Broken Bonds

67 - Blood

The next Order meeting was on the Friday after Voldemort had broken into the ministry. Sirius and Remus were some of the last to arrive at Headquarters. The meeting had been scheduled at 5:30, and they had been training Hermione, Ron, and Ginny until 5.

Sirius looked around the kitchen, the designated meeting room, working out who they were still waiting for. Dumbledore hadn't shown up yet, and neither had Snape. But then, he wasn't sure if Snape was meant to come to this meeting anyway. He took a seat at the end of the table, next to Molly, while Remus sat on his other side. Kingsley was sat opposite him with Minerva and Tonks on either side of him.

Not even two minutes later, the floo flared to life and Dumbledore stepped out and into the room, closely followed by Snape. Dumbledore sat down at the head of the table, while Snape leaned against the wall. Dumbledore surveyed everyone, before starting the meeting.

"It is good to see you all again. Kingsley, Tonks, how is the ministry handling things now that everyone knows Voldemort is back?"

"The Auror patrols have been increased, especially around Diagon Alley. They have been working on ensuring loyalty in the Ministers staff and the DMLE, as well as creating pamphlets to aid the public in staying safe, but it is slow work," Kingsley reported in his slow, steady voice. Tonks nodded in agreement, not adding anything else.

The meeting continued in the same fashion, with reports from various people that Sirius did his best to pay attention too. It was difficult though, considering it was the same thing every week from most people. It was simply reporting on how recruiting hadn't born any results, and the reports on the people they had been keeping tabs on, which didn't change much week to week. There was also the discussions about new bills that were being discussed and could possibly be raised by the Dark at the next Wizengamot session. Finally, Dumbledore said something that caught his attention again.

"Severus, what has Voldemort been doing now that he knows the full prophecy?"

"He hasn't changed the plans much, Headmaster. Potter is already dead, so he has decided that it doesn't effect any plans," Snape drawled. Dumbledore nodded, but didn't say anything else.

"On the subject of the prophecy, Headmaster," Remus said, leaning forward slightly, his hands resting on the table. Everyone's attention turned to him.

"Yes Remus?"

"Well, Sirius and I, with some help from a friend, worked out a different interpretation. An interpretation that would mean the prophecy has already been fulfilled."

"Who's this friend?" Tonks asked.

"Do we know them?" Arthur asked.

"How do we know they're not a spy for You-Know-Who?" Mad-Eye growled.

"They wish to remain anonymous, but rest assured they are on our side, I can guarantee it," Remus assured the room.

"What was this interpretation, Remus?"

"Well, as you know, many words can have multiple meanings. The specific word in the prophecy that has been given a different meaning changes the whole prophecy. Either, in the part that mentions 'either must die at the hand of the other'. Our friend pointed out that either can mean one of two, but it can also mean each of the two. Using that meaning, the prophecy becomes 'each of the two must die at the hand of the other', and that's already happened. Voldemort died at Harry's hand when he went to kill the Potters, and even though he did come back, he still died, and Harry died at Voldemort's hand at the end of the third task. That would mean that the prophecy is fulfilled and that anyone can now kill Voldemort. Plus, even though it mentions Harry having a 'power the Dark Lord knows not', it doesn't mean that that power would be used to kill him," Remus explained.