+COF+

(Godric's Hollow)

Harry groaned in pain as he lay in his Mother's arms as she worked what field healing she knew, his entire shoulder was in agony. Dumbledore and his team had been forced into cover as Xander, Jenny, Remus, Tonks and Moody began to fire spells in their direction. Faith pulled Racnik into cover as she knew right now there was nothing she could do. Lily was forced to drag Harry over to them making him cry out as she accidentally jarred his shoulder.

Dumbledore let out a frustrated snarl as he watched his plans once again go up in smoke, thanks to Amos's inability to obey orders. He would be having a sever discussion with him once they got out of here. He quickly fired off two blasting curses towards Xander who he saw as the main reasons for all his troubles as of late. Xander was forced to roll out of the way as the second spell almost hit him dead center. He had no delusions that the old man's spells were lethal. Jenny growled low in her throat at how close Xander had come to a serious injury, she quickly launched her own spells forcing Dumbledore back.

Amos smirked almost insanely as he watched the unknown woman pull a clearly injured and in pain Harry Potter out of the line of fire. Finally he had been able to strike at the boy who had caused his son's death. Finally he had satisfaction for the loss of his son, maybe now he would have some peace from the rage and hatred that had haunted him for so long. Maybe now his son's ghost could rest, he shook his head as bits of stone struck him and moved to deeper cover.

"Damn you Amos, you were told not to fire on them if there were more than two guards," Mundungus shouted at him as he passed the thief.

"Like I care Dung," Amos spat in response. "I've waited far too long to get my revenge on Potter to care about Dumbledore's orders right now," he growled out.

"Stupid fool," Mundungus replied with a shake of his head as in his mind all this would do would give the Ministry more ammo to use on Dumbledore and the Order. Hell they were lucky they had not all been arrested for not helping in the battle for Diagon Alley as it was. He did not have time to think anything else as he was thrown backwards as the wall he was hiding behind exploded. He collapsed to the ground in pain as his legs and arms were mangled by debris before he was silenced by Xander's stunning spell.

Lily finally realized there was nothing more she could do to help Harry right now, he needed a real doctor or nurse to see to his wound and he wouldn't get one until they were out of here. She tightened her grip on her wand and prepared to fight, before she did so she glanced back at Faith.

"Keep him safe," she ordered before she rushed forward firing as she went until she reached where Jenny was crouched behind the wall of Godric's Hollow. "We have to end this and quickly, Harry needs serious medical attention," she stated.

Jenny just nodded in understanding wondering why Fawkes had not detected its chosen partner was in trouble, the only answer she could think of was that the bond between the two was still too new. She intensified her spell casting forcing Diggory backwards as he tried to push forward. Remus and Xander took advantage of this and rushed him, hoping to bring Harry's attacker down before he could do anymore damage. Dumbledore knowing the gig was up ordered Sturgis to grab Fletcher and escape back to the castle. He didn't bother trying to help Amos who had cost him what seemed his last chance to capture Harry Potter and apparated just as Xander and Remus crashed into Amos who let out a grunt as he was slung backwards.

Lily quickly stalked forward as the two men wrestled with Diggory, and before anyone could stop her she ended the fight with a spell none of them recognized. Blood oozed out of Diggory's nose and mouth as all struggle left him and he slipped into unconsciousness.

"What the hell was that lass?" Moody inquired with a hint of professional interest as he moved up.

"Blood wave," Lily responded darkly. "Basically it is a far more painful way to stun someone by causing the blood in a body to spasm wildly," she explained as she stared down at Diggory's still form. "It can be fatal if you hold it on long enough," she added as an afterthought.

"That has to be dark magic Lily," Remus responded in shock, gaining her attention which made him shiver at the look in her eyes.

"Do you think I care right now Remus? My son is badly injured and the longer we fight them the worse his injury may get," Lily countered before she turned and moved back to Harry's side.

"But you can't just use those kind of spells Lily. James would be horrified had he been here to see it," Remus replied, unable to let this pass ignoring the look Tonks shot him to drop it.

Lily stopped in her stride and spun to face Remus with a furious look on her features that truly chilled him to the bone. He had seen Lily angry before, but this was beyond anger he thought. He found himself taking a few step backwards away from her. Lily followed him intently until he finally forced himself to stop back tracking.

"Do you think for a minute I give a damn Remus about black or white magic when my son's life is on the line?" she demanded, pure venom in her tone making more than one person flinch. "It is not the first time I have crossed that line to protect Harry, nor will it be the last," she spat at him. "Any mother would make the same choice, as would any father and if James wouldn't make it then he would be an idiot," she told him, keeping her gaze locked on Remus who had paled at her words.

"Hear me well Remus I will do whatever it takes to ensure Harry survives this war, no matter what," she stated coldly before turning and moving back to her son's side, releasing Remus from her glare.

Xander exchanged worried looks with Jenny at the confrontation they had just witnessed. Lily Potter was not as he imagined her. Then again he was still getting over the fact she was alive in some way.

Jenny was trying to make sense of the change in the woman she had known as a child. The question of how Lily was still alive made her worry that whatever means Lily had used to avoid death may have altered her personality far more than she may had planned. Remus remained pale and wondered what James or Sirius would think of the way Lily had acted and of the words she had said if they had been here. He even wondered what Peter would think of this, but considering his traitorous nature he guessed the rat like man would be truly terrified to see Lily now.

Moody rubbed his chin deep in thought, wondering how Lily Potter knew such a dark spell. Her speech about crossing lines to protect Harry before also gained his attention and made him wonder if he ever truly knew her.

"What do we do with this slime ball?" Tonks inquired kicking Diggory's unconscious body lightly with her foot.

"I suggest you and Moody take him in and throw him into a cell and then alert Amelia to what has happened. She will want to know about it," Jenny concluded after thinking it over. "Dumbledore has just made what will hopefully be his last mistake," she added before moving to join Lily who was checking on Harry who fought to keep conscious.

"We have to get him to headquarters," Faith told them.

"We have to be careful, a portkey or floo travel would just make his injury worse," Lily warned them as Moody and Tonks hauled Amos to his feet and used a stone turned into a portkey to transport to the Ministry.

"Try calling for Fawkes," Xander suggested with a slight frown. "They are supposed to have a bond right?" he asked.

"But Fawkes is Dumbledore's familiar," Lily pointed out turning to Jenny in surprise.

"Fawkes broke his bond with the old man and came to Harry a few days ago. I'm guessing Dumbledore's actions didn't sit too well with Fawkes," Xander told her and almost smiled at the look on her face.

"Fawkes," Jenny called out.

They all watched as a few seconds later the Phoenix arrived in a flash of fire. The immortal bird took one look at Harry and then settled on his chest and vanished with him.

"Remus I suggest you contact a mediwitch we can trust," Jenny said turning to the Werewolf.

"The only one we can count on is Madam Pomfrey," Remus responded. "She basically has been Harry's healer since he came back to the magical world. She always has taken good care of him," he added.

"But can we trust her?" Faith inquired with a questioning look. "I mean from what Harry and Hermione have said this healer works at their school with Dumbledore," she pointed out.

"True, but she isn't a member of the Order and never has been. Her only concern is healing the sick or injured," Remus countered with a shake of his head. "She was called in only a few times to help us and since been called back into action after the Dark Lord's resurrection we've had no need of her," he continued calmly. "I believe we can trust her," he stated.

"I have to agree although clearly I don't know what has happened since I died," Lily finally said into the short silence that followed. "Pomfrey is a good healer, who won't let any loyalty she has to Dumbledore get in the way of helping someone in need," she told them.

Finally Xander and Jenny nodded in agreement and allowed Remus to go and get the Hogwarts Mediwitch. Racnik thanked Faith for keeping him safe before departing after ensuring the house wards were back up. The others took a quick look around before turning some nearby rocks into portkeys.

+COF+

(Hogwarts)

Dumbledore collapsed into his chair and stared bitterly at his desk. He cursed Amos Diggory for all he was worth. However a few minutes later he had to remind himself he had only himself to blame, he had worked for months to turn Amos's grief at the loss of his son against Harry. He had done all he could do to make Amos focus on Harry as the reason why Cedric was dead, it seemed his plan had worked far too well. He cursed Amos once more, now Amelia would have more ammo to use against him. Losing his temper he banged his fist on his desk making Sturgis jump and drop the still unconscious and wounded Mundungus Fletcher.

"Easy Albus," Sturgis cautioned his leader, uneasy at the look of anger in the old man's eyes. It was not something he was used to seeing the old wizard display so easily. "Potter may have gotten away, but at least he was injured. Granted it wasn't what we planned but it's better than nothing," he said with a hapless shrug.

Albus growled in response before replying. "That is not the point Sturgis, we lost the last chance we had to bring Potter to heel," he snapped. "More than that Amos's actions have given Amelia even more things to use against us. We stand on the brink of losing everything," he stated bitterly. "Worse we need Potter to kill Voldemort as was prophesied and now that he is injured that gives Voldemort more time to act against us all," he reminded him.

"So what do we do Albus?" Sturgis inquired as he lay Fletcher down and then collapsed into one of the chairs facing the desk.

"I don't know just yet," Albus responded with a sigh as he ran a tired hand through his beard. "It depends what the state of Harry's injuries are and more importantly what course of action Amelia will take once she learns what happened," he added. "Even more troubling is what happens when the rest of the Order hears what happened," he said tiredly. "We may end up losing some more members after this," he finished shaking his head sadly unable to believe how badly things had gone since the will reading of Sirius Black.

"Surely not Albus," Sturgis argued even more uneasy with the way Albus was speaking. "You've led us through so much, how can they abandon you now?" he asked. "I still find it hard Remus, Emmeline, Tonks, Kingsley and especially Moody have turned on us as it is," he added bleakly.

"They have allowed their faith to falter and have chosen to believe whatever lies Sirius produced to turn Harry against us," Dumbledore told him only half paying attention to what he was saying. "It would seem Sirius's imprisonment changed him far more than we knew, it is possible that before he died he began to become overly paranoid and began to see traitors even in his closest allies," he stated.

Sturgis stared at Dumbledore for a few minutes before nodding his head in agreement. He guessed he could see how being locked into a cold dark prison and tortured by the Dementors might affect Sirius. Especially as it all came about because of a traitor who was once a trusted friend. Still his actions were having far more impact than he would have expected. Even Moody a longtime ally and friend of Albus had bought into whatever Sirius must have concocted in his delusions. Running a hand through his hair he hoped things didn't get any worse than they already were.

+COF+

(12 Grimmauld Place)

Fawkes set Harry gently on the bed as they reappeared in a flash of light, gaining the attention of Daphne and Astoria who were lying on a bed reading. They instantly jumped up and moved to see what had happened. Daphne only took a quick look before she rushed out to get the others. A few minutes later the room was full with people wanting to know how Harry was. A few minutes later Jenny led the group who had been with Harry into the room although all took notice three of them were missing, and even stranger a new member was with them who none of them recognized.

"What the hell happened?" Emmeline inquired as she watched the others arrive.

"Dumbledore and a small group of his Order turned up after we came out of Godric's Hollow. We started to talk when one of them called Diggory attacked Harry without warning," Faith answered as the new member of the group pushed through the group at the bed to reach Harry's side where Fleur already stood.

"Amos did this?" Emmeline inquired in surprise. "I knew he held a grudge against Harry, but I didn't think he would go this far," she added.

"Will he be okay?" Fleur managed to ask doing her best to keep her emotions in check and not lose control.

"We hope so. Remus has gone to get Madam Pomfrey," Xander answered as he sat on a nearby desk and pulled Jenny into an embrace. She went willingly and rested her head against him.

"Can we trust her?" Daphne inquired from next to her sister. "I mean I always thought she was close to Dumbledore and his friends," she pointed out to which Astoria, Hermione, Neville and Luna nodded in agreement.

"I have to agree. She has always seemed to be someone who trusts Dumbledore," Neville said after a short silence.

"Remus told us she was never a part of the Order in the first war and has had no involvement in the recalled Order," Jenny replied, hoping bringing the healer was the right call, but she didn't know what else to do. "He says her only interest is her work and we have little choice in the matter than to trust her," she continued. "Harry needs a healer and quickly," she stated.

"May I inquire who our new friend is?" Severus asked, having not taken his eyes of the new person in their group.

"My name is Rose and I'm a friend," Lily answered before anyone else could with a cold look at her one time friend. "That is all you need to know for now. We have bigger concerns for the moment other than who I'm," she added.

Severus raised an eyebrow in response to her words as well as the tone used to deliver them. This woman clearly held some hostility towards him which meant he must have known her at some point. However he could not recall ever meeting someone called Rose, but he had to remind himself he had known quite a few students in his time at Hogwarts and not all of them were people he remembered. She could be any number of the hundreds he had taught, and most of them would have reason to dislike him.
"No offense Rose, but not one of us knows you," Emmeline pointed out. "How are you involved in this?" she demanded to know unaware of the looks that passed between Xander, Jenny and Faith who all knew who Rose really was.

Lily glanced at Emmeline for a few minutes wondering what to say, thankfully she was saved from answering as Remus returned with Pomfrey who all but pushed herself to the front of the crew around the bed where Harry lay as Fawkes flew up onto the headboard and watched as she began to run her wand over the body of his chosen companion.

"Damn his shoulder has been mangled," Pomfrey cursed as she read the results of her scan, this had to rank up to one of the worst injuries she had seen Potter take. "Healing it will not be easy as we cannot vanish the bone. His whole arm and chest would collapse if we did that," she stated to the watching crowd.

"Can we not prop his other bones up with something while we vanish and heal the broken shoulder?" Hermione inquired, stepping forward very worried for her friend.

"Such as Miss Granger?" Pomfrey inquired with a pointed look at the young witch.

"Muggles would use special kind of wires or metal rods for such things," Hermione answered as best as she could as this wasn't one of her stronger suits and since being a part of the magical world she hadn't paid enough attention to all areas of that world. It kind of disturbed her how far she had distanced herself from the world she was born into.

"She's right," Xander agreed. "The normal world has tons of things that your magical world doesn't. They get some very complex operations done such as what you were talking about," he explained.

"We have nothing to lose by trying it," Lily said, drawing everyone's attention to her. "If we wait much longer Harry may lose the use of his arm completely and that is unacceptable," she stated as calmly as she could. "I can create the sort of wires or rods Miss Granger mentioned, while Madam Pomfrey heals his shoulder with skelegrow," she suggested.

"And why should we trust you?" Fleur inquired having kept quiet for the most part and had kept her focus on Harry who had passed out at some point. "As Emmeline stated we do not know you," she reminded everyone.

"You will have to trust me if we are to help Harry," Lily shot back with a slight glare as she wanted to get to work as quickly as possible to help her son.

"I agree," Jenny cut in before anyone else could say anything. "Rose helped us deal with Dumbledore and his lackeys, she has gained a little trust in return," she told the others just barely remembering to use Lily's cover name. This gained Pomfrey's attention for a minute before she shook it off and went back to tending to her patient. She'll get answers later when Mr. Potter was out of danger.

"I guess we really have no other option as we can't take him to 's as he would be too exposed there," Emmeline relented after a few minutes silence.

Tara kept a close eye on Rose who had already turned her attention back to Harry. The look in her eyes was far more than normal concern would warrant she thought. The gently hand she ran through Harry's hair almost reminded her of how her own mother would do the same thing when she was sick. Something else was going on here but she just wasn't sure yet what it was. She glanced at Faith who just shrugged her shoulders at her unasked question. Faith knew the truth she realized, but couldn't talk about it yet. It had to be important if she and the others were going to keep it quiet. For now she would keep her realization to herself, until she had time to talk to Xander and the others.

No one really looked happy about this choice, but it was Jenny and Xander's choice to make. Madam Pomfrey demanded everyone else to leave except her and Rose. For the most part the group departed quietly, but Fleur refused to leave. In the end she was told to stay out of the way and keep quite while they worked. Jenny paused in the doorway, glanced back and prayed she had made the right call in trusting Lily to be able to help heal Harry.

"He'll be okay Jenny," Xander assured her as she joined him in their bedroom. "He's a tough kid," he reminded her with a small grin.

"I know he is Alex, but I just worry how much he can take," she responded as she lay down on their bed and quickly pushed herself against him as he joined her.

+COF+

(Bones Manor)

Tonks and Moody stumbled a little as the portkey dropped them in front of the Bones family manor only to quickly be forced to duck as spells whizzed over their heads. Tonks jumped into the open door with Moody close behind.

"What the hell is going on?" Tonks shouted in surprise.

"Welcome to the party Nymphadora," Amelia said with a tired smile on her face as she shot more spells out of the door. "Please tell me more help is coming?" she added.

"Sorry but no director," Tonks replied with a shake of her head as she pushed herself to her feet and moved to help defend the house.

"Damn it," Amelia cursed as Moody also got into position at a nearby window where Susan Bones had been defending. "We can't keep them out of here much longer," she told them.

"Have you tried escaping?" Tonks asked. "We managed to portkey in," she pointed out.

"Yes I noted that, but we already tried to escape when the attack started," Amelia shot back somewhat irritated by the question. "They clearly have a ward up to prevent us getting out by portkey but forgot to put one up to stop people getting in," she told them.

"We have to get a message to the others at headquarters," Moody growled as he sent a killing curse at one of the shadowed attackers he could see and was gratified to see it drop to the ground clearly dead. His magical eye was god send at times like these he thought.

No one answered as they all focused on keeping their attackers back, but each of them knew it was only a matter of time before their attackers got into the house.