The Dark Phoenix

Saturday evening, after their lesson with Madam Pomfrey, Harry was discussing Quidditch at a table in the common room with the team. Hermione came in from making her Prefect rounds and caught Harry's attention. Harry made an excuse to leave the table as Ron watched Hermione tell Harry something. Harry made his way back to his chair at the table.

"We need to wrap this up by eight o'clock. Ron and I need to go to the library."

"What for? It's Saturday evening."

"To study I would imagine." Harry gave Ron a stern look.

"Uh huh. What's really going on Harry?" asked George.

"Yeah, inquiring minds want to know," coughed Fred.

"Ron and I are going to check out some Quidditch books."
"We are?" Ron looked confused.

"Maybe I can be of help," cooed Katie picking up the intrigue. Alicia and Angelina quickly affirmed their willingness to help as well.

Harry closed his eyes and frowned before giving Ron a hard stare and looking hopeless at the rest of the team. "Well, if you must know. Ron and I are supposed to go to the Headmaster's office at eight o'clock and Hermione is supposed to escort us there."

"Harry Potter you lied. Our own captain lied to us," teased Katie mocking a faint.

"That's bad enough," agreed Alicia. "But what have you two done now?"

"I had every intention of going by the library and looking at the cover of a Quidditch book, or two, on the way to the Headmaster's office – so it wouldn't have been a lie. But now I believe I'll dispense with the side trip. In addition, as far as I know we haven’t done anything wrong. Since I don't know what it's about I wanted to avoid everyone's wild speculation as to what it might be." Harry had a touch of color rise in his face much to the amusement of his teammates. Except Ron who's ears were starting to turn pink.

The three of them stood in front of the entrance to the Headmaster's office, peering at a stone gargoyle, as Hermione said the password.

"Honey." The gargoyle jumped aside to let them stand on wooden steps that magically ascended to the Headmasters office. Just as Hermione put her hand up to knock on the heavy wooden door at the top Dumbledore's voice was heard on the other side.

"Enter."

The room was dimly lit save three floating candles illuminating Fawkes on his perch in the center of the room. There were about a dozen people here and only about half Harry recognized. Harry caught his breath and whispered.

"Sirius."

Hermione and Ron's heads snapped to the direction Harry was looking. Sure enough, Sirius was standing next to Tonks and Remus. He smiled briefly and nodded to the three. The whole atmosphere of the room was solemn and Harry was reluctant to move or say anything. Finally a stately looking witch spoke.

"We, the Order of the have voted to allow you into our ranks as marked members having no other authority or rights. Do you wish to join our number?"

"Yes."

"I do."

"Aye."

"Stand before this phoenix and pledge your loyalty. State your name and be judged."

It was all strange and Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Hermione or Ron didn't seem to know what to do either and they stood motionless like Harry. Harry decided to take the plunge and stepped up to Fawkes.

"I, Harry James Potter pledge my loyalty to the Order of the ." Fawkes blinked at him and then stretched out his long neck in an affectionate manner. Harry didn’t know what else to do except pet him and then step back. Harry heard Snape's scoffing voice in the back of the dimly lit room.

"I knew the boy was too young."

"Patience Severus, we shall see," responded Dumbledore in a low tone.

"Stand here," said the stately looking witch. "Next."

"I, Hermione Jane Granger pledge my loyalty to the Order of the ." Fawkes blinked and did the same as before, affectionately stretching out his neck toward Hermione who was delighted to pet him. She took her place beside Harry as Ron went next.

"I Ronald Bilius Weasley pledge my loyalty to the Order of the ."

'Bilius? Ron never told me his middle name was Bilius.' Harry looked sideways at Hermione who was trying to suppress a sly grin. 'Definitely teasing material,' Harry thought.

Ron presumed he was going to pet Fawkes like Harry and Hermione had done before him, but jerked his hand back has Fawkes stretched to his full height gently flapping his wings. Ron was briefly showered with what looked like glowing sparks. A very surprised Ron took his place beside Harry and Hermione as the lights in the room brightened and Harry could see everyone clearly.

The stately looking witch addressed them once again.

"My name is Emmaline Vance. As I shake your hand you are to respond in the same way you receive." She eyed Harry suspiciously, as she reached out and took his hand.

Immediately, with the touch of her hand, an image of a fiery phoenix appeared in his mind, it was beautiful. Harry now understood what she meant by respond in the same way you receive. He concentrated on the image. Harry judged that it worked by the surprised look on her face.

"I thought we were supposed to try not to look surprised Emmaline," Sirius' voice came from the darkened room.

Emmaline shot a look in his general direction before shaking Hermione's hand next. Once again, she had a surprised look but moved on quickly to shake Ron's hand. Ron squinted and concentrated before letting go.

Dumbledore stepped up beside Fawkes and addressed the room.

"Our mark is an image in the mind. An image kindled by loyalty and trust - that once broken - is lost as will any memory of our Order. Our mark is unique and cannot be duplicated. Nor can it be used without being diluted. We will know if our fellow member is under the influence of the Imperious Curse. Let us take our stand on Merlin's moto, 'Magical Justice for All'." The room echoed with affirmation. The ceremony concluded and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as his solemn manner changed to a warm smile.

"Come everyone. Welcome our newest members." Dumbledore held out his hand.

Harry, Hermione and Ron proceeded to shake everyone's hand in passing, exchanging the fiery phoenix image as they went. Harry shook hands with several people he hadn't met before. Elphias Doge was an old wizard with a wheezy voice and silvery hair and was wearing a silly looking hat. Mundungunus Fletcher, who said to call him Dung since everyone else did. Harry had the distinct impression that Dung was a bit of a thief, but was reserving judgment. After all, he was a member of the Order. And Hestia Jones was a pink-cheeked black-haired witch. He also met those he had expected, or already knew were in the Order. Remus, Tonks, McGonagall, Hagrid, Figg, and Snape though he still didn’t understand why. Snape shook Harry's hand with a sneer letting go quickly.

"Just remember Potter. You're a member in name only," Snape drawled. Then rather stiffly he left the Headmasters office but not before he shot a look of utter loathing at Sirius, who returned the action.

Lastly, Sirius shook Harry's hand and hugged him afterward. Harry wondered who else might be in the Order. He doubted that everyone was able to show up.

"So tell me Albus. How did my Godson and Hermione manage to have our mark when Fawkes obviously didn't give his blessing tonight?"

"First things first, Sirius. Have you met everyone here tonight Harry, Hermione, Ron? Good." Dumbledore clapped his hands to get everyone's attention as two trays appeared on his desk with snacks and drinks. "I believe refreshments are in order. Please help yourselves."

"I believe the answer is in what Harry and Hermione experienced in the 'Breath of Life'. Fawkes was involved. And I must once again mention my reservations at your coming tonight Sirius."

"Dumbledore is right Sirius. You probably shouldn't have come, but I'm still glad to see you."

"Same here. I should tell you to try and not look surprised if you shake a strangers hand and you see our mark. We don't want to give away anything about how we identify each other."

"Er, can I pass the image over to anyone?"

"No, only to fellow members or trusted agents will see our mark. Anyone else will see nothing at all."

"Agents?"

"I think that's probably enough for now," Sirius said catching a look from Dumbledore.

"Did mum and dad go through this as well?" asked Harry. Sirius looked pained and Dumbledore stiffened slightly.

"No," Sirius replied and paused before saying more. "I wish we would have had this in place the first time the Order was formed. But we try to learn from our mistakes and Dumbledore's idea of a secret mark couldn't be better. Aside from forming the Order."

Harry immediately understood that if they would have had this in place the first time the Order was formed Peter Pettigrew would not have received Fawkes' blessing and would never have been allowed in. He would never have had the chance to betray his parents and they might still be alive.

"Yes, I agree. It's a splendid idea." Harry noticed Dumbledore relax with a fleeting look of regret. "I thought Merlin had originally founded the Order, Sirius. You made it sound as if Headmaster Dumbledore did." Sirius had a sly grin but Dumbledore answered before Sirius said anything.

"No one knows for certain if Merlin founded such an Order, but Sirius likes to imply that he did. A well intentioned compliment that is somewhat misleading. However, Merlin did say 'Magical Justice for All'. A concept that everyone agrees upon until they find themselves weighed in the balance. We all want justice but do not always agree on the equity or disbursement."

Harry noticed the room was less crowded. It looked like the only ones left who weren't part of the Hogwarts staff were Sirius and Tonks. Sirius saw Harry scan the room.

"Yes, it's about time to leave."

"Er, how? How did the others leave?"

Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses at Harry, smiling.

"There's a large tapestry hanging on the wall in the back of the Headmasters office. Very old and nicely done, it shows the four founders and their coat of arms. As Headmaster, I am not without a few conveniences in reaching my Sanctum. A short walk in the corridor beyond the Sanctum puts a person beyond the anti-apparating spell of Hogwarts."

Sirius and Tonks said their goodbyes and left.

"If anyone should ask, why Hermione escorted you and Ron to the Headmaster's office, it was to find out where you would be spending the holidays. I assume it will be with the Weasley's. Very good."