Chapter Three:

Even though Madison did not have Defense Against the Dark Arts, she was really beginning to hate the instructor, Madame Zep. She seemed to be everywhere that Madison was going, and she was constantly asking questions. Why wasn't she in class? Why did she look guilty? Why wasn't she wearing her Hogwarts robes. Madison finally got into it with her on the way to the common room one day.

"Ms. Angleman!"

Madison wasn't quite sure how Madame Zep knew her name, but she did.

Madison exhaled deeply and turned around. "Yes ma'am?"

"I heard that you were absent from your two of your classes on the first day."

"Yes ma'am." Madison said, exasperated. She really wanted to go to the Slytherin Common Room and relax.

"I checked my role. A young man named Ron Weasley was absent from my class on that day as well."

"And…?"

"Do you know what I think?"

"Please, enlighten me."

"I think that the two of you cut class and took part in indecent activities."

"You know what I think Madame Zep? As I am in none of your classes it does not matter what you think. I could skip class everyday and there is absolutely nothing you could do about it because I am not your student." Madison started walking away.

"You're right, you're not my student…but Mr. Weasley is."

Madison stopped. "You're a little bit of a bitch, aren't you?"

Madam Zep looked shocked. "I suggest that you get where you are supposed to be before I am forced to have words with your head of house."

As if on cue, Professor Snape rounded the corner. "Madame Zep, Ms. Angleman." He greeted upon seeing them.

"Ah, Severus. I believe that Madison is one of your students, correct?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"She has been rather cheeky and rude to me. I was going to deduct house points, but I believe it would be best to leave the girls punishment up to you."

"Thank you. I will take care of the situation. Ms. Angleman, come with me."

Madison pursed her lips and followed Snape away from Madam Zep, to his office. He opened the door for her.

"Have a seat."

Madison obeyed. Snape sat on the opposite side of the desk from her.

"So, you were rude to Madame Zep, were you?"

"She deserved it."

To Madison's surprise, Snape laughed.

"Why are you laughing at me?"

"When you were sorted into Slytherin, I was afraid that you would not fit in, but maybe I was wrong." Snape pulled a bottle out from behind his desk. "Do you want one of these?"

"What is it?"

"Butterbeer. It's good, try it." He handed the bottle over.

Madison took it, but she was a bit confused. She thought that she was going to be punished, not laughed at and rewarded. She decided that it was best not to argue. She gladly took the drink from him.

"So, how are you liking it here?"

Madison shrugged. "A few of the students don't like me, but for the most part, I fit in alright. It's hard sometimes. All of the groups and clicks are formed. Some of them do not want to let anyone else in."

"It's not too late for you to quite, you know."

Madison shook her head. "I want to be here."

"Good…now that I have you here, it is the perfect opportunity to discuss your class work. Are you sure that you want to take potions?"

"Yes sir, why?"

"Your cauldron work—it's a bit lacking." Snape stood up and walked around the desk. If I don't see a vast improvement, I am afraid that I will have to suggest that you drop the class."

Madison reached across out and touched Snape on the arm. She put on her cutest face. "But…I love potions."

"The decision is entirely up to you, of course."

Madison leaned back and crossed her legs. "Do you think that if I continue I'll fail the course?"

"Well, I don't know, I—"

Madison got up, and then sat back down on the desk top very close to Snape. She stroked his shoulder. "Do you think I'll fail?"

Snape smirked. "I think we can work something out…if it comes to that."

For the next couple of days, Madison hung out with Malfoy a lot. She didn't particularly enjoy it, though. Malfoy always wanted to have his arm around her waist, or his hand on her knee. It was really annoying, but Madison put up with it. She was completely ignoring Ron. When she passed him in the halls, she would look the other way, and she would not speak to him in classes.

Madison's potion work did not improve any. Snape assured her a passing grade if she joined him in his office after dinner for…desert a few nights a week. She had no problem doing this for a grade. Besides, as sick as it sounded, she kink of enjoyed Snape's company.

Madison looked around. She was outside, on the grounds in an area she had never been in before. The quidditch field. It was light out, but not bright. Madison guessed that it was around six a.m.

Two figures were in the middle of the field. One of them was grasping a broomstick. Madison recognized them as Harry and Ron. Harry handed the broomstick to Ron, who immediately jumped on and zoomed around the field. When he landed, Ron gave Harry a high five, and them handed the broom back. They were talking, but Madison couldn't hear them. She took a few steps forward, and that's when she saw them.

Dark creatures were coming out of the forest. Madison recognized the creatures from a book she had read. They were called lethifolds-dark creatures that suffocated a victim before devouring them. The lethifolds were coming for Harry and Ron.

Madison yelled for Harry and Ron to run, but they didn't, or couldn't hear her. She yelled again. Harry looked up. Not because he heard Madison, but because he heard the lethifolds. He drew his wand, but it was too late. The lethifolds attacked both he and Ron.

"Madison? Madison? Damnit Madison, open your eyes!"

Madison was lying on the cold stone floor of Snape's office. Snape was on his knees, leaning over her. He looked frantic.

Slowly, Madison tried to sit up. She was sore all over, probably from hitting the floor.

"Lie back down, Madame Pomfrey is on her way."

"What happened?"

"You passed out."

"Harry, Ron! Are they alright?"

"What?"

"I saw them. They were being attacked on the quidditch field. Lethifolds"

"I can assure you that Potter and Weasely are both safe in their beds."

Madison climbed to her feet. "What time is it?"

"About three in the morning. Now please, lie back down."

"It was about six. You have to stop them before they go flying."

"Madison, just lie back down until"

"Why aren't you listening to me? They're going to be attacked! I saw it happen!"

Comprehension dawned on Snape's face. "Oh, you had a" The door opened and Madame Pomfey, the school nurse, came in. Snape ushered her back out. "Go get Albus. Hurry!"

"But, the student"

"Go!"

Madam Pomfrey scurried back out. Madison sat on Snape's desk. She pressed her fingertips to her temples and massaged.

"Are you alright?" Snape asked doubtfully.

Madison shook her head. "My whole body aches."

"You hit the floor pretty hard." Snape moved behind Madison and rubbed her shoulders. Then he opened his desk drawer and pulled out a vial. "Drink this."

Madison accepted the potion. "What is it?"

"A fast acting, low dose pain killer. It'll help."

"Good." Madison took the potion.

The door opened and both Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore entered.

"What did you see?" Dumbledore asked knowingly. Madison related what she had witnessed. When she had finished, Dumbledore turned to Madame Pomfrey. "Poppie, you stay her with Madison. Severus, you come with me." Dumbledore and Snape both hurriedly left the room.

Madame Pomfrey examined Madison thoroughly in the two and a half hours that Dumbledore was gone. The pain killer had kicked in, so Madison felt perfectly fine. She was just a little bit scared.

The next time the door opened, Snape was there alone. His robes were torn and he was very disheveled.

"You are excused, Poppie." he said. Madame Pomfrey left. "The headmaster feels that it is time for you to meet the other members."

Madison nodded. Snape held out a slip of paper. "Memorize this." Madison read and memorized what was written. Snape gave her a pinch of Floo Powder. "Concentrate hard on what you just read while traveling or it won't work."

Madison threw the Floo Powder into the fire and stepped in. "Number Twelve, Grimauld Place."

Madison closed her eyes until she stopped moving. At the end of the trip, Madison tumbled forward and fell on her face. When she looked up, a hand had been extended to her. Madison excepted the help up.

"Thanks."

"No problem." The owner of the hand said. "But who are you?"

"Lets leave the introductions for when Dumbledore gets here." Snape, who had just stepped out of the fireplace, said. "Come on." He grabbed Madison by the arm and pulled her into another room.

Madison sat down at a long table. Snape opened a butterbeer and gave it to Madison. She took it, but didn't drink. The guy that had helped Madison to her feet joined them around the table. So did a handful of others. They all sat down, and looked curiously at Madison.

Dumbledore appeared, along with Professor McGonagall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who was first to see Madison.

"What's she doing here?"

"Yes, Albus," Someone down the table said. "I think we'd all like to know that."

Madison bit her lip nervously. Dumbledore stood behind her and put a hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

"This is Madison Angleman. She is the newest member to the Order, and our new secret weapon."

"How so?"

Dumbledore looked down at Madison. She gulped and nodded.

"I have…visions…like premonitions. Of Voldemort and his followers…I see his plans…and know what he's going to do."

Everybody was exchanging glances. They seemed somewhat skeptical.

"Just tonight, she saved Harry and Ron from a lethifold attack on school grounds. Since lethifolds ordinarily only attack while a victim is sleeping, we have every reason to believe that the attack was ordered by Voldemort. Because of Madison's vision we were able to thwart the attack."

Ron looked at Madison. "You saved our lives."

"Don't take it personally, Ron. I would have done it for anyone."

"Hold on." Hermione said. "How can she be a secret weapon? She's a Slytherin for heaven's sake."

"I told the sorting hat to place her there." Dumbledore explained. "I thought that would be the best place to stimulate her visions of Death Eaters."

"Are you sure we can trust her?"

"I believe so. After all, she is my own family member."

A gasp was issued around the table. Everyone was completely dumbfounded.

"Not by blood." Madison said. "Dumbledore's brother adopted me years ago."

Silence.

"But…why does she have visions of…him?" someone asked.

Dumbledore looked down at Madison. She was shaking her head vigorously.

"I think I'll leave that for Madison to reveal when she is ready."

Madison smiled. She was by no means ready to disclose that information. Not at all.

All the other members were staring at Madison, trying to make sense of what Dumbledore had just said.

"Why don't I let all of you get better acquainted with Madison. Minerva, Severus, will you please remain here with the students? I have to get back to the school."

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore left, but nobody else moved. Madison remained in her seat, smiling nervously. Snape put his hand on her shoulder. McGonagall gave him a disapproving look and he removed it hastily.

A red headed wizard sitting across the table was the first to speak. "I'm Charlie Weasley, it's a pleasure to meet you, Madison. Welcome to the Order."

That got everybody going.

"How old are you, Madison?" A wizard named Remus asked

"Sixteen."

"You're the youngest member we've ever had."

Madison made her way around, making small talk with everyone, and flirting with some of the younger male members. She loved the way that Ron looked when she did this. One of the last people that Madison talked to was Charlie, Ron's brother. Madison said something funny, and Charlie, laughing, touched her on the arm. Ron lost it. He charged across the room and tackled Charlie.

"What the hell Ron? Get off me!" Harry and Remus pulled him Ron off of Charlie.

Madison grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him into another room.

"What was that about?" Madison asked. Ron studied his feet, avoiding eye contact with Madison. "Ron, you just attacked your brother!"

"He was flirting with you."

"Lot's of guys flirt with me. Are you going to attack all of them?"

Ron blushed. "No…it's just…I don't know…"

"You got jealous?"

Ron nodded. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry. You"

"No, not about that. About before. Madison, you're every bit as smart as Hermione. I known you are. I don't know why I ever said otherwise."

"Thanks, that means a lot to me."

"So…um…could you maybe…"

"Stop ignoring you in class and intentionally flirting with other guys in front of you?"

"Yeah, that."

"I'll try."

"Thanks."

They went back into the room with the other members. Hermione was glaring at them. Ron didn't notice, but Madison stuck her tongue out at her.

When Madison was sure that she had met all the members present, Snape and McGonagall took them back to the school.

The next day, Madison and Ron were walking through the halls, not necessarily together, but side by side. They ran into Madame Zep.

"Ah, Ms. Angleman, I have been meaning to talk to you."

Madison groaned. "What is it now?"

"I was speaking with Madame Pomfrey, and she says you fell ill last night."

She was obviously talking about when she had fainted. "And..?"

"I know, that's not very interesting. What is interesting is the fact that it happened in the middle of the night, way past curfew."

"And..?"

"In Professor Snape's office."

Ron scrunched his brow, confused. "Why were you in Snape's office past curfew?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I would like to know." Madame Zep said.

"It's none of your business."

"Do you know what I think?"

Madison rolled her eyes. "No, I don't, and much like the last time that we interacted, I could really care less." She stepped past her and went about her way.

Ron was following her. "Madison, why were you in Snape's office?"

Madison stopped and turned around. "Why does it matter?"

"Because Snape's a dirty old man and I want to know what he's been doing to you."

Madison exhaled heavily. "He hasn't been doing anything to me. I'm failing potions. He told me he would curve my grade if I came to his office and kept him company every once in a while."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. I go to his office after dinner and chit chat with him while he grades papers or tests potions. We talk and that's all."

"Oh."

"It's great to know what you think of me, Ron."

"Not you, him. He's an ass."

Madison shook her head. "All I know is that he is a teacher that is doing everything he can to make sure I do my best and pass his class."

"Whatever, but I would still feel better if you stopped doing that."

"If I do that, I'll fail potions."

Madison, you're a Slytherin. You're pretty much guaranteed a passing grade in potions no matter how poorly you do."

"Then why did he tell me"

"Because he's a dirty old man and you're a naive teenage girl. That's why."

"That bastard!"

Madison stormed off, trying to think of what she could do to see if Ron was right. She didn't have to wait long to find out.