"Harry, we need a plan of attack. You-Know-Who and his Death Eater army are approaching the Ministry. Who knows where they will end up." Hermione was at the head of table which held most of the elder members of the Order. There were several others standing alongside the table ready to give their opinion on the plan to attack.

"Hogwarts is still safe. However, the Dark Lord is trying to recruit the young Slytherins into his army. As Headmaster, I'm trying my efforts to stop him."

"Are you sure He is not suspicious of you?"

"No, but it is a risk we have to take."

"Is that enough?" Harry was unsatisfied with his answers. This battle needed to be won on sure answers. "We have to be sure, and we can't leave anything to chance."

"Harry's right. We have to make sure to look at this at all angles. Please continue, Snape."

"Now, there are several students trained in battle and are ready to do so when prompted. The decision is yours, Granger, along with the rest of the Order."

"I'm not comfortable with children lying their lives on the line. What do you think Mrs. Weasley?"

"Absolutely not! They are children for Merlin's sake! Even the most advance of wizards and witches have a tough time in battle. A child is not prepared for what will come."

"We were their age when we battled." Harry stared at Hermione and Ron who looked on with anticipation. "They are kids, but...so were we. They know what's going on in this world...they know we are at war. They know what this battle could mean if we succeed or if we fail. That is why I want you to distract the Death Eaters. This war didn't start with me...but...I know it should end with me. Voldemort wanted me dead and the only way the prophesy can be fulfilled is that one of us has to die."

"We can't let you do that! He's a powerful wizard...he would kill you, mate!" Ron pleading eyes landed on his best friend. He just reunited with him. He couldn't bare to lose Harry again. Harry saw the worried looks on everybody's faces especially paying close attention to Cassandra's.

"Look, I know what everyone is thinking You all wonder if I can defeat him." Harry didn't know whether he should say what he was about to say. "I have to confess something. Cassandra?"

"Yeah?" she felt nervous as numerous pairs of eyes stared at her direction. Did Harry have to single her out now?

"I know I said I wasn't going to lie to you anymore...I never had a job working for an insurance company. I was here in London looking for Horcruxes." Harry saw Cassandra's shock and heard everyone in the tent gasp, then murmur. Even Ron and Hermione were shocked.

"But how? We would've known about you being here." Hermione was completely stumped.

"I made sure no one saw me. I used Polyjuice Potion once I knew how to make it. I'm sorry for lying to you...all of you. I never meant to deceive anyone. I know it does not make any sense..."

"This whole time, mate?"

"Ron..."

"No! I held so much hope that you were alive. Even if everyone around me kept saying you were dead, I didn't give up hope. It was hard realizing the fact you were dead...you know how I felt when Hermione found out you were alive? Do you?" Molly tried to restrain Ron from hurting Harry.

"I'm sorry, Ron. It is an unforgivable thing to do...keeping this a secret."

"We forgive you, Harry." he heard a dreamy voice from the crowd. He knew it belonged to none other than Luna Lovegood. "You had your reasons in doing what you did. I think that now we should worry with what Harry has to say about the Horcruxes." Harry smiled knowing there was at least one person on his side after his confession.

"Do you have them? The Horcruxes, I mean?"

"I have two so far. Salazaar Slytherin's locket and Helga Hufflepuff's cup. The others, if there are any others, are unknown to me. I need people to find the rest."

"How? We know nothing of Horcruxes!"

"There is one..." Ginny piped up causing everyone to look at her. "Tom Riddle's diary. Harry destroyed it when we were trapped in the Chamber of Secrets."

"She's right." Harry looked over and smiled at Ginny. Cassandra couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy hit her. Part of her wished she did know magic, so she could relate more to it. She would not feel like the outsider she was. Harry didn't notice that his wife's hurt. "Does anyone know more about Horcruxes?"

"I do." Professor Slughorn emerged from the crowd. How could Harry forget his conversation with Slughorn about the real memory. "Remember when we talked about it? A Horcrux can also manifest into a person. Perhaps, someone is a Horcrux as well."

Harry had to think. It's been so long since everything that's happened to him in Hogwarts, things became fuzzy. He remembered killing Professor Quirrell in his first year. He remembered a very frail and weak Voldermort attached to him. Maybe, he could mentally retrace his steps throughout his years at the school. He would know what to do...then again, in the time of war there's always a risk. He could see the many pairs of eyes watching him...doubting him. He did just tell them another jaw-dropping confession. And, poor Cassandra. He knew she was upset. He swore to never lie to her, and he broke it by, yet again, betraying her trust. Harry then thought about all the peoples' lives held in his hands, so he had to focus and find a strategy. He could apologize later...if he is alive in the end to see the next day.

"Professor Slughorn?"

"Just call me Slughorn, Hermione. I haven't been a professor since...well, You-Know-Who took over."

"If Harry destroyed a Horcrux, is Vold...You-Know-Who mortal?"

"It is possible, but the Dark Lord did split his soul many ways, I'm not sure how many are out there. However, each time a Horcrux is destroyed, the person is weakened."

"The problem is...how do we destroy them? I've tried everything with the ones I have. Nothing works."

"But, you destroyed Tom Riddle's diary...you must know something on how to destroy the rest." Seamus asked what he was sure everybody was thinking.

"I didn't know what I was doing at the time." Harry knew everybody was skeptical of him. He's lied so many times...plus, he has a very close connection with the Dark Lord himself. It was frustrating seeing everyone he knew look at him like he was a Death Eater. Harry reached his breaking point. "I'm not with him, if that's what all of you are thinking! I really can't remember how it all worked when I destroyed his diary."

"Relax, mate. I just want answers. We haven't heard from you in years, and you want us to follow you? How do you know you can defeat the Dark Lord?"

"The prophecy..." Luna's dreamy voice chimed in once again. "it said that one would have to destroy the other...maybe if we find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them, there will be more of a probability of Harry defeating him."

"Everyone!" Hermione took charge of the meeting. "I suggest some who are able to research everything what you know about Horcruxes! Harry, think back...try to remember everything that's happened. Good luck, everyone." everyone dispersed.

Harry noticed that Hermione had become more outspoken since he ran away. She was usually the one who would stumble over her worlds when she needed to address everyone in the room. Of course, that did not stop her from answering every question every professor threw at the class. Cassandra stood there in the midst of the crowd feeling her world being shook to the core. She realized she knew nothing of her husband. All those hours she spent complaining, grieving, reminiscing of old times of her family and life, her husband hid his with veiled lies and general stories of his youth. At this point, she wasn't even angry anymore. Well, she was a little, but Cassandra knew she had to talk to Harry. Harry was standing in the crowd talking with his old schoolmates when he saw Cassandra coming towards him. She had a puzzling look in her eye.

"Come with me." Harry was suddenly pulled from the crowd, from the tent, into the other tent, to their quarters Cassandra lightly pushed him on the bed

"Cassandra, are you alright?"

"No, Harry. No more secrets, no more lies. Is there anything else you're not telling me?! I don't even know you! I'm am sick and tired of you keeping secrets from me! I have been ran out of Atlanta, damn-near raped, not to mention I was...I don't even know what Voldemort did. At least give me the courtesy of telling me the truth!"

"I know you're upset..."

"Upset doesn't even cover it!"

"Just listen to me...I couldn't tell you! I would be putting you in more risk than I already have. If you want, I will tell you every single thing I've held back from you...even the small crap that doesn't even involve this world. Just don't be angry with me. I really need you right now."

"I'm not going to leave you. I just want you to include me in this... now that I know who you are, I want you to trust me. I have told your ass a thousand times that I am in this for the long haul."

"I'm so, so sorry for this." Harry pulled Cassandra into a hug.

"I'm sorry for losing my head. I'm pretty sure everybody heard us."

"I royally fucked this up. I have been keeping a lot of stuff in...I even hid things from my best mates. I just thought I could do this on my own. I didn't want anyone to get hurt...it would just be me."

"And what if you died? I would be left alone. Hermione and Ron would not have known that you were alive."

"What if I die, Cassandra. What if I'm the one that meant to die? Me not telling you wouldn't make a difference."

"It would to me. I could never forgive you for dying without saying goodbye."