Still May 12th

Late

It's amazing what wonders Hogsmeade works for your relationships.

So, me and Naomi went off together into Honeydukes. I showed her all of the different types of sweets. I'd just reached into a jar of Spitting Monkey's when someone banged into me. I turned and muttered 'sorry' in their vague direction.

'Are you?' I tilted my head and faced James Potter.

'Yes, I am.'

'Really? Because I don't care whose fault it is. I just want you back again.'

'Really?'

'Yes, really.' He suddenly smiled. I realised it was the first time he had smiled in days. 'Can we go somewhere and talk?'

'Um… OK.'

I scanned the crowd for Naomi. She caught my eye and grinned. She was with Patrick and Rachel.

And we sat on the stile near Deverish and Bangs and talked for a while.

'Did you see the Daily Prophet this morning?' he asked me. I stared at the floor. A ladybug was crawling its way through the grass and dry mud, pausing occasionally.

'Yeah, I did. I read the article.' I couldn't bring myself to look at him. 'I'm sorry. It probably doesn't mean much, but I am anyway.'

'Thanks. They were great people, you know.'

'Yeah, I figured, since they were related to you.'

He smiled slightly. 'I'm sorry if you thought I was ignoring you. I was messed up those days and I'm sorry.'

'It's OK. I'm sorry for having a go at you, as well.'

'I guess that's OK then, so we're both sorry.'

'Yeah.'

I couldn't think of a more imaginative response.

But he could.

May 13th

Naomi and I are still in bed, eating M+M's. Well, I am. She's trying to find her glasses. M+M's make good breakfasts. Very good. I now have bits of sweet enamel stuck in my teeth and my breath probably reeks. But anyway.

I'm sort of bored today. Nothing much to do.

An owl is tapping at the window. Investigation required.

Still May 13th

Dumbledore wants me in his office at 1. I wonder why that is.

Later

OMG. James was there, and Sirius and Remus and Peter and Naomi. But Rachel and Anna weren't.

Dumbledore summoned us all into his office. There were six chairs set out at his desk for us, and one large one for himself. Fawkes was there, looking as magnificent as ever.

Dumbledore looked serious.

'As you are full aware, this is you last year at Hogwarts. Or, if you are Naomi, your only year.' He smiled slightly at her.

'When you leave the school you will be headed into the outside world. Most of you will have jobs. Maybe you will work for the Ministry of Magic. Maybe not. But I highly doubt any one of you will stoop to as work for a certain Dark Lord that we all know about.

'Voldemort is becoming very powerful. Over the years he has built up a support of more people than we will ever know about.

'The Ministry disagrees with me when I say something must be done. They are scared, scared of what could be the outcome. They feel that if left alone, they won't get involved with Voldemort and his supporters.

'However, that is untrue. Voldemort has gotten involved with us, whether the Ministry likes it or not. And I feel, as Headmaster of this school, and Citizen of this world, that we can't just stand by and let Voldemort take over.

'For some time now I have been involved with the set-up of something called the Order of the Phoenix. This is, or will be, a group of witches and wizards such as yourselves that are capable of helping track down Voldemort and trace his actions and the like. In the long run, provide a service to destroy him

Everyone was silent.

'James. I beg your forgiveness for bringing them up, but your parents death was not a result of Ministry malfunction. Someone wanted this to happen, and that someone was Voldemort. Your parents were highly respected people, and had a great deal of connections. My guess is,' said Dumbledore bitterly, 'that they were tortured until they accepted an invitation to join Voldemort. However, as brave and wise your parents were, their dignity could not save them. Voldemort gets rid of anyone in his way.'

'So what I'm saying is, if you are interested, I would like you to join the Order of the Phoenix. Each of you possess quality assets that would be highly useful to a company of this great inevitability.'

'But why us?' asked Sirius. 'You full well know what my family are like.'

A scowl appeared on his face. I'd actually never heard Sirius talk about his family openly before. I listened carefully.

'You have a very interesting background, Mr Black. That could prove useful to our causes.'

'So what you're saying is I could be used to spy on Voldemort?'

'Not at all, Mr Black. In the long run, all would be explained later. But as I said before, you have many quality assets that would be valuable to the cause.'

'What about me?' I blurted out. 'I'm a Muggle-born, I'm no good for that sort of thing.'

'Exactly, you are Muggle-born. You are perfect for this organization. For we need an insight into the Muggle world. Having achieved a high standard grade for Muggle Studies, and studying their behaviour intensively I have a fairly accurate idea of their life and fears. But, alas, I am as you say 'pure-blood' so I can't really accumulate with this.'

'And how about me?' said Remus resentfully. 'You know what I am.'

I was confused. What?

'Naturally, Mr Lupin, we would have to keep an eye on you at all costs, but you're lack of inhumane nature does not put us off at all.'

'And why me?' said Naomi. 'I've only been here a couple of months.'

'Exactly. Foreign connections are beneficial to an association of this great nature.'

'You've explained why we should be in, but you haven't really explained why you want us in.' said Sirius. As an afterthought, he added, 'I that makes sense.'

'At this stage, nothing can be said for certain. You are all capable people, and if you are interested, I would be eternally grateful for your signature.'

Dumbledore drew a fresh sheet of parchment from one of his desk drawers and unearthed a quill from somewhere.

I noticed the only person to have said nothing at all, and to sign the paper last was Peter Pettigrew. He looked highly uncomfortable.

I signed the parchment.

'Now, I must tell you that having signed this, you cannot and must not repeat anything that was aid in this room to anyone outside of these four walls. I can assure you, if my trust is betrayed, I will know about it. Good day.'

At that, we left, me feeling slightly disconcerted.