Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Dark Order
Harry landed on the back of a chair and stared at the group coming into the room. Remus was still in the corner, growling.
"Harry, I believe you can take care of Remus." Dumbledore said plainly.
Harry grinned, but he had a beak so the grin wouldn't show. He soared again and landing right in front of Remus.
Werewolf Remus just looked at him.
Harry step closer to him with clawed feet till his bird like face was in Remus's wolf like one.
And Harry started to sing.
And it wasn't the croaking you would think to come of a 16 year old boy, but a beautiful phoenix melody.
Remus's eyes melted from harsh to human again. Harry could see the real Moony shining though.
Then the werewolf began to look more like a dog.
And then it was Remus Lupin, human again, lying on the floor.
"Harry?" Remus said softly.
Harry nodded and flew around the room again.
It was glorious.
He felt his wings softly move and his body soar.
"Harry," Dumbledore said. "It's time to turn back. We have a lot to discuss."
And as though his body was listening, he slowly landed and turned back to a boy.
"Professor how did I do that?" Harry said suddenly.
"All will be answered soon." Dumbledore said, but Harry noticed something about him. he looked worried.
Remus, paler than normal and bugged eyed, knelt at Trawnley's side.
"Is she dead professor?" He asked, looking up at Dumbledore, Remus's his white hands covering hers.
Dumbledore, ignoring Remus, picked up Seri's tiny body and held her child-like in his arms.
"Harry, Mark, Adam. you three carry Snape." Dumbledore said softly.
Harry heaved Snape up under his arms and Adam and Mark each had a foot.
"Let's go to my office." Dumbledore said.
Remus picked Trawnley up with ease and carried her to the door.
"Harry. that was brilliant!" Mark hissed.
"I know!" Adam agreed softly. "Where did you learn to become a stag?"
"He wasn't a stag, he was a bird!" Mark argued.
"He was a stag first!" Adam said, dropping Snape's foot.
"I was both now shhh!" Harry hissed angrily.
They were outside of the Whomping Willow now making their way to the castle.
It was still night, but the sky was giving off hint of morning behind the trees. The grass was wet with dew and Hagrid's lights were out in his cabin.
They made their way into Dumbledore's office.
When they got there, Dumbledore did something the surprised Harry. he took one hand and whipped the desk clean, lying Seri's body down on the table.
Adam and Mark dropped Snape as soon as they were in the office and took the seat in front of Dumbledore's desk as though they had been here plenty of times. now that Harry thought about it. they probably had.
Harry, however, drug Snape over to the wall and sat him up straight. He was already starting to stir.
Remus, however, did not lay Trawnley down. He held her up, gazing at her lifeless face.
"Professor. is she. dead?" Remus stuttered.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said softly. He swept across the office and took Sibyl from Remus and gently laid her on the floor.
"Why did they kidnap her?" Adam said, pointing a fat finger at Trawnley.
"Because she said something Voldemort wanted to hear." Dumbledore said plainly. "When Voldemort found out she couldn't repeat what she had said sixteen years ago, he decided to use her as bait."
"Bait for what?" Mark piped.
"For Harry you moron!" Adam said, hitting Mark in the arm.
"On the contrary," Dumbledore said, taking his seat. Harry looked at him. who else could Voldemort be after? "He was using Sibyl as bait for Remus."
"Why?" Remus said.
"Because he needs his order." Dumbledore said.
"What order?" Adam said.
"Is it like the Order of the Phoenix?" Mark said.
"There are other Orders?" Harry said.
"Of course there are. The Grand Order is made up of an Order from each country. And when something such as Voldemort raising again, the Order reforms." Dumbledore explained. "But, when Voldemort found out about the secret Orders, he wanted one of his own. the Order was the only thing he couldn't fight. So, he researched as Tom was very good at and found a very old, very strong Order from back in the Dark Days."
Remus gave a whimper.
"What kind of Order is it?" Harry said with a gulp.
"It's a Dark Order." Dumbledore said shaking his head. "But it's more difficult than the Orders that countries make up. you see." Dumbledore took a breath. "The Dark Order has to be made up of certain people and creatures. There had to be 7 vampires, 5 hags, 19 Dementors, 9 faithful servants, 3 trolls, 11 goblins and 13 werewolves."
Remus gave a whimper.
"13!" Harry gasped.
"Yes, 13.. That's the only reason Voldemort didn't have the order last time. werewolves were very rare I think he only had 7 and they were by force for the most part. But now, he had 12 and there are 13 living werewolves." Dumbledore said softly.
"They said Remus was the only one." Mark said with a draw of breath.
"Yes, but they couldn't use him."
"Why?"
"Because Remus is faithful to the Order of the Phoenix. You can't cross reverence Orders or they won't work properly."
"That's why he got Remus to bite Umbridge." Harry said slowly.
"Remus bit someone!" Dumbledore said, jumping to his feet. "We have to find Delores. she has to join the Order before it's too late!"
Seri shook her head. And looked around the room. Then, as though being smacking in the face, she shot straight up.
"Albus, they got Delores Umbridge. The Dark Order is complete!" She said shaking.
Dumbledore sank into his chair, hands in his long white mane.
"Is that bad?" Mark said.
"Very," Seri said shortly. "The Dark Order had only been formed once before. and when it was." She shook her head. "The Dark Lord had returned stronger, faster and more powerful than before."
Harry was shaking now, head to toe.
"50 points from Gryffindor. each. Evans, McCabe." Dumbledore said shortly.
"WHY!" Adam screamed.
"Because you were to stay in school where it was safe. You cost people their life, their freedom and our advantage on Voldemort. Now both of you get out."
"But." Mark said, holding back tears.
"OUT!" Dumbledore screamed, out raged.
"But why not take any points from Harry? He followed Professor Snape and Black.." Adam said, pointing at Harry. He spoke firmly.
"Harry is older than you and has different orders!" Dumbledore said. "Now leave, I have different matters to discuss and I don't need you to hear them!"
"Why not?" Mark said. "We know enough. Remus. the Dark Order. the Order. Seri and Harry being able to change into animals.."
"No Mark," Seri said softly, "Professor Dumbledore is right. go ahead and leave. and don't say anything about tonight to anyone."
Adam nodded and Mark back down defeated. They left.
"One hundred points to you Harry." Dumbledore said coolly. "For befriending the two best first year in the school."
"But." Harry was very confused.
"I had to get them out of here. taking points away scares kids the most. though not Adam. but it worked in the long end and Gryffindor is no more put back because of it."
Harry shook his head.
"Professor. what are we going to do?" Remus said slowly.
"All we can do." Dumbledore said.
"Professor. what if we were to kill someone in the Dark Order. wouldn't it get off balance?"
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "No one in the Order can die.. The Dark Order breaths and lives with the leader of it."
Harry gulped. "So to kill the Dark Order. I have to kill Voldemort."
"Someone else could kill Voldemort." Seri said.
"No Sirius Angel." Dumbledore said, staring at Harry. "Harry is the only one who can."
"No pressure though!" Harry said sarcastically, throwing himself into a chair.
"Harry, I have to ask you," Seri said suddenly. "How did you get away from Remus? The last thing I remember seeing was you hanging onto his neck."
Remus gave another weird sound.
Harry shrugged. "I changed into a bird."
"A bird?" Seri said. "What kind of bird?"
"Well, I was thinking about Fawks before I transformed and she was singing, so I thought it was a phoenix but I was green."
"It makes no difference what color you are." Dumbledore said, whipping his hand in the air. "The color phoenix you are or become has to do with some different things. gold beak you are pure, silver beak you are strong. and the color of your feathers is suppose to match your eyes."
"My eyes?" Harry said.
"Yes," Dumbledore said softly. "You see, one priceless gift the phoenix owns is to see people for who they really are. what's hidden behind your eyes."
Harry shook his head. that made no sense. "But why would I be a green phoenix?"
"Like he said, becoming a phoenix gives you their gifts. one of them is to be able to see what's hidden behind someone's eyes. such as who they really are. their eyes matching their feathers is just the silly trademark of this."
Harry nodded. it made some sense. Then an odd shook hit him. "I have all Phoenix powers when I change into one?"
"Yes you do." Dumbledore said softly.
Harry grinned.
There was a grumble from behind them and Harry turned around.
Severus Snape was slowly standing.
"What. what happened?" He said softly.
"The Dark Order is back Severus."
Snape's eye opened wider. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Seri said nodding. "It was his next step."
"Next step?" Harry said.
"Oh yes his next step." Dumbledore said coolly. "You see, Voldemort is becoming more organized. he's realizing that he needs everything in place before he starts attacking really big. He has his Order, he has a pretty good idea of what the Prophecy is and his army is coming back to him full force."
Harry gulped. "So there is no way to defeat him."
Seri smiled softly. "Yes, we have a few very important weapons he doesn't know about. We have the Order of Merlin."
"The what?" Harry said.
"The Order of Merlin. it's when the Grand Order meets. It becomes just as powerful as the Dark Order, but it's never been formed before so Voldemort couldn't possibly know about it." Snape said shortly.
"Okay. what else?"
"Well, there is you." Remus said kindly. "No one can kill him but you, not even Dumbledore." Dumbledore nodded. "But, no one else can kill you either. He has to gather his balls and face you."
"But Voldemort's a plain ass wimp." Seri said.
"It's a fifty fifty chance either way. Once you battle each other, only one will walk away." Snape said.
Harry sighed, shaking. "Okay, so the Order of Merlin and me, so please forgive me if that doesn't make me feel very comfortable."
"One more thing he doesn't understand. none of them do." Seri said brightly. "The Dark Order is ten times more evil and cold hearted than Voldemort is himself. And you know the one weapon Voldemort doesn't have?"
"This isn't class Sirius Angel," Dumbledore said, "Harry; Voldemort never understood what it meant to love someone. You bestow love in your veins and even though he can touch your skin doesn't mean he has gotten rid of that obstacle. And with the Dark Order under him he is more open to be stopped by that simple magic."
Harry nodded; he had heard this speech before. The one thing Voldemort didn't know was love and there were a choice others he didn't know. But, even though Harry had never heard of the Dark Order, he knew it meant bad news and he didn't really believe that such a silly thing like love and trust and truth was going to stop Voldemort and his army at his height now.
"Harry. it's nearly dawn. you best be off to bed." Remus said softly.
Harry nodded and looked at the faces around the room.
"Professor, is she dead?" He asked, his eyes falling on Sibyl's Trawnley's limp body.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said. "Snape, would you take her down to Madam Profrey?"
"Yes sir." Snape lifted the body with difficultly. Harry could image how heavy a lifeless body was.
"It's my fault." Harry said shortly.
"No, don't think."
"It's my fault!" He shouted. "It's my fault my mum and dad died. that Sirius went to jail, that Cedric died, that Voldemort's back that Cedric died, that Sirius nearly died. And now it's my fault Professor Trawnley died!"
"Harry." Remus said softly.
"Don't baby me anymore! It's all my fault!" And with those hasty words, Harry let himself out of Dumbledore's office.
Harry landed on the back of a chair and stared at the group coming into the room. Remus was still in the corner, growling.
"Harry, I believe you can take care of Remus." Dumbledore said plainly.
Harry grinned, but he had a beak so the grin wouldn't show. He soared again and landing right in front of Remus.
Werewolf Remus just looked at him.
Harry step closer to him with clawed feet till his bird like face was in Remus's wolf like one.
And Harry started to sing.
And it wasn't the croaking you would think to come of a 16 year old boy, but a beautiful phoenix melody.
Remus's eyes melted from harsh to human again. Harry could see the real Moony shining though.
Then the werewolf began to look more like a dog.
And then it was Remus Lupin, human again, lying on the floor.
"Harry?" Remus said softly.
Harry nodded and flew around the room again.
It was glorious.
He felt his wings softly move and his body soar.
"Harry," Dumbledore said. "It's time to turn back. We have a lot to discuss."
And as though his body was listening, he slowly landed and turned back to a boy.
"Professor how did I do that?" Harry said suddenly.
"All will be answered soon." Dumbledore said, but Harry noticed something about him. he looked worried.
Remus, paler than normal and bugged eyed, knelt at Trawnley's side.
"Is she dead professor?" He asked, looking up at Dumbledore, Remus's his white hands covering hers.
Dumbledore, ignoring Remus, picked up Seri's tiny body and held her child-like in his arms.
"Harry, Mark, Adam. you three carry Snape." Dumbledore said softly.
Harry heaved Snape up under his arms and Adam and Mark each had a foot.
"Let's go to my office." Dumbledore said.
Remus picked Trawnley up with ease and carried her to the door.
"Harry. that was brilliant!" Mark hissed.
"I know!" Adam agreed softly. "Where did you learn to become a stag?"
"He wasn't a stag, he was a bird!" Mark argued.
"He was a stag first!" Adam said, dropping Snape's foot.
"I was both now shhh!" Harry hissed angrily.
They were outside of the Whomping Willow now making their way to the castle.
It was still night, but the sky was giving off hint of morning behind the trees. The grass was wet with dew and Hagrid's lights were out in his cabin.
They made their way into Dumbledore's office.
When they got there, Dumbledore did something the surprised Harry. he took one hand and whipped the desk clean, lying Seri's body down on the table.
Adam and Mark dropped Snape as soon as they were in the office and took the seat in front of Dumbledore's desk as though they had been here plenty of times. now that Harry thought about it. they probably had.
Harry, however, drug Snape over to the wall and sat him up straight. He was already starting to stir.
Remus, however, did not lay Trawnley down. He held her up, gazing at her lifeless face.
"Professor. is she. dead?" Remus stuttered.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said softly. He swept across the office and took Sibyl from Remus and gently laid her on the floor.
"Why did they kidnap her?" Adam said, pointing a fat finger at Trawnley.
"Because she said something Voldemort wanted to hear." Dumbledore said plainly. "When Voldemort found out she couldn't repeat what she had said sixteen years ago, he decided to use her as bait."
"Bait for what?" Mark piped.
"For Harry you moron!" Adam said, hitting Mark in the arm.
"On the contrary," Dumbledore said, taking his seat. Harry looked at him. who else could Voldemort be after? "He was using Sibyl as bait for Remus."
"Why?" Remus said.
"Because he needs his order." Dumbledore said.
"What order?" Adam said.
"Is it like the Order of the Phoenix?" Mark said.
"There are other Orders?" Harry said.
"Of course there are. The Grand Order is made up of an Order from each country. And when something such as Voldemort raising again, the Order reforms." Dumbledore explained. "But, when Voldemort found out about the secret Orders, he wanted one of his own. the Order was the only thing he couldn't fight. So, he researched as Tom was very good at and found a very old, very strong Order from back in the Dark Days."
Remus gave a whimper.
"What kind of Order is it?" Harry said with a gulp.
"It's a Dark Order." Dumbledore said shaking his head. "But it's more difficult than the Orders that countries make up. you see." Dumbledore took a breath. "The Dark Order has to be made up of certain people and creatures. There had to be 7 vampires, 5 hags, 19 Dementors, 9 faithful servants, 3 trolls, 11 goblins and 13 werewolves."
Remus gave a whimper.
"13!" Harry gasped.
"Yes, 13.. That's the only reason Voldemort didn't have the order last time. werewolves were very rare I think he only had 7 and they were by force for the most part. But now, he had 12 and there are 13 living werewolves." Dumbledore said softly.
"They said Remus was the only one." Mark said with a draw of breath.
"Yes, but they couldn't use him."
"Why?"
"Because Remus is faithful to the Order of the Phoenix. You can't cross reverence Orders or they won't work properly."
"That's why he got Remus to bite Umbridge." Harry said slowly.
"Remus bit someone!" Dumbledore said, jumping to his feet. "We have to find Delores. she has to join the Order before it's too late!"
Seri shook her head. And looked around the room. Then, as though being smacking in the face, she shot straight up.
"Albus, they got Delores Umbridge. The Dark Order is complete!" She said shaking.
Dumbledore sank into his chair, hands in his long white mane.
"Is that bad?" Mark said.
"Very," Seri said shortly. "The Dark Order had only been formed once before. and when it was." She shook her head. "The Dark Lord had returned stronger, faster and more powerful than before."
Harry was shaking now, head to toe.
"50 points from Gryffindor. each. Evans, McCabe." Dumbledore said shortly.
"WHY!" Adam screamed.
"Because you were to stay in school where it was safe. You cost people their life, their freedom and our advantage on Voldemort. Now both of you get out."
"But." Mark said, holding back tears.
"OUT!" Dumbledore screamed, out raged.
"But why not take any points from Harry? He followed Professor Snape and Black.." Adam said, pointing at Harry. He spoke firmly.
"Harry is older than you and has different orders!" Dumbledore said. "Now leave, I have different matters to discuss and I don't need you to hear them!"
"Why not?" Mark said. "We know enough. Remus. the Dark Order. the Order. Seri and Harry being able to change into animals.."
"No Mark," Seri said softly, "Professor Dumbledore is right. go ahead and leave. and don't say anything about tonight to anyone."
Adam nodded and Mark back down defeated. They left.
"One hundred points to you Harry." Dumbledore said coolly. "For befriending the two best first year in the school."
"But." Harry was very confused.
"I had to get them out of here. taking points away scares kids the most. though not Adam. but it worked in the long end and Gryffindor is no more put back because of it."
Harry shook his head.
"Professor. what are we going to do?" Remus said slowly.
"All we can do." Dumbledore said.
"Professor. what if we were to kill someone in the Dark Order. wouldn't it get off balance?"
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "No one in the Order can die.. The Dark Order breaths and lives with the leader of it."
Harry gulped. "So to kill the Dark Order. I have to kill Voldemort."
"Someone else could kill Voldemort." Seri said.
"No Sirius Angel." Dumbledore said, staring at Harry. "Harry is the only one who can."
"No pressure though!" Harry said sarcastically, throwing himself into a chair.
"Harry, I have to ask you," Seri said suddenly. "How did you get away from Remus? The last thing I remember seeing was you hanging onto his neck."
Remus gave another weird sound.
Harry shrugged. "I changed into a bird."
"A bird?" Seri said. "What kind of bird?"
"Well, I was thinking about Fawks before I transformed and she was singing, so I thought it was a phoenix but I was green."
"It makes no difference what color you are." Dumbledore said, whipping his hand in the air. "The color phoenix you are or become has to do with some different things. gold beak you are pure, silver beak you are strong. and the color of your feathers is suppose to match your eyes."
"My eyes?" Harry said.
"Yes," Dumbledore said softly. "You see, one priceless gift the phoenix owns is to see people for who they really are. what's hidden behind your eyes."
Harry shook his head. that made no sense. "But why would I be a green phoenix?"
"Like he said, becoming a phoenix gives you their gifts. one of them is to be able to see what's hidden behind someone's eyes. such as who they really are. their eyes matching their feathers is just the silly trademark of this."
Harry nodded. it made some sense. Then an odd shook hit him. "I have all Phoenix powers when I change into one?"
"Yes you do." Dumbledore said softly.
Harry grinned.
There was a grumble from behind them and Harry turned around.
Severus Snape was slowly standing.
"What. what happened?" He said softly.
"The Dark Order is back Severus."
Snape's eye opened wider. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Seri said nodding. "It was his next step."
"Next step?" Harry said.
"Oh yes his next step." Dumbledore said coolly. "You see, Voldemort is becoming more organized. he's realizing that he needs everything in place before he starts attacking really big. He has his Order, he has a pretty good idea of what the Prophecy is and his army is coming back to him full force."
Harry gulped. "So there is no way to defeat him."
Seri smiled softly. "Yes, we have a few very important weapons he doesn't know about. We have the Order of Merlin."
"The what?" Harry said.
"The Order of Merlin. it's when the Grand Order meets. It becomes just as powerful as the Dark Order, but it's never been formed before so Voldemort couldn't possibly know about it." Snape said shortly.
"Okay. what else?"
"Well, there is you." Remus said kindly. "No one can kill him but you, not even Dumbledore." Dumbledore nodded. "But, no one else can kill you either. He has to gather his balls and face you."
"But Voldemort's a plain ass wimp." Seri said.
"It's a fifty fifty chance either way. Once you battle each other, only one will walk away." Snape said.
Harry sighed, shaking. "Okay, so the Order of Merlin and me, so please forgive me if that doesn't make me feel very comfortable."
"One more thing he doesn't understand. none of them do." Seri said brightly. "The Dark Order is ten times more evil and cold hearted than Voldemort is himself. And you know the one weapon Voldemort doesn't have?"
"This isn't class Sirius Angel," Dumbledore said, "Harry; Voldemort never understood what it meant to love someone. You bestow love in your veins and even though he can touch your skin doesn't mean he has gotten rid of that obstacle. And with the Dark Order under him he is more open to be stopped by that simple magic."
Harry nodded; he had heard this speech before. The one thing Voldemort didn't know was love and there were a choice others he didn't know. But, even though Harry had never heard of the Dark Order, he knew it meant bad news and he didn't really believe that such a silly thing like love and trust and truth was going to stop Voldemort and his army at his height now.
"Harry. it's nearly dawn. you best be off to bed." Remus said softly.
Harry nodded and looked at the faces around the room.
"Professor, is she dead?" He asked, his eyes falling on Sibyl's Trawnley's limp body.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore said. "Snape, would you take her down to Madam Profrey?"
"Yes sir." Snape lifted the body with difficultly. Harry could image how heavy a lifeless body was.
"It's my fault." Harry said shortly.
"No, don't think."
"It's my fault!" He shouted. "It's my fault my mum and dad died. that Sirius went to jail, that Cedric died, that Voldemort's back that Cedric died, that Sirius nearly died. And now it's my fault Professor Trawnley died!"
"Harry." Remus said softly.
"Don't baby me anymore! It's all my fault!" And with those hasty words, Harry let himself out of Dumbledore's office.