Chapter Two: A Simple Request

"Hey Ron," greeted Lupin. "Is your mum or dad around by any chance?"

"Yeah, they're around back," replied Ron. "We were beginning to worry if you two would show up," continued Ron as Lupin walked to the back, "what with your training and all."

"Yeah well a little time off wouldn't hurt," stated Harry. "Besides, I haven't seen you or Hermione since summer started. I had to get together with you guys at least once before you went back to school.

"So you still don't plan on going, mate?" asked Ron, disappointed.

"Nope. I've already destroyed two Horcruxes," said Harry, quickly lowering his voice to ensure no one could overhear. He then drew his wand and muttered Muffliato. "Can't take any chances that Fred or George may be using Extendable Ears," explained Harry. "So that just leaves me with trying to locate the real locket, some Gryffindor item, and Nagini. Considering she is Voldemort's personal pet though, that may prove difficult. After all that, I would still like to stop by Godric's Hollow," finished Harry.

"Wow, tough summer. Don't worry though, we'll be there with you the whole way. Horcruxes and everything," proclaimed Ron.

Harry couldn't help but smile. He wasn't keen on bringing his two closest friends into severe danger, but he was still touched by Ron's loyalty.

"HARRY!" exclaimed Hermione, running up to him and Ron. "I just saw Lupin and he told me you were out here," stated Hermione. Then all of the sudden, her smile turned to a look of concern. "Oh, Harry are you all right?"

Hermione quickly transfigured a rock on the lawn into a mirror and summoned it to her. She handed it to Harry.

"Never miss a chance to show off do you Hermione?" Ron directed towards Hermione.

Hermione, however, remained indifferent to the comment, her eyes still fixed upon Harry. Harry gazed into the mirror and was a bit surprised at his reflection. He had large, dark circles underneath his bloodshot eyes. He then looked at his face, which looked like it had not been washed in weeks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," assured Harry. "Just a little tired I suppose. Still, I better clean up before lunch."

"Good idea. Come on, Harry, I'll help you with your stuff," said Hermione, waiving her wand at Harry's trunk and using the Locomotor Charm to transport it beside her and Harry.

"Okay well hurry up," said Ron as Harry made off. "Come meet us down for some 2-on-2 Quidditch after that," said Ron.

Harry sighed as the last statement reached his ears, he knew what that meant. It was to be him and Ron versus Hermione and Ginny. Well maybe I won't have to talk to her if we're flying, thought Harry optimistically.

"So, are you really okay?" pressed Hermione once more, breaking Harry off from his inner thoughts. "When I talked to Lupin a bit earlier he mentioned you've been training day and night. I don't think that's healthy," said Hermione, visibly concerned.

"Yeah, well I'm trying to learn as much as I can. But I'll slow it down a bit from now on," finished Harry, spotting Hermione's concerned look once more.

He extracted his Firebolt from his trunk and set off towards Ron, but he encountered someone else first.

"Hey you," said Ginny, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Oh….er, hey," replied Harry awkwardly. Ginny stifled a giggle.

"Harry I'm going to go tell Ron we're coming before he has a conniption," interrupted Hermione. She headed off, leaving the two of them alone.

"So um, how have things been around here?" asked Harry, tentatively.

"They've been really chaotic. Bill and Fleur have been overseeing everything for the wedding, and were not too keen on anyone bothering them," explained Ginny. "And Mum and Dad have been running around trying their best to organize the Order, but everyone has been panicking ever since….well, you know," said Ginny, her voice trailing away.

Harry simply nodded, then looked away. He could tell that Ginny didn't think he was ready to talk about it yet, at least not with her. Harry didn't know if her assessment was right or not. It was true that Dumbledore's death was a touchy subject with him, but he knew from previous experience he can't keep everything bottled in and exlode on people later.

"Hey you two! Are you coming or not?" squawked Ron.

"Why yes, Ron!" Ginny replied sarcastically. "Hate to keep you waiting."

She started off towards Ron and Hermione, and Harry began to follow. However, Mr. Weasley stepped in front him before he even took a step.

"Harry! Good to see you. Say, can I have a quick word?"

"Sure, just let me tell the others to wait up…." continued Harry, but Mr. Weasley had already pulled him aside.

"Look, I know that your life is incredibly difficult righ now, but I have a small favor to ask of you," said Mr. Weasley.

"Umm…sure," said Harry uncertainly.

"Good, good. Replied Mr. Weasley quickly. "It has to do with the Order. As you may well have figured, everyone has been hit pretty hard by Dumbledore's death, and we now lack a leader. So well, what I'm getting at is….would you consider taking Dumbledore's place in the Order?"

"What?" Harry said in disbelief. "You want me to be the leader of the entire Order?" This hardly seemed like a small favor to Harry.

"Yes well, that was the idea," replied Mr. Weasley a bit shortly.

"Are you kidding?" asked Harry, trying not to seem rude. "I'm only 17 first of all, they won't listen to me. On top of that, I'm hardly right for the job. I wouldn't know what to do, and I've got my own things I need to take care of."

"But Dumbledore was very busy with other things too, Harry. And you're much more qualified for the job than you realize," encouraged Mr. Weasley.

"Well I'm not Dumbledore am I!" said Harry, suddenly feeling a bit agitated. "No one is!"

"Harry," Mr. Weasley said in his kindest voice possible. "I know you miss him, we all do, but he always spoke very highly of you, and showed complete confidence in you. I truly believe that he would have wanted you to take his place. I've already posed the idea to Lupin and a few others, and they all supported it."

"I just don't know what I'm supposed to do. You are all more experienced than me, why don't you or Moody or Tonks or someone take over?" pleaded Harry.

"I still have a job at the Ministry, remember that Harry. I still need to earn money for my family. And as sad as I am to say it, Moody's best days are behind him. He would not be a great leader right now. Do not think that we haven't considered our options, Harry. You are still the best man for the job."

Harry thought about it for a moment, and then said, "Can I think about it for a bit first?"

"Sure," replied Mr. Weasley. "Take all the time you need."

"Thanks," said Harry, and he walked towards Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, his head spinning.