The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter 11 - Business of the Order

Hermione glanced around the table in the meeting room. She was familiar with most of the faces present, and this helped calm her nerves. Professor Dumbledore was positioned at the head of the table with Professor Mogonagall to his right and Kingsley Shacklebolt to his left. On Professor Mogonagall's side of the table was, Anna, Severus, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Remus, Tonks and Professor Flitwick. One Kingsley's side was Mad Eye, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fluer, Charlie, George and Fred.

First off, Professor Dumbledore reintroduced Anna, and told some of her background. He asked if anyone had any objections, but considering it was his daughter Hermione was fairly certain no one would even think of objecting. So then Anna took her oath to the Order.

Next Arthur and Kingsley reported information related to the ministry. Bill reported on the Goblin relations at Gringotts. Remus reported that relations with werewolves are not going well, due to promises Voldermort has made to Fenrir and his followers. It was also reported that Hagrid was looking into the giant relations at this time, but would return prior to start of school.

Next Kingsley reported on the security arrangements that were being made to keep the children safe at Hogwarts. Tonks along with three other Aurors were being assigned to Hogwarts, and would each be assigned to a different head of house, living at the school for added protection. It was noted that Tonks would be working with Professor Mogonagall, meaning she would be assigned to the Griffindor students. Hermione was happy about that.

Next Dumbledore reported on the school year at Hogwarts. "Most of the teaching assignment will remain the same, except due the increased need for the children to know how to handle themselves in the area of defense and due the lack of learning they received last year, all defense of against the dark arts will be doubled up with extra effort on performing the spells. In an effort to handle this, Professor Snape and Remus Lupin will be handling the classes together."

"I also am leaving to recruit a new potions teacher on July 30th. Harry, I believe you will be most helpful to me in this matter, therefore I will retrieve you from your aunt and uncle on that day. Remus will inform them of this when he returns you home tomorrow."

Harry nodded in response.

"Harry, Ron and Hermione, I also request that you keep the DA actively going, since I believe those students will be the first to act if the need arises. I do request that Remus and Nymphadora act as overseers. Harry, you taught the students well last year, but I believe that you about reached the limits of your knowledge of defensive spells. Keep with the group you originally formed, and only allow new members that the three of you all agree on. Together your judgement is remarkable."

"Yes, sir." All three answered at once.

"Now as to Hermione. I've informed you all that she is under the guardianship of Severus. And although in the wizarding world, she becomes of age at seventeen, because she is a muggle born she still remains under Severus guardianship until she is eighteen, the legal age in the muggle world."

Hermione had already known of this information, but several people seemed surprised by the information, most notably the Weasleys and Harry.

"Severus, since she is now a member of your family, am I to assume correctly that you want to make the same arrangements for Hermione as you have for the rest of your children?"

Severus looked at Anna, who nodded in assent, then responded "Yes, as long as the person accepts." Severus turned to look at Remus, who smiled and nodded.

"Good. And by the puzzled looks on your faces, I should explain. Remus is the godfather to all three of Severus and Anna's children." Dumbledore started to explain and many gasped in surprise at this piece of news. "But since the ministry doesn't allow werewolves to be the legal guardians of children outside their own blood, Minerva is named as guardian if Severus and Anna should die. This is with understanding between those of us directly involved that the children would live with Remus, and Minerva would still have the responsibilities as grandmother. Now although Remus would not technically be Hermione's godfather, the custody situation would apply in the same manner."

Hermione could tell that Harry was about to ask a question, probably relating to why she could not just live with Remus now. But she saw Remus place a hand on Harry's arm silently letting him know that now was not the time or place for the question. Hermione sent Remus a small smile of appreciation for controlling Harry.

"Now I believe Severus has a report." Dumbledore stated and everyone turned their attention to Severus.

"The Dark Lord called a meeting very early this morning. There were several present, including Belatrix Lestrange, Anton Dolohov and Narcissa Malfoy. Although he didn't seem pleased that they had failed in their mission to murder Hermione, he was quite pleased that she was in my care." Hermione saw Severus slightly squeeze his hand open and closed as if he was in pain. "He did not give me any orders at that time, and was a little upset that I had not informed him the minute I found out."

"He is going to want you to kill her." Kingsley stated.

Severus just nodded and placed a hand over the arm that appeared to be causing him pain.

"What is wrong with your arm?" Hermione asked.

Severus turned and looked at her, "The Dark Lord is calling me. I'm going to have to leave soon."

Just then Anna grabbed his arm that was hurting, "No! You know what he is going to ask of you, and when you refuse, there is no way he is going to let you come home."

"He will not kill me." Severus stated looking back at her.

"He will if you refuse to make an unbreakable vow." Anna stated pleading with him.

"I won't refuse to make it." Severus replied.

"Just to perform it." Remus finished for him and Severus turned to look at him.

"Then you will die." Anna said.

"We knew as long as I played the part of spy that would eventually be the case. There is no way for me to get out of this while this is still on my arm." Severus said removing his arm from her grip and showing the Death Mark that seemed to be burning in his skin.

"Then we will remove it." Remus said.

"How? You going to cut my arm off? I bet Potter would be happy to do it? Anyway, how would we gain inside information without me?" Severus stated.

"Better than a friend and colleague alive, than a dead spy." Remus answered. "And you know I've found a way to remove the mark without removing your arm."

"What?" Kingsley asked shocked.

"I've been researching for a way to remove that mark from Severus's skin and I've found it. I've been doing the research since Lily and James funeral. I found the solution shortly before Sirius died. Albus would need to perform the ritual, and there needs to be four specific participants, his love, child, true friend and the person he's pledging to support. It will probably be painful, but it is our only chance to save Hermione without Severus dying anytime soon." Remus informed him.

"I'm assuming you're meaning for Anna, yourself and Mr. Potter to participate. But I'm no involving one of my children into some relatively unknown ritual." Severus stated.

"Remy can handle it." Anna tried to reassure him.

"No, I'll not make her a part of this." Severus stated.

"Maybe, you don't have to." Hermione stated quietly and everyone turned their attention to her. She looked at Remus and asked, "Does it have to be his child by blood?"

"It doesn't specify, but probably not. None of the rest of us are of his blood." Remus answered catching on.

"Would I qualify?" She asked.

Remus looked at her, then Severus, then Dumbledore, then back to her, "I believe so, Yes."

TBC