Chapter Twenty-Three
What Being a Potter Means
For a minute, they sat in silence, staring at their tea and stealing glances at one another.
"Who knew about the veil?" Dumbledore said finally.
"I did Professor." Charlie said, still staring at his tea.
"Me too." Harry said sheepishly.
"Angel, why didn't you send Kreacher after me or someone else?" Charlie asked. "Harry could have gotten lost or killed."
"Because Sirius could only be rescued by someone who really loved him." Angel said defensively.
"Angel, you and Harry could have died." Remus argued. "Besides, Sirius was dead, you just brought him back. what if he wanted to be dead?"
"He wasn't dead." Harry said plainly, not looking at Lupin.
"How do you know?" Charlie said.
"Because Angel's mum told me."
"You mean people in there actually spoke to you?" Dumbledore said, but he didn't sound worried or frightened, but tickled pink by the statement.
Harry bit back words. Why didn't he just let Remus say that. it was done and he won't go kill Sirius right now, just to make sure he was in the same state (as Remus thought) he was moments ago. Harry looked up. Angel, Charlie, Remus and Dumbledore were staring at him.
He took a deep breath.
"Who did you see?" Remus asked, sitting on edge.
"The Longbottoms."
"What did they say?"
Harry looked at Charlie how had spoken. "They said they were proud of Neville."
There was a silence.
"Who else Harry?" Lupin asked softly.
"Cedric; he thanked me for taking his body back and told me to tell his dad to chill out." Harry said plainly, no longer able to look any of them in the eyes.... they would ask who else and Harry could lie to them. he already knew Dumbledore knew.
"Who else?"
Harry took a deep breath and knew it sounded suffocating. "My family."
"James?" Remus gasped, bringing his hand to his mouth.
Harry couldn't say anything. Why was he here. why not back upstairs through the veil.
"What did they say Harry?" Angel said softly.
"Not much really." Harry finally said, "But they could touch me. mum gave me a hug and my uncle and grandparents could touch me too."
No one said anything.
"Well I met my mum and dad." Harry began, "My grandpa and grandma. my great grand parents, and there was my dad's cousins."
Angel's eyes got big. "So you know."
"Know what?" Charlie spat out looking from Harry to Angel.
"So you know I'm a Potter." Angel said, ignoring Charlie.
Harry nodded, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Charlie dropped his mouth and Dumbledore and Remus moved uncomfortably in their seats.
"Tell me." Harry pressed.
"Hem.Hem." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Charlie, Remus, how about we retire to the meeting. it should be starting soon." Dumbledore turned to Angel. "Seri, I think it is time for Harry to know his truth. I would tell him, but I believe it would be better if his family told him."
Dumbledore, Charlie and Remus (who looked a little questionable on whether he would or not) left the kitchen.
Angel pushed her hair out of her face and looked at Harry as thought seeing him for the first time.
"Why didn't you tell me your mum was a Potter?" Harry said.
"Because I had grown up being ashamed to be one." Angel said skull fully.
"Why?"
"Harry." Angel sighed. "I don't want to depress you or anything, but."
"No, tell me. please."
"For as long as anyone can tell the Potters have been the bad spot in Pure-Blood." Angel began. "We have been pure since Magic began I suppose with some separating with muggles and muggle borns, but what killed the rest of the Pure Bloods was that we still excepted the Potters that did so. And in one way or another, most of the Potters remain pure bloods."
"What does this have to do with anything?" Harry said, very confused.
"Well, the farthest back Potter known to the family married Godric Gryffindor's only child. Hannah was despises upon because she was a girl and an only child. Way back then, you always wanted boys."
Harry grinned slightly. "So I'm heir to Godric Gryffindor?"
"As am I." Angel said smiling. "Anyway, you know the rift about Slytherin and Gryffindor right?" Harry nodded. "Well, Slytherin didn't flee from the school, he was murdered."
Harry shrugged, Salazar Slytherin's end made no different to him. "So?"
"So, Gryffindor killed him and Slytherin's heirs have been madder than hell about it." Angel said like Harry should have known this. "But that's not where it ends. Lord Voldemort is one of the last true heirs to Slytherin, and since he is into the same bull shit as he was, Voldemort was out to kill any and every last heir of Gryffindor. Well, as Potters are," Angel gave a smile, "we wouldn't go laying down. So, the family started a group, much like the Order, but it was different in some ways. First, every Potter was an Auror."
"My parents too?"
"And mine."
"Second, every member of the family vowed it would be a Potter that would end the heirs to Slytherin no matter what and it became well known fact of the Potter's cockiness to do so."
Harry thought about this for a moment and something told him it was more than she was saying.
"Harry, Dumbledore told you about the prophecy last year, right?"
"Yeah."
"Voldemort didn't just come after you because you were like him. muggle back ground and such. it was because you are a Potter. That was the deciding point between you and Neville. You weren't merely targeted because of some old bat's dream. it was your heritage."
Harry's stomach gave an uneasy jump. He felt uneasy and dizzy. And then, something sparked in him that didn't before. Every Potter was an Auror and every Potter vowed it would be someone in the family that would stop Slytherin's heir. Voldemort. He had to do something. He could just sit there and wonder if he was going to battle with Voldemort anymore, for the first time in Harry's life, he wanted to go looking for a fight. It was him who would stop Voldemort, him and only him.
"Angel." Harry said softly, "Can I join the Order?"
Angel looked uneasy for a moment, but than smiled feebly.
She stood, seemingly ignoring Harry's question and walked to the kitchen door. "I'm going to the Order Meeting." She said, "You are welcome to come."
Harry jumped up and followed her down the hall. He was quiet, holding his breath that Angel wouldn't turn around and tell him she changed her mind.
She opened the door that was labeled, "The Order of the Phoenix."
It was huge! The corridor looked like a spiffed up Minister. Candle were lit on either side, doors led into different department. Auror. Hogwarts. and so on and at the end of the hall was a grand double door reading, "The Order of The Phoenix Meeting Room." Angel pushed the door open and let Harry go in first.
The mass hissing and talking died as soon as Harry's jet black hair entered the room.
"HARRY!" Mrs. Weasley squealed. "What are you doing?"
"Joining the Order." Dumbledore said with a smile.
Harry's mouth dropped open.
Angel slipped in the room behind Harry and took her seat at the large table.
"I was wondering when you would could down here." Dumbledore said coolly.
"You've wanted him to come down here!" Mrs. Weasley squealed again. "You just even let Fred and George in, and they're 18!"
"Yes, Molly, but Harry has been though more than most of us sitting at this table, if anyone deserves to be in the Order, Harry is first in line." Kingsley said, keeping his eyes on Harry.
Harry felt squeamish at the moment.
"Come here Harry," Moody pulled the chair beside him out, "We were just getting started."
Doing a soft stuttered step, Harry did finally sit down, only because he felt every eye in the room upon him.
"Very well Harry," Dumbledore said mildly. "I guess it won't hurt reviewing what's going on?" His blue eyes fell across the room, everyone nodded. "Right then; well, if you haven't figured it out, Miley is here under our protection. The Bulgarian's Ministry of Magic was attacked some time this summer, and the Minister wanted to make sure his daughter was safe."
Harry nodded, staring transfixed at Dumbledore.
"As you probably know, there are raids going on everywhere." Diggle piped.
"The one on your Aunt and Uncle's house just started it." Rachel Diggory added.
"And right now, those were the only Death Eater caught." Bill finished.
"Do we have anything on Wormtail?" Harry asked.
"Only that he's sneaking around all these raids making sure they're going right." Angel said nastily.
"And there one more thing." Dumbledore said, his eyes softened and his gaze went to Mrs. Weasley.
"Author had his trail this afternoon; death Tomorrow at Sunset." Molly Weasley buried her face in her hands. Bill strung him lanky arm over her back.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Professor," Harry said softly. "Is Azkaban surrounded by Dementors anymore?"
"No Harry, Fudge got them thrown out." Dumbledore said.
"Well, then it can't be that hard to break into." Harry said slowly, as though counting his words.
"Harry, they're guarded by some of the highest ranked Ministry workers and Aurors." Diggle said annoyed.
"Hello. we have the whole Auror Head quarters in the Order!" Angel said, a mischievous grin flowing on her face.
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"It'll have to be well planed."
"Gotta take an Invisibility cloak to get Author out."
"This is going to work fine."
"We might need McGonagall. she's an animagius."
At the sound of these statement, Harry's eyes went to Angel, who's eyes went to Dumbledore. "Is he ready?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yes," Angel said, beaming now at Harry.
"We'll have to do it during a shift change. The guards will be too busy chatting and getting ready to leave or to stay that they won't notice very much." Charlie said, business like.
"Yeah, that makes sense. and the next one is at five tomorrow morning." Moody said.
"That gives us shade of darkness and just enough light to do this." Angel said, smacking her knee, "And if all goes well Professor, Harry and I can still get to Hogwarts before Dinner."
The meeting chuckled.
And the meeting went on through the night. They made plans, wise cracks and it seemed the whole idea of breaking into the prison kind of cheered everyone up.
It was now four in the morning.
"Okay, this is how it's going to work!" Angel said, standing up. "Sturgis you are going to man the boat."
"Why can't I go in?"
"Because you've been in Azkaban before, it'll look suspicious, especially since you aren't an Auror." Angel answered. "Moody, you and Kingsley go in first and start talking to the guards, everyone is half scared of you all, it'll work prefect."
Moody grunted a laugh.
"Then Harry and I will go in after Author under Moody's invisibility cloak."
"Why can't I do anything?" Charlie spit out.
"I wanna help too." Bill added.
"He's MY husband." Mrs. Weasley said angrily.
"I know, I know, but if we are caught, it'll be easier to just say we were testing the Azkaban guards if you aren't with us. If we have a Weasley with us. than it'll be easier to guess we were trying to break out Author." Angel said sternly. They all nodded.
"Okay, well. I guess we better get going."
"Vait, vhy cuan't I help?" Victor said, staring at Angel.
"Because. oh, I'll explain it later. Come on." Angel waved and Podmore, Moody, Kingsely and Harry stood and followed Angel out.
For a minute, they sat in silence, staring at their tea and stealing glances at one another.
"Who knew about the veil?" Dumbledore said finally.
"I did Professor." Charlie said, still staring at his tea.
"Me too." Harry said sheepishly.
"Angel, why didn't you send Kreacher after me or someone else?" Charlie asked. "Harry could have gotten lost or killed."
"Because Sirius could only be rescued by someone who really loved him." Angel said defensively.
"Angel, you and Harry could have died." Remus argued. "Besides, Sirius was dead, you just brought him back. what if he wanted to be dead?"
"He wasn't dead." Harry said plainly, not looking at Lupin.
"How do you know?" Charlie said.
"Because Angel's mum told me."
"You mean people in there actually spoke to you?" Dumbledore said, but he didn't sound worried or frightened, but tickled pink by the statement.
Harry bit back words. Why didn't he just let Remus say that. it was done and he won't go kill Sirius right now, just to make sure he was in the same state (as Remus thought) he was moments ago. Harry looked up. Angel, Charlie, Remus and Dumbledore were staring at him.
He took a deep breath.
"Who did you see?" Remus asked, sitting on edge.
"The Longbottoms."
"What did they say?"
Harry looked at Charlie how had spoken. "They said they were proud of Neville."
There was a silence.
"Who else Harry?" Lupin asked softly.
"Cedric; he thanked me for taking his body back and told me to tell his dad to chill out." Harry said plainly, no longer able to look any of them in the eyes.... they would ask who else and Harry could lie to them. he already knew Dumbledore knew.
"Who else?"
Harry took a deep breath and knew it sounded suffocating. "My family."
"James?" Remus gasped, bringing his hand to his mouth.
Harry couldn't say anything. Why was he here. why not back upstairs through the veil.
"What did they say Harry?" Angel said softly.
"Not much really." Harry finally said, "But they could touch me. mum gave me a hug and my uncle and grandparents could touch me too."
No one said anything.
"Well I met my mum and dad." Harry began, "My grandpa and grandma. my great grand parents, and there was my dad's cousins."
Angel's eyes got big. "So you know."
"Know what?" Charlie spat out looking from Harry to Angel.
"So you know I'm a Potter." Angel said, ignoring Charlie.
Harry nodded, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Charlie dropped his mouth and Dumbledore and Remus moved uncomfortably in their seats.
"Tell me." Harry pressed.
"Hem.Hem." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Charlie, Remus, how about we retire to the meeting. it should be starting soon." Dumbledore turned to Angel. "Seri, I think it is time for Harry to know his truth. I would tell him, but I believe it would be better if his family told him."
Dumbledore, Charlie and Remus (who looked a little questionable on whether he would or not) left the kitchen.
Angel pushed her hair out of her face and looked at Harry as thought seeing him for the first time.
"Why didn't you tell me your mum was a Potter?" Harry said.
"Because I had grown up being ashamed to be one." Angel said skull fully.
"Why?"
"Harry." Angel sighed. "I don't want to depress you or anything, but."
"No, tell me. please."
"For as long as anyone can tell the Potters have been the bad spot in Pure-Blood." Angel began. "We have been pure since Magic began I suppose with some separating with muggles and muggle borns, but what killed the rest of the Pure Bloods was that we still excepted the Potters that did so. And in one way or another, most of the Potters remain pure bloods."
"What does this have to do with anything?" Harry said, very confused.
"Well, the farthest back Potter known to the family married Godric Gryffindor's only child. Hannah was despises upon because she was a girl and an only child. Way back then, you always wanted boys."
Harry grinned slightly. "So I'm heir to Godric Gryffindor?"
"As am I." Angel said smiling. "Anyway, you know the rift about Slytherin and Gryffindor right?" Harry nodded. "Well, Slytherin didn't flee from the school, he was murdered."
Harry shrugged, Salazar Slytherin's end made no different to him. "So?"
"So, Gryffindor killed him and Slytherin's heirs have been madder than hell about it." Angel said like Harry should have known this. "But that's not where it ends. Lord Voldemort is one of the last true heirs to Slytherin, and since he is into the same bull shit as he was, Voldemort was out to kill any and every last heir of Gryffindor. Well, as Potters are," Angel gave a smile, "we wouldn't go laying down. So, the family started a group, much like the Order, but it was different in some ways. First, every Potter was an Auror."
"My parents too?"
"And mine."
"Second, every member of the family vowed it would be a Potter that would end the heirs to Slytherin no matter what and it became well known fact of the Potter's cockiness to do so."
Harry thought about this for a moment and something told him it was more than she was saying.
"Harry, Dumbledore told you about the prophecy last year, right?"
"Yeah."
"Voldemort didn't just come after you because you were like him. muggle back ground and such. it was because you are a Potter. That was the deciding point between you and Neville. You weren't merely targeted because of some old bat's dream. it was your heritage."
Harry's stomach gave an uneasy jump. He felt uneasy and dizzy. And then, something sparked in him that didn't before. Every Potter was an Auror and every Potter vowed it would be someone in the family that would stop Slytherin's heir. Voldemort. He had to do something. He could just sit there and wonder if he was going to battle with Voldemort anymore, for the first time in Harry's life, he wanted to go looking for a fight. It was him who would stop Voldemort, him and only him.
"Angel." Harry said softly, "Can I join the Order?"
Angel looked uneasy for a moment, but than smiled feebly.
She stood, seemingly ignoring Harry's question and walked to the kitchen door. "I'm going to the Order Meeting." She said, "You are welcome to come."
Harry jumped up and followed her down the hall. He was quiet, holding his breath that Angel wouldn't turn around and tell him she changed her mind.
She opened the door that was labeled, "The Order of the Phoenix."
It was huge! The corridor looked like a spiffed up Minister. Candle were lit on either side, doors led into different department. Auror. Hogwarts. and so on and at the end of the hall was a grand double door reading, "The Order of The Phoenix Meeting Room." Angel pushed the door open and let Harry go in first.
The mass hissing and talking died as soon as Harry's jet black hair entered the room.
"HARRY!" Mrs. Weasley squealed. "What are you doing?"
"Joining the Order." Dumbledore said with a smile.
Harry's mouth dropped open.
Angel slipped in the room behind Harry and took her seat at the large table.
"I was wondering when you would could down here." Dumbledore said coolly.
"You've wanted him to come down here!" Mrs. Weasley squealed again. "You just even let Fred and George in, and they're 18!"
"Yes, Molly, but Harry has been though more than most of us sitting at this table, if anyone deserves to be in the Order, Harry is first in line." Kingsley said, keeping his eyes on Harry.
Harry felt squeamish at the moment.
"Come here Harry," Moody pulled the chair beside him out, "We were just getting started."
Doing a soft stuttered step, Harry did finally sit down, only because he felt every eye in the room upon him.
"Very well Harry," Dumbledore said mildly. "I guess it won't hurt reviewing what's going on?" His blue eyes fell across the room, everyone nodded. "Right then; well, if you haven't figured it out, Miley is here under our protection. The Bulgarian's Ministry of Magic was attacked some time this summer, and the Minister wanted to make sure his daughter was safe."
Harry nodded, staring transfixed at Dumbledore.
"As you probably know, there are raids going on everywhere." Diggle piped.
"The one on your Aunt and Uncle's house just started it." Rachel Diggory added.
"And right now, those were the only Death Eater caught." Bill finished.
"Do we have anything on Wormtail?" Harry asked.
"Only that he's sneaking around all these raids making sure they're going right." Angel said nastily.
"And there one more thing." Dumbledore said, his eyes softened and his gaze went to Mrs. Weasley.
"Author had his trail this afternoon; death Tomorrow at Sunset." Molly Weasley buried her face in her hands. Bill strung him lanky arm over her back.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Professor," Harry said softly. "Is Azkaban surrounded by Dementors anymore?"
"No Harry, Fudge got them thrown out." Dumbledore said.
"Well, then it can't be that hard to break into." Harry said slowly, as though counting his words.
"Harry, they're guarded by some of the highest ranked Ministry workers and Aurors." Diggle said annoyed.
"Hello. we have the whole Auror Head quarters in the Order!" Angel said, a mischievous grin flowing on her face.
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"It'll have to be well planed."
"Gotta take an Invisibility cloak to get Author out."
"This is going to work fine."
"We might need McGonagall. she's an animagius."
At the sound of these statement, Harry's eyes went to Angel, who's eyes went to Dumbledore. "Is he ready?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yes," Angel said, beaming now at Harry.
"We'll have to do it during a shift change. The guards will be too busy chatting and getting ready to leave or to stay that they won't notice very much." Charlie said, business like.
"Yeah, that makes sense. and the next one is at five tomorrow morning." Moody said.
"That gives us shade of darkness and just enough light to do this." Angel said, smacking her knee, "And if all goes well Professor, Harry and I can still get to Hogwarts before Dinner."
The meeting chuckled.
And the meeting went on through the night. They made plans, wise cracks and it seemed the whole idea of breaking into the prison kind of cheered everyone up.
It was now four in the morning.
"Okay, this is how it's going to work!" Angel said, standing up. "Sturgis you are going to man the boat."
"Why can't I go in?"
"Because you've been in Azkaban before, it'll look suspicious, especially since you aren't an Auror." Angel answered. "Moody, you and Kingsley go in first and start talking to the guards, everyone is half scared of you all, it'll work prefect."
Moody grunted a laugh.
"Then Harry and I will go in after Author under Moody's invisibility cloak."
"Why can't I do anything?" Charlie spit out.
"I wanna help too." Bill added.
"He's MY husband." Mrs. Weasley said angrily.
"I know, I know, but if we are caught, it'll be easier to just say we were testing the Azkaban guards if you aren't with us. If we have a Weasley with us. than it'll be easier to guess we were trying to break out Author." Angel said sternly. They all nodded.
"Okay, well. I guess we better get going."
"Vait, vhy cuan't I help?" Victor said, staring at Angel.
"Because. oh, I'll explain it later. Come on." Angel waved and Podmore, Moody, Kingsely and Harry stood and followed Angel out.