Dear Headmaster Dumbledore:

I have decided against my father's wishes. I am joining your side. However, my father wants me to take the Dark Mark before returning this year. Obviously, I can't do that. I need to go someplace safe; where neither my father nor the Dark Lord may find me. I need your protection and help.

Faithfully yours,

Draco Malfoy

Albus Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he finished reading the sloppily scrawled, hurried, and short letter. "I believe you owe me a galleon Mr. Weasley," the professor told the tall, ginger haired teen.

"How do you always know everything?" Ron asked his headmaster, as he shoved his hand down into his pocket to retrieve the gold.

"With old age, comes great wisdom. Oh, I must be off. I should probably rescue our newest comrade before too long," Albus explained as he watched the second hands tick away on the clock.

The old man's wispy white hair blew in the light breeze as he stepped out of the concealed doorway and onto the Muggle street. He quietly strode off towards the corner. He crossed the street and proceeded into a field with a large amount of tall weeds. With a loud "crack!" he was gone.

"Why did he walk all the way down the street just to apparate?" Harry asked his two friends, Ron and Hermione.

"At the end of term, Professor Dumbledore believed it was for the best to put a spell on the headquarters. That way if anyone were to learn of its location, they'd have to apparate to the area around here. Then actually find Number 12," Hermione explained in a single breath.

"Just like Hogwarts…" Harry confirmed.

"Yes! Finally, one of you has caught onto that fact!" Hermione exclaimed.

It was Harry's first night back at Number 12 Grimmauld Place since his fifth year. He couldn't help but grin, as he was finally with those who cared about him. It felt good, even if the house seemed emptier without Sirius alive.

To get his mind off the subject of Sirius, Harry asked for an update of what had been going on with the Order. "What all's happened?"

"Well, my mum still won't let me into the meetings, but Hermione's parents wrote a letter to Dumbledore asking to keep her informed with the basic details," Ron answered.

"I only get told if Voldemort has been seen, if Death Eaters have been captured or escape, and if anyone we know has died," Hermione added.

"So, my mum's just kept us busy with cleaning. Lots and lots of cleaning," Ron waved his arm around majestically to show Harry that a bit of the dust and grime that had been there on his last visit had now disappeared.

Harry mouthed the word "wow." "You two did a great job; you can actually tell there are walls in here now." The trio laughed and continued to walk towards the room the two boys would be staying in.

"And Harry, we have one more thing to show you…" Hermione trailed off as she opened the door to his bedroom.