Two years later.

"Are you kidding me?" Laughed George Weasley. "You lot still haven't learned how to Apparate? How sad. Well, I'm no Ministry official, but I can give you pathetic kids a go."

After the attack, Phil and Dan had been attending Dumbledore's Army meetings very frequently, up to four times a week. They had never felt so comfortable and happy around a group of people before. The D.A. were not friends - they were family.

"What you'll have to do first is figure out where the hell you wanna go. Just focus on this part, alright? Wouldn't wanna get splinched."

"Is that how you lost your ear?"

"Screw off, Fr- Ron. Anyway... After picturing VERY CLEARLY in your mind where you want to go... On this paper, it says 'determination.' The fuck's that mean? Just believe in yourself, I guess?"

George had been appointed as the leader of the breakout sessions they had. The adults of the group would go into a separate room and actually plan their lessons while what ever the hell this was went on. Phil had explained this to Dan a while ago, but he still didn't understand why the adults would leave a Weasley in charge.

"And then it says deliberation. I'm guessing that means, be fast but not too fast, and slow but not too slow, pay attention, don't die. The Three D's, everyone."

George bowed and curtsied as the room broke into applause.

"Now... I suppose you'll have to practice? Dear God, I had not planned this far ahead. Dan, would you be an absolute dear and go fetch McGonagall for me? I need an adult to make sure you keep all your fingers. Take your husband with you."

Dan blushed and glanced at Phil, whose rosy cheeks gave him away.

Daniel James Howell was the #1 most wanted wizard in all of the United Kingdom at the moment. Because of the prophecy, he was at the top of every Death Eater's hit list. Never allowed to be alone, never allowed to leave without permission, always under a superior's watchful eye. It was sickening, but he preferred it to the alternative.

And it wasn't so terrible being alone, anyways, he thought. He had Phil.

They walked to the main dining room, their fingers intertwined. Like always.

They held their meetings in an old, raggedy building. #12, Grimmauld Place. It was ideal for secret meetings because of it's discreetness. It was invisible to Muggles, so that was a plus. There were at least fifteen spells and charms devoted to keeping outsiders away. Apparently, this building had always been the hotspot for vigilantes to host their meetings.

"I wonder how the Death Eaters haven't gotten in yet," said Dan aloud. "If this has really always been where the Order met, don't they already know? And how hard are those boobytraps anyway?"

"Booby," giggled Phil.

"Phil, you are five years old. I'm serious. How am I not dead yet?"

Phil stopped giggling.

"Don't say that. Seriously, Dan. We have the most experienced and intelligent wizards in all of the country on watch, all summer. Just for you. Don't think you aren't protected, because you most definitely are. Hogwarts is a given, especially after they've finally upped their security. And anyway, you're very powerful. You are magic. It's in your blood. Half of it, anyway. Let them come at you. You'd knock 'em dead, babe."

Phil gave his boyfriend's hand a reassuring squeeze, and kissed his cheek.

"God, get a room," came a teasing voice from down the hall. They turned to look to see Louise.

She came up running behind them and hugged them. She had just come back from vacation in America, the day before school started up again. They exchanged greetings and made plans to go shopping for their school things later that day. ("You still haven't bought your supplies?" She screeched. "Typical boys.")

The trio went into the main dining hall and came back with a worried McGonagall.

Dan left his nose across the room, Phil lost three toes and Louise, unsurprisingly, did it perfectly the first time.

"This is a toe-tal disaster," said Phil.

"I'm breaking up with you," said Dan.

"An unfortunate scentsation for you, I suppose."

"It's snot."

"We've spent too much time with George."

"Hear, hear."