The first two weeks of July were hectic.

Everyone was stretched pretty thin with the frequent Order meetings that had been occurring in regard to Harry's safety at his aunt and uncle's residency, that on top of their own personal endeavors. Multiple people had brought up the issue of his safety the minute Dumbledore was laid to rest. Everyone understood the urgency of the times, as well as the rapid escalation of danger within the wizarding world.

Apart from the Order, the Weasleys were also preoccupied with the wedding that was fast approaching. Despite Bill's accident, and the growing threat of Death Eaters, Fleur still insisted that the wedding will happen, in fact much earlier than the original date, and Florence was rather convinced that not even Voldemort himself would be able to stop her from marrying Bill. With Ginny and Ron being home from Hogwarts, it seemed as though there were no more roadblocks to Fleur's planning.

Bill was able to talk her out of the color scheme she had tried to impose on every single guest that was to attend. Because they were on a tighter time crunch, the Frenchwoman backed down rather begrudgingly, and allowed anyone to wear whatever colors they wanted, so long as it was semi-formal, and nothing white for the women.

Florence found the second year of training to be rather dull, once compared to the daily sparring and dueling that she had to do during her first year. She thought, rather bitterly, of how the program should have put the Concealment and Disguise phase during the first year and then follow it up with the physical training, so as to not lose momentum.

She felt like she was back in Hogwarts even more with the daily lectures and the classroom setup, especially since they were given books to study and were expected to answer quizzes and exams. Not to mention, Florence had thought that she had lost her studious touch, a theory which Fred and George quickly shut down the minute she brought it up.

"You can't lose your Ravenclaw-ness, Flo. You just can't. Its like how Fred and I can't lose our Gryffindor-ness." George said, "It stays with you, its a part of who you are."

"You're just rusty, is all." Fred chimed in, trying to make her feel better about losing her motivation to study properly, "You know, it's been ages since you actually had lessons to study. I'm sure you'll he back to your normal self when you start picking it up."

"I hope so." Florence grumbled, fishing a piece if parchment from the pocket of her uniform before setting it down on the coffee table, "They even sent us a book list, too. I'm probably gonna go see if Flourish and Blots has everything or if I need to place a special order." she sighed, "Since, no more library, I have to own the damn books."

"I can go with," Fred volunteered, "Books can be heavy. Maybe we could go after the Order meeting tomorrow."

Florence recalled their last meeting rather bitterly, "We've been having so many of those." she said, "I mean... today? Then tomorrow again... I know Harry's birthday is coming up... but it just seems so soon."

"I know," Fred said, "But its okay. When its over we'll have a little bit of time to relax with Fleur and Bill's wedding. George and I have already planned on closing the shop up for an entire week."

"Lisa's taking me to Wales to meet her parents." George chimed in, "Maybe you and Fred can take a nice little holiday out to the seaside or something."

This made a small smile appear on Florence's lips, "Hmm, the seaside.. Haven't been in ages. It would be nice."

"Yeah? Well then, seaside it is for my lovely lady."

The promise of a holiday after all the chaos eased Florence's nerves, feeling a little bit more energized as she, Fred and George apparated to the Price Manor for that night's Order meeting.

There had been a lot more unfamiliar faces with every meeting closer to Harry's birthday. Julien explained to her that they Order members from different countries, as well as foreign Aurors with familial ties to the Order, all of whom came willingly as soon as the news of Dumbledore's death reached them. The meetings used to be accommodated perfectly in the dining room, but was now moved to the living room where there was more space. Florence also noticed Fleur, who was sitting beside Bill on the couch. She didn't know when she was told about the Order, but the look of determination on her face told her that she was ready for whatever.

Kingsley Shacklebolt was the last to arrive, Moody immediately starting the meeting at his presence. He had been coordinating with Muggle leaders about the dangers of the upcoming days, given the public attack on them during the previous month prior to Dumbledore's passing.

Moody laid out plan for the extraction of Harry Potter from his childhood home. He had assessed that moving him on his birthday was risky, as Death Eaters would most likely anticipate it to be on that day. Instead, they moved it four days before his seventeenth birthday, and he was to be escorted out of Surrey by a group of Order members.

"I will need a few of our Aurors to accompany the Dursleys out of 4 Privet Drive, prior to Harry's extraction." Moody said, a folder in his hand, before turning to Sloan, "Price, you'll be taking Jules and Florence." he told him, before addressing the majority once more, "Half will be stationed at the Tonks family home to await the arrival of Harry, and the other half will be waiting at the Burrow." 

He handed the folder to Sloan, who opened it and went through the contents, "Those are papers that the Dursleys will need in their travels, arranged by the muggle Prime Minister. Once they have reached the train station, I want their memories wiped clean of Harry, and all knowledge of the Wizarding world."

"Yes sir," said Sloan, not missing a beat.

"Myself and Shacklebolt will be heading the operation of moving Harry Potter, with the help of Mr. Hagrid, who will be joining us on that day... We will be needing ten other people to carry it out successfully. We are open for volunteers."

"I can go." A rather hesitant feminine voice spoke from the corner of the room. It was Hermione Granger, her curly hair tied back in to a ponytail, both fear and determination present in her facial expression, "I can go." She said again, "I want to be there... for Harry..."

"I'll go too!" The redhead beside her spoke up as he raised his, Ron Weasley, who lowered his hand immediately after, "He's our best friend. If Mione goes, I'll go."

"Okay, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger... Who else?"

"Count myself and Dora in." Remus spoke up, Tonks clinging to his arm, nodding in agreement.

Arthur and Bill also volunteered themselves, along with Fleur, who had gotten odd stares from a lot of Order members but paid no mind to it. "Bill and I, we are to be married. Zis iz 'ow I will show my devotion to 'im."

Moody volunteered Mundungus Fletcher, who had been looking rather shifty during Order meetings. Julien had told Florence about the distrust towards Mundungus Fletcher, but couldn't kick him out because of how much he knew. Moody didn't trust him enough to allow him to stay at headquarters by himself, and inferably decided to take him along with him at the last minute.

"We need two more people." Kingsley said, looking around the room for anymore volunteers.

Fred and George shared a look, the two turning to Florence, who saw the question coming before they could even speak it, "No... please..."

"Its not gonna be as dangerous, love. Moody said no one know they'll be moving Harry on that day." Fred whispered.

"You don't know that it won't be dangerous." Florence said, "Please don't. You and George can just come with me, you can help Sloan and Jules and I with the Dursleys."

"I don't think they're looking for any more people for that, Flo." George said

"We'll be careful." Fred said, trying to convince her to be okay with it, even though he knew there would never be a way for her to be truly okay with it. She was silent for a few seconds, before sighing, "I don't want anything bad to happen to either of you."

"Nothing will. We promise." George said.

Florence said nothing as Fred and George volunteered themselves to be the last two people in the group to accompany Harry out of Privet Drive. She was wordless for the rest of the meeting, as well as the brief trip home, going up the stairs ahead of the twins and making a beeline for the bedroom.

"I don't like when she's upset with me." George sighed as he and Fred entered their apartment, kicking their shoes off at the welcome mat. "She's not upset at either of us, Georgie. She's just scared." 

"I hope so." George said softly, "Y'know, she's one of my best friends. I love her to death. I'd do everything I can to make sure she won't lose anyone else in her life. Including myself. But the Order needed us, I mean, we had to at least contribute something."

"She understands that." Fred told him, "May not seem like it, but she does. She just needs a bit of time to mull things over in her head."

—————

Florence left Fred and George breakfast before she left for work. She woke up that morning with a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach, a feeling that something bad was going to happen in two weeks time. She hoped she was wrong, but she still couldn't quite shake the feeling off.

Hadley noticed how off her behavior was as well, and Florence wished that she could tell her about everything, but knew that if she did, Hadley is going to be involved in Order affairs, putting her in danger she's not supposed to be in. 

Florence was pulled out of lectures for the day, per Sloan's authority, taking both her and Julien to the Muggle Relations department in order to double check all the papers that Moody had handed them, just incase they missed anything.

They were waiting outside the lobby when Florence spoke up, "Is there any way you can take someone else? I want to go with the group who's going with Harry."

Sloan let out a breath at this, "Florence I know you're worried about your boyfriend but Moody stationed you with the Dursleys because he's confident you can help keep them safe just incase things go wrong." he told her.

 Florence frowned, "He's not just my boyfriend. He's my fiancé. And I'm worried about George too. I want to be there for them. And if Moody's so worried about the Dursley's protection why couldn't he just accompany them himself? Surely he's a better Auror than I am."

"He's an ex Auror."

"Does that matter?" she replied, "He's had years of experience more than I do. If this is about the Dursley's safety, he should be the one facilitating it."

"Harry is important too." Sloan said, "Honestly, Florence, can you stop being so stubborn about things? You're an Auror in training. You're taught to stay in a post you've been assigned to. The Order is no different."

"I know," she said, "I'm just questioning why he's put me on an important post that he can do better." 

"Because!" Sloan snapped, "I asked him to assign you to the Dursleys. There. Is that what you want me to say?" 

Florence was silent, seeing the evident frown on Sloan's face, "Alastor says transporting Harry isn't going to be dangerous, but am I really going to risk that with you?" he said, "Knowing there's a Death Eater out there actively trying to kill you because of a personal vendetta? After she's been stalking you, and almost got you, twice?"

"How did you..." Florence's voice trailed off, before turning to Julien, who looked away. 

"Don't blame your cousin for telling me that someone is putting your life in danger. It's something you should have told me from the beginning." Sloan said, making Florence scoff, "I don't tell you these things, Sloan, because you'd freak out this way! You act like I'm still a child and that I can't handle myself. I can!"

"Oh really? You would have been dead ages ago if Matthew hadn't saved you. You could have died if Fred didn't get to you in time. Tell, me, Florence, how that's convincing me that you can handle yourself?"

"Dad... Flo... Stop." Julien said, getting in between them before the argument could escalate, "Please, not in public."

"Everything I do, I do to keep you safe." Sloan told her, "I'm sorry if you're ungrateful for that."

"Sloan I-"

The door to the office of the Head of Muggle Relations opened, a young lady stepping out, "Mr. Price? Mr. Abbott is ready to see you now."

Sloan nodded, entering the office wordlessly. 

Florence turned to Julien as soon as the door shut, "You had to tell him?"

"You know I had to, Flo. I'm sorry." Julien said, "He means well, you know? It may seem very evasive but he just wants to keep you safe, after your father--"

"I'm not him, though, Jules. Merlin. I'm my own person. Why can't he see that? Just because he died doesn't mean I will."

"Because you're heading down the same road as him. He can't help himself. He wasn't there for Uncle Gabriel, so he's trying to make it up with you. You of all people should understand him. He's lost just as much as you have." Julien said.

"He loved your parents just as much as you did. You can't blame someone for trying to keep the only remnant of the people he loves alive."

Florence looked down to the ground, Julien's words making more sense than she would care to admit. She always found herself disagreeing with her uncle for being too protective over her, when she knew deep inside that she would go to the same lengths to try to keep the people she loved out of harms way. 

She sighed at the thought of this, picking up her bag and slinging it on her shoulder, "I'm going back to lectures, I'm not making much use of my time here. Just fetch me if you need me again..."

//////////

a.n: AAAAAAAAA only 3 more chapters until book 2 after this! Sorry for the later update, my semester started last week and I got caught up in it since we're starting research papers. I really thought I could close this book by January but oh well. Won't be a long wait until the next chapter tho, since by the time you're reading this Author's note, I'd have already started writing the next chapter. 

-Denise