Author's notes: Hi, everyone! To all those who have been following this story, I apologise for the long delay. I will try to be more regular henceforth. Anyways, here's the new chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or GetBackers.

Chapter 9

The six friends walked into the kitchen to find it tense, packed and silent. Murmurs started as soon as they entered the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" asked Molly Weasley. "Go back upstairs, now."

"Um…Professor Dumbledore asked us to come here", said Hermione, nervously.

"Albus", said Molly turning to Dumbledore, agitated. "Why did you ask them to come for the meeting? They are children. They don't need to know about this."

Dumbledore took a deep breath. "What I have to say concerns everyone here. I do not want anyone to interrupt me while I talk. No, Molly", he said to Molly, who looked as though she might interrupt, "all of you will hear me out."

So he started telling them about Voldemort's sudden rise in power and its consequences for the world. He left out a few minor details, but told enough for them to understand the severity of the situation.

A stunned silence fell upon the room.

"S…so, what does this mean?" asked Nymphadora Tonks. "Are you saying he can't be beaten?"

"Not exactly", said Dumbledore. "He can be defeated by someone who possesses nearly the same amount of skill or power."

"And who exactly is that supposed to be?" asked Molly, hysterically. "How many people do you know who have come remotely close to surpassing the Immortals?"

"I know that the situation is terrible", said Dumbledore, his voice sombre. "There are, henceforth, only two options. One is to keep fighting him; the other is to surrender, to join him. There is no running away. With his newfound power, you will not be safe anywhere. If you wish to leave the Order, I will not hold it against you."

He waited for someone in the room to speak.

Moody slammed his hand on the table and growled, "It can't be over like that. You, Snape, what do you know about Voldemort's plans?"

Severus Snape looked unnaturally pale. "Dumbledore, your explanation has made the Dark Lord's recent behaviour more clear", he said. "The Dark Lord has become more…menacing. He no longer needs to cast the Cruciatus Curse to inspire obedience. His words are enough. There is something...terrible…about his aura; it is almost suffocating, like you could die at any time."

He shuddered a little before continuing, "Dumbledore, you wanted to know if we could sway anyone to our side. Let me say this now; it is impossible. Even the fence-sitters from the last war, will join him. No one will oppose him. He has become that dangerous. In fact, I fully expect some from our side to join him."

Snape had expected someone to protest, but to his surprise, no one did. Everyone simply sat looking glum.

"I know", said Dumbledore, sighing. "I will not be surprised or disappointed if some of those present here decide to join him. Many of you have families. Things have truly gotten out of hand. I can only ask this; if you do decide to join him, please do not be active supporters. And never reveal anything with regards to the Order. I give you two weeks. We will have another meeting then. Please make your decision. There will be no hard feelings if you chose to leave. Thank you."

Everyone sat stunned. Dumbledore had stopped one step short of disbanding the Order.

Most of the Order started to leave. Elphias Doge though moved towards Dumbledore and whispered, "I've been at your side since we were eleven. Nothing has changed, old friend." And he moved out. Nymphadora Tonks whispered something in Moody's ear, nodded at Dumbledore and left. Soon, only the Weasleys, the Longbottoms, Moody, Harry, Hermione, Luna, McGonagall, Snape, Lupin and the three legendary sorcerers remained.

Bill Weasley stood up and looked around for a moment before addressing Dumbledore, "I don't know about the rest of my family, but I will fight on your side. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever had to join him."

"Hey, count us in", said Fred. "Yeah", his twin agreed.

"After what they did to my family, do you expect me to join them?" asked Augusta Longbottom. "We will fight."

One by one the most of the adults had agreed, till only one remained. Molly held her head in her hands. She looked up and said tiredly, "I remember, in the last war, when I heard the news of my brothers' deaths. I had sworn then to do whatever it took to protect my family. The situation looks worse now than it has ever done. But…but this time, my whole family wants to fight in this war and there is nothing I can do to keep them safe. I know that they are doing the right thing…but I can't help but be afraid, knowing that death is almost a certainty in this war."

She sighed but nodded, "I will fight. If death must take my family, then I pray that it take me first."

Dumbledore nodded in silent acknowledgement. There was nothing anyone could say to that. Everyone felt the same.

Ron looked at his friends before saying, "We will fight as well."

"NO" shouted Molly. "No. I already have to see the rest of my family fight. You are not even of age. You will not fight."

"Because Voldemort cares about what our age is", said Ron. "You do know that when he tried to kill Harry all those years ago, Harry wasn't exactly of age, don't you?"

"Mrs. Weasley", said Harry, "the news of Voldemort being stronger than ever doesn't really affect me much. So now I have some absurdly stronger than me wanting to kill me? I always did. Nothing has changed for me."

"And I am still going to be a third-rate citizen in Voldemort's eyes", said Hermione.

"Mum, it doesn't matter what you guys say", said Ginny. "We are going to fight."

Molly attempted to shout them down again, this time joined by McGonagall, Lupin and the other Weasleys. But Abena, who had been watching the argument, had a very unpleasant flashback.

"I can't sit by and do nothing. People are dying. I am sorry, mother, but you did not raise a coward."

"Enough."

Her voice had been soft but the power it carried was very obvious. The kitchen fell silent. She got up from her seat and approached the children.

"So you wish to fight, do you?" she asked. She received nods in response. "This will not be easy", she said. "It will be beyond anything you have seen or done. But if you are sure about this, then how about a little test?"

Before they could react, they were hit by a wave of murderous intent. The pressure was so strong that they instantly collapsed onto their knees. They could see their deaths flash before their eyes.

The others in the room got up to intervene but were held back by Dumbledore. "Wait", he said, "she is only testing them."

Abena was impressed. She had expected them to fall unconscious. But they were actually putting up a fight. Of course, any more of this and they would slip into unconsciousness. She was about to withdraw her murderous intent when she suddenly felt it being pushed back slightly. Her eyes widened in surprise and she searched for the source of this new power.

Harry was starting to get up, lightning crackling across his body. Everyone in the kitchen watched amazed as he slowly pushed off Abena's murderous intent. And then, a faint aura emerged from his body covering his friends like a protective dome. His friends found that they were able to breathe easier. And suddenly the murderous intent disappeared. Harry stumbled and fell. Ron and Neville quickly helped him up.

"Very good!" said Abena, clapping. "I did not expect any of you to even try to resist my power. You have done well."

"I suggest you should go and rest", said Dumbledore. "You will need it after being exposed to Lady Abena's killing intent. We can discuss other matters in the morning. Molly, if you could please get them dinner in their rooms?"

Molly nodded, and ushered them along. Sensing the discussions to be closed, everyone else started moving upstairs or towards the cooking area. Abena immediately turned towards Dumbledore and the Jackal and asked, "Did you see that?"

"Yes", said Dumbledore. "Harry's powers actually seemed to increase the longer he fought against your killing intent."

"Dumbledore", said the Jackal. "I accept the job."

"Oh?" said Dumbledore, with a raised eyebrow.

"This has become very interesting", said the Jackal, a cold smile appearing on his face.

The next morning, the children waited eagerly in the kitchen, after breakfast. They had been told that Dumbledore would be making some important announcements today, although no one seemed to know what these announcements would be. Finally, Dumbledore entered the room flanked by Abena and the Jackal. He went to the head of the table and addressed the room.

"There are a few things I would like to discuss with all of you today", he said. "Firstly, as you all know, it has now become absolutely impossible for Harry to attend Hogwarts. We do not know when Voldemort plans to reveal himself and I don't think Harry would want to be here infinitely. There is also the matter of your education."

"Harry, I have a proposition for you. For your own safety, you must leave this country for now. With the Ministry actively looking for you, it is your only option; unless you wish to remain here indefinitely. For this purpose, I would ask that you go along with the Jackal who has agreed to protect you and teach you as well."

"WHAT?" Molly exploded. "You are actually…"

"Molly Weasley", interrupted Lady Abena. "That is your name, yes? I understand how you feel. Believe me, I do. I have gone through the exact same thing decades ago. But you are making the same mistakes I did. You think that by keeping them sheltered, you are keeping them safe. But look at them. Even, if they do not fight now, they will eventually. And if they go unprepared, they will die. Just like my son." Her voice shook slightly.

"I never taught him my Magic Mirror skill hoping that it would deter him from trying to fight the Three Warlords who had been terrorizing Africa at the dawn of the twentieth century. But…but, he went anyway. He was very kind, my son. He…he wanted to stop all the meaningless deaths. But even with his skill, he was no match for them. They killed him and threw his body to a pack of hungry hyenas. I never even got to bury him."

"That is why, no matter how much you hate this, you must agree. I cannot guarantee that they will survive. But they will have a better chance of survival."

Molly wanted to keep arguing, but Abena's tale had struck a chord with her. Unlike Dumbledore and the others, this woman had been a mother and knew the pain of losing a child. She nodded and sat silently.

The others had been silent through this conversation. Most of them had not known about Abena's past. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "So Harry, what do you say?"

"I…I don't know", said Harry, a little lost. He had been feeling sorry for Abena and had nearly forgotten what had started that conversation. "I mean…what about my friends? And, I don't know anything about this man."

"Yeah, right", scoffed the Jackal. "Because you knew the biographies of all your teachers and fellow students before you came to Hogwarts."

"Harry", said Dumbledore. "I know I no longer have the right to say this to you, but you must trust me. At this point of time, Jackal is the only person who can teach and protect you at the same time. I hate to say this, but if you remain here, you will only get in the way. Till the situation improves, you must leave."

"I…I see", the black-haired teen replied. "I…alright, I will go. But for how long?"

"Till the situation improves itself, Harry. I wish I could say otherwise. I am sorry", said Dumbledore.

Harry nodded.

"Excellent", said the Jackal, getting up and stretching himself. He was dressed in casual Muggle wear today. "We are leaving in three days. Pack lightly. Take only what you will need…like that cloak of yours." He started to move before stopping and turning to Harry, "I forgot. You won't be coming back here till Christmas. So say all your good-byes."

"Where are you going?" asked Dumbledore.

"Eh, just going to roam about London. Haven't been here in some time", he said and left the kitchen.

Dumbledore shook his head and turned to the room once more. "Remus, I want you to continue with your mission with the werewolves. However, you must use extra caution and if things become too dangerous, abandon the mission immediately. And the same goes to you, Severus. Anything else will have to wait till the Order returns…if they do, that is."

"Now, there is one more thing. Lady Abena, if you will", he gestured to her.

She turned to the children. "Now, Potter here will be going along with the Jackal. As for the rest of you, if you are serious about wanting to fight, well…you have got improve a lot, and I mean a lot. For that, I have a spell that can help you improve. If your parents and guardians approve of this, I can have the spell ready in a week."

The Weasley parents and Augusta Longbottom looked at each other. "We will need to know what this spell does", said Arthur.

"Of course", said Abena. "But rest assured that it will not cause them harm. I will tell you the details later. But what about Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood?"

"Daddy won't mind", Luna said simply.

"My parents are muggles", said Hermione. "They wouldn't understand…and I can't explain this to them. But I want to be involved as well. Please, include me as well."

"Very well, once the Weasleys and Mrs. Longbottom give their permission, I will start working on the spell", said Abena.

"Well, Harry", said Dumbledore, rising from his chair. "Start preparing. I will see you in three days. Let's go, Alastor, Minerva." And, he left the room with Moody and McGonagall, Snape following them.

Arthur, Molly and Augusta moved to speak to Abena. Remus moved towards his former students.

"You alright, Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded.

"I guess I should start packing", said Harry, with a bleak expression. "Hey Remus, you think we have a chance?"

Remus looked as lost as he felt. But he answered, "We'll have to believe that we do, Harry. We have no other choice."

The mood was somewhat sombre in the Malfoy dining room. Draco Malfoy really didn't understand why his parents – his mother, really – was upset. The Dark Lord had returned, Potter and Dumbledore were on the run and his family's standing at the Ministry had increased. Then, why was his mother upset? So, he was now paying close attention to his parents' conversation.

"Does that mean you are safe now?" asked Narcissa, anxious.

"I think I am", replied her husband, Lucius, pensively. "But one cannot say with the Dark Lord. And I dare not ask him."

"Oh, you can ask me", came a cold, drawling voice from the door. The Malfoys turned to the door and saw Voldemort enter the room with Bellatrix Lestrange.

"My Lord", said Lucius, as they all arose to greet him. "How…"

"…did I get past the wards without alerting you?" asked Voldemort, amused. "Well, I am Voldemort. I can do little things like that."

Voldemort walked towards Draco who trembled with nervous excitement. "So, this is young Draco."

He looked at Draco for a moment before turning to Lucius. "So, you wanted to know if I was upset with you. Well, I was. First, you abandoned me for thirteen years. If you remember, none of you were punished for that. Then, your stupidity caused my diary to be destroyed. And finally, the fiasco at the Ministry last month. But as it turns out, my diary being destroyed turned into an advantage for me. And since I had already punished you then, I did not punish you this time. Especially, since you managed turn the entire event in our favour. Well, almost entirely. We did lose some precious members. But that is fine. They will soon be released. So, I suppose you can relax."

"Out of curiosity, though, tell me something, Lucius. How did someone as stupid as Fudge become Minister? I did not think anyone would actually believe you a second time."

"Well, my Lord", said Lucius, still nervous, "after the last war, Dumbledore refused the post and Bartemius Crouch lost his reputation after the Longbottom incident. Fudge was the only senior member eligible for the position of Minister."

"Hmmm, I see", Voldemort replied. His demeanour changed all of a sudden. Where he had seemed terrifyingly jovial a moment ago, he now seemed very serious. In Lucius' opinion, this was better. At least now, his mood could be gauged.

"I actually came to meet young Draco here", he said, watching the expression on the Malfoy parents' faces turn to terrified. The boy, on the other hand, looked excited.

"D…Draco, my Lord?" stuttered Narcissa.

"Yes", said Voldemort. "I have a little task for him. Come here, boy."

Draco eagerly walked up to Voldemort.

"The task is simple, Draco", said Voldemort, surveying him. "Tell me, have you heard of the Room of Requirement? Do you know what it does?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. Then, you know of its powers. One of the forms that this room takes is the Room of Lost Things. Many years ago, I hid a silver diadem in this room with the inscription 'Wit beyond measure, is man's greatest treasure'. I want you to retrieve this diadem and return it to me when you return for your Christmas holidays."

"Of course, my Lord", said Draco, eagerly. His parents, though, did not look very excited. Although the task seemed very simple, they knew there would be a catch.

"If you fail, Draco", continued Voldemort, "I will merely judge you as incompetent. You need not worry about punishment. However…" And the room suddenly seemed to darken; the warmth seemed to have been sucked away.

"…if you ever reveal, by word or action, about this task to anyone, you will beg for death."

Draco gulped, suddenly afraid.

"I have heard of your need to brag. But Draco, you will not even mention this job to anyone. Surely, you do not want your parents to hold your funeral?"

"I…I w…w…won't tell anyone, my Lord", said Draco, terrified.

"Good", said Voldemort. "Your aunt, Bellatrix, will be teaching you occlumency. She will be staying with you till you leave for school." He looked at everyone in the room. "Only the people in this room know of this task. And, I do not want you to discuss this even amongst yourselves. Have I made myself clear?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good, then I shall see you later. Good luck, Draco", said Voldemort, walking out of the room.

There was a collective sigh of relief as he left. Narcissa turned to Bellatrix. "What has happened? I have never seen the Dark Lord behave like this."

"You wish to know why the Lord seems to be more restrained, more talkative?" asked Bellatrix. "Do not get fooled. He has, in fact, before more dangerous than ever before. Besides, it is not in my place to argue with him. One thing that I know for sure is that this time, victory will soon be ours. Now come, Draco, let us begin your training right away."

Harry sat in the kitchen, a backpack on the chair next to him. His friends sat near him along with the Weasleys, Remus Lupin and Augusta Longbottom.

"Harry", said Remus, "Dumbledore should be arriving soon along with the Jackal. Do you have everything ready to go?"

"Yeah", Harry replied, "just a few clothes and a couple of spell books. I gave the cloak and map to Ron. I was told that I wouldn't need them."

"I see. Harry, I don't know where you are going, but please do take care of yourself. While Jackal's presence should act as a deterrent against most people trying to harm you, there a few who may still try and harm you."

"I understand and I will do my best to be careful. But I cannot make any promises."

Dumbledore entered the room with the Jackal at that moment. Dumbledore walked up to Harry while the Jackal waited at the base of the steps.

"Well, Harry", said Dumbledore, surveying him over the top of his half-moon spectacles, "are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah", he said, grabbing his backpack.

"You may have a few more minutes to say your good-byes, if you wish."

"No, it's ok. I said my good-byes earlier before breakfast." He turned towards his best friends.

Ron and Hermione came and grabbed him in a hug. A few seconds later, they separated.

"See you on Christmas Eve, mate", said Ron.

"Take care, Harry", said Hermione.

"Yeah, you guys too", he replied.

He turned towards the rest of the room and nodded at them before taking a deep breath and turning towards Dumbledore. He nodded at him. Dumbledore placed a hand on his head ruffling his hair slightly, "Take care, child."

He led Harry to Jackal who surveyed the bespectacled boy for a moment before turning around saying, "Come on, Potter."

Harry followed him out of the kitchen, the others following him. They watched them walk out of the open door onto the top step before the Jackal grabbed Harry's hand and disapparated away.

"Will he be alright, Professor?" asked Ginny.

"I hope so, Miss Weasley", said Dumbledore, staring at the spot Harry had been a moment ago. "I certainly hope so."