Written in the Stars - The Order of the Phoenix

The Order of the Phoenix

It wasn’t often that Cassiopeia regretted teaching Harry Occlumency from when he had been but a boy, and she was proud that he was able remain composed despite what inner turmoil he was facing. However, just like now when something was bothering him, she wished he had not excelled in the Mind Arts so quickly.

The news of the Azkaban breakout had disturbed the boy, but as he always did when anything pertaining to Voldemort occurred, he had seemingly taken it in his stride.

Still, he was not himself, and had not been since he’d returned from school.

The change within him was not such an obvious one that many would pick up on it, but Cassie knew Harry better than any and he could not hide it from her, despite his best efforts.

“Good,” Gellert praised as Harry demonstrated some of the spells he’d managed to put the finishing touches to since they’d last met. “You have such a proclivity towards magic. It truly astounds me.”

Harry offered the man a smile.

Cassie was pleased to see them getting on so well, especially with just who Gellert was.

Perhaps Harry found it difficult to associate the somewhat feeble man trapped in a cell with the strongly built, magical powerhouse Cassie remembered.

Nonetheless, they worked well together, and Harry was undoubtedly learning much from Gellert.

“I did hear a most amusing development from Cassiopeia,” Gellert said curiously. “You are an Animagus?”

Harry nodded and transformed seamlessly into the wolf Cassie had seen only one other time.

Gellert chuckled as he clapped.

“That is indeed quite the feat,” he declared. “Has it had any effect on your human form?”

Harry nodded after he had reverted back.

“My hearing is stronger, and my sense of smell.”

“Both quite useful additions,” Gellert observed thoughtfully. “What of your physical strength?”

“I think I’m stronger, and fitter,” Harry replied, “but I’ve always been active so I don’t know if that is just from my usual work.”

Gellert hummed.

“It could be just that,” he acknowledged. “Still, completing an Animagus transformation is an excellent achievement for any.”

“My dad did it too, and without any help,” Harry revealed. “He was a stag. He even taught two of his friends how to do it, and one of them is mostly useless at everything.”

“Then he must have been an exceptional practitioner of Transfiguration.”

“He was,” the voice of Dumbledore sounded from the entrance to the row of cells. “The only person I could even consider comparing him to in terms of his most excellent ability is Minerva, and she has often said that James would have outperformed her. Sadly, that is something we will never see. It is good to meet you again, Harry.”

Cassiopeia was going to respond on his behalf but was beaten to it by the boy himself.

“And you, Professor,” he replied in kind. “Are we really going to pretend that you being here at the same time as me is a coincidence?”

Albus chuckled as he shook his head.

“No, I would not insult your intelligence by attempting to do so. I would like to speak with you on a few matters, and I would be reluctant to do so through mail. I’m sure you understand.”

“I do,” Harry murmured, the mood of both shifting from a rather jovial greeting to one more subdued. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, I discussed the idea with Sirius, and he rightly suggested that I speak with you regarding using Grimmauld Place as a base of operations for the Order,” Albus explained. “It is a secure building in a convenient location and I would like your permission to host meetings there.”

Cassie’s thoughts on the matter were simple.

She did not want Dumbledore and his little group running rampant through the house, but ultimately, it was Harry’s decision to make.

He frowned thoughtfully for several moments before answering.

“I will allow it, but there are stipulations that are non-negotiable,” he replied firmly.

“What are your terms?” Albus requested.

“The Order will be limited to the first floor of the house only,” Harry began. “The library especially is off limits, and any other room other than the kitchen, and the living room is to only be accessed by any other than Sirius and Remus without my express permission.”

“That is fair,” Albus agreed readily. “Anything else?”

“No one is to touch anything in the house,” Harry continued. “Many of the items are exceedingly dangerous and are to be left where they are.”

“Of course.”

“Good,” Harry declared. “That just about sums it up for now, but I reserve the right to revisit this conversation, if I feel it is necessary.”

“Thank you, Harry,” Albus returned gratefully. “It is most gracious of you to allow us to use it.”

Harry merely nodded in response.

“I don’t suppose you have spoken to Fudge about his pathetic accusation of Sirius being responsible for the escape of the Death Eaters?”

Albus deflated as he shook his head.

“I have requested meetings with him, but I’m afraid Cornelius does not wish to discuss the matter.”

Harry snorted.

“Of course, he doesn’t,” he sighed. “Still, what choice did he have? Using Sirius as his scapegoat was his only option. It isn’t as though he is going to look any deeper into it than necessary, is it?”

“I’m afraid not,” Albus murmured. “He is…”

“A shit Minister who would prefer to have his tongue rammed up Malfoy’s arse than actually do his job?”

“Harry!” Cassie chided, scowling at Gellert as he laughed heartily at Harry’s assessment.

The boy smirked as he shrugged.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” he challenged.

“I wouldn’t have put it in such a manner myself, but I suspect it was Lucius who would have suggested such an explanation,” Albus concurred.

“Well, Fudge certainly didn’t come up with it,” Harry grumbled. “He couldn’t find his own tackle with both hands. He is going to be useless, isn’t he?”

Albus nodded darkly.

“Cornelius is not a leader for such difficult times,” he explained, “and with his closeness to Lucius and other unsavoury individuals, he will remain ignorant of what is happening until it is too late.”

“You mean until he is on his knees in front of Voldemort and his life is about to be snuffed out,” Harry chuckled. “You may as well just let Voldemort take Britain for all the good Fudge will do.”

Albus grimaced, but he offered no argument to the contrary.

“I fear that difficult days do indeed lay ahead,” the man sighed. “The task of ending the war will seem insurmountable at times. Not enough people will have the courage to resist what is to come, so it will be down to the few who refuse to accept it to keep fighting.”

“He won’t win,” Harry declared. “He may think he has when he does inevitably take control of Britain, but that will be nothing more than a token victory. We both know what the future holds, and when the time comes for us to meet, I will destroy everything he has worked for and I will send every single one of his followers to hell with him. There won’t be any forgiveness this time. It has to be definitive.”

Albus did not seem to like Harry’s thoughts on the matter, but he did not comment on them.

The man was weak when it came to doing what was necessary, but Harry wasn’t.

He would not shy away from dirtying his hands in a way that Albus never could.

“Good lad,” Gellert declared proudly.

Cassiopeia nodded her agreement.

“There is one other thing I wish to discuss,” Albus announced, changing the subject. “I believe I am close to discovering the whereabouts of another of the items. I will keep you informed of my progress.”

“That is good news,” Gellert acknowledged.

“Indeed,” Albus returned with a bow. “And just one final thing, if you would be so kind, Harry. I would like you to attend a meeting of the Order so that you may be introduced to the members. I believe yourself and Madam Bones should be acquainted at the very least as she will be leading the fighting aurors when it is necessary to do so.”

“You convinced Amelia Bones to join the Order?” Harry asked.

“Not as such,” Albus chuckled. “She is willing to work with us, but her loyalty is to her position. However, the two of you will need to have a strong relationship in the future, and I believe the sooner you meet, the better it will be for you.”

“Fine,” Harry agreed, “I will meet with the Order, and with Bones. She will be a useful contact to have at least.”

Albus nodded his agreement.

“Then I will be in touch shortly to make the arrangements,” he declared. “Again, thank you for allowing us the use of Grimmauld Place. It will truly make a difference to our efforts. Until next time.”

With that, the headmaster took his leave and Cassiopeia narrowed her eyes at his retreating form.

“He’s got some nerve asking to use the house,” she muttered.

“It will be more to my advantage than his,” Harry pointed out with a shrug. “Dumbledore isn’t the most forthcoming of people, but if he wishes to hold his meetings at Grimmauld Place, then I will make sure that the walls have ears. I will know of everything they discuss in there.”

Cassiopeia smiled proudly at the boy.

It was a move worthy of her own brother.

“Anyway, I should be leaving,” Harry sighed. “I have letters to write and homework to get on with. Are you coming?”

Cassie shook her head.

“No, I will catch you up shortly,” she explained.

Harry nodded before turning his attention towards Gellert.

“Is there anything you would suggest I work on?”

“Keep doing what you are, Harry,” Gellert urged, “and come and see me again before you return to school.”

“I will,” Harry assured him before offering the pair a wave and taking his leave of Nurmengard.

“Something is wrong with him,” Cassie murmured. “Even before they announced the Azkaban breakout, he wasn’t himself.”

Gellert chuckled amusedly.

“What’s funny?” Cassie demanded. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“My dear, I know many things that you don’t,” Gellert snorted, “but with this, I will be of little use to Harry. I believe is having a problem pertaining to the opposite sex.”

“A girl?” Cassie asked with a frown.

Gellert nodded.

“He has that faraway look in his eyes that can only mean one thing. His mind is occupied by another. Have you by chance discussed such things with him?”

Cassie’s frown deepened.

“No,” she answered.

“He is almost sixteen,” Gellert pointed out. “Do you not think it is long overdue?”

Cassiopeia grimaced.

“I don’t need to explain, well, you know, to him, do I?”

Gellert guffawed.

“No, I imagine that he has figured that out for himself by now,” he sighed lightly. “I mean things like relationships and how they work.”

“I’m hardly an expert,” Cassiopeia huffed, “and what do you mean he’s probably figured that out for himself?”

Gellert held up a hand to placate the woman.

“Harry is a good-looking, well-known young man,” he reminded her. “I expect he has several would-be suitors interested in him. You can’t possibly think that a boy of his age would not have shown an interest by now.”

“Bugger,” Cassie groaned. “You don’t think he has been…?”

Gellert shrugged.

“If he has, then you should take comfort in the fact that you have taught him well and that he would not take any foolish risks. My concern is that Harry may not understand the emotional repercussions of involving himself in those activities.”

Cassie nodded thoughtfully.

It wasn’t something she understood either, but she knew someone who did and would relish the opportunity to have something he could help Harry with.

“Leave it with me,” she sighed. “I think this is a job for someone who certainly isn’t lacking experience with girls.”

(Break)

The liberation of the followers that did not denounce him when they had been captured had been much easier than the Dark Lord had anticipated. Azkaban was quite the impressive fortress, but the fault in its design was that it was intended to keep prisoners in and not others who wished to enter out.

Not that many would be so keen to venture there.

The Dementors were enough of a deterrent for most.

To Lord Voldemort, however, they were allies, ones he had easily convinced to re-join his ranks.

In all, his ten most loyal followers had been returned to their rightful place among his inner circle, though it would be some time before they would be of use to him.

Fifteen years in Azkaban had taken its toll on each of them, and they would need extensive rehabilitation in the coming months.

Already, the Dark Lord had instructed Severus to begin brewing and providing his strongest healing potions so that the treatment could get underway.

“My Lord, she is still demanding to see you,” Lucius informed him as he peered his head around the door.

Until the prisoners were healthy enough to travel, they would be saying at Malfoy Manor, and after spending several days under the roof here already, the Dark Lord could not wait to take his leave of the place.

“Send her in, Lucius,” he instructed.

Voldemort did not need to hazard a guest at who was so insistent on seeing him.

Bellatrix had been making the demand since she’d arrived.

It was a moment later that she walked in, draped in robes that were much too big for her skeletal frame, and though she had taken a bath since she’d arrived here, the dank smell of the prison clung to her.

Bellatrix smiled brightly at him; the teeth that had been blackened by years of neglect having been restored to a brilliant white.

Still, her years under the care of the Dementors was apparent.

Her thick, curly hair was streaked liberally with grey, and she had aged considerably during her incarceration.

The once vibrant violet eyes she possessed were dull, and the bags and wrinkles around them deep and prominent.

“My Lord,” she greeted him with a curtsey. “Thank you for seeing me.”

“You are supposed to be focusing on your health, Bella,” Voldemort chided.

“I am as strong as ever,” the woman replied.

The Dark Lord chuckled amusedly.

“It pleases me to see you so eager to return to my side, but you are no good to me in your current state. I need you at your very best for what is to come.”

Bellatrix pouted petulantly.

“It is boring, My Lord,” she huffed. “The others are weak, and my sister has been reduced to a simpering broodmare for Lucius. The boy is as pathetic as his father.”

“Draco will prove himself in time,” Voldemort assured her.

Bellatrix giggled.

“He is mediocre,” she declared. “According to Cissy he is in line to be the next Lord Black. He is not worthy of the title.”

“Then ensure that he is,” Voldemort urged. “Your task from me if you are so unwilling to rest is to prepare him. Train him so that he is not such a disappointment to you.”

Bellatrix frowned before offering him a bow.

“If that is your wish, My Lord, I will do what I can.”

“Thank you, Bella,” Voldemort offered gratefully. “I am sure your efforts will not be in vain. Now, eat and rest. If your task is as monumental as you believe, you will need much of both.”

Bellatrix nodded, her scowl firmly in place as she left the room, leaving the Dark Lord to breathe a sigh of relief.

At least now she would not be bothering him at every moment of the day.

Her assessment of Lucius’s boy was indeed correct.

Draco was a spoiled braggart, but he possessed a cruelty that could perhaps be put to use, if he proved himself somewhat capable in the coming weeks under his Aunt’s tutelage.

(Break)

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Pansy whispered as she squeezed the air from Harry’s lungs, only releasing him when she realised he couldn’t breathe properly. “Sorry,” she added sheepishly.

Harry waved her off as he offered her a smile.

“I told you I’d come.”

Pansy nodded as she took him by the hand and began leading him through Diagon Alley.

“Why are you here?” she asked curiously.

“I have some things to do,” Harry answered, a frown marring his features, “but I wanted to see you more than anything else. How was school this year?”

Pansy shrugged.

“Quieter than the last. Draco was a little less of a prat, but that won’t last.”

Harry hummed.

“Well, Draco can always be dealt with if he gets too big for his tiny boots,” he replied. “What about Daphne?”

“She’s the same as ever,” Pansy snorted. “You’ve been writing to each other, haven’t you?”

“Here and there,” Harry answered. “Not as much I write to you.”

Pansy smiled.

“She still talks about you,” she revealed, “but she did start seeing Blaise a few months ago.”

Harry chuckled as he shook his head.

“That’s quite ironic since I was seeing his sister for a while.”

“Oh?”

“It just kind of happened, but she’s done with school now and we agreed it wouldn’t be anything serious.”

“So, you won’t see her again?”

“No. I think I’ll keep out of the dating scene for a while.”

Harry seemed rather down about it but before Pansy could press him further, he pulled her towards a stall that was being manned by two familiar redheads, both smiling brightly as they approached.

“Ah, now here comes a young man of fine taste,” of the Weasley twins declared. “Step this way, Harry, and browse our wares for yourself.”

“What is all this?” Harry asked curiously.

“Only the finest assortment of pranking goods,” the other twin broke in.

Harry nodded appreciatively, and Pansy got the impression the students of Durmstrang would soon be introduced to some of the Weasley’s very best items.

“Skiving Snackboxes?”

“For the procrastinators among us,” one of the twins explained. “You simply eat one end of the confection, and the effect will take hold in a matter of seconds. When the desired result is achieved, simply eat the other and you will be no worse for wear.”

“Do these actually work?”

“Do these work?” the twin scoffed. “We would not get very far in our line of business if our products did not do as advertised.”

“These things are amazing,” Harry murmured thoughtfully as he continued inspecting the goods on offer. “You should open a shop.”

“That is the plan,” one of the Weasleys replied. “A prank store extraordinaire for every practical joke need.”

“How many products do you have?”

“Around a thousand. We have been inventing them since before we started school.”

Harry nodded, evidently impressed by their dedication to their craft.

“How much do you need to get a shop?” he asked. “You couple of clowns are going to make a fortune from this lot.”

The twins beamed.

“We have already saved two hundred galleons. We need another three hundred to buy a lease for a shop big enough.”

Harry frowned thoughtfully.

“So, if I gave you a thousand galleons, that would be more than enough to get this going?”

“Give us?” one of the twins choked.

Harry nodded.

“I’d like to see this become real,” he explained.

“Why?” the other twin asked cautiously.

“Because maybe this is something that I may have wanted to do myself if things were different,” Harry answered. “Besides, my Dad would have loved this stuff. I can’t think of a better way to honour his memory than invest in something like this.”

“Are you serious or are you pulling our legs?”

“I am very serious,” Harry assured them. “You two are bloody brilliant, and the world could always do with more laughs. It will be an anonymous gift to the two of you to get the shop started, no strings attached. What do you say?”

“We’d be pretty stupid to say no, wouldn’t we?”

“And you don’t strike me as idiots,” Harry chuckled.

The twins shared a look of utter disbelief.

“If you really mean it, then of course we will accept.”

“Good,” Harry declared as he offered each of them his hand in turn. “I will have the bank draft drawn up and sent to you. I look forward to seeing the shop when it is ready.”

With that, Harry left the two dumbstruck twins in his wake as he walked towards Florean Forescue’s with Pansy following closely.

“Do you have any idea of the hell you have just unleashed on Britain?” she asked.

Harry nodded, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.

“I know exactly what I have done,” he said unashamedly. “I can’t wait to see the results.”

Pansy could only shake her head.

Hogwarts would be a nightmare to navigate when the Weasley’s shop was opened, but she couldn’t find it in herself to be irritated with Harry.

His interaction with the twins had cheered him up considerably, so whatever was to come because of his investment would be worth it.

Knowing that he had a hand in every prank courtesy of a Weasley product would only make him enjoy it all the more too.

“Oh dear,” Pansy murmured amusedly, releasing a deep sigh as Harry simply grinned at her.

(Break)

It was odd to see the members of the Order filing into the kitchen of his childhood home. Even when the Black family was at its biggest, it was a rare sight to see any part of the house so full, and especially with those that did not carry the name or who wasn’t a pureblood.

Neither Sirius’s father nor grandfather would entertain even the thought of allowing any other than other purebloods into Grimmauld Place.

The thought that he was once more somehow defying both men filled him with a petty sense of joy.

“What are you smirking at?” Remus asked, breaking into Sirius’s thoughts.

“Nothing,” he denied. “Nothing at all.”

It was only a moment later that Dumbledore entered the room and took a seat at the head of the table where he smiled at the assembled members in turn before clearing his throat.

“We will begin shortly,” he declared. “We are waiting for two others to join us for this meeting.”

Whispers of curiosity broke out at the announcement, each person speculating just who it was who would be attending.

The first of the guests arrived and Sirius felt a jolt of worry at the sight of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Amelia Bones was the last person he needed to see him, and the flaring of her nostrils as she spotted him at the large table left no doubt that she was not pleased by his presence.

Her glare only hardened as she also noticed two of her serving aurors seated only a short distance away from Sirius, and both Kingsley and Tonks appeared to be more nervous than him.

“I will pretend that I did not see you here,” the redhead said sharply to her subordinates, “and you are fortunate that Albus had the foresight to explain your status to me, Black.”

Sirius nodded his understanding, and yet, the nervousness he felt remained.

Amelia Bones was not a woman to cross, and though he was indeed innocent of the crimes he had been imprisoned for, she had a way of making you feel guilty with little more than a stare.

“Thank you for joining us Madame Bones,” Albus said appreciatively.

She merely nodded in response before taking a seat next to Moody who was undoubtedly amused by the effect she’d had on the others who had been surprised to see her.

The response to Bones entering the room however, paled in comparison to the reactions of the Order members when Harry followed suit a few moments later.

At first, all were silent until it was broken by Dumbledore as he stood and offered Harry the seat he had been occupying.

“Thank you for joining us, Harry,” the headmaster greeted the teen. “I assume my message reached you?”

Harry nodded.

“It did,” he confirmed, his gaze sweeping over the other occupants of the room, all of whom, with the exception of Sirius and Remus, still sitting in shocked silence.

“Now that our guests have arrived, perhaps we should begin with some introductions,” Dumbledore suggested. “For those of you who are not familiar, this is Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.”

The introduction to the woman was elementary.

There wasn’t a person in wizarding Britain who did not know of or couldn’t recognise Amelia Bones.

Bones simply nodded at the group at large.

“And of course, we are also joined by Harry Potter,” Dumbledore continued.

Another unnecessary introduction, in truth, and Sirius suspected the headmaster only followed through in an attempt to break the ice.

Harry was one of the most famous wizards in recent memory, and his likeness to James would leave no doubt whom he was in any circle up and down the country.

“Might I enquire as to why Mr Potter is here?” Sturgis Podmore questioned. “The Order is no place for a child.”

Many of the other members nodded and murmured their agreement, but before Dumbledore could answer, Harry did so on his own behalf.

“I would argue that war is no place for those not willing to fight it,” he countered sharply. “Make no mistake, what is coming is not going to be a political struggle for power. Voldemort isn’t here to push through agendas on the Wizengamot, he is here to seize control of the country, and I’m sure many of you will remember how he went about that last time. If you think that was unpleasant, it will be worse this time. He will murder those that he cannot control, and he will bribe and blackmail those too cowardly to resist. When he takes control of Britain which is inevitable, there will be only one way to deal with him and his followers.”

“You speak as though he already runs the country,” Elphias Doge scoffed.

“The moment he chooses to, he will,” Harry replied with a shrug. “What do we have in place to stop him? The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is not prepared for a war of the magnitude that is coming. When Voldemort takes control of the Ministry, those who resist will be killed, and those that don’t will be in no position to not follow orders. Many of the aurors have spouses and children that will be used against them, isn’t that right, Auror Shacklebolt?”

The dark-skinned man nodded.

“And who can blame them for not wanting to put them at risk?” Harry continued. “They will comply if only to keep their loved ones safe.”

“And what will your role be in all of this?” Bill Weasley asked curiously.

Harry’s expression darkened.

“My role will be to put an end to it,” he answered simply. “Voldemort and his Death Eaters rely and feed on the fear of their victims. I will be what is it they fear, and I will eliminate each and every one of them.”

“You will kill them?” Elphias Doge gasped.

“That is usually what happens in war,” Harry snorted. “What, did you expect that Voldemort would simply allow himself to be arrested and left to rot in Azkaban? No, he will fight until his last breath, and it will be me that tears it from his lungs. It has to be different from last time. The war was all but lost until the night he killed my parents, or have you all forgotten at how close to defeat you were?”

“We haven’t forgotten, lad,” Moody piped up.

“Then you understand what has to be done,” Harry sighed. “You may be willing to fight the good fight and defend those who cannot or are unwilling to defend themselves, but it won’t be enough. The solution has to be permanent or you may as well all go home now and just wait for him to take over because whether you want to accept it or not, it is going to happen. All we can do is mitigate the fallout and fight back with everything we have.”

“You speak so easily of killing,” Shacklebolt broke in. “It is not so easy to take a life.”

“On the contrary, it is the easiest thing in the world when you have been preparing for it your whole life,” Harry pointed out, “when every day you are reminded of the monsters that have the blood of your loved ones on their hands. I watched my mother being murdered in front of me whilst the man that did it laughed as she pleaded for my life. I will show him and his followers the same mercy they have shown everyone else. You may not like it, but when they take control, someone will need to step up to do what is necessary. Even Dumbledore understands that this war won’t be won by attempting to capture them, and by the time it is needed, the Ministry will be in no position to give the aurors those powers.”

Sirius swallowed deeply.

It was one thing knowing that Harry would be the one to throw himself into the heat of war but hearing him speak of what Britain would soon become was chilling in itself.

As much as he wished to believe that his godson was wrong, he could comprehend no scenario that it would be different from what he was predicting.

Now, it only felt more real.

Already things were happening to support what Harry was saying and though he wished he could remain ignorant of it unfolding around him, it was not something that could be ignored.

To attempt to do so would be foolish, and he could see amongst the other members the very same reality he was facing was beginning to set in.

“He is right,” Madame Bones spoke as she eyed Harry critically. “The Ministry is not in a strong position to resist him, and the Minister has surrounded himself with those that manipulate him too easily. A storm is coming and we must prepare as best we can to weather it. Not that I am in a position to support Mr Potter’s future intentions. However, it is all but inevitable that they will be necessary. What good will locking up his followers do when he can simply break them out again?”

Sirius nodded his agreement, as did a visibly reluctant Dumbledore.

“Does that mean Potter is now a member of the Order?” Arthur asked.

“No,” Harry answered firmly. “You will do whatever it is the Headmaster requires, and I will follow my own path. Maybe ours will cross in the future, but I will not formally become a member of the Order.”

“Whyever not?” Arthur pressed.

“Because my goal is not to disrupt and impede him and his followers,” Harry answered. “My job is to put an end to them.”

“Why?” Bill questioned. “Why is it your job to put an end to him?”

“Because only I can,” Harry answered cryptically before standing. “I do not know what it is Dumbledore has told you all, but I’m sure he can confirm that for you.”

The members of the Order looked towards their leader who merely nodded.

“It is Harry that will end this war,” he sighed sadly. “I can say no more on the matter, but I ask that you trust me as many of you have for many years now.”

Most of the gathered members nodded without hesitation, though they seemed to be rather unsettled by the turn the conversation had taken.

The prospect of killing Death Eaters was not something that had been discussed amongst them, and with good reason.

Only a few at the table had likely taken a life in their line of work, and the others had probably not even considered such a thing.

Without another word, Harry left the kitchen and was quickly followed by Amelia Bones leaving the Order of the Phoenix to discuss the conversation that had just taken place.

“Are we really relying on him to kill Voldemort?” Tonks questioned the others. “He’s just a bloody kid.”

Moody chuckled darkly as he shook his head.

“I’ve seen some of what the lad is capable of,” he declared. “Believe me, he’s got more than enough in him to put the shits up anyone. Don’t underestimate Potter. He’s a vicious little bugger that you wouldn’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of. Isn’t that right, Albus?”

Dumbledore nodded severely.

“He is an exceptional young man, more so than any of you would believe,” he answered cryptically. “We will need him in the coming years, and I have no doubt that when he returns to Britain, he will be ready to face what is necessary for us to win the war.”

Many of the members of the Order did not appear to be convinced, but Sirius had every faith in Harry, even if the thought of knowing what he had to terrified the man.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t be any prouder of his godson.

There were so few who would have the necessary gumption to do what he would need to, but Harry had not flinched once during the meeting, and Sirius did not expect his resolve would waver in the future.

Harry was not like any of the others here, and he would need to be different.

He would need to be willing to take the lives of those that would see him dead in the blink of an eye, and though there would always be a part of Sirius that wished Harry would simply stay out of it and live his life far away from Britain, no one had the right to do so.

Still, that didn’t stop him hoping that Harry’s assessment of what was to come was indeed wrong, but deep down, he knew the boy was right.

(Break)

“You made quite the impression in there,” the voice of Amelia Bones sounded from the end of the hallway.

Harry paused as he was about to begin climbing the stairs to the second floor of Grimmauld Place.

“It wasn’t my intention to make an impression. They all just needed to hear the truth.”

“Some won’t like the truth.”

Harry shrugged.

“Is it better to live in blissful ignorance?”

Bones shook her head as she eyed him speculatively.

“No, but the truth is difficult for most to face.”

“And what about you, Madame Bones?”

“I prefer reality to the security of a lie,” she replied. “I lost most of my family to him during the last war, and very nearly fell victim to him myself only recently. My niece…”

The woman swallowed deeply.

“Is a sweet girl who would not have deserved such a fate,” Harry finished. “I met Susan during my time at Hogwarts. She is a credit to you and your family.”

Amelia nodded.

“Professionally speaking, I should be condemning you for your intentions.”

“But you have lost more than most and understand what needs to be done,” Harry pointed out. “Why else do you think I would be so confident to declare my intentions in front of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? First and foremost, keeping Susan safe is your priority, even more so than putting effort in to stopping me when I am one of the few who will be doing what is necessary.”

Bones once more eyed him thoughtfully.

“It was still a risk.”

“A minimal one in comparison to what we face,” Harry sighed. “When people start vanishing and attacks are taking place, who will they all look towards to fix it?”

“You,” Amelia answered bluntly. “The same person that put an end to it before.”

“And I will not be able to do that by follow Dumbledore’s example,” Harry returned. “He cannot bring himself to do what is needed. It is like I said in here, the same mistakes cannot be made, and forgiveness cannot be an option. Those who carry his mark do so proudly, and too many were simply let off for their crimes. Each of them have the blood of the innocent on their hands. I will treat them all exactly as they deserve, even if that means taking on the might of the Ministry.”

Amelia chuckled amusedly.

“If any other was speaking the way you are, I would think them to have taken leave of their senses, but for some reason, I find it difficult to disbelieve. I have been around dangerous men most of my life, and I have an ear for picking out the ones who make empty threats.”

“Then you know that my words are truthful.”

Bones nodded.

“I do,” she agreed. “As much as I wish none of this was happening, I am not one to choose blissful ignorance. I choose life for Susan, and for those in our world that are good people. Officially, I can offer little to you, Potter, but personally, you need only reach out if needed and I will do all I can to ensure your success.”

Harry offered the woman an appreciative bow.

Amelia Bones would be a most useful ally to him.

“Thank you,” he replied. “I cannot promise that I will not make a mess, but war is never cleanly waged. Unfortunately for us, we understand how much it can destroy lives. This time around, it will be those that deserve it who will suffer.”

“Let us hope so, Potter,” Bones sighed as she turned to make her way towards the front door.

She offered him a final look and nod of encouragement before taking her leave, and Harry made his way towards the study on the second floor; a room he would be spending much time in over the next decades of his life, should he defy the odds and emerge victorious from the impending conflict.