My apologies, everyone, for the delay. I've been ill, and unable to do much about posting lately.
As always, I own nothing – it all belongs to JKR, I'm just playing in her sandbox for a while.
CQ
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Chapter Five: Changes
The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix the following Tuesday night was well attended. Arthur had requested the attendance of all members, and the crowd that greeted Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny as they flooed in to 12 Grimmauld Place told them that everyone had taken him very seriously.
"Harry," Professor McGonagall greeted him with a nod.
"Professor. It's good to see you."
"And you. I'd like to speak to you soon about your future."
"My...?"
"I know that your career planning session in fifth year didn't exactly go well... but I was thinking that perhaps, now..."
"My career... ah," Harry nodded.
"You have some ideas?" McGonagall asked.
"A few. Perhaps after the meeting, a few things will be more clear to everyone, Professor."
McGonagall looked at him steadily for a moment before nodding. "I would be happy to meet with you, Mr Potter, and indeed, with any of you, if you feel I could be of some use to you."
"Thank you," Harry smiled.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked in an undertone as McGonagall moved away to take her seat.
"She's still acting like our head of house, Ron. I think that that was her way of saying that she knows we're not intending to come back to Hogwarts, and is willing to help us."
"Wow," Ron glanced at the Headmistress.
There was much shuffling and murmuring as people organized themselves in the incredibly packed meeting room.
"Everyone! Order, please!" Arthur's voice was raised above the noise. "If everyone could please take a seat so that we can begin?"
Within moments, everyone was quiet, and Arthur spoke again.
"Tonight, we have five new members joining us," he said. "Two of my own children, two more who are like my own, and one who has stood by them all these many years. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Weasley, Ginny Weasley, and Neville Longbottom join us tonight."
There were murmurs of welcome. Harry was still trying to get over Hermione's being addressed as 'Hermione Weasley'. From the look on Ron's face, so was he.
"Those who support the motion to allow these five..."
"Arthur," McGonagall interjected. "Proper procedure is to invite each of them, and approve each of them, individually."
"They inform me that they're a package deal, Minerva. If they aren't all accepted, none are willing to join," Arthur said, his eyes twinkling at Harry and his friends, reminding Harry, in an eerie way, of Dumbledore.
There were murmurs from the group at this.
"Mr Potter, if I may ask, why?" McGonagall turned to stare hard at him.
"Because we're a damned fine team, Professor," Harry said softly, with a smile. "And you don't mess with what works."
There were several chuckles at this.
"And because if we don't do what what has to be done with you lot, we're just going to go off and do it on our own, anyhow," Ron said coolly.
This produced silence in the room.
"We've learned to not dismiss your contributions, Mr Weasley," Minerva granted him one of her rare smiles. "Aye."
"Aye," many more voices spoke.
"Nays?" Arthur glanced around the room, satisfied with the silence, and nodded. "Motion is carried. Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix."
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After that, the meeting went quickly, as there were few issues to discuss. Arthur left the issue of funding to the end.
"Now, there is one last issue to be addressed," he said with a sigh. "And that is funding."
Groans were heard. Apparently, this was never a good topic.
"With Albus' death, we lost our major benefactor. I've been concerned all year with how to fund the Order..."
"We don't do this for the money, Arthur," Hagrid spoke. "I'd be involved if it cost me to be."
"Fortunately, Hagrid, that won't be necessary," Arthur smiled fondly at the Hogwarts gamekeeper. "A new benefactor has stepped forward."
"Who?"
"He has asked for anonymity," Arthur's eyes met Harry's briefly. Harry felt several eyes turn to him, and felt a momentary anger at Mr Weasley for being so obvious. "Suffice to say that our coffers have been replenished. To the point where we will be able to increase the stipend. Miss Granger... I apologise, Hermione. Mrs Weasley, I understand that you and my daughter have something to show us?"
Hermione stood, pulling out a parchment.
"Yes, Ginny and I worked this up last night. I understand that all of you have found that keeping track of the hours your devote to the Order has become a bit of a pain..."
Grumbles from around the room.
"... well, this ought to make that rather easier. We've developed this," she held up a smooth, round stone. "When you tap it with your wand and speak the charm, it will keep record on this parchment, which I will keep with me, of the hours you're working. When you're finished doing whatever you're doing, you simply tap it again, speak the counter-charm, and it will stop. No more keeping track. At the end of each month, I'll tally up the hours each of you has worked, and do the appropriate payout."
"Which our benefactor has insisted be raised to three galleons per hour," Arthur inserted.
"Three...? They've increased the stipend?" Tonks seemed amazed.
"They have, indeed," Arthur smiled. "Now, if there is no more business? Right. Adjourn?"
"Seconded," said McGonagall as she stood, watching as Hermione began handing out the stones that she'd created for each Order member, showing each of them how to key it to their wand.
As the room cleared, Harry heard Arthur call out to Remus and Moody, asking them to stay behind for a moment. Harry noticed Bill and Charlie hadn't moved from their seats. Arthur must have spoken to them earlier.
"Coming, Harry?" Ron stood.
"No. Ron, you and Hermione need to stay."
"What?"
"Some... business... to take care of," Harry said, looking meaningfully over at Ron's dad, who was involved in a short discussion with Hagrid near the door, and then back to Ron.
"I'll see you, then," Neville stood. "Thanks again, Harry."
"I'll be in touch, Nev," Harry said.
With a nod, Neville was gone. Ginny looked enquiringly at Harry.
"Shall I wait?" she asked.
"Right here," Harry smiled, taking her hand and keeping her from rising.
"Are you...?"
"Absolutely certain," he said, knowing what she was going to ask before she asked it. Ginny sat.
"What's this about then, Arthur?" Moody asked with a growl as the door closed behind Tonks as she herded the last of the stragglers out.
"This is about drawing a decent salary for your contributions, Alastor."
Moody glanced at Harry, then back to Arthur.
"Our benefactor?" he nodded in Harry's direction, waiting for Arthur's smile before continuing. "Alright then, what's up?"
"Harry?" Arthur turned to him.
"Mr Weasley..."
"Oh, no. This is your idea, son. You tell them."
Harry sighed, felt Ginny's hand squeeze his, and began.
"The four of you have been working full time for the Order for... well... from what I can tell, quite a while. For nothing more than the stipend amount that Dumbledore provided."
"Harry, we've been happy to..." Remus began, flushing lightly.
"Remus, you have a family started," Harry said. "We need you in the Order, but you can't be expected to continue out of the goodness of your heart."
"We..."
"Each of you has skills, experiences, that we need," Harry continued. "I'm willing to pay for it."
"This isn't about money, Harry," Charlie said firmly.
"No, it's not. It's about insurance."
"Insurance?"
"There are still... situations... that need to be dealt with. Until they are, none of us are safe. Our families aren't safe. There are several... key... people of Voldemort's still out there, and I for one, am not willing to give them time to regroup. I'm going after them. That's why I joined the Order."
Bill nodded, smiling grimly. Moody looked on without expression.
"But I can't do it alone."
"No one asked you to, Potter," Moody growled. "I'd have thought that you'd have learned by now..."
"People have families to support, responsibilities, Moody. People have to earn a living. So... here' s the deal."
"Deal?" Charlie asked, suspicious.
"Shut up and listen, Charlie," Bill said.
"You're each to continue working full time for the Order. I don't care what you tell others, you will simply continue to do what needs to be done, on a full time basis. In return, the Order will pay you a regular salary..."
"What?" Charlie interrupted, looking shocked.
"Charlie," Bill gritted. "Shut up!"
"...of one thousand galleons per month..."
Moody's eyebrows shot up at this. Harry thought it was probably the most reaction the old Auror had shown to anything that had been said that night.
"...if you agree to continue, to stay with the Order, until the job is done."
"What job is that?" Moody asked.
"I want them all, Professor. Snape, Malfoy, everyone who ever took the Dark Mark. I want them dead, kissed, or locked up in Azkaban with no chance of getting out for the rest of their lives. Once that's done, we'll discuss retirement pensions, but I wouldn't expect that to be any time soon, if I were you."
Moody stared at him for a moment before allowing one of his rare smiles to appear. With the heavy scarring on his face, it rather resembled a scowl, but Harry recognized it for what it was.
"I'm in, Potter."
Charlie whooped, and jumped up from his chair, grinning like a madman. "Count me in, little brother!"
Harry flushed at the address, then turned to Bill.
"Bill?"
"I don't think I've got much else on in the foreseeable future, Harry. I suppose I could spare a few hours here and there," Bill grinned.
"Remus?" Harry turned to the older man, the last remaining friend of his parents, and waited.
"You're aware of my... limitations, Harry. I may not always be available when you need me."
"You'll be available when you're able. That's enough."
"You..."
"Remus, I don't care about the lycanthropy," Harry said quietly. "We need you."
Remus paused, took a breath, then nodded. "I'm in."
"Good. Ron?"
Ron looked surprised. "What?"
"I can't do it without you. Same deal as the others. Are you in?"
Ron looked flustered for a moment, then turned to Hermione, his eyes questioning. "Mione?"
She just smiled at him, and Harry felt Ron relax.
"I'm in, then," Ron nodded.
"Mione?" Harry turned to her.
"I... what?" Hermione looked truly shocked.
"Are you in?"
"I..." Hermione stilled, then looked at Harry. "I don't think I can be, Harry."
"Why not?"
"I can't commit to full time hours. I have... I want to finish my NEWTs... the baby... I..."
Harry nodded. "Fair enough."
"I'll... still be available. If you need me to help," she said, almost worriedly, as he turned back to the group.
"I know. And you'll claim part time pay for it, too," Harry said, his voice firm. Hermione knew that tone... it was the one that told her not to argue with him.
Hermione nodded.
"Well, if that is..."
"Mr Weasley?"
"Harry?"
"We need a plan."
"I think..."
"We need to be proactive, Mr Weasley. We can't just continue to react when things happen."
"Of course not."
"Harry, we have no idea where to begin," Remus pointed out. "They've all gone underground. We've been having a hell of a time trying to find them."
"We do know where to begin, Remus."
"Until they show themselves..."
"I know where Malfoy and Snape are. Or, at least, where they were a month ago."
Silence.
"How?" Moody asked. "I've been looking for that little spawn of Lucius' for six months..."
"While we were gone, Neville Longbottom mobilized the DA," Harry said. "It's how we found Tom Riddle. It's how we got Ginny back."
"Where?"
"A month ago, Malfoy was spotted. After some moving about, he ended up at Spinners End."
"How did you know about Spinners End, Potter?"
Harry looked over at Moody, who was now looking at him almost angrily.
"I know a lot of things that no one thought I knew, Professor Moody."
"I am not, nor have I ever been, your professor, lad."
"You've taught me more about Defense Against the Dark Arts than all of the Defense professors I ever had at Hogwarts, with the possible exception of Remus."
Moody stared hard at him. "This information would have been helpful a month ago."
"I wasn't a member of the Order a month ago," Harry said quietly, not looking away. Somehow, he knew that Moody was judging him by this conversation.
"So, information is only shared if you benefit from the sharing?"
"No. Information is shared only when I'm absolutely certain that the people I'm sharing it with aren't going to ball it up."
Charlie snorted, but Harry didn't look away. Moody was thoughtful for a minute, then nodded.
"Always told Albus that there was more spark to you than he gave you credit for, lad. All right. We'll do this your way."
"Mr Weasley..."
"Go ahead, Harry. I think I'm better as an observer in this."
Harry took another deep breath, nodded, and sat forward on the hard wooden chair. The others did the same. It was time to make a plan.
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They returned to Potter Manor late, to find Molly waiting with a fresh pot of tea and hot scones.
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming back tonight," she greeted them, reaching up to kiss Arthur on the cheek.
"Just a long meeting, Mum," Bill said, dropping into a chair and drinking half his tea in one gulp.
"Good, though?"
"Very," Charlie smiled. "You'll be happy to know that Bill and I are now gainfully employed."
"You... what?"
"The new... benefactor," Arthur explained. "has arranged for full time pay for several Order members, Molly. Three of our sons included."
"Three?" Molly glanced around, her eyes lighting on Ron, sitting at the end of the table. "Harry Potter! You didn't!"
"Mrs Weasley, sit down, please. I... we need to talk."
"I..." Molly sat.
Harry looked around the table. Charlie, Bill, Molly, Arthur, Ron, Hermione, Ginny. He sighed.
"Mrs Weasley, I know you were hoping we'd return to Hogwarts this year."
"You all need your NEWTs," she stated firmly, her eyes spitting fire. Strangly, though, she didn't go any further than that.
"Yes, but..." Harry looked at Ginny. Her eyes were glowing with happiness as he spoke. "I think we're fooling ourselves by thinking that a return to Hogwarts, for any of us, would work."
"Well, Ron and Hermione, of course..."
"Mum, I'm going to be a dad," Ron said. "I have a family to support. I'm not going back to Hogwarts. And given the situation, I'm pretty certain they wouldn't let Hermione come back, regardless."
"I... well, perhaps not, but there is no reason that Harry and Ginny..."
"Mrs Weasley, I'm not going back."
Molly took a breath, knowing that Harry wasn't hers, that she couldn't tell him what to do. It had been a lesson hard learned for her. "I understand, Harry."
"And neither is Ginny."
"Harry, you're not..."
"Mrs Weasley, Ginny will be seventeen in two months. After what we've done this year, Hogwarts has nothing to offer her."
"She needs to get her NEWTs! You all do!"
"Yes, we do," Harry agreed. "That's where you come in."
"Me?" Molly stopped, surprised.
"Yes, you," Harry said. "We all joined the Order tonight. We're going to have things that need to be done with them. This next year... well, I intend to get a lot of clean up work done. There are a lot of... them... still out there, and I'm not stopping until it's done for good."
Molly nodded, but stayed silent.
"Ron has a family to support, Hermione is going to have the baby to look after. Hogwarts doesn't make sense. But we want our NEWTs. All of us do. I'd like to sit the tests next June, and I'm sure that Ron and Hermione would like to, too. I'd like Ginny to do so, as well, so that we can put it behind us and get on with our lives, but two years worth of work is a lot, so I'll leave that to her."
"But..."
"We need someone to help us. To facilitate what we need, to organize the resources and help us to make time to study... to talk to the officials, make the arrangements for us to sit the tests. Hermione, who has always done that kind of thing for us, is going to have her hands full. I know you home-educated Ron and Ginny before Hogwarts. Can you do it for all of us now?"
Molly was speechless.
"Of course she can," Arthur said softly, squeezing his wife's hand.
"I... Harry, I'm not a teacher!" Molly protested.
"No, but you want this for us as much... perhaps more... than we want it for ourselves," Harry pointed out.
Molly was silent, a look of grave concern on her face. She appeared to be thinking about it.
"It's going to take a lot of time, Mrs Weasley. I think, as the Order is benefitting from having the undivided attention of Ron and I, not to mention what Hermione and Ginny will be contributing on a part-time basis, I think it's worth a salary."
"I would not be doing it for the money, Harry Potter!"
"None of us are, but the fact remains that your time is valuable."
"I'd have to talk to Minerva..."
"Talk to whoever you need to, but help us do this."
She nodded, resignedly, then smiled shakily. "Very well, then."
"One more thing, Mrs Weasley..."
"What is it?"
"Do you think you could include Neville Longbottom in this, as well?"
"I'll floo him in the morning," Molly sighed. "All right, you lot! Off to bed, all of you. And I don't need to hear how you're a full-grown married man, Bill Weasley. Bed! Now!"