A/N: Yes, this is the second chapter. I know I don't seem to update at all, unless it's submitting my poetry, but I am determined to get this story done for all who bother reading my poetry and stories. Well, mostly my poetry, since Lost Trust seems to have died on me. And I apologize for that one folks, I truly do. Anyway, special thanks to all out there who bother to read any of my drivel on here. And remember, Review! It's what keeps us writers on here going, it really is. Til next time!

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Early Morning, November 8, 1998, Hogwarts & Hogsmeade, New Order HQ

The sky was pitch black, the Sun completely blocked from view from the billowing clouds of soot and dust that seemed to cover most of the planet since the muggle World War and the onslaught of Voldemort's rising war machine. Seeing this, and knowing things could only get worst before they got better, Harry Potter sighed and shook his head. How could things have gotten so far out of hand? Dumbledore had died only a few months before from Voldemort's Killing Curse, and Mcgonagall was still missing, and presumed dead. Two of the most valuable members of the Order gone, and never to return.

"Harry, it's time. The council is ready to discuss the war effort," Remus Lupin's voice shook Harry out of his reverie. Harry nodded and started to rise from his seat on the dusty ground that now surrounded Hogwarts.

"Ok, let's go Moony. I want to get this over with and start training the new recruits in the muggle weapons we scavenged out of that half-destroyed army base the other day. Lord only knows whatever we can get we need to use."

As both men walked into the school turned part military base and part refugee camp, they could only pray to whatever deity existed to let them see another new day. As they walked into the Entrance Hall, Harry spotted Ron and the others standing next to one of the council members chatting over some new spell models that Hermione had begun to create in order to strengthen the wards that surrounded the entirety of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Ron spotted Remus and Harry walking in and excused himself to go greet them.

"Hey Harry. Any idea on when the Yanks are going to come across the pond and give us a hand?" the redhead asked in a tired voice.

"Mate, the bloody Yanks are still fighting their own war over there against Voldemort's supporters. They haven't the time to send any aid except what we've gotten so far," said Harry in an equally tired voice.

'Hell, we're lucky that the spare food and clothing they've managed to get over here actually MANAGED to get over here.' Harry thought bitterly. He shook his head and gave Ron a sad smile after noticing his friend's pensive face.

"Don't worry, Ron. The Americans are going to get here. Last we heard, they've managed to beat back the Death Eaters and have now secured most of the country."

"Alright then. Hopefully they'll be here by Christmas. Then we can really take the war back to Snakeface, eh Harry?" Ron replied with a hopeful tone creeping into his voice.

Harry just gave Ron another sad smile and started to make his way to the Council's meeting room. As he walked, he reflected on how the war was going so far. Most of the world was destroyed by the Muggle War, a war in which the muggles finally let fly their nuclear weapons, and those countries that weren't in total anarchy were bad off. It seemed to Harry like only the Americans and the British managed to avoid the most destruction, but with it, came Voldemort, bent on picking up the pieces of the shattered world and molding them into his own personal nightmare. All told, three billion people were dead, magical and muggle, from the 2nd War, and the Muggle War. Most of the fatalities though, were from the muggle nukes. Not even the Voldemort could freeze the flames of a nuclear hell, let alone a regular strength wizard.

Without even realizing it, he was at the Council's Chambers, where the meeting was about to take place. As he walked in, Mad-Eye Moody spotted him and waved him over. Moody had an apprehensive look on his face, his normal eye and his magical one darting around looking for everything and nothing. Harry walked over to him and noticed that the grizzled old vet seemed agitated, almost...scared.

"Moody, my god man. Calm down and tell me what's wrong," Harry asked the old auror, "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad."

"Potter, it IS that bad. The Americans...god...they're in the middle of a civil war! Voldemort has convinced some of the remaining population that if they fight for him, he can give them their lives back. Our allies there had the country almost under their control, but now..." Moody trailed off.

"What, Moody? What happened to our allies and their gains? Please, Moody, tell me! It's important we get the Yanks to help us here!" Harry exclaimed in a worried voice.

"Our allies are decimated, almost completely obliterated in a series of major battles along their eastern coast. All the gains made in the past year they've made, they are gone. Now, the Death Eaters and theones who switched sidescontrol over half the country, and the remainder of our allies barely hold what's left."

After this bit of startling news, Harry walked back to Lupin pale faced and with a haunted look in his eyes...

"Harry, what's wrong? Tell me please, I know it's got to be bad..."

"Dear God, heaven help us all..."