Flying Frogs
The Christmas holiday passed over as quickly as it had arrived. Soon Hogwarts corridors were once again filled with professors, trunks and very noisy students. It was sad to watch all of the cards and streamers disappear, but Harry was glad to see the castle brought back to life.
'Hi Harry, did you have a good Christmas?' Colin Creevey called across the hallway.
'Happy New Year, Harry!' Cho Chang chirped before dissolving into the crowds.
It was great to see the old faces again, and Harry had to admit, the new ones were beginning to grow on him too. He still did not feel entirely comfortable with Ebony, but gradually he had learned to accept her. She did, after all, make Sirius happy and thus far had not compromised the relationship between godfather and godson. In fact, Harry had barely seen Ebony since her arrival; she spent much of her time with the Weasley twins or her brother. Occasionally she would approach Hermione and the pair would chat for an hour or too, but apart from that Ebony barely set foot inside the Gryffindor common room.
The first day of term brought a wet, miserable morning. The ceiling in the Great Hall was so dull that the room was almost completely dark. Ron and Harry were the first students at the Gryffindor table and were shortly followed by Hermione. It seemed strange to see the house tables set to seat their full capacity, but all three agreed that it would be great to get back into the swing of things.
'I can't wait to see what Sirius, I mean Professor Black, is going to teach us! And Mc Gonagall said that we could start to transfigure larger animals this term!' Hermione enthused.
Ron looked at Hermione as though he found her quite frightening but Harry chuckled.
'Professor Black.' That was going to take some getting used to!
Fred and George Weasley were the last students to arrive for breakfast. They both sat down next to their youngest brother wearing the expression of uncontrollable excitement.
'What are you two so happy about?' Harry asked intrigued.
The twins exchanged a knowing glance before Fred replied.
'Can't tell you Harry, secret business.'
Hermione frowned at the twins. 'You do remember what Mc Gonagall said to you last month don't you? If you put one foot out of line this term you'll both be expelled.'
If Hermione had intended on worrying the Weasley twins she had failed miserably. Instead they both looked highly amused.
'I have a feeling,' George grinned 'that all of that is about to change. I think we'll be acting like care-free first years again in no time'
Fred found that he could no longer keep himself from laughing and got to his feet.
'If you see Ebony remind her that she is supposed to be meeting Lee at half nine will you?' he said, slinging his satchel over his shoulder.
Hermione shook her head. 'Dumbledore called her into his office this morning. She's being sorted, probably won't come back down until second lesson.'
George looked livid. 'No, she can't! We need her!'
Fred also looked rather concerned. 'We still have time to make a back-up plan' he told his twin 'and if she does turn up then all the better.'
Ron, Harry and Hermione watched the twins leave the hall, each wondering what on earth was going on.
'Why do they want to meet Ebony mid-way through first lesson?' Harry asked bewildered.
'They're up to something.' Hermione concluded.
Ron raised an eyebrow. 'Really Hermione, do you think? Honestly the way you go on anyone would believe that the twins are badly behaved!'
Hermione tried to ignore Ron's sarcasm but Harry's sniggering was making it very hard to do.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
When Ebony reached Dumbledore's office the Headmaster was already waiting for her.
'Glad to see that you arrived safely Miss Martin.' Dumbledore smiled as his guest sat down before him. 'Your brother was eager to attend, but as I pointed out to him, he has a class to teach. Now, the Sorting Ceremony, I trust it has been explained to you?
Ebony fixed her eyes upon the old, frayed hat on the desk before her and nodded.
'This should not take long.' Dumbledore promised. 'The Sorting Hat is very efficient.'
Dumbledore picked up the hat and moved to the other side of his desk. He placed the hat gingerly on Ebony's head. As soon as it made contact with the girls raven hair, the Sorting Hat sprung to life. It grumbled to itself in a voice Ebony was sure that only she could hear.
'Yes…' it croaked '…a foregone conclusion really…how alike you and your brother are…cunning, yes, very cunning…but then undoubtedly brave…I remember he was difficult to place, but I shall put you were I put him.'
'Gryffindor!' the hat called, in a voice that Dumbledore could definitely hear.
The Headmaster carried the hat over to a cupboard and shut it inside.
'Well, congratulations Ebony, it seems that you will be following in Sirius's footsteps. Of course, I was a Gryffindor myself once, a very good house it is too and Professor Mc Gonagall comes with high recommendations. I hope you will be very happy in your new surroundings.
'Thank you.' Ebony grinned.
She left Dumbledore's office feeling very pleased with herself.
'Oh, Miss Martin!' Dumbledore called after her. 'The Gryffindors are currently outside studying Care of Magical Creatures.'
When Ebony arrived at her first lesson the class had already started. The students, who consisted of both Gryffindors and Slytherins, had divided into four groups and were currently feeding Flobberworms. Ebony joined Harry, Hermione and Ron at their table.
'I'm in Gryffindor' she grinned.
'That's great!' Hermione enthused 'And it means you won't have to switch dormitories.'
Ebony considered this and nodded. She had very little understanding of Hogwarts house-system, but as the only people she knew came from Gryffindor she had hoped to be a part of their surroundings. She watched the Slytherins intently and decided that they were a very dislikeable group of beings. They huddled tightly around their table's, talking secretively. Every now and then a blond boy with a rat-like face would make loud criticisms of Hagrid, which would cause the half-giant to blush profusely and stumble over his words. Ebony sensed that a mutual hatred lingered between the two houses. The blond boy seemed to instigate much of the friction as his fellow Slytherins seemed to hang on his every word; his jokes, however unfunny, were always greeted with raucous laughter and his instructions were always obeyed. The new student watched the boy as he forced a meek-looking house-mate to throw her Flobberworm directly at Harry's head. The creature did not hit its target, but flew over the Gryffindor table into the woodland behind.
'Ignore them' Hermione hissed as Harry looked set to retaliate. 'He wants you to react, don't give in to him.'
'Do you have the time?' Ebony asked absently as she forced lettuce down the throat of her reluctant subject.
'Nearly half nine' said Hermione, checking her pocket watch.
Ebony almost dropped her Flobberworm in alarm.
'Already?'
'Oh, yeah. Fred and George said you had something to do at half nine.' Neville Longbottom piped up as he wrestled his creature back into its tank.
Hermione looked at him furiously.
'Sorry,' he said shakily. 'I overheard them at breakfast.'
Hermione opened her mouth to warn Ebony not to get involved with the Weasley twins and their schemes but it was too late. Ebony flung herself dramatically to the ground, where she proceeded to roll around like a capsized fly and cry out in fake agony.
'Ohhhhhh…..owwwwwww'
Hagrid rushed over to where the 'casualty' lay, his face full of concern.
'Are you alrigh'? Oh dear.'
Malfoy, who had noticed the commotion said loudly. 'Really, illnesses are becoming exceedingly common in this lesson aren't they?'
Hagrid began to look very worried. Harry guessed that he was recalling the Hippogriff incident that had occurred in the third year.
'It wasn' the Flobberworms was it?'
'No, of course not Hagrid' Hermione reassured her friend whilst casting a very annoyed glance at Ebony. 'She has been ill for days.'
'Oh.' Hagrid said relieved. 'Hermione, could you take her to Madam Pomfrey?'
Hermione nodded weakly and dragged Ebony by her shoulders into the castle.
Once inside Hermione pulled her new friend into a corner of the Entrance Hall and hissed.
'What on earth are you playing at? You're going to get into serious trouble.'
Ebony shrugged and replied. 'It's nothing ok. Fred and George just need a little help with something.'
When Hermione remained unconvinced she explained. 'It's something they can't do alone and I'm the best person to help. I don't want to cause trouble Hermione, honest. The last thing I need right now is a load of hassle from teachers and I certainly don't want to upset my brother. This is a one off, a favour.'
Hermione sighed deeply and said, 'I can't stop you from doing what you want to do, but I care about Sirius very much. I won't just stand by and allow you to upset him, he has been through enough.'
Ebony nodded. 'I understand Hermione, I promise you, I won't get caught.'
Hermione realised that she could not sway her companion and left the castle to return to her lesson.
Ebony scolded herself, she did not want to upset Hermione but the twins were counting on her.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Lee Jordan checked his watch for the third time in ten seconds.
Where was she?
He stood alone in a long, silent corridor, concealed behind an unusually large suit of armour. Several classrooms lined the corridor, all filled with students and professors who remained blissfully unaware of the figure lurking in their midst. The cold, characterless stone floor in the candlelight suddenly came to life with the sound of hurried footsteps.
'About time,' Lee mumbled to himself as a silhouette with streaming hair bounded towards him. 'Ebony where you been girl?' he whispered as the girl squeezed behind the metallic statue to join him.
'Sorry, I lost track of time,' she apologised.
'Lucky I told you to come ten minutes to early isn't it?' Lee said as he fumbled with the wall behind him.
From out of nowhere a door appeared and Ebony entered a secret room that was hidden behind the suit of armour.
'Legend has it your brother and his mates created this room.' Lee grinned. 'The wall's soft around here to accommodate the plumbing so it can be easily enchanted. Still, it must've taken a pretty powerful spell.'
Ebony glanced around the room. It was no bigger than a broom cupboard and was completely empty but for a candelabra that stood in the corner.
'Now,' Lee smiled. 'Let's go over the plan.'
He opened a small piece of parchment upon which a small plan was etched.
'Filch's office.' Jordan explained. 'Like Fred and George told you, these filing cabinets (Jordan indicated to a place on the map) contain the records of the more 'mischievous' of Hogwarts inhabitants. The twins have a whole drawer to themselves! Anyway, the twins are in serious trouble this year so it's in their best interests that these files are destroyed. Filch can't prove anything without these documents so with them destroyed they, and everyone else, go back to zero…clean slate.'
'But Dumbledore must know that the twins have been causing trouble.'
'Of course,' Jordan replied. 'But not every single incident and he wouldn't expel anyone without solid proof.'
Ebony nodded. 'And this is the only way?'
'It's the best way.'
'Ok,' Ebony agreed. 'What's the plan?'
'Filch cleans the first floor between nine o' clock and ten. He always finishes up in the Entrance Hall. At quarter to ten he will discover Fred and George setting of Dungbombs by the front door. He will take them straight to Mc Gonagall. During this time you will be working your magic in his office, I have to go back to class as, after Fred and George, I'd be seen as the most likely culprit. You have an alibi right?'
Ebony grinned. 'Yeah, I'm in the Hospital Wing, can't you tell.'
'Thought you were looking peaky,' Jordan chuckled. 'So…Mc Gonagall leads the twins straight down to Filch's office where she will pick up their records to take to Dumbledore…not!'
Ebony laughed. 'No they'll find something much prettier!'
Lee reached into his pocket and handed Ebony a large box of Filibusters Fire-cracking Frogs.
'Good luck,' he said before leading Ebony back into the deserted corridor.
Without giving herself time to think Ebony hurriedly made her way towards the caretakers office, being careful not to draw attention to herself.
Once inside Filch's room Ebony consulted her map and found things to be exactly as Fred and George had described. A dim light shone over the wooden filing cabinets that lined the far stone wall. As instructed by Lee Jordan, Ebony placed the bundle of Filibusters Fire-Cracking Frogs upon the cabinet labelled 'student records'; she took extra care to make sure that the cabinet marked 'confiscated items' would not be affected as the twins had expressed their desire to loot this cupboard on a later occasion.
'Right,' Ebony thought to herself as she pulled her wand from her robes. 'This is it.'
Suddenly the confidence the girl had held when plotting with the Weasley's drained from her. Doubts began to creep into her mind, undermining her authority.
'I can't,' she decided. 'I can't.'
Hermione's words came back to haunt Ebony as she held her wand outright in a shaking, white fist.
What would Sirius say if he found out?
A shrill beeping sound cut through the tense atmosphere that Ebony herself had constructed. It was the alarm of her pocket watch. This was it. If she was going to act she would have to do so now, before Filch returned with Professor Mc Gonagall.
Breathing deeply Ebony counted down slowly in her mind, willing herself to stop, but unsure whether she really could.
'Five, four, three, two…'
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Harry and Ron ran across the grounds after their lesson with Hagrid. Torrential rain beat down upon them forcing them to use their satchels as shields. Never before had either of them ran so willingly to a lesson. Hermione had stayed behind to ask Hagrid for extra homework, her two friends chuckled when they looked back to see her confronting the shivering and bewildered gamekeeper.
The two boys headed to the bathroom, hoping to dry off, but instead found themselves in the middle of a hysterical crowd.
Harry opened his mouth to ask what all of the fuss was about but Ron halted his words by goggling and pointing towards the ceiling. Following his friends gaze Harry could hardly believe his eyes. Several glittering frogs were currently hopping their way across the air just inches above the giggling onlookers. Each frog measured at least two feet tall and glimmered in shades of pink, blue and gold. Every now and then the creatures would stop, hiccup loudly and expel a charred slip of parchment from their shiny mouths.
Harry and Ron stared at each other in amazement. Neither of them possessed the ability to speak but they both silently agreed.
This was the secret business that the twins had with Ebony.
Somewhere beneath the tireless frogs stood an irate Argus Filch,
'My records…destroyed! I'll have them for this Minerva. By god I'll have them!'
Professor Mc Gonagall, unlike the many students, did not look at all amused. Her mouth pursed, she glared at the Weasley twins who both wore a feigned expression of bewilderment.
'I think we had best inform Professor Dumbledore,' she said in her sharp, toneless voice.
'No need Minerva.'
Professor Dumbledore swept serenely through the parted crowds, his lilac robes billowing behind him. Adjusting his half-moon spectacles the headmaster surveyed the unusual scene above.
'Do you know,' Dumbledore began, addressing the Weasley twins, 'Master Filibuster could barely transfigure a fly when I taught him.'
Harry, who had pushed his way to the front of the crowd, could have sworn that he had glimpsed a smile playing on the headmaster's lips.
'Do we have a culprit?'
'Oh yes, Headmaster. Oh certainly, these two.'
Filch wagged an accusing finger towards Fred and George.
'Of course, you are aware, that these Weasley boys were on their last warning. They will be expelled by the end of the day I presume?'
A secretive smile still playing on his lips, Dumbledore asked, 'There is sufficient proof to back up your claim I suppose?'
'Certainly not,' Mc Gonagall snapped, folding her arms across the chest.
'The misters Weasley, and Mr Filch, were present in my office when this incident occurred, as the caretaker well knows.'
'I see,' Dumbledore said calmly, his bright blue eyes sparkling. 'Then we can obviously conclude that the Weasleys did not commit this offence.'
With those words Dumbledore swept back through the crowds, leaving behind a seething Filch.
To add to his wounds Professor Mc Gonagall struck the caretaker with another critical blow.
'I am surprised at you Argus, trying to frame two innocent boys! This outrageous incident has made me wonder whether they have caused half of the trouble you have credited them with.'
Harry found that he had to pinch each twin on the arm to prohibit their laughter.
'I mean to say, no one ever saw this infamous 'Weasley file' of yours.'
Professor Mc Gonagall then spun on her heel and followed the Headmaster, leaving her former audience, including the twins, astounded.
The now subdued gathering split up and began to once again file noisily through Hogwarts corridors. Harry and Ron were both eager to find Hermione before their lesson as they were dying to tell her about the Weasley's latest prank. Instead of finding Hermione the pair bumped into Sirius and Lupin who were both lost in thoughtful conversation.
'Sirius, guess what?' Harry called out to his godfather as they passed each other.
'Not now Harry.' A preoccupied Sirius mumbled as he and Remus hurried along together.
'Brilliant,' Harry thought. 'If he's not treating Ebony with priority it's Remus.'
Deciding he was no longer in the mood to find Hermione, Harry strode off to his lesson in an awful mood.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
'Are you sure that it has come to this Moony?' Sirius asked his friend as they walked towards Dumbledore's office.'
'I can't say too much.' Remus replied 'In fact we don't really know that much, nothing factual that's for sure.'
'So we are just relying on Snape here?' Sirius asked sceptically.
'Yes,' Remus admitted. 'But Snape is the only inside source we have at the moment and he seems convinced. Dumbledore must be too. Why else would he recall the Order? Why else would he put us into action so soon?'
Sirius nodded gravely. He knew from past experience that Dumbledore would not sacrifice his men without being absolutely sure that it was necessary.
Sorry for the abrupt ending! I thought that I'd write this chapter to give a little more insight into Ebony's character before I launch into all of the Order stuff (the italic-y bit is just a lead up to the next chap) and as you will have noticed, she's just like her brother. So, next chapter, we have the Order meeting and Sirius's first lesson with Harry , I promise this time!
Padfoot1979: I think Harry's jealousy and insecurities will keep cropping up from time to time as he's still adjusting to his new situation. Sorry there wasn't much development this chapter but maybe the two of them will be forced together in the next chapter…
Hello: I'm glad that you're enjoying the story, thanks for reading. I'm sorry that you hate Ebony, but I can't kill her, I don't want to upset Sirius.
Polkat: I couldn't believe that JK wasted the whole Marauder/ Fred and George situation in OOTP. They could have done so many bad things together! How could she allow Sirius to pass on without sharing his pearls of wisdom? Anyway, I intend to take full advantage of the situation! I don't think Remus was being intentionally indiscrete but I will ask him to be more careful in future. You'll be pleased to know that our favourite werewolf will be back next chapter, I have been neglecting him a bit haven't I? Well, if you ever remember what you were going to say, let me know!