Chapter Two

It went as planned. The train was in the station five minutes and they got off. It was late and there were a few stragglers. The two men went through the barrier at Platform 9 ¾'s and hastily pulled off their cloaks. Harry was dressed underneath his robe as a muggle teenager, with a tee shirt and blue jeans. Remus wore worn corduroy slacks and a shirt. They both wore caps. Snape looked odd compared to the them as he was dressed in a dock worker's clothes.

As soon as they had transformed themselves into Muggles, Snape left them."Do you think you can get us a cab, Tommy?" Remus asked as they walked quickly to the entrance.

"Yes." Harry had never done this before but knew more about it than the wizard at his side. He glanced at the moon and for the first time in the trip calculated the phases of the moon. He'd forgotten about Remus and the possibility he could transform to his werewolf if there was a full moon. There wasn't, it was a half moon.

They were in luck. A stray cab sat at the curb in front of the well-lit train terminal and Harry grabbed the door, peered in and slid in with Remus behind him. Remus took out a slip of paper and told the driver, "Huckleberry Square, northeast." The cab took off. Harry kept glancing over his shoulder to watch the street behind them. The city looked almost empty and it was late.

In forty minutes, the cab let them off in a dark alley. Remus took out his wand and stood in front of Harry, shielding him, until the street was clear of any traffic. He nodded and Harry followed him around the corner. They were on the street in front of Sirius' house, magically hidden between two adjoining houses. They didn't speak until they reached the No.11 Grimmauld Place and Remus mumbled, "No. 12 Grimmauld Place." The house between 11 and 13 appeared.

They were through the door and in the dark hallway in seconds. Harry noticed some changes in the hall. He hadn't been there since the Christmas that Sirius had died. The portrait of Sirius' mother had been removed and the walls repainted. It no longer smelled of mildew and mold and there was welcoming lamp sitting on a desk with a fresh vase of roses next to it.

"Can we speak Remus?" Harry asked, keeping his voice low.

"Yes, we can Harry. I know you have many questions to ask and I'll answer them in due course. There's no one else here besides Madam Pomphrey. She's upstairs with Albus. She wouldn't let anyone else take care of him." Remus waited for him. "Do you want to go up first before we talk?"

"Yes." Harry nodded and Remus led the way to the second floor.

They opened the door quietly. Madam Pomphrey shook herself from a nap and glanced up. She didn't recognize Harry and was not one of the few who knew he was still alive.

"Remus what are you doing?" She looked Harry over and then at Albus Dumbledore. "He really shouldn't have visitors."

"Hello," Harry said sticking out his hand, "I'm a grandnephew of Albus. I'm Tommy. In case of emergency I was to be informed."

"Oh, I see," she looked a little surprised. "Very well. I'll go down for tea. Would either of you like some?"

"Yes, that would be nice," Remus said.

Harry was looking at Albus while the nurse slipped from the room. He sat down on the edge of the bed and put his own hand on the gray-veined hands lying on the bed covers. Albus' long white hair covered the pillow. He looked as if he was asleep and would wake at the touch, but didn't. Harry wondered at the frailty of the old man since he last saw him. In this state, Dumbledore look frail and vulnerable, something Harry never thought was possible.

"Can you tell me now, Remus?"

Lupin sat down tiredly on the vacated chair by the bed and leaned over his knees pressing his hands together. "We don't know much. He could be in this state purposely or because someone has cursed him. It's really a dangerous situation because he's secret-keeper for the Order. We don't know if that has been compromised although Severus seems to think not."

"Where is Professor Snape?" Harry asked without looking up.

"He's in hiding," Remus answered. "Better that we're not all in the same place at the same time."

Harry nodded. "Can you tell me more?"

"It was just after your wedding. Albus made plans to go to Bulgaria. Most of the teachers were already gone from Hogwarts except those that generally stay there throughout the year. Severus is one and there are a few others. The Order was still meeting here in the Black mansion every other night. It seemed the safest place," Remus said when Harry raised an inquiring eyebrow.

Remus continued, "We've been trying to decide how best to deal with not having Snape available as a spy. His knowledge has been essential of course, but obviously not possible now. We have no way of knowing what's happening with you-know-who; HIM," Remus muttered. Harry knew who he was speaking about.

"Anyway, McGonagall found Albus, he was…" Remus choked, "in the middle of a blood bath."

Harry swiveled around on the bed where he sat, and stared at the man. A bloodbath!

It was obvious Remus was struggling to continue, "At the Ministry of Magic. Several people were killed; Madam LeClair…" (Harry started in surprise. Madam LeClair was their newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and had been introduced to the class by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge and Dumbledore. She was a trained Auror.)

…"Jacob Hopkins, Bush Mandrake. Cornelius Fudge…"

"Dead?" Harry gasped.

"No. Missing," Remus said, "as is Percy Weasley." Remus glanced at Dumbldore. "The others, theyy were slaughtered Harry… bloody-well slaughtered. No wizard did what I saw; it had to be muggles. There was no magic detected in the deaths. Imagine- in the Ministry of Magic!" Remus wiped his mouth. "And that's not all of it."

Harry steeled himself for the worst.

"They think Albus did it because he was found there in this condition without a scratch on him."

Harry drew in a harsh breath and wanted to scream- but didn't. They couldn't think that!, he thought furiously.

Lupin nodded, "I know what you're thinking. Albus went there because Cornelius needed to discuss something with him. Since the incident in the Department of Mysteries…" Remus cleared his throat. They both knew he spoke of Sirius' death and the fight that took place with Voldemort showing up on the scene to kill Harry. "Cornelius has been pathetically dependent on Dumbledore. But it is for certain Voldemort has started his war and means to discredit Dumbldore and get him put in Azkaban or whatever. Once Albus is removed there is little that stop Voldemort."

"How? Who," Harry stuttered, "got him out?"

"Severus went for him and brought him here," he continued. "Since Severus couldn't return to the Voldemort, he's been taking on a lot of the work Dumbledore was doing. Which was a good thing Harry," Remus could see the look in his eyes. "Dumbledore really had a horrendous amount of work with the Order and Hogwarts. There are people all over the world who depend on him, you know."

Harry thought for a moment about it. No, he really didn't know. He didn't know many things. "Remus, what about Percy and Fudge?"

"We just don't know Har…Tommy." Remus looked up just as Madam Pomphrey brought in a tea tray. "Thank you, Poppy. I think Tommy and I will take our tea down to the drawing room and leave you alone with Albus."

They accepted a cup and trudged down to the now suitably clean room on the first floor. Harry settled himself into a seat in front of the cold fireplace. He noticed the room was redecorated and held none of the old creepy things that had been the belongings of the Black family. Most of the things were used in Dark magic. Harry could almost forget that he was in his dead godfather's house.

"What about Ron and the rest of the Weasleys, Remus?" Harry sat the cup aside. "Should I go to them? I want to but I don't know the situation. And only Ron and Mr. Weasley really know my true identity."

"It's alright Harry. They're doing the best they can given the information we have. And really the question floating around is whether Percy is a victim or… something else. I would advise not going to them."

Harry stared at him. Percy had estranged himself from his family and had been Fudge's puppet in the last two years. Once Voldemort had shown himself Harry thought Percy would have changed his mind and returned to his family." Harry thought about it. The events of the past year had kept him from asking Ron many questions. Harry felt like kicking himself for being so self-absorbed that he had not asked about Ron's brother..

"What else don't I know?" Harry asked. "I mean, I think there are things I should be told about Albus and the Order. I think it's time everyone stopped keeping me in the dark."

"You're probably right, Harry. I'm not sure I'm the best one to do it, but I guess I'm the only one left who can at this point in time." The man stood and paced the cool room. His hands fluttered to his pockets and he looked agitated. "This is going to take some time."

Harry had rarely seen Lupin when he didn't look composed and he was sure that this was not all about Dumbledore. "Alright," Harry nodded, "but there's something I want to know before we get into details."

Remus stopped the pacing and waited.

"We've not talked about Sirius' since he died," Harry said and found a painful throb rising in his chest. "I just want you to know I take full responsibility for what happened. It's not something that I'm proud of, but I….."

"Harry, I don't hold you responsible. Never have!" Remus gasped. "Never! And you shouldn't feel responsible either. Do you understand! There was nothing either of us could have done about it. Sirius was head strong and willful. He was just chewing at the bit to be involved and not stuck in this blasted hole anymore!" He continued his pacing. "He was always that way. Your father and I had to bail him out of so many things because he was impulsive." He whirled and faced Harry, "If I thought for a minute that you still suffered because you thought you were the cause of his death… then… it would really upset me to think that, Harry!"

It was the most demonstrative act Harry had ever seen the usually complacent man make. "Remus." Harry stood and walked over giving him a quick hearty hug and then let him go. "It's all right."

What is disturbing him, I wonder, Harry wondered. There was definitely more lines of worry etched in the prematurely aged face.

"Good, then let's get on with this unpleasantness," Remus scowled and turned his back to him. "Actually, I don't know really where to begin about this other business."

"Tell me more about, Albus, about…Riddle. About this house...anything," Harry said, settling himself back down into a chair. "I just need some reference point, Remus. I don't understand what's happening. What is upsetting you so much? I mean other than Albus being unconscious."

They looked at each other for a moment. "Very well," Remus said and looked around the part-library, part-drawing room. "I guess you could say it starts in this room, parts of it anyway."

Harry waited.

"Sirius' family was a pureblood family as you well know. Your father came from purebloods; as I did, and many others- Albus, McGonagall, the Weasleys and more; the Malfoys, Crabbes and Goyles. Those are names your most familiar with, but of course, there are many others. And I think Sirius once told you that these families have been inter-marrying for generations."

He stared at the fireplace as if pulling his thoughts together, "Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. It really all started out about that but very quickly became something more. Purebloods were considered the royalty in our world, and treated very much like royalty. People like Tom Riddle who married witches or muggle women who married wizards were looked down on by society as having 'dirtied the blood' by having mixed marriages. You've heard the term 'mudblood'?" Remus glanced at him and Harry nodded. "Ugly words." Remus shook his head and sat down in a chair across from Harry and continued, "Of course, the practice of intermarrying had been going on for several centuries. The crisis came when it became clear the purebloods were dying out and with that comes a redistribution of wealth and property...above all...the power that goes along with it; all those things that people have fought about forever.

"There were two sides initially; those who wanted a more equitable distribution of control and power … an equal say in how things were run in this world... the mixed bloods; and those who wanted the world purified- the purebloods. It's an old story."

Harry nodded, "I understand." He had been introduced to the term 'mud blood' by Draco Malfoy very early on and Sirius had stood in this very room and explained the family connections. Harry remembered Sirius' anger over his own family and their hatred of half-bloods. He had even left home, this home, at sixteen because of it.

"Of course, it got complicated right away." Remus was saying. "It had more to do with money and power and… and something else…" The man searched for words. "I'll get to that in a minute, Harry. First, I should tell you that when Sirius died he did leave a will. The money from his family's estate was divided between you and me," Remus said and looked at Harry. "Of course, Tonks did get some and a few other relatives that are still around, but the majority was distributed to us."

Harry shrugged. "Money doesn't mean much to me, Remus. My parents left me a good deal of money, too. But I'm glad you have it."

Remus smiled. "I don't think you understand, Harry. Between the two of us, we could buy London. We are the richest men in the wizarding world., richer than most muggle billionaires."

Harry studied him and shook his head. He'd gotten used to hearing information about himself that others knew and he didn't. "I'm pretty immune to surprises anymore, Remus. I suppose I should feel grateful, but honestly I would probably give it all away. It seems like..." he stopped and thought about it for a minute, "...it's just dirty money."

"Well, that is to say you will be rich when your identity is re-instated, hopefully somewhere in the future." Remus managed a smile and nodded in agreement. "I don't care much for that kind of money either Harry; but the point is that others do. Part of the reason for intermarriage of purebloods was also to keep the money 'in the family'." He continued, "Money is always connected to power. It buys lots of things; and people. It is the heart of a lot of evil in the world. Also, remember Harry, Bellatrice LeStrange is a Black, as is Narcissa Malfoy. The money runs through the purebloods like the blood through their veins."

There was still something Lupin was not telling him. "How does the Dark Lord fit into this Remus. He is not a pureblood and I don't think he really desires to be rich. He just wants to control the world.

Remus nodded. "This next part is the most difficult. I know so little about it. However, it is important to connect it with what's going on." Remus chewed on his index finger as if gnawing a bone and talked. "The Order of the Phoenix was actually a secret society that began a thousand years or more ago. It has had many purposes over those years. When Albus revived it, the sole purpose was to fight the purebloods and, Him… Tom Riddle. Tom had risen from this orphaned, half-muggle boy to a very powerful wizard in a very short period of time. He was accepted by the purebloods as one of their own. How do you think that happened?" Remus asked.

Harry thought about it. "Clearly he was willing to use dark magic to achieve his ends, Remus."

"Yes, that's part of it. The purebloods like the Blacks and Malfoys thought to use Riddle as their puppet, let him do the dirty work of cleaning out the rat's nest, so-to-speak. They were willing to let him form the army, the Death Eaters, and start the process of getting rid of the muggle contamination. They only had to sit back and pay for the venture. But they were all using the dark arts; Tom had many fine teachers when it came to that."

"Something happened that turned the tables, didn't it Remus?" Harry ventured, "That's what you haven't told me yet. Something happened that made a half-blood, half- muggle born more powerful than the purest blood wizard."

Remus nodded, answering, "Yes."

Once again, Harry waited, almost holding his breath. He could see talking about it was difficult for the man.

"The Order of the Phoenix had an ancient purpose much different than what we do today. Once you are initiated into the Order you will learn more about it. But I think since that will happen very soon, then to help you understand, I will tell you more about that original purpose.

Remus sat, his elbows on his knees his hands clasped before him and thought for a long time. "The Order was made up of the finest wizards of its time, the most powerful wizards. They needed to be- because…" Remus was speaking so low that Harry had to lean in towards, "It was their job to imprison and guard the most dreadful, the most terrible Evil, human-kind has ever known. Tom Riddle managed to tap into that evil like a wellspring of water."

He continued, " In addition, Harry…he has... but a minuscule amount of power that this source can produce. Can you imagine?" Lupin's eyes reflected back a horror that made Harry catch his breath and shudder involuntarily.

No, Harry thought. I can't imagine. I have no idea what you're talking about. He kept quiet and let Remus continue.

He hissed, "Can you imagine if it got out? A ferocious, inhumane, killing, devouring Evil that would cover the world in darkness- wizard and muggle alike." Remus' eyes glared like the wolfish nature of the creature that hid beneath his skin, "That is the source of Riddle's power, Harry. It is the source of immortality he cannot reach, but wants desperately." Lupin sat back. "What it would be like full-force is unfathomable. What it would do to Riddle if he were successful is also too horrible to imagine."

His thoughts were flying as he looked into Remus' face. Harry found his voice, it came out almost inaudibly, "Who guards this force now? Does the Order of The Phoenix guard it? Is that what you do?"

"Not me, Not any of the others. Only Albus knows where this evil is and he is the one who guards it," Remus replied. "This information...that affects the whole world... is in the head of that man upstairs."

They sat quietly for several minutes. Lupin stood slowly, walked over bent his head, and whispered close to Harry's ear, "Albus is one of the last of the true Order of the Phoenix, the last of the old Guardians; he is from a direct line of descendents of Guardians. He is the only one who knows if there are more Guardians and how they are designated as Guardians. He is the only one who knows what forces are necessary to keep this Evil entrapped. If he dies, the means to allow this force to be freed is possible." He stepped back.

"What can we do?" Harry gasped.

Lupin stood erect and talked softly, "I don't know. They study the problem in the Department of Mysteries. Those who delve into the Dark Arts have some knowledge. But Dumbledore has never passed on that information to anyone that we 's why Snape has been very useful. He knows a lot and he has been very close to Albus. With V…the Dark Lord indisposed because of the potion you and Snape were able to give to him, he will seek with all his energy and forces to find a way to regain his strength… and accomplish this task of achieving immortality. He will use every means available I think, his Death Eaters, even muggles, to do this. He would certainly be on his way to that end if Dumblediore were to die."

Harry sat stunned and then began to realize that his presence meant something. "Why am I here, Remus?"

Lupin looked at him. The pain and fear that had invaded the eyes was now replaced with sadness. "We were hoping you could get through to Albus. He called you 'One of the Uncorrupted'. It meant something to him and we need to know what. We have to know how to deal with this. If Dumbledore doesn't survive and there is no Guardian to follow in his footsteps then...well… I think you understand what we face."

Harry was thinking of the prophecy. Three knew about the prophecy; Dumbledore, Snape and himself. He had spent the entire past year in disguise, having faked his own death, so he could prepare to fight Voldemort. Now there was an added element which doubled the danger for himself and others.

He thought about it, So there is more to this than Dumbledore has told me, much much more. "But Remus, what makes you think I can get through?" Harry asked.

"I think you are the only one who can, Harry. He loves you. You are the child he never had; his family." His eyes glistened and when he spoke, his voice was shaky with emotion, "Believe me Harry, I would take your place if I could. There are others who would do the same." He shook his head, "Not because we believe you've had it easy; not with any of it. No one should have to live with the burdens placed on your shoulders. I want you to know that you have my deepest respect for the way you have conducted yourself- for the person you are." Harry was stunned when he saw tears in the man's eyes. "If you choose to say no- there is no one who would blame you." Lupin turned away hastily to recover his composure. "We can try and find another way."

"What you aren't telling me but I seem to feel I should understand, is that trying to reach Dumbledore might be very dangerous." Harry stood once again and Remus turned to him.

"Oh yes, Harry," Remus said. "Probably moreso than Tom Riddle thought of being. And we have no idea of just how dangerous that can be; we can only guess. We are asking you to use Legilimency and try to enter his mind and find out if he knows what is happening to him. We have no idea how to proceed from here."

Dawn peeked in the windows, turning the library shelves pink, the gold on the leather bindings of the books sparkled. Harry didn't see them, or the rosy light which slowly illuminated the drawing room. All he could see was Nadya, his new wife, her black flashing eyes and her smooth creamy skin. She was laughing and running through the wild flowers of the meadow, her brightly colored skirts skimming the grass, her bare feet dancing and her joy-of-life look.

An hour went by in silence and the room grew lighter. Both of them set contemplating their own thoughts and didn't speak.

"I will need to talk to Snape and I will have to ask for help from the Roma," was all Harry said before leaving Lupin in the library and climbing the steps to the rooms he had shared with Ron Weasley two summers before. He threw himself on the bed and studied the ceiling. Although exhausted, Harry knew he wouldn't sleep again for a while.