Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Warnings: Violence , Gore and Lemons(Much Later)

Chapter 23

The room was doused in tense silence. Each of the inhabitants were looking at each other, wondering who would be the first one to break the silence. Emma Granger got up silently, intending to make some refreshments. She desperately needed to do something to take her mind off of the tale that Hermione had told them.

She had nearly died four times in the past three years. Sure, they had been informed by the Headmaster, but hearing the true accounts of the events from Hermione's own mouth was chilling, and stabbed at her doubts about Hermione living in the Wizarding World incessantly. She mechanically prepared some coffee, the familiar action of making the beverage calming down her racing thoughts. She and Dan had always been supportive of Hermione's decisions, and were proud of their daughter. But, this was no mere school problems that teenagers face. It was a matter of Hermione's life. She knew that she had to be strong, Dan was already leery of the idea of Hermione's recent decisions. She needed to make sure that her family would get through this . . . . hopefully together.

(Break)

Tonks was feeling uneasy in the tense silence. She had always been one to voice her thoughts, sometimes without any thought of the repercussions of her frankness. But she remained silent. She had too many thoughts on her mind. Harry was her friend, only one of the handful that she had. He was younger than her by five years, but even the first time that she met him, she had sensed that he was a very mature kid. Hearing Hermione's tale today, she had a very accurate idea for his maturity. Seriously, fighting against a deranged professor in his first year, slaying a thousand year old Basilisk in his second year, and fighting off god-knows-how-many Dementors in his third year. Harry had faced more dangers within three years of joining the Wizarding world, than most folks did in their lifetime. She couldn't help but feel awed by him at the end of Hermione's tale. She hadn't pried much into his life while she was at Hogwarts, sensing early on in their friendship that he was immensely uncomfortable talking about anything concerning the rumors that surrounded him. She was curious, but was reluctant to strain their friendship.

And then there was the whole fiasco with the cloaked figure, the Order member as she had later learned. She could not believe that it wasn't just a fairy tale that her mother used to tell her as a bedtime story, and apparently, Harry was involved with them as well! She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that he didn't trust her with these things.

She saw Hermione's mom get up, and saw an opportunity.

(Break)

Daphne Greengrass gave an appreciative glance at Harry Potter. She wasn't as surprised by the recital by Hermione as the others were, she had heard it from her before after all, granted she had left out a few crucial things , but she had been able to figure out the rest on her own.

Her interest in Potter had been steadily rising this summer. The more time she spent with him, the more interested she became. He was an enigma, and tonight's events only added to the mystery surrounding Potter. Judging by recent events, Potter was connected. A connection that she could make use of. She made a note to herself to get to know Potter a bit better.

She was a Slytherin, it was time she put the traits her house was famous for to some use.

(Break)

"Harry?" Tonks said, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the silence of the room.

Harry looked up, brought out of his thoughts. He knew that he and Hermione had some explaining to do.

"Ok, before I start, Daphne I will require your oath that you won't reveal anything you hear today." Harry said in a voice that made it clear that he wasn't going to budge on that point.

Daphne looked wary, and turned towards Hermione. She knew that Hermione would stick up for her, and she had always disagreed on many of the Pureblood customs. Oaths being one of them.

"I'm sorry Daphne, but it is necessary." Hermione answered her unspoken question.

"Don't be so dramatic Potter, it can't be that serious." Daphne stalled, her mind going over ways to get out of giving her oath.

"It is." Harry said sternly.

Daphne looked towards Harry who had answered her, and was struck silent at the serious look directed at her. She gave her oath quickly.

Emma had rejoined them at this point, and served everyone some coffee.

Harry glanced at Hermione, and nodded once, indicating that she would be the one who would be doing most of the talking.

"Mom, Dad, what I told you earlier, there is a crucial fact that I left out." Hermione began.

"You mean there's more!" Dan exclaimed angrily. Emma immediately put a warning hand on his shoulders.

"Yes. To put it bluntly, the Wizarding World is at the brink of a war."

"War? Against whom?" Dan asked hotly. The other occupants of the room gave curious glances at Hermione's statement.

"Voldemort." Hermione said, sighing slightly at the shuddering gasps that escaped Daphne's and Tonks's lips.

"But Hermione, the books that you got told us that he was dead. He died when he tried to attack Harry . . ." Emma said, trailing off at the end, not quite sure how to say the rest.

"The professor that attacked Harry in our First year was possessed by Voldemort. The Basilisk that attacked the School in Second year was acting under the orders of Voldemort. The true culprit of betraying the Potter's was a servant of Voldemort. I assure you mom, Voldemort is very much alive, and he has been targeting Harry ever since he stepped foot in Hogwarts." Hermione said firmly.

"But, that's impossible. The Ministry . . ." Tonks started, but was cut off by Hermione.

"The Ministry is not reliable, and Dumbledore felt that it would be best if the news of Voldemort's return was kept quiet."

"Who is he to decide, the DMLE should know about this!" Tonks said indignantly.

"Miss Bones knows. She had approached the Minister numerous times to bolster the Auror ranks and increase funding, but was rebuffed every time. She felt it necessary to not inform him about Voldemort." Hermione countered Tonks's statement.

"Why not?" Tonks asked.

"Fudge is an incompetent and corrupt leader. Tell me Tonks, do you really believe that the Death Eaters that were caught in the First War, the ones who claimed to be acting under the Imperius, were innocent? Even Malfoy?" Hermione asked the pink haired Auror.

"And how do you know about that? The Trials of the Wizengamot are not public knowledge." Tonks replied.

"I'm not a civilian Tonks. I am a member of the Order." Hermione stated, a bit of pride entering her tone.

"Hold on! Hermione, what are you talking about?" Dan asked. "What's this Order? Why didn't you ask us anything about this? Is the Order a form of a cult?"

"No, no, not at all. The Order is nothing like a cult, not like what you are thinking about anyway. The Order is a legitimate organization of the Ministry, though it doesn't answer to anyone. Erm, it's like the MI6 of Wizarding Britain." Hermione said, a slight hint of amusement visible on her face, despite the tense situation.

"And why are you a part of this? It's not legal for you to be employed." Dan continued.

"I made the decision to join on my own. And as for the legalities, it's been taken care of. That's all that I can say on that matter." Hermione said firmly, knowing that her parents wouldn't like it and she would be paying for it later.

Dan ground his teeth together. "And what is the purpose of the Order?"

"The Order has a singular goal, to make sure that Wizarding Britain stays safe."

"Safe? From what?" Emma asked.

"Well, a number of things. Dark Lords, dangerous Magical Creatures, sometimes even against a corrupt government." Hermione answered.

"Why did you join?" Emma asked.

"It was the best path to make a mark on the Wizarding World. I know that this is a few years early, but I am happy to be given a chance. And I get to help Harry as well." Hermione answered confidently, not voicing the last sentence out loud.

"But Hermione, you are still at school. Why would this, this Order recruit school children?" Emma asked. She had a warning hold on her husband's arm, making sure that he would not alleviate the problem.

Hermione turned her head down slightly. She didn't have an answer to that, well, she had, but that answer would involve telling her parents that she was a Vampire. That was not something that she was comfortable bringing up anytime soon.

Harry saw that Hermione didn't appear to be able to answer that question, but did it for her.

"Ma'am, Hermione is the brightest witch of her generation, Professor thought that she would be an adequate candidate." Harry answered with a smile directed n Hermione's direction.

"What about you boy? If I am not mistaken, you are an average student." Dan asked angrily.

"I was chosen due to the apparent interest that Voldemort has shown in me." Harry answered, his tone flat.

"So you decided to drag Hermione into this mess? Your family may not care about your well-being, but I refuse to allow Hermione to be harmed."

Harry flinched.

"Dan!" Emma said warningly.

"No! This had gone on long enough. Hermione, you are going to leave all this Order business, and the Wizarding World. I knew this was no good, we allowed you to go to Hogwarts, but I know now that it was a mistake. You will be joining High School at the end of summer, young lady. That's final!" Dan thundered.

Hermione turned wide, misty eyes towards her father. She took a deep breath, to calm herself down. All her fears were coming true. She turned towards Harry and saw the worried look in his eyes, his worry seemingly providing her strength. She squared her shoulders.

"No." She said challengingly.

"What did you just say?" Dan asked angrily.

"No. I am a witch, and I belong in the Wizarding world."

"You will do as your parents say Hermione."

"You have always let me decide the path I wanted to take in my life. Was what you told me earlier all lies?"

"No. But this is not the same. I won't allow you take part in a war, Hermione. You have already been through enough."

"But, even if I were to leave all this behind, I won't be safe. No one will be. If Voldemort were to gain power again, nothing would be able to stop him from Taking over the whole of Britain, even the normal muggle society."

"I find that hard to believe. One man cannot challenge the might of the whole of Britain."

"I assure you that Voldemort would be able to. As hard as it might be to believe, Muggles can do little to stand against a Wizard, even an untrained one. Voldemort will have no problem with taking over Britain if he were not stopped." Hermione was flushing with anger now. This was a side of her dad that she had never seen before.

Dan was prevented from answering as Emma clutched his arm painfully.

"Hermione, your dad is just trying to protect you. I apologize for his words, but you must understand. You are our only daughter, and . . . it's difficult to see you preparing to risk your life. You are just a teenager. And it's a parent's duty and pleasure to protect their children from harm." Emma tried calming down her daughter.

"You can't. Not anymore." Hermione said bluntly, but not unkindly.

Dan hung his head down, glaring at the carpet, and Emma's eyes started to water. Hermione bit her lip.

"I have to know if this changes a-anything?" Hermione asked her voice cracking slightly.

Tense silence met Hermione's question. It was broken as Emma launched herself towards her daughter, engulfing her in a tight hug, murmuring soothing phrases into her ear. Tears ran down both of their faces, clutching tightly onto one another.

"D-Dad?" Hermione asked a pleading expression on her face. Dan's eyes relaxed and he too joined his family.

"Of course it doesn't princess. Of course it doesn't."

Hermione smiled slightly and adjusted her arms to wrap around Dan as well.

Harry looked at the family with a sad smile. Happy for his best friend, sad that no matter how much Hermione insisted otherwise, this was all, his fault. He sighed wearily, this day had gone on long enough.

Looking at the two silent occupants of the room, he saw that they were lost in their own thoughts. He subtly gained their attention, and motioned for them to follow him. He made his way to his room, the two witched following behind him at a measured pace.

(Break)

As soon as the trio entered Harry's room, and Daphne closed the door, Tonks engulfed Harry n a huge bear hug.

"I'm so sorry Harry." Tonks said earnestly.

Harry blinked. And after a moment of silence asked, "What for?" his tone bewildered.

"I always thought that you were hiding something from me. I never told you this but I was a little hurt, but seeing that you were uncomfortable talking about it, I didn't call you out on it. Hearing the stuff that you went through at Hogwarts, the true events , not the rumors, makes me feel like an idiot for thinking of you like that. So I'm sorry." Tonks explained, as she unwrapped her arms from around him and stepping back.

"There is nothing to forgive Tonks. I would feel frustrated as well f I thought that my friend was hiding something that was troubling me." Harry said pointedly, a smile adorning his face.

Tonks chuckled sheepishly, but then a frown found itself making its way on her face.

"Is he really back Harry?" Tonks asked quietly. She didn't want to believe that Voldemort was not dead. He was the most powerful Dark Lord in the history of Wizarding Britain, perhaps even the world. Her being an Auror meant that she would be on the front lines when the War, as Hermione put it, would break out.

"Yes, Tonks." Harry replied solemnly.

"So why did you not let the . . . Professor . . . wipe my memory as she did for Kingsley? She sounded pretty pissed at you for that." Tonks said, throwing a questioning glance at Harry mid-sentence to see if she had referred to the Order member correctly.

Harry didn't answer immediately. He looked at both Tonks and Daphne, sighed and answered.

"I consider the both of you as my friends, and trust you more than I do others. I trust you that you will not tell anyone about Voldemort. He will rise again, Professor Dumbledore thinks so, and I do too. I just wanted you to know so that you can be prepared." Harry said honestly.

Tonks smiled widely, despite the dire future that she had known about today, she wouldn't want it any other way. She had always thought of Harry as her close friend, it was nice to know that he thought the same of her.

Daphne remained silent after Harry's statement, mulling this new information over in her head.

"You better catch up with Kingsley, Tonks. His head should be clearing right about now. Just agree with whatever story he thinks happened tonight. Shouldn't be too difficult." Harry said.

"Sure thing. Are we still up for our outing together later?" Tonks asked as she hugged him again.

"Definitely."

"See you later Harry." Tonks said and walked out of the room, leaving just Daphne and Harry in the room.

(Break)

Perenelle Apparated into her office in the Department, and switching out her garb for a more normal attire, left towards the Department Of Magical Detection, situated on the 2nd floor of the Ministry. Making her way to the lifts, she didn't have to wait long to get to her destination. It was late at night, and apart from a few late-workers and the standard Auror guards there was no one at the Ministry.

Shaking her head slightly at the sleeping guard at the 2nd floor entrance, she stealthily made her way towards the room that was responsible for the detection of magic over Britain. Rustling through a few files, and identifying the relevant orb, she disabled it, and made sure to erase her magical residue completely.

Her job done, she went back to the Department. It would be only a few hours before Harry and Hermione would arrive for their scheduled training.

(Break)

"Po . . .Harry?" Daphne asked after a long while of silence.

"Yes?"

"Why do you trust me?" Daphne asked frankly, something that she rarely ever did.

"Hermione trusts you."

"That's it? You don't have your own opinions of me?" Daphne asked a bit miffed.

If Harry was surprised at her outburst, he didn't show it. He just looked at her, "I think that you can be trusted. You haven't given me a reason not to. Yet." He thought silently.

"You are quite different from what Hermione told me."

"Things have changed a lot in these past few weeks. I needed to re-evaluate my position."

"Due to the Dark Lord?"

"His name is Voldemort." Harry said firmly.

"Nevertheless, answer my question."

"Yes." Harry replied after a brief pause.

"So what should I do?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and Hermione will be leaving for training every day, what do I do to train?"

"I don't expect you to fight Voldemort head-on Daphne. Just be prepared to defend yourself enough that you can escape." Harry said.

"So I should just run away!" Daphne asked outraged.

Harry observed her, a little confused where her anger was coming from. He wracked his brains for whatever information that he had on the Greengrass family. His eyes shone with understanding.

"Is this about you parents?"

"Those . . . those people are not my parents.!" Daphne spat.

"What do you want me to do Daphne? I am just as capable of doing things as you are." Harry said, lying a bit about his abilities.

"Do . . .Do you think I can join the Order?" Daphne asked hesitantly.

Harry was definitely surprised by that. He narrowed his eyes at her. "You want revenge against the Greengrasses?"

"Not exactly. If we cross paths, I wouldn't think I will not attack them. It's not well known, but my parents supported Voldemort, his ideology at the very least . . ."

"I know." Harry replied simply.

"Well, I don't know if Hermione told you this, but I have been collecting information on the baseless discrimination of Muggleborns, and Half-Bloods by the Purebloods. Hermione stated earlier that the Order is comprised of members that strive to make the Wizarding World a better place. I want to be a part of that." Daphne finished, her eyes determined. All thoughts about manipulating Harry had left her when he had said he trusted her. It was a gesture that she hadn't encountered much in her life. Most people don't trust slimy snakes. Harry was not most people.

The room lapsed into silence at that.

"Have you really thought this through? I'm not promising anything, but once you are in you can't back out." Harry said seriously.

"I have. This is something that I have to do." Daphne said, with equal seriousness.

"I'll ask the professor."

"Thank you." Daphne said.

"Do you think Hermione is done with her family by now?" Daphne asked after a while.

"No." Harry replied, after a while.

"How'd you know?" Daphne asked curiously.

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry replied cheekily.

Daphne huffed, but couldn't resist smiling slightly. She cast a searching gaze across Harry's room, her eyes searching.

"Where's Hedwig?" She asked after not finding Harry's Phoenix familiar.

"Oh, she's with Fawkes. Apparently, she had some training to do." Harry replied.

"Training?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah, apparently Phoenixes have to train to use their abilities. Fawkes volunteered to help." Harry replied.

"I didn't know that." Daphne murmured.

"So what are you training in?" Daphne asked.

"Not telling." Harry replied a bit of a smile present on his face.

(Break)

"So, what did your parents say Hermione?" Harry asked. It had been an hour, and Hermione's parents had decided that it was getting too late and that Hermione should get some sleep.

"Well, dad calmed down somewhat. He just needs time to get used to the idea that I am not a little girl anymore." Hermione said, relief in her voice.

"And you mom?" Harry asked. He was a bit relieved to know that Hermione would not be separated from him. It might be selfish, but he thought that he was stronger with her by his side.

"She was very accepting. Might be due to the fact that her father served in the military." Hermione shrugged her shoulders.

Hermione glanced at the wall clock, a bit surprised that it had only been 4 hours since she and Daphne had woken up to Harry's rampant magic. They had only a few hours before they had to go for their morning training.

"So Harry, how did you manage to acess your mind?" Hermione asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Well, do I have a tale for you . . ."

(End Chapter)