The Ultimate Price

Chapter 1: A new beginning

Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting around the kitchen table of number twelve, Grimmauld Place; scarcely daring to believe they were there. They were now fully-fledged members of the Order of the Phoenix. Although they were only in their seventh year at Hogwarts and shouldn't really be in the Order, necessity took over from what should be happening. Harry looked at Hermione and could tell that she, like him, was remembering all the people who used to be in the Order and why they were in it now. Harry thought he saw a silent tear slide down her cheek but he couldn't be sure.

Ron seeing the expression on their faces, looked confused, even slightly angry. He looked angry a lot now ever since Lucius Malfoy, one of Voldemort's most trusted Death Eaters, had killed his brothers Percy, Charlie and Bill. Harry knew that Ron felt guilty about this after all, it had been their fault. Voldemort did it to teach them a lesson. To prove that no matter what they did to him he would do something ten fold worse back to them and those they hold dear. Harry tried to stop Ron blaming himself. But found it hard as in the back of his mind he knew that if he, Ron and Hermione hadn't thwarted Voldemort's plans to turn Professors McGonagall and Snape into Death Eaters then Voldemort wouldn't have had to prove to them that they could still be hurt. That was another reason why they were in the Order. They had saved both McGonagall's and Snape's lives. But Voldemort already thought that Snape was loyal to him so they may not have saved Snape's life. But if Harry hadn't had that dream it could all have turned out differently.

Harry looked backed at Ron and Hermione. Hermione was now crying outright and it was obvious that Ron was fighting back tears too.

'It's okay you two. Everything will be fine,' Harry said comfortingly.

'What exactly is ok?' Ron choked out. 'You-Know-Who is winning this war. Everyone who is in the Order is slowing being murdered. And everything's going to be fine is it?'

Harry looked at Ron in shock. He knew Ron was right they were all dying that's why there were only ten people, not including themselves, left in the Order. But just giving up like that wasn't the Ron Harry knew.

'Ron, I know things are tough. But if we start fighting amongst ourselves we will definitely lose this war. I know we have suffered major losses. But if we dwell on those we will never defeat Voldemort and bring people out of their terrified stupor.' Hermione nodded in agreement wiping the tears out of her eyes with a fierce certainty.

'We can win this but only if we stick together,' Hermione said with such certainty that Ron looked amazed. He slowly nodded.

'I'm sorry, mate,' Ron told Harry. Harry was just about to reply when the rest of the Order entered the room, Harry starting counting who was there. He did it all the time now just to make sure no one else had died. Dumbledore, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Fred and George Weasly, Hagrid, Mad eye Moody, a rather haggard looking McGonagall and of course Snape looking as cool as ever. And that was it that was the defence against Voldemort as well as a few more teachers from Hogwarts. Most the members had either been killed or had decided to take a more neutral approach to Voldemort's threat. Dumbledore swept to the front of the room. Everyone turned to look at him.

'As you all know, Voldemort's numbers are swelling while ours are dwindling,' Dumbledore began. 'But even though there is so few of us here that does not mean that no one else out there are willing to help us fight against Voldemort. So with that in mind, let us start the meeting. Harry, have you had anymore dreams?' All eyes turned to Harry.

'No, I haven't, I also haven't been able to feel his mood recently. I don't know why. But I think he's blocking me.' Harry began.

'What do you mean blocking you? He doesn't know you see him in your dreams does he?' George inquired.

'After my last dream,' Harry looked significantly at McGonagall and Snape. 'He seems to have realised that we can get information like that from him. So he had taken steps to stop me from doing it.' Harry finished.

'That is indeed inconvenient,' Dumbledore stated. He sighed. Harry began studying him. Since the war started Dumbledore's age had become very apparent to everybody. He was tired and looked ready to drop at any moment. Dumbledore seemed to have noticed Harry staring at him and cleared his throat. 'Well, be that as it may, we still know a great deal about Voldemort. Severus do you have anything new to report?'

'Actually, headmaster, I don't. The Dark Lord isn't planning anything new. Although I believe he is getting ready for either a major attack or a huge spell. But he hasn't told me or any of his other Death Eaters. At the moment he has just ordered us to recruit more Death Eaters,' Snape told Dumbledore.

'This is strange. Since Voldemort has been back he has never had a plan he has not shared with at least one of his Death Eaters, normally you, Severus. The only time he hasn't it has…' Dumbledore trailed off. He appeared to be lost in his thoughts. And by the looks of it his thoughts troubled him. 'I'm sorry. Please continue the meeting without me.' And without another word or looking at any of them he swept majestically out of the room.

'What was that about,' Ron whispered to Harry and Hermione.

'I don't know but whatever it was it can't be good,' Hermione replied with distinct fear in her voice.

'Well everyone. Has anyone got anything new to report or suggest?' Mrs Weasley asked with the air of someone desperately trying to cover something up. She knows, Harry thought. Everyone just stared at her it was obvious that no one had any idea of what to do next. They were supposed to be getting new orders from Dumbledore that day. 'No one? Well, in that case I suppose we should call it a day. Dinner will be served shortly for those who wish to stay,' Mrs Weasley told them with a slightly defeatist tone in her voice.

'Actually Molly, could I just say something before everyone goes,' Professor McGonagall said making everyone jump. 'I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Harry, Ron and Hermione.' The three of them looked up at her in shock. 'If it wasn't for you three I would almost certainly be dead, probably Severus as well. So thank you,' she finished somewhat lamely. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at her blankly.

'It's all right, Professor. You would have helped us wouldn't you?' Hermione finally said. McGonagall smiled at them, tears shining in her eyes. Snape didn't say anything all the while McGonagall was thanking them, but then in an extremely unexpected move. He shook all of their hands.

'Yes, thank you,' Snape told them quietly. With that he turned around and swept out the room.

'Gods, if Snape can thank us then maybe we have a chance to win after all,' Ron said in shock.

'That's the spirit, Ron. But I wouldn't expect any thing like that to ever happen again,' Fred said seriously.

Everyone was chatting happily and had started eating, so no one noticed when Harry collapse to the floor, clutching his scar.

A/N

Ok, this was rubbish but if anyone is even romotely interested in carrying on reading it, review and I will post the next chapter (which is a bit more exciting). That's all I have to say so please review