Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [19]
“Actually Harry,” said Lupin, “none of us even knew you were until recently.”
“How did you find out?” asked Harry.
“Well Harry,” said Lupin, “I was down in Diagon Alley one day when I came to a pawn shop. I looked around and something caught my eye. It was your mom’s old schoolbook.” Lupin sat up off the chair, reached into his pocket, and took out a small old tattered book. He opened to a page with lots of tiny writing in it, and showed it to Harry.
“It’s your mom’s family tree, Harry. She researched her genealogy all the way back to Garde. As soon as I saw this, I told Arabella and Sirius, and they decided on this meeting.”
“But,” said Harry whose mind was now filled and buzzing with information, “if you are part of the Order of the Phoenix, and I am too, then we’re relatives! Why couldn’t I have stayed with you instead of the Dursleys?”
“Because,” said Sirius, “the Dursley’s are much closer as relatives to you than any of us and the closer the family, the stronger the shield is.”
But Harry hadn’t finished with his questions yet.
“Hey, if my mom was part of the Order of the Phoenix, then why didn’t she use it to save herself or my dad after Voldemort killed them?”
“Because there was another part to Garde’s deal with the phoenix, Harry,” said Mrs. Figg quietly and seriously. “The person could not have been, is, or would be evil.”
“But my mom wasn’t evil!” yelled Harry quite loudly. Sirius, Lupin, and Arabella looked at each other with cheerless faces.
“I guess that no one ever told you your mom’s history Harry,” said Mrs. Figg, “it’s not as pretty as Garde’s or your dad’s, but you have to know it to understand what’s going on.”
“I want to know,” said Harry.
“Alright Harry,” said Mrs. Figg. “I guess it starts over twenty years ago, when your mom was eleven years old and Voldemort was gaining power. No one really knows why, but when your mom was still quite young, he went to her house, changed into one of her friends, and went inside. After discussing several and irrelevant child topic with Lily in front of her parents, Voldemort and her went back to her room..
“He knew that your mom was obsessed with magic. She had acquired a Standard Book of Spells for Seventh Years from an unknown person even earlier in her life, and she did not let her parents know about it. So, before Lily got her letter of acceptation to Hogwarts, he told her some false story that she wouldn‘t be allowed in unless she did what he told her to do..
“She accepted before she even knew what the catch was. After she accepted, he told her. There was a man starting at Hogwarts: James Potter. Voldemort ordered Lily to befriend him, marry him, have a child, then give it to Voldemort. In return, Voldemort would ensure her arrival at Hogwarts. From that point on she became a Death Eater.
“At first, all went according to plan. She did befriend James, and did marry him. However, after a while of being with him, Lily decided she liked her life with James, and did not want to give their son to Voldemort. By the time they had a son though, it was too late.
“Voldemort came that night for you, Harry, and when he was not given you immediately, he attacked and killed James and Lily, and tried to kill you.”
“But, Mrs. Figg-” Harry was cut off.
“Harry please, Arabella,” she said.
“Alright… Arabella, I still don’t understand, what this has to do with me. I mean, it’s nice to know that I’m part of this Order, and my mom’s history, but what do you need me for?” Lupin reached into his other pocket, and took out a newspaper. He unfolded it, and showed Harry the front page. It read:
Body of Lily Potter Found!
After years of searching, the body of Lily Potter has been found. As you know, Lily was James Potter’s wife, and died saving her son, Harry’s, life. Ever since that infamous night, when she and James were killed, there have been extensive searches for their bodies so that a memorial may be erected. A week after the attack, James’ body was found. Only a few ashes were discovered, but due to some special