Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling, and am in no way related to her!

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Chapter 9. Reid Balker

Reid Balker…

Where had I heard that name?

Uggh.

It is way too early in the morning to be thinking.

I agree. Yes, with myself. My alter ego.

Oh yes. That name was in the newspaper.

And…

I fell asleep again for a few minutes.

Yesterday afternoon, my subconciousness whispered to me.

I shot up in my bed, heart pounding.

I was definitely awake now.

Why would the foxes be talking about a Reid. A Reid Baulker who happened to be in the Daily Prophet?

I tried to remember back to the inane conversation yesterday. Very hard feat.

Their conversation was about bunnies. I remembered that much.

Wait. They were speaking in code.

My interest piqued and my intelligent mind began spinning.

Flashback…

"Is the bunny safe?" Fred said.

"He is in his hole." George replied.

"Good." Fred said

"Does anyone know?" George's was tense.

"No. Bunny is secure."

"Good."

"So bro, how are you enjoying life with the Order of the Phoenix?"

"It's alright, but you shouldn't be saying the name here." George looked slightly anxious.

"So have you met Reid?"

"Ssh!" George hissed, looking around frantically, "anyone could be listening!"

End Flashback…

From my amazing recovery of the conversation, I came to a couple earth-shattering conclusions.

First of all, those two were hiding this enemy of the Dark Lord.

Second of all, they were a part of a secret organization that goes by the name of "Order of the Phoenix." The name had stuck in my mind because I had always had an obsession with the Phoenix. Not because of its beautiful flame colored plumage. (I still maintain that I hate that color because of certain people's hair). No, it was their mystery and ability to recover from setting themselves on fire. I always wished I had that resiliency.

Anyway, back to the point.

What was I going to do?

I felt a little light bulb pop above my head. Okay, so maybe I didn't, but you get the idea. Idea, haha. I had an idea.

I would go and see Dumbledore.

Sure, a lot of people thought he was too old, batty and insane.

But in my opinion, behind those crazy spectacles, was a very wise old man. I knew that from him, I would receive advice that could be taken into serious account.

And so I marched up to his office, already satisfied with the answer I had not even received from him.

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I emerged from his office fifteen minutes later. I was still in shock. His answer had definitely not been anything that I had expected at all.

I shook my head. Now I couldn't even believe that I had considered turning Fred and George in. What an idiot I had been.

I had stupidly assumed that they had been simply (well, maybe not so simply) dealing in the black market. Little did I know just how serious their business was. I was very grateful that I had not mentioned all of this to anyone but Dumbledore. That was an area where I had surprisingly acted smart.

Things were better left unsaid for the most part, I decided.

My stomach grumbled, and it was then that I knew breakfast was calling.

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Instead of feeling the normal annoyance, walking with Draco and Blaise to 'physical education' class, I was left in a haze of confusion and information overload.

I had no idea how I was going to make my decision.

Draco and Blaise were happily discussing quidditch and upcoming matches, and so they completely missed my abnormal silence.

Gym class passed quickly, and I found myself standing before Fred and George, barely paying attention to what they were saying.

"…so that's what you'll be doing for detention today." Fred finished off, grinning at me.

I supposed that it was something dreadful, but honestly did not care much at the moment because I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts.

Unwittingly, and very stupidly, my thoughts formed words as I spoke "Order of The Phoenix".

It took me a couple of seconds to realize what I had said.

I looked up at them, cringing slightly. I had definitely not meant for that to slip out.

The shock on their faces would have been worth one hundred detentions. However, that was too easy a punishment for my unthinking slip of the tongue.

The next thing I knew, George grabbed me and began dragging me.

I began going over the best moments of my life because I was sure I was going to die.

Their fear was tangible and hung heavy in the air between us.

I don't think I've ever felt so miserable as then.

It wasn't just the thought of death. No.

It was the sense of the rift, the utter separation between us at that moment.

It was a thing too heavy to analyze until later.

Fred was the first to speak. His tone was very serious.
"What should we do with her? We can't kill her and we can't let her go."

But, it was George's voice that sent an icy blade through my being with simply the words, "We'll see." So cold.

Miraculously, there were no students in the hallways we were taking. In fact, I didn't even recognize half of the paths we were on. I could almost swear I heard the two mutter passwords under their breaths. I was also certain we passed through a few walls. Of course that's ridiculous. I was paralyzed with fear. Give me a break.

I eventually realized the direction they were taking me and almost sighed with relief. This was awkward. I was going back to Dumbledore's office. I hadn't even made up my mind yet.

We entered the office, which actually seemed comforting unlike the last time I was here. Of course just about anything is better than death. Well, except Azkaban. I shuddered.

George shoved me into a chair and they recounted what they had so ingeniously deduced from my short phrase. Ugh. That organization was becoming the bane of my existence.

After they were done, Dumbledore seemed incredibly amused.

I was not.

Come on.

This was my life and future we were talking about.

I felt a great mass of anger well up against George. He thought so little of me. Well, I'll show him.

You know how people have life changing moments in their life. Right? They spend days or weeks contemplating the effect the so called decision will have on their life? Well, my life changing moment was not at all like that.

I blurted out, "I've decided to join."

Oh, don't get me wrong. It was worth it to see the stunned look on everyone's faces, even Dumbledore. Though, his surprise quickly turned into a searching look then an almost undecipherable look, which seemed to me a sort of unique amusement that had beneath it a great wisdom.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

That decision became my life.

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Author's Note: And so ends that passage of her life. The next (and last) few chapters of this story will be 2 or 3 years after this scene. Things will be more clearly and better explained in the next chapter. This chapter was meant to be vague.

The last few chapters will show some development on Pansy and George's relationship.

We are hoping you will enjoy that, as it will be the romance part of this story ;)

Chapters will be coming quicker/sooner as we work toward the end of this story. Once we finish this one, we will be writing a partial parody that will be located on our joint account, which I've mentioned before: Zabini the Pyrate

Thank you for all your support.

Thank you to our (few!) reviewers for the last chapter: EcstasyOfSesshoumaru, arrrgghimapiratenow and samkay.

We just LOVE hearing people support us….HINT HINT HINT.

That was the obnoxious side of me. I apologize. No, we are not begging for reviews ;)