Chapter Three
Harry donned his best robes and slowly walked down the stairs. He was going to his first Order of the Phoenix meeting where he would be initiated. He had seen no one for two days other than Remus Lupin. He'd sent for Jolie and waited for Snape to return. They had decided to initiate him before he made the attempt to enter Dubledores's mind. Both Snape and Remus decided it would provide some protection. Tonight, there would be several surprised people who did not know of his new identity, something to be shared now with the members of the Order.
Harry spent the two days almost alone, having his meals with Lupin in the kitchen. Earlier in the evening, they once again joined each other for a meal.
"Tell me Remus," he asked, "where did that miserable creature go to? You know, Kreacher."
Lupin smirked, "He's in the coal room downstairs. He was forbidden to enter any of the upstairs rooms. Of course, he's gone over you know, quite out of his mind. His joy in life would be to be beheaded and have his head hung the wall. Ugh!" Remus stopped eating as if thinking of it made him nauseous, "There's nothing to do for the creature. Actually, I think he likes it down there. We've given him a bunch of the old Lady Black's things to placate him and he stays out of sight. Funny you should ask about him, Harry," he added.
"I don't know, Remus. I don't like the idea of him down there. He was able to hurt Buckbeak and he lied to Sirius. I know house elves can and do betray their masters. Dobby was able to do it, so can Kreacher. How can we have him in the house with so much going on?" Harry asked.
"If you have a solution I will help carry it out Harry," Remus said and shook his head in frustration. "It's better to have him here where we can watch him, then set him free. He'd go right to the Malfoy's since Narcissa Malfoy is a Black by blood."
"Yeah I know, Sirius told me about her and Lestrange," Harry pondered. "Does he still refuse to obey Tonks?"
"He has so far," Remus muttered. "By the way Harry, off the subject...tonight is a meeting of the Order. Will you be ready for your initiation? We will find no better time and we need to do something about, Albus."
Harry met the man's eyes and nodded silently.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, neither enjoying their own cooking.
"Tell me about your wife and her people Harry," Remus' said, his face lighting up. Once again, there was a smile. Lupin had been at his wedding two weeks before. It had been a simple affair within the Roma camp and only a few of his friends attended.
Harry's mood lightened as he spoke of Nadya, her mother and their people. He talked about traveling and setting up the fairs and his job as a stilt walker. "Nadya is teaching me Romani," Harry said. "I'm catching on pretty quick. But I doubt I will ever understand their magic. They don't use wands Remus and yet they still can perform magic. Some very complicated magic, too."
Remus listened intently. "You know Harry, they are some of the most mysterious and venerated wizards in the world, but they remain very aloof. They have been invited to join the Wizengamot and have always been welcomed to represent themselves in the Ministry of Magic. No one could persuade them to do it let alone be asked to visit one of their tribes. Moreover, here you are married to one of their own. I find that amazing." Remus chewed thoughtfully. "Their magic is beyond my imagination, their skills legendary."
"I've seen some of that," Harry agreed. He recalled his Spirit Walk the year before. "They are very tuned into nature, and its' spirit." He was speaking of his own use of the power of nature to cause a snowstorm that had helped him and Snape escape from Voldemort and Malfoy. His friends in the family had taught him many things over a short period of time.
Lupin watched him and added, "Yes, I imagine you have."
At half past eight, he found himself in the older wing of the house. Lupin told him how to find the large room that had once been a ballroom. Throughout the evening, Harry heard the voices in the hallway and people entering and disappearing down the hall. Now, he faced the heavy walnut doors and hesitated. He'd never been one for facing a lot of staring eyes. He also knew Lupin was preparing them with the news that he was now alive.
He opened the doors and found at least thirty people looking back. In seconds, arms engulfed him around his neck; Ron, Fred, George, Tonks, Mrs. Weasley and others.
"Harry, oh my we thought you were dead!" Mrs. Weasley cried tearfully, clinging to his neck while Arthur Weasley was trying to untangle her arms. Fred and George were busy pounding on his back. Others were making comments he couldn't hear.
McGonagall gave him a death-defying hug with tears in her eyes and said, "Mr. Potter. I should have known. You're like a cat with nine lives."
"Hello, Professor," he said, grinning. He felt a faint flush rise in his cheeks. He was pleased that she was now aware he was alive. Living through the past school year and watching people he liked mourn over his death was dreadful. Now he felt the burden lift from his shoulders, as if he had his family back.
"Could we have some order?" came a voice from the front. It was Snape. The crowd quieted slowly.
Harry was still being introduced to newer members of the Order by Mad-Eye Moody. "Hold yer horses, Snape," his voice boomed out. "And this here' is Horatio Dunkirk and Wanda Gorethunk. Ye know these heathens, Tonks and Shacklebolt. Okay, I guess we'd better get to business, I'll introduce you to the lot of em after the meeting." Moody thumped over to a chair and sat down staring frostily at Snape and griped, "Get on with it Severus."
Snape nodded to Harry who was guided to a seat next to him. The crowd calmed down and sat expectantly. "We've come together this evening for several reasons," Snape began. "We will be initiating Mr. Potter into the Order of the Phoenix. After that, we have some other business to attend to. The meeting will be short. I will also let people know where the next meeting will be held. Meeting altogether in one spot is essentially unsafe at this time." Several people nodded and then waited expectantly. Snape stood and looked at Harry, a motion of his head indicated Harry was to stand as well.
Arthur Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, Mad-Eye Moody and Snape formed a circle around him. Fred, George, Hermione and Ron left the room and came back dressed in full-length white robes with a gold star on the breast of each. They each carried a robe of midnight blue with a silver star emblazoned on the front.
Ceremonially, they dressed Weasley, McGonagall, Moody and Snape in the blue robes and took a step back. Each was handed a burning white candle. Snape held a white robe for Harry but did not put it on him. The four encircled him and pulled their wands from their pockets and pointed them at Harry's chest.
Snape spoke, "You are here as an Initiate of the Order of the Phoenix. By answering 'I will' to the questions posed, you are agreeing to abide by these rules and these obligations set before you. Do you understand?"
Harry answered," I will."
"Do you understand that those who have their wands pointed at you will kill you instantly if you should fail in your oath?"
"I will."
"Very well- I, Severus Barnham Snape, son of Brahm Leviticus Snape and Matilda Green Veck do stand in good stead of the Master of these Ceremonies and command the Initiate to answer straight and true, On Pain of Death." Snape stood in front of Harry and spoke clearly, "Do you willingly ask for death at the hands of your peers should you break your vow of silence and betray the names of your fellow members," Snape intoned.
"I will."
"Will you willingly sacrifice your life, so that your fellow members and their families may live?"
"I will."
"Do you vow that you will take your own life rather than have an allegiance to evil in any form?"
"I will."
"Do you willingly accept the obligations of Order of the Phoenix as a priority, above all else, before all others; including family, friends and other personal ties?"
"I will."
"Do you agree to abide by all the rules, orders and tasks assigned to you by any member of the Order regardless of their nature and without question and keep these proceedings secret?"
"I will."
"Do you vow to respect the lives of all creatures great and small and show no bigotry or discrimination?"
"I will."
"Who in this assembly will stand for this neophyte?" Snape asked.
Remus stood up in the crowd and stepped forward and said, "I, Remus Lupin the Third, son of Remus Lupin the Second and Dorothea Magnus." He walked over and stood beside Harry. He wore a Blue robe with the same Silver Star. He reached into the circle, put his hand on Harry's shoulder, and said, "I do stand here in place of James Henry Potter and Lillian Rose Evans as the guardian of Harry James Potter until he reaches the age of seventeen and do vouchsafe for this neophyte and say that he takes these oaths without duress. So say I, On Pain of Death."
"Neophyte, son of James Henry Potter and Lillian Rose Evans, do you swear these oaths, On Pain of Death?" Snape asked.
"I do," Harry said.
Snape nodded at the other three and together they put their wands together and spoke, "So be it."
Replacing his wand, Snape took the white robe and draped it around Harry's shoulders. "This oath you take is now binding, by our Seal. You are now a neophyte in the Order of the Phoenix, Mr. Harry James Potter. Welcome, Brother."
The entire group rose as one and solemnly filed by him, the most elder in the Order first, down to the neophytes like himself. Each touched him with their wands and said, "Welcome, Brother."
In turn, he joined the others to bestow his welcome on the shoulders of Hermione, Ron, George and Fred when they were next initiated.
Mrs. Weasley sang out, "Tea is coming everyone. Hold the business until we're all served." Harry found himself with a tea tray in his hands passing out cups to everyone, alongside Hermione, Ron, Fred and George without using magic. They stood silently as the members of the group spoke.
"Have you heard from Hagrid, Severus?" McGonagall asked.
"He is still on his mission and should return shortly Minerva," Snape spoke firmly; "I will leave it up to you to discuss Dumbledore's current situation with him when he returns."
She blanched but nodded.
"What about Albus?" Arthur Weasley asked. "Have we come up with any solutions?"
"We have brought Mr. Potter here to see if he can remedy that situation," Snape said pointedly, ignoring Harry who stood against the wall. Half of the room turned to look at him. "I will be teaching him Legilimens. With some assistance, we're hoping he can break through and reach Albus."
"Bloody hell, Snape!" Moody glared, "That man's mind is like a field of land mines." Several people looked at him curiously. "That's those explosive things that muggles use to blow themselves apart," he said gruffly. "My guess is Dumbledore has traps and hidden mazes in there, where nobody could find their way, in or out."
Snape nodded and replied, "Dumbledore is a very powerful wizard. We're hoping Harry will be a benign presence and Dumbledore will recognize him and admit him."
Moody grumbled under his breath.
Mrs. Weasley shot to her feet protesting, "He's only sixteen years old people!" She looked at Harry at the rear of the room and continued, "You know as well as I do this is a serious-maybe even lethal- matter. Dumbledore could kill easily him!"
"Molly, "Arthur started, pulling on her arm. "He's a member of the Order now. He has the same right as anyone to lay his life on the line." The red haired man didn't look at the back wall where Harry stood.
"We could lose them both," she cried and pulled at her arm. "Arthur, we just got Harry back from the dead!"
Harry stood stone-faced. He loved Mrs. Weasley for her kindness and generosity towards him, but he wanted her to stop her interference. He was not allowed to speak at the meeting and had to wait for others to add their thoughts. There were many who took up the next twenty minutes protesting and going into some graphic detail about what Harry might experience during his attempt.
"Very well," Snape said, nodding, "our business is concluded. We will meet again in two nights. There are those of you who have individual reports and I'll take those now. He turned away from the group as they began to disperse and moved over to a desk placed in the corner of the large room. He looked over at Harry and said, "Mr. Potter, please don't leave until we have had a word."
Harry waited until the members left the room in twos separated by five to ten minutes. He stood on one foot and then another willing the room to empty quickly. Hermione and Ron knew he would speak to them later and they left with George and Fred. They were staying at the house in the rooms they had previously occupied.
Molly Weasley gave him a quick hug and said heartily, "I'm so glad you're back, Harry dear. I know you can't speak, which probably is a thing in my favor." She smiled weakly. "I'm sure you're tired of my always standing in your road. I just wanted you to know we care for you and love you as one of our own."
She went to move past him and then stopped. He heard a small sob. She managed to hold back the tears and say, "Harry, if you should find out that Percy has done something wrong… if you see into Albus' thoughts, I mean. I…I don't want to know. Alright?" she whispered. "I would rather let him go thinking he had changed his mind and wanted to come back to us, then know of his betrayal."
Harry knew what she meant. If anyone of them found out that Percy Weasley was in league with Voldemort, they were sworn to kill him out-right. Harry nodded not taking his eyes off her. He bent and kissed her on the cheek. "It's all right. Everything is going to be all right, Mrs. Weasley," he murmured in her ear. Arthur Weasley walked up, shook Harry's hand and left behind her without speaking. As Harry accepted the handshakes and the goodwill of people walking by, he began to wonder what he was up against.
"Mr. Potter," Snape called to him. Tonks and Shacklebolt had just left him. The room was empty. "Your friends will be here late this evening." He was referring to Jolie Pulani, his Roma friend and part of the tribe that Harry lived with. Harry's own new bride was a member of Jolie's Kumpania.
"Are we going to begin Legilimency lessons tonight?" Harry asked, feeling mildly surprised.
Snape looked up from the multiple pieces of parchment he was bent over studying. Harry noticed that he was looking mildly worried, something Harry had never seen on the man's face.
Are you worried about me? Harry wondered and almost laughed, Professor Severus Snape, the terror of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, worried about Harry James Potter. Huh! That will be the day.
"Yes, Mr. Potter we are going to begin tonight. But there will be no lessons. We will make the attempt to reach Dumbledore tonight," Snape answered, straightening to his full height. "Let's just hope you're a better student at Legilimency then you are Occlumency."
Ah, there it is, Harry thought, You took your shot. "Anything else, Professor? If not, I'm going to my room to rest." He didn't want to continue to play games with Snape all night. Two weeks to the night, Snape had attended his wedding and they had exchanged civil words with one another. Evidently, Snape felt the need to regain his ground. Harry waited for his permission to leave and knew he could turn the tables very quickly on the older man.
"No…" Snape looked uncertain.
Harry frowned and waited an extra minute before turning and leaving the room. He was still dressed in the white neophyte robe when he entered his bedroom and found Hermione, Ron, George and Fred there.
Since Ron and Hermione had been aware Harry was still alive during the last school year, they waited until Fred and George had their say before settling down to talk about the meeting.
"By Jove, mate," Fred laughed, "you're married!"
"Yeah, what's that like?" George asked, his eyebrows rising up to his scarlet hairline.
Harry smiled and felt a blush rising in his own cheeks.
"You two stop now!" Hermione said, pulling out her wand. "We are not going to let this degenerate into something rude. Harry's wife is an absolutely gorgeous girl and that's it." She confronted George and Fred with a steely look and they settled down almost immediately. "Good."
"Harry, you're going to go into Dumbledore's mind," Fred whistled. "Mum was right you know. I think Albus Dumbledore is wickedly brilliant, but who knows what goes on inside that head." George nodded in agreement.
Harry looked pointedly at Ron as he listened to the conversation. He was lying prone on the four-poster bed. "Since you're all here there's something I wanted to talk to you about." They gathered around him, each finding a position on one of the two beds in the room while he stood looking down at them. Ron watched him with a serious expression on his face. Harry continued, "I trust all of you with something really important. You'll have to swear to it." Harry looked directly at Ron.
"What Harry?" Hermione asked. She was lying in front of Ron. He had one arm propping up his head and the other draped over her.
"If something happens to me I want you all to swear that you'll look after Nadya... no matter what…for the rest of your lives. You'll protect her and keep her safe," Harry said it and waited. The response was immediate from Fred, George, and Hermione.
Ron rolled off the bed and stood up, walked over to Harry and said, "You didn't have to ask, Harry. It's a done deal." Harry gave Ron a firm handshake. It was the first time in months he felt tears fill his eyes.
"Break it up you two," Fred laughed., "Butterbeer for all." The table near the draped window was suddenly filled with treats. The others went over to examine the goodies while Harry stood looking at his friend.
"Sorry about your brother," Harry said. "I've been occupied. It's no excuse really but I'm here for you as well. I hope you know that."
Ron nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, it's okay. I'm good." They had gotten to the point in their relationship where both knew what the other was feeling and thinking. They gave each other quick hug and parted.
"How are you and Hermione doing?" Harry asked as he accepted a pumpkin pasty from George and went back, sat on the bed and offered half to Ron.
Ron blushed and murmured out of earshot of his brothers, "We're good. I'm going to meet her parents later this summer. I've been invited to go with them to France. They like to holiday there. Two weeks."
"Really!" Harry grinned, "Two weeks."
"Well, you know, if everything goes all right," Ron said, soberly.
"Go anyway, Ron. No matter what. It might be the only chance you get before school starts." Harry watched Hermione and the twins talking in the corner. "We have to take life as it comes. Besides it might be safer there then hanging around this place."
"You're probably right," Ron agreed. "Harry, I won't go if you think you might need me or Hermione."
"Ron, I've got Lupin and Moody," he tried to smile and added, "and Severus!"
Ron grimaced. "Yeah what's up with him? I'll tell ya Harry, I never liked him and never will. And here we are in the same secret society and I have to sacrifice my life for him- if it ever comes to that," Ron looked morose as he said it.
Harry burst out laughing.
"What are you two talking about?" Hermione asked strolling over and offering Ron a drink from her glass.
"Nothing, just us blokes talking," Ron said.
"We've got about two hours for you to fill me in on everything," Harry said. "Wait let me get some butterbeer." He leapt up, fetched a drink, and then curled up on the bed while the four of them talked. They talked about school and the shop the Fred and George were running.
9