An Interruption of Sanity

Chapter Two: Oath of Fire

Fred, it appeared, wasn't Fred at all. His hair was lengthening and turning blond, his face sharpening and his height shrinking, morphing him into none other than Draco Malfoy.

**********

11 PM that night

**********

Draco Malfoy came to slowly, his head pounding and wondering where he was. He remembered that Potter had gotten ripped over the past few weeks and that he had fought him...

He groaned as he remembered where he was. He was in the Black House, spying on the Order of the Phoenix as one of the Weasel twins, but he probably had blown his cover when he got into a fight with Potter, or called him scar-head.

He looked around him and realized that he was tied to a chair in an almost empty, dirty room. There were no windows, one door, a table and a chair other than the one he sat on. His shirt was off and his torso was wrapped in white bandages. He was puzzled for a moment as to why, then realized that Dumbledore was allowing him to be treated with Muggle medicine; effective, but slower and more painful.

The door opened and a tall man in military camouflage entered. He was muscle-bound with an angular face and had a pistol strapped to one thigh. He had an unrecognizable insignia of rank on each collar. There was curious symbol that Malfoy was not familiar with that was emblazoned on both his hat and his left breast pocket. It consisted of an eagle, globe, and anchor. Above his right pocket was, presumably his name, the word 'Hornet' and above the other pocket was the legend 'U.S. Marines.'

He strode into the room, carrying a case file in one hand and a styrofoam cup of coffee in the other. He set the coffee down in front of Malfoy and the file across the table. Reaching down, he pulled a knife from his boot and cut Malfoy's bonds.

"Drink up, kid," the stranger said, indicating the coffee. "But if you try anything clever I will blow your brains out. Are we clear?" Malfoy nodded.

"Crystal." Malfoy picked up the coffee and downed it in one.

"Good. We'll start with the rules. One: You do what I say, when I say it, how I say it, where I say it. Two: You screw around, you get shot. Three: If you're uncooperative during interrogation, I'll let Potter have another go at you. Four: You will answer my questions. Get it?"

"Got it."

"Good. My name is Gunnery Sergeant James Hornet. I am a United States Marine working with the United States Department of Paranormal Investigation, Regulation, and Control as well as The Order of the Phoenix. I am an interrogator. You are going to be asked a series of questions and you will answer truthfully."

"The hell I will," Malfoy retorted. The Marine laughed humorlessly.

"What makes you say that?"

"I'm too smart to tell you anything," he said haughtily.

"Oh? Was it your superior intelligence that led you to drink a cupful of coffee laced with a large dose of Veritaserum?" The little color left in Malfoy's face left it. "Let's get started, then, shall we?"

**********

Earlier

**********

Harry paced the study in front of the desk at which Dumbledore was currently occupying.

"I don't get it, sir," he said. "How could we miss such a big mole? How long has he been here? When did they learn of the location of Headquarters? We have to move now. And where is Fred?"

"Harry, calm down and take a seat." Harry did so. "First of all, I'm sorry that I was short with you earlier. Secondly, I cannot give you any information--"

"Why not?" Harry demanded.

"Because, like it or not, you're too young to be in the Order and, therefore cannot be privy to the intelligence that we have." Harry mouthed soundlessly at the Headmaster before exploding.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" he roared. "You told me that I am the only one with the power to defeat Voldemort, but I'm not even allowed to know what the bloody hell is going on?! Are you insane?!" Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it. "Well?! Why can't I be a member of the Order?! God damn it, you guys are at a fucking standstill without me!"

"You know, Harry," Dumbledore said. "You're absolutely right. I'm going to fill you in and later this evening, at the meeting, you will be inducted. Fair enough?" Harry stared. He had not really expected it to work, but he nodded. "Good. As to your earlier questions, we do not know the answers to any of them, except one."

"That being--?"

"When they learned the location of Headquarters. You see, when Sirius died, it was written in his will that the house go to you. When a magical person dies, his last will and testament is immediately carried out via magic. What that means for the Fidelus Charm is that it becomes ineffective. I have recast the charm and now the Headquarter is safe. Okay?"

"Okay. One more thing, though."

"What's that?"

"Malfoy."

"Draco Malfoy is currently in one of the unoccupied rooms in the house with literally hundreds of protective spells around the room. He isn't going to leave and you are not to see him." He fixed Harry with a gaze that told him that he meant it. "Be in the kitchen at six thirty pm." And with that, Dumbledore stood up and left.

**********

Luna was lying on her side in Harry's bed reading an upside-down copy of The Quibbler. As she turned a page about how to get rid of a pest called the American Poliwalioptisaurus, she heard the door to the room open and Harry drag his feet across the floor. Luna felt the bed sink as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. She put down the magazine and relaxed into his embrace.

"Do you have any idea," he murmured quietly in her ear. "How glad I am that you're here?"

"Of course," she whispered back. "I feel the same about you." They were quiet, content to be with each other, all thoughts of Malfoy, the Order, and Voldemort chased from their minds. "So what did Dumbledore have to say?" Harry faltered before answering.

"He told me that I'll be inducted into the Order tonight." Luna was silent and Harry suspected that this was not happy news for her. "Luna? Honey, what's wrong?"

"Well, it's just that the Order does some dangerous stuff, right?"

"Yeah, but with or without my being in the Order, I would still have to do the dangerous thing. It's not like I have a choice," he finished bitterly. Luna noticed that this was the second time that he had alluded to a 'destiny' involving Voldemort. The previous night, she had let it slide, but tonight, she decided to ask about it.

"Harry? What do you mean you don't have a choice?" Harry took a deep breath.

"You remember the Prophesy?" She nodded. "And we all thought it was shattered?" Again, Luna nodded. "It wasn't destroyed."

**********

Ron Weasley sat on one of the loveseats in the newly refurbished sitting room, snogging his girlfriend, Hermione Granger. They had been at it for several minutes when they heard Harry explode.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! You told me that I am the only one with the power to defeat Voldemort, but I'm not even allowed to know what the bloody hell is going on?! Are you insane?! Well?! Why can't I be a member of the Order?! God damn it, you guys are at a fucking standstill without me!"

Ron and Hermione pulled apart, exchanging a dark look. Ron sighed.

"Well, I knew it was only a matter of time before he hit the roof. Least he yelled at Dumbledore and not us." Hermione didn't answer, she appeared to be thinking. "What?"

"Did you hear what he said?"

"Well, yeah, something about not being in the Order."

"No, no, before that." Ron looked confused and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, don't you ever listen? He said that Dumbledore told him that only he had the power to defeat Voldemort. Oh, get a hold of yourself." She pulled back from Ron and sat back on the love seat. "That's why he decided to become a body-builder over the past couple of weeks, that's why he's spending so much time with Luna."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. What does that have to do with You-Know-Who?"

"Harry doesn't want to be the great savior of the wizarding world; he wants to be anyone but The Boy Who Lived."

"And what about Luna?"

"He needs a connection with someone, something deeper than what either of us can give him. No doubt he feels more comfortable with her because her mother died when she was younger, so he feels like she understands how he feels about Sirius." Ron made a small 'oh' of comprehension, then his face shifted once more to befuddlement.

"Where did Dumbledore get this information?" Hermione shook her head.

"I don't know. I just don't know."

**********

Luna held his hand as Harry recounted the events of that fateful night, beginning from when he ran after Bellatrix Lestrang after Sirius fell though the veil.

"I sat in the chair across from Dumbledore and he looked tiered all of a sudden, like his age had finally caught up with him. At last, he looked up at me and said, 'It is time for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry.' Right after Ron, 'Mione and I saved the Philosopher's Stone, I asked him why Voldemort came after me in the first place, but he didn't tell me then. But he told me the night Sirius died."

"Oh, my God," Luna breathed. "What did he say?"

"He said it was all because of a prophesy made shortly before I was born by Professor Trelawney." He took a deep breath and recited: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have a power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

They fell silent. Luna looked up at him, trying and failing to say something. Finally, she managed to formulate words.

"Why didn't you tell Ron and Hermione?" she asked.

"I have the distinct feeling that Ron and Hermione are forging a more personal relationship that doesn't include me," Harry answered, smiling slightly. Luna smiled, too.

"They didn't want you to find out. Said it might make you feel uncomfortable."

"Oh, please. Does Hermione really give me that little credit?" he laughed. "They're not very good at sneaking around and I've seen in coming for years. In fact, I believe that Seamus Finnegan owes me ten Galleons now."

"What?" Luna asked, giggling now.

"Well, a couple of years ago, he and I were talking and I bet him that Ron and Hermione would get together before sixth year. It's about bloody time that they did, too." He gave her hand a little squeeze. "So, what about us? Where are we?" Luna looked at him, pondering her answer. Harry apparently took this as a bad sign because he went furiously red and looked intensely uncomfortable. "I- I'm sorry, that was an incredibly forward question, I shouldn't--" he stammered. All of a sudden, he stood. "I gotta go, I've got to go check something, in the, er, in the, yeah." He turned and nearly ran towards the door, but Luna stopped him.

"Harry, come back here." His hand on the doorknob, Harry froze. He turned and walked back. Luna stood up and drew him in close so that their faces were almost touching. She whispered, "I'd say that we're right about here."

For the second time in as many days, Harry's mind went into euphoric shock. Her lips were sweet and warm and for the first time, Harry truly understood what it was like to be cared for, to be loved. They continued in increasing ardor, until Harry's watch alarm beeped.

"Dammit," he muttered.

"What is it?"

"I've got to be at the Order meeting." He looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, I really got to go."

"Go on," she told him. "Go save the world." He smiled and kissed her one last time before turning to go downstairs.

**********

Luna returned to her own room after a while. She opened the door to her room and found a fifteen-year-old redhead girl waiting for her there.

"What are you doing in my room?" she demanded of Ginny Weasley. "Well?"

"I came here to tell you to stay away from Harry," Ginny spat. "He's mine and don't you dare go near him again." Luna stared at the other girl for a moment.

"Well I think that Harry is perfectly capable of deciding between us, don't you think?" Luna asked coldly, a voice most unlike her own. Ginny stared back for a moment, then stomped out, leaving Luna to herself.

**********

Harry opened the door to the basement kitchen at exactly six thirty and found Dumbledore waiting for him with Remus... and Severus Snape. Harry's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched at the sight of the greasy-haired Potions Master. Snape glared right back at him. Harry continued into the room and noticed that all of them had uniforms on, not wizard robes.

The uniforms consisted of black trousers and black jacket. The jacket was somewhat long, extending down as far as the sleeves. It buttoned down with silver buttons in the front and had a high choker collar. Each side of the collar had the insignia of the Order: a shield emblazoned with a phoenix and crossed swords behind the phoenix. Each of the buttons also had this symbol. The three men seated at the table had peaked officer's covers, also black, and extolled with the Crest of the Order of the Phoenix.

Harry noted that all three had medals pinned on the left side of their chest, presumably for their conduct and service. They also wore rank insignia: Snape golden oak leaves on each his shoulders; Remus silver eagles; and Dumbledore four silver stars on each his shoulders. Harry reached the table and stopped. Remus spoke.

"Stay there, Harry." Harry stayed as Remus looked to Dumbledore. "General?" Dumbledore nodded and flicked his wand and Harry was suddenly clad in the same uniform as they, only he wore no rank. Remus gestured to the seat next to him. "Please sit down." Harry sat.

"Well, Potter," said Snape. "You know that you are here tonight to be inducted into the Order and commissioned as one of its officers. But first, we need to explain some things to you." Harry quirked an eyebrow as if in question. "Firstly, this is somewhat of a military organization, which is why we wear uniforms. My rank is Major. You will call me 'Major' or 'sir' at all times."

"I am a Colonel," Remus informed him. "While in meetings, I ask that you call me 'Colonel' or 'sir'."

"And I am a General. The Commanding General, in fact," said Dumbledore. "While here, you must not call me 'Headmaster' or 'Professor' and at Hogwarts you must not call me 'General'."

"Secondly," continued Snape. "You must understand that nothing you hear can go beyond this room, is that perfectly clear?"

"Yes, sir," said Harry tersely.

"Good. Now tonight, you will be commissioned. There will be a short ceremony during which you will take the Oath of Fire and be sworn in as a member of the Order. During the meeting, the extent of our information will be presented to you and to General Dumbledore so as for you to formulate your best plan of attack." Harry was silent. "Well, Potter?"

"Beg pardon, sir?"

"What do you think? Do you still think that you are ready to join the ranks of the Order?"

"Yeah," Harry said, hoping he sounded offhand.

"Good." Snape looked as if were going to say more, but then the door of the kitchen opened and in walked another man in uniform, but his was different. It consisted of a high collared black jacket with red trim, blue trousers with a bloodstripe running down each leg. His rank insignia was on his sleeves, three yellow chevrons going up, three yellow stripes going down, crossed rifles in the middle, upon a red background. He stopped at the end of the table and saluted.

"Sir! Gunnery Sergeant James Hornet, United States Marine Corps, reporting as ordered, sir!" the Marine shouted. Harry, Remus and Snape all looked at Dumbledore with raised eyebrows.

"Gentlemen," he said. "Let me introduce you to Gunnery Sergeant James 'Hellcat' Hornet. At ease, Gunny." The Gunny dropped his salute and snapped to parade rest. "Gunny Hornet is an interrogator for the United States Muggle government," Dumbledore explained. "He works for the Department of Paranormal Investigation, Regulation, and Control."

"So, he's a Muggle?" asked Remus.

"That's right. But as a part of his job, he already was aware of the existence of wizards." Harry looked up at the Marine.

"So, why are you here?" he inquired. The Marine turned to him.

"I am here to conduct and oversee the interrogation of a prisoner," he replied in very clipped speech.

"Malfoy."

"I was not made aware of the prisoner's name." Dumbledore spoke again.

"Well, Gunny, the prisoner's name is Draco Malfoy. He is sixteen years old and the son of a very dangerous and evil Death Eater."

"He's Old Lucy's kid, General?"

"Lucy?" Snape sneered.

"Yes, sir, Lucius Malfoy. I busted him Stateside a couple of years ago for Muggle torture. Sonofabitch escaped, though." Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Yes, he is Lucius's son, and very magically talented himself, although he is not skilled in hand-to-hand combat."

"How do we know this, sir?" Gunny noticed Dumbledore throw a half glance at Harry before answering.

"He got into a brawl with Harry before his Polyjuice Potion for Fred Weasley ran out. Malfoy has some broken ribs and lost a few teeth. He's tied up in an anti-magic room upstairs." He paused and looked at the clock. "The meeting is about to start, you can take seat around the perimeter of the room." Dumbledore waved his wand and about fifty chairs appeared around the room and the long kitchen table.

"Aye, aye, sir." He went to one of the chairs in a darkened corner of the kitchen.

People began arriving for the meeting. Some Harry recognized, some he did not. Those he did know included Arthur, Molly, Bill, and George Weasley, Kinsley Shacklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher, Mad-Eye Moody, and Nymphadora Tonks. All except Mundungus were wearing uniforms, the Weasleys having varying numbers of stripes on their sleeves, Kingsley and Mad-Eye both had two stars on their shoulders, and Tonks had a silver bar on each of her shoulders. Whenever an officer were to enter, Gunny Hornet would snap to attention and remain so until the officer either took a seat or said, "As you were." When Tonks entered the kitchen, however, it was a different story. Gunny snapped to attention, but when he actually looked at Tonks, his Gung-Ho Marine demeanor was lost.

The uniform fit her figure very well, and suddenly, Gunny Hornet understood the line, "There is nothing on this Earth sexier, believe me, gentlemen, than a woman that you have to salute in the morning." Gunny seemed to have lost the ability to speak, react, anything, but stand mesmerized by Tonks. Lucky for him, Tonks didn't notice him and sat down at the table. Gunny snapped out of his reverie and recovered his own seat.

"Hot, isn't she?" Gunny looked over to the person who spoke and discovered Bill Weasley grinning at him.

"I'm sorry?"

"Lieutenant Tonks," Bill replied, nodding in her direction. "Uniform makes her look dead sexy, huh?"

"Yes," Gunny said solemnly. "Yes, it does. I'm beginning to think that Colonel Nathan Jessup was right," he added to himself. Bill smiled and nodded.

"Yes, that was my favorite line from American cinema." Gunny looked at him. "What?"

"Well, I've never met a wizard who's seen A Few Good Men."

"Well, you just did." Bill proffered his hand. "Bill Weasley." Gunny shook his hand.

"James Hornet."

"Nice to meet you, James."

"Likewise."

"So, what bring you to this neck of the woods, James?" Bill asked.

"Oh, just doing a favor for General Dumbledore," he replied casually.

"May I ask what?" James shook his head.

"Sorry, classified." Bill looked as if he were about to say something more, but then Dumbledore stood up. He nodded to Remus and Snape, who both stood, put on their covers and walled to the end of the room.

"Sergeant Major Weasley, call the brigade to order," Remus instructed. Arthur Weasley stood to attention and bellowed:

"Brigade, a-ten-HUT!" Everyone snapped o attention. Harry stood, feeling somewhat awkward.

"Cadet H. J. Potter, stand forward," said Remus. Harry took a few steps so that he was directly in front of Remus and Snape. "Raise your right hand." Harry did. "Repeat after me:

I, Harry James Potter."

"I, Harry James Potter."

"Do solemnly swear."

"Do solemnly swear."

"To protect and defend the Wizarding People from all enemies, foreign and domestic."

""To protect and defend the Wizarding People from all enemies, foreign and domestic."

"And to do my utmost to destabilize the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters."

"And to do my utmost to destabilize the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters."

"So help me God." Harry hesitated, hiving never heard a reference o a deity in the Wizarding world before.

"So help me God." Remus dropped his hand and stepped to one side of Harry, Snape on the other side of him. They each pinned two silver bars to Harry's shoulders. Remus stepped back and saluted.

"Welcome to the Order, Captain Potter." Harry returned the salute and the room erupted in applause. Dumbledore stood up and shook Harry's hand, then gestured to the seat next to him, Snape's. Harry sat and Snape glared daggers at Harry. The noise subsided and Dumbledore looked to Remus.

"Well, Colonel?" he asked. "What news do you have for the Captain and I?" Remus was about to answer when another Order member entered the room and handed a note to Arthur. Arthur read I and handed it to Remus. Remus's eyes went wide and he looked to Dumbledore.

"Sir," he began hoarsely, then tried again. "General, we have just received word the Seamus Finnegan has been murdered by Lucius Malfoy."