—————H—————

"Should we bring the kids in on this?" Sirius asked as Hermione set the teapot on the table.

"Thank ya, love," Alastor murmured, helping himself first. Kreacher came up with a tray of biscuits, beaming a little at the grin and 'thank you' Hermione gave him.

"No, not when part of what I have to tell you involves one of them. Until we have a plan, I don't want them to know the particulars," Severus said adamantly, shaking his head.

"What could possibly be going on now ?" Minerva asked, exasperation evident as she took the teapot from Alastor.

Hermione made her way around the table to sit between Severus and Remus.

"Always somethin' Dumbledore doesn't tell us," Alastor groused. "Can see how easy he sidesteps questions. Doesn't wanna talk 'bout his hand, I know cursed when I see it."

"Yes, instead he goes on about scouting messages. Getting the word out against You-Know-Who," Minerva grumbled.

"Words won't do anything against him," Sirius scoffed. "He's out, everyone knows, it's common knowledge. You either fear him or are on his side. And if you fear him, you either keep your head down, you leave the country, or you fight against him."

"It's because the man who once toted bloody supremacy now only wants to suppress the Muggles and enslave the Muggle-borns. I can tell you now that the werewolf community is already leaning toward supporting him," Remus said, jabbing at the table. "Albus Dumbledore and Volde—"

"Don't," Severus warned.

"Riddle is the only one who has considered any kind of future plans for the packs."

"But isn't Greyback among his followers?" Sirius asked. "Isn't he the reason for many of you?"

"Yes," Remus said seriously. "But people don't care whether we had a choice in the matter or not. A werewolf can't hold down a job, can't stay in a community. I was one of the few who actually got to go to school."

"So yer sayin' we need ta be offering something to the werewolves?" Alastor asked.

"All I'm saying—thank you, Minerva—all I'm saying is that Albus has us out in the world, risking our necks, asking for others to rise up against a Dark wizard who has returned from the dead. And I don't think we can go around throwing around the word 'Horcrux.'"

"And that brings us back to what I want to discuss," Severus said. "We'll start with the hand."

"Cursed?" Alastor asked.

"Yes." Severus nodded. "One powerful enough that, had he been a weaker wizard, he'd have died the moment he slipped the ring on his finger."

"Bloody idiot!" Alastor barked. "What in bloody blazes made him do something so stupid?"

Severus shook his head. "He wouldn't say. But we know there are Horcruxes, perhaps he touched one."

"My research didn't show that Horcruxes do that," Hermione said. Severus looked at her, perplexed. "I may have asked your mother if I could look in her library."

"You braved that on your own?" he asked, and Hermione couldn't tell if he was more amused or concerned.

"You make your mother sound like a demon."

"Depending on the day."

Hermione shook her head. "I found the book that Leo looked through. It was... unsettling. But from what I understand, a Horcrux can severely influence you. Albus said he was a fool, maybe he was under the influence of one. Ginny had no idea what she was doing, losing hours of her life because of her contact with the diary. And if we consider that Harry may be a living one, look at how reckless he can be, he snaps and loses his temper, though it's less often now that he's learned Occlumency. A Horcrux is a piece of a corrupt soul. Frankly, I think Harry is the least affected because Riddle didn't have much soul left to corrupt.

"But it can't physically hurt you, not until you try to destroy it. I would wager the Dark Lord put extra protections on them. Smart, really, when it's a piece of your soul at risk."

"So Albus was enticed to put this ring on and it cursed him," Minerva summarized. "What happens now?"

"He has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of telling you that he's going to die," Severus said. "And he wants me to do it."

No one moved. Hermione wasn't even sure anyone breathed.

She sat quietly, sipping her tea as Severus told the others about his meeting with Albus, and the hours he'd spent toiling over notes, runes, and rats, perfecting a spell that would make the target look dead. How it took him ages to figure out the counter-spell, and to understand that a rat under the curse for a day was less likely to revive than one who had been under for an hour. He told them how he was certain he had a foolproof plan to fake Dumbledore's death, only to have the Headmaster demand to be killed anyway.

"What do you mean? What reasons would you have to kill him?" Minerva asked when Severus had finished.

"Lots, I'd wager," Sirius grumbled.

"It's not like he gave me a list, Minerva," Severus sighed. "In typical Albus fashion, he only smiled and left. I've been thinking about it since he told me. The only thing I do know is that he tried to derail my life. He wanted me isolated, cut off, angry, and hurt. I don't know why."

"Always tried to argue it was bad for your cover," Alastor said. "Having connections and all."

"He was pissed off when he discovered Hermione was pregnant with Leo. Said children complicated things," Severus agreed.

Hermione noted the way Remus and Sirius tensed, Remus looking at the table as Sirius' jaw tightened.

"He puts Potter above all others yet thinks it's foolish when Molly worries about her children." Minerva shook her head. "Sadly, what you say does not surprise me."

"He has a year at most, whether I kill him or not. It's hard to tell who he'll appoint as leader, but I think it's safe to say he won't tell everyone the truth. And I quote, 'I do not like to put all my eggs in one basket, especially one that frequently hangs off Riddle's arm.' That's his excuse for me, I would love to hear his reasoning for the rest of you."

"Well, things will be a bit easier with Hermione as the Defense instructor. Information can flow more freely, at least with half of us," Minerva said.

Hermione didn't want to dwell on that. She'd originally thought that Septima had decided to step down when Albus asked her to teach. With Leo starting Hogwarts, she could cut back on her consulting work, but when he had made clear what position she would take over, she couldn't refuse him.

"Still gotta be careful, though," Alastor said. "Constant vigilance. Albus might not tell us anythin' if he looks in our heads and finds out we know more than he thinks. Same thing with your kids."

"When are we going to tell them?" Sirius asked.

"Let them enjoy their summer, and the last of their innocence," Severus said. "The Dark Lord is back, and if his plans unravel as he wants, the children will have very little chance to do that."

—————A—————

Diagon Alley wasn't the same as it had been even four weeks ago. There were enough places closed and boarded that it felt desolate. Thankfully, rumor was that it was just London and not everywhere. Hogsmeade weekends would be terribly boring if that were the case.

She had accompanied her parents and brother to the Alley, but parted ways when they headed to Ollivander's. She'd had the moment all to herself when she selected her wand. She couldn't recall where Leo had been, but he hadn't been with them, allowing her her moment.

Leo was getting his wand pretty late because everyone had hoped that Ollivander would return. After the shop had been closed for a couple of weeks, his son came to help get through the school season. However, his shop wasn't the only one that had closed down, which is why she ended up in the Leaky Cauldron rather than Fortescue's, as she had first planned.

I still can't believe I was one of his last customers , she read as she sipped her butterbeer. And to think, we were all in the Alley that day, too. What if it was Death Eaters, and they recognized us? Gran was so pleased, so proud to think that I was actually a wizard like my father, but I don't know. I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't have been so scared.

"What ya reading?" Fred's voice made Aurora jump, and she sighed with annoyance as her heart calmed. He sat down across from her, and while she wanted to tell him to leave, she was admittedly glad not to be alone.

"A letter from Neville," she replied, setting the parchment down.

"Neville," Fred said, and Aurora tried to decipher why he would say his name like that. She was happy and displeased at once. "And how is good ol' Neville?"

"Find out," she said, handing Fred the parchment and taking another sip.

She watched him read, noting all his slight facial tics as he went through it. The twitch of his eyebrows, the flicker of a smile.

When he set the parchment down, he gave a weak grin. "He really seems to fancy you."

"That's your takeaway from that?" she said.

"Yes," Fred said simply. "But then, Nev's always had a thing for you. And here he is, asking how you are. What your plans for the school year are. Who you've kept in touch with. He's getting a feel for you, I'd say. Probably ask you out before Christmas."

Aurora frowned. "And what are your thoughts on that?"

Fred looked at the table. "I was the one who called it off."

"You also said you'd be there as a friend," she countered, and he nodded as if he was only just remembering that bit. "So as a friend, one who isn't close to Neville, what do you think?"

Fred glanced up at her, studied her. He snuck his hand across the table, picking up her butterbeer and taking a sip. She arched a brow, and he smirked a little before it faded. Then he sighed, resigned.

"I think you should take him up on it," he said. "If Neville has the courage to ask your Dad's permission, then give the bloke a go. Can't hurt anything, and, well, he might be..." Fred shrugged.

"And that won't ... it won't..."

"Met a nice lady the other day," he said, and Aurora's heart suddenly felt like it was being strangled. "Pretty thing, graduated from Beauxbatons. She works for Madam Malkin's as an apprentice. She's asked if I'd be interested in taking tea with her." He squared his shoulders. "We should move on, Rory. You go out with Nevvie, I'll go out with Janette."

"Fine," she said, reaching across the table and taking her butterbeer. "If he asks, I will."

"Okay, then. Brilliant," Fred agreed.

"I'm armed now," Leo's voice drew their attention, and Aurora caught the amusement in Fred's eyes before he made a good effort to smother it. "So, if you're here to cause my sister more heartache..."

"What wand chose you, young Master Snape?" Fred asked, his smile breaking through.

"Black ash, ten and a half inches, unicorn hair. Like my father's. And, of course, powerful enough to hex you should Aurora leave with a single tear."

"Don't promise such things. The tear might just be from laughter."

"And what would you find amusing?" Leo protested.

"My eleven-year-old brother trying to defend my honor," she retorted.

"I won't try. I'll succeed," Leo assured her.

"And I think we know each other well enough now for you to know I would never intentionally hurt your sister," Fred challenged. Then, with a devious smirk, Fred leaned in and whispered something to Leo that Aurora couldn't hear. Leo's eyes widened and he nodded with determination.

"Consider it done," he said.

"Consider what done?" Aurora asked.

"Oh, is that Betty calling me? Food's up, must run," Fred said as he shot to his feet. He then paused to look back at her. "Was great to see you, Rory." And without another word, he left.

Aurora watched him, trying not to watch him. He told her to move on, so she would. Maybe not with Neville, but someone. She would. Really.

"I will, though," Leo said, and Aurora turned to look at him. "If someone hurts you, I'll hex them."

"Ditto," she said with a smile, ruffling his slightly greasy hair.

"Hey!" he cried, quickly righting himself. "If I'm going to be in the most dignified house at Hogwarts, I can't have my Gryffindor sister mussing up my hair."

"Oh, not going to join me?"

"No," he said adamantly. "I'm going to be a Slytherin, just like Dad."

—————H—————

They were at Grimmauld Place, which really couldn't be easy for Sirius. Hermione sat beside him, hand on his thigh in support, her husband on her other side, with his arms crossed, glaring down at Remus. Not that Severus couldn't think of a dozen reasons to be giving Remus such a cold reception at any time, but at least this time it was in solidarity with a friend.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked Sirius, who seemed to be doing okay despite everything.

"He's with Draco at Andy's house," Sirius replied.

Severus' glare softened, and he arched his brow as he turned to Sirius. "Do you think that wise?"

"Why?" Sirius asked.

"Given the ... tension between the two?" Severus asked.

Sirius snorted. "That would require them acknowledging it. No, I'm not worried. And if on some off chance, they decide to take that leap together, with Andy, Ted, and Cissy under the same roof, then good for them."

Dumbledore came into the dining room, eyes twinkling, hand hidden beneath his robes. Hermione wondered if he would say anything about it this time, but she doubted it. A glance at Alastor and Min told her they were wondering the same thing.

"We'll make this a relatively short discussion, so long as we can all come to an agreement. We need protection to move Harry."

"And the other children," Minerva said.

Dumbledore smiled. "I don't think we need to worry about all of them."

"And why not?" she countered. "It wasn't just Potter who went to the Ministry."

"No, but only Harry is the Chosen One."

"And why not put a larger target on his back by having a guard follow him?" Sirius countered sarcastically. "You-Know-Who's in the Prophet . People know he's back, and if anyone still thinks Harry's the Chosen One, a crowd around him is the last thing that will keep him safe."

"I think an escort would be smart, Sirius," Remus said calmly.

"You may think so, but you aren't his guardian, are you?"

"Gentlemen," Dumbledore said, raising only his healthy hand to calm them.

"Perhaps if we had Kingsley, Miss Tonks, and another Auror or two who can be trusted standing guard on the platform, it will appear more like general security than special treatment," Severus suggested. "Parents will already be on edge, this will assure there is protection for everyone."

"I agree with Snape," Alastor said.

"Be that as it may, our concern is for Harry," Albus said firmly.

"So, have him tailed from a distance," Hermione suggested. "Get him there early, one of the first with a friend. He's already with Draco—"

"No, from here and nowhere else," Albus said firmly.

"No," Sirius said. "He's already there, with his things, and if he does need an escort, the lovebirds over there can follow them. And seeing as how Remus has already relocated to Tonks' place, it shouldn't be too hard to meet up in the morning. Just over the teapot, right, Remus? Or do you only drink coffee now?"

Hermione palmed her face, shaking her head.

"Must you do this now?" Remus asked.

"I've no idea what you mean. It's a simple question. When you were with me, you drank tea in the morning. Now that you're with Tonks, I wonder if your habits have changed."

"You're the one who left, Sirius," Remus reminded him.

"Yes, because after nearly twenty years of being in love with you, I decided I didn't want to play second fiddle to yet another woman."

The room fell awkwardly silent, and Hermione looked up to see a sheepish Remus, a surprisingly calm Sirius, and Dumbledore...

Hermione burst out laughing at the look of wide-eyed bafflement on the Headmaster's face.

When Sirius turned to Albus, he merely shrugged. "Call me petty. I realize full well I'm making a scene."

"How... what do you mean you were in love with Remus?" Albus asked.

Sirius looked around the rest of the room before turning back to Dumbledore in confusion. "You were with Grindelwald, weren't you?"

"No. Yes. What I mean is, I thought you were with Mrs. Snape."

It was Sirius' turn to laugh. "No, Remus longed for her, not me."

"We were discussing keeping Harry safe," Remus interjected swiftly.

"I think it's settled," Alastor said. "An Auror team on the platform, watching everyone. Tonks follows Potter and Malfoy in from Andy's. Done deal.

"I do not think—"

"Great!" Sirius smacked the table. "Who's up for a pint?"

"Lead the way, lad," Alastor said as he stood, hobbling to the door. Kingsley followed, and Sirius came up behind them.

They left the Snapes, the Weasleys, Tonks, Remus, and Minerva to watch Dumbledore stare dumbfounded at the kitchen door.

"Much as you want to have the final say in everything, Albus, dictating how we do things is not much different than how You-Know-Who runs things," Minerva said as she stood up. "Now, it's late, and if we don't have children to ready for the morrow, we have to be ready for children. And I, for one, am very much looking forward to the sorting tomorrow." And before she left, she turned to Severus. "He'll be Gryffindor."

"No, he won't. He'll be Slytherin," Severus countered, standing as well, ignoring the quiet Albus as he followed Minerva. "Just you wait and see."

—————A—————

"Are you sure you want to sit on your own?" Aurora asked Leo as they headed for the train. Their parents had only brought them through the barrier, given them hugs, and told them they'd see them soon. It was much the same for Aurora when she first went to Hogwarts, and with both their parents about to be on staff, it made very little sense for them to stick around. "There's only seven of us, and Gin, Ron, and Draco are going to be heading to the prefect car about halfway through."

"I'll be fine, Aurora," Leo said, squaring his shoulders, looking calm. It had to be Occlumency because before they got to the train station, he was jumping around as though it were Christmas morning. Oh, he was really trying to layer on this proper wizard nonsense.

"Okay," she said, nearly ruffling his hair. Leo's dark scowl made her pull her hand back, and she tried not to laugh at how adorable he was.

She watched him head toward some other young firsties or second years, and then went to find her own mates. Aurora moved down the corridor, knowing from previous years roughly where they would be.

She found the car Draco and Harry were in, and she almost didn't want to go in. They were seated fairly close together, leaned in toward each other, hands nearly touching.