Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

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Sebastian stepped through the Floo into…

…into the Minister for Magic's office?! The Director was sitting calmly in Fudge's high-backed chair smiling pleasantly as Sebastian walked in.

Sebastian gazed at the man who changed the entire course of his life. The Director was a short man, compact but muscled. He had mixed features from an African-American mother and an Asian father. He looked like a kind old man in his late fifties, with a face riddled with laugh lines and a grin always playing at his lips. He stood as Sebastian walked towards him and came around the desk to give Sebastian a warm hug, which was returned awkwardly.

The Director pulled away and clasped his shoulders. "It has been awhile my friend." He swept out his hand. "Please sit."

The Director strolled back to the Minister's chair and plopped into it like he owned it. Sebastian slowly took his own seat and said, "Sir…what are we doing in here?"

The Director smiled, "The Minister is busy trying to cover up one of the greatest threats to our nation. I figured we might as well make use of his office while he is out."

"I see…but, ummm, why did you want to see me?" Sebastian hated the hesitation in his voice but he couldn't help it. He had known the Director since he was thirteen years old. He wasn't The Director then though; he had been an agent who specialized in difficult cases, like children who manipulated elaborate murders from another country. He hadn't been sent to kill him, he was only a kid, but he was sent to analyze whether or not Sebastian was a budding psychopathic killer and if he was a danger to anyone else.

It didn't take him long to see that Sebastian wasn't anything of the kind, he was willing to kill, but he wasn't a killer, and if what he heard about the Uncle was true, then Sebastian had a very understandable motive. Far from horrified at his actions, The Director had been intrigued by him. Amazed that someone so young could be so intelligent, so analytical, so adept at reading people, and so harsh. It was like looking at his younger self. So even though he had all the info he needed and declared Sebastian a threat only to people that harmed his loved ones, he decided to stay at Durmstrang and ingratiate himself into Sebastian's life.

During his study of Sebastian, he had discovered the Magical Defense Professor was a pedophile. He didn't have authorization but he had permanently removed the woman so there was an opening for her job, an opening that he stepped into.

Sebastian had learned the full backstory later, how he remembered it was that a young assistant professor had come in from England to 'learn different teaching techniques". He had never paid Sebastian any mind, or so it had seemed. So he had thought nothing of it when he had found out Ms. Vanev had drunk to excess in her chambers, slipped and broke her neck, and now the new assistant professor would be taking her job. He had never liked Mrs. Vanev anyway; she was always touching him, patting him on the head, and trying to hug him.

So no, Sebastian had no idea what he was in for when he finally met the future Director properly. Sebastian cringed as he remembered. He had hated the man. Everyone he had ever met oohed and ahhed over how brilliant he was but the Director had treated him like the town idiot. He challenged and tested him at every turn, swiftly correctly the smallest mistake, taking his best work and promptly asking why he hadn't done better.

Sebastian knew now why he had done this; he had been grooming him for a position in the Organization. Imagine Sebastian's surprise when he turned seventeen and found out the bastard actually liked him and thought he was a prodigy worthy to be trained by him personally. He had completely blindsided him which was why to this day Sebastian was still unsettled by him. He had never come up against a person he couldn't figure out, and this man had completely fooled him for years.

The Director cleared his throat and Sebastian snapped back to attention, "Did you have a nice trip down memory lane?" Sebastian tensed at once again being so expertly called out. "Good, now if you would I want a report on your progress thus far."

Sebastian straightened up and dutifully gave his progress report, when he finished the Director nodded and said, "Excellent. I'm pleased with how much you were able to accomplish."

Sebastian couldn't help it; he felt a tiny sliver of pride at the praise. Despite how easy-going he seemed, he wasn't made the Director of the Organization because he had a cute smile. Underneath that grin was a hard, ruthless man that expected nothing but perfection, no excuses.

"Thank you, sir." Sebastian said, "The Black Moon poison has been brewed and is ready to be shipped out to the necessary teams. I have received approval for testing and I am ready to present my findings on the Pure-Blood Birth Problem to the Saint Mungos Experimental Review Board. And as I'm sure you know Voldemort has finally declared his return. I know your orders were to ingratiate myself with Lucius Malfoy and the rest of the purist faction but with today's developments, they are sure to begin making certain the Wizengamot is too fractured to put through any harsh legislation against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Is it your wish that I continue to lay low or should I begin building up my influence to help topple the hold the purist faction has on the Wizengamot."

The Director took his time in answering, "I have already dispatched instructions to Agent Johnson on your team in how I want the Black Moon poison distributed. I must say I was impressed with how effectively you were able to acquire the information. With the suspect being your cousin I feared there may be an issue but once again I have underestimated you. Although I was surprised to see you put in a request for leniency when it came to her case…"

Sebastian choose his words carefully, "I know protocol in these cases are Removal and I was prepared to allow Benson to do so, but her interrogation revealed that she wasn't aware of her brother's actions when he used the poison on innocents and-"

"She didn't try to help or warn those people though."

"No…but she was horrified and she never used the poison or hurt anyone since-" Sebastian tried to say.

"Until she sent an assassin to kill you when she learned you were alive and returning to England." The Director smoothly cut in again.

Sebastian stammered, yes stammered, in reply, "We-well, he…he was successfully turned to our side so there-"

"That was just a lucky coincidence that she was put into contact with 'Benson'. We had him under surveillance for some time, intrigued by the fact that even though his kills were gruesome and heinous to behold, he only carried out contracts for people who had committed equally heinous acts, serial killers, serial rapists, people that harmed children, etc. Also the fact that he tracked you for days without attempting to attack seemed to indicate that he wouldn't have harmed you if he declared you an innocent. This we knew, but your cousin did not. She wanted you dead and enacted a plan to carry that out. She cannot blame her brother/lover this time and protocol for this is clear."

"I…" Sebastian started but he had nothing and he knew it, "Of course, sir. Forgive me…I let sentiment get the better of me."

The Director simply stared at him for a while until Sebastian grew uncomfortable, "Well it's no matter," he finally said. "I approved your request for leniency and she has been granted life imprisonment instead of removal."

If Sebastian was anyone else his mouth would have dropped open in shock, all that grilling just to tell him he had approved his request!

The Director continued, "As for this little hobby of yours with the Pure-Blood Birth Problem-"

"It's not a hobby!" Sebastian began hotly, momentarily forgetting who he was shouting at. But the Director interrupted the start of his tirade with a chuckle.

"Yes, yes." The Director waved a hand at him. "I know at first I was skeptical. It was obvious from the beginning that the Birth Problem was due to inbreeding and since hardcore purists would never deign to reproduce with half-bloods or muggles, the whole endeavor seemed pointless. I admit I only indulged you because you are like a son to me," Sebastian choked, a son to him?! Since when?! "But I have to admit now that you were right to pursue this and your discoveries are nothing short of astounding."

Two compliments in one day?! Sebastian didn't quite know what to do with himself at this moment.

The Director smiled, "It is largely due to that hobby of yours that I believe you will be able to succeed in the next task I have for you."

"Sir?" Sebastian said confused.

"I'm afraid laying low among the purist faction is no longer a possibility for you. So far you have been able to convince those like Lucius that you have some kind of sinister endgame with the Potter boy but very soon they will realize that you don't and that well of information will be permanently closed to you. So yes it is time that we begin our shadow campaign to break the hold the purists have on the Wizengamot. Blossom and her team are the only ones who can fight openly on the front lines but the Death Eaters on the Wizengamot have and are continuing to make the Aurors ineffective. Not to mention how efficiently Albus Dumbledore was able to hobble them with his no-killing legislation."

"Speaking of Dumbledore," The Director suddenly segued, "What efforts have been made to locate him?"

"I sent Benson to find him soon after I learned of his escape. He will be found shortly," Sebastian said emotionlessly.

"Very well. As I was saying, the way things are now any captured Death Eaters will most likely just dance out of custody. The Dementors are no longer guarding Azkaban and there are too many Death Eaters and Death-Eater sympathizers within the Ministry." The Director leaned forward and a hint of the dangerous man he was began to peek out, "But that will change. We need to show them that having anything to do with Voldemort is very bad for your health. Am I clear?"

Sebastian nodded gravely, "Perfectly sir, whatever your orders they shall be carried out to the letter."

"Not my orders, Sebastian. Voldemort has declared War and threatens to plunge the world back into a darkness that we barely escaped from the first time. We can't rely on a brave muggle-born mother and defenseless baby to save us this time around. No, I'm afraid you and I both are now receiving orders from the very top."

Sebastian's eyes bugged out, "You-you mean…Her?!"

"Yes, Her." The Director swept out his hands, "You should get comfortable in this office Sebastian because the Queen of England expects you to become the next Minister for Magic."

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Sirius was standing outside the Shrieking Shack waiting for Remus to arrive. Sirius had called an emergency Order meeting at Grimmauld Place after he had read about the attack in the Prophet, and Remus insisted that they meet outside Hogwarts and Apparate there together for some reason.

To pass the time Sirius practiced his spellwork, every day he got better and his magic responded to him faster. He smiled as the Immobilizing Spell stopped a wayward leaf in its tracks, a week ago he wouldn't have been able to successfully hold that spell.

"Sirius!" Remus called out from in front of him, walking down the path that led from Hogsmeade.

Sirius stowed his wand away and walked over to his friend, leaning a little less heavily on his cane than he was a few days ago.

"Hey, Remy!" Sirius boomed happily, "What took you so long?"

"Sorry, I took a detour through the grounds. I saw Harry and his friends having a picnic on the Quidditch Pitch. Why did we never do that?" Remus mused.

Sirius looked at him aghast. "Because we were tough Maraudering manly men! We did not have picnics!"

Remus chuckled, "Of course, my mistake. But as for why I asked you here…" Remus pulled out a bottle from the depths of his robes.

Sirius took the bottle of Firewhiskey, "You asked me here so we could get drunk? Well, I'm up for it but we do have a meeting to get to."

Remus sat down on one of the many fallen tree logs, "No you daft git, that's not why I asked you here…Don't you remember?..."

Sirius slowly sat down next to him, perplexed.

"Remember that night in our seventh year," Remus said. "It was a full moon and I had Changed. I ran so far into the Forbidden forest that night and-"

The light went off in Sirius' head, "Yes!...Of course, it was just you, me and James. Pettigrew, the pile of human waste, had begged off saying he had a headache and couldn't run with us." Sirius clenched his fists at the thought of Peter but went on, "You ran farther into the woods than any of us had gone and there was nothing James and I could do but follow you."

Remus shook his head, "The next morning we were all exhausted, dirty, wandless, and hopelessly lost. It took us hours to get back to a part of the Forest that we recognized and of course I was as weak as a newborn kitten after the Change and James had to carry me the whole way as Prongs."

Sirius snorted, "You were mewling and whining like a newborn kitten too. We couldn't get you to shut up and stop apologizing for a minute as if it was your fault the wolf led us on a merry chase."

Remus ignored this, "When we finally got back to the Shack, James ran off and came back with this," Remus pointed to the Firewhiskey. "I still don't know how he got it but he proposed a toast."

Sirius laughed out loud as he remembered, "He conjured the three of us glasses and said 'To friends that will follow each other anywhere-"

Remus chimed in, "'To friends that will always have each other's backs-'"

Sirius conjured up two glasses of his own and poured him and Remus a hearty helping of the Firewhiskey. He handed Remus his drink and they said together, "To friends that would die for each other. To friends that would live for each other. To us. The Marauders!"

They knocked back their drinks, laughing even while slight tears formed in their eyes.

"It was a nice speech," Sirius said hoarsely, "But then James had to go and end up somewhere we can't follow."

Remus stared into the depths of his glass, "One day we will follow. After we see Harry married and growing fat surrounded by his fifteen or so kids, then we will finally get to see Lily and James again. But I didn't ask you here just to remember James-"

Sirius interrupted, "No it's because of what happened after when we finally got back to the castle to find out that a massive manhunt had been underway for us because it had been announced in the Prophet that morning that the Wizarding World was officially at war." Sirius grinned, "McGonagall gave us two months detention when we refused to tell her where we had been and even though Dumbledore did know why not even he could get her to back down."

Remus nodded, "On the day the War started we vowed to always be there for each other and we weren't. We let suspicion, rumors, and a filthy rat get between us and it destroyed us."

Sirius put down his glass, "James and Lily were killed, I was locked away, Harry was sent to horrible people, you ended up on your own, and Pettigrew was free to run around scheming and aid in throwing our world right back into war."

Remus stood up, "So how about this time we don't make that mistake again? Me, you, and the only part of James that we have left…we'll trust each other this time. We'll make it through this war…together."

Sirius stood up and hugged Remus fiercely, pounding him on the back. "I think I can handle that…To us!" he shouted.

"The Last of the Marauders!" They both yelled together before they Apparated away.

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The one they called Mad-Eye Moody sat quietly in his chair in the Order meeting room at Grimmauld Place, his head racing faster than his magical eye. Mad-Eye had never trusted Severus Snape and wasn't the least bit surprised to hear he had been arrested for trying to attack a minor, but while he did think that Severus was little more than scum, he had believed Dumbledore when he said that he was on their side. But now he felt that that faith had been misplaced.

Dumbledore had apparently trusted Snape's word over the word of whoever the student was that was attacked. Dumbledore trusted Snape's lie and it had gotten them both charged and a child was put in danger. How many other lies of Snape's did Albus swallow? Did Snape ever really turn on Voldemort? Who helped him escape from the holding cells? Was it Albus or was it…someone else? But more importantly since when did Moody put blind faith ahead of his own instincts? Albus had demanded his trust and he should have told him that it needed to be earned first.

Moody watched as Sirius and Remus stepped into the room and began the meeting. Well, he wouldn't be making that same mistake twice. If Sirius planned on stepping up then he had better prove himself first.

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Sirius looked around the room. He nodded at everyone he made eye contact with and spared a smile for Tonks, Kingsley, and...Andromeda?! Tonks had fully recovered but apparently, her mum wanted to be close by. And after Dumbledore had fled, Sirius had told Remus to talk to Kingsley and ask him to return to the Order. Kingsley wasn't yet ready to return to Auror duty but he had agreed to come back and help in whatever capacity he could.

When Sirius landed on the Weasleys he was surprised to see Bill, Charlie, and Percy in attendance, but he wasn't surprised to see the look of disapproval on Molly's face. It seemed Molly's efforts at keeping them out of this whole mess had officially failed.

All of a sudden, as if on cue, everyone quieted and waited for Sirius to begin. He didn't know how he had ended up in charge, maybe it was because it was his house. Maybe it was because he had proved himself through the watches which had ultimately saved Tonks's life, or maybe it was because everyone was a bit shell-shocked following this whole Snape and Dumbledore debacle and he was simply the first one who recovered and was willing to take the reins.

Whatever it was, there were a lot of people counting on him and he wouldn't fail them like he had failed James, or like he had failed Harry.

He cleared his throat, "Hello everyone, I know there has been a lot of rumors and speculation regarding the circumstances of Albus's and Snape's arrest. So let me give you the facts. Over the summer I saw fit to teach Harry Occlumency, as we all know Voldemort is a Master Legilimens and I thought it was a skill that Harry needed to have. Albus apparently had the same idea because when school started he informed Harry that he would be learning Occlumency from Snape. Harry would have told Albus that he didn't need those lessons but when weeks passed and Snape refused to give them to him, Harry didn't bother."

"But then an article came out in the Quibbler, filled with covertly recorded snippets of things that Snape had said supposedly to students. All of a sudden Snape contacted Harry to set up an Occlumency lesson." A few people shifted as they followed where this story was going.

"Harry, whose history with Snape is rocky at best, was naturally a little worried about Snape's sudden interest in teaching him and felt the need to take measures just in case Snape tried anything, and surprise, surprise, he did. Snape tried to Mind-Rape him but luckily Harry was able to dodge the attack and get out of there. Unluckily, before Harry could get to Albus, Snape had beaten him to it and spun him a web of lies. Albus completely dismissed everything Harry said when Harry reported the attack, believing him to just be making up things to get his least favorite teacher in trouble. He demanded that Harry apologize and continue the lessons. Instead, Harry contacted his Advocate and gave him proof of the attack and…well you know the rest."

At first, there was quiet but then chaos broke out. People were bickering back in forth in anger, disbelief, disgust, and for some denial. The Albus they knew would never do this! There had to be an explanation! Sirius let the arguing go on for a while before he interrupted.

"Everyone please, believe it or not, Albus and Snape are the last of our worries! You have all seen the emergency edition of the paper which is why I asked you all to come here. It's time for us to act."

Everyone reluctantly settled and Moody leaned forward, "So what do you suggest we do, lad?"

"Well, that's simple. As I'm sure Remus has already shared with you all, Hogwarts is compromised. Since the start of our nation we have been able to rely on Hogwarts as a sanctuary and retreat there if it ever became necessary, but right now we can't. The last act of the High Inquisitor was to aid five Death Eaters in infiltrating the castle. We got fortunate in that she overstepped her bounds in naming herself Deputy Headmistress, only the Headmaster can name their Deputy so technically McGonagall never lost that position and was the only viable choice for Headmistress when Dumbledore and Umbridge were charged. She will do everything possible to get those Death Eaters removed and believe me, she will have plenty of help, but until then we still need a safe place to retreat to."

"I believe Grimmauld Place should be that sanctuary. We are protected not only by the Fidelius Charm but also by fearsome wards as old as Hogwarts herself but unlike Hogwarts, these wards have a mean streak worthy of the Black name. I can't think of anywhere safer. We know the people that Voldemort is likely to target and our first goal needs to be to contact them and offer to give them shelter here where he can't get to them. People like the Bones, the Grangers, the Fenwicks, the Everetts, everyone that has openly opposed Voldemort now or in the past and everyone connected to Harry or his friends that will inevitably end up targets. In the First War, we were divided and he was able to pick us off one by one, wiping out whole families. We cannot give him that chance this time."

Moody was giving him a very calculated look while everyone else digested what he was saying.

Kingsley spoke up, "Here, you say? This house can barely accommodate us. It's not big enough!"

Sirius grinned humorlessly, "This is Black Manor, the ancestral home of a Most Ancient and Most Noble Family, trust me it is much bigger than a London apartment. I haven't tapped into the magic needed to open the rest of the Manor because we didn't need all the space, now we do."

Everyone was looking at him in disbelief. Tonks turned to her mother, "Grimmauld Place is bigger than this?! How much bigger?"

Andromeda smiled at her, "Much bigger, my darling. When granted full access it rivals the size of Malfoy Manor, but it has fallen into disrepair. Our family has grown smaller and smaller and with only one...Kreacher…to maintain it, our grandfather closed off access to the rest of the wings. As Head, Sirius can open the wings back up but who knows what state they will be in when he does…"

Sirius shook his head, "Let me worry about that. Honestly, this entire Manor is barely fit for a cockroach to live in and that won't do. Our need for secrecy forced us to do all the repairs and cleaning ourselves but many of us aren't skilled in household or home maintenance magic, we need people who are that can bring this place up quickly. But as I said, let me worry about that. What the Order needs to do is make a list of everyone who could be targeted by Voldemort and quietly get into contact with them. Make sure they are trustworthy, but if they accept our offer of shelter we need to safely and quickly move them here."

"But that is just one of our tasks. I don't know about you but I doubt last night's attack will be the last. To prevent any more people from being killed by this madman we need to be out there watching the streets, defending and evacuating innocent people until the Aurors arrive on the scene. I'm not telling you to take the law into your own hands but someone does have to act. Fudge refuses to acknowledge the threat we are facing, the Ministry is rife with corruption, our prison is no longer guarded and those that can be trusted among the Aurors are stretched thin and forced to fight with their hands tied."

"But we don't have time to play those games, not with those we love at risk. So we will stay on alert. If you see even the shadow of a Dementor or the hint of a skull mask you raise the alarm, call the Aurors, get people moving to a safer place, and organize people who are willing to fight back. I want those who know the Patronus Charm out there as soon as possible, those who don't need to start learning it right away. We have the good fortune to have four Aurors, a Curse-Breaker, and a Dragon-Handler on our team, there is no reason for any of us to not know proper Defense when we have so many that can teach us." The members nodded along vigorously as he spoke, this is what they had signed up to do. They didn't want to guard empty corridors, they wanted to be out there fighting and protecting the world that they loved. "Voldemort will not plunge us back into chaos! He will not take away any more people that we love! He will not have this World! Because. We. Won't. Let. Him!"

Remus slammed his hand on the table, "HEAR, HEAR!" He shouted and the room joined in, clapping, pounding the table and stomping their feet.

Sirius smiled proudly, waiting for them to settle down before his attention was drawn to the wall at the back of the room. "Does that satisfy you?" He said to the empty air, "…Madam Bones."

Amelia laughed as she dropped the Disillusionment Charm. "You knew I was here?" She said smoothly.

"I said that the wards were formidable, they have been alerting me to the presence of a guest I haven't personally invited since I stepped inside Number 12. I simply guessed it was you."

"Impressive," Amelia said, "In more ways than one, Mr. Black. It seems I was wrong to dismiss you as a goofy troublemaker. You are a credit to the Auror training your instructors worked so hard to drill into you." She came around and walked towards him. "Your plans make sense, someone does need to be there in Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, all of the most likely targets, to protect those innocent people. And while I don't like this being in the hands of vigilantes, you are right that the hands of the Aurors are tied. It was an ongoing fight trying to stop Fudge from cutting the Department's budget and stop Dumbledore from passing legislation that made the Aurors ineffective. Even with respect and influence, I had trouble. I can only imagine the uphill battle Fitzwater will face, and while I chose her to step into my place because she was by far the most effective, skilled and trustworthy, all that the bigots will see is her blood status."

"No doubt the Auror force is splintered right now, and that is not good news for any of us. That is why I asked Kingsley to bring me to your next meeting. I took an oath to protect this World and I will do so no matter what it takes. I know who in the Aurors that we can trust, starting with Fitzwater. I know people that can be recruited to the cause. I am willing to offer Bones Manor as a safe place for any families that require it and I am willing to train anyone willing to fight. But before we get to all of that," Bones pierced Sirius with a fierce look that almost made him step back. "What is this about Death Eaters in Hogwarts?! Who are these people and how do you know they are who you say?! My niece is in that school!" She advanced on him quickly and he held up his hands in surrender. "The first priority has to be the safety of the children in Hogwarts!"

Sirius gripped the head of his cane, "My godson is in that school as well and I assure you that him and all of the students' are also my first priority, but they were hired 'legally' and any attempts to fire them without cause will only see them put right back by their buddies on the Wizengamot. So we, all of us, will work out a way around that so that we can see them gone permanently. No more secrets, blind trust, and throwing out orders without accepting any input. We work together, as equals, to find a solution."

Amelia gave him a hard look before turning towards all the determined faces in the room. "Okay, let's get started then shall we…"

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Harry was ready to tear his hair out. He was walking Hermione back to Gryffindor Tower that night after dinner. It was just the two of them and even though Harry was still staying with Sirius and Sebastian in their rooms, he didn't feel comfortable with letting Hermione walk alone when they were surrounded by enemies. He could watch her on the Map to make sure she got back safe but he didn't want to risk it, so of course, this was his reward…

"I don't agree with this plan, Harry!" Hermione hissed at him. "You can't ask the House Elves to do that for us! And what if McGonagall doesn't agree?! Too many things can go wrong with this!"

Harry gave a long-suffering sigh, "Hermione-"

"And what are these things that you have to do on your end!?"

"I-"

She huffed, "What is with you lately?! Since when do you keep secrets from us?! From me and Ron at least! We are supposed to be your best friends!"

"You are-"

"Then why didn't tell us what Dumbledore had done to you before!?" She rounded on him and Harry finally saw the angry tears that she had been fighting. Harry had finally opened up about what Dumbledore had done. How he had manipulated him, that he had done nothing to protect Harry from his abusive relatives, how he hadn't protected him when Snape tried to Mind-Rape him, and how hard he had tried to gain guardianship of him after Sirius was exonerated, hard enough that they suspected he was behind Sirius ending up in a coma. He had told them everything, well not about the books or the future or about Sebastian's double life, but everything else.

The wind went out of Harry's sails at her tears, "I-I…I thought…" Harry couldn't meet her eyes, "I thought you wouldn't believe me, or worse…try to justify it and say he had good intentions…"

Hermione advanced on him and smacked him soundly across the face. Harry gaped at her in complete shock as his hand flew up to his red cheek.

"Harold Potter!" Hermione half-screamed, "There will never be, for any reason whatsoever, a good reason to put you in danger! Not a reason that I will ever accept! I don't care who Albus Bloody Dumbledore is! I would never have defended him if I knew that he let those horrid people hurt you! I would never have demanded you respect Snape if I knew he was the reason Voldemort targeted your parents! You blame your lack of trust in me on things I said in ignorance, things I would never have said if I knew!"

"Dumbledore is famous and brilliant, but it wasn't him who saved me from the troll! It wasn't him who went after the Basilisk that attacked me! Albus Dumbledore is not my best and first friend! YOU ARE! WHEN WILL YOU GET IT THROUGH THAT INCREDIBLY THICK SKULL OF YOURS THAT I AM ON YOUR SIDE! ALWAYS!"

Hermione's chest was heaving, she had never been so mad at Harry, at anyone, in her life. She angrily wiped away the tears running down her cheeks and opened her mouth to yell some more when Harry said-

"Now…"Harry murmured quietly, "Now is when I will get it through my thick skull. I'm…I'm sorry. You're right…I never gave you a chance. You guys are my best friends, it's time I start treating you like it."

Just like that, all the anger left Hermione and she grabbed Harry and hugged him fiercely for a long time. When she pulled back she took out her wand and performed an 'Episkey' on Harry's bruised cheek.

"Sorry about that," She said quietly but sincerely. "I shouldn't have hit you…it won't happen again."

Harry nodded.

"Umm…" Hermione hesitated, "Maybe we could talk, really talk, about your plan. It's a good one but I have some concerns…maybe you could…explain it to me again? What exactly the House Elves would have to do…what we are going to do about the Slytherins…"

Harry gave her a soft smile, "Yeah…sure, of course. Well, the first thing I have to do is speak to McGonagall and….

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Harry, Sirius, and Sebastian were sitting up that night in front of the fire. Harry had returned from dropping off Hermione to find them both already there.

"Minister for Magic…" Harry said contemplatively, "You?"

Sebastian gave him a mildly offended look, "Why not me?!" Harry laughed at him and Sebastian sighed. "Apparently this plan has been in the works for a while. Discrimination is so rampant in our World that She-"

"The Queen." Sirius corrected for the fifth time.

"Yes, Her! She decided that something has to be done about it at any cost. The plan was for Amelia to be steered into the job but it's doubtful she could scare up the votes she needed to win even if she got her job back. Plus Voldemort has finally declared War. Make no mistake, if it wasn't for whatever happened that Halloween night, Voldemort would have won the war and if that fool Fudge is left in charge who knows what will happen this time. We need a leader that will fight this war with reason and strategy, and who will put the lives of every citizen first regardless of blood status. The Organization can only do so much, at the end of the day we have to protect our secrecy which is why there has to be someone on the front lines who can act in Her interests." Sebastian ignored Sirius's correction this time. "Amelia would have been a great choice but we don't have the time she will need to build back up her influence."

"Well yeah but…you?!" Harry argued.

Sebastian sniffed, "I'm very popular right now. I'm an incredibly handsome pure-blood Healer who discovered the solution to the Pure-Blood Birth Problem and I am close to the Boy-Who-Lived. I appeal to the purists and the progressive factions. I have to admit that I am a shoo-in to win. Yes, my task is relatively simple," Sebastian leaned back into the armchair. "It's you two I'm more worried about."

Sirius grimaced and took a swig from the bottle of Butterbeer in front of him. "The Order is getting there. We are getting better organized and better trained. Amelia is a godsend and with her on our side, we can really make a difference. I pulled all the members from guarding the prophecy; it is a waste of time and resources. Instead, Harry and I will get into the Department of Mysteries and destroy the damn thing, put an end to that whole mess. You have contacts among the Unspeakables don't you, Sebastian?"

Sebastian inclined his head, "I have contacts everywhere, darling. Tell me when and I will get you in there."

"Then I just have to get Harry trained, cram centuries of Wizarding customs into his head and get him in front of a Mind Healer. So you're right my task is harder."

"OI!" Harry shouted. Sirius threw Sebastian a knowing look. "The first two are probably a good idea, but the last isn't necessary. I don't need to see a Mind Healer!"

Sirius was unmoved, "Sorry kid, I won't be swayed. I already spoke to Andromeda, you will have morning sessions with her every Sunday.

Harry started protesting but Sebastian cut him off, "Harry you can lose that argument later. Tell us about your plans for the school. Did you speak to Dobby?"

Harry glared at them both but eventually said, "Yes I spoke to Dobby and he's on board. He's going to find as many Elves as possible who are willing to be bonded with me."

Sirius grinned, "I bet Hermione didn't like that."

Harry absentmindedly stroked his cheek, "No she didn't but we talked about it. We need people that we can trust completely and can move around quickly and unnoticed. This is the best way and she knows that I would never mistreat them but she still made me promise to free them after this is all over."

Sebastian cocked his head, "And will you?"

Harry nodded, "Yes but only if that's what they want. We don't want any more Winkys on our hands. As for the rest of my plan, there are a few more details that I have to work out before I tell you the rest."

Sirius gave Harry a grim look, "Are you ready for what you have to do? Everything is going to change."

"Yes," Harry said seriously, "I know what's at stake. I know what I have to do and I will see it through."

Sirius grabbed his Butterbeer and stood up; he thrust out his bottle and said, "To fighting a war!"

Harry jumped up and followed his lead, "To defending a castle!"

Sebastian slid out of his chair and joined in, "To stealing a nation! Gentlemen," Sebastian grinned at them both. "Good luck."

They clinked their bottles and took a sip.

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