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The summer had been relatively good in Harry's opinion. Since he came to know the real reason behind his stay with his relatives, he had become a bit less morose about the fact that he had to live there. Now, he felt somewhat grateful, since the blood magic had enabled him to reach his potential much faster than he would've managed otherwise.

The war was in its beginning phase at the moment, with both sides readying themselves, equipping their ranks with as many personnel they could get, while also doing whatever they could to harm the other without resorting to violence.

Harry frowned when he read the letter that had arrived the previous night after he had gone to sleep. Something fishy was going on in the ministry, and Dumbledore was not willing to take chances. It was thus decided that he would be leaving Privet Drive today instead of his birthday as it had been previously decided.

He found he had no issue with that idea either. Sure, it would mean a loss of a few days of powerup, as he liked to call it, but he couldn't complain. The wards had served him well enough, and a few days were not worth whatever mad fancy the minister had caught this time.

'Considering him, probably something to screw me over to give him an excuse to get rid of Dumbledore's poster boy,' Harry thought scornfully.

The ministry had fallen to the bottom of the shithole in Harry's opinion. His belief in the ministry had taken such a nosedive this summer that he had discarded his ambition of becoming an auror. He had aspirations of becoming one, but given what he saw of the ministry, he found himself reluctant to do anything that was even remotely connected to the ministry.

While this reduced his scope of career choices massively, Harry found himself not caring about it. He was sure he would come across something that would catch his fancy. He had a long time to figure that out.

'Once I kill this fucker, that is,'

Harry, for the first time, had started to believe that he might come out of this war alive. Earlier, he had no hope of surviving. He was not an idiot. He knew how massively the odds were stacked against him, but Dumbledore's revelations had turned the table over. The only things he was lacking were esoteric knowledge and practice. A lot of knowledge and practice.

The practice was something he couldn't do now, but he could easily start bridging the gap in terms of knowledge, and that was where Dumbledore came clutch. The headmaster had loaned him several books to read over the summer, and Harry had come through. He had leafed through books at an alarming pace, surprising even the headmaster who had remarked that his thirst for knowledge could have surprised Rowena Ravenclaw herself.

Harry didn't bother to dwell upon that. He had a mission, one that would decide what course his life would take or even if he will have one, and he was determined to see it through.

A small rock sailed through his open window and struck him on the head. Frowning, he picked it up and looked outside the window into the post dusk darkness. With a mock scowl, he threw it back and watched in satisfaction as it hit the clumsy auror on her head.

Tonks glared up at him murderously before dragging her thumb across her neck in a gesture of 'You're dead' before pointing toward the door. Harry chuckled and nodded.

The house was empty as he walked down. The Dursleys had gone to a colleague of Vernon's while Dudley was somewhere outside, probably terrorizing the dogs in the neighbourhood. Harry had long stopped caring what his cousin did.

He opened the door to let Tonks in. However, he was surprised when a wooden staff pulled the door open and an older man with a very disfigured face walked in.

Alastor Moody was followed by Remus Lupin and Tonks.

"Wotcher, hotshot," Tonks greeted him like she normally did and Harry chuckled.

"How's the head, Nymmie?" he mocked and laughed when her hair turned an angry red.

Just when she was about to explode, Mad-eye cut in.

"We don't have time for your lovers' quarrel," he remarked, coaxing twin flushes from both of them, "Potter, get your trunk out here quickly. We've got more important work to do,"

Harry gave him a look before nodding. He had a few choice words for the man but he held himself back. There was no use arguing about insignificant things.

Harry walked up the stairs and opened the door. His trunk had been packed already, and he quickly opened it up. Grabbing the books from the desk, he threw them inside and closed the trunk. With a small grunt, he pulled the trunk off his bed and put it down on the floor, dragging it out of his room behind him.

The three waited for him near the main entrance. The moment Harry reached them, Remus tapped his wand on the trunk and it shrunk in size. Harry put it in his pocket and nodded.

"Anything else you need to do?"

Harry looked at Mad-eye for a moment before looking inside the house. His eyes zeroed in on the cupboard under the stairs before they narrowed.

"No, there is nothing here. Let's go," he remarked and followed them outside. Once they were out of the wards, they walked into a side alley and Moody pulled out a small rope, gesturing them to hold on.

With a soft whoosh, the quartet disappeared.

Only to reappear with a whoosh in front of a park and Moody instantly looked alert as he scanned the area. Harry looked around what seemed like an upscale neighbourhood before Remus shook his shoulder. He looked at the parchment that had been thrust in front of him.

'Padfoot's kennel and premium fried chicken is found in #12 Grimmauld Place'

Harry and Tonks snorted at the sentence as Remus shook his head while Moody scowled. Suddenly, a building materialized into existence right between the two in front of them.

"Come on," Moody grunted before walking forward. The trio strode behind him toward the new building that was #12.

The first thing that Harry noticed about #12 Grimmauld Place was that it was aptly named. The place had a grim aura about it. Dark and dilapidated to some extent, Harry had expected better from the House of Black.

"Be careful Harry," Tonks muttered as she scooted slightly closer. Harry frowned. What was there to be careful for?

He got an answer when Tonks promptly fell on her face with a loud curse. Harry saw something protruding out of the wall but couldn't make out what it was in the darkness. He didn't have the time to ponder that thought, because as soon as Tonks fell, a shrill banshee started screaming.

"TRAITORS, FILTH, BLOODY MUDBLOODS INFESTING THE ANCIENT TOWNHOUSE OF THE BLACKS! BEGONE FILTHY SCUM!"

Harry looked up ahead and saw the portrait of a woman, probably in her forties, shouting obscenities for all to hear. Tonks' hair had turned an angry red and he knew she was about to erupt. However, just when she was about to go off, Harry pulled her back.

Tonks looked at him angrily and he gave her a look that said 'Let me handle this.'

By now, the entire house had descended and gathered at the opposite end. Harry saw Sirius and gave him a wink before schooling his face into a sneer that wouldn't look out of place on the face of the biggest pureblood scum.

His magic swirling around him in emerald waves, a trick Harry had perfected over the summer, he walked forward until he reached the portrait. The woman was looking at him curiously, with a hint of apprehension on her face.

"I am assuming you are a noble lady of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. I am also excusing you of your ignorance regarding my identity. However, what I cannot excuse is the pathetic way a lady of such an esteemed house lowers herself to the standard of a common streetwalker from Knockturn and spews such filth from her mouth. You should be ashamed of yourself, and consider yourself privileged that a pathetic shitstain like you managed to marry someone much higher than your station. I, the Lord of Slytherin, am very very disappointed, to say the least," he finished with a look of grave disappointment on his face.

The look on the face of Walburga Black was priceless. And even more priceless was the look of open-mouthed shock on the face of everyone else. Harry felt like he would burst into laughter and only his advanced occlumency helped him stifle it.

"Let's forget this unpleasantness," Harry began with a mock sigh, looking up at the almost teary visage of the woman, "the least you can do now is act like a sensible woman befitting the lady of such an esteemed house. I hope you will not be remiss in your conduct. Have a good day."

With a slight inclination of his head, something that signified that he was of higher standing than her, Harry walked right across the portrait and inside the kitchen where he took a seat at the dining table. Slowly, everyone walked inside and took their seats, looking at him in wonder.

"Well, that was fun,"

That did it. Sirius guffawed, and so did the twins. Ron and Ginny laughed while Remus chuckled. Tonks was laughing hard, clutching his arm tightly while the others either smiled or shook their heads in exasperation.

"You're trouble, Potter," Mad-eye remarked, shaking his head and Harry grinned.

"Oh, loosen up Moody. You don't have to always act like your name suggests,"

The man simply shook his head again, his perennially serious face staying severe.

"Oh Merlin! That was hilarious pup!" Sirius clapped him on the back just as Tonks released her hold on him, "This was probably the first time someone managed to shut that old hag up."

"Your lovely mother, I presume?" Harry drawled.

"Right in one," Sirius nodded.

"You should do better than badmouth your mother, Lord Black. It does not suit someone of your station to conduct yourself in such an uncouth manner," he stated in his trademark 'pureblood asshole' voice.

Ron shivered.

"Mate, for the love of Merlin, please stop that,"

Harry grinned.

The mood around the table lightened up as they exchanged greetings and went to talk about their summer.

"Here you go, Harry dear," Molly Weasley passed a plate to Harry.

"Thank you, Mrs Weasley," he smiled at her and dug in. Mrs Weasley patted his shoulder and moved on to take her seat beside her husband.

"So, what new slander has the Profit published lately? I remember the attention-seeking brat, the glory hound, the confused child searching for his long-lost fame, and some other rubbish that seems to escape me,"

Sirius scowled.

"Apparently, it's the Plotting Potter now,"

"The what?" Harry laughed.

"The minister and those close to him are concerned that you are involved in some scheme to overthrow the ministry and install Dumbledore as the ruler of the British Isles. They believe by inciting mass panic, you can make the public more agreeable to the idea,"

"Hmm. Not bad," Harry mused.

"What?"

"I mean, if you look at the reasoning they have created, it doesn't seem like a bad plot. Think of it. Two wizards who have previously defeated dark lords can easily sway the public to their side if they say there is another dark lord. The fact that it is Voldemort gives this even more credibility."

Everyone looked on with surprise at him.

"What?" He asked, looking around. Hermione flushed when she caught his eye.

"Well... it's just that such critical thinking is not something expected from you, no offense,"

"Things change," Harry shrugged.

A few people looked at him askance but soon busied themselves with their dinner when they realized he was not going to elaborate.

Dinner was over soon and a few people walked outside. Harry was talking to Sirius, enquiring about his time so far since their last talk.

"A lot of things have been pretty boring to be honest. Although the shit the Profit prints is amusing sometimes, the fact that people actually believe that rag puts a sour taste in my mouth,"

"Not to mention the fact that Fudge is completely in Malfoy's pockets. The man will not do anything until it's too late, I'm afraid," Remus chimed in.

"Forget Fudge. What is the Order doing?"

At the end of the table, Molly Weasley frowned. She didn't like involving children in the affairs of war. It was their responsibility, and it included keeping their children safe. The more they were involved in the war, the more their lives were at a risk.

"Well," Sirius looked around to see everyone was listening in, "it's mostly gathering the people right now. Allying ourselves with people to stand against Voldemort or at least maintain neutrality. Moony will be leaving in a few days to talk to various werewolf clans, with the same proposal. Although it seems a doomed cause in my opinion, given the influence Greyback has,"

Fenrir Greyback was a notorious werewolf and the one who had turned Remus when he was a child.

"And I've told you Padfoot, we won't know for sure until we try," Remus sighed.

"Anyways, Hagrid and Maxime, yes, the Beauxbatons headmistress, they have gone to visit the giants with the same proposal. Let's hope they are successful. A giant is not something I want to face in a battle,"

Harry nodded.

"We have to do something about this character assassination though," Hermione began, and everyone looked at her. The moment she realized this, she flushed.

"Go on, Hermione," Harry gave her an encouraging smile.

Heartened, she continued, "Well, Dumbledore has already been ousted from his positions as the Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump. And to add to it, the ministry is running this smear campaign against both of you," she looked at Harry as he said so.

"We know that, Hermione,"

"Well, what I'm trying to say is that we should do something to curb this smear campaign. Think about it Harry. Last year was hard enough with Rita Skeeter, if this continues, who knows how serious this might get,"

Whatever she expected Harry to do was not this. He chuckled.

Everyone looked at Harry.

"Why are you laughing, Harry? Hermione has a point. Slander could be dangerous," Mrs Weasley stated, her face set into a frown. She had wanted to stop this conversation, but they had not gone into any dangerous territory, only a general overview had been given, so she had let it go. Harry deeming the topic funny was not something she had expected.

"Tell me," he began, "you all know Voldemort is back. And it's obvious that he will be revealed sooner than later. What do you think will happen, when he is revealed? Think on it. The ministry, the media and everyone is slandering us on this topic. Only to be proven wrong when he is revealed. What will this cause?" Harry smirked, looking over at Moody, who was grinning nastily.

"Everyone will think a hundred times over before doubting a word that comes out of your or Albus' mouth. I'll admit Potter, you'd have made an excellent Slytherin with that devious brain of yours," Moody chuckled, and Harry looked on as comprehension dawned on all their faces.

"Holy shit!" The twins shouted out, before darting out of their seats and bowing before Harry as one.

"That's one hell of a prank on the entire country! No wonder you're the son of Prongs and the godson of Padfoot, honorary nephew of Moony as well. Bloody hell, Harry!"

Harry chuckled.

"Just wait, everyone. When I'm done with him, Fudge will not even find a hole big enough to take a shit in," he grinned, and Sirius chuckled.

"I told you Moony, he might look like Prongs but his resolve is all Lily,"

Remus nodded with a smile.

"Now that we're done scratching the surface, tell me what the order is really doing."

Everyone looked at him, and he could see Mrs Weasley frowning at him.

"Sirius, what is the order really doing? So far, I've only heard what Remus is supposed to do. And Hagrid's mission. That's it. There are so many order members. What are they doing?"

Sirius looked at him with a smirk.

"Well, Dumbledore feels Voldemort is after something, something he didn't have in the last war,"

"Sirius," Mrs Weasley called out in warning, but the marauder ignored her.

"The order is taking turns guarding the Department of Mysteries, since Voldemort... oh for fucks sake stop flinching every time his name is mentioned!" Sirius shouted in agitation and quite a few people looked down abashed.

"So, you're guarding the DoM? What is he after? Some particular knowledge? A weapon, perhaps?"

"That's enough!" the voice of Mrs Weasley cut Sirius off as he went to reply. "You have told them enough, Sirius. They don't need to know all of this. The less they are involved in, the better it is for them,"

Harry frowned and stood up. Everyone's attention was on him now as he looked across the table at her.

"This man murdered my parents, Mrs. Weasley. He destroyed numerous lives, all for the sake of satiating his hunger for power and nothing else. No one here, not even the headmaster, can claim to have faced him as many times as I have. I know you want to protect us all, and I admire you for it. But you have to understand that you just cannot do anything."

Mrs Weasley looked at him with teary eyes, and before she could get a word out, Harry cut in.

"I am already involved in this, Mrs. Weasley. More closely than any of you can possibly realize. Dumbledore and I have come to an understanding. I know a lot of things, Mrs. Weasley, perhaps more than anyone in this room or the Order except the headmaster. You might want to keep me out of this, but it simply is not possible. However, I understand where you are coming from. So, if you ask your children to not get involved with me in this, I'll fully understand and won't begrudge them or you. Please consider my words and understand where I'm coming from."

Everyone looked at him stunned, the Weasley children and Hermione most of all. Sirius, Tonks, Kingsley, and Moody gave him understanding nods while Remus gave a small smile.

Mrs Weasley looked at him with wide eyes and they pooled with tears as Harry walked out. However, once he reached the exit, he turned around to see everyone looking back at him.

"And just so you know, I know you're guarding the prophecy down there. Don't worry, I know what it says. All I have to say is keep your guard up when you're down there. Voldemort will want to know what it says," and with a nod, Harry made his way out of the room.

Everyone looked at the spot he had just stood in with wide eyes. Sirius got up.

"I'll show him to his room. Ron, I don't think he would want to share, so you've got that room to yourself, good night, everyone."

As Sirius walked out, the others inside the room looked at each other. Arthur took Molly to the side, talking to her while the Weasley children gathered together with Hermione.

"What just happened!?" Hermione voiced the question on everyone's minds, and Fred filled the silence.

"I think we just witnessed Harrykins' taking charge, finally."

Everyone's eyes widened. All Hermione could do was look at Ron with wide eyes, who was looking down at the table in silence.

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To be continued...

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