Chapter Thirteen: The Phoenix Guard
As they got comfortable, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood showed up and asked if they could sit down.
"So Harry, when are we to begin DA meetings again?" asked an inquisitive Neville.
"As soon as possible. I've learned a lot this summer. As soon as I've come up with some kind of schedule, we'll start. I plan on teaching Animagi, apparation, and spells well beyond N.E.W.T. levels to a select few. This select group of people will help me to lead DA. Interested?" asked Harry.
"You bet I am! But who else is gonna be in this select group?" inquired Neville.
"Well, myself of course, you, if they agree, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Ernie Macmillan, and Hannah Abbot. We're all high level students, yes even you Neville. I was thinking about calling us the 'Anti-Inquisitorial Squad?" laughed Harry, remembering Draco Malfoy's pathetic little squad of 'peace officer's', "Seriously though, I'm thinking of something along the lines of… the Phoenix Guard. We'll be a guard made of students whose number one goal is to protect the school from attacks. I'll teach you some powerful magic and with it, we'll be able to repel an attack by Death Eaters long enough for Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix to arrive. Sound great?"
"No thanks Harry," said Luna dreamily.
"Brilliant, mate," said Ron as he and Hermione entered the cabin having heard every word, "We'll really stick it to Malfoy this year!"
"No, Ron," said Harry, "We are to leave Malfoy alone this year. You know who his father is, he's probably learned the Unforgivables by now. We won't provoke him or give him any reason to harm any of us. Even if he attacks one of us without cause, we will detain him and that is all. However, if he tries harming students, as a group, we will use force as a last resort to stop him. We use safe tactics first. Understood? We need to find the others soon and see if they want to join and then let's meet up outside Dumbledore's office to see if we can get approved."
Soon, everyone but Harry and Neville had left the compartment in search of other friends.
"Well, if it isn't Scar-head himself," said the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Shove off, Malfoy," said Neville.
"Come now, Potter. If you needed a body guard, surely there were more suitable candidates than Longbottom." Said Malfoy.
"Malfoy, I bet Neville could take you, Crabbe, and Goyle by himself," said Harry.
"Really? This I must see," laughed Malfoy as Neville stood up. Suddenly, nine different wands were pointed at Malfoy.
"Unfortunately, we won't be able to test that theory now," mused Harry, "It seems that my Guard here all want a piece of you. If you are unable to figure out the odds, its three of us for every one of you and your goons."
With that Draco and his goons stalked off to find others to torture while the Guard laughed at him.
"So, you guys wanna join?" asked Harry to Ernie and Hannah.
"Definitely," said Ernie and Hannah.
"Ok, just a quick go-over the rules. Protect the students and don't abuse your power. Got it?"
As they got closer to the school, they changed into their robes. When Harry returned to the compartment, he felt as if someone was watching him. As he looked around, he knew that nothing or no one was invisible in the compartment. He stuck out his head and found that no one was there. 'That was no paranoid feeling,' Harry thought to himself. Upon reaching the school, Harry heard the familiar call of "Firs' years, this way! Firs' years to me!" called Rubeus Hagrid. Hagrid was the Professor of Care of Magical Creatures and Keeper of Keys and Grounds.
"Hey, Hagrid," called Harry.
"All righ' there Harry?" asked Hagrid.
"I'm better now that I'm at school," responded Harry, "Well, see you later."
Harry and his group of friends climbed the stairs and entered the Great Hall for the Sorting and the feast. Harry began to dread his meeting alone with Professor Dumbledore after the feast for fear of what the paper meant. Soon, Professor Dumbledore stood up for his speech.
"Welcome, new students and welcome back old ones. Now, I have a few announcements and then we can begin the feast. First, to new students, and perhaps a few older students, could use some reminding, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all those who don't wish to die a horrible death. Second, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has just updated this list of things that are not allowed. I believe that they now include many of the wonderful Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Next, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Strindell. Also, I am happy to announce that we will be host to a transfer student from America: Katie Smith, who will be in Gryffindor. Finally, two words of advice: Tuck In."
Harry noticed that Professor Strindell was a tall, skinny wizard with familiar jet-black hair. Harry turned his attention back to the feast. Harry enjoyed the feast, as it was always everything he liked and very filling. After the feast, Ron, Hermione, Ernie, and Hannah had to show their respective first years to the dorms and then they'd be back, so Harry, Neville, Ginny, Dean, and Seamus stayed in the Great Hall until they came back. They all soon made their way to the gargoyle on front of Dumbledore's office.
"I bet in about two seconds, Snape'll come round the corner, 'What're you doing here, Potter?'" laughed Harry. Sure enough, Snape walked around the corner. This time, he didn't carry his trademark sneer.
"So, Potter, what've we got here? An accommodation of your closest friends?" asked Snape.
"Yes, Professor. We were just on our way to Professor Dumbledore's office for a small meeting," answered Harry.
"Very well, Potter. Allow me to get you started. Bertie Bott's," commanded Snape as the gargoyle opened to admit them, "After you, Potter."
Harry and his friends entered the opening, followed by Snape. They walked up to the door to Professor Dumbledore's office, knocked, and entered.
"Ah, Harry and friends, what can I do for you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, Professor. I would like permission to begin a group of select students whose sole purpose is to defend the school, if it should fall under attack. I would take them under my wing and teach them all that I've learned this summer. We are made up, almost completely, by those who accompanied me to the Department of Mysteries last year, with the exceptions of Ernie and Hannah, and also Luna Lovegood, who has declined my offer," explained Harry.
"Well, if this is true Potter, then I think this group will be very powerful indeed," said Snape, "I was one of the Death Eaters at Diagon Alley, one of the ones you defeated. Believe me, I tried my best and you still wiped the floor with me, I commend you. I noticed that, at the end of last year, Longbottom has grown more confident and powerful, well done. I believe you've made a fine choice of followers, especially in not picking any Slytherins, they probably would have betrayed you,"
"Professor, why the sudden change in heart towards us?" asked Harry.
"Well, when you went to the Department on Mysteries last year, it showed me that, even without the knowledge, you were willing to risk your life for those who you held dear, even if it meant paying with your life. Also, you command the respect of your friends, who would give their lives for you. You helped me see this last year. It showed me that even my petty quarrels with your father were meaningless as we were on the same side. I hope that some day we may fight side by side and defeat the evil that has arisen," stated Snape, holding out his hand, "However, in front of your peers, I will not relinquish my demanding attitude."
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry, shaking Snape's hand.
"Well Harry, I give my full permission to you and your friends to begin this group and, once you are ready, I would like you to patrol the hallways at night. I also hereby allow your DA meetings to continue," said Dumbledore, "Would there be anything else?"
"Yes, I would like a private meeting with you," said Harry, "and perhaps Professor Snape as well, he may be able to help determine if my fears are true."
"Very well, if you all would go back to your dormitories," said Dumbledore, as the students left, "Yes, Harry?"
"Well, last night as I went to bed, I found a piece of paper that had the word 'Soon' written on it. I believe that there is a way for me and Voldemort to send things to each other," stated Harry.
"I am afraid that it's not just that. I believe that soon, the Dark Lord will be able to have exercised this ability enough, to allow him to go to you," said Snape.
"Damn, well I figured that that might happen," said Harry, "Now, how do I stop him?"
"Well, it would appear that we need to find a way for you to be able to sever your connection for as long as possible," said Dumbledore, "It would appear that it is a good thing I appointed Professor Strindell as a teacher."
"Why, Professor?" asked Harry.
"Well, it is a matter you must find on your own, unfortunately. When you know who he truly is, come see me," said Dumbledore, "You'll be delighted to know that your ban has been lifted."
As Harry left, he called Dobby to him.
"Dobby when you have little to do, could you please go to Gringott's and bring me back my family tapestry?" asked Harry, "Thank you so much. You may retrieve a pair of socks from my dresser at the Manor when you're done."
"Yes, Harry Potter sir, Dobby will get right on it," replied Dobby as he left.
Harry made his way back to the Gryffindor tower and suddenly realized that he didn't know the password. As he approached the Fat Lady, she swung open for him.
"I knew who you were the whole time but was forbidden to recognize you as who you are until you knew. Please forgive me," said the Fat Lady.
"No problem, I understand," replied Harry.
As he entered the common room, he was met by Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Dean, and Seamus.
"When do we start?" they all asked.
"Well, let's meet this Saturday in the Room of Requirement. Then I'll start teaching you most of my little tricks. I won't teach you all of them because you won't be able to learn them all, I guarantee you that. Now, off to bed with you lot," laughed Harry.
They went to their dormitories but none slept that night. When Harry finally fell asleep, he was thinking about how he would be able to sever the connection.