Disclaimer: I own no part of this story except for the plot and spell work. J. K. Rowling owns everything else, including dozens of hours of my life that I am dedicating to this story.

Chapter 15: The Order of the Phoenix

Harry gave Hermione a smile as he entered Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore had asked the two friends to come back again today, for reasons that he left unstated. Harry hadn't minded at all; the meeting with Dumbledore had been an excellent excuse to spend the rest of the day with Ginny. They had spent a wonderful day relaxing in the company of one another while enjoying the beauty of nature. The two had spent most of the day outside, lounging under the tree that Harry knew the Marauders had frequented quite often during their days at Hogwarts. It had been very relaxing to sit back and enjoy the calmness that surrounded the school and, for the first time in nearly three years, Harry found himself no longer dwelling on the war. Normally beautiful days, days that Harry had enjoyed so much during his early years at Hogwarts, were tainted by the thoughts of those who had recently died or were ignored as Ron, Hermione, and Harry had debated on what the Order should do next to counter Voldemort's newest attack. Hogwarts had never seemed as peaceful as it did now and, even though the war was far from over, Harry finally started to see what the world would be like if he conquered Voldemort. The thought of others being able to spend a life like this warmed Harry's heart and he knew that he would give everything he possibly could to insure that future for others.

Harry turned towards Dumbledore as he woke up from his reverie and gave the old man a smile. Dumbledore, who knew the wonders of being able to think without disturbance, had waited patiently for Harry to finish whatever he had been thinking before greeting him.

"Good evening Harry. I trust that you spent a nice day with Ginny?"

Hermione turned to smirk at Harry as he "accidentally" caused one of the legs on Hermione's chair to disappear. Hermione was fast and put a quick levitation charm on the chair before fixing the damage done by the charm. Hermione turned to give Harry a withering stare and Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"It slipped, I promise."

"Uh huh, I believe that about as much as you denying that you didn't spend the entire day with Ginny."

"Well, I did have to go to the loo a few times, but aside from that I suppose you're right—about spending time with Ginny, not about the chair leg of course."

Hermione smiled but turned back to Dumbledore, nodding for him to start whatever they were there for.

"Harry—Hermione; I have called you here today to speak to you about the Order of the Phoenix. As you know the Order was first established when Voldemort started to threaten our world before you were born. Harry, your parents were part of it of course, as well as were many other brave men and women. As you also know, I reestablished the Order when Harry returned from the Tournament four years ago. Since then we have done everything in our power to prevent Voldemort from gaining the power that he once held. To be honest, I hoped that I would never have to induct you two into the Order. I had hoped that the war might be over before you had graduated, but, as it is not, I come here today to ask if you wish to be part of this organization. I do not think that I need to stress the seriousness of this commitment. Loyalty to the Order is not taken lightly and you must be prepared to lay down you life for the preservation of this group. Our goal has always been the extermination of Voldemort and we have fought, and some have died, bravely in search of this goal. I come here to ask that you might be part of this organization and become part of the family that we have worked so hard to create."

Dumbledore no longer had the familiar twinkle in his eyes but looked more serious than Hermione had ever seen him. It was quite disconcerting to see Dumbledore as serious as he stood before them. Dumbledore looked so unlike his usual self that Hermione suddenly realized that this war has taken a toll on Dumbledore as well.

"He is the most prominent and longest living member of this society. Aside from Harry, he has easily seen more friends die than any one here at Hogwarts. He has sent people to their deaths in hope that their sacrifices were not made in vain. Leadership certainly has its drawbacks and I am seeing them now as I look at every line in his wrinkled face."

Hermione briefly wondered if Harry would have the same haunted look that Dumbledore had on his face when the war was over. Harry had already been forced into leadership more times than Hermione could count and Hermione knew that there would be many more situations where Harry would have to take control. Harry had already had so many people die to protect him that Hermione was unsure if Harry could take the stress. However, one look at the calm man sitting next to her caused all of Hermione's doubts to disappear. Hermione knew that Harry would always fight till the end and would never give up. He might have to send people to their deaths, and Hermione knew that their deaths would grind on him, but Harry would not give in. Harry, whether he knew it or not, was the symbol of the Light side's struggle. Hermione knew that Harry would always serve as a light to others and, no matter how dark the world became, Harry would be with them until the end.

Harry was the first to speak, "Albus, I graciously accept your offer. I have wanted to be part of this organization since I first heard of it the summer I came to Grimmauld Place. I have grown and matured much since then, but my desire to join such a worthwhile organization has remained the same. I look forward to serving in a group that my parents dedicated their lives to as well; and I thank you for providing this opportunity for me."

Dumbledore nodded, knowing that no force on earth was likely to keep Harry from joining the Order. After a quick, fatherly smile at Harry, Dumbledore turned to Hermione. Dumbledore's blue eyes looked with Hermione's brown and Hermione wondered why she even felt hesitation when being asked the question. She already knew the answer, as did the other two occupants of the room, and Hermione wondered about her sudden indecision. She realized with a jolt that it was because of Ron, or lack of him rather. Hermione had never joined an organization without Ron with her. The two had been inseparable and Hermione once again found herself facing the reality of life without Ron in it. She had always taken for granted that Ron was going to be with her after this was all over. It had seemed so right that Hermione had never bothered to question it, but Voldemort had destroyed the life that Hermione had looked forward to so much. However, instead of letting sadness take hold of her, Hermione let her anger at Voldemort suddenly flare. She felt herself grow hot and even Dumbledore and Harry could see the waves of fury radiating from Hermione. Yet, as quickly as they had started, they were suddenly gone as Hermione gained control of herself once more.

Hermione turned to Dumbledore and replied evenly, "Of course I will be joining Professor Dumbledore. You can't really expect me to leave Harry to his own devices can you?"

"I most certainly cannot Miss Granger. Harry needs friends to keep him out of trouble," Dumbledore said with a significant look at Harry. It seemed that Dumbledore was hinting at something the two couldn't quite understand, and Hermione could only hope that they would understand before the end came.

Dumbledore broke the silence as he looked back and forth between Hermione and Harry. "Let me say that your parents would be proud of you, both of you. You two are beginning lives that few would dare to live. You have already chosen a profession that less than two percent of the entire wizarding world chooses and have now decided to join a group that is likely to lower your life expectancy even more. You two have already achieved more than your parents could have ever dreamed that you would and I can give you no more praise than that."

"Harry—Hermione—I am proud to welcome you into the Order of the Phoenix. We will be having our next meeting on Thursday at seven at Grimmauld Place. I look forward to seeing the two of you there."

Hermione smiled and nodded her head in response before standing up to take her leave.

"Coming Harry?"

"In just a second Hermione. I need to speak with Albus for a moment. I'll probably see you back at Grimmauld Place."

Hermione nodded and walked silently out the door. Harry turned back to Dumbledore and said, "I'm worried about Hermione. She doesn't seem to be the same since Ron died."

"I agree Harry and yet there is nothing we can do for Miss Granger aside from giving her the love and support that we are already doing. I am sorry to say that this is a problem that Hermione must work out on her own."

Harry nodded and turned to leave the room.

"Harry," Dumbledore said in a quiet voice, "as long as you are there for her, Hermione will be okay. She is a strong woman who will always be there for you as you must be for her. Hermione loved Ron dearly and misses his company, but she understands that she must move on in life. She will always be by your side, a friend until the end, and this puts her in considerable danger. I hope that the day never comes, but one day Hermione may be forced to make the same choice that Ron did. However, you mustn't fret over her choice. Both Ron and Hermione would have made the same choice, not because you are the person destined to defeat Voldemort, but because you are their friend. The love of friends is strong, a force that even Voldemort does not underestimate."

Harry looked at Dumbledore in wonder and, for the first time in his life, hoping that Dumbledore might be wrong. Harry had already lost Ron; he didn't want to lose Hermione too.

"Thank you Albus, but I can assure you that I will not let anything happen to Hermione. I failed Ron, but I will not fail her too."

Dumbledore replied in a kind voice, "You did not fail Ron in any way Harry. It was his choice to make and he made it without hesitation. Ron died a hero, saving the lives of the young man he treated as a brother and the young woman he loved."

Harry looked ready to protest, but Dumbledore cut him off quickly. "However, I do hope you are right Harry. The loss of Mr. Weasley struck us hard and I do not wish to lose yet another member of the Order to the war."

Harry nodded when the full impact of Dumbledore's words struck Harry. "Ron was a member of the Order?"

Dumbledore nodded and replied, "Yes Harry, for reasons that I cannot reveal to you today, Ron was inducted into the Order the summer before your seventh year. He was a prominent member who always fought for what he believed in and always had you and Hermione at mind whenever decisions were made. Ron's death did not only affect his friends and family, but struck a severe blow to the Order as well."

Harry looked ready to continue asking questions but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him.

"I will not tell you any more today Harry. There will be a time for you to know, but it is not time yet. You need to get home and get some rest, Auror training starts tomorrow."

Harry nodded seeing the truth in Dumbledore's words. As he turned around to walk out of the room, Harry said a quick goodbye.

"Thank you Albus, for everything."

"Any time Harry, remember that I am always here if you need me. There may be a time when you have to use a desperate plan and I would like it very much if you would speak to me beforehand."

"Yes sir," Harry said, again wondering how Dumbledore knew that things he did. Harry had indeed come up with a plan, a plan that might change the entire outcome of the war, but it was much too dangerous. Harry had vowed to never use it unless it was their last chance because more than just his own life could be lost.

Harry gave Dumbledore one last smile before walking out the door to head back to Grimmauld Place.


Author's Note – Wow guys…I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. I can't believe that it's already been almost 2 weeks since my last update. That was something that I promised myself would never happen. I have been hard at work though and I didn't want to release the first chapter before I had this one done too. Still, I am really, really sorry that I took so long. I hope that you enjoyed the chaps and I promise (and yes I mean it this time) to update later this week.