hey hey!
great work pams

Hello Allison. Great chapter. Yeah, I'm with Abby, and the whole keeping this from Harry thing is wrong. I really think it makes Harry worse off. But, at least he felt better when Abby told him they didn't talk about where Voldemort is. It seemd to give him some relief, so for now it's ok. You're writing is very good, and you have a way of presenting your work as credible. Good work. I'll be watching for your next post.

I nodded and we both headed out of the girls dormitory down to the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron were already waiting at the table, and stood when they saw us coming down.

"You too ready for some breakfast?" Ron asked, looking hopeful. Most joked about how much Ron thought about food but if they actually knew how frequently he did people might not think it so much funny as concerning.

"Yeah, I could use a bit to eat. Plus Professor McGonagall won't be too pleased if we're late," Hermione said, motioning that we should continue onwards.

Harry looked exhausted and I was right there with him. Now that Hermione had put her mind to finding a way to tell Harry what was going on I couldn't wait to let it spill. A rush of shame spilled over me once I had completed the thought. It was wrong to go against Dumbledore's back, and I knew that maybe if I could make Dumbledore see things my way that he would see that letting Harry in was the better solution.

The great hall was rather crowded by the time we got in and Ginny and Seamus were already in a heated conversation about Gryffindor's chances at beating Slytherin in Quidditch. I loved Quidditch and found great relief in cheering and ranting at the games, but given this year's events I wasn't looking forward to it all that much.

"When are tryouts?" Ron asked them both as we sat down.

"Fairly soon I think," said Ginny. "I think Fred and George are planning on holding a meeting soon."

Seamus, realizing that Harry was with us, quickly got up and walked away. Ginny and Ron just watched him go with their mouthes hanging open. Hermione rolled her eyes and patted Harry on the arm who had completely ignored the entire incident. Rising above was definitely the way to go with Seamus.

"Oh look, the post is coming!" said Hermione, pointing to the owls that were swooping into the room. Harry looked up from his orange juice and smiled as Hedwig came landing onto the table.

"That a girl Hedwig," Harry said, untying the letter from Hedwig's foot, which she was thoughtfully stuck out once she had a firm balance on the table.

Ron and Ginny were both opening their own letters, whom I could see from their minds was from their mother, and Hermione was looking at a copy of the Daily Prophet. I was mildly surprised to see that my own owl, Snowflake, was coming towards me as well. I reached my arm out and she landed lightly on it, sticking out her own leg so I could untie my letter.

"Who is that from?" asked Hermione, in a concerned way.

I rarely got my mail from my parents seeing as they were so busy at the ministry and usually Mrs. Weasley kept them informed when I was too busy too. It wasn't that they didn't care it was just that they did so much in the ministry that they rarely had time to be sending letters unless it was something important. I opened it and felt my heart speed up as I realized my mom's crisp handwriting. I unfolded the letter and began to read:

Dear Abby,
For the obvious reasons I cannot say too much in this letter, but Albus Dumbledore has been in contact with me. While I am against his decision about you know what I see that there is really no choice. I know of what you have seen and I am afraid the time has come for me to give you some truth. I had been hoping that this would never come for I am afraid it is going to put you in danger, but I am afraid it must be done. Your father and I will be seeing you fairly shortly. I hope that your classes have been going well, and I ask you to keep your eyes and head open. Stay close to your friends, especially Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Love, Mom

I reread the letter once or twice before sliding it conspicuously over to Hermione. Once she had finished reading it she looked at me and smiled.

"At least you'll be getting some answers," she whispered to me.

I had just noticed that Harry had been looking our direction. I smiled at him reassuringly, before looking at the head table to see Dumbledore was starring at me.

Hello Allison. Great post. I'm so happy you posted again. He did spend a lot of time looking tired. But who could blame him, what with Voldemort's buisness being in his mind so much of the time. And Abby is just as tired from running the halls at night to meet Dumbledore, and worrying about keeping secrets. I've been waiting for this! This sounds a bit worrysome! The smile to Harry is sweet, but the stare from Dumbledore is very ominous! Did he see her show the letter to Hermione? Is Abby going to have another meeting with him just so he convences her not to tell anyone?
Great post Allison. I can't wait to read your next post. I hope it's not long from now.

I am glad you like it Connie Here is another post...you know when the inspiration hits you have to go with it

I had been so busy trying to read Dumbledore's expression that I hadn't even noticed Professor McGonagall come up behind me until she cleared her throat.

"Excuse me Miss Carson. I would like a word if you have the time?"

I turned around to look at her and nodded. "Of course Professor." I tucked the note from my mother into my robe pocket and followed her out of the great hall. I thought we were going to talk right outside the doors but Professor McGonagall kept walking, and I tried to keep my face neutral as I saw the image of the broom closet flash into my head.

Once we got there she checked to make sure that no one was around, opened the door, and motioned for me to go inside. I did so, her following and closing the door firmly behind me.

"Muffliato!" Professor McGonagall whispered while pointing her wand at the door.

Now if you have never been in a broom closet before let me inform you that there is barely any room. After all brooms are very thin, so a broom closet generally is more concerned with being tall than it is with being wide. With that said I found myself having a very personal and up close view of Professor McGonagall's chest. I looked up and she was smiling at me apologetically.

"You must forgive me Miss Carson for us having to hold this conversation in a broom closet, but unfortunately Dolores Umbridge has placed some form of a spell on my office so that everything I say reaches her ears. I have checked to make sure that this closet doesn't have it, and it doesn't, so unfortunately we must discuss this here."

"It's alright Professor," I said, trying to ignore the fact that this was usually how close you got to someone when you wanted to snog them. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Your Transfiguration lessons. As you are aware you have been taking the class since your second year with the years one level ahead of your own. Professor Umbridge saw it unfit that a student should be ahead of her classmates regardless of the circumstances. Therefore she has put in a request for the Minister of Magic to disallow you from doing such."

I felt the fury start to rise in my body. I had been waiting basically since I knew I was a phoenix animagi to be able to transform into a phoenix, and this year was my year. Professor McGonagall had been discussing with me all the basics and things I should practice over the summer to prepare for the initial attempts that were going to start this year.

"Does this mean I won't be learning how to morph?" I asked, having a difficult time keeping the anger from my voice.

I swear, if only I could turn that woman into a bug that I could step on the world would be a better place.

"Or perhaps you could turn her into a toad, since honestly it wouldn't be an insult to the way she looks already."

My hand somehow managed, in the limited moving space I had, to come up and cover my mouth. It wasn't so much that I had said it out loud so much as the fact that what I said was in response to something Professor McGonagall hadn't actually said at all.

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows slightly in shock, but I could see the corners of her lips twitching in an attempt not to laugh.

"I'm sorry Professor. Sometimes when I get angry it is difficult for me to channel out people's thoughts."

"It's perfectly alright Miss Carson. I can understand your frustration. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do since it came directly from the Minister that I can't let you be with the older students anymore. So, I am afraid you are going to have to repeat what you learned last year this year with your own year."

I let out a sigh. "And the morphing?"

"That Miss Carson is why we are shoved into this broom closet. I believe that Professor Umbridge thinks that by holding you back she can somehow prevent you from learning to transform into a phoenix this year. I however am not going to let her do that. As far as I am concerned you have learned enough preliminary information about animagis that you are ready to transform into what you are."

"Thank you Professor!" I said, wanting to hug her but deciding that probably wouldn't be best.

"You are welcome Miss Carson. You are one of the most hard working students I have ever had the pleasure to teacj, and it would be wrong to prevent you from learning how to do what animagis are supposed to do. I am going to ask that you hang around after class each time and we will go off and I will teach you one on one somewhere."

I will have to find somewhere that wretched woman won't be looking.

"Um, Professor? Perhaps we could do it in the Forbidden Forest? I mean what are the odds she will go looking there?"

Professor McGonagall looked thoughtful. "I think I have a better idea Miss Carson. We'll do it in the Gryffindor changing room near the Quidditch pitch."

I smiled and so did she. You had the admit Professor McGonagall was a force to be reckoned with. With that she opened the door and was off, and I casually stepped into the flood of Hogwarts students, closing the broom closet door shut behind me with one swift kick.

Hello Allison. This was a very nicely written chapter. All of it was exceptional, and progressed the story wonderfully. Umbridge just has it in her head to ruin everything doesn't she. I loved this part, and McGonagall's answer to it. Good job! Great post, and I'll be watching for your next.

well done! keep up the good wrk!
PAMS

Thanks for the comments Jenny and Connie! I am planning to post another update towards the end of the week or this weekend

The walk to Transfiguration had been filled with me telling them about the dreadful Umbridge, and Professor McGonagall's plans to teach me how to transform anyway. Hermione had gone off for a good five minute rant about how that broke so many wizarding rules, and Ron and Harry threw in the occasional cuss word along with some other adjectives to show their dislike for Umbridge.

I wasn't sure what class was going to be like considering I had already learned this material, but it was nice to be in the class with my fellow fifth years. Professor McGonagall decided to spend the class period going over the basics that we had learned last year, an overview of what we would be learning this year, and a small quiz to see what we remembered.

Everyone, even Draco Malfoy, was pleased at the chance to use their wands. Defense Against the Dark Arts had gone from everyone's favorite subject to everyone's least favorite subject. After all it's hard to take a completely hands on subject and turn it into simply copying notes.

At the end of class I waved goodbye to Hermione, Ron, and Harry, agreeing we would meet up in the Gryffindor Common Room later, and headed up to Professor McGonagall's desk. Once all the students had left she motioned for me to follow her. I was a bit confused as to why we were heading to the back of the room when we weren't going to be staying there, but I figured she had something in mind.

Professor McGonagall motioned with her hand that I shouldn't speak, and swiftly tapped on several spaces of the wall in front of us. Learning to cast spells without speaking was not something we had been taught how to do yet but Professor McGonagall was obviously a pro at it, because a couple of moments later a door had appeared in the wall. She opened it and motioned that I should continue through, which I did, before coming in behind me and muttering some more so that the door disappeared.

We started to walk down the long stone passage, which I assumed led outside somewhere. It smelled kind of musty and old, like the passage way hadn't been walked through in a while.

"Professor did you create this or was it already here?"

"I'm not sure how long it has been here, but I've only just discovered it recently. I thought it would be useful for getting in and out to the Quidditch pitch without too many people noticing: particularly Professor Umbridge."

I nodded in understanding, and we continued on in silence. It was a good ten minute walk before we got to the end of the tunnel, and the door opening to a back end of the castle that was parallel to the Quidditch pitch. It took us another ten minutes to actually get inside the Gryffindor changing room, Professor McGonagall casting the muffling charm and lock charm on the door before turning to face me.

"Alright Miss Carson, we can begin our lesson." She flicked her wand and the benches flew to the corners of the room and out of the way.

"As you know Phoenix animagi are special in the sense that you must be born with a specific genetic composition in order to become one. Many witches and wizards have attempted over the ages to figure out a way to become one without the necessary genetic components and they have all failed. This aspect is both a gift and a curse. It is a curse because it is very difficult to teach someone who is a phoenix animagi how to transform since the procedure for regular animagi is completely different. Next year you will learn more about the specifics that go behind becoming an animagi and how to become one, but let's not focus on that right now."

"It is a gift because the genetic composition allows you to learn and possess many magical abilities that a regular animagi can not. For example you can blend into a room full of phoenixes because they sense you are naturally one of them. If I were to walk into a room full of cats in my animagi form most of them would feel threatened or have their guard up against me. They can sense my differentness. Are you following?"

I nodded my head.

"Good. Now I have only ever taught one other phoenix animagi and that is your mother. Naturally she will be able to help you with the transformation process, but I am hoping I can teach you the basics to get you into your phoenix form. Are you ready to begin?"

I nodded my head excitedly. Professor McGonagall smiled and took out her wand.

Hello Allison. There's no need for me to start highlighting and psting because all of it is great! This is getting so exciting! I can't wait to find out about her mom, and I can't wait for them to meet with Dumbledore! Great post, and I'll be watching for your next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the lesson I walked out of the changing room feeling sore and tired. Professor McGonagall had explained that the easiest way to become an animagi was to learn how to transform each part of your body individually, then when the time came to transform as a whole, it would be easier.

I'll admit it had been rather strange to see my hand start to take a feather like appearance, but I was pleased that on my first effort I was able to produce the desired result. Professor McGonagall had nodded reassuringly, but my feathers had come out transparent, my hand showing a clear reflection of the ground beneath me.

"Why was I transparent Professor?" I asked her as we headed back to the castle.

"Well, it depends on whether or not you believe this aspect of the phoenix animagi. One man, Theodore Markus who was the first phoenix animagi, said that his feathers were the exact same color as his wife's eyes who had passed recently. Along the way some have denied that this is the case, particularly one man whose feather colors were the traditional red."

"So wait, you mean I could be a different color than red?"

Professor McGonagall nodded. "It is possible Miss Carson, yes. However there is the possibility that you will still be the traditional red, but your eye color will change. It would be a pity if it did though...afterall you do have a very rare shade of blue for your eyes."

I felt my cheeks blush. "Thanks Professor. When will I start to be a color?" At this point we had reached the steps into the castle and she stopped and turned to me.

"It is different for everyone, but my guess is you will be sooner rather than later." Professor McGonagall was silent for a couple of moments. "Personally Miss Carson I stand by what Mr. Markus said about him being the color of his wife's eyes. I think phoenixes are such an extraordinary bird because of there ability to recognize human emotion. It's almost as if they can understand what you are feeling and going through. I've never encountered another animal that can do that. Being as you are becoming a phoenix, I believe that even in your animagi form you will still understand emotion Miss Carson, and your heart's desire will still shine through. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you turned the color of the one you love."

I nodded at Professor McGonagall as she smiled at me gently before putting on a stern face to go scold a first year practicing hexes on Professor Sprout's flowers.

I headed inside the castle and started walking towards the Gryffindor Common room. I was just past the Great Hall doors when I heard Harry yell out from behind me.

"Abby! Wait up!" I stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"So, how'd it go?" Harry asked, hope in his eyes.

"Well I kind of got my hand to turn feathery which Professor said was very impressive for my first try."

"That's great!" Harry patted me on the back of my shoulder in encouragement.

"What have you been up to?" I asked, trying to not think too long about the touch of Harry's hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, I thought I'd just send off an owl to Padfoot and tell him about how things are going."

"I'm sure he appreciates that. I imagine it gets a bit lonely in that huge house all by yourself."

Harry nodded. "At least he has Buckbeak and the occasional visitor."

Deep down I felt bad for Sirius. He was a hands on, get involved kind of guy, and being forced to stay locked up in a house filled with bad childhood memories was just torture for him. At the same time he was no good to Harry or any of us if he was caught and given the dementor's kiss.

We were heading up the stairs when we heard someone come out of the door behind us. I turned around to see Professor Dumbledore starring at the both of us, just as shocked to find us there as we were to find him there.

"Professor," Harry said with confusion.

"Good day Abby, Harry," he said nodding to us both in turn before walking back through the portrait he had just come out of.

Harry took a step to go after him but stopped, and turned around to look at me.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked.

"I dunno," I said, still starring at the portrait.

"He's not angry with you, is he? I mean you haven't told me anything about what happens at your meetings."

"No, I don't think he's angry Harry," I said as Dumbledore's thoughts filled my head. "I think he's stuck between a rock and a hard place is all."

I closed my eyes and listened to him as he told me the order would be meeting tonight, and my mother would be there.

Hello Allison. This was a very well written chapter. I'm really interested in her learing to transform into her animagi. The whole thing is so very fascinating. I don't understand this though: ." That was my favorite line in the chapter. So sweet of him to be concerned. Can't wait for this.
Great post Allison. I'll be watching for your next.

What I meant, and I hope this clears up the confusion, is that Professor McGonagall thinks the color of her feathers in animagi form will be the color of the one Abby loves. I'll leave you to guess on what color you think that will be

That's cool.

Cool!

Thanks everyone! *Points to first post* Gemma made me a lovely banner for the fan fiction if anyone would like to check it out. *strongly encourages*

"Let's head on up to the common room," I said, hiding how nervous I was about this meeting from Harry. "I'm sure everyone is waiting for us."

Harry nodded and we continued up the never ending stairs to the portrait of the Fat Lady. She had her eyes closed but upon our arrival she opened them and looked at us. I actually took some relief in being surrounded by the portraits because their minds were the only ones I couldn't read. Somehow I could read the ghost at Hogwarts minds though...go figure.

"Password?" she asked us with a small yawn.

"Nimblewit," Harry said. She nodded dully and the portrait swung open, allowing us to go in. The common room was surprisingly empty, filled with one or two first years, and Ron and Hermione.

"There you two are. We were wondering what was taking you so long," said Hermione as we plopped down at the table.

"Sorry, we weren't in that much of a rush to tackle all those steps," said Harry with a smile.

Hermione scowled at him in an amused way, before turning all her attention to me. "So, how did your lessons go?"

"Yeah, tell us all the gory details," Ron said, leaning forward.

"Well, I was able to kind of turn my hand feathery," I said, feeling lame even as I said it.

"Abby, that's great! Most phoenix animagis it takes months before they have those kinds of results."

"And how would you know that?" asked Ron, starring at Hermione curiously.

She blushed, but shook it off quickly, reaching down into her bag and pulling out an old book. "I thought it might help," Hermione said sliding the book towards me.

I looked at the book titled Incredible Beings Even to Magical Folks and tried to hide a laugh. The entire cover of the book was filled with a portrait of the author, a scrawny looking guy with hair that wasn't hair but peacock feathers that had been neatly combed back.

"What's he supposed to be?" asked Ron, trying to hide his laugh as well.

"Don't mind the author, he's just a regular animagi that can turn into a peacock, but honestly it's a fascinating book. He got the chance to talk to the first phoenix animagi..."

"Theodore Markus," I said, finishing her sentence.

"Exactly," said Hermione, eyeing Ron in that told-you-so way of hers.

"Thanks Hermione, this is really great!" I said, giving her a one armed hug.

"No problem," said Hermione with a smile.

I was about to ask Ron and Hermione what they had been up to when Neville came running through the portrait entrance. We turned to look at him as he came over and plopped down next to Harry.

"Have you guys heard?" he asked, slightly out of breath.

"Heard what?" asked Harry, instantly wondering if Voldemort had done something public.

"Professor Trelawney is getting sacked and Umbridge is making all these decrees that ban students from doing certain things."

"Wait, what?" asked Ron, anger in his voice.

"Yeah. Apparently the Minister of Magic has deemed as High Inquistor of the school which allows her to make these decrees that are basically rules."

"This is absurd! First she won't let us use wands in class and now she is banning us from doing everyday functions," said Hermione with a scoff.

"I don't get it. Why is the ministry wasting all this time at Hogwarts when they should be looking for Voldemort?" Harry slammed the table with his fists.

Neville had twitched at the sound of Voldemort's name and Ron and Hermione just stared at each other bleakly.

"Because the Minister thinks Dumbledore is trying to take over his job and the minsitry," I said, starring at Harry.

"And how do you know that?" asked Ron.

"Honestly Ronald, use your brain," said Hermione with a shake of the head.

Ron had a clueless look for a second, then it clicked and he blushed. "Right, I knew that."

"Well, I'm going to go and keep getting information about it from everyone. I'll be back!" said Neville and off he went.

We watched him go, then turned back to one another. "What do you think Dumbledore's going to do about it?" asked Ron.

"Nothing is my bet. Why give Fudge examples he could use to his advantage. I doubt Dumbledore will step in unless it deals with laying off teachers or expelling students," I said with a firm nod.

"I agree," said Hermione.

"Maybe I'll figure out tonight," I said, more to Hermione than them.

"What's tonight?" asked Harry, being pulled back from the train of thought he had just gone on for the past minute or so.

"A meeting with the Order. I've been asked to go." Hermione had reached under the table and squeezed my hand in encouragement. We both knew what Harry's reaction was going to be and this was her way of telling me she was going to stick by me until the end.

"You're in the order?" asked Harry, a strange calmness to his voice.

I nodded. Harry was shaking with anger and we could all see it.

"Why do you get to be a member and I don't?" he said, trying to keep his voice low so the first years didn't hear.

Harry looked like he was about to start throwing stuff across the room in frustration, the anger at Dumbledore oozing from every pore in his body. Ever since we had gotten back to school Harry had been on the verge of breaking down since we got here, and basically from the moment he found out that Dumbledore was keeping information from him. I could tell he wanted to get up and leave, but I reached out and grabbed his hand, pressing it down against the table with so much force that he couldn't move.

"Listen to me Harry, Dumbledore has his reasons for doing what he's doing. I know you are angry and upset right now, and if you don't want to trust Dumbledore that's fine, but at least have the decency to trust me."

Ron and Hermione were looking at the both of us in silence and Harry was starring at me, a bit of shock on his face.

"I am asking you Harry as your friend to please trust me."

I released my grip on his hand and stared at him. Harry took his hand out from under mine before returning it, this time taking my hand in his and squeezing it.

"Okay. I trust you Abby. I trust you."

Hello Allison. Another great post! Have I mentioned how much I love this story? My goodness! No wonder McGonagall hopes she keeps her own eye coloring! Gorgious is what they are! And they would blend beautifully with feathers of emerald green. Honestly, Sometimes you have to wonder if Ron's mentality takes brief vacations from his brain. But, all the same, he is adorable. I love how you write Harry! It's so like him. And yet you can tell when he's calm like this he is actually seething with anger.
Great post Allison! I'll be watching for your next.

I really liked it was good.

Pams
im addicted to ur storyyyy!

Thanks for the comments everyone!! I am glad you all are enjoying it so much Here is the rest of chapter seven.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, the four of us working on some early reading and writing we had been assigned already by our classes. We were talking the O.W.L.s this year so it was no surprise to any of us that the workload was going to be heavy. However perhaps the most tedious and uninteresting homework was copying chapters one through three of our Defense Against the Dark Arts book word for word.

"This is simply ridiculous. How does she got off assigning us this? It's not even teaching and it's definitely not preparing us for our O.W.L.s," said Hermione as she flipped through what she had left to copy.

"She's completely mental," replied Ron, scribbling out a word he had written. "Plus it certainly doesn't help when I zone, so one minute I'm writing the beginning of one sentence and then the next writing the end of another."

Harry simply nodded, and I was getting ready to start chapter three when Snowflake flew in through the open window. She landed gracefully next to my textbook and stuck out her leg. Everyone watched and I fumbled to untie the letter and unraveled the parchment paper.

"Well, go on. What does it say?" asked Ron leaning forward.

Snowflake's arrival had drawn some interest from the others in the common room, but after a minute they turned back around and focused on their homework. I cleared my throat and read the letter out loud to them softly:

Dear Abby,
Please meet me in my office to discuss the changes with your Transfiguration lessons this year. I know Professor McGonagall has discussed them with you, but I would like to make sure you understand fully.

Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore

P.S. I hear the butterbeer in Hogsmeade is wonderful this time of year.

"He must have been afraid someone would intercept it," said Hermione as I slid the note across the table for everyone to see.

"Yeah, he's probably concerned about Umbridge. She has been very curious about our meetings," I said with a sigh.

"Well, hopefully you won't run in to any problems this evening," said Hermione. "Although, he hasn't written a time down."

"Do you think he means right away?" asked Ron.

"Well, it can't hurt to go now, can it?" said Hermione, handing the note back to me.

"Perhaps I should," I said, sliding it into my robes pocket.

"Maybe you should wear my invisibility cloak," said Harry. "That way even if Umbridge is snooping around, she won't see you."

"That's a great idea Harry," said Hermione.

Harry motioned I should come with him, so I got up and followed him upstairs. I could feel a pair of eyes on my back so I reached out, and to my surprise found it was Seamus's.

I hope she's not dating that loony bin. Harry doesn't deserve her at all...she's too good for him anyway.

I was in such a state of shock from what I heard that I tripped at the top of the steps and nearly took Harry down with me. Harry turned around and steadied me, a concerned look on his face.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," I said with a shaky laugh. "Just being anxious doesn't help with my naturally clumsy disposition."

Harry laughed and pushed open the door to the boys dormitory, and closing it shut behind me. Once he made sure no one else was in the room he bent down into his suitcase and pulled out the cloak which was stuffed under a pile of socks, sweaters, and numerous other things.

"That should do it," said Harry.

"Thanks Harry. I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, no problem. Maybe you should walk over and into the girls dormitory or something so it doesn't seem like you came in here and never left."

"Yeah, that's a good idea." I left the room and went straight across into the girls dormitory. I heard Harry go back down the steps, saying louder than he probably needed to that I was going to take a quick nap since something at dinner hadn't set right with my stomach. I laughed to myself at how lame that sounded before sliding the cloak on and heading down the stairs. I always kept the curtains around my bed closed, so I was able to just leave without anyone noticing the girls dormitory door opening and closing by itself.

I went over and tapped Hermione so she could open the portrait door for me.

"Darn! I've forgotten a book I need for homework in the library. I'll be back," said Hermione, getting up and heading towards the portrait in a very convincing "I can't believe I forgot that!" kind of way.

I whispered thanks to her as we parted ways and ran towards Dumbledore's office. It turned out to be a good thing because about three suites of armor past the entrance to the Gryffindor common room stood Professor Umbridge, surveying the hallway in anticipation.

I know she is going to come through here...I just know it! Dumbledore is going to have to tell me what he wants with this girl one way or another!

After a couple of minutes I reached the statue guarding Dumbledore's office and whispered butterbeer, the statue shifting to reveal a set of stairs that I was becoming very familiar with. Once the statue had moved back, and I was sure no one had seen me come in, I took off the cloak and headed up the stairs, gently tapping on the door.

Before I could say "hello" the door was open and Dumbledore was standing there smiling at me. He motioned for me to come inside which I did, and led me over to one of his bookcases behind his desk.

"How are we getting to the meeting?" I asked.

"Oh, I've arranged a rather discreet way for us to get there, or at least get beyond the magic of the Hogwarts walls without drawing any attention."

I nodded, finding it incredible how Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were so swift to find this hidden passages. Dumbledore strategically tapped a couple of books, muttered something I couldn't understand, and stepped back as the bookcase swung open, revealing a set of steps that led downwards.

"We are going underground," I said as we started to go through, lights illuminating the way once the bookcase had closed itself again.

"Yes, I found this shortly after I became headmaster after the kind hint of a former headmaster." We were in silence for a little while until Professor Dumbledore stopped me and looked me dead in the eye. "I must ask, does Harry know of our meetings?"

I swallowed deeply. "Yes, but he doesn't know what they're about. I told him I was in the order because I figured he would find out eventually and I would rather have him hear it from me than someone else."

Dumbledore was silent, starring at me but not really seeing me. I didn't want to know what he was thinking so I blocked him out, and focused my gaze on the ground.

"I must apologize to you Abby. It was wrong of me to ask you to keep such things from Harry who means so much to you. I am not angry at your decision to tell him you are in the order."

"I've asked him to trust me Professor, and I think he does."

"I am sure he does. Harry has a lot of faith in you Abby, more than you see I think. I must ask you don't tell him that I am keeping an eye on him."

"Does this have something to do with the connection between him and Voldemort?"

Dumbledore was quiet again, but eventually nodded and continued walking.

"I believe Abby that you may be able to offer him the best protection out of all of us."

"Why is that Professor?"

"Because while Voldemort might figure out about the connection between him and Harry, you can understand Harry and what he feels and thinks. You can go much deeper than Voldemort could ever physically go. And that Abby makes you our greatest weapon."

Hello Allison. This post is very good, and I was sorry it wasn't longer. But, don't worry. I'm not faulting you. It would have to be the rest of the story to make me satisfied. I just love your story! That was probably my favorite part of the post. I do think it's important for Harry to trust her, and I'm so glad he does. And I think it's brilliant how she keeps one step ahead of Umbridge!
Great post Allison. I'll be watching for your next.

I had never been to Grimmauld place before due to my busy schedule with my parents during the summer break. It was old in the kind of natural way that people struggled to have with their antique collections. The wallpaper was peeling in numerous spots, creating half pictures of the Slytherin House emblem and the feeling that the whole thing was going to fall off eventually. I tried not to be too alarmed by the screaming portrait of Sirius's mother, which Dumbledore had kindly informed me of as we walked up the steps and into the house.

I could see straight ahead of me Sirius and Professor Lupin, leaning in close to one another and chatting. I smiled as I heard my mother come around the door and hold her arms out. I ran to her, like a five year old does, and hugged her for a minute. Everyone in the room had gone quite at my arrival, admiring my mom and I. She let go of me and smiled, it warming me instantly. I could tell behind her eyes that she was worried though, and even though she had tried to hide them there were deep bags under her eyes from exhaustion.

"Why doesn't everyone come on in and sit down?" Mr. Weasley said with a smile.

My mom led me over to the seat next to her and Dumbledore took a seat at the head of the room. I looked towards Professor Lupin, who nodded at me with a smile and Sirius who mouthed hello to me, before turning his attention to Dumbledore.

"As you all are aware Abby is going to now be a member of the order. Anyone who objects to this, please speak now."

Everyone was silent, still keeping their eyes on Dumbledore who was now looking at me. My mother reached under the table and took my hand in hers, sending calm and relaxed vibes towards me. Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat and looked around the room.

"She is just a child Albus, and I know for a fact that her mother feels the same way that I do. She is too young."

"Abby is probably going to be a stronger witch than any of us once she is done developing. I think her ability makes her an asset," said Kinsley, who was sitting across from Professor Lupin.

"Yes, and when she is old enough then she can join the order. Don't you agree Susan?" Mrs. Weasley looked desperate.

My mother looked directly at me. "I think Abby is safer in the order than living in darkness."

"I agree," said Sirius. "Abby is a tough girl, she has an incredible gift that makes her aware of danger before any of us. Her best protection is herself," said Sirius is a "duh" kind of way.

"I think Abby is an asset, and with what she has been doing for me it is only right that she become a member of the order," said Dumbledore. There were more nods than shakes of heads, and with a vote I was brought into the older. Mrs. Weasley scowled and shot a furious look at my mother.

"What's to stop her from telling Ron and Hermione, and Harry even from what is discussed here?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

Everyone shifted nervously in their seats, looking towards Dumbledore for an answer.

"It's not right keeping him in the dark," I said, much to everyone's surprise.

Everyone now had their eyes on me, along with Dumbledore who was looking over her spectacles at me. I wasn't sure if I should continue on, but he nodded at me. "Speak your piece Abby," Dumbledore said gently.

"Listen, I know all of you care about Harry deeply, but I can tell you right now that none of you will never know him the way that I do. None of you can be inside him the way I can. I know you think you're protecting him but you aren't. You are leaving him stranded and alone in the dark. Harry is lost. He is confused and hurt and he's slipping into a darkness that if we aren't careful he might not come out of."

"What darkness?" a woman who I didn't recognize asked.

"The connection between him and Voldemort."

Everyone in the room was silent. "This is a matter we must discuss," said Dumbledore, leaning forward on the table. "What have you learned from this connection Abby?"

"Voldemort doesn't know about it right now. If he did he would have acted on it. For now, Harry is safe, but eventually he will need to shield himself."

"Perhaps someone should teach him Occulmency?" said Professor Lupin reasonably.

"Severus, you are very talented, would you be willing?" Dumbledore asked.

I hadn't even noticed that he had been in the corner of the room until he had stepped out of the shadow. I eyed him, doubtful that Harry would want to learn from him.

"I can try to teach the boy," said Severus with a grim attempt at a smile. Sirius was glaring at him with the deepest expression of loathing. With all the cuss words flying through his head to describe Severus I decided Sirius's mind was not where I wanted to be.

"Let us wait though," said Dumbledore. "For now Abby is keeping a watchful eye and I will rely on her to tell me when you think Harry needs to start."

I nodded in understanding. "How is the protection going in the Department of Mysteries?" asked Tonks, looking at Mr. Weasley.

"Very well. So far we have had no issues or concerns of any kind. It is being watched as we speak."

"What's in the Department of Mysteries?" I asked, looking at Dumbledore.

"A weapon we believe that Voldemort wants," he said simply.

I saw a vision of an orb with a white mist floating it in cross through Mr. Weasley's mind. "A prophecy," I whispered.

"Abby, you must not speak of this prophecy to Harry or anyone outside this room. It is not safe," said Kingsley with a firm stare.

"I won't...it's just strange that Voldemort wants to use a prophecy."

"Why do you say that?" Professor Lupin asked.

"Because prophecies only possess as much truth and power as people are willing to give them. Voldemort is hurting himself by believing in a prophecy isn't he? By believing in a predetermined fate?"

Everyone was silent, surprised I had picked up on this already. My mom, who now had her hands folded on the table cleared her throat. "Abby, Voldemort knows what you are and we believe he is going to find a way to use you against Harry."

"But, what would Voldemort want to use me for? He can already read minds," I said confused.

"Voldemort can read minds," said Professor Snape, looking at me intently. "But you, you have the ability to see the future."

Hello Allison. Terrific post! Where to begin!? I don't know! It is getting harder to keep special parts in mund to comment on later. The whole post was fantastic! I will say, I don't mind this visual site you've given us. I think it coincides with what the books say, but, I was sooooooooooooooooo disappointed with Grimmauld place in the movies! I was expecting a mansion, very run down, but a mansion none the less. Instead they seen fit to give us an unspectacular skinny dump. Good ole Molly! I knew I could count on her to speak up against this plan. I think this is my favorite part of the post. I love that she speaks up for Harry. And she is right what she says.
Great post Allison. I'll be watching for your next.

still addicted! lol PAMSOID!!!!!
cant wait for more!
keep up the good work!
xxx

Thanks for the comments guys. I am glad you are enjoying it so much. I would have updated yesterday but I was at the US Open, leaving at four in the morning and getting back to college at four the following morning. So...needless to say I didn't have the time, but alas here it is. Enjoy!

I sat starring at Professor Snape like he had just turned into a clown with a squeaky red nose on the end. Everyone was starring at me, waiting as if I was going to start glowing or have my skin change colors. I cleared my throat, trying to hide my skepticism, and finally decided they were waiting for me to speak.

"Listen, I know I can see the future, but I've ever gotten two or three visions in my whole life! Plus I have no control over them...they come when they want to."

"You may not know how to control it now, but as you learn to transform into your animagi form you will find visions will come more often and swiftly than you'd think," said Snape, his expression difficult to read. I could tell he was having a rush of longing and fear, still wondering what vision it was I saw of him. The picture of Dumbledore falling rushed into my mind before leaving quickly.

"But just because I can see the future doesn't mean it won't change. I mean, it can always change. And besides, aren't there plenty of people that can see the future?"

"It can Abby and that is exactly why Voldemort wants you. If he has you on his side he can use your visions of the future and change them, fix them so to speak so that it goes the way he wants it to," said Professor Lupin, making me feel like I was back in his Defense Against the Dark Arts class. "There are some witches and wizards who can see the future, but none to the extent that you will be able to. Most only see a vision by accident."

I turned towards my mom. "Can you see the future?"

"Yes, that's why I know he wants to use you. He knows I would never betray Dumbledore and the order, but he thinks that since you are younger you might be easier to corrupt."

"Well he's wrong," I said simply. "I'll never turn against Harry, or even Ron and Hermione."

My mom smiled at me with pride. "I know you won't, but the fact is Voldemort is going to do everything in his power to make you believe that joining him is the best way to protect your loved ones. He will make it very tempting."

My mom's eyes shifted downwards, a sad look on her face. "The memory of you and Voldemort at the lake? What happened?" I asked.

My mom sighed deeply, looking around the room. "I still to this day don't understand the relationship I had with Tom Riddle. He seemed so genuine and nice to me at the orphanage and I thought he would be a friend. I had gone to the cave to play games with him, ones he said the head of our orphanage wouldn't approve of or understand. I felt it was wrong, but I went anyway, and it was along the way there that I got my first vision."

"What did you see?" I asked.

"Tom Riddle torturing me," my mom said matter-of-factly. "He could sense that I was different, more powerful than him I suppose, and he wanted to learn how to read minds. He had asked me before how I did it and I told him I didn't know, but he must have thought I was lying."

"Tom has always had a twisted vision of the world...believing that people are out to steal from him or be more powerful than him," said Dumbledore softly.

"You went to Hogwarts with him then?" I asked.

"Yes, but I was only a first year when he was in his third or fourth year. Thankfully I had Dumbledore protecting me."

"Did you sense it then? How dark he was?" I asked Dumbledore.

"No, I did not. Like most Slytherins who love power, I assumed he was just like them. Perhaps that was my biggest mistake."

"Albus, you couldn't have known," said my mom was a sympathetic gaze.

"Voldemort tricks, that's what he does," I said quietly. "We can't let him trick Harry."

"No, we can't," said my mom simply.

"Then what do we do?" asked Kingsley.

Everyone was quiet for a moment. "Maybe Abby can use Harry's connection with Voldemort to her advantage," said Sirius.

"How so?" asked Lupin.

"Well, Harry has no real control over the connection, but maybe Abby does. Maybe through Harry she can keep an eye on Voldemort without him knowing."

There were some nods around the room. "I don't know if I can do it. I mean, I've only done it once or twice before," I said with a sigh.

"It's okay Abby," my mom said. "Albus and I can teach you."