Ch. 152 A month in Britain

-St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, fourth floor, Janus Thickey ward.

"...and with proper diet and physical and magical exercise, you two will be back to 100% in about three months. Don't overdo it and make things worse, follow the plan I drew up for the both of you and you'll be golden. I don't need you to overexert yourselves and make it take longer." The beauty known as Victoria Travers said to the couple she had been in charge of for months now.

"We certainly will Miss Travers. We can't begin to thank you enough for what you've done." A grateful Frank Longbottom said as he took the paper his healer gave him.

"We've missed so much, but I agree with Frank, we will be eternally grateful for being able to truly live again." His wife agreed as she was handed her own paper.

"You don't have to be. You two were also basically test subjects for this treatment course." Victoria replied coldly as she filled out forms regarding the married couple.

"Oh don't be like that dear, I know you're very proud of yourself and are happy to be closer to your goal. Too bad the boy who gave you that ring isn't here. You did say he helped a lot." Replied Alice Longbottom with a smile.

"He's always been incredibly supportive of my goals and I support him in his. Isn't that what a part of being together is about?" Victoria responded with a gentle smile as she thought about her man.

"Ooooh! That's the smile! I love that smile!" A now excited Alice said as she watched the young woman standing in front of her and her husband.

"Reminds me of our wedding and when Neville was born that smile does." Frank added as he looked lovingly at his wife.

"Yes, yes. Now before you two go off into your own world again, take these three forms and have the Dowager Longbottom sign them before giving them to the discharging desk on the ground floor. You'll have check ups scheduled each Sunday for the next 6 months. I want to make sure there's no relapse. After that I'll ask you to visit me again a year later, but contact me immediately if any issues or head pains start happening." Victoria informed them as she stopped something she had seen too often with her two patients.

"I still can't believe there's such a convinrent form of communication now. And you said your fiancé created them?" Frank said as he still marveled at the vanishing box his son brought them to keep in touch.

"Yeah he made those things before he finished his third year." Tory answered with some pride in her voice.

"Can't wait to met the genius know as Lord Aedan Bones then. Amelia must be really proud of him." The man said with conflicting emotions of excitement over meeting one of his benefactors and one of his son's idols, but also sad over the passing of that same persons family and his own good friends.

"I am sure he'll be more than happy to meet you both properly when he gets back, but for now I have another patient to attend to and your family is here." Victoria said as she excused herself since she had finished everything she had to do here.

"Thank you dear, for everything. If you need help with anything in the future, our house will be there." A very serious Dowager Longbottom said as they passed each other at the door.

"Thank you, I will not besmirch those words." Tory responded with a polite nod as she resumed walking.

She began walking through the long and quiet hall of the hospital. Not many people visit this place since it is a place for those considered hopeless, and it is difficult for families to visit people they care for when they're is little hope of them becoming better.

'Well until me and my raven started coming here anyway.' She thought with a proud smile as the memories of more and more people being able to leave the hospital since she begun working as a healer.

'Now it is time for my loved one to come back.' She thought as she stood in front of a door she dreaded coming to since she was a child.

She fidgeted as her heart beat faster and faster due to her nervousness and anxiety. She was scared of seeing what the beautiful and kind mother she remembered had become.

But then she felt her ring and necklace, remembering that even though she wasn't ok now, she would make her ok. She was ready and she wasn't going to fail.

So with a deep breath she opened the door to begin healing the one person in this world she wanted back more than anything.

"Hi mom, it's been a while."

-Ministry of Magic, Minister's Office

"We have been able to remove 15 more Dumbledore sympathizers from their posts in the last month, with only a few handfuls left to be checked properly. I am sure the man will be pulling at his beard." Said a sickeningly sweet voice of a pink monstrosity as she gave her report while looking very pleased with herself.

"What about the Bones? What have they been doing?" Asked the supposed Minister as some nervousness showed on his face.

"That woman has been ignoring your previous goals of defunding the Aurors and Hit Wizards. She's been using the money her family has gained to supply them. She had to audacity of saying she was using her own money to make up for the budget cuts and that it was well within her authority to do so." Answered the huffy toad.

"As long as she isn't supporting Dumbledore or is actually doing anything beyond that we can't act against her Dolores. Her reputation and standing are far too solid, and her actions are well within her duties as the head of the DMLE. Attacking her now would be suicide." The cowardly man bemoaned. "What about her nephew?"

"The brat? He hasn't been seen in a month. His business has been moving well so he must be giving someone instructions. Griselda wouldn't budge when I said given such a young child with so many masteries at once was too much. She said he had more than earned the titles and made most of the masters who tested him feel bad about being the ones to test him. Multiple have stated that it was like a mere formality that he was tested. I also can't touch his seat in the Wizengamot or all the other members would not sit still and the Board of Governors had already approved his position unfortunately." She answered as she remembered her encounters with Aedan Bones.

"That's still good. Not heard or seen is good. He might even be cooped up inventing another thing, and this helps us. His new titles would be more concerning if he sided with Dumbledore as a second witness with actual credibility, but he chose not to say anything. As long as nothing changes we can focus on the biggest threat." Said Fudge in relief.

"Yes, now we can take Dumbledore down a peg." Agreed the pink amphibious.

"The Prophet is doing as asked then?" Asked Cornelius.

"It took some maneuvering due to that blasted Folster, but things are rolling. They have refused to run articles on the young mr. Potter due to his past deeds, young age and his status as an orphaned heir. Holding Dumbledore responsible for his words and actions was more than acceptable though." She explained just as a certain hand behind the curtain had planned.

"That is fine. No use in forcing people to attack a single boy. What about our idea to get you into Hogwarts?" The man dismissively said before asking for another update.

"Wonderfully. Everyone Dumbledore has tried to ask has been politely informed of the repercussions of such actions or has simply doesn't remember any such offer." She happily answered with her hated voice.

"Good, good. With any luck we will be able to remove Dumbledore from all his posts by next year. You may leave Dolores, I trust you are more than capable enough to handle everything." Fudge said as he nodded, looking pleased with himself as a feeling of having power and control grew within him.

"Don't you worry Cornelius, I will make sure nothing gets in our way." She said as she turned around and left his office.

"I will definitely make sure no one gets in my way." She then repeated to herself while plans were made behind the self-important smile she wore on the toad mask she called a face.

-12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London, England

"Thank you all for gathering here. Sirius, I must thank you as well for allowing us to use your home as a base." Albus Dumbledore said to the people gathered in the renovated manor.

"No problem. After you and the kid had a look at this place, I can't even imagine someone getting in without permission." The new Lord Black said with a smirk on his face.

"Nevertheless, it is appreciated." He said with a nod, then turned to look at those gathered before him.

The Weasley family turned up in force, with all adult members present. Alastor Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Minerva McGonagall was able to make time for the meeting, even with her handling most of Dumbledore's duties as Headmaster. Mundungus fletcher had come as well, between shady dealings of course. Severus and Sirius were glaring at each other, but keep civil for now with Remus mediating between the two. And finally a few old friends like Sturgis Podmore, Emmeline Vance, Elphias Doge and Dedalus Diggle had also been able to join. (I swear everyone mentioned was part of both versions of the order. The last ones were very minor, with most not even appearing in the movies.)

"Now, as I am sure you have all noticed, this is a gathering of people who haven't come together for a long time. I am also going to be truthful in the fact that it is as each present would fear, I am asking everyone here to once again join the Order." The Hogwarts Headmaster said seriously.

"You can't meant that... He's back." A horrified Molly Weasley said in realization.

"I am afraid so. Both young Harry and Aedan have confirmed this fact, as well as Severus and the former Barty Crouch Jr. Voldemort has returned. And unfortunately, the Minister has decided to deny this and began a smear campaign against me, believing I am after his position." Explained the elderly man.

"That ridiculous! You didn't want the damn job the last two times they almost begged you to take it. Why the hell would he think you'd want it now?" Asked an upset Sirius.

"Because Fudge is an incompetent clown, so attached to his office that he forgets to earn it." Drawled Snape in response as he answered with a mocking look at his former tormentor.

"Thank you Severus." Said Dumbledore as he stopped an argument before it happened.

"But this would mean that the unlike before, the Ministry will be almost completely against us instead of Voldemort." A calm Remus said as he frowned slightly.

"Yes, and I am already seeing some actions beyond recent Prophet articles." Dumbledore added.

"I am certain Cornelius and his 'assistant' are responsible for none of our potential Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors accepting the position." An upset Minerva said with a huff.

"They even tried getting Amelia to back off on her spending for the department. Seeing her shut down that damn toad was satisfying to watch. Even shared the memory with a few other Aurors." Moody said with a small smile appearing on his scar filled face.

"That was a good day." Agreed Shaklebolt with his own smile.

"It's good that Amelia isn't getting blocked. Even asked if she wanted me to help out with that. She said no, but it's cause the kid said that if someone in Dumbledore's corner helps out then it'll give the Minister an excuse to hammer her down." Said Sirius with a relieved look on his face at the mention of the DMLE head doing well.

"Yes, I have no doubt young Aedan would make sure nothing could harm his loved ones." Chuckled Dumbledore as he imagined Fudge's inability to touch someone ignoring his orders.

"And why have you chosen to exclude Mr. Bones from this meeting Headmaster? He is strong enough to duel the Dark Lord alone, intelligent to an annoying degree and incredibly thorough. Clearly you also have a good relationship with him as well, so why is he not here?" Asked Snape with an odd expression present because of the suffering he has just been released from (Aedan's homework, tests and class work) and his admittance of the boys power.

"He has already warned me he would be unreachable for some time yet. I will invite him when he is available." His boss answered calmly. "But I would like for all of you to answer the question I have asked you: will you once again join the Order of the Phoenix and pick up the fight against Voldemort for our futures, the futures of our children and loved ones, and our country's future?"

Sirius immediately agreed, followed by the Aurors and Deputy-Headmistress, Snape's apparent reluctant agreement, Remus joining in, the younger Weasley's were more than willing to fight, the old members didn't shy away, and the Weasley mother and father finally joined after hesitating a bit.

"Thank you all. Now I will have to ask you to begin some assignments as soon as possible to begin our preparations for what is to come." The headmaster said as he was grateful for their trust.

"Minerva, I will need you to continue taking care of Hogwarts as I maneuver." He said as she simply nodded in understanding.

"Alastor and Kingsley, you two will need to support Amelia and keep an eye on the Aurors. We don't want to have a repeat of last time and have some jumping ship." The order getting serious faces from the two as they nodded.

"Arthur, your position will help us know if attacks on muggles or Muggleborns have begun, keep an eye open for such cases."

"Severus, you already know what to do." Hinting at his role as a double agent, something he has already begun as he had met his former Lord and returned alive and reinstated.

"Mundungus, you will need to be my ears for the underground. A lot has been happening in the last few years and I will need to know if change once again." The request getting the twitchy man to nod in understanding.

"My old friends, I will need you to see if any of your contacts are willing to join the fight or help us. We will need more people to win." He said to the older returning members, getting agreements from them.

"Bill, Charlie, I'm afraid for now you will mostly be on standby unless you have people you are certain could help. I doubt the Goblins would offer any assistance or that we could unleash any dragons any time soon, but your colleagues could be welcomed." This getting some slightly reluctant nods as they knew they couldn't do much yet.

"Molly, I would appreciate if you and your family could stay and make young Harry's stay here more homely. The boy needs to be able to have good memories to face what is to come." He said in a softer tone as the woman agrees.

"And finally I have am not sure how this will play out, but I need you to help me convince the werewolves not to join Voldemort again Remus. I know this is a lot to ask but..." Dumbledore began but was surprisingly interrupted.

"Headmaster, there are probably no werewolves in entirety of Europe who would join him." Said Lupin with a confident smile.

"And your certainty comes from where Remus?" Curiously asked Dumbledore.

"Because they are all already in the country, living the lives they dreamed of." He answered with a smile.

That statement shocked everyone in the room.

"But that means hundreds of werewolves are in the country and no one knows about it?!" Molly said with a look of horror.

"Actually, everyone knows about it." Smoothly answered Remus with a smile.

"Then how come none of us have heard anything about this?" Questioned Moody with narrowed eyes.

"Oh that is true and very clever. Young Aedan has played his hand magnificently." Suddenly said Dumbledore with a small laugh to himself as he realized what was going on.

"Albus, what do you mean? What as Bones done?" A confused McGonagall asked.

"It is simple, who was it that young Aedan employed when his business began that caused much controversy at the time?" He asked to the group.

"If I remember correctly, wasn't the ministry trying to take a businessman for gathering a lot of werewolves together to court a few years ago." Shacklebolt said in his deep voice, causing a lot of people to start connecting dotes.

"And I never heard anything about that being stopped." Added in Arthur Weasley this time.

"And the goblins are always praising BonesWorks due to its owners talent in making enormous sums and him being a friend of their nation." Bill Weasley then said as he remembered things he's heard while working for Goblins.

"So the kid was never stopped from hiring werewolves, constantly expanded and everyone just kind of forgot about his workforce since his products were just too good and no problem was ever reported. That means..." Sirius then summarized as his eyes widened.

"Yes, he basically gathered every werewolf on the continent and then some, and no one realized. He's built an entire functioning town for us, with homes, shops, schools, hospitals, security and many other services. And with his suppressant stopping everyone from transforming at all, he's given each and everyone of them everything anyone of us dreamed of since we were bitten: normal, happy lives. It's become the second largest magical settlement in the country and no one knows it actually exists." Remus proudly said as he happily told them that the problem Dumbledore feared was already adresses.

"How do you know all this Lupin?" Asked Snape with narrowed eyes.

"How do I know? I live there. More than that, I've been in charge of the schools there for a while." The werewolf happily answered.

"That great! Now I see why you finally got some proper clothes Moony!" A cheerful Sirius said as he patted his friends back.

"Yes, I couldn't even imagine such a life not too long ago, but now I will protect it like nothing else. I am certain the other residents feel the same as I Headmaster, but I will keep an eye on things just in case." The werewolf said with conviction.

"Thank you Remus. I believe that will be all for the moment. If anything arises I will contact you using one of our old codes. Good luck to you all." Dumbledore said as he concluded this meeting with some pleasant surprises.

-Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, London

"I am disappointed in my so called loyal death eaters. So few returned to me even after they've felt my return. It seems I will need to remind them why they fear me. But I must also reward those loyal to me, and for that I must free them from their chains. Now Lucius, tell me about our progress." The Dark Lord said as he looked at the half-filled table before him.

"Yes my Lord. It seems the Minister is hellbent on denying your return, instead believing Dumbledore is after his position. It has been easy to whisper in his ears and make him believe his delusions. As a result he is currently working to remove the man from all his current positions, even his place as Headmaster. The smear campaign using the Prophet has already begun and I have been using my network to support his endeavors." The long-hair Malfoy Lord informed his Lord.

"Good. Dumbledore cherishes his place at Hogwarts above all things. Taking that away would hurt the man deeply. His lost of power and the buffoon helping doing our work for us is useful to gather power." The less lovable close encounter rip-off said with a creepy smile.

"The Vampires clans we've been able to contact have also been coming around to agreeing to an alliance in order to create a solid foothold in Britain for the first time in nearly a millennia. They are looking forward to feasting again and are ready to take some targets for us already." Lucius now said as his master sat in his seat.

"Those creatures will be useful for now. Make sure they do not infect anyone and that we are to be the rulers, not them." He replied as he looked down on the bloodsuckers.

"Now unfortunately my lord, I have some disturbing news." The lieutenant now said with nervousness creeping on him.

"And what would that be Lucius?" Tommy boy asked as the room became deathly silent.

"Our investigation into a few old colleagues who have not returned brought back some troubling news. Aside from McNair getting himself killed in a drunken bar fight, it would seem a few have simply disappeared within the last two years. I believe someone might have had a vendetta and took matters in their own hands. We have not been able to find any clues to even confirm their deaths, much less who could be responsible, but whoever they are it is apparent they are not amateurs." The man explained with caution as he observed his lords reaction.

"You mean to tell me someone out there dared to target my men? Those who would have answered my call. And you can find no trace of anywhere?" Voldemort said as the tension in the room built.

"I beg your forgiveness for our incompetence my lord. These events happened so long ago and no one ever investigated them due to their past. We have failed you." Lucius said as he dropped to his knees in the hopes of mercy.

"This is troubling Lucius. My loyal followers should be rewarded and now someone has killed them. I will look into this personally after we liberate those in Azkaban. Now finish your report." Tom said as relief washed over the Malfoy head.

"Thank you for your mercy my lord. And as for the rest of your report, two leads to gain allies have been found.

The first is the unrest and resentment towards the ministry within the underground due to a great increase in arrests and deaths occurring. The so-called Golden Wand is both respected and feared there, with many wanting revenge. A good source of wands to add to our cause.

The second is that I should contact Greyback, interestingly it is a different Greyback that I found. Fenrir has recently been killed by his own daughter, who took over their 'pack' and turned them into some kind of mercenaries. She hates the current ministry and wishes to personally behead Dolores Umbridge for her efforts to collar her people. Simply pay her and she will be more than willing to follow. She is also less savage than her father, but much more skilled and efficient. We already have a contract ready and are simply waiting for your approval my lord." Lucius reported, glad nothing else went wrong so far.

"Good. Fenrir was a rabid dog which would need to be put down anyway. Sign the contract with the daughter, she will do. And bring me men from the underground, our numbers are lacking if we truly want to achieve our noble goals." The dark lord said as he was pleased to gain more forces to do his bidding.

"Now tell me about the boy." He then ordered as he cooled his feelings.

"Potter has disappeared, no doubt Dumbledore is doing everything he can to protect him until the school year begins. After that it will be near impossible to touch him after what has happened in the last few years. Too many threats have put his guard up." Answered Lucius with seriousness .

"As expected. The old man will not let go of his pawn so easily. Now what about that insipid Bones who dared challenge me?" The Lord asked as he got heated again.

"This matter has troubled us because he has simply disappeared. We have not been able to get anywhere close to his family either since it is now under Fidelius and we do not know who the secret keeper is or if Dumbledore was involved. What is even more troubling is his rise in stature happening all at once. He is set to become a member of the Wizengamot, he has been confirmed as my replacement on the Hogwarts Board and has been cleared to receive numerous masteries even after we've tried bribing officials." The troubled Lucius answered, hoping to not anger his master further.

"From what Severus has told me, the boy has not joined Dumbledore's little Order, this means he stands on his own so far. He has no force to call his own and is merely a child wielding power beyond himself. I was still weakened after my revival and could not put him in his place. For now Dumbledore will be our focus. We shall crush him first and then it will be all too easy to end the boy." Voldemort said as he focused on his longtime enemy and obstacle, instead of someone he didn't see as a true threat to his army.

"As you command my lord." Lucius answered as he bowed.

"Now all of you prepare to assault Azkaban!" Tom then commanded, making all Death Eaters bow in response as he stood up and left.