Owl Eyes

Chapter Eleven

A Different Perspective

He changes in the night

His robes are shed in darkness

For freedom he must fight

Yours and mine and his alike

A shadow in the sun of dawn

A flame within the night

Be he trader or be he spy

A man of masks and robes

Which hide what's in his heart

Keep his soul wrapped up tight

Can he save us from the dark one

Can he keep the world in the light

He and I share many things

Yet see the world through different eyes

Offering up a new perspective

Owls' wings rising in the night

There's always another side

Because one's not enough

We want not power or fame in life

We seek truth and insight

And wish to offer you freedom

What more is there to life

"A word after class, Mr. Potter, Ms. Lee," Snape said silkily as he passed our desks during Potions class.

"Must be regarding your essays," Hermione commented.

"Hope so," Harry said.

I was unconcerned. The Healing salve we were working on had my full attention. I was determined to never mess up in Snape's class again. More than likely it would happen eventually but I'd do my best to prevent it.

"Can you pass me the toad skin?" I asked no one in particular.

It was handed to me by Harry. I blushed as his hand brushed mine. Why was I blushing? I lowered my head and busied myself with the potion in silence. I stirred and stirred as it thickened, in almost a meditative state. If I could clear my mind I wouldn't have thoughts of Harry.

Finally my concoction was ready. I carefully scraped the thick substance into a jar, screwed the lid on tight, and set it on Professor Snape's desk. Next I cleaned my cauldron. That done, I put my parchment, quill and books away. Then I waited for the other students to finish and file out of the room. It seemed like an eternity.

The door closed and the room was silent.

"Come," Snape said, walking into his office.

We followed.

"Sit," he commanded softly.

I heard Harry sink into a chair and I began feeling for one with my cane and my left hand. Snape was around his desk in an instant. His long strides making nothing of the room, imposing figure looming over me. I coward in fear.

"Silly girl," he purred, "I have no intention of hurting you."

He placed a hand on my shoulder and gently pushed me backward. Then he took my left hand and set it on the arm of a chair. I shivered at his closeness and decided I really needed to get my raging hormones under control.

"Sit," he said so softly it was nearly a whisper.

I did.

"Now then," he said when he had returned to stand behind his desk, "I have naturally finished reading your essays."

Harry and I waited for him to continue in silence.

"Miss Lee," he stepped forward and handed me the parchment I had written on, "your essay was most impressive. We shall discuss your writing this evening so that I can read you the remarks I have written. Is that agreeable?"

"Yes, sir," I replied.

"Good," he stretched out the word. "I wouldn't want to inconvenience your friends by having them read you my notations. I also think that those outside the Order need not learn some of the things I have mentioned on either of your papers. Is that clear?"

Harry and I both confirmed that it was clear.

"I have no problem with you getting help to do the extra assignments unless they are secret business of the Order but I'd prefer that you not share the returned assignments and destroy them or keep them locked up in a safe place. I will write things on them that are relevant to the Order, specific examples if you will."

There was silence.

"Mr. Potter," Snape finally said, "Here is your essay."

He stepped around the desk to hand Harry his scroll then returned to sit in his chair.

"Your work was quite unsatisfactory. Is there anything you would like to say in your defense?"

"I will do better next time, Professor," Harry said confidently.

"I asked not for an excuse or a promise but rather if you had something to say in your defense."

"No,"

"Perhaps next time you would be willing to accept more help from Ms. Granger or Ms. Lee?"

"I…I…, yes, sir," Harry sounded embarrassed.

"In the Order you must learn to improve upon your weaknesses. You will learn to ask for help when needed, to learn from others whose strengths lie where your weaknesses fall. Is that understood, Mr. Potter?"

Harry must have nodded for Snape said, "Good."

"Is that all?" I tried to ask politely. I was tired of listening to Harry being chewed out for his poor performance.

"Nearly," Snape hissed. "Tomorrow you will both start running in the mornings. You will rise early so that you are not seen and run around the lake. I should probably remind you, Mr. Potter, to stay out of the forest. If anyone discovers you, you called a professor something horrible during class or were caught half naked up the Astronomy Tower or some other such tale. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I said knowing I would not be using the latter excuse if we were found out.

"Yeah," Harry mumbled.

Harry really didn't show the respect due his elders. He lacked in confidence as well when confronted with them. At other times he was a complete show off but I could now see why so many people thought he got by on luck alone. Mostly I thought he was lazy. Hopefully the Order would teach him to work hard.

"Excused," Professor Snape snapped.

We left in a hurry.

When I entered the Great Hall for dinner the place was buzzing with excitement. Something must have happened. When I sat down at the table with Ron and Hermione, I blurted, "What's everyone so excited about?"

"First Hogsmeade weekend on Saturday," Ron said with his mouth full.

"You know," Hermione said, "you could swallow before you speak."

"Sorry," Ron said with a still full mouth.

Hermione huffed.

"It's a bit early for Hogsmeade, you know," Harry commented while piling his plate.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Don't know," Harry said.

"Usually the first Hogsmeade visit isn't until Halloween," Hermione explained.

"That's not for a month," I said.

"Yeah," Ron said, mouth finally empty. "I hope we'll get another one then. Maybe I should ask McGonagall so I know how much stuff to buy this time 'round."

"Good idea," Harry suggested.

"It isn't the end of the world if we don't get to go on Holloween," Hermione said hesitantly. "I would like to get out twice though."

"I'm sure they'll let us go again," I said confidently.

"Why you so sure about that?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," I answered honestly.

Harry changed the subject. "We've got Quiddich practice this evening. Don't know how long it'll last."

"We've got to get on top of things," said Ron who was enjoying his first year on the team.

As if on cue Fred and George appeared just then.

"Ready for practice?" Fred asked.

"Yeah," Harry said.

"We need tons of it if we're gonna beat Ravenclaw," George said.

"I hear they've been practicing nearly every day," said Fred.

"You're making me nervous," Ron said, mouth full again.

"Maybe we should be nervous," Harry said.

"Well, see you," the twins said in unison.

"We should go start warming up," Ron suggested.

"Right after dinner?" Hermione screeched. "Your food isn't even settled. I don't see how you can possibly fly around like that, I'd be sick!"

"That's why you aren't on the team," Ron joked.

We all laughed.

"Come on, Ron," Harry said. "See you all later."

"They'll never get there homework done," Hermione commented.

"I know," I replied. "I don't know how they do it all."

"How is Harry going to keep playing Quiddich with the… well you know, his new responsibilities?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure he's taken them completely seriously."

"What did Snape say about that work Harry had done for him?"

"He wasn't impressed. In fact, I've gotta see him tonight about mine. He's going to read me his comments on it."

"I could've done it," Hermione said.

"He thinks it's confidential," I told her.

"Really!"

"Yeah,"

"We should probably go get started on homework anyway," Hermione suggested.

"Yep, wouldn't want to be like Ron and Harry."

We both laughed.

Two hours later, after describing three Muggle kitchen appliances and their uses for my Muggle studies class, I knocked on Professor Snape's door. I wondered what comments he could possibly have about my essay.

"Enter," a cold voice said abruptly from inside the office.

"Miss Lee, do come in and seat yourself."

I remembered the location of the chair I had occupied on my previous visit and sat in it. Snape rounded his desk and handed me a cup of tea.

"Tea, Miss Lee," he said.

I got the feeling that hospitality was not his forte. Someone, probably Professor Dumbledore, had obviously schooled him in the fine art though, because he was not rude. I wouldn't be bold enough to ask for sugar. I sipped the tea quietly. The British were so strange having tea at all hours. I would've preferred soda or water.

Realizing I had not yet spoken I said, "You wanted to see me about my essay?"

"Yes," he said quietly. "May I see it?"

I reached in my bag and pulled out the essay. He took it from me gracefully.

"Thank you," he rounded his desk and sat. Snape leaned forward in his chair and smoothed the parchment before him. "I found your work to be most interesting."

"May I ask why?"

"You may. I find it interesting that you poses a view much different from your peers."

"How so?"

"Hush child and I shall tell you."

I sat back in my chair and attempted to rest my hands in my lap but the tea made this awkward.

"There is a table to your right," Snape said conversationally. Then he continued as if nothing had been said regarding the matter, "The vast majority of your peers are preoccupied with themselves. They cannot see, nor imagine, the great impact that war is having, and will have, on the wizarding world." Professor Snape paused and I could hear a clock ticking in his office. "Why is it, Miss Lee, that you are able to see beyond yourself and realize the cause and effect of adult matters?"

"I don't really know, sir," I replied shyly.

"Did Miss Granger help you write the lengthy piece?"

"No," I said, then admitted, "but she read to me out of the books I used."

"Not surprising that she chose those particular resources to gather information from. She may be a good ally for you, then again, she may serve as a bad influence."

"What do you-"

"Some questions… are better left unasked, Miss Lee."

I looked down at my lap.

"I trust that you understand the importance of serving in the Order. In time you will understand the role you play in this war. We, the Order members, have discussed strategies of war most extensively in recent times. You will continue to study this subject on your own, or with Ms. Granger's help. Is that quite clear?"

"Yes, sir," I said lifting my tea cup again.

"What you have written here is a start but not enough. Should you choose to continue your studying of the subject you could be an asset to the Order."

I was nervous. What was he trying to tell me? On one hand he had nearly praised me for my efforts, then on the other he had said that I didn't know enough and had suggested that I might need Hermione's help to proceed. I couldn't even make the connection between my essay and the Order's business. Why hadn't we had this conversation in front of Harry. Surely the message Snape was trying to get across would apply to him as well?

"You mention love," he began, "though I don't fully understand your reasoning. Explain."

"I believe that love is a powerful motivator in times of war and at other times. Perhaps it is the most powerful of all." I didn't really know what to say.

"Surely," Professor Snape said silkily, "you can't mean that it is the most powerful motivator of all?"

"Well, I… I am not quite sure, I-"

"What about power, fame, anger, lust, revenge, or just sickening desires for dark things?"" he boomed.

In seconds he was around the desk again. He stepped in front of me. My heart beat furiously. I was afraid more than I had ever been in his presence.

He bent down, one hand on my shoulder, and said, "There is much to learn, Miss Lee. Time teaches well and not all lessons are pleasant ones."

I shivered involuntarily as his hot sweet breath touched my face, his cold words like fingers exploring my spine.

"Even the rose has thorns," he said smoothly.

He stood and stepped back.

"You are excused."

"Thank you."

"There is a meeting of the Order tomorrow night," he said. "I trust you will inform Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do not be late," he stepped behind his desk, "and do try to ensure that Mr. Potter is on time as well. You may go."

I didn't need telling twice. I left the room in a swirl of robes. There was nothing that made me want to stay there, and engage in further conversation with the Potions Master.

Once again I found myself slipping quietly through the darkened halls of Hogwarts. My destination, the headmaster's office and the Order meeting. With each step the realization that we were fighting in a war was brought ever closer. We would lose lives. This wasn't just about the strategies Snape spoke of when I saw him in his office. It was about wand to wand combat, bloodshed and dead bodies. I shivered and pulled my cloak tighter around me.

"Good evening, Miss Lee."

I jumped at the sound of spoken words so close to me but soon realized that it was merely professor McGonagall. I tried to be polite even though I found the woman incredibly annoying. After all, she was the head of Gryffindor house so I was expected to be polite to her and make her think that everything was okay between us and life was more simple than it really is.

"Evening, Professor," I responded.

"I presume you have important business that is keeping you out so late? It is past curfew as I'm sure you realize."

"Yes, mam. I'm going to see the headmaster."

"Then I think I will accompany you to see that you find the way and don't cause any trouble. Is that agreeable?"

"Of course."

We walked in silence. I wondered why she was acting so strange. She had to have known that I was going to a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. She was in the Order herself and would be expected to attend also. I hoped I wasn't talking to someone who was impersonating her.

When we reached Dumbledore's office Lupin was there again to greet and inspect everyone. This must be his official job. I worried about some sort of plan. If he went over to the Dark Lord he would, and could, let anyone in to the meetings. I shivered at the thought. Dumbledore trusted this man though, to carry out this most important task and so I should trust him too.

"Good evening Miss Lee, Professor, McGonagall," Lupin said quietly.

He began casting his series of spells, first over me, then over McGonagall. As I felt the gentle swish of his robe and heard his voice, strong but near silent, I knew that there was no possible way this man would turn over to the Dark Lord. No wonder Dumbledore trusted him. There was not a bone of indecision nor a cell of evil within him.

"You may go inside, Miss Lee."

I stepped onto the spiral stairs after thanking Mr. Lupin.

Again the room was bustling with Order members. Some of them must've always chosen to go by portkey rather than Apparating. The mood of the room was much different than it had been the last time. No one was as eager as they once had been. I decided there couldn't be too many important things to discuss. I was greeted by several of the Order members which made me feel welcomed. Again Harry had not arrived.

Professor McGonagall approached me.

"Miss Lee," I turned to face her. "I just wanted to apologize for my abruptness in the halls."

"No problem Professor."

"I didn't want other students to hear us. You never know who is about the castle at these hours and what they might be up to. You must be careful, Miss Lee."

She tried to adopt a motherly tone but it was nearly lost because she had probably never had children before.

"Thank you for your explanation, Professor McGonagall."

"Well, I thought one was owed to you."

I nodded. She simply wasn't my favorite person to talk to.

It seemed like Dumbledore was going to be late. I groaned inwardly at the thought of his tardiness. I was exhausted. I'd been working on homework nearly all evening and working with Hermione to help Ron and Harry. Ron really was a bit slow which wasn't his fault, and also lazy which was. Harry, on the other hand, spent much of his time either being lazy or thinking of the past and the future. The present was something he just couldn't cling to long enough to analyze it or appreciate its beauty. It was as if the present were a butterfly that, if he captured it at all, he would not be able to hold onto, and for the short minute when he did he'd worry about its fragility.

We had run twenty minutes together in the morning and my muscles were still protesting. I wondered if his were too. We had talked of his past experiences with the Dark Lord. I had wanted to know about them for future reference and he seemed glad to have someone he could trust to share things with. Ron and Hermione had been his only true friends, it seemed. I suppose he trusted me because I was in the Order with him and he knew I wasn't going to turn information over to Voldemort or betray Harry's friendship in any way.

I sighed and began looking for an unoccupied chair. I didn't want to interrupt anyone to ask where one was, nor did I want to sit in anyone's lap accidentally.

A hand of long silken fingers grabbed my groping wrist.

"Miss Lee, I seem to be rescuing you from the land in which there are no chairs repeatedly. That place in your brain that longs for a place to sit but refuses to ask for assistance."

I blushed and lowered my head.

"Come."

"He led me to a chair and for a moment crouched before me.

"It is okay to ask for help, Miss Lee. You need not be the hero. That is for Mr. Potter to do. This is the Order. We are brothers and sisters here. We help one another. You will both learn that in time, and hopefully in reasonable time."

He squeezed my wrist slightly, then departed before I had reason or time to comment on what he had said.

I couldn't believe the words I had just heard had come from Professor Snape. He was loving and gentle in his manner. It was a whole different side of the cold, cruel, abrasive man everyone knew. I turned my head to listen around the room. Perhaps these people knew both sides of him as well. Maybe he was even known to hug one of them a time or two. Harry certainly wouldn't believe that, even if he saw it with his own eyes.

"It is once again time," Dumbledore's voice said from above the noise of the gathered crowd.

Everyone stopped talking and began assembling themselves in the center of the room. I rose and made my way toward where I knew the portkey to be. People moved aside slightly for me and one put a hand on my shoulder to urge me forward. We used a wizard's robe once again. I guess we used it because it was large enough for everyone to touch at once.

Before I knew it the portkey was activated. I felt a tug deep in my belly. It was as if a hand had reached inside me to grab my heart but as soon as it had started, and I had spun and flipped a few times, it was over.

We arrived at the same destination with me immediately sinking to my knees with exhaustion.

"You must rise and fight it," a gruff voice said. "Come on now, stay alert, keep moving."

The man lifted me by the elbow and led me away from the spot where we had landed. After a few steps I could walk on my own more easily.

"I'm Alastor Moody," the man said conversationally.

I remembered the name instantly.

"I used your book for a homework assignment recently," I said.

"Good.. good."

We arrived at the structure known as the Order headquarters.

"Inside now, Miss Lee."

Once we were inside he let go of my arm. As we stepped into the room something clumped noisily on the wooden floor.

"What is that thumping noise?" I asked.

We stopped walking and the noise stopped as well.

"Perhaps you mean my wooden leg?" he said.

"Oh," I said in surprise, "that would probably be the noise."

"Works well, but I've got to spell it to be quiet at times so it won't betray me."

I nodded.

"Well, I hope the book was of some use to you, Miss Lee. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Same here," I said, "and I very much enjoyed reading the book."

I didn't want to tell the man that I hadn't read the whole book and had been so tired by the time I finished that essay that I didn't know which information had come from which volume. From our conversation though, I could estimate that Moody was one of the Order members that worked on strategies for fighting the war. I had a feeling I'd see a lot of him in the future.

"All are accounted for," Lupin said quietly.

Even his quiet tone could settle the assembled members. I marveled in the strength of the man.

"Good," Dumbledore said with one clap of his hands. "We shall begin then. There are a few matters we must discuss. First, Severus will give us a bit of useful information."

"The new recruits are to be marked in three days time. It will be the night of the full moon. I have good reason to believe that several students at Hogwarts will be marked at that time." Snape sounded tired and frustrated. "As of yet the new recruits have been kept secret. I am sure, no matter who they are, we will have several spies at the school."

I wondered what danger this would put Harry in.

"How many do you think will be marked, Severus?" McGonagall asked.

"More than likely eight or ten," Professor Snape replied.

"What protection will this require for Potter?" asked a woman's voice I didn't know.

"We will keep a close eye on Harry, as usual," Dumbledore explained.

"I think I can manage," Harry responded.

"You do have a tendency to get yourself into trouble, Mr. Potter," Snape said silkily. "We don't want you playing the hero as your arrogance often has you doing."

"Constant vigilance," Moody growled.

"I will be careful," Harry said.

"Hopefully, you will keep your word," Snape hissed quietly.

"What about Miss Lee?" a man asked.

"I don't believe she is in danger as of yet," Snape said. "Though it is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord realizes her presence at Hogwarts and her abilities. He will want her turned over, to serve him, to make her his own."

I trembled at Snape's cold voice and the meaning of his words. The school year was getting more difficult by the day. I was sure Malfoy would be receiving the mark. He seemed like the type and Harry had told me that Lucius, Malfoy's father, was a Death Eater. I had already upset Malfoy. I hoped the new recruits wouldn't be carrying out their initiation tasks at Hogwarts. I would have to be sure to never publicly demonstrate my abilities which was more difficult than it first seemed.

"We must keep an eye out for strange behaviors at Hogwarts from this time forward," Dumbledore said and closed the subject.

"There is also a roomer going around the Ministry," a man began. "You-Know-Who plans to release the Dementors from their duties and find them other tasks."

"How did you gather such information, Arthur?" Snape asked.

"It is quite remarkable the things one can discover while listening to private conversations there." The man replied.

"When will this occur?" a woman asked.

"I don't know," Arthur said.

"Severus?" the same woman asked.

"I have no knowledge of this," Severus said. "He must not be ready to carry out the plan any time soon."

"That is most helpful to know," Dumbledore said.

"We must prepare," McGonagall said.

"The students must be taught to defend themselves," Lupin spoke up.

"Indeed," Dumbledore commented. "Harry, I believe you can help with that task?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said confidently.

"Very well. You have my permission to practice in your spare time to prepare for training to start one week from now for fourth years and above."

"Right," Harry answered.

"I have been in touch with several Americans who are willing to help us," another man said.

"Yes," Dumbledore began, "I have done the same."

"I think they will come to be most useful," Professor Flitwick squeaked.

"Several will be relocating here," the stranger reported. "I think we should examine them for omission to the Order."

"Miss Lee's parents have every intention of joining with us," Dumbledore said. "Her father will have a lot to contribute and her mother is a skilled healer."

"It will be nice to have another healer among us," Madam Pomfrey said excitedly.

I hadn't even known she was an Order member.

There were murmurs of agreement from the assembled Order members which could only mean they agreed with Pomfrey.

"Is there any further business?" Dumbledore asked.

Silence.

"If that is all, the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix is closed."

People began milling about, most talking with one another. I felt like an outsider. I wished I knew more of the order members. Harry found me but we had little to say to each other.

It was late and all I could do was yawn. I wondered who was coming from America to help. The wizarding communities were so spread out in the United States that it was often hard to organize any sort of activity especially a war. I figured that Voldemort was ready, and willing, to attack any part of the world. He certainly wouldn't just go after Britain.

Most Americans didn't even understand the full depth of the war. It was a whole different world in America. Much of the old magic had been lost. Blood magic was almost never performed. Learning how to fight dark magic was not part of the schools curriculum. Dealing with magical creatures and giants had not been necessary for years. The unforgivables were seldom used. The wizarding jail was never full to capacity. Muggle appliances and transportation were used by many wizards. My parents, at least, had not conformed to the new way of doing things. They held on to wizarding customs and knowledge as best they could.

I decided Americans could contribute something, but I didn't know what that something was.