Chapter 31: Order of the Phoenix

Weekends at Hogwarts were much like holidays at Muggle schools.

So, Harry decided to set out during the latter half of the night, when all was quiet. This way, he could avoid his dormmates and enjoy a lazy lie-in the next morning.

The Map Chamber was located deep beneath the Hogwarts castle, a secret room tightly protected by ancient magic.

Had it not been for Harry and Veratia helping Richard Jackdaw fulfill his final wish, they might never have discovered this place.

This unique location became a spot for Harry and Veratia to exchange insights on ancient magic—though Professor Rackham’s portrait always had plenty to say about it.

In Professor Rackham’s words: “This sacred chamber reeks of the stench of juveniles!”

As Harry invisibly cloaked himself with a Disillusionment Charm, he couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

Looking down, he realized his body was hidden, but his feet were still visible.

Blasted age, he thought bitterly. Being young meant weaker magical reserves, insufficient to fully power certain spells.

For example, Apparition, a spell requiring a license, had a minimum age of seventeen due to the same reason.

Throughout history, countless wizards had mishaps while practicing Apparition. Some left behind bits of themselves.

Those luckier lost hair or eyebrows; the less fortunate might leave an arm or leg—or even end up with their upper and lower halves separated.

Fortunately, Harry was using the Disillusionment Charm, so even with insufficient magic, there was no risk of physical dismemberment.

And at this late hour, he didn’t worry about being discovered.

Thus, an eerie sight unfolded—a pair of disembodied feet pattered quietly down the hall. If any wandering student happened upon this, they’d likely faint in terror.

Harry wasn’t directionally challenged. He’d visited the Map Chamber countless times; returning there felt like coming home.

Descending the spiral staircase to the castle’s lowest level, Harry eagerly looked up, only to be stunned.

Instead of the familiar door, a solid wall greeted him.

“Damn it!” Harry muttered under his breath. Then he remembered—the chamber had been reinforced with ancient magic.

Only someone capable of wielding ancient magic could see the door, let alone enter.

And since the age of awakening ancient magic was fifteen, Harry realized he’d have to wait until fifth year to access the chamber.

Harry had once asked Veratia why she insisted on reinforcing the chamber with ancient magic.

“To prevent people like Ranrok from coveting ancient magic,” Veratia had said.

But Harry always suspected that wasn’t her true reason—though he had no evidence.

Circling the wall for a while, he found no way to break through and had to give up.

Aside from the Map Chamber, there were two other potential places to investigate:

One was the cavern beneath the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom; the other, the Room of Requirement on the 7th floor.

The cavern was something Sebastian had told him about—though Ominis had been furious when he learned.

Ultimately, however, Ominis had begrudgingly approved of Harry’s involvement.

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As for the Room of Requirement, Veratia had discovered it after transferring to Hogwarts in their fifth year.

Harry wasn’t keen on wandering into the cavern at this hour; it always reminded him of a prison.

Still, thinking about it, he wondered if the spot where they practiced magic together back then might also be useful.

For now, I’ll check the Room of Requirement, Harry decided. I can save the cavern for another time.

Resolving this, Harry climbed to the 7th floor and stopped before the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls.

“I need a meeting place for the Order of the Phoenix,” he thought, pacing three times back and forth.

A faint rumble sounded from the wall, and a grand door appeared before him.

“Got it!” Harry exclaimed happily, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Since Harry’s thoughts were focused on the old meeting room, everything was just as he remembered it. The four walls were adorned with banners representing each house, from Gryffindor to Slytherin.

In the era of Phineas Nigellus Black as headmaster, house unity was something unimaginable today.

House bias? Nonexistent. If you disliked Headmaster Black, you were already allies!

Even Slytherin students were no exception.

But though the meeting room remained the same, its occupants were long gone.

The friends who had once laughed together here were now scattered and untraceable.

“Deeco?” Harry called for the house-elf, but there was no response.

Deeco had been assigned as Harry’s caretaker by Professor Weasley. During Harry’s time at Hogwarts, Deeco managed his daily life.

After Veratia transferred schools, Deeco had to serve them both.

Receiving no reply, Harry undid the ill-fitting Disillusionment Charm and sat in his usual spot—just like in those old gatherings.

“I think our group needs a name,” Veratia had said back then, gently polishing the beak of the phoenix Fiona. Her tone was soft. “Harry, you’re the glue that binds us. It’s only right you decide the name.”

Harry, who always struggled with naming things, had spotted the phoenix and gotten an idea.

“How about The Order of the Phoenix?” Harry suggested. “We do have a phoenix, after all.”

“What a lazy name, Potter,” Cassandra’s gray eyes were filled with disdain. “The Order of the Phoenix? I could gag...”

“I think it’s pretty good, right?” Sebastian laughed, draping an arm around Ominis’ shoulders, clearly approving of Harry’s suggestion.

Ominis, with his head bowed, gave a quiet hum of agreement—not to Harry, but as a subtle protest against Sebastian’s lack of boundaries.

“Five to one,” said Hufflepuff’s Poppy Sweeting, raising her hand.

“Seven to one,” added Gareth and Ravenclaw’s Amit Thakkar, raising theirs.

Cassandra, however, drawled, “Voting? How childish. I never said I disagreed with Potter’s silly name—unanimous approval.”

“Guys, I...” Harry looked up but found the long table empty.

“I really miss you all,” he said softly.

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