A/N:


Annmarie, and MirokuLova, and keebler-elmo, and oneiros lykos, and meme30, and - Thanks!

Hermionegreen - Good idea, but I already named them. Sorry.

Oriana8 - Perhaps, I haven't decided.

Isabella grace - Find out in this chapter!

Mella deRanged - more on the Prophecy later.

~*~* - (in Order) in December, probably everyone - hadn't gotten that far yet, probably not, not tellin', right now!, the mind fairy, right now so you can read this chapter then they'll take it again, after the blah.

LiZz - Now it wouldn't be a HP story with out a climactic battle.

Chapter 30

"This is not the best of ideas, Harry."

"Professor Lupin, I've ..."

He cut him off, "Harry, I think we can dispense with the professor title and please call me Remus instead."

Harry smile. "Fine -- Remus. That's why I had you and Tonks come with me. Professor Moody is all on about 'constant vigilance' again and he can't complain if I have two bodyguards, can he?"

"'Mad-Eye' can complain about anything," joked Tonks. "If he knew he'd probably want to know why you don't have ten guards and three reserve groups shadowing us."

Lupin shook his head. "I still don't know why you didn't let one of us come here to Diagon Alley and make your purchases without you."

Harry held up two fingers. "One, it's too expensive and I'll need to get in my Gringott's vault, and Two, I need to talk to Kingsley Shaklebolt, personally, so I might as well drop by Diagon Alley first and then go to the Ministry. It'd save time in the long run."

Tonks was interested, "The Order has resources, Harry. You could use our money."

He shook his head, "Not for this."

Later, they exited Gringott's, each holding a large bag of gold Galleons.

Tonks was still in mild shock. "Never seen so much ... wait, where are we going?"

***************

Harry waited for Lupin to close the door the telephone box before he dialed 62442.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."

Harry replied with confidence. "Harry Potter, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks. Meeting with Kingsley Shaklebolt."

Tonks growled at Harry using her first name.

"Thank you," said the cool female voice, "Visitors, please take the badges and attached them to the front of your robes. All visitors to the Ministry are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."

Two badges popped out of the coin return and Harry handed Lupin his.

"I work for the Ministry," said Tonks. "I don't need one."

The now familiar shuddering of the telephone box floor proceeded downward until they reached the Atrium. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day."

They walked on past the Fellowship fountain. Harry grabbed a handful of coins out of his pocket and tossed them in.

The attendant recognized Harry "Mr. Potter, good to have you back."

"'Lo, um ... I don't think I got your name last time I was here."

"Jenkins, sir."

Harry held out his hand, "Please to meet you."

Jenkins processed their wands and directed them to a hallway to the right of the Atrium. When they entered a single set of doors the scene inside was much like the day of the election, utter chaos.

Harry heard a low booming voice over all the others. "I don't give Merlin's ass if they like it or not I want those people recalled and assigned to east side."

Tonks snickered, "Shaklebolt was always a great politician."

A frazzled receptionist sat at the front sending off several interoffice memos. "May I help you?"

Harry stepped up, "We're here to talk to the Minister."

The receptionist almost laughed and pointed to the side. "Back of the line, please."

All three of them looked left and saw what looked like a never-ending row of chairs all taken by grumbling witches and wizards.

Tonks frowned, turned back and yelled. "Shaklebolt! Get your butt up front!"

The bald black head of the Minister popped out from his office, "Tonks?"

She pushed Harry and Lupin from behind, "Harry's here to see you."

He came out and extended his hand. "Harry, good to see you! Remus," he nodded. He motioned to his office and listened to the displeasure of others.

Tonks turned around, "Shut it or I'll kick the lot of you out and you can get back in line tomorrow."

That seemed to have the desired effect and they quieted back down, rumpling their newspapers and muttering curses.

"I'm a little busy right now, as you can see." he said as he closed his door, shutting out most of the noise. "Something about a new administration gets people all riled up. Sit. Sit."

Harry sat in the upper most chair, closest to the minister's desk. Lupin and Tonks took seats by the door.

"What can I do for you, Harry?"

Harry looked around, "Are we safe from ... ears?"

Kingsley held his wand up, "Privatus!"

The room became deathly quiet. "Go ahead, is this Order business?"

"Sort of. Professor Dumbledore has suggested I form my own Order so I can avoid the Phoenix Prophecy. Are you familiar ..."

The Minister shook his head. "Good idea. Side-steps a number of problems. Continue."

Harry scooted his chair closer to the desk. "Professor Moody and Professor Dumbledore are teaching me, and will also be teaching my Order what we need to know. "

He watched as The Minister's eyes raised behind his shoulder to confirm what he said with either Tonks or Lupin.

"The thing is I'm going to need special ..." he turned in his chair. "What was it?"

"Dispensation," Lupin offered.

Harry nodded, "Special dispensation for my Order to learn Disapparation and Apparation. We are all under age. Ron's the closest realty and he's got a few months to go before he's old enough."

The Minister frowned. "There are reasons that there are age limits on certain types of spells, Harry. Not to mention the licensing issues to deal with ."

"I'm not asking for any special treatment. Those that can't pass the testing won't be able to use it until they can be licensed. I'm just asking for the permission to learn and when the time comes to test that we be able to get a license even if we are still underage."

Harry watched as the Minister considered. "Dumbledore is okay with this?"

Harry nodded. "He's the one that's going to teach us."

Shaklebolt took a piece of parchment and scribbled something on it. "Names?"

He provided the names of his Order and watched as the Minister wrote them down, fold the Parchment into a paper airplane and sent it flying down a tube set into the floor.

"Anything else, Harry?"

He smiled and nodded, "Now that you mentioned it ..."

*****************

"How did you do this, Harry?" Hermione almost squealed.

Each of the members of the Order walked downhill to the Quidditch pitch holding their learner's permits for Disapparation/Apparation lessons.

"I have friends in high places. Besides if we are going to do this I want to do it right. Remember that you can't practice unless a licensed adult is with you."

Neville looked positively nervous as he read the permit.

"You'll do fine, Neville." Harry reassured him.

Ron seemed to be the only one in a bad mood. "How are we supposed to learn how to fight on brooms if I don't have my broom."

Harry smiled. "That's the surprise."

Ginny jumped in front of them. "Surprise? I love surprises!"

They reached the locker rooms and Harry opened the door ushering them in. "Then I'm sure you'll love this one."

In single file they made their way up the ramp and onto the field itself. Scheduling around practice was hard enough, but they were able to push the Hufflepuff practice to the next afternoon.

Ron stopped and pulled Harry close. "You want me to go get the school's practice brooms?" he almost pleaded with his friend. The last thing he wanted to do was some sort of calisthenics before he actually got the chance to fly.

"Uh, Ron," Ginny called. "I don't think we'll need the school brooms."

"Harry, you didn't!" called Hermione.

Ron hurried and pushed through the small group standing around and staring at something on the ground. "What's there? Let me through!"

Sitting in a stacked pyramid were five brand new Firebolt brooms.

Ron apparently turned five years old again, for he dove at the broom and snatched one away, jumping up and down and squealing like a girl.

Luna smiled at her boyfriends obvious happiness, "Do we get to use these?"

Harry shook his head, "No, you get to keep these. They're your brooms.

Ron shrieked. "They're Firebolt's, Harry!"

He laughed, "I know, I bought them."

Ginny's hand stopped millimeters from touching one of the brooms. "Harry, we can't ..."

Ron stopped bouncing around and his face fell into anguish, looking at his sister, even possibly wishing her to drop dead for her level-headedness. He sighed and walked forward holding his out.

"She's right, mate. Mum would kill us."

Harry shook his head. "You'll have to take them. I can't bring them back."

"Yes you can," Luna noted. "Quality Quidditch Supplies, where I assume you got these from has a generous return policy."

"Sorry, can't do it. I've had them engraved."

Each of them reached for a broom and read the handle.

"Just says Firebolt, mate. They all say this."

Hermione smiled, "The other side Ron."

Neville was the first to ask, "What's 'O.o.t.D.S.'"

"It's us," said Hermione.

Harry nodded, "Hope you all don't mind. I named the Order after Sirius."

"The Order of the Dog Star," said Luna quietly.

"I like it," said Hermione. "Very appropriate. The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose."

"He'd of liked it, Harry," commented Ron.

"I think it's cool!" Ginny laughed.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Cool? I think you've been spending too much time around Dean Thomas."

Neville was still starting at his broom. "Do you know how far I can fall at a 110 miles an hour?"

Ron clapped him on the back. "That's just the 0-60, mate. The top speed is much faster."