Mmm, I'm improving! I was actually up to my 4th chapter! This chapter is much about Harry's past, full of description, kind of boring, but I'll try to make it up to you at the next chapter, kay? Yes, I'm trying to seek help with my grammar…. But to those people who have been kind enough to review, thank you very much! I valued your opinion…and I hoped you would keep on reading:) Oh, and this one's dedicated to Nicole360! I believe she's my first reviewer for the 3rd chapter….anyway thanks again! Enjoy! Chapter 4: Questions and the Past
Harry and Hermione stepped into a shabby room. He felt excited and nervous at the same time.
The chattering stopped as the pair made way to the two empty chairs by the round table. (Harry was thinking of King Arthur and his Knights)
"Welcome, everyone, to the first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix." Hermione announced. "It is wonderful to see everyone again, and I know Harry feels the same way."
Harry smiled uncertainly. He wished they stare at something other than him.
"As Harry lost his memories, I think it's proper that each one of us would present himself and say a little history. You start, Ginny." Hermione said to the red headed girl next to Harry.
The girl named Ginny beamed. "Hi. I'm Ginny Weasley, youngest of the Weasleys. I'm currently in 5th year. You saved me from You-Know-Who during your second year, along with my brother, Ron. And I used to have a crush on you." She added, winking at Harry, who immediately blushed.
"I'm George Weasley, one of the famous Weasley twins. I'm the co-entrepreneur of Weasley Wizard Wheezes. You were the one who gave us the money to start the shop."
"Fred Weasley, second half of the Weasleys twins. We're both at the Gryffindor Quidditch team. You were the Seeker, while me and George are Beaters."
"Luna Lovegood." The girl with long blonde hair said in a misty voice. "We met during your 5th year. You were the leader of the Dumbledore's Army, where you taught us Defense Against Dark Arts."
"Hi, Harry, I'm Neville Longbottom." The round faced boy smiled sheepishly. "We are the same year, and we're kind of friends. You noticed me although I'm a nobody at Hogwarts."
"Cho Chang." Harry's heart gave a little leap when the dark haired girl with a pretty smile talked. "I'm in my final year at Hogwarts. We used to go out last year."
Harry was taken aback that such a pretty girl used to go out with him. In Pivet Drive, none of the girls would even look at him! "Really?"
"Yeah."
"Cool." They exchanged smiles.
This continued until everyone introduced themselves.
"This meeting's agenda is to help Harry remember the past." Hermione gave Harry a crooked smile. "This is the time you ask your questions. We'll try to answer them."
"Um, yeah." Harry cleared his throat. "Why am I famous? Why am I so important that you sent Hermione for me? Why do we hide in the Burrow?"
Everyone laughed, which made Harry's cheek burn. It seems that they were just making fun of him.
Luna noticed Harry's uncomfortable stature and said "Harry, we didn't mean to laugh at you. The situation's kind of weird, explaining everything to the great hero who saved us from Voldemort."
"Hero? Me?" Harry pointed to himself.
"Yes, you. Once upon a time, there was a wizard, so evil that humans and creatures alike have fear in speaking his name." Cho said, running a hand through her luxurious black hair.
"At the eve of Halloween, Voldemort went to your house to kill you, Harry. You were a baby then." continued Fred.
"Why did he try to kill me? And how did I survive?" asked Harry, feeling lost.
"Well, it was because of a prophecy." continued Hermione "It was written that a boy whose parents denied Voldemort three times and born at the end of July will be a threat to him. He will mark him as his equal. In the end, one cannot survive if the other is still living."
"What? I have to kill Voldemort?" Harry asked, shocked by the news. "How come I get to be the one who kills him? Who knows if there are other boys whose parents denied him three times and is born at the end of July?"
"Actually Harry," said Neville, smiling. "There is one other boy that fits that description. Me."
"But why -"
"Harry, don't you get it? I may fit that description, but you were the one whom Voldemort marked as his equal. You were the one he hunted down on the eve of Halloween 16 years ago. You proved to be a bigger threat to him than I am." Neville said, no longer smiling.
"What happened then? How did I survive?" repeated Harry. Each of the members of the Order exchanged sad looks.
"Well, he tried to kill you, but do you think your parents will give you in without a fight?" George said, sighing. "You dad, James Potter, tried to handle Voldemort one on one. To give your mother and you a chance to run. Sadly, he failed." At that, several of the girls sniff, even some of the guys are hiding their faces. Harry felt an uncomfortable lump in his throat. An image flashed in his mind. A flash of green light, and a scream of a woman.
"Your mother died protecting you. But when Voldemort tried to kill you, he just couldn't. Instead, the curse that was aiming to kill you backfired on him, and left you with that scar."
Harry's hand automatically flew to the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. A half of him was berating himself on asking that question, while the other half was relieved to have some of his memories back.
There was an uneasy silence. Harry quickly looked around for another question.
"Um, so could you explain to me the Order of the Phoenix?"
"The Order of The Phoenix was founded By Albus Wolfric Bryan Dumbledore." said Hermione, sounding very much like the narrator at boring documentaries. "Our main mission is to stop Voldemort from taking over."
"We are successful, somehow, and we made his army retreat."
"Hang on. Are you telling me that several school kids are able to make an army of dark wizards retreat?" Harry asked, confused. Everyone here looks so fragile and childish. How can they save the world?
"We're not alone Harry." The girl named Hannah Abott laughed. "We are only a small part of the Order called the Juniors coz we're the one inside Hogwarts and everything. You haven't met everyone yet. And there are the Seniors, older wizards and witches who are in charge of more complicated matters."
"Oh. But the two of you are -" Harry turned to Fred and George.
"Dear chap, we may have left Hogwarts, but we are still young at heart." Fred said, while George put a melodramatic expression on his face.
"Okay, that's it for questions. I know you have more questions, there is another time for them." said Hermione, as Harry opened his mouth to speak. "To a more important issue then. When we reach Hogwarts, Harry should never be left alone, lest he is attacked."
"Atacked? Why would I be attacked inside Hogwarts? I thought –"
"Don't be naïve. Do you think all of the students are at our side?" Fred asked, while fiddling with something inside his pocket.
Harry did thought that all students are at their side, but decided not to speak anyway.
"I've arranged the schedules with Professor McGonagall ("She's the Deputy Headmistress and Head of the Gyffindor House" whispered Neville at Harry.) so that most of the members of the Order will be at all his classes."
"Hermione, I know all of you are worried about me," cut off Harry at Hermione's speech. "But I don't think I need escorts everywhere I go. I'm not a child you know."
"Harry it's not the matter of age. Older and better wizards than you have been blown up by Voldemort."
"Hermione's right Harry." said Ginny sadly, tears brimming at her eyes. "You don't remember how many loses we had…most of our loved ones are gone…we can't lose you Harry. We promised Ron we'll guard you."
"Who's –"
"Right. All future agendas will be talked over when the Seniors are here. I imagie all of you are tired. Meeting is dismissed." said Hermione, cutting off Harry's question. She looked a bit pink in her face.
Harry was getting annoyed about this, but held his tongue wisely. 'At least I know something.'
One by one the people started ascending the stairs. Lee, a guy with dreadlocks, clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Come on Harry. You'll share a room with us."
Harry made to follow the other boys, feeling a little bit bewildered, but Hermione caught his arm. Harry looked at her and was not surprised to see her looking so serious. "What?"
Hermione didn't say anything but pulled him back to the dining room. They both sat down. Harry looked curiously at Hermione, who was fidgeting with the straps of the bag.
"I-I wanted to give you this privately." said Hermione, after a moment's hesitation.
Harry looked at the package Hermione given her. "A book? What will I do with a book?" he asked. His hand ran along its handsome leather cover.
"It's not a book, Harry. Open it."
Harry obeyed then gasped. It was a photo album with a picture of a man and a woman holding a baby inside it. The man looks exactly just like him, only older, except for the eyes. The woman has a pretty face with shining red hair, and Harry's eyes.
"Are these -are they -?" croaked Harry, his voice shaky with emotions.
"Yes, they are your parents, James and Lily Potter." Hermione politely looked away, pretending not to notice Harry's tears. "I imagine you'll have a lot of questions after looking at this, Harry, that's why I decided it would be best if we're alone."
"My parents…" Harry slowly turned the pages, mesmerized. He looked at the pictures… his mother waving as she kissed the baby Harry, his father carrying him in his shoulders, them at their wedding day… Harry felt deep loathing for the person responsible for their death. He felt hunger for the love that he ought to receive. But because of that one, horrible wizard, he was forced to take the beatings of his uncle and cousin, the unjustified wrath of his aunt, and the worst prison one can ever be trapped to…loneliness.
When Harry turned another page, it was no longer filled with pictures of his family, but him and his friends.
"That's Hogwarts." said Hermione, pointing to a magnificent castle behind him. She joined him as they looked at the pictures, turning the pages, laughing as the Harry in the picture did exaggerated poses.
"What am I wearing?" asked Harry, pointing at the picture of an unhappy Harry with deep emerald green robe and on his arm is a very happy Parvati who was waving energetically.
"Oh, that was during our 4th year at the Yule Ball. It is a part of the champions of Triwizard Tournament to bring partners, and you brought Parvati since Cho came with Cedric."
The picture at the bottom of it showed a newspaper clipping of the Triwizard champions. "That one is Viktor Krum, champion of Durmstrang and a legendary Seeker. You used to admire him. The pretty girl is Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, half Veela and Ron's crush. That is you, obviously. Then, that other one is Cedric Diggory, also from Hogwarts." said Hermione, pointing at each of the waving people. "Viktor and Fleur are both in the Order but at the Seniors category."
"But what about pretty boy Cedric?" asked Harry, comparing himself to him and feeling that he was much more handsome and more ideal to be with Cho.
"He died." Hermione said simply.
"I'm sorry." muttered Harry, feeling irritated at himself.
"No prob." They turned the page again this one showing all of the teachers at Hogwarts. Hermione rattled off their names, gave a little description and an interesting history of Harry with them.
"That's Professor Trelawney. She used to predict that you'll die soon." Harry stared at her, horrified.
"You haven't died yet, so I say she's a right old fraud." Harry laughed, and Hermione smiled a little. "That's Professor Lupin, he's in the Order. He was your father's friend, and he's the one who taught you about the Patronus. He's the best Defence Against Dark Arts teacher and he's also a werewolf."
"This one's Professor Flitwick. He's our Charms teacher. He's –"
"Wait. Hermione, who's this?" Harry asked, pointing at a surly man with oily black hair and an abnormally large hooked nose.
"Oh. That's Professor Snape. Potions teacher, Head of Slytherin, and a Senior member of the Order of the Phoenix."
"I don't like him." announced Harry, feeling great dislike at the man. Professor Snape blinked up at him, scowling.
"Yeah. During our Hogwarts years, you used to loathe each other." Hermione smiled as Harry scowled back at the picture.
"What about him?" Harry asked, pointing at the tall, obviously old wizard with a half moon spectacle perched on his nose. He was smiling and seemed full of energy.
"That's Professor Dumbledore. He's the greatest Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Harry said nothing, but now, he felt no anger at the man who erased his memories. In fact, he was actually comfortable in looking at him.
Hermione turned the page. This time there were only three persons in the picture. Harry was waving energetically, his arm around Hermione. Hermione was also smiling happily; her face was not pulled back into a frown Harry was accustomed to. She wore no glasses and had her hair down. There was another guy with them. His arm was around Hermione's waist, and he was beaming at them. His red hair was exactly the same shade of Ginny's and the twins'.
"Hermione, who's this guy?" asked Harry, frowning at the way he held Hermione.
"That's Ron Weasley. They told me he is our best friend since first year. He went to all the challenges we've been through. He's a great guy." Hermione said, tracing his face.
Harry dreaded to ask the question but decided to go through it. "What happened to him? How…how did he die?"
Hermione sighed. "I really don't know the details Harry. All I know is, he saved us from death and was killed by Voldemort himself."
"How come you also didn't know, Hermione?" asked Harry, while rummaging around his pockets for a handkerchief.
"My memory…has also been erased. I only know what the Order had told me all throughout this summer." Hermione said, and then accepted a crisp white handkerchief from Harry.
"Really? Wasn't it hard learning magic all over again?" Harry asked, feeling a little bit better that Hermione stopped crying.
"Nah. And after they told me I was the cleverest witch in our year, I got a little bit more motivated."
"Ah."
They both sat silently, looking at the once happy picture of the three best friends.
"It's getting late. We better get some rest. Coming?" Hermione asked after several more minutes. She stood up and motioned with her hand.
"Um, you go ahead…I…I'll catch up with you later" said Harry, smiling.
"Okay, but don't go outside. Stay here. Goodnight Harry." Hermione said, reluctantly leaving Harry. As she walked upstairs, she remembered Harry's recklessness. 'But after we told him about Voldemort, I don't think he'll do anything more dangerous…'
Harry started flipping the pages again. He felt his heart constrict, as if an invisible fist was squeezing it. You see, he wanted to cry long and hard, and boys don't cry. At least he believed so.
It was sunrise when he finally closed the album and settled in his room filled with his friend's snores. Little did he know that at the girl's room, a pair of sleepless brown eyes stare unblinkingly at the ceiling reminiscing in the memories of Ron.
Sailor
Faith 55…
chuckles
I'll try to do so…so you won't be disappointed in me….:)
thanks for the review!
missmcweir…
thank
you for thinking I have potential….:) yes, I'll try to finish
this rubbish for you…:) thanks for the review!
Foolish
Fish…
thinking
Dunch…why didn't I think of that before? Yeah, it doesn't makes
a lot of sense…:) I'll try to upload sooner…I was just really
busy during my senior year grimacethank you for your review:)
LinZ…
I'm
really sorry if my grammar is so horrible to you…winces don't
worry, I'm seeking help…:) Don't lose interest me, ok? Thank
you for the review!
Talons…
I
like writing and I like reviews:) Would you please read my story?
Luckyloo16…
Thank you for the review: ) Yeah, that's my fault, I'll try to simplify things…thanks again!
RandomReviewer…
First of all, thank you for your review or opinion or
whatever. Here are my answers to your 7 reasons
1) I have faults, but that doesn't mean my mind is small, thank you very much. And yeah, I'm seeking help.
2)
Okay, so the plot is a little bit edgy…you don't have to down it
like that for heaven's sake…
3) You got a problem with Ms.
Beautiful?
4) Check Book 5 Order of the Phoenix, Grawp (Hagrid's
giant brother) knows Hermione as Hermy since her name is so hard to
remember. Wanna borrow my book?
5) What about Petunia? Sorry, I
didn't remember her. What about her?
6) Yeah well…
7) why
don't you just keep on reading, then you'll know.
I'm sorry dear, but I can't bow my head in shame. If you don't like the story, stop reading. I'm free to write rubbish once in a while, right: ) When you come back…I'll be prepared for you…cackles
Nicole360…
frantically typing I'm trying to do my best to type here:) Thank you for wanting to read my story!
