POC2: Well, I finally made my decision. I will continue this, even though it's officially AU. I wrote out the entire story line before hand, so I don't have to worry about my story being influenced by the canon book seven; and, frankly, there were certain parts of Book Seven that I was not impressed with. I hope I can do better.

R: Yeah, you're going to write Harry Potter better than J. K. Rowling.

H: If you don't stop talking I'm going to hex you.

W: How??? You're a fictional character!

H: What happens up here only exists in POC2's imagination. I can do whatever I am canonically capable of.

POC2: Can we please not get into this? We're going to give people major headaches.

Disclaimer: A few more weeks of blackmail, and they will be mine! Until then, POC2 owns nothing that you recognize.

POC2: I don't even want to know you're up to.

Additional disclaimer: Just because I said there are some things I dislike about the seventh book does not mean I do not respect Ms. Rowling. Even the best authors can make mistakes.

War Council

For a few seconds, Harry could only stare at the picture on the wall.

"P-Professor?"

"Hello, Harry."

"But, but aren't you-"

"Dead?" Harry nodded mutely. "Yes Harry, but I'll never truly be gone as long as there are those here who are loyal to me; you know that. I'll always be here to give advice; I'm a part of these very walls."

"It's comforting, isn't it?" Harry spun around and saw Professor McGonagall standing next to the fireplace, a small smile gracing her lips.

"I… yeah."

"I have something important to say to you." Harry was surprised at the seriousness in Dumbledore's voice.

"I'm listening."

"Harry, I don't want you to dwell on my death. I knew it was coming sooner or later, and it's not really so bad. I was nearly 160 years old Harry, that's enough for anybody. I won't say that I wanted death, but I was ready for it. Don't mourn for me to long. Promise me, Harry."

"I promise," answered Harry, feeling oddly better.

"Oh, and Harry?" There was something in Dumbledore's eyes that Harry couldn't quite place. "Don't become obsessed with revenge. At least, not against the wrong person."

"Huh?" Dumbledore's only answer was a mysterious smile.

"Actually," said McGonagall after a minute or so of silence, "That's not the only reason I asked you here. We need to discuss the next several months. I assume you will not be returning to Hogwarts this year?"

"No, and neither will Ron and Hermione."

"That's understandable. The general meeting later today will give you information on what you can do about completing your education, so we will not discuss that for now. What we will discuss is the task that you are setting out to complete. I don't know what it is," she hastened to add at the expression on Harry's face, "but Albus has told me that he doesn't want you trying to complete it alone."

"But I won't be alone," protested Harry, "Ron and Hermione will be with me."

"I realize that, but I am afraid that the job may be too large for three people."

Harry ignored an almost instinctive surge of resentment and turned to Dumbledore. "So who do you suggest?"

"Do you remember the group that you formed to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts when Dolores Umbridge would not teach you?"

"You want me to gather the DA?"

"Any who are willing and who you feel you can trust. Even those that you do not want with you can still be of use in the months ahead.

"Your task is very important, Harry. If you fail, the Order will fight as long and as hard as they can, but they will eventually be overcome. If you succeed, however, the war will be over."

"Alright, we'll give it a try."

"Right." McGonagall was now all business. "I have asked the Weasleys and Miss Granger to be here at noon, so you can discuss matters with them when they arrive. Until then, we have some planning to do."

For the next few hours they discussed logistics and battle plans, worked out various modes of communication, and agreed upon levels of secrecy. Finally, at 12:00, Harry began to head downstairs.

As soon as he reached the great hall, Harry heard a voice calling out his name. Turning, he saw Hermione running toward him. "Harry! How are you?"

"I'm fine, Hermione."

Hermione was suddenly shoved aside by what looked for a moment like a red-headed blur. "Wow, Harry, such a pleasant surprise!"

"It's been so long since we last saw you!"

"Yeah, almost an entire month!"

"You've grown so tall!"

"And so handsome!"

"Our little boy is growing up!"

"Hello Fred, George." The twins bowed theatrically when Harry said their names.

"Honestly boys, is everything a joke to you?"

"Yup!"

"That was rhetorical. But it is good to see you Harry."

"'Mione, Fred and George have a point. You did see him less than a month ago," Ron told her as he sauntered over to the rapidly growing group.

"Nice to see you, too, Ron."

"Hey, Harry." It was Ginny, who seemed to have come in behind Ron. She gave Harry a small smile, which he cautiously returned.

"Where are-" he began.

"Mum and Bill are outside with Hagrid," began Fred.

"Dad didn't come; he's at work," George continued.

"Fleur's back at home with a few of her family members who have already come in."

"Charlie's abroad doing work for the Order."

"And we're here!"

"McGonagall said you wanted to talk to the five of us."

"What's that about?"

Harry took a deep breath and turned to the others. "I'm re-forming the DA."

"Why?"

"We started the DA to fight Voldemort, and that's what we're going to do."

"Can we trust them all?" Ron asked.

"We'll have to," Harry replied grimly. "If we're not willing to trust one another, then Voldemort wins. They won't be doing our job, but they'll have pretty important roles."

"Am I the only one who has no idea what's going on?"

Fred smiled. "It's okay Sis, we're a bit baffled as well."

Harry ignored him. "I want to have a meeting after whatever it is that McGonagall has planned. I'll explain everything then. That's part of why I wanted you here. Once people start arriving, make sure everyone in the DA knows that we're meeting in the Room of Requirement."

"Er, Harry?" It was Hermione. "What about Cho Change and her friend?"

"Tell Cho; not the snitch. We need people who will be able to trust each other. Now, here's what I need from each of you…"

POC2: So, this clears up a few of the issues that I have. First, I didn't feel that enough was done with Dumbledore's portrait. Come on, just because he's dead doesn't mean that he's gone. Second, I didn't feel that enough was done with the DA. Thus, I'm going to give them a bigger role.

H: You finally brought me in!

POC2: Oh give me a break! It's only chapter 4!

Remember to review, and please make sure you tell me how well I portrayed each character.

By the way, do the books ever mention which twin is older?

Oh, and I'm assuming that the school year ends mid-to late-June. If I'm wrong, sorry.

Next: We find out what will be happening at Hogwarts this year.