"Of course," Dumbledore said, setting down his teacup. "I assume you've heard about Amelia Bones?"
Anne nodded, her voice subdued. "I never thought even high-ranking Ministry officials could be targeted. Do you know why Voldemort killed her?"
"I suspect he's preparing to infiltrate the Ministry," Dumbledore replied. "This may only be the beginning. After all, if he plans to rule the wizarding world, the Ministry is a hurdle he cannot avoid."
"You mean the Ministry isn't safe anymore?"
"No, not yet," said Dumbledore. "At least for now, the Ministry remains secure. Voldemort doesn't have many trusted followers left. He can't do everything himself. This stage is difficult for him. The Dementors can't help him run things, and giants certainly won't."
"…Alright," Anne said, relaxing slightly.
"Oh, Anne, there's something else I wanted to tell you," Dumbledore added. "Your uncle officially joined the Order of the Phoenix last month."
Anne didn't seem surprised. Instead, a faint smile tugged at her lips. "I knew it. I knew Aaron would join. He was bound to."
She glanced at Dumbledore and continued, "I know how dangerous the Order is. So many people died fighting Voldemort last time. But I'm not the kind of person who'd try to talk Aaron out of it."
"Besides," she added, "Gryffindors are the kind of people who wouldn't listen even if I did try. I've learned that much already."
"I'd say that's quite the compliment for Gryffindor," Dumbledore said with a twinkle.
Anne rolled her eyes. "So, Professor, you came all the way here this afternoon. What did you discover? And what's going on with your hand?"
"Ah, back to that question." Dumbledore gave a small smile. "Very well. Let me explain. Anne, how much do you know about this ring?"
He raised his uninjured hand, revealing a large, crude golden ring set with a heavy black stone, cracked down the middle.
Anne leaned forward for a better look, then settled back into the armchair opposite him.
"I remember we talked about it last time…" she began, but seeing the look in Dumbledore's eyes, she relented. "Okay. I know it's one of the Horcruxes, containing powerful dark magic. And you said it once belonged to Marvolo Gaunt… Am I wrong?"
"Not entirely," Dumbledore replied, retracting his hand and absentmindedly rubbing the ring with his injured fingers.
In that moment, Anne could swear she saw something she'd never seen before in his eyes, confusion… and loss.
"There's just one thing you left out," he said. "It's not only a Horcrux, it's also one of the Deathly Hallows. The stone embedded in it… is the Resurrection Stone."
"What?!" Anne cried, springing up from her chair. "You mean, the Resurrection Stone from the story of the Three Brothers?"
Dumbledore nodded. "When I obtained the ring, I realized what it was. And I… put it on."
His words were simple. But Anne felt the breath catch in her throat. It took a moment before she could whisper, "Who… who did you want to bring back?"
"My sister," Dumbledore said quietly, eyes cast downward. "Ariana."
The light in his blue eyes dimmed, and his voice grew lower than Anne had ever heard it.
She opened her mouth to ask more, but stopped. One look at him silenced her. After a brief pause, she sank back into her chair.
A heavy silence fell over the study.
After a long while, Dumbledore looked up again and murmured, "Thank you."
Anne shook herself from her daze and asked, "So… what now? That injury, it's got to be serious."
"A mistake from my youth… and I made it again in old age," Dumbledore said with a bitter smile. "Perhaps it's time I start thinking about retirement."
"What do you mean?" Anne asked sharply.
"I want you to lead the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore said calmly.
Anne shot out of her chair again. "Absolutely not!"
"Oh, you'll say yes," Dumbledore replied serenely.
"No way!" Anne shook her head vehemently. "I'm not touching that powder keg."
"You will," he said with quiet certainty.
"I won't!" Anne's voice rose a pitch. Thankfully, the room had been soundproofed.
"You will," he said again, gazing at her steadily.
Anne glared back. "No."
Dumbledore didn't flinch. In fact, he seemed even more certain. His voice softened. "You will, Anne. After I'm gone, you'll take over. You'll help Harry, Hermione, and Ron."
Anne froze as if struck. Her eyes widened. Then she stomped her foot and snapped, "You! You, how could you?! That's completely irresponsible!"
"I warned you to be careful," she continued, voice trembling with anger. "And you still did it! And now you want me to lead the Order? What happens next? Are we just sticking to the storyline now?!"
She was yelling now, her eyes red. "Everyone says Voldemort fears you most! You're the most powerful, most brilliant wizard in the world! And this is your plan? Can't you think of any other way to stop that damn Dark Lord?!"
"There's no better path right now…"
"There has to be!" she cried. "Go find Voldemort! You're stronger than him, kill him!"
"I'm old," Dumbledore said gently. "I have only a year left to live. And you know this, Anne, killing him outright won't destroy him. He has Horcruxes. And even if I wanted to, it's not that easy to find him. If it were, the Ministry's Aurors would have already done it."
"You… you, " Anne was shaking, gasping for breath like a cornered cat. "If I'd known this was how it would go, I wouldn't have told you anything! You're just following the plot! I should've run far, far away!"
Dumbledore shook his head. "You wouldn't have. You chose this path, Anne."
"I didn't choose a path that leads to death!" she snapped. "I don't get it. I told you everything. Why does it still have to play out like the story?"
"Because despite everything, this is still the best path available," Dumbledore replied. "Anne, the path you've chosen… it can save many lives."
She flared up again. "I don't care, "
"You do," Dumbledore said gently. "You care deeply. Otherwise, you wouldn't have grieved for Cedric… or for me."
"I didn't grieve for anyone! I didn't!"
Dumbledore's deep blue eyes met hers from beneath his half-moon glasses. "We all have people we care about, Anne. Deep down, when you made your choice, you already knew."
Anne stared at him in silence, her jaw clenched so tightly the veins at her temple throbbed.
Breathe. Just breathe.
Eventually, she collapsed back into the armchair like a defeated rooster. "But it's not supposed to go this way…"
"I never said we had to follow any path exactly," Dumbledore said. "We simply stand in the present and make the best choice we can."
"And right now," he added, "I haven't found a better one than what you've told me."
Anne sat in silence for a long time, then whispered, "You're going to die…"
"Death doesn't frighten me. I've lived long enough," Dumbledore said. "And my death… may actually serve a purpose."
"So many people will die…"
"Yes," he acknowledged. "War brings casualties. But I believe you'll save many more."
"I'm not that capable. I'm just an ordinary person."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Ordinary people don't share what you have. Anne, all I ask is that you do your best, and I believe in you."
Anne pressed her lips tightly together, then angrily raked her hands through her hair, making it a tangled mess.
"Another one of those damned Gryffindor leaps of faith," she grumbled. "Why do you people always trust others for no reason? What if I just leave? I could run off to China, live peacefully, and never get involved in this whole mess."
Dumbledore smiled. "We only trust those worth trusting. And we're rarely wrong."
Seeing that smile, Anne really wanted to punch him. But in the end, she just let out a long, frustrated sigh.
"If I'm going to lead the Order," she said, "I have a few conditions."
Dumbledore nodded.
"First, I don't want to reveal my identity just yet. I'll choose the right time. Second, I want access to the full list of members, and I want to vet them when the time is right. Third, when it really matters, they need to listen to me. Without hesitation."
She tilted her head. "There might be more later. Are you sure the Order can handle that?"
"All very reasonable," Dumbledore said. "I don't foresee any issues. In fact, we can start now."
He pulled a small wooden object from his pocket. "This is for you, the seal of the Head of the Order. It can notify members and send messages."
"Now?"
"Yes. You may need to attend an internal meeting tomorrow night. The location isn't confirmed, there's been a slight issue with Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Oh, and tonight, I'll need you to come with me to pick up Harry and bring him to the Burrow."
"Why?" Anne took the object, it looked like a small wooden stamp, carved with the silhouette of a phoenix and surrounded by 26 letters.
"There's a protective charm on where he lives. Those unaware of it can't find the place. But you'll need to know Harry's location soon enough."
Anne raised an eyebrow. "Alright. I've never actually been to Privet Drive. When are we going? Are you staying for dinner? And what do I tell Diana? She doesn't know any of this yet…"
"I'd be happy to help with that," Dumbledore said. "Think of it as my thanks for dinner."
Anne smirked. "Fine. What do you want to eat?"
"If it's made by you, Anne," he said with a wink, "then I'd love some Chinese food. I've heard your cooking is superb, the Hogwarts house-elves speak of you with the highest praise."
Anne shot him a look, her eyes briefly resting on his withered hand.
"…Alright."
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A/N: This was the turning point planned since the first book. This had to be the moment.