Harry Potter and the Junior Order
By: Lawrali
Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and characters. New characters will be introduced in further chapters.
Chapter One
The last day at the Dursley's was a wet one. The drizzling rain proved to be never-ending after beginning in the early morning hours and lasting, so far, well into the afternoon. Vernon Dursley was sitting in the living room, newspaper in hand and reading the headlines. Occasionally he'd find a headline worth browsing and he'd quiet from his non-stop grumbling about the rain. Petunia was in her usual spot in the kitchen, preparing lunch and poking her bony face close to the window trying to see into Mrs. Number Six's window. She finished preparing lunch and beckoned Mr. Dursley before setting a heaping plate of food in front of Dudley who was in his normal spot with his eyes glued to the television screen.
Upstairs, in his small room, Harry stood silently looking out his open window. Looking specifically for a small snowy owl. Hedwig had been gone for two nights. He was sure that she had flown to Ron or Hermione's as she did the year he turned thirteen. Finally with a sigh, Harry walked back to his bed where his trunk lay open. Inside were his uniform and robes for Quidditch. At the moment, Harry was adding his books into the trunk; preparing for his departure of his summer prison. Earlier in the summer he'd received a post saying he'd be returning to the Weasley's. Even with the protection from his blood connection and the spells put on the area to keep the Dark Lord and his followers from finding him, Dumbledore and company were still very much worried about Harry.
Picking up a Chocolate Frog he'd found in his trunk, he opened the box, grabbed the frog and bit its head off while picking up his album and placing it on the top. He was in a particularly foul mood this day because he'd received no well wished from his friends for his birthday. They'd forgotten him again. Harry drug his trunk toward his door and stood it in the door's path, grabbed his broom and leaned it up against it, then finally placed He wig's cage on top, Feeling some relief that non of the Dursley's could burst in on him, he flung himself backwards onto his bed flinching slightly from the nails-on-chalkboard scrape from the old metal springs.
So much had happened in the last two months and Harry was no-where near being able to accept the facts and let them all sink in. Since his outburst against Dumbledore, Harry had not spoken the fact that his beloved Godfather was indeed dead. Harry had in fact been using the criminal image of Sirius to keep his aunt, uncle and cousin from being to harsh with him. But his anger kept popping up and he'd go looking for fights with Dudley and Uncle Vernon; any reason to be sent to his room where he could be alone. He'd gotten numerous letters from Ron and Hermione all summer but had only written back a few times, not really saying much only that he was ok and he'd see them soon. They said their apologies in every letter and asked how he was doing but he'd always look over those questions and go straight into his post.
Downstairs the clock rang one o'clock. Promptly after, the doorbell rang. His letter had said that a taxi would be at Privet Drive at one sharp to drive him to the Weasley's. Harry got up and moved his belongings away from the door. With his jacket in one hand and broom and cage in the other, Harry descended the stairs and without saying a word gave them over to the taxi driver. Going back upstairs, Harry dropped another Chocolate Frog on Dudley's bed before grabbing his trunk and dragging it down the stairs. He could hear the Dursley's in the kitchen but did not attempt at telling them that he was leaving. They, also didn't appear to bid him farewell; they didn't even cease their conversation or come out to answer the door. Slamming the door on his way out, Harry didn't look back toward the two-story house that was Number Four.
Inside the trio jumped slightly from the sound of the slamming door. Dudley even spilled his forkful of Custard Pie all down his front. Vernon turned purple with fury for his nephew's outburst but remained in his seat. He found it unpleasant to go screaming to Harry outside in the cold rain. He wouldn't even be able to punish him anyhow, not with him leaving until early July.
Uncle Vernon went on to complain about Harry and his "wretched bird." Then went on to celebrate their long break from him and the constant reminder of "his kind." Perhaps if they'd only knew what he had done and how many times he'd escaped death, they would cozy up to the dark side and aid You-Know-Who in trying to kill him. To rid the family of the "despicable secret" they constantly fought to hide.
Harry awoke several hours later to the bumping and jostling of the taxi down the dirt road leading to the Weasley house. Harry found his glasses (in the floorboard under his jacket) and put them on so he could properly see the multiple story house that was magically modified inside. As the taxi stopped Harry noticed Fred and George in the yard awaiting him. Looking down at the meter Harry suddenly realized that he had no money in which to pay.
"Don't worry, lad. It's already been paid for plus a hefty tip, I might add."
The taxi driver got out and helped to unload Harry's heavy trunk before saying his goodbyes ("Cheers young lad.") and driving away, kicking up a dust trail behind him. Harry turned toward the twins (even he couldn't tell them apart) and plastered a fake smile across his face.
"Harry! We thought you would have been here hours ago. How were the Muggles treating you?" Fred asked with a wink.
"yeah, should we send him a Canary Cream? Or maybe some guaranteed disgusting flavored Bertie Botts?" George chuckled.
Harry was sure they were talking about his cousin, Dudley. He remembered the time that "Big D" had eaten a Toffee that the twins left at his aunt and uncle's. The memory brought a smile to his face. The first genuine smile in months. Fred and George had picked up his trunk and were lugging it toward the hours while Harry followed with his leftover belongings.
"It's ok. I left a Chocolate Frog on his bed. I wish I could see his face when he opens it and it jumps out at him."
The three boys shared a laugh. Harry could almost see his portly cousin running from his room and almost falling down the stairs to tell his parents that a bit of chocolate had lunged out of its box and was jumping around the room. Harry laughed again at the thought that if only Dudley's stomach stopped thinking for him, especially with his previous experience with magical treats, he would run in the other direction just from the sight of the package.
From inside the house, which was only a few feet away now, Harry heard a high-pitched squeal. He was about to ask who was being playfully tortured when out of the door came Mrs. Weasley, arms wide open and the biggest smile Harry had seen on her. He was about to put his belongings down when two powerful arms circled his shoulders and Harry found his face buried in Mrs. Weasley's chest.
"Oh! Harry dear." Molly Weasley released him slightly, leaving on arm around his shoulders and ushered him inside. "Now Harry, bit of lunch? Nap? Shower? Tell me, dear. You finished your summer lessons, I expect. Not leaving them for the last moment like another boy in this house?"
"Mum, I only have two more essay's to write and I'm waiting for Hermione to send me some notes on Engorgement Charms." Ron came walking out o f the kitchen and into the living area.
Ron had grown at least another inch, making him almost as tall as the twins (an easy four on Harry). His red hair was in its normal fashion, the hand-combed-just-out-of-bed look, his shirt (a hand-me-down from Bill) was a size to big and his jeans were care worn and had a whole in the right knee.
"Waiting on your girlfriend to send you your essay, eh, Ron?" Fred joked poking George in the ribs.
"Isn't that a little-" George started.
"Hermione's not my girlfriend. I've told you that all summer. She just has a better knowledge of the charms." Ron lowered his voice so only Harry caught what he said next. "From first-hand experience."
Harry was unable to hide his chuckle and the three Weasley's stood in bewilderment as to the joke Ron and he had just shared. Straightening up, Ron lifted Harry's trunk and started up the stairs. "Spect you'll want to get settled, eh Harry?"
Harry only shook his head with a smile on his face and helped Ron lug his heavy trunk up the several flights of stairs to the top floor and into Ron's room. Inside sat two beds. The one on the right was unmade and very old; it was Ron's. Another bed was not as old but made up with a quilt; it looked, sewn by Molly. On top were a box and a note tucked under the side.
"It's a birthday gift. I didn't see any point as to sending it to you; by the time Pig would have gotten it to you, you'd be settled in here. Fred and George picked it up for me in Diagon Alley. Open it!"
Harry now felt his face grow red. He was ashamed for getting upset thinking his friends had forgotten him. Harry picked up the box and opened it to find a quill from a barn owl. Harry lifted it out and examined it with confusion. Ron had always seemed to get him some rather unusual gifts.
"It's a special quill that allows the writers' to pass notes over long distances instantly."
Harry had heard of the "special quill" in the Muggle world too- email. A crash was heard downstairs and the boys looked at each other in shock and wonder. They were both about to rise to their feet when they heard, "Ronald Weasley, come down here and control your bird!"
Pig was flying happily around the kitchen when Harry and Ron descended the stairs. Molly and Ginny were trying to capture the tiny owl while also not being hit by the objects he was knocking all over the place. On the chair next to Ginny was a large snowy owl who was watching the owl with annoyance.
"Hedwig!"
Harry ran across the kitchen, almost getting hit upside the head by a falling cup, and stopped in front of his beloved owl. He stroked her chest and she nipped at his hand softly and chattered quietly. In the seat of the chair was another small package and on the floor was a letter bearing the Hogwarts seal and a loosely wrapped bundle.
"Pig." Ron said sternly.
The small little owl stopped in mid-air and turned sharply to zoom directly at Ron. The bird tried to twist up in order to land softly on Ron's shoulder but turned up a little to late and banged right into Ron's lower jaw. Ron stumbled and fell backwards before bumping down the last three steps.
"Oww, Pig!"
Ginny gasped and went to pick up the animal while Molly tended to the injured Ron. He had bumped his elbows on the stairs and his hind end was a little tender. Harry watched with guilt, he had been to happy to see Hedwig that he'd missed everything before the crash and outburst.
"Stupid owl!" cursed Ron.
Ginny held him in her arms and stroked his back. "Give him a break, he was just excited."
Ron was rubbing the sore spot on his rear as his mother mended the small cut on his left arm. "Well he shouldn't be, he's delivered tons of posts and he always acts like a bloody spastic. That's twice this week he's almost killed me."
"Quiet Ron. He's young and overenthusiastic. He wants to please. So you better start praising him or I'll kill you."
Mrs. Weasley was now trying to clean up the mess the young owl had created. Ginny walked up the stairs talking softly to Pig. Ron looked at Harry and the two gathered the packages and, too, started up the stairs. Hedwig flew off the chair and landed professionally on Harry's right shoulder and nipped at him warningly. She did not like being left behind and she wanted to let Harry know it. The boys entered Ron's room just as Ginny pushed Pig into his cage.
"Lock the cage before you leave."
Ginny just huffed over her shoulder and softly spoke to the still spastic owl. "It's ok, we'll talk later."
She closed the cage door then made her way across the tiny room and was patting Hedwig and sweetly talking to her. She hopped off Harry's shoulder and was accepting the attention. Noticing Ron's glare she walked the snowy bird over to Harry's trunk and set her into the open cage. Once inside Hedwig went straight to her feed dish and began eating the mush Harry had just put in.
"So what are those?" Ron pointed to the boxes they had piled onto Harry's bed. Harry picked up the small package that had landed in the seat of the chair. As he pulled off the wrap a note fell into his arms, on the front was some very familiar handwriting. It was a package from Hermione. Harry opened the letter first and read aloud:
Dear Harry,
How is your summer going so far? Are your aunt and uncle treating you fairly? I've noticed you haven't been answering questions and concerns regarding Sirius. I know you blame yourself, Harry. Please don't. It couldn't have been your fault; we were all at the Ministry that night, how could it be your fault? I know that Dumbledore has told you this also, please believe him, Harry. He's never lied to us before.
Harry stopped for a moment and looked up at Ron. He was debating if he should finish reading the post out loud. Ron lowered his gaze as if agreeing with Hermione's words. Harry quickly scanned the rest of the letter and found no other reference to the past months events. And so he read on:
Ron has told me that you will be returning to the Burrow the last few weeks of holiday. I'm so happy that you will be out of the Dursley's house. If only Dumbledore would let you stay with Ron's family. I know I wouldn't want to stay where I wasn't wanted.
Ron huffed at this remark. "Hasn't stopped her before."
I suppose Professor Dumbledore knows what's best however. I expect to see you guys in London. Have you decided what your career is going to be? We have to start studying for NEWTS, you know. I'm still thinking about Muggle Relations. See you all soon!
Hermione
PS Please give these notes about Engorgement Charms to Ron and tell him it's the last time I help him with his summer essays.
Hermione
Harry handed Ron a piece of parchment with notes scribbled in Hermione's small, neat writing. Ron gaped as he scanned the notes and gaped further when he found more notes on the opposite side. Harry, meanwhile, had opened the package and found another can of Fleetwood's High-Finishing Handle Polish and a small tube of Fleetwood's Waterproof Wax. Harry found this to be handy if he ever had another game in the rain. Then he remembered Professor Umbridge had kicked him off the team last year. Harry hoped that Professor Dumbledore would abolish that decision.
"She's nuts. She thinks I'm going to put all this in my essay for Charms? It'd take three rolls of parchment to write all this down." Ron stopped and thought for a moment. "Maybe I could pack it all in on two rolls."
Harry lifted the letter from Hogwarts up and hesitated. On the front was Professor Dumbledore's curvy script. He wasn't sure he wanted to open the letter. He'd decided he'd enough information for a few months. What else had the Headmaster kept from him? What else was to be said? The wise Professor seemed to know everything about everyone. What other information had been kept deep inside his soul, never to be said. Harry finally broke the seal and pulled out a single piece of parchment. It was a letter addressed to him. Not a Hogwarts letter but a personal one.
Dear Harry,
So much has happened in your short life and I daresay that I've told you so much, however, I regret that it has not been everything. I cannot say what has not been said only that it'll be said when you are ready. When you are willing to listen and understand, the truth will seek you out. I speak of coming years, Harry. You have many years before you and many more lessons to learn. I only hope that you will challenge them and accept them as you have done so well in the past. Wise beyond your years but a child still the same. Do not believe all you see for what you believe the most can be nothing at all.
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Hogwarts Headmaster
The next morning was a definite change from life at the Dursley's. Harry woke at eight o'clock to the smell of bacon and eggs being fried downstairs. He withdrew his glasses from the bedside table and looked out the window to see a gloriously sunny morning. As Harry got to his feet he glanced over at Ron who was still snoring rather loudly and then crossed the tiny room to the door. He had gone a few feet down the small hall and finally found the bathroom. He splashed some cool water on his face after his quick morning pit stop then continued down the stairs and into the kitchen. He was amazed to see Ginny, already dressed for the day, at the cupboard taking out several plates and glasses. Molly Weasley was at the stove, currently dealing with a batch of sausage.
"Is there anything I can do?" Harry spoke, making the two ladies jump.
"Oh, Harry, dear. I didn't hear you come down. Well, yes, why don't you help Ginny with setting the table."
Harry took the plates out of Ginny's hands and began setting one in front of each chair. Ginny followed with the glasses and silverware then continued to pour juice. Molly handed Harry a large plate of eggs and he set it in the center of the table. The setting was finally completed ten minutes later with two plates of toast, a heaping plate of bacon and sausage, a pitcher of juice and a stick of butter. As the smell of breakfast wafted up the stairs the Weasley family began to come down. Mr. Weasley rushed down, grabbed a bite of toast and Disapparated before anyone could say a word. Fred and George came down and lazily ate before they, too, headed off to work. The last to make his appearance was Ron. He was still not completely awake and grumbled when Molly had said good morning. He sat down and began to eat his breakfast. If it was one thing Harry knew it was not to mess with Ron before he was completely awake.
"I was thinking maybe we could go out and play some Quidditch after breakfast." Ginny was saying.
Harry's interest perked up immediately. It had seemed like a lifetime since he had been on his broom. He missed the wind flying through his hair as he frantically searched for that golden ball.
"You can help us practice. I'm not nearly as good as you. But I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will allow you back on the team. I was thinking if he does I might try out for Chaser. What do you think?"
Harry smiled. "I think you'd make a great Chaser. And you're a good Seeker, too. I'd love to play this morning."
Finally, to Harry's relief, breakfast ended and he ran upstairs to change and grab his broom. He raced back down the stairs, his Firebolt over his left shoulder, however Ron and Ginny were not yet down. Harry leaned up against Mrs. Weasley's chair glanced at his watch then crossed his arms over his chest. Next to him, knitting needles furiously worked, clinking quietly. Across the room Harry saw a blue fish floating in mid-air. Upon further investigation Harry found that it was some sort of fish tank that had no walls. Harry reached out and poked his finger into the wall of warm water and touched the fish. It swam around and came up face-to-finger and kissed Harry's finger.
Coming down the stairs, Ginny raced into the living room to witness Harry stroking the fish. "That's Leaf. Mum got him at the Magical Menagerie last year."
Harry turned from Ginny and looked again at the electric blue color of the fish. "Leaf? Aren't leaves green?"
"Normally. Bill named him. Some sort of joke; making fun of my naming Pig." Ginny laughed.
Harry turned toward Ginny and laughed along with her. A silence followed that left an odd feeling lingering in the air. Ginny smiled slightly and looked toward her feet as Harry shook his head and returned his gaze at the odd fish.
"So what's magical about him?"
Ginny looked up toward Leaf once more and stepped up next to Harry. "His tank."
Harry felt a little stupid and voiced his confusion. "I don't see any tank."
"Exactly. He doesn't have the need for one."
Harry turned to look at the magical fish again who was facing him as if waiting for the massage to continue. Harry turned back to Ginny again and saw her watching him. The conversation from the train came rushing back. Ginny had had a crush on him for six years and the fact that it had been obvious to everyone but him. Now as Harry looked back he realized that there had been many times he hadn't noticed. In the Chamber she had been concerned about him, she had ran back up the stairs when he first met her, plus she had taken his place on the team then commented that she wasn't as good as him.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Are you okay, Harry?"
"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Ron said that you were ignoring some of his questions. Mostly about…what happened."
Harry's heart sunk suddenly. He had temporarily forgotten the events that cost him his father figure. Harry's memory began displaying fragments of what had happened. Ron with his loopiness, Hermione's unconsciousness Neville's bloody nose and Ginny's broken ankle. The Death Eaters and Voldemort. Dumbledore and Sirius coming to his aid. Sirius dueling with his cousin Bellatrix. Sirius getting blasted in the chest and then falling through the veil.
Harry felt his cheeks growing warm and burning in his eyes as tears threatened to appear. Ginny noticed this too and began to place her hand on Harry's shoulder. Hand in mid-air, hovering over Harry's shoulder, Ginny suddenly dropped her arm to her side as she heard the heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.
"So are we ready to see how rotten I can be now?" Ron said, carrying what Harry knew as a Muggle soccer ball under his arm.
As the three walked into the kitchen they ran into Mrs. Weasley. She was dressed in her best robes, and had to coin bag hanging from one wrist, with several papers in her hands.
"My, my, Harry. Some rather difficult courses this year. All N.E.W.T. classes. Someone much have done exceedingly well on their O.W.L's. Well now, I have your key, Harry, dear. I'm off to get your new school things. I'm sure you three won't get into any trouble? Good."
Mrs. Weasley apparated with an audible crack. Ron and Ginny looked towards Harry and then continued outside.
"How many O.W.L's did you get, Harry?"
"Five." Harry seemed a little shy about the particular subject since he'd had so much time to study for them the year before. With no Quidditch practice and Hermione as a study partner, what else could he have expected. "How 'bout you, Ron?"
"Five. Barely, at least I can give up Potions. Won't need it anymore."
Harry stopped suddenly. Ron wasn't taking Potions anymore? When did that happen? And why wasn't he? Of course, Harry couldn't blame him. If Potions weren't a requirement for Auror, he himself would have dropped the subject. He'd been surprised he'd even O.W.Led in the subject to begin with. Now he could continue on to N.E.W.T level.
"What are you going for anyway? Career wise, I mean." Harry asked, jogging to catch up with the two Weasley's.
"I'm not sure exactly. But I know it's going to be something I only need an O.W.L in Potions. I've had enough of Snipe to last a lifetime."
Ron and Ginny came to a stop in a small clearing. At one end close to the tree line, Harry saw three hoops lifted into the air. Looking closer Harry saw they were basketball hoops that had been nailed vertically on top of large tree trunks. Harry couldn't say much for appearance but it was indeed noticeable that the Weasley's made-do with what they could build.
"Seeing as how we don't have a Snitch, I thought we could help Ron practice. Besides, Harry doesn't need any help being a Seeker."
"Plus it'll help your practice for Chaser try-outs." Harry smiled.
The three set off into the air. Ron took his place among the "rings" while Harry and Ginny began playing a short game of catch with the soccer ball. A short time later, Harry and Ginny were up by five goals out of six attempts. Harry had misjudged the angle and missed the hoop all together as it fell through Ron's outstretched arms just the left of the hoop. As the day wore on, Ron had finally found his groove and began saving goal after goal. By the time they had finished playing their scores, had they been keeping them, would have been ten out of twenty-seven attempts.
As the three teens walked lazily and tiredly back into the kitchen, the rest of the Weasley family had returned home. Fred and George were counting the day's cast take-in, Mr. Weasley was going over a short note about some televisions that were growing legs and walking off in the middle of programs, Mrs. Weasley was finishing up dinner as she told the three to clean up quickly. Tomorrow would be an early day and they had to get to bed straight after supper in order to get to the station by ten o'clock.
Ron and Harry walked up to the top floor and both began for the bathroom. However, Ron was just a little faster than Harry. Harry laughed a little then turned to walk the short distance back to Ron's room. He sat on the edge of his bed and took out his photo album. He skipped over the pages until he got to the last one. It was taken of everyone during Christmas at Grimmald Place. He, Ron and Hermione were talking softly then waving furiously. Ginny and the twins were laughing and waving with a smile. The adults: Molly, Arthur and Sirius were all standing behind them with loving glances and warm smiles.
After nearly twenty minutes (Ron took an extra long shower; Harry a short but thorough one) the two boys reappeared downstairs to find the family already eating. The boys ate, talking when spoken to, to tired to join much of the conversation. After dinner, Harry remained downstairs to aid in cleanup then was ushered off to bed by Mrs. Weasley.
Harry's head hit the pillow and he fell asleep quickly, his thoughts on the bright red train he'd be boarding in just a few hours, on his way back to the first "real" home he'd ever known. That is until he'd come to the Burrow and been brought into the Weasley family without so much as a second thought. Tomorrow he'd return to Hogwarts.
A/N: Ok, so what do you think so far? I'm posting one more chapter just to tease you them you all have a long wait. Please review and point out any mistakes if you will. Hope you enjoy!