While Harry trains at Prince Manor, the war closes in elsewhere. Severus attends an Order of the Phoenix meeting at Grimmauld Place, quietly proud that Harry has destroyed an Auror-grade training dummy while Sirius seethes with jealousy. Around the table they mourn Emmeline Vance and Amelia Bones, debate a failing Fudge and a possible new Minister, and hear how Dementors are massacring Muggle families while Voldemort tightens his grip. Back at Spinner’s End, Severus endures Pettigrew, tends two difficult blood-red brews meant for the coming fight, and finally returns home to find Harry asleep over a book. In a rare, gentle moment, he carries the boy to bed, then the next morning watches Harry read a Daily Prophet that brands him “The Chosen One” and announces Scrimgeour, Aurors at Hogwarts, and open war – right as Dumbledore arrives to take Harry out for their first Horcrux-related trip.
