Plots and Schemes
While things at the Burrow were hectic Harry and the others were shown things could still be normal. A brown barn owl swooped in through the window one morning and dropped 3 envelopes with the Hogwarts seal on them, each one addressed to Harry, Hermione and Ron.
"Oh! Do you know what these are?" Hermione asked enthusiastically, waving hers around. "They are later than they said they would be. It's our O.W.L.s.!"
"I can't open mine," Ron said, looking scared.
"Me either," Hermione said, looking to Harry.
"Fine I will go first." Harry opened his envelope and pulled out the parchment. He was shocked at the results.
POTIONS: O
TRANSFIGURATION: O
CHARMS: E
DADA: O
ASTRONOMY: A
CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES: O
DIVINATION: P
HISTORY OF MAGIC: A
HERBOLOGY: O
"Well I got five "Outstanding" O.W.L.s. I passed all but one. I see falling asleep in Trelawny's class was a bad idea. I got a P in that one. What about you Ron?" Harry asked his best friend.
Ron opened the envelope on a gulp. His forehead had beads of sweat on it and he looked like he might be sick. He read the parchment and sighed.
"Well I didn't do too bad. I only got 2 "Outstanding" O.W.L.s. but I passed all but Divination and History of Magic. Mom will be happy."
They both looked at Hermione. It seemed she was holding her breath.
"I can't do it. Harry, you open it for me," she said, tossing him the envelope.
Harry opened hers. He looked at her grades.
POTIONS: O
TRANSFIGURATION: O
CHARMS: O
DADA: O
ASTRONOMY: O
CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES: O
ANCIENT RUNES: O
HISTORY OF MAGIC: O
HERBOLOGY: O
ARITHMANCY: O
"Wow Hermione. You got ten "Outstanding" O.W.L.s. Good job!" Harry told her.
Ron looked over Harry's shoulder. He looked at Hermione incredulously.
"Hermione, this is great. You have O's in every subject," Ron said, happy for her.
She slumped back in her chair in relief. Ron, Ginny and Harry all laughed.
Ron looked at Ginny. "It's your turn this year. Let's see if you can beat mine!"
She looked at him smugly. "Oh, dear brother. I have no doubts that I will."
He glared at her for a moment. He opened his mouth to retort but Harry stepped between them. Harry didn't want a fight to brew and suggested they work on finding a way to join the Order. The trudged up to Ron's room and began plotting.
With the Weasleys out on Order business, the only person they had to worry about discovering that they were up to something was Percy. Percy seemed to have changed a lot since the news of Voldemort returning was out in the open. He wasn't so sure of himself and he was being extremely nice to Harry. He apologized to him as soon as he saw Harry. Harry shrugged it off, but he felt that Percy had more to do to prove to him that he had changed. It still irked him to think that one of the Weasleys hadn't believed he was telling the truth. Percy was different from everyone in his family, though, so he gave him that.
Percy spent a lot of his time at the desk in his room. He had plenty of forgiveness to beg for with his girlfriend Penelope. This gave Harry and the rest of his friends plenty of time to think of a plan to become Order members. Hermione and Ginny spent most of their time pouring over books. Hermione was reading everything she could on the Order of the Phoenix from days past, when it was first started to defeat Grinwald. So far she had learned that you couldn't join the order while you were still in school. She wasn't able to turn up any loopholes.
"Keep looking, Hermione. There has to be a way around the normal induction," Harry told her for the sixth time that day.
"Harry, I looked through these books six times! There isn't a way around the age limit. Even Fred and George's attempt to become older in our fourth year wouldn't work. Dumbledore is too smart for that," she complained to him. Her eyes hurt from all the reading.
Ron stood up and stretched.
"You guys, we're all getting cranky sitting here. Let's go outside and play Quidditch for a while," Ron said, grimacing as he stretched his sore muscles.
Ginny looked up from the book she was reading.
"I think I've got it!" she exclaimed, excitedly.
"What?" they all asked at once.
"It says here in this book, How To Achieve Fame and Fortune, by Zelda Jenkins, that you can join into a group by doing something extraordinary. Harry you have to admit that every year you, with our help, have accomplished amazing things. You saved the Sorcerer's Stone, with the help of Ron and Hermione. You saved me from the Chamber of Secrets. You won the Triwizard event, even though you were underage to be in it at all. Last year we proved to everyone that Voldemort was back. Harry we need to contact Dumbledore and demand he let us into the Order," Ginny said animatedly.
"Bloody hell, mate," Ron said, looking at Harry. "What if all you needed to do was ask? He can't deny you or us. Look at what we have all done in the last five years! We have done more than some of the Order members put together."
Harry looked at them thoughtfully. What if it was that simple? Would Dumbledore let them join?
"I think we need to sit down and talk to your parents," Harry said to Ron and Ginny.
"NO! If we go to them before we go to Dumbledore that might ruin our chances. We have to go to Hogwarts. Let's see if we can occupy Percy for a bit," Ron said, looking around. He grabbed a piece of parchment from the desk in the corner.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked Ron. She didn't look like she thought Ron could come up with a plan to get rid of Percy.
Ron didn't answer as he set quill to parchment. He wrote for a few minutes as the others watched him in silence. He looked up at them with a smile.
"Okay, guys. I am pretty sure this will work. PIG!" Ron yelled out and Pig came soaring through the window and set himself down on Ron's arm. He was very excited that Ron had something for him to do and would hardly settle down for him to attach the parchment to his leg.
"Hold still!" Ron muttered.
Harry looked like he wanted to ask what the parchment said. He didn't want to hurt Ron's feelings.
Ron sent Pig out the window telling him to deliver the letter to Penelope Clearwater and not to leave until she left for Diagon Alley.
"Ronald Weasley. What are you doing?" Hermione asked, curiously.
"I sent a letter to Penelope from Percy telling her that he wants to meet with her in Diagon Alley. Now I am going to tell Percy that Penelope flooed him asking him to meet her in Diagon Alley," Ron said, proud of himself.
"Ummm, Ron?" Hermione asked, cautiously. "Isn't he going to wonder why we didn't call him down?"
"Are you joking? He is doing all he can to get her to talk to him. He is desperate. I bet you a galleon that he apparates out of the room before I finish the sentence," Ron said smugly.
"I'll take that bet,' Ginny said, snickering.
Ron ran upstairs to tell Percy. He came down a few minutes later, smiling widely.
"He just left. He barely got himself presentable before he left," Ron said, laughing. "Seems we both won that bet, Ginny."
"Good. I didn't have a galleon to give you anyway," she said, looking ashamed.
Harry glanced out the window. He swore he could see a rat out on the fence. He immediately thought of Wormtail and stood quickly.
"Hey you guys. I think I just saw Wormtail. I can't be sure. I think we better get to Hogwarts as soon as possible. I'm not sure staying here alone right now is a good idea." Harry walked over to the fireplace and threw in some floo powder. "Dumbledore's office," he cried out, remembering to speak the words clearly. He watched as many fireplace grates flew by, making him sick to his stomach. He touched down in Dumbledore's office and lurched forward, landing on his knees. He got up quickly and moved out of the way and watched as the rest landed there safely.
Harry looked around. The office was just as he had remembered it from last year, the embarrassment of the last time he was there staining his cheeks. He had been horribly mad at Dumbledore for keeping the Prophecy from him for so long and had broken many of his things. He saw that his headmaster had repaired them all.
Harry sensed Dumbledore wasn't in. He and the others stood there awkwardly.
"Now what?" Hermione asked.
" 'Now what,' she asks as she sits in the headmaster's office where she doesn't belong," they heard a voice say sarcastically.
They looked up at the voice, drawing their wands. It was the disparaging portrait of Phineas Nigellus. Harry sighed despondently, knowing they wouldn't get any help from the grouchy, old wizard.
"We're looking for Professor Dumbledore. Do you know where he is?" Harry asked warily, pocketing his wand.
Phineas snorted. "He does not report to me. I am not always aware of where the headmaster is or what he is doing. Why are you here? Did he send for you?" Phineas asked, looking doubtful. The rest of the portraits had their attention riveted to Harry. They also wanted to know why the boy-who-lived was in their headmaster's office.
"No. We need to speak to him though. It is important." Harry answered, looking around for Fawkes.
He found him grooming himself on his perch next to Dumbledore's desk.
"Hey there, Fawkes. I need you to contact Dumbledore and tell him we are here. It is VERY important," Harry crooned to the magnificent bird. Fawkes seemed to nod at him before disappearing with a flash of fire.
Harry looked at Phineas. The old man was thoughtfully stroking his beard.
"So I heard you and the girl there got rid of that dreadful Umbridge woman," Phineas said, addressing Harry.
Hermione spoke up before Harry could answer. "We didn't 'get rid of her'. We just tricked her into going into the forest. It isn't our fault she is off in the loony bin," Hermione said boldly, clearly unafraid of the man in the portrait.
Ron snorted. "It was brilliant, Hermione. I will thank you every day of my life for that," Ron told her.
"Thank you Ron. That means a lot," Hermione answered honestly.
Ginny had been very quiet the whole time. Harry looked over to where she was standing, reading something on the headmaster's desk.
"What is it Ginny?" Harry asked her. He joined her behind the desk and saw the piece of parchment she was reading.
"Look," she said pointing at the letter addressed to Professor Dumbledore. It was from Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic. Harry didn't feel right reading it but he couldn't help himself. He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
To Hogwart's Headmaster Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore;
It has come to this office's attention that Harry Potter is now in residence at the Burrow, under Molly and Arthur Weasley's care. We believe that the charms surrounding the Burrow are not strong enough to block out a death eater invasion at this time. We ask that Harry stay at school with you until the beginning of the school year, as well as Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley. This office insists that this take place immediately.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Oswald Fudge
Minister of Magic
Harry was hardly impressed that the Minister of Magic himself was worried about Harry's safety. Only last year he was the boy-who-lies to everyone the minister could get to listen to him.
Harry heard someone clear his throat behind him. He and Ginny jumped back from the desk. Professor Dumbledore stood in front of his desk looking menacing, his piercing blue eyes staring at them down his large, crooked nose. They were not crinkling with mischief as usual but with something more formidable.
"I assumed you would be here after I apparated to the Burrow and found you missing. Percy was there and he was extremely worried and angry. You do know that leaving without his knowledge was very wrong," Dumbledore said reprovingly.
Hermione looked ashamed of herself and Ron stood there looking painfully uncomfortable.
"Yes sir, we do but this was an emergency. I believe I saw Wormtail on the fence near the Burrow,' Harry said quickly, trying to explain why they were there. Ron and Hermione both looked at Harry, realizing he wasn't ready to bring up the other reason for their appearance. The kept their mouths shut firmly and nodded. Ginny caught on and nodded, too.
"Indeed you did. When I apparated there to retrieve you I saw a rat with a silver paw scampering away. While your methods need be looked at more clearly at a later date, I am glad you got here safely." Dumbledore looked at them carefully. "Is there something else, Harry?"
Harry knew how shrewd Professor Dumbledore and those keen eyes bore into Harry's until he had to look away.
"Actually Professor," Hermione spoke up, "we are here for another reason."
Harry, Ron and Ginny were again shocked at Hermione's boldness. She seemed determined to take the lead on the next reason for their sudden arrival in Professor Dumbledore's office. Harry let her. If anyone can make Dumbledore see reason, it was her.
"We came here to tell you we want to become Order members. We think we have proven ourselves worthy time and again. Harry here has done more than most of the Order members combined," Hermione said proudly, looking at Harry.
"While I agree with you there, Hermione, I do believe that there is several reasons why you cannot become Order members. You are not of age and are still in school. Also, Fred and George have been asking to join for many months and your parents, Ron and Ginny, have refused to let them. While they are of age, they did not finish school and therefore their parents can make that decision. If those two cannot join, even if we were to consider it I would highly doubt Molly and Arthur would say yes."
Harry felt disappointment at this news. He thought Dumbledore could see their side of it but he hadn't stopped to consider Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"Professor, we ran the DA almost a full year before you ever discovered it. We have rallied the students behind us. We are born leaders and I insist you do something to make this happen!" Harry said vehemently, shocking the others in his intensity.
Everyone held their breath as Dumbledore walked behind his desk. He sat down and took off his glasses. He rubbed his eyes and replaced them before speaking again.
"You all need to stay here the rest of the summer holiday. I will have a meeting of the Order this Friday evening. There we will take a vote. If the majority of existing Order members vote for you, you will indeed be able to join the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore sighed wearily. He was afraid of this. He was sure that the members would vote in favor of the students. They were all aware of what these children had done already at such a young age.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," the old Professor called out.
Sweeping in with his flowing black robes billowing behind thim was Harry's worst nightmare. Professor Snape glared at Harry and his friends before settling his attention on the headmaster.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir. Pardon my intrusion on this…meeting of yours," he sneered at Harry when he said it.
Dumbledore waved his apologies away. "Go ahead, Severus."
Severus Snape glanced at them, looking as though he didn't want to say what he needed to in front of them.
"It's okay Severus. You can say whatever you need to. It seems Harry and his friends here are most likely about to become members of the Order."
Snape's mouth gaped open. He remembered where he was and snapped it shut. He stared at them for a moment before addressing the headmaster.
"Voldemort does indeed have Hagrid and Madame Maxime. He summoned me last night. When I arrived I heard many of the Deatheaters mumbling about their captures. They are unharmed as of yet. He feels he has better leverage with them alive. He will be contacting you shortly. He wants to make a trade." Snape looked at Harry as he said the last words. The meaning behind what Snape was saying became clear almost immediately. Hermione started forward and put her hand in Harry's.
Snape spoke again, quieter this time. "He wants to give Hagrid and Madame Maxime back to you…in exchange for Harry."