Disclaimer: It's JKR's not mine.

Harry's week at the Granger's was an extremely relaxing and needed diversion from the rest of his summer. Harry was happy he had finished his animagus training and was looking forward to helping Hermione go through hers. However, the recent revelations that Dumbledore had seen it fit to have him followed without his permission and withholding his beliefs about the ministry which while founded would have been extremely nice to have knowledge of before he pulled his wand against some dementors. There had been too many secrets and Harry was beginning to grow tired of Dumbledore's methods.

Harry returned to Black Manor with a lot on his mind and he knew that it wouldn't be resolved until the order meeting that night. Harry spent some time in the dueling room running and trying to take his mind off of his problems without constantly using his Occlumency as crutch. Harry had grown a couple of inches in the month since the end of the term. Harry was now around his father's height at the same age thanks to a well rounded diet at Hogwarts and now for once he ate well during the summer thanks to Dobby and Winky.

Finally, the order meeting was to begin soon in the parlor room. Harry had grabbed a book on shield conjuring and was sitting in his usual seat waiting for the other members to pour in. Harry knew that he had several issues to bring forth at the meeting but he would wait until the time was appropriate before he spoke. Harry had made many new and interesting friends in the order as Harry found many of the personalities refreshing.

Harry was 1st joined by Tonks who greeted Harry with a cheerful, "Wotcher Harry. I heard what happened last night with the Grangers. I guess we all have some explaining to do eh?"

Harry merely nodded as his eyes betrayed no emotion. Tonks shrank away a little at Harry's demeanor knowing how he was typically so warm and friendly. She could also understand why Harry would be upset with the order given that he had been followed without his knowledge and also plans were drawn in secret to protect him from the ministry without giving him notice. Truthfully, she didn't care much for how Albus dealt with Harry. He treated Harry with an almost calculated and detached abandon which was quite different from how he dealt with everyone else.

Harry resumed his reading as the Diggory's entered the room. They waved and smiled at Harry who returned the gesture before he resumed his reading. They were amongst the few order members that weren't too interested in the dichotomy that had been set up with the groups. They made a point to tell everyone at their 1st meeting that they were only involved to help Harry and didn't care much for any political leanings that Dumbledore proposed. They took their seat in the middle of the room where they typically sat as Albus sat at one end surrounded by Moody and McGonagall, while Remus was surrounded by Sirius and Harry at the other end of the table.

Eventually, more members began to trickle into the room as Emmeline Vance who Harry had begun to call Emmy even though he was the only one granted the latitude to do so, took her seat next to Harry as she had grown accustomed to. She warmly said, "Hello Harry, I wanted to apologize for not telling you about the guard duty. Albus made a point to tell us that you weren't to know of our presence though."

Harry looked at her intently and asked, "Does he ask for a report of what I did while you were on duty?"

Emmy nodded tentatively before the puzzle began to form in her mind, "Oh you think he is spying on you don't you?"

Harry frowned and replied, "Well I refuse to dismiss the possibility given his reluctance to be open with me. Something tells me Albus and I are going to have it out tonight so we can put this all on the table. It's not really his place to withhold information about my life no matter how wise he thinks he is." Emmy nodded as Harry went back to his readings. Harry glanced over to Tonks and apologized quietly about not greeting her properly as he flashed the young auror a bright smile which in turn seemed to brighten her mood considerably.

Eventually Harry was joined by Remus and Sirius as the room was nearly filled aside from the purported leader of the group. Fawkes then flashed in the room and made a sympathetic look at Harry before Albus arrived via portkey already in his seat.

Albus stood to address the group and even Harry could notice that the majority of the order members wouldn't look Harry in the eye. Harry found it comical and slightly sad that so many grown wizards were intimidated by a 14 year old wizard.

Albus called the meeting to order and they began on their rather full agenda for the evening. Harry had the good grace not to glare at the headmaster but he did shoot the old wizard several meaningful and not pleasant looks.

Remus began the meeting by briefing the order on the attack that had taken place at the café the previous night and how Harry had uncovered the fact that he was being followed unknowingly. Remus also made a short mention of how Harry was unaffected by the dementors until they got within 10 feet of him. Albus got a very thoughtful expression upon hearing the news but didn't speculate upon it.

McGonagall stood and explained that Sirius and Remus had contacted her earlier in the day after hearing of the ministry and its attempt to frame Harry. She discussed that she had filled out the requisite paperwork to register Harry as an animagus without giving away Harry's form. Minerva added with a smirk that Harry was registered as a dog with no distinguishing characteristics. Harry found his head of house and her description quite gratifying as he was now a legally registered animagus and yet only 5 people knew of his actual form. Several order members requested to see Harry's form but he denied and coldly said, "I prefer to keep some secrets from you as you all have apparently been doing with me." The joking and mirthful nature of the meeting was quickly lost as they all looked at the stone faced Harry.

Emmy stood up next and simply discussed that she had proposed creating Harry and Hermione 2nd wands because they were the only underage wizards with any knowledge of the order and therefore needed the protection a 2nd wand could provide. Harry gratefully accepted the offer with a smile from the one time apprentice of Ollivander before she smiled and said, "Harry it's the least I can do for you."

The various ministry employees described the rumors circulating that included the ministers undersecretary would be taking the vacant DADA position as well as the high inquisitor position for the coming year. Harry vaguely remembered Hermione discussing such a position from Hogwarts a History, before Albus broke in and gravely said, "Yes it appears as though it may be a very difficult year at Hogwarts to be anything other than a ministry employee of pureblood." Everyone read between the lines at the vague words and understood the statement to be about Umbridge more than anything else.

Bill Weasley stood next and announced that preliminary discussions with the goblins had proven marginally successful and then shocked the group when he said, "The leaders of Gringott's have requested a private meeting with Harry to discuss his personal thoughts on the matter. Seeing that the last time such a request was made was in the times of the founding of Hogwarts so I accepted immediately upon Harry's behalf. Personally I think it has something to do with Harry's extensive holdings but I have also heard mention of how refreshing Harry's behavior has been with many of the employees."

Harry frowned upon the mention of his holdings when he realized that no one had ever told him anything about his parents having left him anything more than his vault. Harry stood and said, "Bill how is it that you know of the extent of my holdings when no one else has seen fit to mention it to me."

Remus and Sirius looked in shock at Harry before they glared at Albus who sighed and said, "I am aware it was my duty to inform Harry of his inheritance upon his 11th birthday but I thought it to be in the interest of the common good to keep Harry in the dark for fear he would want to be removed from his relatives care with the use of his resources."

Everyone was visibly upset now before Harry stood and said in a frightening whisper just loud enough for everyone to hear, "So, Albus you deemed the common good more important than the fact that I lived in a bloody cupboard for 8 years of my life. I have never had any clothes that fit me until this summer and I was fortunate to get enough food to not go to bed hungry for the majority of my life. Please tell me how that fulfills the common good?"

Everyone paled at Harry's description of his life before Hogwarts before Albus simply said, "There was no better protection at the time for you and your life was more important than your happiness."

Harry gaped at the comment and sat down going into deep thought about his next course of action. The majority of the order was looking on in concern at Harry before Albus cleared his throat and motioned for the next order members report.

Severus stood and informed the order that Voldemort had yet to accept him back fully into his good graces. But, he had forgiven him for not showing up to his resurrection as a need to keep his cover as a spy. He described the Dark Lord's wish to have his hands on the prophecy to determine its full contents. He finished by adding that Voldemort had been unable to force any visions upon the Potter brat and was growing concerned that Harry was growing too powerful. He proposed Harry letting down his shields at night to not give the Dark Lord any advantage in terms of gauging Harry's ability. Once again an argument broke out amongst the group.

Albus stood and looked down the table at Harry before he softly said, "Harry, what do you believe would be the proper course of action?"

Harry arched his eyebrow and snorted before he stood and looked Albus in the eye. Harry softly replied, "Well I don't really see what advantage can be gained from having my sleeping hours flooded with these visions. My days already have their share of such thoughts. I refuse to weaken myself just because Voldemort might have some misconception about my powers or abilities."

Albus sighed and replied, "Yes Harry but if he determines you are strong now he might attack now."

Harry countered, "That might be true sir but in reality how strong is Voldemort now; surely not as strong as he will be next year. Would it be such a terrible thing for an attack now, given the alternative of an army attacking Hogwarts next year?"

There were murmurs amongst the group before Albus resignedly said, "Yes Harry it appears as though you have a valid point. We will not ask you to do anything you do not wish to do yourself. I am afraid I have made that mistake far too many times at this point as indicted by your attitude towards me now." Harry nodded and took his seat as the majority of the order was looking at Albus with a certain measure of anger. The entire Kiddies table was looking at the old wizard with contempt and hate while Harry was looking on with a chilling calm.

The meeting was adjourned with promise of another in a few weeks. Most of the order members made a point to go up to Harry and apologize for keeping secrets from him and also to express their outrage at his treatment by the Dursleys and how Dumbledore had condoned it.

Harry decided to go up to the dueling room and run off his anger and frustration. He was eventually joined by Remus and Sirius who were both looking concernedly at Harry who had moved on from his running and moved on to some free weights. Remus spoke first, "Harry we were wondering why you never told Sirius or me why things were so bad at the Dursleys?"

Harry looked at them and replied, "Well this past summer wasn't too bad and I really couldn't tell you anything before then could I?"

Remus sighed and replied, "No Harry and I have to apologize for not being a part of your life during those years. I was aware of where you were but I foolishly thought you would recoil at the thought of a werewolf in your life."

Harry sighed and replied, "Remus you never gave me the choice. I don't blame you though. You've lived your entire life with prejudice so your beliefs were totally founded. It's too late to change the past now guys but that doesn't mean I am happy about it ok?"

They both nodded before Sirius said, "So would you like to know about the Potter estate?" Harry shrugged indifferently so Sirius replied, "I'll take that as a yes. We'll get you to Gringott's so you can be properly informed of your inheritance and to levy a proper fine upon Albus. Goblins do not take kindly to such behavior so I have no doubt Albus will be having difficulties with the goblins from here on out."

Harry smiled slightly and said, "Good he deserves as much." Then his expression soured a little and he said, "I really don't want to talk any more about the Dursleys. Those days are over and I've made my peace with that. I really don't want to deal with others hang ups over something they don't understand."

Remus and Sirius nodded with understanding before they left the room. Harry worked out for a little while longer before getting a shower and then going to bed. Harry only hoped that better times were ahead.

The following week Harry tried to avoid everyone that was in the house as he spent countless hours split between the library as he worked ahead in History of Magic so he could nap in the class during the school year. He also spent a lot of time in the training room running and lifting weights. He would write Hermione every other day as he had promised and tell her of his school work he had completed and also his exercise routine. All Harry was doing over the 2 weeks was avoiding his problems and while it didn't solve anything it did give Harry time to think about how he could solve his problems.

The order had not held a meeting since the fateful night of Dumbledore's improprieties came to light. Dumbledore had spent the two weeks working feverishly on finding ways to make things better with Harry. He had remained detached from the boy for a long time. When Harry was born he was already aware that he or Neville Longbottom would be the child in the prophecy. Dumbledore watched as James and Lily Potter were forced into hiding and he was aware that Peter Pettigrew was the Potter's secret keeper. He had believed in Sirius' innocence but he had no means to grant Sirius a trial without compromising himself and so an innocent man went to Azkaban for 12 years.

Then after he had convinced himself repeatedly over 10 years that what he had done had been for Harry's benefit, it was time for Harry to come to Hogwarts. He almost expected the young boy to be spiteful and petty due to his upbringing and yet he found that Harry was nothing like that. In fact, Harry was an engaging and shy little boy that stood up for his friends and refused to be taken advantage of. Truthfully, Albus found himself caring for the boy despite the fact that he had been given an apparent death sentence before he was even born. Then at the end of his first year, Harry miraculously defeated his possessed professor who had been attempting to resurrect Voldemort from within the walls of the very castle he was to protect.

The following year Harry's heroics extended to defeating another attempt to resurrect Voldemort through the use of a diary and a basilisk. Once again Harry had triumphed and beaten back against all odds.

Harry's third year once again proved to be a challenge as he had an escaped convict after him and dementors appeared to be after him as well. Then Harry with Hermione's help uncovered the truth of his parent's betrayal and his godfather's innocence. But, more importantly Harry's latent power was unleashed against the dementors and Albus believed for the first time that Harry was truly a child of destiny. Albus thought for the first time that Harry might have a chance in this after all.

The past year had been exceptionally difficult to watch as Harry had finally found the emotional support he had needed since he was placed with the Dursleys in the form of Sirius and Hermione. It had been a difficult year for Harry that included several hospital wing visits but Harry finally had shown that he understood his importance in the wizarding world. It was not something he embraced, but rather accepted, and his performance in the tri-wizard tournament showed that. Yet Harry also showed his will to be strong enough to deal with the more unpleasant parts of tragedy. He had bounced back from the traumatic experience following the third task in a short time and had even handled the news well when he was told of the prophecy. But, now when it was time to make the sacrifices to win the war Harry was acting as though he no longer valued Albus' advice as all knowing and this served as a source of worry.

Albus knew he had to move Harry towards his thinking or the order would remain divided and it could not stand divided. He decided he would give Harry full disclosure in order to regain his trust and hoped they could start a relationship that could still help to win the war.

Finally, the day before Harry's birthday had come and Harry's scar had been uncharacteristically sore all day. He had mentioned this to Sirius and Remus who mentioned to Harry to tell them if it flared up any more than it already had. Around 6 pm Harry's scar flared up in pain as they were eating dinner and Harry ground out "Burrow" before he passed out. Sirius had Dobby take care of Harry while he and Remus were gone, as they both apparated to the burrow to find the Weasley house in the midst of a fire fight between the family and a dozen deatheaters.

Remus and Sirius effortlessly fought their way to the house together and were able to drive the deatheaters away before they checked to see if everyone was alright. Everyone in the family appeared to be shaken but Molly who was in hysterics seemed to have taken it worse than anyone else. Molly repeatedly mumbled something along the lines of "I thought we were safe here."

Dumbledore finally arrived along with Moody and after a brief discussion it was decided that the Weasleys would spend the remainder of the summer at Black Manor even though Sirius and Remus were concerned about Ron's presence and how it would affect Harry in the day to day interactions in the household. The Weasleys were initially overjoyed to be spending time with Harry to make sure he was ok after the events at the end of the term. Molly and Arthur were both well aware of how Harry's summer was going but the youngest Weasley siblings were still in the dark as Harry hadn't written Ron or Ginny any letters and had sent only one to the twins who stubbornly refused to divulge its contents.

Therefore it came as a surprise when Sirius forcefully said to the Weasleys, "I want you all to know that Harry has had a very busy and difficult summer. I am aware of certain members of your family that have had some difficulties with Harry and my relationship in the past." Sirius glanced to Molly whose face was red with indignation before he continued, "I am also aware of those in the family that seem to think Harry has everything in the world and therefore should be jealous of him. We have become aware of Harry's treatment at the hand of the relatives that Albus placed him with. Harry has lived anything but an enviable life, so don't bother him. I assure you if anyone makes Harry's life more difficult than it is already, then I will kick your entire family out on the street. As it is you will all be putting a serious crimp into the quiet business we have become accustomed to in our home. Do not bug Harry, because I warn you, not a single one of you will like the consequences."

Meanwhile at Black Manor Harry had regained his consciousness minutes after the scar flared in pain and after Dobby forced him to take some pepper-up potion he went to the library to read about curse scars like the one he had gotten from Voldemort. It came as a great surprise to Harry when he read everything on the subject and could find no similar circumstances of transferred power or the visions that he had grown accustomed to with the scar.

Harry continued to thumb his way through several dark magic books trying to find a solution to his problem until Harry had taken the task of reading a book on dark rituals. As Harry thumbed through the book he came across a chapter on something called a horcrux. The persistent voice that Harry had heard so much during his 4th year returned with a vengeance and forcefully said, "Read this page."

Harry finished reading the page and had become rather upset when he had finished reading. It had perfectly described his condition in the section regarding the effect of a Horcrux on a living person. It also described certain rituals to remove such a Horcrux and Harry intended on doing so, sooner than later and would not tell anyone of the process aside from Hermione. Harry was all but certain that Dumbledore was aware of the fact and had withheld another life altering fact from him. The way the old man had casually described how Voldemort has transferred his parselmouth abilities through the curse scar should have been a dead give away especially to the wizard who knew the most about Voldemort. Harry chalked up another reason to not trust the headmaster and went downstairs when he heard several familiar voices breaking the serene quiet of Black Manor.

A/N: Please review. Next chapter we get to deal with an order meeting and the Weasley's in Grimmauld. Also Harry has his birthday party and Hermione arrives. Keep reading and reviewing, thanks.