The Burrow was crowded, full of people, which made Molly the happiest. Everyone there could see that Molly was in her element, serving food and making sure everyone had enough to eat and drink and was comfortable.

The children had, to their consternation, been pushed outdoors and barred from entering the house during the meeting that was taking place. This included the twins who were really upset by the fact that they were not allowed to sit in on Order business even though they were seventeen. By Molly's screeching, however, it was clear that she did not care that they were legal adults, but that they were still students.

Fred and George had immediately disappeared with some object that was clearly an invention of theirs while Harry, Aria, Ron, and Ginny got down and dirty in the tomatoes, crawling through the plants until they were under the open window and hidden from view by the plants.

"Did you see how Snape arrived with Sirius and Remus?" they heard someone ask. Aria thought she remembered someone calling the person Emmeline.

"I didn't realize they were friendly with each other," Emmeline continued.

"I believe they are . . . begrudgingly getting along," someone else replied.

"Elphias Doge," Ron whispered to Aria and Harry. "He's as old as Dumbledore and one of his longtime friends. He sits on the Wizengamot."

"Sirius is taking care of Barty Crouch and Snape is friends with the young lad," Doge continued. "Though Barty is off to Switzerland in a few days."

"Come along, everyone!" They heard Arthur call. "The meeting's starting."

There was a large amount of shuffling inside. Aria risked peeking over the windowsill into the house and saw everyone taking seats around the kitchen table. Snape sat scowling at one of the corners, looking very put out and intimidating while Remus sat at his side, looking far more approachable though no one spoke with him. Sirius sat on Remus' other side, finishing a conversation with someone Aria didn't recognize. There were several people Aria didn't recognize.

"How is Barty doing, Sirius?" Dumbledore asked as he settled across from Sirius at the table.

"He's better now that he's a free man and has his brother back," Sirius replied. "No thanks to the judicial system or the healers at St. Mungo's."

"Are you certain Florian didn't want to come?" Dumbledore asked.

"Florian has enough on his plate," Sirius snapped. This was clearly something they had spoken about before. "You're lucky Remus and I showed up at all."

"Really, Sirius," Molly scolded. "That's no way to speak to Albus. You're becoming quite the bitter man."

Aria and Harry shared a look with Ron and Ginny.

"Twelve years in Azkaban tends to do that," Sirius remarked. "Though I suppose that doesn't explain Snape."

"My bitterness comes from having to sit next to you."

"Enough," Remus warned.

Aria and Harry stifled giggles. Harry leaned against Aria's shoulder as they listened, and she relished the weight on her. Harry had been quite cuddly since running away, half the time he was attached to either Sirius or Remus though he had no qualms about leaning against her when they were on the couch or on the window seat in the attic. He had even started to latch onto Professor Snape sometimes when the man was over visiting Barty, and that was hilarious to watch because Snape was completely out of his depth.

"I'm sorry to hear that you lost your position as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump," Emmeline said sadly. "What do you think of Lord Greengrass?"

"The Greengrass family is traditionally neutral," Dumbledore said, "but he has darker leanings and is the Head of the Department of Mysteries, one department we have yet to get a member of the Order into. It is unclear what they do there, even I as Chief Warlock was barred from learning too much about their department. We will have to watch him carefully, especially since his daughters are in the same house as Harry."

"Daphne is a sensible girl who is much like her father," Snape said. "Astoria, unfortunately, while obtaining her father's brains has the personality of her mother which does her no favors. It is Astoria that I will keep an eye on."

"Speaking of keeping an eye on people," Dumbledore cut in, "I am hoping you will return to Voldemort's side, Severus, and continue your spying duties."

"Are you insane?" Remus cried.

"Absolutely not!" Sirius cried, surprising everyone involved.

"Snape has spent the last several weeks ignoring the call," Remus said, "you think the Dark Lord will be very forgiving? What about the fact that he's known for taking on a Muggleborn potions apprentice? It's the talk of the European potion's community. It's public knowledge! He's also said child's magical guardian, alongside me. Do you really think Voldemort's going to let him waltz back into the Death Eater ranks?"

"Why are you guardians to another child?" someone asked. "I thought they let Lord Black do it because they felt bad for putting him in Azkaban."

"There's nothing in the law keeping Remus from being a co-guardian," Sirius growled.

"So, I assume, then, that you will also not be returning to the werewolf packs to try and sway them to our side?" Dumbledore asked Remus, clearly disappointed.

"That's correct," Sirius spoke this time. It was clear to Aria that he was speaking through clenched teeth. "He nearly got killed in the last war and the Order has nothing to give to the werewolf packs. The Dark Lord, lying though he is, promises them a freedom and equality that we do not nor have we even attempted to deliver on in the years since the war ended. In fact, I believe, Britain is one of the outliers in Europe where we continue to tighten restrictions on werewolves."

"How are other countries doing that without a rise in their werewolf population?" someone asked.

"It's called the Wolfsbane Potion," Snape sneered. "Very popular and created by a Hogwarts alumnus. Most governments are funding its production and subsidizing it so that werewolves can buy it cheaply. Since then, they've been able to lift restrictions on werewolves and have even designated areas of forests and reserves for them to peacefully change during the moon. It's been all over the papers, but I suppose if you only read The Daily Prophet, you might find your knowledge of the world outside of Britain lacking."

"We do have something to give," Dumbledore insisted. "Or is a cure for lycanthropy not something to tell them?"

Aria nearly gasped at the audacity of the man. He was going to use her to lure people onto their side. If he was so desperate for these werewolves to be on his side, why hadn't he done anything for them in the years after the first war? Why hadn't he fought harder for their rights? Or did he only do such things when it was convenient for himself?

"Miss Bourne is finding a cure for lycanthropy because she actually practices what she preaches," Snape said. Ginny nearly snorted at the underhanded insult at the headmaster. "And she is finding a cure for lycanthropy because, for whatever reason, she cares for Lupin. I question her intelligence there, but we all have our blind spots I suppose."

"Aw, Severus, that's so sweet," Remus teased.

"I will hex you."

"Gentlemen," Arthur scolded.

"I will not have anyone here using either Harry or Aria as bargaining tools to gain allies," Sirius stated. "If you were worried about the Dark Lord's return, Albus, you should've been working in the intervening years to shore up allies. Now look at what's going on. You've cost the Order any type of political power it may have once had, because Merlin knows I'm not going to help too much in that regard—,"

"And why not?" Molly demanded. "Between you and Elphias you can bring about much change for the cause!"

"Because, Molly, I know how to play the game. I hate that I know how to play the game, but I can play it. Dumbledore's on the down and out. It's well known that I align with him, politically, on many things. Or that I have historically. However, it's also known that I am quite mad at him which I am in case anyone was confused on the matter. It is better for me to no longer be closely associated with him as I was in my bygone youth. Not only will the ministry have a harder time creating libel against me, but they will be more willing to listen to me if I am not closely associated with Dumbledore. Or would you rather they listen to people like Malfoy and Parkinson?"

"I don't know why you're so mad at Albus," Molly muttered, putting more food on the table.

"Now, now, Molly," Dumbledore soothed. "Tempers are fraying in these difficult times."

"Twelve years in Azkaban," Sirius said, ticking items off with his fingers, "Harry was placed with his magic hating Muggle relatives, mismanagement of the Potter accounts . . . that's all I've got right now but those are pretty significant."

"Sirius," Dumbledore scolded. "I've returned all the items you've requested."

"Thankfully," Sirius growled. "Merlin knows what I would've done if some of those items had been lost."

"I believe you also wanted to discuss recruiting new members?" Arthur questioned Dumbledore, breaking up the argument. The sound of the Floo broke up the voices for a minute as someone came through.

"Moody!" Arthur cried. "Glad to see you made it."

"Just finished getting Barty ready for Switzerland," Moody muttered, stomping forward. "What kind of cookies are those, Molly?"

"Chocolate chip. It's a Muggle recipe Ron's friend Aria gave me a few years ago. They're quite delicious."

Aria preened at the idea that her cookies were getting such attention.

"Moody, we are talking about recruiting new members," Arthur said.

"And I am attempting to convince Severus to return as a spy for us," Dumbledore added.

"I thought we settled that he wasn't," Remus growled.

"There are two aurors that I think could be good recruits," Moody said, "but they may be chosen for Amelia's task force. If they are, then I wouldn't approach them, because Bones would see that as conflicting interests and if we want the truth to be exposed, we can't have that. And doesn't Snape have a Muggleborn apprentice?"

"Unofficial until she takes her OWLs," Snape cut in.

"And hasn't he been ignoring the Dark Lord's summons?" Moody continued. "Doubt the monster will take too kindly to that. No, I think Snape's better off trying to keep his Slytherins from being recruited by the Dark Lord."

"You think that's necessary?" Dumbledore asked.

"Albus!" Snape cried. "It is very necessary seeing as there are multiple children of Death Eaters in Slytherin House. Or have you forgotten the amount of recruiting that happened during the last war? How I was recruited?"

"Snape is the best person to ensure students who don't want to follow in their parents' footsteps have an out," Moody said. "They'll know he's defected and will see him as someone they can go to if they want to defect too."

"A spy in Voldemort's ranks is far more important," Dumbledore insisted.

"Then get someone else," Snape yelled, surging to his feet, the chair scraping horrendously against the floor. Aria shuddered at the noise. "I will direct my attention to ensuring as many of my Slytherins survive this war without a fucking Dark Mark on their arm!"

Silence fell over the Burrow. Everyone inside and out was shocked at Snape's outburst. The man, usually so composed, now trembled with fury. His wand had slipped into his hand, and it sparked silver, causing the nearest people beside him to jump in shock.

"Severus," Dumbledore said gently, "it may be too late for some of your students."

"The Dark Lord did not mark people until they came of age," Snape said. "I assume he will do the same. But even if a student comes to me with a Dark Mark on their arm, if they truly desire an out, I will give it to them. I will not allow any more to be coerced by their parents or grandparents or anyone else! If you, as Headmaster, cannot support me in this, then you will find that I will not support your efforts either."

"Now, Severus—," Dumbledore tried.

"Severus is right, Albus," Arthur said. "He is best positioned to weaken You-Know-Who by ensuring he cannot grow his Death Eater ranks."

"I've other properties that can be opened if people need a safe place," Sirius said. "Some of them are even out of the country if it comes to that."

"Thank you, Black," Snape said. "That's appreciated."

"Very well," Dumbledore said, sounding rather sad. "If you feel that this is the best use of your time and talents, Severus, I won't force you to spy."

"That's very kind of him," Aria whispered, rather sarcastically. How was Dumbledore any different from Voldemort if he forced his followers to do things they didn't want to do? Aria was glad though that Snape was not going to be a spy. She had seen enough movies to know that it was dangerous and knew enough about the world that it probably wasn't as glamorous as the 007 movies made it out to be. She did not want anything to happen to Snape. Not just because he was helping to find a cure for lycanthropy, but because she liked him as a person. He had started off as the mysterious, elusive neighbor who always scowled at people, but he had grown to be a person she admired, that she wanted to be like. She wanted to be as smart as him, as loyal as he was, as disciplined and as stalwart in her beliefs, just like him. She hated to think that his poor choices as a teenager had led him to such a person like Voldemort, but his Dark Mark told her that that is what had happened. She didn't dare ask what had led him to Voldemort. She doubted it was a kind story, but she hoped that, at the end of all things, it might have a happy ending.

It seemed the meeting was now over, and dinner was going to be served. Aria followed Ron and Ginny and Harry out of the tomatoes back into the back yard just as Molly began calling for them. She huffed seeing how dirty they were, waving her wand over them and freshening them up.

"I don't understand how you four can get so dirty," she said as they trooped into the house. "It's not like I asked you to degnome the garden."

Sirius, Remus, and Snape gave them all calculating looks and Aria glanced briefly at the open window. Sirius snorted into his tea, clearly amused, while Remus withheld a sigh. Snape looked rather pleased at their espionage. Harry and Aria both made a show of greeting Remus, catching the surprised or slightly disgusted looks from several people, though those adults tried to hide it when they noticed that Harry and Aria saw them.

Cokesworth was the same as always. After breathing in the fumes of London for several weeks, it was nice to be up north where the air was a bit cleaner and the days and nights not quite so loud. While Grimmauld had wards around it that kept it pretty quiet, some of London's noises still made its way through so there was always some kind of noise in the background. Spinner's End was wonderfully quiet.

Aria and Harry's return to Spinner's End was celebrated by the teens in the neighborhood. Robert, Tommy, and Samuel insisted on taking them out for curry even though there was a lot of joking about Harry's rich godfather and how he had taken Aria and Kenneth under his wing.

Aria received several letters directly after arriving in Cokesworth. Hermione wrote about how she was enjoying her summer in Bulgaria, that Viktor was being the perfect gentleman, and was showing her all kinds of fascinating magical places. Not that she was only hanging out in the magical places. Her parents were in Bulgaria to and when Viktor was at a practice, they went sightseeing in the Muggle areas. She also received a letter from Daphne, excitedly telling her about how her dad was now the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, how Astoria had grown a larger head about it, and how she really missed Aria and couldn't wait to see her when school started up again. Aria thought that perhaps she could invite Daphne over for her birthday.

She and Harry also received a letter from Neville. His dad's recovery was doing well, they were nearly ready to head out to Switzerland, his mother's recovery was slow. Algernon's attempt to Obliviate her had not worked, but unlike Frank where her mind latched onto the memories and held onto them tightly, her mind had reacted instinctively by hiding the memories away in a mindscape that was thick jungles. The healers could hear the memories, it was now just a matter of finding the memories and getting Alice's mind to realize it was safe to reveal them.

Neville also wanted her and Harry to meet Frank before they left for Switzerland. Aria thought that could be arranged as Harry had a healer's appointment at the hospital the day before the Longbottoms were meant to leave.

After writing out her answers to the letters and giving Hedwig a lot of treats, Aria and Harry walked into town for ice cream. They were at the ice cream stand waiting in line behind a couple of families when they heard their names being called.

"Aria! Harry!"

Dean and Seamus came strolling up the street. Aria grinned, waving happily to see them. Dean too looked pleased, but Seamus had a scowl on his face and his hands were stuffed into his pockets.

"Why's Seamus look like that?" Harry asked. Aria shrugged. She didn't get to ask. The moment Dean and Seamus were close enough, Seamus drew back a fist, and swung at Harry. Harry ducked, but Aria wasn't fast enough. Seamus' momentum brought his first directly into her face, knocking her over with a sharp cry. The families around them gave shouts and drew their young children away. Dean shouted at Seamus and Harry grabbed hold of Seamus' shirt, clearly intending to prolong the fight while Aria staggered to her feet, clutching her face.

"That's enough!"

DS Redmayne pulled Harry and Seamus apart. DI Sheard knelt in front of Aria, gently pulling her hand away so that he could take a look at her face.

"Seamus, you promised you'd behave!" Dean cried.

"Now, what's the big idea?" Redmayne demanded. "Walking up on someone looking to buy an ice cream and trying to deck him?"

"Just mad is all," Seamus muttered.

"Oh, and Irish man!" Redmayne cried. "Looking to start trouble over here too?"

"No," Seamus muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets again, face turning bright red.

"Where you from?" Redmayne asked. Sheard went to the ice cream window and got an ice pack from them, pressing it against Aria's bruising eye.

"Belfast," Seamus muttered.

"Belfast, eh? Think you can just come over here where respectable people live and cause problems here too? I ought to take you to the station."

"Redmayne!" Sheard snapped. "That's enough. He's a kid for Christ's sake! You go off and harass someone else, a British person preferably, and I'll walk the kids home." Redmayne looked like he was going to argue, but Sheard shook his head and the DS stomped off. Sheard put a hand on Seamus' shoulder and marched the four of them home. Aria grumbled about not getting her ice cream, that she deserved to get an ice cream after being punched. Harry glared at Seamus the whole way to Spinner's End, and Dean looked help, as if he had planned a nice outing and it was now ruined.

"Sheard!" Kenneth greeted. "What happened?" he hurried off the porch and gathered Aria into his arms, pulling the ice pack back a bit to look at her black eye.

"This young man punched your daughter," Sheard said.

"I was aiming for Harry," Seamus muttered.

"I'll aim for you," Harry threatened. Sheard bumped Harry's shoulder hard.

"I . . ." Kenneth stared at Seamus and Dean. "You're schoolmates of Aria and Harry aren't you?"

"Yes, sir," Dean answered.

"I'll take care of this," Kenneth said. Sheard nodded, pushing Seamus a little closer to Kenneth, and walked back down the street while Kenneth ushered the students into the house. Remus poked his head in from the kitchen.

"What happened?" he asked, even as Seamus and Dean stopped short in shock.

"Seamus punched Aria!" Harry cried.

"I was aiming for you!" Seamus cried.

"Why are you coming here and punching people?" Remus demanded as he had Aria sit on the couch. He summoned a jar of Bruise Balm which he put over Aria's eye, using a thin layer so any Muggles that saw it wouldn't be suspicious of a black eye suddenly disappearing.

Dean shrugged and for a moment, Seamus looked like he was not going to answer. But he took a deep breath and said,

"I had to punch someone!"

Kenneth folded his arms.

"You had to punch someone?"

"Yes!" Seamus cried. "I just . . . I can't punch anyone else that I want to punch so why not punch Harry? He's causing problems."

"I'm causing problems?" Harry cried, offended.

"You're saying that You-Know-Who's back!" Seamus cried. "Do you want to know how scary that is? My mam's married to a Muggle! We'll be a target if he's really back."

"Gee," Aria muttered, "I wonder what that must feel like."

"And then my da might be part of the IRA and he and mam sent me to Dean's house because there's so much violence in Belfast, and if he is a part of the IRA, he might get killed. He might get killed just going to church 'cause he's Catholic. Why is everyone trying to kill each other?"

Kenneth and Remus sighed.

"I'm sorry that you're feeling so overwhelmed, and are unable to go home," Kenneth said. "But you don't just get to punch someone because you're upset."

Seamus hung his head.

"I know," he murmured. "I just . . ." his fingers curled and uncurled. "They didn't even ask if I wanted to stay with Dean. I'm glad I am . . . but I only got three days with them and then they were sending me away."

Aria scowled at Seamus.

"But why punch Harry?" she demanded. Seamus shrugged. He did not seem inclined to answer any more questions.

"Well, if you're here," Kenneth said, going back into the kitchen, "you might as well stay for dinner."

"Really?" Dean cried.

"Dad's convinced if we all sat down at a table and ate a meal together, the world would be more peaceful," Aria said.

Harry planted himself in front of Seamus.

"I'm not making it up," he insisted. "I saw Voldemort get resurrected the night of the Third Task. Cedric saw him too. I don't want it to be true either, but it is. You think you're the only one worried about what might happen to people you care about? Aria's a Muggleborn. Voldemort's already tried to kill me!"

Seamus heaved a sulky sigh.

Aria crossed her arms, sulking on the couch. She could not wait for Seamus to leave.