Ch. 12- Taking Action

The four of them jumped to their feet and started to talk at once. Dumbledore silenced them with a raise of his hand.

"It's alright. Telling the three of you to not tell anyone was part of my intention to get you to tell Mister Potter and Miss Evans," he said.

"But sir, I was told that bad things happen to wizards who meddle with time," Hermione said.

"To keep you from meddling with time foolishly, Miss Granger. That statement is only the half-truth. Bad things happen to bad wizards who mess with time to use to their advantage. To change time for the good of others is never looked down upon but it is risky business. Every thing must be changed precisely for the future outcome to be good, and so often the best of wizards have failed. I have a feeling that the four of you, with the help of some adult wizards, and helped immensely by you, Miss Granger… I have a feeling that we can change the future and stop Voldemort the first time before he has a second chance for a second time."

"You want us to help fight Voldemort?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Of course it is your choice, every one of you, to make," he said, "especially you, Hermione."

"Why especially me?"

"Because, Hermione, we will need your help the most in order to beat him," he said. "And the help of the rest of you. You're almost out of school, and we have to start now."

"I'll help," Sirius, Remus, James, and Lily said in unison. They looked at Hermione, who looked from them to Dumbledore.

"As will I," she said.

"Alright then, Hermione, what needs to be done?" Dumbledore asked.

"First thing, you need to start the Order of the Phoenix."

"I hadn't planned to start it so soon," Dumbledore said after considering. "Why start it so soon?"

"The first time you weren't prepared, sir. You need spies, and Aurors, and you need them now. The spies can start scouting out the Death Eaters, and we need double agents. Those to play the role of "Death Eater" and get inside information."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Anything else we need to know? Anything else we need to do?"

"Dumbledore, Snape… in the future he was a teacher, Potions teacher, and was good, but that was after he was a Death Eater and then saw the error of his ways. Sir, we need him on our side now, he's a good ally to have. Sir, I think… I think I can make him see, make him realize."

"No! Absolutely not!"

This wasn't Dumbledore, but Sirius.

"I won't let you associate with him," he told her when she looked at him.

"Sirius, you really have no say in who I associate with, and its attitudes like that that will make Severus not want to side with us."

"You… I… Fine, but I'm going with you."

"Suit yourself," she said and when her eyes caught Lily's odd expression. As if she had just realized something Hermione had not. Hermione raised a brow, but Lily just smiled.

"If that is all," Dumbledore said, clearing his throat and bringing Hermione's attention back to himself. Hermione blinked and thought before nodding.

"Alright, if you think of anything else, any of you, don't hesitate to come to my office, the password is 'Lemon Drop'."

With that he left, leaving the four of them alone once more.

Hermione locked the door and rewarded the room before sinking back into the awkward silence.

It was James who broke the silence five minutes later.

"Anyone care for a game of Exploding Snap?"

Review Reviews:

As I promised, here are my replies to your reviews. Be sure to review this chapter to see a reply on the next chapter.

MoonyNZ Yes, very long... but needed. And thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Longest paragraphs I have ever written.

Rane2920072 Happiness is only a figment of the imagination. No one can ever be truely happy. But don't worry, things'll get happier and such.

Blue-Fuzzy Yes, that "serious" and "dead serious" was the point. Yes, it's all sad, and will get sadder but there will be happy parts.

Thanks to my reviewers and special thanks to my returning reviewers. You're excelent.