A/N: I own nothing. Do not sue me. It will just be a waste of your time.

The Heir

Chapter 1

The Order

Harry's first week at Grimmauld Place was fantastic, despite being a little depressing. Ginny had been writing to Harry back and forth over the summer. She had convinced Harry to get back together with her. He had been reluctant at first, saying that it was too dangerous.

"Harry, you say its too dangerous because if one of Voldemort's followers found out about us, they would come after me to get closer to you. But he probably already knows. Snape knew about us. Remember your detention, he said something about how he knew you'd rather be doing other things. So there's no point in us being apart."

After that letter, Harry could no longer argue. So, most of Harry's days were being spent with Ginny. They helped Mrs. Weasley put together Bill's wedding at the Burrow, which was being protected by several Order members and Aurors to add to the numerous spells already protecting the residence. Harry enjoyed spending time with the Weasley's particularly Ginny, though they got very little private time together.

The Weasley brothers took shifts watching Harry and Ginny. Of the six, Bill and Ron were the most lax in their duty, allowing the couple some private moments, which were not wasted. Fred and George, however, constantly remained by the pairs side. Their antics made for good laughs, though, which kept Harry from any semblance of anger. Charlie spent most of his shift bombarding Harry and Ginny with possible Quidditch tactics for next season. Harry had yet to tell the family of his plans to not return to Hogwarts. He wanted to first run it by Lupin.

Two days before Bill and Fleur's wedding, Order members started flooding into Grimmauld place. They obviously had a very important meeting, because Harry had never seen this many before. They took up the entire kitchen and living room of the house with no room left for walking. Finally, Mr. Weasley had the wisdom to move them into the spacious ballroom. They clustered together in small clumps. Harry soon realized, with humor, that they were in cliques. Kingsley, Tonks, Moody, and several others Harry guessed were Aurors were talking in low voices. Hagrid, Madame Maxime, who had greeted Harry with a bone-crushing hug, Lupin, and Firenze the centaur were discussing Ministry regulations on "half-breeds." There were other groups of wizards and witches speaking languages Harry did not understand. He had had no idea there were this many foreign wizards working for the Order. Last, but not least, a clump of at least twenty Goblins were talking to Bill. Harry guessed he must have finally convinced them to join our side.

Lupin broke up his conversation abruptly and called for silence, his voice magically enhanced. "I now call to order the 377th meeting of the Order of the Phoenix." Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny made their way toward the door, but were stopped by Mr. Weasley.

"You four may stay. This meeting concerns you as much as any of us." Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Mrs. Weasley glare angrily at her husband, but did not protest vocally. Harry felt guilty for a moment, but the guilt was quickly replaced by excitement.

"As you all know, this is the first time since the founding of the Order in 1972 that the entire Order has met at once. At that time, there were only seven members, including founder Albus Dumbledore. Of those original seven, only four remain: Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Arabella Figg, and Alastor Moody. We had no reason, until Dumbledore's death to risk having all of our members at the same place at the same time. At this time, however, it is imperative that we elect a new leader. We will begin with initiating four new members. Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginerva Weasley, and Harry Potter have all been considered for entrance into the Order of the Phoenix. We will now take a vote. All those on favor raise your right hand and say "aye"." Almost every hand went into the air. "And all opposed by like sign." Only Mrs. Weasley had any argument.

"Alright, if the four of you would please come forward. Kneel, please. Do you Harry James Potter agree to fight Lord Voldemort with all your power, to protect those he tries to destroy, to do whatever it takes to secure that our world remains safe for every person and creature, both magical and non-magical?" Lupin had a large smile across his face.

"I do."

A white light emerged from Lupin's wand, encircling Harry, then disappearing. He repeated the process with Ron, Hermione, and, finally, Ginny. Mrs. Weasley was in tears, but Harry tried to ignore her. He knew she had good reason to cry, all seven of her children now being in the Order of the Phoenix, willing to die for their cause. Harry just wished she could handle it a little better.

"Alright, now for the reason we came today. I now open the floor for nominations for leader of the Order of the Phoenix." A contemplative silence fell over the members. Harry knew what they were thinking, for he was thinking the same thing. Who could replace the Albus Dumbledore.

"If only we still had James Potter." Harry looked around, as did everyone else in the room to see who had said this. It was Moody. "He woulda been as good as Dumbledore."

"Or Sirius," muttered Professor McGonagall. "They were two of the best wizards I've met."

"Don't forget Frank Longbottom. Best Auror the Ministry's ever had," added Kingsley Shacklebolt, his shaved head gleaming in the candlelight.

"My first choice would have actually been Severus." Harry looked around to see Lupin staring intensely at the ground. " He was Dumbledore's most trusted confidant, after all." A gloomy silence fell.

" I nominate Remus Lupin." Harry did not know what had urged him to say this, but he had said it, anyway.

"I second the nomination." It was Mr. Weasley. There was a general murmur of consent. "All in favor say "aye"." No one was opposed.

"Well, I guess that settles that, then," said Lupin cheerfully. " Now, on to further business." He went on with descriptions of Death Eater movement in certain areas, for which he used a map of England, where most of the activity was taking place. He also mentioned incidents in Ireland, Greece, Switzerland, and France. In France, the main problem was with Giant activity. They talked of different assignments, including finding guards to protect Hogwarts. By the end of the night, Harry was ready to take every assignment he could get.

At the end of the meeting, Harry cornered Lupin. "Congratulation, Professor."

"Thank you, Harry."

"There is something I need to tell you," Harry started. Lupin suddenly seemed anxious. "I'm not returning to Hogwarts. There's too much work to be done with the Order, as well as work to be finished. Work started by Dumbledore."

"I'm sorry, Harry, but as your legal guardian, I will not allow you to leave Hogwarts, no matter what your motivation may be." Lupin was uncharacteristically stern as he said this.

" Well, I'm sorry Lupin, but since I am now of age, I may do as I please."

"Well, then Harry, as your leader in the Order of the Phoenix, I command you to stay at Hogwarts as a guard, while taking all the classes you would take as a normal seventh year. After you complete your N.E.W.T.s, then, you may do as you please." There was no argument. There was nothing Harry could do. He was legally bound to do whatever the Order instructed him to do.

"Fine."

"Harry, I wouldn't do this to you without reason. I have already arranged for you to start taking courses with two new instructors. They are Order members from the southeastern United States. They will be teaching at Hogwarts this upcoming year. They are two of the best wizards I have ever met. If they can do what I think they can, you will be unstoppable."

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