The Order Begins
Harry checked his watch. It was only eleven o'clock in the morning. It was still another hour at least until lunch. He looked in the cabinet. There were only four more memories left for him to view. He decided that he'd view one more now before lunch, and then view two more before dinner and the last one after dinner. He was feeling a bit exhausted now and just wanted to get it over with.
He picked up the next phial and poured it into the pensieve. He didn't waste any time diving head first into the memory this time.
-XXX-
Dumbledore's office reformed around Harry quickly this time. Harry figured that because he had been headmaster for so long, a lot had happened here in this office, and he no longer paid much attention to the actual office. Professor McGonagall was there talking to Dumbledore.
"Albus, something needs to be done," she was saying to him. She was sitting in the chair opposite Dumbledore by the fireplace and she was leaning forward, as if she was trying to make her point come across more strongly. "You-Know-Who has returned from wherever it is he was and he is wreaking havoc. There have been innumerable deaths of both Muggles and Wizards alike. We simply cannot stand by and allow it to happen. The Ministry alone is too weak to handle this. Besides, they don't have their entire focus on You-Know-Who."
Dumbledore was sitting back in his chair, looking into the fire pensively. "I agree Minerva," said Dumbledore when McGonagall had finished her impassioned speech. "Tom is gaining power too quickly. He is using fear as his method of control. The public fear him, the Ministry fears him, even his own followers fear him. I also agree that the Ministry cannot put all of its focus on this task of fighting back otherwise it would neglect other departments." He paused. "I have been thinking for a while now," he said slowly, "of starting a group where it's sole purpose is fighting back." McGonagall's face lit up.
"Go on..." she encouraged, nodding eagerly.
"We could get some of the most talented, loyal and brave witches and wizards together, those willing to risk their lives for this fight, and together we could go after Tom and his followers."
"That is exactly what I was talking about. that is exactly the kind of thing I had in mind. Do you have an idea of who we could recruit to join?" asked McGonagall.
"Well I know I would get support from Lily Evans and James Potter, and James' friends Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Alice and Frank Longbottom have huge potential. They are very talented. Hagrid without a doubt. These are just names I can pull of the top of my head who I am certain would want to be a part of this group, but I am sure there would be others." Albus sighed. "I will get in contact with them all in the next few days."
McGonagall smiled. "Do you know what we will be called?" she asked.
"That is one particular detail I have not thought about. However, what about... The Order..." he paused, looking around. He looked over to Fawkes sitting quietly on his perch in the corner. "Order of the Phoenix," he said, chuckling. "I think that would be quite fitting, don't you?" he asked.
"That is an excellent name, Albus. Phoenixes are resilient, strong, powerful, extremely magical, and generally a force for good. We can be like a phoenix, rising up out of the ashes of death and destruction to combat the darkness and restore life. Very fitting indeed," she said, and they both chuckled.
The memory faded around Harry, the sound of the chuckles being the last to fade. The memory reformed around him again quite quickly.
Harry was now in a large room that wasn't familiar to him. There was a large crowd of people in the room, sitting on chairs or lounging on poufs or standing. He looked into the faces of those around him. He saw Mad-Eye Moody standing near him looking more whole than Harry had ever seen him. Moody was speaking quietly to Abe Dumbledore.
Harry also recognised Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance and Sturgis Podmore from the Advance Guard that took Harry from Privet drive to Grimmauld Place in the summer before his fifth year. There was a young couple mingling with the others, chatiing and laughing. Harry noticed that he had his arm around her. When they looked in Harry's general direction, his heart sank. This was Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville's parents.
Someone laughed loudly, and Harry turned. There, in a small group sitting together in a circle, was Peter Pettigrew, Sirius, Remus, James and Lily. Harry quickly made his way over there and stood near his parents. They looked to be about his age, if not a bit younger. Sirius was the one who had been laughing loudly, obviously at something James had said. Lily looked disapproving, but kept her hand in James' anyway.
From the front of the room harry heard someone clearing their throat. Harry turned, as did most of the people in the room.
"Welcome everyone," said Albus Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall had joined the rest of the group and sat watching Dumbledore. "Now I am sure you are all wondering why I have gathered you here today." There was a slight murmur from the group. "I am sure you are all aware that Tom Riddle, otherwise known as Voldemort," there was another murmur from the group at the mention of Voldemort, "has returned from wherever it was that he had travelled to. He is now more active and more violent than ever before. The Ministry has not been successful at their attempts at bringing him and his followers to justice. I am not insulting the Ministry's ability. No, I merely think that the Ministry could do with some help." He paused, looking around into the faces of everyone there.
"I have asked each one of you here today because it is time we stood up and did something for ourselves. We need to be united as a force against Voldemort. If you are willing to risk your life for the protection and defence of both Wizards and Muggles alike, then join me, and together we can end this tyrannical reign." Dumbledore ended his impassioned speech and everyone sitting in that room started clapping and cheering. Harry, even though he was not part of the crowd per se, could feel his blood pumping at caught himself cheering along with the crowd too.
Harry stood by his parents and their friends as they went up to the table and signed their names.
"Hell, James. Fresh out of school and already they are calling upon us to defend the magical world. We must be good," laughed Sirius. James and Peter laughed too, but Remus didn't find it as amusing. Once people had signed their names they left, some hurrying away, some taking their time, chatting and joking with friends. Eventually, Harry's parents left, followed by Peter Pettigrew. Sirius and Remus hung back. Harry noticed Dumbledore standing near them, staring out into the distance. Harry knew Dumbledore was listening in to the conversation.
"Hey, Moony, you alright mate?" asked Sirius.
Remus had his hands shoved in his pockets. Now that Harry looked closer, he noticed that Remus was looking particularly pale. He had an angry red scar across his face. Harry remembered that scar.
"Yeah Padfoot, I'm alright. I just had a bad night is all," said Remus quietly. Sirius grabbed his arm and looked into his face.
"What happened?"
"I didn't quite make it to the Shack on time. I transformed in the forest. The centaurs weren't happy about that at all apparently," he said, pointing to the fresh scar on his face.
"Ah, well. I bet you fought them off bravely mate," said Sirius, slapping Remus on the shoulder. He slung his arm around Remus' shoulders and pulled him out. "Let's go grab a Butterbeer at the Hogs Head."
Remus twisted to look back at Dumbledore. Harry caught the look that passed between them and the slight nod from Dumbledore indicating he had heard. Remus visibly relaxed as he allowed Sirius to pull him out of the room.
Dumbledore turned back to McGonagall. "Well, I think that went well," said Dumbledore jovially.
"It did indeed Albus. I think we have a lot more support than what I initially thought we would get. The Longbottoms looked particularly happy tonight," she said.
"I should hope so, they got married a few days ago," smiled Dumbledore.
McGonagall sighed. "Fresh out of school and they are already getting married. I suppose that's what will happen with the threat of war looming over everyone. Makes you do irrational things sometimes. Well, as long as they are happy together, that's the main thing."
The scene around him faded as Dumbledore and Minerva were walking out of the room.
-XXX-
Harry had liked this memory in particular. He had seen his parents, together and happy with Sirius and Remus when they were still young and relatively unburdened. He had never seen just how happy his parents had been together, not when he thought about it really. And to see Neville's parents healthy and happy together had been wonderful. He thought that he would have to show Neville this memory sometime. He opened the accompanying letter and read:
Harry
As you probably know from our sessions exploring the memories about Tom in the pensieve, he left the country for a while, and returned early in 1978. On his return he was more ruthless and violent than ever before. He was attacking Muggles and Muggleborns, even half-bloods.
I had been thinking for weeks before Minerva came to speak to me that something needed to be done about it. I had felt that the Ministry, having many things to focus on, would not be able to put their whole attention on this matter. I selected the strongest, most talented, most loyal people to be a part of this group. I was right. We did become a force for good, eventually gaining a victory the night Voldemort tried to kill you. I hope we will be victorious once more.
I chose this memory in particular because I wanted to give you an opportunity to see your parents together and happy with their friends, before all the lies, secrets and betrayal tore them apart.
A.D
