Disclaimer: You know the drill. If you recognize it as someone else's, I don't own it.
A/N: Is it just me or does anyone else think that the teachers sit around and place bets on what their students do?
A week later after dinner, a few students and teachers were still in the Great Hall. Most students were playing Exploding Snap or talking or doing homework etc. while the teachers (with the exception of Dumbledore) were placing bets on things that would happen in the following week. All teachers were betting that Neville Longbottom would set something on fire in Charms class. There were also bets placed on how many detentions Fred and George Weasley would get and how many times Professor Snape would have to whip up a potion to fix some… irregularities, for lack of a better word, on a Slytherin's face because of odd curses or spells sent by a Gryffindor. Of course, the bets were fake. I mean this isn't an underground gambling ring. It was just the way for teachers to relax after a hard day of teaching (or yelling… depends on what kind of day they're having).
Among the students who were present in the Great Hall were all of the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, and Jen. Jen and Ginny were talking. Hermione was reading (surprise, surprise), and Harry and Ron were playing Wizard's chess.
It was at this time that an annoyingly loud whistle-like noise disrupted everyone's thoughts. All of the students covered their ears in surprise.
The teachers however did not look surprise but rather very worried. Cadance and McGonagall got up and rushed out of the Great Hall and towards their rooms. The alarm died down and two minutes later, the occupants of the Great Hall saw the two teachers rush past the entrance to the Great Hall. They were now dressed in white Auror's uniforms and were fastening white cloaks around their necks. It was December now and though the beginning of November was unusually warm, December had brought with it the cold weather.
Dumbledore stood up. "Can I have your attention please?" he said. "What just happened will probably be happening often. That is most unfortunate as the sounding of the alarm means that Death Eaters are attacking somewhere and Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore… the other Professor Dumbledore will go help the other Aurors fight against them. Now…" he paused to look around. "I think that perhaps you should all go back to your Common Rooms. Off you trot."
Fifteen minutes later, Jen was ascending the steps to her uncle's office. She knocked on the door. "Come in, Jen," came her uncle's voice from within.
"How'd you know it was me?" asked Jen as she pushed the door open.
"One does not have to be a seer to see the future. Surely you've learned that," said her uncle.
"The power of premonition has to be my least favorite power of all," sighed Jen. "It takes the excitement out of life and you never get a premonition when a premonition would be helpful."
Her uncle chuckled. "It's funny that you should be so much like Cadance even after you've been separated from her for fourteen years."
"Speaking of Cadance…" began Jen.
"Cadance is fine. Trust me," Dumbledore said cutting her off. "If she wasn't then you'd know."
Jen waited for further explanation but, getting none, she pursued the topic no further.
* * *
Of course, Dumbledore was right. Both teachers were back safe and sound before midnight. As it turned out, it was only some drunk Death Eaters like at the World Cup. The ministry had to deal with some very mad Aurors because around fifty Aurors were summoned for only five drunken idiots. Fudge had made another mistake. The Death Eaters got away and they committed only minor acts of vandalism and terrorism and nobody was really hurt. But the Death Eaters were careless and this angered Voldemort.
"Fools! Imbeciles!" he exclaimed to the five Death Eaters. "You're lucky you weren't caught! Or identified! Get out of my sight and be thankful that I am merciful!"
They bowed and left. "Why did you let them live, my Lord?" asked Wormtail.
"Because Potter knows when I use an unforgivable curse. He can feel it. He dreams it and knows what happens. I can't let that happen," said Voldemort.
"How do you know this?" asked Wormtail.
"Crouch was able to pass that information before he was caught last year. You're quite inquisitive today, Wormtail," replied Voldemort.
"Just looking out for you, my Lord. Trying to be as loyal as possible," said Wormtail.
"Not loyal like you were to Potter and his friends I hope," said Voldemort. "I don't want to have to worry about you betraying me." He walked to his throne and sat down. "Go now. I must rest."
* * *
The Christmas holidays approached quickly. There were very few people at Hogwarts over the break. Only Harry, Hermione, Jen, and the Weasleys were in Gryffindor Tower. A total of two Hufflepuffs, three Slytherins, and two Ravenclaws were staying. After everyone else had boarded the Hogwarts Express to go home, a very weary Cadance walked to the Gryffindor Common Room and she was followed by a much more energetic dog aka Sirius Black in his animagus form. Death Eaters had attacked various towns in Europe all week, and since Death Eaters only attack at night, that meant late nights for both Cadance and McGonagall. Sleep-deprived and fatigued they had taught classes all week. The alarm was getting to be a familiar sound for the two teachers. It was so creatively christened the 'bad guy alarm' by Cadance although 'sleep-deprivation signal' was considered before the current name was thought up.
"All right," she said with a yawn. "There's a new rule in affect starting…" she looked at her watch, "right now. You must be in the castle before it gets dark. That means no late night snowball fights. And everyone on your best behavior. There will be some guests over Christmas."
"Who?" asked George.
Cadance paused to yawn again. "Your brother Charlie, Arabella Figg and Remus Lupin… and this dog-thing." She looked down at Sirius who looked up and gave her as much of a stink eye as a dog can. "Also, please keep it down. I don't think that my poor head could take any loud noises and my room is only a few feet away. If you need anything… go to someone else." With that she turned and left the Common Room and walked to her room. She gave the password to the painting covering the entrance to her and McGonagall's Common Room and stepped inside. She walked over to collapse on the couch and fall asleep when… low and behold, the painting swung aside and McGonagall led Arabella Figg inside. Cadance lifted her head up.
"I'd get up but I don't think I have the energy," she said.
"Don't worry about it," said Arabella. "I know the feeling. Try coffee."
"Arabella's staying in the extra room in here," said McGonagall. "And Remus and Sirius are staying the room they stayed in last time. And Charlie will be staying in Gryffindor Tower as usual." She and Arabella each walked over to a chair and got comfortable.
"Is Charlie here yet?" asked Cadance.
"No," said McGonagall. "And Remus is still unpacking."
Cadance looked at her watch. It was now nine o'clock. "You know what would really stink?" she asked.
"What?" answered Minerva.
"If the bad guy alarm…" she got cut off by the whistle-like alarm. …went off," she finished. Cadance groaned. All three Aurors went to grab their uniforms and changed in record time despite their tiredness. They rushed out of the room and towards the staff room to apparate from the Order of the Phoenix Meeting Room. On the way they practically knocked over Dumbledore, who had heard the alarm from his office.
"Bye Uncle Albus!" called Cadance with energy restored. You couldn't go off and fight Death Eaters without energy. And besides… this is Cadance we're talking about. She finds battling dark forces fun… even if she would rather sleep at the time in which the bad guy alarm sounded.
From the meeting room, they apparated to the ministry to find our where the Death eaters were attacking. Remus came in right after them. He, too, was dressed in his Auror's uniform.
"All of you get to a town called Brigenton on the double. It's an all magical town," said the Auror in charge. They apparated to the little town… or at least what was left of it. A few Auror's were already there and more were popping up behind them. Everyone had a shocked look on their face.
The entire town was destroyed.
"We're too late," said McGonagall.
"Oh shi… shoot," said Cadance catching herself before she swore.
"This is one of those times when one would be permitted to say 'Oh shit', Cadance," said McGonagall looking over her shoulder at Cadance.
"Oh shit," said Cadance.
"How could they cause this much damage in a total of five minutes?" asked Arabella.
"The alarm wasn't sounded quickly enough," said Cadance. "The Death Eaters were gone before the alarm sounded. Voldemort must have a spy in the Ministry."
The four Aurors looked around at the mess. People from St. Mungo's were already arriving.
"Let's go," said Remus. "There's nothing more we can do here." They apparated back into the meeting room. They walked to Dumbledore's office. He was standing in front as if he was waiting for them.
"That was unusually quick. I take it by the look on your faces it was either another false alarm or a massacre," he said.
"Door number two," said Cadance.
"How many of them are dead?" asked Dumbledore.
"All of them," said McGonagall.
"This is not good," said Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Uncle Obvious," said Cadance.
"Somebody needs a nap," said Arabella.
"Coffee," said Cadance. "I'm going to get coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Anyone want some?"
"As your roommate I'm going to have to forbid you from coffee tonight. I want to get some sleep tonight and I'm sure Arabella does too and we can't do that with you bouncing off the walls," said Minerva.
And with that, the four Aurors went off to bed.
* * *
The next day Harry woke up to the sounds of Jen screaming down in the Common Room.
"Hey! Everyone! You better come see this!" she screamed. Quickly, Harry jumped out of bed and pulled his robes on over his pajamas. He looked over and saw that Ron was doing the same thing. They leaped down the stairs. Jen and Ginny were standing at the window looking out. Hermione, too, was descending the steps from her dorm.
"What in the name of all things good and sacred are you yelling about?" asked Hermione.
"Look," said Ginny pointing out the window. There was a blanket of snow on the ground at least three feet deep and the snow was still coming down.
Fred, George, and Charlie were all coming down from the 7th year boys' dorm (A/N: Just to refresh your memory, Charlie stays in the extra bed that is in the 7th year boys' dorm room). "God, Jen," said George. "There is no one on this earth louder than you."
"You act like you've never met Cadance," said Charlie. Then he turned his head and looked out the window. "Whoa. That's alotta snow."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked George.
"Snowball fight!" exclaimed Fred. Everyone, with the exception of Charlie, looked at each other and dashed off to finish getting ready. Charlie had already finished getting ready. He had met Cadance while he was walking in the hallways. She had told him what happened last night. He and Cadance decided to go down and talk to Hagrid after breakfast.
And they did. While the seven Gryffindors went off to pelt each other with snowballs, Cadance and Charlie were walking through the snow to Hagrid's hut. They knocked on the door. Hagrid answered the door with a smile.
"Good morning," he said and let them in.
"Did you hear about last night? The Death Eaters attacked and destroyed a whole town," said Charlie.
"No!" exclaimed Hagrid.
"They did," said Cadance. "Um… Hagrid? Did you talk to the Giants yet?"
"They moved on before I could speak to 'em," said Hagrid.
"I have a feeling we're going to need their help before long," said Cadance.
* * *
Cadance and Charlie left a few minutes later. They were walking to the castle when they were bombarded by stray snowballs. There was a major snowball fight going on. Hermione, Jen, and Ginny were on one team and Fred, George, Ron, and Harry were on the other. Cadance and Charlie looked at each other, then stooped down and scooped up some snow. They started to throw it at both teams.
It turned into an all-out war between the seven students and Cadance and Charlie. But it did not stop there. Professor McGonagall had heard the commotion and came outside. She got hit (quite "accidentally") by a snowball sent by Fred Weasley. After getting hit with a few more "stray" snowballs, she gave in and used her telekinetic powers to send snow flying at the students and she used the power to freeze to freeze the snowballs before they hit her.
"You now, Minerva, you aren't setting a very good example by cheating in a snowball fight," said Cadance as she hit her sister with a snowball.
About half-an-hour later, Remus, Arabella, and Snuffles came outside and found themselves drawn into the fight. It became adults versus kids. Sirius sat off to the side watching. "Ha!" he thought. "What a bunch of chuckleheads! I'm going to laugh at them when they catch a cold. I am definitely staying out of this snowball fight." It was as he was thinking this when Harry hit him with a snowball. He recovered and then knocked Harry into the snow.
"So much for staying dry," thought Sirius as he proceeded to bury his godson in the snow. "Whoa, Sirius," he chided himself. "You've been spending too much time as a dog." He started to help Harry out of the snow only to be pushed into the snow himself.
It was another hour before Cadance called a time out. "Let's call it quits. I'm completely numb," she said.
"Aww. Poor baby," said Charlie.
Cadance scooped up some snow and shoved it into Charlie's face. Charlie grabbed Cadance and slung her over his shoulder. Then with her kicking and screaming he dropped her into a snowdrift.
"Revenge is mine!" he exclaimed just before he got pushed into the drift himself. Jen had snuck up behind him and avenged her sister by pushing him in.
"I win," said Jen and turned around just in time to prevent herself from getting pushed in by George. After Cadance and Charlie pulled themselves out of the snowdrift, the group headed back to the castle to dry off and loiter before dinner.
* * *
Christmas dinner was quite interesting. Since there were only fourteen students, the house tables were pushed aside and one long table sat in the center of the room. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Jen all arrived early. The twins said that they had some work to do and would meet them there. This caused them to believe that Charlie would find some dung bombs in his bed that night.
When the four Gryffindors arrived in the Great Hall, Cadance and Charlie were standing next to the table talking with Dumbledore. "Now. You two on your best behavior. I don't want a repeat of the 'Christmas Turkey incident'. Mr. Filch was cleaning turkey off the walls for weeks."
"Hey," argued Cadance. "I was nine!"
"Yes, but Charlie was twelve," said Dumbledore with his eyes twinkling.
"I was barely involved. All I did was get Cadance the Filibuster Fireworks. And help her set them up. And help her detonate them," said Charlie. "Okay so I was involved."
When everyone arrived, they sat down to dinner. Arabella, Remus, Snuffles, Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, and Trelawney were all present. Snuffles sat down on the floor next to Harry, who got him a plate, filled it with food, and gave it to him.
It would be a lie to say that dinner was uneventful. Something eventful is bound to happen when McGonagall and Trelawney end up sitting next to each other.
"So, Sybill," said Dumbledore. "How are things up in that tower of yours?"
"Not so good, Headmaster. I have been crystal gazing and the future looks bleak," said Trelawney. Most of the table rolled their eyes. "Would you like me to elaborate?"
"No," said McGonagall coldly. "Please spare us."
"Very soon there will be trouble for some of those present in this room," said Trelawney ignoring McGonagall's objection.
"Who'd have thought with all the Death Eaters running around and Voldemort back that there'd be trouble," said Cadance.
"Don't say that name!" reprimanded half the table.
"That name brings evilness," said Trelawney.
"Sorry. I'll watch what I say more carefully," said Cadance rolling her eyes.
"I wouldn't joke if I were you," said Trelawney. "There has been an abrupt end to the career of every other Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in this school." She cast a sideways glance at Remus.
"Really? I wasn't aware," said Cadance sarcastically.
"Yes," said Trelawney taking her seriously.
"Can we put an end to this conversation?" asked Charlie. "You don't have to be a seer to know that this conversation will cause problems if not stopped immediately."
Unfortunately, the conversation did not stop there. "I've seen a lot more, too," continued Trelawney.
"Of course you did," said McGonagall.
"I've seen death," said Trelawney giving Harry a piercing stare.
"Of course you did," repeated McGonagall.
"Would anyone care for me to crystal gaze for them after dinner?" asked Trelawney.
"Sorry. I'll pass," said Arabella. "I'd like my future to be a surprise."
"That's too bad. I believe that perhaps it would bring about information on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," replied McGonagall mysteriously.
"That's it! I can't take it anymore!" exclaimed Cadance. "All of this He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and You-Know-Who business is driving me crazy! Say the name for Pete's sake! It'll be healthy for you!"
Silence. "You know," continued Cadance. "Things have names for a reason. What if you went up to a more oblivious person than even Fudge and started talking about You-Know-Who and this person says 'What!? I don't know who! This is crazy!' Then you might be talking about a surprise party for someone to another person and you refer to the person you're throwing the party for as 'You-Know-Who' and the person who you're talking to gets confused and goes running out into the streets causing mass hysteria!" She stopped and took several deep breaths.
Everyone gave her an odd stare. Jen asked, "Do you talk just to hear your own voice?"
"Sometimes but that's beside the point," said Cadance. "The point is everything has a name for a reason. If you're not going to call him Vol… I mean, the v-word… then at least call him by some other name."
"Like what?" asked George.
"Betty," said Cadance confidently. "Call him Betty."
It was Dumbledore, who had watched his niece in a rather amused manner the whole time, who voiced what everyone was thinking. "Why Betty?"
"Well," said Cadance. "It's awfully hard to be scared of a guy named Betty."
McGonagall thought for a second then said, "You know, she's right. It is pretty hard to be scared of a guy named Betty."
Shortly after, dinner came to a close. With a "Merry Christmas" to each other, they all went back to their rooms/Common Rooms.
* * *
A few days later, a week before the rest of the school was due to come back, the seven Gryffindors were just sitting in the Common Room when Charlie and Cadance came running through the portrait hole screaming, "Duck!" Then, with a flying leap, they jumped over the couch and hit the floor behind it just as a fireball came flying through the portrait hole. At this, everyone took their advice and ducked. They peeked their heads up and saw a weird looking creature. It looked deformed and very, very angry.
"What the hell is that?" asked Ron.
"A demon," answered Cadance as she used her telekinetic powers to ward off a few fireballs.
"How do we kill it?" asked Jen, following her sister's example.
"There's nothing in the book," said Cadance. "We'll have to be creative." As she said this, the demon gave a scream of pain and burst into flames. Cadance raised an eyebrow. Then, Dumbledore and McGonagall stepped through the portrait hole.
"We thought you might need some help," said McGonagall as Dumbledore waved his wand and cleaned up the mess that the demon had caused.
"How'd you know?" asked Cadance. Everybody crawled up off the floor.
"You and Charlie running down the hall screaming was a bit of a giveaway," replied Dumbledore.
"What were we supposed to do? Stand there and let it kill us?" asked Cadance.
"No because then I'd have to find a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Dumbledore.
* * *
Later that night, after recovering from the demon attack, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jen, Ginny, Fred, and George were sitting in the Common Room. Harry drifted off into sleep.
He had a dream. No… he had a nightmare.
"Wormtail," Voldemort snapped impatiently. "Where's Lucius? He's late."
"I don't know, My Lord," replied Wormtail.
"Wait until I get my hands around his scrawny little neck," said Voldemort.
Lucius Malfoy walked in just then. He bowed low. "My Lord. My deepest apologies. I…"
Voldemort interrupted him. "Crucio."
Malfoy dropped to the ground wriggling and trying to contain his screams.
Voldemort removed the curse and Malfoy got up and bowed in apology.
"That will teach you to keep me waiting, Lucius. Especially with the information you better have."
"I've met with Severus, My Lord. He says that somehow Dumbledore has discovered that the Order Members are being followed. And Severus tells me that Dumbledore told him that he believes that we have a spy in the Ministry. Is Dumbledore right, My Lord?" asked Lucius.
"He is. He's probably used his advanced powers. And people think it's his brains. They are fools. But I suppose you want to know who is my spy in the Ministry. He is an Auror and a loyal servant. It is…" He stopped, turned on his heel, pulled out his wand, and pointed it at Wormtail. "Why didn't you stop me from using the Cruciatus Curse! Potter is probably watching everything. Crucio!"
"Harry!"
Harry opened his eyes. He was on the floor looking into six worried faces.
"He's coming to," said Hermione.
"Someone go get Dumbledore!" exclaimed Fred.
Jen and Ginny jumped up and opened the portrait hole. They ran out and almost bumped into Cadance and Charlie, who proved to be and inseparable pair.
"Whoa! Where are you going?" asked Charlie.
"Harry needs help!" exclaimed Ginny.
"Go find Remus Lupin," said Cadance praying the Sirius was with him. She and Charlie rushed off into the Common Room.
Harry was still on the floor, slipping in and out of consciousness. The pain in his scar was great.
"That wasn't exactly the Dumbledore I was talking about," said Fred when they came in.
The portrait hole opened again. In came Jen and Ginny followed closely by Remus, Snuffles, Dumbledore, and McGonagall.
Sirius, seeing the state that his godson was in, transformed and ran over to Harry.
Fred, George, and Ginny all screamed.
"Sirius!" scolded Dumbledore.
"Sirius Black!" screamed Ginny.
Sirius ignored them and knelt by Harry. He brushed the hair out of his face.
Ron, Hermione, and Jen tried to calm down Ginny, Fred, and George. They were all talking at once.
Dumbledore walked over to where Sirius was kneeling. "You shouldn't have done that, Sirius," he said.
"Harry," said Sirius ignoring him and shaking Harry's shoulder. He was still out cold.
Dumbledore turned to where McGonagall and Remus had started to help explain Sirius to Ginny, Fred, and George and failing miserably. He broke in by saying, "Minerva. Remus. You're confusing these poor children. Go call the Order together. Cadance and Charlie, explain everything to them."
"Everything?" echoed Cadance.
"Everything," said Dumbledore finally. "Sirius, get Harry on a stretcher and get him to the infirmary."
"No, I'm all right," said Harry's voice. Everyone was surprised because they thought he was still out cold.
He startled Cadance so much that she jumped backwards and knocked Charlie onto the couch. She fell on top of him. "I give up," said Cadance. Charlie patted her head.
Harry tried to sit up. Sirius grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. "Sirius, he needs air!" said Cadance, who had not moved from where she had fallen. Sirius let go of Harry.
"Harry, if you won't go to the hospital wing you'll come straight to my office," said Dumbledore.
Harry nodded. Then Dumbledore continued. "Minerva. Remus. The Order?"
"Oh! Right!" said McGonagall. She and Remus walked out. Harry, Sirius and Dumbledore walked to Dumbledore's office. Charlie pushed Cadance off of him.
"Somebody better start explaining why there is a convict walking with Harry to Dumbledore's office!" exclaimed George.
"George, calm down," said Cadance.
"I will not calm down!" exclaimed George.
Cadance rolled her eyes, pulled out her wand and waved it. George stopped talking. "I'll give you your voice back if you shut up," said Cadance. She waved her wand and George got his voice back.
"Okay. What do we explain first?" asked Charlie.
"What was the Order that Uncle Albus mentioned?" asked Jen, who already knew about Sirius.
Cadance and Charlie looked at each other and shrugged.
"The Order of the Phoenix is an organization that kicks Death Eaters' asses. And even though my uncle did say 'everything' that's all I'm saying." Said Cadance. "Uh, I suppose I should explain why there was a convict in Gryffindor Tower. I suppose I should start by saying that Sirius is innocent."
They looked at her skeptically. "All right, all right," said Cadance. "Sirius convinced Harry's dad to switch secret-keepers to Peter Pettigrew but he didn't know that Pettigrew was a Death Eater and Pettigrew betrayed the Potters and then my life became a living hell because Sirius was stupid and went after Pettigrew but Pettigrew faked his own death and escaped because he's an unregistered rat animagus." She paused to take a breath then continued. "He then went to your house where he stayed as your pet rat and now has gone back to Voldemort… I mean Betty."
"You're doing that talking to hear your own voice thing again," said Jen.
"All you have to know is Sirius is innocent and have Hermione or Ron explain it when we leave," said Charlie.
"Well. I suppose you should know that Sirius, Peter Pettigrew the jackass, Remus Lupin, and James Potter were the Marauders and made the Marauder's Map and it's because of them that Charlie and me and Bill and Fred and George are the mischief makers that we are today."
"The Marauders!" exclaimed Fred and George. Their jaws dropped.
"Is there an echo in here? Yes, the Marauders," said Cadance. "Oh and you should know that I was the one who got the Marauder's Map confiscated then left you that hint about where to find it. I couldn't give it to you directly without having to answer questions."
"Okay. We explained, now you explain. What exactly happened here?" asked Charlie.
"Don't really know," said George.
"Yeah," agreed Ginny. "Harry just fell asleep, then screamed and fell off the couch onto the floor."
"Well, we've better go inform my uncle. Nobody leave Gryffindor Tower," said Cadance. Charlie and Cadance got up and left.
Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Jen, and the Twins used the chairs and the couch to form and circle. They had to discuss important matters.
"First thing's first," said Hermione. "This Order of the Phoenix… does anyone know anything about it?"
"Only what Cadance just said," said Ron.
"Maybe we should look in the library," said Fred.
"Don't bother," said Jen. "If it's important, it'll be in the Book of Light." She held her hands out in front of her and said "Book of Light." It appeared in her hands.
"Materializing?" asked Fred. "Cadance used to do it all the time to… Did Cadance say before that Pettigrew as and rat animagus and became our pet?"
Ron nodded. "It's sad, isn't it? You think you know your own pet."
* * *
"… and then Lucius Malfoy showed up." Harry was trying to recall what had happened in his dream. Lucius Malfoy had come from a meeting with… "Snape!" exclaimed Harry. "Snape is a Death Eater!"
"I know," said Dumbledore. "He's a double agent… actually, he's a triple agent. The Dark Lord thinks he's a double agent for him. What did he say about him?"
"Only that he said that you said that you know that Order is being followed and that you think there's a spy in the Ministry. Voldemort said that you were right," said Harry.
"Is that all?" asked Dumbledore.
"He also knows about my dreams," said Harry.
Dumbledore looked at his watch. "Sirius, The Order should be here soon." Dumbledore turned to Harry. "You better get back to Gryffindor Tower."
"Sir? What's the Order?" asked Harry.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I can't tell you that." Said Dumbledore. "But Cadance never listens to me when I tell her to keep a secret." His eyes twinkled. Harry walked back to Gryffindor Tower.
* * *
About an hour later Dumbledore was standing in front of a tired-looking Order. Mr. Weasley and Bill were coming in from Egypt so they were even more tired because of the time difference. Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel were especially tired because they were old, and old people are always tired. Alastor Moody was half-asleep and muttering to himself incoherently. Mundungus Fletcher and Arabella Figg both had their heads down on the table. Snape looked ready to kill because he had been awakened at such an ungodly hour. Hagrid was in the corner nodding off. Cadance had her head on Charlie's shoulder and Charlie had his head on hers. Only Sirius, Remus, McGonagall and Dumbledore looked awake enough to be in a meeting. Dumbledore cleared his throat and everyone jumped and were awake.
"Welcome back," said Dumbledore. "I'm sorry that I had to summon you all here at such a late hour, but I assure you it is a matter of extreme importance. I'll try to keep this brief. By means that I will not elaborate on, it has come to my attention that Lord Voldemort has a spy in the Ministry."
"Who?" asked Nicholas Flamel with a yawn.
"We don't know?" said Dumbledore. "Severus?"
"Yes Headmaster?"
"Without endangering yourself, I need you to find out who it is," said Dumbledore.
"Uncle Albus. He's a spy. He's in danger every time he goes to Voldemort. No matter what he does to get the information he's going to be in danger," said Cadance.
"I meant no more danger than usual," said Dumbledore.
"I'll do what I can, Headmaster," said Snape.
"Also," said Dumbledore. "Arthur. The rest of your children know about Sirius's innocence. It's a long story."
"It's not that long. Sirius was stupid and transformed. Charlie and I had to give them the cliff notes version of Sirius's innocence. We had to tell them. We had to explain everything; Sirius, Pettigrew, the Order…"
"The Order?" asked Dumbledore. "When I said everything I didn't mean that everything."
"What!" exclaimed Cadance. "Oh well. I probably would have spilled the beans eventually."
"If I ever need a secret keeper don't let me ask you," said Arabella.
"I'll do damage control in the morning," said Cadance. "Do you want me to erase their memories or tell them to keep their mouths shut?"
"Don't erase their memories. That's mean," said Arabella.
"Mouth's shut it is," said Cadance.
"Well," said Dumbledore. "Everyone go back to bed. Our next meeting will be next week. Same day and time as usual."
Most of the Order members disapparated right from their chairs. Snape got up and walked out briskly. Arabella and Minerva walked out whispering about the events of the meeting. Hagrid strode out behind them. Dumbledore said goodnight to Charlie and Cadance, who were the only ones left in the room, and left.
Cadance yawned and put her head back on Charlie's shoulder. "Wake me up in five minutes," she said.
Two minutes went by. "Cadance?" Charlie said.
"Hmmmm?" replied Cadance sleepily.
"Did you know that we were only supposed to tell Fred, George and Ginny about Sirius and not about the Order?" asked Charlie.
"You know me too well," said Cadance.
"It's not something I'm proud of," retorted Charlie. Cadance punched him in the arm. "Ow! I take care of Dragons at work who are nicer to me!"
A/N: Okay? How'd you like it? Long enough for you. This chapter is dedicated to my sister, Lady Potter. Go read her stories. They're good. Luv ya, sis!
