Chapter 46: The Second Generation Phoenix
Chapter 46: The Second Generation Phoenix
Not only were the others stunned, but even Sherlock almost lost his composure, almost choking on his own saliva.
Before he could say anything, Tonks spoke up again.
"Come on, you can't seriously think I went to confess to Forrester using my own identity, right? How could I be so lacking in self-awareness!"
She explained.
"It was my dormmate Percy. She's been harboring a secret crush on Forrester but is too shy to confess herself, so she asked me to transform into her and do it for her. If he agreed, she would go on a date with him herself. If he rejected her, well, it was me who got rejected, so she wouldn't be too heartbroken."
The others, hearing this, finally snapped out of their shock. Kingsley asked with a curious expression.
"Did Sherlock agree then?"
They all turned their gazes to Sherlock, who felt a wave of exasperation. How was he supposed to know? He could only coldly shake his head.
"I don't remember."
"Wow! That's quite cold-hearted. Even though it wasn't me confessing for myself, it was still the first time I ever told someone I liked them, and you've already forgotten."
Tonks looked sad, but it was clearly an act.
"When you rejected me, I put on quite a convincing show, covering my face and running away in tears. I even thought you might chase after me."
Even Bill chimed in with a laugh.
"Sherlock was quite popular at school. He received love letters from many girls every semester, and I heard about it even though I was two years ahead of him."
"But he's already twenty and still doesn't have a girlfriend", Kingsley said, genuinely concerned. "Maybe I can introduce you to some nice girls at the Ministry of Magic."
How did the conversation turn to this typical topic of nagging aunts and uncles?
Sherlock inwardly groaned but firmly declined.
"I have no plans for that right now. I'll focus on my work as a professor at Hogwarts first."
Just as Kingsley was about to try to persuade him further, Mrs. Weasley intervened, saying the preparations were almost complete and the meal could begin.
The wizards sat down on both sides of the long table, with Dumbledore naturally taking the head seat. Even without the Phoenix Order's formalities, he was the oldest and most respected, deserving of the position.
To his left sat Professor Mcgonagall. Sherlock was about to walk past and sit with Bill at the far end of the table when Dumbledore suddenly grabbed his arm and gestured to the chair on his right.
"Sit here, Sherlock."
Sherlock didn't want to draw so much attention to himself in front of everyone, but he couldn't refuse Dumbledore. He reluctantly took the seat to Dumbledore's right.
There were about twenty to thirty wizards at the gathering, as Dumbledore had said. They came from various professions, and most were middle-aged. The elderly and young made up only a small portion.
After learning that the original owner had joined the Phoenix Order, Sherlock had done extensive research on the organization's history and activities since its founding.
He understood very well why, despite being established for twenty years, the number of elderly members was so few.
Most of the first-generation Phoenix Order members had died during the First Wizarding War, the conflict of the 1970s against Voldemort.
The young protege who was once protected has now grown into a pillar of the community, like Kingsley.
Due to the decade-long period of inactivity, the Phoenix Order has absorbed very few young members, mostly through internal recruitment. For example, the Weasley couple intended to bring Bill into the Phoenix Order, and Tonks also has ties to it—her mother, Andromeda Tonks, was once an ally of the Phoenix Order.
As for Sherlock, he can now guess that his mother, before her passing, was most likely a member of the Phoenix Order.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Weasleys, Professor Mcgonagall, Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley, all founding members of the Phoenix Order, to show such concern for him.
Therefore, the young people joining the Phoenix Order now are mostly second-generation members, making it difficult to expand their influence externally.
However, this can be understood, as it is primarily to avoid triggering the sensitive nerves of the politicians in the Ministry of Magic.
Of course, the twenty-odd wizards sitting here are not the entirety of the Phoenix Order's current members; many others could not make it.
Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore smiled and surveyed the room.
"I am very pleased to see you all here this year, which proves that you have all had a good year. Even more so, I am delighted to see new faces joining us this year."
Without lengthy speeches or empty platitudes, this simple statement made all the wizards at the table smile involuntarily.
The wizards began chatting and laughing about their experiences over the past year.
Some were professional adventurers who had spent the year traveling across Eurasia, regaling others with their amusing tales from different places.
Others were the owners of magical item shops in Diagon Alley, discussing the latest curious gadgets the wizarding community had come up with.
The atmosphere of the gathering was warm and friendly. Sherlock could see that the people gathered here were not motivated by profit or status but shared a common ideal and goal.
As the friendly conversation continued, a burly wizard suddenly addressed Dumbledore.
"We need to bring in fresh blood, but I think allowing Sherlock Forrest to join the Phoenix Order goes against the Fidelius Charm we set up, Dumbledore."
The speaker was Dedalus Diggle, one of the founding members of the Phoenix Order and one of the few elders present. His words immediately silenced the chatting wizards at the long table. The few first-generation Phoenix Order members who knew the inside story all looked at Dumbledore, clearly sharing Diggle's concern.
Sherlock, as the subject of the discussion, sat up straight in his chair, his expression cold.
He was about to put on a show of questioning why he couldn't join the Phoenix Order when Dumbledore gently raised a hand to stop him.
Dumbledore's face remained calm as he said seriously,
"I understand your concerns, given the commitments we made. However, we must also respect Sherlock's own opinion."
(End of Chapter)
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