Three figures dressed in all black stand at the edge of the forbidden forest staring at the dimly lit stone castle looming in the distant. Each remembering when they had been students here. It seemed like forever but in reality it had only been three short, or long depending on how you looked at it, years. They had made a choice three years ago to leave their place of learning and head off into the world. If they would've chosen to stay they would be just entering their seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Three sets of eyes peer through the darkness of the night but not through the darkness of their souls. This was not a social visit. This was far from a social visit. They were here on a mission. A mission that would change the course of the Dark War that was raging through the wizarding world.
These three figures were moving and acting like one being. They had been together so long they didn't need words to tell them what each other was thinking. Their thoughts were broken as the taller of the three began to move towards the castle. The other two fell in step behind him. Not a word was uttered and they seem to draw strength from the silence and darkness around them. They moved through the shadows and are soon standing in front of the large doors that lead inside the school. The taller one, and seemingly the leader, raises his hand and forms a fist. He slams it hard onto the door several times and then steps back with the others to wait.
Three pairs of eyes lock as silent communication passes between the trio. Soon they hear footsteps coming from inside the castle. All three of them draw their wands from within their black cloaks and wait.
The door is pushed open by a elderly looking women dressed in a fancy green robe. She has small spectacles sitting on the very end of her nose. She eyes the three strangers with caution, you couldn't be too careful these days. "Can I help you?" Her voice is withered and warn.
The leader of the trio nods and reaches up, pushing the hood of his cloak off his head. The other two follow his example. A pair of cold emerald green eyes stare at the elderly witch. "I believe you can help me...Professor McGonagall. We wish to speak to Professor Dumbledore." His voice is smooth and confident but matches the coldness that is within his eyes.
The elderly witch blinks as she eyes the three figures in front of her. They look oddly familiar. The taller one has emerald green eyes and a head full of windblown, messy, short black hair. The shortest of the three surprises her. It's a girl. Not really a girl as her quick once over tells her. She looked to be a young lady of maybe seventeen. She had straight, short, brown hair with cinnamon brown eyes. Then finally she eyes the third figure. It turned out to be another man with dull red hair that hung down just above his shoulders. Finally she looked back to the taller one and narrowed her eyes. "The headmaster is currently unavailable at this time. If you would kindly come back at a more suitable time..." She begins to close the door.
"You don't seem to understand us. We are not asking to see Professor Dumbledore. We are telling you that we want to see him. So I suggest you announce our presence!" The black haired man stated, simply. The other two nod in agreement and soon all three hold identical smirks as the elderly witch scurries off, in a huff, to oblige them. "Well now. It seems that she is going to take us to see the crazy old fool after all." The black haired man chuckled and received a light punch on the arm from his female companion.
"You are so rude Harry. You scared her out of her wits. She's not as young as she used to be and we don't want to give her a heart attack before we can complete our mission." The young woman glared at her black haired companion.
The black haired man, now known as Harry, rolled his eyes in amusement. "Stop trying to act like you're innocent Hermione Granger. You're just as bad as us. Right Ron?" He looked over at the very amused red head.
"Of course Harry. I would even venture to say that she can be a lot worse than us." Ron smirked.
Hermione huffed at his statement and crossed her arms across her chest. But her smirk was still present on her face. Finally she bursts out laughing. "Ok ok. I just want to get this mission over with. This place gives me the creeps." She has a hint of disgust in her voice.
The two boys shake their heads and turn back to the door, waiting.
Soon Professor McGonagall returned with a frown on her face. "He will see you now. Follow me please." She turned and headed down the flame lit corridor. The three step in and follow her. They can hear the laughter and clattering of dishes and cups in a room off to their right. They share a knowing look. It was the welcoming feast. They should be apart of that feast. As soon as that thought entered their heads they shake it out. They gave this all up when they left. They stop in front of a large statue of a griffin and wait for her to utter the password. She looks at them strangely. They seemed to have some knowledge of the school. Maybe they used to attend Hogwarts. She shook her head before saying the password. "Strawberry Melon." The statue begins to move and soon a stairway appears. "He is waiting for you in his office." She turned and headed back the way she came. She had a feast to oversee.
The three nodded at her and soon begin their journey up the stairs. They stop outside the door and place their wands away. A muffled "Come in" is heard from the other side of the door. Harry turned the knob and pushed the door open. They are greeted with a room full of people who stop and stare at the newcomers. They stop dead in their tracks seeing who all was there. All three pairs of eyes widen. They had just walked into a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. They soon gather their bearings and precede into the room slowly. Keeping their heads lowered and eyes guarded. All three of them stop once they reach Professor Dumbledore desk.
The older man stared at the trio. "Minerva told me you were somewhat persistent to see me. May I ask what was of dire importance?"
Harry clears his throat and looks at the man he used to call mentor. "We are here on behalf of the Order of the Raven." Gasps are heard coming from around the crowded office.
A shocked look crossed the older wizards face but it soon disappeared. "I see and why does the Order wish to speak to me?"
This time it's Ron who speaks. "We are here to ask for your resignation, Dumbledore. And for you to accompany us back to our Headquarters to face trial. Our Lord demands it! " He stated forcefully. The red head was itchy to curse someone.
Dumbledore quickly scanned over the three standing in front of him. Oh yes. He knew who they were and it surprised him that Tom would be foolish enough to send his three best enforcers into the heart of the light side without backup. This was a monumental opportunity for him and his order and he wasn't going to just let them just leave. He cleared his throat. "Ah. Mister Weasley, Mister Potter and Miss Granger you're all looking rather well these days. How have you been? How's Tom?"
Harry's eyes flashed dangerously, at the mention of Lord Voldemorts' given name, but soon return to their normal cold green. "We have been well, Professor. And our Lord is in good health. How have you been? Wait. I think I already know the answer to that. By the looks of your pitifully planned attacks I would say that you already know you've lost. Make this easy on yourself and come quietly."
Ron and Hermione chuckled.
"Who would of thought that the Trio of Saviors let alone the boy-who-lived would willingly join the Dark Lord and form the Order of the Raven? I frankly don't believe one word of it. Care to present us with some proof?" Called a voice from the crowd. A voice that could only belong to one Professor Snape. He soon appeared from the crowd and took up a place beside Professor Dumbledores' chair.
Harry lets his anger course through his veins and can feel his other two companions doing the same. He soon calmed himself and glared at the greasy haired Professor. "You wish to have proof Snape? When you of all people know it's true? You have seen us at the meetings. You may have not wanted to believe it but you saw us. Oh, we know that you're a spy. Our Lord keeps you alive for amusement and feeding false information to the old fool" He motioned towards the Headmaster. "Now as for your proof...I think this should be enough?" He reached down and rolled up the sleeve of his black robe. The other two follow his lead and soon three dark marks are presented to the staring room. They let their sleeves fall back down. "You see Snape. Unlike you, we are loyal to our Lord and the cause. We joined on our own free will and have no intention of ever leaving his side!" Harry said in a rather calm voice. His gaze locked with Snape's as the oily haired Professor hears a single word in his head before excruciating pain rips through his body.
"Crucio!"