Order of the Phoenix Meeting 15

Daniel sighed, this wasn't going so well. He'd only just arrived, his clothes soaked to the brim and the water dripping from him. It'd started to hail as he'd gotten here, and his body had warmed said hail into water when it froze into his hair. Each single drip of hail water turned into nearly a puddle under him. He slowly settled into his chair and brushed some unmelted hail from his jacket.

"Horrid weather out there, careful going home, guys".

For a while, Daniel just sat there, listening, he didn't even know what was going on at the moment. He'd only undid his coat and placed it behind him on his chair. He'd needed some well deserved rest, but it didn't want to come soon enough for him. Oh well, he thought. At least this job seemed to pay well, and people said it was a killing. However, he'd not told them the true nature of the job, only that it was a secret.

Jack smirked, the idea of Michael teaching being quite funny. The job seemed much to tame for him, but sounded incredibly amusing for everyone watching him deal with all the snotty-nosed BASIC kids who whined and cried and had hormones running amok.

"I think Michael has a lot to teach, and he would not give away the Order. He could probably end up being the Dark Followers go-to guy if he tried.. Michael knows what he is doing." She paused. "There might be a chance that the castle burns down if we were at Hogwarts at the same time, but besides that, seems okay." She realized she had not really helped him, so she looked at him. "Sorry, Michael."

"You are probably one of the few at this table who could get away saying that, Jack," Michael laughed. "Cethin, you really do need to dry off, Lad." He summoned a bottle of Jess's firewhiskey and a glass and poured a shot for Daniel and set it in front of him. "That will take the chill off. Try that. Glad you could make it.

"Now, back to the matter at hand. I am not magicless, but I don't know if the kiddies could keep up with my cirriculum. Well, Jack might, but I don't know about the others."

"You cannot teach mountain climbing, Michael," Robert frowned. "Nor some of your other skills."

"Those are all very useful lifeskills," Michael defended himself.

"I did notice you did not use the word acceptable to describe them," Robert repressed the temptation to laugh.

"Do I have to call them by name, if I agree to do this?" Michael looked at Jack. Nobody ever got to use their own name around Michael. Nobody. Everyone earned a nickname. It was liable to drive the younger set bananas.

Jacob smiled when Jess said his name and waved while using the other hand to take a drag of his cigarette and then blew out a smoke ring. And with that smoke ring he put out the half smoked cigarette and placed it in a small metal can so he could finish it later. He gave Jack a small polite smile while he listened to her speak trying to ignore the vampire that walked in he heard about the evil things they did and truthfully he heard more bad then good he thought back to the little pamphlet he received one day telling how to identify a good vampire from a evil one and it only talked about what to look for when they were coming at you. He hoped this stranger was a good one.

He then listened to the discussion at hand it sounded like the order wanted a teacher on there side inside the school he felt it was a good idea though he personally wondered why they didn't just break into the school and force them out but then again strategy wasn't his specialty well neither was fighting really...sure he could do it and he felt he did well but his best trait was partying that truly was what he excelled at. He was kinda happy he was new because that would mean no one expected him to talk, that gave him time to get the general mood of the group.

While all these goings on had been going... on, Jess was... relieving himself. It didn't take long, not the whole time he'd been gone for sure, but after he was done, he had been sidetracked on his way back downstairs, pausing to have an in depth discussion with one of the portraits on the wall (Not Andromeda) about the varying levels of comfort experienced with different materials used for socks.

Of course that couldn't go for too long, not when there was a meeting downstairs. So Jess and the portrait agreed to postpone their discussion to a later date, probably after the meeting, the best time to catch Jess, as it was when he was at his most thoughtful.

Before he walked into the room he waved his wand and his elf appeared, quickly giving him the transcript of what had transpired in his absence, before pushing the door open and entering the room. "Hello everyone, sorry about that, when you've got to go, you've got to go," he said with a wink and a sly grin. "Matt, it's nice to see you," he commented as he sat down, the tone of reprisal Matt seemed to expect completely absent from his voice. "And Daniel, long time no see my friend. It's been too long," he added, before realising he was holding up proceedings.

Thinking quickly for a few seconds, he finally nodded, as if coming to a decision. "I believe that there is already a level of contest taking place in regards to the position of charms teacher. I am to understand that the current professor had fallen ill, and in her absence a new candidate has emerged. Now the incumbent teacher wants to retain her job, and the new professor would like it too, so I believe that charms is not an option. Am I correct Wilson?" He asked, before continuing. "So, I think I see a way that we can gain a deal of leverage here," he said, a devious smile forming on his lips. "Headmaster Doyle hates children right?" He asked rhetorically. "Well, and please try to follow my train of thoughts here," he added, "The role of Headmaster is traditionally an administrative one, in the past Headmasters have often been actively discouraged from teaching, or in some cases completely ignored for the job." he told them, making sure they had caught up to him completely

"So, why not relieve the Headmaster of his teaching position and take up potions, Michael. In doing so you take away the burden dealing with the children, and of teaching a subject I have heard he likes to take on as a hobby, not teach," he explained, noting a look or two of understanding around the table. "And in doing so, you gain leverage with the Headmaster," he concluded, looking around the table to see if he had support in his thinking.

"And Jack, there is no current "Underground" so to speak in Hogwarts, however I think that with your knowledge of the school's pupils, mixed with Wilson and McCoy's knowledge of the professors, and my experience in this sort of thing," he said, before turning to Wilson and McCoy, "No offence men, but schoolyard espionage was an activity that the two of you either didn't do at all, or did many decades ago," he said with a quick wink their way, before continuing, "Yes, with that mixture I think we could successfully either form a new underground or find a current one and ingratiate you into it," he finished.

The morning had been...trying. Lauren's whole night had been spent in Crooner and, unsurprisingly, that's where she'd spent her morning. After having enough coffee to sink a ship, Lauren decided to head home. It was there that she found the notice for the Order meeting. A quick glance at the clock told her that she was already late but she figured she was better off being late than not going at all.

She would have left straight away, had she not smelt like a vodka bottle and a dirty ash tray. After a shower, she got dress and headed out, apparating in the first alleyway she found.

When she appeared in Grimmauld Place, it was already raining. She hadn't elected to wear a jacket with a hood so she had no choice but to break out into a run. Lauren was quick to get to Number 12, not wanting to spend any longer out in the rain than absolutely necessary.

She opened the door of the house and stumbled inside, barely managing to keep her balance in the heels she'd chosen to wear. She would have worn flats but they were the first shoes she'd put her hands on. It had hardly been her fault.

Lauren closed the door and sighed. She slipped her jacket off and hung it up on one of the pegs. She unbuttoned the top couple of buttons on her shirt and rubbed her hands on her jeans before moving towards the kitchen. She opened the door, confident, but that confidence soon failed.

"I'm so sorry!" Lauren made her presence known. "I didn't...I've had..." she hung her head a little as she took her seat. "I'm sorry I'm late."

It was an odd feeling, entering Grimmauld Place after such a long period of time. Kingsley had left the Order a long time ago, about 15 years to be exact, and this was the first time he was visiting since then. It was like entering an old prison - there weren't many good memories here. Yet, it did remind Shacklebolt of his friends that had passed away during the battle so long ago. He took some time to examine his surroundings in the main room. Nothing much had changed - he could see they still hadn't managed to take off Mrs.Blacks portrait yet and that creepy house elf was also still probably also still here . Kingsley abruptly ceased his reminiscing and proceeded to the meeting room.

As he entered, Shacklebolt noticed that everyone immediately turned to look at him. From their stunned expressions. Shacklebolt concluded that they were surprised. Well, of course they would be surprised, seeing as he was dead, or, well was supposed to be dead. Vincent Majere had tried to kill him a year ago, and since Majere had been the only one who had emerged from the scene of the battle, everyone believed that he had died. Of course, that wasn't the truth, Shacklebolt had just been hiding at the Shrieking Shack all this time, waiting for a the opportune time to reveal himself. Somehow, Shacklebolt knew that some dark happenings were about to unfold, and decided that he needed to come out of hiding

"Sorry I am late, forgot the exact time of th emeeting. Old age, you know..." Shacklebolt said casually, as he took a chair at the table. He had been told about the meeting by Wilson, one of the few people who had known he was alive. "Please continue Potter. It is good to see you alive and well by the way, I didn't think you would manage to stay alive so long."Having taught Jess Potter, Kingsley still treated him as a student, even if he

"Welcome back from the land of the dead, Shacklebolt," Khaat smiled. "Its good to have you back around the Order table again. Its been much too long." Khaat had been one of the few who had been in the Headmaster's office when Vincent had made his bid for control of Hogwarts and had had it for some time. She had not witnessed how the duel had come out because of her own injuries that day. Still, it was good to have him back and out of hiding. She then directed her attention to the newcomer--the rainsoaked young woman who had entered apologizing profusely.

"Welcome," she said. "We're just glad you're here. We always have some latecomers. We're used to it. You look pretty well soaked. Help yourself to coffee or tea to warm up with. We have both."

Khaat looked briefly at Michael who seemed to be involved in his own thoughts. No doubt it was thoughts about perhaps teaching potions. It wasn't that Michael couldn't manage it. Khaat was sure he could. However, Michael's true gifts lay in areas that she was just as sure that Hogwarts neither needed nor wanted taught as part of the general cirriculum. Furthermore, it was no secret that the most qualified around this table to teach potions was her father. She as also just as sure that he was not planning on considering it in the least. He had much too much on his plate already. She looked at him and saw that he was clearly letting that part of the meeting whizz by him and not giving it any serious consideration. That actually pleased her. She needed him right where he was and not reaching any further.

"Jess," she said, "I am not meaning to distract from the importance of Hogwarts, but surely there are other pressing matters in the wizarding world that need our consideration in this meeting as well. Or else, you would not have called the meeting. Care to lay out any of those other concerns so we can consider those as well?"

"Thank you Khaat," Shacklebolt said pleasantly. Khaat, along with Wilson and James Wake, was one of his most trustworthy allies. She too had been aware that he was still alive, though he had asked her to tell no one. Judging from the surprise on everyones faces, she had kept her vow. "The land of the dead was far too dreary for me. Though from what I've been hearing, you guys haven't been doing so well either. I may be a bit lacking in knowledge of recent news, but I guess the death eaters are still causing their usual mayhem?" That didn't trouble Shacklebolt that much. Someone always had to be causing some sort of troubles in society. There was never any happy ever after. But Shacklebolt needed to make sure that nothing major happened which could threaten all of them. And right now, he guessed that something like that was about to take place.

Jess looked up as someone new entered the kitchen.
Like, new new, first time at the meeting new.
Oh goody.

"Hello," Jess said, standing up and nodding to the new lady. He'd met her of course, what was the name. What was the name... "Laura..n" He said, just managing to cover his slip up effectively, in a manner which wasn't too obvious. She looked flustered, the poor thing, maybe she thought she was in trouble or something. "Come, sit by the fire to warm up, don't worry about being late," he said with a smile, look over at a chair with its back close to the fire.

When he looked back he felt something had changed before his eyes fell on the newcomer, things like that generally do create their own presence in a small room, such as the one they were in. He felt it as he looked at the chair, the room fell quiet and the tension suddenly became thick enough to cut with a butter knife.

When he finally looked at the entrance to the kitchen, he saw a ghost. Well, what was sure to be a ghost, then he realised that it was a foolish thought. He knew Shackelbolt, he knew that making that choice was something he'd never even considered, death was better than living forever as a ghost. No, Shackelbolt was alive, breathing right here in his little kitchen.

Snapping out of his shock in time to hear Shackelbolt's excuse, Jess cracked a grin and nodded, if there was any doubt as to who was here, it was now gone. "Kingsley," he said, continuing to smile, "It's a pleasure to see you too," he finally managed to say, "I... well, I must say I thought the same of you, though I thought my thoughts had been confirmed." he added.

Khaat of course was on the ball, moving straight into action and welcoming the newcomer, no sign of surprise on her face, a thought began to unfold in his mind he burst out laughing, looking between Khaat and Shacklebolt, before regaining his composure. "Well played," he muttered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

With a sigh he nodded and sat back down, nodding at what Khaat said. "I can't help but disagree Khaat, I still would've called the meeting, but you are correct that there are other items on our agenda," he told her, nodding, before hearing what Shacklebolt had to say. "Actually, quite the contrary Kingsley," he said, "Though that's the more concerning thing, really. The Death Eaters have definitely not disappeared, but at the same time they aren't doing anything, I think that the sentiment I've been hearing around the country is very true. Something big is about to go down, something that could potentially change everything." He said seriously. "Are there any theories on this?" He asked, "Are there any preventative actions we could take perhaps? Something to fight the unknown?" He asked them, looking around the room at the faces which were looking at him