Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HP characters. JK Rowling gets all of the credit.

~ "You are utterly the stupidest, most self ~ centered, appallingest
excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other
plane!" ~

~ Death ~

There was a very stunned pause throughout the room until everyone regained their wits and then there was an outburst of 'why didn't you tell anyone's and 'why on earth would your family be the stewards', mostly there were 'what the hell?'s. (I know that wasn't grammatically correct, live with it).

"SILENCE!" shouted Dumbledore. There were very few who had ever heard Albus Dumbledore raise his voice and even those were startled when he did, in fact the only one who remained impassive throughout the entire episode was Snape. "You know why Severus did not tell us his secret until now. It has been forbidden by centuries of traditions." Severus nodded his agreement at this statement. "If you don't mind my asking Severus could you please tell us which side of your family are the stewards?"

"My mother's side," when it was obvious that the group wanted more information he continued. "When the Slytherin name ended with two daughters being born and married off, my mother's family became the stewards. She told me when I was sixteen and I have kept it to myself ever since, my father didn't even know. She said that there were two and that one would be worthy and one was not. If you want to know more ask her, she is the keeper of the secret right now since Melissa died, when she dies I will keep it. Until then I will have no idea who the heirs are." He looked tired and very worn at that moment. There were bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept in days and he was even paler than normal.

"Thank you Severus, I will contact her. Is she still living at your family estate in Madrid?"

"Yes."

"Very well, why don't we move on to a new topic," said Dumbledore trying to change the subject.

A few moments later Moody asked the second question on everyone's mind.

"How did a seventh year muggleborn defeat nine death eaters? They were out cold, most of them will have to be hospitalized before their trial."

"I have spoken to Ms. Edwards about that. The girl seems to have gone through quite the ordeal. When she heard the death eaters she went to investigate, of course they found her." Dumbledore's face suddenly reflected every one of his 143 years. "They made her watch as they killed Ms. Thomas, slowly, and then each of her friends at the orphanage. The death eater's were definitely after her for the information on the next heir of Slytherin. Voldemort will either want to train them or kill them, and from the evidence before us I believe that if the heir is found by Tom they will be eliminated."

"What happened after that?" asked Tonks as if listening to a very interesting children's story.

"Well that I cannot explain, Ms. Edwards said that she felt a kind of rush. She described it much like a muggle adrenaline rush. She said something about a lightning and then one striking her. Her description was most perplexing, apparently the next thing she saw was all of them lying there and you all coming to her rescue." No one noticed the look of comprehension on the face of Severus Snape as the headmaster concluded his explanation.

"So she has no idea? That's a little unbelievable. She could be lying, I say we use Veritiserum on her!" growled Moody.

"I believe her," said Albus promptly ending the line of discussion. "Now I believe that we have some other business to attend to regarding the order. Minerva may I have the list please?" He reached across his desk and took a very small piece of parchment from the Deputy Headmistress. "Now, we've made a list of new candidates for the order, considering what happened at the ministry last term I think it's time to induct some young blood into our ranks. These individuals have more than proven themselves. Well, there's obviously Harry," Snape mumbled something that sounded like 'damn golden boy' but Albus went on like nothing had happened. "Hermione Grangers parents have agreed. Arthur what did you and Molly decide?"

"I'm telling you Albus she's in a right fit with you right now but she's agreed."

"Ah, wonderful; Fred, George, Ronald and Virginia Weasly, Neville Longbottom," Snape then mumbled something to the effect of 'bloody insane' while Albus continued on. "Luna Lovegood, and now Rinoa Edwards."

Authors Notes: Ok so I promised there would be romance and action in this one. Sorry. I promise it's coming up though, I just got carried away with all of the explaining. Next Chapter is all about Harry, he's escaping from the Dursley's! yey. I know we all hate them. Keep reading.