~Always By Your Side~

Chapter 3: Call to Order

DISCLAIMER: I don't own J. K. Rowling's work. So please, don't sue me! I'm broke as it is…

A/N: About my other story, Memories, I haven't given it up, I just haven't had a whole lot of inspiration or time. As for this story…please, please, please REVIEW! They are much appreciated. Thank you to those who reviewed!

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A week later, the sun shone brightly through the panes of the French windows of Remus' bedroom. The morning dawned fresh and clear. The crisp October breeze kicked up a few leaves up from the ground, making them patter on the window. Remus – being the light sleeper he was – woke up and stretched, yawning hugely. After a while of just lying there and staring at the ceiling, Remus decided to go cook breakfast. He rolled out of bed, and went downstairs to the small kitchen attached to his rooms.

The Headmaster had arranged for Remus to stay at Hogwarts, while he taught in the D.A.D.A. position – which Remus had been delighted to teach – so that he could keep an eye out for two of his Order Members; Sirius was also staying in Remus' little apartment.

Professor Dumbledore had apparently already had a place for Remus, Sirius, and Harry to live in. He had only adjusted it a little, to fit the needs of its three inhabitants. It could be compared to a small cottage built within the outside walls of the school. There was a long, narrow corridor leading from a door in the back of Professor Dumbledore's office that led to a pair of large double doors. Once inside, there was a small kitchen, with an open doorway leading to the living room, which was also the main room that held the doors to the other rooms on the floor – the bath, the formal dining room, and the study (Sirius'). On the far wall of the living room, there was a winding staircase that led up to the second floor, which held another bath and three bedrooms (Sirius, Remus, and Harry's), along with another study (Remus'). However, the most important thing was probably the large, attached space for Remus, on the off chance that he may have to transform without the Wolfsbane Potion.

Remus yawned, and started to cook breakfast – the Muggle way. Soon the kitchen was giving off a pleasant aroma, consisting of eggs, French toast, and waffles (Remus was fairly accomplished and experienced in the kitchen – totally unlike Sirius, who had almost set the kitchen on fire from the toaster on the first day.). He felt a vibration and – glancing down – found out that Harry had woken up. Remus went upstairs to go check up on him. He grinned at the baby, as he found Harry staring wide-eyed, interested in the moving animals painted on his walls.

Harry's room had been decorated like most babies' rooms were decorated – except that Harry now belonged to a wizarding family, and so had a slightly different room than that of typical Muggle babies. His oak crib had been shrunken at Godric's Hollow – along with most of his belongings – and had been placed at the far end of the spacious room. There was a rotating mobile that hung over Harry's bed that had different objects hanging on it about every ten seconds – and so very interesting to Harry. The walls of the room were covered with different places of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas –everywhere. The picture Harry was fascinated by was a particular scene in Africa, showing herds of different animals stampeding across the wall section. The floor was covered with plush, dark emerald carpeting. And in the corner of the room, there was a place for Harry to play in, with all his toys strewn around the mahogany chest that held all of them. On the side of the room, there was a big, walk-in closet that held all of Harry's clothing, shoes, and the like.

Remus picked up Harry, and walked back downstairs. The bracelet on his wrist vibrated again, but this time, when Remus glanced down, Harry's status was content; guardian's arms instead of awake; crib. Sirius had brought along the two bracelets James and Lily had used. The bracelets were monitors that were constantly reading the status and location of the baby, and vibrated every time the status changed. Also, in case the guardian was far away and needed to reach the baby instantly, there was a button to push to directly transport him/her to the baby.

Downstairs, in the living room, Remus set Harry next to Sirius, who was lying on the fold-out couch; he had stayed up late intently studying the Muggle videotapes that Professor Dumbledore had placed next to the television, thoroughly excited, watching the pictures move. He had fallen asleep with his hand on the remote control, and was currently totally knocked out, drooling all over the leather couch. Remus shook his head in amusement and muttered a cleaning spell to get all the slime off the couch. Then, he headed into the kitchen to continue cooking breakfast.

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Sirius was in Godric's Hollow. Voldemort was standing in the doorway of Harry's nursery…Lily was pleading…begging on her knees, tears streaming relentlessly down her stricken face. "Please, not Harry! Kill me, instead!"

"Move aside, you silly girl!" Voldemort's cold voice sneered. Chilling laughter was echoing around the room. He raised his wand.

Sirius tried to warn Lily, but he couldn't seem to move. He was helpless, and watched as a flash of green light gave off a bright glow. Lily slumped to the floor, eyes frozen wide open.

The scene shifted, and Sirius saw James blocking the doorway of his home.

"Run, Lily! It's him! I'll head him off! Get Harry and run!" James shouted back to his wife, then turned to Voldemort determinedly and said, "You will never break my family, not if I can help it."

Voldemort laughed, high and cold. "You always were a slow one, Potter." He raised his wand and said, "Avad – !"

"James! Nooooo!" Sirius reached for his best friend, but his feet were glued to the spot. He couldn't run, he couldn't move. He was frozen in place, locked in his position. But he had to get to James…he had to warn him…

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"Sirius! Sirius!" A familiar voice shook Sirius awake. He slowly opened his eyes, and saw that Remus was leaning over him, a concerned look on his face.

"Sirius, are you alright? I was just going to the kitchen to make breakfast, and I heard you screaming."

Sirius sat up on the couch and folded his long legs up, circling them with his arms, feeling rather vulnerable. He sat in this position, staring at his pajama-clad knees.

"I have nightmares every night. It's always the same," Sirius said quietly, not looking up from his knees. He replayed the Potters' deaths every night, feeling leaden guilt weigh his heart down more by each dream.

Remus came and sat down by Sirius, shifting Harry onto his lap. He put his arms around Sirius in a brotherly and comforting embrace. He couldn't really say anything to lessen Sirius' guilt, or to ease the pain – the same pain he was going through. All he could do was be there for him, without words – as he, James, and Peter had done for him in his schooldays.

In response to the hug, Sirius gripped Remus tight, shoulders and back shaking with restrained sobs. And then, the dam broke, and the flood of salty tears was released. After a while, Sirius drew back, and both he and Remus wiped the tears off their faces.

Harry had been caught in the middle of the embrace, and was looking curiously from one grief-stricken face to the other, the solemn expression babies often wear on his face. Then, he put his tiny hands on the two faces of the older men, and gazed deeply into their eyes, his emerald eyes shining brightly.

Sirius and Remus were thrown by this show of understanding that this one-year-old was portraying, and felt that it seemed like Harry truly understood, and could see more than what was on the outside. What ordinary baby could do that? None, decided Sirius and Remus. However, Harry was no ordinary baby, unfortunately for him and his guardians. 

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Professor Dumbledore rubbed his face tiredly, exhaustion stamped clearly on his face for all the Order to see. He had called the Inner Circle of the Order of the Phoenix together again.

The Order was a secret group of people willing to fight against the Dark Side and its followers. The people who were asked to join were hand-chosen by Dumbledore and his faithful phoenix, Fawkes. The Order of the Phoenix was not a job to be taken lightly; it was a life-time commitment. On the lowest degree you fed information to the Order, through spying or other means, possibly your life hanging in the balance. On the highest scale, you fought with your life against the Dark Side, and you gave anything and everything to the Order; needless to say, these people were the most outspoken people against the Dark Side, and as a result, a most admired figure by the magical community, and also a major target for the Dark Side's followers. Most of these people were either Aurors, or else held very prominent jobs in the fight against the Dark.

Within the Order, were those individuals trusted beyond a shadow of a doubt, all fighting on the highest scale. These people made up the Inner Circle.

Professor Dumbledore looked around the table, at the few people Fawkes thought worthy of joining the Inner Circle. Sitting at the mahogany table, to his left, was Remus Lupin (who had brought Harry to the meeting with him) – the intelligent and mild werewolf, who could always be counted on to spot the tiny, but important details that went unnoticed by most, using his enhanced senses and intellect. Next to Remus sat Sirius Black – the defiant member of the Black family tree, who was brave, rash at times, but ever loyal, almost to a fault. Further down the table sat Arabella Figg – the valuable member of the fighting rank who thought very quickly on her feet, and had been able to help herself and others out of many a tight situation. Next to her was Kingsley Shacklebolt – the talented Auror who had graduated top of his class at Hogwarts, who currently worked in the Ministry of Magic, and was able to pass important information to Dumbledore about the incompetent Minister's foolish doings. Dumbledore sadly noticed the next two vacant seats where Lily and James had been seated in. Next to the two empty seats sat Nymphadora Tonks – the gifted, but rather clumsy, Metamorphmagus, who also happened to be Sirius' cousin. On Tonks' left was Hestia Jones – one of the highest-ranking Aurors in the Ministry, who was very capable of her job, equipped with a tough, crusty demeanor on the outside, but was known to really be a softie at heart. Beside Hestia were the Longbottoms, Alice and Frank – the brilliant Aurors who led in the Shielding Division of the Ministry, so being very skilled in spells, especially curses and attacking spells. Then sat Severus Snape – Dumbledore's spy, the "Death Eater" who no one really knew, considering how reserved he was, and never "wore his heart on his sleeve". He sat on the right side of Dumbledore, completing the circle.

These nine people were the chosen few who knew all the inner workings of the Order, and were the people to lead in carrying out orders. Most – with the exception of Severus, for obvious reasons – were in the Attack, Defense, Front Line, or Rear Guard Divisions in the Ministry of Magic, as Aurors.   

There were seven Divisions in the Ministry of Magic. They were: Defense, Shielding, Strategizing, Healing, Front Line, Rear Guard, and the Alert Divisions. In the Defense Division, the people were normally Aurors, and cast immensely difficult spells to "take down" as many on the other side as possible. These were the people that counted the most – although all were important in war – and were those who had the most training and experience. In the Shielding Division, the people spread out, forming a semi-circle around the sides and back of the forces, and erected shields, casting protection spells over all fighting on the Light Side. The Strategizing Division, was the Division that, although could fight well, did more of the strategizing for their side. They planned out maneuvers for battles, break-ins, and such. The people in the Healing Division were not fighters at all; instead they healed with their brilliant skills after battles, saving all the people possible. The Front Line contained the people who fought in front of all the rest, the Division which usually held the most casualties. The Rear Guard Division was the one that was lined up in the back, the ones who fought in case the front line was completely down, the shielding didn't work, or the defense was incapacitated. Thus, they had to be very talented; they were literally the last hope if everything else failed. And finally, the Alert Division, the last Division, was the one that kept watch for either impending armed forces of the Dark Side, or else keeping watch over a threatened person, place, or object.

Professor Dumbledore had been so deep in thought that he had not noticed the concerned glances that were aimed his way. Then, he finally drew himself out of his reverie and called the Order of the Phoenix to order. He started with a small speech.

"I have called all of you here, to re-form the Order of the Phoenix. As you all know, when there has been a tragic mishap or betrayal, or something to that effect, I re-form the Inner Circle. I'm sure you have all heard about what happened last week at Godric's Hollow by now. If anyone feels the need to leave and resign their responsibilities to the Order, to protect themselves or family, you may go now, no questions asked," Dumbledore said, glancing around the table. When no one stood, a look of gratitude spread its way onto his weary face. "I also need to make sure that you understand what happened." And with that, Dumbledore began to explain everything that had happened that night. He saw as disbelief and understanding flashed in turns upon the faces around the table. He heard whispers of things like "I can't believe Pettigrew would betray his best friends!" and "We should have known all along he would kill Lily and James, the rat!" (from Sirius, of course) But, although it was a complicated story, everyone believed and accepted the truth, seeing that there was no other possible explanation.

Dumbledore also announced that a source had informed him of Voldemort's return. For the rest of the Order meeting, the ten people discussed – sometimes arguing and disagreeing – what they should do about this unexpected turn of events. They planned and conferred until about ten at night, when they parted ways.

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~tenniStar514~