Chapter 11

The Order

"Pardon me..."

Harry said trying desperately to step around Snape, but the surly potions master seemed fixed to stay in the way.

"You don't fool me Dursley. Your whole bloody family is slime and there is something terribly wrong with you. You are keeping something from me and I will find out what it is. I am not a man to be trifled with. Do you understand Mr. Dursley?"

The words left Snape's mouth like a cool liquid. Harry clenched his fists. Snape was acting just like Harry remembered. It made his blood boil and he couldn't help but respond with

"I understand that I am neither special nor important, now let me move" on the last word Harry pushed against Snape's shoulder, breaking the tension filled space that kept them so close. He then quickly marched down the hallway.

Harry instantly regretted saying those words as they were something from his past but he didn't care. He needed to get away from Snape. He could feel his face become flush. He wasn't even sure why he was suddenly so angry. Perhaps because they had already exchanged first names and now Harry was back to feeling like a helpless child.

"The nerve of that arse. I'm a grown man with a job now. Bugger has the nerve to start treating me like that..." Harry was so angry that he never turned around to see the confused look on Severus Snape's face, showing that he clearly remembered those words and was now trying to figure out from what.

After a few moments from his march away, he slowed his pace. He began to think how would he explain Simon knowing about that conversation. He already suspected Moody to be on his trail and he was desperate to keep his distance from his roommates. He knew one thing; he needed to be careful about the people he was surrounded with now...

Walking further down one of the halls he heard whispers from two very familiar voices. He came to a halt, careful not to make a sound.

"Does he know?"

"Not a bloody clue, but how could he since we've been so trust worthy? Unless, of course, you've gone and opened your big bloody mouth again."

"Of course I haven't! And it's not my big mouth we need worry about. Duddykins nearly blew it last Christmas."

"Well can you blame me? No one told me what you were planning. I thought you all had gone bloomin' mad! One day it's "that rotten bloody freak" then the next it's "Hello Simon Darling!" All off your rocker I'd say."

Harry's stomach lurched.

"Shhhh! Be quiet, this house is full of magic. You don't know whose listening here. Vernon dear, best we keep quiet while we stay here. If we need to talk, we do it alone outside. "

Harry felt quite sick suddenly and ran to the closest lavatory. He vomited only once and sat on the floor. Tears streamed his face and all hope had been lost.

"No, I'm neither special nor important…"

He thought back to his original plan. It didn't matter if they cared for him. He didn't do this for the love of them. He had made a plan years ago and he has gotten this far. He's mastered wandless magic and has even improvised a few spells to work better for him. It didn't matter what they felt.

Now, he just needed to keep his mind focused. Over the past two years while Voldemort was busy on his killing spree, Harry had kept busy on his own mission. He had come up with a plan to destroy that egotistical maniac. In which case, Harry needed to find a way to get close enough to that monster to do so. He had a number of ways. But being a muggle wouldn't do. He needed to get close to someone in order to do so.

Harry thought hard. He could try a number of things. Perhaps, he thought, if he got close to Snape… No, nope, no way. There was no way he could get along with such a pompous git. No, he'd be better off walking up to the dark lords door with a pizza in his arms than to try and get along with a man that can't tie his shoes without a snarl.

He would have to come up with a way some time soon. But not today, now, he would concentrate on what the Dursley's were really up to. He had a few methods to go about it. He could start learning legitimency and use it to force it out of them, or he could do some typical Harry Potter snooping. Whether they wanted him to know or not, he was going to find out.

Now, he would try to sleep. It was late and he was tired. He opened the door and found Remus alone on one of the beds. He was holding something in his hand and when he became aware of the other person in the room, he hid it in a long shoebox.

"I…I'm sorry, did I intrude. If you're busy I wont bother you." Harry said softly, turning to leave before Remus spoke.

"No, don't go. You're company is very welcome. "

Harry nodded and sat on the bed adjacent to the one Remus sat on.

"I suppose you liked him well enough. You seem sad a lot. Is it his absence that makes you sad or something else?" Harry inquired.

"I miss him and another. He was very close to me. I knew Harry's father, we were best friends. Now they're both gone along with a woman I held very dear to my heart. I knew he was lonely, and I wish I had been there to stop it. He had Ron and Hermione. They were his best friends. But I suppose you want more than friendship when you are as alone as he was. He didn't really have anyone to call family. Not like what you have now. From what I remember, they weren't so fond of him. Probably why Mad eye is so suspicious of you."

He grinned then continued.

"He doesn't mean to be so grouchy you know. He really can't help it. Harry's death affected a great many people and I don't think he really knew what he meant…to all of us. Albus and Severus have taken it the worst I imagine. Albus thought of him as family although he knew Harry felt out of the loop most of the time. Severus won't say it though we all know he blames himself. Hasn't been himself ever since. Won't even insult the students like he used to. Man's terrified he might insult a student right out of a …" Remus stopped himself.

Harry had to hold back tears as he saw one trickle down Remus' cheek. Remus knew he wasn't in the right state of mind and shouldn't be talking to someone like this. It had been years and Harry could see that the pain didn't mend much over the time. Harry got up and sat down next to Remus and gave him a hug. He knew it was odd for a stranger to do this, but Harry would have done so for a real stranger. And in the end, Remus wasn't a stranger. Remus was all that Harry had left. Remus didn't seem to mind the hug; in fact he openly took to it. Neither of them noticed the man at the door.

"Eh herm" Snape said loudly.

They both looked up and saw Snape's inquiring expression.

"Sorry Severus, did you need something?" Remus said sitting up a bit straighter to gain back some pride in the eyes of the potions master.

"I was hoping I could borrow Mr. Dursley, it would seem that Albus would like a word with the man. It is in regards to a secret you've been keeping. Looks like it's about to finally come out..."

Distrust seeped from Severus' eyes and a prominent sneer placed on his face. Harry became quite nervous. Had they figured it out? Perhaps the Dursley's gave in and were getting a reward for the secret. Perhaps Snape just used Legitimency to figure it out. Whatever the case, he was in for it.

Harry got up and as he did so, Remus laid a hand on his shoulder and lightly whispered a thank you under his breath. Harry bowed his head. He left the room to follow Snape to a room he remembered the order using many times. He walked in and saw a few people in chairs all facing him. Snape shut the door behind him and took his place beside the headmaster. All was quiet and Harry could see that good news was far from this discussion. The look on Albus' face was one of disappointment. Harry swallowed hard and hoped they wouldn't be too hard on him. After all it was for good reason. It may not have been a brilliant plan at the time and very badly thought out but his intentions were good. Albus looked at Harry and spoke after a long silence.

"Simon, do you know why you were brought here?"

Harry thought hard about his response. He could play dumb but that might insult Albus' intelligence and anger him further.

"Sir, I-I think I do."

"I have received some interesting news from Alastor about you. Care to guess what he might have told me?"

Harry had felt it on his way in. He knew Moody wasn't stupid and he should have guessed that the man would have figured it out.

"Sir, I'm sorry I didn't say anything but I didn't want anyone to get hurt. I did it for the good of everyone else. My family was very supportive and it seemed like a good idea at the time, I am so sorry to have involved you all and I truly hope you can forgive me but believe me when I say that there was no ill will intended."

The words left Harry's mouth in a rush and he hoped they would sincerely forgive him. Albus looked at him with a twinkle in his eye.

"My boy, there is no apology necessary. And I completely understand why you would hide something like this. After all, Petunia and Vernon hate magic and you gave it up for them. But there was no need to go through what you have. I spoke to them and they explained how they had wanted to adopt you but were close to not doing so when they found out about your magical abilities. It was only natural you'd want to throw the magical world out of your hands."

Harry thought about the words for a minute and had thought he and Albus were on the same level up until the very end of his words. He realized exactly what was going on. They found out Simon had magical capabilities. And they still think Harry's dead.

"So…how exactly did you find out?" Harry inquired. Albus smiled.

"My boy, there are very few things I don't know about. The first time Alastor met you he knew. Alastor told me he was playing with an invention of his when you walked into the room. He created a pair of gloves that would tingle his hands when one of great magical prowess were in his presence and you my boy are one of great magical capabilities. Even Severus had no idea!"

They all looked at Severus who looked momentarily dumbfounded by the news. Clearly he expected a great secret from Simon to be exposed, just not this secret.

"After Alastor informed me I asked your parents about your heritage. They said you were muggle born from Vernon's side of the family. That you were alone, like Harry and needed a place to stay. They had just lost Harry and you walked into their lives. They did mention that you hid the magic well and they thought you were "normal". I dare say, you needn't hide your abilities from us. We won't judge you for it. On the contrary we'd like to ask you to join us."

Harry was in shock but shook himself from it to reply "What can I do?" Albus' eyes gleamed and with a grin he asked

"We'd like you to join a special group of ours. A secret society if you will. I won't hide that it is extremely dangerous and requires quite a bit of training. I am offering it to you as we are scarce on members, and the future of both our worlds depends on us."

Harry knew exactly what group they were asking about and he knew that if he joined, he might ruin his chances to get close to Voldemort.

"Sir, I cannot say yes indefinitely. If it is as dangerous as you say, then I have much to think about. After all, I would need far more than basic training..."

Albus nodded and in reply said "I would expect nothing as a better answer. Tomorrow I will be back about noon and will ask you of your decision. Sleep well my boy."

Harry replied with a goodnight and sauntered out of the dark room and towards his own room. He imagined he may not have to switch rooms after all.

When he got to his room, it was empty and he was glad. It had been such a peculiar and trying day. He was emotionally drained and could do with some sleep. He changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed. Just as he was closing his eyes he could see someone enter the room, he supposed Remus was going to bed. These thoughts left him as sleep claimed him.