Chapter Five…The Meeting
"I fear they are gathering somewhere round here," Albus announced later that day. All adult members of The Order sat in the dining room, the doors closed and spelled so that no one could hear inside, even with those weird magic ears Buffy had seen the two Weasley twins use. "For what, though, I cannot guess. I have heard a bit that a group of Death Eaters reside in Bath, at an abandoned mansion out in a woods."
A low murmur went round the table.
Kingsley raised his hand for silence. "And we are to go check this mansion out?" His darkly-colored handsome face shown with worry.
The elder wizard nodded. "Yes, I wish for that. But, I must tell you all now that this is purely voluntary. We do not know what is there, other than that Fenrir Greyback is there, with his whole pack of Death Eater werewolves. This is not certain, though. Voldemort could very well be there as well, for all we know. That is why I must press upon you this: any who do not wish to go will not be forced. And I will not tolerate for any to be pressured into going. Volunteers only. We do not know what is truly there. It could very well be abandoned still. We do not know." He took his seat.
Again everyone began talking to each other. Buffy caught a few bits and pieces, such as "…send us to our deaths…" and "…must be mad…", which angered her.
She stood.
It went silent again as everyone looked at her. Feeling slightly embarrassed at the attention, she forced her voice to be strong as she spoke. "I couldn't help but hear what some of you were saying. And I just want to tell you that Albus is not sending us to our deaths, and he is not mad. He clearly stated that this assignment is voluntary, and in case you don't know your grammar, it means that you don't have to go if you don't want to. Hear that? You don't have to if you don't want to." She took a deep, calming breath. "I've only known Albus personally for two days, and I believe he would never lead us astray. You all have known him for years, and you doubt him? I, myself, am in on this assignment." She closed her eyes to calm herself, opening them as she sat back down, finished.
Her words were followed by a thoughtful silence.
Then Tonks nodded, agreeing. Today her hair was choppy and dark blue. "Buffy's right. I don't know about the rest of you, but I believe in Albus as well. And as for this assignment, I'm in as well. What about you all?"
Everyone looked at each other. Slowly, people began raising their hands. Soon, only two people hadn't; Severus, whom she really had begun to hate, and Mundungus, a slimy drunkard who had hit on her minutes after meeting her.
Albus smiled. "It will only take five of you, so if you don't mind, I will pick some of you." He looked round at them, then nodded. "Buffy, Remus, Tonks, Mad Eye, and Kingsley. I trust this is accepted?" Everyone agreed. "All right. Today is Tuesday, yes? We will go in three days, this Friday. Agreed? Good. Let us end this meeting now, shall we?"
Buffy stood along with everyone else, leaving the room. She watched as most of them left, except for the few who lived there at the moment. Albus stayed too. He stood at Buffy's side until everyone was gone.
Finally, Albus spoke. "Thank you, Buffy. I appreciate your loyalty and trust in me."
She smiled. "S'no problem. I did it because I believe it." She paused, looking at him. "Can I ask, though, who gave you this information?"
Albus shook his head. "That I cannot say. But I will tell you that I have it on good authority that Greyback's pack is there. I only hope nothing else is."
Buffy nodded.
"Me too."