𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 53 ✧

1977

No more than a week after the baffling interviews, the seven Gryffindor's were approached by an uncharacteristically cheerful Professor McGonagall. She had the shadow of a smile etched onto her usually hardened features and there was a note of pride in her voice as she informed them all that they were to meet in Professor Dumbledore's office once again after dinner that evening.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say McGonagall was happy." James stated once she'd left, shuddering as if to emphasize the peculiarity. Seeing their head of house as anything other than stern, disappointed or angry was such a rare occurrence that when it did happen it put everyone on edge.

The rest of the day dragged by agonisingly slowly. Everyone was itching to find out what the verdict was from their bizarre interviews. It was apparent now that the 'careers counselling' rouse was just a front, but none of them knew what exactly they had been selected for yet.

As soon as dinner was over that evening and dessert appeared, all seven Gryffindor's shot up out of their seats, some of them grabbing a slice of cake or a chocolate mousse to go. As they moved to exit the Great Hall, they noticed a few from both the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables doing the same. Aurora noted that Marilyn Blackwell, Edward Dodge and Cillian Gallagher were not amongst the students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and thus had obviously not made it past the 'interview' stage. The group from all three houses met outside in the hallway and walked silently towards Dumbledore's office. The only sound was that of footsteps, nervous breathing and James's spoon as he greedily ate his dessert.

"Must you eat so loudly, Potter?" Lily asked in exasperation.

"Um, duh," James responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "it's triple chocolate mousse. Try some." He waved his spoon in front of her face, offering some, but she grimaced in response and almost smacked it out of his hand.

"Suit yourself," He shrugged, spooning more into his own mouth as the group continued walking.

"I'll take you up on that offer." Sirius chimed in, regretting the choice not to grab a mousse of his own. He had gone the more sensible route and chosen a cupcake which was far more practical for eating on the go. He had finished his cupcake in three large bites however and was longing for another sweet.

Without even thinking, James scooped up more of the mousse, making sure to get all three layers, and fed it to Sirius.

"Could you two be anymore gay?" Marlene snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Probably." James and Sirius responded in unison, not even needing to consider their answer.

"That was not a challenge." Marlene warned, recognising the mischievous glint in their eyes.

"Just because you're not gay doesn't mean I will excuse any homosexual activity. You're not allowed to cheat on me with boys or girls and that includes Potter." Aurora warned, although she was smiling. Lily just rolled her eyes but she couldn't help the small smile forming on her own lips.

"How do you know we're not gay?" James asked indignantly, stopping all of a sudden.

"I would not be at all surprised if you were gay, Potter. Sirius however, I can confirm is not gay." Aurora stated, giving James a knowing look.

"I can confirm that statement." Marlene piped up, winking at Sirius who looked momentarily stunned.

"I can also confirm that." Amelia Bones added sheepishly, finally joining the Gryffindor's conversation.

Emmeline and Dorcas shared a look before nodding as well.

"Us too," They stated in unison, both turning a brilliant shade of red and giggling amongst themselves.

"Christ, Sirius, really?" Lily asked in disbelief, looking at all the girls who were now giggling at Sirius's expense, "Am I the only girl in this castle that hasn't snogged you?"

"I have needs." Sirius shrugged guiltily, his face morphing into a look of embarrassment. Lily rolled her eyes and smacked him upside the head while Aurora eyed Emmeline, Dorcas and Amelia.

"Don't worry, love, you more than fulfil all my needs." Sirius whispered into Aurora's ear upon noticing the uncertainty she was obviously feeling.

"Gross." Marlene grimaced, also taking it upon herself to smack Sirius for that comment.

By the time the group reached Dumbledore's office, their nerves had subsided significantly and they had all fallen into comfortable conversation. When the gargoyle came into view, however, all conversation ceased as the nerves returned tenfold.

"I wonder what he wants from us?" Caradoc whispered, the others all muttering their uncertainty in response.

"Only one way to find out," James stated, stepping forward and announcing the password. The group filed into the small space between Dumbledore's office and the gargoyle that guarded it and waited.

"You may enter," came Dumbledore's voice, the door to his office slowly swinging open.

Once the group was inside the office, the door swung shut by itself. The group only now began noticing that it wasn't just Dumbledore in his office. The usually spacious room was cramped as bodies attempted to squeeze in.

Aurora noticed that amongst the faces were some familiar ones. Frank and Alice Longbottom stood to one side. The two who had graduated three years ahead of the current graduating class were now fully qualified Auror's who had recently gotten married. Amongst the other familiar faces were Sturgis Podmore who had graduated the year before, Mundungus Fletcher who had graduated two years before and Fabian and Gideon Prewett, twins who were in their seventh year when the crazy eight started their first. Finishing off the group was an older wizard, presumably closer to Dumbledore's age whom he introduced as Elphias Dodge, and a rather intimidating wizard with a magical glass eye introduced as Alastor Moody, an incredibly high up and well respected Auror for the ministry.

"I know you are all wondering why you have been summoned here tonight," Dumbledore began, stating the obvious, "and I would like to congratulate you all. Throughout your years at Hogwarts you have all shown characteristics I value in a witch or wizard. It is for these reasons that I have selected you from the graduating class of nineteen seventy-eight to join an order founded by myself not too long ago." The students in the office broke out into excited whispers, all feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"The Order of the Phoenix is a highly secretive and covert organisation with the sole purpose of vanquishing all dark witches and wizards. Our most formidable opponent to date is the current dark wizard who is so feared, that not many dare utter his name. I myself, do not fear the use of his name, and encourage you all to speak it freely. The less fear spread the more likely we are to succeed in our endeavours.

"Should you all choose to accept your positions in the order, you will commence your training effective immediately after graduation. If you have any questions I encourage you to ask the current order members standing behind me." Dumbledore finished his speech and everyone was far too shocked to move. Not only had Dumbledore been monitoring the students in that room personally, but he had seen qualities in them that he admired and thus selected them out of all the students in their year to join his own personal order.

A few hours after the group had left Dumbledore's office none of them could believe what had happened. They had spent an hour conversing with the other order members and asking question after question about the war and what it was like in the real world. After exiting the office nothing else seemed half as exciting.

All of a sudden it was as if the war was real again. Just like the night Mary had died, the seven had a taste of the real world, only this time they were all excited. This time they felt a surge of pride and duty well up inside of them. They were all going to make a difference.