Chapter one: Getting Started

Nobody had an answer to McGonagall's question, they were all lost in their own thoughts.There were so many things to process. Remus was still thinking about his death, and the death of Tonks. It was so unfair. So close to happiness and it would be snatched from him again. No, he corrected himself, would have been. He had a chance to keep it this time.

James couldn't believe his son had done it. He looked down at the baby in his arms and marvelled that something so tiny could defeat the world's most evil villain. Of course by then his little Harry would be fully grown, but in his eyes, he would always be the little baby he currently was. He was also reeling from the news that all of his friends would die. And Snape. He had done everything to keep Harry safe because he had loved Lily. This wasn't exactly news to James, everyone except Lily herself knew of his crush on Lily, but to hear how much he loved her was a little unnerving. That also didn't excuse his behaviour towards Harry. It explained it, but did not excuse it.

Lily was stunned. Her little Hare Bear had fought that monster and won. She looked around the room. Hermione had told them the victory would come at a cost, she hadn't quite imagined such widespread destruction. Of everyone in this room, less than half had survived. James had told her for years that Severus was in love with her and she had dismissed it, saying they were just friends. Even if he was back on their side now, how could she ever retrieve any form of friendship when he was hiding these feelings for her. He had switched sides, back to the light, out of love for her.

Sirius was gazing down at Hermione, open mouthed. It was difficult to believe his godson had defied death, not once, but twice. He marvelled at how much the trio had gone through, and still survived. He was determined to save Regulus this time around.

After a long time, Harry woke and started crying so Lily got up and went to get him some food. Hermione was still leaning into Sirius, their hands intertwined.

"I guess we call an Order meeting and introduce Hermione." Remus suggested.

"It's a start. The Order need to put in a lot more safety measures now as well. A lot of people died in the lead up to that fateful Halloween." Hermione said.

"I will get the Order's address off of Moody as he in the secret keeper." Sirius said. "I'll ask him one evening after work. I go back in three days."

"You mean you'll be doing real work, unable to bother us?" Lily asked in a fake hopeful tone. Lily wanted to lift the depressed mood that had settled over the living room as everyone had been lost in thought. She had just come back in, Harry in one arm and his food in the other.

"Prooongs. Control your wife." Sirius complained.

"Sorry Siri, I gave up trying years ago." James grinned.

"Don't call me Siri, Jamsie." Sirius retorted.

"Enough boys." McGonagall snapped in exasperation.

"Sorry Professor." They chorused, not looking sorry at all.

"Sirius, you should use Kreacher to contact Regulus. Maybe we can save him. He got cold feet soon after he joined. If he's been a Death Eater since he graduated then he is probably already planning to find the locket." Hermione interjected. Sirius made a face at the idea of calling Kreacher.

"We also need an idea of how many Horcruxes Voldemort has in this time." Flitwick said. "Obviously Harry isn't one."

"The diary must be. It was his sixteen year old self in it, the same age he was when he asked Slughorn about Horcruxes and when he killed his uncle Morfin. Maybe he used that death to make the diary." Lily suggested.

"Damn, how do you remember such detail?" Sirius asked in awe.

"I pay attention, Black." She rolled her eyes.

"So do I." He defended. "Sometimes." He exchanged smirks with James.

"The diary could be anywhere." James complained.

"Well Lucius Malfoy had it before Voldemort was defeated the first time so it may be in the Malfoy vault or at Malfoy Manor." Hermione put in.

"It's more likely to be in the vault. If Voldemort wanted it safe he would probably make them put it in the vault." Sirius told them.

"We know the locket has been made as that was also in place before his downfall. I don't think Nagini was made one until after he returned in the graveyard." Hermione added.

"What about the one in Bellatrix's vault. The cup?" Asked McGonagall.

"The memory showed that he stole that at the same time as the locket, so it is possible it's a horcrux now. I have no idea if it's still in Gringotts though." Dumbledore said.

"Robbing two vaults in not going to happen. You three made it into one and barely got out alive. Two is pushing luck too far." James told the room.

"I'm with James on this one." Lily put in.

"Well the other options are break into Lestrange and Malfoy Manors. Then still possibly need to get into Gringotts." Remus said quietly.

"The diadem will be the easiest. Riddle put it there when he went for the job interview. It will be in the room of requirement." Hermione smiled. "The problem will be destroying it. The sword of Gryffindor won't work because it is not imbued with Basilisk venom in this time. The Basilisk is still alive and we can hardly walk up to a live Basilisk and ask for a fang."

"Nor do we have a Parseltongue to get in there." Dumbledore pointed out.

"I'm definitely not comfortable knowing we have a deadly serpent living under the school." Flitwick shivered.

"We could use Fiendfyre." Hermione suggested. "In a controlled environment with you there." She looked over at the Professors. "It may be possible."

"If there is an alternative solution that will be best. We should resort to Fiendfyre as a last resort." Dumbledore said gravely.

"Back to the Horcruxes, the Gaunt ring may be one in this time as well." Remus said. "That gives us five."

"More than enough to be getting on with." Flitwick said.

"Yes. We should leave the diadem until we know how to destroy it. The Horcruxes are still a part of Voldemort's soul and will entice us in different ways." Hermione warned.

"If nobody has a better solution by the Order meeting then we will set up a safe area to use Fiendfyre." McGonagall told them.

"When is the meeting?" Asked Remus.

"I have moved it to a week today." Dumbledore informed them.

"So we just do nothing until then?" James demanded. "We can't just sit around knowing this stuff and not do anything."

"Mr Black will set about trying to save his brother. That way we can get the locket. I suggest you and Mrs Potter think about how to deal with the situation regarding Severus." McGonagall suggested.

"The more of Voldemort's supporters we can turn to our side the better." Remus said.

"I'll call Kreacher in the morning."

"Careful Siri, you almost had a smart idea." Hermione grinned cheekily. He mock glared at her as Remus, James and Lily burst out laughing.

"I can be smart." He replied haughtily, sticking his nose up.

"Suuuure." James patted him arm in pretend reassurance. "He's delusional." He stage whispered to Hermione.

"As amusing as 'Pick on Sirius day' is, can we get back to the matter at hand." McGonagall called, looking both amused and annoyed.

"Any ideas on how to contact Snape?" James asked his wife. "It would hardly be safe to just send him an owl."

"We made a code when we were kids. I could send him a note using that." Lil suggested.

"Could anyone else break it?" Flitwick asked.

"I highly doubt it. It would mean nothing to anyone but me and Sev." Lily gave a small smile. James had to refrain from frowning.

"You'd best send him a letter then and ask him to meet you in a neutral place. Diagon Alley or something." James suggested.

"That's hardly the best place to be discussing such business." Lily replied.

"You can't go off alone with him?" James asked, aghast. "He is still a Death Eater. He might think it's a trap and bring back-up."

"Maybe we could meet in Diagon Alley and then move somewhere more private. We can figure that out later, he might not even reply." Lily stalled. James grimaced but nodded. One problem at a time he figured.

"Well we shall leave you five to figure out the details of how you will contact the two boys." McGonagall said.

"Yes. See you in one week at the Order meeting place. Sirius don't forget to get the address off Alastor." Dumbledore reminded him. "I will forewarn him you are going to ask."

"Yes Professor." Sirius smiled.

"Well, good day and good luck. Many thanks Miss Granger for coming here. We appreciate your sacrifice and acknowledge your bravery." Dumbledore said.

"Thank you professor." Hermione replied. With that he disappeared into the flames.

"Best of luck. That was an incredible tale. You have done yourself and your friends great credit." McGonagall said as she, too, disappeared.

"Yes, yes well done Miss Granger." Flitwick beamed. "I must be going as well. If you need anything just floo to Hogwarts. You are all always welcome." He waved and then toppled into the fireplace. The five looked at each other.

"Dinner time." Sirius announced. Lily glared at him and then got up to fetch some food. James walked over and gave Hermione a huge hug.

"Thanks 'Mione. For everything." He said sincerely. She just smiled in reply. Then Remus came over and hugged her as well.

"Welcome to the family." He grinned.

"Thanks." Hermione laughed. Sirius then hugged Hermione as well. He pulled her against him and kissed her forehead tenderly. She leant against his chest, emotionally exhausted. After a while she stood straight and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before heading to see if Lily needed any help.