Chapter 2-
The First Casualty of War is the Truth
Disclaimer- J.K is the genius, not me.
Rain blazed down like a horde of thick liquid arrows from the deep night sky cascading on to the hard cement, flooding the streets and casting an eerily dark shadow across the grimy streets of London.
Rain had never bothered Katie until this moment. As a child she used get up early just to stare out of her window into the pouring rain that soaked the dirt roads and the green paddocks that meandered past her windows. But those were better days.
Now Katie wished the rain would break and the sun would push through the heavy clouds and spread slithers of light across the bleak, narrow streets. At least then Katie could pretend she and the world were fine and always would be.
She watched the rain continue to fall out of the threadbare window. Its white paint long lost its gleam, now fading and peeling away, revealing the old pine showing through. Fred and George had not yet fixed up their apartment, investing their time in the shop below.
It had been six hours, though it seemed like a lifetime, since she had seen Dumbledore. Her mind was reeling out of control from its implications and it would not stop giving her no peace, rest or sleep.
Katie turned back towards her bed. Angelina was fast asleep in her bed across the large airy room, snoring loudly as usual. It was often joked that Angelina could sleep through a rampaging herd of hippogriffs. Katie had never doubted this.
Alicia however was awake, her dark locks tangled and her eyes looking like she'd rather be fast asleep like Angelina. Alicia had the most trouble sleeping out of the three so it didn't surprise Katie that she was up.
Alicia looked at her with a measure of concern, a look she often gave George before Order Missions. Katie had seen that look before and it had never ended pleasantly.
"You're going to have to tell us sometime Katie. You can't keep it all bottled up you'll go crazy then explode and end up regretting whatever you said." Alicia finished her speech warily.
Katie sighed. She had never kept anything from Alicia, besides her tendency to wear odd socks, but she was sure Alicia knew about that. But what she had been told was all muddled up, like pieces of jigsaw that didn't fit.
The question wasn't if she going tell her friends but whether she was ready too. The issue made Katie feel like someone had stabbed her in her heart and it was raw. She hated feeling that way. She was helpless and vulnerable and it burnt her up on the inside. Katie had always liked being in control. It was why she loved Quidditch so much. But she was far from in control now.
Katie turned back towards Alicia, and now a very bemused looking Angelina in her novelty P.Js, which featured Umbridge alternatively being trampled by centaurs or Peeves hitting her with a sock full of chalk and a walking stick. It was currently the twin number 1 product besides Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs
Angelina groggily asked, "What are you doing". Angelina wasn't fond of getting up early unless it was for Quidditch. She had nearly made Oliver seem like an amateur in torturing people early in the morning.
"Trying to find out why Dumbledore wanted to talk to her and why she looks like she got hit with a random bludger afterwards." was Alicia's crisp response.
"Oh" Angelina needed no further response. Angelina and Alicia knew Katie far to well to believe the response that Katie had gave. "I'm fine" was Katie's response when something bothered her.
Katie flopped on her bed and started to fiddle with her Teddy Bear Humphrey. It was her most treasured gift as it came from her Godmother, who died when Katie was young. He was the only thing she had since she was a baby.
"I'll tell you," said Katie weakly after a long pause. She didn't know how her friends would react, or her parents when they found out that she knew.
Six Hours Earlier
Katie tumbled out of the Taxi, landing on Bill and Alicia rather ungracefully causing them both to groan. "What have you been eating Katie, fried dragons" asked George snickering.
Katie poked her tongue out and had to try not to laugh when Mrs. Weasley grabbed George by the ear. "How dare you comment on that poor girls weight when she's spent most of her summer locked up by that awful man, especially when your not looking especially trim George Weasley".
At that comment the whole room erupted in laughter except for George and Mrs. Weasley who looked as formidable as the horntail Harry faced. George looked distinctively uncomfortable, especially when Alicia nodded her head in mock agreement. "Hey, your suppose to side with me" George grumbled. Alicia giggled and the three girls started to walk downstairs from the attic.
"Why does Mrs. Weasley think I was locked away the whole summer" Katie enquired. Alicia fiddled with her neat black locks whilst Angelina started to squirm nervously.
"You lied to Mrs. Weasley" hissed Katie. Alicia sheepishly nodded.
Angelina explained "It was the only way we could bust you out, Katie. We needed their permission to approach you and retrieve you're wand. Besides it was technically a small white lie, you haven't been out of the house all summer, have you".
Katie was grateful to her friends. They both wanted the respect of Mrs. Weasley and lying to her wouldn't have been easy. After all Fred and George were her sons.
Katie took the opportunity to look around the stairways. The walls were covered in portraits of ancient wizards and witches who cheerfully waved at her. The walls were freshly painted a light yellow that desperately tried to cheer the place up but didn't quite succeed.
"Mrs. Weasley decided to cheer things up. We've all been enlisted one time or another to help." Alicia's answer explained the house but not why she was here. The only scrap of info that she had gotten was the address of the place, 12 Grimmauld Place.
Her questions were laid to rest when they reached the end of the stairway and entered the kitchen. A large wooden table dominated the room. Sitting at the end of this table was Albus Dumbledore. "Please sit down, Miss Bell".
Dumbledore's usually twinkling eyes seemed subdued and quiet, not the sparkling energetic gaze that you were apt to see. His faced seemed older, filled with more sadness then she had ever seen before. Katie obeyed his command and Alicia and Angelina gave her a final look of sympathy before retreating.
Dumbledore took off his half-moon spectacles and looked at her. It seemed like he was looking through her, to her very soul. It was unnerving. "Earlier today I received a large package that rightfully belongs to you. There was also a letter addressed to me. However before I address this letter, I need to talk to you about this location and why you are here"
Finally some answers Katie mused. Dumbledore was known to be quite enigmatic. She remembered he's musings when Harry and the Twins were kicked off the team and a raging Angelina stormed into his office accompanied by Alicia and herself. When they got into the office they already found Professor McGonagall protesting rather violently and Katie was sure she heard her now favorite professor call Umbridge a toad.
Katie was knocked out of her memories by Dumbledore. "Miss Bell the location we are currently on is the headquarters of an organization dedicated to fighting Voldemort and he's followers. You're friends are all ready members which explains their presence here. I have been watching you with some interest ever since you have come to Hogwarts. You have proved yourself a worthy adversary and a true Gryffindor. With this in mine I would like you to join this organization.
Truthfully Katie didn't need to think about this. Her instincts were normally right and she hated Voldemort. How could he imagine killing someone just because they weren't pure enough? That meant her best friend as Alicia's mother was a muggle. She had no hesitation. "It would be an honour sir."
Dumbledore smiled at her. "I took certain liberties in assuming this would be you're answer. I wouldn't have invited you here if I didn't think you would accept my invitation. Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore gestured to the golden watch besides her. It was amazingly intricate and instead of clock hands it had broomsticks and Bludgers and Quaffles zoomed over the screen dodging numbers. Katie even thought there was a tiny snitch zooming around.
"It was your Godfather's. He left it in his sister's care until you turned 17. She was more than happy for you to receive it. Besides being highly sentimental it will function as a communication between yourself and other members." Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully as he finished. He looked rather troubled. Katie knew that she should pay more attention to her headmaster but she never knew she had had a Godfather. It was bizarre.
Before she could ask anything Dumbledore pulled out a letter. "Now before I discuss this letter with you I need you to promise that you will not tell Harry, Ron or Hermione of your membership. They have been told that they can not join until they finish school and it would irk them somewhat to learn that you have joined." Katie nodded. She didn't intend to open her mouth all year at school. Her closest friends had left and she had no one to talk to anyway.
Dumbledore pointed to the letter and continued, "Within this letter there was information that have confirmed suspicions that I have been having for some six years. You see Ms Bell, as I have told many of your classmates the truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. Unfortunately many don't heed the advice of an old man.
17 years ago, nearly to the day, you were born to Marlene McKinnon and Caradoc Dearborn, two of greatest Witches and Wizards the world has come across and members of this very order. Your mother was killed six months later and your father the spent six months after this searching for revenge before accepting a highly dangerous mission that he never came back from."
Katie blinked. Her mind whirled with questions. But that can't be right can it? It explained a lot but how does he know it's true? Why didn't they tell me? Why now? Who killed them?
She looked up at Dumbledore. She felt like shouting at him, ripping or punching anything. If he had his suspicions why didn't he say something? As if reading her mind he spoke.
"You're parents never told anyone but four of their friends and your maternal grandparents that they were married and had you. Voldemort was targeting young married couples and they felt for yours and their protection it was best not to tell anyone. They were in hiding for nearly 2 years, only venturing out for meetings here and to perform missions. I never knew until today, for sure that you were their daughter."
Not even Dumbledore knew but that was impossible, he knew everything didn't he? Katie's eyes were drawn to the Silver chest that Dumbledore placed in front of him. Small silver dragons moved around the chest breathing small silver tufts of fire. The lid of the chest had McKinnon engraved ornately and a large latch sat sedately below it, the only part not covered in tiny dragons.
"It belongs to you. Enclosed with in is you're parent's treasured items and memories, as well as titles and deeds that you rightfully inherit tomorrow. I also believe that there is a large amount of family history contained with in. "
Dumbledore stood up, more slowly and awkwardly then she had ever remembered. "If you ever have any questions on your parents that can not be answered, feel free to contact me or ask the older members of the order. Mrs. Weasley would remember them well." He then exited the now quiet room.
Katie stared at the chest. She wasn't a Bell, but a McKinnon or a Dearborn? She hated this. Why didn't they tell her? She deserved to know. They robbed her of 17 years of an identity. It didn't fit well but at least she had an identity, right?
Katie knew she was too angry and tired to deal with the chest now. She would look at in the morning if this weren't some freakish dream.
Present Time
"So your not really a Bell" asked Angelina quietly. Katie shook her head. The truth is that she liked the idea of not being related to her parents. No they weren't her parents at all. Her real ones were dead.
Alicia looked thoughtfully at Katie before speaking. "You need to find out about you're real parents, Katie. Dumbledore said you were inheriting titles you need to know what you're receiving. Did you bring the chest"?
Katie nodded She walked to the end of the bed and pulled off an old towel that covered the glimmering chest. Angelina and Alicia looked stunned. "Whoa, that's some design," whistled Angelina appreciatory. The three friends dragged the chest to the middle of the room. "Well here goes nothing" thought Katie as she unlocked the latch with an ornate key.
Authors Note- Well that's the end of the second chapter. Took a while for me to update. Thank you to my lone reviewer who's comment of NO WAY leads me to believe he was blown away by my writing skills instead of being sarcastic. Stay tuned.
