2. The Order United
Harry awoke early as Ron burst into the room. "Come on Harry, get your things. We're going to Grimmauld Place." Harry reached over to get his glasses. After putting them on, he sat up.
"Why are we going there?" he inquired.
"I dunno. Everyone slept in late today. Mum and dad already got our things from Diagon Alley. The letters came early this morning." It took a minute for Harry to fully comprehend everything that was just said to him. He quickly dressed, and his things were still in his trunk.
Everyone else was downstairs by the time Harry got down there. There was a quick breakfast, and they were off to Grimmauld Place. Harry had hoped to go to Diagon Alley to see Fred and George, but it was too late now.
This time, everyone seemed prepared for the Apparation. Harry took hold of Mr. Weasley's arm again, and before he knew it, he was standing right in front of number eleven Grimmauld Place.
They walked passed eleven, and were nearly at number thirteen when an old battered door appeared in between. It was number twelve. Harry remembered only too well the first time he arrived here. It was about two years ago. He had come with Moody, Lupin, Tonks, and a few other people. Everyone gathered around as Mr. Weasley opened the door. He peered inside, and finally said,
"Looks like we're the first ones. Come on." They all walked inside. This old, creepy house belonged to Harry, but he let the Order of the Phoenix use it as their headquarters. He had inherited it when his godfather, Sirius Black, had died. It was an ancient house, and not very pleasant.
The Black's were, for the most part, dark wizards. One of the few exceptions being Sirius.
The house smelled musty and old. The floor creaked under Harry's feet as everyone cautiously walked towards the kitchen door. The reason they were being so careful, was because there was a portrait of Mrs. Black at the end of the hall. She would most likely start screaming at the top of her lungs if she knew they were there.
They made it to the kitchen and quickly closed the door. After a while of sitting around waiting for members of the Order to arrive, Mrs. Weasley decided to make lunch. She conjured up a delicious pot roast, and they drank pumpkin juice. As they finished eating, they heard a noise by the front door.
"What was that Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a worried voice.
"I don't know, I'll check." Just as he was getting up, they heard a dull, Clunk Clunk Clunk.
"It must be Mad-Eye," Mr. Weasley said, sitting back down. Sure enough, Mad-Eye Moody walked into the room.
"See I'm not the first," he growled. Mere seconds later, the sound of something falling over could be heard in the hallway.
"Sorry!" said an exasperated voice, as Tonks clambered into the room, followed by Lupin. But he turned around quickly to calm Mrs. Black, as her screams filled the house. He subdued her, and reentered the kitchen.
Harry remembered that not to long ago, Lupin had looked a lot older and wary. But now, he seemed healthier, and his robes looked clean and nice. Tonks smiled at him, and Harry understood. He had found out, not too long ago that Tonks was in love with Lupin. But Lupin was disinclined to return the affection, due to the fact that he was a werewolf. But it seemed apparent that he had changed his mind.
A few minutes later, Professor McGonagall arrived. She looked much older than usual, but still had her dignified poise. Some of the others to get there shortly afterwards were: Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, Kingsly Shacklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher, and Bill Weasley. When everyone fell silent, Mr. Weasley took it as his cue to start their meeting.
"Well, we all know why we're here. We have to keep the Order of the Phoenix alive, for it is the only thing keeping You-Know-Who from taking over. Also, I suppose it's about time to start calling him by his real name: V-voldemort."
There were a few intakes of breath, but no one seemed opposed.
"Now," he continued, "we have some new, young wizards (and one witch), who have come of age. I believe I am right in saying that you wish to join the Order?" He looked over at Ron, Hermione and Harry. Harry noticed that Ginny was no longer in the room, and supposed her mother must have made her leave, since she wasn't yet seventeen.
The three of them nodded.
"Well, I think we have some new members then!" he said happily. McGonagall and Moody stepped forward.
"This year, we have invoked a new rule for members joining the Order," Professor McGonagall said crisply.
"The Unbreakable Vow." Harry knew what this was; it was where you make a vow, and if you break it, you die. He had no second thoughts. He was sure he wanted to join. It was like Mr. Weasley had said, they were the only ones even attempting to stop Voldemort. The Ministry claimed to be, but they were hardly doing anything. All of a sudden the front door banged open. Hagrid entered the room.
"Sorry I'm late," he said. He was followed by a few more of Harry's fellow students who had recently turned seventeen.. Among those were: Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Neville Longbottom, Oliver Wood (he was a few years older than Harry), Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Lee Jordon, and Fred and George themselves. McGonagall looked very pleased that there would be so many new members.
"I picked all these ones up on me way," Hagrid explained.
"I didn't realize we could join yet," said Fred. He and George seemed very happy they were now able to. Now it was time for the vow to begin, and Harry was first. McGonagall took hold of Harry's hand, as was custom when performing the vow. Moody would be performing the task of Bonder. He touched the tip of his wand to their hands. Then Professor McGonagall started asking the questions.
"Will you, to the extent of your ability, help the Order of the Phoenix complete the task of ridding Lord Voldemort of all power?"
"Yes," Harry muttered. A white hot wire shot out of the tip of Moody's wand and encircled itself tightly around Harry and McGonagall's clasped hands. Hermione was delighted that she was able to witness this. No doubt she had read all about the vow.
"Will you show any pity or remorse to Lord Voldemort or any of his supporters?"
"No," Another wire shot out and became a sort of chain around the other wire.
"Will you be sure, before attacking any of Lord Voldemort's servants, that they are indeed loyal to him?" Harry hesitated.
"Yes," he finally said. A third wire shot out and became a thick rope that was very tight on his wrist.
"Will you stay true to your word of being loyal to the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes." The fiery rope was very thick. Now that the vow was complete, Harry waited as everyone else answered all the same questions.