Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I have updated. I hope that all of you are not too mad at me. But to make things fair I have been extremely busy since the beginning of the year. Also, to be completely honest, I was bored with it and did not want to write it anymore. But then the writing bug hit me again and I found my interest it in again. Maybe it was the HBP? Hmm…well anyway…
So as you can see I have updated and it is rather short, but don't complain too much, it is better than nothing. Hopefully I will be able to write more so and I can update with a bigger and more exciting chapter. Also, there will be no Marvin this week. I'm thinking of getting rid of Marvin, but I will have to think about it by next chapter. Well I hope that you enjoy and that all of you crazy people that sent threats to my house, egged my mailbox and put the dead skunk inside my car (which, by the way, there wasn't enough tomato juice in the world to get that smell out!) can stop.
And now…..
Chapter 30: The Mission
The first day back from a break was always the best. Everyone seemed to be refreshed and happy to be reacquainted with friends that they had not seen in a few weeks. Usually breakfast in the Great Hall was a filled with laughter and an overall excited buzz that seemed to give energy to anyone that entered into it. However, today was not one of those days. To James, everyone seemed to be a little quieter, a little sadder and a little more weary of one another. The Great Hall was not alive with energy and laughter, but instead it seemed to radiate a sense of gloomy foreboding and discontent. People hardly spoke above a whisper if they dared to speak to one another at all.
"Has the Wizarding World really gotten this bad?" James thought to himself as he exited the Great Hall. "Classes will be better," he tried to reassure himself.
But classes were not better. The same gloomy feeling followed into the classroom. Students who dared to raise their hands mumbled the answer in hushed tones. Well most students that is. The Slytherins seemed to be the only students in all of Hogwarts that were not afraid to be loud, boisterous and happy. This did not make James feel any easier about the current situation. He knew all too well that if the Slytherins were happy that it was not a good sign at all.
The day passed rather slowly and finally it was time for Lily and James to meet with Dumbledore and to hopefully get some answers.
"I'm always so nervous when I have to meet with him," said Lily as they approached the gargoyles that guarded Dumbledore's office.
"Ah, don't be. Dumbledore is an amazing wizard," said James, looking at Lily.
"I know. That is why I'm nervous," said Lily giving him a small smile. James couldn't help but smile back as he said the password. Immediately the door opened, revealing a long stair case.
"I wonder what he wants?" said Lily, more to herself than to James.
"Probably to tell me how wonderful Gryffindor's Quidditch team is this year and that we are the best looking Heads in about a hundred years," joked James, grinning broadly at Lily. Lily snorted and shook her head.
They reached the large dark wooden door that lead to the office. James raised his fist to knock, but before he could the door opened. The two of them stood there for a second, hesitant to enter.
"Ah right on time," said a soft, familiar voice from inside the room. "Please come in." Lily and James walked into the room. It was magnificent. The portraits of former headmasters covered the entirety of the walls and most of the people inside stared down at Lily and James as they walked in.
"Please have a seat," said Dumbledore, motioning to the two large, overstuffed crushed red velvet chairs across from his desk. Lily and James immediately sat down. "Now, I can guess by your faces that you are wondering why I called you here this afternoon."
"Well, I think I have an idea what it is about, Professor," said James grimly. Dumbledore studied him over his half moon glasses, the familiar twinkle in his eye gleaming at him. "It's about the attacks isn't it?" Lily glanced at James and then back at Dumbledore.
"You are correct, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore relaxed in his chair and rested his elbows on the arms. He was quiet for a moment and stared at the table as if immersed in thought.
"Professor?" said Lily concerned. She glanced nervously at James and then back at Dumbledore again.
"Do you know why I chose you both to be heads," asked Dumbledore fixing his gaze upon Lily and James.
"Because we were the best students in the school," answered James proudly. Dumbledore smiled for a moment.
"Well not exactly Mr. Potter. No, the reason I chose both of you was because you both possess certain qualities that I hold above all others."
"What are those qualities, Professor? If you don't mind me asking," answered Lily, studying him.
"The qualities are those that only true Gryffindors possess." The corners of his mouth twitched as he stared at both of them. "Loyalty, compassion, fairness and a devout sense of right and wrong."
James slightly lowered his head as he mentally noted the qualities on the list. He doubted whether or not he possessed all of the qualities that were mentioned. Guilt filled the pit of his stomach as several memories flashed through his mind where fairness and compassion were anything but present. When James looked back up he swore that Dumbledore had known exactly what he was thinking, for the Headmaster's stare was warm.
"Even if sometimes one of those qualities seemed hidden, they have always been there residing inside your hearts." Dumbledore paused and raised his hands to his lips. After a moment he rested them on top of his lap. "Have either of you heard about something called 'The Order of the Phoenix?"
Both students shook their heads. For some reason Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Well, the Order of the Phoenix is a secret organization that is dedicated to stopping the evil that is plaguing our world."
"A secret organization? Is it apart of the Ministry? It sounds very top secret," said Lily fearing that if Faith caught wind of this organization she would drop of out Hogwarts and rush to join it.
"Oh it is immensely top secret, but no Miss Evans, it not apart of the Ministry. In fact the Ministry does not even know that it exists."
"But Professor I don't understand, I thought that the Ministry was working to prevent You-Know-Who from gaining more power," said James confused, "It would seem only natural that this Order of the Phoenix would want to work with the Ministry."
Dumbledore was quiet for a moment. "Because you are not members of the Order I cannot give you all of the information. However, what I can tell you is that some members inside the Ministry are not as righteous as they seem. Voldemort's powers and influences are great. I am afraid that he has influenced some important members of the Ministry. No, the Order is a secret group that works to reveal and stop Voldemort's plans inside the Ministry and the Wizarding world.
"I am sure that it is no surprise to you that Voldemort is plotting even now as we are speaking. Unfortunately the horrible attacks on those four Wizarding families were not a coincidence. Each of those families had a member that worked inside the Ministry and had openly spoke against Voldemort. Those families were meant to be a warning."
"A warning?" gasped Lily in horror.
"Yes. Each of those families were of half-blood or less. It is no secret that Voldemort despises anyone that is not of pure blood. This was meant to warn any wizard that was not of pure blood that they would be next."
"That is horrible!" exclaimed Lily, putting her hand to her mouth.
"Unfortunately there is more, Miss Evans," said Dumbledore grimly. "Each of those families were members of the Order of the Phoenix. This was also a message to me."
"Why to you Professor?" asked James.
"Because I am the leader and founder of the Order of the Phoenix," said Dumbledore darkly. Lily and James looked at him in awe. Secretly James knew that Dumbledore had been doing something to stop You-Know-Who.
"Oh Professor I am so sorry," said Lily, shaking her head in disbelief. "All of those poor innocent people." Dumbledore smiled appreciatively.
"Professor, is there anyway that we can help you? Could we help the Order?" asked James, leaning forward in his chair.
"Actually that is exactly why I asked you both to come here today," said Dumbledore leaning back in his chair. "You know as well as I do that there are some students inside this school that are in close connection with Voldemort. I believe that some of these students may have participated in the attacks."
"I know exactly who you are talking about," snorted James in disgust.
Dumbledore paused for a moment. Finally he lifted his eyes to meet Lily and James. His blue eyes seemed to penetrate down into their souls. "The reason I made both of you Heads is because I trust you."
"You can trust us, Professor, we will do whatever you want of us," said James determinedly. "We want to help stop You-Know-Who as much as anyone else."
"We want to join the Order," said Lily intently.
"Unfortunately because you are students, I cannot have you officially join the Order. It is just too unsafe for you," added Professor Dumbledore at the disappointed look on James's face.
"However, I do have a mission for you, if you are willing to undertake it."
"Of course we are," said James with a furrowed brow.
"I want you to keep your ears open and your eyes closed. Do you understand?" asked Dumbledore. James and Lily nodded in agreement. "Also, you are not to speak a word to anyone but each other or myself about this. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Professor," said Lily and James in unison. Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head.