MetaFic

Neville Longbottom stood and greeted his Gryffindor housemates. "Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny," he said, reaching out his hand.

Harry took Neville's hand then pulled him into a hug, slapping him on the back, "It's good to see you, Neville." Harry smiled over Neville's shoulder at the blonde still sitting comfortably in one of the chairs the Room had provided, "You too, Luna. How was the hunt for the, ah," Harry tried to remember what it was Luna and her father were hunting for.

"Crumple-Horned Snorkack," Hermione provided.

"We found some signs in Sweden, but after the attack on Kent, father decided we needed to come home straight away," Luna responded.

"Professor McGonagall filled us in on what happened," Neville told Harry and the Weasley siblings. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Neville," Harry said, picking a seat on the divan and pulling Ginny down next to him.

The others sat also, filling the chairs around the fireplace the Room had provided. There were refreshments on the table between the chairs, from which Ron helped himself.

"The Burrow was rubbish anyway," Ron said in near whisper.

"Ron!" Ginny and Hermione gasped.

"Well it's true! The steps creaked, the doors never hung right," Ron's voice became hushed and rough. "It was cramped and drafty and half falling over anyway." One single tear started down Ron's face.

Hermione placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I know, Ron. I didn't live there all my life, but I loved it too."

Ron sniffed once, "I'm fine." He looked at Neville. "So how's your summer been?"

"There was an attack on Gran's home, but it was pretty poorly organized," Neville's face paled a bit at the telling. "They didn't even seem to have a plan."

"What happened?" Harry and Ginny said together. They gave each other a look, then turned back to Neville, but it was Luna who took up the tale.

"Every time one of us would stun a Death Eater, Neville's Grandmother would bash them with a stone gargoyle."

"She killed them?" Hermione gasped.

"Just the first one," Neville told her, swallowing. "After that she'd just break their legs or crush their hands."

Luna nodded sagely. "She seemed to need to vent her anger at the state of Neville's mother and father."

"Bloody good on her then," Ron said quietly.

"Ronald, those are still people–" Hermione turned on him.

"Yeah, people who tortured Neville's parents into St. Mungo's," Ron spat back. Neville had finally told the others the story of his parents at the end of the year.

Hermione's lower lip trembled at the harsh rebuke from her boyfriend. Ginny leaned over and placed a hand on Hermione's arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'd just as well never go through that again," Neville said softly.

Luna nodded in agreement, "Their screams, they were just–" she looked around at the group, groping for the right word.

"Unbearable?" Ginny said quietly, remembering the cries of the Death Eaters trapped inside the burning Burrow.

Luna nodded.

Harry cleared his throat into the ensuing silence. "So, why are you staying at Neville's?" he asked, turning toward Luna Lovegood.

The young woman looked toward the wall behind Harry for several minutes. "Dumbledore told father it would be safer. The Quibbler's been running articles about the attacks, things the Ministry wants to keep hidden. It's been attacked twice this summer, and while father's living at Diagon Alley, Dumbledore thought it best if I went into hiding. He said he thought I'd get on with Neville's grandmother. We share a passion for hats, you see."

Harry Potter took a moment to reflect as the others continued to exchange information and bring each other up to date. A thought had just bubbled up from his subconscious as he looked around the room. Dumbledore had sent Hermione's parents into hiding. She then went to stay with Ron at Grimmauld Place. Luna's father's work put him danger of attack, so Dumbledore sent Luna to hide with Neville at the Longbottom's home. And of course, Dumbledore had sent Ginny to stay with Harry over the summer.

Harry allowed himself an internal chuckle as he realized that he was starting to understand how the mind of Albus Dumbledore worked. Harry wondered briefly if this meant that he was starting to go a bit batty himself. It was so obvious now that he'd looked at the problem properly.

The power of which Voldemort knew naught.

And Dumbledore had carefully cultivated that power among the six of them. Harry could have laughed aloud at the thought. Albus Dumbledore: strategist and matchmaker.

Harry suddenly realized that, for better or worse, he was the leader of their little band, that their lives were now inextricably linked to his in ways he was just barely beginning to understand. He understood more of what it meant to be Albus Dumbledore, of what it meant to be someone who people followed and trusted.

It made Harry feel sad. The responsibility he suddenly felt was tremendous, but at the same time, it was also a relief. He may have the weight of the Wizarding world on his shoulders, but these five friends would help him carry it. It may come down to him, in a kill or be killed showdown with Voldemort, but these five would be there with him along the way. They would laugh and love and live as a group now, and if necessary they would fight and even die for each other.

Harry Potter held back the tears as a lump formed in his throat and his heart beat rapidly at the thought. Childhood truly was over, he realized.

"I've something to tell you all," Harry spoke quietly.

The other five turned to face him. Four faces held curiosity. Ginny knew what was coming next and shifted closer to Harry's side.

Harry took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "I know what the prophecy Voldemort was try to recover said."

"But, Harry, I smashed it by accident," Neville pointed out.

"Yes, you did, but the person who the prophecy was given to had stored it in a Pensieve. I've heard it."

Ron swallowed. "And?"

Harry closed his eyes and leaned back. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have Power the Dark Lord knows not...And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...

Several moments of silence followed. Finally Neville looked Harry squarely in the eyes.

"It could have been either of us."

Ron, whose mouth had been hanging open after the end of the prophecy, spoke. "Could it still be, Neville?"

"No," Harry said with a grimace.

Luna nodded, then leaned over and pushed back Harry's hair. "Because the Dark Lord marked you as his equal."

"Right, that's what Dumbledore said," Harry told them.

"So now what do we do?" Ginny spoke finally.

"What do we do? WE do nothing!" Hermione spoke in a whispered gasp. "Harry! You have to hide. Dumbledore or the Ministry or somebody has to keep you safe someplace."

Harry turned to face Hermione. He remembered Lupin's words. He knew that Hermione was suffering the stress of the last several weeks. She had seemed fine at end of term, but with the separation from her parents and the horrible battle she had just survived, it was only to be expected she would be rattled. But Harry knew he needed her. He needed her brilliant, logical brain and, more importantly, he needed her friendship. He decided it was time for Hermione to start healing.

"I'm not hiding away, Hermione."

"YOU MUST!" Hermione screamed and stood. "Don't you understand? You should go someplace far away, like Canada. Change your name, use Polyjuice to hide yourself. Don't you understand what's at stake?"

"Of course I understand. But I can't run away. I can't let him take what little I have left away from me."

"Harry–" Hermione's voice took on a pleading tone and tears were running down her face. She collapsed onto the floor, sitting cross-legged. "Harry, he's going to kill you."

Harry nodded and sat down next to her, "Maybe, but I won't go sit in a dark hole somewhere waiting for him to find me. I'm not going to search him out, but I'm not running away either." Harry reached out and took Hermione's hands in his as the other sat in a circle with them. "Hermione, I want you to tell me what's wrong. There's more going on in your head than being worried about the prophecy, or being upset about Ginny being an Animagus."

"Ginny's an Animagus?" Neville whispered.

"Of course she is," Luna whispered back. "It's why she's still here, you see."

"You don't understand, there's so much danger," Hermione had stopped crying, but was still breathing in a shallow, raspy way. "Voldemort's going to kill you. Ginny's going to be trapped in her Animagus form forever."

Harry squeezed her hands. "Let's start with that. Hermione, Sirius was an animagus for years. He spent almost all of his time in Azkaban in his dog form. Peter Pettigrew, while he does exhibit some rat-like tendencies, was masquerading as Scabbers for a dozen years. Neither lost themselves to the animal. Why do you think Ginny will?"

"The book said it could happen," she gasped.

Ginny leaned forward. "A lot of things can happen, Hermione. Did the book tell you that only eight, just eight, animagi in all of wizarding history have ever lost themselves?"

Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, but..."

"No buts Hermione," Harry said.

Ron leaned in and quietly added his voice, "You can't live your life worrying about what might happen. You try to keep yourself as safe as you can, but you live your life."

Hermione took a deep breath. "We all nearly died in the Department of Mysteries. I'm afraid for my mum and dad. The Burrow's gone. I keep thinking about the worst things that can happen and I can't stop." She looked around the group. "I feel like a mouse trapped in a jar."

"It's okay to be scared," Neville said. "I'm scared most of the time, poor excuse for a Gryffindor that I am. But I have to help stop--" Neville swallowed hard before continuing, "--Voldemort. You've seen what they did to my parents. I can't stand by and let that happen to someone else."

Ginny nodded her agreement, "I spent a whole term waking up covered in blood and feathers. I almost killed you and Harry both, because of a shadow of Tom at our age. I know how powerful he is. Of course I'm scared." Ginny reached out and patted Hermione's arm. "No one can fault you for being afraid. But you can't let that cripple you."

"He's tried to destroy everything around me. He's killed my entire family; my mother, my father, Sirius, Hedwig." Harry finally allowed tears for fall for his aunt and uncle. "Even the Dursleys, wretched muggles that they were, they still didn't deserve to die. He's taken my entire family away. I have to stop him," Harry finished in a whisper.

Ron Weasley hugged his girlfriend. "We need you Hermione. I need you. Without you we'd have never survived this long."

"And if we don't survive next time?" Hermione whispered.

"Death is but the next great adventure," Luna said in a far away voice. She looked up to find everyone staring at her. "Well, that's what Dumbledore says."

Harry smiled at the odd girl. "I've heard him say it also." He squeezed Hermione's hands. "Look, I understand this is hard. I'm sorry I ever got you mixed up in my crazy life, and if you want to stay away from me, I'll understand."

Hermione looked into the face of one of her dearest friends. She sniffed, and smiled weakly. "And let you get yourself killed? I've worked too hard at keeping you and Ronald alive to just allow the two of you to get yourselves blown to bits now."

Harry smiled. "Then I need you to be that girl, the one who keeps us on our toes. I need you to be my bossy friend who makes us study and thinks her way out of trouble. I need your help, Hermione. But I won't ask you to stay if you don’t want to." Harry looked around at the group. "That goes for all of you."

Ginny smiled up at him. "I just got you, Potter, I'm not giving you up now."

Harry smiled back at her. "Got me, do you?"

Ron laughed. "Of course she does, so just shut up and enjoy it." Ron looked his best friend deeply in the eyes. "You’re my best mate Harry, you know I'll watch your back.

"So will I," Neville said softly. "It might come down to you against V-Voldemort, but someone has to make sure the Death Eaters don't interfere."

Luna spoke, her voice dreamy and distant. "Whenever a Dark Lord appears, that generation has champions who rise to battle him."

"You think we're champions? Like in the stories?" Hermione asked Luna, a slightly disbelieving edge to her voice.

Luna blinked. "I most certainly hope not. In the stories, they usually all die heroically."

Harry chuckled. "Well, I nominate Voldemort to do the dying."

"Here, here," five voices echoed.

The six friends leaned into each other, drawing strength, making silent promises. None saw or heard the small grey tabby quietly exit the room.

Minerva McGonagall changed into her human form as soon as she exited the room. She took out a small handkerchief and wiped her eyes. They're so young, she thought. But war always seems to fall to the young. She put her emotions in check. I must inform Albus, he'll know what to do.

Minerva McGonagall went in search of the Headmaster, her heart heavy with worry for these children, yet joyous at the sight of their fellowship.

***

Albus Dumbledore sat in the Office of the Minister of Magic and waited. He did not have much time to waste on Cornelius Fudge, but he knew this would only take a half an hour at the most. Dumbledore sighed to himself. The next two days would be hard on the Ministry, but out of that difficulty he knew a more powerful force for common decency would grow.

"I want a full team of Aurors at the school in one hour, do you understand me Madam Bones?! Dumbledore cannot simply disregard an order from the Minister, it would be a terrible precedent to set. He has to respect the authority of the office," Fudge fumed as he walked in the door.

"I'm not sure taking a team of Aurors off their post is the best way to protect the public, Minister. There are Dark Wizards waiting for a chance to strike."

"Which is why the authority of the Ministry must be maintained! Now, I'm ordering you to bring in Harry Potter and if necessary arrest Dumbledore for obstructing Ministry business."

"You want me to arrest Albus Dumbledore? Have you gone mad Cornelius?"

"A fair question, Amelia," Dumbledore spoke up from the chair in which he sat. The two Ministry officials turned sharply to face him. "Have you gone mad?"

"Dumbledore! How did you get in?!" Fudge demanded.

"Through the front door."

"Now see here, Dumbledore, you cannot simply waltz into my office anytime you please." Fudge drew himself up as straight as possible. "I demand you hand over Harry Potter to the care of the Ministry."

Albus Dumbledore sat quietly in his chair, regarding the Minister. Amelia Bones moved near the door. She could feel waves of raw, angry magic radiating off Albus Dumbledore. She tried to feel sorry for Cornelius Fudge.

"What happened to you Cornelius? You were once a decent, honest man and dedicated public servant." Dumbledore stood.

"I am the Minister of Magic, and as such I deserve your respect. You cannot undermine the authority of the Ministry at such a crucial time." Fudge stepped behind his desk.

"Where was the Ministry on the night of the attack on Kent? Why did no Aurors come to aid Arthur Weasley when his home was attack?"

Madam Bones cleared her throat, "The Minister insisted that Diagon Alley and a select number of pure-blood families needed the most protection. He assigned the Aurors to their posts personally."

Fudge looked at her in shock. "That's none of the Headmaster's business."

Albus Dumbledore's eyes turned to ice as he gazed at the Minister. Fudge gulped and took a step back toward the wall. "You have offended me, Minister. You sent Aurors to my school to abduct a boy just as he's lost his family. You've failed to provide protection for a family that I am distantly related to. You've tried to take over the operation of my school, and you've continued to place your political career over the well being of the wizarding world." Dumbledore drew his wand and spoke in a calm, clear voice, "I am offended. I challenge you to a duel. Defend yourself."

Fudge's eyes widened in fear. "But -- but dueling is illegal, you know that." Fudge turned to Madam Bones, "He's threatening your Minister with an illegal duel, do something! Arrest him!"

Amelia Bones chuckled and grabbed the door handle, "But Cornelius, you've always told me to look the other way when the old pureblood families decide to settle a matter with a duel. Well, you are both old purebloods, so I choose to look the other way. Good-luck, Minister." Amelia Bones walked out of the office and closed the door firmly behind her. She heard Fudge yell "Stupefy!" then she heard Dumbledore chuckle and thank Fudge for attacking him.

Amelia Bones cleaned her monocular and walked down the halls of the Ministry toward her office, a smile on her face. She wondered if Fudge's chair was as comfortable as it looked.

***

The next morning the Daily Prophet ran an article explaining that Cornelius Fudge had resigned suddenly for health reasons. Amelia Bones had been appointed Acting-Minister in the interim, and Arthur Weasley would be taking over Madam Bones' duties as Head of Magical Law Enforcement during the transition. When questioned about ex-Minister Fudge's whereabouts, Ministry Spokesman Percy Weasley, from his bed in the Hogwarts Infirmary, informed the paper that Mr. Fudge was, "taking a well-deserved rest far, far away."