"Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak to both of you," she announced.
As they followed Minerva down the corridor, Oliver gave Adrianna a curious glance as if to say, "Do you know what this is about?" She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a look that seemed to say, "Not a clue." Soon enough they had reached Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Please sit down," said Dumbledore as Professor McGonagall left, closing the door behind her. Oliver and Adrianna sat in comfortable chintz armchairs across the desk from Dumbledore.
"What I am about to tell you involves a certain amount of secrecy and danger. I feel that after what the two of you have been through, you would be of great service... but I am getting ahead of myself. Allow me to start from the beginning. Many years ago, when Lord Voldemort first came to power, I founded a secret society called the Order of the Phoenix. Our purpose was to track known Death Eaters and do everything in our power to stop Voldemort. Now that Voldemort is gone, we keep tabs on the Death Eaters and do what we can to make sure that they don't find a new leader who is just as power-hungry, or perhaps more so, than Voldemort. The members of the Order are from all walks of life, and each member contributes whatever they can. After seeing the way you two along with Harry Potter dealt with Voldemort and the Death Eaters that day in the woods, I have no doubt in my mind that both of you would make invaluable contributions to the Order. You are both very skilled and very courageous. I want to extend you both an invitation to join the Order of the Phoenix."
Oliver was unable to hide the surprise he felt, but when he looked at Adrianna he realized that she didn't look half as surprised as he did.
"Of course, I figured there was some sort of society like this. How else would you know everything that you do? Like when you warned us that there would be some sort of attack on the school..." Adrianna thought aloud.
"Do the people in the Order actually catch Death Eaters?" asked Oliver, a little unsure of what would be expected of him if he decided to join.
"No, we leave that to the aurors," Dumbledore replied. "We simply want to know what is going on so that when the time comes for action, we will be prepared."
Adrianna seemed to be deep in thought for a few minutes before seeming to come to a realization. "Snape and Hagrid were in the Order, weren't they?" she asked, looking straight at Dumbledore.
"Yes. They both did immeasurable amounts of work for the Order, but unfortunately they were discovered by Voldemort and paid dearly."
"So when you say it's dangerous, you mean we could die?" pressed Adrianna.
"Yes, you could die. Or worse."
"What's worse than dying!?" exclaimed Oliver.
"There are many things worse than death, but I can assure you that none of them are probable. Death Eaters are rather fond of the killing curse," Dumbledore replied, smiling sadly. "I understand that this is a very big decision, and if you choose not to join I understand. But I must impress upon you the seriousness of keeping the Order a secret. We are very selective in who we tell," Dumbledore explained.
"Yes, we understand," Adrianna replied.
"We'll think about it," added Oliver.
Over the next few days, Oliver and Adrianna discussed whether or not to join the Order of the Phoenix.
"I think that we ought to do it," Oliver said. "Anything that we can do to stop the Death Eaters is worth whatever sacrifice we have to make."
"But we can't just think of ourselves. What if, somewhere down the line, we have kids? Will they be in danger just because we're members of the Order? Will they have to grow up orphans because we're killed in a duel?"
I'm sure loads of people in the Order have kids, and they're just fine. And if we are killed, we have relatives that I'm sure would raise any children we might have."
"What about if one of us died and the other didn't?"
Oliver thought for a moment before answering. "That would be the most difficult thing I'd ever have to go through. But I'd still be willing to do what's necessary."
In the end, both of them agreed to join the Order of the Phoenix. Professor Dumbledore was delighted. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed when they gave him their decision. "Now, I am going to give you a bit of very secret information, and it must stay a secret no matter the cost. Are you ready?"
Oliver and Adrianna nodded.
"The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number 24, Godric's Hollow."
They both repeated the sentence back to Dumbledore. "Yes, now it's very important that you memorize that bit of information, for without it you will not be able to find headquarters no matter how hard you try."
Something about that address seemed very familiar to Oliver. Suddenly, it clicked. "That's where Lee Jordan lives!" he exclaimed. "Lee's a member of the Order too!"
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, young Mr. Jordan is a member, and has graciously allowed us to use his home as headquarters. You will meet the other members of the Order soon enough. We have a meeting at 9:00 on Friday night, at headquarters of course."
Oliver walked into his first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix not quite knowing what to expect. He and Adrianna were greeted warmly as they walked into the finished basement of Lee's house. Oliver was surprised at how many people he knew. All of the Weasleys except for Percy, Ginny and Fred were there. Ginny was too young to be in the Order, and Oliver knew that Fred was still on his honeymoon with Angelina, but he had no idea why Percy wasn't there. There was Remus Lupin, who had been his Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher when he was a seventh year, and Alastor "Mad-eye" Moody. Oliver had seen pictures of Moody before but had never actually met him. Moody had been a famous auror in his younger days. Then of course there was Harry Potter, and standing near him was a bushy-haired girl that Oliver recognized as Hermione Granger. Minerva McGonagall was talking seriously with a witch that Oliver didn't know. There were some other people that Oliver didn't know, but he didn't get a chance to meet any of them right away because Dumbledore asked everyone to find a seat and called the meeting to order.
"Will the Scribe please review the minutes from last meeting?" he asked.
Hermione Granger cleared her throat softly. "The meeting was called to order, the minutes were reviewed, and roll was called. Arthur Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks gave reports on the status of their assignments. A memorial was held for Severus Snape and Rubeus Hagrid. Members of the Order voted to extend an invitation for membership to Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton. New assignments were issued to Bill Weasley and Angelina Johnson, and the meeting was adjourned.
Dumbledore proceeded to take roll, making a note on a piece of parchment if someone was absent without an excuse. When he reached the end of the list, he addressed the entire group. "Members of the Order of the Phoenix, Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton wish to gain entry into the Order. Since they already know all about us, it would be rather foolish to deny them membership. Does anyone motion for them to become new members?"
"I motion," said Charlie Weasley.
"Does anyone second the motion?"
"I second," replied Minerva McGonagall.
"Motion passed. Members of the Order, I present new members Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton."
The room was filled with applause. When it died down, Mad-eye Moody spoke.
"Why did you select them, Dumbledore? They both used to be high-profile quidditch players, which will make them easily recognizable. They're both Hogwarts teachers, which will make them still more recognizable. There's no chance of them going undercover to gather information."
Dumbledore smiled. "Relax Alastor. Perhaps you have so soon forgotten, but they both helped to defeat Lord Voldemort as well. That takes a considerable amount of talent, if you ask me. Now, you may know that Adrianna is a teacher, but what you did not know is that she is a pupil as well. She is taking advantage of the fact that she is at my school to take private lessons with me once a week in very advanced subjects..."
"So that's why she's been spending so much time in Dumbledore's office," Oliver thought to himself.
"...Her ability to speak both Mermish and Gobbledygook is increasing rapidly, and I believe that even you, dear Moody, would be impressed with how accomplished she has become in occlumency."
"What about the boy?" inquired a witch that Oliver didn't know. "His last name is Wood; that family has been full of elitists for generations. What makes you so sure that he can be trusted?"
"Well, he's dating a muggle born witch. I don't think he would be doing that if he were an elitist," Dumbledore responded.
"Do you have assignments for them yet?" asked a young witch with bubblegum pink hair.
"Right now I just want them to keep serving the school as they have been since the beginning of the year. Perhaps when school lets out for the summer I will give them something a bit more demanding. That was an excellent question by the way, Tonks."
After a few more questions had been answered, a couple of Order members gave reports on the status of their assignments and then the meeting was adjourned.
As they followed Minerva down the corridor, Oliver gave Adrianna a curious glance as if to say, "Do you know what this is about?" She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a look that seemed to say, "Not a clue." Soon enough they had reached Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Please sit down," said Dumbledore as Professor McGonagall left, closing the door behind her. Oliver and Adrianna sat in comfortable chintz armchairs across the desk from Dumbledore.
"What I am about to tell you involves a certain amount of secrecy and danger. I feel that after what the two of you have been through, you would be of great service... but I am getting ahead of myself. Allow me to start from the beginning. Many years ago, when Lord Voldemort first came to power, I founded a secret society called the Order of the Phoenix. Our purpose was to track known Death Eaters and do everything in our power to stop Voldemort. Now that Voldemort is gone, we keep tabs on the Death Eaters and do what we can to make sure that they don't find a new leader who is just as power-hungry, or perhaps more so, than Voldemort. The members of the Order are from all walks of life, and each member contributes whatever they can. After seeing the way you two along with Harry Potter dealt with Voldemort and the Death Eaters that day in the woods, I have no doubt in my mind that both of you would make invaluable contributions to the Order. You are both very skilled and very courageous. I want to extend you both an invitation to join the Order of the Phoenix."
Oliver was unable to hide the surprise he felt, but when he looked at Adrianna he realized that she didn't look half as surprised as he did.
"Of course, I figured there was some sort of society like this. How else would you know everything that you do? Like when you warned us that there would be some sort of attack on the school..." Adrianna thought aloud.
"Do the people in the Order actually catch Death Eaters?" asked Oliver, a little unsure of what would be expected of him if he decided to join.
"No, we leave that to the aurors," Dumbledore replied. "We simply want to know what is going on so that when the time comes for action, we will be prepared."
Adrianna seemed to be deep in thought for a few minutes before seeming to come to a realization. "Snape and Hagrid were in the Order, weren't they?" she asked, looking straight at Dumbledore.
"Yes. They both did immeasurable amounts of work for the Order, but unfortunately they were discovered by Voldemort and paid dearly."
"So when you say it's dangerous, you mean we could die?" pressed Adrianna.
"Yes, you could die. Or worse."
"What's worse than dying!?" exclaimed Oliver.
"There are many things worse than death, but I can assure you that none of them are probable. Death Eaters are rather fond of the killing curse," Dumbledore replied, smiling sadly. "I understand that this is a very big decision, and if you choose not to join I understand. But I must impress upon you the seriousness of keeping the Order a secret. We are very selective in who we tell," Dumbledore explained.
"Yes, we understand," Adrianna replied.
"We'll think about it," added Oliver.
Over the next few days, Oliver and Adrianna discussed whether or not to join the Order of the Phoenix.
"I think that we ought to do it," Oliver said. "Anything that we can do to stop the Death Eaters is worth whatever sacrifice we have to make."
"But we can't just think of ourselves. What if, somewhere down the line, we have kids? Will they be in danger just because we're members of the Order? Will they have to grow up orphans because we're killed in a duel?"
I'm sure loads of people in the Order have kids, and they're just fine. And if we are killed, we have relatives that I'm sure would raise any children we might have."
"What about if one of us died and the other didn't?"
Oliver thought for a moment before answering. "That would be the most difficult thing I'd ever have to go through. But I'd still be willing to do what's necessary."
In the end, both of them agreed to join the Order of the Phoenix. Professor Dumbledore was delighted. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed when they gave him their decision. "Now, I am going to give you a bit of very secret information, and it must stay a secret no matter the cost. Are you ready?"
Oliver and Adrianna nodded.
"The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number 24, Godric's Hollow."
They both repeated the sentence back to Dumbledore. "Yes, now it's very important that you memorize that bit of information, for without it you will not be able to find headquarters no matter how hard you try."
Something about that address seemed very familiar to Oliver. Suddenly, it clicked. "That's where Lee Jordan lives!" he exclaimed. "Lee's a member of the Order too!"
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, young Mr. Jordan is a member, and has graciously allowed us to use his home as headquarters. You will meet the other members of the Order soon enough. We have a meeting at 9:00 on Friday night, at headquarters of course."
Oliver walked into his first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix not quite knowing what to expect. He and Adrianna were greeted warmly as they walked into the finished basement of Lee's house. Oliver was surprised at how many people he knew. All of the Weasleys except for Percy, Ginny and Fred were there. Ginny was too young to be in the Order, and Oliver knew that Fred was still on his honeymoon with Angelina, but he had no idea why Percy wasn't there. There was Remus Lupin, who had been his Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher when he was a seventh year, and Alastor "Mad-eye" Moody. Oliver had seen pictures of Moody before but had never actually met him. Moody had been a famous auror in his younger days. Then of course there was Harry Potter, and standing near him was a bushy-haired girl that Oliver recognized as Hermione Granger. Minerva McGonagall was talking seriously with a witch that Oliver didn't know. There were some other people that Oliver didn't know, but he didn't get a chance to meet any of them right away because Dumbledore asked everyone to find a seat and called the meeting to order.
"Will the Scribe please review the minutes from last meeting?" he asked.
Hermione Granger cleared her throat softly. "The meeting was called to order, the minutes were reviewed, and roll was called. Arthur Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks gave reports on the status of their assignments. A memorial was held for Severus Snape and Rubeus Hagrid. Members of the Order voted to extend an invitation for membership to Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton. New assignments were issued to Bill Weasley and Angelina Johnson, and the meeting was adjourned.
Dumbledore proceeded to take roll, making a note on a piece of parchment if someone was absent without an excuse. When he reached the end of the list, he addressed the entire group. "Members of the Order of the Phoenix, Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton wish to gain entry into the Order. Since they already know all about us, it would be rather foolish to deny them membership. Does anyone motion for them to become new members?"
"I motion," said Charlie Weasley.
"Does anyone second the motion?"
"I second," replied Minerva McGonagall.
"Motion passed. Members of the Order, I present new members Oliver Wood and Adrianna Brighton."
The room was filled with applause. When it died down, Mad-eye Moody spoke.
"Why did you select them, Dumbledore? They both used to be high-profile quidditch players, which will make them easily recognizable. They're both Hogwarts teachers, which will make them still more recognizable. There's no chance of them going undercover to gather information."
Dumbledore smiled. "Relax Alastor. Perhaps you have so soon forgotten, but they both helped to defeat Lord Voldemort as well. That takes a considerable amount of talent, if you ask me. Now, you may know that Adrianna is a teacher, but what you did not know is that she is a pupil as well. She is taking advantage of the fact that she is at my school to take private lessons with me once a week in very advanced subjects..."
"So that's why she's been spending so much time in Dumbledore's office," Oliver thought to himself.
"...Her ability to speak both Mermish and Gobbledygook is increasing rapidly, and I believe that even you, dear Moody, would be impressed with how accomplished she has become in occlumency."
"What about the boy?" inquired a witch that Oliver didn't know. "His last name is Wood; that family has been full of elitists for generations. What makes you so sure that he can be trusted?"
"Well, he's dating a muggle born witch. I don't think he would be doing that if he were an elitist," Dumbledore responded.
"Do you have assignments for them yet?" asked a young witch with bubblegum pink hair.
"Right now I just want them to keep serving the school as they have been since the beginning of the year. Perhaps when school lets out for the summer I will give them something a bit more demanding. That was an excellent question by the way, Tonks."
After a few more questions had been answered, a couple of Order members gave reports on the status of their assignments and then the meeting was adjourned.