A New Beginning

Chapter Twelve

Meeting of the Order of the Phoenix

The Burrow

Albus Dumbledore was the last to arrive at the meeting this evening. The Weasleys had been sure to send their children to bed well before anyone was set to arrive, their ten-year-old son Ron and nine-year-old daughter Ginny were the only children in the home at the moment, making the task easier for their parents.

Molly had also cast a spell on the door of the kitchen to prevent anyone listening in from the other side as she often did when they held these meetings. She noticed Ron's rat slip into the kitchen a few minutes earlier, but instead of shooing it off to another part of the house, she set out a small plate for him. She would freely admit she often spoiled the children's pets. Not so much that the animals misbehaved but enough that all of them were plump and happy, much like her chickens.

Dumbledore wasted no time with pleasantries before beginning the meeting. Everyone sat around the large kitchen table, as Dumbledore informed them all that he was concerned that time was running out. "I have heard from reliable sources that it is probable Voldemort has made contact with his followers. We must assume he will return to the country soon."

"What kind of shape can he possibly be in though? Wasn't his body found at the scene years ago?" Delmar Dobbs asked dubiously. He was on the fence in the belief that the Dark Lord himself was still a threat. He remained in the Order because he felt the Death Eaters were still but he, like most of their world, believed Voldemort himself to be dead.

"They are intentionally spreading these rumors to create fear." Moody grunted, also of the belief that the Death Eaters were the true threat.

"There are…certain forbidden rituals and methods…that can be used to restore him to full health." Dumbledore said carefully. "As long as a wisp of life remained, he can be restored. We must assume that this is their intent."

"Is it even possible though?" Molly Weasley fretted.

"Of course." Dumbledore sadly nodded. "Anyone desperate enough, and without morals, can restore Him should they contain the talent. Unfortunately, he surrounded himself with the very talented for the entirety of his reign."

"If his return is truly a threat, perhaps then we should leave the children hidden in Amestris, Cselkcess is shielded." McGonagall said with concern.

"The protections they had were compromised when that Prince invited Death Eaters into Xing weren't they?" Arthur Weasley asked.

"Yes and no. When Nicholas Flamel cast the first series of spells, hiding Cselkcess from the rest of the world, he had left certain loopholes." Dumbledore said carefully. He didn't fully understand the spells used by Nick, but he wasn't going to admit that either. "Should someone claim their home as Cselkcess, they are able to pass the name and location. Takeshi was able to share limited information to them, however other things would still be hidden unless they claim residence themselves or they are shared."

"How does that make them less of a threat though?" Arthur asked again.

"Because Remus Lupin increased the security of the spells." Kingsley said. "It was why they were surprised Hagrid arrived, he talked to me about it, so I asked Remus when he came around to visit. Takeshi's invitations would have all been revoked by his brother who outranks him, and with the new spells, someone of ill intent does not even hear the names correctly. Wouldn't you agree Helen?"

Helen Crowell frowned but tried to seem confused as she shook her head. "What do you mean Kingsley? I haven't done anything?"

"What is the name?" Moody asked her suddenly. He had caught what Kingsley when she was frowning during the meeting.

"…Why does it matter?" Helen asked.

Dumbledore sighed before pulling out his wand. He did hate memory spells, but it was the only way to ensure the safety of the Order now that she had been discovered. It was a shame really. Helen had been a clever witch. He wondered when they had recruited her but decided it didn't truly matter. From now on, they would simply have to mention Cselkcess in every meeting. It was at least an effective way to root out traitors. He supposed he should thank Snape for that.

Once Helen had been taken away, Dumbledore called the meeting to a close. He would like nothing more than to stop over at the pub, but this close to when the Boy should arrive, he couldn't risk Snape catching word of it and talking them into keeping the Boy at home. The Weasleys offered everyone tea and sandwiches after the meeting was over, and he was tempted to stay for this as well, but decided it was best to return to the school.

After Dumbledore had left, the remaining members of the Order decided to stay for tea. Molly Weasley was a wonderful cook and the roast beef she added to the sandwiches was wonderful. Kingsley and Alastair were the first to leave, Kingsley asking as they walked away from the Burrow why Alastair hadn't mentioned his intended retirement. "It was nothing but rotten news as it stood, it can wait until next meeting." Moody grunted before twisting in place. Kingsley sighed at the spot the other man had stood a moment before.

It had been terrible news that He had gained aide, Helen had been a terrible blow as well. However, Snape agreeing to return was good news, he undoubtably had information they could use to help keep the child safe. Dumbledore seemed in better spirits than normal as well. Certainly, the idea that the child would soon be returned to them was interesting news, though he agreed that perhaps it would be best to keep the child hidden if he was safe where he was.

Rubeus Hagrid felt the child was well cared for, Arabella Figg, Remus Lupin, and Severus Snape had all agreed over the years. Dumbledore seemed to feel that they couldn't properly protect young Harry though. He had said that the people currently caring for the child were not magic users, possibly not truly aware of magic at all aside from the contact made by Dumbledore and Snape, both of whom had made it seem their contact was very limited.

Back at the Burrow, Molly, Arthur, Delmar Dobbs, the Tonks, Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Sturgis Podmore, and Minerva McGonagall sat around the table trying to stay quiet so as not to wake the children upstairs. "Is it true that Dumbledore instructed to to ask your children to befriend Harry?" Hestia asked. She seemed surprised at the idea as one of the younger members of the Order she hadn't expected that idea.

"He did. He feels it would be for the best, that way the poor child doesn't feel so isolated when he adjusts to returning home." Arthur said with a sad shake of his head. "I must confess, I would love to speak to the boy myself. He must have such insight into Muggle society."

"It seems a bit deceptive to arrange his friends though." Sturgis agreed with a frown. "Would it not be better to introduce them all and allow their bonds to form naturally? I can't imagine the child of the Potters going to a House other than Gryffindor, and all of your children have placed there so far. I should think it is likely they would become friends without being told to befriend the boy. In fact, it is possible that it could cause the boys to resent and dislike each other over time."

"I agree, please disregard the suggestion." Minerva nodded. "I have seen far too many forced friendships fall apart as school went on. Better to allow them to meet and decide for themselves."

"I agree, but I will be asking the twins and Percy to keep an eye on the poor boy along with Ron. He will be so far from home and away from his family." Molly said as she began collecting dishes. "Helen really surprised me. I thought she was trustworthy. She always seemed such a nice girl."

"We've seen this before. During the last war, traitors were hidden everywhere. It's no wonder Dumbledore created a way to find spies so effectively." Sturgis frowned. "Still, it is disturbing. I have worked with Helen quite some time and was not expecting this sort of thing. I have to wonder how long she's been betraying us."

The others all nodded in agreement, unhappily worrying what information she could have ready passed on to the others. McGonagall decided that the ones watching over the young Potter needed to be informed of everything they had learned tonight. She would be writing them as soon as she returned to the school.

Well, he decided as he scurried back up the stairs to the bedroom, which explained why he was having difficulty collecting some information. It was good news that the Dark Lord may have been located. He considered once again leaving to go in search himself, but then he remembered the other part of the meeting. The boy would be returning soon himself, and more importantly a chance to be near the Boy was going to present itself. Would He want another looking in Albania or wouldn't it be better to place himself in range of the Child who RUINED EVERYTHING.

In the end, the choice was easy. After all this was a comfortable home, and he was well fed and cared for. The others would likely attack him if they were to see him before His return. After all, through no fault of his own, their Master had been somehow overcome based on information he had shared. Clearly, the others would blame him, think him a traitor. They hadn't considered him yet because they thought he was dead, killed by a friend for his part in the betrayal. He turned his thoughts away from the matter as he climbed up the bed to nest down on the pillow. He would wait a while longer then, after all, sadly they had passed on rumors before that had failed to find Voldemort. There was no reason to believe it this time either.

As the boy reached out to pet him briefly, he sighed. He couldn't say he was surprised the child was still awake. It was doubtful the younger one was either. He had spent many years as a favorite of this family and had learned quickly that the children often listened at keyholes. It generally worked well for him, since he too often was drug along for these spying sessions. He did often wonder how the parents managed to convince themselves their children were well behaved and stayed in bed though. Although considering the mother often cast spell to prevent them from hearing anything, it seemed at least one of them understood their children.

"Where'd you get off to? Convince Mom to give more dinner?" the boy asked him with another pat. "You're going to end up so fat you can't crawl around anywhere, don't expect me to carry you around then." The boy said things like this all the time, but he could tell the boy didn't truly mean this. He also carried Scampers around everywhere he went. Even when he was trying to stay out of trouble or skip his chores. Instead of concerning himself with the boy, he curled up and closed his eyes.