Episode Eighty Nine

            There was to be a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix the eve before the end of the term. None of the members knew what the proceedings would include, but they were all signed up to attend. At nine pm they began to arrive on broom, some walking up the lawns having apparated just outside the gates. They met just outside Forbidden Forest at the entrance to a very large tent, that would appear invisible to the naked eye, but with Hagrid standing outside, guarding its entrance the Order knew where to go.

            All of the older members were there and many of the newer ones that Gwen knew by name. It was an impressive congregation, but she knew no where near the numbers of the dark side. They gathered at first in small groups, chitchatting and catching up. Harry stood close to the entrance flanked by Hermione, who was looking timidly around (this would be her first night as an Order member). Up until now the Order had met in small groups, no more than ten to fifteen. Tonight was the first time all members would congregate together.

            Dumbledore appeared in long flowing robes of ruby adorned with tiny golden stars. His white hair lay in waves down past his waist painting an image of Father Time in the flesh. He appeared troubled to the eye that knew him well, and since Gwen had spent an inordinate amount of time with him during her training for the DADA position she had mastered many of his moods and tones.

Chairs appeared all around the periphery of the giant enclosure. They were the sort of functional chair that offered some comfort, but not enough to sit in them for long. The congregation quieted quickly as they took seats.

"We have gathered here for a very grave purpose." Dumbledore began. "We all know the dark forces are gathering. There have been disappearances, unexplainable deaths. The silence before the storm is about to end. We must now take a stand against the dark forces. I have gathered everyone here to commit to that purpose."

There was much nodding of heads and a few loud affirmative noises. "I am also prepared to take any suggestions as to what we can do. Consider this a giant brainstorming session."

A few of the gathering chuckled heartily and set to talking amongst themselves excitedly, shooting theories and ideas back and forth for group approval before bringing it to Dumbledore's attention. Gwen sat quietly looking at her kicks, battle scarred from walking across the soggy grounds so often. She was in no mood to share any of her ideas. Something had snapped in her brain, something that made her cranky, something that made her mad and she wasn't sure what it was.

Some were becoming more vocal about their plans to quell the dark lord and wandering about the tent, stopping here and there to deliver a small speech to a group and then finally heading over to Dumbledore to present their finalized campaign. Harry and Hermione were discussing something heatedly, but Gwen didn't think it had anything to do with the proceedings. Snape was staring at them and when Gwen finally caught his gaze she found there a confusion. He was trying to figure out what was going on between the friends and former students. Gwen looked away and noticed that the room had become suddenly silent.

An old wizard, even older looking than Dumbledore stood and raised his hand in mock toast. "Dumbledore is without a doubt the most powerful wizard on our side. If he is with us we are sure to defeat the dark lord."

Gwen stood up, the thin rope she had been dangling on had snapped and she had smacked the surface of reality. "If Dumbledore is so damn powerful why hasn't he stopped the dark lord already?"

Dumbledore sat, calmly gazing at her. Snape's attention was now focused solely on Gwen, amazed that she could be so brash. The others sat in awestruck silence. What she was saying was blasphemy, but the more they thought on her words the more they wanted to know too.

Harry looked over at her shocked. "Gwen." He said warning.

"Hasn't anyone else ever thought that?" After a tense moment she continued. "Oh I see. None of you are brave enough to say it. Don't worry, I will. I don't really care anymore. I just want to get to the bottom of this little Voldemort problem we all seem to have."

Every last wizard and witch in the tent winced at mention of You-Know-Who's name. Dumbledore remained placid in his appearance. Guenivere had the power to unhinge him, he knew it, but he was too curious as to where she was going with this to try and stop her.

Suddenly she turned her eyes on him fully. "I'm angry Albus." She said in such a calm manner that it suggested she was anything but. "I'm dangerous when I'm angry. I should go."

Albus nodded and Gwen stalked from the tent taking her fury with her into the inky night.