Chapter 12:
The following morning, Harry awoke and crept downstairs, so as not to wake Ron, who was still snoring loudly. He stopped before entering the kitchen, as he heard voices from inside. Though he knew he shouldn't be eavesdropping, he was desperate for any information.
He heard Remus' voice first. "I know, Tonks- but it's all becoming too dangerous- I can see where Dumbledore's coming from, stopping the Order meetings, and-"
"But Remus," cut in Tonks, "there surely can't be the amount of spies as he believes, it makes no sense- one in six! It's so hard to imagine anyone in the Order betraying us! And one out of every six? How could You-Know-Who possibly have that big of an army already?"
"You're forgetting, Nymphadora," began Mrs. Weasley, but Tonks cleared her throat indignantly. "Okay, Tonks," sighed Mrs. Weasley in the voice she used when Bill refused to cut his hair or when Mr. Weasley refused to give up a new extension cord. "As I said, you are forgetting what it was like last time! Blackmail. His Death Eaters are making other people join, or at least spy on their friends- by threatening to kill their family, or by taking all that they own. When we refused to spy on Dumbledore- after my brothers were already gone- the Malfoys began messing up our bank accounts. They managed to mess up the wills and everything- the Malfoys managed to get all of the Prewett accounts. And Regulus Black threatened Arthur- said he'd do horrible things to our friends, children- if we didn't help their cause."
"But still," sighed another woman, who Harry didn't immediately recognize, "Stopping the Order meetings?"
"Now, now, 'Estia- it isn't like the Order is stopping," sighed Mundungus. "An' we'll 'ave our groups of five to work with an' all, an' Dumbledore will tell people 'ee trusts what's goin' on."
"I'm not so sure he will, Fletcher," growled Moody. "He trusts everyone in the Order, the fool. But you have to respect him for it- always knows what's going on, Dumbledore."
"By the way, Mundungus," said Remus loudly. "You need to pick up your griffin from Evelyn's old manor, in the Black Forest. It's been pretty riled up lately, but it's gotten rather attached to some members of the Order, and won't be able to hunt on its own, at least we think."
"Oh, the griffin?" asked Mundungus. "Yeah, 'im. Well, I won't be needing 'im anymore- sold 'im to Fred an' George, if I recall. Needed 'is toenails. But I'd better be going- 'ave some business to take care of- see you at the meeting tonight." With that, he Dispparated with a loud crack. Mrs. Weasley sighed loudly.
"How he ever made it into the Order, I'll never know," she sighed. "But he ended up in Arthur's and my group, somehow."
"Yeah, Dumbledore wanted to mix it up a bit I believe. Evelyn and I have Calli and Bill in our group," said Remus.
"What about your fifth person?" asked Tonks.
"It was Kingsley," said Lupin shortly. A silence followed his statement, broken by Mrs. Weasley.
"So what is the international conference tonight about?" she asked.
"Well," said Remus, "Voldemort has managed to get followers in about eleven different countries, and in some abundance, I'm afraid. It's only a matter of time before attacks begin in other countries. Several small attacks have already begun, but are being kept quiet. Unfortunately, some Ministries of Magic are refusing to believe that Voldemort is trying to take over more than just Britain. In the conference tonight there will be over two hundred people. Twenty-five will be from Britain."
"Will France's Minister be there?" asked Moody.
"No," sighed Tonks. "But I've been in contact with a few French Aurors who believe he's back. Some officials from the government will be there, but in secret from the Minister. They haven't been as cooperative as we would have hoped."
"And the meeting will be in the Pyramid?" asked Mrs. Weasley. "I still don't understand why we so boldly took the Pyramid- in front of everyone, too-"
"Haven't you been reading the Prophet, Molly?" asked Remus.
"Well- not since the Order began- you know the way they talked about Harry and all!"
Tonks sighed. "The Ministry isn't leaning on the Prophet anymore, Molly. But, anyway, they've reported that it was an ancient curse set off by Muggle tomb raiders. Of course, the Death Eaters may be onto us by now, but it's well-protected, and we'll be gone by tomorrow."
"Where are we moving all the people hiding there, though?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Different places," growled Moody. "Some are returning home; some who either are in danger or feel that they are will be temporarily moving into both Evelyn and Calli's manor. And Order Headquarters will only be known by each group's leader, who Dumbledore picks, and only the leader knows. Nobody else in the group even knows who's leader. For group meetings they'll take turns at each person's house. It's the safest thing to do," he finished.
"I still don't get the point," said Mrs. Weasley stiffly.
"Well, it was probably a stupid idea," said Tonks, "but it happened and is being fixed. Now, Harry, you may come in and ask questions that you have about what you've just heard. We were probably going to tell you, anyway, just not right now. So come on in." Harry turned a slight crimson as he opened the door.
"It was about time one of you noticed he was there," said Moody.
"Well I was waiting for Mr. Constant Vigilance to say something," said Tonks. "Wotcher, Harry," she said as he opened the door, embarrassed.
"I knew he was there as well," said Remus. "I had a feeling someone was listening, and if neither of you said something, it was one or more of the kids- er, young adults," he corrected, seeing the look on Harry's face. "And Harry has a knack of hearing things he isn't supposed to." Lupin smiled.
"Sorry for listening- but I really wanted to know what was going on, and what Neville told us didn't help much- I honestly didn't plan listening; I came down for breakfast, but didn't want to interrupt, and I couldn't help hearing," he finished, rather flustered. The witch Harry recognized as Hestia Jones laughed.
"Just like James," she said, smiling. Remus nodded proudly.
"So… any questions, Potter?" asked Moody. Harry was rather relieved that none of them was angry with him.
"Just a few," lied Harry, who had millions of things racing through his mind.
"Fire away," said Tonks.
"My first one has to be about this- International conference. It sounds rather self-explanatory-" he paused, and everyone looked at him as if to say 'Go on,' and Molly bustled around the kitchen, muttering about making breakfast for the 'poor dears'. "What is it? And what has Voldemort been doing in other countries?"
"The usual," said Lupin bitterly. "Getting followers, attacking Muggles and Muggle-borns, trying to take over the governments."
"Are there Orders in other countries?" asked Harry. Tonks nodded.
"In many of them. Mexico, Spain, America, Canada, and Australia have all sided with us. Several other countries: France, Russia, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Brazil, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, plus several other smaller countries, have secret Orders inside them. And all of the Orders are joining up, so to speak, to get rid of Voldemort, and two other surfacing 'Dark Lords', though Voldemort is by far the most dangerous-"
"Remus!" hissed Tonks. Remus stopped talking questionably. "Stop saying the bloody name!" Remus rolled his eyes.
"And they're meeting tonight, in the Pyramid," he finished. "And no," he said, as Harry opened his mouth, "You can't come. I'm sorry, Harry, but only wizards and witches out of school can come- all of the Order can't even come. Only five groups are going."
"How many groups are there?" asked Harry, now in a bad mood that he still wasn't in the Order.
"Fifteen or sixteen," said Remus. "I can't exactly remember which it is." Harry nodded.
"What about the Longbottoms?" asked Harry suddenly. "Are they doing better now that they're not in St. Mungo's?"
"Well, as you know, Grimmauld Place is now a hospital. We only removed people who we believe the Death Eaters might threaten, or the owners of the hospital themselves might threaten. We removed about twenty people total, and all of them are doing all right. We have six Healers in the Order, and we've filled the fist floors with Wards. The Healers are taking shifts that they aren't at St. Mungo's and are working at Grimmauld Place. We also have several people who are very adept at Potions and medicine, even if they didn't follow that career path. The Longbottoms aren't showing any improvement yet, but a Healer has discovered that the hospital has only been giving them trivial Potions, such as Dreamless Sleep, that cannot do anything to help their condition."
"Do you think they even can get better?" asked Harry.
"Maybe," said Lupin. "But it's very hard to say which way would be the most fair to them. The things they've been through and missed could very well haunt them forever… but we will still do anything to help, of course."
"Why won't you let me come tonight?" asked Harry suddenly.
"Harry, you're just not ready," began Mrs. Weasley. Harry angrily cut her off.
"Why does everyone always say that? What if I decide not to defeat Voldemort? Why should I, when nobody will tell me anything about what's going on in our world?"
"Harry," said Tonks, surprised. "It isn't like that at all."
"No?" asked Harry angrily. "Then tell me. What is it like?"
"We don't want you hurt if an attack happens at the meeting! If Death Eaters somehow find out about it, they'll know you're there! That's why we're giving you a two way mirror to listen to the meeting with, but not be there!"
"Y-you are?" asked Harry, feeling extremely foolish.
"Yes, Harry. Now it's time for breakfast," said Mrs. Weasley. "We're heading to the meeting soon, at which time Hestia and two other Order members will be taking you all to get your school supplies. By the time you get back, you will still have about an hour before the meeting begins. And don't forget, school is starting in less than a week." Harry had completely forgotten school was beginning so soon.
By the time breakfast had started, Ginny, Hermione, and Fred and George had all woken up and had come downstairs. Harry told them quickly what had happened once all the adults had left the room. They all seemed very surprised. "Nobody told us about an international meeting!" said George, affronted.
"Who's in your group?" asked Hermione, interested.
"Well," said Fred, "there's us, Katie, Oliver, and a girl Percy's age named Stacy."
"What about Angelina?" asked Ginny. A dark look appeared on George's face, and Fred looked downright depressed.
"Well…" began George tentatively. "Ah. Well, you all probably know how Lee's fancied her for ages? Well, she broke up with Fred and asked him out after Alicia…" he trailed off.
"What?" demanded Hermione. "After her best friend dies, she asks out her boyfriend?"
"Tell me about it," sighed Fred.
"But they liked each other…"
"No excuse," said Ginny, putting a comforting arm around her brother. Fred shrugged her off miserably.
"So who's Quidditch captain this year?" asked George in a desperate attempt to lighten up the mood. But before anyone could answer, they heard a terrible argument from upstairs.
"GOD, DRACO! LEAVE ME ALONE! WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN PARANOID? I DON'T LIKE BLAISE!"
"LENORE! I WAS JUST ASKING WHY-"
"AND I DON'T LIKE YOU EITHER RIGHT NOW! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"FINE!"
"FINE!" The next moment, two doors slammed loudly.
"That sounded violent," commented Fred. George nodded.
"Well, we're off to work. See you later."
"Bye," said Ginny, as they Apparated away. Then Ron meandered down the stairs.
"What's all that yelling?" he asked somnolently.
Harry, Ginny, and Hermione exchanged laughing looks. "Nothing," said Ginny. "But I'd better go talk to Lenore. And you two should talk to Draco. It would be a shame if they broke up." Harry nodded.
"Sounds good." With that, he dragged Ron back upstairs.
Two hours later, Hestia Jones showed up in the kitchen of the Burrow, followed by two other young women, both of whom had children. Harry, Ron, and Ginny had just sat down to lunch as they arrived.
"Hi, Harry; Ginny; Ron," said Hestia as she arrived in a cheerful voice. "Is anyone here?"
"None of the Order," said Ginny, smiling. "They left about thirty minutes ago."
"Okay, then." She smiled and pointed to the woman next to her. "This is Rose Kelleher, and this is Marcia Thompson." Both woman smiled and waved. They were both young; maybe thirty or so. The first woman had long black hair and light green eyes, and the second woman had brown, wavy hair and light brown eyes. There were five small children standing around them. The first woman stepped forward.
"Hi, I'm Rose- These are my children, Brian, who's six, and Nicole, who is four." The children both had turquoise eyes. Brian had inherited his mother's dark hair, but Nicole was blonde. "And you are…?"
"I'm Harry," said Harry quickly. Rose smiled, and Harry noticed that her eyes didn't dart up to his forehead until she thought he wasn't looking. Obviously she was trying to be polite.
"I'm Ginny, and this is my brother Ron." Rose grinned.
"And you can call me just Marcia. These are my kids-" she began as Lenore, Hermione, and Draco toppled down the stairs. Neville had left the night before. "Breena and Honoria are three, and Dalton is five." The first two were twins- they both had light blue eyes and dirty-blonde curly hair. They were dressed in matching outfits, and their faces were covered in freckles. The boy also had a lot of freckles and blonde hair, but he had brown eyes like his mother.
"I'm Lenore, and this is Hermione."
"I'm Draco," said Draco tonelessly. He refused to listen to Harry and Ron about Lenore. "Draco Malfoy. Hello, Rose."
"Draco?" asked Rose disbelievingly. "Oh, Draco!" she rushed over and hugged him. "I used to baby-sit him, when he was little! How are you, Draco?"
"Good," said Draco, as Ron laughed loudly.
"So, ready to go?" asked Hestia. Everyone nodded, and in a few minutes had all gotten out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron.
"Mummy," asked one of the children, Brian, immediately, "when can I go to Hogwarts?"
Rose sighed loudly. "When you're eleven. Now behave."
"Mummy?"
"Yes?" asked Rose again. It was her daughter this time, Nicole.
"Can I have a broom? Please, Mummy?"
"No; we've already been over this, not until you're eight…" Harry, Ron, and Draco walked a few paces ahead.
"Harry," said Ron, "let's go ask the baby-sitter for some embarrassing Draco stories." He laughed.
"Ha, ha, very funny," said Draco emotionlessly. "She won't tell you any. Because there aren't any. I was very mature for a four year-old."
"Sure," said Ron, sniggering. "I bet you did all kinds of stuff… wet the bed, picked bogeys…"
"And let's not forget the time you, Ron, had Snuggles the Teddy-bear turned into a spider…" said Ginny, catching up to them. Ron turned red. Draco chuckled.
"I was off bears by the time I was two." Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"What a deprived childhood," she commented.
"Deprived?" asked Draco, sounding shocked. "I had everything I wanted!"
"Whatever, Draco," yawned Ginny. "Who's up for some ice cream…?"
The afternoon passed very pleasantly. Ron, who before hadn't opened his Hogwarts letter out of laziness, was thrilled and surprised when he found he was Quidditch captain. For some reason, Ron being captain seemed to make Hermione even more upset about not being Head Girl. This led to Marcia telling a story about how she had been in a circumstance much like Hermione's. The women were both very nice, and their kids were pretty cute, Harry had to admit.
When Brian found out that Harry was the Harry Potter, he had gone crazy. Rose quickly explained to Harry that he was Brian's idol, so to speak. It was quite funny. The twins became immediately attached to Ginny, who thought it was cute, but when Nicole began to talk to Lenore, Lenore looked extremely dubious. All in all it was a good day. At first Harry had been slighted that they needed escorts, but was glad that they seemed so easygoing, very unlike, say, Moody.
When they arrived at the Burrow, everyone was quite excited about the meeting. Hestia slipped Harry a two-way mirror, and then the women left.
"Remus Lupin," said Harry clearly to the mirror five minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin. A large Atrium filled with people came into view. Remus poked his head in front of it for a moment.
"Hey, you guys."
"Hi," murmured everyone with excitement.
"May I have your attention, please?" came a voice loudly, sounding magnified, like Bagman's during the Quidditch Cup. It was Dumbledore. Harry anxiously listened, hoping to get any questions answered. An hour later, the meeting was over, and no new questions had been answered. It was the same old stuff!
"I guess they weren't keeping anything from us," said Ginny, marveled. Harry nodded.
"I guess not…" The meeting had been rather interesting, though. He had finally seen proof of the amount of the support they had. He had. All of them were supporting him to defeat Voldemort- and none of them knew it.
A/N: Sorry about the long time it took to update. I just wasn't in the mood to write, and the very low amount of reviews for the past few chapters hasn't been very motivating. But I hope you like the chapter. The next one will be longer, and will have some answers to the relationship problems. Don't worry about having seven new main characters now- they don't have anything to do with the story, really- unlike the other O.C.'s I normally create. Well, Please review and I will update before Tuesday! I really hope this story is keeping your interest- and remember, any ideas you have- tell me! I get a lot of ideas from reviews or questions people have I haven't normally thought of. So review!
Jinglez