Disclaimer: This story is based on the stories and characters created by JK Rowling, and inspired by the poems of T.S. Eliot. I do not own these characters or inspirational ideas, and no money is being made.

Chapter 1. Let us go then, you and I

The crimson Hogwarts express sat at platform 9 3/4 billowing steam, and I kissed my father with his wild grey brown hairs goodbye. His blue eyes looked grey circled in red as they were, but his blotchy face was still strong. I ushered first years onto the train, as the whistle blew, and it was the first moment I had alone with my thoughts all day, and likely it would be the last. Anxiety tore at my chest, and the badge that hung there was heavy. What was I going to do? The train started to move, and I hopped on board. I looked back to wave to my father, but he was gone.

I passed a compartment where Ginny, Neville, and Luna were sitting together, and I waved and poked my head in.

"I can't stay," I said as an excuse to stay away. "I need to check compartments. "

"Hello Frey. Thats right," Luna said, dreamily. "You're head girl now."

"It's weird, you know. We all thought Hermione was going to be head girl." Ginny said, fingering a broom handle that was leaning against her thigh.

"Yeah. I don't know how I feel about it."

And I didn't. The letter I received that held the news and my badge also had a letter from professor McGonagall, explaining the situation. As Hermione was not returning to Hogwarts this year, a replacement was required for the seventh year Gryffindor girls prefect position, and she appointed me. Then I was elected as head girl. Many of the professors were Anti-Voldemort and thought a Gryffindor influence would benefit the student community. She also asked me to come to the Head's carriage 10 minutes before the meeting with the heads so that she could discuss the situation with me at greater length.

I already knew what this meeting was going to be about, and I already knew what I was going to say. She would tell me how the school needed me right now, a strong, intelligent Gryffindor to lead the school through these troubled times. I would tell her that they had the wrong Gryffindor. Take who ever they had "chosen" as the men's seventh year to take Ron's place to "lead the school" while Voldemort killed our families. But I knew what she would say to that too.

The compartment at the head of the Hogwarts Express was empty when I arrived, except for a bowl of biscuits on the round table with three chairs. I sat to the side of the door, and waited, tempted to have a biscuit. McGonagall entered moments later.

"You're early, Ms. Ollivander," she said, sitting down in the plushest of the chairs in the compartment.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I suppose I was anxious."

"Perfectly reasonable. Have a biscuit."

I hesitated before reaching out for the bowl and taking a couple of biscuits.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you, Professor."

She poured a cup for the both of us, and took a sip of her's before looking me dead in the eyes.

"You've always been an excellent student Ollivander, one of the best in your year. The only reason that y0u were not originally chosen as prefect was because Ms. Granger was the obvious choice, that and that we needed her to keep Potter and Weasley in line." She paused. "You were also not chosen because you have always been a deeply selfish student."

I shifted in my seat, and took a long drink of my tea. It burned my tongue.

"I discussed with other of your Professors in your first year the possibility that you should have been in placed Slytherin, but the hat is never wrong, so it is not our place to judge. Then, over the next five years, I saw how desperate situations brought out the best in you. You participated in the movement run my Mr. Potter called "Dumbledore's Army" in your fifth year, an act of resistance against oppression. You're prideful to a fault, wilful, and deceitful, but also clever, brave, and loyal." She sipped her tea. "I don't know if you're ready for this, but He Who Must Not Be Named isn't waiting until we are ready. The school needs you, the staff needs you, and most of all the students need you. It is time for you to put away your childish ways."

"But Professor McGonagall, this is unfair. You can't seriously expect me to guard the whole student body against You Know Who, against themselves. You know better than I do that he has reached deep into the student community. There is nothing I can do."

"I expect nothing from you, Ollivander, but the students do. By default of your position you will have the respect of your peers, and the power to influence them. I cannot give you direction, but I know that at the very least, you will bring some hope to many who have lost it. You cannot bring down He Who Must Not Be Named, or even stand up against him on your own, but you're not alone. There is a network of students and staff that are fighting. I am simply asking for you to be a part of that network, and resist with us."

"I don't want this," I said, feeling my heart pour out.

"Then don't do it. You know the basic functions of the Head Girl. Abide by those, and half the battle will have already been fought. I know you will feel differently."

I reached back, wrapping my long black hair into a bun and pinning it in place with a stick I had stowed in my robes. "I sincerely doubt it. What were your other options, professor?"

"There were none. Mr. Longbottom was chosen to replace Mr. Weasley as prefect, and he would have been our first choice as head, but Professor Snape was adamant about the placement of Head Boy." Her face transformed from a frown to a grimace of contempt.

"Who's Head Boy, then?"

McGonagall checked her watch and shook her head when the compartment door opened.