Chapter 7 - Rise of the Phoenix
The sun shone brightly in the horizon. Ottery St. Catchpole was a village in ruins. Harry Potter stood in the blackened debris of the Burrow and mourned. The Weasleys had given up on him, true, but how could he blame them? Wouldn't he too have believed had one of them confessed to a crime under Veritaserum? No, he couldn't blame them for Voldemort's trickery. That would be like the petrified students in his second year blaming Ginny for their ordeals.
He would remember them as they were once. Ron, the bumbling idiot, who stuck by him through the harshest of dangers. Hermione Granger, the insufferable know-it-all, who overcame her fear of breaking rules to stand by him whenever required. Fred and George, two free spirits, who were probably wreaking havoc in the after-life with the Marauders. Charlie and Bill, he didn't know too well, but they were as good as family too. Percy? He strayed, but from what he had heard, Percy fought and died, standing beside his father. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who had always welcomed him as a son.
The Burrow was as home to him. Perhaps someday it would be rebuilt.
Harry waited silently until he saw the lonely figure approach. He felt a cold shiver inside, not like the cold of Azkaban, no, this was the cold of anticipation. The last breath before the plunge, so to speak.
"Welcome," Harry muttered. "We are waiting for another. Then we will move to Godric's Hollow."
If his companion felt any curiosity at their next location, she hid it. In silence, they waited. Several minutes ticked by before a middle aged man walked to them. The man had a closed expression on his face, as if he didn't want to be there.
"Welcome, Amos Diggory," said Harry. "This is Luna Lovegood."
Diggory nodded curtly. "The only reason I came here is to ask you to stop bothering me with your phoenix." He looked a bit disgusted with himself. "I didn't join the battle after my son was killed. Why should I join now?"
Harry looked at him sternly. "You were grieving then," he said. "Now, your grief has turned into cold anger. The murderer of your son is ruling as the Monarch of your land. Surely, you want to do something about it."
Diggory glared at his shoes. "I have nothing to live for," he said. "My son is dead. My wife is dead. My only hope is to join them in heaven."
"What if there is no heaven?" Luna sighed. "What if all this waiting is useless, and after your death, you find yourself as a newborn baby without any memories of your past life? A newborn baby born to a servant of the Monarch, raised to be an obedient servant to the Monarch."
Diggory stared at the girl with shock.
Harry raised his hand. "Luna," he said sharply. Turning to Diggory, he said, "I cannot force you to do anything. If your sole wish is to wither away in your little home, waiting for death to find you in old age - full of misery and loneliness, then go ahead. I won't stop you. I hope you are correct in your hopes and are reunited with your family in the afterlife." He paused. "However, there is a small chance that you might be able to bring the war to your enemies, to cause some damage to the bastard that killed your son for no better reason than that he strayed the path of one man. You may die earlier, perhaps most certainly, but in a much better way - with your head held high, your eyes blazing with pride and ears ringing with words of glory - I did it, I did it…"
Diggory froze. He looked at Harry curiously. "Who are you?"
Luna giggled. "That's obvious, silly. He's the successor of Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter."
Diggory sighed. "I don't know if I will be of much use, but by Merlin, you have stirred something in me, lad."
Harry grinned. "Brilliant. I could use with your experience in making portkeys." Diggory nodded. "Do you know Godric's Hollow? We have to pick someone up from there next."
Diggory was surprised at the next location but he didn't say anything. Instead, he removed his glove and cast a spell on it. He prodded it forward for Harry and Luna to touch it as well, and then activated it, taking all three to Godric's Hollow.
Harry gazed from one broken home to another. Godric's Hollow, however, saddened him the less. He had no memories of the place, other than those induced by Dementors. He knew, definitely, that he would never rebuild the house or stay there, if he ever even got the opportunity.
The person they were supposed to meet was already there. Harry saw a man crouched in the back garden in front of two graves. He gestured for the others to stay and slowly walked towards him.
"Remus Lupin," Harry said coldly.
"In person," the man returned with equal frigidity. "Allow me another minute of silence and I will join you."
Harry remained silent as he observed the man. But then he frowned when Lupin started whispering.
"I still wonder what those words mean: the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Lupin was reading from the tombstone. "How can one fight death? Why would one want to?" Harry chose not to respond, for Lupin was speaking more to himself than to anyone else. "Death is no longer a predator but an elusive prey, and I am the hunter that seeks to end his hunger."
Lupin sighed. "Forgive me Prongs, Lily, Padfoot. I have failed you completely. Forgive me, Harry. I wish I had been a better man."
Harry frowned. He had to cut it in the bud this time, or else the same problem that had occurred with Ginny might happen with him too. He said slowly, "I was with him when he died."
Lupin whirled around at tremendous speed.
Harry lowered his eyes, recalling his last moments. The curses, the torture, Azkaban. He closed his eyes painfully.
"You -- murderer!"
Harry opened his eyes, shocking both himself and the man in front, by the glistening tears that had emerged. "He was a tortured soul."
Lupin rubbed his forehead.
"I couldn't bear to see him suffer so I averted my gaze," Harry said slowly. It was a lie but a necessary one. "In the end, his eyes and face begged for only one thing." That was true, he knew it very well. "They begged for freedom from the suffering. They were on me, for I was the only one who hadn't taken part in the torture."
Lupin paled. "Did you?"
Harry nodded, averting his gaze. "I did. Will that make working with me a problem?"
Lupin spat in the ground. "I am a wolf, Flint. For more than a year, I have lived in the wild with a pack of wolves. Sometimes, the young hurt themselves too hard during the full moon. I understand the need to end suffering. It is one I live with every month."
Harry was relieved. "Ginny Weasley cast me out of Hogwarts when she found out. Though the Wards will accept me in, I will not go against her wishes."
"What were his final words, Flint?" asked Lupin softly.
Harry looked away, trying to recall it himself. Strangely, it was from Flint's memory that he got the answer. There were no words. Only laughter and tears. He sighed.
"His last words were incoherent. His last meaningful words were to Ginny Weasley, shortly before his death when she had broken into Azkaban. He said he loved her. That is how you should remember him."
Lupin looked at Flint for several seconds. Then, he nodded. "Thank you. I believe I can work with you."
Harry nodded. It would be harder for him to work with Lupin, but he had to. There was no option for him. If Sirius Black could let go of the betrayal, then so would he. But it didn't mean their relationship had to go back to the way it used to be. He led Lupin back to Diggory and Luna. They all shook hands.
"Our next stop is Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place," said Harry, noticing Lupin's shock. "Remus, if you apparate with Amos, I will come with Luna."
"How do you know of Grimmauld Place?"
Harry shook his head. "That is irrelevant and a waste of good time," he said. "We are being expected by others and are already delayed."
Grimmauld Place had changed since the last time Harry had been there, but as it was the only defensible place which was not in ruins and accessible to Harry, it had to do. Marcus Flint's house was under permanent watch and he had to relinquish it. Not that Harry was complaining. After all, Grimmauld Place had a portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, a former Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Harry opened the door. "Ladies first," he smiled at Luna, who walked in.
"BLOOD TRAITORS -- FILTH!"
Harry moved inside. He had forgotten to silence the portrait. But before he could raise his wand, he decided against it. No, there was something else he could do.
"Do you know who I am?" Harry asked the portrait of Walburga Black.
"You are a Flint!" she said, suddenly confused. "But you are also the master of this house. How can that be?"
"I will tell you," said Harry. "I'm master of this house because that madman you believe to be the messiah for purebloods has wiped out the Blacks. He killed Regulus. He has converted Bellatrix into a raving whore who killed Sirius. He has made Narcissa and her family slave to his every whim."
"HOW DARE YOU --"
"Look before you, you foolish hag!" Harry yelled back. "I'm the last of the Flints. With me are the last surviving members of several pureblood families - Lovegood, Diggory, Lupin."
"BLOOD TRAITORS -"
"The Potters are wiped out," he continued. "The Blacks are gone. So many pureblood families - McKinnon, Prewett, Patil, Crouch… Were they all blood traitors? Was Regulus Black a blood traitor?" He could see his words taking effect. "The very existence of pureblood families is at stake. So many families are down to their very last members. Other than us, there is Longbottom, Weasley, Dodge, Greengrass, Bones…"
"All because of one man?"
"All because of a halfblood called Tom Riddle, who has hidden behind the false names of Lord Voldemort and the Monarch."
Walburga Black's portrait looked confused and a bit lost. Finally, she sat back in defeat.
Harry nodded. Without another word, he walked into the meeting room. He was aware of the impact his little conversation had on those who had come with him and others who were present. He looked at the number of attendees. It was small. But it would suffice.
"Welcome," he said. "I am Marcus Flint. I used to be a Death Eater, until I witnessed the torture of Harry Potter. I gave him a merciful death. Then, I rescued Gabrielle Delacour, drove back an attack on Hogwarts and reunited Victoire Weasley to her aunt, the Lady of Hogwarts."
There was silence.
"I wish to join the Order of the Phoenix."
Suddenly, everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Join?" asked Diggory in surprise. "I thought you were leading us."
Harry's eyes darkened. "Since I am initiating this, yes, today I will chair the meeting. But we need another leader. You might be willing, Amos, but not everyone will be led by a former Death Eater. Not everyone will forgive me for killing Harry Potter."
"He speaks, of course, of Ginny Weasley," Phineas Nigellus spoke from his portrait. "May I intimate the Spymaster of Hogwarts of your safe arrival?"
Harry grinned. Everyone else gasped in surprise at knowing that Hogwarts had a spymaster. "Please do. I trust the Spymaster is well since our last meeting?"
"Following your last meeting, there was a little demonstration of temper that thoroughly outclassed that of Mr. Harry Potter during his fifth year, but yes, I believe he is quite well."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"I'll walk with you."
Mark would be fine, he was brave.
Harry spoke again. "We have here Elphias Dodge, who has secretly provided sanctuary to many muggleborn witches and wizards. Luna Lovegood, who fought a valiant battle against the lies of the Daily Prophet until the Monarch triumphed. Amos Diggory, from whom the first blood was drawn after Voldemort's second rise. Remus Lupin, who has been part of this organization since the first rise of Voldemort." He paused for breath. "We also have Daphne Greengrass, the last of her family." He turned to the girl, allowing her to introduce herself.
"Indeed." Her voice was as cold as ice. "The Monarch handed my sister to Malfoy and myself to Snape." There was an angry growl from Remus Lupin. "I was fortunate, for Ginny Weasley killed Snape two nights after… My sister, however… she was deemed to be an inconvenience when the Monarch decided he would rather see Malfoy in Hogwarts as Ginny Weasley's husband. She was eliminated."
Harry nodded. He didn't show any sympathy, it wasn't needed, not to that woman. He continued. "So far, the only opposition the Monarch has faced is from Hogwarts. Ginny Weasley has carried the war almost single handed. We should aid her by giving the Monarch something new to fear. Establish a second front of resistance, so to speak, divide his resources, strike with guerrilla tactics and bleed him in as many places as possible. Is everyone in agreement?"
When there weren't any objections, Harry continued, "I nominate Remus Lupin to be leader of the resurrected Order of the Phoenix."
Lupin growled. "I will not," he said angrily. "I may have all that experience you spoke of, but underlying it is the incontrovertible fact that I am weak. I have allowed others to die, while I survive. I have stood back, and allowed my pack to be thrown in cages, while I did nothing. I have failed at every single responsibility entrusted on me."
Harry gazed coldly at Lupin. "I will not argue with any of that," he said. "I will however tell you to stop being selfish. Your image is a necessary resource for us. It will help convince others that we are indeed what we claim to be. Look at the rest of us? Does any of us look like an adequate replacement to Albus Dumbledore? You, on the other hand, have been part of this struggle since the very beginning. Your loyalty to Dumbledore is unquestionable."
Lupin remained silent for a long time.
"I agree with Flint," said Daphne. "If rumors are correct, then you have lived in the forest for some time. We could do with the animalistic fury you will bring to us."
"I also agree, Remus," said Diggory. "But not for those reasons. You have made many mistakes, and you realize that. Therefore, you are the best among us to not repeat those mistakes."
Luna also nodded, and then Elphias Dodge.
Lupin glared at Harry for a moment, but acquiesced with a single nod. "You have more to say," he said simply.
Harry had more to say. "I will not reveal the identity of the Spymaster of Hogwarts. But it is easy to identify if a message is from the Spymaster." He looked surreptitiously at Phineas Nigellus, who nodded. The very next moment, Fawkes appeared.
"The Spymaster will send messages through Fawkes," said Harry. "Looks like he has sent one now." Harry picked the letter and read out.
"Dear Order of the Phoenix
I trust all is well and Flint has convinced Lupin to take leadership. If not, then I urge Mr. Lupin to reconsider his decision and recall the vow he had given to Albus Dumbledore.
The casualties from the previous attack on Hogwarts are limited to Filius Flitwick and Oliver Wood, who died a hero, and Cho Chang, who ran away, a traitor. The Lady of Hogwarts is in a bad shape over certain revelations regarding Marcus Flint and Harry Potter. However, her gratitude for the safe return of her niece is boundless. The Monarch has been pressing her to accept his proposal for her to wed Draco Malfoy. The Lady, I am afraid, is wavering. The loss of Flitwick and Flint has left her without anyone to cling to for support."
Harry paused, guilt soaring within him like an erupting volcano. He noticed the dark expression on Daphne Greengrass' face and forced himself to continue reading. Others had as severe problems as he.
"A little phoenix informs me that the goblins are losing their favor towards the Monarch. Another phoenix informs me that Remus Lupin's werewolf pack has increased in number. Infecting Neville Longbottom was not a wise idea, Remus. Ginny needs him here."
Harry stopped reading and glared at Lupin.
Lupin, however, shrugged. "He was told not to stray outside the den on full moon nights."
Harry paused at the tone of the man's voice. He was genuinely not bothered that he had infected Neville. Living a year in the wild had changed him.
"Inside the cave, he was safe behind a line of silver dust. The cave has much silver which he could have used to fight, even kill, any werewolf that entered. It is our way of keeping trusted guests safe. He didn't reciprocate our trust and came out. He strayed into our territory during the time of our curse."
Harry pondered his final words. Hadn't Flint strayed into his territory at the time of his curse? He nodded at Lupin. Some things were beyond a person's control. He continued reading.
"Several phoenixes speak of the Monarch's fury at Flint's betrayal and Bellatrix Lestrange's failure. Lestrange has sworn to kill Flint." Harry chuckled. That hardly made his life any different from how it used to be as Harry Potter. "That's all, folks. Although, a little phoenix here in Hogwarts would be very happy to restock his supply of lemon drops."
Harry groaned. He looked accusingly at Fawkes, as if it were the bird's fault.
