Confusion

"You wanted to see me Headmaster?"

"Yes Severus please come in and have a seat."

"I understand that you have some information for me?"

"The Dark Lord has asked me to brew a potion for him."

'I see, and which potion is it Severus?"

"The Draught of Clarity Headmaster."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would he want that potion?"

"I believe he is going to give it to Bellatrix."

"Why would he want to cure Bellatrix's madness? She is a far more effective Death Eater in her current state."

"I cannot begin to fathom why he would wish too."

"Well I suggest you brew the potion and hopefully we will find out what his real motives are. Also Severus could you find a student to go to the Gryffindor tower and ask Mr. Potter and Miss Granger to come here as soon as possible."

"Of course Headmaster, I will keep you informed as I discover more."

"Thank you Severus."

Something is going on. Hermione has been very flirty all day but the minute I try to get her alone she suddenly remembers something she has to do.

Ron looked across the common room wondering if there was some sort of plot to drive him crazy.

Ginny and Hermione sat in a far corner taking about last minute touches to their costumes. Both Ron and Harry had come over several times to see what was going on only to have the girls threaten them if they didn't leave immediately.

Ginny leaned over and whispered to Hermione "Look at my poor big brother. You are driving him crazy. It's mean I tell you."

Hermione giggled just a bit "I know but I can't help it. I just love it when he looks at me like that."

"Well how would you like it if the shoe was on the other foot? I'm pretty sure that if he wanted to Ron could tease you pretty badly as well."

"You know I wouldn't like it at all Ginny but it's only for a little bit longer. I just want to have him a little worked up before the party."

Ginny laughed "You know for a girl who has been called a bookworm her whole life you are kind of evil."

Hermione laughed "I'm not evil I just like being wanted don't you?"

"Yeah I do, I really love it when Harry's big green eyes start to flash at me."

At that moment Colin Creevy came through the portrait door.

"Hey Harry, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you two in his office as soon as you can get there."

"I wonder what he wants?" Hermione asked Ginny.

"I don't know but you better make it quick. We have to get dressed soon."

Harry walked over to the girls table. "You aren't going to hex me for coming over here are you?"

"No Harry we are finished. We better go to see the Professor so we aren't late for the party."

"You wanted to see us Professor?"

"Yes Harry you and Miss Granger please come sit down."

"First of all I would like to tell you how impressed I have been with both of you this year. You are fine examples and should both be very proud."

"Thank you sir." Harry replied. Hermione just smiled and looked very pleased.

"I did not bring you here just to tell you that though. I know you have been interested in the workings of the order for quite sometime and we have been watching the both of you. Which is why it is my great pleasure to formally ask you if you would be willing to join the Order of the Phoenix?"

"Well of course Professor." Hermione smiled.

"You bet I am." Harry seconded.

They both smiled at each other and then Harry thought of something.

"Professor, what about Ron?"

"What about him Harry?"

"You are going to invite him as well aren't you?" he said with a glance at Hermione.

Professor Dumbledore looked at both of them and then said with a sigh. "I'm afraid at this time we will not be able to invite Mr. Weasley to join us."

Both Harry and Hermione started talking at once.

"Please calm down, I understand this may change how you feel about joining. I cannot tell you why we are not inviting Mr. Weasley right now. I can only tell you that we believe there are good reasons for doing so currently. In light of this I am going to ask you again do you still wish to join?"

Hermione looked at Harry and he could see she was having a hard time trying to decide what to do.

Finally she turned to Harry. "I'm going to join, I don't think it's right not to include Ron but isn't whats at stake bigger than getting mad about injustice?"

"I guess so." Harry replied.

"Well then it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Order of the Phoenix. If you will give me just a moment I will gather my things and then we will head to your first meeting."

"You mean tonight?" Harry spoke up.

"Yes we should be leaving in about five minutes."

"Professor can we send a message back to our common room. We sort of had plans and we need to let people know we are going to be late." Hermione requested.

"Of course Miss Granger I'm certain you can find someone in the halls to deliver that message. Of course you won't be able to let anyone know you have joined the order even Ronald or Ginny."

"We understand Professor." Hermione answered.

They went outside and started to look for a possible messenger.

"Hermione what are we going to tell them?" Harry said wearily.

"We will just say that we have been unavoidably delayed. Then we can think of something on the way back."

"You mean we can think of a lie on the way back?"

Hermione looked at him and he thought she might start crying but all she said was "yes.".