A/N: Okay, I know I said I'd have the chapter up within two weeks, but I lied. Sorry, it wasn't on purpose. Finals are coming up, and my professors are piling on the projects.
This chapter is kind of short. Not as short as the first one, but still kind of short. Hopefully, it won't be the case for next semester. Anyway, summer's coming up quickly (only one more week, then finals! Ah!), so hopefully between working and such, I'll have more time to write.
Thanks to: ngh-is-hotspiritualwitchDumbledore-The-PhoenixHarrysmateSpioradKimi kimzTexas DragonXxMrs.PadfootxXancient midnight, Romulus, Ginvera, Morgaine00000016dartanianSelene Malfoy Lupinhope99Intergalactic smart-assKeleiMoony's-WolfSensiblyTaintedlav-katie-hpDrunken Boxer, prettyprincess, VickiWeasleyAvallyn BlackCrystal Cove, and SailorHecate for the nice comments and constructive criticism.
Oh, yeah. I have a new oneshot up: Reluctant Alliance, Revenge Assumed. It's probably my favorite I've written so far. Sad ending, though. Go check it out!
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize from Harry Potter is property of J.K. Rowling. Any other characters you don't recognize are mine.
Chapter 2 - Summer D.A.
"Is there anything else that needs to be brought up?" Dumbledore asked, looking around the room. It had been a very long meeting, and everyone was just waiting to go back home. Voldemort had been quiet, publicly, for awhile, but the information that the spies were bringing in, although they were not in Voldemort's inner circle, had proof of a large ambush happening soon.
"I have something, Headmaster," Severus said, and a silent groan filled the room, causing Severus to smirk. Since he was currently living at headquarters, he was in no hurry to leave. He continued when Albus nodded. "Harry thought it might be beneficial to continue the D.A. during the summer for the more trusted members."
"It would be. We could never be too prepared," Albus agreed, thoughtful. "There would be a few issues that need to be taken care of. First, a place for the children to learn."
"My home on Spinner's End would be ideal with the new wards," Severus interrupted.
"What about the law of underage magic?" someone spoke up.
"That was the next conflict. I will talk with Minister Drima about it. His children are activity involved in the D.A., and I have no doubt that he will be willing to allow for it. The next issue would be of who we could trust enough to be involved. Severus?"
"Yes?"
"Since you and Harry know the members the best, I want you two to go over who should be involved. You were thinking about the older members?"
"Most likely. There are a few exceptional younger students that might be able to handle it. When do you want a list by?"
"Next week's meeting. That should give me enough time to convince anyone who needs to know," Albus said, and Severus nodded. "But talking about Harry brings up one more topic," he continued, and almost everyone in the room did groan out loud.
"Tough it out! Everything that needs to be talked about, should be talked about immediately," grumbled Mad-Eye. The members in the room would have glared at him, but most were scared of him.
"As you all probably know, Harry is turning seventeen this summer. By tradition, we have never initiated anyone unless they have finished Hogwarts, but I feel an exception should be made this time," Dumbledore continued, ignoring the groans.
"He's too young!" several people shouted.
"I agree, Headmaster," Severus said. "He is very talented, and has a lot of luck when it comes to saving people, but he is too young to actively joining the war," Severus argued, despite the fact that he knew Harry was eager to join.
"He won't be. I actually have another idea. Not many of you know, and he probably doesn't want many to know, but I feel that this information could help persuade you. The Sorting Hat originally wanted Harry in Slytherin . . ." mumbles around the room " . . . but many of you have commented that he is a picture perfect Gryffindor. The more I have gotten to know Harry, I see how much of a Slytherin he truly is, which isn't a surprise knowing who his father is. He is a very perceptual young man.
"What I would like Harry to do will start at the beginning of the school year. I believe he is capable of befriending anyone he sets his mind to. He would be able to . . ."
"You want him to spy on the student body," Severus accused.
"Simply put, yes."
"That would be dangerous. This would only put him in more danger," Minerva commented.
"Slightly. He is very capable of getting himself out of danger when needed, though. Also, since he is known to be friendly to anyone who doesn't attack him, it will be easier for him to befriend those of other houses. Minerva and I have talked about it, and after talking to several of our staff members . . ."
"You didn't talk to me," Severus accused.
"I felt your opinion would have been biased, Severus. And many believe that Harry Potter should be Head Boy next year."
"He wasn't even a prefect," somebody stated. "Is that allowed?"
"It is, actually. Although it does not happen often, it does happen. Much can change over the course of two years, people change. It was preferred practice, although not common, among many of the past Headmasters and Headmistresses."
"Why would that be preferable?"
"Because then we don't have to appoint a new 7th year prefect. Head Boy and Girl responsibilities are different from prefect responsibilities in many ways. 7th year prefects are expected to know everything about their jobs, much more than someone who is new to the job. Having a new 7th year prefect would only set them back," Minerva explained. Most people nodded in understanding. Severus just sulked a little. Being a Head of House meant that he had say in who the Head Boy and Girl would be, and Albus didn't even talk to him about it. Not that he didn't want his son to be Head Boy.
"So he would be using his position as Head Boy to spy on the students? Isn't that betraying the trust of those students?"
"I have no doubt that Harry would refuse to do that. There are many layers to this. First, Harry, being head of the D.A., being the Boy-Who-Lived, and a 'hero' many times out, has a lot of influence among his peers, whether he believes he does or not. A younger child of a Death Eater who doesn't want to become one themselves might look for guidance," Albus put up his hand to stop Severus from interrupting. "It is always easier for a child to talk to someone closer to their age. That is one of the reasons we have a Head Boy and Girl.
"Two, it is known that Voldemort wants to integrate more spies into the Order. With Harry as Head Boy, he will know more the student population personally than most of us. He will be able to tell us is he thinks a new member is suspicious."
Everyone was silent for awhile. Everything that Dumbledore said was true, but Harry was still in school.
"How about we think about it, then vote later. I do believe that everyone is anxious to leave." Everyone consented, and the meeting was adjourned. Severus started upstairs only to find Harry waiting on the stairs.
"Well? What did they say?"
"Albus needs to talk to the Minister before anything can be finalized, but he believes it to be a good idea. We need to go through the current members and decide who should come by the next meeting."
"Great! I actually started working on a list. I'm going to bed now, though. Talk to you about it tomorrow?" Harry asked, excited.
"Yes," Severus sighed. "Good night, Harry."
"Night, Severus."
Albus flooed to the Ministry. He had an appointment with Minister Drima in a half an hour as was determined not to be late. Because of events lately, he had been late to several meetings this week.
"Hello, I have a meeting with the Minster," Albus said when he reached the secretary's desk.
"Name?" the man asked without looking up.
"Albus Dumbledore," he gave his name. The man looked up quickly.
"Professor Dumbledore! It's been awhile since I've seen you. How have you been?"
"Hello, Mr. Jones. I have been better in my years, but nonetheless, I am good. And how about you? Working in the Ministry now, I see."
"Yes. Minister Drima wanted more trustworthy people working here now. The goblins at Gringotts recommended me."
"Good, good," Albus said. Jones was always bragging, but he never bragged about anything that wasn't true.
"The Minister should be out to see you in a few minutes, if you'll take a seat, please?" Jones stated, then went back to what seemed to be important paperwork on the desk. Albus walked over to the chairs that lined the room's walls, and was about to conjure up a more comfortable chair when Drima came out of the office behind a man that Albus didn't recognize. The man left, and Drima went up to Albus.
"Headmaster, it is good to see you. Now, let's go to my office," he said, leading the way. In the office, Albus did conjure up a softer chair and sat down. "What is it that is so important?"
"Ah, yes. I do believe you have heard of the defense group at Hogwarts called the D.A.?"
"Of course! Both of my children are involved, and enjoy it immensely. Nothing is wrong, I hope?"
"No, nothing at all. Actually, I felt that it might be useful to continue it for some of the older members during the summer, what with Voldemort becoming more powerful."
"I see," replied the Minister, a little less enthusiastic than before. "As much as I agree with the children learning more defense, wouldn't it be dangerous for them to group during the summer? Where would be meet? Hogwarts?"
"Not during the summer, no, not Hogwarts. Actually, we have recently warded a house. Very safe, and protected under the Fidelius Charm."
"Who is the Secret Keeper?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that. You understand, I hope?"
"Of course. Who will be these students involved?"
"I'm not sure, exactly. Your children, of course. Mr. Snape and Mr. Potter-Snape will have a list in a week, if not sooner. They are in charge of the group."
"So it will be supervised."
"Of course! It would be very dangerous, otherwise," Albus commented, a twinkle in his eye. There will be at least one other Order member there for every meeting."
"So, if I agree, what will you need?"
"Just a waiver of the underage magic for the location of the house," Albus said lightly. "Security will be taken care of by the Order."
"This is just for defense? You will not be training the children to fight a war?"
"I would never send a child into war, no. I have no doubts that young Harry will want to teach them a few offensive spells, after all, if you can't stun your enemy, you might not be able to get away, but it will be for defense purposes only." Drima looked like he was thinking. After a few minutes, he looked up.
"Okay, I'll notice the department. Where is this location?" Drima asked, and Albus smiled to himself.
"Harry?"
"Severus?"
"What are you doing? Why are you up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep," Harry shrugged, "because I went to bed early, so I decided to look over the D.A. list."
"Have you figured out who to invite?"
"Somewhat. The Drimas, of course, since Professor Dumbledore is going to ask the Minister. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Neville and Luna of course. . ."
"Of course," sneered Severus, earning a glare from his son.
"The Creeveys. We'll have to remind them not to bring a camera, though. Ernie MacMillan. Other than that, I don't know. There are a few younger members that I trust, but . . ."
"They are younger. Yes. What about Miss Bones?"
"Oh, yeah. She can be trusted. At least with this."
"That list should suffice. Any larger, I doubt we'll have room. You start writing out the letters. Make them formal, Harry."
"Formal? Like Hogwarts letter formal?"
"Yes," Severus replied, and Harry groaned.
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer," Harry whined.
"Yes, it is. Now, get to it, and I'll start breakfast."
"Wait, did Professor Dumbledore get permission?"
"I don't know yet, Harry," Severus sighed. "He only knew about it last evening."
"Okay," Harry said, and went to go look for some parchment.
Severus watched his son leave. As mature as he was getting, he was sure good at whining. Of course, it was probably because he was never given the change to whine as a child, so he was just making up for lost time. Which, of course, was unfortunate for Severus. He knew he should just shut Harry up when he started whining, and most of the time he did, but it didn't hurt to indulge the boy once in a while, right? After all, there was lost time to make up for.
Harry looked down at the letters in his hand. He reread the original copy again.
Permission has been given to continue the D.A. during the summer at a secret location for certain D.A. members. If you wish to be involved, owl back, and you will be informed of the first date and place we will meet. Do not inform anyone but your parents or guardians of this, for safety reasons.
- Harry Potter-Snape
Harry had nearly thrown it out and started over, but Severus stopped him, saying it said what it needed to say. So, instead, he made nine copies and addressed them. Now, all they needed was for Dumbledore to say he got permission, then he'd send them off with Hedwig. He was tempted to write more personal letters to his closer friends, but also decided against that. Just as Severus finished making breakfast, and they both sat down to eat, Dumbledore came it.
"Hello, my boys. You two are up early," he greeted, getting a glare from Severus and a grin from Harry. Dumbledore had a habit of coming in the early morning and finding Severus and Harry awake, and he always acted like he didn't expect it. "Minister Drima gave permission, so go ahead and send the letters, Harry," he continued before he sat down and started serving himself breakfast.