Disclaimer: J K Rowling owns the rights and likenesses of all the characters in the Harry Potter series. This story is meant to add to the world she created. Any conflicts are accidental and they yield to her reality (canon).
11. The Order Of The Phoenix
Monday's classes were upon Samantha before she knew it. Her restless night filled with terrible dreams and ghostly imagery left Samantha exhausted. It wasn't until Defense that she became fully aware of her surroundings. With Harry's noticeable absence, the class was dedicated to reading and study. Lunch was a blur as well leaving Samantha unprepared for Potions. She had forgotten all about the incident with Malfoy and his friends, but Snape hadn't forgotten at all.
The greasy haired man swept into class wearing a happier look than anyone had ever seen before. The assignment was given with a certain flare that was definitely foreign in the dungeons. Most Slytherins were taken aback by Snape's near joyous mood. That was until he stopped by Samantha's table. His normal scowl returned tempered by years of practice. He obviously knew the details of Saturday's confrontation.
"Ms. Willows, what do you think you are doing?" Snape asked trying to provoke her. He only received a headshake in response. "I believe you are listening to Ms. Andrews too often. The eyes are added after the wing tips not before. I doubt either of you will be able to salvage your work before the period is up. And Mr. Weasley, I see you are having issues as well." The smoke from Sirius's cauldron was a dim orange not solid yellow like it was supposed to be. "I have no idea what you have done, but you still have ten minutes to waste before you receive a zero." The Slytherins in class had a good laugh at the abuse Snape was dishing out, but Samantha knew her turn was next and most likely was going to be the worst of them.
"Ms. Brooks," Snape drooled. "The quality of work you are showing today is unacceptable. Perhaps if you had spent more time this weekend studying and less time picking fights with fellow students, you would have completed this assignment. However, since you have failed to follow the instructions you will receive a zero and you will write a paper on how to properly produce the draft assigned today."
Sirius jerked like he was about to say something, but Samantha was quick to put a hand on his leg silencing him before he made matters worse. Snape saw that he had gotten to Sirius and proceeded to berate the four of them for the remainder of the time. The others noticed Samantha avoiding the bait and followed suit not giving Snape the satisfaction.
All Gryffindors cleared out of class as fast as possible. They knew Snape was trying to find a reason to dock points to make up for Saturday. It wasn't until Care of Magical Creatures that anyone relaxed enough to speak.
"That was completely out of line," Sirius growled. "He was egging us on hoping we would get into it with him."
"Of course he was," Mira added. "He was trying to get revenge on us and Samantha. We had better watch ourselves this week. It is only going to get worse since he failed today."
Hagrid was excited about the Blast-Ended Skrewts he had acquired for the class. Many people kept their distance from the creatures. They didn't look at all friendly or pleased to be where they were. The class finished with a few singed cloaks, but nothing major. Samantha managed to finish her paper that night, but her thoughts were on her father. After everyone had gone to sleep, she took the portkey to his bedside. His condition was unchanged from the day before. She tried to enter his mind, but all she saw was mist and swirls. After an hour of trying to communicate with him, she admitted defeat. She kissed his forehead and returned to the common room.
Sleep was easier to achieve this night, but it was haunted with similar visions. She awoke not feeling more rested than the night before. History was dull as usual. Professor Binns could put a dragon to sleep just by talking and Samantha found a few minutes of rest before Mira nudged her awake. Charms proved to be more enjoyable. They were working on repair charms for magical items that had been damaged or worn out. After lunch they entered the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione was sitting at her desk engrossed in a book. Only when class was sounded did she look up at the students.
She announced the assignment and everyone began working. Samantha wasn't trying to accomplish the task. She was distracted drawing the attention of Sirius who had been helping her.
"You need to concentrate, Samantha," Sirius said. "This is a difficult spell to master, but it is a valuable skill."
"I know, Sirius," Samantha said with her heart not into it. "I can't focus on things right now. I don't know what is wrong."
"Try to do your best, that is the most you can do," said Sirius in an understanding tone.
The class was halfway through. Of her table, only Samantha had yet to master the spell. Hermione came over and offered assistance.
"Focus, concentrate on the outcome and let the rest of it happen," Hermione instructed.
Samantha did as she was told and tried her best. In the middle of her attempt, a sudden rush of thoughts entered her mind. The spell went terribly wrong causing the sphere she was using to explode. The entire class ducked at the sound and stared at her. Hermione was shocked by the outcome.
"That isn't part of the spell, Ms. Brooks."
"Professor, I am not feeling well," said Samantha trying to hint at something. "I think I might need to see the nurse."
Hermione noticed the urgency in her voice. "If you think it best, then go see the nurse. Work on the spell tonight and be prepared to show it too me next class."
Samantha thanked Hermione and rushed out of the classroom. She nearly ran to the hospital wing dodging a group of Ravenclaws who were walking slowly down the corridor. When she entered the infirmary she found Dumbledore sitting at her father's bed. Harry was sitting up talking with him. She ran over to him giving him a big hug.
"I see you were quite correct about her speed," Dumbledore said smiling. "I will leave you two to discuss things. Call me when you are ready to talk again, Harry."
Samantha wouldn't let go of Harry. It seemed like forever before she released him. They discussed the events of the Saturday night and anything since. Harry felt guilty for putting his daughter through everything.
"I am sorry for what happened, Honey."
"I understand why you did it, Daddy. Just promise me you will be more careful in the future."
"It is a deal," Harry added as Hermione entered the room.
"I see why Samantha had to leave class," Hermione stated in an official tone. "Will you stop doing this to us?"
"Some things never change, Hermione," Harry said with a chuckle. "I will do my best to avoid this in the future."
It was dinnertime when Samantha left the hospital wing at her father's urging. She joined her friends in the Great Hall wearing a smile. They asked why she was so happy since she was supposed to be sick. They finished as quickly as possible and headed up to the tower where they could talk privately. They were all happy to hear Harry was better.
"Class has been boring," Alex said as the others nodded. "I am tired of reading for the double period. I hope he has something fun planned when he returns."
The next Monday, Alexandra received her wish. When the class filtered into the room, it was Mira who noticed Harry sitting at his desk. She couldn't resist turning to the others and tell them. It had become normal for everyone to walk into the classroom and not look up. Now everyone, except the Slytherins, were anxious to hear what Harry had planned for them.
"Good to see you again," Harry began. "I trust you have all read ahead some. I think we should do something a little different today." The class looked amongst themselves not knowing what to expect. Samantha saw the smile creep across her father's face. She couldn't stop herself from shaking her head slowly. Sirius saw her and asked what was wrong, but she only lowered her head and fought a smile.
When class had ended, many students were holding their sides still trying to catch their breath. Harry had setup another room as an obstacle course. He told the students it was inspired by the Triwizard Tournament. There were beasts and spells to defeat while making your way through the course. It was safer and far shorter than the actual maze Harry had conquered years before, but the challenge was real. Only about a quarter of the students managed to complete it in the allowed time period. Samantha finished it the fastest, followed by Sirius and Alex. Mira came in after a Slytherin girl who had always showed great potential.
"How do you always win in this class?" Rachel asked Samantha.
Ignoring the smiles from her group of friends, Samantha told her roommate that she didn't know, but she practiced whenever she had a spare moment. Malfoy didn't fair very well during the task. He had been careless when avoiding a bog in the middle of the path and didn't see a vine of Devil's Snare lying along the way he chose. Once he had touched the vine, the plant enveloped him. Harry rescued him right after his mouth had been covered. Harry's parting words to the class were about spells being only one facet of an attack and that forgetting their other subjects would cause them greater harm than a well placed curse.
The weather had turned cold over the past few weeks. The match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had come and went nearly as fast as December was approaching. Ravenclaw had capitalized on an inexperienced keeper and uncoordinated beaters to score thirteen times before Hufflepuff's seeker caught the snitch. Classes were piling on assignments and papers leading up to the holidays. Samantha and her friends were spending more and more time studying and writing. Thursday's quidditch practice had to be moved to Saturday morning to free up time during the week for studies. Much to their displeasure, the students Samantha had been helping with Defense only received tutoring once a week. Samantha, herself, needed help with her classes and spent much of her time being tutored by Sirius, Alex, and Mira.
Late one night after studying, the girls were in their dormitory talking about classes and homework before they went to sleep. Mira was brushing her hair and Alex was petting Edrea. They had just commented on how poorly they had done on their last Potion assignment when Samantha shuddered.
"Samantha, what is it?" Asked a concerned Alex.
Mira put down her brush and came over to Samantha's bed. "Samantha, is it your father?"
Samantha could only shrug in response. She didn't know what was going on. He wasn't hurt, but he wasn't fine either. "Something isn't right, but I don't know what it is." After some thought, she decided she was going to visit her father and see if he could tell her what was going on. Her friends offered to come with her, but she declined their offer not wanting them to risk getting in trouble by being out after hours.
On her way down stairs to the common room she passed Rachel on her way up. Samantha wished her a good night, but wouldn't say where she was going. The nearly deserted common room held only a few fifth and seventh years that were studying for their O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's. They didn't notice her slip out of the room, but the Fat Lady saw her. A few comments about her being out after curfew and threats of punishment fell silent as Samantha made her way to her father's room. She knocked several times on his door, but no answer was given. The anxiety was mounting inside Samantha. Something wasn't right and her father wasn't in his room.
As she raised her hand to knock on Professor Weasley's door, Samantha thought about what was she was getting herself into. Hermione had never shied from delivering punishments to her members of her own house. With a deep breath, she knocked. After a few more attempts with no reply, Samantha was definitely worried. She closed her eyes seeking out her father wherever he was. It didn't take long to find him, but his mind was very closed. All she could see was a stone gargoyle. She had seen this before in the second floor hallway. As if obeying an order, she walked to the second floor hallway and found the stone gargoyle.
"What now?" Samantha said to herself but speaking out loud. An image of the slug cream the Weasley twins had shown her appeared in her mind. "Slug Creams, what do they have to do with anything?" She said out loud finding the thought to be stupid. The stone statue started moving immediately upon her words. Samantha stepped back looking around for someone who could have caused the statue to move, but no one could be seen in the silent hallway. Urging herself on she decided she had come this far and wasn't going to give up now. The uneasy feeling she had felt in the common room still remained unresolved.
Samantha began the long climb up the hidden stairwell where she found a wooden door at the top. She could hear voices beyond it, but they were speaking too low to understand the words. She stood there wondering if anything else was going to happen when the voices stopped. Fear was welling up inside her. She wasn't sure what to expect now.
The door flung open and soft light bathed the entryway. Samantha saw a ghastly figure standing at the door with a wand pointed at her. Instinct took over and she jumped to one side casting the repelling charm and disarming charm in sequence. The figure flew back into the room and his wand was neatly deposited at Samantha's feet. Only a familiar voice from the room eased her already tense nerves.
"Samantha, it is OK," Harry said with a hint of laughter to his voice. "Please come in and refrain from attacking anyone else."
Not knowing what to say, Samantha entered the room and saw her father among many people. Some she knew or at least had seen before; Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Arthur, Molly, Fred, George, Tonks, Kingsley, Hagrid, and Professor Dumbledore. The others she didn't know including the person getting back to his feet.
"Bloody children," said a very rough looking man. "My wand, child."
Samantha turned and summoned the wand into her hand. She hesitated returning it, but Harry nodded his head indicating it was all right to do so.
"See what I have been telling you," said the older man. "Retirement has made me so slow that a young child can beat me."
It was only now that Samantha noticed the magical eye the man had in place of a real one. She knew who this was now but was ashamed to admit it. "I am sorry, Mr. Moody, but you did have your wand pointed at me and you yourself say to shoot first and ask questions later."
"One, I don't know anything about Mr.," Mad Eye began. "Two, I always greet unfamiliar people with my wand. Find it saves time pulling it out. And three, I am glad to see Harry has been teaching the students properly."
"Still, that is no way to introduce yourself to someone, Sir," Samantha said staring him down.
"Spirit I see," Mad Eye said looking her up and down. "Quick with a wand, too."
Samantha looked to Hermione searching for answers not wanting to stare at her father. Hermione stepped forward upon seeing the conflict on Samantha's face.
"What is it Ms. Brooks?" Hermione asked.
Samantha was truly confused. She had a bad feeling and that drove her to what was obviously Dumbledore's office. "Something was wrong, Professor. I am sorry I interrupted your discussion. I will leave."
"She might have heard something," Mad Eye stated looking at the others with his real eye while the other was fixed on Samantha. "We need to wipe her memory to be safe." Mad Eye raised his wand causing Samantha to go into a defensive stance.
"Stay your wand, Mad Eye," Harry said. "She didn't hear anything that won't be known by everyone tomorrow."
"You forget yourself, Potter," Mad Eye retorted. "We have to be very careful about who knows what. And I don't believe a child can be trusted with these things."
"Did you say the same things about me when I was a child?" Harry asked with silence following. "I didn't think so. Samantha, please wait in the entryway until we are finished."
Dumbledore quelled mad Eye's objection when Samantha turned to leave the office. The door closed behind her and the voices began again only quieter than before.
The door opened with Hermione and Ginny in the lead and Harry closely behind. At the bottom of the steps, Ginny said good night and went to her office. Harry and Hermione ushered Samantha to Hermione's office in silence. It was after midnight when they entered the room. Once the door closed, Samantha knew what she was in for.
"Explain yourself, Samantha," Hermione commanded.
"I felt something was wrong," Samantha tried to explain. "When I couldn't find my father in his room, I came here and you were gone too. That was when I saw the stone gargoyle in my head."
Hermione turned to Harry looking for an answer. "Well, do you have something to say?"
"I am sorry you felt that Samantha," Harry said looking deep into Samantha's eyes. "My control slipped for a second and that was what you felt."
"What caused you to drop your guard?" Samantha asked puzzled by the statement.
"It was just some information that was discussed. Pay it no mind."
"And what are the chances of that happening?" Samantha asked her father not needing an answer.
Harry seemed deep in thought for a few minutes figuring out what he was going to say. "Things are happening again that I do not want to be repeated. What you saw tonight was a meeting of the Order Of The Phoenix. Please, do not read into this too much, Honey. We are safe and so are those close to us. It is very late and you need to get to bed. We will discuss this later, I promise."
The next day's Daily Prophet had limited information in it. Mostly, the paper concentrated on speculation and rumors certain people had been talking about in the editorial section for weeks. There had been a few unusual break-ins at wizarding homes and small items removed. People claimed to have seen Death Eaters near their homes, but no evidence had been discovered.
As the last few weeks leading up to the holidays raced by, Samantha had grown annoyed with her father. She had tried to talk to him many times after class or late at night, but he seemed to be avoiding her. The most she could get out of him was a hug and an "I love you" before he shooed her away or changed the subject.
"What is wrong, Samantha?" Asked Sirius as they waited in the common room for the announcement to head to Hogsmeade to catch the train home for the holidays.
"Oh, nothing," she began. "It's just, he has been avoiding me. I don't know what is going on and he won't tell me."
"Well, maybe he will tell you over the break," consoled Mira. "My parents have seemed preoccupied in their last few owls. They won't tell me what is going on either."
"I am sure you are both reading more into it than there really is," Alex stated. "If there is anything to be worried about, I am sure you will find out over the holidays."
"I better, or I might have to force it out of him," said Samantha feeling more rebellious than she normally felt concerning her father."