Chapter 8:

The Order's Plan

Once they were in the room, Harry, Kingsley, Cedric and Oliver sat on the left side of the table, across from Remus, Severus and Tonks. Sirius sat at the front, while Moody stood by the fireplace behind him. Meanwhile, Katherine and Mrs. Weasley stood in the back of the room.

During the meeting, Harry made certain everyone knew he was responsible for their arrival in Little Whinging, despite Cedric's contradictions. It was because of him they were facing these dreadful charges.

"These are grim times, Harry," Remus stated, as Kingsley handed him a current copy of The Daily Prophet.

Harry's eyes widened when he saw the headline: The Boys Who Lie; above a picture of him, Cedric and Dumbledore. A second later the picture dissolved into a photograph of Fudge, with the headline: All Is Well.

"He's been attacking Dumbledore as well," Sirius added. Fudge is using all his power, along with his influence at The Daily Prophet to smear anyone who claims the Dark Lord has returned."

"But why?" Harry blurted, as the auror handed the paper to Cedric, so he and Oliver could read it.

"The Minister thinks Dumbledore is after his job," Remus interjected.

"But, that's insane," Harry bluntly stammered. "No one in their right mind could believe that Dumbledore would..."

"Exactly, the point. Fudge isn't in his right mind," Remus iterated. "It's been twisted and warped by fear. Now fear makes people do terrible things, Harry. The last time Voldemort gained power, he almost destroyed everything we hold most dear. Now that he's returned, the Minister will do almost anything to avoid facing that terrifying truth."

"We think Voldemort wants to build up his army again," Sirius murmured, causing all eyes to face him. "Fourteen years ago, he had huge numbers at his command. Not just witches and wizards, but all manner of dark creatures. He's been recruiting heavily and we've been trying to do the same; but gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in..." he solemnly delineated, as Moody cleared his throat. "We believe Voldemort might be after something."

"Sirius," Moody blurted.

"Something he didn't have last time."

"You mean like a weapon?" Harry asked.

"No!" Katherine huffed, marching to the front of the room. "That's enough. He's just a boy!" She snapped, grabbing the paper from Cedric. "They all are!"

"You say one more word and you might as well induct them in the Order, straight away," Mrs. Weasley stammered, walking towards Katherine.

"Good! I want to join!" Harry exclaimed. "If Voldemort is raising an army than I want to fight."

Sirius gave them satisfied look and tapped the table, before sitting all the way back in his chair.

"Harry..." Cedric questioned, touching his shoulder, making the younger boy meet his gaze. "Are you sure?"

Harry knew he couldn't pass on this chance. If there was anything he could do, he had to do it. But, he couldn't imagine losing Cedric. He wouldn't let that happen again. "I have to do it, Ced," he suspired, lowering his eyes. "I almost lost you in the graveyard. I have to stop him."

"Then, I'm joining as well," Cedric stated, cupping Harry's hand.

"Ced, I don't want to you to get hurt..."

"Harry, we're in this together," Cedric reassured, turning to face Oliver. "Oli, I know it's a lot to ask. You don't have to..."

"If you're joining, then I'm definitely joining," Oliver replied. "Like you said, we're in this together."

Cedric smiled then looked up at his mother. "Mum, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, my love," she assured. "I already agreed to join the Order. Sirius," she spoke, glancing at him. "It appears you have four new members."

"I'm surprised at you, Katherine," Severus started, averting her gaze towards him. "You claim they're only children, yet you willingly let your son join an Order than can't necessarily guarantee his safety or the safety of his friends."

"I'll have you know my son is not helpless," she quipped, glaring at the dark robed man. "Neither is Oliver. Both of them have mastered a great deal of magic. Some skills that even outmatch my own."

"Professor Snape," Cedric interjected. "Ever since we were first years, you've browbeaten us, debased us and made us question our very worth as a person. You don't get that power anymore," he declared. "We won't allow your snide remarks to cloud our minds with fear."

"Hell, we might even be able to put some of your skills to shame," Oliver remarked, smirking.

Severus was rendered totally speechless. Never before had any of his students defied him in such a manner. He immediately stood and briskly walked out of the room; slamming the door behind him.

"Oh, that man," Katherine scowled. "He finally got a taste of his own medicine. Sirius, they should be showed to their room. I imagine you have large enough for the three of them."

"Indeed," he replied, standing. "With all my present company, I'm afraid you will have to share one, but it's only temporary. After the trail, you'll be able to return home. Which reminds me, Caldora will be present."

"Don't expect any help from her," Oliver scoffed.

"I will try to contact her," Katherine offered. "I'll see what I can do."

When they left the room, they saw Hermione holding Crookshanks; trying to pull an ear out of his mouth.

"Eavesdropping," Oliver laughed, looking at Fred and George, who were standing behind her next to Ron.

"Well, you can't blame us. Who would want to miss out on this meeting?"

"Love, your room is on the fourth floor, on the left," Katherine whispered.

"Thanks, mum," he replied, as he and Oliver grabbed their luggage. "Harry, you can catch up. We'll be upstairs," he informed.

"Okay." Harry smiled, watching them ascend the stairwell.

"Katherine, before you go, I'd like to speak with you," Sirius softly stated. "Meet me in the library on the second floor on your right."

Katherine nodded then headed up the stairs, while Sirius headed back into the drawing room; leaving Harry alone with his friends.

"Cedric was bloody brilliant," Fred remarked. "No one has ever told off Snape like that before. I wish we could have seen his face."

"He looked positively livid when he stormed out of the house," he added, laughing with George.

"He deserved it," Ron chuckled, staring at Harry. "It's good to see you, mate." He smiled, hugging him. "I'm sorry we didn't write."

"Dumbledore swore us to secrecy," Hermione groaned.

"How did you spend your summer?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"Gallivanting with Krum, that's what," Ron scoffed.

"Ron!" Hermione chided, icily glaring at him.

"Gallivanting?" Harry questioned.

"Yeah. He took her on a bloody broom ride. So much for staying undercover."

"No one knew there was danger then," Hermione quipped.

"He got you to fly?" Harry quizzically asked, trying not to laugh.

"Yes," Hermione giggled, covering her face. "I never dreamed I'd be able to do it. But, it was amazing."

"Where did you go?"

"All over Britain. We even flew over Hogwarts and the lake."

"Really? So did we!" Harry exclaimed. "We probably just missed each other."

"Damn. I wish we would have seen you."

"What about you, Ron?"

"We've been busy moving in here. Sirius wanted us to watch over his home while he was gone. Make sure it was still safe to hold meetings."

"All in all, a very boring summer," Fred groaned.

"Harry," Ginny spoke, coming up from the kitchen.

"Hi," Harry greeted. "Have you been down there the whole time?"

The young girl sighed. "Mum didn't want me to hear anything. I'm 'too young' for it. I see you managed to listen in," she laughed, glancing at the ear in Hermione's hand.

"Oh!" The older girl huffed, shoving it at Fred. "I completely forgot I was holding that thing. Gross."

"Lighten up, Hermione. It's not as though it were a real ear," George teased.

"Lay off her," Ron scolded.

"What did I miss?"

"Harry's boyfriend totally letting Snape have it!" Fred exclaimed. "Gin, he was brilliant! I never thought Cedric had it in him."

"Not to mention Oliver's reaction to Cedric joining," George added.

"Aye; and here we thought he was more broomstick than human. A fool could see he still has feelings for Cedric. You better watch out, Harry."

"Will you just shut it!" Ron hissed, glaring at his brothers. "Cedric is with Harry. Whatever happened between him and Oliver is in the past."

"Did you hear the same conversation?" Fred asked.

"It doesn't matter what you think. It's between him and Harry."

"Ron's right," Hermione remarked. "Besides, we don't really know either of them. Only Harry does. It's not our place to judge them."

"I wonder what they're doing up there now?" George pondered, glancing up the stairwell.

"Most likely the moment they entered the room, Oli made his move," Fred jeered, pulling George into a tight embrace. "Oh, Ced. I need you!" He exclaimed, as they exchanged kissing sounds.

Hermione rolled her eyes, before seeing Oliver and Cedric standing on the second floor landing. "Uh...guys..." she stuttered, as Fred and and George turned to see their icy glares; making their faces turn white.

"Lucky for you I'm no longer Gryffindor's Captain. If I were, you'd both be permanently banned from the team," Oliver snapped.

"We didn't mean any harm," Fred assured, his voice almost cracking.

"Sure," Cedric scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Harry, you want to bring up your things? We cleared a spot for Hedwig by the window.

"Yeah. I'll be right there," Harry replied, while the other boys headed back to their room.

"All right, you lot," Molly spoke, opening the drawing room door. "To the kitchen. It's time for breakfast."

"I'll be right down," Sirius informed, walking past Remus towards the stairwell.

"Professor," Harry spoke, trying to get Remus's attention. "I wonder if I might have a word with you."

"Of course." He smiled, beckoning Harry to follow him. "We can talk in the study across from the library."

Harry eagerly walked up the stairs with him, as everyone else headed to the kitchen.

"Serves you right," Ron laughed. "I really miss Oliver. He's the only one who makes your voices crack."

"He's like McGonagall," Ginny giggled.

"He's not that scary," Fred countered.

"Both your faces turned ghostly white," Hermione laughed.

Once they reached the landing, Remus opened the door, revealing the study and motioned Harry to enter; closing the door behind them.

"Now what can I do for you?"

"Remember when you told me that each patronus has a different meaning?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"And that supernatural creatures were even rarer to generate."

"It takes a strong will to generate a supernatural creature. Why do you ask?"

"Well, when the dementors attacked, I was stunned. Cedric and Oliver had to make their own. When they did, both their patronuses took the form of a unicorn."

"I see. A majestic creature indeed."

"I was wondering exactly what that represented?"

"A unicorn? Well, it represents a very pure and loyal heart. Albeit their stamina and stubborn attitude, they can be quite shy when it comes to revealing their true selves."

"That matches them so well," Harry remarked. "Neither of them really talk about their past."

"But, both have pure hearts and are extremely loyal to their friends."

"Does that make their patronuses stronger?"

"Not at all. Harry, it doesn't matter if it's a unicorn or a hedgehog. The strength depends on the wielder. If your thoughts don't generate enough light, it will fail. The creature only represents their personality."

"I wonder why I wasn't strong enough to stop them?"

"Harry, you've been put through a great deal of stress. More than anyone should be forced to handle. When you came face to face with them, you weren't ready. It takes a clear mind to focus on a happy memory. Never doubt that you're strong. You've survived more than any of us could imagine."

Harry smiled, knowing he was right. He just needed confidence in himself.

"Now, I'm famished," Remus stated, opening the door.

"I'll let them know," Harry replied, leaving the room with him. When they got to the main floor, he grabbed Hedwig's cage and his suitcase; while Remus headed to the kitchen. When he got to the bedroom door, he thought he heard a shuffling sound coming from the top floor. Gently setting Hedwig and his luggage down, he quietly followed the sound up the the sixth floor.

Whatever was making it was inside the room on the left. Harry nervously opened the door and entered the room. When he saw what was making the sound, his lips immediately curled.

"Buckbeak!" He rushed towards him, wrapping his arm around the hippogriff's neck. "It's so good to see you," he blithely spoke, while Buckbeak neighed softly. "I'm sorry you've got to be trapped in here. I know exactly how that feels," Harry suspired, stroking his feathers. Then a thought hit him. Cedric and Oliver had never met Buckbeak. They only heard stories about him. This was their chance to finally meet him. "I'll be right back," Harry promised, quickly leaving them room. He raced down the stairs to the bedroom and opened the door; seeing both boys sitting on their beds. "Guys, there's someone I want you to meet."

"Who's that?" Cedric asked, moving into an upright position.

"Sirius has Buckbeak in the attic."

"Buckbeak!"

"The hippogriff," Oliver interjected.

"He's terribly lonely. He could use the company."

"Of course we'd love to meet him." Cedric smiled, as he and Oliver both stood.

When the boys reached the top floor, Harry opened the door; revealing the hippogriff in the middle of the room.

"He's beautiful," Cedric remarked, as Harry closed the door.

Both he and Oliver gave the hippogriff a slight bow.

Buckbeak neighed; bowing as well.

Cedric slowly approached him and stroked his neck. "He's so soft."

Buckbeak seemed to smile, before licking Cedric's cheek.

"He definitely likes you, Ced," Oliver laughed, extending his hand to touch one of Buckbeak's feathers. "Too bad he has to be cooped up in here. There's hardly enough room from him to stand, much less walk."

"I know. But, Sirius has to keep him hidden. If anyone saw him, they'd find Sirius," Cedric sighed.

"Hopefully, he can stretch his wings soon," Oliver replied, feeling Buckbeak licking his cheek.

"You both just made a friend for life," Harry declared, smiling.

Meanwhile, Katherine and Sirius spent their time reminiscing about old times.

"Sirius, I'm so sorry I thought you were responsible for everything. I feel so foolish."

"Katherine, it's all right," he assured. "Even Remus thought I was guilty. What matters know is finding that artifact before Voldemort does."

"I always wanted you and Remus to have a happy ending. The two of you were so close."

"Indeed. But, that was long ago. We don't know nearly as much in common now."

"Love doesn't end overnight, Sirius," she countered. "Anyone can see you both still care for each other."

Sirius smiled. "You haven't changed at all. You're still that headstrong girl we knew and loved. You almost could have been in Gryffindor. But, you're not quite stubborn enough," he laughed.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Katherine chuckled. "Oh, I remember the times Lily and I spent in the courtyard; going on about our lives. Our hopes and dreams."

"How did you friendship with Caldora end?"

Katherine sighed heavily. "She started spending more time with Narcissa; who introduced her to Bellatrix. That's why I stopped speaking to her. I was afraid she'd turn into a bigot. I didn't want Lily to get hurt. Fortunately, she's still a strong witch," Katherine affirmed. "Caldora never condoned their views on life or how they treated others. I just wish she would be there more for Oliver. He needs her, yet she buries herself in her work at the Ministry."

"He seems to be coping well."

"You have Cedric to thank for that. The boys have always been close. Anytime he asked to have Oliver over for the holiday, I gladly agreed. Anything to give that poor boy some happiness."

"I know it's none of my business, but were they..."

"A couple? Maybe they were for a short time. However, the boys were too young to really know what they wanted out of life," Katherine murmured. "They're still too young to really understand the world around them. I just pray we can destroy that wretched creature."

"I know we will, Katherine. We just need faith and patience."