OLD MAGIC

Chapter 43: A Turbulent Meeting of the Order

After hurrying out of Dumbledore's office, Harry made a bee line for his dorm, managing to avoid meeting anyone along the way. Everyone was in class which meant he was late but that couldn't be helped.

At the Gryffindor entry, the painting said with a frown, "You are very late young sir."

"I know but it couldn't be helped," Harry said contritely. The lady shook her head but opened the door. Ducking quickly inside, Harry rushed through the common room and up the stairs to his dorm. His breakfast waited suspended on a tray above his bed and Wine was beneath it, nose in the air sniffing it.

Giving his familiar a quick pat and the chicken leg the house elf thoughtfully had added to his plate, Harry quickly got his school things together before sitting on the bed to stuff his meal down rather hastily. Washing it down with the pumpkin juice.

Grabbing his books and things, he gave Wine a verbal farewell (since daring to touch a kneazle who was eating guaranteed a bitten hand) and raced back out of the dorm. His first class of the day was Transfiguration, thankfully.

Since McGonagall knew where he'd been, he had no need to explain his tardiness. She had left a lesson on the board for everyone to practice and take notes on in her absence but she had since returned and was presently walking between the desks studying the resultant products of the students when Harry entered.

As quiet as he could, he quickly slipped into his seat. Ignoring his friends questioning eyes, he immediately got out quill and paper to write down the lesson. Since it wasn't a difficult spell, he was done writing and performing the task several minutes before the professor finally reached him to check his work. She bestowed a small, approving smile on his excellent 'cup into mouse' transfiguration before moving on.

By the time class had ended, Harry's burst of energy was seriously flagging so he could be forgiven being a touch irritable when his friends buttonholed him on their way to the next class, demanding to know where he had gone.

Ron pressed close so others wouldn't listen in, asking, "Where were you? I went to wake you and bring you a bit of food but you were gone … vanished!" He was more than a little annoyed that his concerned gesture ended up being needless and nearly costing him house points for being tardy to class (and wasn't it lucky McGonagall hadn't been there?).

"I'd like to know the answer to that as well, Harry," Hermione interjected softly.

Harry wished he could just tell them to 'sod off' but that would have been unconscionably rude and he had been taught better manners. Sighing mentally, he did his best to curb his temper and give them an answer, he hoped, satisfied and held off more questioning. "Sorry. Not my fault. I was ordered to report to Professor Dumbledore's office. McGonagall and Snape were there too."

Ron gasped and gave his friend a worried look. "Oh, so that's why she wasn't there!"

"What for?" Hermione asked at the same time. "Are you in some kind of trouble."

Harry shook his head. "No, I'm not, don't worry. However, I'm not at liberty to say what was discussed nor why I was so tired this morning so please just let it be, alright?"

Twin blinks of surprise and more concern flashed on his friend's faces.

"Blimey, you do get into some interesting situations, Harry, but I'll keep mum, promise," Ron gravely agreed.

"And so will I. But I do hope you can tell us something later," Hermione qualified.

Harry could only give them a strained smile and nod. He was grateful they didn't ask him anything more as the three friends swung in behind a small knot of students momentarily blocking the door to the potion's classroom. Snape had returned just ahead of his students and was writing on the blackboard.

Everyone hurriedly took their seats, pulled out their books, quills, and paper then set to copying. Silence reigned for some minutes. With the energy boost wearing off, exhaustion dragged at Harry making his head ache. Just trying to do his work was making him wish desperately that he could just curl up and sleep for days. A groan wanted to force its way past his lips but he firmly kept them sealed and tried to ignore his body radiating how distressed it was.

Of course, Snape, who was circulating the room, knew what Harry's hunched posture and pinched face meant. But he didn't dare speak to the boy nor make mental contact as that would make things worse nor did he 'pick on' Harry, as usual, for the same reason. But he thought it wise to deflect attention from Harry by choosing a few miscreants from his own house.

When he finished his tour of the room, he headed to the herbal cabinet and began pulling ingredients together. Minutes later, Snape was distilling something rather nasty looking in a cauldron, to the puzzlement of his students as he hadn't said he was going to make them do something else.

However, as time went on, the students realized it was something of his own he was doing, they had no more concern except to try and complete the lesson they'd been given. So in ones and twos, they walked to the supply cabinet and collected what they needed for the day's potion.

Seeming to ignore his students (they thought), Snape continued to work on his decoction then set the small caldron with it's boiling hot contents to the side to cool before doing a second walk around to inspect his student's work.

Class ended without any explosions for once. However the ringing bell was still loud enough to make Harry grind his teeth in pain. His dragging exhaustion had added a demon of a headache to his woes. He desperately needed some kind of relief so dragged his feet on departing the classroom. When the last student had exited, even his puzzled friends he had waved to go on ahead of him, he could finally turn to Snape.

To his great relief, the potion's master was already at his side with a test tube full of something that fizzed and smelled foul. Without hesitation, Harry downed the potion, gasped and nearly spit it out but manfully managed to keep it down. His exhaustion and headache had vanished instantly though he now had a nasty taste in his mouth.

"Ugh! Why can't you make those taste better!" He complained.

Snape smirked. "But what would be the fun in that?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You are just evil when you want to be."

The man snickered then raised his other hand and opened it to reveal something smooth, round, and white. "Here ..."

Frowning, Harry carefully took what looked like a pill and eyed it suspiciously.

"Chew don't swallow," Snape warned while still smirking.

Sighing, Harry popped the small thing in his mouth and chewed. His eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm, that's amazing! What was that?" He asked, licking his lips to get the last bit of sweetness.

"It's called a Pina Colada Chewy Sour Ball. They are my favorite but hard to get since it is a muggle treat."

"They're smashing. I could most likely get them for you through the internet though you would have to have a credit card," Harry said thoughtfully.

Snape snorted. "Not likely I would bother with one of those but thank you for the thought. Now you must hurry if you are to make your next class."

"Right. Thanks again!" Harry smiled back then ran for the stairs. He noticed as he hurried to the main doors and out to Herbology class, that he didn't feel all that rested as the first time but then he realized, Snape hadn't wanted to over medicate him as that could lead to him collapsing during class or in the corridors when this dose wore off. If he guessed right, his strength should hold out through the rest of the day until after dinner then he must be off his feet.

When lunchtime rolled around, he was ravenous. He noted that neither, Snape nor Hagrid spoke with Dumbledore or McGonagall. Most likely waiting until tonight when the discussions would be heated and unpleasant. Harry didn't envy them that and was hardily glad to be missing it.

As Harry ate and talked with his friends, Dumbledore cast him, Snape, and Hagrid occasional glances. His expression worried and introspective.

Finally the day drew to a close. With his extra boast waning rapidly, Harry hurried to finish his homework ahead of the others, much to Ron's surprise and disgust, then disappeared into the dorm. Fortunately, no one bothered him about why he was retiring early (most likely due to Hermione's intervention … he must thank her later).

After feeding Wine and taking care of his bedtime preparations, Harry shut his curtains and blissfully collapsed into deep slumber. Not even the sound of the students arriving much later that evening, woke him up.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Number12 Grimmauld Place echoed with the sounds of raised, angry voices. Auror Alastor Moody was not pleased to have been dragged back for, what he thought, was another useless meeting that had nothing to do with pinning down Voldemort's location and his minions that kept eluding them successfully.

Kingsley Shacklebolt, auror and a member of the Ministry of Magic, wasn't any happier and was irritably complaining to Tonks sitting nearby.

"What the devil is Albus up to? I shouldn't even be here. Minister Fudge has been breathing down my neck to do 'something' about the forest dwellers 'attack' on wizards and innocent children. Though how I'm supposed to get one of these creatures to give me an answer, I have no clue."

"Attack? Wot attack? Snape and Malfoy's brat weren't harmed that badly and I say bully for those forest guys. It's wrong how the ministry and wizarding kind treats them. I don't blame them for making a stand the only way they can." Nymphadora Tonks glared at Shacklebolt.

"They didn't help their cause snatching people and hauling them away for two weeks, Tonks, despite their legitimate complaints," Shacklebolt insisted.

Remus Lupin took exception to that. "It's the only way they can get anyone's attention, Kingsley. They have been vilified, ignored, and treated most shamefully for generations."

"Aw gere off it, Lupin. They ain't but animals mostly," Sturgis Podmore interjected, eyeing the slender man with some annoyance.

"Now see here, Podmore ..." Lupin hissed, turning to the heavier man, fire flashing in his eyes. His friend, Sirius Black jumped to his feet and glared at Podmore too.

"ENOUGH!" A powerful voice, magically magnified, shouted. All froze and went silent as they realized Dumbledore had arrived and was standing in the doorway of the parlor glowering at the belligerents. "I will tolerate no more disparagement of the forest dwellers. You'll realize in a few minutes why your disdain for them is unwarranted and dangerously ignorant."

Podmore frowned at that statement but kept silent and retreated across the room. Lupin and Tonks fumed but took their seats with Lupin tugging Black down beside him.

Next to appear through the doorway were, Snape and Hagrid … together, which caused raised eyebrows. Just Hagrid being here was unusual as the half-giant was not normally included in these meetings unless he would play a part in some plan or other, but his arrival with Snape was unprecedented.

The two late comers opted for standing to one side of the doorway opposite Dumbledore rather than taking a seat. Besides, there was no space left for another chair, no matter how small, as nearly every member of the Order that had managed to make this special meeting were seated except for a few others that stood too.

Starting near the fireplace, standing beside it, was Alastor Moody leaning on his staff. His magical eye roamed the room, restlessly. Arabella Fig, squib spy, was rarely invited to one of these things yet here she was. Her eyes bright with curiosity as to why she was here, she sat primly, spine straight on a small folding chair a few feet from the taciturn auror. On her other side, cramped together on a low settee, sat Lupin, Black, and Tonks. Still fuming, Tonks' appearance kept changing … hair from bright blue to flaming red, face going from stunningly beautiful to looking like a crone … randomly ... matching her mood.

Across the room Shacklebolt sat on another folding chair, eyes thoughtful and brooding. Sitting nearly lost in an old, but comfortable sofa chair, was old man Doge, his silver hair sprouting like a hedgehog beneath the silly hat he insisted on wearing everywhere. A few feet from him, nervously twitching and alternating from foot to foot was Dadelus Diggle. His expression worried and fearful, hands in constant motion twisting the violet hat he always wore. Eyeing Diggle with some annoyance was Podmore. Preferring to stand as well, he rested his massive back against the wall and waited alertly for the meeting to begin. Sitting together on an old Victorian loveseat near Dumbledore, who still stood, were the Weasley's, Molly and Arthur. Their sons, Charlie and Bill stood behind them leaning against the wall and on either side of an old Victorian painting of a hunting scene. Lastly, sitting squeezed together on an old couch, were portly Hestia Jones and slim-as-a-stick Emmeline Vance. Both women held the same expression of worry.

"Thank you all for making the effort to be here for this special meeting. I have some astonishing news. Voldemort is dead." Dumbledore dropped the bomb, eschewing his normal method of working up to a sensitive subject.

Instantly a roar of voices, all trying to speak at the same time, filled the room. A gesture and a steely look from those normally twinkling blue eyes cut the sounds off like a light switch. None needed the reminder that Dumbledore was a powerful wizard and only playacted the part of a kindly old coot to put people off. With varying expressions of disbelief, excitement, and worry the group waited for their leader to continue.

"With the aid of Mr. Potter as a lure, the forest dwellers …"

"THEY DARED USE HARRY?" Black bellowed, leaping to his feet, fury shaking him. His friend, Lupin immediately stood and wrapped his strong arms around Sirius to restrain the angry man from doing something extremely stupid.

"What! How could you allow such a thing?" Arabella shouted, equally shocked and on her feet.

"Dumbledore! When did this occur ..." Moody thundered, stamping his staff into the floor.

The small parlor vibrated with angry voices sounding like a disturbed hive of bees.

Annoyed that he could not finish even one sentence, Dumbledore shouted a silencing charm wandlessly, something he rarely did as he hadn't wanted anyone to know just how powerful he was. The only ones spared his wrath were Hagrid and Snape.

Stunned expressions met Dumbledore's steely gaze as silence reigned yet again. Moody surreptitiously removed the charm but kept silent and waited.

Huffing air, the headmaster got his anger under control and continued in a more sedate tone. "Now that I have your undivided attention and silence. I will show you what transpired in my office this morning so there will be no misunderstandings."

Making a gesture, his Pensieve appeared, hovering before him. The members blinked in surprise. Dumbledore never took this from his office. Something untoward was about to be revealed and no one was happy about it. The old wizard pulled his wand out and touched it to his forehead extracting the necessary memory then depositing it into the water-like substance in the basin.

"Attend," the headmaster ordered.

Hesitantly, the Order moved to stand around the basin. It was tight as everyone had to stand face to back to be able to reach the basin at the same time. When all were in place, each reached out with a single finger. Immediately, they were plunged into the event of the morning.

It seemed to take forever but was actually only ten minutes before all withdrew to return to their original places in the room, various expressions ranging from outrage, shock, disbelief, and fear on their faces.

Dumbledore made his Pensieve disappear. That seemed the signal for many to try and speak but the spell prevented it. Before anyone could vanish the charm, Dumbledore turned to Hagrid.

"If you would remove the charm, Hagrid ..."

Shocked expressions and gaping mouths followed Hagrid's casual gesture of his huge fingers that removed the charm … without wand or speech.

"Then it's true!" Remus gasped, the first to find their voice.

"Aye …" Hagrid said, smiling benignly.

"Why did you hide?" Shacklebolt demanded.

"Why the did you take Malfoy and Snape?" Moody chimed in at the same time.

That started an avalanche of questions from all the members. Hagrid shook his head and gestured again, instantly restoring silence.

When the angry wizards made a gesture toward removing the charm, Hagrid halted them, "If you would just be patient, I will explain. I will not be shouted at."

Everyone stilled and stared at him. Hagrid had spoken firmly and clearly. Though his speech remained rustic and heavily accented, there was none of the hesitancy and slowness one normally associated with him. "If you will remain quiet, I will remove the charm. I will try and answer most of the questions I and the Elders of the forest know you are most interested in. Once I've done that you may ask what you may though I cannot guarantee I can answer all you want to know. Will you be still?"

With nods of agreement, the group sat or stood quietly and waited though many twitched with impatience. Hagrid removed the charm.

"Why pretend to be less than we are? That be simple ... we had no choice as no wizard saw us as anythin but barely educated barbarians or worse ... animals. You did accept we were magical but not that we were capable of casting spells same as yeu. Only those from Hogwarts were a little more aware of the few among us with skills but only because they had use of them. And even them they didn't always accord much respect … begging your pardon, headmaster."

"I am aggrieved that this was so, Hagrid."

Hagrid smiled grimly. "Even yeu were not free of prejudice, soir." Dumbledore flushed a little with shame and anger but the half-giant had already turned away. "However, wizarding kinds ignorance toward us worked to our advantage. Your blindness kept us safe and apart from most of the wars you fought amongst yerselves. That is until the appearance of the dark lords who saw us as tools to aid them in their attempts at conquering the wizarding world. Having little choice, we secretly began aiding the Light while taking care not to expose ourselves. However, as time dragged on and yet a second war began, our kind began to chafe at being treated as little more than beasts to be used as canon fodder on both sides of the conflict."

Hagrid paused and gave each Order member a hard look. Many couldn't stare him in the eyes for long while those that could had frowns or shame on their faces.

"We be just as important to this magical world as yeu all. We will no longer accept yere treatment of us and demand we receive equal standing among yeu. That means … before yeu ask Mr. Shacklebolt ..." Kingsley subsided, outraged but also embarrassed. "We demand to be included in the running of our world both in the Ministry and within the Wizengamot. And before yeu try and object, we do have members just as magically skilled as Professor Dumbledore … a few his equal or better in power." That caused angry mutters of disbelief and anger to circle the room. Hagrid ignored it and pushed on.

"As for why we took Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy? I am not at liberty to answer fully. I can only say it did get yere attention. Now, be there other questions?"

"I wish to speak!" Shacklebolt said before anyone else could. Hagrid nodded at him. "First, thank you for your help in ridding our world of the latest Dark Lord. Second, I agree with young Potter that something must be done about the remaining Death Eaters. But I too agree that now isn't the time to try and convince Minister Fudge of Voldemort's demise. Which leads me to my third question, what is this plan you say the Elders have? I must admit it would have to be spectacular if it's to convince wizarding kind your complaints and wishes are to be heeded."

"No thanks were necessary, Mr. Shacklebolt. The threat was to us all. I'm jest glad we were able to finish him. However, I'm sorry I cannot say what the Elder's plan is. I am not privy to their council. But, I have been assured they will be taking action within a week. I'm sorry I cannot be more precise than that."

"I don't like it!" Moody burst in truculently. He stomped forward until he stood toe to toe with Hagrid. "How can you stand there and tell us we must simply sit on our hands until these Elders do something that could put people in harms way?"

Hagrid shook his head. "No one will come to physical harm. This I swear on my magic!"

Everyone gasped. No one made such a binding pronouncement without due care as they could be stripped of their magic or die. But Hagrid remained untouched.

"You said "physical harm" does that mean there might be emotional or other harm?" Moody pushed not willing to let go of this line of questioning.

"I cannot tell you more," Hagrid said firmly.

"Or you will not!"

"I cannot!"

"Dumbledore ..." Moody turned to appeal to their leader.

But the headmaster spread his hands and shook his head. "On this I have no say nor power to change, Alastor. The Elders could have done a great many things to us in our ignorance yet they have stayed their hand and have, instead, decided to find a peaceful way to get their needs met. We must show we are willing to see what that is."

Moody scowled and stared equally at Dumbledore and Hagrid but both men remained unmoved. Something in the auror's eyes moved the half-giant to act. He murmured something softly and suddenly Moody was frozen in place. Shock and anger glared from his good eye and the magical one glowed as if to do something unforgiveable to the gatekeeper.

"Don't!" Hagrid warned, his tone deceptively mild.

The air around the two was charged with tension and no one, even Dumbledore, felt they should do anything to interfere. At least not yet.

Hagrid moved to stand before Moody. "I understand your fears and suspicions Alastor but I truly am not your enemy. Please, I beg you, be patient. All will be revealed and you will not be unhappy when it is over though life as we know it will be irrevocably changed but for the better."

Moody glared but slowly it dimmed to resignation though not defeat. Only then did Hagrid release him. The auror felt the spell leave him but didn't move. He frowned into the half-giant's face for a few silent minutes before finally speaking.

"I find that impossible to believe and will keep my eyes and ears open for trouble. If I'm still not happy with the results we will finish this."

"I understand."

Staring at Hagrid a moment longer, Moody nodded sharply and moved away. Turning to Dumbledore he demanded, "Are we through here?"

"Do you have any more questions," the headmaster asked quietly.

"Only one. Why was it so important that Potter learn about muggles?"

"Ah, that also be something the Elders will speak of." Hagrid was apologetic but firm.

Moody snorted in disgust. "Then, no, I have no more questions and have other things I need to be doing."

"I understand. You may leave," Dumbledore said equitably. Without another word, Moody stomped from the room. The front door was heard slamming moments later.

"I, for one, don't like any of this. Too many questions … no answers and we're expected to wait for the world to explode around us," Podmore snarled, the first to speak.

"What I don't understand is if Harry was supposed to destroy the Dark Lord what happens that's so important now that the enemy is gone? What's Harry's part in all this changed future?" Molly Weasley asked, bewildered by all that had been said tonight.

"Didn't you hear? That's wrapped in whatever the hell these Elders have to say to us." Sirius stormed, leaping to his feet so he could pace.

"I would like to know how I'm supposed to handle Fudge when the Elders inform him that our enemy is dead when our esteemed Minister refused to admit an enemy even existed. Or how to deal with the aftermath of what is sure to be a media storm and uproar within the ministry," Shacklebolt said acidly.

Before more members could chime in and a full out storm of angry outbursts could commence Dumbledore put a halt to it by the simple expediency of shooting a bright burst of light from his wand toward the ceiling. Everyone stared at him in annoyance but went silent and gave him their attention.

"All very good questions but until the Elders do what they plan this continuing demand for answers is moot. Shelf it. We have other concerns we can and will deal with instead. With Voldemort disposed of his minions are leaderless but that doesn't mean someone in the pack wont try to take over. We must do what we can to root them out before they can do more harm. Let us focus on that. As for the other … all we can do is be ready and alert on that day. Are we agreed?"

Grumbling and complaints, softly voiced, continued for a bit longer as they thought about this then, one by one, gave grudging agreement.

"Excellent. Then you know what to do. I declare this meeting ended." Still unhappy, everyone dispersed leaving Hagrid, Snape, and Dumbledore alone.

"I believe that went as well as could be expected. I'll take my leave soir. I've some hunting to do of my own." Bowing his head in respect, Hagrid departed, moving silently. One could barely hear the door close behind him, seconds later.

"I am glad no one decided to question my part in Harry's training," Snape said with a sigh of relief.

"I believe the other news was far too distracting."

"True. Well, if there is nothing else, Albus, I too will retire."

Dumbledore looked distracted but nodded and waved his hand in dismissal. Saying nothing further the potion's master left the head wizard alone with his troubled thoughts.