Candles in the Dark

Chapter 5

Black and White

The party reached Dumbledore's office and they entered. Harry always found this office beautiful, with it's many paintings of Hogwarts headmasters and then the wonderful phoenix, Fawkes, perched elegantly on his perch in a corner of the room.

Apart from the sense beauty Harry got from Dumbledore's office, he also found he felt much more at ease here than anywhere else. He didn't know whether it was some kind of magic or simply the fact that this was Dumbledore's room but he felt really safe here. Harry had always maintained that the safest place in the world was wherever Albus Dumbledore was, and in the light of Voldemort's return, this view had only strengthened.

Dumbledore seemed to have silently consented that the three students could stay and Krum and Snape seated themselves at the desk while Sirius sat on his haunches, his head cocked to one side. Krum was still eyeing the dog with extreme caution.

Fawkes fluttered down off his golden perch and alighted silently on Dumbledore's shoulder as he sat down. Dumbledore rubbed his eyes, put his long fingers together, then looked up and said 'You say you have news for us, Viktor?'

'Yes, I - vot is that dog doing here?' Krum couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from Sirius and Harry had to admit he'd be worried if a gigantic black dog followed them up into the study.

'All will be explained in time,' Dumbledore replied simply. 'Your news?'

'Karkaroff is dead,' Krum said without any sign of remorse. He vos killed two days ago. I believe that the Dark Lord tracked him down. I vos about to set off for England anyvay and so I flew here in the sviftest vay possible. There is big support gathering for the Dark Lord in Bulgaria and other countries.

'It is as I thought then,' Dumbledore said, sighing and closing his eyes. 'Tell me, how did you come across this information, Viktor?'

'There are spies everywhere. Von of them mistook me for a Death Eater and told me the - the 'joyous' news.' Viktor finished in disgust.

'How many Death Eaters are there in Europe?' Snape asked sharply.

'Too many to count.' Dumbledore answered wearily. 'They are not Voldemort's inner circle but they still carry out his murders and tortures.' There was a silence in which Ron coughed awkwardly.

'Snape, if you would send and urgent message to the ministry,' Dumbledore said in a more business like tone, 'and I need to speak to Viktor - alone.' he added, looking at Sirius, Harry, Ron and Hermione.

They followed Sirius down the moving stairway and congregated outside the entrance where the stone gargoyle stood, glaring at them.

'This is getting out of control,' Harry burst out, as soon as the door had closed behind them. 'Why isn't anyone doing anything?' as Hermione and Ron seemed to have no answer, Harry turned automatically to Sirius, who could say nothing, but merely growled. Snape, who was scribbling violently on a roll of parchment said, nothing but his face showed his anger.

'I know what you're thinking,' Harry said angrily to his godfather, 'but we haven't got time to sit around gathering information - there's been seven murders so far, including Karkaroff's!'

'Careful Potter,' Snape hissed, venomously. 'You may be under the illusion that you should be out there in one to one combat with the Dark Lord but -'

The stone wall slid aside and Krum and Dumbledore stepped out into the dimly lit corridor. Dumbledore smiled but Krum looked extremely nervous. Harry, Ron and Hermione were furious, Sirius was growling ferociously and Snape's was looking extremely bitter at having his tirade interrupted.

'Sirius, I need to see you in my office first thing tomorrow,' Dumbledore said, unusually stern and Sirius nodded. He departed swiftly down the corridor and Snape, after shooting a look of pure hatred at the remaining group, followed him.

'I must leave tonight, but ve vill see each other again, vill ve not, Hermoninny?' Krum asked Hermione.

'Oh, erm, yes,' Hermione replied, blushing furiously.

'Krum turned to go but Ron shouted after him 'Why were you coming to England?'

'Oh, I am joining an English Quidditch team,' Krum said proudly. 'The Chudley Cannons'. He gave Hermione another smile, then turned the corner and was out of sight.

Harry said nothing but from the look on Ron's face, Harry could tell that Ron had had one of the best Halloweens ever.

*

Harry got up the next morning to find nearly everyone else had gone to breakfast. The only person left in the dormitory was Neville, who had let a frog escape again. Harry could see Crookshanks, crouched in a corner of the room, his large yellow eyes fixed on Dean's bedside cabinet, where the frog appeared to be hiding.

The mornings when Quidditch matches took place were always extremely noisy in the Great Hall at breakfast and today was no exception. The Gryffindor team knew that the Hufflepuffs would be much more determined to win in order to honour Cedric Diggory's memory and it was going to be a tougher match than usual.

Angelina seemed to have turned into a female version of Oliver Wood, almost forcing food down her team mates throats and going over last minute tactics. After nearly ten minutes of this, George yelled 'Look Angelina, we all know you want us to win, but just relax - Hufflepuff are a pushover'.

Harry wasn't so sure. Although the rest of the table was making a great deal of noise but the Hufflepuff team were unusually quiet, they faces set and their eyes determined. The new keeper, Ron, seemed to have noticed this too. He was trembling violently and seemed to have lost the use of his mouth: his spoon was lifted half way to his mouth but Ron didn't seem to have noticed.

The team left the Hall as soon as they had proved to Angelina that they had eaten enough to get them through the match and were soon in the changing rooms. The twins were still disgusted that they had to wear black but Angelina had already changed and was waiting at the entrance to the pitch, urging them all to hurry up. She was plainly in a wild state of excitement at being captain and Harry was once again, strongly reminded of Wood.

The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams strode out onto the pitch to tumultuous applause (Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet were supporting Ron who had gone a horrible green colour).

Madam Hooch made the two captains shake hands, while Angelina beamed the whole time and Harry looked into the stands as they mounted their brooms. He could see Ron, Hermione and most of Gryffindor waving flags and cheering and on the opposite side of the stands, he thought he could just make out Cho. She was smiling. Harry's stomach gave a funny turn and he grinned.

'Hello and welcome to the first Quidditch match of the year... Hufflepuff verse Gryffindor!' Lee Jordan boomed through the stadium, acting as commentator as usual.

The whistle blew and Harry kicked off from the ground to another wave of cheers. This was where he belonged. He rose rapidly through the air, the wind whipping his robes behind him. Immediately, he began searching for the snitch but he also wanted to get a good look at Hufflepuff's new seeker. He squinted around and found him about ten feet below him. It was obvious from a glance that he was well used to a broom and Harry went back to looking for the snitch, knowing that his job was going to be harder than he'd originally thought.

Harry heard the whistle blast. Ten-nil to Gryffindor. He saw Angelina punch the air triumphantly. Then he saw it. The snitch was hovering about ten feet below Angelina.

He dived. So did the Hufflepuff seeker. They hurtled neck and neck, both reaching out for the tiny golden snitch. However, the ball had other ideas and just as their hands were about to close on it, it shot off in the other direction, causing both seekers to almost crash into the ground at breakneck speed. They pulled out just in time, largely thanks to the Firebolt's precision steering and the crowd gave a great 'ooohh' of disappointment.

The match continued but in much the same fashion. The Gryffindor chasers scored at least ten more goals but every time Harry spotted the snitch, it darted away from him just as he was about to catch it.

'What's up with this snitch?' Harry yelled at Angelina in frustration, as the tiny ball managed to escape him yet again.

'It's probably having a bad day,' Angelina called back. 'I remember when I was in the second year and it took six hours for the seekers to catch the snitch. These kinds of matches don't happen very often.' She looked ecstatic at captaining a rare match.

'And both seekers are having trouble catching the snitch,' Lee Jordan called into the magical microphone. 'An unusual display from the golden ball last seen at Hogwarts five years ago.'

Harry went back to scanning the sky for a glint of gold. His eyes were drawn to the stands and he saw a shaggy black dog, sitting right at the top, watching the game. Harry grinned and the dog lifted a paw in greeting.

Minutes after Hufflepuff had scored their first goal, their seeker went into a spectacular dive. Harry's stomach gave a horrible jolt and, quick as lightning, he sped after him. They both hurtled towards the ground again, Harry frantically searching the grass for a sign of the snitch. At the last second, he felt the Hufflepuff seeker pull out of the dive and Harry crashed full force into the pitch.

Dimly, Harry could hear a great moan go up from the Gryffindor supporters and felt Madam Hooch land beside him.

'Are you all right Potter?'

'Fine' Harry replied thickly. He disentangled himself from his broomstick and stood up shakily. His head was pounding and one of his knees was bleeding through his dark robes.

And the Gryffindor seeker, Potter is down after seeker Thurlbert Preeny, performs an excellent Wronski Feint. Harry Potter may yet have met his match!'

Unsteadily, Harry mounted his broomstick again and took off. Play resumed normally but Harry was furious with himself. He had been outwitted by another seeker and with one of the best moves in Quidditch: The Wronski Feint. Harry face burned with humiliation as he saw the Hufflepuff seeker looping the pitch spectacularly, to the cheers of the Hufflepuff supporters.

'It's Arnie Dodgefold for Hufflepuff shooting up the pitch there - passes to Chapple, on to Abbot, almost hit by that bludger. No! Hufflepuff score!' a deafening cheer went up and the Hufflepuff supporters were gaining confidence.

The next time Harry saw the snitch, he dived at full speed, almost connecting with one of the Hufflepuff beater's bats. He could feel the other seeker on his tail but Harry was way ahead. It was only a few feet away and Harry's whole being was concentrated on that one small glint of gold. He wasn't going to let it get away. He was going even faster than the snitch and his hand stretched out to catch it.

'Yes!' Harry yelled as his hand closed around the wonderfully smooth, cold metal of the Golden Snitch.

'Yes!' Angelina echoed him, hugging him tightly. 'Well done Harry!' Harry grinned, embarrassed. Hundreds of supporters were flooding the pitch Through the mass of Gryffindors, he could just see a black dog slinking away.

'Yes, yes, yes!' he could hear Ron's voice a few feet away and Hagrid deep booming voice was shouting something, waving his hands and beaming.

'And the Gryffindors win by two hundred and forty points after a spectacular capture by Harry Potter!' Lee yelled.

After Harry had changed out of his black robes, most people had already gone to dinner. He left the pitch and walked slowly back to the castle, still beaming from his success. Once he'd turned onto the main lawns and was walking past the edge of the forest, he saw a girl just ahead of him. He immediately recognised the hair. It was Cho.

She turned when she heard him behind her and actually smiled. Harry blushed deeply, even though he hadn't done anything stupid yet.

'Hi,' she said in a very small voice.

'Hi' Harry replied. They walked in silence up the lawns.

'It was a good match wasn't it?' Harry said, trying to stab at a conversation.

'Mmmm, you played really well.' He looked at her, just to make sure she wasn't trying to be sarcastic. The memory of the Wronski Feint trick was still fresh in his mind. She was smiling -the very smile he loved about her and he couldn't help but smile back.

'Right, well - I'll see you,' Cho blushed again. Harry realised that they had reached the front steps.

'Yeah,' he said, wishing he didn't go red every time he spoke. She walked inside. Harry stood looking out on the setting sun, just visible over the forest before going in himself.

He saw Ron in the Entrance Hall. Hermione was standing with him and they were both grinning.

'What were you doing out there with Cho Chang?' Ron asked, looking at Harry in faint surprise.

'Nothing,' Harry replied, wishing something really had happened. 'Really!' he said, seeing Ron's disbelieving face.

'Yeah, yeah, we believe you, not!'

*

The end of the Quidditch match seemed like a new beginning for Harry. The Hufflepuffs were no longer avoiding him in the corridors or refusing to speak to him in lessons. They seemed to regard the match as the final chapter in the aftermath of Cedric Diggory's death and that the book was now firmly closed, for which Harry was very grateful.

All in all, things went back to normal in the castle: their lessons were still getting harder but Harry and Ron had gone back to seeing the funny side of things - especially in Divination. Professor Trelawney's fire-emblems lessons usually found the pair of them in fits of laughter, after Professor Trelawney had once again, predicted Harry's death through the 'mystical portals of the flames'.

Care of Magical Creatures was definitely improving too, now Hagrid had abandoned his notion that his classes enjoyed handling ferocious monsters. When the class arrived at his hut one afternoon, they found about half a dozen cages, each one containing a large ferret like creature.

To the Gryffindors' absolute disgust, they were still sharing lessons with the Slytherins, who, as they had predicted, were showing no mercy when it came to speculation about the murders in the Daily Prophet.

'It was terrible when it happened. My father found him at his home. Cold as stone, just lying there, sprawled out on the floor. Mind you, Black was a Gryffindor, according to my father, so what do you expect,' Draco Malfoy called scathingly.

Harry clenched his fists. It was no good retorting by saying that Sirius didn't intentionally kill him because then he would have to explain how he got this information and that was definitely not a good idea. In an attempt to distract himself, therefore, he concentrated on the ferrets on the grass, in front of Hagrid's cabin.

'These are Jarveys,' Hagrid said proudly and the class looked down at the furry creatures, who were moving restlessly in their cages.

'They live underground mostly, hunts gnomes and voles and so on. I'm just gonna get yeh introduced, like today. I've put a bit o' rat meat lying around. Just gonna see how they act.'

He unlocked the cages and the jarveys shot out. They really did look like overgrown ferrets in Harry's opinion, apart from the fact that they could talk.

'Out of the way fatty!' The class looked down in amazement as a jarvey scrambled through Goyle's legs. Goyle looked equally confused but most people put that down to stupidity and not wonder in the fact that a talking ferret had just insulted him.

'They can talk?' Lavender Brown asked eagerly. They'd make brilliant pets.'

'Move aside pug-girl,' shouted another jarvey at Pansy Parkinson while the Slytherin girls looked scandalised. The jarveys were by now rushing around the field, eating all the meat Hagrid had set out for them. Harry realised that not one had yet come near the Gryffindors but were deliberately going right through the crowd of Slytherins, yelling insults as they went.

'Why are they only being horrid to the Slytherins?' Hermione asked while the rest of the class were laughing at the jarveys who were now issuing a wave of rude remarks at the Slytherins.

Hagrid smiled mischievously.

'Have you bribed them or something?' Ron asked, grinning broadly.

'Might've done,' Hagrid said casually. 'Thought it'd be fun.'

'You got that right,' Seamus Finnigan called gleefully, as three jarveys made another pass through the Slytherin group.

Sirius left Hogwarts about a week after the Quidditch match. Harry, Ron and Hermione saw him off on Buckbeak at midnight.

'Where are you going?' Harry asked as his godfather mounted the beautiful hippogriff.

'I can't tell you, you know I can't,' Sirius replied, shaking his head. 'I'll write as often as I think is safe. Take care of yourself, Harry.'

He kicked Buckbeak's side and they rose into the air. Harry watched the silhouette drift past the moon and then disappear. He was in very low spirits. Sirius had only just escaped death last time he went on a mission and Harry had a horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen and soon.

About two weeks later, the Gryffindor fifth years were at the end of a Defence Against the Dark Arts class (where Professor Lupin had made them tackle an obstacle curse while under a jelly-legs curse) when Lupin called Harry over.

'The headmaster sends word that you are to meet him in his office straight after dinner tonight. Don't ask me what it's about because I don't know.' he added, seeing Harry open his mouth. Lupin watched the rest of the class drift out of the classroom before speaking again. 'It's from Padfoot'. He pulled a tattered envelope out of his briefcase and handed it to Harry. He smiled as Harry left quickly, with a whispered 'thanks'.

Harry found Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall and immediately told them about what Lupin had said. They speculated for a while on what Dumbledore wanted until Harry began tearing open Sirius' letter.

'Harry, if someone sees-' Hermione said anxiously

'Oh come on Hermione, no one's gonna see it from under the table,' Ron retorted as Harry unfolded the letter.

Harry,

I can't tell you where I am but I've been hearing some very funny rumours. Keep your eyes peeled for any unusual behaviour at Hogwarts. I don't know who but Voldemort's definitely got a spy there. Remember what I said about the green dragon. I don't know what it means but it's from a reliable source and I don't want to take any chances. Don't worry about me and concentrate on keeping safe. If you're worried about something, don't write to me - it's too risky. Talk to Lupin or Dumbledore. The Perilsensa I sent you will warn you of danger. Wear it if you have to.

Snuffles.

Harry passed the note on to Ron and looked at his watch. He should really be going to Dumbledore's office now. Ron was reading the note with wide eyes so Harry told Hermione where he was going and left the Great Hall.

He went over Sirius' letter in his mind as he climbed the floors up to Dumbledore's office. Harry began to feel uneasy when he remembered what he'd said about a spy at Hogwarts. He couldn't think of any of the teachers who'd be in with Voldemort but then any of the Slytherins could be feeding Voldemort information. And that warning about the green dragon. He still didn't have a clue what that meant and it seemed, neither did Sirius. Unless you counted the green dragon he saw in the Triwizard Tournament last year, Harry had never seen one before. But then, maybe it was some sort of code. He had reached the stone gargoyle. He entered the password, climbed onto the escalating staircase, then stood nervously outside Dumbledore's large oak door.

It opened before he knocked. Dumbledore stood there, smiling and Harry was surprised to see Mr Weasley standing behind him, looking rather strained.

'Harry,' Dumbledore said pleasantly. 'Do come in.' Harry entered and saw that Mr Weasley wasn't the only one in the room. A small woman in a purple top hat was smoking a pipe at Dumbledore's desk.

'Harry, this is -'

'Doris Crockford', Harry finished. 'I remember you!'

'I told you, Dumbledore,' Doris Crockford squealed excitedly. 'I told you he'd remember me.

Dumbledore directed Harry to a chair and Mr Weasley sat down next to him. Harry noticed he looked much older than the last time they'd met and much wearier. Dumbledore sat down at the large oak desk and he looked very grave.

I'm not going to try and pretend to you, Harry,' he began and Harry was immediately fixed with that penetrating stare, Dumbledore possessed. 'I have brought Mr Weasley here tonight because I want Cornelius Fudge to step down.'

'Serves him right,' Doris Crockford puffed angrily but a swift look from Dumbledore immediately silenced her. Harry took it in slowly.

'Why?' Harry had already half guessed the answer to this - if the events of last year were anything to go by - but for Dumbledore to want his resignation? Fudge would not give up his office easily, especially since he'd have wanted more than ever to prove Dumbledore wrong. To prove Voldemort hadn't returned.

'I got a tip off he was in danger. Voldemort has him very near the top of his murder list.' Dumbledore muttered. 'He went into hiding, only a few hours ago. Voldemort wants to topple the Ministry of Magic. If he can do that, the rest of his job will be easy.' Mr Weasley shook his head.

'There have been no muggle killings, very few murders, we're doing well so far.'

'Arthur, can't you see what he'd doing. It's clear to me that Voldemort is building up for something big. He's murdered two families, a couple of innocent wizards and the Minister For Magic has stepped down in three months! Doesn't that tell you something?' Dumbledore looked so earnest that Mr Weasley just shrugged.

'Let's get him now Albus, before his support grows too big, a final strike - the Order could-' Doris Crockford began.

'The Order are weak. His support is too big already for any kind of attack and we don't even know where he is!' Mr Weasley interrupted exasperatedly. 'Albus, this is madness. By tomorrow morning, every wizarding paper in the world will be full of news of Fudge's disappearance and the terror will only grow. We haven't a hope. He's too strong!'

'So we just let him carry on, killing our friends and kin, no matter that within a year, he will be twice as powerful as he was when he murdered that boy's parents!' Doris Crockford cried, smoke issuing from her mouth like a ferocious dragon, her shaking finger pointing directly at Harry's scar.

It was fast becoming a blazing row. Harry wondered why on earth Dumbledore had wanted him to hear this and wished he could get away and tell Hermione and Ron about Fudge's disappearance. Dumbledore seemed to read his thoughts and said, very loudly 'Enough! This is getting us nowhere. Have you forgotten that I brought Harry here for a purpose? Harry, I believe you have that potion with you. If I could have it please.'

Harry gaped at him. How could Dumbledore have known that he'd put it in his pocket that very morning. He didn't know why he'd done it. Something about a feeling he was being watched. He took the little glass bottle out of his robes and handed it to Dumbledore. The emerald potion glittered in the candlelight as Dumbledore's long hand held it up.

'So that's the only amount ever made,' Mr Weasley said, awestruck. 'Does the Order know about this?'

'Not yet,' Dumbledore said. 'But they will know soon enough. Last time, Voldemort had almost located it. He was that close before - I will inform them soon.' Mr Weasley stood up. Doris Crockford rose to her feet reluctantly and they both shook hands with Dumbledore. Mr Weasley turned to Harry.

'Take care of yourself,' he said with a nod, then they left, the oak door closing silently behind them.

Dumbledore looked at Harry and the familiar twinkle was back in place. 'I expect you have some questions Harry.'

'Yes. Why did you bring me here if it was only to give you that potion. I mean, I dunno. I just thought you could have sent that through one of the teachers.' he looked uneasily at Dumbledore.

'You're right. That wasn't the only reason I asked you here. The meeting was short but you will have learnt more from it than anyone else in this school knows.'

'The Order?'

'Yes. A very ancient organisation, it is their magic, which guards these very walls, guards your uncle's house and to a certain extent, guards you. Wherever you go, a certain protection goes with you. A protection thwarted last year by Voldemort.'

Harry's head was spinning. Dumbledore didn't seem to be making any sense. 'But what is the Order? I don't understand.' Dumbledore smiled sympathetically.

'I don't expect you to understand and there is only so much I can tell you. While you know there is great evil magic growing in this world, most people are as of yet, unaware of the good that is also stirring out of the shadows.'

'The Order?' Harry said cautiously.
'Yes,' Dumbledore said serenely.

'So Voldemort's getting more powerful?'

'Yes, I'm afraid he is,' Dumbledore said resignedly.

'As powerful as he was when he killed my parents?' Harry asked, fearing what the answer might be.

'Not yet and I hope - though you never can tell - he never will be.' Dumbledore said, rubbing his eyes behind the half moon spectacles.

'Why did they have to die?' Harry muttered, frustrated and Dumbledore said nothing. 'Why did he choose them?' Harry said, to himself more than anything. He suddenly realised he'd asked the most important question of all. He looked uncertainly up at Dumbledore, whose eyes twinkled sadly.

The old man and sighed and said, with a heavy heart 'One day, you will know everything about the past that you came from, but this isn't the right time. Understand Harry that before you know something, you must first accept what a person might tell you.'

Harry nodded but didn't really get what Dumbledore was telling him. He had so many questions he wanted answering and his mind buzzed with the confusion of it all. Harry stood up as Fawkes rose into the air and Dumbledore smiled. He left the room quickly.

Dumbledore sighed and put the glass bottle in his cabinet. For a moment, he really felt his age. The weight of responsibility now laid more heavily on him than ever and the Order couldn't protect Harry any longer from what, one day, he must find out.