Chapter Title: Empty Comfort

Author: Sam

Story: Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Army: 00 (prologue) / ?

Rating: M: language, violence, death, and sexual innuendoes

Story Setting: 1995 - 1996: Various locations in England and Scotland

Story Summary: Harry's fifth year of school takes several unforeseen twists and turns and a joke about an army turns into something deathly serious.

Spoiler: Yeah, the entire series of books and movies. There will also be major and minor changes from Book Five on, so that might spoil things, too.

Category: AU: Fantasy, Adventure

Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" is a trademark of J.K. Rowling, and the movies are creations of Warner Brothers. I am in no way connected with these people, and I do not claim ownership to these characters, lands, or names. I have borrowed them to share a story - and most likely not a story any of them would have written had they had the time or no. I am making no money from this, and it is just for my entertainment, and that of free entertainment to a select group of friends. Thank You.

Distribution: Please ask first?

Note: This in an A.U., meaning that alternate situations will happen, as well, alternate characters are introduced. I use the books as a guide, but things will be added and altered. Thank you for your understanding. Enjoy these new additions to a loved tale.

Date Note: Dates in the books are inconsistent, thus we follow the dates in the books as best as possible, ignoring impossible dates (such as September first always falling on a Sunday). We merely go with the flow and agree that J.K. Rowlings' dates must be correct due to magical reasons.

Feedback: Please? I love comments.

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The table remained littered with the remnants of a large meal, plates, goblets, and cutlery stacked ready for wash up. The end closest to the grand stone fireplace had been cleared of food debris and stood buried under several layers of scrolls: blueprints, missives, and a list that trailed off onto the floor precariously close to the roaring flames. Two men sat in the flickering gloom, arguing in low voices unheard by the tired red-haired woman sorting spoons and forks at the other end of the humungous stone kitchen.

"Impossible," drawled the thin black-robed, greasy-haired man, surreptitiously massaging his left forearm through his sleeve. Severus Snape, potions master for Hogwart's School for witchcraft and Witchery, leaned forward, hand stilling as he continued, "Albus, hiding is hiding for a reason. Exposing . . ."

"I understand your concerns, Severus," Albus Dumbledore, the tall, white-haired headmaster, spoke soothingly in his placid tones. "But the time for hiding is over. Voldemort is on the rise, as you know, and the Order will need every able-bodied wizard and witch available."

Severus curled his lip in disgust, dark-eyes narrowing in his sallow face. "But a child . . ."

Albus nodded. "Yes, and Harry has been brilliant so far." The aged wizard reached out to sooth the younger man but his hand fell uselessly on the hard wooden tabletop as Severus surged to his feet.

"Harry?" he spat out the name like a mouthful of poison. "That boy has more luck than wit!" He whirled to stride to the fireplace, left hand sliding into the pocket of his robes, toying with something unseen. Slowly, breathing deeply to steady himself, the man brought himself back under control. "Albus, leave them out of this . . ." pain echoed in Severus' voice. "Too many have suffered . . . too many have . . ." he drew his hand from his pocket, a fist-sized round crystal of darkest blue gripped there. "Too many have died."

Severus looked up at his friend and mentor. "Do not ask this of me . . ."

"I am truly sorry, Severus," the elderly wizard rose slowly to his feet, looking over his half-moon lenses at the anguished younger man. Spreading his hands in an age-old gesture of helplessness, he said "there is no other way."

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To be continued in Chapter One: Recruits and Recalls