Silver Hourglass

Trial at the Ministry (5th year) Chapter 40

It took the new residences a few weeks to settle into the routine of domestic life. The first day Harry went to Grimmauld Place, he was both surprised and filled with a strange kind of wonder as he looked around the average wizardry home. It was nothing like the Burrow. Number 12 Grimmauld Place seemed to be in disarray, like the Burrow, but where the Burrow had a homey feel to it, Grimmauld just felt a bit cold and dingy. Thought Harry mostly blame the décor decisions made by the house's previous owners. And Kreacher. Harry did not like Kreacher. Where ever he went, he would always find Kreacher muttering to himself, complaining about the "blood traitors" living in his mistress' house. Speaking of Kreacher's mistress, Harry had met the portrait of Walburga Black, who was at first pleased to find that Sirius' godson was a Slytherin. But as soon as she learned that he did not fit in her definition of "proper Slytherin," she went on howling about how half-bloods and muggleborns (she called them mudbloods) are taking over the Wizarding Community. She also had a few choice words after she heard that Harry was betrothed to the very male heir of the Malfoy family, most of with was yelling about the Malfoys going so low as to allowing their son to marry a male half-blood.

It was then that Harry learned that Remus and Sirius had placed a heavy curtain in front of the portrait, to keep her screams to a minimum, and for it to be muffled.

Life with Sirius and Remus was much more relaxing than Harry thought. Sure, he still had his chores like when he lived with the Dursleys, but now he is allowed to use magic to complete them, and Remus and Sirius are pulling their weight, helping him. For the first few weeks, Harry had helped Remus and Sirius clean out the rooms that Sirius and Remus had missed. Particularly the room next to their room, where their baby will live. Harry was starting to get used to his life with Sirius and Remus when a letter from Dumbledore came.

Harry wasn't able to read the letter though, as Sirius just shared it with Remus, both men shared a concerned, grim look before retiring to a room, locking it. They came out an hour later and simply told Harry that they had to prepare the house for guests. "It seems the Order is required again," Sirius said grimly.

Remus nodded and Harry noticed a change in the air as things seemed to become tenser. The next day, Dumbledore came to talk with Sirius and Remus, only nodding to Harry who was working on summer assignments in the kitchen. The adults talked in hushed tones as Harry tried to listen, but gave up when Professor Snape walked in through the fireplace. Snape just simply raised an eyebrow at Harry before making his way to the dining room where Dumbledore, Sirius, and Remus were, opening and closing the door behind him. Harry could hear Sirius' raised voice after that for awhile, but he eventually calmed down.

Whatever the adults were talking about, they finished an hour later with both Dumbledore and Professor Snape walking out of the dining room. Professor Snape walked passed Harry and into the fireplace, his hand throwing Floo Powder from a pocket in his robe, while Professor Dumbledore idled.

He looked as if he wanted to say something to Harry, but instead said nothing and Disapparited with a step. Sirius and Remus stepped out of the room and frowned at Harry. Harry looked at them both curiously and worryingly. Sirius looked at Remus, who answered. "Dumbledore has decided to bring back the Order of the Phoenix. They will be using Grimmauld Place as Headquarters."

"Wait, what?" Harry asked. "What is the Order of the Phoenix?"

"The Order is a resistance group against You-Know-Who led by Dumbledore during the first war," Remus said.

"Your parents were in the Order with us," Sirius said. He went over to the kitchen counter and picked up a picture frame. "Here we are," he said, showing Harry the picture. Harry took it and stared at it. Smiling and staring at Harry were his parents, as well as many other adults Harry only somewhat recognized. Sirius and Remus were standing next to them, with Dumbledore and Mad Eye Moody on the far right, only that Mad Eye Moody didn't have his magical blue eye. "That is Frank and Alice Longbottom," Sirius said pointing to a couple in the back and to the left.