Chapter 3: The Orders

Chapter 3: The Orders

Soon enough, the drizzle turned into a heavy downpour, prompting Mrs. Nor and the rest to leave the area.

They each retrieved a piece of blue gemstone known as the Return Stone, capable of transporting them back to a previously marked location.

One by one, they vanished into thin air, with Gracewell being the last. Before departing, she cast a final sympathetic and sorrowful glance at the graves and warped away.

Matilda, Boros, and the others reappeared in an eerie, old room within an uncanny house. The shelves were filled with weathered books, somewhat disorganized. Paintings adorned the walls, and a unique clock, frozen in time yet functioning digitally, hung in the room.

"Madam Gracewell, I believe it would be best if we hold a meeting soon," suggested Matilda.

Gracewell, having just arrived, nodded in agreement, finding solace by sitting on the sofa beside the crackling fireplace.

"Madam, shall I send a message to the Order of Ghost and the Order of Gnome?" asked Matilda, her voice gentle.

"Please do," Gracewell replied softly.

"Then what about the Order of the Phoenix...?" Matilda questioned, causing Gracewell and Boros to ponder for a moment.

Donan, another member of the Order, aged 33 and clad in a worn, unwashed pristine white garment unlike the others, chimed in, "With someone impersonating Albus Dumbledore, I doubt we can place as much trust in the Order."

"But they were the frontrunners in the previous battle! How can we exclude them from the discussion based on mere speculation?" Matilda retorted.

"Matty, I believe it's better to exercise caution," Gracewell replied calmly.

"If the impostor Dumbledore is aligned with the dark side, as I suspect, even a single piece of leaked information could be disastrous."

"Don't forget who we are up against!" Donan reminded Matilda, his words echoing with the gravity of the situation. Matilda fell silent, her expression rendered speechless.

Gracewell then turned to Boros and said, "Alright then, send them a message about the gathering."

After hearing her instruction, Boros was about to leave when Gracewell grabbed him by the wrist. He paused and turned back, attentive to what she had to say.

"Maintain utmost caution," Gracewell emphasized.

"That I will," Boros nodded in agreement, and without using the Return Stone, he exited through the door and left the place.

The remaining members of the Order found seats on various chairs and sofas nearby. Gracewell, overcome with sorrow, grasped her head and asked the group, "What do you all think? If Harry were alive, would we be in a better position?"

No one replied; their mouths remained shut.

"I...," Gracewell attempted to express her thoughts.

"I don't know, Madam," one member replied.

"I don't even know how he died," another added.

"After hearing that the war was over, I believed everything was at peace and went on a vacation, only to be summoned back and informed of these dark times."

"I have been asking since earlier, but can anyone tell me how he died?" Matilda sought answers from those around her.

But all of them kept their heads lowered, providing no response. Matilda had initially assumed they were withholding the information from her, leaving her feeling excluded. However, she now realized that even they were unaware, except for Gracewell.

"Don't blame them, for they know not."

"But I'm different."

"I... the unluckiest person, was present when Harry Potter died..."

"..."