Chapter 3

Amelia Bones felt like she was fighting another war, and this one was with the ministry. Every day she walked into a new battle at the ministry whether it was with Scrimgeour, the increasing shortage of capable wizards who could fight, or the pressure to support and sign-off on the W.A.A. She felt like resigning some days, but she knew that wasn't on the table, not with the ministry in its current state. It pained her to see so much corruption and politics when the people needed them now more than ever.

Amelia looked at her clock as she finished getting dressed, it was almost five in the morning, and her guards would be waiting at the door to escort her to the ministry. She would grab a quick breakfast and continue whatever battle awaited her at the Ministry, as it had been since she became head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. As she left her room and exited down the stairs, a man stood patiently by the door in the Foyer. He was dark-skinned, tall, and had an incredibly big smile that could be seen for miles. While there was little light in the house as the sun hadn't come up yet, she could tell he had on a black robe.

"What a beautiful home you have here! I really love it!" The man said cheerfully, "Although, not a huge fan of tile."

Amelia dropped her bags and quickly grabbed her wand, pointing it at her uninvited guest.

He frowned, "That's not how I like to be welcomed in a home!"

"Who are you, and where are my aurors?"

He smiled, "My name is Light. The Dark Lord sent me. As for your aurors...well, I get pretty hungry in the morni-

Amelia didn't give him time to finish as she sent a spell at him, but it only ended up exploding the tile on the floor. Amelia immediately rolled down the stairs, dodging a black spell that had come from behind her. As she got up, she sent a succession of spells upstairs before running into her spacious living room which was dark. She moved against the wall, frantically watching the two exits of the room.

"You can hide, but I'm everywhere."

Amelia shot a spell at where she had heard the voice, but he was not there. She kept moving along the edge of the wall, knocking over a picture frame of her and Susan. Susan. Amelia moved her wand around in a circle causing a ball of flame to grow from the tip. Susan wasn't going to lose anyone else.

Amelia let go of the ball and watched as it split into six different smaller balls but remained in a circle. She took her wand and ran back into the foyer area where Light was nowhere to be found, the circle of balls following behind her.

"Fire is not fun for anyone."

One of the balls immediately shot toward where the voice had been, which was where she just was, immediately causing some of the glass to explode and furniture to catch fire. Amelia took the opportunity to run for the door, she would be at a bigger advantage in her large front yard. As she bolted out the door, she slipped as she made it on the outside. As she picked herself up, she noticed that a strange liquid had covered her. She looked over toward the corner of her door, where Amelia felt sick as she noticed, what seemed to be a pile of bloodied bones. Tears began flowing from Amelia as she continuing running out onto the yard, looking back only to see the flames inside the house beginning to grow.

Light followed out the door, his eyes glowing ice blue, and a much more sadistic smile sitting on his face. Amelia pointed her wand as the remaining fireball flew toward Light each causing a much more explosive blast than the last. Amelia watched as her home and yard began to burn from her spell. She patiently waited as the debris cleared, her wand unmoving toward where Light had been last.

"Haven't you caught on yet."

Amelia felt chills as she turned, ready to hit Light with another spell, but this time she felt something pierce her her stomach. Amelia cried out in pain as she was lifted off the ground, blood spilling from her lips as whatever had pierced her continued to push through to the other side. Her wand fell from her numb hands as coldness enveloped her and her chin fell, unable to lift her head up.

"I am everywhere," Light laughed, "I'm pretty cool, right?"

Amelia managed to look down as she felt herself begin to lose consciousness. What had gone through her stomach was what looked like a solid black matter in the shape of a spear. She cried out in pain as the spear disappeared causing Amelia to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

"To think, that pretentious shit Caine thinks he's the best elite member," Light said as his voice came closer, "Fuck him, you kn-Oh, Amelia, Are you with me?"

The last thing she saw was Light standing over her, his eyes completely black as the night sky and his beaming smile looking over her hungrily.

Love. It's an emotion Harry didn't know much about. He didn't love the Dursleys, even though they were his only living relatives, only visiting to make sure his mother's sacrificial protection could stay intact. He trusted Blaise and Draco more than he has ever trusted anyone, but he didn't love them. The only person who could come close was Albus Dumbledore, his mentor that sat in front of him.

It had only been a week since classes had started, and the monotony of academia had already began. It was different of course with the war going on. It, now being common, for students to be called out of class for the loss of a relative, some innocent and some not so. Harry, at times, felt a small sense of relief that he didn't have any relatives to worry about. With the first week ending, he had gotten a letter to meet with Dumbledore, who had made it back from a foreign visit with Kingsley Shacklebolt. Every resource counted.

"Harry, There have been short times in my life where I have wondered If I made the proper choices...The most important being after the death of your parent's. I could have gave you to the Dursleys, and let them care for you. I could have gave you to a loving wizarding family, like the Weasleys'. I decided to keep you and raise you myself and to train you with the help others...it's a choice that I will debate to my grave." Dumbledore said thoughtfully behind his desk.

There was a pause, the only sound coming from many of the gadgets that were strewn around the room, and the sound of many of the old headmaster's portraits snoring. Harry couldn't help but wonder where Dumbledore was going with this.

"Alas, I must remind myself that the past is written in stone, but the future has yet to be written. I trained you because I knew that wasn't the last of Voldemort. I do have speculation as to what the prophecy is actually referring to, but I wanted you to be prepared, and I wanted you to be cared for in a way that the Dursley's wouldn't have. I do not regret my time with you, and I don't regret the leader you've become today, although, I wish I had allowed you less time with my brother. Why am I saying all this? I will not prolong time any longer...I have less than a year left to live."

Harry searched for any signs of deception. He could only focus on his mentor ahead of him, who had put his right hand on the table. It was black and withered.

Harry seemed unable to speak as he sat silently for a few seconds. Finally, he managed, "How?"

"The ring, Harry. Marvolo's ring. I-I foolishly put it on without thought because I was eager in testing the resurrection stone. If it wasn't for Severus and, mind my modesty, my extraordinary skill as a wizard, I would have died. While he managed to temporarily stop the curse from spreading, it will continue soon."

Harry was composed but his mind was spinning. It seemed unfathomable that Dumbledore was going to die and yet here it was...the unfathomable now fathomable.

"Is there a…

"Cure? I don't believe so but I remain optimistic."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"With the aftermath from the wedding, I didn't think it was the appropriate time. Harry, I'm not sad about my death and neither should you. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand why I don't want you involved in the war right now. I want you to enjoy the simplicity of being a student… for just a little while longer, however impossible that may be. Because when I die, you will be the next leader of the order and all the weight that accompanies that."

Harry sat silently, it was a lot to take in. He felt heavier and even his clothes seemed to weigh twenty more pounds than before. He had expected maybe a few war-related updates, not this. Harry took a deep breath upon realizing that his hand had been tightly gripping the arm of his chair.

"I won't let you down."

"I know that you won't. I will continue to search and look for the remainder of the horcruxes with the order. I have not told anyone but Severus, and will not until it's time. It's best not to let people worry too soon, everyone has enough to worry about without this. Harry, it is my truest desire, that you be a student...for a little while."

"You can't leave me out of the loop, especially now!"

"I will keep you updated so that you know everything I know, and you will still train, but I don't want you involved if at all possible. This is your last chance for some pseudo-normality, and I believe that is what is best."

"I understand."

"I need you to still be vigilant inside of here as there are young death eaters here. Some may have been commissioned to create a way inside of Hogwarts for an invasion. As much of a concern that is, my thoughts and focus will not be here as much as they will be on the horcruxes and gathering resources."

Harry nodded, It was a lot to take in. He had imagined he would have some control over the Order of the Phoenix, but never as its leader, and he could never have imagined Dumbledore to die even though he knew it inevitable. It was a reality he hadn't quite accepted yet, but it was one he would have to operate in.

Harry shook his head, "If that is your wish, but I want to know every detail. These purebloods aren't going to slay themselves. "

Dumbledore managed an elderly and kind smile, "It's good to see that you have your humor. As Severus tells me, Voldemort has been lying low, quiet about his plans even to the elite. I suspect that he is aiming his wand at the Ministry and that Tom Riddle is aiming at Hogwarts. This is further supported by the disappearance of Amelia Bones this morning. "

Harry thought about the elite. No one knew next to nothing about them. Supposedly, they included only the most devout and powerful wizards that followed Voldemort. Those who encountered any of them, didn't live to tell the tale. Severus was on the elite, but he was bound by what knowledge he could leak due to some of the unbreakable oaths made, but it was as good as they were going to get. While the Horcrux Tom Riddle was given the lower levels of Death Eaters to control and mess with.

"She was one of the good ones."

Dumbledore smiled at Harry again, "I think that's enough for today, Harry. I've burdened you with enough for a lifetime this morning."

Harry stood up, his face expressionless, "You know how to reach me."

As he turned to leave the office, he couldn't help but think about how he felt, and the truth was he felt numb. He wanted to feel so much more, but all he could think about was the war. He hated not feeling more for Dumbledore's death, but it all took a backseat to his hatred of Tom Riddle and Voldemort. That's the only emotion that he could feel. Hate.

Harry walked into Defence against the Dark arts, twenty minutes after it started, his mind still trying to process everything that had happened. Still wishing he could feel some deeper emotion other than surprise about his mentor's death.

"Mr. Potter, It's good for you to join us, I will only take 10 points from Slytherin for your tardiness. Now, as we begin to go over nonverbal spells more, I will be putting you in groups. They will be important in actually using what you are learning in team-oriented obstacles. A big portion of your grade will be how well your group does in the challenges and obstacles given to you," Professor Alric said as he picked up a clipboard, "So the first group is Draco Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass, and Seamus Finnigan. After I call your groups, please gather in them and introduce yourself."

Harry noticed a big confident grin from Draco as he got up, his head held up just a little bit higher than usual. Professor Alric continued to call groups until his was called.

"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley,"

Harry got up and met them in an empty corner of the classroom. Hermione smiled sheepishly. Ron was visibly upset to be in the same group as Harry. It had been known that Ron had blamed him for the death of his sister, and he couldn't blame him, he wish he had been stronger.

"Potter," Ron begrudgingly said

"Weasley," Harry replied

"Now that you are in groups, we will continue our lesson on nonverbal spells. Today, we will only focus on attack and response. Each of you take turns using a spell while the other defends, whether attacking or defending, all spells must be nonverbal. Everyone must keep doing this until everyone in your group is a master at it. If you need me, feel free to call me over. You may start."

"I guess I'll start with an attack," Hermione said

"I'll sit out," Ron said awkwardly

Harry took a couple of steps back until Hermione was far enough from him.

"Start whenever you're ready," Harry said,

Hermione nodded as she concentrated and without pause, a light green energy shot forward from her wand. With a flick of his wand, the spell had disappeared. Truth be told, he didn't his wand to do simple things as banishing a spell, but the less people knew, the better.

"Alright, it's your turn, Harry."

Harry didn't take a pause as he shot a spell toward Hermione, who was able to terminate the spell as well as Harry. She seemed pleased with herself as she got out of the way.

Ron slowly moved to where Hermione had stood. His face began to get red as he began to concentrate, finally, he moved his wand, but nothing happened. His face got even redder in embarrassment.

"Concentrate on the incantation and your intent, visualize it, and then put it all together in your wand movements," Harry said patiently

Ron nodded, took a breath, and tried again. This time a light blue spell shot forward from Ron's hand to which Harry easily banished.

"Thanks..." Ron replied sheepishly

Harry gave a curt smile, "Do the exact same thing,"

Harry shot a spell toward Ron who was unable to terminate it, but was able to repel it toward the ceiling where it left a black smudge.

"Not quite... try again," Harry said as he shot another spell

Ron concentrated and moved his wand, allowing a red spell to shoot out and terminate the spell like what Harry and Hermione had done.

Harry nodded in approval as they gathered back into a huddle. Ron was visibly both red and sweating as he excused himself to the bathroom, leaving only Hermione and Harry.

"How did you become so powerful," Hermione asked abruptly.

Harry was taken back by Hermione's quick questioning, but he knew how abrasive she could be.

"I'm not, I just practice a lot."

"I don't think that's entirely true. I still remember the troll. You know far more than you let on."

Harry remembered, he had saved her from the troll their first year, and although it wasn't an easy task for him. He managed to kill it with only minor scrapes and bruises. Of course, Hermione had never forgotten that day and while they weren't exactly friends, she wasn't afraid of him like others were.

"Furthermore, You seem to have a great sense of control over your magic. I've noticed in any class, you don't take nearly enough notes to get the results you do."

Harry smirked, "You caught me. I'm an all powerful time traveler from an alternative universe. Hiding my immense power until the right time."

"Don't insult my intelligence, Harry!"

Before anything else could be said, Professor Alric dismissed the class, giving them several assignments due before next class. Not wasting any time, Harry grabbed his stuff and left.

"I think Greengrass and I will go the distance," Draco said as he appeared next to him in the hall

Greengrass. Ever since that first night, they didn't much talk, and if they did it was short and abrupt. He could tell she didn't trust him even if he hadn't killed Knott, but it didn't matter, they were there to patrol the halls not to become friends.

"Malfoy, is the Greengrass family loyal to the dark lord?"

"Yes, but distantly. It's hard not to, every pureblood family besides the Weasley's and maybe a couple of others are loyal to the dark lord. Like I've said before, It's a win-win situation as long as you stay uninvolved. You live a prosperous life if the dark lord wins or he loses, and you're still enjoying a prosperous life."

Draco smugly looked over at Harry, "My word Potter, are you developing a little fancy for my future mate?"

"No, I need to know so I can be on my guard."

He had never felt that way about anyone, and he didn't want to as long as the war was going on.

"On your guard? You get up at five in the morning to train, trust me, no one in this school is taking you down, " Draco said as he spotted Pansy, "You and Blaise are so uptight, live a little! Now, if you don't mind me, I'm off to go do a little bit of living."

A/N Thanks for reading!