Chapter 16
P.O.A.D
Getting back into the swing of things for Harry was difficult. Waking up early Monday morning for class Harry had been excited about the idea, but after receiving his schedule that morning from McGonagall, Harry let our a sigh of frustration as he realized he was not yet mentally ready for as many classes as he had been assigned.
Monday- Double Potions, Transfiguration, Lunch, Dueling, Medical healing, P.O.A.D Tuesday - Charms, Herbology, Lunch, Divinations, History of magic, Advanced Charms Wednesday- DADA, Care of Magical creatures, Study of Dangerous Creatures, Lunch, Potions, P.O.A.D Thursday- Transfiguration, Herbology, History of Magic, Lunch, Medical Healing, Dueling, Advanced Transfiguration Friday- Divinations, Care of Magical creatures, Study of Dangerous Creatures, Lunch, Charms, Medical Healing, P.O.A.D
"Ron, can I see your schedule?" Harry asked after scanning over his list "P.O.A.D?" He asked his friends wondering what in Merlin's name was going on. "Ya Harry, remember what Sirius said last night, the order are going to gather here every other night to train. P.O.A.D. You know Phoenix Order Advanced Dueling" Hermione answered looking at Harry to see if he was alright
"Right, I knew that." Harry said shaking his head, then realizing he had gone to bed earlier then everyone else. "Wait a minute, no I didn't, I went to bed early, remember." He said watching, as a few of his classmates walked over to him, all of them holding their schedule. "P.O.A.D" six o-clock on the third floor." Neville said shaking his head, "what is this all about?" he asked Ron, who looked stunned as Sean, Dean, Neville, and almost every other sixth, and seventh year Gryffindor crowded around.
"Well I guess we will find out tonight Neville" Harry answered smiling up at the scared face of his friend. Taking Harry's answer as just that, the group of Gryffindors quickly separated, some heading to their classes, while others headed for there common room to gather their needed books.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked together to the back room as well. Harry had told both of them that he could not yet carry all of his things, and realizing they didn't have much time before potions, the trio quickly gathered there needed books, and hurried off to the dungeons.
"Quiet, as I told you all earlier, there will be no talking in this class. The potions that we will be working on for the remainder of the year are deadly if not handled correctly" Severus barked for the fifteenth time in the two hour class.
"Neville, be careful with those grounded spider legs, you need to stir your potion counter clock wise while you add them. 10 points from Gryffindor" Professor Snape yelled, as Neville looked at him with a glare Harry had never seen before.
"Professor, obviously you were not paying attention to me because I am stirring my potion counter clockwise, and I added the crushed spider legs twenty minutes ago. In fact, I am finished with this potion." Neville answered as his draught turned a putrid green indicating that the healing potion was complete.
Severus immediately shot across the room to where Longbottom was standing, and towering above the student attempted to frighten him, but to no prevail, for Neville seemed unafraid of Snape.
"We will see about that. Give me your arm Longbottom" Severus seethed taking Neville's arm in his hand, and with his wand cutting a long gash the length of it. Neville, who although turned a lighter shade of white, did not flinch as the wand cut in his arm, but instead he dipped a small beaker into his potion, and pouring it over his cut, Harry almost cheered as the cut vanished.
"What are you all looking at." Professor Snape barked at the students once he realized Neville had in fact created a perfect healing potion. "Back to work, Longbottom that will be an additional 5 points for allowing Granger to tell you the instructions, now clean up and bottle the rest of the potion." He hissed, and Hermione, who was standing on the opposite side of the room than Neville raised her hand.
Ron, seeing this, immediately pulled it down. "Hermione, what are you doing, we are already down 30 points, we don't need anymore." He hissed, and Hermione looked away. After another ten minutes everyone had finished there potions, and the Gryffindor sixth years made there way to Transfiguration, where Harry was happy to know they would be treated fair.
"Neville, way to go in class today." Hermione shouted as the trio left the dungeons, and made their way to the 1st floor where they would be having there next class. "I mean that was great, I have never seen you stand up to Snape like that, I am proud of you." She continued to say, as Neville begun to turn a brilliant shade of red.
"Thanks Hermione, I mean the nerve to insult me when I finally get it right. I have been studying every day on potions in order to improve, and that slimy." Neville stopped there realizing he was about to insult a Professor in front of a prefect.
"I-I mean", he begun to stutter looking away "Don't worry about any of us mate." Ron said walking over and putting his arm around Neville. "Even with Hermione, and Harry as prefects your comments about Snape are welcome." He finished as everyone laughed.
Transfiguration went well for the sixth year Gryffindors. They had shared class with both Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, and overall the group of 20 Gryffindors had earned enough points to counter the points lost in potions.
Staying behind after the bell rang, Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited for the door to close before the group turned to Professor McGonagall. "Welcome to Advanced Transfiguration you three. Go on take a seat. With what recently happened, I am afraid that we have fallen behind on your study to become Animangi, and I am sorry, but we may need to review a few things you already know." Professor McGonagall spoke walking from behind her desk to where the three were standing.
"Well, what are you waiting for, take a seat, you know we do this every Monday." Minerva stated eyeing her student's critically. "Actually Professor." Hermione spoke looking at the others. The next thing anyone knew where Hermione once stood sat a pure white bushy cat.
Taking his queue from Hermione, Ron transformed as well, while Harry simply looked at the two stunned. McGonagall, for the most part seemed beyond words. According to her timetable the three were a good two years away from completing there training, but unknown to her, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Cho had studied every night for the six months leading up to the capture of Harry and Cho, and both Ron, and Hermione had mastered the transformation right around Christmas.
"I, but, I mean, it took me." McGonagall stuttered as the two transformed back. Both suddenly looked to Harry, as he immediately took a seat. "We wanted to surprise you professor, you to Harry" Hermione answered "our way of saying thank you." She spoke, and McGonagall simply looked down at them grinning.
For the first time in her life, McGonagall seemed to be speechless, and after taking n a few deep breaths, she finally turned to the fire, and called the headmaster.
After a quick meeting, she released both Ron, and Hermione to lunch. "Ron, Hermione, I must say that I am completely speechless. You two must have really focused on reaching this goal, and I commend you for it. Go now to lunch, for I still need to speak to Mr. Potter." She spoke, and both Hermione, and Ron gave their friend an apologetic smile before leaving. Turning to Harry she looked on expectantly.
"I can't transform yet." Harry answered rather ashamed. Truth be told, he felt hurt that Ron and Hermione had learned to transform without him. "Are you sure about that Harry, according to what Dumbledore told me, you have in fact added a third animal to your talents, something about a phoenix." McGonagall questioned, and a hollow look quickly appeared in Harry's eyes.
"I can try, but to be honest I wasn't really thinking when I did that." Harry responded, standing up, and closing his eyes. After a long moment of silence, and through an agonizing shout of pain, Harry Potter vanished in a poof of smoke, only to be replaced by Golden Gryffin.
"You are full of surprises Harry." McGonagall gasped, as she watched the lion like creature expand its wings. I believe you have just proved that even the impossible is possible, tell me Harry," McGonagall spoke as Harry transformed back into his human form, breathing hard. "Are you feeling any different since your return a little less than a month ago?" She asked, and Harry looked down.
"Weak." Was his only response, and McGonagall smiled. " I thought you would say this, don't worry to much about that now Harry, go get a bit of rest, you still have a busy day." She smiled, and at the moment Harry was reminded strongly of Professor Dumbledore.
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After Dueling, and Medical healing, Harry choose to return to his dormitory. Ron, and Hermione had tried to convince him to join them for Dinner, but Harry had told them he was tired, and needed to rest before facing the order.
That day had been a trying day for Harry, although he had been able to handle all of the magic he was required to, He still felt very week as if there was still a very large hole in his life.
Realizing that he needed to face some fears, and realizing he could not join Hermione, and Ron in the Advanced Dueling room until he did this, Harry entered Cho's room for the first time since her passing, and immediately fell to his knees.
"You were born for a greater purposes. I choose to play a part of that greater purpose, but I have always known this is what was meant to be. " The words that Cho had spoken to him last, were unleashing a tidal wave to his heart.
"We were meant to be together Cho, You were not meant to die like this." Harry said out loud. She had known she would pass like this, and she had not warned him. Reaching for the Dragon engraved Katana Cho kept on the wall next to her dresser, Harry pulled it close to him as more of Cho's words bore deep into his chest.
"Live life to the fullest Harry, do not look back at what could have been, but what is meant to come. I love you Harry James Potter. Remember that always." He couldn't help but allow the tears to fall when these words echoed in his mind. Pulling the Katana from its sheath, and placing the blade against the palm of his hand, Harry closed his eyes picturing the last Happy memory he could find of her.
"We were meant to be together Cho, You were not meant to die like this." He told himself again, this time slowly pulling the edge across his palm creating a link between him, and the blade.
"I will love you always." He spoke out loud. Sheathing the sword, and standing. "I will love you always." He whispered once again, as with a pop, both Dumbledore, and Dobby appeared, Dobby was carrying what looked to be a box, and Harry realized it was for her things. Saying not a word, as he left, Harry walked across the hall to his own room, where he sat on his bed, and wept.
Life would never be the same for Harry. With a purpose clearly lit within his mind, Harry stood after a while of grieving, and walked straight for Gryffindors sword.
"If I only do one thing right in this life it will be because of you." He said taking the Katana, and sword, attaching both of them to his back. Once Harry had fastened the swords in place, he pulled on his order uniform, and with a look of determination grabbed his staff, and headed for the dueling arena.
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"I know that you are all wondering what in the world is P.O.A.D. As headmaster it would be my right to tell you, however I have chosen to wait for your instructor to arrive." Harry could here Dumbledore speak, He had quietly entered the dueling arena, and was slowly making his way through the shadows, to the bottom floor.
"Good, good he is here." Dumbledore spoke, he had seen Harry enter, and had seen the boy he knew transform in front of his eyes, to the man he would become. The staff, although still at his side, was no longer a crutch, but more of a symbol of Harry's power.
"I will now step aside, and allow Mr. Potter to explain why you are all here. Remember what I said before, regardless if you choose to stay, or leave, the information you learn tonight cannot be uttered outside of this room. Now, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore finished stepping out of the circle, and taking a seat next to Arthur Weasley.
"Now, I am sure a lot of you are wondering why you are here. First off, I would like to thank all of you for coming. Being here tonight means that something you have done has caught the attention of our headmaster, and he has seen to summon you all here tonight. I trust his judgment, and am happy to see so many familiar faces." Harry started off, walking into the light, and startling a few of the younger students that he was near.
"With the threat of Voldemort and the need to protect our way of life. Harry paused as students gasped. "I have chosen to restart the Order Of The Phoenix." He spoke walking the large circle that was the dueling floor, and looking in as many eyes as he could.
"Unlike what some of you may have read." Harry spoke, locking eyes with Hermione. "This Order consists of more than simply eight members. The men, and women you see before you." Harry paused to point at the 25 adults, and 2 students sitting near Dumbledore. "Have already joined. Tonight I ask that you do the same." Harry finished, as the students first looked on him terrified, then begun to speak to each other.
After a minute where things seemed to quiet down, a question was asked. "You don't expect us to fight against You-Know-Who, do you?" Harry turned around for the question had come from behind him.
"First off, his name is Voldemort. If you do not feel comfortable saying this, then call him by his real name, Tom Riddle." Harry spoke, his voice was like ice, and even Professor Dumbledore seemed shocked by how cold it was. Hermione however was not shocked, but instead stood up.
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." She quoted, and Harry smiled at her silently, and mentally thanked her. Sitting down again Harry continued. "As for fighting Voldemort, I hope and pray that none of you are ever faced with that situation. I am not asking you to fight Voldemort, I am asking you to help protect this school from his followers, and if some of you train hard enough, and choose to move from third class to second class order members after graduation, then yes the possibility of facing Voldemort is significantly more real." Harry finished pulling out Godric Gryffindors sword, to gasps of everyone in the hall.
"This is Thunder, my sword. One day this will be the sword that will bring Voldemort to death." He finished, taking a moment to get a reaction from those in the room.
"Now, enough of all of this. The reason I have asked the headmaster to train you is for prevention only. I expect that it will not be long before Riddle attacks this school, and when he does we will be ready." Harry spoke, turning to both Ron, and Hermione, and mentally asking them to join him.
"It will be long, and hard, and will require 100% dedication." He continued, as his two best friends stood, and walked down to meet Harry. When they reached him the students stared, as both of them pulled swords of there own.
Hermione, who had joined the order in the early stages of its development, pulled out a beautiful Japanese Katana. The sword was bound in sheath of blood red, the wood was carved with a picture of a beautiful phoenix, and around the top, the sheath was eloquently tied on with a gold band. When Hermione pulled the blade out to present it to Harry, the sound of the phoenix song filled the hall.
"Meet Lily of the night," Hermione said handing the sword over to Harry who instantly noticed the beautiful engraving of a Phoenix across the edge. "It was a gift from Ron during Christmas." She said picking up on the shock that showed in Harry's eyes.
Harry quickly regained his composure, and handed the beautiful sword back turning to Ron. "And yours?" He asked realizing that Ron was holding his sword behind his back. "This is Black Knight" Ron replied pulling his Scimitar from its holster, and handing the black-steeled sword to Harry, who looked at it with surprise.
The blade on Ron's sword was unlike any Harry had even seen. The metal itself was made of such a deep black that Harry would consider it almost impossible to see at night. The blade however was not the only part of the sword that fascinated him. He had never before seen a curve like the one of this sword, but knew right away that it was the weapon of an assassin, Egyptian in style, but obviously created by the elves.
"Has it seen battle yet?" Harry asked. Turning to Ron. "It is said to have belonged to the cousin of Pharaoh the eighth, and yes Harry, it has taken a few lives." Ron answered pointing to the middle of the blade where the words Check Mate had been recently engraved.
Harry actually chuckled at that, and handing the beautiful creation back to Ron, bowing to them both before once again pulling Thunder from his sheath.
"Are you sure you are up to this Harry?" Hermione asked. She could still see the Staff Harry had carried into the arena on the floor, and remembered that it was only a little earlier that he struggled with some simple transformations.
"This is a bit of what you will be learning, note that both Hermione, and Ron are experienced in the art of swords, and that it will take most of you a few years to reach their level." Harry smiled, turning to his friends, and mentally setting rules.
"No wands, first blood." He spoke, the two nodded in understanding, and bowed. Once righted, the eloquent dance begun, and as the first clash of metal between Thunder, and Dark Knight rang clear, the demonstration began, and the dance continued.
It wasn't long into the battle, that Harry begun to pick apart his opponents moves. Both Ron, and Hermione had significantly improved, and fighting with the strength of each other they were almost unstoppable. It was nearly impossible to detect a weakness, but once found, Harry acted.
"You two have been practicing." He spoke mentally, defending off a vicious attack from Hermione, by kicking Ron into her. "Every day." The two responded in unison, and Harry had to smile, for even through everything else, his friends had stuck to the pact.
"Very well, but I have found your weakness." He spoke out loud this time, startling the two as he pulled of a dangerous backhand over, barely catching the tip of his blade to Ron's shoulder, and eliminating him from the demonstration.
Ron, very well of the rules put up in the beginning, immediately backed out of the duel. Momentarily stunned by Harry's ability, Hermione pushed forward to hard, and within seconds, it was all over.
"Never allow what happens around you to distract you." Harry shouted to the spectator's all the while sweeping Hermione's legs from under her with a move almost to quick to be seen.
Hermione, slightly out of breath, looked up at Harry in amazement. If she had not known how good he was with the sword, she may have been threatened by the fact the tip of his blade was now within an inch from her throat. With a wink of his eye however, she knew the old Harry was back, and letting out the breath she had been holding, watched as he sheathed his sword, and helped her to stand.
"Only up for a little demonstration eh." She mocked him, as they walking over to Ron who was wiping the sweat from his brow, and examining his cut. "Something in me is changing Hermione, I can't explain it, but I can feel it." Harry responded, healing the cut he had given Ron with a touch of his finger.
"Thank you." He said out loud this time, bowing deep to both, and waiting for them to return to their seats. Shedding his heavy cloak, and whipped the sweat from his brow, Harry continued to address the audience as if he had not paused for the fifteen-minute duel.
"You have all witnessed what six months of training can do to those who take it serious, and practice every day. Over the next six months you will not only learn to fight with a sword, but with your mind, and your wand as well."
"Now, I cannot, and am not willing to make this decision for you. If you plan on joining this order, please come back Wednesday night. If you choose not to join, I will understand. If you do choose to join this order, you must also take Medical Healing, and The Study of Dangerous and Dark creatures." He paused to talk a look at the students.
"To join us is not easy. Other than Albus, Sirius, Remus, and myself, every order member will remain a secret." He again paused. This was very important, and he wanted to drive it home.
"Again I say being a member of The Order Of The Phoenix is not easy. No one is to discuss anything that goes on within this arena outside of this arena. He finished turning to Dumbledore, and sending a silent message that he was done, and asking him to close the meeting.
Dumbledore, who heard Harry's request, accepted quickly, and stood. After again discussing the need to keep what was spoken about, and seen today purely secret, He excused everyone, advising those that choose to join to meet again Wednesday.
Getting back into the swing of things for Harry was difficult. Waking up early Monday morning for class Harry had been excited about the idea, but after receiving his schedule that morning from McGonagall, Harry let our a sigh of frustration as he realized he was not yet mentally ready for as many classes as he had been assigned.
Monday- Double Potions, Transfiguration, Lunch, Dueling, Medical healing, P.O.A.D Tuesday - Charms, Herbology, Lunch, Divinations, History of magic, Advanced Charms Wednesday- DADA, Care of Magical creatures, Study of Dangerous Creatures, Lunch, Potions, P.O.A.D Thursday- Transfiguration, Herbology, History of Magic, Lunch, Medical Healing, Dueling, Advanced Transfiguration Friday- Divinations, Care of Magical creatures, Study of Dangerous Creatures, Lunch, Charms, Medical Healing, P.O.A.D
"Ron, can I see your schedule?" Harry asked after scanning over his list "P.O.A.D?" He asked his friends wondering what in Merlin's name was going on. "Ya Harry, remember what Sirius said last night, the order are going to gather here every other night to train. P.O.A.D. You know Phoenix Order Advanced Dueling" Hermione answered looking at Harry to see if he was alright
"Right, I knew that." Harry said shaking his head, then realizing he had gone to bed earlier then everyone else. "Wait a minute, no I didn't, I went to bed early, remember." He said watching, as a few of his classmates walked over to him, all of them holding their schedule. "P.O.A.D" six o-clock on the third floor." Neville said shaking his head, "what is this all about?" he asked Ron, who looked stunned as Sean, Dean, Neville, and almost every other sixth, and seventh year Gryffindor crowded around.
"Well I guess we will find out tonight Neville" Harry answered smiling up at the scared face of his friend. Taking Harry's answer as just that, the group of Gryffindors quickly separated, some heading to their classes, while others headed for there common room to gather their needed books.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked together to the back room as well. Harry had told both of them that he could not yet carry all of his things, and realizing they didn't have much time before potions, the trio quickly gathered there needed books, and hurried off to the dungeons.
"Quiet, as I told you all earlier, there will be no talking in this class. The potions that we will be working on for the remainder of the year are deadly if not handled correctly" Severus barked for the fifteenth time in the two hour class.
"Neville, be careful with those grounded spider legs, you need to stir your potion counter clock wise while you add them. 10 points from Gryffindor" Professor Snape yelled, as Neville looked at him with a glare Harry had never seen before.
"Professor, obviously you were not paying attention to me because I am stirring my potion counter clockwise, and I added the crushed spider legs twenty minutes ago. In fact, I am finished with this potion." Neville answered as his draught turned a putrid green indicating that the healing potion was complete.
Severus immediately shot across the room to where Longbottom was standing, and towering above the student attempted to frighten him, but to no prevail, for Neville seemed unafraid of Snape.
"We will see about that. Give me your arm Longbottom" Severus seethed taking Neville's arm in his hand, and with his wand cutting a long gash the length of it. Neville, who although turned a lighter shade of white, did not flinch as the wand cut in his arm, but instead he dipped a small beaker into his potion, and pouring it over his cut, Harry almost cheered as the cut vanished.
"What are you all looking at." Professor Snape barked at the students once he realized Neville had in fact created a perfect healing potion. "Back to work, Longbottom that will be an additional 5 points for allowing Granger to tell you the instructions, now clean up and bottle the rest of the potion." He hissed, and Hermione, who was standing on the opposite side of the room than Neville raised her hand.
Ron, seeing this, immediately pulled it down. "Hermione, what are you doing, we are already down 30 points, we don't need anymore." He hissed, and Hermione looked away. After another ten minutes everyone had finished there potions, and the Gryffindor sixth years made there way to Transfiguration, where Harry was happy to know they would be treated fair.
"Neville, way to go in class today." Hermione shouted as the trio left the dungeons, and made their way to the 1st floor where they would be having there next class. "I mean that was great, I have never seen you stand up to Snape like that, I am proud of you." She continued to say, as Neville begun to turn a brilliant shade of red.
"Thanks Hermione, I mean the nerve to insult me when I finally get it right. I have been studying every day on potions in order to improve, and that slimy." Neville stopped there realizing he was about to insult a Professor in front of a prefect.
"I-I mean", he begun to stutter looking away "Don't worry about any of us mate." Ron said walking over and putting his arm around Neville. "Even with Hermione, and Harry as prefects your comments about Snape are welcome." He finished as everyone laughed.
Transfiguration went well for the sixth year Gryffindors. They had shared class with both Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, and overall the group of 20 Gryffindors had earned enough points to counter the points lost in potions.
Staying behind after the bell rang, Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited for the door to close before the group turned to Professor McGonagall. "Welcome to Advanced Transfiguration you three. Go on take a seat. With what recently happened, I am afraid that we have fallen behind on your study to become Animangi, and I am sorry, but we may need to review a few things you already know." Professor McGonagall spoke walking from behind her desk to where the three were standing.
"Well, what are you waiting for, take a seat, you know we do this every Monday." Minerva stated eyeing her student's critically. "Actually Professor." Hermione spoke looking at the others. The next thing anyone knew where Hermione once stood sat a pure white bushy cat.
Taking his queue from Hermione, Ron transformed as well, while Harry simply looked at the two stunned. McGonagall, for the most part seemed beyond words. According to her timetable the three were a good two years away from completing there training, but unknown to her, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Cho had studied every night for the six months leading up to the capture of Harry and Cho, and both Ron, and Hermione had mastered the transformation right around Christmas.
"I, but, I mean, it took me." McGonagall stuttered as the two transformed back. Both suddenly looked to Harry, as he immediately took a seat. "We wanted to surprise you professor, you to Harry" Hermione answered "our way of saying thank you." She spoke, and McGonagall simply looked down at them grinning.
For the first time in her life, McGonagall seemed to be speechless, and after taking n a few deep breaths, she finally turned to the fire, and called the headmaster.
After a quick meeting, she released both Ron, and Hermione to lunch. "Ron, Hermione, I must say that I am completely speechless. You two must have really focused on reaching this goal, and I commend you for it. Go now to lunch, for I still need to speak to Mr. Potter." She spoke, and both Hermione, and Ron gave their friend an apologetic smile before leaving. Turning to Harry she looked on expectantly.
"I can't transform yet." Harry answered rather ashamed. Truth be told, he felt hurt that Ron and Hermione had learned to transform without him. "Are you sure about that Harry, according to what Dumbledore told me, you have in fact added a third animal to your talents, something about a phoenix." McGonagall questioned, and a hollow look quickly appeared in Harry's eyes.
"I can try, but to be honest I wasn't really thinking when I did that." Harry responded, standing up, and closing his eyes. After a long moment of silence, and through an agonizing shout of pain, Harry Potter vanished in a poof of smoke, only to be replaced by Golden Gryffin.
"You are full of surprises Harry." McGonagall gasped, as she watched the lion like creature expand its wings. I believe you have just proved that even the impossible is possible, tell me Harry," McGonagall spoke as Harry transformed back into his human form, breathing hard. "Are you feeling any different since your return a little less than a month ago?" She asked, and Harry looked down.
"Weak." Was his only response, and McGonagall smiled. " I thought you would say this, don't worry to much about that now Harry, go get a bit of rest, you still have a busy day." She smiled, and at the moment Harry was reminded strongly of Professor Dumbledore.
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After Dueling, and Medical healing, Harry choose to return to his dormitory. Ron, and Hermione had tried to convince him to join them for Dinner, but Harry had told them he was tired, and needed to rest before facing the order.
That day had been a trying day for Harry, although he had been able to handle all of the magic he was required to, He still felt very week as if there was still a very large hole in his life.
Realizing that he needed to face some fears, and realizing he could not join Hermione, and Ron in the Advanced Dueling room until he did this, Harry entered Cho's room for the first time since her passing, and immediately fell to his knees.
"You were born for a greater purposes. I choose to play a part of that greater purpose, but I have always known this is what was meant to be. " The words that Cho had spoken to him last, were unleashing a tidal wave to his heart.
"We were meant to be together Cho, You were not meant to die like this." Harry said out loud. She had known she would pass like this, and she had not warned him. Reaching for the Dragon engraved Katana Cho kept on the wall next to her dresser, Harry pulled it close to him as more of Cho's words bore deep into his chest.
"Live life to the fullest Harry, do not look back at what could have been, but what is meant to come. I love you Harry James Potter. Remember that always." He couldn't help but allow the tears to fall when these words echoed in his mind. Pulling the Katana from its sheath, and placing the blade against the palm of his hand, Harry closed his eyes picturing the last Happy memory he could find of her.
"We were meant to be together Cho, You were not meant to die like this." He told himself again, this time slowly pulling the edge across his palm creating a link between him, and the blade.
"I will love you always." He spoke out loud. Sheathing the sword, and standing. "I will love you always." He whispered once again, as with a pop, both Dumbledore, and Dobby appeared, Dobby was carrying what looked to be a box, and Harry realized it was for her things. Saying not a word, as he left, Harry walked across the hall to his own room, where he sat on his bed, and wept.
Life would never be the same for Harry. With a purpose clearly lit within his mind, Harry stood after a while of grieving, and walked straight for Gryffindors sword.
"If I only do one thing right in this life it will be because of you." He said taking the Katana, and sword, attaching both of them to his back. Once Harry had fastened the swords in place, he pulled on his order uniform, and with a look of determination grabbed his staff, and headed for the dueling arena.
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"I know that you are all wondering what in the world is P.O.A.D. As headmaster it would be my right to tell you, however I have chosen to wait for your instructor to arrive." Harry could here Dumbledore speak, He had quietly entered the dueling arena, and was slowly making his way through the shadows, to the bottom floor.
"Good, good he is here." Dumbledore spoke, he had seen Harry enter, and had seen the boy he knew transform in front of his eyes, to the man he would become. The staff, although still at his side, was no longer a crutch, but more of a symbol of Harry's power.
"I will now step aside, and allow Mr. Potter to explain why you are all here. Remember what I said before, regardless if you choose to stay, or leave, the information you learn tonight cannot be uttered outside of this room. Now, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore finished stepping out of the circle, and taking a seat next to Arthur Weasley.
"Now, I am sure a lot of you are wondering why you are here. First off, I would like to thank all of you for coming. Being here tonight means that something you have done has caught the attention of our headmaster, and he has seen to summon you all here tonight. I trust his judgment, and am happy to see so many familiar faces." Harry started off, walking into the light, and startling a few of the younger students that he was near.
"With the threat of Voldemort and the need to protect our way of life. Harry paused as students gasped. "I have chosen to restart the Order Of The Phoenix." He spoke walking the large circle that was the dueling floor, and looking in as many eyes as he could.
"Unlike what some of you may have read." Harry spoke, locking eyes with Hermione. "This Order consists of more than simply eight members. The men, and women you see before you." Harry paused to point at the 25 adults, and 2 students sitting near Dumbledore. "Have already joined. Tonight I ask that you do the same." Harry finished, as the students first looked on him terrified, then begun to speak to each other.
After a minute where things seemed to quiet down, a question was asked. "You don't expect us to fight against You-Know-Who, do you?" Harry turned around for the question had come from behind him.
"First off, his name is Voldemort. If you do not feel comfortable saying this, then call him by his real name, Tom Riddle." Harry spoke, his voice was like ice, and even Professor Dumbledore seemed shocked by how cold it was. Hermione however was not shocked, but instead stood up.
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." She quoted, and Harry smiled at her silently, and mentally thanked her. Sitting down again Harry continued. "As for fighting Voldemort, I hope and pray that none of you are ever faced with that situation. I am not asking you to fight Voldemort, I am asking you to help protect this school from his followers, and if some of you train hard enough, and choose to move from third class to second class order members after graduation, then yes the possibility of facing Voldemort is significantly more real." Harry finished pulling out Godric Gryffindors sword, to gasps of everyone in the hall.
"This is Thunder, my sword. One day this will be the sword that will bring Voldemort to death." He finished, taking a moment to get a reaction from those in the room.
"Now, enough of all of this. The reason I have asked the headmaster to train you is for prevention only. I expect that it will not be long before Riddle attacks this school, and when he does we will be ready." Harry spoke, turning to both Ron, and Hermione, and mentally asking them to join him.
"It will be long, and hard, and will require 100% dedication." He continued, as his two best friends stood, and walked down to meet Harry. When they reached him the students stared, as both of them pulled swords of there own.
Hermione, who had joined the order in the early stages of its development, pulled out a beautiful Japanese Katana. The sword was bound in sheath of blood red, the wood was carved with a picture of a beautiful phoenix, and around the top, the sheath was eloquently tied on with a gold band. When Hermione pulled the blade out to present it to Harry, the sound of the phoenix song filled the hall.
"Meet Lily of the night," Hermione said handing the sword over to Harry who instantly noticed the beautiful engraving of a Phoenix across the edge. "It was a gift from Ron during Christmas." She said picking up on the shock that showed in Harry's eyes.
Harry quickly regained his composure, and handed the beautiful sword back turning to Ron. "And yours?" He asked realizing that Ron was holding his sword behind his back. "This is Black Knight" Ron replied pulling his Scimitar from its holster, and handing the black-steeled sword to Harry, who looked at it with surprise.
The blade on Ron's sword was unlike any Harry had even seen. The metal itself was made of such a deep black that Harry would consider it almost impossible to see at night. The blade however was not the only part of the sword that fascinated him. He had never before seen a curve like the one of this sword, but knew right away that it was the weapon of an assassin, Egyptian in style, but obviously created by the elves.
"Has it seen battle yet?" Harry asked. Turning to Ron. "It is said to have belonged to the cousin of Pharaoh the eighth, and yes Harry, it has taken a few lives." Ron answered pointing to the middle of the blade where the words Check Mate had been recently engraved.
Harry actually chuckled at that, and handing the beautiful creation back to Ron, bowing to them both before once again pulling Thunder from his sheath.
"Are you sure you are up to this Harry?" Hermione asked. She could still see the Staff Harry had carried into the arena on the floor, and remembered that it was only a little earlier that he struggled with some simple transformations.
"This is a bit of what you will be learning, note that both Hermione, and Ron are experienced in the art of swords, and that it will take most of you a few years to reach their level." Harry smiled, turning to his friends, and mentally setting rules.
"No wands, first blood." He spoke, the two nodded in understanding, and bowed. Once righted, the eloquent dance begun, and as the first clash of metal between Thunder, and Dark Knight rang clear, the demonstration began, and the dance continued.
It wasn't long into the battle, that Harry begun to pick apart his opponents moves. Both Ron, and Hermione had significantly improved, and fighting with the strength of each other they were almost unstoppable. It was nearly impossible to detect a weakness, but once found, Harry acted.
"You two have been practicing." He spoke mentally, defending off a vicious attack from Hermione, by kicking Ron into her. "Every day." The two responded in unison, and Harry had to smile, for even through everything else, his friends had stuck to the pact.
"Very well, but I have found your weakness." He spoke out loud this time, startling the two as he pulled of a dangerous backhand over, barely catching the tip of his blade to Ron's shoulder, and eliminating him from the demonstration.
Ron, very well of the rules put up in the beginning, immediately backed out of the duel. Momentarily stunned by Harry's ability, Hermione pushed forward to hard, and within seconds, it was all over.
"Never allow what happens around you to distract you." Harry shouted to the spectator's all the while sweeping Hermione's legs from under her with a move almost to quick to be seen.
Hermione, slightly out of breath, looked up at Harry in amazement. If she had not known how good he was with the sword, she may have been threatened by the fact the tip of his blade was now within an inch from her throat. With a wink of his eye however, she knew the old Harry was back, and letting out the breath she had been holding, watched as he sheathed his sword, and helped her to stand.
"Only up for a little demonstration eh." She mocked him, as they walking over to Ron who was wiping the sweat from his brow, and examining his cut. "Something in me is changing Hermione, I can't explain it, but I can feel it." Harry responded, healing the cut he had given Ron with a touch of his finger.
"Thank you." He said out loud this time, bowing deep to both, and waiting for them to return to their seats. Shedding his heavy cloak, and whipped the sweat from his brow, Harry continued to address the audience as if he had not paused for the fifteen-minute duel.
"You have all witnessed what six months of training can do to those who take it serious, and practice every day. Over the next six months you will not only learn to fight with a sword, but with your mind, and your wand as well."
"Now, I cannot, and am not willing to make this decision for you. If you plan on joining this order, please come back Wednesday night. If you choose not to join, I will understand. If you do choose to join this order, you must also take Medical Healing, and The Study of Dangerous and Dark creatures." He paused to talk a look at the students.
"To join us is not easy. Other than Albus, Sirius, Remus, and myself, every order member will remain a secret." He again paused. This was very important, and he wanted to drive it home.
"Again I say being a member of The Order Of The Phoenix is not easy. No one is to discuss anything that goes on within this arena outside of this arena. He finished turning to Dumbledore, and sending a silent message that he was done, and asking him to close the meeting.
Dumbledore, who heard Harry's request, accepted quickly, and stood. After again discussing the need to keep what was spoken about, and seen today purely secret, He excused everyone, advising those that choose to join to meet again Wednesday.