The Order assembles

When Dumbledore came out of his thoughts, Harry was long gone and the door frame leading to the staircases was empty. He then turned his heels towards the dying fire, and soon it was ignited again with a green flame.

'Twelve Grimmauld Place,' whispered the old wizard.

He emerged from the fireplace in the Order of the Phoenix headquarters meeting room. Originally it had been the reception hall of the Black Mansion. It was a vast room with large windows through which you could magically see any landscape you wished. Two massive candlesticks were hung on the ceiling, and they used to lighten an ebony parquet floor. An expert's eye could have guessed the lavish receptions that must have happened here. Now a giant, heavy oak table was standing in the middle of it, surrounded by chairs of the same material. The table was covered with maps and scrolls of all kinds. Against the walls there were numerous cupboards overflowing with documents and artefacts that the Order had been retrieving over the past year.

Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace and the door opened to let the members of the Orders join him around the table. It had been a long time since he had seen their faces so grave and tired. He glanced quickly towards Sirius. Since Harry had disappeared from Hogwarts, the man had been very hard to control. He was constantly on alert. Gathering every information he could about his godson's whereabouts. Dumbledore was still pondering letting him know about his recent encounter with the boy. He looked away as Sirius was sitting. There was a time he enjoyed being the one holding all the clues and using them as he saw fit. But the more he was aging, the more he was finding the position of Leader heavier. Was he becoming sentimental?

Once everyone was seated, he turned his gaze towards Shacklebolt who cleared his throat before speaking. It was easy to see he wasn't bringing good news.

'The Ministry had decided to disregard your request of sending Aurors at Hogwarts,' he said with a sullen voice.

'It is almost sad to say that I expected this reaction from Cornelius,' replied Dumbledore. He pulled a letter from his robe. 'A few minutes after sending my message, I received an owl from the Ministry informing me I have a Hearing planned next week with the Board of Directors.' He paused while contemplating the letter. His face was a mix of disgust and disappointment.

'I guess the good news is that the Ministry might not even be here "next week",' said Sirius with an acid tone.

'Even if the Ministry had complied with Dumbledore's request,' said Shacklebolt sounding a bit shameful, 'it would not have been able to raise the necessary resources.' He sighed. 'I have rarely seen the Auror's office so empty. Since Potter has been spotted near the Cornwall cliffs, everyone is deployed. Not to mention the break from Azkaban doesn't help.'

At the mention of Harry, a heavy silence fell on the room.

'I heard he incapacitated… How many was it already?' Asked Arthur Weasley feigning to count on his hand. 'Seven Aurors?'

Several smiles appeared on the members faces and Sirius beamed with pride.

'So if my count is correct,' continued Arthur smiling, 'he managed to beat one Hogwarts Great Inquisitor and seven Aurors over the course of three months. No wonder the Ministry doesn't like him very much.'

Molly rolled her eyes but couldn't refrain to smile at her husband's attempt to ease the atmosphere. It had been dark and difficult times for the Order during the last year. And Arthur was one of the members who were having it the hardest. But she was always amazed by his ability to make the best out of any situation. His wittiness was precisely what the Order was needing right now. Right before the war broke out for good.

'Well at least,' finally said Dumbledore, 'we have one Auror with us and one of the finest. I hope Cornelius will see reason before it's too late.' He took a deep breath. It was now time to plan Hogwarts defense.

'Sirius, Remus, I want you to stay here and make sure every member who will join us this evening is briefed about our situation. I want you to stand ready as Fawkes will send you a signal to rally Hogwarts. Tonks, if you please you can go in our hideout in Manchester inform Emeline and Dedalus they are expected at Grimmauld Place as soon as possible. Alastor I need you to find Fletcher and bring him here by any means possible.' Moddy's magical eye seemed to brighten, and a frightening smile appeared on his face. 'Arthur, Kingsley I would like you to go back at the Ministry. You will be my eyes and ears here. Try to discreetly gather as many supporters as possible and have them ready to join Hogwarts upon my signal. Follow the same rules as usual but keep in mind this is an emergency. So I think we can tolerate a lack of subtleness in our approach.' He lingered his gaze on the two Ministry's employees who nodded gravely. He then turned towards Molly. He highly disliked what he was about to ask but every wand would count. 'Molly I must ask you to contact your sons, Charlie and Bill. I will leave the decision to you, but their help will be greatly needed.' Molly withstood Dumbledore's gaze and kept a stern face on. Dumbledore could only hope she would agree with him.

'As for me,' he finally said, 'I will depart for Hogwarts immediately and have the defenses organised. Remus, Alastor I'd like your input on this matter before you carry on with your task.'

The Headmaster of Hogwarts straightened up and looked at each member. No question was asked. He motioned his hand and the door opened. The meeting was over.

Sirius stood up slowly and left the room with a heavy step. As usual he was left with an ungrateful task, though he understood its importance. At least this time, he would have Moony to keep him company. But his real worry was Harry. Since he had been sighted near the Cornwall cliffs, he had refrained the urge of getting into his dog form and leave Grimmault Place to look after him. He was always keeping his two-way mirror with him. Not a day has past since Harry's departure from Hogwarts without Sirius hoping his godson would one day appear on the other end of the mirror.

He sat in the kitchen and watched with a gloomy eye the members getting ready to leave. Arthur crossed his gaze and nodded briefly before stepping into the fireplace. Soon the kitchen was silent.

'I can always see the appeal of dark places, especially when one wants to hide,' said a soft voice with a hint of tease. 'But if you'll allow me, I'd prefer it a little clearer.'

Sirius grunted and waved his hand. The candles lit up and Lupin grabbed a chair to sit in front of his old friend. He stayed quiet a few minutes, letting Sirius to take the time he needed to talk.

'It's just that I know he needs help,' finally sighed Sirius. 'And it kills me that I can't be there for him.'

Lupin nodded. If he had sickle every time his patience had paid off, he wouldn't be so broke.

'Harry is the most resourceful young man I have seen,' replied Lupin with an appeasing tone. 'He would have been a fierce Marauder.' SIrius let out a light chuckle. 'I am sure he is doing fine. And I know he will reach out to you in due time.'

'Aaaah my dear Moony,' said Sirius while rubbing his eyes. 'I wish I could be as optimistic as you.'

'Don't you trust Harry?'

'It's not that!' Answered Sirius quickly while frowning. 'I… I said something to him I shouldn't have. Even though I apologized when he came for Christmas, I am not sure he forgave me… And I wouldn't resent him for that.'

'Trust me, he did.' Said Lupin firmly. Sirius raised an eyebrow while looking at him. 'I have seen the boy looking at you during those holidays, Sirius. He sure seemed a bit off sometimes. He was often deep in his thoughts. But he really is looking up to you.' Lupin took a deep breath. 'Whatever he is up to right now, you can rest assured that he is doing it to live with you as soon as possible.'

'Then why doesn't he let us help him?' Exclaimed Sirius with irritation.

'You know, as well as me, that asking for help is not always that simple,' said Lupin with a bright gaze.

Sirius shook his head and glared at the table. 'Then why were things always so complicated?!' He wanted to ask. It was a stupid question but still.

'You're right,' he replied eventually with a low voice. 'As usual.'

'Have faith in Harry, Padfoot,' said Lupin with an understanding tone. 'It has been hard for you, we all know that. Just have a little more patience and trust Harry. It'll be alright.'

Sirius let out a small smile, but it was genuine. Remus had always been the wisest one and Sirius really wished to be as optimistic as him. They looked at each other for a few minutes and Lupin finally stood up to make some tea. Soon the members of the Order of the Phoenix would arrive, and a hot beverage might be very needed considering the considerable task waiting for them.