Disclaimer: Still don't own Harry Potter…

Reviews:
Volleypickle16, Stars Enchantress, Beth5572, Allie, the 1 hp fan, Happyherminchen: Thanks to all of you!

pad's gurl584: Sorry! I thought you were one of those people who come by and advertise without reading my story. I'm glad you're a reader. Thank you.

Eric2: Haha, thanks, I love that! But, I think I'd have to up my rating if I used that kind of language, which is something I've been debating for a while. Thanks for reviewing!

Born2driveat16: Oh, I know what you mean! Author Alerts in my inbox are always so exciting. Hope I can let you see them from me more often. Thanks for reviewing!

HPprincess23: Yeah, I debated with myself for a while about the Order thing, but I decided it'd come useful later in the story. Thanks for reviewing!

Fornax: Whoa, a lot of reviews! Yay! No, no Sirius in this story. I did consider it though. Yes, I agree, Harry does get really childish in my story. (I hate my first few chapters so much.) I think it gets better in the more current chapters. A is acceptable. D is dreadful. P is poor. I love angst, but I don't think I'll add much in the story. Thanks for reviewing!

Sunnysparkles' note: I'm sure you've all heard Half-Blood Prince is coming July 16, 2005. That means I'm going to have to pick up the pace on my fanfics. I'm sorry I took like 2 months with this chapter, and I'm sorry it's not my best work. I really wanted this up before Christmas, but it's here now. All 3,000 words of it. (Longer than most of my chapters) I hope the length makes up for the delay. I would've made it longer, but I wanted to get it out fast. Now, I'm off to work on Hopes and Dreams.

Chapter 16: So Now I Can Join?


"What?" Harry asked disbelievingly.

He could have sworn he was just asked to join the Order. The offer just seemed too good to be true though. He'd been begging to be let in for the last year. The fact that he was now being asked to join just seemed so… odd.

"We think it's about time you joined." said James. "If you want to, that is."

Harry was getting a bit suspicious. Why did they have the sudden change of mind? Were they keeping something from him? And how did they get Lily to agree on this too?

"What's with the sudden change of mind?" Harry asked. "Just last week you said I couldn't join."

"We just thought… It'd be safer for you if you were a member. With Voldemort on the rise and all…" James said a little unsurely.

"We?" Lily argued. "More like you and Remus!"

"Alright, me and Remus thought it was good idea and Dumbledore has agreed."

Harry looked around at everyone's faces. They seemed serious about this. He had no intention to decline the offer of course, but he was still a bit suspicious.

"What's the catch? I know you don't want me as a full member." Harry asked.

"Well, yes…" James said slowly. "You won't be allowed to fight unless you are attacked. And you can't tell anyone you're a member."

"Not even Ron and Hermione? Why?"

"It's obvious they'll want to join too." Remus said.

"You have to promise not to tell a single person, Harry." James said seriously. "Or else we can't let you join."

Harry just nodded.

"You'll be free to listen in on all the meetings though. We'll also be giving you some of the Order equipment in case of emergency." Dumbledore said.

"What about when Hogwarts starts again? How will I get to the meetings?"

Dumbledore looked over to James. The look James gave him said he obviously hadn't told Harry yet. He'd need a quick, but honest answer for Harry.

"We'll find a way to get you there. Some meetings are held in my office anyway. I'd keep you informed of how to make it to the meeting."

Harry just nodded again. He'd have to think about this. Keeping a secret from Ron and Hermione would be tough. They'd get curious about him being gone whenever there was a meeting. But it'd be worth it to know more about Voldemort. He had to do this.

"I want to join." Harry said finally.

"And you promise not to tell anyone?" James asked again.

"Not a single person outside of the Order can know, Harry." Remus said sternly.

"I'll keep it a secret."

"Well, then, your induction will be Saturday followed by your first meeting. I need to get back to Hogwarts for now. A lot of planning still needs to be done before the school year starts. See you Saturday Harry, Remus, James, Lily." said Dumbledore.

After Dumbledore left, Harry just sat there in shock. He was going to join the Order… He was joining the Order of the Phoenix! He couldn't believe it. Nor, apparently, could his mum. She just sat staring off into space. Why had she let James talk her into this? Harry was going to get hurt!

James was equally silent. He never expected Dumbledore to accept himself either. There was no turning back now though. Harry had accepted the offer. Unless, he changed his mind before the Induction. He could not swear himself in, and things would go back to the way they were before. But, James was happy about Harry joining. It was Lily he was worried about.

He knew she didn't want Harry joining. She just gave in because of the majority rule. She didn't think it'd be safe for Harry to be a member. James would definitely have to reassure her he'd be a lot safer in the Order. How he wasn't sure yet.

Everyone was pulled out of there thoughts by a loud cough from Remus.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this… silence, but if we're all just going to sit here all day, I'm leaving."

James was the first to snap out of his trace. Lily and Harry followed shortly after. Remus just laughed at the looks on their faces. He had to be the only one not lost for words about Harry joining the Order. Perhaps the fact that it was his idea had something to do with that though.

"Sorry, Moony." James said apologetically. "It's just… I can't believe it. Harry joining the Order… I didn't expect this to happen so soon. I mean, I certainly didn't think Dumbledore would have really let him join…"

"So you don't really want me to join?" Harry interrupted. He seemed a bit angry.

"No, no, I mean, I wanted you to join. I'd been thinking about it a while. You're more prepared to be a member than half the people we have in the Order as it is. I just didn't think Dumbledore would really bend the underage rule."

"Look, if you don't want me to join, just say something."

"It's your mum who is reluctant about you joining, not me." James said aggravated, throwing up his hands in frustration.

Harry turned to his mother. "If you don't want me joining, tell me."

"No, no, no, I didn't mean it that way… I mean, I want you to join… It's just…" Lily struggled with her words.

"You think I'm going to get hurt." Harry finished for her. His mum was so predictable sometimes.

"No, I just… Yeah." Lily agreed.

"I'll be fine." Harry assured her.

It was a true statement. Harry was convinced himself that this joining wouldn't affect his safety at all. If it did, it'd mean making him much safer than ever before at least. James had said he wouldn't be able to fight anyway, so what was there to worry about?

"I know, I know, but sometimes I just worry about it, Harry." Lily said.

"I won't be fighting." Harry assured her. He wasn't sure if he meant it though. He wanted to fight so badly. He'd try to find a way to get to battle. For now, though, he had to tell his mum he wouldn't fight. "At least, no more than I had been before. You know about the Prophecy. I have to fulfill it someday."

Lily nodded. "I know a bit of it. Your dad told me some a few nights ago."

"Just about how you have to duel Voldemort." James added.

"I don't have a choice for my future. I have either kill or be killed by Voldemort." Harry agreed. "There's no way I'll ever be completely safe. You'll just have to deal with that sometime. I need to join and get the information I need to prepare me for this duel."

Lily just nodded. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her Harry, her little baby, would have to fight Voldemort. She had known this before, of course, but hearing Harry say it now had made it final. There was no turning back and no going back in time. There would be a duel eventually, and nothing could change that.

"He'll be safe, Lily. I know I'll be looking out for him, and I'm sure everyone else will too. You know Order members always look out for each other." Remus said seriously.

"Moony's right, Lily, he'll be okay." James added.

"You're right. I'm just being stupid." said Lily.

"There's nothing stupid about wanting to keep your son safe." Remus said gently.

The conversation went on until everyone decided that Harry would, in fact, be able to join the Order. Lily had finally been convinced that her son would be safe. After all of it had been sorted out, they had tea and Remus went home. Harry went to bed that night ready to count down the days until he would finally be inducted.

Wednesday came and James had left early in the evening to go with Remus. He hadn't returned until the next morning. When he walked in, he was carrying an exhausted Remus and looked just as bad himself. Lily had hurriedly conjured up a bed for Remus and hustled James up to sleep as well. Remus, Harry noted, looked awful. It had to have been a rough night last night.

When James finally woke up, it was mid-afternoon. He had a gash across his cheek. This has startled Harry at first. The first thing he did when James sat down to drink some tea with him was ask about it.

"Bad night yesterday?" Harry asked.

"Awful." James agreed. "We went into a nearby forest for the transformation, and got attacked by a not-so-friendly werewolf. Apparently, Remus isn't the only werewolf in the around there. Luckily he just scratched me, but Moony got it pretty bad. The wolf bit him and cracked his left arm. I don't think we were very welcome there."

Harry nodded in agreement. They should have went to the Shrieking Shack. Remus was pretty weak before transformations though, so a Portkey or Floo was out of the question. Harry thought about this as he finished his tea, then retreated to his room to think about the Induction again. He didn't understand why he was so nervous about it; he wasn't really the nervous type. Still, he was stressed out by it.

Remus was finally up again by Friday morning. He looked better than he did when James brought him in, but still a bit scratched up. Both Harry and Lily had fussed over his injuries. James just laughed about it. He had definitely seem his friend much, much worse. For instance, Remus had really bit himself bad the night Padfoot had sent Snape into the Shack.

"No really, Lily, I'm fine, but thanks anyway."

"No, no, believe me, Harry, I've had worse."

It took a lot of persuasion, but Lily and Harry were finally convinced Remus was okay by lunch. Remus had allowed Lily to perform a small healing spell on his cracked left arm, but other than that, he was left alone. The other wolf had snapped it with his jaws. At least, that's what James had said. Remus didn't remember much of the night himself. The rest of the night went by fairly quietly, not to mention quickly.

Saturday had finally arrived. Harry's feelings were both excited and nervous. He wanted to join, but at the same time he didn't. His mum, of course, was making a huge deal out of it. She made sure everyone was wearing their nicest robes for the occasion. She went as far as going out to buy Remus new robes. Remus had declined the offer at first, but in the end agreed to let Lily purchase them, promising to pay her back when he could. He didn't want to look shabby at his best friend's son's Induction to the Order of the Phoenix.

While everyone else was getting ready, Harry was upstairs in his room pacing. He hoped he wouldn't have to make a speech or anything. He wasn't prepared for that. He knew one thing for sure though; he'd have to prove to the Order that he wasn't just a kid anymore. He wanted them to never regret their decision the let him join. He was determined to act as an adult while he was a member.

"Harry, we need to get going." Lily called from downstairs.

Harry pushed his thoughts aside and made his way down the stairs. This was it; his Induction was just a Portkey away. Oh, how he hated Portkeys. He couldn't act like a baby now though. He promised himself he'd act as an adult.

After earning an approving look from his parents about his attire, he grabbed onto the Phoenix statue, his hand to the right of Remus' hand. James' placed his hand to the right of Harry's. Lily grabbed on last, and Harry felt the very familiar feeling of being pulled behind his navel. There was no turning back now.

They landed in a place Harry had become very familiar with over his last few years: Dumbledore's office. Harry almost fell over from the force of the Portkey, but Remus caught him. The werewolf laughed. Harry thought he probably looked a bit green right now. That was not his best Portkey experience. He felt like they were spinning a lot along the way.

"I take it you're not very fond of Portkeys?"

Harry shook his head, "Not really,"

"Well, better get used to them while you can, because you'll be using them a lot, until you can Apparate, and we get you an anti-tracking charm."

Harry groaned. They could have told him this before. It was a whole year until he could even apply for an Apparating license, let alone get one. Remus was right, he was going to have to get used to Portkeys, and quickly.

When Harry finally looked around, he noticed they were nowhere near being alone. A quick glance made him take in flashes of red. Looking closer, he saw that Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Molly and Arthur Weasley were there. Another glance around the room told him that Mad-Eye Moody, Professor McGonagall, Mundungus, Tonks, and Kingsley were there. Also, to Harry's displeasure, Professor Snape was there as well, scowl firmly in place. Harry had the idea he was forced to come and wait for the meeting.

"Welcome, welcome, Harry, James, Lily, Remus." Dumbldore suddenly announced.

The rest of the room grew quiet. Even the Weasley twins stopped their snickering, and everyone turned their attention to their leader. Lily, James and Remus all sat down in their regular seats at the end of the table, across from the twins, leaving Harry standing alone with Dumbledore.

"If you'll follow me, Harry, we'll start the Induction." Dumbledore announced. "Just folled my instructions."

Harry followed his headmaster to the front of the table. All eyes, even Snape's, were on the duo. Dumbledore called to Fawkes, who arrived between the two shortly after.

"Hold you hand out towards Fawkes, Harry." Dumbledore instructed. Harry did, and Dumbledore said, "Probatur fiducia!"

A silver thread seemed to have connected Harry's hand to Fawkes. Harry just looked clueless at this, but some the older members like his parents and Moody seemed to understand it, as well as Remus. The words, he figured, were foreign, probably Latin, and the Order had no doubt used this spell at every Induction.

"Now, Harry, repeat after me," said Dumbledore. "I solemnly swear that, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, I will help only the side of the Light, aid the side of the Light whenever needed, and I will remain loyal to the Order until the day I die."

Harry repeated this, and a silver aura suddenly surrounded both him and Fawkes. This must have been what the Order was going for, because everyone was clapping and Dumbledore's eyes held a faint twinkle. Once the Aura faded, the room grew quiet again.

"Fawkes has deemed you worthy of membership. Bow down, Harry."

Harry did and Dumbledore placed a silver pendant of a Phoenix around his neck. He pointed his wand above Harry's head. Confused, Harry decided, was an understatement of how he felt right now.

"Fidelis defendo iungo!" Dumbledore said.

More lights flashed. The pendant glowed a flash of colors for moment, faded, then turned green. Harry really didn't understand any of this. He just hoped he wouldn't be bowing much longer. He didn't like people staring at him. When Dumbledore gave him the okay to stand up again, he shook his hand.

"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Harry." his eyes were twinkling uncontrollably now. Apparently, he'd wanted Harry to join for a while now. Harry just nodded and returned the handshake.

"You must wear this pendant at all times. It will alert all Order members when any other members are in danger. It goes by colors. As you can see, by the fact that your's just turned green, green is your color. Your pendant will get warm and glow another color when someone is in danger. It will flash colors if more than one person is in danger. If one or both or your parents are in danger, it will turn orange. If any of the Weasley's are in danger, it'll turn red. Hagrid is yellow, brown is Mundungus, black is Professor Snape, violet is McGonagall, lavender is Hestia, light pink is Remus, hot pink is Tonks, light gray is Kingsley, dark gray is Moody, dark blue means Hogwarts in danger, and I hope you never see this, but light blue means I am in danger.

"In the case of any of these colors, an emergency Order meeting will be held. Hold onto your pendant and say, 'Obviam ire!' You'll be transported to Grimmauld Place as well as everyone else who does this. Don't let anyone, but an Order member know where you're going though.

"You can also use the pendant to communicate with other Order members. Just hold the pendant and say, 'Sermo' followed by the person's name. Their pendant will beep and flash your color. For instance, if Remus were to contact you, your pendant would beep and flash in light pink. You would then say, 'Accipio' and you and Remus could talk. Do you understand all of this, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "I think so."

"Your parents and Remus can help you with it later if you need more explanation." Dumbledore assured him. "For now, we should start the meeting. Take a seat, Harry."

Harry walked to the back of the table, earning congratulations from many of the members. Harry took the last open seat, beside Remus. Harry figured the seats were a lot based on rank. Dung, Fred and George were at the end as well. Remus smiled at him.

"We'll have to celebrate this later, Harry." he said proudly. From another seat down, his dad gave him the thumbs up. Lily still looked worried, but there was no going back now. He was a member.

End Note: I used Latin for the spells. I got it from a lame online translator, so don't expect it to be accurate.
'Probatur fiducia' is something like 'examine trust'
'Fidelis defendo iungo!' is something like 'Join the loyal in the protection'
'Obviam ire!' is 'to go' or something
'Accipio' is 'accept'
So, that's probably not accurate, but I thought they sounded cool. Anyway, not my best chapter, sorry. I had a lot of trouble with this Induction thing, and I still think it came out lame. I hope you all like it anyway.