Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 5 The Order
Harry's head was swimming as he entered the room. He found Mr. And Mrs. Weasley in a corner of the room speaking with Bill, Charlie, and Professor McGonagall. After telling them Dumbledore asked to see them he began to feel the need to be alone. He gave a half-hearted grin to his friends as he made his way into the hall and up to his bedroom.
A moment later he threw himself onto his bed and fought hard against the tears that were again trying to break free. The parchment was still clutched tightly in his hand. He wasn't sure that he wanted to open it just yet. Harry found himself equally torn between a desire for any word from his Godfather and fear that he couldn't handle the a final message. But he recalled another voice in his head that was saying to him "its not as though I'll never see them again." It was something Luna Lovegood had said to him at the end of last term. She was the only person besides Dumbledore that Harry had spoken to about Sirius' death. He had found comfort in her words, although many of the ideas she had were quite odd. Still, she had heard the voices behind the veil just as he had. Perhaps she was right. In the end Harry decided that he would wait for another day to open it. He already had a lot to think about and didn't want to spend the rest of the day sobbing. He allowed himself a few minutes to settle down again before he headed back downstairs.
On the way out of his room he bumped into Remus in the hall. "Sorry Harry, I didn't see you there." said the tired looking form of his former professor.
"It's ok. Did you need something?" asked Harry with a small look of concern.
"No no, I just took a few minutes to myself after speaking with Dumbledore. I see I wasn't the only one." To this Harry gave a weak smile and they both took to the stairs to rejoin the gathering.
The next few hours passed slow and quietly. Harry shifted between light conversations with his friends and the other guests. The crowd eventually moved out of the dining room to the kitchen or other rooms. Around six O'clock everyone returned to the dining room for a veritable feast that Mrs. Weasley had put together. Harry piled his plate with turkey and mashed potatoes and buttered peas. The general demeanor of the group had risen slightly, and people were no longer speaking in hushed tones. Towards the end of the meal as everyone was finishing their desert Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement. "Your attention for a brief moment please. I know we have all had a long day, however I wanted to remind you all that there will be a meeting of the Order in about an hour. If a few of us could help Molly clean up it would be most appreciated. Also I would like to meet with Remus and Harry if they have a moment. Thank you."
As Harry rose to follow Dumbledore he noticed that Mundungus Fletcher seemed to have turned a new leaf as he was the first person to begin clearing the table, which earned him an appreciative smile from Mrs. Weasley.
Harry and Lupin followed Dumbledore into a large circular room that was a library. Harry had never before spent much time in here and looked around in awe at the massive collection of books that lined the walls. They each took seats around a small table in the middle of the room and Dumbledore began to speak, "There were a few matters left to discuss and I thought it best if we met together to do so. I hope you have both had some time to reflect on our earlier conversations. Harry I did not tell you everything that concerned you before, however the matter relates directly to Remus so I hope you will forgive me. The final aspect of Sirius' will as it pertains to you is that he named Remus to take his place as your guardian. I believe he explained his reasons in his letter." Remus gave Harry a small grin. Harry began to feel like a prat for not having opened his letter, but it was too late now. "I am sure that you will both have more time tomorrow to discuss it if you wish. I also needed to speak to you Harry about the Order of the Phoenix. You are now the owner of Grimmauld Place and as such I wished to ask your permission to continue to use the house as our headquarters."
"Of course Professor. I assumed that wouldn't change." Harry interrupted. "Thank you very much Harry. I had expected that would be your answer. However I was not finished. I believe that I have learned something from my mistakes this past year." Dumbledore said as a sparkle seamed to return to his eyes. "I believe that as this is your home, you will be very interested in whatever takes place here. As such you will be privy to the meetings that are to take place. I wish to begin by inviting you to the meeting tonight."
Harry's mouth dropped open. He was going to be allowed into the secret meetings, which was something that he had not expected. Remus let out a small chuckle at the look on Harry's face. "There are of course a few stipulations. Harry you have dealt with so many trials that I cannot say you are unable to handle the pressures of the Order. However we do not admit school-aged wizards to join. I believe in your case we might make an exception. I plan to put it to a vote tonight. Of course the usual responsibilities you would not be able to perform because of school. Also, there is some very sensitive information that will be passed during these meetings. For that reason, I would ask after tonight, should you be inducted, that you not attend the meetings until you have mastered Occlumency." Harry nodded in agreement. "That is of course presuming that your new guardian will assent to your joining." Now it was Remus' turn to nod which he did. Harry smiled gratefully at Remus. "Excellent. Harry as I told you at the end of last term I will be giving you your Occlumency lessons henceforward, which we will begin shortly after the start of the next term. Should everything go well tonight I shall speak with you further about your role in the order at another time. I must ask that you not pass on the information you hear tonight to your friends. You may of course tell them of your attendance as I am sure they will find out anyway. There is one final matter that we need to decide upon." Harry knew that this was coming. Dumbledore's voice seemed to indicate a but of apprehension, but Harry was sure that he was imagining it. "There is something that I must ask of you, though I am certain you would much prefer that I did not." Harry swallowed hard, in expectation of a most unpleasant request. "Harry," Dumbledore continued, "I would like for you to continue to return to your Aunt and Uncles home each summer. At least until you graduate from Hogwarts. You, of course, understand now the reason for this. Although you may find no comfort in the protection offered by the charm I feel that it is quite necessary. You now own a home of your own, and it is a great temptation to use it as an escape from your relatives and a past that you dislike. However, you will be able to use Privet Drive as a sanctuary. A place where your safety is guaranteed, and it may give you time to relax and find some bit of peace."
Harry understood the reason for residing there, and now looked at it in a new light. A sanctuary, as Dumbledore had put it could be invaluable, although Harry doubted he would ever find peace or relaxation with the Dursleys. They were far to opposed to the life Harry was leading. Also he could hardly get any news of the wizarding world while he was there.
Dumbledore seemed to sense his conflict. "It need be only for a short time each year. Then I suppose it would be fine to return here."
Reluctantly Harry agreed, "I will do what I have to." Harry was confident that Uncle Vernon would be pleased with the prospect of Harry leaving his home as soon as possible each year. At this Remus and Dumbledore both smiled.
"Good, it is decided then. I believe we are expected for the meeting now. Harry if you would be so kind as to wait for us in the Dining Room until we have voted I would be grateful." Finished the Headmaster as he rose to leave the room, followed by Lupin."
Harry made his way to the dining room where he joined Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George. "Is everything alright Harry?" asked Hermione as Harry took a seat next to his friends.
"I guess so." he replied dimly. Harry noticed broad grins on the faces of the twins. "What are you two on about?" he directed at them contentedly.
"Well," started George, "We are waiting to be inducted into the order."
"Yeah, since we're of age and no longer in school Dumbledore figures it is a good idea." Finished Fred.
"I bet Mum had kittens when she heard about it." Spluttered Ron with a grin of his own.
"Actually she didn't seem too upset. I guess she knew that we would do it anyway, so she barely even argued." Replied Fred.
Hermione began to look like she was about to lose it and she started, "You know she only argues because she loves you-"
But Harry cut her off. "We know Hermione, but it is important to have all the help we can get. By the way, I need to tell you guys something." Harry's throat felt dry. He dreaded telling them, but he knew it must be done. Their reactions began to flash through his mind.
"Go on then." said Ron with a hint of impatience in his voice. This was going to be worse than Harry thought. "Well, I just finished speaking with Dumbledore. I didn't tell you before, but part of my inheritance," Harry's face fell, "was Grimmauld Place."
"Wow. That's incredible." Ron cut in.
"I'm not done Ron. As such he asked me if it they could to continue to use it as headquarters. Which I agreed to." he added the last part as he saw Ron open his mouth to start in again. "But Dumbledore said that because it is my house, I would be allowed to attend the meetings. I guess he figures that if I am at the meetings I may as well be a member of the Order. He's asking everyone else now. They are going to vote on it." Harry sighed as he finished. It felt good to be upfront with his friends, but he was still anxious about their reactions. Harry didn't have to wait long, as both Ron and Hermione's mouths dropped open.
The twins however looked as though they couldn't be happier. "That's capital mate." said George.
"Best move they could make, I think." added Fred, both with grins a mile wide.
Harry could see the jealousy flash on Ron's face, Hermione however regained her usual countenance. "Well I suppose we'll have to trust Professor Dumbledore's decision." As she finished speaking she gave Harry a brief smile.
Ron seemed to have resolved to support his friend at least. "You just better make sure you let us know what's happening. Mum has been dreadful when it comes to us trying to get information. After last June she-" Ron stopped mid-sentence when he saw Harry's eyes dart towards the door like he wanted to escape. "Sorry mate. I didn't mean to-" He couldn't find the words to finish his statement.
After a short pause it was Harry who spoke up, realizing what he was doing. "It's alright Ron, I just haven't gotten used to it." Since the end of last term his friends had avoided speaking about the night Sirius had died whenever Harry was present. The few occasions when the topic came up around him, Harry had managed to find an excuse to leave. They were relieved to see that this time at least he had not run away. "I'm just not ready to talk about it. Anyway, where's Ginny?" Harry asked trying to move the conversation in a different direction.
"Probably in bed now." answered George.
"Yeah, we've had her working pretty hard lately." finished Fred. "By the way we wanted to talk to you about the joke shop." continued Fred. He never got to expand on that thought as Mrs. Weasley had just entered the room beckoning Harry and the twins into the meeting.
"I'll see you as soon as this is over with." Harry threw over his shoulder to Ron and Hermione as he left the room.
Harry, Fred, and George followed Mrs. Weasley into a packed kitchen. The table was littered with several scrolls, some bottles of wine , and a few trays of food. "Welcome gentlemen," began Dumbledore, "please take a seat and we will fill you in. First, George and Fred, we would like to welcome you to the Order of the Phoenix." The twins grinned devilishly at each other and returned their attention to the head of the table. "Your brother Bill has agreed to bring you up to speed with the current tasks that we are carrying out. After that we will meet to discuss the duties you will be assigned." There was a brief moment where the other members congratulated Fred and George before Dumbledore resumed his dialogue. "As for you Harry, after much debate we have decided to induct you as well." Harry looked around the room and paused his glance at Snape and Mrs. Weasley, knowing where the objections to his joining had come from. Dumbledore continued, "This however is subject to the provisions that I mentioned to you earlier. Remus has volunteered to brief you as to our goings on, at a time when you have fulfilled the requirements for your membership. Also I must impress upon you three the gravity of what you are about to undertake. It is highly likely that in joining our ranks you are exposing yourself to immense danger. You are putting yourself in harm's way."
Harry nodded in acknowledgement, really though, he wasn't likely to be exposed to more danger than he was already in simply because he had joined the order. The twins were uncharacteristically solemn at the admonition of the Headmaster. "Very well, seeing that each of you understands the burden you are accepting, I now ask you to take an oath." Suddenly there was a bright flash of red and gold and a feeling of warmth overtook Harry, as he heard a familiar song being sung by the bird which had just appeared in front of them.
"Hello Fawkes." murmured Harry as the phoenix looked into his face.
"Please place your hand on the tail of Fawkes." The twins looked astonished as they rose up and gently grasped the birds tail. Harry followed suit. "Do you knowingly and willingly swear with absolute fidelity to strive against the threat of the Dark Lord and those whom serve him, and to guard our world from the evil that battles to overtake it? And to guard the secrets of this Order with your life should it be required?" "I do" Harry heard himself saying with certainty. He knew that the twins had also responded in affirmation. "Very well. You may release Fawkes. I welcome each of you as members of the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore finished.
Everyone took a few minutes to again congratulate the three new members of the Order. The meeting continued with a brief recount of the actions of Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Harry caught a few glimpses of veneration from some of the other members. As usual Hagrid was beaming at Harry. Harry had not noticed him sitting in a corner near the front of the room when he had first entered. Most of the information passed Harry could have guessed at, but he was none the less pleased to finally be trusted with the knowledge he was being given. Apparently Voldemort had taken to building his armies to a greater number. After his plans to retrieve the prophecy from the Ministry and remain undiscovered had failed, he needed to regroup. He had lost several of his more important Death Eaters in the attempt. He was currently devising a plan to liberate them from Azkaban, the wizard prison. Some time after midnight the meeting broke up. After shaking a few more hands Harry made his way slowly up to his bedroom.
Author's Note: Well I hope you are enjoying the story. I apologize if the chapters are too long, but I am trying to add the thoughts I feel are necessary to what these people have to deal with. Also please let me know if I am getting the character's personalities fairly accurately. I know we all have different views on each person, but if I have really messed up a personality I would prefer to correct it now when the story isn't too developed. Thanks a lot. Keep reading. R & R Jeremy
