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Ch 14   The Meeting

            "We are gathered here for our quarterly meeting tonight" Dumbledore started. As the president of the Order for this year I welcome you all to both my home and the meeting. This meeting we will induct new members, elect a new president, and vote on the past resolution from Edward Plantigent."

            Harry was surprised by the people he knew in the room. Reamus Lupin was there, Mrs. Weasley was there, Oliver Wood was there, Mr. Diggory was there, and Professor Sprout was there. There were still a number of faces that Harry did not recognize, but he decided that he liked the group as a whole.

            "Mr. Potter, you are to be tested first" said Dumbledore.

            "Can't we just let him in for being a great seeker" joked Wood.

            "Maybe for being a nice guy" suggested Lupin.

            "Enough joking around" twinkled Dumbledore. "Harry, first you must demonstrate that you can indeed transform into your animagus form."

            Harry appeared as a giant Firecorn then turned back into a human being.

            "Secondly I would like to see you block the Imperious curse. Imperio" commanded Dumbledore.

            Harry got the strange idea that he would like to kiss Ginny Weasley right then and there. He realized that it was the curse. Dumbledore was a sneaky devil. Harry fought with every ounce of his will and the curse snapped as he said "I won't"

            Dumbledore smiled "Finally, I would like to actually see you kiss young Miss Weasley!"

            Harry made up for denying himself earlier and the room burst into applause. A chair was offered him next to Wood. Harry couldn't believe that he was now a member of the Order. He suspected that in light of his past he was given a different test, but there was no telling with Dumbledore.

            "Miss Granger, you are next. I would like you to also show us your animagus skills"

            Hermione, thinking to do one better than Harry changed into a Dire Bear and picked up Dumbledore and gave him a huge hug. The entire room laughed, including Dumbledore himself.

            "Hermione, once you get out of that form I will also put you under the Imperious curse." Hermione changed back "Imperio!" said Dumbledore.

            Hermione got the sudden urge to reread her 3rd year Potions book. "I would rather do something else please" Hermione asked and Dumbledore beamed as the curse was broken.

            "Finally Miss Granger I will need to see you block a curse of my choosing."

            "Impedimentia" bellowed Dumbledore and before the curse was done it was rebounding back at him.

"Excellent work Miss Granger" said one of the wizards that none of them knew. "I would like to you unfreeze the headmaster."

            With Dumbledore unfrozen the Order clapped politely. A chair was pulled out for her next to Mrs. Weasley who hugged her.

            Ron faced the same tests, he turned into a huge tiger and the Imperious curse told him that he should jump up and down and shout for joy. Ron jumped but instead he screamed "NOOO" and landed laughing. "faked you out." Finally he was asked who had given Fred and George the money for the joke shop.

            "Do I have to answer" Ron asked. After Dumbledore had nodded Ron said "Harry did, he didn't want the money from the Cup last year so he gave it to Fred and George. Sorry Harry, but I couldn't lie about that one."

            Mrs. Weasley turned bright red and gave a deathly look at Harry.

            Ginny's test followed much the same, but she shocked everyone when she actually turned into a bat and flew around the room. "Ron taught me when we would come home. He said it just wasn't fair that I wasn't learning it and wanted me to spy on Fred and George for us."

            Ginny passed her Imperious curse challenge when she turned down the offer to tell anybody what Fred and George were really up to. Dumbledore wasn't sure if it was out of protection for her brothers, sheer obstinacy, or if she had really broken the curse.

            Her final challenge shocked everybody when she was asked to turn into her OTHER animagus form. Ginny complied by turning into a small black rabbit.

            Once the new recruits had passed the challenges it was down to business.

            "I nominate Albus Dumbledore as president for another term" said one of the men Harry did not know.

            "I second it said Oliver Wood."

            "All in favor say Aye"

            It was a unanimous vote.

            "Finally, we must discuss Ed's proposal from the last meeting. Are there any thoughts? Oh, for those of you who are new tonight, Edward Plantigent moved that we remove Fudge as Minister of Magic."

            "Why didn't we do it earlier" chuckled another unknown wizard.

            "I move that we vote on this issue now" said Harry whose face was stony when Fudge's name was said.

            "I second that" said Dumbledore.

            Once again it was unanimous.

            "This begs the question of who will now be MoM then doesn't it?" asked the practical Hermione.

            "That's right" said Wood "Who shall we elect?"

            "I move that we elect Professor McGonagall" said Ginny.

            "An interesting idea" said Dumbledore. "I would like to thank our new members for participating in this session. It is good to see new blood taking a shine to the organization. Miss Weasley, would you like to support your claims?"

            "Professor McGonagall is nice" squeaked Ginny who suddenly realized that she had gotten more than she had bargained for when she spoke up.

            "I can" said Harry. "She is sympathetic to our position, is widely recognized as a fair woman, and has a large following. She has good social skills, is well organized, and, if you will excuse the expression, won't take shit off anybody."

            "Sound reasoning Harry" said Sirius as members around the table nodded their agreement.

            "Who then will teach transfiguration for her?" Dumbledore asked "I understand that running the country is important, not to protect my interests, but we will need another teacher."

            "I suggest that Professor McGonagall Pardon Sirius and he will teach" said Lupin who was retaliating for his friend's joking about Lupin's poor teaching techniques. "Furthermore, that would give us another Order member at the school for protection."

            "An excellent idea said Dumbledore."

            Another unanimous vote took place.

Professor McGonagall was summoned and upon being told of her promotion nodded coldly.

With business finished and Fudge deposed the Order fell to talking to each other. Wood wanted to know about Quidditch and Mrs. Weasley was headed over towards Harry.

"How could you Harry? I mean you gave them that money? Do you know what you have put us through?"

"I figured that with the times ahead we would all need a joke and who better to offer it than Fred and George."

This did not quite pacify Mrs. Weasley, but before she could get another word in Ginny stepped between them and kissed Harry on the lips ending the debate.

Dumbledore pulled the Harry and the crew off to one side. "You are no longer considered underage wizards. The traces on your wands have been taken off. You are free to use magic as much as you want and I suggest using it more to practice. Finally, Harry and Hermione you have been made Prefects for the year. Have a good time."