AN: Apologies that this update has taken rather longer than usual, I didn't manage to finish it before I went camping and there was absolutely 0 internet there. On the plus side, this chapter is a bit longer than usual, so I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading...

Though Harry wouldn't give up his weekends with Teddy for anything, he couldn't deny that he was glad to be back at Hogwarts. Not because of school itself, but because it was truly hard being apart from Ron and Hermione. He wouldn't claim that it was healthy, their need to be with each other, the need to constantly check they were safe. But since their year together on the run, that was just how it was. Being apart from them left Harry tense and on edge. How could he protect them if he wasn't there?

When Harry did return to school, he could tell straight away that the weekend apart had been just as hard on Ron and Hermione as it had on himself. Their shoulders sagged with relief when they saw him, the dark circles under both sets of eyes indicating the poor night's sleep they'd had.

They'd spent Sunday afternoon down by the lake, just the three of them, enjoying the last of the summer weather. It felt nice to be together again, to relax and hang out and talk about inconsequential things.

By Monday, Harry was back in the swing of school. Breakfast, which was usually a quiet, sleepy affair, was a little more raucous as Seamus and Dean excitedly discussed and shared their plans for celebrating Seamus' birthday.

"So, originally we were thinking we'd host it in the new 8th year digs," Seamus explained. "But then we figured none of the younger years are allowed in our dorm."

"Which is an issue," Dean interrupted. "Since Seamus has his eye on the curvy Ravenclaw blonde in 7th Year." The tanned boy guffawed as his friend thumped him.

"Anyway," Seamus continued. "We figured a better venue would be the Room of Requirement."

Dean chipped in again, "Plus this way we know they'll be enough chairs for everyone and the decorations will be taken care of too."

"Yeah, so the only other things we need to get sorted are the food and the," Seamus lowered his voice. "Contraband."

With toast in his mouth, Ron suggested, "You can always go down to the kitchens and ask the house-elves to supply the food. It's what my brothers always used to do when they were organizing a Gryffindor party."

"Right, good plan. I've got a free later, I'll pop down to the kitchens then." Seamus planned.

"But what are we gonna do about the booze?" Dean asked the group, head low and voice hushed.

The others subconsciously copied his stance.

"I wonder if the old tunnel to the Hogs Head still works?" Neville whispered conspiratorially. "I bet Aberforth would provide us with some light refreshments!"

"That'd be good." Said Seamus. "Though knowing Aberforth he'll add on a charge for his trouble. Who's chipping in?"

"Me."

"Me."

"Me."

"Me."

"Me."

"Me." Everyone turned in shock when Hermione's voice joined the chorus. "What? You think the 'Gryffindor Princess' doesn't like a party? I bet I can drink you all under the table." She joked.

"War changed you, Hermione." Seamus commented, still a little shocked. "And I bloody love it!"

In Defence that morning, Severus had them practice duels with wordless spells only, which felt like some revision from 6th year. "You can all cast non-verbal spells in class, but you seem to forget when in the midst of a duel." Snape had said. "It needs to become second nature to you, so you do it even when your blood is pumping and your mind is focused on 20 other things."

Harry thought Snape had a point and he appreciated the lesson. Non-verbal spells required more power and greater concentration, so Harry had been using it as a technique to control his magic anyway. It would have made it harder for Harry to beat Draco this time, only Draco was pretty terrible at non-verbal spells.

The blond didn't seem to mind being beaten though, and laughed it off with good-natured promise to get even next time.

As the Golden Trio packed up their belongings at the end of the lesson, the Professor called their names.

"Mr Potter, a word please. Weasley and Granger too."

"Yes, Sir?" All three approached Snape's desk.

"One moment." Severus looked pointedly at those students still remaining, waiting for them to leave before he began his discussion. When the door closed behind the last students, Severus threw up silencing charms and wards. "Just a precaution." He said, upon seeing the alarmed faces of the three teens.

"Now, I have to inform you of some visitors in the castle this evening." Snape began. "An Order meeting is being held here at 8. As members you are welcome to attend if you wish."

Weasley and Granger nodded. Potter frowned. It was only slight, but Severus noticed the faint crease in the Saviour's brow. "Where are we meeting?"

That wasn't what Snape had expected to hear. "The headmistress' office I would imagine."

Again that line of discontent on Potter's face. Severus couldn't fathom what caused it.

"Won't it be crowded?" Harry questioned. "Wouldn't it be better to hold it somewhere else?"

Severus' own brow creased. "Do you have an objection to the Order being at Hogwarts?"

"No, no." Harry denied. "Of course they can be in the castle. What about the Room of Requirement? That'd give us a bit more space for everyone." He felt the Professor eyeing him critically.

"Very well, I will propose your alternate venue to the headmistress." Snape finally agreed. "I take it the three of you will be there?"

He nodded at their combined, "Yes, Sir."

"Good. One more thing," He added before they turned to leave. "Professor McGonagall told me that you had some stipulations on those persons allowed at Hogwarts while you are here. Can I assume that the ban on Ministry officials does not apply to those who are also affiliated with our group?"

"Oh, of course not." Harry confirmed. "Mr Weasley and Kingsley and the others aren't a problem. "It's just the Fudge and Umbridge types we're trying to avoid."

"Good." Snape repeated. "I shall see you tonight at 8 then."

"See you then, Professor." Granger replied pleasantly, "Have a nice day."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

'I need the place where the Order is meeting. I need the place where the Order is meeting. I need the place where the Order is meeting.' Harry repeated the though in his head as he paced in front of the blank stone wall in the 7th floor corridor. On his final repetition, the wall began to shimmer. Solid stone began to separate, bricks swiveling to make room for the ornate wooden door which enlarged as the trio watched.

Entering first, Harry was greeted by a large sitting room. Numerous cosy armchairs and sofas circled around a modest fireplace and a side table was adorned with steaming cups of tea of many varieties. On the opposite wall a sturdy-looking table stood with a dozen chairs surrounding.

"Bloody hell," Harry heard Ron murmur next to him. "I thought this was an Order meeting, not a family reunion."

He had a point, Harry thought, looking around. Of the small number of people present, the Weasley family made up over half.

Bill and Fleur sat close together on a sofa, chatting amicably with the animated Dedalus Diggle. At the table, Charlie sat with a somewhat subdued George and Molly Weasley fussed over the tea table, heating a pot with her wand. In the far corner, the Weasley patriarch stood conversing seriously with the headmistress, though they looked up and separated when they noticed the students' arrival.

"This can't be it?" Hermione questioned, looking despairingly at the depleted numbers.

"We're early." Harry reasoned, though inside his stomach felt heavy as he took in the empty room.

"Ron!" Molly exclaimed as she saw them, hurrying over to embrace her youngest son in a tight hug. Not a second after she released her son, did Harry find himself within Molly's arms. "Harry, dear, how are you?"

Harry used to find these uninvited embraces awkward, but now he found it oddly comforting, somewhat easing the dead weight in his gut.

"I'm fine, thanks, Mrs Weasley." Harry drew back from the hug.

"Psht, how many times have I told you to call me Molly!" The motherly witch exclaimed, not waiting for an answer as she pulled Hermione into a hug.

As Molly went back to overseeing the tea, the trio moved into the room, finding their own quiet corner to chat in.

"What do you think Dad was talking about with McGonagall?" Ron asked.

"Us." Said Hermione simply.

Ron snorted, "Yeah, probably."

Hermione smiled. "I expect they're discussing how damaged we are; how sullen and recalcitrant we've become."

"Recalci- what now?" Ron frowned.

The door opened and Professor Jones entered with a sour-expressioned Aberforth in tow.

"Hey, we could talk to Aberforth about drinks for Seamus' party." Ron suggested quietly.

"Now? Ron, there are two professors and the headmistress in here." Hermione pointed out. "Not to mention your parents!"

"I'll be discreet." Ron defended. "I wasn't planning on interrupting his conversation with McGonagall, was I?"

In the end, it was Aberforth who approached them. "Potter." He gave a curt nod in Harry's direction.

"Mr Dumbledore." Harry greeted politely back.

They hadn't spoken much since their first meeting before the final battle began, but in the few brief conversations they'd had at Order gatherings and the like, Harry and Aberforth had cleared the air, to an extent.

"Still in the hero business, I see, Potter." Aberforth snarked.

Harry rolled his eyes, able to take the gentle jibe. "I see you're joining us in the 'hero business', Aberforth."

The old man grumbled. "That bloody headmistress of yours won't leave me alone. Agreeing to come to these ruddy meetings was the only way I could get her to stop bothering me. Bloody menace."

The students grinned at the thought of their persistent headmistress pestering the old goat.

"Listen, Aberforth," Ron began in hushed tones. "I've got a proposition for you."

That piqued the wizard's attention. "Go on."

"We're having a little birthday…'gathering' for Seamus this week." Ron explained, looking over his shoulder to ensure they were not overheard. "And well, it wouldn't be a true… celebration without a tipple, or two, to toast Seamus' birthday, you know?"

Aberforth eyed the red-head speculatively. "You all of age?"

"Of course." Ron assured.

"I'll sell you elf-wine and butterbeer, usual rates. And I'll throw in a bottle of firewhiskey for the birthday boy. He's a good lad that Finnegan." Aberforth conceded gruffly. "But you lot are responsible for coming to get it." He warned. "I ain't traipsing through that ruddy tunnel for you. And if you lot get caught, you'd best keep my name out of things, you hear. The last thing I need is McGonagall with an actual reason to come and bother me."

"Of course, we'll be the souls of discretion." Ron promised.

Aberforth merely grunted in response and turned in search of tea and a ginger crunch.

The door opened again and Professor Snape entered with a woman Harry didn't recall having seen before. She was reasonably young, Harry thought, looking at her; no more than 35 and with straight dark hair and tanned skin. Almond-shaped eyes scanned the room and Harry was able to note the soft features of her face as she smiled warmly at them.

The meeting's attendees began to draw towards the table. Harry guessed they were now only awaiting Kingsley. The trio moved towards those congregating around the table and came to stand with Charlie next to Ron on one side and Snape next to Harry on the other.

"Mr Potter." The Professor greeted.

"Good evening, Professor."

"I do not believe you have met Healer Saiki." He gestured to the woman he had entered with.

"No," Harry confirmed. "It's nice to meet you Healer Saiki."

"Oh God, call me Altheta." She laughed warmly, holding her hand out for him to shake. "We're not in St Mungo's now, Severus."

Snape rolled his eyes, "Some of us prefer the formalities of tradition."

"You just prefer the distance formalities afford you in your relationships." The woman teased, though Harry could tell it was good-natured and Snape didn't seem to mind.

"Distance is a seriously underrated quality in modern relationships." Severus said, deadpanned, and walked away with Altheta's hearty laugh behind him.

She turned back to Harry, laughter still in her eyes. "It really is a pleasure to meet you, Harry. I was always disappointed that we never got to meet at Order meetings, but my schedule at St Mungo's meant that I missed a lot."

Harry like Altheta immediately. She didn't look at him with the reverence that people who met him usually did and her chilled demeanor had him relaxing around her. Her friendly approach and teasing nature reminded Harry of Tonks, only with slightly more elegance.

Their conversation was cut short when at last Kingsley arrived, another unfamiliar figure accompanying him. "Apologies, apologies." He said, sweeping over to the table and gesturing for everyone to take their seats at the table. "I didn't think I'd ever get away from the Ministry."

Harry sat between Hermione and Altheta at the table. Now they were seated the heavy weight returned to his stomach. There were too many people absent: Remus, Tonks, Moody, Sirius. The knot in his gut tightened. It felt wrong to do this without them.

The man with Kingsley, Harry discovered, was called Rodger Stillman. He was plain man of unremarkable appearance who seemed pleasant though he said little. Rodger worked at the Ministry and has managed to stay so under the radar in his work for the Order that he had not been under suspicion by the Death Eaters controlling the Ministry the last year.

Harry tried to focus on what Kinsley was saying, but the knot was making him feel sick. He wished he hadn't come. He prayed the meeting would be over quickly.

On the other side of the table, Severus observed Potter's uncomfortable posture, shoulders tensed and lips pursed. Severus wondered what was making him so unhappy, it couldn't be easy being part of an Order meeting with such prominent members noticeably absent.

When Harry tuned back in to the conversation Kingsley was giving updates from the Ministry. "All the Death Eater trials are now completed, so Madam Bones will be moving on to the prosecution of Ministry officials who broke laws in their support of Voldemort's Ministry."

"Who's top of the list?" Altheta inquired.

Rodger answered, reeling off a list, "Smythe, Demelo, Fortescue, Umbridge."

"What?" Harry looked up sharply at the name. "Umbridge? Like Delores Umbridge?"

Kingsley looked down the table at him, "Yes, Harry. She's going to be tried both for her actions during the war and for her misconduct here at Hogwarts during her time as High Inquisitor."

Harry's hand twinged in memory and he clenched it into a fist. The action wasn't missed by Severus. "They'll question the things she did here?"

This time it was McGonagall who answered. "What that…woman did here to pupils was wrong, Harry. Not only that, it was illegal. She has to answer for those crimes."

Harry nodded. "When? When will she be tried?"

"These things take time." Kinsley explained. "And Umbridge isn't at the top of the list. It will likely be in the new year."

Harry nodded again, face a calm mask, "Okay."

When he offered nothing more, the older members exchanged looks and the conversation moved on.

When the Ministry updates were done, Kinsley broached a new topic which had Harry listening in again. "The Order is in unchartered territory. We were founded by Albus and he was always the unofficial leader of our group." The Minister began. "Since – well, since Albus' death we've been too busy to address the Order structure. Now that things have calmed down, I propose we elect a new leader."

"How would that even work?" Asked Bill. "It's not like we have a constitution. Are people going to campaign before we vote?"

"What I propose," Kingsley offered. "Is that we each may nominate another member as leader, those who accept their nomination will then be voted on."

Nods and a general murmur of consensus went around the table.

"Very well," said Kingsley. "Would anyone like to kick things off with a nomination?"

"I will." McGonagall spoke firmly. "I nominate Kingsley. You may not have been elected, but I think we would all agree you have done a marvelous job of leading our group in the interim, however unofficially."

"Well, thank you, Minerva. Are there any other nominations?"

Harry was thoughtful. If the Order was going to have a new leader it shouldn't be Kingsley. Not that Harry didn't like Kingsley, he thought the Minister was great. But the problem was that he was the Minister for Magic. As far as Harry was concerned, the Order and the Ministry should remain separate, and though it was good to have links between the two organisations, Harry didn't think one man should be leader of both.

In the meantime, Snape spoke for the first time in the meeting. "I nominate Minerva." The woman in question looked startled. "She has the most experience in the Order and is a proficient leader."

Severus avoided eye contact with the headmistress, who now looked quite touched. Severus hadn't nominated her for her remarkable leadership skills, unbeknownst to both of them, Severus and Harry had the same reasoning about separating the Ministry leadership from the Order's.

"Well, we have two nominees." Kingsley summarized. "Would anyone else like to nominate a member?"

There was silence. Eyes of every member scanned the room. Severus looked to the Weasleys, wondering where their preferences would fall, between Minerva and Kingsley. Kingsley was Arthur's boss and long-term friend, but Minerva was Charlie's boss and had the respect of the younger Weasleys.

Both the silence and Severus' musings were interrupted by Potter's quiet voice.

"I have a nomination."

Curious eyes rested on the boy.

"Yes, Harry?" Kingsley inquired.

"I nominate Mr Weasley." He said, then realizing as he looked around the table that further clarification was needed, added, "Arthur Weasley, that is."

The Weasley patriarch was flabbergasted. "Harry, I'm flattered, but are you sure you want to use your nomination on me?"

"Yes." Potter spoke simply, definitively. "I think you'd be brilliant. You know about politics and magic, and I also know you to be an incredibly kind, loyal and just wizard. Not that Kingsley and Professor McGonagall aren't, I just don't think that the Head of the Order should also be Head of Hogwarts or Minister of Magic. It's too much power in one place."

Severus was impressed by Harry's reasoning, and though he hadn't considered Arthur himself, it was a good choice.

"Ok, then." Kingsley concluded. "If that's everyone, we should vote. Please raise your hand to vote for one of the named candidates. Minerva."

Severus raised his own hand and saw Aberforth, Hestia and Dedalus do the same.

"Arthur."

Altheta raised her hand, followed by Potter and Granger and then all four of the Weasley sons present, giving Arthur a total of seven votes.

"And, lastly, myself."

Severus was unsurprised that Stillman raised his hand, as did Minerva and then, a little more surprisingly, Molly Weasley.

"Well, I think that settles it. Arthur is the new Chair of the Order of the Phoenix. Congratulations Arthur."

Arthur looked like his face might turn the same colour as his hair from the unexpected vote of confidence from his friends and family. "Oh, er thank you very much. I'm not sure what to say."

Kingsley chucked warmly. "Well, we'll give you some time to come to terms with your new position." He turned back to the group as a whole. "I think we've covered everything I had planned on the agenda for this evening. Does anyone have any other business?"

There was a rumble around the table as the members shook their heads.

"Right," said Kingsley, ready to conclude the meeting, but he was stopped by Potter's quiet, steady voice.

"Actually, I have something." Potter's face gave nothing away.

"Of course, Harry. Go ahead." Kingsley gave a general, open-palmed gesture for the young saviour to go on.

"I think we should invite more people to become members." Potter proposed. "We're low on numbers now and there's people who fought alongside us during the war who were just as loyal to Dumbledore, to the light."

"Is there anyone you had in mind, Harry?" Minerva asked.

"Yes, actually." Harry said confidently. "Neville Longbottom."

Severus rose an eyebrow; he was surprised, though it wasn't really a surprising choice at all.

"Neville led the resistance at Hogwarts last year and was an instrumental part of Voldemort's downfall. He has shown unfailing loyalty to both myself and the cause, and what's more, his parents were members of the Order. It's in his blood."

"I think you are right." Minerva agreed. "Neville would make a fine addition to the Order."

"Is everyone agreed?" Kingsley asked to a consensus of approval. "Excellent. Neville Longbottom will be invited to join us at our next meeting."

"There's someone else." Potter spoke again before the conversation could move on, seeming more cautious now.

"Oh?" Kingsley inquired.

"I think Ginny should be allowed to join."

"No." Molly said horrified. "She's too young."

"She's not." Harry denied. "She's of age. I'm sorry, Mrs Weasley, but she's old enough to make her own decisions and she wants to be part of the Order officially." He sighed. "She fights with us anyway. We might as well give her all the information."

"It's too dangerous." Molly remained adamant. "She's not ready."

"Molly," Arthur took her hand. "Harry's right. This is Ginny's decision. She wasn't part of the Order before, but she still fought in the final battle. Besides, she's a good dueler," he smiled fondly at his wife. "She takes after her mother in that regard."

Molly's eyes welled but she nodded jerkily, accepting the truth of their words.

"Ok, so that's Neville and Ginny who will be invited to next month's meeting. " Kingsley summarized. "And that's everything. Thank you everyone for your time."

Like his remarks were the starting pistol of a race, everyone began moving. Some members, like Aberforth and Stillman, left quickly, while others remained, milling about to chat with fellow members.

Next to him, Altheta turned to Harry. "Well I see all the hype is true."

"Hype?" Harry frowned, confused.

Altheta's smile grew wider. "You truly are a remarkable man, Mr Potter. It has been a pleasure meeting you."

"Um, thanks. You too." Harry said unsure of what else to say. It seemed he needn't say more as Altheta just smiled again and moved away gracefully to talk to Professor Snape on the other side of the table.

Severus was just putting his tea cup back on to the side table when he sensed Altheta approaching.

"Professor Snape." She greeted formally, though the twinkle in her eye said she was teasing him.

"Can I help you, Healer Saiki?" He played along.

"No, I just wanted to say what an interesting young man you've got over there." She nodded over to Harry and Severus followed her gaze.

"You mean, Mr Potter."

"Yes, Severus, I mean Mr Potter." She huffed as though weary of his formalities. "He's very mature isn't he? And sensible too. His proposals today were all well-reasoned."

"He had to grow up very quickly." Severus acknowledged.

"Is he alright, do you think?" She asked, more serious than she was usually accustomed to being.

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, is he coping? How has he dealt with everything? Is he happy?"

Severus observed Potter across the room conversing with Fred Weasley as he formed his answer. "I think he is not unhappy." He paused, watching Harry again. "He has internalized a lot. He seems almost too calm, too composed."

"Has he seen anyone?" Altheta asked. "A mind healer or a counselor?"

Severus shook his head. "He'd never speak to them. The three of them are very cautious about revealing anything of what happened to them last year."

"Will he talk to you, d'you think?"

"Perhaps. In time." Severus hedged. "Harry doesn't trust easily and we've already had some bumps in the road."

"Well I'm sure you'll find a way." Altheta assured. "And I think Harry'll do alright."

"You've only known him 5 minutes." Severus scoffed. "How would you know?"

"I can tell these things." Altheta said without apology. "He's a tough cookie, that one."

Severus rolled his eyes, momentarily forgetting that he despised the habit. "Thank you so much for your professional insight, Healer." He snarked.

"You should talk to him. I think tonight was hard for him."

"Yes, I had already planned to." Severus agreed.

"Well, no time like the present." Altheta gestured to where Harry was moving toward the exit. "See you around, Professor Snape." She winked as she moved away, collecting her jacket and going to say her farewells to Minerva and Kingsley.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had already gone through the door by the time Snape moved to that side of the room. He slipped out of the room himself and called down the corridor before Harry could disappear from sight.

"Mr Potter!" Harry turned. "Could I talk with you a moment?"

Severus watched the bespectacled boy share a murmured word with his friends before he came back down the corridor towards the Professor.

"Sir?" Harry approached, his friends awaiting him at the far end of the corridor.

"I wanted to ensure that you were alright?"

"Alright?"

"I would imagine that meeting must have been quite difficult for you. It was our first meeting with notable members, and friends, missing." Severus watched the mask of indifference come down over Harry's face, shutters that hid any emotion.

When he spoke, Harry's voice was tight but calm. "I'm fine, Professor." He said, almost curtly, before adding, "Thanks though."

"Alright." Severus allowed the lie. "You did very well in there tonight." He complimented instead. "You're proposals were sensible and well-reasoned."

Harry allowed a little of his astonishment to show as the historically severe professor praised his conduct. "Thanks, Sir."

Severus dismissed his gratitude with a wave of his hand. "Well, it's late and your friends are waiting for you." Severus concluded. "Remember that my door is always open. You need not wait until our fortnightly meeting if you wish to talk."

"Thank you, Sir, but I really am fine." Potter assured. "Goodnight, Professor."

"Goodnight, Mr Potter." Severus sighed as he watched the boy-saviour walk away. Harry was anything but fine. Severus just hoped that Harry opened up before his troubles consumed him.

AN: Thanks very much for reading. Next update in approx. 2 weeks.