Harry Potter and the Black Grimoire

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - THE INITIATION

Flames danced in their holders. Eerie shadows were cast on the cold, stone walls and a figure in black crept slowly down the corridor. He shifted his eyes back and forth, peering into the dark corners of the drafty hall. The dark character pulled his cloak around him as the torches were blown by a cold wind that blew through the tunnel. He ducked into the shadows, just to be careful. He knew he was taking a risk by being there. It was a place he was not welcomed anymore, even though he had walked through these hallways plenty of times earlier in his life.

Quickly now the figure moved down the hallway. He wanted to get what he was searching for quickly and be gone from the dreadful place. He had to continue to be cautious though.

Finally, he glimpsed the door. It was extremely old, probably the oldest in the entire castle. On it was a particularly faded crest that featured four animals. As he grasped the rusty handle, he could almost feel the power pulse through his fingertips. He turned the knob and pushed open the wooden door. A strong musty smell met his nostrils as he peered inside. It was twice as dark inside as it was out in the hall. He walked in.

The dark figure was startled as the room was lit by torches as he stepped over the thresh hold. It was magnificent lit. The circular room was lined floor to ceiling with lightly polished wooden panels. The walls went up a good twelve feet where a brilliant stained glass roof began. A large fireplace wrapped around one portion of the wall. It was now roaring with a bright fire.

The man loosened his cloak from around his body and drew off his hood, revealing the long, dark hair of the Heir of Slytherin. His slit-like eyes scanned the room. There were four doors, each with a different emblem on it. One with a lion, one with a badger, one with an eagle and finally, the man's eyes rested upon the last one: the serpent. Disregarding the other doors, he strolled up to the serpent-laden door and stood in front of it. He scanned the door. There was no handle.

The figure removed a wand from within his robes and tapped the door with it, muttering an incantation under his breath. The door glowed a faint green as a golden handle appeared on the wood. It was thick and curved downwards in the form of a coiling serpent. He reached out and turned the handle, going into the room. The room was immediately lit with dim, black flamed candles.

This room was like a smaller version of the main room. It was circular and high ceilinged, but the walls were a darker color paneling and the stained glass was green. Three corners of the room were lined with high bookshelves and a large desk sat in the middle. Old looking parchment was neatly stacked on the desk. Books were strewn about here and there.

The man smiled weakly, removed his cloak and threw it over the leather chair behind the desk. He put a strand of hair behind his ear as he began picking up the books on the desk and looking at their titles. He replaced them exactly as they were after he was satisfied they weren't what he was looking for. He then began surveying the titles of the books on the shelf. Halfway through the shelves he was visibly frustrated. He could not find what he was looking for. His worst fears were being realized. They were confirmed as he finished his search; the book was not here. But where could it be?

He suddenly remembered the desk drawers and began pulling them open, rifling through the contents as quickly as possible. He slammed the final drawer closed as he again came up empty-handed. He sat down in the chair with a sigh of frustration. He scanned the room for anything he might have missed. There appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary. There was the desk, the wooden floor, the chair, three unlit torches on the wall and the bookshelves. He leaned back as he began to think that maybe he wouldn't find the book. Then a though occurred to him.

Standing back up, the man pulled his wand from his cloak again and pointed it at the unlit torches, lighting them one by one. The room glowed with a lime-green hue after the torches were lit. That's when he saw it: one book, illuminated from the light, standing out from the rest. He smirked and bounded to the shelf to look at the book.

Snakes and Serpents of Myth and History

The thin man grasped the book and pulled, it did not yield to his pull, but he heard a faint click and the entire bookshelf swung free from the wall. He pulled it aside and walked into another dark room. This one was not as lavish as the one before. The floor and walls were made merely of cold stone. There was nothing in the room but a single bookstand in the middle, illuminated by a lone torch on the wall.

He quickly went over to the bookstand with a wide, wicked smile on his face. It did not last, however. The bookstand was empty.

Slytherin's heir did not show his apparent frustration though. He slowly lifted up his head and smirked again. He pointed his wand at the torch and extinguished it. Immediately, a bright light shown from the bookstand and the prize was revealed. A thick, leather-bound book sat on the stand. The Dark Lord approached it slowly, his breath held in his throat. He ran his hand over the black leather, his eyes unblinking. Cautiously, he picked up the book and turned it over. It was quite heavy.

He opened the pages with great care and flipped through them.

"It's all here," he whispered out loud.

Quickly he stowed the book beneath his robes and he bolted from the room. He locked the bookcase behind him, grabbed his cloak from the chair and left the office. He paused in the main room for a moment and took the book back out. He went back through the pages quickly and found what he was looking for. He muttered a few indistinct words and lifted his arms. He smiled and closed his eyes. As quickly as he closed his eyes, he was gone.

The Dark Lord reappeared again in a smaller room. A room dark and loud with snoring. Five large beds sat in the room, each with the curtains closed. Voldemort squinted his eyes and peered through the darkness at the four-posters. He found the bed that he was looking for and walked quietly to it. He slowly pulled the curtains aside and peered down at the thin, ruffle-haired boy below him. He pointed his wand as the boy turned over in his sleep.

He narrowed his eyes as a cold wind came through the open window and blew his hair in his stern face. He clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. A wicked smile now played across his face and a strange twinkle gleamed in his eyes. He narrowed them even more and peered at his enemy. Slowly he whispered the words that all witches and wizards fear.

"Avada Kedavra."

A green light flew through the air.

Harry Potter's eyes flew open as he clutched his scar in pain. He sat up quickly and pulled his curtains away. He put on his glasses and looked throughout the room. It was empty except for his four dorm mates.

It was a dream.

****

"So how do you feel about today mate?" Ron asked Harry as they made their way down to the common room the following morning.

"Surprisingly good considering last night."

"Didn't sleep well?"

"Not really."

"Well perk up mate!" Ron said, slapping Harry on the back. "Today's the big day!"

Harry couldn't help but smile, despite the stinging in his back.

Hermione and Maddie were sitting on the big couch when they came down the stairs.

They took notice of their presence and got up to greet their boyfriends before starting down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Excited?" Hermione asked after they had gotten their food.

"Very much so," Harry answered. "Also a little nervous."

"Well that's understandable. This could decide the rest of our lives, after all."

"I'm almost glad I'm not doing this with you guys," Maddie said. "Too much work for me!"

"Well Hermione makes it out to be much bigger than it is, as usual."

"It is big, Ron!" Hermione insisted, a look of pleading on her face. "We're going to become part of a centuries-old organization of dark-wizard catchers. This is what will make our lives."

"Ok, I'll just say you won this one."

"You better!" Hermione said.

"Why are you so quiet this morning, Harry?" Hermione asked, putting her hand on his arm.

Harry turned his head from the window he was gazing out of and looked at the three, whom were all waiting for his answer.

"Nothing, nothing," Harry answered.

"You sure?" Hermione asked again.

"Of course," Harry replied, forcing a smile.

"Well ok, then. But I still don't believe you." Hermione said with a look of suspicion.

"Well whatever it is, I'm sure we'll find out about it sooner or later."

Harry smiled at his friends, but he still chose to keep his dream to himself. At least for the time being.

The four continued to eat their breakfast and enjoy each other's company for the rest of the morning.

After breakfast, the couples parted ways to spend the rest of their Saturday afternoon. Ron and Madeline headed outdoors for a walk on the grounds and Harry and Hermione decided to take a stroll through the castle. The latter was suggested by Harry. He told Hermione he just wanted to stay indoors, but he had other motives on his mind: he was looking for the corridor in his dream.

The two walked and talked for hours, just enjoying each other's company, all the while Harry kept an eye out for anything familiar.

"You know I still think there's something up with you. You're being awfully quiet today."

"Well.... I do have something on my mind."

"What is it?"

"I'd rather not talk about it right now."

"Oh come on, you can tell me."

"I know, I know. And I would any other time. You know I don't like keeping things from you, but this.... This is different. But I promise, you'll find out later."

"Well, if you really don't want to talk about it, then I respect your wishes. But I still wish you would give me some kind of hint."

Harry just took her hand and smiled at her lovingly as they walked.

They continued that way for awhile, when all of a sudden a familiar, but surprising voice greeted them.

"Ahhh! Good day my two young friends! Enjoying this fine day I presume?"

"Hello Sir Cadogen," Harry said with an amused, but annoyed sigh.

"Yes we are, and how are you doing this afternoon?" Hermione replied.

"Me? Why I'm feeling lovely today! Thank you for asking!"

Harry and Hermione continued walked while Sir Cadogen rode through the painting along with them on his gray horse.

"I love nothing more than seeing two young ones in love. It is quite refreshing in this barbaric world we live in today."

"Why thank you, Sir Cadogen."

"My pleasure, good lady."

"How about you? Is there any special lady in your life?"

"Me?" Sir Cadogen asked, his face growing bright red under his metal helmet.

"Come on," Harry pushed. "There has to be somebody that you like to take to you chambers at night."

Hermione giggled while Sir Cadogen continued to blush.

"Well if you must know, my good sir, there is a certain someone. I have been seeing a chambermaid that lives on the third floor of late. I think we do very well by one another."

"Well that's great!"

"Yes, quite good lady. Mind you, I would not be telling you this if I did not respect you as great warriors of this land."

"Well that's good to know," Harry said, not knowing what to think.

Suddenly Sir Cadogen perked up and cupped his hand to his ear.

"She calls! I must take my leave of you. I beg your forgiveness, but I hope we can continue this another day!" Sir Cadogen said, rushing to straighten himself up and get back on his horse.

"Don't worry about it, Sir Cadogen. We forgive you," Hermione assured him.

"Go get her comrade!" Harry said, saluting him stiffly.

"Thank you good sir and lady! But for now... I am off!"

With this he dug his heels into the sides of his steed and pulled on the reins. His horse rose up on its hind legs and Sir Cadogen tipped his visor to them. After picking himself up off the ground and getting back on his horse, Sir Cadogen was gone.

"You certainly are off," Harry said after he was gone from earshot.

"He's funny," Hermione commented, poking Harry in the ribs with her elbow.

"You would think he's funny."

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked, a hurt look on her face.

"Nothing, nothing! I just mean that you think he's funny because, well... maybe you're off your rocker just as much as him!" Harry said, smiling at the look on Hermione's face.

"Why you little rat!" Hermione said, seeing the mischievous smile on Harry's face.

"You better run little man, before I lay into you!"

"Sure --"

Harry didn't get to finish his sentence because Hermione had started after him and began to chase him down the hall. They ran laughing down the corridor, all the paintings on the wall watching them with amusement as they passed.

****

Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way down the torch-lit hallway towards Professor Dumbledore's office that evening. They were wearing the long, flowing green robes that they had been given the night before for the ceremony. Dumbledore was waiting for them at the stone gargoyle when they turned the corner. He was smiling broadly.

"Welcome! Glad to see you three looking so good and ready!"

"Well tonight's the big night!" Harry said, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"Indeed it is! But now, let's get going. We can only get to the Initiation Ceremony through the fireplace, so we'll use the one in my office."

With that, Dumbledore gave the password to his office and the four made their way up the steps. Dumbledore gave them each a handful of floo powder once they were standing in front of the fireplace.

"Now, you just need to say "ceremony room" when you jump in. I'll watch you three go first, then I'll come after. Just wait for me on the other side."

Ron was the first to jump into the fire. Then Hermione, then Harry. When they came out they were in a small room. In it was nothing but a large fireplace and a single door flanked by two large torches.

Momentarily, Dumbledore emerged from the fireplace. A second later Professor Radford came through as well.

"Ahhh! Perfect timing Melissa! Care to do the honours?" Dumbledore said, smiling and gesturing towards the closed door.

Melissa Radford smiled back and made her way to the door. She touched it with her wand and said a password.

"This is the way it will be for now," Dumbledore said to them, after the door had been opened. "After the meeting however, you will only need to hold your pendent and request to enter the room. That will take you directly there. I figured I would come with you this way tonight to make sure you made it safely."

With that they all entered through the door.

The room on the other side was much like the room in Harry's dream, though much longer. It was lavishly furnished, with a long, wooden table and high-backed chairs. A large fireplace stood in on one wall and shelves of book lined the opposite. The floor was a plush purple carpet and the walls were again light wood. The ceiling above looked much like the one in the Great Hall; it too was bewitched to look like the sky above. Light emanated throughout the room from many torches on the wall as well.

The trio was surprised to see how many people were already in the room. They recognized Sirius, Remus, McGonagall, Mad-Eye Moody, Arabella Figg and of course Professor Radford and Dumbledore. They were greeted warmly by the other members and treated as just another part of the group. Soon the trio was talking with the other members comfortably and any nerves were forgotten.

They were introduced to everyone that they did not recognize from before, including Mundungus Fletcher, whom Harry was curious to meet.

The group spent a good hour catching up with old friends. Harry was particularly interested in talking to Mad-Eye Moody, whom he had grown a great respect towards the previous year. Harry also introduced Hermione and Ron to Arabella Figg, and they also wanted to catch up with Sirius and Remus as well. Soon enough though, Dumbledore moved to the head of the table and cleared his throat loudly. All the voices in the room died down quickly and they all stood in their spots at the table.

"Welcome friends! I know you all want to get down to business tonight, so let me formally welcome you to the first meeting of the Order."

"Welcome to you Albus!" several people in the group shouted back to him.

"Thank you, thank you! Now, let us get started. We have four new members to initiate. Would Melissa, Ron, Hermione and Harry please step forward."

The four made their way to the head of the table where Dumbledore stood.

"Please take off you pendent Harry," Dumbledore requested.

Harry removed the chain from around his neck and gave it to Dumbledore. He placed it on a small table next to him, where three other already lay.

"We'll make this quick; we have a lot to get through tonight. Just repeat after me."

The four nodded in understanding. The butterflies were beginning to return to Harry's stomach.

"I swear to uphold the honour, duty and secrecy of the sacred Order of the Light at all costs."

"I swear to uphold the honour, duty and secrecy of the sacred Order of the Light at all costs," the four repeated.

"I understand that entrance into this order means that I am bound to it and its mission for life."

This was repeated.

"I also understand that if I should happen to die, my duties would pass down to the next worthy individual in my bloodline."

This was repeated.

"Above all else, I swear to uphold the principles of good wizardry and put an end to, at any cost, any dark magic that I should so witness."

This was repeated.

"Now, as I call you, come before me and take a knee. I will place the sacred pendent upon you neck. After this, you can return to your seat."

"Melissa, you're first."

Professor Radford nodded and knelt before Dumbledore. He placed a chain around her neck where it stayed. She then got up, bowed to him in respect and went back to her seat. The same went for Hermione and Ron.

"Harry Potter."

Harry knelt in front of Dumbledore as the others had as he felt his stomach flutter. All kinds of thoughts were going through his head.

"Is this the right decision?"

"Am I going to regret this?"

"What if I get killed? What will happen?"

"What if the chain doesn't stay on my neck?"

Harry cleared his thoughts the best he could and thought of his parents. His pride and bravery returned and his knelt proudly.

"Harry Potter, you are fulfilling the duty that was started by the death of your ancestor and our founder, Godric Gryffindor and recently of your late father, James Potter. I will now return to you the sacred pendent, worn by members of your bloodline since the establishment of this council."

Dumbledore then placed the chain around Harry's neck. Just as Harry knew it would, it stayed put. Harry then arose, bowed to Dumbledore, and made his way back to his seat.

"May I be the first to welcome our new members into the Order!"

"Here here!" the rest of the group shouted.

"Now you all may sit! It's about time too; my feet are starting to get tired."

Amidst quiet chuckles, the group sat down at the places.

For the first time since Lord Voldemort's former reign of power, the Order of the Light was called into session.