A/N: Like the first chapter, this one shows Dumbledore in his prime. The idea was that Dumbledore had been misguided in his own youth, which was part of the reason he became a teacher - to pass on the lessons he'd learnt himself and show young people the right direction when their path was clouded. I hope you enjoy.

Albus Dumbledore: Headmaster

"This is becoming somewhat of a regular occurrence. Perhaps I should start scheduling it in to my diary?" Dumbledore commented, looking over the rim of his half-moon spectacles as he took in the four boys in front of him, a twinkle in his blue eyes.

James and Sirius gave a sheepish grin, while Peter and Remus remained wide-eyed in fear of punishment. They weren't much like boys now, Dumbledore mused, taking in how much they had grown since his first meetings with them. They would be leaving Hogwarts in a few short months, ready to step foot into the world as free men. Dumbledore felt a twinge of sadness as he considered exactly what they would be walking into. While Dumbledore could name and claim to know the majority of his students, there weren't many, through the years, that had fascinated him as much as these four boys. There was something unwavering about them, and Dumbledore couldn't help but wonder how much easier their lives would have been in another decade. The war had defined Sirius, as he had eagerly allowed it to. It had shattered James' perfect family, in many ways it had forced him to grow up young. It had made the fight for the rights of people like Remus slow down, and in some cases, take a complete turn around. The war had frightened Peter to withdraw into himself, to not step over the line too far for fear of serious repercussions. it had taught the boy how to blend into the furniture.

"I'm on the edge of my seat with impatience to hear your story. I'm sure you have a delightful explanation," Dumbledore told the boys, before waiting for them to begin.

"We have an explanation, Sir, but it isn't a story. It's the truth," James began, his Gryffindor pride brimming in the hardness of his expression. James was nothing if not set in his beliefs.

"Avery and Mulciber were attacking two second years, Sir. They called them Mudbloods before hexing them in the corridor," Sirius added, desperate to prove himself on the side of the war he had chosen, so many years ago now.

"There were a lot of witnesses, Sir, and no one else was doing anything to help the kids," Remus added, providing justification and an alibi. Dumbledore considered for a moment that the werewolf might make an excellent defence lawyer.

"James and Sirius stepped in so Remus and I went with them to help, so we could make sure they didn't get hurt," Peter reasoned, throwing the onus on his friends, as if he'd never done anything of worth on his own. Dumbledore had always felt sorry for the small child, always overshadowed by his friends. He wondered if Peter would know what to be if he found himself without them.

"Admirable, certainly. Though you know, of course, the correct course of action would have been to alert a teacher," he told them. He watched as James sat up straighter, almost lifting himself completely off his seat in his adamancy that he and his friends had been right.

"And what would have happened in the time it took us to find one? Surely, we would have been as responsible for any injuries caused as the Slytherins," he reasoned.

"Silence perpetuates hatred. The only way to stand against something is to actually take a stand," Sirius added, his grey eyes turning to steel as he eyed the old man, as if challenging him to argue against him.

"A very well-made point, Mr Black," Dumbledore said, and took a pause before he asked his next question. "And what, I wonder, do you four wish to take a stand against?"

"The war," James answered quickly.

"Death Eaters," Peter said.

"Injustice," Remus added, with pain in his eyes.

"Voldemort," came Sirius' response.

"I was hoping we would agree on that one," Dumbledore smiled. He picked up the large bowl that occupied the corner of his desk. "Sherbert lemon?"

James and Remus took one, while Peter and Sirius politely refused.

"Have you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?" Dumbledore asked, lightly, as he gazed at the Gryffindors.

"No," James answered, as his friends shook their heads.

"Not many people have, but I think you'll all be interested," he said, before beginning his explanation.