Chapter 42.
Moments after reading the strange note, Magnolia was standing in a dark hallway in a house that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere on the street. The group that had escorted the twins to Grimmauld Place were stood close by them as well, all cramped in the narrow hall. When Moody cast the lights on, the soft glows didn't change the gloomy atmosphere that hung in corridor.
Magnolia was bought out of her thoughts when Mrs Weasley trotted towards them all, a large smile on her face and her arms open wide to envelope the twins in a hug. Magnolia was glad that Mrs Weasley had gotten over her frostiness towards her from the Final Task after the article Draco had been involved in; Mrs Weasley was the closest thing Magnolia had to a mother figure in her life.
"Oh, look at you two, it's lovely to see you both." Mrs Weasley cupped the twins' cheeks, "You're looking peaky, you need feeding up. Especially you Magnolia, do they not feed you at all? You'll have to wait for a bit for dinner I'm afraid."
Magnolia glanced at her brother, Mrs Weasley had greeted them like the twins had known they were coming her all summer, not like they had been being ignored by their friends. Mrs Weasley whispered to the group that had escorted Magnolia and her brother about something starting, which created a ripple of excitement through them all.
"No, Harry. The meeting's for Order members only. Ron and Hermione are upstairs, you can wait with them until the meeting's over and then we can all have dinner." Mrs Weasley told Harry as he went to follow Remus, "And keep your voices down in the hall."
"Why?"
"I don't want anything to wake up."
"To wake up?" Magnolia questioned.
"I'll explain later, I've got to hurry, I'm supposed to be at the meeting- I'll just show you where you're sleeping."
Magnolia and Harry followed Mrs Weasley through the hall and up the stairs of the strange house, Magnolia looking around trying to take everything in. The entire house was dank and gloomy, Magnolia couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine and the thought of the type of wizards that resided here, so why were the twins here?
"Magnolia, dear, you're in the room on the left with Hermione and Ginny. Harry, you're on the right with Ron." Mrs Weasley told them, "Ron and Hermione will explain everything, I expect they're in your room, Harry."
With that, Mrs Weasley turned and quietly ran back down the stairs. Magnolia frowned, why was everyone being so quiet? The house didn't feel lived in at all, and by the way Kaida weaved through her legs so closely Magnolia guessed her pet didn't like it here either. She followed her brother as he walked towards the door that Hermione and Ron were supposed to behind and saw the snake's head doorknob before Harry grasped it to open the door. Magnolia sighed as realisation came to her.
"Harry!" Hermione's voice shouted as Harry was pushed back by the force of her throwing herself at him, "Ron! He's here, Harry's here!"
Hermione let go of Harry, only to push past him and pull Magnolia in for a hug as well.
"Ron! Oh, Ron! Maggie is here too! They're here, Ron!" Hermione continued, "We didn't hear you arrive! Oh, how are you? Are you alright? Have you been furious with us? I bet you have, but we couldn't tell you anything, Dumbledore made us swear!"
Magnolia managed to get out of Hermione's grip and made her way further into the bedroom as Hermione carried on. She could see that her brother was getting worked up and could feel her own blood beginning to boil.
"We've got so much to tell you- and you've got so much to tell us! When we heard… the Ministry… it's just outrageous, I've looked it up, they can't expel you! They just can't, there is a provision in the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery for the use of magic in life threatening situations-"
"Let them breath, Hermione."
Magnolia glanced at Ron, glad that he had stopped Hermione before she did. Magnolia wanted to know how long they had all been here. If Ron and Hermione were here, as well as Mrs Weasley and Ginny, then Fred and George must be too, and Mr Weasley. How long had they all been together, and hiding it from her and her brother?
Magnolia sat on the edge of one of the beds, watching her brother, Ron, and Hermione talking and feeling every bit the outsider. Hermione and Ron were so worried about Harry's feelings, they were so worried about Harry's summer, that they both seem to have forgotten about Magnolia. When Harry started shouting, after Ron and Hermione had told him for the umpteenth time that they hadn't been allowed in the meetings, Magnolia quietly slipped out of the room.
She wandered up the next set of stairs, not with a destination in mind, she just wanted to explore and have time to herself to think. The Order of the Phoenix. This was the headquarters. Somewhere in this house was her Godfather. Magnolia smiled briefly, at least Sirius wasn't having to hide out in caves anymore; he could be back in his home.
Although, Magnolia thought, it didn't feel much like a home. She couldn't imagine Sirius growing up here. She couldn't imagine anyone growing up here. She sighed. Was this how it would be from now on? Her and Harry being left out of the big picture. Her, at least. Harry and his friends were very good at leaving her out of the big picture.
Magnolia walked into one the bedrooms and paused. She hadn't chosen a specific room to go into, she hadn't really been paying much attention where she was going at all. But the state of this room was worse than the hallway she had been in.
Dust covered everything. There wasn't a surface that didn't have an unhealthy layering of dust upon it. Even the floor kicked up clouds of dust as Magnolia walked further into the room. By the window, Magnolia could see a massive sheet covering something and pulled it off to reveal two comfortable looking armchairs. Magnolia patted on the chairs, making sure it wasn't coated with dust, and sat down.
Pulling her knees up to her chest in the chair, Magnolia wiped a circle on the window so she could see out of it at the world going by outside. She leant her head against the side of the chair, absentmindedly watching the people hurrying past with no idea the house was even there.
She knew now why the Gryffindor's had been so quiet during the summer, but she still didn't know why her Slytherin friends had. A chill went through her body. The Order of the Phoenix was a group created by Dumbledore to fight against Voldemort. If the Order was the reason the Gryffindor had been quiet, was Voldemort the reason her other friends had been? Harry had been very eager to tell Magnolia that Draco's father had been one of the Death Eater's to arrive in the graveyard. Magnolia now worried that could be the reason Draco hadn't written to her. He could have been hurt.
"Interesting room choice."
Magnolia snapped her head to the doorway as the voice startled her out of her thoughts. Sirius was stood, leaning against the doorframe almost like he didn't want to step foot in the room.
"Why's that?"
"This was my brother's room." Sirius nodded to the wall that the bed was against, "He was a Slytherin, too."
Magnolia could see all the Slytherin things now, scarves, banners, flags, all attached to the wall. She sighed slightly and smiled a little at her godfather.
"Well, we Slytherin's do find solace through each other." Magnolia mumbled, "We have to."
Magnolia saw Sirius frown, and reluctantly walk into the room until he was perched on the arm of the chair opposite her. He looked uncomfortable in the room, like he shouldn't be there.
"It's been a long time since I came in here." Sirius told her, "Regulus was a couple of years younger than me; when we were small children, we worshipped each other like brothers should. He looked up to me, and I loved him. Things changed as we became older though, different values came to the surface, and Hogwarts was a catalyst for that.
"In my first year I was sorted into Gryffindor, I instantly became the disgrace of the family. And when I became friends with your dad, things just became worse here. I remember Reg being so scared when he started Hogwarts. He didn't want to be in Gryffindor like I was, he didn't want to embarrass the family or incur the wrath of the Noble House of Black like I had.
"He got his wish. He was sorted into Slytherin, just like every other member of my family. They were so proud of him. And when he became friendly with the other snakes, my mother and father couldn't contain their excitement. Reg never understood why I went against our family so much, I never understood why he didn't. He fell in with the wrong crowd in his House. Things were never the same with us after that.
"Have you thought about what I told you after the Final Task?"
Magnolia didn't know what had caused her godfather to open up to her about his brother, she had never even known he had a brother, but she guessed there was a reason behind the story. And she guessed that it was linked to her own friendships in her House.
"About distancing myself from my friends?"
"About distancing yourself from the Slytherins."
Magnolia frowned, "The Slytherins are my friends, Sirius."
"I know you think that Princess, but with You-Know-Who back you need to be careful."
"So, why aren't you telling me to be careful with the Gryffindors?" Magnolia questioned, frustrated.
She hated that her House was looked down upon, that her friends were made out to be less then Harry's just because of the House they were sorted into when they were 11.
"The Gryffindors aren't likely to betray you like Slytherins would."
Magnolia scoffed and stood up, "Need I remind you about Pettigrew?"
Magnolia barely registered the shocked and hurt look on her godfather's face as she stormed out of the room and down the stairs. She could hear voices in the hall on the ground floor, followed by a crash and screeching. She didn't build up her speed at all, not even when Sirius hurried past her, muttering under his breath.
"But what's a portrait of your mother doing here?" Magnolia heard Harry ask as she joined the group.
She rolled her eyes; her brother really was rather dim sometimes.
"Did you not recognise Sirius' handwriting on the piece of paper, Harry? This is Sirius' house."
"I offered it to Dumbledore for Headquarters- about the only useful thing I've been able to do." Sirius nodded, "Let's get downstairs quick, before they all wake up again."
Magnolia followed them into a kitchen, Harry was greeted by Mr Weasley immediately, and George practically launched himself at Magnolia, pulling her into a strong hug.
"Nola! Where were you?" George asked, not letting her go, "We heard Harry yelling and assumed you'd be there. None of them knew where you'd gone."
Magnolia squirmed out of George's hold, "I wanted to look around the place. Found a lovely room to sit in whilst you Gryffindors forgot me."
Magnolia saw Sirius glance at her out of the corner of her eyes when she mentioned his brother's room. Good. He should know that Slytherin's stuck together and not to insult them around each other. Magnolia wasn't embarrassed by her House, or her friends, she didn't regret being sorted there and enjoying her time in her House.
George pulled Magnolia to the seat next to his as Sirius introduced everyone around the table to Harry and herself. Magnolia scowled at Mundungus Fletcher, the man who was supposed to have been watching Harry when he was attacked by the Dementor.
"Owe you a 'pology." He grunted at Harry.
"An apology?" Magnolia half shouted, "You owe him a damn lot more than that! Do you have any idea what you caused!?"
"Dumbledore'll sor' out the hearing." Mundungus shrugged.
"The hearing?" Magnolia cried at the infuriating man, "The hearing is the least of our worries! Our life with the muggles was bad enough before all this, you have no idea how they will treat us now!"
Magnolia felt George place his hand on her knee and squeeze it, trying to calm her down. Harry sat down on her other side, obviously worried about what she was going to say or do like he always was. Magnolia huffed and sat back against the chair. She would have to wait until she got back to school before she could unravel her feelings about her aunt and uncle; she never had to be careful what she said around her friends in her House.
Bill was sat opposite Magnolia and chatted to her about his new job and Fleur. Magnolia was glad he was happy, although she couldn't imagine Bill and Fleur making such a match, but his smile as he spoke about her created a knot in Magnolia's stomach. She was worried about Draco, and ever since her thought earlier, she couldn't help but feel he was in danger. Why else wouldn't he write to her?
Magnolia was glad when dinner was served, Mrs Weasley was right, she hadn't been eating well at the Dursley's. She never did. George was trying hard to lighten Magnolia's disgruntled mood during dinner, showing off that he could now do magic as he and Fred were of age. It worked to an extent, but Magnolia wanted to talk about the Order, she needed to know what was going on.
"Nearly time for bed, I think." Mrs Weasley announced after they had all finished their dessert.
"Actually, I was wondering something." Magnolia piped up quickly, not wanting to lose the opportunity.
Sirius nodded in agreement, obviously having an idea of where Magnolia was going, "I am surprised at you, Harry. I though the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking questions about Voldemort. Is that what you want to know, Princess?"
Magnolia nodded as her brother told them that he had asked but that Hermione and Ron hadn't been able to give any information because they hadn't been in any meetings. Magnolia could tell that Mrs Weasley wasn't happy with the way the conversation as going, and had repeatedly tried to shut it down, but Sirius wouldn't allow it.
"Hang on!" George interrupted.
"How come Harry gets his questions answered?" Fred continued.
"It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing." Sirius told the twins, "That's your parents' decision. Harry and Magnolia on the other hand-"
"It's not down to you to decide what's best for them!" Mrs Weasley argued.
"Sirius is our Godfather, that means our parents trusted him enough to know what was best for us and to even raise us if need be!" Magnolia added.
"You haven't forgotten what Dumbledore said, I suppose?" Mrs Weasley asked Sirius as he smirked from Magnolia's argument.
"Which bit?"
Magnolia could tell that her Godfather was having trouble keeping calm now. His relationship with twins was being called out and questioned in front of everyone, in his own house, and Magnolia could tell that he wasn't going to back down easily.
"The bit about not telling them more then they need to know." Mrs Weasley retorted.
"I don't intend on telling them more then they need to know, Molly." Sirius replied, "But Harry was there when Voldemort returned, he has more right than most-"
Magnolia was watching the two go back and forth, like everyone else at the table in silence now.
"He is not a member of the Order of the Phoenix!" Mrs Weasley cried as she interrupted Sirius, "He's only fifteen-"
"And he's dealt with as much as most in the Order." Sirius rebuffed.
Magnolia couldn't believe how calm Sirius was being. Her own heart was pounding, and she had noticed that they were now just arguing about Harry. Magnolia could have rolled her eyes, it always ended back at Harry.
"No one's denying what he's done," Mrs Weasley shrilled, "But he's still-"
"He's not a child!" Sirius finally seemed impatient now as Mrs Weasley continued going against him.
"He's not an adult either! He's not James, Sirius!"
Magnolia's heart skipped at the mention of her father's name.
"I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks Molly."
Sirius was holding in his anger now. Magnolia could see his jaw tighten at Mrs Weasley's accusation.
"I'm not sure you are!" Mrs Weasley rebutted, "Sometimes, the way you speak about him, it's as though you've got your best friend back! At least with Magnolia, you can see her for who she is and not the person you want… You can see she is still a child."
"I am not a child!" Magnolia cried, fury lacing her tone and shocking everyone in the room, "And I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't all make it so obvious that Harry is the golden twin here, thank you very much."
"Harry has been through more then you, dear and he does have a very powerful wizard looking to kill him." Mrs Weasley replied, brushing her off before facing Sirius again, "However, he is still in school and adults responsible for you both should not forget it!"
Magnolia groaned and stopped paying attention the conversation between her Godfather and Molly. It was obvious that the main issue here was Harry. Of course, it was Harry, it was always Harry. She could feel someone's gaze on her and looked around the table to see Remus was staring at her intently.
"Personally," He started, cutting into the argument and looking away from Magnolia, "I think it's better for Harry and Magnolia to get the facts, not all the facts, but the general picture from us… rather than a garbled version from others."
Remus seemed to be the voice of reason in the end, and moments later everyone but Ginny was sat at the table waiting to be told what was happening. Ginny had put up a fight after being the only one who had been made to go to bed, but Mrs Weasley wasn't willing to lose every fight that night. Fred and George had been able to stay because they were of age and their father had agreed it, Ron and Hermione had stayed because Harry said he would tell them anyway.
Harry led the with the questions, all things Magnolia knew he would want to know. Where Voldemort was, why he hadn't heard of any strange deaths, why he hadn't been killing anyone. Magnolia could understand that Voldemort was keeping a low profile for now, he had only just come back and the more he could before the Ministry actually admitted he was back, the better it would be for him.
Magnolia rolled her eyes at the Ministry's lack of response. All because Fudge was scared that Dumbledore wanted his job, like that would ever happen. Voldemort was out there, building his army every day and the Ministry were hiding their heads in the sand to pretend he wasn't back. People would die because of their refusal to see the truth.
"That can't be all he's doing." Magnolia spoke up for the first time, "Building his followers is important of course, but that can't be the only thing he's using this anonymity for. So, what does he want?"
Sirius glanced at Magnolia, no one else answered her and she was about to repeat herself when she saw Sirius sigh, "We think he's after a weapon. Things he didn't have last time."
"What kind of weapon?" Harry asked, "Something worse than the Avada Kedavra-"
"That's enough!" Mrs Weasley cried.
Magnolia ignored her, and leant forward, "What sort of weapon, Sirius?"
"Sirius…"
Remus was giving his friend a warning, and Magnolia thought she knew exactly what that warning was. Harry could have his questions asked, but Harry wasn't a Slytherin. Harry wasn't cunning enough and shrewd enough to listen to a conversation and pick out the most important bits. This weapon was obviously important.
Sirius glanced around the table at Mr and Mrs Weasley, at Remus and Bill, at Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred and George, before settling back to Magnolia. Mrs Weasley had said earlier that Sirius saw Harry as James, as his best friend but Magnolia for who she was, and Magnolia thought that meant that he saw her as his Goddaughter; the daughter that he could never had had otherwise. Maybe that was why he always called her Princess, but Harry by his name. If she played on that she could get the information she needed.
"Sirius?" Magnolia asked sweetly, practically batting her eyelashes, "What sort of weapon?"
Sirius looked into Magnolia's hazel eyes and sighed, "An extremely powerful weapon, something he didn't have before, something that could win him this war. Something that he is desperate to get."