Where Dark Meets the Light

The Order of the Phoenix

Sirius wanted to know why in the hell they were called to a meeting at 6 in the morning. It was core members only, so the table was considerably more empty as during the last few meetings.

He sipped his coffee, determined to drown himself in coffee before Dumbledore came though. He saw that Prongs was trying to do the exact same thing. Moony, who was used to get up at unreasonable hours, was quietly drinking his tea and smirking at the misery his two friends were experiencing.

When James arrived alone he asked about Lily. She was still not ready to really function in the order again and he couldn't blame her. To loose one's child to the dark was horrible. If anyone knew what it was like, it would be him considering he had to leave his brother behind and watch him grow corrupt. He wouldn't wish it on anyone, especially his best friends.

This meeting good news was promised.

Dumbledore spoke of two potentially great allies.

So despite the early hour and general crankiness, the mood was high. It was the first piece of good news they'd had in a while.

The floo flared and Dumbledore stepped out with Kingsley.

"Good morning all. This morning Kingsley contacted me information on some potentially promising new recruits." Dumbledore nodded to Kingsley.

The man stood and began explaining. "For a few years now, a certain bounty hunter has been tracking down dangerous criminals for the ministry. You may know him, or you may not. He goes by the name Phoenix."

Sirius did know that name. the man had quite the reputation at the department for being a reliable source of information and had a very clean record. Only got seen by a muggle once and immediately contacted the obliviate squat, never any deaths despite how dangerous the criminals he brought in were. Strange bloke, but few cared considering how many cases he closed.

"For those of you who don't know, this bounty hunter is considered an elite by most of the auror department. He might be a little strange, but he know his stuff." That was true, Sirius knew, there were never any contaminated evidence or unnecessary injuries. "He is a well-trained, powerful wizard who has saved lives by doing what he does."

Sirius found himself agreeing, and could see James did as well. Most bounty hunters didn't care about anything other than the pay-check. With Phoenix it was common that he gave the money away to the families of the afflicted to pay for hospital stays and recovery or appointed a charity to donate to directly from the collection office. The man did not seem to keep any more money as he needed.

"Yesterday, he came in with Malcom Friers."

Both James and Sirius sat up immediately. "He found Friers? We put out that bounty not even a few days ago!" Sirius cried out in surprise. Normally the man would go for the ones that the others couldn't find, the ones the department was almost giving up on due to lack of leads. To have such a fresh bounty was rather uncommon for the man.

"It wasn't him that took down Friers. It was his brother who did."

James was surprised, "Wait, there's two of them?"

Kingsley nods, "There are indeed. Phoenix, the original one, told me it was his brothers first hunt."

Sirius was kind of skeptical about that though. "His first hunt was Friers? You've got to be kidding!"

And yet, Kinsley nods. "We went to the scene where they caught Friers and cast the reverse spell. The original Phoenix was hiding in the shadows, presumably to see if his brother's skills would hold up. And they did. Twelve men were taken out in only a minute. No deaths, only minor injuries."