Disclaimer: Nope.

Author's Note: Hey there, and thank you so much for the awesome review! I'm really glad you enjoyed Sirius's conversation with Sturgis. You'll definitely learn more about Sturgis's past as the story progresses. You'll discover what exactly happened between him and Benjamin's mother, and why it causes him so much emotional pain.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

xxxxxxxxxx

Alastor Moody didn't quite know how to feel as he sat in Sturgis's dining room along with the more seasoned members of the Order. The only person who wasn't there was Sirius, and it didn't take a genius to figure out why.

It was completely obvious why Sirius currently couldn't be in the same room as Dumbledore. Moody had come to Grimmauld Place for a lesson with Harry today, and he had seen instantly that Sirius had looked haunted. The man hadn't told him much - all he'd said was that there had been a confrontation between himself and Albus the day before. Harry, too, looked emotionally overwhelmed, and it was obvious that he was exceedingly worried over Sirius's well-being. There was compassion and warmth in his emerald eyes when he looked at his godfather. Moody wondered how much Sirius had told his godson about the confrontation, but it was apparent that Harry knew it had been a bad one.

It had affected Albus, too, in more ways than Moody thought was possible. As he sat at the table, it seemed like all the energy and strength had gone out of him, and Moody got the feeling that this didn't have anything to do with the horrible ordeal he had suffered at the hands of those so-called Mind Healers. His blue eyes no longer twinkled - instead, they were dull and listless. He spoke very little, not exchanging many pleasantries with the seasoned members of the Order at all.

Moody looked at Sturgis, who was sitting a few seats away from him. There was a hard look in his eyes that he had seen only a few times. It was clear that he wasn't comfortable with having Dumbledore in his home, but was dealing with it simply for professional purposes. The looks on the faces of Emmeline Vance, Remus Lupin, Bill Weasley, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and, most notably, Minerva McGonagall, didn't bode well either.

Things had definitely changed. Moody remembered how the Order used to look at Dumbledore before, during the First War. They followed his orders without much questioning. They trusted him implicitly. They knew that what they were doing was for a worthy cause.

But now, there was uncertainty in their gazes, and in a few cases, outright hostility. He noticed it the most in the faces of Sturgis and Kingsley, though they were trying to hide it. Sturgis, especially, was attempting to maintain his decorum, as he always tried to do in difficult situations. Minerva, after all, had handed the reins to him, and he wasn't about to betray the trust she had placed in him.

Dumbledore was doing something else that was very unlike his old self - he was trying his best not to make eye contact with any of the Order members. He simply sat in his chair, his hands on his lap. He didn't look anything like the man who had led Moody through the First War, self-assured and confident that what he was doing was right.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

Sturgis's voice broke Moody out of his thoughts. "I would like to begin this meeting by welcoming Albus Dumbledore back amongst us." His eyes softened slightly as he turned to Dumbledore, though they still contained a storm within their depths. "I trust that you are feeling better?"

"Yes, Sturgis. Thank you." Even Dumbledore's voice was different. He sounded worse than Moody had ever heard before. He felt a sudden pang in what was left of his withered heart.

"Good." Sturgis nodded. "Let me say, first and foremost, that we are all incredibly sorry for what you have endured."

"Thank you." Dumbledore nodded back. "Thanks to Healer Dixon, I am very much recovered. It feels good to be back."

Moody noticed, however, that the words felt stilted somehow, like they had been rehearsed a thousand times. And, honestly, actors did a far better job of making them sound genuine than Dumbledore had just done.

"It is good to have you back as well," Sturgis said, and Moody felt as though he, too, was just acting. He, however, did a far better job of pulling off the line and sounding like he meant it. The look in his eyes, though, conveyed a very different story.

"There is much that we need to cover," Sturgis continued. "It is of very high importance that we discuss everything."

It was plain that Sturgis would not partake in any more small talk, and Moody was thankful for it. He couldn't help the memories that swarmed him then - of Barty Crouch, Jr. leering down at him as he lay confined in his own magical trunk. The feeling of the Cruciatus Curse, the way it ravaged his body as though white-hot knives were plunging into every bone, every muscle, every part of his flesh. The deranged laughter of the Death Eater, who was wearing Moody's face and looked like his evil twin. "No one will save you. Even old Dumby thinks nothing's different." The knowledge that Moody very well might die in here, dehydrated and malnourished, his muscles attrifying.

It was all he could do to hold onto any semblance of hope. But he had to, for his own sanity.

Albus will realize. Albus will know. We've been friends for decades. Crouch won't get past Albus for much longer. He'll get him. He'll get him good, and that mongrel will be back in Azkaban, where he belongs. I'll be very happy to throw away the key, once I get out of here.

But by the time he had been rescued, the damage was already done. Potter and Diggory had been kidnapped off of school grounds, right under Albus's crooked nose. Diggory was dead, Potter was traumatized, and Voldemort had returned.

And Albus hadn't realized - not until the very last minute, when it was already too late. He'd realized only minutes after Potter had returned with Diggory's lifeless body.

There were so many bigger things to worry about, but betrayal still sank its teeth into Moody as he stared at Albus, who just wouldn't look at him. He just continued to gaze listlessly at some point on Sturgis's ceiling.

But then, the old man spoke, and his voice sounded small and frail. "I understand that you are leading the Order now, Sturgis?" he asked quietly. He finally made eye contact with Minerva. "Is there a reason for this?"

"Because, in your absence, Sturgis has done more for this organization than I ever could," Minerva answered promptly. "Because of him, we are more motivated to see Voldemort's destruction."

She went on to explain about the evening gatherings that took place six days a week. "I have been unable to attend many of them, since I need to concentrate on Hogwarts," she elaborated. She gazed at Albus with an intensely serious expression. "Being Headmistress is a duty I will not take lightly."

There was an almost ... accusatory note in her voice, and Albus received her message loud and clear. His eyes grew very sad and somber as he gazed back at her.

"There have been a great many realizations I have come to over the last few months," McGonagall went on. "Ever since Potter's arrival, you have not been running Hogwarts like it is a school."

"Indeed." There was no humor in Kingsley's voice - it was hard and flinty. "Some of your hiring decisions are ... not quite suitable," he stated. His eyes turned to Remus, and he gave him a look that clearly said: I don't mean you.

Indeed, from what Moody had heard, Remus had been the only decent Defense teacher for several years. Up until now, of course - only good things had been said about Fiona Giddens, the woman from America.

"I have also made some other changes to Hogwarts," Minerva explained. Her voice was like stone as she tried not to let emotion get in the way of speaking to Dumbledore. "I am very much aware, of course, of the sacrifices Severus has made, and will continue to make, in this war," she said, her voice softening slightly. But then it grew hard again as she continued, "But his conduct in the classroom is abominable, Albus. Do you have any idea how many Auror and Healer recruits we have lost because of his teaching methods?"

Apparently, Albus couldn't stop himself from interjecting at this. "I know that Severus is very difficult to please, and that he is a hard man," he said. "And I honestly would have thought he would be at this meeting."

"Well, he isn't," Minerva said, her tone growing harsher. "He does not wish to partake in these gatherings."

"I've been relaying the information to him privately," said Sturgis.

"Ah." Dumbledore seemed to understand now. "True, Severus is not one for social gatherings unless he has no choice." He looked sad then. "I will speak with Severus about his classroom conduct," he added quietly.

Minerva snorted - actually snorted - something that Moody didn't hear her do often, and she had never made such a sound in Dumbledore's vicinity - not to his knowledge, at least. It almost seemed like her time away from him had broken some kind of spell - he remembered how much she used to obey his every word, like it was Gospel truth.

But Moody realized that Dumbledore had never needed to cast spells or charms to manipulate and bend people to his will. Honestly, he used to be persuasive enough on his own. Merlin knew how many times he'd gotten Moody to go along with his plans.

"Honestly, Albus. Have any of your stern talking-tos stopped Severus from acting the way he does?" she demanded.

"Severus is not here to defend himself." Dumbledore's voice was chastizing.

"True." Minerva conceded. "But what I'm saying is that I have told him in no uncertain terms that I will not put up with his nonsense."

"Has he listened to you?" Albus asked, honestly curious.

"It is going better than I expected." Minerva's lips were pursed. "Instead of constantly belittling most of the students, he ignores them now." It was clear that she still wasn't at all impressed with Snape's attitude.

If it were up to Alastor Moody, Severus Snape wouldn't even be in the Order. He'd be in a cell in Azkaban, spending his days with the Dementors. Yes, he was apparently spying for the Order now, but Moody didn't trust him as far as he could throw him. As he and Harry had progressed in Occlumency lessons, he'd seen little snippets of certain Potions classes. The way Snape constantly sneered at the boy disgusted Moody - it reminded him all too much of his relationship with his vile "family". And the fact that Snape spent so much of his time around children was repulsive to Moody.

Albus shook his head, his eyes concerned. "You and I will need to discuss this more thoroughly," he told McGonagall, a little of his normal manner coming back into his voice.

"Yes, we will." Moody knew that Minerva wasn't going to back down an inch from her position.

"Now, then." Sturgis placed his hands on the table as he moved onto the next subject. "There are several other items of business we need to discuss." He looked Dumbledore directly in the eye. "Horcruxes," he stated with no further preamble.

Moody felt his throat tighten, and a surge of emotion welled up in him. His protectiveness over Harry still took him by surprise - he had seen so much battle and bloodshed that he thought his ability to feel emotion was gone. But as he thought of the young boy who had so much life left in him, he realized again that he had been wrong.

So, it was him who spoke up. He had to be careful what he said, as some of the people in this room weren't aware of Harry's scar link to Voldemort, and the fact that he might have to sacrifice himself for the Light to be victorious. Anger and despair tried to worm its way into him, but he furiously tamped it down. Not here, he told himself as he caught Sturgis's eye. He saw a similar resolve in the other man's gaze.

Still, he spoke up, because he had much to say about Horcruxes in general. "Exactly how much do you know of them?" he asked harshly.

Dumbledore, his voice still sounding wary, defeated, and unsure, explained to the group what Dixon had told him, as well as explaining about the diary that had fallen into Ginny's possession in her first year at Hogwarts. He knew about the locket that Henderson had destroyed, which was found at Grimmauld Place. He also knew about the Gaunt ring that Dixon and Finkle had managed to get rid of.

"Arnold is planning to go after the other Horcruxes. It is a mission that he and Finkle have agreed to," Dumbledore explained quietly. "But after some soul-searching, he also agreed that you should know as well."

"So what are your guesses as to what these other Horcruxes might be?" asked Emmeline, her expression deadly serious. The look in her eyes was unforgiving. "Albus, we know that certain information must be kept secret," she stated. "But did you honestly expect to go after these Horcruxes all by yourself?"

"And what if something happened to you? You're not invincible, Albus. That has been proven."

It was the first time that Alastor Moody had ever heard Remus Lupin say anything even slightly confrontational to the old man who had allowed him a place at Hogwarts. It shocked him so much that for a moment, he thought he'd landed in an alternate universe. Remus's eyes were hard, and his expression was uncompromising.

To this, Albus Dumbledore had barely anything to say. "I am sorry." The words were whispered.

Moody stared down Albus coldly. "You expected Potter to go after these goddamned Horcruxes, didn't you." It was a statement, not a question.

"I think Alastor is exactly right." Sturgis's voice was even colder than Moody's - in fact, it was so cold that it could have frozen the sun. "You expected a child to do the work that some of the most experienced adults are incapable of handling." Gone were all traces of caring and compassion that were usually displayed so openly in the man's eyes. "How dare you, Albus." He didn't have to shout the words to make their meaning crystal clear. "That is completely unacceptable."

Dumbledore couldn't look at any of the Order members. His eyes seemed to find the dining-room table extremely interesting.

"We will go after these Horcruxes." Emmeline's eyes were slits now. "Not Harry Potter. Do I make myself clear, Albus?"

There were several seconds of profound silence, and Dumbledore looked as though his entire world was crumbling at the seams. And Alastor Moody, who had shared so much with him over the years, felt his frozen heart beating within him. There was no sympathy, no empathy. Maybe he had never really known Albus at all.

"You have already asked too much of that boy." Kingsley snarled uncharacteristically. "And we, the Order, will protect him - even if it's from you."

The tension in the room was so thick that it could have been cut with a knife. Dumbledore opened and closed his mouth several times, but couldn't find anything to say.

"You will tell us what you think these Horcruxes are." It was a demand, and Sturgis made no bones about it. "And we will figure out what to do from there. In the meantime, there are several more items we need to catch you up on. But make no mistake - at the conclusion of this meeting, you will reveal any information you have on these Horcruxes."

Dumbledore nodded shakily. At this, Sturgis relented slightly as he went on to explain other matters.

When he spoke of Kettleburn's "experiment" and the problems with owl post, Dumbledore couldn't hide the horror and guilt that suffused his expression. "Sylvanus," he murmured with heartache in his voice. "I swear, I was completely unaware of any dark leanings on his part."

Alastor got the impression that Albus was telling the truth this time, but too much had happened for him to fully believe it. It was apparent that others in the room felt the same way.

"Severus has explained that Voldemort is very interested in the Department of Mysteries," Sturgis explained. "There is no doubt in my mind that he is hankering after a certain prophecy." He couldn't hide the disgust that entered his voice.

Dumbledore sat up straighter in his chair. "I see." For the first time during the meeting, his expression grew more animated. "I think, then, that we must set up a system where someone is always on guard in that corridor," he suggested. "Voldemort must not know what the prophecy contains."

There was a moment of quiet before Moody spoke up. "Absolutely not." His tone contained a severity and finality in it that made Albus stare at him. "Are you mad, Albus?"

"I agree with Alastor." Sturgis nodded. "Sirius has informed Harry of what the prophecy says. He doesn't know the entire contents, as he was concerned that Voldemort would torture the information out of him." The words were delivered bluntly, but Moody could see pain and rage in Sturgis's eyes as they were spoken. No fifteen-year-old child should have to think of such things.

Dumbledore looked absolutely horrified by this. "He knows?" he asked in a whisper. "Sirius ... he never told me that. Harry ... he is too young ..."

It didn't surprise Moody that even as Sirius was confronting Dumbledore yesterday, he'd never revealed that Harry knew about the prophecy.

He felt anger leap to life inside him. "Too young, eh?" he spat. "And yet, you expected him to go after these Horcruxes. What, were you thinking that Harry would go into the final battle not knowing why Voldemort's obsessed with him?"

There was one thing he didn't say, but desperately wanted to - he's not too young to die, then, Albus?

"Of course, he is too young." Emmeline whispered, and there was a deep pain that resonated through every word. "But this is the situation we are in, and Harry has shown that he is mature enough to handle it."

"That thing needs to be destroyed," Moody sneered as he thought of what it would be like to constantly guard that eerie corridor. "You're joking if you expect us to stand outside in that damned hallway for days and days and days. I doubt that monster will ever give up on wanting to know its contents."

Dumbledore's own voice was full of pain and regret when he replied. "It is the only way to go about this." His blue eyes were haunted. "Only Harry or Voldemort can handle the prophecy safely. It isn't common knowledge, but I have learned that anyone else who handles a prophecy that does not have their name on it will go mad within seconds."

Moody hid the twisted smile that wanted to light his face in that moment. I'm already there, Albus, he thought viciously. I can't go any madder than I already am.

"There is always another way." Moody knew exactly what Sturgis was alluding to, although he didn't say it.

"You are always so convinced your way is the right one." Bill Weasley spoke up for the first time. "I am a cursebreaker," he told Dumbledore, even though he knew the other man already possessed this knowledge. "I am not well-versed in prophecies, but the Gringotts goblins possess magic that we wizards and witches underestimate greatly."

Bill had certainly piqued everyone's interest. Dumbledore, though, only shook his head. "It is very difficult to convince a goblin to comply with a human's wishes," he said quietly. "Especially concerning something of this magnitude."

Bill's gaze was unrelenting as he stared at the Headmaster. "I don't mean to brag," he said quietly. "But I know enough about goblins to find my way around them."

"And are you convinced that you can swear them to secrecy?" Dumbledore wasn't budging. "It is very dangerous to trust a goblin with anything. Whoever you choose to confide in might just turn around and betray you."

Bill's eyes grew hard and fierce. "We are not going to stand in the corridor outside the Department of Mysteries, when there is far more that we could be doing," he said coldly. "I will be asking a goblin to help us."

Dumbledore closed his eyes. The room went completely silent as the old man digested everything he'd been told. Moody didn't know how long the silence lasted for, but eventually, Dumbledore broke it. And the words he said were definitely not the ones Moody was expecting to hear.

"I am so incredibly sorry."

He looked up then, and there was a world of pain, sorrow, and guilt behind his eyes as he looked at all those who had once trusted him, but who had now become disillusioned and were going their own way. He looked from one face to another, simply studying their expressions, and his eyes grew sadder and sadder as they gazed around the room.

"I think," he said quietly, "that I have much soul-searching to do. It is apparent that you seem to know precisely what you are doing." His blue eyes landed on Sturgis. "I am very proud of you." He spoke softly. "It is my hope that you will continue to lead the Order as you have been doing, Sturgis."

Moody knew his expression was one of pure shock, and he saw the same looks on everyone else's faces. Of all the things they had expected Dumbledore to say ...

"Sirius told me the truth yesterday." His voice was barely audible now. "The truth about my own actions. I have ... I have done so much wrong. I am sorry."

It was disconcerting, and somehow heartbreaking. Never had Alastor Moody expected Albus to give in so quickly. For the first time, he felt sympathy enter his heart for the old man.

"Are you certain?" It was obvious that Minerva McGonagall had been completely taken aback by Albus's decision as well.

"I am the Hogwarts Headmaster." Albus's words were still spoken in a whisper. "And you are right. I have not run Hogwarts like it is a school. I was blinded by ..." He left the sentence hanging, unable to continue.

Power. Responsibility. Certainty that my decisions were unquestionable. Moody could think of many ways to finish that sentence.

"I will focus on Hogwarts." He looked at Minerva then, and there was almost a ... pleading expression in his eyes. "I ... I will need your assistance with reintegration."

This was another profound shock. Albus Dumbledore, asking for help? It was unheard of. It wasn't the Dumbledore Moody knew at all.

"Of course." McGonagall was able to rally very quickly. "Whatever you need, Albus. The staff and I are here for you."

Dumbledore smiled softly, sadly. "I would like to still be part of the Order, if that's possible," he said quietly.

Sturgis nodded, his own expression one of deep sadness. "We are not casting you out of this organization," he said clearly. "There will be, in fact, a full meeting of the Order at this time tomorrow. You and I will explain most of what happened here today."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you, Sturgis."

Moody's eyes - both regular and magical - met Albus's. "Harry will be staying with Sirius until he returns to Hogwarts in January." There was no room for argument in Moody's statement. "He will not go back to his Muggle family." He held the old man's gaze. "And Sirius will speak to Child Services and gain full custody of Harry." He paused. "And when he returns to Hogwarts, you will no longer interfere with his education," he said staunchly. "He will attend classes, have fun in his common room, and eat meals in the Great Hall like any regular student. You will not put him through any more ... training." There was an endless amount of pain in that one word.

And when Dumbledore nodded silently, it was as if the whole room let out a sigh of relief.

"Harry won't be alone," Emmeline said softly. "We are going to help him fight this war - all of us."

Dumbledore nodded again, and it was as though a huge weight lifted off of Moody.

There was so much still to say. He had no doubt that once the others inevitably found out about Harry's status as a Horcrux, many wounds would rip open again, and this wouldn't be the last time that Albus Dumbledore would be on the receiving end of much vitriol.

But, for now, there was a moment of calm as the tension disappeared from the room.

Things hadn't worked out at all the way Alastor Moody was expecting - but maybe, just maybe, this was how it was meant to be.