A/N: Welcome to my latest offering, The Parting of the Ways. This story starts in Goblet of Fire just after the chapter called The Parting of the Ways, after Dumbledore tells Sirius to lie low at Lupin's while Harry Potter is in the hospital wing after the Third Task. Any apparent "bashing" of certain characters is unintentional.

I would also like to wish my good friend, heronlove, a happy birthday today (April 6th), I hope you enjoy my new story!

Chapter One: Lying Low at Lupin's

Sirius Black had been at his old friend's house for two days now, but it was not where he wanted to be. The place he felt he should be was at Hogwarts with his godson who was still in the hospital wing after his ordeal. The ordeal being that he had witnessed the rebirth of Lord Voldemort. Sirius Black's godson was none other than Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Unfortunately for both of them, Sirius had not been around for Harry to see him grow up; this was because he had been framed for a crime he did not commit by his former friend Peter Pettigrew. Sirius had only last year become the first person to escape from Azkaban Prison single handed, and was still on the run. Now, though, he had been sent here because Voldemort was back and Dumbledore needed him to be here so Remus could start to re-alert the Order of the Phoenix, or as Dumbledore said, "The old crowd".

The Order of the Phoenix was and is a resistance group formed by Albus Dumbledore to fight Dark forces, but in principle, Lord Voldemort and his followers known as the Death Eaters.

Tonight, Remus had organised a meeting with a few people. The first to arrive was Sirius' cousin, Nymphadora Tonks, alongside Alastor Moody, who had recovered from his time as a prisoner in his own trunk for a year while being impersonated by Barty Crouch Junior, and then three more people arrived, Molly, Bill and Charlie Weasley.

Sirius greeted them all cautiously, but Tonks was having none of it as she flung her arms around his neck hugging him for dear life telling him she always knew he was innocent. This came as a huge relief to him as he had missed her growing up as well.

Once the pleasantries were over Remus led them into his kitchen and made tea while the others took seats around the table. When the tea was made, Remus sat down at the table and began to speak.

'Now, you know why we're all here, there are some things that we have to discuss, so let's get started. Tonks, as you work in the Auror office, you are privy to the goings on, do you know of any Aurors who would join the Order?'

Tonks blushed as Remus addressed her but composed herself before answering, 'Well, I think Kingsley Shacklebolt would join, that's for sure, but others, I really don't know, as for Scrimegeour, I think he's going to keep quiet for now.'

'I suppose one man is better than nothing, but I know Arthur Weasley will be trying his best to find out where others stand as discretely as possible, am I right, Molly?' said Remus.

'I think so, Arthur has plenty of contacts around the Ministry and is generally well-liked by his colleagues and you can count on him to be discrete,' she replied.

Remus then cleared his throat and said, 'The next thing we have to discuss is Harry. Now, as you all know he has a part to play in this war, and I feel he needs to be prepared as best as possible, I know some of you feel he should be kept in the dark about certain things, and I agree to an extent, but he will find a way to find out on his own.

'The next things that have to be addressed are Harry's friends. Now I spent a year teaching at Hogwarts and I was in an excellent position to observe and find out a little about them. You see I was a little surprised that Harry is not close to Neville Longbottom. His parents, Frank and Alice, were good friends to James and Lily, and as they were born within a day of one another it was thought the pair would be friends. I am afraid what I have to say next will no doubt upset Molly, Bill and Charlie, but I feel that Ron is a negative influence on Harry. Please, just hear me out before you say anything. In the year I taught at Hogwarts I found that Harry had taken the same electives as Ron, I feel that this is a mistake. Harry should have taken Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as opposed to Divination. Also, I found Ron's work to be below standard, and compared with the rest of his siblings, generally poor. However, I'm not judging Ron purely on academics, there is also the matter of his behaviour towards Harry after the champion's selection. He walked away from Harry when Harry needed him the most, and it hurt Harry very deeply. I know they made up eventually, but I'm sure Harry still feels hurt by it all. In conclusion I feel that Ron is too immature to be by Harry's side for this war, I feel that Ron holds Harry back from doing his best in class, and Harry needs to be the best. I feel that Neville would make a better friend in the fact that Neville actually tries his best, but he also needs a bit of confidence, after all, having Snape bullying him in Potions classes does nothing for his confidence. Does anyone have anything to say?'

'Remus, you are like a brother to me, but I think you're talking shite,' said Sirius, 'Ron's a good kid, and he made a mistake, after all, James and I had our fallings out too, he reminds me of me sometimes, and Harry needs Ron more than either of them know. Besides, this is the same kid that stood on a broken leg to put himself between who he thought was a mass murderer and his two best friends.'

Before Remus could speak, Bill cleared his throat to begin speaking.

'I'm sorry, Mum, but I feel that Remus has a point. I've seen Ron's marks and I'm disappointed in him and them. Don't misunderstand me, I love my baby brother, but I am disappointed in him and his behaviour, but not just toward Harry but Hermione too.'

'I'm with Bill on this one, Mum,' said Charlie.

'You are both prepared to still stand by Harry even if Ron is not going to be a part of this?' asked Remus.

'Yes, this is about fighting a war for our way of life,' said Bill.

'I agree with Bill,' said Charlie.

'As do I,' said Molly, speaking at last, 'Ronald cannot be a part of this, and when the time comes for our family to come to Headquarters I shall make alternative arrangements for him to stay elsewhere.'

'Shall we bring this to a vote?' asked Remus, 'all in favour of Neville replacing Ron as Harry's best friend and Harry severing ties with Ron?'

Molly, Bill, Charlie and Remus all raised their hands.

'Opposed?' asked Remus.

Sirius and Tonks raised their hands.

'Are you abstaining, Alastor?'

'Yes, I am,' replied Moody.

'So by a vote of four to two, and one abstention, we have a motion,' said Remus.

'Remus, this is ridiculous, who is going to make Harry see this is the right thing to do? I ask because it won't be me, I think this is a mistake,' said Sirius.

'I shall do it, Sirius, I plan on seeing Harry tomorrow anyway,' Remus replied.

'Great, just dandy, but I suppose now you're going to explain to us all that Hermione is not a good friend either?' said Sirius.

'On the contrary, I feel that she is a good influence on Harry – to an extent. I feel she is too obsessed with academics; she almost made herself ill with all the extra work she took on in the year I taught at Hogwarts. She is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most intelligent witch I've ever met. Her theory work is excellent but her practical application of Defence is not as good. Her fear of failure is something that drives her but it could be her biggest Achilles heel. I feel that she would find it very difficult to choose between Harry and Ron when they go their separate ways,' said Remus.

'What do you suggest then?' said Bill.

'I feel that Harry needs Hermione, but her friendship with Ron will make it difficult for them. I suggest a couple of conditions for their friendship. The first one being that Hermione needs to sever ties with Ron as well and the second one being that she help Neville with his confidence. He needs help in Potions and Transfiguration, but more than that, he needs a girlfriend to boost his self-esteem even more,' said Remus.

'That's bollocks, Remus, who are you to play matchmaker? Do you even know if Neville likes Hermione?' said Sirius.

'According to Ginny he asked her to the Yule Ball,' said Molly.

'But does Hermione like Neville? You can't force these things, Remus!' said Sirius.

'If she wants to be Harry's friend she'll have to, I know you don't like it, but that's the only way it'll work. Harry needs her but we can't have her being friends with Ron on the side,' said Remus.

'Well, I think this is a shit plan and I want no part of it, Remus, and when it goes tits up, you'll be the one to get the blame!' said Sirius.

'So long as I get the credit when it all works out perfectly,' said Remus.

Sirius merely said, 'Whatever.'

'The next thing on the agenda is Ginny. I know she is very taken with Harry and it's only a matter of time before Harry likes her back, she is, after all, a redhead,' said Remus.

'What do you mean by that?' asked Molly.

'The Potter curse,' began Remus, 'all Potter men are cursed with bad eyesight, unruly jet black hair, and falling in love with red-haired young ladies.'

'That's the first thing you've been right about since we got here, Remus,' said Sirius.

'All I'm merely suggesting is that Harry make the effort to get to know Ginny a little better by including her in his new circle of friends, along with Fred and George, of course,' said Remus, ignoring Sirius.

'I think that's acceptable, I'll come with you to Hogwarts tomorrow, Remus, and have a chat with Fred, George and Ginny, to let them know what's happening next,' said Bill.

'Excellent, then I think we're done here,' said Remus.

There were few murmurs as those who left, did so.