I am really sorry about long wait for this chapter but I got a new job and it has been taking up a lot of my time. Most of this chapter was written over a long period of time and some parts required some motivation to work on. I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible, hopefully before the month is out. Please continue to read and review, thanks.

"HARRY POTTER!"

When Harry walked into the Auror Office he flinched at the sound of Fay's voice. Said girl was marching angrily over to him with Tonks not far behind him.

"Where were you Harry Potter? You may be a Junior Auror now but don't forget that I'm still a Trainee and you are still my partner, so that means we still need to work together. So, I'll ask you again, where in the world where you yesterday?"

"Well, I ah…I was…"

"Harry?" Tonks asked, "hold out your hands."

Nervously, Harry held out both his hands but Tonks was only interested in his right. She grabbed his wrist tightly and pulled him forward so that she and Fay could see. There, on his ring finger was a silver wedding band.

Tonks looked long and hard at the ring before slowly looking into Harry's eyes.

"When?" she asked.

"Yesterday, that's where I was."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"We wanted something quiet Tonks. After Bellatrix attacked Neville's wedding we didn't want to risk something happening. We also wanted it to be quick so, we eloped. We only had Amelia attend as Neville and Hannah are still on their honeymoon and there wasn't anyone else we wanted to invite."

"What about me Harry, I thought we were friends?"

"Sorry Tonks, we were in a bit of a hurry. I promise you, you'll be the first we invite next time."

"Good, because I'll never forgive you if…you little stinker!"

Fay and Harry couldn't help but laugh at Tonk's face and after a few seconds, she joined them in their laughter.

Remus sighed heavily as he sat at the Potter dining table. Sensing something was wrong, Sirius decided as ask what was bothering him.

"Something on your mind Remus?"

"Sirius, how old are we?"

Confused at the question, and a little unsure himself, it took a few seconds for Sirius to respond "About thirty-nine years, why?"

"I feel like an old man Sirius. Tonks told me today that she just found out that Harry and Susan have gotten married."

"What?" asked Lily as she entered the kitchen.

"Harry and Susan eloped yesterday. The only witness to their marriage was Susan's Aunt Amelia, not even Harry's friend Luna attended."

"Why should that make you feel like an old man Remus, Lily and James got married right after school, Harry and Susan did it a little less than a year after graduating."

"Because Sirius, before we know it, Susan will be pregnant and Harry will be a father. My own son is just under a year old; his godfather will have children his own age, maybe just a few years younger if I'm lucky. The whole thing just makes me feel older than I really am."

Yet again the Order of the Phoenix met to discuss the actions of one Harry Potter. Many of the Order members who had been in the last war were impressed by Harry's actions and wondered why he hadn't joined yet. Only those who sided completely with Dumbledore didn't want Harry in the Order.

"But why Dumbledore?" argued Tonks. "Why prevent Harry from joining the Order?"

"He is becoming too dangerous. Besides, he has already shown his disregard for even the smallest of my suggestions. If he were to join us he would destroy us from within by disobeying orders and going off on his own. No, right now the best strategy is to keep him out until he learns that only by siding with us and doing as I say will defeat Voldemort once and for all."

"To hell with your orders Dumbledore, have you actually seen this kid in action?" yelled Moody. "Death Eater grunts don't stand a chance against him. I've actually heard rumors that a pair surrendered to some Aurors just so they didn't have to fight him. They're scarred Albus, and why shouldn't they be. With Greyback dead and Bellatrix Lestrange practically dead, Harry is starting to become one of the most important people in this entire war."

"There are only two major players in our side Alastor, me and John. Harry is only a pawn in the game who is starting to become more trouble than he's worth."

"You wouldn't actually kill him, would you Dumbledore?" asked the boy's worried mother.

"There is more than one way to remove a piece from the board Lily. Though, if Harry's death is needed for the Great Good, then so be it."

"This isn't a game Albus!" Moody stood angrily from his chair. "In case you've forgotten, this is a war, where people are losing their lives every day. The only reason I'd see Harry's death to be necessary would be if he took Voldemort down with him, and from what I've seen, that is a strong likely-hood. I am seriously beginning to question some of the motives of this group. The only reason I haven't left yet is because this group is the best shot we have a defeating Voldemort and from here we are in a position to do things the Ministry is either unwilling or incapable of doing."

The aged Auror then stormed out of the kitchen of Number Twelve. Some of the remaining members muttered among themselves about Moody's outburst and what he had said. Some agreed and were now beginning to question leaving. Dumbledore heard them and knew he couldn't allow it.

"Enough! Remus, what is the news from the werewolf front? Have they selected a new leader yet?"

"Yes, they have. Both Albert and Jacob are dead, killed during the in-fighting. Edward has gained control of the packs and recalled as many werewolves as he can but Radcliffe is still behind the scenes, waiting to take over."

"Very well, I was hoping for better but I suppose that will have to do for now. Keep me updated. That is all for now, you are all dismissed. John, I wish to have a word with you."

As soon as the last Order member left and Dumbledore was sure they were alone, he casted some very powerful wards over the doors and walls, then turned to his favorite pupil.

"How does our plan go?"

"Not very good, it's difficult right now but I am working on sneaking in whenever I can."

"I see. We need to step up our timetable, Harry's recent victories has started to turn the population towards him and away from you. We need it with you if we are to succeed. Therefore, I'm going to allow you into Hogwarts whenever you want and will give you special privileges to ensure that it's finished. I want to move with the next stage on your birthday."

"I think it can be done. I'll need to use a little persuasion but I'm confident everything will work out."

"Good. Soon Voldemort will be crushed and no one will ever remember your brother."

Harry groaned as he fell onto his chair at the Auror Office. Every single muscle in his body hurt. Ever since his capture of Bellatrix Lestrange, the Office had been sending him off on non-stop patrols and raids, hardly giving him time to rest. Moody had also been working him, forcing him into the training complex whenever he could.

This combination of work and training had left Harry extremely tired and, at times, irritable with everyone around him. Although it had only been almost two months since his wedding it felt like much longer. Thankfully it wasn't as Susan was now beginning to show and at times her hormones would send her emotions all over the place.

The two of them agreed that their two-bedroom flat was nice for the both of them and it might work for them and a baby, it may be time to look for something a bit bigger. With Harry's promotion the cost wouldn't be too much of a problem but finding the perfect spot would be. They had only taken a look at a few flats and houses but Susan didn't like any of them.

"Get up Potter," shouted Proudfoot. "We've got another raid scheduled in twenty minutes. This one shows some good promise."

Harry sighed and banged his forehead against his desk once. Despite the high number of raids the Aurors conducted in the past two months, the number of captured Death Eaters was at its lowest since the beginning of the war. Voldemort had been strangely quiet after the capture of Bellatrix. To make up for the low number of captures, Savage and Robards ordered even more raids and those resulted in even lower numbers. The whole thing repeated itself in a never ending cycle.

Harry saw no point in all the raids, they just drained all the energy out of the Office. Nearly every Auror was reaching their breaking point. Harry strongly suspected that this was a tactic by Voldemort to wear out the Office for a new offensive he had planned.

This raid was the sixth one on Borgin & Burke's. This one was only slightly successful as they grabbed two dark items and cataloged a dozen more suspected items. Unfortunately it was only worth a large fine and Burke wouldn't even see an hour in Azkaban. Only the second raid was better with the capture of Death Eater sympathizer and a Dark Arts item he was believed to be selling. That time Burke was able to wiggle out of buying/possessing a Dark Artifact by saying he never bought it and that the man had just brought it into his store.

When Harry got back to the Office, he quickly wrote his report and rushed to Robards' office.

"Here's my report on the Borgin & Burke's raid sir."

"Hand it over Potter, let me read it."

Harry gave him the report and stood nervously as he read it. "Sir, I was wondering if I might have some personal time?"

"How long did you work on this report?" I take it you rushed through this. Rewrite it Potter, and this time, spend some good time on it. And no, I can't give you any personal time; we can't afford to give anyone any time off right now. You're dismissed Potter."

Harry sighed, grabbed his report, and walked out of the office.

On June 13, the Order of the Phoenix held an emergency meeting. Once everyone arrived, Dumbledore stood up.

"I have called this emergency meeting because Severus has brought some disturbing information to me. To discuss it, I'll turn this meeting over to Severus."

Said man stood up and cleared his throat while James and Sirius just grumbled about Death Eater scum.

"As many of you know, the Dark Lord has slowed his campaign since the capture and death of Bellatrix Lestrange. Death Eater morale is low while civilian morale is high. The Dark Lord aims to reverse this with his new attack.

"Part of his plan was to leak information to the Auror Office for raids that would tire them out and give him room for his attack. With this one attack, the Dark Lord plans to completely wipe out all morale for our side and show that Dumbledore and the Potter boys don't stand a chance against him."

"Enough about this background information!" shouted James. "What does Voldemort have planned?"

Snape turned towards James and the two glared at each other for several minutes.

"James, Severus." said Dumbledore.

The two turned towards him before glancing away. There was silence for a few seconds before Dumbledore cleared his throat and Snape continued.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, the Dark Lord has planned out a daring and deadly strike with all of his Death Eaters. He plans to attack the Hogwarts Express before it can reach Kings Cross."

This revelation was met with many shocked outbursts, the loudest coming from Molly Weasley.

"My baby! Ginny will be on the train during the attack!"

"Relax Molly; I've already taken steps to protect her. However, it's the rest of the students that I'm concerned about."

"Albus, the entire Order can't take on all of You-Know-Who's Death Eaters and protect all of Hogwarts's students, there's simply too many of each. We'll need help from the Aurors."

"I agree Nymphadora, you and Alastor will talk to Amelia and see if she'll give us a couple members of the Law Enforcement Squads in addition to the Aurors."

Tonks growled at the use of her first name but agreed to talk to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement.

"What about Harry?" asked John, "Will he be there?"

"Yes, he will be. We'll need every available wand to protect the students and, as much as it pains me to say it, Harry is exceptionally powerful and skilled."

"I won't be there then, I won't fight alongside him."

"You don't have a choice. We can't take any chances with this attack. If Voldemort himself shows up this would be the perfect time to attempt to either capture him or end the war. You are the only one able to do this so you have to be there. Plus, imagine the morale a picture of you and your brother fighting together against the Death Eaters would create."

"I thought that you wanted to decrease Harry's popularity."

"With his achievements and due to the fact that you're his brother it will be difficult to do that right away. I am working on it but for now let's exploit it while we can."

Harry groaned and rubbed his shoulder. That was the sixth time in the past hour that John had 'accidently' bumped into him, hard. He didn't know why he was on the train; Ginny Weasley was being moved from Hogwarts to the Order's Headquarters by floo so John had no reason to be here. Harry was here because he was one of the few members of the Order and Aurors who was closest in age to the students so as to not scare them. It was also because he was popular with the public.

Harry, the Order, and Aurors stationed on the train were to patrol the carriages along with the seventh year Prefects and Head Students to make sure everyone was safe. Other members of the Order and Aurors were stationed along the tracks from Hogsmeade to Kings Cross. Standing orders were to wait for the Hogwarts Express to pass you, wait ten minutes, then Apparate to a secondary position ahead of the train. Everyone had a special coin that, when gripped tightly, alerted everyone to the expected attack.

From what Harry remembered, the trip was half over but he couldn't be sure. It was different traveling as an Auror than traveling as a student. As he wasn't allowed to socialize with the students he remembered from school, couldn't buy any treats off the trolley, and had to walk up and down the train constantly, the trip felt a lot longer than he remembered.

A part of Harry's patrol route was the engine of the Express. After walking the student areas of the Express for a while, he decided to check on the engine and conductor. Fay was the only other person there besides the conductor.

"How are things up here?"

"Boring" Fay grumbled. The conductor just chuckled lightly and turned the page in his Daily Prophet.

"We'll, it's not much better back there, just as boring up here as it is down here. How much longer till we reach Kings Cross?"

The conductor folded his paper and leaned over to squint at a gage. "Less than an hour. I tell you, I'm glad you're here Potter, the thought of Death Eaters attacking this train scares the hell outta me."

Harry just nodded as the conductor went back to reading his paper. Harry then turned to Fay.

"You know, ever since I've heard about the Hogwarts Express I wondered how it worked, even more so once I rode on it. Now that I've seen how, I regret it."

"Hey, hey" said the conductor, dropping his paper. "You've got nothing to worry about. This train runs on magic and has multiple wards and spells cast on it to keep it safe. I'm only here in case there's an emergency."

The words were barely out of his mouth when a low buzzing sounding from one of the gages. The conductor shot up and ran over to the gage, looked at it and turned pale.

"We've got incoming" he said as he ran around the engine, pulling levers.

The train started slowing down and Harry reached into his robe pocket and grabbed his coin. He gripped it until it started getting hot, then held to his mouth and whispered, "Hogwarts Express under attack."

He turned and joined Fay in leaving the engine. She currently held her wand to her throat and announced to the whole train, "Attention, attention. All students are to remain in their compartments. Please, duck down away from all windows and don't make a sound. This includes all Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl."

The defenders were running through the corridors, trying to find a good spot to defend from while many of the students were screaming. Harry stepped outside of the train to observe. A large cloud of black smoke, that was obviously Death Eaters, was quickly headed towards them. Three more Aurors joined Harry outside and took up defensive positions in front of the carriages. Together, the four raised their wands and shouted off various spells.

The spell fire wasn't very effective. The Death Eaters were too far away at first and as they got closer they scattered. Only two or three fell to the spells, dropping out of the sky. As they got closer the Death Eaters split into two groups, one continuing flying over the train while the second landed a few feet away from the train.

Those that landed in front of Harry and his group started firing almost right away, forcing the Aurors on the defensive. Judging on the sounds coming from behind him, Harry guessed that the other group of Death Eaters was doing the same thing on the other side of the train. The defenders still on the train fired spells from the windows but they weren't very effective as there were too many Death Eaters.

Harry didn't know how long they could hold them off, there were so few of them and so many Death Eaters. But no matter how long it took, he would have to hold them off; they couldn't get to the students. Various pops sounded around them as more Aurors and Order members arrived. Because they didn't know what was going on, a few got hit and fell.

Harry didn't know how long they had fought; it could've been a couple of minutes or several hours. All he knew was that he and the other Aurors were beginning to tire and the Death Eater assault hadn't let up. Suddenly, the Auror next to Harry was hit by a Killing Curse. The shock at his sudden death broke a hole in the Auror defense line and the Death Eaters rush right through it.

With the line broken, the battle turned from a siege into many individual duels, some one-on-one, others involving as many as four opponents for one person. Harry himself was taking on two Death Eaters. They weren't that talented but skill didn't matter much when your opponent was tired. The three were at a stalemate; Harry knew he could beat them if given the chance to fire off a spell or two but they weren't allowing it by keeping him on the defensive.

As the battle spread it started to rain. 'Seems fitting' Harry thought. He felts something hit his back. Turning, Harry saw that he had bumped into Fay, who was also on the defensive from her own opponent. Fay also turned her head to see what she hit and saw Harry. With a quick nod, the two made a decision and spun. Now Harry was facing her surprised opponent while she was battling his.

Harry's new opponent was scared of facing the great Harry Potter and his face showed it. The Death Eater took a few steps back and did what he thought was a very good idea but in Harry's mind, was the worst thing you could do in a battle. He turned and ran. Harry didn't hesitate to take him down before turning to assist Fay with his old opponents.

Suddenly, a Death Eater flew by in the form of black smoke. He crashed into one of the train's carriages. The window where he hit exploded and several screams were cut short. The force of the Death Eater hitting the carriage also caused it to tip and fall over. More screams sounded from within. Harry took small comfort that at least there were some students still alive inside.

The fall of that carriage heightened the need to end the battle quickly and get all the students to St. Mungo's right away. Thankfully, more reinforcements were arriving from the Ministry. Harry could see his parents fighting the Carrow siblings near the rear of the train while John fought nearby. Amelia Bones and twenty members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad arrived near the front. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry could also see a few older students exiting the train and fighting back.

With the arrival of reinforcements the Death Eaters decided to cut their losses and abandon the battle. The Death Eaters fell back, away from the train and, with a sharp whistle, Apparated away. It took the defenders a couple of seconds to realize that the battle was over. When he realized that it was over, Harry collapsed on the grass from exhaustion.

ATTACK ON THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS!

Yesterday afternoon was a day many parents looked forward to, the return of their children from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, to many parents' horror, the Hogwarts Express did not pull into Kings Cross Station like it usually did. This is because the train fell under attack from what appeared to be every Death Eater.

Aurors, members of the Order of the Phoenix, and multiple Ministry personnel rushed to protect the Express once the alert had been given that it was under attack. The numerous forces deployed to protect it helped prevent what was expected to be a massacre aboard the Express.

Unfortunately, there were some deaths as a result of the attack. Eleven students were killed with over twenty more being heavily injured when a Death Eater knocked over one of the carriages. In addition, ten Aurors were either killed to too heavily injured to return to active duty. Also, two members of the Order were killed. Only one Death Eater died in the attack and two more were captured, the rest escaped.

What does this mean for the future of our world and the war? How well can the Ministry truly protect us? These are questions many are asking yet are receiving few answers to. For a full list of the dead and injured, turn to page nine.

Dumbledore stopped reading aloud and put down the paper. Before him sat the entire Order, which he had called together so he could read them the day's Daily Prophet. Scanning their faces, Dumbledore saw that very few did not have a tear in their eyes for the lost. Dumbledore himself was having a hard time controlling his emotions for the eleven killed students, all whom had been quite bright.

"I don't think I need to tell you all what a terrible tragedy this is" he began. "Every life lost is a terrible thing. Those students could've become productive members of society and helped in the war. The Aurors will be greatly missed. This attack has undone much of the morale boost that Harry has given; it is now at its lowest point since the beginning of the war. We must find a way to increase morale."

"Professor," said John, "I think I have just the thing. I have just been informed that our plan is on schedule."

"You were successful then?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent. Ladies and gentlemen, I have the pleasure of making the announcement of the engagement of John Potter and Ginny Weasley!"

"What?" Everyone turned towards a shocked Molly Weasley. "My baby just graduated from Hogwarts, she's too young to get married."

"Molly, it is of the upmost importance that Ginny and John marry as soon as possible, especial within a few months."

"And why is that Albus?"

"Because Molly, Ginny has agreed to assist in a plan that I've been working on for the past few years. You all know that the Prophecy says that John here would have a 'power he knows not' to defeat Voldemort and that power is love. You also know that Lily's love for her son allowed him to survive Voldemort's attack that Halloween night. Through much research and experimentation, I have come to believe that the ultimate expression of love for John would allow him to destroy Voldemort once and for all. That expression has finally come around, Ginny Weasley is now pregnant."

This revelation shocked the room completely. Molly fainted while Bill and the twins turned to glare heavily at a red John. Lily's eye went wide and didn't speak while James just cheered and clapped his son on his back. Arthur, who was trying to hold up his wife, asked "Albus, Ginny is our youngest and only daughter, why went we informed of this?"

"I am sorry Arthur but it didn't seem necessary, even Ginny didn't know the truth of what was going on. Sacrifices must be made for the Greater Good and she gets the reward of having her greatest dream fulfilled."

When Harry arrived back at their flat, he found Susan nervously waiting for him.

"Susan, what is it?"

Biting her lip, she held out a crisp white letter. Taking it, Harry read out loud.

"You are cordially invited to the wedding of John Potter and Ginny Weasley, July 31 at Potter Manor."

"Your mother dropped that off for me today at St. Mungo's. She regrets she had to send it privately but your father and brother didn't want to invite you. She also regrets that she missed our wedding."

"Why is she doing this?"

"She said she felt bad about everything that happened over the years. While things may not be completely forgiven ever, she hopes that this would be a step in the right direction. She said she wants to have a proper relationship with you, with us."

Harry stared at the letter in his hand. Thinking he walked around a bit while Susan watched him. Finally, after some deep thoughts, he threw the letter on the table angrily.

"She had her chance for a relationship, years ago. I've given up a long time ago. You can go to the wedding if you want, but I have no interest in the rest of my so-called family."

He then left the room in an angry huff.

A month later, Susan was in her best dress robes at the childhood home of her husband. Dozens of people were in attendance to the wedding of the Boy-Who-Lived. Everyone from friends of the Potters to members of the Ministry to reporters from all over the world was there. She even saw a handful of people try and seek in, only to be caught and thrown out.

"Hello Susan, you look rather sad today."

"Luan! How are you?"

"Quite well, though I am a little lonely since Rolf left for his trip to South America."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that."

"Do be, it is a part of his work after all. What about you though?"

"Oh, I'm fine, but the baby is starting to drive me a little crazy at times. What are you doing here; I didn't think The Quibbler would be invited."

"Oh we weren't at first but Ginny managed to persuade the Potters to allow it. She even got me the job of taking the official wedding photos."

"That's great, good for you."

"Thanks. So, where's Harry?"

Susan sighed. "He's at the Ministry. He didn't want to attend."

"Harry's not here?"

The two turned, expecting to see Lily Potter, but were surprised to find Dumbledore looking at them.

"No sir, Harry didn't want to come."

"I see. I had hoped that he would be here as it is his brother's wedding. Him being here, the Potters all together, would do much to increase morale."

"To be honest Professor, I don't think Harry cares much for his family as much anymore. I'm only here because Lily begged me to."

And with that, Susan turned and walked away, Luna following her. Unseen by the three, Lily Potter let a few tears fall at the thought that her youngest son lost to her forever. She was too late. Only in the past few months did she realize how she had treated Harry, how she favored his brother over him simply because John was the Boy-Who-Lived. When she realized what she had done, she had spent much time and energy trying to fix it. Now, it was all for nothing.

The wedding between Ginny and John was truly magnificent. The Potters had spared no expense to provide their favorite son the very best. From the small detail in the design to the jewels in Ginny's dress in was clear that this was the wedding of the century.

From what Susan saw, it appeared that the wedding was going off without a single hitch. Even the weather was cooperating. Of course, everyone should've known that something would've gone wrong that day. Ginny and John had just finished saying their vows and everyone was clapping when something silver came flying towards them.

Slowly the clapping started to stop as more and more people observed what Susan realized was a Patronus. It swooped down and landed in front of Ginny and John. It was a lynx Susan noticed and it opened its mouth to speak in a slow, deep voice.

"The Ministry of Magic is under attack. You-Know-Who is leading."