Disclaimer: I know it's a bit late in the day, but before I forget completely-I do not own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter type stuff! Nothing is mine- I am just a poor child!

Chapter 3: The Baptism of the Phoenix – Alice, Frank and the Old Crowd

Sirius awoke with a start. His bedclothes clung to his hot, sticky skin and his head pounded painfully.

What was going on?

Glancing out of the window he realised that it was mid-day; the weak autumn sun had fully risen in the sky.

Surely he hadn't been asleep?

He couldn't remember going to bed. The last thing he could recall was talking to Dumbledore. They were discussing the Order of the Phoenix in Aberforth's house.

Aberforth?

It must have been a dream.

It had seemed so real. Dumbledore's voice, Aberforth's house-everything had been so lifelike.

Just as he remembered it.

But Sirius couldn't have seen Dumbledore last night, the Headmaster was busy at Hogwarts, and Aberforth, well, he hadn't spoken to a soul for longer than Sirius cared to remember.

Pulling himself out of bed, Sirius wondered whether Remus was still in the house. There certainly wasn't any sound coming from downstairs, perhaps he had gone to do 'Order things'.

Sirius screwed up his face.

'Order things.'

Everybody was busy with the Order these days, too busy to spare a second thought for him. Slumping back down upon his bed, Sirius pulled the covers up around his head, reminding himself that there was no real reason for him to get up, it wasn't as if there was anything for him to do downstairs.

He lay there for several minutes, uncomfortably hot, and then decided he had better rouse himself, if only to prevent himself from drifting back into that terrible dream. He dragged himself down to the kitchen to find that Remus had left him a note.

~Gone to Hogwarts, Order business with Snape. Should be back in time for lunch

Moony~

Lunch?

Sirius barely had a second to make sense of the note. He had just finished reading it when Remus entered the kitchen, his arms full of groceries.

'Thought I'd get some supplies on my way back' Remus chirped distractedly as he began to unpack his shopping. 'That meeting with Snape was awful, he certainly doesn't believe in letting sleeping dogs lie.'

Sirius became uncomfortably aware that he was still in his nightclothes, although Remus seemed not to have noticed as he busied himself around the kitchen.

'No, I suppose,' Sirius mumbled as he carefully made his way toward the kitchen door. 'I've just got to go upstairs for, erm, something.'

After last night's display he wasn't keen to let Remus know that he had spent half of the day lying in bed. His old friend had a tendency to worry unnecessarily.

'Ok,' Remus chattered as he sorted through the various half-eaten left-overs and mouldy vegetables that had taken up permanent residence in Sirius' pantry.

'Have you eaten?' Remus asked, turning to face his friend for the first time since he had entered the room. An immediate expression of displeasure appeared upon his tired face.

'Oh, Padfoot! You haven't just woken up have you?'

'There's no need to make a fuss!' Sirius snapped 'I had a lot to drink last night; I needed a lie in to recover.'

Remus frowned, 'Well don't make a habit of it; it's not good for you.'

Sirius stomped huffily up to his bedroom to change.

He couldn't help but feel slightly resentful of Remus's presence. He really didn't feel up to having company today. The strange dream still weighed heavily on his mind, like a relentless spirit floating through his veins. He could still hear Aberforth Dumbledore twittering away in the back of his mind. He could remember every word of their bizarre conversation.

Once, long ago, such memories had made him smile. They were no longer happy memories, but a constant reminder of what he had been-and what he had now become; a useless fugitive, trapped inside his father's house, despised by all of wizardkind.

These were memories he could do without, yet at the same time he knew that they were all he had left-of the Order, of James and even of himself.

Remus had made lunch and seemed to have reverted back to his chirpy mood when Sirius arrived back in the kitchen. He was full of tales of the Order's latest missions, not that Sirius was actually listening-a fact they were both well aware of.

Still, the memory of the dream lingered in Sirius' mind, finally forcing him to ask the question, 'Do you still remember the Order's first meeting?'

'Of course I do,' Remus replied, 'I could hardly forget it.'

Sirius swung carelessly back onto the hind legs of his chair, hoping that he appeared casual, as though his questioning bore no real interest.

'Me too,' he said lazily, '…well sort of.'

Remus smiled , 'I didn't really know any of the other members before the Order formed. I expect you did, being of a purely wizarding family.'

'Yeah,' Sirius replied. 'Most of them. Not that they were family friends or anything, my parents being who they were.'

Remus nodded.

Of course, a pure-blood, Slytherin family would not have much to do with the likes of Dumbledore and the Longbottoms.

'I hadn't met Benjy before,' Sirius continued, or Dorcas Meadows, but the rest I knew-mainly because they were sworn enemies of my mother.'

'I remember meeting Aberforth that first day,' Remus smiled, 'you don't easily forget meeting a character like Aberforth….'

The dining room quickly filled with an array of witches and wizards, some young, some even older than Dumbledore. Each person seated themselves around the table without fuss and in complete silence.

Sirius scanned the sea of faces as he settled himself in a chair next to James.

He recognised the Longbottoms instantly, Frank and Alice were good people; honest and hard-working with hearts of gold. They had married at a very young age but looked the picture of happiness as they sat there together, hands interlocked upon the table top. Gideon and Fabian Prewett were older than the Marauders but were nothing short of legendary when it came to Quidditch. Their success on the Gryffindor team had earned them countless trophies.

 

All in all, this looked like a pretty sound group of wizards, Sirius decided, all well-known within the community and all personal friends of Albus Dumbledore. If this was the army that Dumbledore had selected, Sirius could not fault his choices.

Once the group were all settled Dumbledore stood before them. He wore an expression of calm although his fidgeting hands suggested he may have been slightly nervous.

'My friends, I thank you for responding to my invitation. I apologise if my correspondence left any of you confused, but secrecy, as you will find, is vital.'

Dumbledore's eyes glittered, radiating an intense shade of electric blue as he spoke with great passion.

'It is time for us to partake in the work we ought to have begun long ago. Tonight alone seven Aurors have lost their lives. Seven fathers have lost their sons, seven wives have lost their husbands; and that is pushing aside the countless civilians who have also found this night to be their last.'

Glancing around the table Sirius noticed that most of his companions were, if not audibly gasping, then in a state of shock. Many of the group held their hands up to their open mouths, Emmeline Vance shed a tear.

'The Ministry is weak, for every member it loses another turns to the Dark Arts. For every Auror that dies another flees in terror.'

Dumbledore shook his head sadly, clearly distressed by his own words.

An Australian wizard, who introduced himself as Benjy Fenwick, got to his feet. He was a tall young man with round blue eyes and a crop of dark blonde hair. There was a note of urgency in his voice when he addressed Dumbledore.

'Then do something. Let us do something. Dumbledore, you are the most powerful wizard alive... You defeated Grindelwald for Merlin's sake. If anyone can defeat You-Know-Who, it's you.'

Dumbledore's cheeks flushed a bright shade of scarlet.

'It is true, I have been reluctant to act in the past. Selfish, I admit. I have been reluctant to form the army you have all requested for so long because I have been unwilling to lead the friends I cherish into a battle that will certainly claim at least one of their lives. I couldn't face the responsibility.'

A slight smile played on the edge of Dumbledore's lips.

'But, on further contemplation, I am ashamed to say, I have misjudged you all. I have not given you the credit you deserve. Perhaps my previous successes in battle have gone to my head, because as I look around this room I see more courage and talent in each of you than Voldemort could ever posses. You are all strong individuals, capable of making your own choices in life. I can not take credit for you any more than I can take responsibility for you.'

There was a moments silence in the room before Lily asked, 'Does this mean that you are now willing to lead us in to battle?'

Dumbledore nodded.

~At last~

The atmosphere in the room electrified. A low buzzing of mutual excitement and anticipation reverberated between the members of the group.

Sirius took a moment to take in the reaction of the others.

Benjy and a young, plain looking witch, who turned out to be Dorcas Meadows, chatted excitedly as Frank and Alice hugged each other tearfully. Emmeline began to sob loudly (which Sirius took to be 'happy tears') and Remus punched the air in triumph. Everyone seemed to be ecstatic, everyone but Aberforth who looked as though he was going to be sick, whilst eyeing his brother with great distaste.

'This is it Padfoot, this is it!' James cried as he wrapped his arms around his best friend.

'We're going to do it Prongs, we're going to win this.'

'Who gets to curse You-Know-Who when we catch him, you or me?

'Both together Prongs, on the count of three!'

'Quiet!' Dumbledore suddenly bellowed and the group was silent once again.

'As it seems we have no objections, I think it is now time to officially form The Order of the Phoenix.'

James sniggered loudly, 'The what?'

'Well, we will be needing a name.' Dumbledore smiled coyly. 'And it seems that the muggles have already taken 'MI5' and 'Charlie's Angels', my two personal favourites.'

'The Order of the Phoenix it is then,' Remus agreed.

Dumbledore conjured a piece of parchment that already bore the signatures of the Order's new members.

'That's forgery!' James declared in mock disgust.

Sirius asked, 'Shouldn't we have actually signed that ourselves?'

'Come Sirius,' Dumbledore smiled, 'this is the Order of the Phoenix, not a bank. This parchment simply records the promise each of you have made here today. Your name would not appear upon it if there was any doubt over your sincerity.'

Sirius nodded in understanding.

'Of course, it also helps me to remember you names,' Dumbledore joked, 'My memory is not what it used to be….and it seems I have forgotten to bring drawing pins…oh well.'

Dumbledore rolled up the parchment and put it into his pocket.

'Now,' the Hogwarts headmaster continued with a firm note in his voice. 'I am afraid I must be serious with you all for a moment. I do not want any of you to leave this room harbouring any illusions of heroic glory. All I ask is that you work together, always. You're main objective is not to defeat Voldemort, but to protect each other, and protect yourselves.'

The group nodded collectively, silently listening to Dumbledore's speech.

' I would like you all to return here upon the next sun-set. Then I shall go into the details of our quest. Until then I would like you all to think long and hard about what you may be asked to do. I do not want anyone walking into the Order blindly; I will not judge those who may wish to back out.'

Sirius felt his mind begin to wander. There was no way in the world he would back out.

'There really is nothing else for me to say,' Dumbledore stated. 'My brother has kindly allowed us to use his home as Order Headquarters. Our meetings will be held here, I will make entry slightly easier for you, but have no fear, this house is completely safe-we will not be found here.'

Alice Longbottom politely raised her hand and waited for Dumbledore to signal for her to speak. When she did she cocked her head to one side and smiled sweetly with a charming child-like quality. 'How will we know when the meetings are to be held?'

'That is where the Phoenix comes in,' Dumbledore said cryptically. 'Your sign will be a single, golden phoenix feather; that will be your summons.'

It seemed that that was the end of the great meeting, the event they had all been waiting for. Somehow Sirius had expected something grander, Dumbledore had never indulged in simplicity; but as the others stood to leave he realised that there was going to be no drama, no over-the-top gesture, and no mind-blowing revelation.

Well it had seemed that way-until Alastor Moody abruptly entered the room looking like a bomb on the point of explosion.

'I had given up on you Alastor,' said Dumbledore, who had evidently been expecting the new arrival.

Moody simply grunted and crossed the room at great speed. He ushered Dumbledore into the neighbouring room where they stayed for several minutes.

The Order members remained standing around the table in total silence, a few looked worried, and others raised their eyebrows in anticipation.

~What was going on? ~

Moody and Dumbledore were obviously talking in hushed voices as not a sound travelled through the sturdy stone walls.

'What do you think is happening?' Remus whispered to his friends.

Lily shrugged her shoulders but James seemed rather excited.

'Something's about to kick off, I can feel it.'

'Yeah,' Sirius agreed. 'Moody's an Auror, and a highly respected one at that. If You-Know-Who is up to something you can guarantee that Moody will be the first to know.'

Peter nodded, his watery eyes widening 'Well, if Moody has found out anything he'll have to tell us right? We're in the Order of the Phoenix now-it's our job to put a stop to the Death Eaters evil plans.'

Sirius sniggered, 'I wouldn't start dancing around in your cape and underpants yet Wormtail, the Batmobile is out of petrol.'

James laughed loudly, 'I told you not to lend him those 'comic' things Lily, you've over-stimulated his brain.'

Peter looked slightly embarrassed but no one seemed to notice-Dumbledore and Moody had just re-entered the room.

The Hogwarts Headmaster looked rather pale yet composed. He surveyed the gathering and rubbed his beard thoughtfully. Moody appeared livid, his beetle black eyes narrowed angrily as he watched the headmaster with such care it seemed he was reading his mind.

Finally Dumbledore spoke without explanation.

'I would be most appreciative if Misters Potter, Black, Fenwick and Longbottom would accompany me downstairs-yes, I'd like you to come too Alice. The rest of you are free to leave, I will explain all at sundown tomorrow-please be punctual.'

With that Dumbledore swept back into the neighbouring room and could be heard moving rapidly down a wooden staircase.

Sirius and James remained rooted to their seats as those who were asked to leave departed silently.

What was happening?

Why had they been asked to stay?

Whatever the reason the outcome was clear.

The Order of the Phoenix was about to embark on its first mission. .

A/N Thanks for coming to read chapter 3! Apologies if that chapter seemed a little vague, there was loads more stuff that could have gone into it but I didn't want to make it over-long. I'll expand upon it next chapter and of course there will be more on that first mission.

As for replies:

Black Rose 89: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story, you sound like you're really getting into it! I know it's a bit depressing, but stick with it-I'm sure Sirius will start recalling happier times soon (unfortunately it will get morbid before it perks up) Glad you like Aberforth, I'm growing quite fond of him too!

Polkat: You again! Ok, firstly, Dumbledore was Secret Keeper for HQ back when Sirius was at school ( a whole six months ago!), I didn't want to get bogged down with boring spell details but we can assume that he altered the fidelius when he decided to use the cave as a meeting place…and wasn't Dumbledore Secret Keeper for Grimmauld Place too? As for the 'Why isn't Remus gayer' bit-I think you know the answer! There will be no Slash here young lady! No it's not a problem that Moody only meets Aberforth once (ooohhh, yeah-there is a touch of gayness isn't there?-look out for next chapter!) The pensieve-ish dream bit was just a bit of drunkenness that lead nicely into the flash back bits-it won't appear again (Nutcase 'I like talking to myself' Sirius will appear soon)

PrincessSkywalkerOrgana: Thanks for reading-Aberforth is a gem isn't he? (He'll be soooo much worse next chapter-unfortunately he won't be sticking around for long!)

Oceanjewel: Glad you're liking! Thanks for reviewing-hope you're still reading and like this chapter too!

Ok….I'm gonna get on with uploading now!