Melody Riddle and the Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 27: My First Followers

Vincent brought four butterbeers to our table at the Three Broomsticks and sat next to Greg across the table from me and Draco. He pushed two mugs our way and Draco took them both, nudging me slightly to get me to take a mug from him.

"Cheer up," he said, "you just need to explain what you need to teach them as your group. Once they pledge their allegiance to you, they can't ever back out. Simple, isn't it?"

"Easy to plan. Difficult to explain after I've told them what I'm really doing," I replied, scratching my wrist incessantly to the point that Draco grabbed my hand to stop me. We sat at the very back of the Three Broomsticks, away from prying eyes and ears. I had felt that, considering how loud it was there, no one could overhear us so long as we were out of sight. It was amazing how loud people were.

"You've got this," Draco whispered as Pansy and Millicent walked into the Three Broomsticks, followed closely by Blaise.

A minute later, Becky came in with a strange look on her face.

"What's wrong?" I asked Becky.

"Later," she shrugged. "Let the meeting begin already."

"Ookay..." I said, pounding my fist on the table like a judge with a gavel. "I have some explaining to do, but only once all of you put these rings on... if you're ready to tie your loyalty to me." I pulled out a box of rings I'd made with a curse similar to dad's tattoos. With Seraphina's help, I had the rings jinxed so that anyone who put them on it were under my laws and were incapable of taking them off unless I did so.

Shaking the box with resounding jingles, I held the box out for Becky who put hers on first. Then Draco, Vincent, Greg, Blaise, Millicent and Pansy. Once everyone had their rings on, I put everything gently on the floor before dropping the bomb.

"Let me settle this right here and now," I started, "I do not believe in pureblood supremacy."

The table was dumbfounded as everybody but Becky and Draco stared at me in utmost loss for words.

"The hell do you mean?" Blaise asked.

For whatever reason, I couldn't help it.. I smiled mischievously. "It means exactly the way it sounds. Most of you may have grown up believing highly in pureblood supremacy but, so long as you are my followers, you will not act on your hatred of Muggle-borns and those who protect them — least of all myself. Any questions?"

Draco stroked the back of my hand supportingly as everyone turned to look at each other in bewilderment.

Nothing? I'm almost disappointed.

"Since there's nothing you need to ask me, I also expect for everyone to tell me nothing but the truth. If you lie, there will be consequences."

"Like what?.. How would you even know if we're lying?" Pansy asked nervously.

"I jinxed the rings... have you ever heard the saying 'liar, liar, pants on fire?'"

No one spoke.

"Point given. That being said, what do you think will happen if you tell anyone — especially my father — about our group here, my secrets, and what I am representing?"

"Something terrible, I'm sure.." Blaise grumbled.

Millicent rambled at about a hundred words a second, at which I put my hands up and waved them until she stopped. If I could have whacked her on the head, I would've, but her resounding "Ouch!" would have caused the whole crowd in the restaurant to go silent.

"Say it slowly so I can understand you, Millicent."

Taking a deep breath every few seconds, Millicent spoke like a sloth might. "I thought.... You-Know... Who was... dead. Why...... why did you... say that... we should...... especially... not tell him?"