Disclaimer: I own nothing. All the characters, settings, etc., etc. Belong to J.K. Rowling
Chapter Two --
A couple of days into the school year had proved uneventful. Tonks had been called home for a few days, so the beginning of Defense classes had been pushed back until Thursday. Harry wasn't especially looking forward to them as he already had homework piling up from his other classes, but Tonks's return would allow him the opportunity to drill her about Order of the Phoenix activities.
Harry stumbled into the boy's dormitory Wednesday afternoon. He had been planning to take a nap before dinner since he had woken up that morning. However, as soon as he tiredly swung the door open, he was met with a congregation of Gryffindor boys.
"Hey, let Harry through everybody! He hasn't seen it yet!"
Ron's voice was muffled through the small crowd. Harry pushed his way through the boys, and once he had pried himself from the huddle he say the object worthy of such a gathering. A giant blackboard had been hung between his bed and Ron's. It was headed WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW, followed by a chart with the name of every Hogwart's girl fourth year and above and a connecting chart of the name of every Hogwart's boy fourth year and above.
"Now remember, I shall began posting their opinions tomorrow, and it's two knuts to enter the room - unless you're a fifth year, of course - and I can't guarantee your name will be updated. It's up to the girls who they talk about." Ron called over the group, "That's all."
The boys began filing from the room, talking anxiously. Once everyone but Harry, Ron, and Neville had left, Harry asked, "What IS THAT?" gesturing to the blackboard.
"That, my friend, is our business. With these babies," Ron patted his front pocket, and Harry could see part of an Extendable Ear poking from underneath the cloth, "we can let any guy know what any girl says about him. No more worrying about who to ask out or what you look like because we'll know. Isn't it brilliant?"
Harry shook his head and wordlessly collapsed on his bed. Chalk dust from the board fell across his face, clouding his glasses. He jerked the bed curtains closed.
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"Harry, Harry, Harry."
Harry could feel someone shaking his shoulder but was too relaxed to care.
"Harry!"
A sensation of wakefulness clicked in his head and he sprung from his resting position. Hermione was leaning over him.
"Huh...what are you doing here?" Harry checked his surroundings. He had fallen asleep on top of his bed covers, forgetting to remove his tie and cloak.
"You missed dinner. I came to get you because we have to go see Tonks. Remember, you two start teaching classes in the morning," Hermione said slowly.
"Uh...wha...."
"Should I throw water on you or something?" Hermione moved threateningly toward the water pitcher underneath the window.
"No!" Harry stood up, "I'm awake, really." He yawned widely, thinking it impossible for him to suck in any more air.
"Why are you so tired anyway?" Hermione asked, stepping away from the water pitcher.
"Oh, you know I never sleep well," Harry grumbled, fumbling with his tie.
"Nightmares?" Hermione asked, worriedly.
"No, nothing like that. It's just...I don't know. I always think so hard or something like that..."
"I know what you mean," Hermione reached into Harry's trunk and pulled out a fresh cloak, "Here, that one's wrinkled. Hurry, we've got to go."
Before they left, Hermione gave the blackboard a questioning stare, "What is that?"
"Ron's investment," Harry smiled, dragging Hermione from the room.
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Tonks's quarters were a smaller version of Gryffindor common room. There was a expansive fireplace on the wall opposite from the door, and overstuffed armchairs and leather ottomans were crowded around the hearth. Her bedroom was small but overflowing with pillows, and she had a case of butterbeer in a small icebox behind one of the armchairs.
"Good to see you three!" Tonks said excitedly as she guided them by the fireplace, "I hate that I missed the first couple of days, but hey, strong start tomorrow. Right, Harry?"
"Uh...yeah."
Ron eyed the miniature icebox, and Tonks offered them all a butterbeer. It wasn't long before a friendly flow of conversation settled in, and Harry could sense a bit of Grimmauld's presence.
"And then the bloke became so frustrated with the clerk at the apothecary that he busted the lids off all the enchanted bat wing jars and the wings attacked the clerk," Tonks howled.
Ron and Harry sputtered on their butterbeer.
"You mean you just stood there and let that happen?" Hermione interrupted.
"Oh, but it was priceless, Hermy, you have to admit that," Tonks grinned.
"Well," Hermione was prompted by a wink from Harry, "yeah, it sounds pretty funny."
"So, I know you didn't come here to hear about my school shopping," Tonks cleared her throat, "What do you want, Potter?"
Harry's expression dulled, "I came to hear what I need to do tomorrow - for Defense classes."
"Oh, that's right. Dumbledore wanted you to help me. Probably in case I trip and knock myself out or something," Tonks rambled, "Well, I'll just introduce you tomorrow. Maybe you can teach them a fun little curse, huh."
"A fun little curse?" Ron laughed, "Yeah, Harry, why don't you teach them a little ditty you learned from Voldemort?"
Harry snorted, but a Tonks became solemn.
"What's wrong, Tonks?" Hermione asked, raising from her slouch against the couch cushions.
"Oh, not much. Just remembering last night's Order meeting," Tonks spoke as if her throat were pasted together.
Harry's heart began racing, "Wha...what about the meeting?"
"I don't know how much I can tell you guys."
"Tonks, we have a right to know" Harry said quietly.
"Yeah, I guess you do," Tonks smiled half-heartedly, "Okay. Did Hagrid ever tell you that he visited the giants last summer?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded.
"Well, a band of them attacked a couple of predominately wizarding towns this past weekend. One was in Ireland...and, uh...a-another was in Scotland," Tonks looked down at her lap.
"What were the towns?" Harry pressed.
"Hatter's Village and...Godric's Hollow," she looked up and shrugged her eyebrows.
"Godric's Hollow?" Harry repeated, "I didn't know that it was um...in Scotland."
"Yeah."
The four sat in silence for a long time.
"I never heard much about Godric's Hollow -- ." Harry began.
"Harry," Hermione tugged on the end of his cloak, "It was coincidence, I'm sure."
Ron nodded.
"No, it wasn't," Tonks snapped, chucking her empty butterbeer can into the fire. Her face glowed with the orange light as she silently demanded eye contact with Harry, "Voldemort is sending you a message, Harry. And he's not going to stop, either. So be strong and get used to that anvil in the pit of your stomach right now."
Ron's lips parted and his mouth hung open. Harry took Tonks's forwardness with appreciation, "You're right. Thank-you. Please, keep us informed."
Harry stood from the couch and made his way to the door. Ron and Hermione followed him hesitantly. Harry turned around at the threshold and smiled, "Oh, and thanks for the butterbeer. Hit the spot."
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"Oh, ha-ha, hehe. Check it out, Harry," Ron beamed, waving his arms at the what-you-want-to-know blackboard the next morning, "I was up all night, dropping the Extendables from the windows in the boy's hall. You can hear what's going on downstairs...with the girls. They must not need that much sleep. Three in the morning, I tell you!"
"Ron," Harry muttered, shoving socks onto his feet, "you're insane."
"They think Seamus has great hair, that Dean's the cool, artsy type, that you have amazing eyes, and that my red hair is...get this...cute."
Harry stared at Ron in a concerned manner, "I'm going to credit that comment to your lack of sleep."
"Nope," Ron bubbled ,"Didn't sleep a bit. Heh-heh....1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ... I think I'm functioning okay though. Like clockwork actually! But I think a breakfast of solid syrup might help me be more attentive. Wouldn't want to accidently encounter a rampaging hippogriff and not know it was there -- ."
"Somnio," Harry extended his wand.
Ron doubled over on his bed, fast asleep.
"No one should ever suffer through him like that," Harry told himself as he left for breakfast.
Hermione was engaged in a conversation with Dumbledore outside the Great Hall when Harry arrived.
"Where's Ron?" she asked when Harry warily approached them.
"Um...he's not feeling so great this morning. I think he just needs a little rest."
"I could use some rest myself," Hermione sighed, "I was just telling the headmaster that lights out times should be implemented in the dormitory halls. The Gryffindor girls were up chatting and screaming all along the corridor until 3:14 last night."
"So I hear."
Dumbledore placed an aged hand on Harry's shoulder, "I was waiting for you, Harry. I apologize, but I'm afraid that I need to pull you away from your breakfast again. Would you mind accompanying me to my office?"
"No problem," Harry waved bye to Hermione and trailed behind Dumbledore.
The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge was waiting for their return in Dumbledore's office. Harry immediately detected the tension between the headmaster and the minister.
"Finally, Dumbledore. Thought you were having to carry the boy here."
Dumbledore motioned for Harry to have a seat next to Fudge, "Harry, the minister needs to speak with you for a moment."
Fudge was another man that Harry would rather not have an involved conversation with after the previous year.
"Mr. Potter, I'm here to inform you that you have been chosen to serve on the Wizengamot."
Harry knew he looked shocked.
"Now, I realize it's a bit shocking, and I can't say that I want you to serve on the Wizengamot -- ."
"And why not?" Harry boiled.
"Because you're too young, but I don't really have a say in it. We had to replace Dolores, and your name was pulled from the hat."
"The hat? Minister -- ."
Fudge wrenched his lime-green bowler hat off in annoyance and extracted his wand from his cloak in much the same manner. He tapped the bowler hat twice and said through gritted teeth, "Wizengamot replacement." A piece of parchment fluttered from the hat. Fudge passed it to Harry. The name Harry Potter was scripted on the paper.
"As I said, not my decision. And you really don't have much choice either. I don't know why the blasted hat wants you."
"You can tell the minister is delighted to have you on his staff," Dumbledore sad, cheerily from behind his desk, "I think you should consider it an honor, Harry, that you have been designated to be on the Wizengamot."
"What do I have to do?" Harry asked.
"Attend the trials and place a vote. It's not necessary you give us input, but I suppose I couldn't stop you if I wanted to," Fudge slapped the hat back on his head and rose from his chair, "Now, I have a lot of things to take care of this morning. Next trial is in a week. You'll be owled information."
Fudge brusquely left the room.
"Good luck, Harry," Dumbledore shook Harry's hand and led him to the door.
Harry silently returned to the Great Hall.
A/N: Please review! Thanks for reading!
