Reposted on 11/8/05

THE NEW ORDER

By

Padfootjr24

Chapter Two: Harvesting the New HQ

When Remus' feet impacted solid ground once again he quickly looked around at his surroundings with his wand raised. He could see that he was now inside a circular chamber with only one apparent exit besides the way he came in. He was a little disgusted to see the bones of many small animals scattered about his feet. Despite his shabby appearance Remus Lupin, Marauder, prankster extraordinaire was a serious neat freak. He was just thinking of the irony when a sudden movement to his left caught his attention. In one fluid motion he snapped his wand back up and spun around to be met with the grinning face of Harry Potter.

"Easy there big fella, we are the only two living souls down here." Harry said just before a muffled grunt was heard as Moody hit the ground after sliding through the entrance. "Ok, the three of us are the only living souls down here." He said with a cheeky grin as he watched 'Mad Eye' Moody's magical eye spin in its socket several times before resting on Harry.

"Satisfied that nothing is going to come out and eat you?" He asked the old battle scared Auror.

"Yes, where to Potter?"

"The main chamber is this way." He answered as he walked along the only available path. As they moved deeper into the Chamber of Secrets Harry could not help but remember how he felt over three years before when he first entered Salazar Slytherin's domain. The fear, the anxiety, the conflicting emotions of what would happen if he failed. What would happen if he succeeded?

He had not really thought of the time between parting with Ron and facing the memory of Tom Riddle in a long time, or if he ever thought about it at all. And he was surprised to realize that of all of his worries at that time he felt none for himself. He was scared yes, who wouldn't be. But his fears had rested with Ron, trapped on the other side of the cave in. With Ginny who at that moment was dying and with Hermione and every other student that had been petrified. So lost was he in his thoughts that he did not realize that he had stopped walking and that his two companions were 'attempting' to gain his attention. It was not until Remus had grabbed him by his shoulders to shake him that Harry snapped out of his thoughts.

"WHAT?" Harry snapped loudly as the ragged werewolf shook him.

"Well we have been trying to get your attention for several minutes now. You just stopped walking and had a blank look on your face." Remus explained with concern in his voice while Moody just grunted in annoyance. Looking up Harry realized he was now standing before the massive wrought iron door that led into the main chamber where a very big and very dead Basilisk still lay.

"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about the last time I was down here." Harry explained with a sigh before continuing. "You might want to use a bubble head charm or something because after three years I'm sure it's a bit ripe in there."

"What, you mean that thing is still in there? Why didn't Albus take care of that?" Moody asked in confusion.

"How would he have been able to? The only known parselmouths are me and old snake-face. Dumbledore would have had no way of getting down here. I suspect that he didn't ask me to lead him down here because he thought it would have put undue emotional strain on me or some such psychological rubbish. But like I said, it will probably smell like hell by now so..."

"I don't think you need to worry about that Potter. Just go ahead and open the door." Harry looked extremely confused at Moody's statement but did not bother to question it and proceeded to open the massive door.

/Open up/ He hissed and was well aware of both Mad Eye and Remus cringing as they heard the hissing issuing from his mouth just before the groaning of the ancient door sounded all around them as it swung open.

MMM

It had taken a few moments but everyone managed to shake off their confusion over Harry's abrupt exit enough to get back down to business. Hermione, ever the one to go after information was the first to speak up.

"Professor you said that the..." She began but cut off after meeting Professor Dumbledore's eye. Sighing in resignation she corrected herself and continued. "Sorry, Albus, you said that the Ministry was taking no additional steps to combat You-Know-Who. Could you elaborate on that?"

"Certainly my dear. Despite seeing Voldemort with his own eyes Cornelius refuses to admit that there is a serious threat. He will not approve the recruitment and training of new Aurors. And many of those Aurors now employed by the Ministry have little to no experience fighting Death Eaters. Many high ranking officials have used Voldemort's return as a stepping stone to get their own laws passed that effectively strips many citizens of their rights simply because they are 'impure' or 'half breeds' such as werewolves, vampires, centaurs, veelas and giants. This pureblood rhetoric will be most effective in driving would be allies into the ranks of Voldemort's Death Eaters." To say that Hermione was down right infuriated with this explanation would have been the understatement of the year. However she held her tongue.

"I have a question sir." Another of the students spoke up. A young Slytherin girl by the name of Blaise Zabini.

"Yes Blaise?"

"You said that some of what we will be doing will be illegal. Just how illegal are we talking about?" The young woman asked with a sly grin. The tips of Dumbledore's mustache twitched as if he were about to grin himself but he held it back.

"Some of it concerns the training you will be given. As you know it is illegal for underage wizards and witches to learn to apperate, create portkeys and learn the animagus transformation. You will all learn all of this. When it comes to our actual operations it could mean any number of charges if we were to get caught. Trespassing, burglary, assault, kidnapping. Things of that nature."

"KIDNAPPING!" Hermione exclaimed in shock as she shot out of her seat. "Why the hell would we kidnap anyone?" She demanded as Ron look up at her in shock. Had he just heard Hermione 'goody goody' Granger swear.

"Granger, think about that for just a moment will you," Blaise began. What is with Slytherins always calling people by their last names? "If you were part of an organization, let's say the Order of the Phoenix, and you were fighting a dark wizard, oh lets call him Voldemort, and you and your colleagues kidnapped someone, who do you think it would probably be and for what reason?" She finished in a very sarcastic tone.

"Oh, never mind." Hermione mumbled as she sat back down with her eyes on the floor to hide her embarrassment.

"I would rather not have to resort to such tactics but with things as they are we really don't have much choice. We are going to need as much information as we can possibly get if we are to hit Voldemort where it hurts with enough force to make a difference." Albus explained quietly with regret but also with fierce determination.

MMM

"My god, this thing is enormous. This is a lot bigger than sixty feet, more like eighty five. You killed this thing when you were only twelve?" Remus said with awe.

"Hey, I was twelve. I have never been good with numbers. Someone could have told me it was only twenty feet long and I would have believed it. But why the hell isn't this thing rotting? It's been dead for three years but it looks fresh, except for being a bit dry." Harry said quietly in confusion. Moody heard his mumbled question and explained.

"You see Potter, a basilisk's venom runs throughout its body, every part of them. There are very few animals in the world that can eat any part of them and live and none of them would have been able to make it down here. Not even bacteria could survive on it. Therefore it takes a VERY long time for the body to break down." Harry listened to his explanation as he quickly surveyed his surrounding. He was standing less than ten feet from the massive beast and he felt a shiver run down his spine as his eyes locked on the spot that Ginny Weasley's dying body had laid. Still resting on the ground was the very fang the he himself had pulled out of his own arm.

After gently running his fingers down the length of the tooth he picked it up and hid it up the sleeve of his shirt. Turning back towards the great snake Harry was truly astounded at the great beauty of such a feared and ferocious beast. Like Remus had said, it was much larger than the sixty feet he had previously believed. Its large dark emerald green scales glittered in what little light illuminated the chamber and if it weren't for the fact that Harry himself had killed it, he would have believed that the animal was merely sleeping.

"To tell you the truth, I'm glad this thing is still down here. I was wondering, could we use the scales of this snake to make battle robes for members of the order that will spend the most time fighting."

"They could, a basilisk's scales get stronger as they age, and this one was placed in here by Slytherin himself. These are probably stronger than the scales of any dragon alive." Moody said after thinking for a few moments.

"Good, then I would like a set for myself and for my friends."

"I'm sure that can be arranged. After all, you killed the thing. This will actually make an excellent headquarters."

"Yeah it will, when we get it cleaned up anyway. And that has definitely got to go." Remus said pointing to the massive statue of Salazar Slytherin.

"Couldn't agree with you more." Moody mumbled as he looked over the large serpent. "Potter, are there any more rooms or chambers other than this one?"

"Not sure, wasn't exactly here for sight seeing last time. With all of these tunnels along the walls I'm sure there must be something. They can't all be for drainage."

"True, Remus give me a hand with this thing. Potter, while we're harvesting everything useful from this snake here, run up to Dumbledore's office and fetch him and Snape. This is a potions master's wet dream."

"Alright." Harry agreed as he made his way back to the entrance. Upon arrival he looked at Fawkes, who still rested on his shoulder. "Can you give me a lift up please?" he asked politely.

As Harry walked the corridors back towards the Headmaster's office he suddenly began thinking of his friends and their possible reaction to this possible headquarters. He was especially worried about how Ginny would take it. After all she had almost died in that place. Actually most of the Order would probably be terrified to go down there.

"Albus how are we going to train over the summer when the Ministry monitors such things?" Hermione asked curiously. Normally she is the voice of reason when Harry or Ron even think about violating any rules, much less laws, but if it were harmless to others and allowed her to study and practice over the summer than she was all for it. As long as the way to avoid the Ministry came from a reliable source.

"While on Hogwarts grounds it will not be a problem at all as the Ministry is aware that you will be staying here for the remainder of the summer for extra tutoring. However, while not on the school grounds and while on assignments for the Order you will use a different wand. A wand that will be made especially for you, one that the Ministry will not be aware of and therefore unable to trace. Now at some point this summer you will all be taken to Diagon Ally so that you can purchase your new wands. To make the most of these new wands it is preferable that the core of your original wand and that of you new one are different in almost every aspect. The balance of opposites you might say. Also it would be better if it was something personal to you. So if you have such an item, that can be used for a core, then I would recommend that you inform either myself or Aberforth within the next few days. If you do not have such an item then you will have to go through Ollivander's stockroom to find another wand that is suitable for you."

"Will this work?" Everyone spun in their seats to look towards the door, some even fell to the floor, to see who the new voice belonged to.

"Potter, have you ever heard of knocking?" Snape growled as he clutched his chest. "Or at least put a bell around your neck." Deciding that he would attempt to ignore Snape's existence for as long as possible Harry turned back to the Headmaster.

"Well, will this or will this not work for a wand core?" He asked again as he held out the fang that he had picked up off the floor in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Is that..." Professor McGonagall began but was cut off by Snape.

"That's a basilisk fang. Where did you get that Potter?" The potions master growled.

"Which time?" Harry shot back sarcastically. "The first time I got it after I ripped it out of my arm in the Chamber of Secrets during my second year and I have just now retrieved it again." He finished with a sneer. "Now back on topic. The core of my wand is the tail feather of a phoenix, Fawkes to be specific. You don't get more 'opposite' than a phoenix and a basilisk. Also this fang has drawn my blood, nearly killing me, you don't get much more personal than that. So, I will ask only once more, will it work?" It took a while but after a few moments Professor Dumbledore snapped out of his thoughts and answered.

"It just might. It is rare to find a wand with powdered basilisk fang as a core nowadays due to breeding and importation laws. But it is a very stable and magically powerful substance. Where are Remus and Alister?" This final question was asked as Harry was lowering himself back into his chair causing him to freeze and then straighten back up.

"That's right, I was sent back up here to collect you and Professor Snape. So if you would be so kind as to come with me." Much as he did with Remus and Moody, Harry left the office without waiting for an answer, leaving the two professors to play catch-up. After dismissing everyone they began to catch up to the retreating form of Harry Potter, Snape kept his distance while Dumbledore moved up to walk beside the boy.

"Look, Harry, there are some things that we have to discuss." He began quietly.

"Really, and what is that?" Harry replied without taking his eyes off of his path. With a sigh and a deep breath the Headmaster continued.

"Sirius for one." He began cautiously. "I know how you must be feeling, especially with the weight of the prophecy on your shoulders, but it will do you no good what so ever to lock everything away and blame yourself for everything that goes wrong." All of a sudden Dumbledore looked over to see that he was walking alone. Looking back he saw that Harry had stopped walking and was looking at him with a furious look in his eyes.

"Let's get one thing straight right here. First of all, I don't give a shit about the prophecy anymore. At first I was a bit shocked granted, I did not want to become a murderer, to become evil. Then I remembered my first year. To save my life I purposefully killed Professor Quirrell and I got over that. Killing Voldemort will not be a problem for me. Now despite what all of you say, it is my fault that Sirius is dead. If I had simply thought things through then I could have realized that Voldemort didn't really have him. However there is plenty of blame to go around. Snape for one for refusing to actually TEACH Occlumency instead he enjoyed just rifling through my privet thoughts and memories with no REAL explanation of what I was supposed to do.

Then of coarse there is you. You should have stressed the importance and, most of all, the reasons for me learning such a skill and in all of your infinite wisdom you should have had the common sense to realize that Snape could never have put aside his hatred of my father long enough to teach me properly. Now, Sirius is dead and it is my fault and there is nothing any of you can say or do to convince me otherwise. Now let's go." Harry finished as he resumed his journey to the second floor girls bathroom with a saddened headmaster and a fuming potions master behind him. As they entered the restroom, where Fawkes was perched calmly on the door to the far stall, Snape was about to make some snide comment but cut himself off as Harry began hissing and the sink moved off to the side to reveal the opening once again.

"What the devil is that?" The head of Slytherin house gasped out.

"This, I believe, is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets Severus." Dumbledore answered causing Snape's mouth to drop open.

"Come on, Remus and Moody are waiting." Harry said impatiently before lowering himself in. While making their way through the long and narrow corridor Snape's head darted around this way and that as if expecting some giant creature to jump out at any moment and attack.

"Ah you're back, good. We have a lot to go over." Remus greeted as he met Harry and the two Hogwarts professors outside of the giant iron door. "Harry, I checked it out and yes, there are a few other rooms, even some dungeons down here."

"Remus you seem to be way to excited to be down here." Harry snorted at the older man's excitement.

"Harry, incase you have forgotten, I enjoy books about as much as Hermione does. I have read a lot about the legends of the Chamber of Secrets so naturally I have always wanted to find it and come down. But like I said, it needs a serious overhaul and scrub down but I think we may have everything we need down here. We can use the main chamber for our full meetings and there is a small conference room that we can use for smaller ones. There is also a massive potions lab as well as a fairly large sitting area. The place is certainly big enough to suit our needs. All we need to do is clean it up and replace the old furniture and it will be ready to go."

"LUPIN, are they here yet?" Moody yelled from inside of the main chamber.

"Oh, Severus, Alister would like your help in harvesting the useful bits of that basilisk." Remus said. Snape's eye immediately shot open and he rushed through the door as fast as his legs could carry him.

"Alright Remus, go ahead and begin cleaning up. I am going to need Harry's help in changing the password so that we will be able to enter if he is not present." Remus nodded before going about his work while Harry sighed. He may feel grateful to him that he was allowed to join the Order but he didn't really wish to spend much time with the old man at the moment.

"Now Harry, since the password is in the language of an animal to change it you will have to speak the spell in parseltongue then the password. Then repeat the spell in English followed by the new password, understand?" He explained. When Harry nodded in understanding he continued. "Alright, the spell is 'Portus Afermea'. Go ahead." After concentrating for a moment on the engraved snakes on the large door, Harry raised his wand.

'Portus Afermea, open up' He hissed and a soft blue light issued from his wand to encompass the whole door. After a short time the soft glow disappeared and Dumbledore instructed him to begin again. So he repeated the spell, this time in English. 'Portus Afermea, phoenix reborn.' He said in a commanding voice. This time the light from his wand was pale purple in color and instead of simply dissolving after a time it seemed to sink right into the door itself.

"Perfect!" Dumbledore exclaimed loudly causing Harry to jump slightly in shock. "One down, one to go." When they came back up on the entrance again Professor Dumbledore installed a staircase where the slide once stood so that they could pass through more easily. After all, Slytherin and Voldemort had the basilisk to carry them up to the opening but with the number of people in the order it would be unfair to ask Fawkes to carry them all out every time they needed. After changing the password to the main entrance to 'phoenix fire', it was decided that the two different doors would have different passwords, Dumbledore asked if Harry would like to help with the clean up effort.

"Not right now sir. I have to explain to my friends about this. Especially Ron and Ginny. Ginny still has nightmares about the Chamber sometimes so I thought I should tell them as soon as possible."

"Wise decision. By now they are probably getting settled into their quarters. They are on the third floor, your things have already been taken up." The Headmaster explained before he got a distant look in his eyes. At first Harry was worried that the old man was having a heart attack or a stroke before a loud crack echoed through the room.

"Headmaster sir call Dobby sir?" A squeaky voice asked as Harry turned to see Dobby the house elf bowing to Albus Dumbledore.

"Yes Dobby I was wondering if you could show Mr. Potter to his room for me?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

"Dobby would be happy to Headmaster Dumbledore sir." The elf squealed happily as he took Harry's hand and began to pull him out of the bathroom and down one of the many corridors. As they continued Harry got the distinct feeling that he should remember the route they were taking. After several moments of racking his brain he finally realized why this particular path was so familiar.

They were heading straight towards 'Fluff's' old room. Although the giant three headed dog was long since gone it did not stop Harry from shuddering. Stopping before the door he was almost chanting, Fluffy's gone Fluffy's gone Fluffy's gone. Taking a deep breath to steady himself he grasped the door handle only to have it ripped from his hand as the door was flung open and a brown and a red blur slammed into him almost knocking him to the ground.

"Oh Harry, we were so worried about you..."

"Why didn't you write at all?"

"For a while we thought Voldemort got you..." The two babbled on as they nearly cried into his shoulder. Ron was almost on the floor with laughter as he watched the horrified look on his friend's face because lets face it, Harry sucks at touchy, feely, emotional crap. After a few awkward pats on the back Harry managed to untangle himself from Hermione and Ginny and sink into a chair. Looking around he noticed that the room he was currently in was almost like the Gryffindor common room with the exception of the colors. Since members of each house were staying here the room was done up in blues and purples. The group of friends sat in an awkward silence for some time before Ron decided to speak before someone decided to begin grilling Harry on his feelings.

"So, did you find what you were looking for? I mean, a headquarters for the Order." He asked somewhat nervously. Harry took a deep breath before letting out a sigh.

"Yes, I think I did." Harry answered just as nervously but didn't elaborate any further.

"Well?" Hermione asked impatiently causing Harry to fidget slightly under everyone's gaze.

"Well, um, ithoughtwecouldusethechamberofsecrets." He mumbled very fast causing Ron and Hermione to look at him in confusion while Ginny seemed to catch it and went extremely pale.

"What was that?"

"I said, I thought we could use the Chamber of Secrets." He replied after taking several calming breaths. "Dumbledore, Remus, Moody and Snape are down there now cleaning it up."

"Are you insane? Last time both you and Ginny almost died down there." Ron nearly screamed.

"I have to agree with Ron, Harry. There is no telling what kind of dark magic could be going on down there." Hermione added

"Hey, if any of you have any better ideas then speak up. The only other room we could use is the Room of Requirements and that doesn't have any security. The Chamber of Secrets however remained hidden for over a thousand years. You don't get much more secure than that. Now I realize that some of us have had some very bad experiences down there but if we can't get over our fear of a room than how are we ever going to get over our fear of Voldemort." The group fell back into silence after this and were clearly thinking this through. To everyone's surprise, it was Ginny that spoke up first.

"Harry's right you know. I still have nightmares about that place but if I can get other memories of it other than just back during my first year I think it will get better." She said with a small hopeful smile. Hermione sighed in resignation before nodding in agreement and looking at her watch.

"Come on guys, its already one o'clock and we start training tomorrow morning." The others nodded tiredly before getting up to go to bed. Harry followed Ron into the boy's dormitory to find it just like his original in Gryffindor Tower. Neville was already in bed and asleep as well as Terry Boot from Ravenclaw and a Slytherin boy that he did not know. Quickly changing into his pajamas he quietly laid down and drifted off into a sleep plagued with images of Sirius falling through the veil only to re-emerge to blame Harry for his death.

TBC

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