Chapter 53: Call To Order

The Dining Hall,12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...

12 Grimmauld Place had been buzzing with the discussion of what was to be done about Voldemort's return and the subsequent stigma of Harry James Potter being considered Undesirable Number One in the eyes of The Ministry Of Magic as well as the increasing number of attacks against Muggles turning up in the Daily Prophet. Remus Lupin had been on edge with his transformation seen to be taking place in the light of the full moon and Sirius Black seemed intent on baiting Severus Snape into yet another physical altercation. Hermione did her best to keep her composure despite wanting nothing more than to hex Dumbledore and Sirius both for what they've done to Severus.

Molly Weasley had been the loudest on in the room as of the moment objecting to having the children become officially a part of The Order Of Phoenix. She cited it as being much too dangerous given their age, conveniently forgetting how young all of the current members had been once they founded the Order during the time of the first wizarding war.

Harry had been adamant about becoming apart of the group given that he had little choice in not being involved in the war from the time he had been one years of age.

Ron had been reluctant to challenge the will of his overbearing mother but he decided to stand by his best friend and offered to join as well.

Hermione had not been pleased with the way everything pertaining to Severus had been handled in the past few months, especially where Dumbledore's antics had been concerned but she agreed with Harry about having been involved in the second wizarding war since the start of her journey to Hogwarts. She too petitioned the elder members to join the cause.

Severus had not liked the idea but said nothing despite his obsidian eyes flickering with annoyance. It was to be expected on his part of course, he had been opposed to either of the younger witches and wizards joining the battle directly. His position as Potions Professor gave him time to examine their collective strengths and weakness and as a whole he saw that neither of them were capable of standing up to full grown death eaters in a true battle to the death.

"I say let them fight." said Sirius Black in support of the younger Gryffindors. "Hell we need all the help we can get."

"What exactly do you mean by we?" asked Snape glaring at Sirius Black rather murderously. "I didn't recall seeing you participate in any of the fighting for the past fifteen years."

"I've fought death eaters like you before Snivellus." countered Sirius narrowing his eyes at Snape. "I just happened to have been..."

"Taking it easy within the safe confines of Azkaban while most of us have been on the front line." said The Potions Professor still glaring at Sirius. "You may not know the effect of seeing bodies drop after every perversion of magic has been set loose upon them nor the stench that lingers when a mangled corpse is left to rot while war continues to wage around it...but here in the real world Black.. the battle field is no place for unproven children."

"I am not a child!" shouted Harry taking offense to Snape's words. "I can fight as well as the rest of you."

"As can I." replied Hermione narrowing her amber eyes at her lover.

"Of course Potter is in quite a hurry to meet his very just end...a sentiment I see he gets from his so called godfather." said Snape ignoring Hermione and turning his gaze back to Sirius. "Perhaps our enemies will lay waste to you both and this war would be over quicker than we anticipate...it will be a true example as to Black's parenting skills I am sure."

Sirius jumped up from the table and got into Snape's face.

The furious growls exchanged by the both of them caused a good deal of worry on the part of the on lookers.

"How about I demonstrate my combat skills on a death eater right here right now Snivellus." said Sirius in a gruff tone.

"I'd love to see you try." growled Snape as his obsidian eyes began to glow in blood-lust.

"Only one of us is a real Order Member turn-coat." barked Sirius Black aggressively.

"I never needed anyone to to assist me with my duels Black...wouldn't the odds be out of your favor considering you little group is missing a few members?" growled Snape as his body tensed.

Hermione could tell right away that he had been poised for an attack.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" shouted Dumbledore letting his voice rumble like thunder as he glared at the two warring wizards. "We have pressing matters to discuss and there is no place for your petty childish squabbles!"

Sirius Black smirked as he continued to glare at Snape.

The Potions Master was about to say something when Dumbledore turned to him.

"That is enough Severus...this is an order meeting...I suggest you go cool down for the time being." he said in a cold tone.

Snape managed to get control of himself and the glow faded from his obsidian orbs.

"As you wish...Headmaster." he said taking his leave of the group.

He had not even looked in Hermione's direction as he exited the dining hall.

Lupin shook his head.

"Why'd you have to bait him Padfoot?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Sirius outraged. "He's the one that started in on me."

"You know why he objects to the young ones being apart of the order." replied Lupin. "He makes a valid point..."

"And so does my godson." replied Sirius Black narrowing his eyes at the agitated Werewolf.

Lupin rolled his eyes.

"Do what you'd like." he said. "But never forget that this is not some children's game."

Harry seemed to delight in his small victory as Dumbledore and the remaining order members swore the three young Gryffindors into the order of phoenix ranks.

Once the ceremony concluded, Hermione went to find Severus.

She had traveled down to the basement only to find that he had been long gone.

Given his foul mood and the soon to be approaching full moon, there was no telling what sort of trouble the Potions Professor would find himself getting into.