Harry didn't seem even the remotest bit relieved when he met up with his fellow Aurors. Hermione decided against asking why his eye twitched. To say he appeared less than amused would state the obvious. Ginny and the others politely waited until he burst forth with whatever counsel he had received. Rather oddly, he appeared disturbed, but it settled after a few moments and he sat and looked at them all.

"So?" Tonks threw in. Not one to worry, she sacrificed herself. "Spill, what went on?"

He grinned with little amusement. "To cut it short- not much. We are virtually at the same place we were. Square one."

"Square negative one." Ginny grunted. Harry nodded his agreement.

"Did they tell you about…" Hermione drifted off. She didn't want to go into the whole thing if he already knew. She hoped he did.

"Yeah," He answered her right when she stopped, knowing what she was getting at. It was quite a leap from where they were, but it still didn't get them too far. A leap up and back down basically. "Lot to take in."

"Wait until you meet our guests." She told him. Imagine just hearing the whole story, but then meeting these troop of…outlanders. She couldn't help but tease him, knowing he wouldn't profit from it as much as she or Tonks would, "Ginny here was gracious enough to show them around."

She smiled at him. He wasn't even aware of how he ground his teeth. "What are they like then?"

The three went on to tell him their musings on the subject. With a bemused warning, they told him he would have to meet with them too. And somehow, it felt this alliance was just beginning. As was the mayhem.

Elsewhere, The three 'outlanders' discussed the same amongst their small number. Forming their own opinions on the matter, they were interrupted on Gandlaf's arrival. He quickly explained of his own ventures, and what had been uncovered in the meeting amongst the elders and the young Mr. Potter. While the rest had yet to meet him, Gandalf told of them of his perceptions of the young man. They would have to confer in the morning.

-

A table had been set for twelve, whether more or less would show was uncertain. The outlanders arrived on time, standing behind their seats, waiting patiently for the onset of the rest. Within a few minutes, Tonks came in followed closely by Ginny and Hermione. More minutes passed before Harry came into the group. No introductions were made there would be time for that later. Albus came in much later clearing his throat before beginning.

"Unfortunately," he began. "We must wait on a few more affiliates. My apologies, Gandalf."

Gandalf gave a polite nod, waiting patiently and sipping his tea. His companions waited almost as stoically, looking around and made well-mannered conversations with their host of the previous day. Tonks talked with mainly with Potter and Albus, while that left Ginny and Hermione to the rest. Hermione busied herself with the papers in her hand and jotted thoughts down on a pad of paper. Ginny suppressed a shrewd grin, and talked with them, asking how they had gotten on during the night. After some time, the two groups joined in a mutual discussion, appearing to have started without the rest.

However, they did restrain themselves, waiting diligently for the latecomers, whoever they maybe. Albus reigned in the topic of the adversary, and asked Gandalf how he fared in their trip. Hermione looked over to see everyone else bored and waiting, except the outlanders- they remain courteous and respectful. Her eyes drifted down the table, past Ginny's doodling, past Harry's blank stares, Tonk's restraint in changing her apperance to keep herself amused, around Albus and Gandalf's talk, Aragorn politely listening, Legolas staring at her, and Gimli from the corner of his eye eyeing his ax probably wishing to sharpen it. Wait, Hermione stopped herself-something wasn't right there.

She turned her head slightly away from where it had stopped after Gimli, and towards the other side of him where the fair-haired deity sat. His eyes watched her in a polite manner in more curiosity than gawking or glaring. She raised an eyebrow at him in question, which seemed to ask her question, 'yes, can I help you?'

"Forgive me," he apologized that he had surprised her, for he had seen her eyes pass over him and then jump back. "Any encouraging thoughts?"

Her brows fell in confusion, not quite understanding his meaning, her eyes drifted down. Seeing her pad of paper, it dawned on her what he had said. "None too helpful I fear."

He nodded and she was about to say something else, when the doors opened and the final guests arrived. In strolled Alastor Moody in lead, gruff as always, followed by Aberforth-Albus' brother, Remus Lupin, And Kingsley Shacklebolt. Albus' blue eyes twinkled as he snapped his finger and more chairs appeared. All sat down, giving no reason for their lateness. When all eyes drew to Albus and he began his summit.

A few hours and many headaches later, little was uncovered and much left untouched. Calling for a break, Albus stood up, dismissing everyone for a long leisurely lunch to sort out thoughts. Hermione stood up after awhile and stretched her limbs. Ginny, who was right behind her, scooped up the pad on which Hermione had been taking notes on, and brought it with them as they exited the room. Coming out they found Tonks eyeing the other Order members present and grilling them on their lateness.

"So?"

"So," Remus started returning her gaze. Moody and Aberforth had left with Gandalf and Albus. Kingsley waited for the rest of them. Lupin had a mock seriousness on his face. "Mind your own business lass."

"Lass?" Tonks countered. "That's not what you say when you want something."

"And what do I want?" Lupin smothered his amused grin.

"You want to tell me where you were." She laughed again because she had some in full circle. Remus laughed as well, the whole conversation making no sense.

Going separate ways, everyone split up for lunch. Ginny went with Remus, not having seen him in awhile. Followed by Kingsley and eventually Tonks. Harry came out a few minutes later to where Hermione wait on the elevator. Completely forgetting that he was in there, she jumped when he put his hand on her shoulder. "Harry!"

"Sorry, luv." Sheepishly grinning, he took a momentary step back.

"Oh Harry," she laughed after she recovered.

Having lunch together they talked about Ron and wondered how it was going for him. Something felt off not to have him with them during this big part of their lives, the war looming above them. Years ago, Harry had released Ron from his undeclared vow to be by Harry's side. They were still best friends, but in being such, Harry had to let him follow his heart. If that meant him being on the other side of the country flying around on a broomstick, then that was they way it had to be. Real friends made sacrifices. Ron, for his part, didn't say so, but he planned on being back, he just had things he need to do before hand. Hermione didn't need to be told this, for she knew how close the two were.

Ginny, the topic carefully broached by Harry, kept him informed about Ron between the holidays when he saw him, which he still spent at the Weasley's-the closet thing to his family. Hermione was certain there was reciprocal fancy on Ginny and Harry's part for the other. For unknown reasons, most likely bashfulness, kept either from declaring it. Ginny was very popular among the male population-she was cute, witty, intelligent, outgoing and not very easy to get. Harry was brooding, dark, troubled, all of which played to his handsome features that many said mirrored his father's to an art. Hermione, and Ginny, did see more to Harry then his dark nature of late, but he didn't let too many new people into his life anymore. He had quite the burden to carry without the stress of anything else. Much led to the various reasons Hermione was pleased to have lunch with him, for he was very busy, as was she. Strange that the two should be in such close professions, nearly identical-slight additions to Harry's part- and not see each other as often as would be liked. The outlanders brought a joint venture for them.

"Gin," Harry started, slightly unsure of himself. He didn't want to sound like he was always talking about her, but also felt he was an adult and didn't need to act so stupid. "Went to lunch with the rest then?"

Hermione nodded as if she didn't notice his tone. She didn't want to push either friend into something they obviously weren't ready for. Harry continued. "Old folks went in mass, what about the others?"

"Others?"

"The non-muggle and non-wizarding folk?" he tried, not wanting to call them anything bad. What were there names again?

"Oh," Hermione had forgotten entirely. "You were in there last."

"Must've gone with Gandalf." He shrugged.

When they finally headed back to the conference room, Harry admitted to her a slight lack of though for the problems at hand. "My brain is dry, picked clean, empty, e-t-c."

"As well here." She laughed at his exaggeration. It was nice to see him in a good mood, which is to say a not dark one.

Once back in the room, Hermione didn't rush to sit down as everyone drifted back in. Harry spoke with Lupin on something personal while the rest waited for Albus and his entourage to appear. Walking over to the magicked windows that overlooked a scene that was not truly out there, Hermione fell into a slight reverie as she lost her self deep into her thoughts. A slight motion caught her eyes in the reflection as she turned to see the three odd men sitting in their chairs, also staring out the windows.

"Any new thoughts?" she attempted to be cordial.

"Nothing solid," Aragorn's voice slightly disappointed in the insubstantial information.

Hermione nodded as she sat on the windowsill. Deep in thought, she was unaware of the candid interaction between them. "The real problem isn't as much as if or how the two could be linked," she referred to the two villains of both their worlds. "But what we need to do about it."

"Ay."

"You don't have the threat on you and yours any more, but it is kind of you to pursue it through to us." She actually smiled at that. It was an exceptional thing for these men to leave their own in the wicked chase the evil had led.

"My thanks," Aragorn nodded to her. It felt a comfort to have someone realize the extent of what they had committed themselves to. "My Lady."

Hermione blushed. Her head fell slightly down in a shy manner before she stood up and made to go back to her seat. She gave a smile to the group as she left, her eyes resting a second longer than needed on the silent and pensive blond statuesque. Biting the inside of her cheek, she returned to her seat, relieved to see everyone back.

"Where were we?" Albus began in booming voice to bring everyone to attention. Everyone turned away from their side conversations to contribute their attention to the problem at hand.

Hermione was about to mention what she had just said to Aragorn about really needing to find a course of action rather then theorize until the blue moon about the how. She paused a moment to give a silent curse to her mentor's irritatingly twinkly eyes, a comfort and disturbance all in the same breadth.

"While conjectures are well and good, we must move forward." Legolas said, with a look to his companions to show that they had discussed this and were in agreement.

Hermione's eyes flew over the source of her immediate anger. How could he take her idea?! Her head fell slightly to the side as she looked at him, rage boiling up inside her. The prat had the gall to lay his blue eye upon her too, looking directly at her!

"Miss Granger was progressive enough to bring this to the table, which I," he gestured to his companions. "We, second."

While she still felt her fury, for a reason she attributed to his past rebuttals, it faded slightly as he had credited her with her proper acknowledgment. Not that it had been the most grandiose idea, just common sense. She was surprised at the relationship that was emerging from this union of their two worlds. She certainly wouldn't have thought of herself as the emissary for the outlan— their guests, she corrected herself.

"Makes sense enough." Harry threw in, knowing any idea of Hermione's was a good idea. "We can speculate later, pressing matters at hand, what should we do?"

Albus sat back in his chair, the same position he had since the noble elf had spoke. He really was there to preside over the meeting, for what could he himself really do? His magic still coursed strongly through his veins, but his advice was all he could give Harry. The lad needed to take his own steps, for ill or otherwise. As for his friends and companions, they could only aid him.

Gandalf, Alastor and he had debated over this at their interval, coming to the conclusion that as elders, they must let their younger generation take the outcome of their actions. While responsibility held its firm grasp on him, in the end he knew Harry would face Voldemort on his own, he had relayed that to his contemporaries. His line faded in a way that let him know that he would not be Harry's safeguard for so much longer, why make the younger dependant on him, independent thought would be his saviour.

"It really falls to you, Potter." Ginny pointed out. They all knew vaguely of the prophecy. "What can we do for you?"

"You're right," Harry shaded a slight red feeling everyone's eyes on him. "Bloody wands."

Most of the people at the table knew that since Voldemort and Harry had brother wands, each had a phoenix feather-Fawkes'- in it. Gandalf murmured this to the side to tell Aragorn. Gandalf had filled them in the previous night, but some of the smaller details, such as the wands, he had left out.

"Although it would seem paradoxical, we could all accompany him." Aragorn smiled a bitter one. It was of common knowledge now that his companions hadn't maintained their own fellowship. However, this was his real thought, it was the side choice that none of them wanted. "Or, we could separate, having minor…diversions."

"I would go on my own," Harry nodded, taking up his role as the lone tragic hero.

"We can hold the fronts though," Ginny pitched in, wanting to contribute something. She knew Harry would never let anyone go with him. Decoying was a good gamble.

"Of course we will." Tonks smiled at Harry.

Hermione knew this is how it would be, how could it be anything else? Harry had always tried to take on the darkside by himself even in school. Heros were not born but made, and Harry's had started the day his forehead burned with the scar that marked his name. Looking over, she wanted to see what the silent elders had to say. Lupin looked ever pensive as usual. They had taken up this fight when Harry could not, and now it was his part to end it. Those of the younger generation would be the physical front, while Remus, Sturgis, and the rest held more for the psyche of the Order.

At the beginning of the day, everything had seemed so bleak, now the world held possibilities-slim but there. While Harry knew what he had to do, he wasn't sure if he should know of the others' plans. To know how his friends put themselves in danger, decoying, for him? he told them he had a few things to straighten out before he left tomorrow, and he would see them all then, on his departure. Before anyone could say anything, not that there was much to say anymore, he aparrated out.

A few moments passed, everyone in varying depths of introspection. Before Hermione could finish her line of thoughts, which led her astray, Dumbledore brought the room's attention to the table. What would-could the Order do to aid Potter?

::Hmm…These first few chapters are boring, but I'm just setting the stage. I hope. Lol. So, did any one notice anything, 'odd' in this installment? I took great care (pains? Not quite) to place it there, we'll see how it plays out though…

Luv to the readers!