Chapter 1
"No, no, and did I mention…NO!" Harry exclaimed, slamming his hands down on the dinner table. The entire Weasly family (with the exception of Percy) was seated with him, all the children agreeing with Harry.
"But Harry, they need our help." This from Lupin, who was standing in the doorway of number 12 Grimmauld Place.
Several of the other Order members were scattered around the table keeping silent. Yes, it was Dumbledore's desire for them to find safety in Sirius' old house but it was now Harry's property and it was his decision.
"Trust me, Potter, if I had anywhere else to go, I'd be there. Why would I want to live in this filthy excuse for a house full of blood traitors and mudbloods?"
"Dumbledore wanted this, Harry," Lupin argued.
"And Dumbledore's dead because he trusted him," Harry retorted sourly, glaring at the other man standing in the doorway.
"There was no other way to get around his death, Potter, though it was most unfortunate."
Harry turned to McGonagall, Mad-Eye, and Tonks. "What do you think?"
McGonagall answered for them all. "We stand by whatever you decide, Potter."
Harry swore loudly. "Fine, they can stay the night while I decide on the most desolate, hell-ridden, isolated place I can send them."
"How very kind of you, Potter," sneered the second man.
Harry promptly flipped him off and stormed upstairs, slamming his bedroom door and awakening the picture of Sirius' mother who immediately began screaming about 'filthy mudbloods and blood traitors'. Everyone in the kitchen clutched their ears and Mrs. Weasly dashed up the stairs to silence the portrait.
As the two entered with Lupin, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Bill, Fluer, and Charlie all left. "I'm going upstairs to put a few things away," Ron said over his shoulder, "don't want to get any slime on it."
"You might want to look for mudblood filth on it instead," the first unwelcomed guest responded.
Hermione shot a glare at him but continued up the stairs silently.
"Well, I must say, Severus, you always get a warm welcome," Mrs. Weasly pointed out.
"I think it would have gone better if a certain person knew the meaning of the word, 'silent', Malfoy."
"I do not want to be here and they don't want me here."
"Yes, well, seeing as Dumbledore offered his protection to you, we will harbor you," Lupin interjected, looking pointedly at Malfoy. "It is almost Christmas and so I would ask that you put aside any animosity you hold toward Harry, whose house you are in, and be grateful you were spared your mother's fate."
Mrs. Weasly gasped. She had never seen Lupin to be so harsh and would have been a little more sympathetic. Malfoy did not answer and only stared at the floor. Tears rose unbidden into his eyes as his mind replayed the sight of his mother convulsing in pain, crying, pleading, writhing and then going completely still in a flash of green. He fought back the tears and demanded, "Where is my room? I would like to rest."
"It's right up at the top of the stairs, dears," Mrs. Weasly answered, "do you want help with your bags?"
"And risk a blood traitor like yourself ruining my clothes? I'll handle it myself."
With that he stalked away and Mrs. Weasly suddenly didn't feel guilty at all about giving Malfoy the room right next to the screaming portrait. Snape watched him go and shook his head. "Remember, I killed Draco. He can't leave this house until we have all the arrangements made."
Mrs. Weasly rolled her eyes and batted him away. "I know, I know. Now go back or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will think you're up to something."
Snape nodded and with a sweeping bow and a whispered "thanks", he vanished back out the door and disappeared into the night.
A/N: So, what did you all think? Please be honest. I've been in a writing rut for almost two years now...so it's really hard for me to write. I'm not telling you this so that you'll all be more sympathetic and perhaps nicer in your reviews, because I want you to be honest, I'm telling you so that you know why my writing is as choppy as it is. Any help and constructive critism is welcomed. Thanks guys!