A/N: I made up the Roaring Dragon because I thought a pub would be a good place for the Order. I mean it has the capability to fit a large amount of people. Otherwise, I don't own Harry Potter or it's characters. And once again, no flames please.
The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was a grubby, unused pub in the underground of Hogsmeade. Minerva had left Hogwarts to try to find a good place for the secret organization. She knew it couldn't be anywhere well known in the wizarding world, as the Deatheaters could storm it and kill them all. She has to find somewhere were magic still lingered, but where the group could congregate safely. This little pub, called The Roaring Dragon, had never been popular as the Leaky Cauldron or The Three Broomsticks. It had been more of a hidey-hole for those who did not wish to be found. Minerva still felt traces of magic in the air, and thought it was pretty much forgotten. It had been the local hot spot of a bygone generation. She walked into the pub and allowed herself a single sigh.
She was not alone; of course, it was foolish to go anywhere alone in these dark days. Voldemort was gaining more and more followers, and had managed to recruit some of the giants and the werewolves had flocked to him once again. The others who were with her were well respected in the magical community. Remus Lupin was there, looking rather calm but cautious. He was not peaky looking, and his robes for once were not patched and frayed. He'd managed to keep his cover with the other werewolves, as Albus had instructed him to do. Any information on the underground was desperately needed. The other, who was never far behind Remus, was the young woman Tonks. It was she who broke the maintained silence.
"This place looks like it hasn't been used for ages," Tonks commented wryly and Minerva turned around to face her younger counterpart.
"It hasn't been used in quiet some time. It's not been used since Voldemort took power the first time." Minerva answered her matter-of-factly.
"Well, it seems large enough. Now the only thing is making sure it has enough spells and enchantments to protect it," Remus said. Minerva nodded.
"I know Professor Snape didn't know about this place, it was nothing much to talk about. It sort of died out after it was shut down. Although they say Aberforth was a bartender here." Minerva almost smiled at the thought. The brother of Albus was said to be a wee bit eccentric, and more exuberant than his brother.
"I thought the place might have smelled of goats," Tonks commented as the dust began to whip around them in huge clouds. "But, I think it will do all right. As long as it's not infested like GP." The Order still called it GP. You could never be too careful on who was prying.
"I think Moody will be able to help with security. He knows some rather complex spells." Remus wrung his hands and attempted to shake some of the dust from his robes. Minerva continued to look at the new headquarters. For being abandoned for a long period of time, the place still looked rather homey. Booths were still upright and glasses still stacked behind the bar counter. Some things had begun to crumple, such as cushions used on the bar stools. Otherwise, the place appeared to be in good working order. The whole room was rectangular and had booths dispersed closely together. Each booth provided privacy by having a green curtain drawn, but the curtains now looked ragged and moth-eaten. There were various portraits of famous wizards, all before the time of Voldemort, on the wall. Minerva had been hoping she might see a portrait of Albus, but was disappointed when she found no such thing. Just then she heard a rather uncharacteristic shriek from Tonks.
"EEK! Get it off! Get it off!" There was a black creature that looked like it has bit into Tonk's left shoe. Remus heard her and rushed over.
"What is it? What's the matter?" He asked in a worried tone and bent down to examine what was causing her distress. What peered back at him was none other than a Doxie. Remus let out a sigh of relief and chuckled a bit.
"I didn't know you were afraid of Doxies," Remus smiled lightly. Tonks hair had even turned orange for a moment in her surprise.
"I'm not afraid of them! I just wasn't prepared to be attacked by one was all." Tonks huffed and immobilized the creature. Remus only smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. Minerva had watched the little scene.
"It looks like we'll have to work on getting some creature control done here," Minerva observed and Tonks raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, unless others in the Order want Doxies eating their shoes." Tonks shivered at the thought.
"I don't think we should do that. Moody would hex the place to bits," Remus offered and even Minerva had to agree with him there. Alastor Moody has a nose for dark wizards, but also tended to be "jumpy" so to speak. He'd gone a bit crazy, but was still very useful.
"I managed to track down Aberforth, and he wants to become a member of the Order." Minerva announced. Tonks and Remus looked at her in surprise, they hadn't been expecting her to announce that.
"I'm surprised he didn't join before now. Or did Dumbledore have him do something?" Tonks questioned. Remus looked at her in interest. Minerva only pushed her spectacles further up on her nose.
"I don't know. All I can do right now is have faith in Albus." Minerva wished she had more to go on right now. But, the headmaster had been very private and at times it seemed very lonesome. It seemed there were things only he knew. Minerva wished she'd asked him more, but she always had his portrait. "We're going to be need to be careful about how we inform everyone about our new headquarters, HE might find out," there was a very rare growl on true anger in Minerva's voice. By he she meant Severus Snape. The traitor, the bloody traitor who'd murdered a man who'd always defended his character.
"Are you all right?" Remus shook the shoulder of Transfiguration teacher and she knew she'd had an enraged look.
"Just thinking about things," she replied vaguely. Neither one of the younger Order members looked as if they believed her entirely, but left it at that. Minerva finally left the Roaring Dragon an hour later and felt safe it that magical protection would be dealt with accordingly. She planned on using some of her own spells to protect it, but knew she would have plenty of help. She had other difficult and time-consuming tasks ahead of her. One being trying to convince Potter to finish his last magical education year. She wanted to know what had transpired between Potter and Albus before his death, but she knew he was unlikely to tell her anything. He would never tell her unless Albus had said to do so. In one way, she admired his loyalty, but in another she felt as if she was groping in the dark.
Minerva tried to grapple with what she knew she had to do before she apparated to the magical village of Hogsmeade. She could not apparate to be at Hogwarts, even though some of Albus's magical protection had left since his death. Death, she never thought she'd see so many deaths again. It saddened her, but she was careful not to lose focus. Albus had always said to be aware of her surroundings. The Deatheaters weren't likely to jump out from behind a rubbish bin, but they would always be looking for those vernable and alone. That was all the more reason for her to get inside the castle.
She did not like how quiet Hogsmeade had become. In times past, it has been bursting with witches and wizards gossiping, drinking, and shopping. Now, the wind whipped through the village and doors creaked on their hinges. It was very spooky, and Minerva was grateful to reach the winged boars. She stepped through the gates feeling more at ease, but her heart clenched the sight of the smoldering ruin that had been Hagrid's cabin. How could she forget that battle? The battle with ferocious Deatheaters, and it was the one that had cost dear Albus his own life. She willed herself not to think about it before she broke down again and made her way up to what was now her quarters. She supposed to her it would always be the office of Albus, the headmaster.
She did receive a bit of a jolt when a piercing cry reached her ears. She jumped; and then realized it was the faithful pet of Dumbledore, Fawkes. "Oh, hello." Minerva greeted the bird and he hummed slightly. As with everyone who heard a Phoenix, it made them feel serenity and peace. The bird swooped over and rested on her shoulder. His feathers were pleasantly warm and he rested against Minerva's cold cheek. Minerva stroked the phoenix's feathers and he let out a soft cry. Minerva felt almost as if she had Albus back. He had so many traits of the legendary Phoenix, and was one of the few to domesticate it. Minerva turned to see if Albus was in his portrait, and saw he was not. She'd been hoping for his advice, but realized he might have other pictures hanging elsewhere. She sighed, and pulled out the seat that Albus had once talked to Harry Potter about the prophecy from. Fawkes flew back to his perch and observed her with sad eyes.
"I know you miss him. We all do. I miss him more than I ever try to let on. I feel like I know so little for having been at Hogwarts for so long. It seems in our friendship we only scratched the surface, and that I never asked what I should." Minerva talked to the bird and he seemed to coo at her. "I see why Albus loved you so, Fawkes. You truly are a magnificent creature." She saw many of the other portraits snoozing in their frames and decided she had better figure out a way to start talking to Potter. He might do something drastic, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would be after the Boy Who Lived in no time at all. Minerva decided she'd try a letter first. She knew Potter had gone back to that terrible Muggle family of his, the Dursley's. She drummed the quill on the desk absently and tried to think of a way to start this important letter without revealing delicate information. She had just begun to write the header when a calm, wise voice interrupted her.
"Minerva, I don't think they'll be any need for that." Minerva swiveled around.
"I have to try to convince Potter to come back. He will be safer at Hogwarts." Minerva replied to her former colleague.
"Ah, but my dear Minerva, you see Fawkes has a message, and it's of the greatest importance." Albus looked at her seriously and the bird with magnificent plumage of fire took off through the window.
"A message?" Minerva repeated and looked out of the window after Fawkes.