Eye of the Storm

Authors Note: Remus Lupin may seem a little out of character in this chapter.

Authors Note #2: Mrs. Figg is a witch not a squib.

)-( Means scene change

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Chapter 2 The Order of the Phoenix

Dear Order of the Phoenix Member, Because of current events we will be coming together agian. Do to security reasons extra precautions will be taking place. The day you recieve this letter you will be taken to headquarters by a representative. You may be required to spend a few days at a time away from home and work, do not worry as it is being taken care of as you read this. If for any reason you loose this letter say 'inflamare letra' and it will be destroyed wherever it may be. The best of luck and safe travel to you.
Albus Dumbledore

Folding the last letter, Dumbledore handed it to Severus.

"You know what to do."

"Yes headmaster."

"Good luck."

Without another word Severus left Hogwarts and when he got out of range he disappeared. )-( "Boy! Finish those dishes and hurry it up!"

"Yes Aunt Petunia."

Harry was once again under the Dursleys roof and nothing had changed. He would work all day and then at night he could take a five minute shower, eat what his aunt and uncle put out for him, and do school work. This day however, Harry had woken up extremely sick. He imagined Madame Pomfrey running about telling him to keep still and rest, but that was hardly the case where he was now. In the morning his aunt made him clean the bathroom, all of it. While he was cleaning the toilet he got sick until there was virtualy nothing left in his stomach.

Being aware of her nephews illness, Petunia wrote down a list of chores to do before they got back. Vernon was at work so he couldn't get infected, but Petunia wanted to get her precious Duddy-kins out of the house, so they left. Harry was left alone with the flu.

)-(

Dumbledore's eyes settled on each member as they arrived. Severus and Minerva McGonagall traveled throughout England and farther giving old and new members their letters about the upcoming order meeting, then sent them to headquarters. Upon his arrival, Severus was greeted bu a very angry Remus Lupin.

"What the hell is he doing here? Filthy Spy."

Before Snape could do anything more than roll his eyes, Dumbledore was speaking to Remus.

"Yes he is a spy, but for us, you would do well to note that."

"If I'm a danger to anyone here you should be in a holding cell, warewolf." Severus said, unable to let the opportunity slip by.

"You son of a ....."

"I believe that's you Lupin."

Remus walked over to the table attempting to ignore his childhood enemy and sat next to Mad-eye Moody. Sitting around the table was Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, and some others he had yet to meet. After a look from Dumbledore, Severus sat down as well.

Clearing his throat to get the attention of the other witches and wizards, Dumbledore stood.

"Thank you all for your cooperation and attendence here today. The reason I summoned you all here is to inform you that Voldemort is indeed trying to regain power again."

There was a sharp intake of breath as Voldemort's name was spoken.

"I have this information from two eye witnesses. One is young Harry Potter who saw Voldemort and suffered by his hand...well, by him. The other was Severus Snape who saw him flee from Hogwarts."

Voices suddenly got louder at this new information as many of the newer members had children who attended Hogwarts.

"Well this might be all well and good but the public will have to know as well," Moody said followed by nods of agreement.

"This minister has refused to believe Voldemort is alive, and having no hard evidence he has a right to think so. Therefore, he will not release a statement in the Prophet, not will he go public about it."

The talking began again as Dumbledore took, his seat.

)-(

"You filthy boy! How dare you ruin my supper! Go to your cupboard!" Petunia yelled between sobs.

"No don't! Leave my house!"

Harry's uncle was just as angry as his wife when he found out that his nephew had let the food burn. It wasn't his fault really, the smell of food caused him to get sick again and he was stuck in the bathroom.

"No please uncle. I have no where to go."

Harry pleaded with his uncle who was enjoying every minute of it.

"I don't care.

That was it, Harry was pushed from the house without anything. Vernon had refused to let Harry take his wand or trunk with him and locked it all in the cupboard. Now Harry was in trouble, he was alone without money or his wand. No one would know he was missing until they got to platform nine and three quarters, and by that time he would most likely be dead.

Feeling the cool breeze on his face reminded Harry of his fever and the rest of his illness. Walking down the street, Harry was so lost in thought he never saw his batty old neighbor Mrs. Figg disappear.

)-(

"Now before I dismiss you for the eve...."

Dumbledore stopped short as Arabella Figg came rushing through the front door.

"Albus, Harry is gone!"

The room was silent as they turned to look at the old woman.

"What do you mean gone, Arabella?" Dumbledore asked perfectly calm.

"They kicked him out I believe. Oh we must hurry."

"Why didn't you stop Mr. Potter then? Why didn't you bring him here?" Severus asked not sounding at all concerned.

"Albus told me not to do anything!"

"And you did the right thing Arabella. Severus," he turned to his potions master who respectfuly looked up at him. "You will go get Harry and bring him here."

Tonks almost started laughing at Snape's expression, it looked like he was offered one too many lemon drops.

"Me?! Why?"

"Because you have very good sence of direction and can bring Harry here without any problems." Albus said then turned to everyone else, "you may go to your assigned rooms for the evening."

Remus stopped by Severus who hadn't moved. "Well go on! And make sure he gets here safely and uninjured or you will find yourself in the same situation."

Without saying anything Snape stood up and gave one last look at Dumbledore and headed out into the night.

)-(

Harry was tired, sick, and cold even though summer just started the temperature seemed to have dropped twenty degrees. Only getting as far as the small park about two blocks away from the Dursleys, Harry layed down on a bench and fell asleep.

"This is ridiculous, I bet Potter just left to get some fresh air or something while his relatives sleep."

Severus appeared behind Aarabella's house after leaving headquarters. He looked across the street at the Dursleys, it was dark. At least he knew looking for Potter in a cinema would do no good, he wasn't stupid, he knew vaugely that the boys aunt and uncle didn't appreciate him living there and he couldn't blame them.

Taking a step out onto the sidewalk, Snape looked down both ways before heading left. He didn't really know where to look but his instincts rarely proved him wrong.

"What brings you to Little Whinging Severus?"

He stopped dead in his tracks and could feel the color drain from his face, taking a breath he turned around and came face to face with Lucius Malfoy.

"I have some buisness to do."

"Oh." Lucius said dragging out the word.

"What about you?"

"Me? Oh I was just looking for some members of the old gang you know. I heard our lord was spotted in Hogwarts."

Severus eyed the blonde haired man suspiciously, "You know how people like to talk Lucius."

"Yes well, care to join me? Soon enough we'll find out if it's true, and I want to be there for the Dark Lord, I want to show my loyalty."

Severus would have laughed out loud if the situation hadn't been so serious. Lucius Malfoy was telling him he would be involved with Voldemort again. But then again, once a death eater always a death eater.

That last thought made him mentally shiver, but got him to respond.

"Not tonight Lucius, you know I would but I have very pressing matters to deal with at the moment."

"Ah, perhaps the next time we get together then."

Severus nodded and watched as Lucius walked down the street, heading in the opposite direction. 'Get together again.' The words seemed to click and Severus ran behind Figg's house, another instent and he was gone.

TBC