Standard Disclaimers Apply

Several people have emailed me and asked me to add Tiner and the Malfoys into the mix! So here we go. Tiner has graduated from OCS and is a JAG attorney rotating amount European bases as needed.

Chapter 7: Meetings, Malfoys, Meredith and Moving

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The Room of Requirement

November 15, 2003 2

300 Zulu

Around the gigantic table sat all of the members of the Order of the Phoenix who could make it, except for Minerva McGonagall, who was outside in the hall (in cat form) watching out for Filch, Mrs. Norris, spies and other intruders upon the meeting. Mrs. Weasley was growing worried as Charlie had yet to join them. Little AJ had been sent off with Nearly Headless Nick to explore the castle. Nick had promised to wear him out and then get Dobby and Winky to put him to bed. Sarah was asleep in Harm's arms, since she was too little to know what was going on in the room.

Hermione was debating the current Magical Creature legislation with Hagrid, who was heavily bandaged due to injuries from his last trip for the order. Hermione had recently been appointed as the new head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, the youngest department head in Ministry history. She had accepted it on the promise that she would be allowed to continue as the head of S.P.E.W. She had also recently become the youngest member of the Wizengamot.

Mundungus Fletcher was busily conferring with the twins in the corner about supplies for Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, while Professor Sprout was discussing magical cooking herbs with Sarah, Harm and Jen. Mrs. Weasley was telling Bud about Garden Gnomes. After discovering that Ginny Weasley worked in Germany as the British Ambassador's secretary, he asked if she might be agreeable to purchasing a Hummel figurine for Harriet for Christmas. Informed that Ginny would be there that evening, but would be there late due to her working hours, Bud resolved to ask her. Eveeryone else was chitchatting waiting for the meeting to begin when the door opened and Charlie Weasley came inside with a strange look on his face, causing all talk to abruptly cease. He strode swiftly to AJ's side.

"Who other than the members of the order know you are here?" Charlie asked urgently.

"Sturgis Turner, Meredith, and the SecNav.... why? AJ answered, confused.

"We just caught a death eater in your house – Lucius Malfoy," Charlie replied. Everyone at the table gasped in shock as AJ turned pale. "Meredith thought he was a burglar, snuck up behind him and beaned him over back of the head with a frying pan! Every Ministry of Magic in the world has him on their most-wanted hit list, and he gets taken out by a Muggle with a frying pan!"

AJ scowled. "I think I know who told the death-eaters we were here. Our house-elf knew. I adopted him after a wizard friend of mine died, but he doesn't consider me his master, so he would have no qualms about telling anyone. If I find out he is the one who put us all in danger, it will be more than clothes for him. I'll take him out and shoot him. Sorry, Hermione, but my family's safety comes first."

Hermione spoke up. Of course... I'll arrange for him to be picked up and questioned. While you are here, I'll find a suitable candidate to replace him - does anyone else need anything of the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures office or SPEW office, when I contact them?"

Harriet and Mac both answered. Harriet said, "Can you look for us? We gave our house elf to my parents, theirs was ancient.' Hermione nodded. Mac questioned, "Do you have any quiet ones? I'd have to have a quiet one in an apartment, or move, I guess. I've always wanted a house elf."

Hermione nodded and took parchment and a quill from her bag. The room of requirement sensed her need and immediately a window opened to the outside, and a tawny owl was standing on a perch. She wrote a note to her associates at the Society for the Promotion Elfish Welfare, which she had made into a Ministry organization under the Magical Creatures Act she introduced as a member of the Wizengamot. SPEW had different goals now, as it took over the regulation of house elves from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and they now provided a house elf placement service. That done, she turned back to Charlie. "Where is the death eater being held, and what safety precautions have you put in place?"

"He's being transferred to the secure ward of St. Mungo's; you'll be able to interview him tomorrow. There are American Ministry wizards on guard at the house, the JAG office, and Harriet's parents, the Naval Academy contacts have been alerted to look after Mikey Roberts, and Harm's relatives are being guarded as well. The Australian Ministry is seeing to the relatives of Mr. Brumby. Meredith, however, is on her way here. It's safer that way." Finally, Charlie stopped to catch his breath. A hissing and spitting from the hallway caused everyone to jump. Dumbledore pulled out his wand as there was movement at the door. Suddenly a cat door appeared and Minerva jumped through it.

As she changed into her human form, she said "Nothing to worry about, just Filch. I clawed the hell out of him when he tried to grab me. Merlin, that felt good! Then I hexed him and tossed him in the broom closet. Sarah, would you mind watching the hall while I fix this scratch? You're the only one who conjures into something that would be around. Walk out and then transform. And would you mind conjuring up a water bowl while you're there? She nodded and left.

The meeting continued, with the JAG members officially being sworn into the Order. They all agreed that they needed to do this, even though their positions as military members would suffice as a loyalty oath since they were acting on direct orders. The next question, however, had nothing to do with the egg. He spoke directly to AJ.

"AJ, have you ever considered retiring from the Navy?"

AJ was taken aback by this question. "Well, yes, Meredith and I had discussed it – she has had to turn down several university positions that have been offered to her since she won't take a position where I can't go with her. If I retire I could go with her anywhere."

"Would a post at Oxford or Cambridge suit her?"

"I'm sure, buy why, if I may ask?"

"Because I want you to take over the headmastership of this school, that's why. Minerva would normally take it, but I have need of her at the ministry. Talk with your wife and let me know soon, please."

"Talk with me about what?" Heads swiveled towards the doorway, where a battered looking Meredith stood. AJ got up and she ran into his arms, immediately being engulfed in a hug from which neither seemed to want to let go. Finally Meredith drew back. "Now, talk to me about what, AJ?"

"The possibility of us moving to England and me taking over as headmaster here. There's an Oxford or Cambridge professorship in it for you."

"No discussion needed, take it, if that's what you want! I'd love to live here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I guess you have your answer, Dumbledore." Just then a knock issued from the door and a house-elf poked her head in with a tray. This is for Miss Weasley, she'll be up in a minute." She quickly bowed out. Suddenly a bathroom door appeared in the wall.

"Um, sorry mates. I didn't know the room could sense thoughts. Be right back."

"Not just yours." Harm wrinkled his nose, got up and handed Sarah to Mic along with the diaper bag. "She's all yours, mate."

"Thanks, Mate." Mic had just gotten a whiff of the diaper and making a face, disappeared into the bathroom. Shortly Sarah was clean and sweet- smelling again and Brumby handed her out to Harm so he could use the facilities.

"But wait, why are their two dinners on this tray?" Mundungus spoke.

"It's a signal that we were able to get a spy we wanted. It means he's coming with her. He's a Muggle, but the perfect person with the job he has."

A minute later Ginny breezed in with a "Hello everyone, sorry I'm late." Behind her trailed a young man in a naval uniform who looked oddly familiar.

"TINER?" Harriet blurted out. The other members of the JAG crew stared in shock.

"Harriet?" Then he looked to her right. "Admiral?" He was really confused now.

"Hello, Tiner, said a voice from the other end of the Rabb! Okay, WHAT is going on?"

AJ spoke. "First off, no ranks. We're working on a joint case; I'll explain more later."

Albus quickly administered the loyalty and secrecy oaths to Meredith and Tiner, and then handed out assignments for the next week. When the meeting was over, it was very late, so many decided to stay over. The women decided to have a slumber party, and invited the other women to come. Harriet told Bud AJ was his for the night. Molly smirked and informed Harm that Sarah looked quite comfy in his arms, so she could stay there. As Molly, Harriet, Jen, Sarah, Ginny, Minerva, Hermione, Professors Vector, Churchill (A/N - Home Ec) and Sinestra, and Meredith trooped up to the tower, AJ said – well, gentlemen, what shall we do this evening?"

Several suggestions were raised, but it was finally decided to pinch some biscuits, apples and marshmallows from the kitchen and introduce Harm and Tiner to Wizard's Chess. As the last of them left the Room of Requirement, the room slowly faded away until it was needed once more.