AN: Are constant disclaimers even necessary? I mean, if it's on this site, chance are I'm not making money for what I'm writing. Either way I don't own anything but my mind.

Harry's attempt at sleep was balanced evenly between restless nightmares and empty stares at the ceiling. Finally, his alarm went off signalling his last day of freedom. At the beginning of his vacation, the Dursley's left for a working vacation at a new drill factory in Spain, leaving the Harry alone and all of the valuables locked in a safety deposit box.

Most days, his schedule was simple, wake from his 'sleep', eat a meagre breakfast (freaks lived on a tight budget), do a small amount of housework, attempt to focus on what to do after leaving Privet Drive, a small lunch, study from his school books, meet with Professor McGonagall and listen to her worries, argue with the minister, eat dinner, and collapse until the next morning. His attempts at planning his next move failed miserably for two main reasons, one, he had no idea where the Horcruxes were, and two, the only way he could think to destroy one was to stab it with a basilisk fang. Now despite all of the practical uses of carrying around a giant serpent fang, Harry didn't have one in his possession, so McGonagall didn't have to argue much to get Harry's agreement. He was more hoping to get some form of concession of freedom at Hogwarts in return for Harry's re-admittance.

His lack of dinner from the previous day making itself painfully obvious, Harry quickly rose and readied himself. Between showers, light make up to hide his fatigue, and coffee he should be able to last another day.

It was 9:00, five hours before he needed to be at the Ministry, so in all likelihood, five hours until Voldemort attacks him. It's odd how all the little things around the house that used to be benign now set him on edge, shadows from clouds passing overhead, creaks from the floorboards, even the familiar order guard standing underneath the streetlight a house over. Did they know of the approaching press conference? Did they know who died last night? Did they know anything about whether that cloud means that rain is coming?

'Damn, focus! Press conference, Scrimgeour. Professor McGonagall was here last night, she knows about it, so they should as well. If so, then they'll be here by 1:00 to get ready to leave, otherwise the Knight bus should suffice.'

Harry went to the kitchen and prepared a small breakfast, though it seemed to take longer than it should have. Several times he found himself staring into space, only to catch himself as he was losing balance.

"I need . . . something, what is it? I needed to prepare, to study. Yesterday I was focusing on . . . fighting. Obviously, that's all I have to study here. It was transfiguration? Conjuring? Right, transfiguring or conjuring a shield!"

Happy to have remembered his current focus, he promptly sat down and began to eat a simple meal of porridge and toast, only to realize he had forgotten a spoon. Standing, he went to fetch it from the cupboard. He reached it and drew a blank, 'Damn it, not again, eating, I needed something to eat the porridge with, a fork!'

Collecting the fork he sat back down and ate his porridge with gusto, never questioning the logic behind his choice in cutlery. Finishing his meal, he rose abruptly, only to lose his vision for a moment, his balance disappearing, he quickly held on to the table until the spots from his eyes faded. Shaking his head, he retreated to his room and his book. Picking one up, he saw the incantation and wand movement, Pallium, and a simple sweep

'Alright, Pallium, Pallium, Pallium, I will remember it.'

He spent the morning practicing the movements and memorizing the words and timing with a green light, hoping that they'd become an automatic reaction, after all, even if a spell can get through a simple protego, a thick wall in between the two of us should be enough. Finally at 12:30, there was a knock on the door.

Cautiously moving towards it, he called out, "Who's there?"

"Remus Lupin, also known as Moony, I the one to hold you back after Sirius went through the veil at the Ministry"

"Professor" Harry quickly opened the door and embraced the man.

"Good to see you Harry, you look healthier than I expected. Not under any glamour charms are you?"

"No, of course not. Besides, with the press conference later today, I can't be under any enchantments."

He didn't enjoy deceiving Lupin, but he knew the Order had far more important things to worry about than his sleep schedule. Besides, as near as he could tell, he was acting no different than normal.

"Alright" Lupin stood back and examined him closely, though he seemed to pass the inspection.

"What are the plans for going? Are we just doing a side-along apparition?"

"No, we're going by portkey. The more unfamiliar material you add while apparating, the easier it is to leave something behind. Add that to the full moon from a couple nights ago and the risks outweigh the benefits. We'll be leaving in an hour."

"Good, feel free to make yourself at home, the Dursley's are gone until tomorrow."

Lupin still didn't seem to trust Harry's self-diagnosis, even going so far as to quietly attempt a finite incantatem while he thought Harry's wasn't looking. However, the muggle products withstood his tests, and despite the strained look in his eyes, Harry didn't look pale, withdrawn, or had discolorations beneath his eyes. Satisfied that he fooled his old Professor, he sat down in a corner chair and closed his eyes, hoping for a bit of rest before they had to leave.

'Why does he not believe that I'm fine? Yes I'm a little tired, but I'm not showing any signs of exhaustion, my balance seems fine, I'm not shaking or being very forgetful.' Shaking his head, he rested it on his shoulder and quickly dosed off.

Far too quickly for Harry's tastes, the hour passed and they were in the Ministry atrium. Ahead were a number of Auror guards inspecting reporters before letting them into the conference hall. Through a back corridor, Lupin and Harry were inspected separately and placed into the same room as the Minister.

"Harry, glad you managed to show up."

"Minister, so what is it that you have planned?"

"Just a public release of a bill I've signed off. It allows for Ministry to question those in high positions about they're activities."

Harry narrowed his eyes, "And why would you need me to back it? It seems like the type of thing the public would eat up?"

An attendant walked in, "Sir, the conference should be starting now"

"Alright Hastings, we're coming."

Lupin grabbed Harry's arm, "Whatever he says," he hissed "make sure to stay calm, you do need to look like a united front."

Harry's vision darkened momentarily. Closing his eyes and shaking his head, he pulled himself together and followed the Minister out the door.

"Welcome. It's time to discuss the measures being taken to counter the Dark Lord's movements. Over the past year, it has been a constant point of discussion as to whether or not certain measures should be taken in order to be better capable of retaliating against the attacks and to become more proactive in fighting. And so we've decided to create a new law, the Dark War Measures Act. The primary purpose of this act is to insure the Ministry stays safe against all intrusions by those in service to the Dark Lord."

Harry still didn't understand why he was here, why Lupin warned him not to react. All he could see was the Ministry finally doing what it should be.

"The secondary purpose is to keep all citizens safe by increasing their general security."

'General security? How could they increase it beyond putting everyone in Hogwarts or giving people bodyguards? Why am I here?' Harry vision started to darken again.

"As a general security measure, we'll be enforcing a simple rule against glamour charms and polyjuice potion through a version of the Thieves Downfall."

'I can't sleep, I have to pay attention, I need to know why I'm supposed to get angry, why it's expected.' Harry rubbed his eyes

"To back this up, all employees of the Ministry must keep their left sleeve rolled up to show that they lack the Dark Mark."

'Everything he's saying is just obvious security measures, this can't be all the act is about.' Harry was trying to think of anything that might make him unhappy about the Ministry's actions, but was finding it difficult to concentrate with the occasional flashes from the photography.

"In addition, random inspections through the use of Veritaserum shall be used to insure that lack of unmarked servants."

'Why would he be telling the public this, wouldn't it be more effective if they didn't know it was coming?'

"To keep the general population more secure, a series of safe houses have been made which will have people living closer together, insuring that the Auror guards stationed 24 hours a day will be able to assist as soon as they're needed"

'He went by the Veritaserum quickly, why? It's almost like he wanted it to be an afterthought.'

"Occupation of these safe houses will not be enforced, though they are highly recommended. Due to the sprawling nature of our residences, the task of responding to attacks quickly and effectively is much easier in a location of our choosing."

'The way he said that, it's almost like saying "sorry, you chose not to be protected by us" does that mean he won't respond to attacks if they're not in safe houses? And what about muggles?'

"To protect the younger parts of the population, Hogwarts attendance shall now be mandatory for all underage students."

'Veritaserum and selective protection, what else are you trying to hide?'

"Added to this, the Ministry shall be instituting a conscript army to train and fight, all members of which shall of age-."

'There!'

"Quite right minister," Harry quickly jumped into the press release, "All citizens over age and who have completed their N.E.W.T studies.

Turning back to smile at the Minister he ignored his tightened face. "Just to add on to what was said earlier about Hogwarts, two Aurors will be stationed there working with Headmistress McGonogall. Alastor Moody and Nymphadora Tonks. The rest of the Ministry shall be entirely focused on the war effort leaving Hogwarts to the discretion of those two Aurors."

'Alright, I think that's all I can do for now, Lupin was right, if I'm going to work with him, I'll have to stay calm'

"Thank you Mr. Potter." He said, though it looked like it pained him to do so, "Yes we've discussed these matters and it was decided, against Mr. Potters desire to be a greater part of this war, that only those who've matured to a certain point should be used in the conscription. However, Mr. Potter has also agreed to assist in the training of those in school by teaching them to duel as well as joining the Auror corps once he graduates in order to assist the country at large in this war"

'So I have one year before he gets me under his thumb, that was what he wanted with the conscripts, he wanted me to be forced to join up. That's what he wanted me to be backing.'

"In order to make sure that he'll be capable in assisting the school, he will be going through some Auror training this summer."

Harry looked back at Lupin who was grimacing, it looked like it was getting harder for him to stay silent throughout the release, though Harry wasn't sure whether he was upset at Scrimgeour or him.

"I'm afraid that's all we time for at the moment, if you have specific questions about the Dark War Measures Act and all that it contains, speak with our representative. The official wizengamot voting will be taking place in one week."

Scrimgeour put his hand on Harry's shoulder, smiled, and ushered him back into the adjoining room, ignoring the questions at their back.

"What the hell were you doing up there!" he hissed

"Is something wrong Minister? Did you by chance forget to mention that you were trying to get me into your private army?"

"We agreed that certain measures had to be taken!"

"Yes, and I agree that something has to be done about the war, we have been losing yes, but you can't force people into doing whatever it is you want."

"IT'S YOUR GOD DAMN DUTY TO YOUR COUNTRY!"

"It's my duty to fight, not to be a puppet. You agreed that we should work together. Good Day Minister."

With that, Harry strode out the door, quickly followed by Lupin.

"Are you alright Harry?" He asked once they were in an empty corridor.

Harry stopped walking, leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes. "No, no I'm not alright. Dumbledore is gone, Voldemort has far too large of a support base, and the Minister is trying to control my life. I have one year to try and do what Dumbledore needed me to before I'm stuck."

"You don't have to obey what he said, it is your life." He said without much hope in his voice.

"That's just it, I can't. The only reason the country still feels we can fight is because they're think I can kill him. I couldn't even best Snape"

Lupin took his arm, "No one really expects it to be you to kill him. How could they? Even if you do end up as an Auror, you can still be part of the Order and help us fight."

"Dumbledore never told you, did he?"

"Told me what Harry? All I know is that you were helping him do something last year, I figured it had to do with your connection."

"He never told you that the reason Voldemort keeps coming after me, why he wants to kill me so badly was because of the prophecy?"

He narrowed his eyes, "The one we were guarding was about you?"

Harry sighed and shook his head, "Not, not quite no. Unfortunately, with the way prophecies work, it just means that we might be following a set pattern that marks the end of A Dark Lord. When I first heard it, I researched prophecies in general. Most end up being self-fulfilling, so in that sense it actually helps that Voldemort heard it. It states that one must die at the hand of the other, though mentions no one by name, so in hopes of fulfilling this prophecy, he won't let anyone but him kill me, but anyone still can."

"That's why Dumbledore told James that he was targeting them. But why is he so obsessed?"

"Delusions of grandeur? Hopes of not being killed? Like I said, one must die at the hand of the other. The prophecy goes on to say that neither can live while the other survives. I think I understand what it means, why there`s a good chance it`s me. Ever since Voldemort has heard the prophecy, he`s become more and more aggressive towards those whom he thinks are a real danger to him, he won`t ever feel comfortable in his reign until he abolishes July, I, however, won`t get an option to live. Dumbledore tried to protect me from this, but the Ministry is bound and determined to control me.

"Come on" Lupin said after a few moments, "we need to make a stop at Grimmauld Place.

AN: Good lord I hated this chapter