Chapter 2: Number Twelve
Harry felt like he was being squeezed through a tube. He landed and would have fallen had Snape not caught hold of his arm. They were in what Harry figured was a muggle neighborhood and the two houses in front of him were marked 11, 13.
"As much grace as always Potter, now think of the phrase." Harry did and watched as before his eyes a building emerged between 11&13, number 12. They strode up to the door and Mad-Eye opened it and went inside the pink haired girl following him.
They walked down a dark hallway, and the whole house seemed to bleed darkness and pain. Harry hated it and hoped they were just passing through, though with his luck he doubted it.
As they neared the staircases, there was what sounded like a stampede as Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins ran towards him only to be stopped by a fierce glare from Snape. "What's going on Harry? Are you ok? What about the Dursleys? Are..." Hermione would have continued except another voice cut her off.
"Snape, what do you think you're doing? Let my godson go!" Harry turned his head as much as Snape would let him to see his godfather standing in a doorway at the end of the hall.
Snape sneered and pushed passed him with Harry still in his grip. They entered what was obviously a kitchen and Snape pushed him down in to the nearest chair.
Sirius and the rest of the people in the hall had entered the room by now and Mrs. Weasley had started making dinner. Sirius looked about ready to start yelling again but thankfully Mrs. Weasley butted in before he could.
Harry was rather relieved, he loved his godfather but he didn't have to question everything Professor Snape did. Molly ushered everyone to the table and begin to dish out soup, placing a double serving and more than enough bread in front of Harry.
For the next fifteen minutes; there was an awkward silence as everyone ate, shooting looks at Harry every few seconds or so as he happily ate his soup as if he hadn't just been fighting for his life a half hour ago.
Just as Harry finished the last drop of soup, Dumbledore walked in followed by Professor McGonagall and Remus. The small amount of awkward talk stopped and Professor Dumbledore turned towards the teens.
"You should be getting off to bed; we will send Harry up in a few minutes when we start the Order meeting." The teens started to protest until Harry spoke up. "I'll just tell them whatever I tell you so they might as well stay. Besides, I don't want to have to repeat myself."
Professor Dumbledore and Harry locked eyes for a minute before Dumbledore nodded his consent. Molly started to protest but a few whispered words from Arthur and she quieted.
"Now, I thought that Voldemort," there was a collective shudder from almost everyone in the room.
Dumbledore just smiled and continued, "Sent his Death Eaters to capture Harry but in light of their actions tonight, I could be wrong. Maybe Severus, you could enlighten us."
Snape stood glaring at the room. "The Dark Lord wishes to recruit Potter." There was a murmur of disbelief and Sirius laughed outright.
"Harry, join You-Know-Who? That's hilarious, there's no way he would agree." Snape was focused on Harry though his words were directed at Sirius.
"Loath as I am to admit it Black, I would have agreed if the boy had not agreed." The room fell into silence and every head turned towards Harry then Snape.
"What are you implying Snape?" Sirius' voice was cold but before Snape could reply Dumbledore cut in. "Tell us what you mean Severus."
Smirking at Black, Snape turned towards the headmaster. "The Dark Lord sent us to recruit and capture Potter. He broke the wards using his blood and we captured and bound the boy's relatives before sending two new recruits to Potter's room. Potter managed to knock them down and only stilled when Belletrix and I entered the room."
There was a soft growl from Sirius when Belletrix was mentioned before Hermione addressed Harry. "Harry, you really shouldn't use magic during the summer, the Ministry is out for blood and you don't want them to have anything on you."
"Don't worry, 'Mione, I didn't use any magic." She looked confused at this and would have replied but Snape cut in.
"Anyway, Potter was brought downstairs and Lucius gave him the Dark Lords request." There was a moment of silence before Sirius became impatient.
"Well, what about after that?" Snape narrowed his eyes but his gaze was locked firmly upon Harry. Sirius opened his mouth to speak again but Harry interrupted him.
"I accepted."
