Chapter Three: The First War Council

A week before term was to begin, Harry was surprised when his master asked him to stop studying, sitting across from him in the sitting room. "Aeternus, please clean yourself up. We have a meeting with the Headmaster and Master Sterling this afternoon. Masters Saldor and Silverwood will be in attendance as well. At this time, we've elected to not include Apprentices Terran and Ferraldin in the conversation."

"I'll be expected to keep secrets from them? And Ginny, Ron, and Hermione?" Harry bit his bottom lip. He wasn't sure if he could keep secrets from his friends.

"That has not yet been decided, Aeter. We all have different roles in the Mastery, and it is time for you to begin to consider your future, both in the Mastery and wizarding society. Go shower and dress. While you've met Master Sterling in the Testing, a War Council is a different kind of meeting."

Harry gulped, suddenly nervous to encounter the most important councilmember in such an intimate meeting. "Yes, Sir."

When they stepped out of the floo, Harry allowed Snape to lead him through Headquarters' Entrance Hall, and past the auditorium. They climbed several flights of stairs, until they finally stopped, two flights past where Harry knew his own Master stayed at Headquarters.

"This is the sitting room- used for smaller meetings where comfort is desired over utilitarianism," Snape told Harry quietly as he opened the door. Harry stepped through, seeing Master Sterling speaking quietly in the corner with Dumbledore and Moody, while Master Silverwood was gesturing toward the window, as he spoke animatedly to Saldor and a witch and wizard each in auror-red robes. "Good evening," Snape greeted the others, while Harry gave the customary greeting to each of the masters, bowing most deeply to Master Sterling.

Sterling smiled slightly, "Severus, Apprentice Aeternus, come in. We're waiting on a few more people. Ah, here they are. Hello, Messrs Fletcher, Lupin, Black, please come in and sit down."

Harry spun suddenly. "Sirius! Remus! I didn't know you'd be here!" Harry found himself wrapped in Sirius' arms very quickly. "Let me go, Sirius!" Sirius laughed as Harry struggled free and straightened his Apprentice robes.

Sterling smiled at the interaction. "Alright, everybody. Sit down, please! I think we can all agree that there's a lot for us to discuss today."

Harry noted that while he was greeting his godfather, Fletcher and two additional masters had arrived. As everybody settled into couches and chairs, Dumbledore beside Sterling, and Harry nestled on a couch between Snape and Sirius, Sterling began speaking. "As I think everybody has noticed, the Death Eaters have been quite active recently. It's no secret that Voldemort has returned, corporeal body and all."

Harry's eyes widened. He wasn't surprised- there had been the news stories, and the twitches in his scar, but he was nervous. He almost missed Sterling's next words. "Thanks to Severus' intel, we've been able to confirm that he is back, and does not appear to need time to recuperate."

Harry couldn't stop himself, "Severus' intel?" He questioned, suddenly keenly aware of Snape's absence the night before, and the hastily scrawled note to stay in his quarters. "You are a spy?"

Snape did not look surprised at Harry's outburst, and merely raised an eyebrow. Harry felt Sirius put his hand on his shoulder. "Harry," he warned.

"No, Sirius," Harry did not turn to look at his godfather. "After all the times you've scolded me and punished me for making foolish decisions- all the times you've raked me over the coals for foolish decisions and unnecessary danger and you go to that bastard-"

"Boy, you will not speak to your master in that tone! He is a hero." Harry was surprised that it was not Snape who defended himself, but Saldor, staring intently at him.

Harry relaxed into the couch, realizing his tantrum was childish in this room full of powerful men. He wondered why he was suddenly so concerned over Snape's health, of all people. He muttered an apology and ducked his head. His master finally spoke, "I understand that this is an emotional situation, but your decorum is not to be forgotten. We will have a very long training session before dinner. You may think of it as a punishment, or as a way to work through your emotions. But I promise it will be grueling. Nevertheless, your fears are not entirely unfounded.

"Yes, Voldemort has certainly returned, and he is as cruel and vindictive as ever. I am not sure when, but the war will be back with a vengeance at some point. Harry, there is a prophecy. You will be the one to destroy him. That is part of why you were chosen as an apprentice-"

"Part?" Harry interrupted.

Three glares at his brazen interruption. "Do not interrupt, Apprentice, it is unbecoming," Sterling scolded before continuing. "Yes, part. You are destined to be a Master. Our selection process is nearly as old and mysterious as the Sorting Hat here at Hogwarts. Like Hogwarts, we have an enchanted Quill that writes names down at their birth. All names written down are not chosen, there is a further selection once the child reaches twelve, and on their thirteenth birthday, they are brought to the Board. Noticeably, there are girls included on the list, though never chosen because of tradition. You are destined for greatness."

"Oh." Harry didn't know what he was supposed to say to that. "So the prophecy? How will I ever get prepared to defeat him?"

Harry glanced around the room, finally stopping his gaze on his master. "Aeternus, everybody in this room is going to make sure that you get through the battle, when the time comes. We'll get to the schedule shortly."

Master Sterling cleared his throat. "Now, as many of you may know, during times of war, the Order has a military unit, known as the Guard. Hogwarts is going to be a large target, so as the Guard becomes reinstated, I was hoping, Headmaster that you would allow Hogwarts to serve as the Guard's training base. Aeter, this would allow you to learn to work with the Guard, and you will benefit from its presence on campus, I imagine. Master Silverwood, of course, will continue in his role as Master General of the Guard. Terran will join Aeter and Ferraldin at Hogwarts. Headmaster?"

Dumbledore nodded. "We'd be happy to have the Guard, and Reginald and Terran, at Hogwarts this year. Reginald, we can touch-base later about what you will need for quarters- Hogwarts may need to add a new wing onto her space, depending on how large the Guard is."

Silverwood looked at Harry for a moment before speaking again. "Aeternus, the Guard has only just been called to active duty recently, and is made up of primarily low-grade masters who have just completed their training very recently. I will be requesting your dueling skills to help get them up to speed. I realize how stretched you may already be feeling, but it could help some of your dueling experience."

Harry nodded, staying silent as Silverwood continued. "They will be warned, Aeternus, that you are not a typical apprentice and there is to be no hazing or attempts to manipulate or punish you unfairly. They may see it as unfair and may react poorly, initially. However, your skills and your status may be very helpful in reigning in any unruly soldiers."

Harry blinked. "Sir, I do not wish to be treated differently."

"Nevertheless, Aeternus, your status and position require some exceptions to be given. And it will be important for you to have their respect. Aeternus, you will need to learn magic, and combat, but also leadership, and that is what sets you apart from your peers: both at Hogwarts and the other apprentices."

Harry blinked, silent for a moment. "What do you mean, Sir?"

"He means," Saldor interrupted, finally tiring of the back and forth. "Because you will be training with the Guard, as will Terran, Ferraldin, and potentially some of the students, you will be named Junior Commander. The leadership of the students will fall to you, at least as it relates to any work with the Guard, the Order, or Fletcher's class."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "You'll be working very closely with the Head Boy and Girl, and the Prefects, of course. Let's plan further discussions on this over the next week."

"Yes, Sir."

"Of course, you will be part of the last line of defense, should an attack befall Hogwarts-"

Moody growled. "I'm not sure a boy has a place in war, Albus!"

"Master Sterling," one of the unnamed masters finally spoke, "I think Auror Moody is right. The boy can't be part of a war. He is only fifteen!"

As the auror and master continued to list reasons why Harry should not participate, Harry listened. Finally, he turned to Snape. "This is going nowhere fast. Sir, permission to defend myself?" Snape nodded.

Harry looked around as if to address the group, though his response was to the Master and Moody. "I am sorry, but I must learn to fight if we will survive- that is not a question. We've all known it since the Stone. The question is how we make sure I have a fighting chance. Master Shadowman has already begun that process.

"Now, my proposal for how we get there: we all play to our strengths. I continue to run every morning. We can leave that there. To be honest, I've gotten too far ahead in my courses, and with 30 students, I can't in good conscience ask for different work from my instructors. I will see, however, if Flitwick and McGonagall can't meet with me to focus on battle-specific Charms and Transfiguration. I recommend seeing if Pomfrey, Sprout, and yourself tag team with a focus on battle and healing properties of magical plants, while you focus on poisons with us separately.

"We meet with the aurors and/or the Guard to learn strategy, formations, etc. Perhaps the Guard learns these with the aurors, too. Master Saldor, with you, we focus on the Dark Arts and strategies for combating Dark Magic.

"Fletcher, Master Silverwood, you both are able to train us physically in combat: it depends if you want us to train with the Guard or students. Finally, with a full teaching load, none of you can focus on the war effort needed by the Council. I propose you hire a TA from the 7th year to teach 1st/2nd years while you remain available for office hours or appeals. As your apprentices, we can focus on your 3rd/4th years, as I'm certain you've made sure we are advanced. This leaves you with the advanced classes, and begins teaching us leadership by experience."

Sterling looked at Harry, his brown eyes not breaking contact. "Your other areas: Latin, literature?"

"I am confident we can continue those as we do. I am confident I will perform the 2nd year exam admirably." Sterling appeared satisfied with Harry's answer.

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, m'boy, I hate to think of your limited free time."

Snape looked about ready to open his mouth, but Harry beat him to it. "Sir, I think the war is more important. If at any point, I begin feeling overwhelmed, I will speak with Master Shadowman to discuss strategies."

Harry noticed Dumbledore and Sterling exchange neutral glances and sighed. "Sirs," this time he turned toward his master, then looked at Sterling. "I am sensing I am about to be dismissed so this idea can be discussed. I truly believe this is the best way to maximize utilization of all talents to their fullest. I believe it will be hard and we'll want to quit. But I also know that we haven't a hope of getting through this war otherwise."

Snape sighed and glanced at his superiors. "Aeter, normally we would send you away, but you have earned the right to be at this table to decide where we go from here. Please sit."

The group continued to discuss the merits and weaknesses of Harry's idea, before the group finally broke up shortly before dinnertime. Master Sterling rose, "Let's adjourn for today. We will serve dinner downstairs in an hour, please stay."

Harry rose beside his master, following Snape and Silverwood down toward the dormitories. "Aeternus, you'll find that Terran is waiting in your room. We will see you at dinner."

Harry bid the two masters goodbye and headed toward his dormitory.