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<s> 'Well, I'm glad he left,' Harry said coldly 'II he hadn't, I wouldn't have done magic and Dumbledore would probably have left me at Privet Drive all summer.'</s>

Well, I'm glad he left,' Harry said coldly 'II he hadn't, I wouldn't have done magic and Dumbledore would probably have left me at Privet Drive all summer.'</s>

<s> 'Aren't you... 'No,' Harry lied defiantly. He walked away from them, looking around, with Hedwig nestled contentedly on his shoulder, but this room was not likely to raise his spirits. It was dank and dark. A blank stretch of canvas in an ornate picture frame was all that relieved the bareness of the peeling walls, and as Harry passed it he thought he heard someone, who was lurking out of sight, snigger. 'So why's Dumbledore been so keen to keep me in the dark?'</s>

Aren't you... 'No,' Harry lied defiantly. He walked away from them, looking around, with Hedwig nestled contentedly on his shoulder, but this room was not likely to raise his spirits. It was dank and dark. A blank stretch of canvas in an ornate picture frame was all that relieved the bareness of the peeling walls, and as Harry passed it he thought he heard someone, who was lurking out of sight, snigger. 'So why's Dumbledore been so keen to keep me in the dark?'</s>

<s> Harry asked, still trying hard to keep his voice casual. 'Did you - er - bother to ask him at all?'</s>

asked, still trying hard to keep his voice casual. 'Did you - er - bother to ask him at all?'</s>

<s> He glanced up just in time to see them exchanging a look that told him he was behaving just as they had feared he would. It did nothing to improve his temper. 'We did, mate. But he's really busy now, we've only seen him twice since we came here and he didn't have much time, he just made us swear not to tell you important stuff when we wrote, he said the owls might be intercepted.'</s>

glanced up just in time to see them exchanging a look that told him he was behaving just as they had feared he would. It did nothing to improve his temper. 'We did, mate. But he's really busy now, we've only seen him twice since we came here and he didn't have much time, he just made us swear not to tell you important stuff when we wrote, he said the owls might be intercepted.'</s>

<s> 'He could still've kept me informed if he'd wanted to,' Harry said shortly. But he didn't want you to know anything.'</s>

He could still've kept me informed if he'd wanted to,' Harry said shortly. But he didn't want you to know anything.'</s>

<s> 'Maybe he thinks I can't be trusted,' said Harry, watching their expressions. 'So how come I have to stay at the Dursleys' while you two get to join in everything that's going on here?' said Harry, the words tumbling over one another in a rush, his voice growing louder with every word. 'Mum won't let us near the meetings, she says we're too young - '</s>

Maybe he thinks I can't be trusted,' said Harry, watching their expressions. 'So how come I have to stay at the Dursleys' while you two get to join in everything that's going on here?' said Harry, the words tumbling over one another in a rush, his voice growing louder with every word. 'Mum won't let us near the meetings, she says we're too young - '</s>

<s> But before he knew it, Harry was shouting. 'SO YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS, BIG DEAL! YOU'VE STILL BEEN HERE, HAVEN'T YOU? YOU'VE STILL BEEN TOGETHER! ME, I'VE BEEN STUCK AT THE DURSLEYS' FOR A MONTH! AND I'VE HANDLED MORE THAN YOU TWO'VE EVER MANAGED AND DUMBLEDORE KNOWS IT - 'WHO SAVED THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE? WHO GOT RID OF RIDDLE? WHO SAVED BOTH YOUR SKINS FROM THE DEMENTORS?'</s>

before he knew it, Harry was shouting. 'SO YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS, BIG DEAL! YOU'VE STILL BEEN HERE, HAVEN'T YOU? YOU'VE STILL BEEN TOGETHER! ME, I'VE BEEN STUCK AT THE DURSLEYS' FOR A MONTH! AND I'VE HANDLED MORE THAN YOU TWO'VE EVER MANAGED AND DUMBLEDORE KNOWS IT - 'WHO SAVED THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE? WHO GOT RID OF RIDDLE? WHO SAVED BOTH YOUR SKINS FROM THE DEMENTORS?'</s>

<s> Every bitter and resentful thought Harry had had in the past month was pouring out of him: his frustration at the lack of news, the hurt that they had all been together without him, his fury at being followed and not told about it - all the feelings he was half-ashamed of finally burst their boundaries. Hedwig took fright at the noise and soared off to the top of the wardrobe again; Pigwidgeon twittered in alarm and zoomed even faster around their heads. 'WHO HAD TO GET PAST DRAGONS AND SPHINXES AND EVERY OTHER FOUL THING LAST YEAR? WHO SAW HIM COME BACK? WHO HAD TO ESCAPE FROM HIM? 'BUT WHY SHOULD I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON? 'You're absolutely right, Harry - I'd be furious if it was me!'</s>

bitter and resentful thought Harry had had in the past month was pouring out of him: his frustration at the lack of news, the hurt that they had all been together without him, his fury at being followed and not told about it - all the feelings he was half-ashamed of finally burst their boundaries. Hedwig took fright at the noise and soared off to the top of the wardrobe again; Pigwidgeon twittered in alarm and zoomed even faster around their heads. 'WHO HAD TO GET PAST DRAGONS AND SPHINXES AND EVERY OTHER FOUL THING LAST YEAR? WHO SAW HIM COME BACK? WHO HAD TO ESCAPE FROM HIM? 'BUT WHY SHOULD I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON? 'You're absolutely right, Harry - I'd be furious if it was me!'</s>

<s> Harry glared at her, still breathing deeply, then turned away from them again, pacing up and down. Hedwig hooted glumly from the top of the wardrobe. There was a long pause, broken only by the mournful creak of the floorboards below Harry's feet. It's the people who fought against You-Know-Who last time.'</s>

glared at her, still breathing deeply, then turned away from them again, pacing up and down. Hedwig hooted glumly from the top of the wardrobe. There was a long pause, broken only by the mournful creak of the floorboards below Harry's feet. It's the people who fought against You-Know-Who last time.'</s>

<s> 'Who's in it?' said Harry coming to a halt with his hands in his pockets. 'Well?' he demanded, looking from one to the other. 'What's happening? What's he up to? Where is he? They're really useful.'</s>

Who's in it?' said Harry coming to a halt with his hands in his pockets. 'Well?' he demanded, looking from one to the other. 'What's happening? What's he up to? Where is he? They're really useful.'</s>

<s> 'Extendable -?'</s>

Extendable -?'</s>

<s> 'Ears, yeah. Only we've had to stop using them lately because Mum found out and went berserk. Fred and George had to hide them all to stop Mum binning them. But we got a good bit of use out of them before Mum realised what was going on. They're always talking about guard duty.'</s>

Ears, yeah. Only we've had to stop using them lately because Mum found out and went berserk. Fred and George had to hide them all to stop Mum binning them. But we got a good bit of use out of them before Mum realised what was going on. They're always talking about guard duty.'</s>

<s> 'Couldn't have been me, could it?' said Harry sarcastically. Harry snorted. 'So, what have you two been doing, if you're not allowed in meetings?' he demanded. 'We've been decontaminating this house, it's been empty for ages and stuff's been breeding in here. Pigwidgeon twittered more wildly than ever and zoomed off to join Hedwig on top of the wardrobe. 'Hello, Harry' said George, beaming at him. 'We thought we heard your dulcet tones.'</s>

Couldn't have been me, could it?' said Harry sarcastically. Harry snorted. 'So, what have you two been doing, if you're not allowed in meetings?' he demanded. 'We've been decontaminating this house, it's been empty for ages and stuff's been breeding in here. Pigwidgeon twittered more wildly than ever and zoomed off to join Hedwig on top of the wardrobe. 'Hello, Harry' said George, beaming at him. 'We thought we heard your dulcet tones.'</s>

<s> 'You don't want to bottle up your anger like that, Harry, let it all out,' said Fred, also beaming. There might be a couple of people fifty miles away who didn't hear you.'</s>

You don't want to bottle up your anger like that, Harry, let it all out,' said Fred, also beaming. There might be a couple of people fifty miles away who didn't hear you.'</s>

<s> 'You two passed your Apparation tests, then?' asked Harry grumpily. 'With distinction,' said Fred, who was holding what looked like a piece of very long, flesh-coloured string. 'Time is Galleons, little brother,' said Fred. 'Anyway, Harry, you're interfering with reception. Extendable Ears,' he added in response to Harry's raised eyebrows, and held up the string which Harry now saw was trailing out on to the landing...'</s>

You two passed your Apparation tests, then?' asked Harry grumpily. 'With distinction,' said Fred, who was holding what looked like a piece of very long, flesh-coloured string. 'Time is Galleons, little brother,' said Fred. 'Anyway, Harry, you're interfering with reception. Extendable Ears,' he added in response to Harry's raised eyebrows, and held up the string which Harry now saw was trailing out on to the landing...'</s>

<s> 'It's worth the risk, that's a major meeting they're having,' said red. The door opened and a long mane of red hair appeared. 'I thought I heard your voice.'</s>

It's worth the risk, that's a major meeting they're having,' said red. The door opened and a long mane of red hair appeared. 'I thought I heard your voice.'</s>

<s> Turning to Fred and George, she said, 'Its no-go with the Extendable Ears, she's gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door.'</s>

ing to Fred and George, she said, 'Its no-go with the Extendable Ears, she's gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door.'</s>

<s> 'How d'you know?' said George, looking crestfallen. 'Tonks told me how to find out,' said Ginny. 'You just chuck stuff at the door and if it can't make contact the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs and they just soar away from it, so there's no way the Extendable Ears will be able to get under the gap.'</s>

How d'you know?' said George, looking crestfallen. 'Tonks told me how to find out,' said Ginny. 'You just chuck stuff at the door and if it can't make contact the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs and they just soar away from it, so there's no way the Extendable Ears will be able to get under the gap.'</s>

<s> Fred heaved a deep sigh. 'Shame. I really fancied finding out what old Snape's been up to.'</s>

heaved a deep sigh. 'Shame. I really fancied finding out what old Snape's been up to.'</s>

<s> 'Snape!' said Harry quickly. 'Is he here?'</s>

Snape!' said Harry quickly. 'Is he here?'</s>

<s> 'Yeah,' said George, carefully closing the door and sitting down on one of the beds; Fred and Ginny followed. 'Giving a report. 'Doesn't stop him being a git. The way he looks at us when he sees us.'</s>

Yeah,' said George, carefully closing the door and sitting down on one of the beds; Fred and Ginny followed. 'Giving a report. 'Doesn't stop him being a git. The way he looks at us when he sees us.'</s>

<s> 'Bill doesn't like him, either,' said Ginny, as though that settled the matter. Harry was not sure his anger had abated yet; but his thirst for information was now overcoming his urge to keep shouting. He sank on to the bed opposite the others. 'Is Bill here?' he asked. 'I thought he was working in Egypt?'</s>

Bill doesn't like him, either,' said Ginny, as though that settled the matter. Harry was not sure his anger had abated yet; but his thirst for information was now overcoming his urge to keep shouting. He sank on to the bed opposite the others. 'Is Bill here?' he asked. 'I thought he was working in Egypt?'</s>

<s> 'He applied for a desk job so he could come home and work for the Order,' said Fred. 'He says he misses the tombs, but,' he smirked, 'there are compensations.'</s>

He applied for a desk job so he could come home and work for the Order,' said Fred. 'He says he misses the tombs, but,' he smirked, 'there are compensations.'</s>

<s> 'What d'you mean?'</s>

What d'you mean?'</s>

<s> 'Remember old Fleur Delacour?' said George. 'She's got a job at Gringotts to eemprove 'er Eeenglish -</s>

Remember old Fleur Delacour?' said George. 'She's got a job at Gringotts to eemprove 'er Eeenglish -</s>

<s> 'And Bill's been giving her a lot of private lessons,' sniggered Fred. 'Charlie's in the Order, too,' said George, 'but he's still in Romania. Dumbledore wants as many foreign wizards brought in as possible, so Charlie's trying to make contacts on his days off.'</s>

And Bill's been giving her a lot of private lessons,' sniggered Fred. 'Charlie's in the Order, too,' said George, 'but he's still in Romania. Dumbledore wants as many foreign wizards brought in as possible, so Charlie's trying to make contacts on his days off.'</s>

<s> 'Couldn't Percy do that?' Harry asked. 'Why not?'</s>

Couldn't Percy do that?' Harry asked. 'Why not?'</s>

<s> 'Because every time Percy's name's mentioned, Dad breaks whatever he's holding and Mum starts crying,' Fred said. 'It's been awful,' said Ginny sadly. 'I think we're well shot of him,' said George, with an uncharacteristically ugly look on his face. 'What's happened?' Harry said. 'Percy and Dad had a row,' said Fred. 'I've never seen Dad row with anyone like that. 'We were about to come and join the Order. Percy came home and told us he'd been promoted.'</s>

Because every time Percy's name's mentioned, Dad breaks whatever he's holding and Mum starts crying,' Fred said. 'It's been awful,' said Ginny sadly. 'I think we're well shot of him,' said George, with an uncharacteristically ugly look on his face. 'What's happened?' Harry said. 'Percy and Dad had a row,' said Fred. 'I've never seen Dad row with anyone like that. 'We were about to come and join the Order. Percy came home and told us he'd been promoted.'</s>

<s> 'You're kidding?' said Harry. Though he knew perfectly well that Percy was highly ambitious, Harry's impression was that Percy had not made a great success of his first job at the Ministry of Magic. Percy had committed the fairly large oversight of failing to notice that his boss was being controlled by Lord Voldemort (not that the Ministry had believed it - they all thought Mr Crouch had gone mad). 'Yeah, we were all surprised,' said George, 'because Percy got into a load of trouble about Crouch, there was an inquiry and everything. They said Percy ought to have realised Crouch was off his rocker and informed a superior. 'He came home really pleased with himself - 'even more pleased than usual, if you can imagine that - and told Dad he'd been offered a position in Fudge's own office. A really good one for someone only a year out of Hogwarts: Junior Assistant to the Minister. He expected Dad to be all impressed, I think.'</s>

You're kidding?' said Harry. Though he knew perfectly well that Percy was highly ambitious, Harry's impression was that Percy had not made a great success of his first job at the Ministry of Magic. Percy had committed the fairly large oversight of failing to notice that his boss was being controlled by Lord Voldemort (not that the Ministry had believed it - they all thought Mr Crouch had gone mad). 'Yeah, we were all surprised,' said George, 'because Percy got into a load of trouble about Crouch, there was an inquiry and everything. They said Percy ought to have realised Crouch was off his rocker and informed a superior. 'He came home really pleased with himself - 'even more pleased than usual, if you can imagine that - and told Dad he'd been offered a position in Fudge's own office. A really good one for someone only a year out of Hogwarts: Junior Assistant to the Minister. He expected Dad to be all impressed, I think.'</s>

<s> 'Only Dad wasn't,' said Fred grimly. 'Why not?' said Harry. 'Well, apparently Fudge has been storming round the Ministry checking that nobody's having any contact with Dumbledore,' said George. 'Dumbledore's name is mud with the Ministry these days, see,' said Fred. They all think he's just making trouble saying You-Know-Who's back.'</s>

Only Dad wasn't,' said Fred grimly. 'Why not?' said Harry. 'Well, apparently Fudge has been storming round the Ministry checking that nobody's having any contact with Dumbledore,' said George. 'Dumbledore's name is mud with the Ministry these days, see,' said Fred. They all think he's just making trouble saying You-Know-Who's back.'</s>

<s> 'Dad says Fudge has made it clear that anyone who's in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks,' said George. Trouble is, Fudge suspects Dad, he knows he's friendly with Dumbledore, and he's always thought Dad's a bit of a weirdo because of his Muggle obsession.'</s>

Dad says Fudge has made it clear that anyone who's in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks,' said George. Trouble is, Fudge suspects Dad, he knows he's friendly with Dumbledore, and he's always thought Dad's a bit of a weirdo because of his Muggle obsession.'</s>

<s> 'But what's that got to do with Percy?' asked Harry, confused. 'I'm coming to that. Dad reckons Fudge only wants Percy in his office because he wants to use him to spy on the family - and Dumbledore.'</s>

But what's that got to do with Percy?' asked Harry, confused. 'I'm coming to that. Dad reckons Fudge only wants Percy in his office because he wants to use him to spy on the family - and Dumbledore.'</s>

<s> Harry let out a low whistle. 'He went completely berserk. He said - well, he said loads of terrible stuff. He said he's been having to struggle against Dad's lousy reputation ever since he joined the Ministry and that Dad's got no ambition and that's why we've always been - you know - 'not had a lot of money, I mean - '</s>

let out a low whistle. 'He went completely berserk. He said - well, he said loads of terrible stuff. He said he's been having to struggle against Dad's lousy reputation ever since he joined the Ministry and that Dad's got no ambition and that's why we've always been - you know - 'not had a lot of money, I mean - '</s>

<s> 'What?' said Harry in disbelief, as Ginny made a noise like an angry cat. 'And it got worse. He said Dad was an idiot to run around with Dumbledore, that Dumbledore was heading for big trouble and Dad was going to go down with him, and that he - Percy - knew where his loyalty lay and it was with the Ministry. And if Mum and Dad were going to become traitors to the Ministry he was going to make sure everyone knew he didn't belong to our family any more. And he packed his bags the same night and left. He's living here in London now.'</s>

What?' said Harry in disbelief, as Ginny made a noise like an angry cat. 'And it got worse. He said Dad was an idiot to run around with Dumbledore, that Dumbledore was heading for big trouble and Dad was going to go down with him, and that he - Percy - knew where his loyalty lay and it was with the Ministry. And if Mum and Dad were going to become traitors to the Ministry he was going to make sure everyone knew he didn't belong to our family any more. And he packed his bags the same night and left. He's living here in London now.'</s>

<s> Harry swore under his breath. 'You know - crying and stuff. She came up to London to try and talk to Percy but he slammed the door in her face. I dunno what he does if he meets Dad at work - ignores him, I s'pose.'</s>

swore under his breath. 'You know - crying and stuff. She came up to London to try and talk to Percy but he slammed the door in her face. I dunno what he does if he meets Dad at work - ignores him, I s'pose.'</s>

<s> 'But Percy must know Voldemort's back,' said Harry slowly. 'Percy said the only evidence was your word and... I dunno... 'What are you talking about?' Harry asked, looking around at them all. They were all regarding him warily. 'Yeah, I have!' said Harry. 'Not cover to cover,' said Harry defensively. 'If they were going to report anything about Voldemort it would be headline news, wouldn't it?'</s>

But Percy must know Voldemort's back,' said Harry slowly. 'Percy said the only evidence was your word and... I dunno... 'What are you talking about?' Harry asked, looking around at them all. They were all regarding him warily. 'Yeah, I have!' said Harry. 'Not cover to cover,' said Harry defensively. 'If they were going to report anything about Voldemort it would be headline news, wouldn't it?'</s>

<s> The others flinched at the sound of the name. 'I'm not talking about big articles. 'But she laid the foundation for what they're trying to do now.'</s>

others flinched at the sound of the name. 'I'm not talking about big articles. 'But she laid the foundation for what they're trying to do now.'</s>

<s> 'Which is what?' said Harry impatiently. 'OK, you know she wrote that you were collapsing all over the place and saying your scar was hurting and all that?'</s>

Which is what?' said Harry impatiently. 'OK, you know she wrote that you were collapsing all over the place and saying your scar was hurting and all that?'</s>

<s> 'Yeah,' said Harry, who was not likely to forget Rita Skeeter's stories about him in a hurry. 'They keep slipping in snide comments about you. If some far-fetched story appears, they say something like, "A tale worthy of Harry Potter", and if anyone has a funny accident or anything it's, "Let's hope he hasn't got a scar on his forehead or we'll be asked to worship him next" - '</s>

Yeah,' said Harry, who was not likely to forget Rita Skeeter's stories about him in a hurry. 'They keep slipping in snide comments about you. If some far-fetched story appears, they say something like, "A tale worthy of Harry Potter", and if anyone has a funny accident or anything it's, "Let's hope he hasn't got a scar on his forehead or we'll be asked to worship him next" - '</s>

<s> 'I don't want anyone to worship -'Harry began hotly. 'I know, Harry. But you see what they're doing? They want to turn you into someone nobody will believe. Fudge is behind it, I'll bet anything. They want wizards on the street to think you're just some stupid boy who's a bit of a joke, who tells ridiculous tall stories because he loves being famous and wants to keep it going.'</s>

I don't want anyone to worship -'Harry began hotly. 'I know, Harry. But you see what they're doing? They want to turn you into someone nobody will believe. Fudge is behind it, I'll bet anything. They want wizards on the street to think you're just some stupid boy who's a bit of a joke, who tells ridiculous tall stories because he loves being famous and wants to keep it going.'</s>

<s> 'I didn't ask - I didn't want - Voldemort killed my parents!' Harry spluttered. 'I got famous because he murdered my family but couldn't kill me! Who wants to be famous for that? Don't I hey think I'd rather it'd never- '</s>

I didn't ask - I didn't want - Voldemort killed my parents!' Harry spluttered. 'I got famous because he murdered my family but couldn't kill me! Who wants to be famous for that? Don't I hey think I'd rather it'd never- '</s>

<s> 'We know, Harry' said Ginny earnestly. 'Someone's told them to keep that quiet. That should've been a really big story, out-of-control Dementors. They haven't even reported that you broke the International Statute of Secrecy. We thought they would, it would be in so well with this image of you as some stupid show-off. We think they're biding their time until you're expelled, then they're really going to go to town - I mean, if you're expelled, obviously,' she went on hastily. 'You really shouldn't be, not if they abide by their own laws, there's no case against you.'</s>

We know, Harry' said Ginny earnestly. 'Someone's told them to keep that quiet. That should've been a really big story, out-of-control Dementors. They haven't even reported that you broke the International Statute of Secrecy. We thought they would, it would be in so well with this image of you as some stupid show-off. We think they're biding their time until you're expelled, then they're really going to go to town - I mean, if you're expelled, obviously,' she went on hastily. 'You really shouldn't be, not if they abide by their own laws, there's no case against you.'</s>

<s> They were back on the hearing and Harry did not want to think about that. He cast around for another change of subject, but was saved the necessity of finding one by the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. 'Uh oh.'</s>

were back on the hearing and Harry did not want to think about that. He cast around for another change of subject, but was saved the necessity of finding one by the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. 'Uh oh.'</s>

<s> Fred gave the Extendable Ear a hearty tug; there was another loud crack and he and George vanished. The meetings over, you can come down and have dinner now. Everyone's dying to see you, Harry. And who's left all those Dungbombs outside the kitchen door?'</s>

gave the Extendable Ear a hearty tug; there was another loud crack and he and George vanished. The meetings over, you can come down and have dinner now. Everyone's dying to see you, Harry. And who's left all those Dungbombs outside the kitchen door?'</s>

<s> 'Crookshanks,' said Ginny unblushingly. Now don't forget to keep your voices down in the hall. Ginny, your hands are filthy, what have you been doing? Both of them were watching him apprehensively, as though they feared he would start shouting again now that everyone else had gone. The sight of them looking so nervous made him feel slightly ashamed. 'Look.. He cast around for a topic that didn't involve his headmaster, because the very thought of Dumbledore made Harry's insides burn with anger again. Who's Kreacher?' he asked. 'Nutter. 'It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. They're still in the hall, we might be able to hear something.'</s>

Crookshanks,' said Ginny unblushingly. Now don't forget to keep your voices down in the hall. Ginny, your hands are filthy, what have you been doing? Both of them were watching him apprehensively, as though they feared he would start shouting again now that everyone else had gone. The sight of them looking so nervous made him feel slightly ashamed. 'Look.. He cast around for a topic that didn't involve his headmaster, because the very thought of Dumbledore made Harry's insides burn with anger again. Who's Kreacher?' he asked. 'Nutter. 'It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. They're still in the hall, we might be able to hear something.'</s>

<s> The three of them looked cautiously over the banisters. The gloomy hallway below was packed with witches and wizards, including all of Harry's guard. They were whispering excitedly together. In the very centre of the group Harry saw the dark, greasy-haired head and prominent nose of his least favourite teacher at Hogwarts, Professor Snape. Harry leant further over the banisters. He was very interested in what Snape was doing for the Order of the Phoenix... A thin piece of flesh-coloured string descended in front of Harry's eyes. Looking up, he saw Fred and George on the landing above, cautiously lowering the Extendable Ear towards the dark knot of people below. A moment later, however, they all began to move towards the front door and out of sight. 'Dammit,' Harry heard Fred whisper, as he hoisted the Extendable Ear back up again. They heard the front door open, then close. Thank Clod. 'Harry, dear, if you'll just tiptoe across the hall it's through this door here - '</s>

three of them looked cautiously over the banisters. The gloomy hallway below was packed with witches and wizards, including all of Harry's guard. They were whispering excitedly together. In the very centre of the group Harry saw the dark, greasy-haired head and prominent nose of his least favourite teacher at Hogwarts, Professor Snape. Harry leant further over the banisters. He was very interested in what Snape was doing for the Order of the Phoenix... A thin piece of flesh-coloured string descended in front of Harry's eyes. Looking up, he saw Fred and George on the landing above, cautiously lowering the Extendable Ear towards the dark knot of people below. A moment later, however, they all began to move towards the front door and out of sight. 'Dammit,' Harry heard Fred whisper, as he hoisted the Extendable Ear back up again. They heard the front door open, then close. Thank Clod. 'Harry, dear, if you'll just tiptoe across the hall it's through this door here - '</s>

<s> CRASH. 'I'm sorry!' wailed Tonks, who was lying flat on the floor. 'It's that stupid umbrella stand, that's the second time I've tripped over - '</s>

ASH. 'I'm sorry!' wailed Tonks, who was lying flat on the floor. 'It's that stupid umbrella stand, that's the second time I've tripped over - '</s>

<s> But the rest of her words were drowned by a horrible, ear-splitting, blood-curdling screech. The moth-eaten velvet curtains Harry had passed earlier had flown apart, but there was no door behind them. For a split second, Harry thought he was looking through a window, a window behind which an old woman in a black cap was screaming and screaming as though she were being tortured - then he realised it was simply a life-size portrait, but the most realistic, and the most unpleasant, he had ever seen in his life. The old woman was drooling, her eyes were rolling, the yellowing skin of her face stretched taut as she screamed; and all along the hall behind them, the other portraits awoke and began to yell, too, so that Harry actually screwed up his eyes at the noise and clapped his hands over his ears. 'Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! Half-breeds, mutants, freaks, begone from this place! The old woman's face blanched. 'Yoooou!' she howled, her eyes popping at the sight of the man. 'Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh!'</s>

the rest of her words were drowned by a horrible, ear-splitting, blood-curdling screech. The moth-eaten velvet curtains Harry had passed earlier had flown apart, but there was no door behind them. For a split second, Harry thought he was looking through a window, a window behind which an old woman in a black cap was screaming and screaming as though she were being tortured - then he realised it was simply a life-size portrait, but the most realistic, and the most unpleasant, he had ever seen in his life. The old woman was drooling, her eyes were rolling, the yellowing skin of her face stretched taut as she screamed; and all along the hall behind them, the other portraits awoke and began to yell, too, so that Harry actually screwed up his eyes at the noise and clapped his hands over his ears. 'Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! Half-breeds, mutants, freaks, begone from this place! The old woman's face blanched. 'Yoooou!' she howled, her eyes popping at the sight of the man. 'Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh!'</s>

<s> 'I said - shut - UP!' roared the man, and with a stupendous effort he and Lupin managed to force the curtains closed again. The old woman's screeches died and an echoing silence tell. Panting slightly and sweeping his long dark hair out of his eyes, Harry's godfather Sirius turned to face him. 'Hello, Harry,' he said grimly, 'I see you've met my mother.'</s>

I said - shut - UP!' roared the man, and with a stupendous effort he and Lupin managed to force the curtains closed again. The old woman's screeches died and an echoing silence tell. Panting slightly and sweeping his long dark hair out of his eyes, Harry's godfather Sirius turned to face him. 'Hello, Harry,' he said grimly, 'I see you've met my mother.'</s>

<s> The Order of The Phoenix</s>

Order of The Phoenix</s>

<s> 'Your -?'</s>

Your -?'</s>

<s> 'My dear old mum, yeah,' said Sirius. 'We've been trying to get her down for a month but we think she put a Permanent. Sticking Charm on the back of the canvas. Lets get downstairs, quick, before they all wake up again.'</s>

My dear old mum, yeah,' said Sirius. 'We've been trying to get her down for a month but we think she put a Permanent. Sticking Charm on the back of the canvas. Lets get downstairs, quick, before they all wake up again.'</s>

<s> 'But what's a portrait of your mother doing here?' Harry asked, bewildered, as they went through the door from the hall and led the way down a flight of narrow stone steps, the others just behind them. 'Hasn't anyone told you? This was my parents' house,' said Sirius. 'But I'm the last Black left, so it's mine now. I offered it to Dumbledore for Headquarters - about the only useful thing I've been able to do.'</s>

But what's a portrait of your mother doing here?' Harry asked, bewildered, as they went through the door from the hall and led the way down a flight of narrow stone steps, the others just behind them. 'Hasn't anyone told you? This was my parents' house,' said Sirius. 'But I'm the last Black left, so it's mine now. I offered it to Dumbledore for Headquarters - about the only useful thing I've been able to do.'</s>

<s> Harry, who had expected a better welcome, noted how hard and bitter Sirius's voice sounded. He followed his godfather to the bottom of the steps and through a door leading into the basement kitchen. It was scarcely less gloomy than the hall above, a cavernous room with rough stone walls. Most of the light was coming from a large fire at the far end of the room. A haze of pipe smoke hung in the air like battle fumes, through which loomed the menacing shapes of heavy iron pots and pans hanging from the dark ceiling. Many chairs had been crammed into the room for the meeting and a long wooden table stood in the middle of them, littered with rolls of parchment, goblets, empty wine bottles, and a heap of what appeared to be rags. Her husband, a thin, balding, red-haired man who wore horn-rimmed glasses, looked around and jumped to his feet. 'Good to see you!'</s>

, who had expected a better welcome, noted how hard and bitter Sirius's voice sounded. He followed his godfather to the bottom of the steps and through a door leading into the basement kitchen. It was scarcely less gloomy than the hall above, a cavernous room with rough stone walls. Most of the light was coming from a large fire at the far end of the room. A haze of pipe smoke hung in the air like battle fumes, through which loomed the menacing shapes of heavy iron pots and pans hanging from the dark ceiling. Many chairs had been crammed into the room for the meeting and a long wooden table stood in the middle of them, littered with rolls of parchment, goblets, empty wine bottles, and a heap of what appeared to be rags. Her husband, a thin, balding, red-haired man who wore horn-rimmed glasses, looked around and jumped to his feet. 'Good to see you!'</s>

<s> Over his shoulder Harry saw Bill, who still wore his long hair in a ponytail, hastily rolling up the lengths of parchment left on the table. 'Journey all right, Harry?' Bill called, trying to gather up twelve scrolls at once. 'Mad-Eye didn't make you come via Greenland, then?'</s>

his shoulder Harry saw Bill, who still wore his long hair in a ponytail, hastily rolling up the lengths of parchment left on the table. 'Journey all right, Harry?' Bill called, trying to gather up twelve scrolls at once. 'Mad-Eye didn't make you come via Greenland, then?'</s>

<s> 'He tried,' said Tonks, striding over to help Bill and immediately toppling a candle on to the last piece of parchment. She snatched the plan off the table and stuffed it into Bill's already overladen arms. This sort of thing ought to be cleared away promptly at the end of meetings,' she snapped, before sweeping off towards an ancient dresser from which she started unloading dinner plates. Bill took out his wand, muttered, 'Evanesce!' and the scrolls vanished. 'Sit down, Harry' said Sirius. 'You've met Mundungus, haven't you?'</s>

He tried,' said Tonks, striding over to help Bill and immediately toppling a candle on to the last piece of parchment. She snatched the plan off the table and stuffed it into Bill's already overladen arms. This sort of thing ought to be cleared away promptly at the end of meetings,' she snapped, before sweeping off towards an ancient dresser from which she started unloading dinner plates. Bill took out his wand, muttered, 'Evanesce!' and the scrolls vanished. 'Sit down, Harry' said Sirius. 'You've met Mundungus, haven't you?'</s>

<s> The thing Harry had taken to be a pile of rags gave a prolonged, grunting snore, then jerked awake. 'Some'n say m'name?' Mundungus mumbled sleepily. 'I agree with Sirius...' He raised a very grubby hand in the air as though voting, his droopy, bloodshot eyes unfocused. Ginny giggled. The meeting's over, Dung,' said Sirius, as they all sat down around him at the table. 'Harry's arrived.'</s>

thing Harry had taken to be a pile of rags gave a prolonged, grunting snore, then jerked awake. 'Some'n say m'name?' Mundungus mumbled sleepily. 'I agree with Sirius...' He raised a very grubby hand in the air as though voting, his droopy, bloodshot eyes unfocused. Ginny giggled. The meeting's over, Dung,' said Sirius, as they all sat down around him at the table. 'Harry's arrived.'</s>

<s> 'Eh?' said Mundungus, peering bale fully at Harry through his matted ginger hair. 'Blimey, so 'e 'as. Yeah... you all right, 'Airy?'</s>

Eh?' said Mundungus, peering bale fully at Harry through his matted ginger hair. 'Blimey, so 'e 'as. Yeah... you all right, 'Airy?'</s>

<s> 'Yeah,' said Harry. Mundungus fumbled nervously in his pockets, still staring at Harry, and pulled out a grimy black pipe. He stuck it in his mouth, ignited the end of it with his wand and took a deep pull on it. Great billowing clouds of greenish smoke obscured him within seconds. 'Owe you a 'pology,' grunted a voice from the middle of the smelly cloud. 'Right. Sorry, Molly.'</s>

Yeah,' said Harry. Mundungus fumbled nervously in his pockets, still staring at Harry, and pulled out a grimy black pipe. He stuck it in his mouth, ignited the end of it with his wand and took a deep pull on it. Great billowing clouds of greenish smoke obscured him within seconds. 'Owe you a 'pology,' grunted a voice from the middle of the smelly cloud. 'Right. Sorry, Molly.'</s>

<s> The cloud of smoke vanished as Mundungus stowed his pipe back in his pocket, but an acrid smell of burning socks lingered. 'No, you can stay where you are, Harry dear, you've had a long journey.'</s>

cloud of smoke vanished as Mundungus stowed his pipe back in his pocket, but an acrid smell of burning socks lingered. 'No, you can stay where you are, Harry dear, you've had a long journey.'</s>

<s> 'What can I do, Molly?' said Tonks enthusiastically, bounding forwards. 'Er - no, it's all right, Tonks, you have a rest too, you've done enough today.'</s>

What can I do, Molly?' said Tonks enthusiastically, bounding forwards. 'Er - no, it's all right, Tonks, you have a rest too, you've done enough today.'</s>

<s> 'No, no, I want to help!' said Tonks brightly, knocking over a chair as she hurried towards the dresser, from which Ginny was collecting cutlery. Harry was left at the table with Sirius and Mundungus, who was still blinking at him mournfully. 'Seen old Figgy since?' he asked. Sirius scratched him absent-mindedly behind the ears as he turned, still grim-faced, to Harry. 'Had a good summer so far?'</s>

No, no, I want to help!' said Tonks brightly, knocking over a chair as she hurried towards the dresser, from which Ginny was collecting cutlery. Harry was left at the table with Sirius and Mundungus, who was still blinking at him mournfully. 'Seen old Figgy since?' he asked. Sirius scratched him absent-mindedly behind the ears as he turned, still grim-faced, to Harry. 'Had a good summer so far?'</s>

<s> 'No, it's been lousy,' said Harry. For the first time, something like a grin flitted across Sirius's free. 'Don't know what you're complaining about, myself.'</s>

No, it's been lousy,' said Harry. For the first time, something like a grin flitted across Sirius's free. 'Don't know what you're complaining about, myself.'</s>

<s> 'What?' said Harry incredulously. 'Personally, I'd have welcomed a Dementor attack. A deadly struggle for my soul would have broken the monotony nicely. You think you've had it bad, at least you've been able to get out and about, stretch your legs, get into a few fights... I've been stuck inside for a month.'</s>

What?' said Harry incredulously. 'Personally, I'd have welcomed a Dementor attack. A deadly struggle for my soul would have broken the monotony nicely. You think you've had it bad, at least you've been able to get out and about, stretch your legs, get into a few fights... I've been stuck inside for a month.'</s>

<s> 'How come?' asked Harry, frowning. 'Because the Ministry of Magic's still after me, and Voldemort will know all about me being an Animagus by now, Wormtail will have told him, so my big disguise is useless. There's not much I can do for the Order of the Phoenix... or so Dumbledore feels.'</s>

How come?' asked Harry, frowning. 'Because the Ministry of Magic's still after me, and Voldemort will know all about me being an Animagus by now, Wormtail will have told him, so my big disguise is useless. There's not much I can do for the Order of the Phoenix... or so Dumbledore feels.'</s>

<s> There was something about the slightly flattened tone of voice in which Sirius uttered Dumbledore's name that told Harry that Sirius, too, was not very happy with the Headmaster. Harry felt a sudden upsurge of affection for his godfather. 'At least you've known what's been going on,' he said bracingly. 'Oh yeah,' said Sirius sarcastically. 'Listening to Snape's reports, having to take all his snide hints that he's out there risking his life while I'm sat on my backside here having a nice comfortable time... asking me how the cleaning's going - '</s>

was something about the slightly flattened tone of voice in which Sirius uttered Dumbledore's name that told Harry that Sirius, too, was not very happy with the Headmaster. Harry felt a sudden upsurge of affection for his godfather. 'At least you've known what's been going on,' he said bracingly. 'Oh yeah,' said Sirius sarcastically. 'Listening to Snape's reports, having to take all his snide hints that he's out there risking his life while I'm sat on my backside here having a nice comfortable time... asking me how the cleaning's going - '</s>

<s> 'What cleaning?' asked Harry. Trying to make this place fit for human habitation,' said Sirius, waving a hand around the dismal kitchen. 'No one's lived here for ten years, not since my dear mother died, unless you count her old house-elf, and he's gone round the twist - hasn't cleaned anything in ages.'</s>

What cleaning?' asked Harry. Trying to make this place fit for human habitation,' said Sirius, waving a hand around the dismal kitchen. 'No one's lived here for ten years, not since my dear mother died, unless you count her old house-elf, and he's gone round the twist - hasn't cleaned anything in ages.'</s>

<s> 'Sirius,' said Mundungus, who did not appear to have paid any attention to the conversation, but had been closely examining an empty goblet. This solid silver, mate?'</s>

Sirius,' said Mundungus, who did not appear to have paid any attention to the conversation, but had been closely examining an empty goblet. This solid silver, mate?'</s>

<s> 'Yes,' said Sirius, surveying it with distaste. 'Finest fifteenth-century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black family crest.'</s>

Yes,' said Sirius, surveying it with distaste. 'Finest fifteenth-century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black family crest.'</s>

<s> 'That'd come orf, though,' muttered Mundungus, polishing it with his cuff. Harry, Sirius and Mundungus looked round and, within a split second, they had dived away from the table. Fred and George had bewitched a large cauldron of stew, an iron flagon of Butterbeer and a heavy wooden breadboard, complete with knife, to hurtle through the air towards them. The stew skidded the length of the table and came to a halt just before the end, leaving a long black burn on the wooden surface; the flagon of Butterbeer fell with a crash, spilling its contents everywhere; the bread knife slipped off the board and landed, point down and quivering ominously, exactly where Sirius's right hand had been seconds before. THERE WAS NO NEED - I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS - JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC NOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY TINY LITTLE THING!'</s>

That'd come orf, though,' muttered Mundungus, polishing it with his cuff. Harry, Sirius and Mundungus looked round and, within a split second, they had dived away from the table. Fred and George had bewitched a large cauldron of stew, an iron flagon of Butterbeer and a heavy wooden breadboard, complete with knife, to hurtle through the air towards them. The stew skidded the length of the table and came to a halt just before the end, leaving a long black burn on the wooden surface; the flagon of Butterbeer fell with a crash, spilling its contents everywhere; the bread knife slipped off the board and landed, point down and quivering ominously, exactly where Sirius's right hand had been seconds before. THERE WAS NO NEED - I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS - JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC NOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY TINY LITTLE THING!'</s>

<s> 'We were just trying to save a bit of time!' said Fred, hurrying forward to wrench the bread knife out of the table. 'Sorry, Sirius, mate - didn't mean to - '</s>

We were just trying to save a bit of time!' said Fred, hurrying forward to wrench the bread knife out of the table. 'Sorry, Sirius, mate - didn't mean to - '</s>

<s> Harry and Sirius were both laughing; Mundungus, who had toppled backwards off his chair, was swearing as he got to his feet; Crookshanks had given an angry hiss and shot off under the dresser, from where his large yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. 'Bill didn't feel the need to Apparate every few feet! Charlie didn't charm everything he met! Percy - '</s>

and Sirius were both laughing; Mundungus, who had toppled backwards off his chair, was swearing as he got to his feet; Crookshanks had given an angry hiss and shot off under the dresser, from where his large yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. 'Bill didn't feel the need to Apparate every few feet! Charlie didn't charm everything he met! Percy - '</s>

<s> She stopped dead, catching her breath with a frightened look at her husband, whose expression was suddenly wooden. 'Let's eat,' said Bill quickly. 'It looks wonderful, Molly,' said Lupin, ladling stew on to a plate lor her and handing it across the table. For a few minutes there was silence but for the chink of plates and cutlery and the scraping of chairs as everyone settled down to their food. 'I've been meaning to tell you, Sirius, there's something trapped in that writing desk in the drawing room, it keeps rattling and shaking. Of course, it could just be a Boggart, but I thought we ought to ask Alastor to have a look at it before we let it out.'</s>

stopped dead, catching her breath with a frightened look at her husband, whose expression was suddenly wooden. 'Let's eat,' said Bill quickly. 'It looks wonderful, Molly,' said Lupin, ladling stew on to a plate lor her and handing it across the table. For a few minutes there was silence but for the chink of plates and cutlery and the scraping of chairs as everyone settled down to their food. 'I've been meaning to tell you, Sirius, there's something trapped in that writing desk in the drawing room, it keeps rattling and shaking. Of course, it could just be a Boggart, but I thought we ought to ask Alastor to have a look at it before we let it out.'</s>

<s> 'Whatever you like,' said Sirius indifferently. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'</s>

Whatever you like,' said Sirius indifferently. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'</s>

<s> 'I look forward to it,' said Sirius. Harry heard the sarcasm in his voice, but he was not sure that anyone else did. Screwing up her eyes each time with the same pained expression she had worn back in Harry's bedroom, her nose swelled to a beak-like protuberance that resembled Snape's, shrank to the size of a button mushroom and then sprouted a great deal of hair from each nostril. 'Do that one like a pig snout, Tonks.'</s>

I look forward to it,' said Sirius. Harry heard the sarcasm in his voice, but he was not sure that anyone else did. Screwing up her eyes each time with the same pained expression she had worn back in Harry's bedroom, her nose swelled to a beak-like protuberance that resembled Snape's, shrank to the size of a button mushroom and then sprouted a great deal of hair from each nostril. 'Do that one like a pig snout, Tonks.'</s>

<s> Tonks obliged, and Harry, looking up, had the fleeting impression that a female Dudley was grinning at him from across - 'he table. They're not giving anything away yet,' said Bill. 'I still can't work out whether or not they believe he's back. Course, they might prefer not to take sides at all. They've suffered losses too; remember that goblin family he murdered last time, somewhere near Nottingham?'</s>

ks obliged, and Harry, looking up, had the fleeting impression that a female Dudley was grinning at him from across - 'he table. They're not giving anything away yet,' said Bill. 'I still can't work out whether or not they believe he's back. Course, they might prefer not to take sides at all. They've suffered losses too; remember that goblin family he murdered last time, somewhere near Nottingham?'</s>

<s> 'I think it depends what they're offered,' said Lupin. 'And I'm not talking about gold. If they're offered the freedoms we've been denying them for centuries they're going to be tempted. Have you still not had any luck with Ragnok, Bill?'</s>

I think it depends what they're offered,' said Lupin. 'And I'm not talking about gold. If they're offered the freedoms we've been denying them for centuries they're going to be tempted. Have you still not had any luck with Ragnok, Bill?'</s>

<s> 'He's feeling pretty anti-wizard at the moment,' said Bill, 'he hasn't stopped raging about the Bagman business, he reckons the Ministry did a cover-up, those goblins never got their gold from him, you know - '</s>

He's feeling pretty anti-wizard at the moment,' said Bill, 'he hasn't stopped raging about the Bagman business, he reckons the Ministry did a cover-up, those goblins never got their gold from him, you know - '</s>

<s> A gale of laughter from the middle of the table drowned the rest of Bill's words. '... and then,' choked Mundungus, tears running down his face, 'and then, if you'll believe it, 'e says to me, 'e says,'"Ere, Dung, where didja get all them toads from? 'Cos some son of a Sludger's gone and nicked all mine!" And I says, "Nicked all your toads, Will, what next? 'Beg pardon, Molly,' said Mundungus at once, wiping his eyes and winking at Harry. Fred and George buried their faces in their goblets of Butterbeer; George was hiccoughing. Harry looked round at his godfather. 'Molly doesn't approve of Mundungus,' said Sirius in an undertone. 'How come he's in the Order?' Harry said, very quietly. 'He's useful,' Sirius muttered. 'Knows all the crooks - well, he would, seeing as he's one himself. But he's also very loyal to Dumbledore, who helped him out of a tight spot once. It pays to have someone like Dung around, he hears things we don't. But Molly thinks inviting him to stay for dinner is going too far. She hasn't forgiven him for slipping off duty when he was supposed to be tailing you.'</s>

gale of laughter from the middle of the table drowned the rest of Bill's words. '... and then,' choked Mundungus, tears running down his face, 'and then, if you'll believe it, 'e says to me, 'e says,'"Ere, Dung, where didja get all them toads from? 'Cos some son of a Sludger's gone and nicked all mine!" And I says, "Nicked all your toads, Will, what next? 'Beg pardon, Molly,' said Mundungus at once, wiping his eyes and winking at Harry. Fred and George buried their faces in their goblets of Butterbeer; George was hiccoughing. Harry looked round at his godfather. 'Molly doesn't approve of Mundungus,' said Sirius in an undertone. 'How come he's in the Order?' Harry said, very quietly. 'He's useful,' Sirius muttered. 'Knows all the crooks - well, he would, seeing as he's one himself. But he's also very loyal to Dumbledore, who helped him out of a tight spot once. It pays to have someone like Dung around, he hears things we don't. But Molly thinks inviting him to stay for dinner is going too far. She hasn't forgiven him for slipping off duty when he was supposed to be tailing you.'</s>

<s> Three helpings of rhubarb crumble and custard later and I he waistband on Harry's jeans was feeling uncomfortably tight (which was saying something as the jeans had once been Dudley's). 'Not just yet, Molly,' said Sirius, pushing away his empty plate and turning to look at Harry. 'You know, I'm surprised at you. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking questions about Voldemort.'</s>

helpings of rhubarb crumble and custard later and I he waistband on Harry's jeans was feeling uncomfortably tight (which was saying something as the jeans had once been Dudley's). 'Not just yet, Molly,' said Sirius, pushing away his empty plate and turning to look at Harry. 'You know, I'm surprised at you. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking questions about Voldemort.'</s>

<s> The atmosphere in the room changed with the rapidity Harry associated with the arrival of Dementors. Where seconds before it had been sleepily relaxed, it was now alert, even tense. A frisson had gone around the table at the mention of Voldemort's name. Lupin, who had been about to take a sip of wine, lowered his goblet slowly, looking wary. 'I did!' said Harry indignantly. 'You're too young.'</s>

atmosphere in the room changed with the rapidity Harry associated with the arrival of Dementors. Where seconds before it had been sleepily relaxed, it was now alert, even tense. A frisson had gone around the table at the mention of Voldemort's name. Lupin, who had been about to take a sip of wine, lowered his goblet slowly, looking wary. 'I did!' said Harry indignantly. 'You're too young.'</s>

<s> She was sitting bolt upright in her chair, her fists clenched an its arms, every trace of drowsiness gone. 'Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?' asked Sirius. 'Harry's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month. He's got the right to know what's been happen-'</s>

was sitting bolt upright in her chair, her fists clenched an its arms, every trace of drowsiness gone. 'Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?' asked Sirius. 'Harry's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month. He's got the right to know what's been happen-'</s>

<s> 'Hang on!' interrupted George loudly. 'How come Harry gets his questions answered?' said Fred angrily. 'We've been trying to get stuff out of you for a month and y du haven't told us a single stinking thing!' said George. '"You're too young, you're not in the Order,"'said Fred, in a high-pitched voice that sounded uncannily like his mother's. 'Harry's not even of age!'</s>

Hang on!' interrupted George loudly. 'How come Harry gets his questions answered?' said Fred angrily. 'We've been trying to get stuff out of you for a month and y du haven't told us a single stinking thing!' said George. '"You're too young, you're not in the Order,"'said Fred, in a high-pitched voice that sounded uncannily like his mother's. 'Harry's not even of age!'</s>

<s> 'It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing,' said Sirius calmly, 'that's your parents' decision. The expression on her normally kind face looked dangerous. 'You haven't forgotten what Dumbledore said, I suppose?'</s>

It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing,' said Sirius calmly, 'that's your parents' decision. The expression on her normally kind face looked dangerous. 'You haven't forgotten what Dumbledore said, I suppose?'</s>

<s> 'Which bit?' Sirius asked politely, but with the air of a man readying himself for a fight. Ginny was kneeling amid a pile of abandoned Butterbeer corks, watching the conversation with her mouth slightly open. Lupin's eyes were fixed on Sirius. 'I don't intend to tell him more than he needs to know, Molly,' said Sirius. 'But he's still - '</s>

Which bit?' Sirius asked politely, but with the air of a man readying himself for a fight. Ginny was kneeling amid a pile of abandoned Butterbeer corks, watching the conversation with her mouth slightly open. Lupin's eyes were fixed on Sirius. 'I don't intend to tell him more than he needs to know, Molly,' said Sirius. 'But he's still - '</s>

<s> 'He's not a child!' said Sirius impatiently. 'He's not James, Sirius!'</s>

He's not a child!' said Sirius impatiently. 'He's not James, Sirius!'</s>

<s> 'I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,' said Sirius coldly. 'Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!'</s>

I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,' said Sirius coldly. 'Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!'</s>

<s> 'What's wrong with that?' said Harry. 'You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!'</s>

What's wrong with that?' said Harry. 'You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!'</s>

<s> 'Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?' demanded Sirius, his voice rising. 'Meaning you have been known to act rashly, Sirius, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and - '</s>

Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?' demanded Sirius, his voice rising. 'Meaning you have been known to act rashly, Sirius, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and - '</s>

<s> 'We'll leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!' said Sirius loudly. He took off his glasses and cleaned them slowly on his robes, not looking at his wife. Only when he had replaced them carefully on his nose did he reply. 'Dumbledore knows the position has changed, Molly..... I can see I' going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -'</s>

We'll leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!' said Sirius loudly. He took off his glasses and cleaned them slowly on his robes, not looking at his wife. Only when he had replaced them carefully on his nose did he reply. 'Dumbledore knows the position has changed, Molly..... I can see I' going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -'</s>

<s> 'He's not your son,' said Sirius quietly. 'Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,' said Lupin sharply. 'Sirius, sit down.'</s>

He's not your son,' said Sirius quietly. 'Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,' said Lupin sharply. 'Sirius, sit down.'</s>

<s> Mrs Weasleys lower lip was trembling. Sirius sank slowly back into his chair, his face white. 'I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this,' Lupin continued, 'he's old enough to decide for himself.'</s>

Weasleys lower lip was trembling. Sirius sank slowly back into his chair, his face white. 'I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this,' Lupin continued, 'he's old enough to decide for himself.'</s>

<s> 'I want to know what's been going on,' Harry said at once. He had been touched by what she had said about his being as good as a son, but he was also impatient with her mollycoddling. Sirius was right, he was not a child. 'We're of age!' Fred and George bellowed together. 'Won't - won't you?' he added uncertainly, meeting Harry's eyes. But the nasty impulse vanished as they looked at each other. 'Course I will,' Harry said. 'Fine! Ginny - BED!'</s>

I want to know what's been going on,' Harry said at once. He had been touched by what she had said about his being as good as a son, but he was also impatient with her mollycoddling. Sirius was right, he was not a child. 'We're of age!' Fred and George bellowed together. 'Won't - won't you?' he added uncertainly, meeting Harry's eyes. But the nasty impulse vanished as they looked at each other. 'Course I will,' Harry said. 'Fine! Ginny - BED!'</s>

<s> Ginny did not go quietly. They could hear her raging and storming at her mother all the way up the stairs, and when she reached the hall Mrs Blacks ear-splitting shrieks were added to the din. Lupin hurried off to the portrait: to restore calm. It was only after he had returned, closing the kitchen door behind him and taking his seat at the table again, that Sirius spoke. 'OK, Harry... what do you want to know?'</s>

inny did not go quietly. They could hear her raging and storming at her mother all the way up the stairs, and when she reached the hall Mrs Blacks ear-splitting shrieks were added to the din. Lupin hurried off to the portrait: to restore calm. It was only after he had returned, closing the kitchen door behind him and taking his seat at the table again, that Sirius spoke. 'OK, Harry... what do you want to know?'</s>

<s> Harry took a deep breath and asked the question that had obsessed him for the last month. 'Where's Voldemort?' he said, ignoring the renewed shudders and winces at the name. 'What's he doing? I've been trying to watch the Muggle news, and there hasn't been anything that looks like him yet, no funny deaths or anything.'</s>

took a deep breath and asked the question that had obsessed him for the last month. 'Where's Voldemort?' he said, ignoring the renewed shudders and winces at the name. 'What's he doing? I've been trying to watch the Muggle news, and there hasn't been anything that looks like him yet, no funny deaths or anything.'</s>

<s> That's because there haven't been any funny deaths yet,' said Sirius, 'not as far as we know, anyway... and we know quite a let.'</s>

's because there haven't been any funny deaths yet,' said Sirius, 'not as far as we know, anyway... and we know quite a let.'</s>

<s> 'More than he thinks we do, anyway,' said Lupin. 'How come he's stopped killing people?' Harry asked. He knew Voldemort had murdered more than once in the last year alone. 'Because he doesn't want to draw attention to himself,' said Sirius. 'It would be dangerous for him. His comeback didn't come off quite the way he wanted it to, you see. He messed it up.'</s>

More than he thinks we do, anyway,' said Lupin. 'How come he's stopped killing people?' Harry asked. He knew Voldemort had murdered more than once in the last year alone. 'Because he doesn't want to draw attention to himself,' said Sirius. 'It would be dangerous for him. His comeback didn't come off quite the way he wanted it to, you see. He messed it up.'</s>

<s> 'Or rather, you messed it up for him,' said Lupin, with a satisfied smile. 'How?' Harry asked, perplexed. 'You weren't supposed to survive!' said Sirius. 'Nobody apart from his Death Eaters was supposed to know he'd come back. But you survived to bear witness.'</s>

Or rather, you messed it up for him,' said Lupin, with a satisfied smile. 'How?' Harry asked, perplexed. 'You weren't supposed to survive!' said Sirius. 'Nobody apart from his Death Eaters was supposed to know he'd come back. But you survived to bear witness.'</s>

<s> 'And the very last person he wanted alerted to his return the moment he got back was Dumbledore,' said Lupin. 'And you made sure Dumbledore knew at once.'</s>

And the very last person he wanted alerted to his return the moment he got back was Dumbledore,' said Lupin. 'And you made sure Dumbledore knew at once.'</s>

<s> 'How has that helped?' Harry asked. 'Are you kidding?' said Bill incredulously. 'Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was ever scared of!'</s>

How has that helped?' Harry asked. 'Are you kidding?' said Bill incredulously. 'Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was ever scared of!'</s>