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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
Chapter 6: Speaking to the Headmaster
Remus was relieved to have been let out of the hospital wing a few days later. He liked to spend the least amount of time there as possible after his transformations. Sirius's behavior was back to normal after his silence in the hospital wing, though he was still acting oddly formal.
Remus woke about a week later to terrible news. The morning started normal enough. He went down to the Great Hall with his three friends feeling tired, but cheery. And then the Daily Prophet had come.
Voldemort's Death Eaters had attacked a daycare center located near the Ministry. Many of the Ministry Employees dropped their children off there. The Death Eaters' motive was thought to be 'to trigger fear throughout our community and certainly for their own enjoyment,' one wizard had been quoted as saying.
A few students rushed from the Great Hall as soon as they heard the news. No doubt they had younger brothers or sisters who attended the daycare center on a regular basis. Remus cursed softly under his breath.
"A goddamn daycare center," Sirius said; his rage plainly visible on his face. "What the hell is wrong with those people?"
James contented himself with shaking his head. Peter looked frightened.
"The attacks are getting more frequent," James muttered after a few minutes. "Voldemort is getting stronger."
None of them flinched at the sound of the name. Sirius had always said it, never wanting to be scared of saying a name. James had begun to call Voldemort by his name at the end of fifth year. Remus still preferred You-Know-Who, as did Peter. There were some habits that were hard to grow out of.
"You don't really think that, do you Prongs?" Peter whispered. "He can't be getting that strong. The Ministry…and Dumbledore-"
"Can't you see their faces?" James said harshly, indicating to the staff table. "They're just as scared as their students. They don't know what's going to happen. Dumbledore's trying his best, but things don't seem to be going well."
Remus stared at the teachers eating at the staff table. Indeed, they did all seem to have morose looks of hopelessness on their faces. Remus had always liked to believe that the authorities could right any wrong, but he didn't kid himself now. Even Dumbledore didn't know what to do.
"I just wish there was something we could do," Sirius said absentmindedly, picking sullenly at his food.
They were quiet for a moment and then James spoke. "Maybe there is." And with those words he got up from the Gryffindor table, his eyes on someone exiting the hall.
Remus, Sirius, and Peter followed him, clueless as to what their friend had come up with. They followed the person who had left the Great Hall before them.
James called out, "Headmaster!"
It was Dumbledore.
He turned around and tried to muster a smile for their sake. He brought a hand down to his silver beard and stroked it absentmindedly. His eyes held none of their usual sparkle. They looked oddly empty.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked.
"I-," James began, "I mean we…we wish to talk to you. In your office if you've got a minute."
Dumbledore nodded and they set off for his office. Remus, Sirius, and Peter still had no idea what James' was up to. They looked at each other questioningly and followed James and Dumbledore.
They arrived at Dumbledore's office. Remus had been there many times before. He was not as impressed as Peter who seemed enchanted by all of the interesting gadgets all around the room. Dumbledore gestured to two chairs sitting in front of his desk and then conjured two more with a flick of his wand.
They sat down; Remus, Peter, and Sirius waited for James to begin.
"Professor Dumbledore, did you see the Daily Prophet today?" James asked, though he had to know the answer.
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, yes I did."
"I'm sick of sitting here, waiting for news everyday," James said anxiously. "I'm sick of doing nothing while people die. I'm sick of sitting in the Great Hall reading newspapers about deaths that happened while I was in class…or sleeping! I want to help!" He finished with a shout.
The other three friends stared at James. His face was red and he was breathing heavily. Remus had never seen him this angry or upset.
"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said with a frustrated look on his face, "You're still in school. I don't think you should-"
"Those two Ravenclaws who died by Voldemort's hand…they were still in school," James muttered, his voice trembling with either rage or sadness; Remus couldn't tell. "We're involved in this war whether we like it or not," he finished.
Dumbledore stared at him for what seemed like hours. In reality it was probably only a few minutes. The old man seemed to be considering James' words.
"Tell us how to help," Sirius said, shattering the silence that had filled the room.
"Yes, please," Remus heard his own voice say. Peter nodded weakly.
Dumbledore sighed ad removed his half-moon glasses. He rubbed his eyes and for the first time, Remus noticed how exhausted the Headmaster looked.
"Have you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?" Dumbledore asked them.
They all shook their heads.
"Good," Dumbledore said, "Because it's a secret organization that is against Voldemort and everything he stands for. When Voldemort first began to gather supporters and attack, the Ministry stood by and watched. The Order was created to fight against Voldemort before he could reach the level of power he has now. Now, obviously, the Ministry is supporting the fight against Voldemort so there really is no need for The Order to be secret."
"So why do you keep it secret?" Sirius asked.
"Are we going to be inducted into The Order?" James questioned eagerly.
Dumbledore held up a hand to silence them. "You will not be joining The Order," he said firmly. "However, I may allow you to perform small tasks for it." James looked a bit crestfallen.
"As for why it is still kept secret," Dumbledore said, "The time may come when The Order needs to be called upon again and I wouldn't want an opposing force to know of its existence. There are also many leaks and spies in the Ministry; best just to keep the information under wraps."
Sirius nodded in understanding. "Why can't we join?"
Dumbledore frowned. "You are still in school and I do not wish to have my pupils aid in this fight. Perhaps when you are out of Hogwarts, and this war is still going on…"
Sirius nodded again, but seemed dissatisfied with Dumbledore's answer.
James stated, "Age doesn't stop Voldemort from attacking us, so why should it stop us from attacking him?"
That was a fair point, Remus thought. He looked at Dumbledore, awaiting an answer.
"It is true that Voldemort does not mind harming students. However, it is my wish and the wish of many others in the The Order that we try to keep students out of the fight as much as possible. We do not want you or your peers to grow up worrying about attacks and deaths that you shouldn't be worrying about. By all means, continue to be aware of Voldemort's threat and pay close attention in your Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, but do not let Voldemort consume your young life."
James still looked angry. He kicked Dumbledore's desk. "It's not fair," he muttered.
Dumbledore sighed. "As you add years onto your life, you will find that life only becomes less fair. It is yet another thing that you must understand as you progress into adulthood."
James stood up. The other three followed suit. "Thank you, Headmaster," he said. "Do you have anything we can do, at all?"
"Not yet," Dumbledore said, "but you must always be listening. The Death Eaters have children here as well and they may very well be talking. Pay close attention. I have trusted you with a valuable secret. Do not make me regret it." He smiled as they exited his office.
Remus trailed along behind his friends, lost in his own thoughts. He wished there was something else they could do for The Order, other than listening (which seemed to Remus to be Dumbledore's way of getting them off of his back). If only Dumbledore had let them join the organization. Then maybe he could make a difference in the war instead of reading the newspaper and feeling sorry for all the people who paid their lives to Voldemort.
Sirius wore a frustrated look on his face. His thoughts were probably similar to the ones Remus was thinking now. Sirius met his gaze and they stared at each other for a long moment.
Suddenly Remus forgot about the world's problems and remembered his own.
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