He was sitting with his elbows on the table in front of him, his head resting on his hands. He tried to stifle a yawn as Fairlyan Ayre spoke "-the Dark Force Defense league is fighting something in the Netherlands, and they aren't all that large in the first place, so-"

"-see if Percy Weasley would be willing to contact them."

To be honest Harry was a little too tired to remember everything they had just discussed. He wasn't the only one either –Ron, Hermione, and Brian all looked like they had been beaten up too.

"I'll mention it to him," said Arthur. Percy was now the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He and the rest of the Weasleys had experienced some friction, as Percy felt left out. He had been the only Weasley who hadn't known about Sirius' innocence beforehand, for instance. "-Bagman is fighting the idea of canceling any Quidditch matches in England-"

And they had. By all their teachers. In other words, they had just finished their NEWTS.

Days of grueling torture. "-prime targets-"

There was not enough lighting in here. One could just let the sound of voices wash over one's mind and let one's eyelids lower. Let one's head sink against one's hand, and ajust oneself so that the hand was supporting the aforementioned head-

Dumbledore asked Snape a question that caught his attention; He blinked and raised his head, sitting straighter. Snape answered, "Whatever it was, it was important. I've also found out that it originally came from somewhere in Asia." Harry realized something -he was speaking of whatever was in the box that Arabella died for.

No one else had anything to add, so Dominick said, "Before we go –I think Dashmere was saved by the same person who might be responsible for attacking that stronghold in Canada. Has anyone else heard of him?"

"-No, eyewitness accounts don't correlate, on major differences."

"I think it's a little coincidental that several new 'heroes' should suddenly appear."

"What, you think someone is running around changing his appearance all the time?"

"Yes, making sure he rarely looks the same –glamour and concealing charms, transfiguration."

"Transfiguring your face without screwing it up isn't exactly easy."

"But possible -if such a man exists, he would be powerful, from the accounts I've heard."

"Yes, but skill, man, skill."

"I'm suspicious of anyone that had something to hide." This, of course, came from Moody.

"I agree with that."

Snape said, "Someone has been attacking Death Eaters when they've been roaming around England looking for muggles to torture. They've had to start watching themselves."

Arthur said, "You know the ministry sends teams out to try and track them down after the find the –evidence of their attacks; Even though we don't have many to spare for the job. Most of the time we just get to clean up their messes. Lately, there has been evidence that some of them have themselves been attacked."

"He finds them and leaves before the ministry detects the activity."

Bill asked, "You really think it's the same guy?"

"A mystery."

"Well, he has been beating up Death Eaters." To some people, that was what was important. Either you were with or against. Harry wanted to shake his head; That's just not the way the world was. Even he knew that, regardless of having a clear 'enemy.'

Dumbledore said, "I propose that we find him and see if he might be a viable ally of the Order."

"That's not going to be easy."

Harry's attention had been caught by a detail of the puzzle. He looked at Snape and asked, "How does he find the Death Eaters?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"A good question. Any ideas?"

A few ventured a theory or two, some more plausible than others.

"As to finding him-" Dumbledore looked around, "Alaster, Remus?" –they nodded. "Then I think some of us need to sleep," eyeing the four former seventh years.

************************************************************************

He scowled at the fire. The Order had decided to try and figure him out. He noticed –he hadn't gotten to be his age without being careful.

He shook his head. Remus –so long since he'd thought of him –had started to subtly research into who he might be. No doubt they had people in both the ministry and with Voldemort looking for information on him.

He could go to the Order, but it would take to much effort to hide who he was. After his fourth year, Polyjuice potion wasn't going to trick them. Lupin would catch his scent –he'd also notice the absence or masking of it. Moody would see through all but the most complex charms. Dumbledore would sense how powerful he was as soon as he saw him.

He could go as himself. But then if they decided that he was a trick, he'd have to fight them and Voldemort. Besides, they already had a Harry.

They might try to force him back through time. No way. Things were already changed –it wouldn't be his world anymore. He had chosen his course already.

So, he'd avoid them as long as possible.

It would save him a lot of problems. He tired of playing Count The Dead years ago –he didn't need to dredge up memories.

He sighed, and moved into the kitchen. He rummaged around in the drawer beside the sink until he found what he was looking for. Lemon drops.

As it was, he'd tried not to come into contact with the wizarding world much. Only when he needed to -to get supplies. It would have been easier to buy some of the potions he made himself –but since it didn't take too much time, he did it rather than risk anything.

However, certain things needed to be accomplished, and the tasks kept him busy. He had established several new identities, each designed for a purpose. Needless to say he kept busy.

He did find himself looking forward to seeing his childhood friends again though. He had little doubt that it would happen eventually.

He got up and walking to his pensieve. He paused, looking at it; Then he walked away, and sat back down by the fire.

He brushed some hair from his face, his hand passing over a scar that ran along his cheek.

He was aware of a slight tingling in another scar, the accursed famous one, that was the harbinger of a coming vision. No doubt some hours after he fell asleep he was going to be rudely awoken.

He lay back into the deep blue chair his was residing in; He calmed himself and slipped into a light slumber.