A/N: For reasons I don't quite understand, I was unable to post review responses to my forums today. It may be there's a limit to how many subjects you can do in each forum, but I'm not sure. So, no responses, but thanks to everyone for reading!
Chapter Twenty: The Firebird's Army
Hermione, Luna and Justine acted as the primary recruiters, blanketing each of the three houses outside of Slytherin for potential recruits. They took turns with the new charmed parchment, collecting signatures as quietly as they could. Meanwhile, it was Fred and Georgina's job to come up with a means to communicate meeting times and dates.
What they came up with looked like a charmed Galleon, though of course it was impossible to place charms on Gringotts coins. Instead, it was simply a golden-coloured blank with a Protean Charm, linked to a few master coins held by Hermione, Harry or Luna as the official ringleaders of the group.
The rest of the false coins were handed out to everyone who signed the parchment, and on the second Friday of November, the signal went out. Susan got the room set up, wishing for a space that would only admit those with the coins, and soon enough almost forty students, most Fifth Years with a sprinkling for Fourth Years and the four Seventh Years gathered in the Come and Go Room.
Looking at so many faces, Harry suddenly felt very, very foolish. "Thank you for coming," Harry said falteringly. "I guess everyone has figured out Defence this year is lacking a bit."
That raised a few chuckles, and one raised hand. "I heard that the Ministry is cracking down because of you." Harry saw the speaker to be Ernie MacMillan, the Muggle-raised half-blood from Orientation.
"I think they'd do it even if I was dead or gone," Harry said.
"What makes you think that?" Padma Patil of Ravenclaw said.
"Politics." Hermione said as she surveyed the group from Harry's side. "Some of you may be born to it, but from my perspective it is barbaric to force a fifteen year old boy to bond or marry. And yet the Covens did it to Harry twice."
"Didn't stop you from doing it," a voice from the back called.
"Because Hermione was already my friend," Harry said, glaring at the faceless speaker. "She cared enough about me to bond with me, rather than have the Covens assign a hateful old hag. But that's not why we're here. We're here to pass our DADA OWLs. If all you want to do is gossip, then you should leave, but remember the contract you signed. If you want to learn, though, stay."
"What makes you fit to teach us?" MacMillan demanded. "You're no older than we are."
"I…" Harry glanced at Hermione. "I've received some extra training from Professor Dumbledore, and before him I received extra tuition from Professor Lupin for almost two years."
"Why?" That came from Sally Anne Perks.
Harry shrugged. "Someone was always trying to kill me. First year it was Voldemort possessing Quirrell, Third Year was Sirius Black, and last year….well, last year was pretty bad, at least what I remember of it. Professor Lupin taught me the Patronus for the Dementors, and some duelling after a fight I had with Malfoy and his goons. Professor Dumbledore taught me some things too."
In a whisper, Hermione said, "You never told me about Lupin."
"I just remembered," Harry admitted.
In the crowd, MacMillan said, "Bollocks, wizards our age can't perform the Patronus."
"It's pretty hard," Harry admitted. "I did it only once after Sirius Black kidnapped me. I only held it for a second, but it was enough to buy time for Dumbledore to arrive. His Patronus was magnificent. A giant phoenix that ran the dementors off."
"Let's see it then," MacMillan said in a challenging tone. His demand was echoed from the other students.
Hermione looked concerned, while Luna just smiled at him. She leaned up and whispered into his ear, "You should certainly have some better memories to use."
Harry blushed brilliantly at her, then Hermione. He lowered his head, summoning the memory of the morning after the Cruciatus. More than their joining, more than their bonding, it was that morning they curled up on either side of him and shared their magic to make him feel better that he cherished most. At that moment, he knew without doubt that, whether they argued or fought or not, that somewhere deep within them they both loved him. His girls loved him, and he loved them.
"Expecto Patronum!" He felt as much as saw his memories of that morning merge with his magic in a single stream. As a silver phoenix emerged, he realized with a shock why the effort exhausted him so badly last time and why this time he could hold it longer. As the phoenix flew through the crowd of stunned students, he pulled more memories than just that one morning. He remembered the day with Luna in Santa Fe, or that night when she climbed into bed with him after almost a month's separation.
He remembered those blissful nights using the Love Potion, experiencing physical love in ways he never thought possible. The true secret to the Patronus charm was not power, but the power of the memories feeding it. Before, he had only the brief visions of loving Luna, and the hope that he would not be alone. But now, now he knew beyond any doubt that he would not be alone. He knew that Luna and Hermione were with him, and that someday Justine would be with him, and the knowledge that they could love him, and that he could love them, was so powerful he could cast a thousand Patronuses.
The secret of the Patronus was love.
He let the spell end, tired but not in a bad way. Rather, he felt as if he, Luna and Hermione had just spent an hour in love play, and were ready to snuggle down to sleep.
The spell had its desired effect. The students staring at him no longer doubted, not even MacMillan. "I can't promise to teach you that," Harry said. "I think the reason the Patronus charm is so hard is because it's so intensely personal. The first time, mine only lasted seconds and it resulted in magical exhaustion. But what I can teach you is everything Professor Lupin gave us before he was fired to prepare for the OWLs. We will meet as often as we can, and we'll learn it all to ensure you can not only pass your practicals, but your theory as well. That'll be Hermione's job—she's always been better at the Theory. But here, in this room, we'll learn how to actually cast the magic. But we have to do this in secret to protect the professors as much as ourselves. So, do any of you want to leave, or shall we get started?"
No one left, not until they finished up twenty minutes before curfew. When they got back to their room, Luna jumped into his arms and kissed him so intensely he almost fell over. Not only did she kiss him, though. She wrapped her legs tight around his waist and ground herself into him.
"Merlin, Luna!" Harry said, gasping for breath. "What's wrong?"
She slid off, flushed brilliantly, only to be replaced by Hermione, who to Harry's intense shock did the same thing. "That Patronus was amazing," Hermione breathed. "I think you made every witch in that room wet!"
"Take your clothes off, Harry," Luna said, even as she began stripping herself. "We need to make love to our husband right now."
"I'm kind of tired," Harry whined, even as Hermione started stripping him.
"Sleep later," his second wife growled.
"Well, okay," Harry muttered. "Work, work, work."
The girls laughed as they, between them, threw Harry onto their bed.
Though Harry did not know it, Susan and Hannah were doing the same thing to Neville, much to the boy's complete shock. In fact, the Married Wing virtually shook with all the love rocking its halls, while the fifth year dorms in three of the houses were deeply silenced as those affected by the intent and memories that fuelled Harry's Patronus relieved the tension his magic caused.
~~Firebird~~
~~Firebird~~
They managed to meet six times before the end of the term, covering in two hour sessions an entire term of classwork. Because of their time limits, they adhered to Remus's study guides religiously, drilling the practical work in their joined meetings, while Hermione and Padma Patil, surprisingly, led study sessions in the library during their normal study sessions.
Harry was certain the professors knew what they were doing, but no one talked about it or mentioned it, not even Snape. The only professor who worried him was Professor Hooch, who glared at them during their evening meals. As fifth years, Harry and Hermione no longer took Wizarding Studies, which ended at the same time Muggle Studies did. However, Luna reported that the professor was being quite harsh with her in her class, along with those she suspected were attending Harry's tutorials.
With all the extra work, the days began to blur together, until one morning they woke up and realized it was nearly the end of term. They sat during lunch in the Great Hall to discuss their plans when Hedwig came swooping majestically into the hall and landed in front of them with a slip of parchment tied to her leg.
He stared at the owl for a moment before gently feeding her roast and petting her. "I completely forgot about her," he said softly.
"She helped us this summer," Hermione said. "She looks well fed and healthy, so at least she didn't suffer. So, who's the note from?"
Harry unrolled the parchment, gave Hedwig another bite of roast, and read the message. "It's from a mutual friend," he said, speaking softly. Though Umbridge was gone, the many listening charms remained through the castle. "It says we should all board the train back to London."
At her silent request, Harry handed the letter to Hermione, who after reading it handed it to Luna. Because of their bonding and marriage, the young Ravenclaw sat with Harry at all her meals, or took her meals in the married quarters. None of the handful of glaring Ravenclaws appeared to miss her.
"Justine too?" he wondered aloud.
"Think about it, Harry," Hermione said.
He blushed brilliant and put the parchment down. "I'm trying not to," he admitted. "I can't even handle you two."
Hermione snorted, while Luna said, "That's just it, Harry. The point isn't to handle us. It's for us to handle you."
Jessica, who was sitting only a few feet away with Deanna, looked up suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"
"You and Deanna are coming home with us," Hermione said.
Jessica blinked, and then shrugged. "Okay."
"Okay!" Deanna said quickly.
They had one more meeting of the whole group on their last night in the castle, and the next morning packed their trunks and headed for the carriages. As they left the castle, Harry noted how much closer Susan sat with Neville and Hannah than before. Looking more closely, he could see that bonds had already formed there.
More importantly, he could see the significant lessening of Neville's magic. Being his first opportunity to see the more important aspect of traditional multiple bonds in practice, Harry leaned forward to study the pool of Neville's magic. Although magic permeated all their bodies, it gathered most heavily at their hearts simply because it was carried in their blood. The bond with Hannah and Susan were like two thin white sieves pulling magic directly from his core of magic, reducing it from the previous furnace of power to a much smaller, tightly wound ball.
What was most interesting to Harry, though, was the return bond. From his talk Third Year with Snape, he knew that bonds worked both ways, but something about the process stunted the man's draw on his female partner. Harry could see this himself now in the way Neville's pull was so much thinner than Susan's or Hannah's cores.
When he looked closer, he saw that even with the reduction in Neville's magic, just from an objective view, it was still the same size as both Susan's and Hannah's magical cores. He wondered if his core was larger than Hermione's or Luna's. He touched Susan's core gently, tracing Neville's draw and….
"Harry, why are you touching Susan's breast?" Neville asked in a tight tone of voice.
"More importantly," Hannah said, "why is she letting him?"
Harry looked up into Susan's brightly flushed face and then blinked when he saw Susan's robed and covered chest an inch from his eyes. "Oh, sorry!" he stuttered before resuming his seat.
"It's okay," Susan said, still flushing.
"It feels wonderful, doesn't it?" Luna asked, beaming brightly. "I think I know what he was doing, but really, when he touches your magic core it just gives you the most wonderful tingles, doesn't it?"
"I really am sorry, I guess I lost myself there," Harry said, his own face hot despite the bitter cold air around them.
"What were you doing?" Neville said.
"I was looking at your bonds," Harry said. "You know you and Susan have bonded, right?"
The two teens blushed and shared a glance. "It was after you showed us your Patronus last term," Hannah said for her silent friends. "Never felt anything like it."
"I know!" Hermione said, wide eyed. "Oh Morgana, I felt so naughty!"
Further down the bench, Justine laughed. "Oh, so it wasn't just me?" Beside her, Deanna and Jessica both blushed while nodding vigorously.
"No need to wonder what memories he used to fuel his Patronus," Luna said happily.
"Are you going to marry?" Hermione asked Neville.
"I'm going to talk to my Auntie about it over the holiday," Susan admitted.
"I know Gran wouldn't oppose it," Neville said. "She thinks very highly of both you and Madame Bones."
Finally they reached the train station and shuffled into one of the forward upper-year cars, taking one crowded cabin together. They talked about the term and their tests, and helped Luna with some of her Muggle study essays just so she could have them out of the way over the holidays. They did not talk about the healed, faint but still visible scars on their forearms from Umbridge's blood quills, or the uncertainty that hung over the future. It was a battle not to dwell on the darkness that seemed to hang over them, but it was a battle they all fought with a will.
When they arrived in London several hours later, they gathered their trunks and disembarked to find a solid line of parents waiting for them. Harry could feel the angry glares of some of the mothers burning into his back, while Luna and Hermione both clung a little closer to him as they made their way toward the charmed entrance to the Muggle station.
Once on the other side, they saw Madam Bones. Susan left Neville's side and ran to give her aunt a hug. "Children," Amelia said as she surveyed the group, "we're going to be doing something different this year. Neville, at least for the first day or so, you and Hannah will be joining us at Harry's house."
"My house?" Harry asked, genuinely confused. "I have a house?"
"You'll see. This way, please?"
They all followed Amelia through the station and to the street, where a chartered bus waited for them. "We're travelling purely Muggle," Amelia mentioned in passing to them. "Everyone in, please."
Harry lingered by the door and watched as his friends climbed in. Hermione and Luna went first, lugging their charmed trunks behind them. Next came Jessica, Justine and Deanna, and then Neville, Hannah and Susan. Angelina and Fred went to the Burrow with the rest of the Weasleys, while Georgina went to visit with Lee's mother and stepfather.
The bus was not large, nor did it look like a school bus at all, but rather was more like a hotel shuttle bus. It was the perfect size for their group and travelled easily through the crowded, snowy streets of London. At Amelia's glance, they remained quiet as they drove, until they arrived at a small, snow-blanketed park amidst several solid rows of brownstones all around it.
Harry looked around with interest—the row of Georgian homes in front of him held a strange glimmer of magic, but he couldn't identify it. Meanwhile Amelia handed out a slip of parchment to Hermione, who read it in confusion before handing it back. A second later she blinked and stared at what should have been an unremarkable row of three story homes.
One at a time people read the slip of parchment, until at last, it came to Harry. The parchment read: "The Firebird's Nest is located at Number 12 Grimmauld Place."
The moment Harry read it, he felt a shift of magic in front of him and looked up to see the façade of a home that had not been there a moment ago. The strange glimmer of magic had expanded as if opening a fold of space that didn't exist before, revealing an entirely new home. Granted, it was a dilapidated-looking home, but it was a home.
Amelia led them across the street to the door. "Harry," she instructed, "place your hand on the door knob please."
Confused but trusting, Harry did as instructed. He felt a prick against his palm that made him try to jerk his hand away, but it felt as if his skin were glued to the knob. A moment later he felt as well as saw a flow of blue-tinged magic flow from the knob, up his arm and into his mind. In that instant, he felt the wards of the house as if they were a second skin. He felt the people within the house waiting for them; he was able to name their names, the wards were so highly attuned.
"Wow," he breathed.
Amelia nodded. "This is your home, Harry. The wards have now been attuned to you. I was keyed in as your magical guardian already. Now, let's go in, shall we? It is chilly out here."
He opened the door and let go without problem, but paused inside when he realized where this house came from. "This was Sirius's house," he said flatly. Behind him, he felt Luna's hand on his shoulder. "I don't want this place."
"Harry," Amelia said, "you need a home to stay in, not just for you, but for your family."
At the word 'family' Harry jerked back and stared. Amelia looked intently at him, meeting his gaze squarely. "Your family sold much of their property after James's parents were killed. The only other home available is the one at Godric's Hollow, and it's not fit for habitation right now. Please, Harry, for all our sake, you need this place."
"I know your parents would think it a fine bit of justice," a new voice said.
Harry turned to see Professor Lupin walking up the long, narrow hall into the sitting room just by the front door. "Sirius himself hated this place, and escaped it as soon as he could. He always dreamed of it housing a bunch of light wizards and witches someday. Voldemort and Azkaban may have destroyed his soul, but once upon a time he was a good man."
"Professor Lupin!" Jessica Rivers said from behind Harry and Hermione. "What are you doing here?"
"He's a member of the Order," Harry said with sudden clarity. "All the people in this house are."
"That's right," Amelia said with an approving nod. "And if we have your permission, we would like to use this house as our headquarters. But only if you grant us permission."
Harry nodded without a second thought. "Fine."
"Is that stew I smell?" Luna said pointedly. "I am quite hungry."
~~Firebird~~
~~Firebird~~
Luna stared unblinkingly at Alastor Moody over her bowl of stew, and he stared right back with his good eye, while his magical eye made the rounds of the table. Harry was surprised at some of the people there, and disappointed that there were not more from the magical community.
He was as surprised to find Arabella Figg there as Hermione was, though for different reasons. "You were the shop keep who sold us all our wards and charmed items!" Hermione blurted out when they walked into the kitchen.
"Why, I believe you're right!" Arabella said with a smile and a wink.
"And you were my babysitter," Harry said accusingly.
"You're right there as well," Arabella confirmed. "I'm also an accomplished potions mistress, though I am self-taught. Squibs aren't allowed to attend Hogwarts, after all."
The only other person from the magical community there was Nymphadora 'Don't call me that' Tonks, a young Auror and Amelia Bones' protégé. More comforting was the presence of the Muggle parents. Leah Thomas was there, as was Jessica River's mother, a witch who left Ministry protection to marry a Muggle, who later died during the war. Hannah's parents were not involved officially, and would have to be kept out of the loop. Neville's gran, too, was not there.
Hermione's parents, however, were noticeably absent. The girl tried her best to fake being in good spirits, but Harry could see her pain at their absence.
After a dinner comprised of huge bowls of stew and rich, buttery bread, Amelia stood up at the head of the table with a glass of wine in hand. "Welcome, my friends, to the newly reconstituted Order of the Phoenix. May our goals and our mission receive the blessings of magic. We have a busy holiday ahead of us, but for now, let peace be among you all."
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Author's Note: Very special thanks as always to Teufel1987, JR and Miles for beta reading. If there are any major faux-pas, they are entirely of my own doing.