Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [175]
“I don’t know Hermione, I don’t know.”
It was the fastest hour of Harry’s life. It felt as though only a few seconds had passed between him talking with Mrs. Figg, and where the three of the were now: walking down to her office. The three of them were nervously talking about what to expect, when suddenly, Harry saw Neville walking down the hall.
“Hey Neville!” yelled Harry to him.
“Oh, hi Harry,” he said back.
“Where have you been?” asked Ron. “You missed most of the tests!”
“Oh, I made them all up,” he said.
“You made them up already?” said Harry.
“Yeah, I was in the hospital wing all night. The teachers came in and gave me the tests there.”
“Why were you in the hospital wing?” asked Hermione.
“Oh, well… those spells I used in the Advanced Charms test, they really drained me, I mean almost to the point of death. It was pretty scary.”
“What were those spells anyway?” asked Hermione. “I’ve never heard of them before…. Did you invent them?”
“Um… yeah. Err- I got to go… see you later!” he yelled as he ran off.
“Wow, I can’t believe Neville invented those spells,” said Hermione. “They looked very advanced, so they probably needed a lot of magical energy to work, and a beginning Inventor like Neville doesn’t know enough Arithmancy to create virtual magic and-”
“Okay Hermione, that’s enough,” said Ron.
“This is certainly a whole new side to Neville that we have never seen,” said Harry, watching him run down the hall. “I wonder how many O.W.L.s he got.”
“No time for that,” said Ron. “We’re there.” Harry turned around, and saw that they were now at the door to Mrs. Figg’s office. Nervously, he opened it, and saw her sitting in her chair behind the desk.
“Where’s Sirius and Lupin?” asked Harry.
“They’re setting up outside,” she said, “and it’s time we should go and help them. Come along, follow me.” She immediately sprung up, and led them on a short walk from her room to the entrance of the Forbidden Forest. When they got there, Harry heard a very familiar voice.
“Hey Harry!“ said Colin Creevey. Harry spun around, and saw that he was flying on a broom, with a Quaffle under his arm.
“What are you doing Colin?” asked Harry.
“Oh, just practicing a little Quidditch,” he said, throwing the Quaffle up and down in the air. “Next year, five of the people on the Gryffindor team are going to be gone, and you’ll need more players! I figured I should practice a little to get ready for tryouts next year.”
“Well, good job then Colin,” said Harry. “Good luck and… oh, try not to play around here. It is the FORBIDDEN Forest after all.”
“Sure thing Harry,” he said, flying away slowly. As much as Harry found Colin to be the most annoying little kid on Earth, there was just something about him that made Harry unable to really dislike him.
The four started walking in the direction that led to the giants, and it wasn’t long before they arrived at the ceremonial altar that Sirius and Lupin had just finished setting up the podium. It was a very intricately carved piece of dark golden wood. Every inch was covered in some sort of design, and there were curving lines at each corner that twisted towards the center of the altar, the spot where the skeleton of Lily Potter laid. Harry glanced at it for only a second, and then turned away. He didn’t want to look at it again until it was alive.
“Well you arrived at just the right time,” said Sirius, wiping his dirty hands together. “We just finished setting it up, so you don’t have to help any.”
“Thank you Sirius, Remus,” said Mrs. Figg. “Any signs of You-Know-Who yet?”
“Nothing yet,” said Lupin. “But that doesn’t mean that there’s not going to be anything, we still have to be vigilant.”
“Yes and we should perform the ceremony as soon as possible,” said Mrs. Figg. “It’s already twelve-thirty… Harry, would you please step up to the front of the altar.”
Harry slowly walked before it, and stood there, not knowing what to do. How was he supposed to perform his Order? Nobody ever told him how to call upon the power of the phoenix.