Chapter Two: The Return to the Order
Six days later, Harry went down to the kitchen and saw a note in Uncle Vernon's handwriting.
Harry- Dudley is at driving lessons with your aunt and me. We will be home at 5:00 tonight. -your uncle, Vernon
Harry thought strangely for a while and remembered. Lupin was coming today. Harry hurried upstairs, packed his trunk quickly, and arrived downstairs with his trunk, and Hedwig's empty cage. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Remus Lupin entered number four together. Harry exclaimed, "Hey everybody!"
Tonks yelled, "There he is! Harry, do you want help with the trunk?"
Moody pulled out his wand and yelled, "Accio Trunk!" The trunk left Harry's side and proceeded straight to Moody's chest. Moody caught it and put it down.
Kingsley deeply said, "It's wonderful to see you Harry."
Kingsley took Harry's cage, and told Harry to take out his Firebolt. Harry took it out and Moody put the same disillusionment charm that he had used the year before.
Harry mounted his broom, and Lupin said, "Let's go," rather unenthusiastically.
Harry then remembered his dream, but he knew better than to say it in the open. Tonks placed a note on top of Uncle Vernon's and took her place in the rear. They took off immediately into the heavy clouds.
Harry felt the cool air against his face. Harry had nearly forgotten how wonderful he found flying to be. After ten minutes, Lupin had unnaturally swerved left in front of Harry. Moody, who was on Harry's right, looked at his surroundings. Kingsley noticed a broom shadow near him and yelled, "Ambush!"
Harry withdrew his wand and saw Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan Lestrange flying after Lupin. "Let's go!" he quickly yelled. "We've got to save Professor Lupin!"
"No Harry," Tonks cried, but it was too late. Harry bumped into Kingsley and flew after Lupin. Moody quickly chased after him, and Tonks and Kingsley took the rear. Rodolphus Lestrange had his wand out, while jinxing Lupin's broom. Harry's heart gave a sudden jolt as he realized that Lupin, who was rather poor, had a Comet two thirty, which was far from the best broom in the world. He yelled, "STUPEFY," and a jet of red light soared after Rabastan. Rabastan pulled up and followed Lupin from above.
Bellatrix speeded to Lupin, and grabbed his head, she yanked, and his gray hairs fell out. Lupin yelled in agony. Bellatrix laughed, and then she abruptly turned, missing Harry and encountering Moody. She took out her wand and yelled, "Crucio!" Moody dodged left and hit Bellatrix with the Leg- Locker curse. Bellatrix's broom broke and she fell down through the air. Rabastan saw this and hurtled after her, closely followed by Kingsley. Rodolphus, however, was determined to keep his concentration on Lupin.
Lupin fell and barely hung onto his broom. With his legs kicking, he couldn't draw his wand, because he had to hold on. Rodolphus realized that he was no match for Lupin and Moody. He bellowed, "Imperio" Harry heard this and swept down to help Lupin. Moody realized what was happening and tucked forward. Rodolphus thought as hard as he could, "Let go, let go, LET GO!"
Lupin let go and fell backwards, Rodolphus gave a cry of triumph, and Harry pulled his tail up and soared down after him. Rodolphus doubled back to fight off Moody. Plummeting Harry was gaining on Lupin. Lupin's broom snapped and Harry yelled, "Accio Professor Lupin!" Lupin slowed and Harry caught up to him. The bottoms of the clouds were nearing; worried about Lupin being seen, Harry swerved right next to him and shouted, "I'm right here Professor!" He pulled under him just below the clouds. Lupin's foot hit the broom with a great noise. Lupin bellowed in pain, but held onto Harry.
They flew back up into the clouds to hunt for Moody. As they went upwards they saw Rabastan Lestrange circling around Kingsley. Rabastan saw Lupin with no visible broom and let out a yell of panic. Harry grinned and drew his wand. Rabastan quickly realized that someone was there and he yelled, "Impedimenta!" Harry stopped cold, the hex missing him by a foot. Rodolphus swept from behind him as he continued to duel Mad-Eye Moody.
Bellatrix appeared soon after with a large bruise on her arm and attacked Lupin. Lupin used his wand; Harry maneuvered the broom. It seemed that Mad- Eye was losing, when luck shined on the Advance Guard.
Minerva McGonagall, Dedalus Diggle, and Elphias Doge appeared with brooms. They shot stunning spells at each Lestrange and hit Rabastan, knocking him out. McGonagall grinned as he knocked Rabastan into Diggle. Diggle grabbed him and hoisted him onto his broom. Bellatrix yelled, "Retreat," and she and her husband flew away.
Moody began to chase them when Doge wheezed, "Stop Alastor, Dumbledore prepared an urgent meeting. The rest of the guard bolted to the headquarters. Soon they landed and Moody asked Harry if he still remembered what the slip of paper said last year.
Harry answered that he did, and thought long and hard, muttering under his breath. "The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London."
The door reappeared and Harry entered Sirius's old house behind Kingsley, Doge, and Snape. He entered and Dumbledore motioned Harry to go with him to Sirius's old room. Harry followed Dumbledore, remembering when Sirius had first darted up the stairs and silenced his mother's yelps. Harry trudged up the stairs and sat down next to Dumbledore.
"How has your summer been?" asked Dumbledore as he sat down.
"OK," Harry bluntly replied. Harry remembered his rudeness to Dumbledore when he told him about the prophecy the previous year. Harry wanted to act courteous this time around.
"Harry," Dumbledore began, "On your birthday, would you like to be present at the Hearing against Lucius Malfoy, Walden MacNair, William Avery, Antonin Dolohov, and Robert Nott?"
Harry didn't know what to say. He had always thought that Dumbledore would try to shield him from anything to do with Voldemort. He realized how wonderful he would feel to see five people who tried to kill him sentenced to Azkaban. Harry slowly grinned and declared, "Absolutely!"
Dumbledore clapped, "OK, in that case you will go with me to the trial in five days. I am going to be questioning them and I have been reinstated as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot." Dumbledore frowned and continued, "We also need to discuss Sirius."
Harry's stomach gave a lurch. There it was; his mind went from feeling triumphant to feeling the guilt of letting his godfather die. No matter what he had been told in his letters, he felt that it was his own fault.
Something stirred in Harry's mind, the letters. Ron and Hermione! How could he have forgotten that he was in the house of his best friends! He got up to leave, but Dumbledore reminded him that a representative from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would be coming in three days to distribute Sirius's possessions.
Harry bluntly shrugged; he wouldn't care if he got a million galleons. He missed Sirius, and no matter what happened, his feelings would remain the same.
Dumbledore sighed and instructed Harry, "Go see your friends, they can tell you what you need to know." Harry made to leave the room when Dumbledore continued, "Oh Harry, I'm proud that you were capable of bearing the unbearable."
"One other thing Harry," Dumbledore spoke, "We knew you were in trouble because Alastor Moody asked me to put a backup guard on alert in case you didn't make it in a certain amount of time. No doubt, the Order will be questioning Rabastan Lestrange."
Harry nodded, left the room, but quickly returned. Harry gazed into Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes and asked, "Last year, you told me that somebody heard the beginning of the prophecy which Professor Trelawney recited to you. Who heard her?"
Dumbledore sighed and answered, "Karkaroff, Harry, Igor Karkaroff."
Harry ran downstairs while the order was in session. He saw Ron and Hermione looking around. Harry yelled, and they looked over. "Harry," yelled Hermione. "We missed you and were worried over the summer. Good work on your OWL's, are you proud? Did you miss Sirius? I'm sorry if you did. Were the Dursleys nicer? What about."
Ron interrupted, "One at a time, Hermione." He laughed, "Hermione really has been worried about you. You won't believe it; Malfoy's dad is on trial next week!"
"I'm going," said Harry. "Dumbledore's taking me."
Hermione beamed. Harry asked, "How are Fred and George doing now?"
"Well," Ron answered, "It was much better than Percy to say the least. They're making about four hundred galleons a week, not including rent. Of course, when school comes around it should slow down, but on Christmas, Harry, imagine that!"
Harry grinned. Last year he had felt a twinge of guilt for supplying the twins with their money to start a joke shop. Now, he felt as if he never made a better choice in his life. He asked Hermione, "Does Mrs. Weasley know that I gave them the money?"
Hermione answered, "Yes, although you'd expect her to be angry, yet she was very pleased."
Harry sighed; he was worried about Mrs. Weasley being angry at him. Only last year, had she said he was as good of a son to her. He asked Ron now, "What have you heard from Percy?"
Ron replied, "Percy was trying desperately to apologize. Fred and George were the only ones who are refusing to forgive him. Eventually Bill was talking with Dad, and Percy overheard him say that family would always come first to him. Percy went in and said something like he loves the family, but work is work, and work comes first. That was the final straw. Bill was the first to get angry. He claimed that everybody was sick of his ambition, and he could pack his bags or support the family. Dad was surprised at first but then sided with Bill. So, Percy left."
Harry twitched. He had never expected Percy to turn out to be so ruthless. He quickly changed the subject with a, "How did your OWL's go?"
Hermione expected this and said, "O Transfiguration, O Charms, O Potions, E Defense against the Dark Arts, E Herbology, A Care of Magical Creatures, E Astronomy, O History of Magic, O Arithmancy, E Ancient Runes."
"Well done Hermione, what about you Ron?" asked Harry. Harry remembered the letter from Lupin.
Ron said, "Pretty well actually, A Transfiguration, E Charms, A Potions, E Defense against the Dark Arts, E Herbology, E Care of Magical Creatures, A Astronomy, D History of Magic, and well, that's it."
Harry laughed and answered, "No it isn't Ron, what about Divination?"
Ron gulped and replied, "I just remembered, Ginny wanted to see me in the kitchen."
Harry stopped him and said, "I got a D there also, we knew we'd fail anyways."
Ron answered, "Fine, fine, fine, promise you won't laugh at me?" Harry nodded and Ron announced, "Troll."
Harry's stomach turned inside out, burning to laugh, yet he kept his promise to Ron. He tried to keep his laugh inside of his body. Ron angrily screamed, "Go on then, have a laugh, I don't care!" stomping on the ground, he turned away angrily.
Still not ready to break his promise to his best friend, Harry refused to open his mouth. Hermione asked, "Harry, are you ok?"
Harry fainted.
Bellatrix Lestrange sent a jet of red light across an action packed and dark room. The dark haired man who she missed, laughed, "Come on, you can do better than that!"
Another jet of light throttled across the room, hitting the man who was laughing. His eyes widened in shock as he sank through the veil hanging from the archway.
"SIRIUS!!!" yelled Harry as he watched his godfather die again. Harry woke up startled.
Six days later, Harry went down to the kitchen and saw a note in Uncle Vernon's handwriting.
Harry- Dudley is at driving lessons with your aunt and me. We will be home at 5:00 tonight. -your uncle, Vernon
Harry thought strangely for a while and remembered. Lupin was coming today. Harry hurried upstairs, packed his trunk quickly, and arrived downstairs with his trunk, and Hedwig's empty cage. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Remus Lupin entered number four together. Harry exclaimed, "Hey everybody!"
Tonks yelled, "There he is! Harry, do you want help with the trunk?"
Moody pulled out his wand and yelled, "Accio Trunk!" The trunk left Harry's side and proceeded straight to Moody's chest. Moody caught it and put it down.
Kingsley deeply said, "It's wonderful to see you Harry."
Kingsley took Harry's cage, and told Harry to take out his Firebolt. Harry took it out and Moody put the same disillusionment charm that he had used the year before.
Harry mounted his broom, and Lupin said, "Let's go," rather unenthusiastically.
Harry then remembered his dream, but he knew better than to say it in the open. Tonks placed a note on top of Uncle Vernon's and took her place in the rear. They took off immediately into the heavy clouds.
Harry felt the cool air against his face. Harry had nearly forgotten how wonderful he found flying to be. After ten minutes, Lupin had unnaturally swerved left in front of Harry. Moody, who was on Harry's right, looked at his surroundings. Kingsley noticed a broom shadow near him and yelled, "Ambush!"
Harry withdrew his wand and saw Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan Lestrange flying after Lupin. "Let's go!" he quickly yelled. "We've got to save Professor Lupin!"
"No Harry," Tonks cried, but it was too late. Harry bumped into Kingsley and flew after Lupin. Moody quickly chased after him, and Tonks and Kingsley took the rear. Rodolphus Lestrange had his wand out, while jinxing Lupin's broom. Harry's heart gave a sudden jolt as he realized that Lupin, who was rather poor, had a Comet two thirty, which was far from the best broom in the world. He yelled, "STUPEFY," and a jet of red light soared after Rabastan. Rabastan pulled up and followed Lupin from above.
Bellatrix speeded to Lupin, and grabbed his head, she yanked, and his gray hairs fell out. Lupin yelled in agony. Bellatrix laughed, and then she abruptly turned, missing Harry and encountering Moody. She took out her wand and yelled, "Crucio!" Moody dodged left and hit Bellatrix with the Leg- Locker curse. Bellatrix's broom broke and she fell down through the air. Rabastan saw this and hurtled after her, closely followed by Kingsley. Rodolphus, however, was determined to keep his concentration on Lupin.
Lupin fell and barely hung onto his broom. With his legs kicking, he couldn't draw his wand, because he had to hold on. Rodolphus realized that he was no match for Lupin and Moody. He bellowed, "Imperio" Harry heard this and swept down to help Lupin. Moody realized what was happening and tucked forward. Rodolphus thought as hard as he could, "Let go, let go, LET GO!"
Lupin let go and fell backwards, Rodolphus gave a cry of triumph, and Harry pulled his tail up and soared down after him. Rodolphus doubled back to fight off Moody. Plummeting Harry was gaining on Lupin. Lupin's broom snapped and Harry yelled, "Accio Professor Lupin!" Lupin slowed and Harry caught up to him. The bottoms of the clouds were nearing; worried about Lupin being seen, Harry swerved right next to him and shouted, "I'm right here Professor!" He pulled under him just below the clouds. Lupin's foot hit the broom with a great noise. Lupin bellowed in pain, but held onto Harry.
They flew back up into the clouds to hunt for Moody. As they went upwards they saw Rabastan Lestrange circling around Kingsley. Rabastan saw Lupin with no visible broom and let out a yell of panic. Harry grinned and drew his wand. Rabastan quickly realized that someone was there and he yelled, "Impedimenta!" Harry stopped cold, the hex missing him by a foot. Rodolphus swept from behind him as he continued to duel Mad-Eye Moody.
Bellatrix appeared soon after with a large bruise on her arm and attacked Lupin. Lupin used his wand; Harry maneuvered the broom. It seemed that Mad- Eye was losing, when luck shined on the Advance Guard.
Minerva McGonagall, Dedalus Diggle, and Elphias Doge appeared with brooms. They shot stunning spells at each Lestrange and hit Rabastan, knocking him out. McGonagall grinned as he knocked Rabastan into Diggle. Diggle grabbed him and hoisted him onto his broom. Bellatrix yelled, "Retreat," and she and her husband flew away.
Moody began to chase them when Doge wheezed, "Stop Alastor, Dumbledore prepared an urgent meeting. The rest of the guard bolted to the headquarters. Soon they landed and Moody asked Harry if he still remembered what the slip of paper said last year.
Harry answered that he did, and thought long and hard, muttering under his breath. "The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London."
The door reappeared and Harry entered Sirius's old house behind Kingsley, Doge, and Snape. He entered and Dumbledore motioned Harry to go with him to Sirius's old room. Harry followed Dumbledore, remembering when Sirius had first darted up the stairs and silenced his mother's yelps. Harry trudged up the stairs and sat down next to Dumbledore.
"How has your summer been?" asked Dumbledore as he sat down.
"OK," Harry bluntly replied. Harry remembered his rudeness to Dumbledore when he told him about the prophecy the previous year. Harry wanted to act courteous this time around.
"Harry," Dumbledore began, "On your birthday, would you like to be present at the Hearing against Lucius Malfoy, Walden MacNair, William Avery, Antonin Dolohov, and Robert Nott?"
Harry didn't know what to say. He had always thought that Dumbledore would try to shield him from anything to do with Voldemort. He realized how wonderful he would feel to see five people who tried to kill him sentenced to Azkaban. Harry slowly grinned and declared, "Absolutely!"
Dumbledore clapped, "OK, in that case you will go with me to the trial in five days. I am going to be questioning them and I have been reinstated as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot." Dumbledore frowned and continued, "We also need to discuss Sirius."
Harry's stomach gave a lurch. There it was; his mind went from feeling triumphant to feeling the guilt of letting his godfather die. No matter what he had been told in his letters, he felt that it was his own fault.
Something stirred in Harry's mind, the letters. Ron and Hermione! How could he have forgotten that he was in the house of his best friends! He got up to leave, but Dumbledore reminded him that a representative from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would be coming in three days to distribute Sirius's possessions.
Harry bluntly shrugged; he wouldn't care if he got a million galleons. He missed Sirius, and no matter what happened, his feelings would remain the same.
Dumbledore sighed and instructed Harry, "Go see your friends, they can tell you what you need to know." Harry made to leave the room when Dumbledore continued, "Oh Harry, I'm proud that you were capable of bearing the unbearable."
"One other thing Harry," Dumbledore spoke, "We knew you were in trouble because Alastor Moody asked me to put a backup guard on alert in case you didn't make it in a certain amount of time. No doubt, the Order will be questioning Rabastan Lestrange."
Harry nodded, left the room, but quickly returned. Harry gazed into Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes and asked, "Last year, you told me that somebody heard the beginning of the prophecy which Professor Trelawney recited to you. Who heard her?"
Dumbledore sighed and answered, "Karkaroff, Harry, Igor Karkaroff."
Harry ran downstairs while the order was in session. He saw Ron and Hermione looking around. Harry yelled, and they looked over. "Harry," yelled Hermione. "We missed you and were worried over the summer. Good work on your OWL's, are you proud? Did you miss Sirius? I'm sorry if you did. Were the Dursleys nicer? What about."
Ron interrupted, "One at a time, Hermione." He laughed, "Hermione really has been worried about you. You won't believe it; Malfoy's dad is on trial next week!"
"I'm going," said Harry. "Dumbledore's taking me."
Hermione beamed. Harry asked, "How are Fred and George doing now?"
"Well," Ron answered, "It was much better than Percy to say the least. They're making about four hundred galleons a week, not including rent. Of course, when school comes around it should slow down, but on Christmas, Harry, imagine that!"
Harry grinned. Last year he had felt a twinge of guilt for supplying the twins with their money to start a joke shop. Now, he felt as if he never made a better choice in his life. He asked Hermione, "Does Mrs. Weasley know that I gave them the money?"
Hermione answered, "Yes, although you'd expect her to be angry, yet she was very pleased."
Harry sighed; he was worried about Mrs. Weasley being angry at him. Only last year, had she said he was as good of a son to her. He asked Ron now, "What have you heard from Percy?"
Ron replied, "Percy was trying desperately to apologize. Fred and George were the only ones who are refusing to forgive him. Eventually Bill was talking with Dad, and Percy overheard him say that family would always come first to him. Percy went in and said something like he loves the family, but work is work, and work comes first. That was the final straw. Bill was the first to get angry. He claimed that everybody was sick of his ambition, and he could pack his bags or support the family. Dad was surprised at first but then sided with Bill. So, Percy left."
Harry twitched. He had never expected Percy to turn out to be so ruthless. He quickly changed the subject with a, "How did your OWL's go?"
Hermione expected this and said, "O Transfiguration, O Charms, O Potions, E Defense against the Dark Arts, E Herbology, A Care of Magical Creatures, E Astronomy, O History of Magic, O Arithmancy, E Ancient Runes."
"Well done Hermione, what about you Ron?" asked Harry. Harry remembered the letter from Lupin.
Ron said, "Pretty well actually, A Transfiguration, E Charms, A Potions, E Defense against the Dark Arts, E Herbology, E Care of Magical Creatures, A Astronomy, D History of Magic, and well, that's it."
Harry laughed and answered, "No it isn't Ron, what about Divination?"
Ron gulped and replied, "I just remembered, Ginny wanted to see me in the kitchen."
Harry stopped him and said, "I got a D there also, we knew we'd fail anyways."
Ron answered, "Fine, fine, fine, promise you won't laugh at me?" Harry nodded and Ron announced, "Troll."
Harry's stomach turned inside out, burning to laugh, yet he kept his promise to Ron. He tried to keep his laugh inside of his body. Ron angrily screamed, "Go on then, have a laugh, I don't care!" stomping on the ground, he turned away angrily.
Still not ready to break his promise to his best friend, Harry refused to open his mouth. Hermione asked, "Harry, are you ok?"
Harry fainted.
Bellatrix Lestrange sent a jet of red light across an action packed and dark room. The dark haired man who she missed, laughed, "Come on, you can do better than that!"
Another jet of light throttled across the room, hitting the man who was laughing. His eyes widened in shock as he sank through the veil hanging from the archway.
"SIRIUS!!!" yelled Harry as he watched his godfather die again. Harry woke up startled.
