Dysfunctional

14 - The New Member

Catherine Johnson was nervous and excited. It wasn't every day that you get invited to join a top-secret organisation. She had gotten to know about the Order of the Phoenix from her sister's friends, Fred and George Weasley. Her younger sister, Angelina, had invited her along with another of her friends, Lee Jordan to the Leaky Cauldron to congratulate the twins on their new venture, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.

Catherine had agreed to come only because she had met up with Angelina on her way to Gringotts and also because she knew Angelina had a thing going on between herself and one of the twins, and as her older sister, she was concerned.

The twins had then acted rather suspiciously and taken them to a muggle restaurant outside the Leaky Cauldron and then proceeded to tell them about the Order of the Phoenix. She had been amazed to hear that Dumbledore was the head of the organization and that the Weasleys were already part of it. They had also invited them to join, saying that they invited only the people they could trust.

Angelina had been thrilled by the idea and immediately agreed along with Lee Jordan. Catherine wasn't fooled. She knew her sister had agreed mainly because the Weasley boys were also a part of it. Catherine, who was an Auror Trainee, was apprehensive and rightfully so.

"Come on, Cathy. We always said we'll do something to make a difference. Joining the Order seems like the right thing to do," pleaded Angelina.

"That's why I joined the Auror program. To make a difference," said Catherine reasonably.

Lee spoke up. "But the Ministry hasn't been doing much regarding You-Know-Who all this time, have they? They never believed Harry was saying the truth until they saw him for themselves."

Catherine knew that too. She and Angelina had always shared a close bond despite having a five year age gap between them. She had told Catherine over the holidays, all about Potter's little Defence group and how much she had learned. She was quite astounded to hear about their daring, to tell the truth.

"But how can I juggle my time between my Auror training and the Order? I can't make excuses in the Department," said Catherine.

"Don't worry," said George Weasley. "The Order won't give us anything to do beyond our time and capability. Look at us, for example. We have a shop to run, but even we get time-offs like the evenings and weekends."

Fred added, "We need members, especially, ones in the Ministry. Helps keep an eye on what they are up to, you see. We have Aurors in the Order too."

"Really? How many Aurors are there," asked Catherine, genuinely interested.

"As far as I know, we have a retired Auror, Alastor Moody, who was the best in the field and also two Aurors who are currently working in the Ministry. There might be more, they're trying to recruit over the summer," said Fred.

Catherine was tempted to join now, partly because she could meet the Alastor Moody. He was almost a legend in the Auror Training program. But then, she realised something.

"I'm not that good of a fighter, I'm still just a trainee," said Catherine truthfully.

George waved his hand dismissively. "At least you're an Auror trainee! Imagine us! We're barely out of school. That's not at all a problem. Moody has been tasked to train up the new recruits, so we'll be fine."

That was what had made Catherine accept the invitation finally. She could learn from the best, while also doing her part in the war. It was a win-win scenario.

She entered the twins' flat above their shop in Diagon Alley where Angelina was already there along with Jordan and the twins.

George clapped his hands together. "Now that we're all here, let's get going. The meeting starts in fifteen minutes and we're going to take a portkey directly to Headquarters."