Chapter Eleven: The Future is Now

With everyone so busy, Christmas seemed to arrive before any of them were ready for it. The girls returned from school, being met off the Hogwarts Express and ushered home to Potter Manor with the minimum of fuss.

Meg, Mary and Maddy arrived, to Ginny's joy, happy and healthy, and much to Harry's chagrin, talking non stop about their respective boyfriends. Growling, Harry retreated to his study.

Dinner that first night was organized mayhem. Molly was in her element, her entire family around her, and a sense of excitement about the upcoming wedding.

Ron and Hermione had decided to marry quietly, at Potter Manor, on Christmas Eve. Ron, after grumbling about not having Harry stand for him, grudgingly asked his best friend of twenty six years if he would officiate, and at Harry's happy agreement, asked Bill to stand for him.

Conversation at dinner that first night, inevitably, turned to the attacks, and the advent of a new Dark Lord.

"Dark Lord, my..." Fred began before being kicked under the table by Alicia.

"Malfoy may not hit any of us as Dark Lord material..." Bill began.

"Stupid git..." grumbled George.

"...but the fact remains that he feels up to the challenge, and others seem to be following his lead."

Silence reigned for a moment.

"We need to think of the future," Hermione said quietly, glancing at Harry then back down at her plate, rather nervously. "We need to have hope for the future, and faith in our ability to stop this from happening again. And we're not going to do that by being reactive."

"Mione..."

"In the muggle world, the American's have an agency... it's called the CIA..."

"I've read of them," Maddy grinned.

"Where," Ginny turned to her youngest daughter. "Would you have read about something like that?"

"In a novel. One of the muggleborns was reading it in the common room, and I borrowed it."

"Your grades are not good enough to be spending time reading novels in the common room, young lady!" Ginny said firmly.

Harry grinned, then hid it quickly. Ginny sounded so like Molly, but it was more than his life was worth to mention it. He met his wife's suspicious glare with an innocent smile.

"Well," Hermione continued. "The CIA is like a... well, they're spies, but they keep an eye on situations around the world, allowing the US to have a warning when situations are hotting up, so they can be prepared."

"And what do they do about those situations?" Amelia asked.

"Well, I'm not really sure. It's all very secret," Hermione said. "They're purported to be an intelligence network only, but it's common knowledge that they're quite often more involved than that."

Harry sighed, "I highly doubt that the Winzangamut would ever approve the formation of a spy network, Hermione."

"But..."

"Harry's been trying for years to get a 'Dark Lord Early Detection' group going," Ginny explained quietly. "It's always been shot down. Infringement of people's right to privacy."

Hermione nodded, meeting Harry's eyes, then glancing pointedly at Tonks and back to Harry. Her point on the issue of privacy was clear, if unstated.

Harry was sitting in his study later, thinking about what Hermione had said. It had long been his wish to set up something, some system to give them information that could be monitored, allowing them to be more prepared for uprisings. However, Ginny was correct when she said that every single time it had been put to them, the Winzangamut had shot it down. Harry strongly suspected it was because there were more than one Dark Wizard on the Winzangamut.

And lately, he'd been far too busy putting out fires...

Well, no. Not quite true, he admitted. It hadn't been because of how busy things had been, it had been because he was beginning to doubt the efficacy of any such group anyhow. This world of theirs, this magical world, would always prove to be a struggle between good and evil. Why bother even trying to do more than just stay alive? There was always another, anyhow, and Harry had no idea of how to stop that particular cycle.

Now Malfoy, Malfoy he could stop. However, he knew little about those around him. He'd been able to see those around Mahood, but he'd not had anything even approaching a vision of this new order. Which was strange in itself. Malfoy should want him to see, Malfoy had known that Harry could see, and would be the type to take a great deal of pleasure from showing him the horrors...

But Malfoy obviously had a reason for keeping his cards close to his chest. Otherwise, Harry knew, he would be flaunting his crimes openly. Draco wasn't the modest type.

Perhaps something could be done. The last time he'd brought up the possibility of an official spy network to the Winzangamut he'd been shot down rather spectacularly. However, he hadn't been the Minister of Magic at that point...

But what if he didn't approach the Winzangamut? What if he simply set up such a group within the Ministry...

"Dad?" Meg's voice came from the doorway, shaking Harry out of his thoughts.

"Meggie..." Harry sat up straight, dropping his feet to the floor from where they were resting on the edge of his desk. "Come in."

"Can we talk?"

"Of course," Harry looked at her. She looked nervous.

Uh-oh. Meg was in seventh year. Harry had a sudden vision of Dean down on one knee in front of Ginny in the middle of the common room...

Harry swallowed.

"Dad..." she swallowed. "I wanted to talk to you... Professor McGonagall suggested that I ask you..."

"Meg," Harry came around the desk and pulled her towards the sofa gently. "What is it?"

"I..." Meg took a deep breath, seemed to have a bit of internal struggle for a moment, then swallowed, and spoke. "I want to be an auror."

Harry was surprised. He hadn't expected that. That was what she was so bent out of shape about?

"Okay," he said, sure there was more.

"My grades are good... but..."

"But what, love?"

"But I don't know how Mum is going to take it," Meg looked up at him, her eyes alert. "And... it's not just that."

"What else?" Harry sighed.

"I want to be part of the Order."

Harry's eyebrows rose. "Meg, you're not old enough..."

"You were only seventeen!"

"...or experienced enough."

"I've seen what they can do, Dad... I want to help!"

"I know, love," he sighed. Ginny was going to flip out at this.

"They killed Uncle Percy..."

"Yes," he agreed.

"They've been after all of us for years..."

"Yes," he agreed again.

"They're killing babies, Dad..." Meg raised eyes to him. To Harry's surprise, they were full of angry tears. "Babies!"

Harry looked down at her. She looked so much like Ginny at that moment, his breath caught.

"Okay," Harry said. "One thing at a time. You want to become part of the Order."

"Yes," Meg nodded.

"Meg, I was only accepted to the Order because of the prophecy, because I was necessary to their plans. Otherwise, I assure you, they would never have allowed it."

"But Tonks..."

"What about Tonks?" Harry asked.

"She wasn't that much older when she joined..."

"Twenty three," he said.

"So I..."

"Meg, listen to me. I'm going to tell you like it is. You're nearly an adult, of age, and a fully accredited witch, so I'm going to be straight with you, okay?"

"Okay," Meg's eyes were wide, but she seemed willing to listen.

"Members of the Order are selected based on ability, loyalty to the Light, and experience," Harry said. "I know you're an able witch, but you need to offer something more than that, even. Understand?"

"I have to train first," she nodded.

"Probably the best route for you, would be either Auror training or involvement with Hogwarts. I know you don't want to teach..."

"No," she shook her head.

"So, if you take Auror training, it's going to take you three years..."

"Three years? But you and Uncle Ron..."

"It was a special case, Meg. We were training for the final battle. I was training for the final battle, and Ron and Hermione wouldn't let me go alone. But it took a great deal of time and hard work, not to mention the donation of personal time by those who trained us. I'm afraid that you simply can't have that."

Meg sighed, then nodded. "So, three years of auror training."

"Yes."

"Then what?"

Harry smiled. "Why don't we worry about that first, okay?"

"Three years is so long..."

"Meg, I want you to be better prepared than we were. When our training came to the test..."

"Dad?" she prompted him after a moment's hesitation.

"When your Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione and I were up against them... in the final battle... our training had never prepared us for the reality, Meg. I intend for you to be prepared, if this is what you want to do with your life."

Meg nodded solemnly.

"Although, I would like to point out that becoming a nun is a viable option..." Harry looked at her, noting her smile, and sighed. "No? Well, I suppose not."

"You'll help me?" she asked quietly.

"In every possible way I can, love," he said, pulling her into his arms and hugging her tightly. "My little girl, in Auror training..."

"It's not that big a deal, Dad..."

Harry leaned back from her and looked deeply into her eyes. "I'm very, very proud of you, Meg. Your Dad would have been, too."

Meg's eyes misted. "I do miss him."

"I know. We all do." Harry admitted. "Meg, I don't want you to ever think... Your dad was my friend, and I loved him. I miss him terribly, and I feel very honored that your mother chose me to help her raise you three."

"Dad?" she said, after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"There were the five of you, in that final battle..."

"There were many more than five, love."

"No, I mean, you and Uncle Ron, and my dad, and Seamus Finnegan, and Professor Longbottom."

"Yes. We were all there."

"But two of you are gone now."

"Yes,"

"I'm scared."

"Why?" Harry's eyes showed concern.

"Because I worry sometimes that you might be next, and I don't know if I could take that, but thinking of Uncle Ron..." she caught her breath. "And I find myself hoping that it won't be either of you, but I really like Professor Longbottom..."

"Meg, none of us can predict when our time will be," Harry said, hoping he could be forgiven for this one small lie. His time had been predicted several times. "We just have to accept what is dealt to us and work with it."

Meg was about to say something more when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Harry?" Ginny's voice came through.

"Will you help me tell her?" Meg asked quietly.

"If you want me to," he nodded. "But I think you're mum might surprise you."

Meg's answer was to roll her eyes in disbelief.

Hermione Granger stood in the middle of her room. Ginny and Janie were fussing at her dress, and Amelia was putting the finishing touches on her hair.

"You're gorgeous, Mione," Ginny said, stepping back. "Ron's going to faint."

Hermione turned and looked into the mirror on the back of her door. She saw a very slim, pale woman with flushed red cheeks. Her eyes were dark, and she took a deep steadying breath.

Amelia had arranged her hair for her. Hermione had planned on sweeping it up into a knot on top of her head, but Amelia had entered her room as they began their preparations earlier, saying she was under orders from Ron, and Hermione might as well shut up and let her get on with it. Hermione could see now that Amelia had swept the heavy curls back from her forehead and arranged them in ringlets down her back. It was very similar to the hairstyle she'd worn at Harry and Ginny's wedding.

Her wedding robes had been hurriedly purchased from the shame shop that Ginny had bought her gown at, and Hermione was as pleased with the effect as she had been in the shop. The gothic-styled robes accentuated her rather slight figure by drawing the attention to one of her best assets. She looked down at the modestly revealed cleavage and smiled, Ron might faint, after all.

"Hermione, love..." Molly bustled into the room, carrying a box. "Come and look."

"Molly? What is that?"

"It's just arrived," Molly's lips tightened into a worried smile. "For you."

Hermione moved to the bedside and sat down, taking the box from Molly. Lifting the lid, she smiled. The box was full of daisies.

"Oh, look!" Amelia sighed. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"Read the card, Hermione!" Janie said.

"As if we need to, to know who sent them," Ginny smiled.

Hermione quietly read the card, then clutched it to her chest, closing her eyes tightly against the tears that threatened to fall.

"Mione?" Ginny whispered. "Okay, then?"

Silently, Hermione nodded, handing Ginny the card.

"Bloody hell, I didn't know he had it in him!" Ginny exclaimed with a misty smile.

"Ginny Potter! Language!" Molly said sharply. "What does it say, love?"

"Hermione?"

"Go ahead," Hermione was busy admiring the sheaf of daisies.

"There were daisies growing in your parents front garden the first time Harry and I visited you there. I thought you might like to have this small part of them with you today. Ron."

"Thank you, Molly, thank you so much," Hermione said quietly.

Molly looked down at her, "What on earth for, love?"

"For Ron," Hermione said simply.

Everyone was congregated in Harry's study. It was mostly the Weasley family and Order members, and the crowd was small for a wedding. Harry, Ron and Bill stood in front of the fireplace, waiting for the women to come down.

Harry looked over to where Meg, Mary and Maddy sat next to Severus and Minerva. Meg held Jamie on her knee, while Sev bounced Lily Mione. Harry smiled ruefully. Sev had taken to calling the little girl "Li'l Mione", much to Ginny's disgust. Harry thought it was probably the first time in the elderly wizard's life he'd ever publicly shown affection to anyone. He looked beyond them to where Charlie sat with his boys. Marc and David were ten, twins and pretty much constantly into some sort of mischief. They reminded Harry strongly of Fred and George, full of mischief and brighter than your average kid. Bad combination.

Harry sighed. Meg in seventh year, Mary in fifth, and Maddy in third... the other Weasley grandchildren preparing for Hogwarts. They grew up so unbelievably quickly. Harry could remember the day Meg was born like it was yesterday. He, Seamus and Neville all pacing in the lounge at Dean and Ginny's home, along with the rest of her family, waiting for Dean to come downstairs. The Firewhiskey they had consumed later in the Leaky Cauldron, toasting the new parents. Harry's heart aching while he tried to be as ebullient as the others, knowing what he had lost and never thought to regain.

Now, that baby was grown, about to graduate, wanting to know how to become an Order member...

Harry realized that, in the not too far distant future, this world would be theirs. He and the others would be "the parents", as Molly and Arthur, Mr and Mrs Granger, and others had been. Those standing in the way of Harry and his friends hearing the truth, for their own good. Harry understood now, as he'd never understood before. Meg wasn't nearly old enough...

But when he'd been her age, he had only been a little over a year off from defeating Voldemort. One year old than her, he had been in the thick of sixteen hour days spent training to be an auror. One year younger than her, he'd already made love to her mother, and lost her to Dean Thomas. Six months older and he had witnessed her agreeing to marry another man, his friend.

Life was tricky, depending on exactly which perspective you were looking at it from. Harry remembered fifth year vividly. The injustices of being ignored, sheltered, protected... lied to. He didn't feel much different as a person than he had then, really. He had certainly known that life wasn't as rosy as some would like to make it out to be. But his role had changed, now he was the parent, and his child wasn't nearly old enough to face the challenges that he had had forced on him.

He smiled. Meg would react to that in much the same way Ginny had reacted the many times that he and Ron had told her she was too young to come along when they threw themselves into danger. Not well.

Drawn from his thoughts, he watched as Molly and Amelia entered the room. Amelia sat down in a chair next to Charlie, smiling and clutching his hand. Molly came forward, leaned down to have a word with Arthur, then sat as her husband stood and left the room. Ron and Harry traded a glance, then both looked at Bill.

"I have no idea," Bill said, watching the door. "Want me to find out?"

"If it's anything important, we'll know soon enough," Harry said.

Moments later, Janie came through the door, a huge smile on her face for Ron and Harry, turning to brilliance when she looked at Bill.

"You know, Bill," Ron said breathlessly. "I hope that Mione looks at me like that when we've been married twenty years."

"She will, Ron," Bill said quietly, his eyes still on his pretty wife.

It seemed only second later that Ginny came through the door, coming to stand next to Bill. She turned, and they all looked to see Hermione Granger, her arms full of daisies, walk into the room on the arm of Ron's dad.

From that point, Ron seemed in a daze. Hermione went the entire ceremony with tears on her lashes, and a happy smile on her face. Ron made the appropriate responses, then pulled her close as Harry performed the binding spell over them.

"My family," Hermione whispered in his ear. "My husband, and my family. Thank you."

A nice fluffy chapter from me to you for the weekend... I promise, we're going to get back to business soon!

James Milamber: 'Idiot check'? I love that... must find a place for it in the story....

CrazyPsychoBananaHead: Okay, very strange name, but I'm willing to overlook the mental imagery it brings on... R/H is SOOOO much more beleivable than H/H, don't you think?

LaGau: Thank you!

Shotgunn: Avril Lavigne? Cool... reference to her almost made it into my story... but there is that little issue of not using REAL celeb's names... fanfic gets touchy about it, I understand. Yes – I love the British music artists. I've been listening to Annie Lennox for (cough, cough) twenty (cough, cough) years... and Sting... well, enough said, right? Apparently they're neighbors in London. Hell of a neighborhood, is all I can say!

Merlindamage: Mistakes? MISTAKES? I am sure you jest, my dear! They're not mistakes... they're clarified accuracies about the TRUE story (grin!!) You will DEFINITELY be hearing more on the bloodlines... get ready for it!

Pdlegirl: All for you, my dear – wedding of the year!

CQ