Wow guys! Thanks for all of the support so far with the reviews and favorites :D. I can't believe how positive this story's reception has been so far. Here's Chapter 2. It doesn't jump around like Chapter 1 did. I'm going to try and limit the POV jumping from now on, unless it's absolutely necessary. To the person who suggested some sort of line break between section, on my original document I had line breaks, when I uploaded to my formatting erased them. I'll try to find a way around that in the future. Thanks again, as always, please read and review!

P.S.- I forgot this last chapter, but I don't own anything in this story. All recognizable characters either belong to J.K. Rowling or Kripke. And do to copyright laws (if I'm interpreting them correctly), anything I do with their characters also belongs to them.

Chapter 2- Meetings

Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge was currently feeling very pleased with himself as he walked into the atrium in the Ministry of Magic. While yes, Sirius Black managed to break out of Azkaban, Cornelius felt that he had handled things responsibly. After his meeting with the Warden of Azkaban, the Minister had quickly organized the Aurors and sent them into Knockturn and Diagon Alley in force. He had then done the sensible thing and contacted Albus Dumbledore. Fudge realized that having Black on the loose could possibly lead to a new Dark Lord, and if there was anything the Wizarding World did not need it was one of those, and who better to have on his side than someone who had fought not only one, but two Dark Lords in the last century? In fact, he was on his way to a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix, apparently a secret group of witches and wizards who fought against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, right this very moment. Stepping into the green fire, Minister Fudge said quietly, but forcefully, "Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," and disappeared in a swirl of green fire.

Upon exiting the fireplace, Minister Fudge was greeted by the sight of dozens of moving, silver instruments on numerous shelves and a golden perch on which rested a stunning red and gold phoenix. Just as soon as he began to wonder where Dumbledore was, the man in question came through the door to the office with a sallow faced man in black and a stern looking woman in a green robe trailing behind him.

"Hello, Cornelius," the Headmaster greeted, "I trust you remember Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape?"

"I believe I do, Albus. Hello, Minerva, Severus. It's good to see you both, even though I wish it were under better circumstances."

"Likewise, Minister," Professor McGonagall replied.

Severus Snape just sneered at Albus, "If you had just expelled Black in our sixth year, we wouldn't even be in this situation in the first place. It's bad enough that I have to teach Potter during the school year, now I assume you'll be asking everyone else tonight to go around looking after him as well."

Professor Dumbledore sighed and gave Snape a disappointed frown, but before he could answer the other members of the Order walked through the door.

Molly and Arthur Weasley quickly entered and took their seats. Following them were Alastor Moody and Remus Lupin, who in turn were followed by Dedalus Diggle and Elphias Doge. When everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood and began the discussion.

"It is good to see all of you in good health after so long. While I am sure many of us wish that an official gathering was unnecessary, the issue of Sirius Black is of the utmost importance-"

"Quit stalling and get to the point, Albus," Moody barked.

"Very well, Alastor. As I was saying, the recapture of Black is vital. For more reasons than many of you may know," Albus began again, "we must work not only to help the Ministry capture him, but in the meantime we must also protect Harry Potter."

It was Dedalus Diggle who asked, "Why would Black be after Mr. Potter?"

"Think, you fool," Professor Snape bit out through clenched teeth. "Black was the Dark Lord's second-in-command. It is likely that he views Potter as the cause of all of his problems. When the Dark Lord fell, Black lost everything. In his unhinged mind, it makes logical sense for him to go after the brat to avenge his fallen master."

"I'm afraid it's worse than that, Severus," Professor McGonagall said, her voice weak. "As I'm sure you are all aware, James Potter and Sirius Black were like brothers to one another. What you don't know is that when Harry was born, Lily and James named Black as Harry Potter's godfather."

"Come now, Minerva, surely it isn't as bad as all that. The Potters wouldn't have made a Black godfather to their only child, even if he was a close friend," Elphias Doge countered, sure of himself and the Potters sense of propriety.

"You're wrong, Elphias," Remus Lupin gently corrected, "I was there when Sirius was named godfather. Lily thought he was too immature but James insisted." He lowered his head, lost in memories of happier times and for a moment there was silence.

Finally, Minister Fudge interjected before the arguing could resume, "I believe it is time we get to the actual purpose of this meeting, Dumbledore. To that end, I will begin by saying that I have been working with Amelia Bones of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour to fully mobilize the Auror force to patrol the Alleys around the clock and to prepare the detention cells for when Black is recaptured."

"Very good, Cornelius," the Headmaster replied, "but what of Hogsmeade? Surly the Ministry must realize that Black may very well decide to hide out in the village once term begins, if only to be closer to Harry."

Startled by his own lack of foresight, Fudge gave the first answer that came to mind, "Actually, Albus, I was thinking of stationing the Dementors in the town with a complement of wizards from Azkaban nearby to cast the Patronus charm if they trouble the townsfolk."

"But Minister!" Minerva exclaimed, "What about the students who visit Hogsmeade? You cannot honestly expect the parents to be thrilled that those monsters will be stationed so close to their children."

"Minerva," Albus answered for the bewildered politician, "I believe, that in this instance, we may have to concede that the Minister has a point. You know how I feel about Dementors, but we will simply have to send out a notice to the students stating that due to the escape of Sirius Black, Hogsmeade visits will be cancelled for their own safety."

The room descended into chaos as Professor McGonagall, Dedalus Diggle, and Elphias Doge tried to change Dumbldore's mind. Finally, after much yelling, gesturing and stomping of feet, Moody called the return to order for the room and silence reigned once more.

"Now, Albus," Moody began quietly, "you mentioned at the start that there were other reasons why Black had to be recaptured beyond the obvious. It may help put some of our minds at ease about the soul-suckers if you'd quit dancing around the issue like a damned Russian ballerina and told us all what in Merlin's name is going on!" He finished loudly.

Dumbledore paused a moment, as if considering the potential damage his information could cause, before nodding to himself and beginning, "Certain events occurred last year that have confirmed a theory I've had for a long time. Lord Voldemort," here he ignored the collective flinch from most of the room, "is not as dead as we may have wished."

Minister Fudge quickly paled and the rest of the room went so still and silent that when Fawkes let out a cry, many in the room jumped at the unexpected noise.

"W-what do y-you mean, Albus?" The Minister for Magic stammered. "I, that is to say, we all thought he was dead and now you tell us that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is alive? That's preposterous, He cannot be back," Cornelius finished sternly and made to walk towards the fireplace to leave this absurd meeting.

"Cornelius," Professor Dumbledore called, stopping the man in his tracks, "if you would simply listen to the evidence I have assembled and view a memory from my pensieve, I believe you will see the truth."

"Oh very well, Albus, I'll listen to your evidence after this meeting, but this had better be worth it. I can't just go to the public and tell them the 'Darkest Wizard of the Century' is in fact still alive. It would incite panic!"

"Thank you for humoring an old man, Minister," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling for the first time that night. "Now, for the Minister's sake, let us work under the assumption that Voldemort," again the room flinched, "is alive. With Black, a man who is widely regarded as his de facto chief lieutenant, at large it is only a matter of time before he attempts to seek out his master and return him to power. Obviously this is something that no one here tonight would like to see. Therefore, it is imperative that we capture Sirius Black before anything catastrophic happens."

While everyone took a moment to absorb this new development, Remus was the first to speak again. "Headmaster, we've already talked about how we plan to guard the major economic centers so long as Black is on the loose, but you have yet to mention how we are to protect Harry if Sirius makes a bid for him."

"Right you are, Remus, forgive an old man for 'losing the plot', as they say. I intended for members of the Order present tonight to take shifts guarding Mr. Potter's home for the rest of the summer." Seeing Minister Fudge about to object, Dumbledore correctly guessed his concern and added, "Minister, while I have the utmost faith in Britain's finest, I must insist that the Aurors have nothing to do with Mr. Potter's immediate security. His greatest protection right now, apart from the wards I placed, is the secrecy of his location when he's not in school. While I doubt any of the Aurors would actively help Black, Mr. Potter is a celebrity," here Snape scoffed to himself, "and these things are often gossiped about. Surely you can understand that, being a public figure yourself?"

A mollified Minister Fudge nodded his head in agreement, before demanding, "Oh, fine then. But I insist that if Mr. Potter's home comes under attack that you notify the DMLE immediately! We need to be prepared to capture him the moment he reveals himself."

"That seems reasonable, Professor," Lupin said, "but I'm afraid I have something to tell you that may shed light on how Black escaped and that I know will be crucial in his recapture." Deciding to get it over with when he saw the silver-haired Headmaster's encouraging smile, he quickly confessed, "As most of you know, I am a werewolf," he resolutely ignored Minister Fudge's twitch as if to grab a wand, "and in our fifth year at Hogwarts, James, Sirius and Peter all became animagi to accompany me every full moon. James took the form of a stag, Peter was a rat, and Sirius was a great, black dog. He very well could have turned into his animagus form and slipped right past the Dementors and any other guards he may have encountered."

Severus Snape's face turned thunderous and Alastor Moody looked as if he would very much like to haul Remus in for questioning.

"Ah, thank you, Remus," Albus responded before the room could descend into chaos yet again, to keep the peace he added, "It was very brave of you to tell us this. I know you must have felt like you were betraying your friends' memory," before transitioning to the matter at hand. "Now, if no one else has anything to add," Dumbledore said as he glanced around the room, "I believe it is time we discussed the guard schedule. Tomorrow, Alastor and Dedalus, you will take the first shift from nine o'clock in the morning to three o'clock in the afternoon. Minerva and Severus, you will take over for them and will run your shift until nine o'clock at night. Arthur and Elphias, you will take the midnight shift from nine o'clock to three o'clock. And lastly, Molly and Remus will take their shift from three o'clock to nine o'clock in the morning. As Remus has pointed out, you should all be alert for a large black dog. I highly doubt that Sirius Black will simply walk up the street undisguised. Now, it is getting late, and I believe it is time we all return home and get some rest. Goodnight, everyone."

As the others rose and left either through the fireplace or out the door, Minister Fudge shakily got to his feet and approached Dumbledore. "Alright, Albus, let me see this evidence you have," he demanded.

"As you wish, Cornelius," the aging teacher began, "but you may wish to seat yourself before we start." Seeing Fudge take his advice, Dumbledore took a deep breath and continued his narration, "You may not know this, but I knew Lord Voldemort before his rise to power all those years ago. In fact, I was his Transfiguration professor when he was still known as Tom Marvolo Riddle-"

Fudge quickly interjected, "Riddle, Albus? I don't recognize that family name, was he foreign?"

"No, Minister, you do not recognize his last name because it is not from a magical family. Tom Marvolo Riddle," Albus stated again, "was a half-blood. His mother was Merope Gaunt, a near Squib daughter of Marvolo Gaunt, and his father was Tom Riddle, the son of a wealthy family of muggles in the sleepy town of Little Hangleton. However, when I delivered Tom Riddle Jr.'s Hogwarts letter, the young boy was living in an orphanage with his mother dead shortly after childbirth and his father having long ago washed his hands of anything to do with either mother or child."

"Come, come now, Dumbledore, you can't honestly expect me to believe that the Dark Lord, champion for pureblood supremacy, is actually a half-blood himself?"

"I do, in fact, expect you to believe it," Albus replied. "However that is not the proof you wished to see, is it, Cornelius? I have a memory of the events surrounding the demise of one Quirinus Quirrell at the end of last term. But before we proceed I feel I must give you some background information." Seeing the Minister's impatience, he hurried on, "My friend, Nicholas Flamel, feared that someone was attempting to steal his Philosopher's Stone so he asked me to guard it for him in the school. His fears were justified because shortly after Hagrid retrieved it from the drop point in Gringotts, someone attempted to break in to the vault."

Cornelius Fudge came to a sudden realization, "That's why the Goblins were so angry last summer, isn't it, Albus?" He continued, both infuriated and shocked "You mean to tell me that You-Know-Who broke into Gringotts, infiltrated your school, killed one of your teachers and made off with a Philosopher's Stone? I can't believe you didn't think it was necessary to notify the Ministry at the time!"

"Not quite, Cornelius, however I do believe the memory I have will make things clearer for you." Then, raising the tip of his wand to his temple, Albus removed a thick, silvery strand and placed it in a pensieve. Grasping the Minister's shoulder, he asked, "Shall we, my boy?" Together, the two men leaned into the bowl and vanished.

The chamber was dark. The flames around them reflected dimly in the black marble floor as two figures, one adult and one child, wrestled with one another on the ground and a high, cold voice hissed, "Get the stone, you fool!"

"Where are we, Albus?"

"We are currently in the last room in a series of chambers designed to protect the Philosopher's Stone," he explained. "What you see before you is Professor Quirrell, possessed by a shade of Voldemort, attempting to steal the Stone from Harry Potter."

Suddenly, the man, now identified as Quirrell, reeled back from the boy as if he were burned. As if sensing his defeat, a dark cloud of malicious intent rose out of the man's body and fled the room after passing through the boy in an attempt at possession. As the spirit fled, two things happened at once. Professor Quirrell, now without the support of his master, crumbled into dust as Harry Potter collapsed from the stress of his ordeal.

When the two men returned to the office after the memory was finished, Minister Fudge was a mess. His face, now tinged green, looked as if he were very sick and wanted to vomit.

Seeing the poor man's distressed state, Dumbledore offered him a lemon drop, "They're laced with a mild Calming Draught that I find useful for dealing with emotional students," he added after seeing the Minister's questioning look.

As Fudge regained his breath and settled his stomach, they waited in silence. At last, he spoke. "He's really back, isn't he, Albus? What should I do?"

"I'm afraid so, Cornelius. I can only offer you advice, if you're willing to accept it."

"Anything," the Minister quickly exclaimed, "you've just got to help me! Everyone knows you were the only thing he feared."

"Then, if you are accepting my advice, I would suggest increasing both the quality and size of our Auror force. Our current numbers and standards leave the Ministry woefully unprepared if Voldemort should ever regain all of his old strength."

"Obviously," he agreed.

"I would also advise that you start sending out envoys to other European communities and various magical races: Giants, Centaurs, Werewolves, and even Vampires. Send an ambassador to anyone who might have reason to side with Voldemort. I would also suggest that you do a full screening for all employees in the Ministry to test their loyalties. Check everyone from Department Heads to custodial staff. If we can get rid of any sympathizers now, then it will be easier to prevent spies from infiltrating the government."

"The Giants, Albus? Why on Earth should I send someone to talk to them, or any of the other races for that matter?"

Dumbledore sighed and gave the man a stern look, "Cornelius," he said crossly, "if we do not try to actively encourage them to side with us now, before Voldemort returns, then any attempts on our part down the road will seem like insincere politicking when he does return and they will be less likely to accept anything we tell them as the truth."

"Oh, very well then. You're probably right, Albus, as usual. But don't expect me to be happy about it!"

"Why, Minister, I would never expect you to be happy doing this. It is necessary, believe it or not. If it helps at all, I believe history will one day remember you as the Minister who stood for what is right, even when you could have denied the truth and buried your head in the sand."

"Really, Albus," Cornelius asked? "If you honestly think this is for the best, then I will do everything I can to follow your advice." The conversation finished, the Minister left the office via floo powder and went home to a sleepless night full of concerns for the future.