Chapter13 – Well I'll be a Turkey's Uncle
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As we walked to the Headmasters office I was confused. "Lora, do you think he has something dangerous up his sleeve or is he just going to talk me into staying?"
"A better question is why does he want me to tag along?"
The gargoyle leaped out of the way as we approached.
"Looks like the Headmaster is in a hurry to see us as he is not having us play the password guessing game."
Upon entering his office Dumbledore was as usual behind his desk. Professor McGonagall sat off to the side and a man I had never seen occupied a chair to McGonagall's left.
"Ah, Miss Jones and Mr. Potter I'm so happy that you could join us."
Yea I thought, just two friendly students joining a grandfatherly Headmaster for a chat about the weather. I noticed that Lora recognized the man although it seemed it was just a recognition and not a happy friend or family recognition. Lora had my hand as we sat down and it remained there as if in need of support.
"Mr. Potter and Miss Jones this is Mr. Johnson from the Ministry in America." Just then Lora's hand tightened almost negligibly.
"Headmaster will you cut the crap, who is this guy really or is this another 'Greater Good' meeting?"
"Very perceptive Mr. Potter, I am Alex McLaggen of the Canadian McLaggen's and yes a very distant relative of Cormac McLaggen. I am with the Canadian Ministry."
"You say very distant relative as if there is no love loss between relatives." I had picked up a sense of a feud more that a dislike.
"Again very perceptive Mr. Potter there…"
"I believe that Mr. Potter is more interested in why he is here and why he will not be expelled." Dumbledore didn't want something let out of his control even if it was bit of knowledge.
"No Headmaster I am not interested in whether I stay here or not. With Snape attacking me every other day and having to memory charm Umbitch everyday I would like to know what plot you have put together for the greater good."
McGonagall snorted and looked down while putting her hand up as to cover her face.
"Professor, were you aware of what Harry was doing to Professor Umbridge?" Dumbledore peered over his glasses at McGonagall as if to facilitate an answer.
"No Headmaster not at all. But I wondered why she kept forgetting about detentions or other disturbing things that she was planning."
"Back to the original subject Headmaster, if you please."
"Yes, I was wondering if you and Miss Jones would join the Order of the Phoenix."
"As you can see Mr. McLaggen the Headmaster is an expert at diverting the conversation away from facts and into areas where he has control. Lora what are your thought on joining?"
"Yes I think that would be best Harry."
That answer confused me as I was not aware that Lora was familiar with the Order no less wanting to join. "Yes Headmaster I would be honored to join. So now let's get back to why Mr. McLaggen is here and what you are hiding?"
"That I am afraid is a subject for a later time. You should be in attendance for your first meeting tonight at seven. Grimmauld Place of course."
"Fine! Mr. McLaggen, professors, I'm sure we will see you all there."
/Scene Break/
The reason I dragged you here to the room of requirements is we need to talk. I know you recognized McLaggen and I wanted to ask if you wished to tell me about anything?"
"I guess I should although you will think me completely nuts."
"Lora, I like you just the way you are. If your nuts then I hope we will enjoy each other for our long stay in this asylum called out lives."
"Harry, I am your counter part from Canada. This bad guy from America is terrorizing Canada and he wiped out my entire family and then laid his filthy hands on me like he had plans for me. I still have nightmares over what could have happen. McLaggen was one of the Aurors that was investigating the case."
"I know there is more to the story. Do you feel like filling me in on a few details?"
"OK, when he grabbed me I sort of kicked him where it would hurt the most but all it did was make him mad. He hit me with a curse I had never seen before and I woke in the hospital."
"So what is this bad guy called?"
"Big Mac."
I didn't want to make light of her story but I had to bite my tongue to stop from asking if he was from the MacDonald's clan. Looking at my stupid big bad guy who had a made up name, who no one would say, was as crazy as Big Mac. Lora continued her story.
The crazy part was I visited a dragon's lair. Maybe it was just a dream but it felt like it was real. The main dragon said that I could transform at will and then said something like, "There is power and those who are afraid to use that power". I got flashed from the dragons lair to someplace else were I saw all kinds of crazy people as I got escorted to three old ladies…"
"Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos I'll wager."
"How did you know?"
"I have a similar story; did you get any training while you were there?"
"No they had me drink a couple of potions and said to go to Hogwarts for schooling and I was to say hello to Harry Potter."
I told her my story and we headed to the Great Hall for dinner. We continued to discuss what the 'Fates' had in store for us ending up with no great answers except it was time for Grimmauld Place.
/Scene Break/
The Headmaster graciously allowed Lora and I to be escorted to my house. Sirius hated the place and I could most likely match that feeling. How can you describe Grimmauld place? It is old, decrepit and in disrepair and under the Fidelius Charm. Even the Goblins couldn't find the place even though I owned the dump. The first thing we bumped into was Snape who was there lurking in the corner of the kitchen looking like he would love to curse me into oblivion. Then Molly Weasley arrived with her husband. She started shrieking the moment she saw me.
"Albus you can't be serious he is too young to be here! That shrieking voice went up several decibels when Hermione and Ron entered under the guidance of MadEye and Remus. I seemed that my two best friends in the world needed to be with me according to the Great Albus Dumbledore.
While more people arrived they only got the noise up a few levels as the arguing grew. Some were in favor of us staying, others not. Dumbledore would sort them out whenever he started the meeting. Molly was the head demander and issued a demand that didn't sit well with me. "Ron take Harry up and show him the room he will be sharing with you. I actually wanted to check out the three floors and see if much had changed. The second floor was the room Ron pointed out that we would be sharing tonight but I knew it would be a permanent assignment if Molly got her way.
"Why don't you check it out Ron as I really need the loo." Ron nodded and entered the room. On the third floor I found a large master bedroom with attached bathroom.
"Dobby"
POP
"Yes Harry Potter Sir"
"Dobby can you seal this room so only a Phoenix, Lora and you can enter?"
"Yes I can Sir."
"Can you also clean it up a bit for tonight and in the morning start clearing this junk out? Oh and can you get some new furniture for the room. If you can could you just renovate the whole room and also the bathroom?"
"Yes Sir Harry Potter Sir"
POP
I was not planning to stay the night but the meeting had yet to start as only Dumbledore knew what the agenda was for the evening. They were still discussing who was too young to be in the Order as I sat down next to Lora.
"Not a thing most people ask a lady but how old are you?"
"Just turned seventeen, why?"
"ALRIGHT…SHUT UP YOU LOT! I yelled and then added. "First off all Lora and Hermione are adults as am I, so there ends your argument of being too young." That got Molly arguing that I couldn't be an adult. Mr. Weasley finally got her shut up as Dumbledore started the meeting. All the new members took the oath to never betray the Order. Ron was forgotten as had slunk into one of the shadowy corners like Snape currently occupied. Molly finally figured out Ron was there but by that time all her new round of yelling was for naught as Ron was part of the Order.
Then the fun started, "And who are you young lady?" Molly asked as if just noticing Lora.
"Oh I forgot to introduce, this is my girlfriend and love Miss Lora Jones." Bang! Molly was off and screaming that there was a marriage contract and that…"
After what seemed like all night Molly's "demand and screaming fest" they finally forcibly restrained her and got her silenced. I then told her that there would never be a marriage and that my vaults would be given to charity before anyone got anything over an illegal marriage contract. I did say this in a polite and even voice. Awhile later they got Molly Weasley back under control via a stunner from Mr. Weasley.
"Now on to new business, I have been informed by Mr. Johnson of the American Ministry that a new dark lord has risen in Canada. Big Mac is as bad as our Voldemort so our attention must be on the alert. While I do believe that they are to arrogant to join forces there is a large possibility of a war between the two or when we defeat Voldemort Big Mac will try to take England." Dumbledore's words had a chilling effect on those present. I was still wondering why the phony name and saying he was from the American Ministry.
After the meeting Dumbledore informed me that I would be staying the night as he had important things to discuss with me the following evening.
"Harry I don't like this place and that elf Kreacher is just beyond creepy. This place is just full of dark black magic with foul mouth portraits and Morgana who knows what else. I doubt that I will get any sleep in this place and they say I am on the dark side."
I was only joking when I said, "Well you could always share my room and I promise to keep you safe from the creepy crawlers and that creepy elf is not allowed in my room."
I was expecting a verbal blast from Lora but before she could say a word, "Alright you lot everyone will be up at six for breakfast and then we can start cleaning this place. Now then everybody off to bed and let's have no whining." Molly had gotten her voice back.
Lora looked at her watch and said, "Take me to your room before Molly gets me locked in some creepy room."
I laughed and whispered in Lora's ear, "To get there one of us will have to grab the other. So do you want me to grab you or you grab me?"
"Right now I really don't care."
We found an empty room and I converted to my phoenix form and Lora grabbed my tail feathers and I flamed to my bedroom. When we arrived we both got a shock. First the room was clean and so was the bathroom. Everything was old run down furniture but it was clean. Laid out on the bed were my pajama bottoms and Lora's night things. Dobby had gotten my and Lora's things from Hogwarts. The large bed however looked somewhere between frightening but had some real possibilities.
"Alright Potter some ground rules especially about grabbing tonight."
I put my hands in a surrender position, "I will sleep on my side on top of the covers and you may have your side under the covers. I will not take any advantages that you don't offer."
"You had better not Potter."
After we had showered and brushed our teeth we assumed out positions on the bed and turned off the remaining candles. We talked of dumb things while I was quite aware of a female just off to my left in the same bed and my mind was racing. To say my dreams that night were racy would understate them.