Hey everybody! Back in action, hope you enjoy it!

It had been two days since the attack on Diagon Alley, two days since Harry had his public disagreement over how to handle the war with Dumbledore. The last two days had been great for him, for the first time in many years he had been able to relax and experience what it was like being around a loving family. The Weasley family had taken to him and he had enjoyed immensely hanging out with Ginny's brothers, especially Ron which had completely surprised him. Ron was one of the best friends of his twin brother Matt and he had expected him to dislike him yet after an initial awkwardness they had immediately clicked, spending hours playing wizards chess (and getting trounced by him) and laughing about anything and everything. They had started a good friendship, a friendship that seemed as if it was meant to be.

This two days with Ginny and her family had actually allowed Harry to stop for a moment and think. He had realised that whilst it had been very satisfactory to come back home and proof everybody how much he had learned and how powerful he had become, he had been driven by a hidden anger, an anger that had driven him to showcase himself, to proof to everybody that he was in certain ways above them and in some ways had made this past few days a bit arrogant. He could not afford to make enemies of those who were supposed to help him, especially with Dumbledore. Dumbledore was a tremendous powerful wizard who had managed to hold off Voldemort from taking over for a long time, if he wanted to find all of the Horcruxes, he needed him and the Order.

As Harry sat by the pond thinking about how to proceed in the future, he heard a rustling behind him and steps and could not help but smile as the smell of his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley, reached him. Ginny sat down next to him and grabbed his hand.

"What's on your mind, Harry?" asked Ginny.

"I was just thinking about how great this past two days have been. I have really enjoyed hanging out with your family, especially Ron!" replied Harry.

"You two got along really well! But Harry, I know there is something you are not telling me, I can see that worried look in your face". As she said this Ginny looked deep into his eyes, making sure he could not escape.

"You know me all too well" said Harry with a smirk which disappeared quite fast, "So, I was thinking that I might have gone about it wrong, I was too caught up with myself and with proving everyone wrong. I can't antagonize the Dumbledore, I can't divide the Order and I can't fight with the Potters. We need to be united if we are going to stand a chance."

Ginny smiled at his words. She had been thinking the same, and while it had been really satisfying seeing Harry show them all how powerful he was, she knew that they could not keep it up. She had actually been thinking about bringing it up to Harry this past couple of days but had not wanted to spoil the happiness she had seen radiating from him at experiencing family life.

"I agree Harry, maybe before the meeting tonight we can have a side chat with Dumbledore".

"Good idea, but we have to be careful. As much as I want his help, I'm not ready yet to let him know about everything, there are still things we need to understand and prepare before we can open up to him"

"Do you mean about the truth about that ni-"Ginny stopped as she heard a sound from behind her. As she turned she saw the figure of Hermione Granger stepping into the field with a guarded expression on her face. Over the past few days her hostile attitude has disappeared and had been replaced with an awkward silence, she had been very quiet around them and was always deep in thought. As she looked at them, Ginny could see the struggle in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something but could not find the courage to actually say it out loud.

"Hi guys, so ummm, Mrs. Weasley wanted me to tell you that lunch is almost ready and you should head in" Hermione opened her mouth again as if she wanted to say something else but then closed it and turned away. However as soon as she started to head into the house she turned around and looked at them.

"I have been thinking a lot about what you said to me last time and you were right…I have not been a great friend or the most welcoming person to you both. I don't know when I became like this but seeing you with the family, seeing how well you get along with Ron has shown me how wrong I was. For the past 10 years, all I have ever heard is that I am the brightest witch, the best, all of that, and I guess seeing both you was a shock to me and I reacted the worst way possible."

Both Harry and Ginny stood there in shock, frozen at the outburst from Hermione. They had actually talked that morning about how silent Hermione had been the past few days and the change in attitude but had not expected this from her. Hermione was looking at them expectantly and nervously but did not dare talk again. Harry smiled at her, Ginny had told him many times that she was one of the smartest members of the Order of the Phoenix and when they were at Hogwarts he had always admired her attitude, drive and knowledge from afar.

"Thank you Hermione, you know what? Why don't we start fresh? Forget everything that has happened so far!" Harry smiled as Hermione nodded and approached her with his hand out in greeting. "Hi, my name is Harry Potter, nice to meet you".

Hermione smiled brightly as she shook his hand "Hi Harry, Hermione Granger, nice to meet you, welcome to the Order of the Phoenix!" As soon as she finished saying this Hermione turned and look at Ginny, "Ginny, I missed you, can you forgive me?"

Ginny stepped toward Hermione and before she could react, hugged her and softly spoke "Of course I forgive you Hermione, I missed you too and sorry I have been out of touch for this long".

"Alright, come on, let's go back before Mrs. Weasley gets mad at all of us" said Hermione as dragging Ginny by the hand towards the kitchen.

Harry could not help but chuckle as he followed both of them. He had a good feeling about what was to come. He was quite aware that the last two days were something special, something that would be hard to experience in the days to live. It had been like an oasis of happiness in the middle of the desert of war, but that was what made it special. He hoped he could establish a good relationship with Hermione, in the days to come he would need allies and friends for the challenges that would come ahead.

Lunch had been amazing, as was custom when Molly Weasley was cooking, and now they had all gone to Grimmauld Place for the meeting of the Order. Harry knew this was his chance to talk to Dumbledore before the meeting got started. They were all waiting for Professor Snape to arrive to give his report but he was running late. All around the kitchen the members were talking between them and Harry could feel the Potter family staring at him as well as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. He knew that he would eventually have to confront them but the time was not right yet. He looked for Dumbledore and found him in a corner talking to Hestia Jones and Kingsley Shacklebolt. After a quick look to Ginny who smiled at him with encouragement, Harry approached Dumbledore.

"Excuse me, Headmaster can you please a spare a moment? I would like to have a chance to speak with you in private." Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked at him surprised, he had not expected this at all and so with a smile looked at both Hestia and Kingsley "If you don't mind we can table this for later, I would also like to speak with young Harry".

Both aurors nodded at Dumbledore and Harry and left although with an inquisitive look and with curiosity etched on their face.

"So Mr. Potter, what's on your mind?"

"I know we did not start on the best foot and I regret that, those first few days were very tense and they took their toll on me. Look Professor, I have actually thought about it and in some ways you were right the other day. I'm not saying I will not defend myself to the utmost of my ability and that if it comes between my life and those of the ones I love, I will not kill my enemies but I can promise that I will try to incapacitate my enemies when the opportunity arises."

A smile broke out on Dumbledore's face, "That is very good to hear my boy, very good indeed. To be honest you were not completely wrong, we need to think of a new way to detain the Death Eaters. Azkaban is useless as it is right now with the Death Eaters escaping as soon as we lock them, I have however some ideas that I need to develop and I would be delighted if you want to help me Harry."

"I would be delighted to do so Professor, I was actually hoping we could meet soon in private, I have something very important to discuss to you about the war" Harry said in a very serious tone whilst avoiding making eye contact with him.

Dumbledore stopped for a second and looked at Harry in surprise, he had not expected this request from the young man but before he could answer, Snape walked into the room looking dishevelled and tired as if he had not been able to rest in several days. Snape looked in surprise at seeing him with Harry Potter but quickly recovered going back to his cold characteristic face.

Snape drawled "I have matters to discuss, matters of the utmost importance."

The whole room had been quiet as soon as Snape entered but when he uttered those words there was a flurry of activity as people rushed to sit down and start the meeting, eager and worried at the same time about the news that Snape was bringing.

Harry realised that it was too late to get an answer from Dumbledore, the mood in the room had changed completely and there seemed to be a sense of anticipation so there was no sense in dallying, after a look at Dumbledore who was looking at him with a curious expression, as if trying to figure out a puzzle, he moved away with him with a nod, looking for Ginny so as to sit next to her. As he was looking around he noticed Ron and Hermione waving at him and pointing at a seat next to them, a seat that was free and to the right of him. Harry noticed that to the left of Hermione sat Ginny who was smiling at him encouragingly and so with a smile Harry sat next to Ron and looked at Snape, not without noticing the small frown that appeared in the face of his twin brother.

As soon as they were all sitting down, Snape looked at Dumbledore and after a nod from him, stood up with his cloak bellowing. "Something has…changed, the Dark Lord seems different in ways I have never seen before, preoccupied with something."

"What do you mean Severus?" asked Dumbledore.

"After the battle at Diagon Alley he was angry as you would expected, furious even and torturing some of his servants yet after questioning Bellatrix about the events something changed. He saw something when looking at her mind that disturbed him and ever since that happened he has simply disappeared, nobody has seen him leave his room for the past two days."

As soon as he finished all of the Order turned to look at Harry who was avoiding crossing eyes with anybody.

James leaped from his seat and with a proud voice exclaimed "Ha! That's because my son showed him to fear the Potters!"

"Charming Potter" mocked Snape, "Charming how you are so proud of the son you never cared for". James turned red with anger but before he could say anything, Lily grabbed his hand, which had an immediate calming effect at this. Seeing this Snape turned from them, turning his back on both of them and looked again at Dumbledore "There is more, it's not just the unexpected death of the Death Eaters, something has deeply disturbed him and I think it goes beyond the battle."

"Thank you Severus. We all need to be especially cautious now, we need to discover what is happening with him, and we can't be caught unaware. It seems like we have dealt an unexpected blow to him and that will make him even more dangerous. Severus you must be more alert than ever, the rest of the Order, keep your ears open and be ready for anything. There is nothing more we can do. Go, we will meet again soon, I will let you all know".

As soon as the meeting ended, Harry leapt to his feet and marched out of the room looking desperately for the Flu network with Ginny close behind as well as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He could feel the eyes of everybody on him and their desire to speak with him. From the corner of his eye he saw his parents standing up trying to reach him. He knew that at some point he would have to talk to them, try to resolve this situation, but right now he was not ready, the time was not right for the confrontation or for many of his secrets to come out. He needed time, time to think and regroup, the reaction from Voldemort had surprised him, he had suspected for some time that Voldemort knew the truth and this only made him further increase his suspicions. The time for action was approaching and he needed to be ready.

Harry with one last look at the house grabbed the floo powder and yelling "The Burrow" disappeared in a burst of green flame.

Dumbledore was still sitting down as he saw Harry leave for the Burrow, avoiding the questions from everybody. The boy was an intrigue, a puzzle he could not yet resolve. He had been shocked and pleasantly surprised at him coming to him before the meeting had started and was taken aback by the maturity he had shown. Dumbledore realised that Harry was different to most people in the wizarding world, and judging by how Tom Riddle had reacted he also had a similar thought. The reaction by Tom was worrying and he needed more information and he now realised that might actually come through Harry. He regretted his earlier thoughts, he had been trying to manipulate him. For so long Dumbledore had been leading the fight and getting used to everybody following his orders that manipulating had become a second nature to him, however this time it was different. He actually saw himself reflected in Harry. Harry Potter was an impetuous, strong willed and very powerful wizard, with strong leadership qualities. Dumbledore needed to make Harry an ally, he would be instrumental in defeating Tom Riddle and his followers, and to do so he needed to change his ways with him, needed to establish a bond.

As the rest of the Order left the room, Dumbledore noticed Ron and Hermione on the side whispering to each other with Matt Potter frowning and glaring at them although both were oblivious to this. Dumbledore had noticed how Harry had sat down next to Ron and was glad that he was making friends amongst the Order but the situation with the Potter family worried him, which needed to be solved soon before a fracture in the Order could develop.

Harry Potter was a mystery, a mystery that had him intrigued but had also given him hope. The war, the wizarding world was about to change and he could feel it.

There you go! It was actually quite difficult than expected to write this, I guess it will take some time to get back into the flow! Anyways please review and comment, next week I will try to post a new chapter.

P.S Still looking for a beta reader!

Yandrak