Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Snape was not the only one who watched Harry and Hermione slip out the previous evening.
Draco Malfoy yawned and pushed his food around his plate. He was slightly nervous. He had a meeting just beyond the dark forest directly after breakfast. Thinking about it now, he wished he had not got involved.
'Who cares about that stupid mudblood anyway?' he thought to himself. But he knew only to well how important she was. Not only had she gotten his father into a great deal of trouble but she had actually returned to Hogwarts and it had forced Draco to finally slip into his responsibilities. Ever since he had been born, his father had told him one day he would become a death eater, a servant of Voldemort. Draco had a mean streak but certainly did not want to follow Voldemort. His father had brain washed him for so many years. It was true he had no love for mudblood's but there were other Wizard's who also believed that mudblood's should not be allowed to attend Hogwarts. They were not followers of Voldemort but staunch believers in pure blood wizardry.
Draco got up from his seat and looked towards the Gryffindor table before leaving. It did not go unnoticed by Harry Potter though. He quickly excused himself, leaving Hermione and Ron staring after him confused. Harry did not follow Malfoy immediately but raced to his dorm for his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. Now as he jogged past Hagrid's hut he wondered if he should really being doing this. The thought vanished as quickly as it had come, when he approached the spot where Malfoy stood looking miserable and frightened. Moments later a werewolf strolled into the clearing and Harry had to put his had over his mouth to prevent himself from making any noise. In the werewolf's mouth was a brown paper bag and its sinister yellow eyes darted around, finally settling on Malfoy.
"Um, nice to see youuu againnn-" stuttered Malfoy.
"Cut the pleasantries boy," the creature snarled as it spat the bag at Malfoy's feet.
"Yesss, they are back," he replied still shaking. The werewolf nodded but looked around uneasily.
"Are you sure we alone?" it asked. Harry realized it could smell him and slowly started to retreat.
Malfoy nodded. The creature said no more and left. Malfoy picked up the package and raced back towards the school. Once Harry left the forest, he took off his cloak with a sigh.
'So it is Malfoy, but what is in that paper bag?' he wondered to himself.
"Harry, whatcha doing down 'ere?" resonated Hagrid. He was just leaving his hut to go teach the fourth years care of magical creatures when he caught sight of Harry.
"Um, nothing Hagrid, I was just taking a walk," lied Harry. He looked at his feet not wanting to make eye contact.
"Well, I bet you're classes will be 'bout starting," Hagrid replied thinking nothing of it.
Harry nodded and told Hagrid he would see him later. He had to go and tell Ron and Hermione what he had just seen.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Werewolf?" Ron repeated nervously. Harry nodded and looked at Hermione. She had paled slightly.
"I wonder was in that brown bag?" she asked inquisitively. Moment's later Professor McGonagall strode into the classroom.
"Please note from this moment I will be in charge, Professor Dumbledore must not be disturbed under any circumstances," she told the class, looking at Harry closely. She then turned and started to write on the chalkboard. Harry looked at Hermione confused.
"What's Dumbledore doing?" he whispered. Hermione shrugged trying to catch up on all the work she had been missing.
"Maybe he is working on something?" Ron suggested later. But Harry had different ideas. At dinner that evening, Dumbledore was noticeably absent and Malfoy was looking too cheery considering his in counter that morning. Harry and Hermione decided to go see him against McGonagall's instructions. They found the Professor in his night robes, looking rather ill but sitting at his desk writing a letter.
"Professor Dumbledore, what's wrong?" Harry asked concerned. The Headmaster put his quill down and reached for a sweet out his pocket.
"I'm not feeling too well afraid," he responded popping the red sweet into his mouth. He offered Hermione and Harry one, but they both refused.
"Can't Madame Promfery give you anything for that?" asked Hermione sounding her usual self.
"There is no cure for old age, Hermione," he said with a crooked smile. Harry shook his head.
"It's starting isn't it, it's almost time?" Harry blurted out. "You're dying and that means the war is coming?"
Hermione looked shaken. Snape hadn't told her this and hearing it now made her even more afraid of what was to come.
Dumbledore eased out of his chair and went over to one of his cabinets. Inside on the top shelf lay a rather large green book by itself. He took it out, blew off what look like golden dust. Albus Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mysteriously as he laid the book on the table in front of them.
"Order of the Phoenix," Harry read aloud. He and Hermione looked at each rather intrigued. The Professor then opened the book and they were unexpectedly transported out of Dumbledore's office into the clouds and beyond. Hermione felt like she was on a roller coaster whilst Harry who had never been on one, felt it was like when he used floo powder. When Harry and Hermione finally opened their eyes they were in a circular glass room, and they were able to see what was below them or them. Hermione gasped in surprise but Dumbledore looked quite at ease. One by one, the room started to fill with people in multicoloured robes, each taking a seat on benches against the wall. Harry was about to ask who they were but Dumbledore put his finger to his lips. Harry and Hermione's faces were filled with amazement and awe. Finally the last person arrived who sat on the throne, which had suddenly appeared.
"Welcome Dumbledore, Harry and Hermione," he said his voice that of a violin, smooth and harmonious.
"Merlin," Dumbledore greeted him with a smile. Hermione struggle to catch her breath and Harry looked dumbfounded
"Merlin, Merlin the greatest wizard of all time?" she managed squeeze out.
He smiled and nodded at her.
"Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Harry Potter everyone," the room filled with applause.
"Um, excuse me Merlin, but um what is going on?" Harry asked politely as he glanced around the room.
"This is the Order of the Phoenix Harry, everyone who has every belonged in the higher circle is present in this room including yourselves, that is once I have sworn you in," he replied. As though on cue a woman appeared with two rings not unlike the one Dumbledore was now wearing. She was extraordinarily beautiful and everyone seemed enchanted with her. The rings she held in the open palms of her hand were gold with blue oval stones set in the middle.
Merlin waited a few moments before speaking, for people to pull their gaze away from the woman, who stood unperturbed by the attention.
"This is the Ring of Life, which you must wear at all times; it is invisible to those are not part of the order. When desired it can bring you here to safety or be used to call upon your powers. It will give you stamina and hope but mostly wisdom to make the right choices. It can never be taken off unless I take it off and it will bind you to us for eternity," elucidated Merlin, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he spoke.
"Um are there others on um earth who have these?" asked Hermione. Merlin nodded.
"Not quite the same as yours. You see there are different levels, different colour rings for each rank. However you can call them to you when you are in need," Merlin shifted in his seat impatiently.
"Can we begin?" he asked them both. "Once we have finished, your training will intensify; it will not be easy, you might even find yourself wanting to quit but it will uplift you when needed," he finished looking closely at Hermione. He indicated for her to be brought forward. The angel, who was now smiling, led her to Merlin. He took the ring and slipped it onto Hermione's index finger on her right hand.
"Repeat after me, I hereby swear all allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix. I will honour the rules and protect all fellow members until death if need be."
Hermione repeated it, her voice filling the room. She felt as though something had been released from her heart, the emptiness had dissolved. Harry followed and repeated the vow. Then there was a great celebration that lasted way into the night as Harry and Hermione were introduced to some of the most memorable wizards that ever existed. They tried to enjoy themselves, however the one thing that kept them from this was Dumbledore who sat quietly in the corner, looking frail and helpless.
* * * * * * * * *
"Nooooooo!" roared the dark figure with flaming red eyes. Somewhere, not far from the very walls of Hogwart's, Voldemort realized that he had lost his hold over Hermione Granger forever.