the attention of both Albus Dumbledore and Poppy Pomfrey. They turned around to see Sirius lowering Harry to the ground carefully.
Sirius had never been that desperate for a response, not even when he had Apperated to Godric's Hollow to find the bodies of two of his closest friends. His eyes filled with hot tears as he rubbed Harry's face, desperate for a reply. "C'mon Harry, what's happening to you?"
*
"Now is the time boy," Voldemort said with cool maliciousness. "Your detestable godfather and that willowy fool Dumbledore are going to try to lift the curse. When that happens, you will know the secrets of Gryffindor's order, is that right?" he asked, his sneer turning Harry's already churning insides to frozen slush.
He let none of this show though, as he stared at the very pinnacle of evil. Eyes narrowed in contempt, he remained silent.
"I will not tolerate your insubordinance!" Voldemort shouted, bringing his fist down painfully on the armrest of his throne. "Imperio!"
The fire left Harry's eyes and they went slightly unfocused as the clouds rolled in over his brain. He was blissfully aware of nothing other than the fact that the pain and queasiness that he had been feeling constantly for so long was gone.
A soft voice was willing him to say something. "Apologize," it said, "apologize to your master." Harry thought about it for a moment. He was starting to win out over the influence of the curse, and as his mind defogged, he could feel the pain returning.
"No! No… Voldemort…could NEVER be my master!" he shouted, falling to the floor as the former discomfort returned, worse than ever.
*
The vision slipped away as Harry willed himself back into Sirius' arms. He opened his eyes to see his godfather franticly trying to revive him, tears streaming down his care worn cheeks.
"Oh Harry, you're alright," Sirius said emotionally. He wrapped Harry protectively in his arms and Harry sighed in relief. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" Sirius said, smiling as he wiped the tears from his face. "Now lets hurry up and get this done before anything else happens."
Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore went ahead, Sirius, now with Harry in his arms again, followed quickly. They reached the old Phoenix room, the same one they had used for Order of the Phoenix meetings for generations.
Harry, his head pounding fit to explode and fever reaching new heights, was placed on a reclining chair in the centre of the room. He felt as though he were about to pass out again, and all he could see of the various order members were their pale faces and their dark cloaks barely discernable in the darkened room.
At once a brilliant golden light flooded the room as a Phoenix with sweeping crimson plumage entered the room, landing on Harry's knees. Harry raised his head. "'Lo, Fawkes." he whispered softly.
The Phoenix sang a few sweet notes, and Harry could feel their soothing warmth in his heart. Fawkes spread his glowing plumage and fluttered to a post at Dumbledore's side.
"Let us begin." Dumbledore said, stepping forward.
Mundungus Fletcher, followed shortly by Arabella Figg, Minerva McGonagall, and Severus Snape proceeded solemnly to their places. There were a few faces there that Harry didn't recognize. Sirius gave him an encouraging smile and drew his wand.
Dumbledore stepped forward and placed the tip of his wand on Harry's scar. "Fortis voluntas, captiosus mens, castus anima, lumen cor!"
Each member of the order followed in turn, with Sirius as the last. When Sirius lifted his wand and stepped back, a sudden feeling of warmth spread through Harry's body, almost making him forget his discomfort. The golden light focused into a pillar, descending on Harry gradually until he was totally immersed in its warmth and brightness.
"You, young Gryffindor," it began, "have been chosen for this order because of your many wondrous qualities. You are, as my heir, a perfect Phoenix member. Much is expected of you in this position; there are very perilous duties ahead that only you can perform. But know this: as you are now a member of this order, you will never be expected to go through anything alone. The members are here to strengthen and support you, Harry Potter, and you must allow them to. The power of the Phoenix will always be there to help you if you need it. Never expect too much of yourself, and above all, protect the artifacts with which you are entrusted." The voice was then silent, and Harry felt himself slipping away into nothingness.
*
Voices managed to weave their way through the thick fog that was clouding Harry's head, but as yet, none of them made the least bit of sense, and he was perfectly content to just lay there in the blissful nothingness.
Snippets of conversation managed to meander their way through Harry's weary brain. "…awake…" and "…yet…" The bits he was able to make out still made little to no sense, but at least his brain was processing them as words. His head was sore and his body felt weak; all he wanted to do was fall back to sleep when a hand brushed some hair from his forehead.
A soothing voice, one he recognized as being very familiar, whispered "Harry, are you awake?"
The very act of opening his eyes seemed a chore, but he accomplished it to find his godfather smiling down at him. "Welcome back, Harry. How do you feel?"
Tired, Harry realized with a start. Not sick, not hot, not anything but tired. It was a wonderful feeling, and a drowsy smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as he told Sirius so. "Tired. Just tired."
*
So how was it? Leave me a note and tell me what you think in a review! I'm trying really hard to have chapters out every two weeks or so, so keep checking back. If you'd like, you can leave your e-mail address in a review and I'll e-mail you when the next one is posted. Thanks!