Chronicles of the Order of Light

Chronicles of the Order of Light

Author: Chicken Pox

Disclaimer: See the Prologue.

Chronicles of the Order of Light

An Account of the 20-year War

Volume I

Eyes of the Snake

Chapter 2

For the last six years, the end of June signaled his return to the Dursleys. It was at this time his friends would say goodbye to him, wishing him well with a sad smile. This year wasn’t much different except for two things. One, he would never have to return to his relatives ever again, instead he was to live with Remus Lupin at number twelve Grimmauld Place; and two, everyone with him was saying goodbye on a happier note.

Harry, along with Lupin, opted to see the Weasleys and Hermione off at King’s Cross station rather than floo directly to Grimmauld. It would be weeks before they saw each other again, after all. Molly and the twins were already waiting for them when they crossed over the barrier of platform nine and three-quarters.

“Ron! Ginny! How are my two little darlings?” Molly rushed forward to envelop both in a tight maternal embrace, the twins snickering in the background as Ron and Ginny’s ‘We’re not kids anymore’ protest got louder.

Molly then turned her attention to Hermione and the twins took this opportunity to take Harry and Remus aside, “Just the two people we came to see, right George?”

“Quite, Fred. I and my brother here were thinking –”

“That since ol’ You-Know-Who’s out of the picture –”

 

“And seeing both of you in jolly good spirits –”

“Will you two get to the point already,” interjected Harry.

“Well, if you may do the honor George?”

“Certainly, my dear brother,” George took a mock bow, “We, Gred and Forge, would like to invite both of you to be our full-time partner at Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezies.”

Harry and Lupin eyed the identical siblings then looked at each other. “No!” they said in unison.

“What? No?” the twins looked taken aback, as if they never considered to be turned down. “It would seem we’ll have to resort to plan B then, Fred.” The two pranksters threw themselves at Harry and Remus’ feet groveling. “Please! Oh please, we beg you!” they wailed.

“Fred! George! What on earth are you two doing? Stop that this instant!” Molly stomped over and took the twins by their ears, “You are making a scene!” Then to Harry, “I’m really sorry about this, Harry. It’s good to see you, dear. You too, Remus.”

“It’s alright Mrs. Weasley,” said Harry while Lupin nodded.

“Listen Harry, were not giving up. Think about it,” piped in Fred, causing Molly to tighten her hold. “Ow!” the twins yelped.

“You two will be the death of me. Excuse us if we must hurry Harry, but Arthur is waiting for us at the Burrow. I hope you don’t mind,” the Weasley matron said.

“Not at all, Mrs. Weasley. I’ll see you all in two weeks.”

“Well, mate, its goodbye for now,” waved Ron.

“You’re not gonna get teary-eyed on me are you?”

“Sod off Harry. See you guys in two weeks.”

“Watch your language young man!” Molly chastised, as the Weasley clan began to leave.

“Bye Professor, Hermione. I’d give you a peck Harry but someone might not approve,” Ginny called out before turning to follow her family.

“Know anything about that?” Harry asked no one in particular, a quizzical tone apparent in his voice.

“Err… no idea,” replied Hermione in haste.

Lupin chuckled in response as he put a hand on Harry’s shoulder, “I’ll go see if Mr. and Mrs. Granger have arrived. You two stay here and guard the luggage.”

Harry didn’t have a chance to reply, Remus had already disappeared into the crowd. Then he realized what Remus had done, the marauder had left him alone with Hermione.

How he’d come to rue the day Lupin guessed his feelings for Hermione. Payback would have to wait; right now he’d have to pay attention to what the young woman in front of him was saying.

“So Harry, what are your plans?”

“Plans?”

“Honestly Harry! Were you even listening?” Hermione said in her best Head Girl tone.

All Harry could do was run a hand through his perennially messy hair and offer an apology.

“I was asking what your plans are now that we’ve graduated,” her demeanor softened considerably.

“I’ve never thought about it, really. What about you?”

“Me? I’ll be staying at Hogwarts. I asked Professor McGonagall if I could learn under her as an apprentice and she acceded.”

“Why?” he asked disbelievingly.

“Why what?”

“I mean, I thought you said you wanted to go to a university and now you say you’re staying at Hogwarts. So why?”

“Its not that I don’t want to go to a university anymore, its just that I – I felt –,” her voice caught, the look on her face told she was contemplating something.

“Hermione?” he asked with concern.

She abruptly gave him a kiss on the cheek then grabbed her bags, “My parents are here. I’ll see you Harry.”

He watched her dash towards her parents. She never glanced back. The Grangers said their parting word to Remus and waved a goodbye to him.

Moments later he was again joined by Remus, “I trust,” Lupin greeted, “you’ve used the time well?”

“Let’s just go home.” Harry replied rather confused.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry found himself seated on a chair in the dining area of number twelve Grimmauld Place; with him were Lupin, Moody, and Shacklebolt. Upon arriving at his new home, he had been surprised to find the two aurors waiting outside, Kingsley walking pensively back and forth. Both received a message from Dumbledore, asking them to meet here.

The last hour had been spent awaiting the headmaster’s arrival and the exchanging of news. From Shacklebolt they learned of an increase in Death Eater activity the past few days centering in London. Aurors ended up dead or missing in the area.

Lupin scrunched his brows, “So you think these events have something to do with Dumbledore’s call?”

“I wish, as you do, that this be nothing more than a friendly house call but I’m afraid it does. Why else would he send Fawkes?”

Harry held his breath as he listened on to what Shacklebolt had to say. He didn’t need this. Hadn’t he done enough, he thought, Voldemort had already been defeated, Death Eaters should follow suit.

“What’s worse is the Ministry’s turning a blind eye over this. They’re focusing on bettering their image by holding celebrations. The fools!” added an angry Mad-eye, “How many times must I tell them not to let their guard down! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!”

“And what of our intrepid spy? What does he have to say?” asked Lupin. Harry’s curiosity instantly piqued.

“That’s another thing, Snape’s been gone for three days now. No one knows where he is,” answered a somber Shacklebolt.

Harry was shocked. Sure he and Snape do not get along but neither did he wish any ill will towards the potions professor. “You don’t think he’s…” Harry trailed off.

“I hope not. I’m expecting him shortly,” Everyone’s eyes were on Dumbledore when he entered the room. His eyes held none of its usual twinkle, and for once he looked every bit like the old man his age. Harry could only wonder what could have caused this distress.

“You say Snape’s on his way here, Albus?”

“Yes Alastor, and bearing evil tidings I’m afraid.” As if in perfect timing, the door opened and in came the potions master clad in his ever-billowing black robe. His gaze darted to everyone present before settling at the headmaster.

“I’ve not much time,” Snape began, “So I’ll make it quick – the Dark Lord is alive.”

Harry was the first one to respond, his disbelief far outweighing his shock, “That’s impossible! I saw him destroyed!”

“As did I, Severus,” added Moody, “Explain yourself!”

Remus and Kingsley were about to join in when Dumbledore spoke, “Everyone, calm yourselves. Harry, have you had any dreams concerning this?”

“None that I’m aware of, sir.”

“Severus, please continue.”

Snape continued with disdain, “As I was saying, what everyone thought destroyed was only his physical form,” then to Harry, “if Potter here only did his job right, then we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

Harry was about to reply when Moody beat him to it, “What do you mean ‘his physical form’?”

“What Severus means, old friend,” interrupted Dumbledore, “is mister Riddle had found a way to survive without his body, as he did when he met Harry the first time. If you please, Severus.”

“Yes, of course Albus. The Dark Lord now inhabits a giant serpent much like his old pet and is bent on regaining or having a new body.”

A feeling of dread passed Harry as he remembered what had happened back at his fourth year, the details still clear in his mind.

Sensing what Harry was thinking, Remus forwarded the question, “He’s not planning on taking Harry again, is he?”

“Fortunately for Potter, the Dark Lord’s plans do not concern him… yet.”

“I suppose it is this plan that every Death Eater not imprisoned and dead have converged in London?” this time it was Shacklebolt who enquired.

“More than you know Kingsley. They are even adding to their ranks as we speak.”

“This plan,” Moody said gruffly, “how does Voldemort bring it to completion?”

An unbearable silence blew over the room as everybody waited for Snape to answer, the potions master looked apprehensive as he spoke. “I – I do not know.”

This drew varied reactions from those present and before the situation turned sour, Dumbledore once again stepped in, “Tell us what you do know, then, Severus. Perhaps if you retell the story from the beginning.”

Snape seated himself at the table, fatigue very evident from his position. Pressing his forefinger to his temple he began his tale, “Three nights ago I answered a summons from the Dark Lord. The pain from the dark mark led me to the sewers of London, the exact location is unknown to me, but the destination took me by surprise. The Dark Lord has taken control of the Sanctuary of Masks.”

“What’s that?” Harry couldn’t resist butting in.

“It is a place of great power, Harry, where it is said that evil wizard are laid to rest,” explained Dumbledore.

“If I may continue, Headmaster?”

“Proceed, Severus.”

“It was there that I learned of the Dark Lord’s escape from near death by transferring his consciousness to a snake. He has summoned nearly twenty Death Eaters that night, including all his lieutenants as well as a few new recruits.” Then turning to Shacklebolt, “It is best you tighten your security. I was given the impression of a widespread enlisting.” Facing Dumbledore, Snape added, “Even at Hogwarts, sir.”

The aging wizard stood in deep thought, stroking his white beard, “Anything else, Severus?”

“Yes Albus. I observed a circular mark at the floor of the sanctuary, a mark similar to those found in the writings of Al Hazred.”

“A mark you say?”

“It is the mark of the imbalanced star, if my memory serves me correctly.”

Dumbledore paused as he took in what Snape had said before he spoke, “Hmm. We may be in graver danger than I originally thought.”

“What is it, Albus?” asked an alerted Moody.

“Ancient texts speak of Marduk the Slayer, his symbol was the imbalanced star. He gained fame for killing the beast Tiamat or, as muggles of the time called it, the leviathan. What history has forgotten, however, is though Marduk appeared to have done a service for mankind; he was in fact an evil warlock. If Voldemort truly intends to possess Marduk’s body…”

“He won’t! We have to stop him!”

“We, Potter?” Snape challenged.

“Yes, we! Unless you don’t want to help, professor!” Harry replied while moving to stand.

“Enough Harry, Severus! Save your quarrel for Voldemort,” Lupin interposed.

“Remus is correct. We,” Shacklebolt paused to give it emphasis, “must stand united if we are to prevent the Dark Lord. Headmaster, what is our course of action?”

“Wait youngster,” it was Moody who spoke, “Snape has more to say. Or am I wrong, Severus?”

“Yes there’s more, Alastor. The real reason why I am here is I’ve been ordered to retrieve the seal of Salazar Slytherin… the consequence of failure will be my life.”

Everybody waited for the elderly wizard to respond. Dumbledore only motioned for Snape to go on.

“I have no idea what orders the others were given but the only ones left with the Dark Lord are Wormtail, Nott, and a handful of recruits. Lucius, Bellatrix, and Dolohov left two days ago, each with four or five Death Eaters with them.”

Moody shook his head sideways. “Two days?! They’ve already had a head start on us. This is bad!”

Harry looked around the room in a daze. It was like reliving a horrible nightmare, only it wasn’t – this was real. He vaguely listened to the five continue their conversation. He had thought he was finally free to live his life, without any worries of a crazed murderer plotting against him. It was unfair, he felt. He had worked so hard the past year and it all seemed for nothing. Harry returned his attention to the meeting as Dumbledore spoke, “It is quite possible the power within the sanctuary is not enough for Voldemort’s purposes, which explains why he needs the seal. You say there are four more engravings outside the main circle?”

“Yes headmaster.”

“So you think they are preparing for a ritual, Albus? And they need three more items? All from dark wizards of the past?”

“All evidence points to it,” Dumbledore addressed Moody, “but it cannot be just ordinary possessions. It must be an item where the wizard has invested most of his energies, an item of power if you will.”

“So for us to stop them, we have to prevent them from obtaining at least one of these items,” Remus stated.

“Right. As we’ve discussed, we’ll only withhold the seal of Slytherin if we fail to stop Voldemort’s minions from succeeding. The only problem now is we don’t know where they’ll get the other three items.”

“That we may know, Kingsley,” answered Moody, “see, there are only seven known relics of such nature scattered around the world, one of which is Slytherin’s seal, so we only have six more to cover.”

“And where are these relics, professor?”

“For the last time Potter, call me ‘Mad-eye’ or ‘Moody’. I was never your professor.”

“The Department of Mysteries will definitely be attacked. Its no secret it holds the staff of Grindelwald,” Shacklebolt pointed out.

“I heard Bellatrix babbling about a knife before she left.”

“Faust’s knife,” Moody growled while leaning forward. “It’s in Paris. Any ideas on the whereabouts of the other four, Albus?”

“Al Hazred’s life work, the Necronomicon, is in Egypt. I am sure it will be targeted. The Imperial Compass, used to harness the spirits, is in China. In Africa, there is the Scepter of Ragora. The last one, the Mirror of Sayri Tupac, can be found in Brazil.”

“More or less we know they’re after the seal, the knife, the Necronomicon, and the staff.”

“We cannot afford to ignore the other three, Remus.”

“I agree with Kingsley. I’ll contact the Brazilian, the Egyptian, and African Ministries of Magic and alert them of this threat. As for the rest of you, assemble the Order immediately. We must not waste anymore time.”

At Dumbledore’s words everyone promptly got up and sprang into action.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry sat sipping tea to prepare himself from what was to come as members of the Order of the Phoenix came in one by one. It amazed him how Remus could sit beside him as if he didn’t know what was going on. Snape, on the other hand, was his usual joyless self, skulking in the corner, partly hidden by the shadows.

He watched as Mad-Eye inspected everyone with his magical eye. Shacklebolt and Tonks were in rapt conversation. Bill and Charlie arrived followed by the twins, who for once behaved, maybe noticing the gravity of the situation. Others present were Emeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, and Mundungus Fletcher.

“Sorry I’m late, everyone,” a very flushed Arthur Weasley came rushing in. “I had to leave Molly at the Burrow when I received the news.” Which meant he lied so Mrs. Weasley and Ron would stay home and not worry. This also confirmed that Hermione wouldn’t be here. As much as Harry wanted to see both of his best friends, it relieved him that neither would have to be involved if it can be helped.

The room fell silent when Dumbledore popped into the room with Fawkes. “Good evening to you all,” he said. “Though I sincerely wish we meet in a more joyous occasion, a recent event does not permit us to do so. I have called you all here to discuss a matter of grievous nature. I only ask that everyone listen to what I say and steady yourselves to what you are about to hear.”

Seeing he had everyone’s attention, Dumbledore continued, “Voldemort is alive.” An audible gasp passed the room. Harry listened once more as Dumbledore recounted Snape’s report including their talk that afternoon. It was obvious to see, judging from everyone’s reaction, that the information was hard to swallow. He himself still found it difficult to believe, like it was a crude joke Snape was playing.

What he feared, most of all was the possibility of open war. At least in Hogwarts, the chance of it escalating to a grand scale was slim. Now, more people are in danger. What ate at him, however, was this is his fight; only he had the power to finish it. And what if he didn’t have the power? What if he failed? He had tried his hardest this past year and he had fallen short. He would never give up, that was the truth. He will always try as long as he had the breath to fight. But what if it wasn’t enough? Thoughts bombarded Harry as he tried to concentrate on the matter at hand. They had to stop Voldemort at all costs. Harry snapped out of his reverie with the sudden change in Dumbledore’s tone.

“Remus, you will lead Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George to Egypt. You five will have to leave tonight. Bill’s contacts could prove invaluable.”

“Understood. You four ready?”

It was Charlie who responded, “Ready as we’ll ever be.”

“Good. C’mon. Harry, we’ll talk when we get back.” Harry nodded, silently wishing Lupin and the brothers a safe journey.

“Errr, Remus…”

“Don’t worry Arthur. I’ll treat them as my own.” With a final goodbye, the five walked out of the room. Harry was glad Molly wasn’t here, she’d surely object to this and their ears would suffer because of it.

Everyone’s eyes were once again on the headmaster of Hogwarts, awaiting their name to be called. “Next, Alastor will take Elphias, Hestia, and Emeline to France, Hagrid will also join you when you reach Paris. I have already sent him to enlist the aid of Madame Maxine.”

A low growl escaped the throat of Moody as he barked his command to leave immediately.

“The Department of Mysteries will be watched by Kingsley, Arthur, and Tonks. Do not forget to alert Amelia of this.”

“Yes, headmaster.”

“And Arthur, about Molly…”

“I’ll take care of it, Albus.”

Satisfied, Dumbledore faced both Mundungus and Dedalus, “Both of you take a close watch on the streets. If possible, try to locate the Sanctuary of Masks. Take every precaution and please do not endanger yourselves.”

“Y’can count on us, your head-ship,” replied Fletcher with a half-drunken salute and turned to leave, Diggle close to his heels.

“I too shall take my leave, Albus. I have already spent far too much time here.”

“Farewell, Severus. I shall see you at the appointed time.”

“And now Harry, go and get packed. We have much to discuss.”

“Where to, professor?”

“Hogwarts, Harry.”

TBC

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Author’s Note

Chicken Pox here. Lithen won’t be back till Oct 17, seminars and all. I’ll be taking over this fic until then, so buckle up and enjoy the ride. Hopefully when lithen comes back the reviews will be in my favor, that’ll rile him up, haha!