Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Warning: none

I bet, I bet my life

I know I took the path

That you would never want for me

I know I let you down, didn't I?

The room was lit only with a few candles. Neville stood in the corner and watched the people come in. Theo stood at the head of the table with Daphne on his left. Astoria leaned into her to whisper something. Daphne waved her away.

Astoria quickly walked into the corner next to Neville. "Kicked out of the circle?" She answered with a growl. "Get used to it."

"Was this what it was like," she asked him quietly, "Being friends with the Golden trio?"

Neville nodded. "You're never going to be in the center of this or be a part of it. You will contribute just as much as them but no one will know your name."

"People know who you are," she pointed out. "There were always whispers in the dungeons of Gryffindor's defender, Neville Longbottom. They know your name."

Neville shook his head. "Our names will never mean anything like theirs will. It is our job to make sure they don't do anything too stupid. It's inevitable that they will do stupid things, but we must watch over them."

"Daphne always watched over me when I was younger. I wasn't stupid. I knew what was going on. I've been taking care of her too, even if she hasn't realized it," Astoria explained.

Neville let out a low chuckle, quiet enough not to disturb the meeting going on in front of them. "I remember watching you and Daphne playing in your garden when you were younger. Gran didn't like me outside when you girls were out. Apparently when I was little, around 3 or so, I wandered over and started playing with Daphne. We didn't know any better. Your father beat me and Gran beat him back when she came outside."

"Your Gran is probably the only woman to ever stand up to him."

They grew quiet to try and listen to what was going on in front of them. Astoria knew Neville was right after a while of trying to listen and hearing very little. They would do a lot for those in front of them, but she and Neville will never know their plan until the end. The sight intrigued her though.

Theodore was at the head of the table with Daphne to his left, gripping his arm, just like a queen to her king. Hermione stood to his right with Draco next to her. Marcus was at the opposite end of the table with Adrian on his right. Pansy stood between Daphne and him. Blaise was between Marcus and Draco; however, he was farther back from the table, like he was trying to escape his fate.

Astoria knew though none of them could escape their fate. It wasn't possible. They were stuck in completing this until the end. She and Neville were stuck in this too with them, along with anyone else who decided to put their eggs in this group's basket. Her only hope was everything ended soon and well.

"We'll survive," Neville whispered to her. She glanced over at him. He was still staring at the group. He must've been through this enough to know. "The odds of us actually being casualties in this are actually slimmer than you would think. You'll most likely be injured and get in trouble though. But they won't be the same after this. Be prepared for that."

Astoria nodded. Daphne had already changed. She was more guarded and domicile.

They wouldn't be the same either.

It was George who noticed Oliver standing in the back by the fireplace. He slipped over as his brother ranted on about the betrayal of Hermione and Neville. He had never been close to the keeper until he joined the Order back in October when Death Eaters attacked the Montrose Magpies and were aiming at other quidditch teams.

As George made small shuffles towards his former quidditch captain, he noticed the man was standing in front of, in a protective stance, the recently released Terence Higgs. When the former Slytherin joined the Order George didn't know what to make of it. It took him months to realize that no one had realized he was a Slytherin. Most thought he was a Hufflepuff and the Hufflepuffs thought he was a Ravenclaw but no one communicated their thoughts because he was such an asset, until he was cursed and identified by Selwyn, who had been two years ahead of Terence and of course in the same house, at the battle. It was Oliver who took him to the hospital and must've checked him out today. Nobody was acknowledging the presence of either.

"Hey," George whispered. The two glanced up at him. Terror appeared on Terence's face. "I'm not going to do anything. I just want to make sure you two are okay."

'Why?" Terence stuttered. He nodded his head towards Ron, who was starting to shout.

"—For all we did for them. We gave them everything. And this is how they repay us for our generosity?" Ron barked. "Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger do not deserve their magic. They do not deserve anything after their betrayal to us. To Harry!"

George grimaced as his brother kept riling up the Order and others. "I think there is more to every situation," George replied. "I think there is a reason you joined the Order. I think there is a reason Hermione decided to visit him. I think there is a reason Neville helped her. And I think there is a reason Oliver has taken a few bottles of my modified polyjuice."

Oliver's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

George did nothing but smirk. "That's for me to know. You must go to that bar in Diagon. Who are you looking for?"

Oliver shook his head. George glanced around. This wasn't the place to talk. Too many ears. Too many ears who would turn on them in an instant without thinking. He nodded for them to follow him. No one would miss them and no one paid much attention since Fred died. They had tried until he lashed out at Fred's funeral. Now no one bothers him. They'll probably just assume he went off to mourn again.

He snuck them out the back door. "Can you apparate?" he asked Terence. He nodded. "My place then. We'll be safe there."

With a pop, George apparated into his shop. Oliver and Terence landed behind him. He led them to his office where the stairs to his apartment were located. "Can I get you two anything?"

"Why do you care, George?" Oliver asked. "I know that you don't believe the same views as Ron does, but don't you feel something similar? Fred is dead."

"Yeah, yeah he is," George nodded. "He died fighting for freedom, for love, for family, for friends. I have no one to blame but a wall that exploded and fell on him from all the spells and curses flying around. I know that if he were still here he wouldn't believe Ron's load of bollocks. There is nothing in this for me. I can't join this new path the Order is taken."

George watched Terence and Oliver relax a bit. "Marcus Flint," Oliver whispered. "I go there to see Marcus Flint."

George was not expecting that answer. "I didn't think it would be him. Thought it would be one of your other teammates. I know they're all in hiding."

Oliver shook his head. "They're dead. Some death eaters broke into the stadium and got their locations. Marcus and I are the only ones left. I originally confronted him about it, but then I learned some things about his situation. He had nothing to do with it. I provide him with some info."

"You do what?" Terence shouted. "How could you, Oliver?"

"You don't understand, Higgs. He's in the same situation as them. I only tell 'im so they can all be safe."

"Them?" George asked. "Hermione and Neville? He knows where they are?"

Oliver nodded. "They're in deep. Hermione was already wrapped up all in it but Neville made the choice when he decided to take her side. I've seen him so hopeless before. All that passion from flying...it's gone."

"Adrian?" Terence murmured. "He's involved too isn't he?" Oliver nodded.

George leaned against his table and let out a sigh. "I think we need to do some talking. The three of us. Stay as long as you guys need to."

"What are we gonna, George?" Terence asked.

George didn't answer. He turned around and was met with his reflection in a mirror near the door. For a second he swore he had two ears. Just like Fred. He would know what to do. Fred was the leader, not George. But he was the one here, not Fred. George had no idea what to do.

Tom apparated near the gated entrance of the garden. Part of him was surprised there were no wards up, he supposed no one was living in the large house now. He wasn't worried about anyone approaching him. No one would be here.

He gripped the bouquet of calla lilies and laurel tighter as he climbed the hill. "You would pick a place like this," he muttered as he neared the top.

He grimaced once at the top. "I hate it when you're right. It pisses me off. Luckily sometimes your endless amounts of correct information. They are all so messed up and want to prove themselves. They'll be under my thumb in no time. Would you like to know how?"

He took the silence as an answer. "I am going to take over the Wizengamot," he chuckled. "Bet you weren't expecting that, huh old friend? No, you expected Minister. That position will be Hermione's. I think it'll say something having her in charge. Theodore is going to run the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I thought about putting him in the position of Minister but I think Hermione will be better. Pansy will run the Daily Prophet. Adrian is going to become Head Healer at St. Mungo's. He can keep his little job if he wants, but he will be running the whole show.

"Marcus is going to keep an eye on the quidditch world. Draco is going to control finances and business regulations. Malfoys and money never fail. Hopefully, Blaise stays in touch with his Italian roots as he will be an ambassador for the country. I'm putting the youngest Greengrass in a position with the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. I see a great amount of potential in her. I want that Longbottom boy to look into plants. I know he has a knack for it."

Tom paused. "Of course I didn't forget Daphne. I think she will do well in the Department of Mysteries. Theodore will agree. She'll be right under his nose this way and I wouldn't have her in harm's way. I'd be a fool."

Tom chuckled again and smirked. "Are you a fool for putting your faith in me? We'll find out, my old friend. Trust me though, Leo. I will come out on top this time."

He set the bouquet down in front of the graves of his oldest friend and his wife. With his conscious gone, Tom knew it was time to do as he had been planning for years. The perks of saving children from certain demises.