CHAPTER THREE: The New Phoenix Counsel

Harry entered the familiar office to find a good many people already there. Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts since the death of Dumbledore, had gone to great lengths to secure this meeting in secret, Harry could tell, for he received no more acknowledgement than a nod of the head. Ginny was right beside him, but they both understood that words were not prudent at the moment. Already in the office, besides himself, his wife, and McGonagall, Harry could identify Mad-Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Bill and Charlie Weasley, Fleur Delacour (Fleur Weasley, Harry mentally corrected himself), and, surprisingly, the old barman from the Hog's Head was there as well.

Harry found a place along the wall just as Hermione came up the steps and into the office. Harry wondered why Ron wasn't with her, but put that thought out of mind as Ron came up the steps a minute later; checking to make sure his fly was zipped. Next came a striking young woman that Harry had never seen before, followed shortly by Professor Flitwick and lastly, by Hagrid.

As Hagrid came in, Flitwick closed the door behind him and waved his wand, conjuring a golden barrier around the room, much brighter than Harry's had been a week previously. McGonagall cleared her throat and spoke, "There's no point in mincing words. We're here because we see a threat that few others are aware of. Healing Hands, as you are all aware, has become a backseat power controlling all of Europe. We are among those who have decided that enough is enough, and that we should save the rest of the world before it falls under the sway of this group. More importantly, we need to know how this group came to be, how they are gaining so much influence so quickly, and who leads them, among other things."

Reaching into her desk, she took out a roll of parchment. "Allow me to read this letter, addressed to me one week ago, on the day Europe was officially united:

To Headmistress Minerva McGonagall,

I have heard much of the school of Hogwarts throughout my years, and have even visited on a few occasions. The school is a wonder full of magical mysteries and powers that can only benefit the world. Yet you, and thusly, the school, have remained apart from your Ministry for too long, I fear, and it seems to me that unless fully united with the world around it, Hogwarts may become a grievous wound that will fester quickly if not treated. Allow me to help you. An emissary of mine will be arriving at the gates of your Great Hall at noon on August 7, 2011. Please afford him all the courtesy you would afford any guest in your home. I wish nothing more than to do all I can to unite the world, for as separate individuals and nations, we will only contest and vie amongst ourselves in cannibalism. With your cooperation, I am hopeful that the whole world will benefit.

Yours in Friendship,

The Great Healer"

McGonagall was silent for a while. After a few seconds, the rasping bark of Moody could be heard saying, "Basically, they're offering us a place in they're grand holy scheme of world conquest. This 'emissary' could be meant to intimidate us, or it could be some power-obsessed maniac trying to make a point by sending a personal ambassador. We can't trust whatever he … it did say a he, didn't it? … will say in an hour when he arrives. I take it you wanted back-up, Minerva?"

McGonagall might be aging, but she held up as strong as ever. "Yes, we will need to possibly restrain this person and hold him for questioning. It sounds harsh, almost evil, to suggest such hostility against anyone without direct provocation."

Then Fleur said, "But, Professor, have zey not already indirectly provoked us? Zey're whole strategy iz to not provoke anyone directly, so zat by the time zey have succeeded, no one will zink zey have any reason to be provoked."

The woman whom Harry didn't know then stepped forward to speak. "This emissary may try to disarm us and subjugate us as others have with sermons. From what I can tell, they magic a level of charisma into their voices, then use a mutated variant of a love potion to intoxicate the people and bring them under their sway. I've treated a few victims, but the effects still linger. In any event, I have prepared antidotes to the drug for each of us." She waved her hand and a case of vials, each filled with a bright green liquid, appeared on the Headmistress's desk.

"Thank you, Professor Lanskey," said McGonagall. "I suggest we all take two vials of this. There is more in stock should we need it."

As the others in the room each took two vials, Harry hesitated, as did Moody. Both of them were thinking the same thing: what if these vials were tampered with?

As if hearing their thoughts, McGonagall said tersely, "I assure you all, I would not have accepted this from Professor Lanskey, or even let her in on this secret, if she did not have my full confidence, as do you all."

Harry smiled genuinely. He was strongly reminded of Dumbledore, forcing Sirius and Snape to shake hands just after Voldemort had risen again. Harry reached over and took two vials, and finally, so did Moody.

The clock rang quarter to noon. Professor McGonagall stood. "Well, I'd better go and present myself. Filius, Hagrid, and Rowanda will accompany me. For now, only faculty should be made known to this personage, whoever he may be." Harry looked perplexed at the name 'Rowanda,' but then comprehension dawned as he spotted the attractive Professor Lanskey start to move towards the door.

"Which brings me to another point," said McGonagall. "Recently some of our professors have decided to depart the school in favor of … other pursuits. Potter, will you accept the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?" Harry was taken aback, for he hadn't been called 'Potter' in ages. Smiling grimly, he nodded his head, accepting.

"Weasley, will you be our Quidditch referee and flying instructor?" No one answered. "I beg your pardon," McGonagall said. "Ronald Weasley?" An eager nod of the head affirmed Ron's conviction.

"Ms. Potter, we need a Muggle Studies Professor. Do you accept?" Ginny grinned and nodded.

"Lastly, due to overwhelming complaints, we are finally in need of a new History of Magic Professor." Even McGonagall grinned, for Binns had made no one happy. "Ms. Weasley, do you accept?" Hermione beamed and stepped forward to shake McGonagall's hand.

Just then, the barman from the Hog's Head spoke up. "You'd better not be planning any mischief that'll hurt business, Minerva. I don't want to end up hiding people in my cellar again."

McGonagall turned sharply on the barman. "That will do,. Aberforth." Harry started at the sound of the name. The barman had always looked familiar, and now he knew why. This was Albus Dumbledore's brother! Harry had so many questions he wanted to ask, but before he could, "Come along, now," came McGonagall's voice. "Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Alastor, will you stay here and observe? There should be a scrying glass over in the corner that should grant you one-way sight and sound from the Great Hall. Now then, let us be off." And the newly appointed staff members headed with their headmistress down to the Great Hall, to meet the emissary of The Great Healer.