Siege of the Sues

It was cold for the last week of August. Harry pulled his sweater on before he went downstairs. Apparently some news had come into the Order that morning, and Lupin wanted everyone there to hear it, even Harry and his friends.

"What d'you suppose it is?" Ron asked, grabbing a sweater himself. "I bet it's a siege against Hogwarts, and we have to know before we go back."

"I don't know," Harry replied. "But I went downstairs this morning to see if there was any of that cake your mum made left, and Snape was down there reporting. It was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen."

"What was it?"

"He was smiling, Ron."

Ron gasped. "You're not serious!"

"He was smiling. His hair was clean, his robes were washed, even his teeth were straight." Harry shrugged. "No clue. Let's go see what Lupin wants."

The two went downstairs into the kitchen, where the members of the Order were waiting with somber faces. Hermione and Ginny were already sitting next to Lupin, who looked up to see Harry and Ron come in.

"Good, you're here," Lupin said. "Sit down. News has come in of something very important, and everyone needs to be aware of the danger."

"What is it?" Harry whispered to Hermione as he slid into the chair beside her. She shook her head.

"Voldemort has...he's built an army," Lupin went on. "And somehow, he's managed to comprise it entirely of the foulest Dark creatures in existence, if they could be said to exist." He sighed heavily. "Mary Sues."

Harry glanced around to see if this had registered with anyone else. But all of the adults looked puzzled, and even Hermione's face was blank.

"Mary Sues are unheard of in our world," Lupin said. "But somehow the magical barriers have warped and allowed them access. Most will claim to be wizards, and indeed they have magical powers far beyond what anyone here can even imagine, powers that we would consider impossible."

"What do they look like?" Hermione asked.

"Generally, they appear to be harmless teenaged girls. They're usually extremely pretty, and they rarely intend to do harm."

"Then how can they hurt us?" asked Ron, who seemed to be paying much more attention now.

Lupin sighed. "It's not so much that they'll hurt you. However, they'll warp your behavior if you let them too near, causing you to act in ways you never normally would. Their main goal is normally to find a boyfriend, and they will mercilessly attach themselves to males they consider desirable."

"So we should be safe?" Hermione asked, indicating herself and Ginny.

"You may be in the worst danger of all," Lupin said darkly. "There will be many impostors claiming to actually be you, and the stronger among them may actually try to take over your bodies. Their danger should not be underestimated by their appearance."

Harry frowned. "How do we fight them?"

"They're immune to nearly all magical attacks. Even killing them often fails, and will bring them a great following as a wounded hero. If they do die, be assured that all of their friends will mourn them to the point of uselessness. They can only be destroyed by logic. Since they break the laws of this world, getting them to see that is our only defense. But be warned, even in their destruction they're dangerous creatures. They disappear slowly, and shoot flames as they go. The more tenacious ones can stay in their flaming state for days before finally exploding in a fit of screaming."

Harry shuddered. "Then we've got no way to defend ourselves."

Lupin shook his head. "Just keep your wits about you, and don't let them too close." He glanced around the table. "That's all. Harry, I do need to talk to you for a moment."

Everyone else left, whispering among themselves, as Lupin turned to Harry. "You must know, because of who you are...many of them will be coming after you. Be very careful, Harry."

"Have you ever seen one before?" Harry asked.

Lupin nodded. "Three got through back when I was in school. They headed straight for our group of friends, and I tell you, it was a nasty fight." He shook his head. "One even tried to turn me straight."

"What?"

"Oh...nothing. Just stay away from strange girls. And listen to Hermione. She's the most logical of all of you, and she should be able to help keep you safe."

Harry nodded. "I've got to be going. Mrs. Weasley is taking us down to Diagon Alley for school supplies."

Lupin nodded. "Just watch yourself."