A/N: I would like to apologise to anybody who tried to leave a review and was unable to do so because of the anonymous review ban. I would like to thank Behold the Void and Dark Child Productions for pointing out that I had the ban enabled. I would also like to thank everybody that has reviewed so far. One thing I would like to say is that I have no idea with Latin and so the English name of the spell may not have been translated properly. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Everything in this is owned by its respective owner
Chapter 3: An Offer and a Suprise
Speeding through the tunnel Harry felt a hand knock against his foot causing him to go into a terrifying spin. Still flying down the tunnel of light a hand suddenly latched onto Harry's head and stopped his spinning. Trying to gain a better grip on Harry the hand's thumb moved across Harry's check bone and finally settled in Harry's eye socket. Harry screamed as the thumb pressed into his eyeball. Somehow Harry realised he was being pulled towards the side of the tunnel and tried to struggle against the hand but to no avail.
Continuing to be pulled by the unknown hand Harry's head passed through the side of the tunnel and he was instantly overwhelmed by the loud wailing and moaning coming from the sea of grey body parts floating past as though they formed some sort of river.
Just before Harry's shoulders began passing through to join his head, two pairs of strong hands grasped each of Harry's feet and started pulling him in the opposite direction. Gradually the hand holding Harry's head started to lose its grip and all of a sudden lost its grip entirely. Without a force in the opposite direction Harry was quickly propelled in the direction of the hands that still pulled him. First Harry's legs disappeared, then his arms and torso, finally Harry's head followed the rest of his body passed through the opposite side of the tunnel.
Jumping up and spinning around quickly a broad smile arranged itself on Harry's face as he realised where he was and who was there. "Good to see you again Harry. As you can hear we've got rid of a particular portrait" said Dumbledore.
"How was the trip, Harry?" asked Remus.
"Well, I know what a tug of war rope feels like now" replied Harry with a laugh while rubbing his eye.
"I assume you can remember where your room is?" questioned Dumbledore.
"Naturally" answered Harry.
"Of you go then, we'll talk in the morning."
Walking off up the stairs Harry quickly found his room and entered. Looking at the base of his bed Harry found his things had already been placed there along with Hedwig in her cage. A loud snore drew Harry's attention to the other bed in the room. The smile that still hadn't left Harry's face grew larger as he observed Ron sleeping peacefully. Taking his boxers out of his trunk Harry hurriedly got changed and clambered into bed.
The next morning Harry awoke just as the door to the bedroom closed. Looking across to Ron's bed Harry noticed it was already empty. Taking a glance at the clock on the wall Harry saw that it was only 8:30 and was about to lay back down when a grumble from his stomach changed his mind. Climbing out of bed Harry chucked on the first clothes he could find, left the room and traipsed down the stairs.
As Harry approached the doorway to the kitchen he stopped at the sound of Ron's distinctive voice floating out. He heard Ron asking, "Why is somebody sleeping in Harry's bed?"
"Because I needed somewhere to sleep" uttered Harry as he walked into the room. At hearing Harry speak all conversations stop as all but Remus and Snape turned their heads towards Harry with looks of shock on their faces. Before anybody could even speak Hermione had jumped out of her chair and launched herself at Harry enveloping him in an enormous hug. Stumbling back out of shock Harry soon regained his balance and appreciatively returned the hug.
"Let the poor boy breath, Hermione" quipped Ron.
"I missed you Harry" whispered Hermione as she reluctantly released her hold on Harry.
"I missed you too" whispered Harry in return as a deep red blush rose up his checks, which didn't go unnoticed by anyone except Hermione.
"Welcome back Harry, take a seat dear" crowed Mrs Weasley as she busied herself cooking up more breakfast. Harry took a seat at the table and in an instant Hermione was sitting next to him and pulling her plate across from where she was previously sitting. "Welcome back Harry" called Ginny as she placed her dish in the sink and left the room.
"How you doing mate?" asked Ron "I didn't recognise you this morning."
"Alright I guess" replied Harry.
"Here you are" said Mrs Weasley as she placed Harry's breakfast infront of him on the table.
"Thanks Mrs Weasley. How are you Hermione? Ron?" uttered Harry.
" I'm fine" muttered Ron.
"Really good now" squealed Hermione as she quickly hid her face in her hands as her checks turned rosy red.
Rising from the table Remus patted Harry on the shoulder as he left the room with Snape and Mrs Weasley trailing behind. As Harry began to rise from the table a deep voice boomed out "Please stay in your seat Harry, I would like the chance to talk with you." Turning his head Harry saw whom had spoken and quietly sat back down. Seeing whom the speaker was Hermione and Ron stood to leave the room, but Dumbledore spoke again saying "Ron, Hermione, please sit, I would like both of you to be here for this aswell as it also concerns the both of you."
"First I assume you wish to know what it was that brought you here?" Harry nodded as Dumbledore continued speaking "The spell was letum via."
"Professor, doesn't that mean death passage?" inquired Hermione.
"Yes it does, the spell creates a passage in a straight line from a point, in this case from your cupboard, Harry, through the entrance hall here."
"So that was why Remus and Snape had to pull me out, if they hadn't I would have just kept going" questioned Harry, receiving a nod from Dumbledore.
"Besides the requirement of people having to pull the traveller out there is however, a second problem with this particular spell" stated Dumbledore, clasping his hands together and placing them on the table. "The passage created exists in both our world and the world of the dead" continued Dumbledore.
"So the hands trying to grab me were those of the dead?" questioned Harry with a slight quiver in his voice.
"Yes. Now onto what I wanted to speak to you three about" said Dumbledore looking from face to face.
"Now I know last year you were told that the Order was only for those that had finished Hogwarts, however, after the events of last year it has been decided that the three of you are quite capable of handling yourselves and as such I would like to extended an offer to the three of you to join the order" at this Harry, Hermione and Ron exchanged excited looks. After allowing this to sink in Dumbledore continued "Would you three like to join the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes" the trio chorused in unison.
"Good, you will be sworn in at a later date, but now I believe somebody is turning sixteen today" replied Dumbledore as he left the room with a trademark twinkle in his eye.
The trio left the kitchen with huge smiles on their faces. Reaching the entrance hall Harry stopped dead as everybody except Ginny, who wasn't present, yelled out "Happy Birthday Harry." Taking a look around the room Harry gapped at all the decorations that had been strung up in a short amount of time. "Ron and I will be back in a minute" declared Hermione before racing off up the stairs with Ron trailing behind.
Mrs Weasley came over to Harry first and gave her all but adopted son a warm hug and presented him with his present. Taking off the wrapping Harry discovered a framed picture of the Order of the Phoenix including Ron, Hermione and himself. Next Remus Lupin stepped up to Harry and presented him with a gift that appeared to be a book. Opening the gift Harry found it was indeed a book that was entitled 'How to Care for House Elves'.
"Look inside the front cover" suggested Remus. Doing as suggested Harry opened up the cover and was lost for words at what he saw. Pulling out a single piece of official looking piece of parchment Harry read it and looked up dumbfounded after realising it was the deed to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place with his name as the owner. "Of course it can't be official until Voldemort is dealt with" mentioned Remus. Harry still not knowing what to say just gave Remus a quick hug.
By this time Ron, Hermione and Ginny had all returned to the entrance hall. "Happy Birthday" said Ginny handing him a carefully wrapped present. Removing the wrapping Harry opened the box within and found an assortment of wizard sweets.
"Thanks Gin" said Harry gratefully. Ron then gave Harry his present, which turned out to be a range of Quidditch posters mostly of the Chudley Cannons. "Thanks mate" said Harry.
Handing Harry her present Hermione also give him a kiss on the check causing Harry to blush for the second time that day and yet again the only person who didn't see it was Hermione. Carefully opening the present he most wanted to receive Harry discovered a red orb about the size of a melon. "To use it all you do is think of a person and touch the orb, the orb will then show them and tell you where they are and what condition they are in" stated Hermione gleefully.
"Now, Harry, it is time for the surprise I mentioned in my letter" said Dumbledore "Ginny, if you would please."
Ginny moved back up to the top of the stairs and disappeared around the corner. A minute later Ginny came back around the corner and what Harry saw made his jaw drop instantly to the floor.