Just Not Cut Out for Torture (HP - Drarry)

Chapter 33: Wild Card

Just a quick reminder that I'm sending my first novel (a YA fantasy) to beta readers today. Details on my profile - PM me if you're interested in reading it & providing feedback

Harry POV

Dinner the next day was more cramped than usual, with the Great Hall fairly splitting at the seams with the addition of tables to seat every non-student-or-teacher member of the Order.

From the confused looks and general hubbub, Harry assumed that McGonagall had neglected to tell the Order Members why she required their presence. Then McGonagall stood to address the assembled student body, teachers, and Order Members, and Harry realized that she probably didn't know, herself. Her first words confirmed it.

"You are probably all wondering about the presence of our dinner guests this evening." McGonagall slanted her best sardonic look at Snape, who seemed less than impressed. "Frankly, I'm wondering that, myself. I have asked you all to be here at the request of my colleague, Professor Severus Snape. Severus? Care to enlighten us?"

Snape rose, bowing slightly, as McGonagall ceded her place to him. "Thank you, Minerva. I stand before you all tonight in the role of Head of Slytherin House." Shifting and muted muttering greeted his words, and Snape glowered over the crowd. "Silence, if you please. Now. Many of you probably know, or have guessed, that our guests tonight are members of the Order of the Phoenix, formerly headed by the late Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and currently headed by our current Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. What you may not know, however, is that I, myself, am a member of the Order, and as such am qualified to sponsor new members to our ranks." He raised his voice to speak over the intensified muttering that followed his announcement.

"In a moment, I will ask that those students who spoke with me yesterday about joining the Order will please come forward and swear your loyalty with a Binding Oath." The muttering grew louder; Snape spoke determinedly on. "Minerva? Will you accept these Binding Oaths?"

McGonagall looked flustered. "Well I – it's highly irregular, but – yes, Severus. Of course I will accept them." She stared, openly curious now.

Snape nodded. "Excellent. Then, will those students please rise and come forward?"

As every member of Slytherin House stood, all the way to the tiny first-years, the mutters rose in volume until the sound rolled around the room, reverberating like thunder.

Harry half-rose from his seat at the Gryffindor table, not entirely certain what to do at this point – he obviously hadn't paid close enough attention to the plotting yesterday – and Snape rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, you too, Mister Potter. I wouldn't dare attempt to separate you from Mister Malfoy, even if you are already a member of the Order."

"I haven't sworn a Binding Oath," Harry said, puzzled.

Snape rolled his eyes again. "That, Mister Potter, would be because you are Harry Potter. Most likely Albus thought it would be rather redundant to force you to swear a Binding Oath to fight the Dark Lord."

"Oh." Harry flushed.

"Oh, indeed, Mister Potter. Now please join Mister Malfoy so that we can proceed."

"Oh. Er. Right." Harry ducked his head and hurried to Draco's side, carefully not meeting anyone's eyes. Draco bumped his shoulder against Harry's and brushed their fingers together lightly, and Harry relaxed. McGonagall's face, as she gravely accepted the Oaths, was most diverting. Especially when the Oaths were stuttered by the wide-eyed first-years. The older Slytherins gave their Oaths with grace and charm – Blaise actually drew a blush from McGonagall's cheeks when he kissed her hand before rising – and every one left no doubts as to their honesty and sincerity. Everyone there knew that a magically Binding Oath was no small thing.