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Chapter 599: Auxiliary Members of the Order of the Phoenix
Chapter 599: Auxiliary Members of the Order of the Phoenix
"Do you know where Kyle performed magic?"
Seeing Hermione's reaction, George couldn't help but say, "The Leaky Cauldron! It's unbelievable!"
"That's impossible!" exclaimed Hermione, "I've read that Trace detects magical activity in an area. In a place like the Leaky Cauldron, where wizards congregate, the Ministry can't pinpoint who performed magic."
"But we saw the letters with our own eyes," Fred asserted.
"And we double-checked. We didn't mistake it," added George.
"But..." Hermione started to say something, but Mrs. Weasley interrupted her.
"Now, now, dears." She led the two into the kitchen. "Regardless, they're safe now, and that's what matters.
"I expect you're hungry. I've made beef pies, roast chicken, and all sorts of jam sandwiches..."
Mr. Weasley didn't follow them in. "Well, I must be off."
"Stay for lunch, at least."
"No, there's much to be done. I can't be away for long." And with that, Mr. Weasley Disapparated.
Fred and George immediately showed interest and, with a pop, Apparated from the hallway into the kitchen.
"That's enough, you two!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, startled. "You may be able to use magic now, but that doesn't mean you should do everything with it. And I've told you countless times, no Apparating inside the house!"
"Yes, Mum!" Fred and George replied in unison before scurrying off, grinning.
Knowing the two, Kyle suspected they didn't take the scolding to heart.
During the meal, Professor Moody and Tonks returned, and they all sat together as Mrs. Weasley served beef pies and mashed potatoes onto each of their plates.
"So, you've joined the Order of the Phoenix as well?" Tonks asked cheerfully, her hair now a bright golden hue.
"Actually, I'm not sure," Kyle replied. Dumbledore hadn't explicitly discussed this with him, but Mr. Weasley's invitation implied he had the Headmaster's consent.
Thus, Kyle was uncertain if he was officially part of the Order or merely a temporary assistant.
"It's alright," Tonks said. "I suspect Dumbledore feels you're not quite of age yet." She glanced at Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting across from them.
"Wait..." Ron interjected. "Are we not members of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Of course not," Tonks laughed. "Every official member of the Order signs a magical contract. Have you signed anything like that?"
"Well..." Ron and Harry exchanged glances, realizing they hadn't seen any such contract.
"After all, you're still students," Lupin explained. "But anyone who's allowed in this house is trusted. When you graduate, you'll be able to join the Order officially, I assure you."
"But that's three years away," Ron sighed, poking at the mashed potatoes on his plate dejectedly.
He had thought he was already part of the organization, and the realization that it wasn't so left him deflated.
"Don't be glum, Remus," Tonks said, her hair turning a light pink. "There are conditions to joining the Order. What if they don't meet the requirements due to poor grades?"
"What?" Ron blurted out. "We have to consider grades too?"
"Of course," Moody growled. "The Order of the Phoenix is about fighting Death Eaters. We can't have people joining us if they're not strong enough. Better to stay safe than go charging to your death."
With that, he bent his head and sniffed at the beef pie in front of him, as if checking for poison.
This action displeased Mrs. Weasley. "Alastor, I made that myself."
Moody remained silent.
Of course, he knew that, but old habits died hard after decades.
He wouldn't eat anything without checking it first, even if he had prepared it himself.
Mrs. Weasley huffed and served him a minimal portion of mashed potatoes, barely a spoonful.
But Moody didn't seem to mind.
The meal was a joyous affair, with everyone celebrating Kyle's and Harry's triumphs.
"I most certainly am," Sirius replied without hesitation. "I'd bet that curse has worn off by now, so there's nothing to worry about."
"That's great!" Harry exclaimed, but the next second, he suddenly clasped his hand to his forehead, over the lightning-bolt scar.
However, everyone's attention was on Sirius, and they didn't notice this.
"What about you, Alastor?" Tonks asked.
Moody hesitated for a moment before answering.
With Voldemort's resurrection, he would undoubtedly be busy—both guarding against potential attacks from the Dark Lord and investigating the movements of his Death Eaters.
But at the same time, the students' poor performance in Defense Against the Dark Arts was a concern.
After all, they would soon be facing Voldemort, and they needed to be able to protect themselves. Moody had been grappling with this dilemma lately.
As for Sirius... well, he was a competent wizard, but his teaching skills left something to be desired; he was barely passable as an instructor.
"Let's wait and see," Moody said, cutting a small piece of pie with his dinner knife and popping it into his mouth. "Perhaps Dumbledore will find a better candidate."
"I doubt that," Kyle mumbled softly.
While he wasn't sure about the situation this year, the curse was likely still in effect.
And normally, no one in their right mind would want to take on that job. If someone did, it would probably be because Dumbledore had coerced a friend into it.
With Dumbledore's extensive network, he could probably sustain this for another five or six decades, forcing a different friend to teach each year.
In this cheerful atmosphere, the lunch drew to a close.
Afterward, Tonks and Moody returned to the Ministry, while Kyle sought out Sirius, who was chatting with Lupin.
"What was that about a library?"
"Yes," Kyle nodded. "The Black family has a long history. There must be quite a collection of books here. I'd like to take a look."
"Let me think..." Sirius furrowed his brows, trying hard to recall where the family's collection might be.
He knew there was a study upstairs, which had been his grandfather's room, and it likely had a wall full of books. But that wasn't what Kyle was interested in.
"Kreacher! Kreacher!" Sirius called out, having no better ideas.
He didn't know, but there were others who might.
Soon enough, the house-elf, Kreacher, appeared before them.
"Young Master Sirius, Young Master Kyle," the elf bowed, looking excited. "Would you like some raspberry cookies?"
"We've already eaten, thanks," Sirius said casually, then asked, "Do you know where the books are kept... not in the study, but in a place like a library?"
"Oh yes, Kreacher knows!" the elf said proudly. "The old master specifically instructed Kreacher to guard that place at all costs, saying it was the Black family's most important treasure."
Kreacher suddenly started sobbing. "Young Master Regulus used to love going to the library. Now Young Master Sirius is finally asking Kreacher about it too."
Sirius's face twitched awkwardly.
To be honest, if it weren't for Kyle's inquiry, he might never have thought to look for the family library.
But seeing the elf's tearful and snotty face, he didn't have the heart to tell the truth.
"Yes, yes," Sirius said, his eyes darting around. "Take us there. We want to have a look."
The elf glanced at Kyle, his expression conflicted and hesitant.
Someone had instructed him before that only members of the Black family were allowed in that place.
"What is it?"
Noticing Kreacher's hesitation, Sirius frowned. "Can't we go?"
"Of course, you can, Young Master!" The elf made up his mind. "Even though Young Master Kyle isn't a member of the Black family, he brought back Young Master Regulus. The old master would surely approve if he knew.
"Kreacher will take you there now!"
...
(End of Chapter)
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