Ch.10

The Order's Meeting

Harry and Ron were the only things keeping Tally from hitting the snow covered ground. Dumbledore reached the three of them and quickly called Hagrid over.

"What happened?"

"She had an argrument with her brother and it caused her to have an attack. We found her half frozen and she just collapsed. Is she going to be okay?" Harry asked.

"Hagrid, could you bring her to Poppy. Minerva, will you quickly get ahold of Ms. Adams. Severus, try to send word to Josh about his sister." With that, Hagrid lifted Tally off the ground with ease. The six of them followed the adults into the castle and began to make their way to the hospital wing when Professor McGonagall stopped them.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think it wise for all of you to come. Right now her situation is very complicated and it best if there weren't any distractions. Come back in the morning. Don't worry though, I'm sure she will be fine." They stood there for a moment with McGonagall staring at them with uncharactericly sympathetic eyes before she shewed them back off towards the common room.

The next morning Harry, Ron, and Hermione awoke early and immediately made their way to the Hospital Wing. When they reached it, they found all the beds completely empty. The three of them could only stand there and gawk, their minds reeling with the possibilities of what might have occurred. Just then, Madam Pomfrey walked out of her office and saw them standing in the doorway. She smiled and walked over to them,

"No need to worry you three. Ms. Adams will be fine. Her attack was a severe one and sadly, I do not have the resources here to help her in her recovery. We sent her off with her Healer late last night to St. Mungos. Mr. Longbottom snuck in late last night just before we released her to her Healer's care and Professor Dumbledore thought it best to send him off with Ms. Adams."

"She's in St. Mungos?"

"Neville is with her?"

"Why didn't anyone tell us?!" Harry demanded. Madam Pomfrey stepped back from him as Harry's anger flared.

"Mr. Potter, that is ten points from Gryffindor for not minding your tongue." Harry whipped around and came face to face with Snape. His anger nearly exploded at the sight of him. Harry felt a calming hand on his arm and he looked to see Hermione standing beside him. He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth.

"Sorry Madam Pomfrey."

"It's qu-quite alright. You do have a terrible temper Mr. Potter, please keep it in check." Harry looked at her and only then remembered that Tally had told him Pomfrey was a Feeler. He gave her a guilty and felt shameful for having taken his anger out on her. Pomfrey stepped up to him again and placed a hand on each of his shoulders and smiled.

"I know Tally is a wonderful friend for the three of you, Neville told me so. Tally is a sweet girl, struggling to maintain a normal life, much like the three of you are." Pomfrey glanced at Ron and Hermione who looked puzzled. "I'm am proud that you all will stand beside each other, even will all this evil surrounding us in these dark days." She sighed before continuing. "No more worries of Tally though, she will make it and will fully recover, no more need to dwell on what cannot be changed. Off you go." With that she pushed the three of them to the doors only to be blocked by Snape.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to see the three of you in his office." They followed Snape out of the hospital wing, when Harry looked back he could have sworn he saw tears slide down Madam Pomfrey's face and wondered, for a moment, what she was crying for, or rather, for who.

When they reached the Gargoyle, Snape said the password and led them up into the office where Dumbledore sat waiting for them.

"Good Morning." He greeted cheerfully. Harry could only glare back at him while Hermione and Ron greeted him back. "I know that you are upset that Ms. Adams was taken to St. Mungos and no one had informed you. However, I have spoken to Mrs. Weasley and Remus Lupin and we have agreed to allow you visitation to St. Mungos to visit your friend-"

"-Oh, you're going to allow us to see are friend?" Harry said angrily, both Ron and Hermione gapped at him for speaking back to Professor Dumbledore.

"POTTER!" Snape yelled.

"It's alright Severus. Harry has a right to be angry. Now, there will be rules and limitations for your safety. We feel that with Tally knowing she has friends in Europe who care for her, her Christmas won't be as horrible as she feels it will be. Mr. Longbottom is with her now for the morning, but his Grandmother will be there some time in the early afternoon to bring him home. Also, I should tell you that Ms. Adams will be spending the Holiday with you all at Grimauld Palace. I do not feel it wise to have her alone in Gryffindor Tower without supervision after such an attack. If you would be so kind as to tell her, I'm sure she would rather hear the news from the three of you. For now, I suggest you three have some breakfast and then board the train. There will be Order members waiting for you when you get off at King's Cross." With that, the trio left his office and headed down to the Great Hall in a numbed silence.

"Tally's staying with us? That's GREAT! She'll be so happy to know she isn't spending Christmas alone." Ginny cried. Harry, Ginny, and Luna were sitting in a car towards the back of the train waiting for Hermione and Ron to get out of the Prefect meeting. Harry had just explained to Ginny everything that had occurred that morning. Harry smiled at Ginny's enthusiasm. Luna merely peered at them from behind the "Quibbler" before retreating back behind it.

"Where is Neville?" Luna suddenly asked.

"He went with Tally to St. Mungos." Harry replied, raising an eyebrow towards Ginny who shrugged in return.

"Where did Tally's brother run off to that caused her all the trouble to begin with?" Luna asked again. Harry thought for a moment and looked at Ginny, unsure of what to say.

"Luna, I'm sure he had business elsewhere, he's probably with her at the hospital now." Ginny replied. Just then, Ron and Hermione came in and the food trolley arrived allowing them time to eat junk food and chat merrily. The train began to slow and the five of them started to get their things together.

When Harry got off the train, he immediately spotted Tonks, who bright shocking pink hair stood out against the crowd. Beside her stood Remus, who smiled at the sight of him. Harry walked straight over and hugged Remus quickly. After they released, Harry was immediately taken into a hug by Mrs. Weasley. Harry saw behind her Mr. Weasley and Bill. On the other side of Tonks stood Moody.

"Alright, here is the plan. Moody and Bill will be taking your things back to Headquarters. The rest of us will be taking the four of you to St. Mungos so that you can visit with your friend. After Moody and Bill drop off your trunks, they will meet us at the Hospital." Remus told them. They nodded and parted ways with Moody and Bill. They walked in silence for awhile until Remus pulled away back so that they could talk.

"So, is this Tally a good friend of yours then?"

"Er-I suppose, she's a chaser on our team and she's Professor Adams sister. She's been helping me with occulmency. Plus, we were the ones who found her after her attack." Remus was silent for a moment.

"Is she more than just a friend?" His question threw Harry off, causing Harry to sputter in reply. Remus chuckled, "Okay, should I say, do you wish her to be more than just your friend?" Harry felt his checks go red as his face heated from embarrassment. Remus laughed loudly this time, which caused Tonks and Hermione to look back at them. "Come on Harry, you can tell me. That's what I'm here for." Harry looked at Remus and saw a fatherly face looking back at him.

"Okay, okay. Yes, I like her. I really like her. There's something about her, she doesn't care that I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived. I'm just Harry to her." Harry paused for a moment, he never really talked about his feelings of a girl, yes Ron and Hermione know he has feelings for Tally, but he never actually admitted it to anyone. "She's different. She takes things as they are, doesn't judge them. I think it's because of what happened to her."

"What happened to her?"

"You don't know? I figured you would since Professor Adams is in the Order."

"I've only met him a few times, he seems like a nice fellow, but I don't really know about his past."

"Tally's parents were killed by their best friend, David Jacobs. Tally was six and witnessed it all. David is a Death Eater and he placed the Cruciatus Curse upon Tally. The curse damaged her heart and now she has to be on constant alert."

"Why is she in the hospital, what happened?"

"Her brother isn't going to be with her for Christmas because of-er-business and Tally became upset. She couldn't control her emotions and it caused her to have an attack." Harry shrugged his shoulders, he wasn't really completely sure he understood what happens to her when she has an attack, but knew that each time it did, it could potentially end her life. Remus was frowning slightly and Harry heard him quietly whisper 'Poor girl' under his breath.

Soon they found themselves infront of the mannequins being waved inside. When they walked in, they saw Neville leaving with his grandmother. He stopped infront of them.

"Hey guys, here to see Tally?" They all nodded. "She's on the third floor. Don't be surprised if she falls asleep in mid-sentence, she's been doing that all morning." Neville said with a slight chuckle.

"Er-Neville, how does she look? Is she alright?" Hermione asked him. Neville frowned slightly before replying.

"Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen her have such a terrible attack, but she'll be alright."

"Poor child. Such a terrible life she has to live and only her brother to help her though it. Although, she is so lucky to have friends like all of you, she will definitely need you in the future." Neville's Gran was saying as she pulled him off and out of the hospital with a quick good-bye. They headed off and up to Tally's ward. It was the same ward that Mr. Weasley had been brought to. The adults stayed in the hallway as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walked into the room Tally was in. She was sitting in the bed farthest to the door and right beside the window. Since she was looking out the window, she didn't notice them until they were right next to her bed. She turned slowly to face them and broke out a weak smile. She had dark circle's under her eyes and her skin was ghostly white. Her eyes had a dull look to them and her hair had seemed to have lost all its luster as it fell flatly against her head.

"My heroes! How lovely to see you all." Her voice held no bitterness, only gratitude.

"Tally! We were so worried about you, I'm so glad you're alright!" Hermione exclaimed, giving Tally a long hug, which Tally accepted graciously.

"I'm alright Hermione. No need to worry. My Healer has been with me since this whole thing started ten years ago, he knows what he's doing." She laughed. Her laughter seemed to brighten her face and she almost looked as carefree as she had before the attack. "I should be thanking you guys for saving me. If you hadn't all come along, I would be dead right now." She said it so matter-of-factly that none of them knew how to respond. Slowly she sat up onto her knees, wincing slightly at her movement, and hugged Hermione again, then Ginny, then Ron, and finally Harry, lingering longer in her hug with him. Harry could smell her, she smelled like vanilla and he breathed in deeply just before she released him. Sinking back down, she smiled at them. "It was nice having Neville here with me all morning. Did you guys see him before he left?" They all nodded.

"What did you and Neville talk about?" Ginny asked if only to keep the conversation going.

"Mainly how to attract a certain girl's attention." Tally said amused.

"Neville has a crush?" Ron said loudly, "On who?"

"Oh no, no, no. Neville keeps my secrets and it's only fair that I keep his."

"You have a crush on someone?" Ron asked, looking wide-eyed at her and glancing at Harry. Tally only smiled at him, "Who?"

"Oh, I can't tell you that. Who knows, it might be one of you two." Harry felt himself blush and watched Ron's ears go red. Hermione and Ginny looked as though they were trying very hard to hide in their laughter, but weren't doing a good job of it. "or maybe..." Tally paused slightly and looked directly at him and Ron, "Draco Malfoy." Ron sputtered violently at the name and started exclaiming loudly that if she dated him, then she couldn't be around them and to think of other people's feeling. Tally, Ginny, and Hermione burst into giggles and even Harry laughed at the idea of Tally liking Malfoy. Ever since the fight back in September, the two of them avoided each other as much as possible. Tally even moved her seat in Potions and was now sitting beside a quiet Slytherin boy by the name of Blaise Zambini.

The door opened and they turned to see a Healer walk in. At the sight of them, he smiled brightly and made his way over.

"Ah, and how is my beautiful patient this afternoon?" He asked, looking directly at Tally with affection.

"Oh dearest love of my life, where have you been?" Tally teased him, also smiling. He chuckled at her.

"Good to know that your personality is still in tact, wouldn't want you to lose that." Tally laughed this time. Harry figured this was their routine.

"Aiden, I would like you to meet my friends and the people who saved me, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Everyone, this is Aiden Bartholomew, my Healer." Her Healer shook hands with each of them, his eyes lingering on Harry's scar briefly before turning his attention back to Tally. "Where did Neville go?"

"His Gran took him home not too long ago." Aiden shuddered slightly.

"That woman scares me." They all laughed. "Lulu wants to know if you'll be coming home with us when you are discharged?" Tally's face saddened dramatically at that.

"Oh no, Dumbledore said she can have Christmas with us at-er-" Hermione began

"My Guardian, Remus's house." Harry finished. Tally's face brighten and looked eagerly to her Healer.

"Oh, can I Aiden? Please!" Her Healer looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled.

"Of course, I met him out in the hall. I'm sure it'll be fine with Josh." Tally looked at them and noticed that Hermione had a puzzled look on her face.

"Since the attack by my Uncle" Aiden made a disgusted noise at that, which Tally chose to ignore, "Aiden and Lulu have been my Guardians whenever Josh is...indisposed. Him and Josh are best friends, have been since their first year at Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts? But you two are Americans, how did he go to Hogwarts?" Ron asked

"Oh, didn't I tell you? My dad wanted the both of us to go to Hogwarts. Josh went when he was 11 and I was suppose to go, but Josh wanted me to be close to him incase anything happened." She shrugged her shoulders. She slid back down into her bed and her eyes drooped slowly.

"I think its time for someone to get some rest. Why don't you all walk out with me." Healer Bartholomew said to them.

"Don't be silly, I'm not tired." Tally said as she stifled a yawn and fell quickly asleep. Harry noticed her Healer look at her with a deep sadness, there was no pity, just knowledge of all the pain she had ever suffered and will suffer. Aiden looked up to see Harry watching him, he smiled meekly at him.

"I was a Healer-in-training when they brought her in. I had known her since the day she was born, known how close they all had been. When I saw her, bloody and bruised, unconscious. I thought I would die right there on the spot. I knew then that I wanted to be the one to protect her. So they allowed me to help heal her, only she couldn't be healed, we could only wait." He paused and gestured to the door, slowly they all made their way to it. "When Josh came and saw her, I knew his heart stopped beating, even for the briefest of moments, it was enough to know he had also died that night. Lulu and I helped him through it all. The memorial ceremony, the trial, everything." He paused again and heaved a heavy sigh. Out in the hall they stopped outside the door. The adults were nowhere in sight. "When Tally woke up, we all could breathe again, especially Josh. He was only keeping himself alive for her. I was there when he told her what happened. I saw how she reacted. At first she just sat there and cried. She remembered it all, she had to relive it again with Josh. But then, she smiled at him, smiled! She told him that as long as they were together, then they would always be happy. She said that they loved them and they would be waiting when it was their turn to join them, but that wasn't for a very long time. She really upset Josh. It wasn't until a week later that I walked in on them comforting each other. Tally was crying into Josh's arms. What she said next. I swear, I cried then and there, my whole understanding of human emotions were shattered. She told him she still loved their uncle David. She still loved him, can you believe that? She said she knew she was suppose to hate him for what he had done, but she couldn't do it. When she thought of him, she could only think of all the good things he had done, piggy back rides, playing games, presents, candy. Everything that could make a six year old happy. It tore me apart." He sighed again and wiped a tear away. Hermione and Ginny did the same. "Ever since then, Josh never left her side. Ten years later, its still the same. Angel too. She's their sister, they love her as equally as they love each other. They amaze me, the lengths they go for each other. How protective they are. Lulu and I are honored to be so close to them, to know that we are part of their family." Aiden looked at Harry then, almost studying him, examining him. "Josh talks of you Harry. He is very fond of you. He believes you to be a strong and loyal young man. I believe you will become very important to Tally in the future. Don't hurt her, any of you. She has been through enough, as I'm sure the four of you have been." With that, Healer Bartholomew walked away, leaving them gapping and puzzled in his wake. None more than Harry though. They made their way back down to the lobby where they met up with Remus, Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Moody.

Sitting in the kitchen of headquarters talking amongst themselves while they ate dinner, Harry sat quietly contemplating everything that he had learned.

"Healer Bartholomew said that she should be discharged in a couple of days. They just want to make sure there wasn't any permanent damage." Mrs. Weasley was saying, "Professor Dumbledore also said that he will be sending her house-elf, Angel, along shortly." Mrs. Weasley was almost oozing in excitement at the prospect of having a competent house-elf under this roof. Hermione made a noise of anger, but no one seemed to have noticed it except Harry.

After dinner, Harry turned in early. He was tired from not getting enough sleep and then waking up early to see Tally. As he laid down in bed, he thought about everything Healer Bartholomew said and about Tally's past. Harry also thought about Cedric, Sirius, the veil, and both prophecies. He fell asleep long after Ron had come into the room and fallen asleep. Harry's dream where filled with sadness, fear, anger, and love.

It was the day before Christmas by the time Tally walked into the kitchen of Grimauld Palace with Remus and Healer Bartholomew. She still looked weak, but the smile on her face only showed how happy she was. As soon as she walked into the room, a loud squeal was heard and Tally doubled over and fell backward onto the floor. When they looked down, they saw Angel, a small fragile looking house-elf with large hazel eyes and a small button nose, clinging to her around her waist and Tally's face filled with laughter.

"ANGEL!! I've missed you so much! I didn't know you were here." Tally said when she had finally regained her composure and was helped off the ground by Remus.

"Miss Tally, I is worrying about you, I is." Angel gave her a sad face, which Tally smiled at.

"Oh, no need to worry, you know I'm fine. Aiden is a great Healer." At hearing his name, Angel whirled around and wrapped Aiden in a hug, he laughed loudly at Angel's happiness.

After things settled down, Tally, Remus, and Aiden sat down at the table where Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Moody were already seated. They sat and talked about nothing in particular when Harry noticed Tally's head drop slightly. Aiden noticed too.

"Tally, you've had enough excitement, why don't you head upstairs and take a nap?" Aiden said to her. She nodded and stood up to go, Hermione left with her to show her where her room is and returned a few minutes later.

"Harry, do you still have that Defense book you bought back in August?" Hermione asked.

"Er-yeah, its in my trunk, why?"

"I had an idea about what to do in the DA, I mean, if you wanted to continue with it." After the attack on Hermione's home, Voldemort and his Death Eaters had been strangely silent, until recently. The past few weeks, the attacks on both muggle and wizarding worlds alike had had mysterious deaths and missing people, which could only mean that Voldemort was beginning to strike again.

"You know Harry, I think it would be wise if you did start up the DA again, that way, more of you will be prepared incase the war ends up at Hogwarts." Remus said. Mrs. Weasley nearly fell out of her chair with his remark, but said nothing. Harry got up from the table and made his way up the stairs.

When he left his room with the book in his hand, he heard someone crying at the other end of the hall. He made his way down the hall and walked into the girls' room. There he found Tally crying into her hands. She looked up at him and quickly wiped her face, giving him a guilty look.

"Er-you alright Tally?" He asked awkwardly. She laughed bitterly.

"No, not really. I was just thinking."

"About what?" He asked as he came closer and sat on the bed next to her. She looked at him with a sad and painful look.

"Don't you ever get tired of it all, Harry? Tired of being who you are?" Harry could only look at her, tears started to roll down her face again. "I'm so tired of being me, of pretending that everything is okay. I hate who I am, I hate my stupid heart and that stupid curse. I hate myself and what will come of it."

"Don't say that. Don't say you hate yourself. Everything about you I like. You amaze me." She looked up at him, searching him. Harry mentally kicked himself for actually saying that out loud.

"Do you really Harry?" She asked quietly. He nodded at her.

"Don't you get tired? Don't you hate having the burden of knowing your future and being powerless to stop it?"

"Yes, everyday I contemplate whether or not it's worth it. Would I rather know, is it better to know or not? I ask myself this everyday. Sometimes I wish that I wasn't who I am. That I could just forget all of these people who depend on me and live my life the way I see fit. I don't want to be the hero any more than I want to be known for being The-Boy-Who-Lived. Sometimes I think I should just give up." She smiled at him, a real smile.

"I'm glad I met you Harry. I don't feel so alone when I'm with you." Her tears had stopped and she sighed. "When I'm around people, I feel like an alien, even with Josh. None of them understand what its like to know exactly how your future will be, exactly how your life will end. Harry, you were born with a burden so large that, had it been me, I would have given up years ago, but never hate who you are. Trust me, I've been there and it will only make everything that much more worse. You are perfect the way you are. Your parents wanted the world for you and gave their lives trying to make that happen. Don't ever second guess yourself or their sacrifice. I have the burden of knowing that my life will be cut short. The likelihood of me living until the age of 40 is very slim. My heart will give out before then and it won't be a peaceful ending, but I know, deep in my heart that somehow it's all worth it."

"Tally, what are your attacks like?"

"Painful, horribly painful. It feels like an icy hand is squeezing my heart, just squeezing it until I think it'll pop. I can't breathe, can't scream. It's so painful I just wish it would stop beating. Sometimes I think the only thing more painful is the Cruciatus Curse and that is the whole reason why my life is the way it is." Harry was watching her intently.

"Is there anyway to prevent them or at least, ease the attacks?" She looked Harry directly in the eyes.

"There is a way to ease the pain, but it's kind of-er-intimate." She flushed slightly. "Josh knows how to do it, as does Aiden, Lulu, Chrissy, Poppy, and even Neville."

"Can you teach me?"

"You really want to learn?" Harry nodded his head. "Okay, give me your hands." He held out his hands and she took them gently into hers. She placed one against Harry's chest, and the other against hers. It was Harry's turn to blushed as he realized what she meant by intimate. "Obviously when I'm having the attack, you would place my hands where yours are. Do you feel our heart beats?" Harry nodded, he wasn't sure if his voice would work or not. "When I have my attacks, my heart beat is very irregular and very fast, the purpose of this is to slow it down to a more normal pace. What you do is whisper calming words to me, like 'don't worry I'm here', 'your not alone', 'calm yourself', 'follow the heart beats' that sort of thing. It doesn't sound like it would work, but when you whisper it sweetly and remain calm yourself, it usually works." She smiled at him and Harry smiled back. They were still holding hands against each others chests. Before Harry was aware of what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed her.

Ten minutes later, Harry returned to the kitchen to find everyone staring at him in worry.

"What?"

"What took you so long?" Ron asked him.

"I couldn't find the book at first." He said as he placed the book onto the table.

"We were about to send a search party. You were up there for nearly a half hour." Ginny said, giggling. Harry shrugged his shoulders and sat across from Moody, who was giving him a strange look.

Harry ignored their comments and for the next hour they sat and discussed tactics and strategies for the DA. When Tally walked into the room with her hair slightly messy from her nap and her clothes a little more wrinkled, Harry felt his face automatically smile at the sight of her.

"Afternoon all." She said, smiling at them all. "Where's Aiden?"

"Oh he left not to long ago, but he'll be back later, not to worry. Would you like some tea and lunch, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked. She walked over to Tally and took her lightly by the arm and led her to the chair next to Moody. Tally seemed a little upset by the gesture and gently removed her arm from Mrs. Weasley's grasp.

"Actually, could I have some hot cocoa? You don't have to make it, Angel knows how." Tally added quickly, incase she was overstepping her boundaries.

"Of course you may dear. I forget that Americans don't have afternoon tea." Mrs. Weasley said with an obvious chuckle at the thought. "Did you have a nice sleep?"

"Yes, it was nice and now I feel all refreshed."

"Slept good did ye? Doesn't surprise me after the little snog fest you had just before." Moody said casually from beside her. Ron who had just taken a sip of his tea, choked and spit out what was in his mouth while the girls whipped around to face them. Remus began to laugh at their faces and Mrs. Weasley sputtered. Tally quickly looked over at Harry, who shook his head at her. Suddenly understanding dawned on her face and she pointed her finger at Moody.

"You pervert!!! You were watching us with your weird eye, weren't you?" Tally exclaimed in a mocked angry, yet highly amused voice.

"I didn't watch, I merely looked to see where Harry had gone off to, he was taking a much longer time than was necessary!" Moody defended himself.

"Wait, so it's true? You were snogging?" Ron asked, clearly excited by these events.

"Who was kissing?" Someone asked from behind them. They turned to see Professor Adams standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

"JOSH!" Tally stood quickly and made her way around the table. When she reached him, she paused for a moment looking awkward. Adams reached out and pulled Tally into a hug. Their house-elf came from nowhere and was embraced by both of them. Hermione was looking on with teary eyes and Ginny and a far-away look on her face. "I'm sorry for how I behaved. I was being selfish and didn't think about everyone else."

"Nonsense, you had a right to be angry. I'm sorry for not being there when you had your attack, I'm glad that you have such wonderful friends to look out for you." Adams said as he nodded his head towards everyone. Slowly Tally walked back around the table, as she walked, she smacked Moody in the head with a smile.

"Would you like some tea or cocoa, Josh?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Cocoa would be lovely, thank you Molly." There was a pause as Josh settled himself. "So, seriously, who was kissing?" Everyone turned to look at Tally and Harry. Harry blushed deeply as he felt their eyes on him.

"Er-well, to be honest Josh, Harry and I were." Tally said quietly. Adams' eyes widened and looked between the two of them.

"So does that mean the two of you are an item?" He asked, an amused smile tugging at his lips. Tally looked at Harry again. Harry cleared his throat.

"Tally-er-would you like to, maybe-er-, go..." His voice trailed off because he became increasingly aware of everyone in the room. Both Ron and Remus looked very amused by the whole situation, while Moody's cheeks were still bright red from Tally's scolding. Hermione and Ginny were watching them with interest and Tonks and Mrs. Weasley tried to look like they weren't listening at all. Tally shot a look to Ginny, who smiled widely and gave her the thumbs-up sign. Harry wondered what that was about until Tally's voice entered his thoughts.

"Yes, I would love to go out with you Harry." She said smiling. Harry smiled back and relief filled his body.

"Well then, I guess all I have to say is that if you hurt her, Harry, I will have to fail you." Josh said in a threatening tone, all amusement gone. Harry swallowed hard and looked at Tally, who only smiled and rolled her eyes.

They spent the next few hours talking about Christmas and the DA. Mrs. Weasley, Tally, and Angel all prepared dinner for them, to which they ate in a calming atmosphere. Healer Bartholomew and his wife, Lulu came to eat, as well as Mundungus, all of the Weasleys, minus Percy, and Professor McGonagall. Shortly after dinner, Mrs. Weasley cleared the kitchen of the anyone who wasn't allowed into the Order yet, declaring a meeting tonight and left no room for argument. The five of them trooped upstairs, along with Angel, who Tally was conversing with.

"Come on Angel, lets go set up your bed and lay down for awhile. Where do you sleep anyway?"

"I is not having a bed Misses, I is sleeping on the floor." Tally, who was in front of everyone, stopped dead in her tracks and wheeled around, causing everyone else to stop and crash into one another. She stormed passed them with Angel following close behind. "Do not be so angry Tally, I is not harmed. I is not caring where I is sleeping. Please Misses, think of your heart!" Angel cried from behind Tally. Ron and Ginny immediately followed. Hermione looked at Harry and raised her eyebrows at him. Harry smiled.

"You know, Herm, I think you have an equal when it comes to house-elves rights." Harry said amused and followed Ron and Ginny. When they reached the kitchen door, Tally's angry voice filled the house and woke Mrs. Black up.

"MRS. WEASLEY HOW COULD YOU?" Harry could hear outcries from many people and knew at once the meeting had almost certainly begun. Remus and Bill ran from the kitchen to close off Mrs. Blacks painting, but even with her screams of filthy mudbloods and bloodtraiters, the four of them could clearly hear Tally's voice filter through the door. Ron pushed open the door and gapped at the scene that greeted them.

The entire kitchen was filled with Order members, though Dumbledore was not there yet. Harry could see Adams standing next to Aiden, both struck dumb at what was happening.

"Tally, what on earth are you yelling about?" Adams voice rang out, trying to make his way through the crowd.

"Angel should not sleep on the floor. I don't care how you people do things here in this country. We treat her with the utmost greatest of respects, she of all creatures, deserves it. How dare you think that a tiny hole-filled blanket and a pile of rags should suffice enough as a descent bed-"

"Tally, I'm sure-"

"I DON'T CARE JOSH! Mrs. Weasley, I know you didn't know, but now you do. If you can't give her a bed, then she shall sleep in mine. She is more than a house-elf and she shall be treated as such." Tally paused there, her chest heaving from her yelling.

"Do you really think a mere house-elf deserves such respect?" All eyes turned to Snape who was sitting in the corner, hatred etched all over his greasy face. Tally walked slowly up to him and talked in an alarmingly calm voice, which surprised everyone as it was filled with a dark hatred.

"Yes I do, Professor." She spit out at him. "I believe that respect is only given to those who have earned it. Angel has earned mine and I will be damned if I let anyone treat her differently."

"Watch your mouth, child"

"No, I don't need to, in school you are my teacher and I, your student. But it is holiday and we are neither, only equals. I know who you are and what you have done. I feel the evil that resides in you, it tries to command you. I don't know why Dumbledore trusts you and I don't care, he has his reasons. But I have reasons as to not to trust you. Oh, I respect you for what you do in this Order, I have great respect for you, but as a human being, I have none. Your heart is bitter and you live through your anger. You treat everyone like filth and you judge people without knowing them." She stepped closer to him, until she was directly in front of him. He stood so she had to look up. His face remained blank, but Tally smiled, "I am not afraid of you or the people you pretend to serve. I will still stand for what and who I believe in, even if that is only a mere house-elf. I would give my life for her if I had to. Tell me Professor who would give theirs in order to spare yours? And Dumbledore doesn't count." She paused and waited for him to answer, when none came, "Now tell me, when this war is over, where will you be? Who will still want to be in your company? Who will love you? Life is not worth living without love. I will give you a little warning, Snape, you will be forever alone because you live your life in anger. If you would melt your cold heart even a little, you might make a friend or two. My house-elf risked her life in order to save mine. Respect is the least of what she deserves." Tally finished and turned away from a very stunned looking Snape. Ron snickered quietly next to Harry.

"Quite right Ms. Adams." Harry jumped at the voice behind him and turned to see Dumbledore standing behind the four of them in the doorway. He had an almost amused look on his face. Tally looked down at the ground. "Respect is something that is earned and given warily. However, Severus has proven time and time again that he is well deserving of your respect as well as everyone else's. I, of course, cannot make you respect him and therefore, will not attempt to. Severus will have to earn trust through your eyes and I quite understand that. But, rest assure, he does deserve your respect of being your Professor and I ask that you give him that much." Tally nodded and turned back to Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you, Mrs. Weasley. I know that you didn't know." Mrs. Weasley nodded her head, obviously still stunned by the whole event. Josh had finally made it to Tally's side and wrapped an arm around her and dragged her to the door, where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny still stood. They moved out of the way. "Professor Dumbledore?" Dumbledore looked down at her. "I'm sorry for all the fuss I caused just before Chrismtas Holiday. I didn't mean to." She still couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. Dumbledore smiled down at her,

"No need to apologize, love for your brother, as well as for your house-elf, drives you to do wonderful, or sometimes, insane things, but never apologize for doing them." Tally looked up at him then and smiled. Josh took her and the others to the stairs before returning to the kitchen.

Once in the boys room, everyone burst out into fits of laughter.

"That was bloody brilliant, Tally!" Ron cried out when he was finally able to control himself. "I can't believe you rowed with my mum!"

"I didn't mean to yell at her. I was just upset about Angel that's all." Tally said, she was the only one who hadn't laughed.

"The look on Snape's face was reward enough for me. The stupid Git deserved to be yelled at." Harry said. Tally was looking at him oddly and he self-consciously fixed himself. "What?"

"Why do you hate him so much?" Harry thought about if for a moment before he replied.

"Because he hated me long before he ever met me." Was all Harry could say. There was an awkward pause for a moment.

"So, did you guys really snog?" Ron blurted out. They all stared at him in disbelief and then burst out laughing. Harry felt almost at peace laughing with his friends.

Hey guys! Thanks for sticking with me through all this. Ok, so we've hit the halfway marker, yay! So, comment, review, flame...any would be nice.

Also, just for those who actually do read and care, I will be making a sequal to this, it'll be of Harry's 7th year and maybe after 7th year.