Hello all! Here's the next chapter!

I had to get this out, because, well… I finished HBP yesterday… and I must say that I am in a state of extreme denial right now… and I likely will be until the next book comes out…

I have so many questions that won't be answered until then… So I decided to let it go and live in a world of fanfiction and denial until book seven is released… Yes, that's the plan… LMAO!

Anyway, I might have gone a bit overboard with the Council session, but you'll probably be amazed how little what happens in there ends up effecting everything…

I'm not a huge fan of this chapter myself… It doesn't flow the way I want it to and rewrite after rewrite has not solved it's problems for me, so I'm going to get it over with and just post it. I'm hoping that I've just spent too much time rereading and rewriting it and it's not as bad as I think…

Anyway, let me know what you think!

Previous disclaimer applies, I don't own anything.

Thanks for the reply TJ6! Intrigued is good! I'm glad you're enjoying conflicted Draco… makes him more interesting, I think. Thanks again…

Thanks for your reply Amber! I'm glad that you're enjoying the story! As for the pairings, well, a lot of them still aren't certain and anything is possible… Oh and Oliver Wood will likely be showing up… and of course, all of the Weasleys… sigh even Percy the Prat…

Thanks for the reply goldenshadows! I'm glad that you liked the chapter. As I said before, the pairings in this story are totally fluid… so you never know when one that you like more might crop up… As for Harry/Faith, it's going to happen, if only for my own amusement. I'll see how everyone reacts to how it's written and we'll go from there… Thanks again!

Thanks for the reply Turkey! Phew! I'm glad that the Draco thing was realistic! I really worked on that one! Ah, the Buffy/Xander pairing… I knew this argument would come up, which was why I hesitated about mentioning it… I'll just say that it's not a certainty and leave it at that… and did I ever say that it would work out if it happened;) LOL! I'm glad you liked the chapter. And Snape… snicker ;)

Thanks for the reply dominus523! I'm glad you like it!

Thanks for the reply Pamie884! I'm glad you're liking Harry in this… More Draco in this chapter… and the next chapter has a Draco/Harry scene that may prove to be quite interesting…;) Thanks again!

Thanks for the reply LegoLand! I think that I actually blushed when I read this reply! I'm so happy that you think I'm portraying both well. That's important to me! Please don't hesitate to let me know if you see something that doesn't ring true… cause I'm sure it'll happen! LOL! Anyway, thanks so much! I'm glad you're liking it!

Thanks for the reply Susan! snicker Snape… The hearing with The Seven is in this chapter! I hope that you like it!

Thanks for reading madskillzpro! I'm glad that you like it so far and that you're interested in a Harry/Faith pairing! Thanks for the reply!

Thanks for the reply Vasey! I'm glad that you're enjoying the way that I write Harry! I hope that he continues to not irritate you!

Thanks for the reply IsiwaruOfCkaloatia! I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Chapter Three

Harry's Apartment Building…

Draco stumbled up the last few stairs, feeling no small measure of relief when he finally reached the third floor. He leaned against the wall for a moment in order to catch his breath.

'A guy thinks that he's in pretty good shape and then he gets hit by a couple of Cruciatus curses, not to mention a Pugnus Cruentum…'

Yeah, he didn't want to get hit by that curse again anytime soon.

Draco struggled his way upright again and headed down the hall, weaving slightly.

Pain.

He had never in his life felt so much pain…

And not all of it was physical.

He had finally made a decision for himself, acted on a feeling that was his alone…

And his father had tried to kill him for it, without a second thought.

His father.

But in a strange way, with the pain of betrayal came… relief. For in his father's action, came all the proof that Draco needed that his decision had been the right one.

And for all the discomfort he was in at the moment… well, he knew that he would do the same thing again.

Because the physical pain in no way compared to the guilt and torment that he had felt for the better part of a week. Guilt and torment that still ate away at him.

They had killed someone right in front of him and he'd done nothing.

Well, that was one misstep that he refused to make again.

Draco came to a stop in front of the door to flat 314 and pulled the key that Harry had given him out of his pocket. He looked at it for a moment, almost as if he was puzzled by it's existence, before sliding it into the lock and opening the door.

He entered the hallway hesitantly, knowing somehow that he was intruding in someone's private space… invited or not. He closed the door behind him and made his way to the couch in the living room, removing the invisibility cloak as he went. He sat down gingerly and looked around.

The room was furnished sparsely, but comfortably…

And it was one of the most anonymous rooms that Draco had ever been in.

There was nothing there that told of who lived there. It could have belonged to any muggle off the street… or no one at all.

Curious.

But then, as suddenly as Draco Malfoy had grown a conscience, Harry Potter had become a mystery.

Draco still wasn't quite able to understand what had happened in that alley.

One minute he had be struggling to stay upright, anticipating the next Cruciatus that was coming his way. The next, the Death Eater about to curse him had been hit by a Stupefy curse from an invisible caster.

An invisible caster whose voice was all too familiar to Draco Malfoy.

As injured and delirious as he'd been, he'd still been able to marvel at the irony.

He'd done one good thing in his entire life and it had to be in front of Harry effing Potter.

But as he'd watched Harry had take down one Death Eater after another, a new feeling had crept over Draco…

Hope.

Because in that alley, he had realized something.

His father, his friends, every dark wizard that he had ever met and Draco himself… All of them underestimated Harry Potter to a terrifying degree.

Because as unlikely as it seemed to be, all it took for Harry Potter to be able to dispose of four Death Eaters was an invisibility cloak, a Stupefy curse (of all things!) and more guts than sense.

And when his father had managed to remove the invisibility cloak, the look on Harry's face had said it all.

Cold determination and anger, iron resolve… and not even a hint of fear.

And for the first time in his life, Draco Malfoy had seen something in Harry Potter worthy of being frightened of.

And that had given him hope that the course he'd chosen wouldn't end up getting him killed… but instead may have saved his life.

It had certainly saved his soul.

However, the most astonishing thing about the entire night had come after the Death Eaters were stunned and tied up… When Harry Potter had looked at him without disdain or hatred. Had looked beyond all of the things that he'd done, all the things he'd said and had offered him an opportunity that Draco was quite certain he didn't deserve.

A chance to save himself, maybe even to redeem himself…

It was mind-boggling, really…

He had no idea what the guy had been thinking, trusting him of all people. Handing him his wand and turning his back…

The guy had guts, Draco would give him that much.

Guts and more ability than Draco had given him credit for.

The Memoriae curse told him that in no uncertain terms… Harry's use of it was something that he couldn't help but marvel at.

And he couldn't help but wonder how Harry was getting on with the Aurors after the use of such a thing…

Draco settled back on the couch and closed his eyes, much too tired to think any longer.

He would get up and find those healing potions that Harry had mentioned… in a moment.

He just needed to close his eyes and rest a little…

He was still asleep over three hours later when Harry finally let himself into the flat.

Twelve Grimmauld Place…

Buffy threw open the door to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, holding it open so the other two girls could enter. Faith supported most of Dawn's weight as they entered the building, as the teen was still feeling the after effects from the curse.

As soon as they were safely inside, the Auror that had helped them at the scene and led them back to Headquarters mumbled something that resembled 'Dumbledore' and disapparated. They stared at the empty space on the front steps for a moment.

Finally, Faith snorted. "Well, fat lot of good he did!"

Buffy just shook her head. "I actually don't care at the moment." She looked at her sister. "How are you feeling, Dawnie?"

"Hurts…" Dawn said faintly.

"Blimey! What happened?"

One of the twins had exited the parlor at was looking at the three of them with wide-eyed horror. "Is she all right?"

"She will be," Buffy said fiercely. "Is your mother around?"

The young man nodded, and turned to the door that he'd just exited. "Ginny! Run and fetch Mum would you?"

The redheaded girl appeared in the doorway. "Why don't you…" She stopped as she took in the scene in the hallway. "Oh!" She said, her eyes widening in shock. She hurried off without another word. Moments later they could hear her voice echoing through the downstairs as she searched for her mother.

Buffy breathed a small sigh of relief, knowing that Molly would have something on hand that was bound to help Dawn.

"Bring her in here," Fred said, opening the door to the living room. "On the couch, I reckon."

Faith and Buffy nodded, carrying Dawn into the room. They lowered her gently onto the couch. She sank into it with a soft sigh, relieved that she could finally relax.

Buffy looked at Fred and suddenly realized it was the first time that she had seen one of the twins anywhere without the other. They went to the shop in Diagon Alley together. They came home for lunch together. Back to the shop together. Home for dinner together…

And now, seeing only one of them presented a problem that Buffy had yet to face with them.

"There's only one of them," Buffy hissed to Faith, hoping that he wouldn't hear. "And they look even more alike when they're not standing next to each other! Which one is he?"

"I don't know!" Faith hissed back. "When they're together you don't have to be able to tell them apart!"

A slightly pinched look appeared on the young man's face as he listened to their conversation. Yeah, really hated it when people had this kind of conversation. They could always ask… not that doing so would guarantee the right answer… He started as Dawn spoke.

"It's Fred," she said faintly from her place on the couch.

Fred looked at her in amazement. It was the first time that someone outside of the family had seemed to have any idea who was who… well, Harry'd always done a right good job of telling them apart, but as he'd told Willow earlier, Harry was family…

Faith and Buffy looked over at Dawn and then back at Fred who nodded. "That's me," he said. "And next time, just ask. It's really bloody annoying to be talked about like you're not in the room…"

Buffy looked contrite, but Faith just shrugged.

"No problem," Buffy said. She looked over at her sister and mouthed. "How'd you do that?"

Dawn waved her sister closer. Buffy complied, leaning her head close to Dawn, so her sister could whisper in her ear. What she said caused Buffy to snort softly with laughter.

She turned to Fred. "Would you mind running and getting Ron and Hermione for us? They should hear about what happened out there."

Fred looked at them with no small measure of suspicion, but finally nodded reluctantly and left the room.

"So what's the joke?" Faith asked.

"George had a date," Buffy said. "Dawnie overheard them talking about it earlier. She thought that there might be trouble if the two of us went on any longer, so she stepped in."

Faith laughed. "So George has a girlfriend and Fred doesn't, so that's how she could tell them apart?"

"Whatever works," Fred said, returning to the room with Ron and Hermione in tow. "Didn't have to go far," he said by way of explanation.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, wringing her hands slightly as she approached Dawn.

"Death Eaters," Buffy answered, her voice cold. "The Auror guy that brought us back here said they'd used the cru-something curse on her… and fists of blood?"

Hermione gasped. "The Cruciatus?"

"That's it," Faith said. "What is it?"

"Pain," Fred said. "So much pain that it takes away everything else… all you can do is scream…" He looked at Dawn sadly. "And fists of blood you said? Never heard of that one…"

"Pugnus Cruentum," Hermione whispered.

"Yes," Dumbledore said from the doorway. "A favorite curse of Death Eaters." He looked around the room. "Auror Handley was a bit flustered when he came to get me… I have a feeling that there was something rather worrisome on his mind. All he told me was that young Miss. Summers had been injured in a Death Eater attack and brought here. If someone would please tell me what happened?"

Molly and Ginny had followed Dumbledore into the room. Molly made her way to Dawn's side, waving Ginny over. She started grabbing bottles out of Ginny's hands and thrusting them at Dawn. "Drink this! And this!"

"Would someone get Giles, Willow and Xander first?" Buffy asked. "Please."

"On it," Faith said.

By the time she returned with the rest of the Scoobies, Dawn was looking significantly perkier. Buffy suspected it had something to do with the 'Pepper Up,' potion that Molly'd made her drink.

Willow paled as she caught sight of Dawn. This was her fault… All her fault…

"Don't you dare!" Dawn exclaimed from the couch, recognizing the look on Willow's face immediately. "It's not your fault that some skeevy evil guy is after you! It just happens! We fight and we deal!"

"Well said, Dawn," Xander said, putting an arm around Willow. "Buff? What happened?"

"We were attacked by Death Eaters while on patrol," Buffy said. "Faith and I were fighting. We wanted to keep Dawn out of it. Our magic," she indicated Faith and herself. "Protects us somewhat from the spells these guys were throwing… Dawn doesn't have that protection… They separated her somehow… I'm not sure how. She was just gone… and then we heard her scream." There was something about Buffy's voice that told them just how horrible that sound had been. "I tried to run to her… and they hit me with a couple of curses in the back. Knocked me out. I couldn't get to her…" Her voice faded out.

Dawn sighed. "Not you too! Enough with the guilt already! I'm okay! The Boy Wonder saved me, okay?"

"Robin?" Xander asked, confusion clear on his face.

That brought a smile to Buffy's face, not to mention Willow, Faith and Dawn's.

"No," Buffy said. "That's what Dawn calls Harry."

"What?" Mrs. Weasley shrieked. The mood of room was suddenly a lot more serious.

Buffy nodded. "I don't know how, I don't know why, but Harry Potter was there… He saved her life," she said softly.

"Where is he now?" Dumbledore asked, his voice grave.

Buffy shrugged. "Ministry custody I think? Last I saw he was getting into a car with Tonks, Kingsley and another Auror."

Dumbledore turned to Molly. "Is Remus here?"

"Out back," Fred said, already on his way out the door to fetch him.

"Severus? Minerva?"

Molly shook her head. "I haven't seen either of them in a while. Who was on duty tonight?"

"Mundungus," Dumbledore said, his voice carefully controlled. "And I'd thought that last year's debacle had cured him of his proclivity towards abandoning his post!"

"He hadn't left," Mad-Eye Moody said, entering the room. "Handley just let me know what was going on. I spoke with Mundungus, who incidentally has not been alone on watch since that debacle… Nothing unusual happened. Harry did not leave the house that he could tell… But he is not there, nonetheless. His other guards back up Mundungus' story. Harry did not leave the house, so far as any of them could tell."

"So, he used the cloak," Dumbledore said, a puzzled look flashing across his face. Moody nodded. "But why?"

Ron turned to Hermione. "I told you he was up to something!" He hissed.

Dumbledore spun towards them. "What do you mean by that, Ronald?"

Hermione glared at Ron and he sighed. "It was just his letters," Ron said with a shrug.

"I thought you said there wasn't anything in them?" Ginny said.

Hermione nodded. "Exactly. There wasn't anything in them. Nothing at all. When have you known Harry to just accept anything? He hasn't asked any questions or made any demands."

"Yes," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Yes, that is most unlike Harry…"

Fred reentered the room with Remus Lupin. "Fred filled me in," Remus said. "What do I need to do?"

"We need to gather the Order," Dumbledore said.

"There's one more thing," Buffy said. She looked around the room and then leaned close to Dumbledore so only he would hear. "Tonks and Kingsley were really worried… especially when they found out Harry had used a certain spell. It was… not memory, but memor-something…"

"Memoriae?" Dumbledore asked softly.

Buffy nodded. "Just thought you should know."

"What is it?" Moody asked.

"Nothing good," Dumbledore said. "Gather the Order. We might have a lot of work ahead of us."

Ministry Garage…

Kingsley pulled into the Ministry garage and parked the car in its regular space. The occupants of the car sat silently for a moment.

Finally, Tonks looked at Wood apologetically and turned her attention to Harry. "When we get into that room, Harry, you are going to look into the faces of that council and you are going to lie! Do you hear me? No Memoriae curse was performed, at least not by you. There was a… a fifth Death Eater or something, who wiped their memories for some reason we can't fathom… I don't care! But you are not going to go into that room and tell them that you used a heavily regulated curse on those men without permission! Do you understand me?"

Harry looked at her silently for a moment, too shocked to speak. When he finally did, it was with a hint of laughter in his tone. "You know what Tonks? I reckon I've been a bad influence on you…"

"You think?" Tonks said, rolling her eyes at him. "Never in my life have I instructed a person in custody to lie to get themselves out of trouble… Never…"

"Don't worry so much," Harry said with a shrug. "I'll figure this whole thing out. Everything will be fine." Tonks looked at him doubtfully and Wood decided that it was his turn to speak.

"I could just…fail to mention that the Memoriae was cast. All evidence of it would be gone by now…"

Tonks sighed. "We couldn't ask you…"

Wood shrugged. "You didn't. I offered." He looked over at Harry. "It seems to be a worthwhile cause you're involved in here, Nymphie."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that." She looked over at Harry herself. "And yes, I do believe that it is."

Wood had noticed quickly that Harry seemed to produce deep loyalty in the people around him. They guarded and protected him regardless of the political climate at the time… It was impressive.

"You know, Harry," Wood said thoughtfully. "You're lucky to have so many people about who are willing to help you."

"Yeah," Harry agreed wryly. "It's the upside to having so many people about who want to kill me."

"Oh Harry!" Tonks exclaimed, looking at him with irritation. "Can't you be serious? We're trying to help you!"

"I was being serious Tonks!" Harry exclaimed defensively. "I mean it when I say that it's the upside to people wanting me dead. I mean, really, it's the only upside! That people like you, Kinsley and Wood over there, are willing to put so much on the line to protect me. I really do appreciate it! Don't ever doubt that!"

As soon as he said the words, he realized how dangerous they were. Tonks was suddenly looking at him like she wasn't sure whether to hug him or cry.

He cleared his throat nervously and quickly changed the subject. "As for the issue of the Memoriae, I don't want anyone to lie for me. I cast the curse, I can take the consequences… I'll just have to leave my punishment up to the council." He shook his head slightly. He finished the rest of his thought silently, not wanting Tonks to flip out again. 'And then we'll see if they're willing to sacrifice the future of the Wizarding World in order to punish me for cursing a bunch of slimy Death Eaters…'

Tonks, Wood and Kingsley looked at each other doubtfully, not sure if that was the best course of action… But then, Tonks and Kingsley were getting to really know Harry, and they had no doubt that even if they didn't follow through on what he was suggesting, he would tell the council about the curse himself… So they nodded in agreement. Wood looked at the others uncertainly for a moment before agreeing as well.

"Good," Harry said with a decisive nod. "Let's get this bitch over with." The three Aurors looked at him with shock, their mouths gaping and Harry sighed. That's where watching American movies with Dudley took him… "Muggle reference… sorry." He really missed Hermione. At least she would have understood the pop culture reference… all the while looking at him askance and telling him not to swear.

Council Room, 20 minutes later…

Harry was sitting behind a large mahogany table, facing the rather intimidating Council of Seven. There was only one familiar face among the group. Amelia Bones was sitting in the center of the table, obviously in control of this meeting.

Tonks was sitting on a bench slightly behind him, fidgeting nervously. Kingsley and Wood were sitting further back. Harry had insisted on this, not wanting to seem like he had joined with the Aurors against the Council. He had wanted Tonks to join them but she had insisted that since neither the Weasley's, nor Dumbledore would be present, he would at least have someone sitting close to him in support.

Harry had spent a lot of time thinking about how he needed to behave in this meeting... What role he had to play, so to speak.

His instinct was to be all contrite, apologetic and to ask for the forgiveness of the Council, begging them not to send him to Azkaban. And that may have worked… last year. But last year he hadn't been starting out on the journey he was now embarking on. Voldemort had been out there, but his defeat hadn't rested solely on Harry's shoulders as it did now.

It had taken him a while, but he had recently accepted that weight.

He found that now was the time that the rest of the Wizarding world accepted it as well… or at least the parts of it that were starting to get in his way.

How in the hell was he supposed to defeat Voldemort if he wasn't even allowed to use magic outside of school?

Of course, there was also the fact that he didn't believe that he had done anything wrong. That made apologizing a bit difficult.

So while his palms were sweating, his knees were shaking and his heart was racing, he somehow managed to stare at the Council calmly, proudly… and defiantly.

The room remained impossibly quiet for what seemed like hours before Amelia Bones spoke.

"Mr. Potter, you come before this Council charged with some very serious infractions of Wizarding law. Underage use of magic outside of school. Use of a highly regulated spell without license to do so. Reckless endangerment of the lives of a number of Wizards through the use of said spell. What do you have to say in the face of these charges?"

Harry balked for a moment. Well if that wasn't just putting him right on the spot…

"Well," he said slowly. "Just that you've got it a bit wrong…" He ignored Tonks' hiss of disproval from behind him. "There was no reckless endangering going on…"

Reckless endangerment his foot! They were bloody Death Eaters! Who gave a rat's arse if they were 'recklessly endangered' anyway?

"So you deny that you used magic outside of school?" Madame Bones questioned, raising her eyebrows. "Deny that you used the Memoriae curse on four individuals just hours ago?" As she spoke, she studied the young man before her. This was certainly a different Harry Potter from the one who had faced the entire Wizengamot last year. Then he had been nervous and cowed by the power of the people around him. Now…Well, now he was in complete control of himself… and far more calm than she found comfortable.

"Oh, I did it," Harry said defiantly. He heard Tonks gasp behind him and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I just wanted to make sure you got it right. Yes, I used the Memoriae on the blighters… but not irresponsibly… Or 'recklessly'. I'm rather good at that spell, I'll have you know. They were never in any danger of permanent damage." He scowled slightly. 'Unfortunately.' He added silently, knowing that saying it aloud wouldn't have helped his case any…

"Frankly, your defiance in the face of this Council is disturbing me, Mr. Potter." The statement came from an older, matronly looking witch. He believed that she had been introduced as Madam Lesker… or something to that effect. "Have you no remorse for your actions?"

'That I'm about to get punished for them?'

No, that wouldn't do.

"Yes," Harry said. "I know that not everything I did tonight was allowed within Wizarding laws… and I feel badly that this, and my… demeanor are upsetting for you… But please look at this from my perspective. I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when I happened upon four Death Eaters…"

"Alleged Death Eaters," one of the Council members intoned, in accordance with Wizarding law.

Harry sighed. "All right then, four 'alleged' Death Eaters attacking a muggle girl. Now, I could have walked away, obeying Wizarding law by not using magic outside of school and let the girl fend for herself. Would that have set well with any of you? Because, had I done that, I would never have been able to live with myself. And I couldn't very well attack them bodily, now could I? Four grown men who are allowed to use magic whenever they desire to do so? If I'd done that, I'd be standing here dead right now and this whole thing would be a non issue."

Harry heard Tonks gasp again and turned slightly to glare at her. "You know what, Tonks?" He hissed, keeping his voice low enough so that only she could hear him. "This whole thing would be a hell of a lot easier if I didn't have someone gasping in my ear over every other thing I say! Do knock it off!"

"Mr. Potter?" Madam Bones said, drawing his attention back to her. "Please direct all of your comments to the Council. Auror Tonks is not here as your friend or as your council."

Harry nodded slightly in recognition.

Madam Bones looked at each of the members in turn and then looked back at Harry. "The Council recognizes the extreme circumstances that you were faced with. These extreme circumstances, however, do not explain nor excuse the use of the Memoriae curse."

Harry shrugged slightly. "I reckon I panicked a bit," he said nonchalantly.

"You panicked a bit?" This came from the Wizard at the far right end of the table. Master Hampert? He was looking quite befuddled by Harry's simplistic explanation. "You used the Memoriae because you panicked a bit?"

Harry shrugged again. "It is what it is. I have enough people coming after me already. I don't need to give them any more of a reason than they already have… And let me tell you, they have more than enough reason as it is! One of those men was Lucius Malfoy and it just so happens that he saw me quite clearly… I didn't dare let him go with that knowledge… since he will without doubt be on the streets again within a matter of days!"

"Mr. Potter!" Madam Bones admonished. "He is in Auror custody! Are you implying…"

"I'm not implying anything," Harry said, interrupting her. "I'm saying it. Lucius Malfoy attacked this very Ministry just last month and was sent to Azkaban for a term of no less than 10 years… So why then, was he out attacking Muggles tonight?" Harry looked at each member of the Council individually, his eyes cold. "I'll tell you why. Azkaban prison and this Ministry are not capable of keeping Death Eaters under lock and key… and I'm quite certain that everyone here is aware of why that is the case."

"Our ability to incarcerate Death Eaters is not in question here," Master Hampert intoned. "Our question is what to do about your missteps in this matter… and I must say that your attitude is not endearing you to this Council!"

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry that you don't approve of my attitude, Master Hampert," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "But frankly, I don't have the time or the energy to worry about what this Council thinks about my attitude. I have far more worrisome things to consider at the moment… Such as the Dark Wizard who would like nothing more than to kill me and everyone I hold dear." He looked at each member of the council in turn, his eyes serious. He paused for a moment before he spoke. "There is a very good reason that Voldemort tried to kill me as an infant… And it would do you all well to remember that."

"Is that a threat? Are you threatening this council?" The question came from the elderly Jedidiah Abramson, a former auror and a greatly respected member of the Wizengamot.

"Jed, please!" Madame Bones said. This was no time to be loosing your temper…

"No!" Jed said, his slight, ancient body shaking with rage. "I will not be threatened by a boy! You forget yourself Potter!"

"No," Harry said, shaking his head. "The threat doesn't come from me. Do what you want to with me. I must say that I'm so tired of this entire business that I don't rightly care. Expel me from Hogwarts. Break my wand. Heck, send me to Azkaban if that's the punishment you deem fitting. Bind my hands, cover my eyes... leave me helpless if you feel you must. I'm three weeks shy of my sixteenth birthday and I have two years of schooling ahead of me… There's nothing that I can do to stop you. But you must understand the consequences. You must understand that with any of these actions, you are practically handing me to Voldemort and he will kill me. He can't afford not to. And when I'm dead, so too will be your hope of his defeat."

"What do you mean by that," Amelia Bones asked. She was a perceptive witch and had a pretty good idea what he meant, but she needed clarification.

"Do you believe in prophecies, Madam Bones?"

Some members of the council gasped and the noise echoed through the small room. Most Wizards were not so foolish as to ignore them, that was for sure. Especially the ones that resided in the Dept. of Mysteries.

"You know what it pertained to, don't you?" Amelia asked. "The prophecy that You-Know-Who was after?"

"Yes," Harry said. "It pertained to me." His eyes swept back and forth over the council. "And if you don't believe me, you can ask Professor Albus Dumbledore for verification."

"And what did this prophecy say?" Jed asked.

"I'm afraid that I cannot recite its exact contents in an open forum such as this one," Harry said. "But the overall idea is, I am your last, best hope for defeating Voldemort… and I will be damned if I'm going to sit back and worry about what rules I'm breaking while trying to stop him or his followers from killing me or the innocent people around me!"

Jedidiah looked over at Amelia Bones, his anger at the boy forgotten.

A prophecy, bringing about a destiny greater than anyone should have to bear alone. Such a weight. Such a weight for one so young.

The council was silent for a moment and then Madam Bones stood. She, at least, had heard enough "Please clear the room while we deliberate. You will be called back when we are ready."

The room was soon empty except for the council.

And it remained silent for a number of minutes as the Council sat lost in thought.

Finally Amelia spoke. "I cannot help but feel that punishing Harry Potter for the use of this curse will only hurt us in our fight against You-Know-Who."

Madam Lesker nodded in agreement. "And it simply does not seem right to punish someone for saving a life."

"But what can we do?" Master Hampert asked. "He used the Memoriae without the authority to do so. The law in this matter is clear."

"Yes," Amelia Bones said. "The law is clear… But there is something that we can do to get around that. Something that will end the need for hearings such as this one when dealing with Harry Potter and the battle against You Know Who. We can make it so the law works for him, instead of against him."

Jed looked at her askance, understanding her meaning instantly. "You cannot mean… It has never been done Amelia! And there is a reason for that! Many feel that it should never be done!"

"Desperate times, Jedidiah," Amelia said softly. "Desperate times…"

"Indeed," said the small witch to Amelia's right. "I think blanket denial of invoking such a thing is a mistake. We must look at the times we live in Jed. I believe the boy when he says that he is our last, best hope. I have always believed this about him… We must protect him… at all costs."

There was a murmur of agreement from most of the council.

"But he's so young," Madam Lesker said sadly. "Barely more than a child. To put such responsibility in his hands…"

"He did not seem like a child to me," Madam Bones said. "Not today. Defiant, yes. Angry as well, but wise beyond his years… and, as Jasminde just stated, our greatest hope… and like it or not, the responsibility is already in his hands. We cannot expect him to fight and defeat You Know Who while at the same time 'binding his hands' and 'covering his eyes.' If we chain him, we are only helping the enemy… and it is my opinion that You Know Who has far too much help as it is. The Wizarding community needs a hero… it needs Harry Potter. We must stop fighting him, as Fudge has fought him, to the detriment of everyone in the Wizarding community. Instead we must put the entire force of our backing behind him. If the prophecy says what I fear it must… that is our only hope."

The Council was silent for a moment and then Jedidiah spoke. "It is time for our vote. But I must remind you Amelia, Article 29-143 can pass by unanimous vote alone."

Amelia blanched. She had forgotten that stipulation. Unfortunate for her… and unfortunate for Harry… However, there was nothing she could do now but nod reluctantly in agreement.

Jedidiah acknowledged her agreement and put the question before the council. "All in favor of an immediate article 29-143?" He asked, calling forth the vote. Then to the surprise of the Council, he raised his right hand. "Aye." Amelia looked at him in surprise. After his arguments, she'd been sure… "I am no fool Amelia," Jedidiah said with a sigh. "I simply sought to ensure that you, along with everyone else in this Council, had thought this through. All in favor?"

Amelia nodded and raised her right hand. "Aye," she said.

The rest of The Council followed suit. The vote was unanimous.

For desperate times require desperate measures…

Minutes Later...

Harry was called back into the council room and stood facing the Council of Seven once again. It was silent in the room for a moment before Amelia Bones began speaking.

"Mr. Potter, this is not the first time that you have faced consequences for your actions while away from Hogwarts. It is not the first time you've been accused of improperly using magic outside of school… It appears that trouble seems to find you wherever you may be. Is this not the case?"

Harry nodded slightly. Wasn't that the truth!

"Yes, The Council sees this, and has taken your extreme circumstances into consideration."

Tonks and Harry exchanged a look. Well, that didn't sound so bad…

"Based on said extreme circumstances and the likelihood that you will continue to attract the attention of You-Know-Who and his followers… and based on the decision of this Council that you are indeed our 'last, best hope' for his defeat, this Council has set forth the following decree…"

"We, The Council of Seven, do invoke an immediate Article 29-143, Proeliatoris Immunitatis, to become effective at midnight tonight. The prisoner, henceforth to be known as the Proeliatoris Popularis, is to be released into the custody of his guardian, or the closest magical equivalent of such, on his own recognizance. Furthermore, he is henceforth exempt from any further charges dealing with the improper use of magic when the one known as You-Know-Who, or followers of the above mentioned, is involved. It is to be left to the discretion of the Proeliatoris Popularis what is necessary in any circumstances involving You Know Who, his followers, or in preparation for the coming battle. Any and all decisions that the Proeliatoris Popularis makes in regard to the one known as You-Know-Who shall be acknowledged by The Ministry as law, finite and unchangeable. This decree shall remain effective until that time, if such a time comes, that You-Know-Who and his followers are no longer a threat to the Proeliatoris Popularis, this Ministry, the Wizarding community and all muggle peoples.That said, the Council would also like to make available any resources that the Proeliatoris Popularis deems necessary. Is there anything that The Council can do for you at this time, Mr. Potter?"

"Um…" Harry said, too shocked and confused to figure out what had just happened. He turned to Tonks and hissed. "What did they just do?"

Tonks looked pretty shocked as well, but managed to somewhat explain the situation. "They just gave you immunity, Harry. Your behavior is now up to your own discretion, no one else will have any say in what you do."

"Can they do that?" Harry asked. 'Should they do that? Did he really want them to have done that?'

"Apparently they can," Tonks said.

"Everything all figured out, Auror Tonks?"

"What?" Tonks said, looking up at the council. "Oh, yes… He was just confused and I was attempting to explain it to him is all…" She turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter?" She said, gesturing towards the council.

"What? Oh…" Harry said. He started thinking frantically. There must be something that he could ask for… something that could help them all… "Well, if it wouldn't be too much trouble…" He looked around the room nervously and the council was struck by just how young he looked in that moment. "Well, it's a bit dangerous for me out there right now… and while I came up against four… alleged Death Eaters and did all right, I am still an underage Wizard. In other circumstances…"

Amelia Bones nodded in understanding, as did much of the council. In other circumstances he might have been dead.

"A security contingent then," she said. "Of two?" she questioned, looking slyly at Tonks and then Kingsley. Tonks' wide-eyed gaze met her Auroring partners for a moment before falling contritely on her boss.

"Three?" Harry said, ignoring the silent conversation going on around him.

Madam Bones' eyebrows went up at this, but she nodded in agreement. "Fine. Aurors Tonks, Shacklebolt and Wood are hereafter assigned to the protection and assistance of Harry Potter, the Proeliatoris Popularis…" She turned her attention back to Harry. "Anything else Mister Potter?"

"Just one more thing," Harry said. "I'd really like to go home now."

Madam Bones started and looked over at the clock. 11:00 pm. She fought back the urge to say, "Oh you poor thing! You must be exhausted,' or something equally embarrassing.

She looked instead to the guard at the door. "Has Mister Potter's guardian arrived yet?"

The guard opened the door and had a short whispered conversation with the guard on the other side. Harry sighed softly. He didn't have a magical guardian, so that meant… his eyes widened suddenly. He looked over at Tonks in horror and noticed that she had a worried expression on her face. Who would they have sent? Surely not Molly Weasley? Or Moody for that matter! That would be…

Harry and Tonks both breathed a sigh of relief as Remus Lupin entered the room, led by a guard. "Remus Lupin," the guard announced, handing a slip of paper to the Council.

Jedidiah studied the paper. "Everything seems to be in order here." He looked at Harry. "I'm sorry Mr. Potter, but there is some paperwork that needs to be taken care of before midnight."

"And he'll also need a signed and notarized copy of both the decree and article 29-143 so that he can be well advised of his new rights under the law," Tonks said. Heck, Madam Bones seemed to be well aware of her familiarity with the Boy Who Lived. Why not confirm it?

"So be it," Madam Bones said, her eyes twinkling slightly in Tonks' direction. "The Council will also provide you with a Ministry vehicle for your ride home, Mister Potter. It will be yours to use until your return to Hogwarts."

"It would probably be best if one of your security detail were to go ahead to your residence," Jedidiah said. "One must be vigilant it the protection of one's last best hope, mustn't one?"

Harry grinned sheepishly at Lupin, who was looking around at everyone with blatant astonishment. Only Harry Potter could face the Council of Seven and come out with the entire place kowtowing to his whim…

Harry looked over at Tonks. "Would you mind?"

"Sure Harry," Tonks said. Oh this was going to be fun to explain to The Order. She nodded to Kingsley and Wood, who approached and joined Harry and Remus. She then took her leave of the group and the council room, heading to the apparation port.

"Should you need any additional help," Jedidiah said, nodding in Harry's direction. "Please owl either Madam Bones or myself."

Harry nodded. "Thank you… Truly, thank you all. You've given me back some of my faith in Wizarding government…" A faith that he had lost with the actions of Cornelius Fudge during the previous year.

"I'm glad," Amelia Bones said with a slight smile. "Now let's see about that paperwork so that you can go home…"

Number 12 Grimmauld Place…

Tonks entered Order Headquarters and went directly to the parlor, knowing that was where everyone was likely gathered. She sighed as she saw the rather large group that was convened. They all jumped up when she entered the room.

"Where's Harry?" Molly asked immediately, looking quite distraught. "Is he all right?"

"He's fine," Tonks said reassuringly. "Not a scratch on him, I promise. He's finishing up some paperwork. Remus is with him." She looked around the room. "Professor Dumbledore? Mad-eye? Mr. and Mrs. Weasley? Could you join me in the other room for a moment?"

That didn't sound good at all, but the four of them followed Tonks from the room, ignoring the sounds of protest from those remaining in the parlor.

They entered the library and closed the doors behind them.

"What happened Tonks?" Moody asked.

"They convened the Council of Seven," Tonks said as she collapsed into the nearest chair. She looked drawn and run down and felt worse. Chasing after Harry Potter was certainly exhausting!

Dumbledore actually paled at that, terrified about what her next words would be. The Council of Seven did not take such things lightly… "He's been tried already?" He had thought that he would at least be able to speak for the boy…

"Yes," Tonks said. "He has been tried…"

"On his way to Azkaban then, is he?" Moody asked darkly, with a slight sigh. Dumbledore had told him about Harry's use of the Memoriae…

Tonks shook her head. "He told them enough to get them to back down," Tonks said, looking at Dumbledore meaningfully.

"Ahh," Dumbledore said, nodding. "He brought up the prophecy."

"Does it really say what he implied it did?" Tonks asked, interrupting her own story. If it did, well… it really sucked to be Harry Potter…

"I'm sure that whatever Harry told the council was the complete truth, Nymphadora. How did they react to this?"

Tonks sighed softly. "They passed an article 29-143."

This statement produced absolute shock not only from Moody, but from Dumbledore as well.

"Article 29-143..." Moody said softly. "No one has ever passed an article 29-143..."

"Well, they did this time. Don't ask me how, don't ask me why." She looked over at Dumbledore. "I think that's why Director Bones went ahead with the Council so quickly… so you wouldn't be connected to what they ended up doing…"

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "An independent act of the Council… Undeniable and complete support of Harry Potter."

Moody looked over at Dumbledore, uncertainty shining in his eyes. "Do you suppose that it was wise of them, Albus?"

Dumbledore could only shrug. "This I do not know. All we can do is hope that Harry is deserving of the faith that we have all placed in him. I do trust him, Alastor. Truly. I do not believe that he will misuse this new power. And I do not believe that this will weaken our cause. In fact, it could very well strengthen it."

"Albus, what is an article 29-143?" The question came from the corner, where Arthur and Molly had been sitting silently through the majority of the exchange. Molly spoke now only out of desperation. She had no idea what this article was and based on Arthur's expression, neither did he.

Dumbledore sighed but answered her. "They have given Harry Proeliatoris Immunitatis. Roughly translated that means: Warrior's Immunity. His actions in the fight against Voldemort shall no longer have any legal consequences."

Molly gasped. "You can't mean…"

Tonks nodded. "Anything he does while fighting You Know Who or his followers will be officially overlooked by the Ministry and all it's departments. His decisions in regards to You Know Who and his followers are law. Furthermore, it was stated by Director Bones that any help that can be provided to him, shall be provided to him. He simply has to ask."

"And what did our young Mr. Potter request first?" Moody asked.

"The protection of a small group of Aurors," Tonks said with a sigh. "Namely me, Kingsley and Anderson Wood. We're officially assigned to Harry and wherever he happens to be at any given moment. Wood and Kingsley will be arriving here with Lupin and Harry in about a half hour."

"Brilliant." Moody said, nodding with a half smile on his face... It was almost grotesque… "I like this kid all the more as I get to know him… Of course, we'll have to initiate this Wood into the order first… He's trustworthy, I gather?"

"Well, yes, I do believe so…but Moody, why brilliant?"

Dumbledore answered for him. "Because Harry just gave you an official reason to spend all the time you choose to working with The Order. You're one of his guards… but I don't believe he'll complain too heavily if you do a mission or two for the Order while on duty…"

Tonks eyes widened. She'd been too focused on what had happened in the Council room… too shell-shocked by the events to realize what it all meant. And she had to admit that Moody was right. It was a bit brilliant on Harry's part.

"I must admit that I am quite intrigued by what he might do next," Moody said, laughter evident in his voice.

Molly sighed. "I'm afraid I don't share your sense of amusement for this situation, Alastor." She looked very tired… and very sad.

"Where is your sense of adventure, Molly?" Moody asked gently.

"I do believe it died with the last of my hope that Harry would come out of this with at least a shred of his innocence unscathed."

Dumbledore was suddenly very grim. "I fear that hope died with Sirius Molly. All we can hope for now is that he, and the rest of us, come through this alive." He turned his attention back to Tonks. "What does the Minister have to say about all of this?"

"There's not much he can say," Tonks said with a shrug. "The power of his position has been greatly diminished over the last month. The Council of Seven that Harry faced today? That is the greatest power in The Ministry right now, as I'm sure you know. The Minister can lodge a complaint, call for a vote of the entire Wizengamot, but this, of course, is all moot if Fudge doesn't hear of it before it goes into effect and becomes law…"

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "Amelia Bones is quite the tricky witch, is she not, Tonks?"

Tonks rolled her eyes but nodded. "If he doesn't lodge a complaint soon, it won't matter. The Article becomes effective at midnight."

"And where has The Minister been all evening?"

"Committee meeting."

"Practically unreachable," Dumbledore said with a small smile. Oh yes, he was liking Amelia Bones more and more.

Fudge had been struggling to hold on to his position in The Ministry ever since Voldemort had appeared within its walls, very much alive. It wasn't unusual for Fudge to be in meetings late into the night… some of them not ending until the wee hours of morning. These meetings were usually warded to prevent interruption by anything other than a major catastrophe. And Harry Potter using an unlicensed curse did not apply… This was a fact that Amelia Bones had taken ready advantage of. "Meaning his aides are just about frantic right now, but likely by the time they manage to inform him, there will be absolutely nothing he can do," Dumbledore looked down at his watch. "Unless he does it in the next thirty minutes. Well done indeed."

"So Harry has immunity… but what does that mean, Albus?" Molly asked. "What do they expect him to do?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "What we all seem to expect him to do, I gather. Defeat Voldemort and save us all. And it is our job to make sure that he has every possible weapon at his disposal."

He looked around at those gathered around him, all looking as worried as he felt. "Come, they should be arriving before too long. Let's rejoin the rest of the Order."

As they made their way back to the parlor, Dumbledore couldn't help but wonder what Harry would be like when he arrived. The last conversation that they'd had involved many broken objects and yelling. He hoped that this meeting would be an improvement.

But then, Harry had purposefully left the protection of Privet Drive…

Not an action that he'd expected of the young man after the events of the previous month… But again, Harry had done many surprising things in his lifetime… his very existence was impressive in more ways than Dumbledore could name.

Yes, he would just have to wait and see…

Most everyone in the Order was upset by Harry's actions on this night. Many had come to care for him as family. Others saw him as a great hope and felt that he needed to be protected as such. None of them believed that it had been an intelligent action for him to sneak away from his guards…

Dumbledore just hoped that Harry was ready for the scolding of all scoldings when he arrived at Headquarters…

For Molly Weasley could deliver one of those all on her own… And with the help of the rest of the Order…

Dumbledore shuddered slightly.

Yes, it was going to be an interesting night… and he was not looking forward to it at all…