The Order of the Phoenix

I don't own Harry Potter!

Lydia spent the summer in terror. Voldemort was back and killing again, quietly this time. Still, Lydia could sense the souls. But everything changed when Dumbledore came to visit.

It was late at night when there was a knock on the door of the Smart residence. Amelia Smart padded down the stairs, wand out, and peeked through the curtains. Outside stood a robed man with a long white beard. Professor Dumbledore.

With a sigh of relief, Mrs. Smart opened the door and let in the headmaster "Professor Dumbledore, what a surprise. How can we help you?"

"Amelia, it is a pleasure as always. But I'm afraid this has to do with your daughter, Lydia." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling "I understand she has inherited the family gift?"

"Um...yes she has. What does this have to do with anything, Professor?" Amelia worried.

"I believe that she may be able to help us with our fight against Lord Voldemort."

"Us? Who is us?" Amelia asked.

"The Order of the Phoenix."

"Oh, no. My daughter is far to young to be fighting in your war, Dumbledore. You won't drag her to her death."

"Mum!" Lydia stood at the bottom of the stairs "I want to help. I'll do what you need Professor."

"No you won't." Amelia shouted "Don't you remember what the death eaters did to your father? He died protecting you and your secret."

"Then shouldn't I be able to fight in his honor?" Lydia shouted back "I know the spotter gene passed you over but I can help! I have the ability to do something. To maybe change the course of the war!"

"I can't lose you!"

"Mum! Please, you won't lose me. But can't we at least hear Professor Dumbledore's plan?" Lydia calmed herself.

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Professor Dumbledore's voice sent a calming wave over the room "Please sit and I'll explain everything."

Amelia reluctantly sat and allowed him to speak.

"Thank you. Now, we, the Order, would like Lydia's assistance in a few areas of our fight. She would be in no danger, not fighting or anything of the sort." Dumbledore told them "We believe she can help us identify where Voldemort has been based on who he has killed and where."

"I'll do it." Lydia spoke up "I'll help."

"Wonderful, would you pack your things?"

"Why? Where am I going?" Lydia asked.

"The headquarters."

Lydia stood and hurried upstairs to pack her trunk. Her mother stopped Dumbledore before he could stand.

"Listen here, Dumbledore." She whispered "If my daughter gets hurt in any way, I will personally make your life a living hell."

"Understood, Mrs. Smart."

"Ready." Lydia came back downstairs dragging her trunk "Bye Mum." She kissed her mother's cheek and she and the Professor left.

Outside Lydia side-along apparated with her headmaster. They reached a block of large apartments and Dumbledore whispered to her the location on the headquarters. Immediately another building appeared and Dumbledore led her inside.

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"What is she doing here?" Ronald Weasley asked in disgust.

"Ron!" His mother smacked him on the back of the head "Hello dear. I'm Molly Weasley. Welcome to Number 12 Grimmauld Place."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Weasley. I'm Lydia Smart."

Mrs. Weasley shook her hand and smiled "Smart? Where have I heard that name before?"

"My great-great-great grandfather worked at the Ministry. In the Department Of Mysteries." Lydia winced.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened "That Smart family. I thought...maybe...oh never mind. You're welcome here, of course."

"You'll be sleeping with Hermione. I believe you know her." A rough man's voice spoke. He was tall with long dark hair and a handsome face that had been splattered in wanted posters for almost two years. Sirius Black.

"Thank you Mr. Black." Lydia shook his hand, surprising him.

"You're not afraid of me?"

"Why should I be? I know the truth. You had nothing to do with the deaths of Lily and James Potter or those muggles."

"How would you know that?" Sirius asked.

Lydia glanced at Dumbledore then at Ron.

"Perhaps that would be better discussed at the meeting tonight." Dumbledore got her hint.

"What?!" Ron shouted "Do you mean she gets to be in the meetings?"

"Yes Mr. Weasley. Miss Smart has abilities we need, she will be joining the Order." Dumbledore explained calmly.

"But-but she's not of age! Why is she allowed in and not us?" Ron raged.

"Because, Ron," Mrs. Weasley scolded "Dumbledore said. Although I personally disagree with bringing her in." She emphasized her last point, glaring at Dumbledore "She's far too young."

Ron hurumphed and shouted "But she still gets to be in the meetings!" He stomped out.

Lydia hung her head sadly. What had she ever done to Ron?

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That night at the meeting Lydia sat next to Sirius and her old teacher, Professor Lupin. She nervously fiddled with her ring. It had been a gift from her mother and helped calm her when she was anxious.

"And now," Dumbledore said "Please welcome our newest member, Miss Lydia Smart."

Lydia stood up and waved shyly "Hi, so I know I'm really young, but I can help and I hope that by helping we can stop You-Know-Who." She sat back down.

"Miss Smart?" Mr. Weasley asked "What is it that you can do, exactly?"

Lydia glanced at Dumbledore and he nodded encouragingly.

"I...um...I can see souls." She tried to explain "My great-great-great grandfather worked at the Department of Mysteries and he discovered that his wife and daughter could see and speak to spirits. The ones who haven't passed on yet. He went a little crazy trying to figure out how they did it, what made them different. In his experiments he altered our vision. Now we can not only see souls, but also the future."

Stunned silence filled the room. Finally Mad-Eye Moody stood up.

"So," he said "What do you see?"

Lydia blushed "Um...well...you see...I haven't exactly had any clear visions since Voldemort came back. Everything's been fuzzy."

"What do you mean 'fuzzy'?" Kingsley Shaklebolt asked.

"I mean the future is in flux. Everything is dependent on one thing."

"What is it?"

"That's just it. I don't know."

Word count: 1053 words

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