Mr. Potter,

It is my pleasure to inform you that Professor McGonagall has found her way to our side at last. She has always been one known within the Order for her opposition to Dumbledore's wizard/muggle relations position and it was enough to bring her to us that there are those, including her own family, among us who oppose the killing of muggles. Her increasing involvement among our neighbors has caused quite a stir. Always a persuasive person, our friend has taken it upon herself to rally those of similar mind in hopes of changing the way my Lord and his Death Eaters wage this war. Though hampered by the need to keep her work from Dumbledore's ears, she has already managed enough political and social force to secure an audience with the Governor of Llwellan. She has a winning argument, saying that the war has gone on for so long and the losses on each side are so great that the only way to end the conflict without annihilation of one side or another may be to bring the debate back into the political arena. I do hope she succeeds in making her point but it will not be easy. Blood purism is deeply entrenched in the upper echelons of our society and even though she is not directly challenging it, the repercussions of her proposition would threaten the power the purists have enjoyed under my Lord. Still, I am hopeful that she will succeed and if anyone is in a position for such a thing, it is she.

Harry finished reading the letter from Aurelia and pocketed it. Passing Aly a section of the orange he had been eating when she arrived, he thought critically about the new information. He would not have believed Professor McGonagall capable of turning on the Order. Surely the aged woman would have made her decision a long time ago with the intention of sticking with it. Still, there was a lot he didn't know about the Head of Gryffindor. It wasn't that he didn't trust that Aurelia was telling him the truth; more, it was that he worried about the Order learning of his betrayal. He had seen Dumbledore in battle and he never, ever wanted the old man's wand pointed at him in anything more than friendly aide. He hoped McGonagall was truly joining him on the fringes of agreement with the villagers.

Five days later, as Harry walked through the village on his way to the Snape household, he found that Professor McGonagall's debate was the talk of the village with support and opposition both fervent. Though no one knew for certain who had started it, everyone knew that the Governor of Llewllan and twenty of their most respected fellows were petitioning the Dark Lord. It seemed that Professor McGonagall really had turned. Harry wondered if others might abandon Dumbledore yet. It still bothered him to oppose the Weasleys and Remus.

While Harry was at the Snapes', he asked Professor Snape (who, despite giving Harry permission to use his first name, was still referred to as 'Professor') if it would be safe to write to Remus. The Professor allowed it but warned Harry to be careful what was said. Once he had returned home, Harry set to work crafting a careful letter to Remus. While seeming to be confused by what was expected of him, Harry wrote of how he wanted Remus' opinions, begging his father's friend to be truthful rather than say what The Boy Who Lived was supposed to hear.

Hedwig arrived the next afternoon with a brief note from Professor McGonagall that her niece had passed along a letter from Ms. Langley asking for Harry's owl to be returned to him and Harry was able to send the letter to Remus. Not long after that, Harry received a letter from Dumbledore via Fawkes scolding him for somehow managing to weaken the wards on Privet Drive. Harry sent a cold response essentially telling Dumbledore to keep his nose out of places it didn't belong. Harry hoped the letter sounded like normal teenage angst but for good measure, he threw in an explanation saying "It's hard enough to keep a muggle girlfriend without unexplainable things happening." He knew Dumbledore would have to appreciate that sentiment, given his war aims, and hoped it would be enough to get the Headmaster to drop the complaint.

Within minutes, a response came for Harry from Dumbledore.

My dear boy,

I am so pleased to hear that you have made friends. I do wish I had better news, and perhaps in the future it shall come to pass, but I must ask you not to weaken your wards. I am deeply sorry to cost you such a fine muggle friend as I'm sure you have found, but these are dark times and you, the one who can bring an end to the struggle, cannot afford anything less than the best protection. I know you will understand that now is sadly not the time for romance. This is one time I will have to meddle and insist that you end the relationship and keep to the safety of your Aunt's home.

- AD

Harry crumpled the note into a ball and tossed it into the fireplace. He didn't want to hear from Dumbledore and he certainly didn't need advice on dealing with his non-existent muggle girlfriend; he wanted a letter from Remus.

//-//-//-//-//-

Two days later, still expecting a reply from Remus, Harry was startled by a knock on the door. It was Professor Snape and he was wearing the most unpleasant expression Harry had seen him wear since they had left Hogwarts.

"Harry, put on muggle clothes quickly," Snape said.

Harry could tell Snape was serious so he quickly turned to head upstairs before turning back. "I don't have anything that fits," he said. Having worn only wizard's robes, fine trousers, and fancy shirts for a year, he had no idea where his Dudley clothes were and if they were any better than rags anymore.

Snape gave an exasperated sigh. "Then put on boots and come. You must be at your relatives' home before Lupin arrives."

Harry whipped out his wand and Accio-ed the most innocent-looking outfit. He left the house with Snape and they waited only until they were outside Harry's gate to take a portkey Snape had made. They appeared with a pop in the shadows of an empty house on Magnolia Crescent.

"Watch what you say and if you can't talk your way out of something, use your portkey and we'll deal with the consequences later," Snape said before sending Harry hurrying off towards Number 4 Privet Drive.

Harry arrived, breathing a bit heavily to see Remus locked in a glaring contest with Aunt Petunia on the front stoop.

"Remus," Harry called.

The werewolf spun and hurried over to where Harry stood on the lawn. Meanwhile, Petunia took the opportunity to slam the front door shut and lock it, going to peak out the curtained window instead.

"Harry, what are you doing out? You're not supposed to leave the house. And why are you walking around in wizard's robes?"

"I can't stay there. And I don't have anything else to wear. I can't very well break up with my girlfriend in my underwear."

"Well then," Remus began, reluctantly agreeing, "I suppose if you aren't leaving the house for the rest of the summer, you can wear what you wish. It's good to know that I don't have to lecture you about the girl. Professor Dumbledore sent me to make sure you had done as he asked."

"Did you get my letter?" Harry asked.

"I did. I understand that you want to think things through yourself and I'm willing to talk you through it. You already know what we fight for, I'm sure. Do you just want to sit in the garden and talk about it?"

"Sure," Harry said.

For an hour, Remus told Harry all about how great Dumbledore's principles were and how much they would help the wizarding world and the muggle one as well. No matter what Harry said, Remus did not stray from his dogged devotion. By the time Remus had to leave, Harry was stressed, tired, sad, and a bit angry. He was forced to acknowledge that Remus would not leave Dumbledore's side. Though Harry couldn't give up hope for Remus entirely, he knew he had pushed as far and as hard as he could without revealing his own hand. Once Remus was out of sight, Harry used his portkey to return to his house, sent Cedar to tell Professor Snape that he was still safe, and then attempted to wash away his disappointment with a long soak in his bathtub.

Unfortunately for Harry, his bath was interrupted more than an hour later by Cedar announcing that he had company. Harry reluctantly dressed and went downstairs to find Electra and Aurelia in his sitting room. The two sisters carried an enormous, aged book which they intended for him to make use of.

"I have a lot on my mind right now," Harry protested.

"I'm sorry. Would you like to talk about it?" Aurelia asked.

"No. The war's stupid. What have you brought?" Harry asked. He intended to stick with his policy of not discussing the war in person. There was more to life than the war, as he was doing his best to remind those who had devoted their lives to it.

"It will only take a few moments. This book is quite popular this time of year and it's owner, our third cousin Drusilla, would go spare if she knew we were allowing a half-blood to use it but we think it's important," Aurelia said quickly.

"You won't have another chance," Electra added.

"What is it?" Harry asked as he sunk heavily into the seat opposite them with a sigh.

"It's a magical book that helps young witches and wizards find the career for them," Electra said. "There's more to life than war, you know."

"It works marvelously," Aurelia added. "I thought I wanted to be a Quidditch player until I used the book and realized I would much rather heal injuries that get them myself."

They spread the book open in front of Harry and waited while he inspected it.

"I'm not a fan of magical artifacts," Harry told them.

"Aside from updating itself, this one works like a pensieve offering the memories of different careers that it believes suit you," Electra said.

"Generations of purebloods have used it without ill-effect," Aurelia assured him.

Harry pursed his lips and looked at their insisting expressions. He trusted them.

Even though Harry was fairly certain that he didn't want to become an auror anymore, that was the page he started on. The book soon agreed that it wasn't the job for him as the pages turned on their own accord, making Harry a bit uneasy. After a few different career ideas, the book turned from the section on government, art, and other upper class pursuits to one on physical labor. Looking through the section's table of contents, Harry had to agree that the sorts of jobs that didn't make such a big deal out of his name and history were definitely more appealing.

Finding an entry he approved of, Harry looked into the luminescent page and was presented with several short glimpses of the sort of work that was done to care for dragons. When they were finished, the book did not wait for Harry to approve or disprove of what he had seen, it quickly turned many pages and Harry was presented with the section on magical artisans. He paged through until he stopped curiously on the entry for magical tailors, seamstresses, and fashion designers. The book did not approve and quickly flipped the pages further until it came to stop on the entry for wandmakers.

A good wandmaker possesses great magical power combined with subtlety, perseverance, cunning, curiosity, patience, and intelligence. He should also be of steady hands and sharp eyes. As generations of wandmakers prove, this is one career where eccentricity sells. Many a madman has proved his worth through skill and craftsmanship in the field.

Though in many cases, the trade is passed from father to son, every wandmaker must prove his own value. A name means nothing attached to an inferior product. The master will be demanding and exacting of his materials and perceptive and precise for his customers.

The wandmaking trade is learned chiefly through apprenticeship. Insofar as NEWTs are a measure of potential, they are important, however, the general requirement for consideration as an apprentice is only three NEWTs in any subjects. More important is the social and economic position the student and his family possess. It is often quite difficult to find a master willing to accept a student. In some markets, such as the British Isles, it is impossible for those outside the wandmakers' own families to find a position. If this career is meant for you, it may take familial connections to begin study.

"You've found the one?" Aurelia asked when the book seemed to have stopped turning pages on its own accord.

Electra leaned over to read the heading. "He has," she told her sister. "This will take some work."

Aurelia looked at the heading for herself and then nodded, looking thoughtful. "I think I know how to go about this."

"The Ollivanders won't take him," Electra said.

"Certainly not. However, Marguerite Rosier owes me a favor. She will put in a good word with her uncle, Yves Lajoie."

"Is he taking apprentices?" Electra asked. Apparently the name that meant nothing to Harry meant something to her.

"If he isn't, one of his sons will be, though I'd prefer Harry was no farther away than Normandie. I don't know many people who could apparate farther than that from here if we needed to reach him unexpectedly."

"Well, since you've got the connections, I'll just return the book to Drusilla," Electra said, gathering the unwieldy book up.

Both women stood to leave. Almost as an afterthought, Aurelia turned back to Harry and said distractedly, "I'll visit sometime later this week to let you know how things are progressing."

Harry shook his head to himself as the two women left, their minds clearly elsewhere.

Three days later, Aurelia visited to drop off a portkey and instructions for Harry. Yves Lajoie had offered to let Harry visit the shop on the word of Aurelia's friend whom Harry had never met. Harry didn't understand such arrangements but was still pleased to have the chance. He had had time to think about the career book's advice and he was looking forward to giving wandmaking a try. Thus at the appointed time the following day, Harry was ready and waiting for the portkey to activate to take him to the wandmaker's shop.

//-//-//-//-

The wandmaker's shop was cramped and cluttered. Yves Lajoie was a wrinkled old man who spoke heavily accented English for Harry's benefit and was stronger than he looked both physically and magically. His standards were demanding but Harry passed whatever tests Lajoie had set out for him on that first day and Harry was invited back three afternoons a week for the rest of the summer.

Finding Harry to be a hard worker with a real aptitude for the trade, Lajoie soon invited Harry to come every weekday afternoon with the understanding that he would have to begin learning some French so he could do such things as help customers, order materials, and find his way easily through the Rue d'Etoiles that was France's equivalent of Diagon Alley.

Meanwhile, Harry's mornings were filled with trips to the Quidditch field, visits with Percy and sometimes Charlie, and hosting Electra, Regulus, and the Snapes in his own home. He also received his weekly letters from Dumbledore and sent his empty responses. He received the Hogwarts letters and the continued cancellation of Quidditch notice. Before Harry knew it, it was the last weekend in July and the annual market in Llewllan arrived.

Harry spent his morning purchasing his school supplies from both his school lists and from the note Aurelia and Professor Snape had sent him of recommendations for NEWT preparation. Harry's afternoon was spent first with Aurelia at the home of Headmistress Vablatsky arranging for Harry to miss afternoons of school in August in order to continue at the wandmaker's shop. After that, he sat at home with his nose buried in a French grammar school book in an effort to please Lajoie.

That evening, Harry received an unexpected visit from Fawkes.

Harry,

I realize that this letter arrives a day earlier than is traditional but I thought it a good idea to update you on an important matter as soon as possible. This morning, Professor McGonagall sought to retire from the old crowd. Though she can still be called upon in an emergency and you should, of course, trust her to fulfill all her continuing duties as Head of Gryffindor House, she is not to be kept informed of Order news, plans, or information. Though she is not the oldest member (a distinction that belongs to myself), nor the first to retire, I do believe it may be best for all involved. She was never as strongly devoted to our cause as her comrades and even sought to limit the more riotous celebrations after you killed Voldemort when you were but a baby due only to the fact that muggles were noticing magical happenings. But I digress.

There have been no new attacks and we have shifted focus to gathering intelligence for the time being. It is my hope that we will be able to develop the tools and the sources to locate Voldemort and begin an offensive campaign. With any luck, you will be able to finish him off before NEWTs.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry scribbled a quick, standard reply and sent Fawkes away. He had long since learned to let Dumbledore's words roll off him harmlessly, even when Dumbledore threatened to throw him into battle with a mass murderer within the year. It just didn't matter anymore because Harry had control of his life and the choice was his.

//-//-//-//-//-

The day before Harry's birthday, Percy stopped by to offer to take Harry to the Ministry the following morning for the apparition testing. Harry accepted the offer, eager to gain all the rights of an adult wizard and so, the next morning, he was awake early and dressed and waiting for Percy. When Percy arrived, he and Harry floo-ed to the Atrium of the Ministry. As Special Assistant to the Minister, Percy was able to bypass the security checks and bring Harry along with him. Thus Harry was able to avoid the wand check and the fact that he was in the building at all went unrecorded until he was sequestered in a room in the Apparition Testing Center where he was sent apparating around London. Of course, he passed on his first try, becoming a fully certified, adult wizard and then he bid Percy farewell and returned home to celebrate with a quick nap before he had to be in France for the afternoon. That evening, he returned home to find several presents that had been delivered by owl. All in all, it had been a pleasant birthday.

//-//-//-//-

The very next day was the first day of August school. The morning was a large class for all of the eighth-year students that covered NEWT preparation and a lighting-quick review of the main subjects. In the afternoon, Harry and most of the other eighth-years left for various jobs. Over the course of the month, the routine of school, work, and home was broken only a few times.

Once during the three weeks, Electra and Regulus visited. Twice, the Snapes stopped by. Harry also received one letter from Aurelia about how well Professor McGonagall's campaign to end attacks on muggles was progressing.

In the second week, Lajoie offered Harry a post-Hogwarts apprenticeship provided that he earned four NEWTs in any subjects. Harry accepted but in his head, he was already juggling the problem of inventing a cover story. He could hardly tell his Hogwarts professors that he didn't need to worry about career planning and securing a position because he had already won an apprenticeship in France when he was supposed to have been locked in a muggle house all summer. It was three more days until Harry decided he would pretend he had been approached to join the Unspeakeables and begin training after school. They were notoriously secretive, even among their own ranks, and no one would be able to verify or discredit his story. Hopefully, the war would be over before he would need a different plan.

Harry received a long, chatty letter from Dumbledore not long after he received the apprenticeship offer from Lajoie. He actually spared some attention on it for its news ot the Weasleys. There was little in the way of war news and the letter was largely about how sorry Dumbledore was to hear from Remus that Harry was not pleased with his situation. Dumbledore explained that the war was very dangerous for Harry and the safest place really was with his aunt and uncle. While Harry could understand Dumbledore's perspective, it still irritated him, especially when those words seemed only to be an afterthought brought on by how much effort Dumbledore put into describing Bill and Fleur's wedding which he had not allowed Harry to attend despite the wishes of the Weasleys and Fleur. Harry sent a slightly angry letter back, knowing he sounded petulant, and didn't expect or receive a reply.

Instead, two days later, Harry had just returned home from France when he got a fire-call from Ron. Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie were to pick him up a week early from Privet Drive. Worried that Harry was loosing his touch with the movement, Dumbledore had given the Weasleys permission to host Harry in the hope of shepherding him through what Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley called his teenage rebellion phase. Harry snorted and Ron smirked even as he did his imitation of his mother speaking with Dumbledore. If Harry's behavior really had been teenage rebellion, one week would hardly make a difference.

Harry was up most of the night packing and writing letters to make sure everyone knew where he had gone and why. In the morning, he tiredly dressed in his most inconspicuous wizarding clothing and slung his bag over his shoulder. He disapparated and appeared on Privet Drive. After crossing the wards and making his way into the yard of Number 4 much to the dismay of his relations, he hid his bag in the bushes in the backyard and then took a seat under a tree and set about putting the finishing touches on his Transfiguration homework.

More than two hours later, around the time that Uncle Vernon came to remove him and Harry threatened him with perfectly legal magic, the eldest Weasley men turned the corner of Privet Drive and cautiously crossed the wards. Harry feigned surprise at seeing them and waited while they explained what they were there for. Harry then pretended to have to pack his things, went to use the back door, and grabbed his bag. Waiting a respectable amount of time, he then walked back to the front of the house and allowed Mr. Weasley to apparate him back to the Burrow.

It was pleasant and relaxing at the Weasley household. Talk of the war had been relegated to private whispers by the increased security after Halloween of the previous year. The house was emptier than Harry had expected, with only Ron and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Though Ginny had been there when Harry arrived, she soon left to spend a week at her boyfriend's house. She had stayed only long enough for him to learn a bit of war news from her. The Order had caught a spy in their ranks. Harry didn't recognize the name and Ginny said he had given very little information under Veritaserum and Harry wondered if this person was truly a spy at all. Ginny told him that the man had been sent to Azkaban and fitted with a device that only Dumbledore could remove that served to block his magic. Harry thought it was inhumane but Ginny said that she felt the spy had earned the Dementor's Kiss and he had got off easily having his magic taken and being sent to Azkaban. After that conversation, Harry was relieved to see Ginny leave. Her fanaticism was stressful and her idea that turncoats deserved to have their souls sucked out was a little to personal for Harry's comfort.

At various times during the week, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred, and George visited. Harry took the opportunity to speak with each of them privately about what they really thought about the war and why they supported Dumbledore. Just as with Remus, he claimed he was trying to understand his situation and wanted to hear their opinions. All but Ron and Charlie had no problems telling Harry what they thought. Mrs. Weasley, herself a member of an old pureblooded, light family, explained that she could respect the old ways but doubted very much that they would last and wizards should prepare for the change by adopting parts of muggle culture which was much more open to change. Mr. Weasley told Harry how he wished wizards wouldn't isolate themselves from muggles. It just created misunderstandings, he thought. Bill told Harry that he thought muggles should definitely know about magic. The pyramids proved to Bill that ancient Egyptian muggles had known and made use of magic. He felt it was important for muggles to know about magic so that they could learn to work with wizards but also be prepared to defend themselves against those like You-Know-Who. Fred and George claimed that it was quite simply good business sense to want muggles to know about magic, though they also purported to support the same principles as their father and eldest brother.

As far as the war went, it was a disappointing week for Harry. He had found no new allies among his old friends. Still, he reminded himself that a few disagreements were natural among even the best of friends. Setting the war once again at the back of his mind, he set out to enjoy the company of the Weasleys before he had to return to school.