A/N: There is a short, short song (not a song fic) towards the latter half of this chapter. It is the muse born of a song on a CD I recently bought that has several songs which served as the initial inspiration for writing this story. I believe I can upload the song as a QuickTime file from my iMac (stupid thing), at home to my Yahoo group. (See the link on my bio/profile page to the group.) It's a short and beautiful tune, that, upon first hearing it, I thought only of Harry.
Also, I spent nearly two days researching Scottish/British history and creating a fictional history for this story, which, for you the reader, will not be known in full, until the end. I can only hope you'll appreciate all the effort …..
Harry heard Hermione and several others gasp. Then Snape got a malicious gleam in his eyes as his lips curled back and he bared his teeth and he spat out, "Thanks to Potter's inability to control his mind and his body—Ms. Granger no longer has a home."
Chapter 18. Beloved One
"Severus!" Dumbledore had a hand on the snarling man's shoulder and urged him to lower his wand. "Hermione?" He motioned for her to come near.
She had flown up out of her chair when Snape had stormed into the kitchen and she was now standing numbly, beside the fireplace, with her mouth open and her face pale. She walked over and Harry looked at her and as he met her eyes, he saw them begin to moisten with tears. He dropped his arm holding his wand that he still had pointing at Snape as she walked up to him, her eyes begging to know why. She dew in a shaky breath, dropped her forehead onto his shoulder and a hand on his chest as he pulled her close with one arm and then turned to look at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was watching them both and gave Harry a penetrating look for only a brief moment before he turned back to question Snape. "Severus, can you tell us what happened?"
Snape, who couldn't look more disgusted as he watched Hermione being comforted by Harry than if Crabbe and Goyle were snogging on a desk in the potions classroom, sneered and snarled before answering, "The residence is destroyed." He straightened up and turned to fully face Dumbledore and not Harry and went on, "The Aurors are being called, I'm sure, to assess the area and look for any leads. There will be several muggles requiring memory charms."
Dumbledore turned to Tonks and Kingsley, who nodded that they had been listening and understood. "You should be one your way then." With two, quick, successive 'pop's, both disapparated.
Mr. Weasley then stepped forward, "Albus, do you know why I would be getting a call, too?"
Dumbledore glanced at Snape, who offered nothing as an answer, and then back to Mr. Weasley, "Perhaps, Arthur, your family is known to be friends with the Grangers? Or, perhaps, Fudges suspicions that you have been working with me the past year, are leading him to seek your counsel." Dumbledore was obviously hopeful. "You should hasten to the call, Arthur. Remember, you know nothing of the Grangers' whereabouts, other than that they are out of town for the summer." Mr. Weasley nodded and went over to his wife before disapparating.
Harry was watching Snape brush dust off his robes, which he noticed now, were very heavy, long, black robes that were the same as those worn by the Death Eaters who appeared after Voldemort's rebirth.
Dumbledore looked at the remaining members of the Order; they were milling about now and discussing the recent event animatedly. He drew his wand and conjured a bubble that grew to envelope Harry, Hermione, Snape and himself. He then asked, "Severus, what does this have to do with Harry and why was it done now?"
This is what Harry was dreading to hear. He had an inkling as to what it was and it was the last thing in the world he wanted Hermione to know: that when she looked into his eyes, Voldemort might be looking back. He said I couldn't control my mind. Voldemort must have seen her. But how? Shouldn't I have felt that? I should be able to stop that—I need to be able to stop that!
Harry was brought of his panicking by Snape's drawling voice, "Potter, it seems allowed the Dark Lord to glimpse a face long enough for the description to be recognizable by not only myself, by the pathetic Wormtail, as well." Snape's eyes were glinting with malice as he watched Harry but spoke to Dumbledore, "The Dark Lord was quite certain that Potter had found himself a girlfriend." Snape's eyes flitted over to Hermione. "Whatever it was that he saw, it had him gasping in agony and he nearly wretched after watching it." Snape sneered at Hermione, still clinging to Harry, "I can just imagine why."
Harry felt a million miles away, his arm around Hermione grew lack and dropped to his side and he felt himself sway slightly as she straightened up and watched him. He wouldn't look at her. He couldn't face her now.
"When was this?" Dumbledore's voice drew Harry back into the conversation.
Snape answered, "Around midnight last night, this morning. He mentioned he thought he might have had a glimpse of something the night before. Around the same time." He took on a smug, condescending look at Harry and smiled while baring his teeth as he said, "We assumed that Potter had found someone to help him celebrate his birthday and while he attended to his body's lust, he neglected to attend to his mind."
He almost looked gleeful and Harry wanted nothing more than to curse Snape into a dozen pieces and then feed them to a Blast-Ended Skrewt. He wanted to hex that sneering smile off his smug face and hurt him until he begged for mercy.
"Excuse me, but that just doesn't make sense." Hermione was looking skeptically at Snape, Dumbledore, and then to Harry. "Last night there was no lust, as you call it and if that were it, then certainly—"
"Stop!" Harry couldn't hear this now. He squeezed her with the arm around her waits and speared her with a brief look. This wasn't some clinical issue to be discussed with your headmaster and potions master in a kitchen!
" Is there anything else, Severus, you can tell us?" Dumbledore asked.
"Obviously, as you can guess, the potion failed to work. I was made to stay and remake a second batch under close supervision. The creatures have surely become a snack for the Lord's pet, by now. He was quite disappointed." He raised an eyebrow at this and then said, "I was instructed to give the news during the meeting and then to go on to Hogwarts, where the Dark Lord assumes Potter has been staying. I was instructed to deliver the news to him, personally," Snape sneered as he finished, "so I might report back the look on his face."
The sneer as he finished was what set Harry off. He stepped into Snape's personal space and spat, "If your lord, Voldemort," he watched Snape flinch at the name with satisfaction, "wants to see my reaction, then he should have come himself. That's, what you can tell him." Hell, why not taunt him, what's he going to do—come after me and kill me? Like that'd be a change.
Dumbledore urged Harry back away from Snape and asked, "Do you know why he thought Harry was at Hogwarts?" Snape shrugged indifferently and raised an eyebrow to say he hadn't a clue.
"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore watched as Snape exited the bubble and then turned back to Harry and Hermione. Harry saw him twinkling and then smile lightly, "This is going better than we could have hoped."
He saw both Harry and Hermione drop their jaws in confusion at this and explained, "Hermione, this is precisely why we removed your family from the house. All that was destroyed was a building. Your family remains safe. There will always be another house to make a home.
"Harry, I do not believe that Voldemort broke into your mind. We will discuss this later. For now, I wish to have the inductions completed before midnight."
Hermione's speech was brief as she only stood for a moment to say, "I think it would be ludicrous, at this point, to not admit I've not already been dragged into this war."
Dumbledore quickly put forth the votes for induction. Hermione was the only one to be inducted unanimously, as Mrs. Weasley still staunchly stood her ground and voted against allowing Harry, Fred and George in. She looked quite smug as she rose to cast her opposing vote for each.
Harry had noticed that Dumbledore looked equally as satisfied as the last three inductions were denied. He stood before the members of the Order, with his hands clasped before him, and spoke, "For this next order of business, it may take a while. I believe, some sustenance," Winky and Dobby appeared and a feast soon appeared upon the table, " may be needed to sustain us."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and rose saying, "Very well then. Now," she gestured to Harry and the twins, "off to bed with the lot of you."
Fred guffawed, "Mum—we don't live here anymore!"
"Molly—," Dumbledore leveled her a look, "please have a seat." He waited patiently as she held him in a staring contest for a few moments and then huffed and sat down, refusing to fill her plate as the other members had already done.
"Now, I have many things to cover tonight. The first and foremost of which is completing these inductions." Many people put down their forks to listen at this.
"Very few of you here tonight have ever witnessed an alternative induction. Alastor, Elphias, you are, I believe are the only ones to witnesses one, other than myself." Harry saw Elphias Doge, the wheezing wizard with silver hair who been part of his advance guard from Privet Drive to Grimmauld Place last summer, look like he felt quite happy to know something the others did not.
"It is customary," Dumbledore went on, "for the Lead Light of the Order, that is myself, to call for an alternative induction if I so wish, in the event of the inability to reach a unanimous decision for standard inductions."
Harry saw Mrs. Weasley looking quite agitated now and she seemed to be searching the faces of the other members for some support.
"Before you begin to think I am just making this all up to play my own game, it is first necessary to understand the history of the Order of the Phoenix."
With a sudden burst of flame and light, Fawkes appeared in the room. He flew over to Dumbledore's shoulder and dropped a tattered bundle into his hands.
Harry watched Dumbledore open up the black bundle and saw it was the Sorting Hat. Harry's mind flashed back to the memory of Fawkes bringing him the Sorting Hat in the Chamber of Secrets. Harry couldn't help but get an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach and mutter, "If this has something to do with slaying a basilisk again…." Harry saw Dumbledore and Fawkes turn to look at him. He hadn't realized he had muttered that aloud and crossed his arms as he sank sheepishly into the chair.
Fawkes flew over to perch on the arm of Harry's chair as if to assure him there would be no basilisks to slay tonight. He heard Dumbledore speak, "It seems, that perhaps I will not be the one to give the history lesson tonight." He conjured a stool and set the hat upon it.
Dumbledore stepped back as the hat stirred to life and began to sing:
From an age of fighting men,
When sword was mightier than the pen,
Was born a clansman bold and true,
The very one who's brain's imbued
Within my brim.
I sat upon his head and saw it all
From the reclaim of the Western Highlands
And the Norsemen's fall,
I saw a Gaelic kingdom rise
And rode upon his head to war
Freeing York from those despised.
We returned to find an exiled race,
Wizards and Witches now seen with disgrace.
They gathered and met
And all did agree that secrecy
Would be the bet that's best.
A school, they said, would be just right
To mold and guide youths' magical might.
Hogwarts, it was called
And the founders, they were tight.
A commune of magic folk did arise
And founders sought to pick and choose
Those students with qualities they prize.
Ravenclaw would choose the bright,
Slytherin, those of pureblood and ambition
Hufflepuff, took ones of hard-working tradition
And Gryffindor sought those who'd stand and fight.
Good Godric knew of Salazar's aim
To study magic and the power each one did claim
More power did he seek and hope to gain
Through a bloodline pure and without stain.
But Godric had his own inkling,
That through blood, the powers did weaken
He'd seen the fact and heard the tale
That Muggle blood did yield, without fail
The strongest powers, such Slytherin was seeking.
One day, Gryffindor, with his sword held high
Did say he'd return and off to war did ride.
Slytherin went with him, fighting at his side.
They held the fortress of Dunnottar,
Cloaked as muggles, in disguise.
Close friends they were and Godric did confide
His notions of power and how blood did not abide.
Slytherin considered him a fool, but then, he did spy
A maiden fair, of beauty beyond compare
He fell, he wept, he knew he could not bear,
To never see, nor hold, nor have love with her to share.
He tarried but a tiff,
When he saw she was not magical.
He recalled Gryffindor's wordsAnd Salazar did find his mate to live life with.
To Hogwarts, they returned with Slytherin now married
To one of the race long spurned.
But when a child she finally bore
It was a daughter and even then,
Slytherin did not fret,
For he knew she would be the most powerful yet.
Years did pass and magical talent, none was seen.
She tried and hoped but never gained,
The favour of her father, which she did keen.
Slytherin felt cheated, by beauty, illusions of love
And by a friend, he felt betrayed all above.
He sent his mate and kin to pack
And always did regret
His ever knowing Gryffindor
And a love he wished he'd never met.
Seeking power, to Slytherin returned his aims,
But soon, discord did reign,
The founders' feuds to blame.
'Til Slytherin did leave one morn,
Never knowing, to his love, a son was born.
In giving life, she shed her own.
The son was a wizard and off to school he did go.
He learned his craft and history he did not know.
He left to find his father in lands far and wide.
Gryffindor, did know, he'd be back
To avenge his families' side.
So he said, 'Now listen, Hat,
You've seen it all. You surely know the score.
One day I'll be gone and around here no more.
You'll be the one to head my plan and rise up to the call.
My kin, this school, our world may be in peril,
You steer the men to fight the foe
Lead them true—it's off to war we go!
So put me on your head if you seek to know your worth,
I'll tell you how into the Order, you might be going forth.
Harry, who had been stroking Fawkes' plumage during the song, slowed upon its end. He knew the Sorting Hat all too well, and despite the help it lent just once, he didn't fancy putting it on his head again.
He felt Hermione nudge him, "Stop scowling, you only have to try on the hat—there's no basilisks."
He saw her mouth trying not to smile and thought, Easy for you to say, the hat isn't convinced you'd be brilliant in Slytherin.
"Brilliant!" Harry heard Fred and George say and they both looked eager to put on the hat and get on with it.
Harry then saw Professor Dumbledore, seated next to him, watching him with his ever-present smile and the twinkle in his clear blue eyes. Dumbledore's eyes softened when he saw Harry finally look at him and leaned forward as he said, "I have a feeling about this, Harry. You'll just have to trust me, all right."
Before Harry could even register a feeling of dread at those words, Dumbledore had rose and spoke to all, "It seems Misters Fred and George Weasley are most anxious to begin, and so, without further ado." He motioned for either of them to step up the stool as he held up the hat.
"George you go first, I got to be sorted first and so you can do this first." Fred pushed his brother up to the stool.
George set himself upon the stool and Dumbledore lowered the hat upon his head.
There were several moments while most people whispered and watched expectantly. Harry saw Snape standing in the back of the room, next to where Mrs. Weasley was now standing. The sight of Snape's face and greasy hair made Harry scowl and Hermione nudged him again, "What are you so worried about? Harry, you'll be fine. But we need to talk after this… I want to know what --"
She was cut off by the hat coming to life to speak from its perch upon George's head, "Your mind is clear, your loyalties true, you have no fears, the Order accepts you!"
Harry was surprised to hear a smattering of applause at this, much of it coming from Professor Dumbledore, Hermione and Fred. He clapped briefly, as well, despite his increasing nerves. I don't like Dumbledore having a 'feeling' about this. This can't be good.
Fred was on the stool now with the hat upon his head. It took barely a minute this time for the hat to sing out, "It seems to me, you're but the other half of two! So as it should be, the Order welcomes you!"
He barely heard the clapping now as he rose from his seat. Hermione had squeezed his arm in support before he got up but he had never felt quite so anxious. His nerves were as bad as his own sorting and his first quidditch match. Get a grip, Potter. It's just a hat. Maybe if it won't shut it about how I should be in Slytherin, I can close it off from reading my mind with Occlumency.
Harry sat upon the stool slowly and Dumbledore stepped in front of him with the hat. As Dumbledore looked at Harry and gave a look and smile so warm and encouraging, Harry almost felt a brief reprieve from his nerves as he looked in his eyes. But before he could even take a breath to relax, Harry felt an uncoiling within him, a surge of rage, the snake he had felt the year before, was pushing to rise and swell within.
Harry closed his eyes quickly and breathed in. Damn you, go away! He felt the struggle within his chest as he fought to contain and push back at the writing being attempting to uncoil within him. Harry felt the efforts of the snake begin to die down and he knew he was winning. He imagined forcing the snake into a tiny, tiny ball and then banishing it.
He felt the force leave him just as Dumbledore's hand landed on Harry's shoulder, "It was him, wasn't it? Harry? Are you all right?"
Harry opened his eyes and saw Dumbledore watching him with concern. He nodded and then saw behind Dumbledore, members of the Order watching with mixtures of confusion, interest, and unease. Harry then saw Snape looking at him smugly from the back of the room. He figured Snape knew what he had just occurred and Harry glared back, meeting Snape's glare from across the room. Go on you greasy bastard, I hope Voldemort can see right now! He saw Snape falter for a moment as Harry glared at him. Yeah, you think about that. Perhaps if Voldemort can see through my eyes, then he sees you, too. Sitting here, with the Order of the Phoenix. No--wait a minute. Harry couldn't feel anything within him anymore. There was no snake trying to uncoil within him and urge him to strike out. There's no way I wouldn't have noticed that in the middle of snogging Hermione! It can't have been Voldemort!
Harry felt like he just had the best revelation but was brought back to reality and the meeting when Dumbledore said, "Harry, if you are ready, then, the hat." Dumbledore lifted the hat up and placed it upon his head.
Ah yes, Harry Potter, and so I'm on your head again…
Harry was dreading one word about 'doing well in Slytherin'.
Yes, well, perhaps if you'd ever let me finish, boy, then perhaps you might know why it is you would have done well in Slytherin, if—the hat made to cut Harry off before he could have another thought, --if, I say, if you had wanted to be great, as I tempted you with knowing Slytherin House could help you to be, then indeed, you would have done well there. However, you were not tempted by the allure of greatness, and so, I stand by what I said and my decision to put you in Gryffindor.
Harry was mulling this over and grumbling in his mind.
Hmm, yes, you've certainly gotten more tetchy over the years, now haven't you.
Harry thought, "Yes, well you'd be tetchy too if you had to be me."
Ah, so I see…yes…it seems whether you wish to be great or not, your destiny is clear to me…
Since learning about Legillimency over the past year, Harry could now easily feel the hat sifting through thoughts and emotions of desire, loyalty, ambition, fears, love, and others. He hid nothing from the hat and felt it to be almost relaxing to have his memories, thoughts and feelings being sorted and categorized.
It's all here, you know, in your head…I can see even what you cannot, you know…
"It's all well and great to hear about how much you know about me, now can you just get on with this and let me into the Order," Harry thought impatiently.
Ah, but you're not meant to be a member of the Order…
Harry's heart skipped a beat and began to race, "What?!? What are you talking about? Of course I am! You say you can see what I have to do—how am I supposed to do this without the help of the Order?"
Son, you need to learn to let me finish, I never said you had to do anything without the help of the Order…you should know better…if you need help, then I am bound to give it to you. But what you need isn't to serve the Order…but for the Order to serve you.
The hat paused as Harry was letting this sink in. "What do you mean?" he thought to the hat.
What I mean, is, you are the one with the power…you are the one with the burden…you are the one with the responsibility to, not just to 'vanquish', nor to murder, as I can see you think, but you are the one destined to fight this battle. Whether in victory or defeat, you shall end the war, and with luck, the reign of the Dark Lord.
It's a burden upon you and you know you need help…you want to be helped…you desire to be the victor…this I all can see. The victor, I am bound to help you to be. A new war and a new foe we have today, a new light revealed as the one to banish the darkness…you are no member of the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter, you are the Lead… the Light…you are—
Harry was reeling, without even thinking about it he closed his mind off to the hat. His heart was racing and he could hear it thumping in his chest. There's no way… the hat's off its rocker… If it thinks I'm supposed to—no—it's mad! I can't be!
Harry's mind was in a panic as he sat there while the minutes ticked away. He was oblivious to the hat speaking out loud, still upon its head, "Dumbledore, please give him a smack and tell tetchy Potter to open his mind back up for me. Kids, these days…no respect for their elders…"
Harry felt a hand upon his shoulder. He opened his eyes and turned his head to see Dumbledore smiling benignly down at him, twinkling away. Realization washed over him, "You knew! You…" Harry shook his head as Dumbledore seemed to try to keep his smile from outright grinning.
Harry was shaking his head slowly back and forth, "No—"
"Harry—what did I say? Trust me." He nodded twice and said, "Now, the hat has asked for you to, er, open your mind back up to it."
Harry caught a glimpse of everyone else in the room, watching with rapt attention and what must have been taking at least twice as long as Fred and George's sit on the stool, combined.
With a deep breath of resolve, Harry began to think to the hat, "There's just no way. You can't. I'm at least half the age of most of the members—why would they ever want to listen to me? I don't know half as much as any of them, well, maybe Snape, but he's a git. I just can't be!! You can't be serious—you just can't—I won't accept it. I don't want it. Dumbledore is the greatest wizard in the world—he should be the leader; he is the leader—what will he do?"
There was a brief pause were Harry wondered if the hat had heard him. Yes I heard you. Are you quite done now? Quite impressive you are, shutting me out like that, yes, I do believe there's even more to you than one peek inside your head.
So, now I've heard your rant, why don't you let me tell you why will not decline, nay-- I say, you shant!
The fate's been foretold, a burden though this may seem, you've been condemned and blessed, but to our vantage lean. The one to rally 'round is clear, even you cannot deny, it's not the cross you fear to bear, but to follow one so young—you just don't think they'll try.
It's clear you are resigned to fight until you die, but it's not for you I'll name thee, but for those be disinclined. Yes, some may waver and may question, and you'll surely still need help. But now they may know there's still a Light to follow, when the present one goes out! Do you understand me, are we clear?
Harry was thinking about this. "So, you think you want to name me now so that if something happens to Dumbledore," even the thought made Harry feel abandoned, "then they won't worry because they know—what?-- that there's this kid who they're supposed to follow? You're still mad…"
A mad hat I may be, but a new light they need to see. At first they may not accept, but soon, before it's time, they'll be able to believe, that you, the Lead, the Light, will steer them all just fine.
Harry decided it was time to resort to whining, "But I don't want to! You can't make me…" The hat seemed to sigh and then went on.
No, but I can help you. This, I'm bound to do.
Harry felt a warmth emanate down from the hat. It spread down upon his head and in through his body. It was somewhat like the feeling of Moody's Disillusionment Charm, but this was not just washing over him but through him.
It spread upon his skin; a warm and glowing heat. It burst behind his closed eyes and he saw radiant lights of silver and gold. If Phoenix song could be felt and seen, this is what it'd be. In fact, Harry thought he could hear the Phoenix song, echoing in his mind and growing stronger as the light infused him. The sound, the lights, the feel was heartening.
As the glowing essence seemed to finally fill him up, he felt it reach out to all his limbs. The warmth ran down his arms and to his fingers, which, then seemed to grow. He felt his hands began to radiate with heat and from within a power seemed to be reaching out from his hands.
He knew he had to hold fast to what it was. The song was growing louder and voices—the voices he'd come to know so well, were singing. They were as strong as he had ever heard them and their power to give him comfort and heart had never been greater.
Out of the voices, one came clear and strong. A voice he had heard only twice before; his father's voice as a man, not when he was a teen, but the same as Harry had heard through the dementors and the same as his shadows, born from Voldemort's wand.
His song rang clear and true:
Born to a trial,
Gryffindor child!
Fearless and brave
From birth to the grave,
Live on! Live on!
Live on, beloved one!
Live on, my warrior son.
The feeling was absolutely radiating from within Harry, now and he had never felt so able to conquer the world as he did now. In his hands, now clasped before him, he felt something heavy and warm. His eyes peeked open and he saw, shinning before him and glinting from a light radiating from within, the sword. In his hands, he held straight up before him, a long silver sword, with a hilt bejeweled with rubies and emblazoned with the name: Godric Gryffindor.
Harry saw the sword in his hands burst into light and then saw the light rush at and melt into his chest. He looked down and saw the light radiating from himself and slowly die.
He then heard the Sorting Hat speak within his head. Godric may have put his brains in me, but his heart and courage yet live on, imbued within his sword. This you shall keep, and bold, may you always be. As if I'd put a Gryffindor in Slytherin… and then the last words were spoke out loud, "…Let the reign of the new Lead Light begin!"
"I what?"
"Glowed—you were positively glowing!" Hermione rushed on, "I had no clue why it was taking so long, and you looked so agitated—oh, Harry! Everyone else—I could see them, they didn't know what to think! And then Fawkes was singing! I was really quite confused and worried, until I noticed Professor Dumbledore, that is. He seemed to be watching and smiling as if he had expected it all along!"
"Indeed I did." Dumbledore stepped over to join Harry, the twins, and Hermione in the corner of the kitchen. After the hat had spoke, the room had burst into chaos and questions. Harry had stumbled off the chair and turned to head into the corner and had begun to pace. He was quickly stopped as Hermione, Fred and George had rushed over. They had been awed by what they had seen and were eager to tell Harry what it had looked like.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling and Harry was quite sure this was what he had meant by his 'having a feeling'. "Might I have a word with Harry?"
The twins and Hermione reluctantly left them alone and Harry finally looked dolefully at Dumbledore, who only chuckled then. "Harry, I had a feeling this would happen. And I do believe I could not be happier!"
He watched Harry's face blanche with anxiety. "Harry, I do believe this is the right thing."
"Now?" Harry was still incredulous at what had just happened.
"Yes, now. Of my reasoning, I can tell you more later. For now, we need to deal with them." He gestured at the Order members still stunned and clamoring over what they had just witnessed. Harry saw Remus catch his eye from across the room and then begin to quietly make his way over.
"Harry," Dumbledore went on, "I'll ask you now; do you trust me?"
Harry looked up at him and at his face, now serious. "Of course!"
Dumbledore nodded, "Then I do believe, if it is your wish, we might maintain the status quo for running the Order; with myself overseeing things and functioning as the Lead, until such a time as you wish to take over or I can longer serve this role."
Harry peered deep into Dumbledore's eyes and thought he felt, in the back of his head, he might have an inkling of what Dumbledore really meant.
Lupin reached them then and said, "This isn't going over well. Sorry Harry, I mean no offense, but they are saying they think you are too young and that this is too much burden to place upon you." He looked at Dumbledore, "Some may suspect you're setting this up."
Dumbledore just nodded as if this were expected. Harry muttered, "Like I didn't try to tell the Hat this would happen…"
"What did the hat tell you?" Lupin asked.
Harry recalled the Hat's words. The memory of the power of the sword and the words of his father filled his heart again and he felt a clarity in his mind and new confidence when he spoke, "It said this was not another burden upon me, but a means to help me. It's nothing more I already have and is meant to help the others to accept me for when the time comes." He looked to Dumbledore then, "I think it does mean for you to continue in your role."
Dumbledore nodded once and then turned to the others, he raised his hands for silence and in a few moments the talk died down. "Now, I am sure you all have questions and more than a few may have objections. However, to myself, this was not unexpected. Harry and I, as well as the Hat it seems, all agree that we might continue, for a while, to operate as we have thus far, with myself as the acting Lead of the Order. Harry will be busy with training and school and until such time as he is needed or wishes to take over, I will remain serving the Order as I have for the past sixty years. Are there any objections to this?"
Harry saw several members still shift uneasily and Professor McGonagall was the one who spoke mater-of-factly, "Albus, it seems cruel to put so much on one so young. We all understand what Harry can do and hope to help him if we can. But he shouldn't have to feel he has to do it all."
Mrs. Weasley had been nodding along emphatically and added, "He is a child! We should not rely on him to be the only one we can rely upon!"
Moody had been studying Harry carefully since the Hat came off and he now asked, "What I want to know is, does Potter want it?"
Harry looked at him and raised his eyebrows, "Well," he thought and then said, "want it? No, perhaps not. But," he felt the pride surge within and said, "accept it? I do."
"Harry," Remus spoke beside him, "you should not feel obligated—"
"I am." Harry said simply.
"There are others...," someone said.
"Who else?" Harry questioned them. He heard and then saw, Snape, who had been quiet all this time, scoff and glower from the corner by the pantry.
Dumbledore broken in before anyone could say another word, "There is one last matter then tonight." Harry turned to look at him and with a look they shared, Harry knew it was the matter of sharing the true prophecy. With so many not willing to accept the hat's pronouncement, he would to confide in a few, so that they might convince others to accept the choice.
"Harry, have you made your choices?"
He'd been thinking about it, of course, and as he looked about the room at the face of each of the members gathered there, he felt ready to do this. He turned back to Dumbledore, "Now? Tonight?"
Dumbledore considered this for a moment and then spoke to the assembly, "It has grown quite late tonight. Your reluctance to accept this event was also not unforeseen to myself. I had instructed Harry to consider whom he might wish to take into his confidence on a few matters.
"There are events and truths of which none here but Harry and myself have knowledge. These are the things we feel you would have to know to truly understand the Hat's decision. That is what Harry has to divulge to those whom he chooses, in which to confide. I should mention, everyone here and in the Order shall not know. It is necessary only for those whom Harry has selected, to testify their acceptance. Harry will let us know his choices and then those who are chosen, we shall met not tonight, but yet this week. You will all hear from those who were chosen next week. Harry, let's hear you have chosen."
Harry saw them all eyeing him exclusively; some with unease and some with anticipation, hoping to be chosen. His eyes landed on the familiar, gnarled face and he said, "Moody." The old man grunted and raised a hand in acknowledgement.
Harry moved his gave along the table, "Professor McGonagall." She looked pleased to be named. She had been helping him train and her only words spoken out tonight against him had been businesslike and not of disdain. He had a feeling she would be most supportive and vociferous in her defense of Harry's right to the Order.
Harry then remembered who was standing beside him still, "Remus, of course." Harry looked him in the eye and saw Lupin was genuinely flattered to be chosen as a confidant. Harry saw the twins and Hermione behind Lupin and knew they would support him whether they knew or not. I know I want Hermione to know. She'll be there, of course. But it would do no good to name her here--she's just been inducted and won't hold much sway.
He turned back to the table and the members. Mrs. Weasley--she's already going mad the more and more she finds out I know. If she knew this--I don't even want to imagine…Mr. Weasley might be all right…no, Mrs. Weasley would beat it out of him. He scanned the faces of several members he did not know well at all. He thought briefly of Tonks but nixed that thinking she was, perhaps, not the best choice to keep a secret.
His gaze then fell upon the greasy, sneering face in the corner, by the pantry. You bloody git, wouldn't you like to know…why Dumbledore ever chose to put his trust in you, is beyond me…I'd love to see your greasy face if you were told I'm the only thing able to save your arse from a life of servitude to your Dark Lord…
"Snape." It was said in a moment of brashness that lacked any real forethought and before Harry could be horrified at what he'd said, he felt a rush of satisfaction at seeing the look of shock on the bastard's face. He turned to Dumbledore, who was looking quite pleased, and said, "That's all."
"Very well then. This meeting is at an end." Dumbledore pronounced. He turned to Harry, saying, "Harry, Hermione, if I might have a word with you both in private? I will send some food up to the library study for yourselves, let us go now." He motioned to the door and they left the others behind.
"Harry, how much have you told Hermione of your scar connection to Lord Voldemort?" They were seated in the library study at the chairs by the fireplace. Neither Harry nor Hermione could bring themselves to eat anything just yet, as they were both dreading how this conversation may go.
"Er, well, I think she knows all that I know?" It ended as more of a question than an answer and Hermione leaned forward.
"May I?" she asked. Dumbledore and Harry nodded and she said, "Well, I know it causes Harry pain. When Voldemort is angry or feeling violent or is near. I know Harry has sometimes seen things that he was doing or felt things he was feeling. I know Harry's had dreams influenced by him. I know Voldemort was likely aware of his ability to reach Harry after the attack on Mr. Weasley and that's why Harry began to study Occlumency." She saw Dumbledore nod, encouraging her to go on.
"I know he tried to manipulate you to get the prophecy with your dreams and then," she paused and said softly to Harry, " then with the vision of Sirius." She looked at Dumbledore, "I, he," she looked at Harry, "you haven't said anything about still having dreams or…"
"I'm not. Not really," said Harry.
"Very well then." Dumbledore said. "Well, you both heard Professor Snape's conclusion of how Voldemort was able to see through Harry's eyes." Both Harry and Hermione shifted uncomfortably at this. "However, I would like to say, and that I believe it may have been something else entirely."
Harry was nodding his head, "Yes, I mean, I was thinking about this and after I felt him within me tonight." Harry looked at Hermione's confusion and explained, "Right before he put the Sorting Hat on--I felt Voldemort inside me. It's happened before, last year. But I didn't know what it was. Anyway," he looked back at Dumbledore, "sir, there is no way I would not notice how that felt. No way. I would have known of he were there."
"Ah, Harry, that is something else entirely, I believe. You will notice him then because he is reaching out through the connection in an effort to possess. He seeks then to possess and reach into and strike out through you; seeking and urging you, perhaps to act upon his emotions. His hatred for me is perhaps only paralleled by that he feels for you now. We can and shall examine that more closely in our session on Sunday.
"You know, it's how Voldemort likely felt when he was possessing the snake and during his attempt to harm Arthur, you recognized someone you cared for and did not wish to harm. Your emotions tried to reach out and exert your own influence then. Your trying to act to prevent the attack made it impossible for him to not notice you."
Harry felt this did make sense and Dumbledore went on, "However, you will recall, Harry, that you have glimpsed into Voldemort's mind, seen through his eyes and felt his emotions before on occasions where he has not been aware of you. On those occasions, as Hermione mentioned, when he was feeling particularly angry or violent, the connection enabled you to enter his mind and you felt pain in your scar. Do you remember?"
Harry nodded and Dumbledore, twinkling, asked, "Do you also remember, Harry, the power I said you had, the power which Voldemort cannot withstand?"
"…" Harry snapped his mouth shut. Love. Harry looked at Dumbledore. What is he saying? I wish he would stop that twinkling…what…? Harry dropped his head into his hands, thinking over the possible implications and what this might mean. He did not notice Hermione sitting impatiently and watching and waiting to hear what this was.
"Harry," Dumbledore spoke, "I believe it is most likely that those feelings you feel, when they are particularly intense and perhaps, perceived, as well, they allow your mind to reach across the connection as Voldemort's anger does to you. As you felt pain from him, he feels through you."
Harry was letting this sink in. He gave a short, dry laugh at thought of being able to fight Voldemort by snogging Hermione. Not just snog…love…this means you love her… The laugh left him and he choked at this new thought. Do I? This was an entirely new concept altogether now.
"Well," Dumbledore said, "I wanted you to know this now tonight. What you share with Ms. Granger is completely up to you." Harry looked up, stricken, to the old headmaster twinkling away. "This gives up interesting perspectives on the connection between you and we can discuss it more on Sunday.
"Also, Harry, we can arrange to meet with those you've selected in which to confide." He gave a look at Hermione and then back to Harry, "As well as anyone else you might wish to include."
Harry nodded and cleared his throat to say, "I do, actually want Hermione to be there." Harry looked at her and saw her beam at this. "I'm not sure about who else…"
Dumbledore said, "I must say Harry, I was most impressed with your decisions tonight."
Harry looked at him and shook his head, "I'm not sure why I chose him…" He wasn't; not now. Now the idea of being seated in a room with Snape and sharing the most private, (well, nearly the most private) thing in his life with one whom he hated so much, was not sounding like the best idea.
"I know why." Dumbledore stood up and twinkled at Harry.
"Why?" Harry truly needed to hear one good reason for what he had done.
"Because you still do not trust him."
This made no sense to Harry and his face must have shown this.
"You see Harry, the quickest way to know whether someone is trustworthy or not, is to tell them a secret. In your offering of trust, you might allow him to earn your trust." With that, he bid them goodnight and left them alone.
* * * * *
Author's note: I have a Yahoo group, HP_AoF, (the website on my bio profile) where I also post my chapters. (For those times when FF.net just decides to shut down and leave us all in fanfic-withdrawal.) I also will upload any relevant files (floor plans, song files, etc) to this site.