Chapter One

The kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place was filled to the brim with cries of outrage at the news of the Ministry's newest law. Voldemort had been gone for six months; however, the Order was still in effect because of the potential for an uprising of his followers. After Harry finally defeated Voldemort, what was lost was found. Snape never really killed Dumbledore. His body was put into a stasis. It was all a ploy to protect Draco Malfoy from Voldemort. He was now in his second year of Auror training. The Veil was destroyed, and with it, its power. Those who were alive when they fell through were returned to the place that held the most happiness for them. So, when Sirius Black found himself staring into the eyes of one Remus Lupin and Molly Weasley, it was Arthur Weasley and Albus Dumbledore who explained how it was he was again back at Hogwarts.

Not only did Dumbledore and Sirius survive, but also James and Lily with the help of Hermione, Ron and Harry, came back. The same magic, which protected Harry, protected both his parents. This was the same spell used with Dumbledore's "death". James and Lily's took longer because no one, save Hermione, thought it would work on those who were thought dead so long ago.

Now Lily and Molly, after stopping long enough to hear what Arthur needed to tell them, returned to preparing the meal for that evening, venting their anger through the deadly motions of their knives.

"What will we do, Albus? The Ministry has wanted to incarcerate Hermione before. This would surely kill her. Wait a minute, does anyone know where Hermione is? I haven't spoken to her for a few days." This all came from the mouth of one Minerva McGonagall. She had taken it upon herself to teach Hermione the finer points of Transfiguration, with the hope she would someday take over for Minerva. She also thought of her as the granddaughter she never had.

"Of course, why didn't I think of it before?" These mutterings came from none other than Molly Weasley. She picked up the two-way mirror she kept with her at all times and called, "Ginny," through it. When the image of her only daughter appeared, Molly ordered, "Bring the clock." With that, and no explanation whatsoever, Molly returned the mirror to her pocket and went back to her vegetable chopping.

It was around the time the rest of the Weasley family began making sounds of understanding that Severus Snape came through the kitchen, closely followed by the worried faces of the Malfoy family.

"Is it true, Headmaster? Is she really in danger?" These frantically asked questions were posed by none other than Draco Malfoy. When Hermione testified at Snape's trial, the Malfoy family began to see her in a new light. They even considered her part of their family, inviting her to events strictly reserved for family members. Not even Severus Snape was invited to these events.

"We do not know yet, my boy, but it is very possible she is." The Headmaster seemed to have aged years since the ordeal began. The twinkle was absent from his eye, and it was as though he didn't know how to smile. He surveyed the faces in the room. The faces of all the Weasleys, save for Ginny who was bringing the clock and Bill and Charlie who were looking for Hermione, Tonks, Moody and Kingsley and other various members of the Order looked back at him. All were reflecting on the many ways Hermione had touched their lives.

Walking over to the Headmaster, the Transfiguration Professor gently placed her hand on his arm and whispered, "Oh Albus, what will we do?"