Chapter 12 ~ The Meeting
"So, practice tomorrow at ten am to twelve, then again at two to five," Harry confirmed with Flint as they sat in the library the next night, working up a practice schedule, "Then, practice again on Monday night at seven thirty."
"That sounds alright to me," Marcus agreed, "The tournament is this Saturday. As much practice as possible is needed. God knows that the Gryffindor team has some work to be doing."
Harry looked at him, ready to shoot an insult back, but found that Flint was grinning, gesturing that he had made a joke. Harry smiled and got back to business.
"I'll talk to Professor Sinistra to allow Anistasia, Malfoy and I out of Astronomy on Tuesday and Thursday. All the rest of the upper classmen don't have anything after dinner. If the three of us can't get out, you'll have to run a practice without us. That means we'll have practice as well on Tuesday through Thursday beginning at seven thirty. You'll have to fill me in on what you got accomplished. Friday should be left free so the team can rest up. In addition, Durmstrang will be arriving that night. We don't want to be rude guests, nor do we want them to see what we are made of until game time."
Marcus nodded, "I'll inform the Slytherin players of our plans. All we need now is a plan for practice."
"I'll write that up tonight and give it to you during breakfast in the morning," Harry informed him.
Harry and Marcus gathered their stuff, walked out of the library and went their separate ways to their houses.
It was Monday night and the All Star team was on the Pitch, practicing hard. It was almost ten. The only light that was being received was the light of the flames of the torches located along the sidelines of the Pitch. Surprisingly enough, not one person on the team was arguing with another.
"Hey, Harry, dont you think its about time to end practice," Marcus asked.
"Um…yeah. Guys, we have to wrap it up. We all have class tomorrow and Dumbledore will have a fit if he knew we were out this late!"
The team left as Harry and Anistasia put out the torches, then began flying off towards the castle.
"Harry, look," Ani said, pointing towards the Forbidden Forest.
There was light coming out from the breaks in the treetops.
"Lets go investigate."
Harry led Anistasia over the dim, orange light. The Thunderclaps glided silently across the night sky.
"Can you see what's down there," Anistasia asked, gliding to a stop beside her boyfriend.
"Not much…I can see figures moving."
"We have to find a way to get down there…"
Harry grinned, "Wait right here…I'll be right back."
He flew away, leaving Ani to wonder what he was doing.
"In a few moments, Hermione is going to summon your broom. If you want to know what's happening in the forest, I would advise you to hop on."
Anistasia jumped and looked around, "Harry? Where are you? I can't see you."
Harry's head emerged in the night sky, "I am under an invisibility cloak. Fly as close as possible and try to mount the broom."
"Are you sure I wont fall through…?"
"Yes, I am sure."
Anistasia began moving herself from her broom to Harry's. She grabbed onto Harry's invisible waist and swung one leg over his invisible broom. Once she was safely on, Harry gave her some of the cloak to put over herself.
"Harry," she whispered, "I can't see either of us!"
"Yeah…this would make sex a whole lot more interesting, don't you think?"
After a long pause, Ani replied, "Yes, Harry, if you say so."
They flew down into the forest, making sure that they didn't hit any branches on their way down. Coming closer, they saw twelve wizards surrounding a fire. Harry recognized all of them except for one. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Lupin were among them as well as Arbella Figg, Carol Jane Roberts, Sybill Trelawney, Sirius Black, Arthur Weasley, Alastor Moody and Snape was sitting with Professor Wall in his arms (a surprising and terrible sight to Ani and Harry). The last one was female and tall with black hair that fell to her shoulders.
"Hey, do you know what witch beside Roberts," Harry asked Ani.
"Um…maybe…hold – holy crap! That is my mother, Katrina Willow!"
The duo sat quietly listening to the meeting.
"…to fight. We can't let him take the child. If he does, both the Muggle and the Wizarding worlds are doomed," Dumbledore was saying.
"Albus, I know what you are aware that there are twelve of us and almost four times more of them," Wall brought up, "How are we to fight? It's almost four or more against one. Shouldn't we recruit more ---"
Dumbledore shook his head; "There is no time to fit other wizards into our circle. We are as powerful now divided as we are united. If we added another member, it would take too much time to re-direct our powers and building them up again. We would never reach the strength we are at now," the group nodded in agreement and Dumbledore continued, "With Harry on the All Star Team, he will be traveling to America in a couple of weeks. There is no way I can deny him the right to go unless signs of Voldemort's arrival become to frequent. If I allow him to go, we must all be on our guard. Who is going and who is not?"
"I, as well as Carol Jane will be going to America," Wall replied.
Professor Roberts nodded, "Katrina will be taking over my classes throughout that entire weekend."
"I will be going to watch the boys," Arthur said.
"As well as I," Sirius added.
"I must stay home that weekend – full moon," Remus said.
"I must make sure that Privet Drive is safe," Arbella explained to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded, "I will be flying to and from America so I can keep an eye on both Harry and Hogwarts. I might also stop by Privet Drive as well. We are split in about half and half. Severus, I trust you know what you have to do. Is there anything else we should discuss?"
The group looked around and shook their heads.
"Meeting dismissed."
The group began freely talking to each other as Harry directed his broom and flew he and Anistasia towards Gryffindor Tower. They reached the Common Room window and tapped on it. Hermione went to the open window and opened it. Harry and Ani flew in.
"What was it? What did you find out," Hermione asked.
Harry silently walked away from his hovering broom and the two girls as he sat on the couch. Hermione looked at Anistasia with a terrible look in her eyes. Ani couldn't meet those eyes. She could only walk over to Harry and sit beside him. Harry buried his face, covered in tears, into her shoulder. Hermione walked over and sat in an armchair beside the fire. Ani looked up at her, knowing what he first question would be.
"Yes, Hermione. We saw the Order of the Phoenix."
Harry lifted his head, "What did you say? The Order of the Phoenix?"
Ani nodded, "That is what 'OP' stands for. Hermione and I found it in one of the books over the holidays while you were sleeping on the couch. We vowed not to let you know because it would hurt you like it is hurting you now. I am telling you what I found out now because you know what Dumbledore is head of. You must know what danger you are in. You are the only thing that stands between Voldemort and the end of the world. He will do anything to get rid of you and I…I cant let it happen to you."
Harry stood quickly, "Stop, just stop! Look, I can't take all of this! Do you have any idea what I have gone through in the past year? What I have gone through my entire life? Now I am some key to the end of the world?"
Tears began streaming down Ani's face, "Harry, stop. Calm down…please, just come here…"
She wrapped her arms around him and they both cried. They cried out of fear for tomorrow. They cried out of fear for the future. The cried in the despair and anguish that hadn't yet come…though, most of all, they cried for each other.
At that same time in the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore sat behind his desk, thinking. Suddenly, he looked to the phoenix perch. There was a gleam of seriousness in his eyes and an even sharper, more define tone of seriousness in his voice when he spoke.
"Fawkes," he called to the phoenix, sitting on its perch, "times are changing now with Voldemort growing stronger by the day. I cannot predict when he will begin to strike, but I must ask you to go. Fly off to Mount Sapphire. It is morphing time. The Order needs their last and strongest member to return to them."
Fawkes nudged Dumbledore's hand lovingly, blinked and, as he turned, flew away. Dumbledore leaned back and sighed.
"Harry has no idea how important he is," he mumbled to himself.
