Chapter 2

Disclaimer: All characters and settings of Potterverse are the property of J.K. Rowling and other sundry entities. Only the plot belongs to me. I am making no money. I play in this universe for the sheer joy of it. My only payment is the kind reviews and comments of those who read and enjoy my tale. This story is canon-compliant through HBP. DH has, for the most part, been happily disregarded, especially that sappy epilogue!

Special thanks go to my beta reader, JuJuJenn. She makes sure I stay focused.

Journey out of Darkness

Two

Remus was as good as his word. He was knocking at the front door of the house on Privet Drive before the mantel clock had finished its twelfth chime.

Harry threw the door open.

"Happy birthday, Harry," Remus said by way of greeting, as he stepped into the painfully neat living room. "Are you ready to go?"

"I've been ready since I got here," Harry grumbled.

"I know this has been hard on you," Remus said.

"Yeah ... well, it's never been easy here," Harry answered. "No reason this time should've been any different."

"Are you all packed?" Remus asked.

"I never unpacked. I just took out what I needed and left the rest in my trunk. Mr. Weasley came by yesterday to pick it up. All I've got is what I was wearing yesterday," he said as he held up a paper sack.

"Where are your aunt and uncle?" Remus asked.

"They've gone out. There was some big dinner for Uncle Vernon's company."

"And Dudley?"

"Out with his friends – probably looking for someone to beat up."

"So you've already said your goodbyes, then."

"Huh. They never wanted me in the first place. There're all glad to see the back of me. Aunt Petunia will be counting the silverware tomorrow to be sure I haven't nicked anything," Harry said.

"You haven't, have you?" Remus asked with a smile.

"My mum and dad left me all I'll ever need. I wouldn't take anything from these people even if they offered, which they didn't."

"Where's Hedwig?" Remus asked.

"She's at the Burrow. I told her to stay there after she delivered my last letter to Ron. Mr. Weasley took her cage with him when he took my trunk. I'm travelling light," he added with a small smile.

"That's good," Remus said. "Take my arm, we're going to Apparate."

Harry took a firm hold of Remus's arm and in a moment, they were standing in front of number twelve Grimmauld Place.

"I thought we were going to the Burrow," Harry said.

"There's a bit of business I have to take care of here before we go," Remus replied.

"Is this place still Unplottable?" Harry wanted to know.

"Dumbledore arranged for a new Secret Keeper," Remus said. "It's as safe as it ever was. We've even managed to shut up that awful painting of Mrs. Black, though we've yet to find a way to get it off the wall."

Remus opened the door, and Harry followed him inside.

"Let's go down to the kitchen," Remus said. "I could do with a cuppa."

They went down the stairs and moved toward the large kitchen.

"You're not tired are you?" Remus asked as he opened the kitchen door.

"Not really," Harry replied.

"Good," Remus said with a smile, and then he gave Harry a gentle shove into the room.

"Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday, Harry!"

The calls overlapped each other as Ron and Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Professor McGonagall all called out to him at the same time.

The next few minutes passed in a flurry of hugs and kisses as each of them wished him a happy birthday.

"There's cake," Molly said a few minutes later.

They sat around the large table and ate chocolate cake and drank tea. It was the first surprise party Harry had ever had, and he was grateful. The only way it could have been better was if Dumbledore had been there.

"He would have been proud of you," Minerva said as she noted the wistful expression on Harry's face.

"Thanks for saying that, Professor," Harry said.

"You're welcome," she replied, as she patted his arm comfortingly.

When the last bite of cake had been eaten, Minerva cleared her throat to attract the attention of the people around the table.

"Now that we've had our fun, it's time to get down to the business at hand," she said.

Everyone quieted down and waited for her to continue.

"Albus Dumbledore created the Order of the Phoenix during the first rise to power of the Dark Lord. Your mother and father, Mr. Potter, as well as your godfather, were members. So were Arthur, Molly, and Remus. After the events on Halloween in 1981, the Order became far less active than it had been. It was never disbanded completely, however.

"This turned out to be a fortunate thing because, contrary to what the majority of the wizarding world believed, the Dark Lord was not dead after that famous encounter with you, Mr. Potter. He was quiescent for more than ten years, gaining strength and waiting for the opportunity to return to power.

"Now, more than ever before, the wizarding world needs the Order of the Phoenix. As the Dark Lord has recruited new people to his side, the Order of the Phoenix recruits new members as well.

"After consulting with two of my top aides," Minerva gestured to Arthur and Remus, "it has been decided that we would like to offer membership to you, and to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, as well."

Harry started to speak, and Minerva held up a hand.

"It's important that you understand your responsibilities as a member of the Order before you accept."

Harry nodded and Minerva continued.

"After the despicable behaviour of Peter Pettigrew, it was reluctantly acknowledged that a wizard's word cannot always be taken at face value. Therefore, to become a member of the Order, you must make an Unbreakable Vow."

Minerva then went on to explain exactly what they would have to promise in order to become members of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Do you understand the promises you must make – and the consequences should you break the Vow?" she asked, looking from Harry to Ron and then to Hermione.

"Yes, Professor, I understand," Harry answered.

"I do, too," Ron said.

"I understand," said Hermione.

"Are you prepared to make such a Vow?" Minerva asked.

"I am," Harry, Ron, and Hermione spoke together.

"Remus, would you act as Bonder for us?" Minerva asked.

"I'd be honoured, if it's all right with Harry." Remus replied.

"Is that acceptable to you, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes."

"On your knees, then," Minerva said. She slipped off her chair and fell to her own knees, casting a quick Cushioning Charm to protect her aged joints.

Harry dropped to his knees in front of her.

Remus stood over them, his wand in his hand.

Minerva reached out and took Harry's right hand in her own.

"Harry Potter, do you come of your own free will seeking to join the Order of the Phoenix?" Minerva asked.

"I do," Harry answered.

"Will you be loyal to the Order of the Phoenix and to each of its members?"

"I will."

A thin tongue of brilliant red flame left the tip of Remus's wand and wrapped itself around the pair's joined hands.

"Will you keep secret the identities of all other members of the Order of the Phoenix?"

"I will." A second tongue of flame attached itself to the first.

"Will you keep secret any locations designated by the Order of the Phoenix as Unplottable, or those protected by a Fidelius Charm?"

"I will." A third tongue of flame joined the first two.

"And finally, will you obey my orders, and the orders of anyone I choose to act as my delegate, as you work with the other members of the Order of the Phoenix toward the defeat of the Dark Lord?"

"I will." A last tendril of flame connected with the others. Their hands now appeared to be clasped within a glove of fire.

Remus touched his wand once more to their hands. The fiery glove faded.

"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Harry," Minerva said. She pulled him toward her and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied.

"You go on and get up. I think I'll just stay down here to proceed with the other initiations.

"Mr. Weasley," Minerva said, gesturing to Ron, "would you like your father to be our Bonder?"

Ron looked to his father and nodded. He went to his knees in front of Minerva, and Arthur came to stand over them.

When the Vow was completed, Minerva also kissed Ron on the cheek.

"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Ronald," she said in a warm tone.

"Thank you, Professor," Ron said as he got to his feet.

"Your turn, Miss Granger," Minerva said.

Before she knelt, Hermione turned to Mrs. Weasley.

"Would you act as our Bonder, please, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Weasley replied. "I'd like that."

Another Vow, another kiss on the cheek, and Hermione Granger was a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione," Minerva said formally.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," Hermione replied.

Hermione got to her feet and then bent down to help Minerva up.

Remus hurried to Minerva's other side to help.

"Oh, I'm getting too old for this," Minerva said as she rose stiffly, holding on to Remus's arm for support.

"Nonsense, Minerva," Remus replied.

"I believe a celebratory toast is in order," Arthur said. He set a tray down on the table. The tray held several small glasses filled with an amber fluid.

"This is a fine cordial contributed by another Order member," Arthur explained as he handed glasses out.

When everyone had a drink, one filled glass remained on the tray.

"Who is that for?" Harry asked.

"That would be mine," said a voice from the kitchen door.

And Severus Snape stepped into the room.

Author's note: This story was written in response to the Post DH Challenge on The Petulant Poetess.

I chose prompt #5: Harry touches his scar; it hasn't pained him in 19 years. He hears hooting, rolls over in bed to see Hedwig sweeping in the open window at Privet Drive, and realizes that his 17th birthday isn't far off. Go for it... a new seventh year for the lot.