Disclaimer - I don't own any of the characters, places (unless they are of my own creation and I shall add notes in for that later), songs etc. Most of this belongs to JK bows.
Unfortunately, Dobby shall not be appearing in this part of the series (for HarrySlytherinson who said about Dobby) - but he shall make appearances later.
Thanks for your reviews so far! Haven't missed a single one :D.
Monday, 4th July, 1995
Harry James Potter stood once again in Diagon Alley, this time dressed in new, casual Muggle clothes from a London city centre shopping spree (where he was helped by several very nice assistants who he generously tipped afterwards), now with new sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose, to protect his eyes from the blinding sun and to hide his piercing emerald eyes from public view, and a ski-cap on his head, covering his noticeable raven hair and even more noticeable scar.
He made his way through the bustling crowds, having decided to try his luck of self-survival (meaning without Godric and Salazar's constant snide comments at each other while they helped him- how they were best friends he would never know), and dodged several lurking members of the Order of the Phoenix (including a very obvious Tonks who tripped over her own two feet while trying to catch a glimpse of him) before making his way to the end of the Alley (he had already withdrawn a large amount of money from Gringotts the last time he was there, and had no need to go back - he had also been given a leather Muggle wallet, with a secret compartment where he could withdraw galleon from his vault, the inside part for Muggle money. He was too young for credit cards anyway).
The first shop, at the end of the Alley, was 'Trevor's Timepieces', a relatively new shop he had never heard of before, and stepped inside, immediately being hit with a refreshing burst of cool air and the sight of a fresh coat of paint on the walls, along with the numerous clocks and timepieces inside glass compartments.
He started to have a look around, before finding a simple stainless steel watch with a dark blue face and stainless steel rim (he dared no get silver incase he came into contact with Remus, who he decided he should get in contact with soon), and a diamond simply, yet elegantly, placed for the 12 point. The shining steel hands moved smoothly, and if one listened closely enough, could hear the soft ticking of the seconds hand.
He left the store with said watch, with a few simple charms to make the battery run longer, to make it unbreakable and able to withstand the elements, before moving to the shop next door, Ollivander's.
The small bell echoed rather loudly into the dusty shop, the feeling of ancient magics rushing over him as he stepped inside, and he sat down on the chair near the counter, where parents usually waited while their children found their wands.
Soon enough, Ollivander stepped out from the rows of his beloved wands (his silver, moon-like still unreadable and mysterious), and the man didn't look surprised to see him there.
"Mr Potter. Holly, 11 inches, phoenix feather, supple. Still keeping it well?"
"Of course, sir. I just came in about a couple of things. I was wondering if Neville Longbottom has been in here yet - to purchase a new wand?"
Ollivander shook his head slightly.
"He has not been in yet, Mr Potter. May I ask why?"
"Well, it's my fault that his old wand was broken, and I was wondering if, when he comes in, if you could tell him that it's already been paid for?"
Harry set several galleons on the counter, and Ollivander looked at him closely before nodding.
"Is that all you would like?"
"No…I was wondering if you sold any wand holsters?"
"While I do possess some, I must admit that they are not the best that can be bought in the area. Not that I would encourage you, but there is a store on the outskirts of Diagon Alley, just beside the entrance of Knockturn Alley, Fletcher's Duelling and War Supplies, which should be able to help you more than I could."
Harry noted the name of the store and nodded.
"Thanks for your help."
Harry turned to leave before pausing.
"By the way, you didn't see me."
After looking the junk store (in which he found nothing of interest), he walked down the Alley towards Madam Malkin's, where he bought several light everyday robes, several thicker winter robes, a new midnight-blue dress robe with a silver Dragon around the left shoulder and several other items, before walking up yet again to the area Gringotts was located, looking opposite the white marble building, towards the entrance of Knockturn Alley, and found Fletcher's Duelling and War Supplies situated in the corner just as Ollivander had said.
Wondering idly if the owner was related to Mundungus Fletcher (lovingly known as 'Dung' by the Order of the Phoenix), he once again dodged the building morning crowds and entered into the surprisingly bright shop.
All around the white walls lay weapons of all kinds, sitting inside glass display units, as well as models of Battle robes and Dragon-Hide showing up outside the window.
It seemed that, even though he had entered quietly, the shop owner had heard him, and a man in his late forties came out, his brown hair slowly submitting to the growing bald patch on his head. He had light stubble growing on his face, and his piercing blue eyes looked seemingly straight through Harry's glasses and into straight into his eyes, into his soul.
"So, I see that Harry Potter has finally come to see what I have to offer." The man asked in amusement, as Harry gave up on his charade and removed his hat and glasses, replacing them with his new green rimmed glasses (sacrificing power had also meant sacrificing his perfect eyesight, but he wasn't too bothered about it).
"How did you know it was me?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Not many young people can see this shop, let alone enter it. Only those who intend to use these for good purposes can see it, and only those who have a true need for them can enter. It keeps Death Eaters and nosy kids out in swarms." He added thoughtfully, and Harry was already starting to like the man, despite having just met him.
The man noticed Harry looking at him, and he seemed to remember something before walking forward, offering his hand to Harry, who took it immediately.
"How rude of me. David Fletcher, but everyone calls my Davy."
"Harry Potter…everyone calls me…well, they just call me Harry."
Davy laughed, his barking laughter reminding him of Sirius.
"So, what are you looking for? As you can see, I've got a whole range of things. The 'War' in the title brings it justice on so many levels."
Harry suddenly grinned, chuckling at the joke as well.
"Davy, I think I'm about to make you the deal of a lifetime."
Around half-an-hour later, Harry pushed his way into the bustling Leaky Cauldron.
"I reserved a private room for a few friends and myself. The name's James Granger." Harry asked Tom, who he had just found.
Tom thought for a moment and nodded.
"If you go up the stairs there and turn left, it will be the first door on your left - room A."
Harry nodded at the man in thanks before he climbed the creaky steps, taking the first left and quickly, with his long strides, coming to room A, which one would assume empty from the lack of noise from inside.
Thankfully, he was aware of the silencing charms in place on these rooms, or he would have been worried.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and found a group of curious DA member sitting beside several other confused students, several of who, namely Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott, who were sitting talking amongst themselves quietly.
Nobody took much notice of him, and instead of drawing attention to himself, he walked amongst several of the standing members, who included Ron and Hermione, the first of who was clearly enjoying the food table, and the second who was obviously looking out for him amongst the mingling crowd, before turning back to Ron.
"I wonder why he called us all here." Hermione wondered aloud.
"'aybe 'e 'anted us 'o 'alk a'out ne't 'ears DA." Ron suggested with a mouthful of cheese sandwich.
Hermione looked at him in obvious disgust.
Ron rolled his eyes and finished chewing before repeating himself.
"Maybe he wanted to talk about next year's DA." Ron said again. "I mean, he invited everybody, and a few other people, so maybe he wants to add more people. Although why he wanted this meeting kept a secret is beyond me…and why he wanted us to bring packed trunks and belongings makes me think we're going somewhere."
"But the question is, where is he taking us all? To train us? But even if he could, what about underage magic? Everyone in here bar your brothers, Angelina, Alicia and Katie are underage."
Ron simply shrugged.
"I dunno. Although how he's going to get through all the guards around his house is definitely something I would want to know. Who knows, maybe he trained in his sleep or something." Ron joked.
Well, who said Ron didn't have some Divination ability in him?
"Well, since I didn't go back to my house, it was easy enough to get here. I'm surprised they didn't know I wasn't there." Harry voiced calmly, and Hermione spun around, just after Harry had taken off his sunglasses and replaced them with his own glasses, and ripped the hat from his head, and she immediately pulled him into a bone-crunching hug that made Hagrid's seem like as gentle as a feather.
"Oh Harry, it's so good to see you're alright! I was so worried about you. What do you mean you didn't go back to your house? Why did you tell us to come here with our trunk? Why…?"
"I'll explain everything in a minute, Hermione. It's good to see you too…but if you could let me breathe it would help."
Blushing slightly, but still smiling, she let him go, and he took several deep breaths before being pulled into a manly hug by Ron.
"Nice to see you too, mate." Harry joked after the short hug, to which Ron stuck out his tongue childishly and laughed.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the gruff manly hug and childish display.
"But seriously Harry, why have you got everyone here? And others as well…"
"The others here are people I want to bring in. This is a partially a DA, however, I want to bring them in. They would only be able to read the letter I sent them if their loyalties were in the right place, and if they were willing to join."
'And because you had us cross-referencing their fates and destinies for you.' Salazar added.
Harry held back a retort, and instead took to shuffling his friends towards the table, to which others followed, many greeting him as he walked past.
Finally, whenever they were all seated at the table, silent in anticipation, Harry started to speak, his voice gentle.
"Congratulations to you all for being chosen from both the DA, and from other places, into the Order of the Dragon."
There were murmurs around the table, but Harry, in a very Albus way, put his hands up.
"However, we are not connected to the Order of the Phoenix, nor are we connected to the Ministry. We are fighters for the Light side, but we are people who strive to take action, instead of waiting until we hear news of attack to fight. We are Warriors, protectors of the innocent and defenders of the weak. The Ministry may think we are too young to be in this War, our parents and relatives may think we are too young to be in this War, but we are already in it, whether they like it or not.
"We have to learn to be able to defend no only ourselves, but those we care for," He glanced at his friends, "those who we barely know," he glanced at others around the table, "and complete strangers."
He slowly projected his voice.
"We have to be willing to fight Death Eaters who torture and kill Muggles and Wizards alike for fun. We have to be willing to fight wild beasts that may be sent out to harm us. We have to be willing to protect our homes, and our school, that is a home for many people. We have to be willing to protect everything that represents any good in this world from Voldemort, who prospers in killing, torturing and murdering those who we love! Are you willing to be able to do this? Are you willing to fight, with the risk of your lives?
"Are you willing to put everything on the line for not only our generation, but for future generations; where children can play freely without fear, where teenagers won't have to worry about house boundaries, where adults don't have to worry about drawing attention to what they truly believe in, for fear of their and their families lives. Are you willing? Are you willing? Are you willing?"
He looked around the table of enthralled people, and repeated himself again, softly.
"Are you willing?"
Ron broke the silence and stood up.
"I'm willing to fight. My family are out there sacrificing their lives for me…if I can help that, then I'm willing. I'm willing to fight to protect my family and friends, and everything I love. I'm willing, mate."
Hermione stood up next.
"I am willing. I'm willing to give up my life to protect my family and friends, those I truly care about. To protect everything I've ever learnt, and known as good in this world. To protect people I've perhaps only just walked past in the street, but to protect all those I can. I'm willing, Harry."
Following this, Ginny stood up, followed by Fred and George, who each in turn (and together in the twins' case) said "I'm willing."
Slowly, more and more people stood up, all saying "I'm willing." And after a minute, the whole room was standing up.
Harry looked around, a warm feeling in his soul as he surveyed them all.
"You're all willing to fight, and to train. It won't be easy. You'll wake up every morning and train until you sweat. You will shed blood, sweat and tears. You will fall. You will break down. You will beg for no more. But you will heal. You will get back up again. You will get a better grip of your emotions. You will be grateful.
"After an hour of training you'll dislike me. After a day of training, you'll hate me. After a week of training you'll detest me. After a month of training you'll loath me with all your being. But whenever you are defending those you love in desperation, you will think that I was the best damn thing that ever happened to you."
Harry looked around the now silent room.
"Now, get into groups of six, grab your trunks and all take a hold of the deflated beech balls. You have a minute before those go off, so you better hurry."
There was an instant rush.
Harry calmly walked over and took a hold on one with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Neville, and counted down the seconds on his watch.
"That was an amazing speech, Harry." Ginny commented.
"Bloody brilliant!"
"I've never heard you talk like that before." Hermione added thoughtfully. Harry noticed this and already saw the wheels turning in her head.
That was never good.
"5...4...3...2...1...activate."
And then, silently, the mass of young people disappeared, leaving the appropriate fee on the desk, and no trace of where the Portkeys had taken the new Order of the Dragon.
Another chapter! On a roll here, lol.
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