'Disclaimer: I do not, in anyway own the wonderful world of Harry Potter, or Charmed. I am just dabbling in the world they left for us. Though I do own the plot...

Chapter 58

Changed…or beginning to?

LAST TIME:

Ginny raised her wand and summoned a book from her room. "Are you happy now?"

"For now, but I won't really happy until I can get back to see you."

"Well then you had better hurry and do what you need to."

With a smile, Harry leaned down and gently kissed Ginny's cheek. "I will be back as soon as I can."

"You had better." Ginny called out.

Hogwarts,

Gryffindor Common Room:

Shortly after Harry's departure...

*~hpgw~*

*~hpgw~*

She sighed as she watched Harry leave through the portrait hole and looked down at the book clutched in her hands. The little jewel on the clasp was pulsating every so often which meant only one thing; she had a message waiting for her. Eagerly she opened it and began to read.

'Are you alone?'

'I am now.' wrote Ginny.

'That is good, because we need to meet.'

'Now?'

'Yes, now, but there is not much time.'

'Why not?"

'Because the one you love will return shortly.'

'But Harry just left.'

'And what he is to accomplish will take no time at all.'

'But why, after so long, I thought you said….?'

'I did, but that was some time ago.'

'That would be…'

'…An understatement, I know. Now, are you able to get away?'

Ginny simply stared at the writing in front of her. She knew what she needed to do, but something in the back of her mind held her back.

'Harry is on his own path and will learn of everything when the timing is right.'

Again, Ginny stared at the writing before her. It was as though the person on the other end knew what was holding her back, reading her mind perhaps. She shook her head at that thought. Reading minds wasn't possible. 'Well, not with this person at least.' Ginny said to herself. Mind reading/ Telepathy required a bond to work and while she shared a bond with her friend, it was nothing compared to the bond she had with Harry. Ginny smiled at her though of Harry and then sighed resolutely.

'What is it you need me to do?' she wrote quickly.

'For us to accomplish what needs to be done in the time we have, I need you to do exactly what I say. Is that understood?'

'And what exactly is it we're going to be doing?'

'It is time for me to tell you…everything...'

Ginny was thrust from her thoughts when a pillow hit her square in the face. She immediately sent a glare towards the one she knew who had thrown it and if looks could kill, her brother would be a dead man. "Are you out of your bloody mind, Ronald?" She asked, anger dripping from her voice.

"Only sometimes." was his reply as he dodged the oncoming pillow.

"Oh, Ronald-Bilius-Weasley, you are dead!" And with that Ginny made to leap off the couch she was currently on, but was held back.

"I don't think now is the appropriate time to get into this."

"But he…" Ginny said, pointing to her brother, who was crouched behind an overly large armchair, "...started it."

"And you would be the bigger person if you didn't finish it." Replied Harry, but at seeing the smirk Ron now had on his face he continued. "At least not while he's expecting it." And the smirk on his best friends face promptly vanished.

At this, Ron stood up with an indignant look on his face, "Oi, mate, you're supposed to be on my side." And before he had time to react, a pillow, bigger than the one he had thrown, hit him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. When he got to his feet he stared over at his sister, who was leaning against Harry.

"Never mess with a Weasley female, dear brother."

"I'll keep that in mind for future reference." He said as he took his seat next to Hermione, who took one look at him and shook her head, a smile breaking across her face.

"Now, what were we talking about before my brother decided to…have some fun?"

"Just about what happened a few nights ago." Answered Hermione.

"Do you mean the battle itself, or the fact that the Order got their arses handed to them?"

"Both really, as you can't have the one without the other" Ron replied.

"Now that is a true story. I have to say that I don't think half the Order would be alive if it weren't for us and the Knights. Plus I think we were lucky to have gotten the 'Old Knights' to help us round up the ones we did in the end and clean up the Order's massive mess they just left for us. Thanks for that Harry." Hermione said with a pointed look.

Harry nodded, "But it wasn't just me Hermione. I tried to thank Ezekiel for allowing me to use the troops, but he said as they were already mine to command and…"

"That Harry should feel free to call on them whenever the need should arise." Ginny finished.

"That's brilliant mate. Just think about all the damage we could do to ol' snake faces ranks."

"That is not why we started the Knights, Ron. We did it so we could go out there and help people; not make preemptive strikes against him and his Death Eaters."

"Hermione is right on the money with that thought. That is not why we started this, Ron. Besides think how difficult it would be to coordinate with two different groups. We were just lucky that it all flowed as well as it did." Harry said matter-of-factly.

"I think we have Neville to thank for that Harry?"

"You're right Ginny." Hermione said with a smile. "I don't know how he did it, but it was as if we all, the Old Knights and New Knights simply…I don't know, flowed together. It was as though we were all one."

"I think you have found "the one" to lead the other Knights when the time comes Harry." Ron said with a smile.

"Don't you want to do that Ron, I mean, you have a mind for strategies, and I thought for sure that you would want to lead one of the groups."

Still smiling, Ron replied, "As wonderful as that would be mate, it is as you said, I have a mind for strategies. I can figure out the best places to lay traps, the best formations we should take, the best places to take our enemies out from, but to actually lead such an amazing group of people, let's face it, I am better at your side than I am leading another. I really think that Neville should be the one to have that honor. The way he handled himself out there…it's like he was born to do this."

"Wow, Ron, that's very mature of you to say." Hermione said with a shocked smile.

"Well, that's my name, Ronald 'Mature' Weasley."

"This coming from the boy who gets his sisters attention by throwing pillows at her, yes, very mature." There was a moment of silence before they all cracked smiles and had a good laugh, including Ron.

"Not that I don't like having a laugh, but we need to get back to addressing the matter at hand and I for one would rather do this now as opposed to later."

"What's that Harry?" Hermione asked.

"He's talking about Dumbledore." Ginny responded.

"I didn't know this was about Dumbledore. I thought we were discussing the Order and how ill equipped they were?"

"But those are one in the same, Hermione, as he is their leader. The fact is they have no experience in dealing with this kind of enemy and they're acting as though the ones they are opposing are the same as Death Eaters and are easily subdued. They need to know this is not the case." Harry said seriously.

"You know mate, there is a way that we could deal with this."

"I dunno Ron, I'm not sure I want to open that door."

"What are you two talking about?" Hermione asked.

"Why not," Ron went on, ignoring Hermione's question "What would it hurt?"

"Maybe not much, but what I'm worried about is the message that would send."

"What message?" This time it was Ginny who asked the question.

Again, Ron ignored the posed question, "We would simply be there to listen in and if the need should arise put in our 'two cents'."

"If either Ginny or I have to ask what you two are talking about one more time, you will find out just how skilled I have become at using the Bat Bogey Hex. Ginny has been teaching me on how to…cast it more efficiently. So you two had better spill, now."

Harry and Ron stared at their long-time friend and then turned to each other. "Do you want to or shall I?" Harry asked.

"By all means, take the lead." Ron gratefully replied.

"What Ron was suggesting, was that Caedmon make an appearance at the next Order meeting."

"Which will, according to my sources, be happening tonight and I thought the four of us could make an appearance?"

"But what message would that send?"

"If we show up to that Order meeting, Hermione, that would let the Headmaster know that we support him and his actions."

"Not necessarily Harry." Ginny put in. "If we go in there with the express intention to debrief him and the Order and let them know their tactics on with dealing with those…things…won't work. You were right when you said that these weren't Death Eaters they were dealing with, Harry, and they need to see this."

Harry sat in silence, thinking upon what he was being told by his friends. He was brought out of his reverie by someone coming to sit down next to him. "Harry, I can see why you would hesitate in making this decision and it is yours to make, as our leader, and goodness knows I really don't want to make the Headmaster mad at me and while…"

"What is the point Hermione?" Harry cut in.

Hermione gave a heavy sigh and continued, "If we don't take the Order down a peg or two, Harry, think about how many more might die because of their recklessness."

Harry stared intently at his bushy haired friend and then took a moment to look at the other two; both were looking at him expectantly. He sighed. "You guys are right. We need to do this."

"Well then," Ron said as he too stood up and walked closer to his friends, "Let's do this!" and before the other three could blink, Ron pushed his hands out in front of him, striking the strangest pose and instantly changed his appearance to that of Attillo, his Knights of Salem alter-ego.

Harry, Ginny and Hermione shared a look. "We really should monitor his viewing habits." Ginny said as she simply 'snapped' her fingers, effectively changing into the persona of Nikita. When she caught Harry and Hermione staring at her she asked them what they were staring at. Taking her cue from Harry, Hermione answered her.

"Maybe Ron's viewing habits isn't the only one we need to be watching." At this comment, both Weasley's looked at each other and then back to their two friends and said, simultaneously, "What?"

"All we're saying is, with Ron's 'Power-Ranger-Pose' and your need to change by snapping your fingers like 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch', maybe you two should be watching other things while visiting Halliwell Manor. At this, Ron and Ginny started protesting, quite loudly, that they were perfectly welcome to watch anything they pleased and that it didn't influence them as much as their two "friends" thought.

Tuning out the ranting, Harry and Hermione just shook their heads and changed as well. Harry changed into Caedmon and Hermione into Astrid. Just as they were about to leave the Sanctuary, Harry turned to the others and said.

"Before we head out, I think we need to let the members of the Order who are closest to us and know our, well my, secret what to expect for when we arrive. You know, just so they're not thrown for a loop when stuff goes down tonight."

"I think that would be a good idea and who knows; this could work in our favor." Ginny said.

"How do you plan on letting Lupin and the others know what we're planning?" Ron asked as they all gathered around Harry, who was bent over a small rectangular box sifting through, what Ron recognized as potion vials. "What are you doing harry?"

"Looking for something that is going to….aha, I found it. Now, what were you saying?"

"I was asking how you were going to inform the others of the plan."

"Oh, that, yeah, I have no idea, but I'm sure I'll think of something on the way." Harry answered with a smile as he threw the potion phial down on the ground, where it promptly shattered. Not a second later a black mist rose up from where the potion had hit the ground and engulfed the four friends, whisking them away to their destination.

hpgwhpgwhpgwhpgwhpgw

Albus Dumbledore sat in silence; fingers locked together, elbows resting on the arms of his chair, listening to the reports being given all around him. He had called this meeting to discuss the battle that had occurred not three nights ago and had been hoping that a certain person would show up and take part, but those hopes seemed to be dashed. After their initial meeting, Dumbledore had been sure that Caedmon would just need some time to realize that he was in need of the Headmasters help in dealing with the evil their world was facing, oh how mistaken had he been. As it had turned out however, it had been him, Dumbledore, who needed Caedmon's help and his help never came in the way that he thought it would. Whenever there was a need for help or there was an attack going on somewhere, it seemed that Caedmon and his team were always one-step ahead of the Order.

'Like this last battle' Dumbledore thought to himself. When he had gotten word that Voldemort was attacking he immediately contacted the Order and rushed off to the battle, hoping the devastation wasn't too terrible, but as the Dark Lord was heading this one up himself…the Headmaster was prepared for anything, though nothing could have prepared him for the sight that lay before him. Voldemort had hit this town, hard, and that wasn't even the worst of it. It seemed that someone had alerted the Ministry and they were faring very poorly. But that's not what shocked him the most. No, it appeared that the calm they had experienced after the last attack by Voldemort was due to him seeking out more support, 'and boy did he find it in spades' Dumbledore thought to himself. Never before had the Headmaster seen such powerful, evil magic and it shook him to the core. 'And having been on the front end of having to deal with two Dark Lords, I have seen quote a lot.'

"What do you think Albus?" A lone voice asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

"What do I think about what, Mad-Eye?" He replied, still trying to get his bearings.

"About what should be done about those who put their noses where they don't belong? The Order was doing just fine and had they not stepped in to try and "help""

"I think we did just fine and I would like to point out that it was the Order who showed up late and got in our way." A voice said from the shadows.

Everyone jumped at this, some pulling out their wands while others turned frantically in their seats attempting to find the source of the disembodied voice. Mad-Eye Moody however got up out of his seat and was waving his wand around in all sorts of patterns while he walked around the room. "Show yourself demons!"

There was a snigger, "An appropriate term, don't you think Caedmon?"

"Indeed." Came the short reply.

"I say again, reveal yourselves or be dealt with accordingly." Moody called out to the room.

"Oh stuff it will you Mad-Eye." Called out a new voice.

All eyes were on the Auror now, watching his every move, no one daring to make one of their own. They watched as he came to a stand-still in a more open part of the kitchen, his eyes darting every which way. The room became unnaturally silent as everyone, including the Headmaster, whose eyes were shining ever-so-slightly, waited. But wait long they didn't have to because not a moment later a voice was heard.

"Constant Vigilance, eh Mad-Eye?"

Moody jumped and spun around, wand at the ready, to meet his would-be attacker, but what he saw in the next second, made him stop. There, seeming to melt out of the shadows was a figure with the hood of their robe up, face masked in darkness. "Sit down will you. There is much to talk about and we can't have you mucking it all up with your incessant ranting." The figure said, gesturing at the man in front of him. Before he even had the chance to respond, Moody found himself back in his seat, much to his surprise as well as all those around the table. "And you will get this," The figure gestured to the wand in their left hand, "at the end of the meeting."

"You give that back!" Mad-Eye snarled, as he tried to rise from his chair. Again, to his surprise, he found that he couldn't. "Release me at once; you have no idea with who you are messing."

"We do and that is why you, as well as the others, will remain stuck, I mean "seated", in your chairs until you listen to what it is we have come to say." Another voice said, stepping out from the shadows to join the first figure.

"That is…" But Moody's rant stopped there, he had been silenced not by either of the two figures, but by the Headmaster.

"Thank you." The figure said with a nod of his head.

"Caedmon."

"Headmaster."

"Headmaster, what is going on? McGonagall asked.

"They are here by my invitation, Minerva. Now, Caedmon, what is it that brings you here this evening? I was under the impression…"

"Oh I stand by what I told you during our first meeting and my most recent owl." Harry/ Caedmon stated.

"Then why?"

"Because," the figure standing next to Harry began, "You and your group were completely in the way and mucked up everything our group was trying to accomplish. Caedmon is just too nice to tell you otherwise."

"Calm down Nikita." Harry said, putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "To be fair, they didn't really know the evil they were facing, but…" Harry said, looking straight at the Headmaster, "Jumping right into a situation one knows absolutely nothing about without consulting anyone…that's just plain stupid."

"It sounds as though you speak from experience, Caedmon." Remus Lupin said pointedly.

"Indeed I am. I made the same mistake the Oder made, once, and the cost was…the cost was too great."

"What…?

"It would be prudent, Headmaster, if we return to the reason we are here tonight as there is much that that needs discussing." Harry said, cutting Dumbledore off.

"Too true; now, Alastor, I'm going to release you from the spell and I so much as see your magical eye twitch, you will be dismissed from this meeting. Is this understood?" After a reluctant nod, Dumbledore lifted the spell and gestured to Caedmon to take a seat.

"I and my company shall remain standing if it's all the same. Please go on with your meeting. I will however interject when necessary."

"That is fine, Alastor, continue please."

Moody nodded and continued, but not before he sent another glare towards Caedmon. "As I was saying before…" Another glare, "…Voldemort attacked a village on the outskirts of Devon three nights ago and he hit it hard. Not only were his Death Eaters with him, but he also had the help of a group of people we have never heard of. This is due to our lack of inside information. As Severus is no longer with us, we are flying blind here. We do not know who these people are that Voldemort commands or how..."

"Demons."

Moody's jaw clenched at being cut off. "What did you say?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"I said, Demons. The beings that are at the Dark Lords command, they are called Demons."

"Demons are a myth, boy. You would do well to do your research before you go spouting your mouth off like that. They obviously have their wands stitched and that is how they are able to do the magic they did. Anyway, as I was saying, these people he commands are a ruthless bunch of good-for-nothings that we need to find a way to deal with before it's too late." As Moody finished his thought, a snort came from the shadows eliciting a chuckle from Nikita.

Before Moody had the chance to open his mouth, Harry began to speak. "Attillo, Astrid." At being called out, Hermione and Ron stepped out from the shadows. "Headmaster, I believe you remember my lieutenants."

"Of course, it is a pleasure to see you two again."

"Likewise, sir." Hermione replied.

"Albus, why are you greeting them with open arms? This boy," he said, pointing at Harry, "has brought unknowns into our meeting which I might add is at a secure location. They all should have veritaserum poured down their throats and their secrets spilled so that we can truly know their intentions here. For all we know, they could be from the enemy."

"We are not the enemy Mad-eye and you'd do well to remember that. We are here because we feel you need to know about the evil you all are facing now. On top of that, this "secure" location is only open to you because its owner allows you to use it. You would do well to remember that you as well as I are guests. Isn't that correct Remus?"

At this comment, everyone turned their attention to Remus, who, was smiling sheepishly. "When did this happen Remus? I must admit that we all here assumed Mr. Potter would be given ownership of Grimauld Place" The Headmaster asked, intrigued.

"You weren't the only one surprised, sir. I too thought the same as you, but as to when it happened…it wasn't too long after I was rescued from where I was being held. I honestly meant to tell you all sooner, well, those apart from Tonks here, as she was with me when the transfer of ownership occurred."

Moody, who had had enough of this meeting getting out of control, decided to say something. "Werewolves cannot own property; they do not have that right. The Ministry forbids it."

Everyone, who had been offering their congratulations, went silent. Even the sound of breathing wasn't heard. "I didn't know you felt that way Mad-eye. Who knew you were so stuck in the old ways." Remus said without even batting an eye.

Moody's resolve faltered. "I'm not in the same camp as those bigots in the Ministry, Lupin, so don't you dare lump me with them. I was merely stating what the law was…"

"I am well aware of the werewolf laws Moody, having lived under them since I was a mere boy. I was planning on telling you all of this at a later date but it appears that there are some here that need to be convinced. I am no longer a werewolf."

All of those around the table, except for Harry and his friends, gasped at this and began to murmur. Moody reeled at this information. "There is no cure Lupin, what are you playing at?"

"I am cured Moody. The curse that held itself over me for so much of my life is gone now or rather it is still within me but has been changed. It no longer has a hold on me, but I a hold on it." And to prove his point Lupin stood up, backed away from the table and proceeded to change into the thing that had plagued most of his life. It had taken him some time to come to terms with this and to gain his control, but now, the beast bent to his will and his will alone. After making his point, Remus morphed back and returned to his seat next to Tonks, who took his hand into hers, gave him a smile and a peck on the cheek. Remus smiled. "Satisfied?"

Moody was at a loss for words. With a grim look, Remus turned his attention to Dumbledore. "Sir, you and the Order may continue to use this house as a meeting place for the Order, but I will no longer be taking part in these proceedings. It is obvious that there is a prejudice here, whether it is acknowledged or not and I for one will not be a part of anything that looks down upon or speaks with the kind of disdain that Mad-eye displayed here tonight."

Sadly, Dumbledore nodded. "I understand my boy, and I do apologize. Hopefully there will come a day when you will again have the trust in us you lost here tonight."

Remus was mid-nod when Tonks too spoke up. "I too will be withdrawing my membership from the Order until such a time that the prejudices that Remus spoke about tonight are expunged."

"Tonks, are you sure…"

"I am Headmaster. The way Moody spoke tonight…I will not have someone speak that way to my fiancée." And for the second time that night, the room went silent. "Remus proposed the day he was told he had been cured." She explained to the room.

While the congratulations for the couple were going around, Harry had his eyes on the Headmaster, who seemed to be deflating a little. Within the last two minutes, he had lost not one, but two of the Orders more valuable members. Remus had been his contact to the other werewolves sympathetic to their cause while Tonks had been his eyes and ears inside the Ministry. He still had Moody for this, but Harry guessed that the Headmaster was none too pleased with him at the moment and was going to be having a long talk with the ex-Auror.

"Remus, Tonks, I understand why you are making this decision and I am not going to stop your leaving. I do hope that…" But he was interrupted.

"I'm sorry Headmaster," Arthur Weasley said as he too stood up from his chair, joining him in standing was his wife, Molly. "But we too share the concerns of Remus and Tonks. I hate that this is the way this has come out, but Molly and I, as well as the rest of the family, have been talking for a time about this and we're going to speak to you in private, but now is a good a time as any."

"Arthur, Molly…please" Albus began.

"No, Albus, our decision is final. I'm truly sorry that the Order is losing so many people, but this, for my family at least, has been coming for a while. I just apologize for the manner in which it has come out. You will continue to have our support, but you will have it from afar. The Weasley's are pulling out from this war, so to speak." Arthur Weasley spoke with such conviction that it sent the Headmaster into a pensive silence, eyes still wide at all the revelations that had taken around him in the last few moments.

Harry sat amazed at the proceedings going on around him. He had no idea that when he and his friends came here tonight that they would be privy to the major shakings up that were happening before them. Sure, his one little comment about Remus had been his doing, but he hadn't known that it would cause this. He had simply wanted to put Moody in his place. As Harry sat there, his eyes were drawn away from the gathering forms of the Weasley parents, Remus and Tonks to the still silent Headmaster, whose hands were folded in front of him and looked every bit of his age. In a way, Harry felt sorry for him, but only just. Inside, Harry was still struggling with everything the old man had put him through and he found it very hard to feel sympathy for him.

Looking back, Harry figured Ginny must have known what was going on inside him because at the moment he needed it, she had put a calming hand on his knee. It had is desired effect. It had calmed him down. He turned to look at her, totally oblivious to goings on around him. He couldn't see her face, but he just knew that she was giving him a reassuring smile. One that meant it was all going to be okay and he should take a breath and calm down.

He gave her a slight nod and put his hand on hers, letting her know he got the message. When he turned his attention back to group around him, he noticed that the Weasleys had departed as had Remus and Tonks. He also noticed those who remained were shooting Moody glares every so often. He also noticed that Moody had the decency to look ashamed. He hadn't meant to come across so harsh and Harry knew that Remus also knew this, but it had still been hard for the former Werewolf to hear.

Deciding he needed to move things along, Harry once again turned his gaze to the Headmaster, only this time he spoke to the man in front of him. "I believe it is time for us to depart as well Headmaster. It seems that my being here has caused more than its fair share of trouble."

"No."

"I'm sorry?"

"No, please, do not leave. There is much we can learn from you. It is clear to me that you and your friends have had your share of dealings with those whom Voldemort commanded at the last battle and I for one want to know what we are dealing with. So no, please do not go. Please give us the information we need so that the next time, Merlin willing, we are prepared."

It was in this moment that Harry was thankful for the charm that had been put onto the cloaks hoods. 'Thank you Mom and Hermione!' Those two women had spent hours attempting to find a way to mix Wizarding magic with that of the Charmed Ones. It had taken some time, but the end result…well worth the wait. Nothing could penetrate the cloaks magic, not even Moody's magical eye couldn't see beneath their hoods. If the charm hadn't worked then everyone would have been able to see beneath the hood and see a shocked expression making its way across Harry's face. He hadn't ever heard the Headmaster sound so desperate before and if he were to be honest with himself, it was unsettling.

"I don't believe now is the time to do this." Harry said.

"Now may not be the right time, you're right, but when would be? You were right when you said we jumped into a situation that we knew nothing about. I have made many mistakes in the past, that nightbeing one of them and there are others…times I have been wrong and it is time I think that we, as well as myself, admit when we are in need of help. We need your help Caedmon. You may not wish to join the Order, but your expertise in this area is needed and I can assure you that your warnings and information will not fall on deaf ears."

Harry stared at the Headmaster, unmoving. Then, without warning, Harry snapped his fingers and in the center of the table there was a flash of fire and when it died out a pensive could be seen floating just inches off the table. Harry snapped his fingers again and all the lights in the room went out except for that which came from the pensive, not from the liquid residing within it, but from the basin itself. The basin gave off a pure white, casting unearthly shadows throughout the room. Black and silver runes could be seen etched into its surface, some of them moving around, others overlapping. It was a sight that the Headmaster would soon not forget, for he had never seen a pensive as beautiful as this. Albus Dumbledore was pulled from his thoughts about the magnificence of a pensive such as this one when Harry spoke.

"The scenes you are about to witness come from the night The Dark Lord attacked." And with yet another snap of his fingers, an image was projected above the pensive, not seeming to be affected by the white glow of the basin. As the image seemed to solidify, the scene began to move and Harry watched on as the Order members around him sat, all their attention on the scene playing out in front of them.

They watched as the group some had seen at the battle in Diagon Alley whip in and out of view, shooting spells at the Death Eaters and the "Demons" Voldemort had called upon to help level this town. They watched as slowly, one by one, the enemy was taken out, killed, by the group they later learned from Dumbledore was called the Knights of Salem. But it seemed that no matter how many they had taken out, more would simply step up in their place, seeming to come from nowhere. They were clearly outnumbered, but they saw that from the way they fought the hordes of evil, they had a resolve that allowed them to push on. Those of the Knights that were wounded, not fatally, continued to spell cast, defending their fellow fighters.

They were well into the battle and before too long the Order members saw themselves reflected in the image. Whomever's view they were watching from had seen them arrive and made some sort of gesture, because soon most, if not all the Knights had their attention drawn to the newcomers to the battle, who had simply started throwing spells that simply bound their enemies and moving on from there. Some of the Order members watching the scene before them could see the shaking heads of the Knights at their antics. They clearly didn't think the Orders approach was working. And soon they had their guesses confirmed when they heard someone call out…

"Don't just bind them, you need to end it or they'll just come back." Or "Oi what do you think you are doing?" "Caedmon, we have a problem!"

At this, all those watching the scene in front of them took a moment to take a look at the still hooded Caedmon, who was still standing and had his attention set upon the scene floating above the pensive.

Harry could feel the eyes looking at him and simply said, "Keep watching." They all turned their attention back to battle, which had become worse. Whereas the Knights had been slowly, but surely, taking the Dark Lords ranks down to a more manageable level, the Oder, in their 'trying to help', had allowed the Death Eaters and the Demons to gain a better foothold. When bound, the Demons would somehow escape those bonds and help the Death Eaters out of theirs and when more of the Demons appeared it made it all the worse.

Suddenly, the image hovering over the pensive changed. They were now nearer one of the buildings, and saw a small battle going on between one of the Knights and a Demon. It was clear that this Knight, who was on the ground, had suffered an injury that prohibited them from standing and they were doing their best to fight off the attack, attempting to protect the family behind them. This Knight in particular was not faring well.

Unseen by anyone in the room, Harry gave Ginny's hand a reassuring squeeze. She was the Knight they were all watching, and underneath her cloak, Ginny gave a slight shudder, which was the cause for Harry to take her hand in his and give it the reassuring squeeze he knew she needed. There was a gasp from someone in the room, which drew their attention back to the scene above the pensive. The Demon was now standing over an unconscious Ginny, smirking down at prone form before it, fireball hovering over its right hand. Ginny shuddered again, but kept watching the scene before her play out.

Just as the Demon was about to drop the fireball onto the unconscious form before him, he was hit from behind with a spell that caused a rope of some kind to wrap around him, binding him up tight. One of the Order members in the room cheered at this, but the cheer hung dead in the air, echoing throughout the room as the same Order member was shut up by what played out next. Just as the Order member in the scene was turning around, in attempt to go elsewhere and "help", the Demon shimmered out of its bindings and threw a fireball at the retreating back. Fireball after fireball flew from the Demons hands at the Order member, hitting its mark with deadly precision every time. The Order member was now on the ground, flames engulfing their entire body. No noise was coming from the fire engulfed form of the person on the ground. They were dead, burned beyond recognition. Those gathered around the table sat in total silence as the scene before them played on. The Demon had turned around and was clearly headed back to finish the job it had been interrupted of. When the Demon came upon the prone form of the Knight, it gazed down at it and then over at the muggle family huddled closely together. Fear and tears clearly present in the fathers and mothers eyes as they clutched at their children, who were crying silently themselves. The Demon alternated looks between the Knight on the ground and the family not too far from it. If asked later, those who were presently watching this play out in front of them, would all agree that the decision the Demon made could be clearly seen in its eyes the moment it was made. Then, without warning the image froze, Demon mid-turn, smirk wide across its face.

"I think its best we stop it there. There is no need to show what happens next, even though I'm sure you all know what that is."

Silence reigned. No one daring to make a sound; it was clear to Harry and his friends everyone around the table was taking in what they had just seen. Then, out of the silence, Dumbledore spoke. "How bad was it, really, the damage caused?"

Harry, not trusting himself to speak, looked over to where Hermione was standing and nodded. She stepped forward and gave the answer to the Headmaster.

"There were six deaths that night. The one Order member, who was burned beyond recognition and the family of five whom you just saw, huddled together." Hermione had tears of her own welling up in her eyes by the end of her answer and was unable to continue.

Ron stepped forward, hand reaching out for Hermione's. As he took her hand into his, he continued where she could not. "Thankfully those were the only deaths that night. Unfortunately there were many more injuries. Most notably the Knight whom you all just saw trying to defend the muggle family there at the end. Thankfully that member of our team is doing much better now and is itching to get back out there and catch the Demon who incapacitated her and killed the Dix's."

"The Dix's, who are they?"

Just as Ron was about to respond, Ginny stepped forward, her voice full of anger at the Order member who at just spoken. She wasn't angry at the Order member for the question itself, just how flippantly they asked the question. "They, the Dix's, were the muggle family that lost their lives due to one of your member's incompetence. You never turn your back on an unknown enemy. You always check to make sure they are down before you move on to the next. And to be totally sure, with an enemy you see that has the upper hand and powers you've never seen before, you incapacitate them, before they can do it to you."

Harry stepped up to Ginny's side and put a hand onto her shoulder. She calmed under his touch, but only just. "Nikita, while a bit wrong for telling you the way she did, is not wrong for telling you what she did. This is an unknown enemy for you all and you were treating them like they were run-of-the-mill Death Eaters. You can't do this. In order for Good to gain the upper hand, we must be willing to show Voldemort and his band of merry men…and monsters, that we are willing to do whatever it takes to squelch their hold on this world."

"You mean kill. That takes us to their level, makes us like them. Why would you even suggest something like that?" And Order member exclaimed, affronted at hearing that they should be willing to kill.

"They wouldn't hesitate to kill you the moment they laid eyes on you. Not to mention you can't very win a war with tickling charms and trip jinxes." Ron replied.

"I will not stoop to using Dark magic to kill an enemy, no matter who it is." The same Order member called back.

"It is not the spell that which makes the magic dark, it is the manner in which it is used. Think about it, you cast a simple levitation charm on a person and then you maneuver them out of a window and cancel the spell. You are committing murder by letting them drop to their deaths. Should that charm be banned from Hogwarts? If we follow your logic, then the Levitation charm that is taught to all First years should be classified as "Dark Magic". My point is that magic isn't Light or Dark, it is all about how it's used."

"Or," Harry began, "There are some rituals out there that the Ministry has deemed "Dark"" because of the use of blood in them. There is a blood adoption ritual banned by the Ministry, which would allow the casters to adopt a child by magic and blood so that their dying family line may have an heir. Think about it, a powerful, pure-blood family that has been around for countless generations is no longer able to produce any children, what are they to do, they take in a magical orphan, more than likely a half-blood or muggle-born and adopt them into their line, thus allowing their line to continue. Magic itself is not Light or Dark, it is how it is used." Harry said, reiterating Hermione's words.

"Now, we have given you a lot to think about tonight. It is going to take some time for everything to sink in that you have been told and witnessed. So on that note, it is time for my friends and I to depart." And as the four of them gathered around, Harry paused and turned back to face the Headmaster. "If you would be willing sir, I and my friends would be willing to sit down with just you and go more in depth on what we spoke about tonight and the evil all of us face. Is this satisfactory?"

Albus Dumbledore could only nod as the information he had been given tonight had caused his mind to be ever so slightly overwhelmed. "Then please look for my owl." With that said, Harry and his friends disappeared from Grimauld Place in a swirl of bright, white light.

After the four had vanished, the other members of the Order began to whisper among themselves, while some remained silent, still looking at the scene still being projected above the pensive in front of them. Just as someone was about to point out that the mysterious Caedmon and his friends had left behind their pensive, it too vanished in the same manner as its owner. Once it was gone, silenced reigned only to be broken by Albus Dumbledore, who cleared his throat and said…

"We have much to discuss."

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"And how did the Headmaster take that?" Neville asked, gasping for breath as he slumped against the wall, Harry sliding down next to him.

"Honestly, he was very humble about it and seemed to take all we told him to heart. Kind of weird really. I half expected him to be a bit pushier about getting as much info as possible."

"Well, you lot are meeting with him later. Maybe he'll try then."

"I dunno Nev, something tells me Dumbledore is going to give us free reign here and not push us."

"Do you think he's changed…or at the very least beginning to change?"

"Even if he is, it's a little late don't you think. Heck, he could even be putting on an act. No, other than the contact I have to have with him as Caedmon, I want nothing to do with the old meddler." Harry stated.

"Anyway," Neville began in attempt to change the subject, "I think he may change a few of his views about you in a few days. I mean, when he sees the way you duel me tomorrow…I think you may just find a bevy of apologies being thrown your way. Especially if you duel like you did just now during our practice."

Harry snorted, "You weren't too bad yourself. Gone is the reserved little boy from first year, but if I may say, standing up to Hermione…not a small thing."

Neville too laughed, "She was scary mate, even back then. Had you been in my shoes…although you've been friends with her for six years so you know better than anyone what I'm talking about."

"Too right you are Nev, to right you are."

"But even so, my money is on you to win tomorrow."

"Why do you say that? You were holding your own really well tonight; you kept me on my toes, quite literally with that one spell, who taught you that one?"

"My Gran, she was quite the dueler in her day, but don't ask me to teach it too you, it's a family secret." He said with a smirk.

"I bet." Harry replied with a smile of his own. "But seriously, you did very well tonight."

"It was all I could do to keep up with you. I even had to use…"

"Yeah, me too, like I said, you kept me on my toes."

Harry watched as his friend smiled and then turned his gaze to the room at large, Harry's own gaze following not long after. It was in shambles. Broken beams hung from the ceiling, little fires were scattered about the room, in some places there were thick, wide cracks along the walls, and deep craters along the floor. One of the craters was filled to the brim with water. Another had vines, which looked a bit like Devil's Snare, Harry thought, protruding from within the crater itself as well as surrounding the edges, the vines rose high enough that one could consider them a wall. But thankfully, all of these things were slowly being repaired by an unseen force. "I'm really glad we decided to use the Room of Requirement for our mock duel."

"You're telling me." Neville said with a sigh as he put his wand away. "Suppose we should help with the clean up?"

Harry looked around the room and gave a smile. "Something tells me that we would get an earful from some wonderful, long eared-little people if we tried to help. Besides, they would do a better job than us and we would really only get in the way."

"But I thought they all loved you. I mean, they kind of liked you before, but once they learned who you really are...now they go out of their way to try and please you. If anyone else had witnessed what I did the other day along with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, they would have a field day." Neville said with a smile.

"I thought we all agreed that we wouldn't ever mention that again…" Harry said with a sigh, much to Neville's amusement. "Besides, Ron still cracks the random joke about it, thinks it a hoot he does, and don't even get me started on what Hermione says about that."

Harry watched as Neville was about to respond to that and was mildly grateful when his brown haired friend stopped himself. "Thank you." Harry said, truly grateful.

"Yeah, it was too easy anyway…"

"True, but all the same…"

The two friends fell into silence, both enjoying the time they had to just 'be' and not have to worry about who was around or what one might hear or glean from their conversations. It wasn't long before the silence was broken however by one of the two boys. "Say Harry, are you sure we're…"

"…doing the right thing? Nah, not totally, but I still think we should, for all the reasons we discussed already."

Neville nodded. Harry continued, "Besides, you know as well as I do that it is our best option. And really Nev, how many times do we have to go over this?"

"And I appreciate you being as cool as you have been about re-explaining to me just why we should and to be fair to you, it was my idea, but part of me can't help but hate the fact that I actually suggested it."

"To be honest, I'm surprised Ron hadn't thought it up first, what with him being the chess master and all…"

"You didn't tell them did you? You said…"

"…I wouldn't and I haven't."

"She's gonna kill you when she finds out."

"I wouldn't be too worried about Ginny." Harry said with a smile. "She trusts me and to be dead honest with you, I think she may suspect something already, but is keeping mum if she does."

"But Harry tomorrow…"

"Neville, it is all going to work out. You'll see."

Neville went quite. It was clear to Harry that his friend was deep in thought and he didn't want to disturb that. He didn't however have to wait long to hear what it was his friend had been thinking about. "Harry, if somehow Ginny finds out…"

"Then she will keep it to herself. Trust her Neville. I've learned to. Besides, the chances of her finding us out are pretty good. I can't explain it, but lately…it's just kind of weird…"

"How do you mean? Has she said anything?"

"No, it's nothing like that, it's just…I dunno, I can't explain it. It's like she just…knows things, things that only I seem to know, or she knows things that there's no way she could possibly know what she does. Does that make any sense?"

"Like maybe she knows the future?" Neville asked.

"No, that's too specific and definitely not what I mean. And it's not even all that often when it happens, but when it does though…ugh…" Harry said with a shake of his head, "It just boggles the mind, my mind to be specific."

"Well put it out of your head for now. You need to be at the top of your game for tomorrow, I don't want to win too easily." Neville said with a smile, but as soon as the smile had appeared on his face, it was gone. "Actually, keep thinking about it, that way I won't have to put forth as much effort and that way I may just have a chance at winning." He ended his thought with a smirk, which Harry noticed and gave a smile of his own.

"Nev, you are a talented Wizard and an even more amazing Knight. Why else do you think I'm making you the leader over the 'other' Knights?" Harry said with a knowing look. "I am going to have my work cut out for me tomorrow."

Again, Neville smiled. "Too right you are Harry. Thanks for that by the way, my gran was really proud when she heard. Hey," he added as an afterthought. "…we had better get going or else the others are going to wonder where we are."

"You mean Ron is going to be anxious to get to dinner." The two friends shared a good laugh over that as they made their way out of the Room of Requirement and towards Gryffindor tower.

As they were leaving, neither noticed a figure step out from the shadows of the room they had just been occupying for the last hour and a half. The figures' silvery, liquid-metal looking, eyes alight with intrigue following them. He didn't linger long, only long enough o take another look around the room and was then gone in the blink of an eye.

A/N: Hello all! Yes, it has been some time since I last posted. Real-life got in the way a bit. Truth is, that I had the majority of this chapter written, but I just couldn't get a grasp on the Order meeting scene. That took the most time. And to top that off, I recently got married, then got sick...so as I a said before, real-life got in the way a bit. I'm back now, and have a good grasp on the next chapter and hope to start it very soon. We are coming to the final chapters. I estimate there to be another 3 to 5 chapters until the end. So prepare yourselves. The next chapter will hold the finale to the dueling tournament. And just today did I finalize who is going to win. Who is it you ask, well, you're just going to have to read on.

Thank you all for your patience!

Fear Not, I'm not going anywhere! And this story will be finished, it will not be abandoned! This I promise you!

Thanks for reading, now if you could let me know what you thought of this chapter, that would be great! I'm not totally pleased with it, but I like it better than before and am willing to post it as is. So please ignore any grammatical errors or missing words. This will be fixed at some point.

Again, Thanks!

Until next time...

Mudbloodpotter