A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 35

Part 2:

Chapter 35 –

September 28th, 1977

Lia paced the space around the room so fast that metaphorical smoke followed in her trail. She muttered loudly to herself, thinking over various reasons why they could all be gathered in this office.

Sirius pulling a prank on Flitwick? Maybe.

Remus almost getting free during the full moon a few days ago? Possibly.

Marlene and Fabian getting caught shagging in the prefect's bathroom? Could be.

Lia punching Alecto Carrow in the face? Perhaps.

She could see why some of them were there, but Dorcas and Mary being in the room threw her off. The two were angels, never doing anything wrong and yet they stood in the group with them, waiting for Professor Dumbledore to finally announce why they were there.

Releasing a frustrated sigh, she stood in front of his desk, her hands resting on the edge.

"Why are we here, sir?" She asked exasperatedly, annoyed with his silence over the last few minutes.

She watched as Dumbledore regarded her with curious eyes, motioning for her to move back to stand with her friends. Rolling her eyes, Lia did just that and cuddled into Sirius' chest when he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Her friends around her stared at the professor, their eyes holding fear in them. She understood, each time they were all gathered like this, it usually meant nothing but bad news. Something that none of them could handle right now.

"I gathered you all here today," Dumbledore announced as he raised from his desk, "because I believe that each of you have what it takes to join our cause."

Lia frowned, opening her mouth to ask what he was on about, but Dorcas cut her off.

"What cause professor?" She asked, and Lia noticed her hand squeeze tighter around Mary's, "and why us?"

She watched Dumbledore stare at her, his hand rubbing down the length of his beard before he looked towards the rest of them.

"I hand-picked you for the Order of the Phoenix because you have the qualities that we need," Dumbledore explained, his eyes landing on James, "Brave," his eyes moved to Lia, "resilient," to Remus, "loyal," to Sirius, "strong," to Lily, "smart," and finally they landed over the rest of them, "and trustworthy."

He sat on the edge of his desk as he continues, "I have already spoken to other students about joining, but this group in front of me is one that we are desperate to have after you have graduated."

Lia saw Mary step forward, asking, "but what is the Order of the Phoenix, sir?"

Dumbledore's eyes flicked to the red head before returning to Lia, "it is an organization, created to fight against Voldemort."

Gasps were heard around the room, people looking at each other to confirm they had just heard what Dumbledore said, but Lia's eyes remained on him.

"You want us to join this group?" Lia asked, "you want us to fight?"

Dumbledore nodded slightly; his curious eyes held on her.

"We have many people already, all of different ages and professions, but with he who shall not be named numbers rising, we need more," he explained.

Lia nodded slightly, looking up to see the fierceness on Sirius' face. She knew that this is what he was looking for, something that he could do to fight back against the evil that had already taken too much from them.