The New Member
Chapter 14
Catherine Johnson was nervous and excited. It wasn't every day that you get invited to join a top-secret organisation. She had gotten to know about the Order of the Phoenix from her sister's friends, Fred and George Weasley. Her younger sister, Angelina, had invited her along with another of her friends, Lee Jordan to the Leaky Cauldron to congratulate the twins on their new venture, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.
Catherine had agreed to come only because she had met up with Angelina on her way to Gringotts and also because she knew Angelina had a thing going on between herself and one of the twins, and as her older sister, she was concerned.
The twins had then acted rather suspiciously and taken them to a muggle restaurant outside the Leaky Cauldron and then proceeded to tell them about the Order of the Phoenix. She had been amazed to hear that Dumbledore was the head of the organization and that the Weasleys were already part of it. They had also asked them to join, saying that they invited only the people they could trust.
Angelina had been thrilled by the idea and immediately agreed along with Lee Jordan. Catherine wasn't fooled. She knew her sister had agreed mainly because the Weasley twins were also a part of it. Catherine, who was an Auror Trainee, was apprehensive and rightfully so.
"Come on, Cathy. We always said we'll do something to make a difference. Joining the Order seems like the right thing to do," pleaded Angelina.
"That's why I joined the Auror program. To make a difference," said Catherine reasonably.
Lee spoke up. "But the Ministry hasn't been doing much regarding You-Know-Who all this time, have they? They never believed Harry was saying the truth until they saw him for themselves."
Catherine knew that too. She and Angelina had always shared a close bond despite having a five year age gap between them. She had told Catherine over the holidays, all about Potter's little Defence group and how much she had learned. She was quite astounded to hear about their daring, to tell the truth.
"But how can I juggle my time between my Auror training and the Order? I can't make excuses in the Department," said Catherine.
"Don't worry," said George Weasley. "The Order won't give us anything to do beyond our time and capability. Look at us, for example. We have a shop to run, but even we get time-offs like the evenings and weekends."
Fred added, "We need members, especially, ones in the Ministry. Helps keep an eye on what they are up to, you see. We have Aurors in the Order too."
"Really? How many Aurors are there," asked Catherine, genuinely interested.
"As far as I know, we have a retired Auror, Alastor Moody, who was the best in the field and also two Aurors who are currently working in the Ministry. There might be more, they're trying to recruit over the summer," said Fred.
Catherine was tempted to join now, partly because she could meet the Alastor Moody. He was almost a legend in the Auror Training program. But then, she realised something.
"I'm not that good of a fighter, I'm still just a trainee," said Catherine truthfully.
George waved his hand dismissively. "At least you're an Auror trainee! Imagine us! We're barely out of school. That's not at all a problem. Moody has been tasked to train up the new recruits, so we'll be fine."
That was what had made Catherine accept the invitation finally. She could learn from the best, while also doing her part in the war. It was a win-win scenario.
She entered the twins' flat above their shop in Diagon Alley where Angelina was already there along with Jordan and the twins.
George clapped his hands together. "Now that we're all here, let's get going. The meeting starts in fifteen minutes and we're going to take a portkey directly to Headquarters."
He pulled out a bent tin-can and held it out to them and everyone put a finger on the portkey. It glowed brilliantly and they were off.
oOo
Sunday, July 28
They arrived on a small patch of unkempt grass on a street. The surrounding buildings with their grimy walls and broken windows looked unwelcoming in Catherine's opinion. Fred (or George) was ushering them behind a couple of trees. He pulled out his wand and muttered, 'Homenum revelio.'
Making sure they were well and truly alone, he pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket.
"Here, read this. Memorize it," he said handing it to Jordan. She and Angelina leaned in to read the paper which had a narrow, loopy handwriting.
The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix can be found in Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
George took back the parchment and burned it to ash with his wand tip just as Jordan said, "But where's…"
Catherine gasped, and so did Angelina and Jordan, as she saw a house materializing right in front of her eyes. She looked back at the twins' dumbly but they were already pulling them forward.
Fred said, "We'll leave in groups. Catherine, Jordan, with me. Angelina, you're with George."
Catherine was the only one to notice the blush rising in Angelina's cheeks before she followed Fred along with Jordan and crossed the street to the dilapidated building. It had the number 12 on the door with peeling paint and a knocker in the shape of a snake with no keyhole. Fred tapped the door with his wand, which then unlocked with a series of rattling sounds and swung open ominously.
"In you go," he said and waited for George and Angelina to catch up. Once they were all in, he shut the door and they were plunged into darkness. A thrill of foreboding washed over Catherine as Jordan whispered, "Why is it so dark?"
A hissing sound accompanied the sudden burst of gas lamps along the walls, illuminating a threadbare carpet and a cobwebbed chandelier along with old, grimy portraits. Both the chandelier and the candelabra were shaped like serpents. Wondering why on earth the Headquarters of the Order was in a place that looked like it belonged to someone who diligently practiced the Dark Arts, she silently took in the house.
George whispered, "Keep your sounds to a minimum," and he walked forward with the rest shuffling noiselessly behind.
At the far end of the hall, Catherine could hear murmuring and George opened the door to a spacious dining. People were seated haphazardly and talking amongst themselves when the voices quietened as they entered.
Fred announced, "Everyone, meet the newest recruits. Angelina and Catherine Johnson and Lee Jordan."
Catherine felt awkward as people watched politely, some offering greetings when she heard the familiar voice of her Head of House, Professor McGonagall.
"Johnson, Jordan and ah Miss Johnson," she added lastly, smiling at Catherine. She had always had a soft spot for her and Catherine politely shook her former teacher's hand.
"Why Professor, you seem to have forgotten us!" said Fred with a wicked grin.
"You both know you are unforgettable with that stunt you pulled whilst leaving Hogwarts," said McGonagall, her lips twitching.
Fred and George both mimed an odd choking sound. "That is… the highest praise we have ever received from you, dear Professor!"
Angelina and Catherine laughed while Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes. "It is a pity I can't take points off of you now."
Jordan and the twins were still laughing when the room quietened again and Catherine turned to see Professor Dumbledore striding into the room, looking resplendent in his midnight blue robes.
Everyone scrambled to take up the seats in the dining table, which seemed to have been magically enlarged to seat around twenty people. She recognized two blokes with flaming red hair who looked like they were the twins' brothers, their father Mr. Weasley, Kingsley Shacklebolt who she knew was a top Auror and another Auror with bubblegum pink hair that she had only seen in passing in the Ministry.
After a round of introductions for the newcomers, Dumbledore made some announcements.
"I have grave news. Amelia Bones was found murdered in her house this evening."
People gasped and exclaimed in horror when Dumbledore called for quiet. "It will be in the Prophet tomorrow. But the time has come. Voldemort has made his first wizarding attack and it will only be a matter of time before he progresses to attack all muggleborns and anyone who stand in his way."
Professor McGonagall looked close to tears. "Why was Amelia targeted? She hasn't explicitly done anything against You-Know-Who!"
"I presume it has to do with Sirius' acquittal. She was the Head of Magical Law Enforcement."
Kingsley Shacklebolt looked thoughtful. "I wonder if You-Know-Who did it to show the world that anyone who helps Sirius and in turn, Potter, will be dealt with similarly."
The silence was too loud as people sat in their seats stunned by the idea. Moody spoke up, a permanent grimace on his marred face. "You-Know-Who has been lying low ever since his return has been publicised, because he lost many key Death Eaters to Azkaban. With Dementors as his allies, it is only a matter of time before he breaks them out again."
Shacklebolt said in his deep voice. "This leaves the Order with the job of tailing the Death Eaters. We need to get wind of their plans and make sure to stop them before it comes to fruition."
Then, Dumbledore and Moody had detailed the plan to train the members of the Order. Catherine was excited by that and then the younger members had to take their leave as Dumbledore detailed mission plans to the older members.
Catherine along with her sister, Jordan, the twins and their brothers were ushered to a drawing room on the first floor along with the other Auror in the group.
The Auror with pink hair came up to her. "Wotcher, I'm Tonks!" she said brightly.
Catherine instantly thought she liked the young witch who was about a couple of years older than her. "Hi! I'm Catherine Johnson" she said, offering her hand to shake.
Tonks smiled as she shook her hand. "You're a trainee, aren't you? I've seen you in the Department."
"Yes, I am. I got in just last year," said Catherine proudly.
"What makes you join the Order?" asked Tonks.
"Well, I want to help out because someone has to, don't they?"
"Well said," said Charlie, joining in the conversation. Catherine remembered seeing him in school, but he had been a couple of years senior to her and she hadn't talked to him before.
Catherine flushed. "Also, I wanted to learn under Alastor Moody."
"Oh! That's splendid!" exclaimed Tonks happily. "Moody was my mentor, you know? He's simply the best. He may be a little difficult to get along with at first, but he's alright."
Catherine smiled when Bill Weasley spoke up. "Before we start, there are some things you need to know."
"First, and most obviously, you are not to repeat anything, and I mean anything, that we discuss in the Order. No mentioning the names of members or any plans to meet, nothing. Are we clear?"
When everybody nodded their heads to show their understanding, he continued. "Also, it's quite imperative that as an Order Member you should be able to produce a Patronus. That's the fastest and most reliable way of communicating. We'll be practising that first."
"And," said Bill, as if remembering something at just that moment, "whenever there is an Order meeting, you will Apparate directly onto the top step of Number 12. Not even a step below, you understand?"
"Why's that?" asked Angelina curiously.
"Because, this house is under the Fidelius Charm. Dumbledore himself placed it, which means you physically cannot relay the address of this place to anyone or bring anyone with you who is not a member of the Order, unless Dumbledore himself tells the address."
Catherine understood then that the piece of parchment she had read was written by Dumbledore.
"So," continued Bill, "Apparating directly to the top step is important since the Fidelius Charm covers till that area. Anywhere else and you'll be spotted by outsiders. The date and time of future Order meetings will be relayed to you by word of mouth. In your case, you'll get to know from Fred or George or even Tonks."
After that, they got around to practising the Patronus Charm, which was easily the most difficult spell till date that Catherine had tried. She was amazed when her sister and Jordan could produce one within a few tries.
"We learnt it in the DA last year. Harry taught us," said Jordan, grinning as his Patronus form vanished.
Feeling rather put out, she had been relieved when Tonks had cheered her up, saying it took her days to get it right too.
The meeting below was almost over and the older wizards and witches along with Dumbledore had left, leaving only them and few others namely Mr. Weasley, Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Remus Lupin.
They were busying around the stove making dinner and Catherine also offered to help. It was a rather joyous affair, chatting and getting to know each other and the twins made conversation very light-hearted and interesting. She was eating her steak, talking to Ms. Vance and Tonks, who caught her up with the current affairs in the Ministry.
"How is Sirius by the way, Remus?" said Mr. Weasley, talking across the table.
George asked, "Where is he now actually? The Prophet didn't say…"
"Sirius moved in to a new house although I can't tell you where," said Lupin, mildly.
"Bet Harry loves that!" grinned Fred.
It was only then Catherine realised that they were talking about Sirius Black and Harry Potter, Daily Prophet's source of unlimited fodder for the month.
Lupin was smiling. "I swear it's like having two teenagers in the house, instead of one!"
Most of them laughed when Angelina asked unsurely, "Is Sirius Black really Harry's godfather?"
It was George who spoke, still smiling. "It was a bit of a shock for us too when we found out."
Jordan was confused. "But why did he break into Hogwarts in our fifth year if he wasn't really a mad killer then?"
Catherine was then sucked into the wildest story she had ever heard – of betrayal and illegal Animagi and werewolves (where she was startled to learn that Lupin was a real werewolf) and a man who was wrongly convicted for twelve years in Azkaban.
She shuddered, still unable to imagine how a man could have been sane, staying in the maximum security prison with Dementors standing guard day in and day out.
It was altogether a very eventful day and her mind was still buzzing with the things she had heard when she went to sleep.
oOo
Remus walked into the empty bedroom and Dumbledore closed the door behind him and cast a silencing spell on the door.
"I am sorry I have to put you through this again Remus, but if there was another way, I would…"
"It's alright, Dumbledore. I understand the importance of our situation. I am the only werewolf around who can do it, so it would be stupid of me to not at least try," said Remus.
Dumbledore looked at him for a moment before sighing. "How is Harry? And Sirius?"
Remus smiled genuinely. "I talked with them just this morning through the mirror. They are doing fine. Harry is really good for him."
"I think it goes both ways when it comes to Sirius and Harry," said Dumbledore thoughtfully.
Remus nodded. "You could say that. I've never seen Harry so happy before."
Dumbledore sighed again looking every bit his age. "There is no need to inform them now of what is happening here, Remus. They will know eventually. Let them enjoy the few days they have left in peace."
"When do I start the mission?"
"I think you must visit the werewolves within the week. We do not want Voldemort to get to them first. Try to convince Greyback, or as many as the other werewolves in the pack. But if all else fails, return home, Remus," said Dumbledore, gravely.
Remus nodded anxiously, yet determined. "I will try my best."
oOo
