Chapter Three: The Decision

As Harry continued to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, he met another interruption.

"Harry! When'd you get here?" asked Fred.

"About half an hour ago I suppose," came Harry's reply.

"My guess is you came a bit too early, mate. Things have really been crazy around here lately. Everyone's patience is running low. Anything you do around here is bound to get you yelled at," advised George.

"He's right. Earlier, we were testing out some new products for the shop, and one of our fireworks got loose," explained Fred. "And before we knew it, Fleur was screaming on the ground. Bill was furious."

"It didn't even hit her that hard," said George.

Harry managed a small laugh. The thought of Fleur hurt on the ground was not very funny, but he appreciated how in an ever-changing world, Fred and George were still the same as from the first time he met them.

"Thanks for the advice, but I better get down there before those three kill me," said Harry, motioning to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. "See you later."

Harry set off for the third time with his Firebolt, intent on flying for the first time in a while. When he arrived there, it was Ron who spoke first.

"Where have you been?" asked Ron in an inquiring voice.

"Sorry but I was interrupted first by your dad, then Fred and George," excused Harry.

"What did my dad want?" said Ron immediately. Ginny, who had been trying to teach Hermione how to catch a Quaffle, looked over with interest. Hermione did the same.

"Nothing," said Harry. "Let's start playing," he added quickly, eager to change the subject. Harry's eyes caught Ron as he turned, and he shot him a look of I'll tell you later. Hermione picked up the hint as well.

"Harry's right. I think I'm really getting the hang of this," added Hermione.

They all kicked off into the sky, and Harry felt the familiar brush of air on his face. He took a quick lap around the miniature Quidditch pitch, remembering why he loved flying so much.

The game itself wasn't very close at all. Despite Hermione's best efforts, she was still a horrific Keeper, not stopping a single of Harry's attempts. She did, however, manage to last her first whole game without falling off her broom.

After the game, the four of them headed off to eat lunch. They were the last people to arrive, for Lupin, Fleur, and the rest of the Weasley family (excluding Percy) had already taken their seats.

"This food is delicious, Molly," said Lupin, breaking the silence.

"Oh, you like it Remus?" replied Mrs. Weasley. "I tried something new this time…."

As the adults continued to talk about food and cooking techniques, Ron leaned into his left and spoke to Harry, "So what happened with my dad earlier?"

Hermione quickly chimed in, "It had to do with the Order didn't it?"

"Actually yeah," said Harry, surprised. "How did you know?"

"It's basically become Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's whole lives since Dumbledore's death," explained Hermione. "Besides, I overheard him talking to Lupin just before he found you. I couldn't hear distinctly what they were saying, but I did catch the words "Order," "Harry," and "approve."

Ron looked at Hermione with raised eyebrows. "I never knew you were one to eavesdrop Hermione," teased Ron.

"It's not eavesdropping if you weren't trying to overhear," stated Hermione matter-of-factly. "So anyway, am I right Harry? Does it have to do with the Order?"

Before Harry could answer though, he was interrupted.

"So Harry, Remus tells me your training is going well?" said Mrs. Weasley, out of the blue.

"Yeah I suppose so. Tiring, though," said Harry, honestly.

"Well you can certainly rest a bit when you get back to school," comforted Mrs. Weasley.

"Er, right," said Harry. He considered telling her he didn't plan on returning to Hogwarts, but decided that would just open up the door for a line of questioning that would lead to the Horcruxes, and he was positive Dumbledore would not have wanted him spreading that information around.

The rest of the meal was filled with talks of the next day's wedding, and plans for the remainder of summer. Harry, Ron, and Hermione cast each other a few anxious looks, but they decided it was best to wait for later to talk, when they couldn't be interrupted.

The three of them did not find an adequate time to talk for the rest of the day though, and the evening was busy as well. People were telling jokes and stories and enjoying their time together away from the terrors of the real world. The whole night passed, and they still couldn't find anywhere to talk alone, so they headed off to their beds without a word. Ron and Harry were again sharing a room, and they had both fell into their beds when Ron asked once more, "So what did my dad want again?"

"Do we have to talk about this now?" asked Harry. He was feeling quite tired and was not keen on thinking about such a huge decision.

"Of course," said Ron simply.

"Fine, but we should tell Hermione to come here before I get into this," pleaded Harry.

"But how?" asked Ron. "The others will notice if we get out of our beds, they're right on the other side. We could always Apparate into her room, but they would hear us."

"Hold on," said Harry. "I'll take care of it."

He had been eager to try this for the longest time, and he felt he could perform this spell accurately now. He pulled out his wand and concentrated on his message for Hermione, "Come to mine and Ron's room to talk." Then he muttered Expecto Patronum. A brilliant stag came out of his wand, paused for a moment, and then set off for Hermione's room.

Ron looked over at Harry in utter disbelief.

"How...what…..when….what did you just do?" asked Ron.

"Hopefully I told Hermione to come up here right now," said Ron, knowing perfectly well that didn't answer Ron's question. At that moment, Hermione Apparated at the foot of Harry's bed. She was harboring the same look Ron was and staring at Harry.

"Harry, how did you learn to do that?" asked Hermione. "That is supposed to be very difficult magic, and only a few know how to do it."

Harry simply laughed. "It's not that much different that producing a normal Patronus really," he said, modestly. "Besides, in case you haven't noticed, it's not that rare. The entire Order knows how to do it, in fact, it's their primary form of communication."

Hermione and Ron took in this knowledge, but it did little to suppress their amazement. They decided that the Patronus was a subject for another time though, and continued on to the reason the three of them were assembled in the first place.

"So, Harry," Hermione spoke, "what did Mr. Weasley want with you?"

Harry breathed a sigh, and then faced the both of them. "Well, he asked me to take Dumbledore's old position as leader of the Order." He looked at both of them, gauging their reactions. Hermione looked consumed in thought while Ron was just sitting there with his mouth hanging open.

"You? Leader? Of the entire Order?" asked Ron. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I'd think about it."

"How can you even think about it?" interjected Hermione. "You're much too young, Harry. Besides, your concerns should be of the Horcruxes."

"That's what I told him," said Harry. "But the more that I think of it, the more I'm thinking that it'd be to my benefit. I mean, if I am supposed to be destroying these Horcruxes and ultimately, Voldemort, then wouldn't the Order be of assistance to me. I don't really plan on telling them what I'm up to, much as Dumbledore didn't tell them what he was up to, but it would certainly help me to gain information from them and them from me."

"But Harry, what can you tell them? Your most valuable information about Voldemort has to do with the Prophecy and the Horcruxes, and Dumbledore told you not to tell other people about either of those things."

Harry thought about this. Hermione was right, he really couldn't offer them much information. Still, he himself had considered several other possibilities to take the position and had come to the same conclusion as Mr. Weasley. Harry as leader just seemed to make the most sense.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but I think it's in the best interest of the Order that I take Dumbledore's old position," Harry said finally.

"Well, if that's the way you feel, I trust your judgment," conceded Hermione.

"Does this mean," said Ron, breaking his silence, "that you would control who becomes members of the Order?"

"I suppose so, yes."

"Well then, can Hermione and I join?" asked Ron cautiously.

"Well, as long as your parents don't object, it's fine by me," Harry said to Ron.

"Couldn't you overrule them?" asked Ron hopefully.

"Technically I can, but I think that your parents should have the final say. Your parents would probably be worried sick if you joined," said Harry.

Ron chuckled. "Well, they'll be worried after I go with you after the Horcruxes, and there's no chance they're stopping me from doing that."

"We'll worry about that when it happens Ron," stated Hermione. "But as for now, I'm beat. I'm going back to bed. I reckon they're gone from outside the room now, so hopefully Disapparating won't wake them up." And with a loud crack, she disappeared.

"She's got the right idea, mate. I'll see you in the morning," Harry said, already starting to drift off to sleep.