There was an awkward silence at breakfast the next morning

There was an awkward silence at breakfast the next morning. Harry and Ron sat beside each other, with Snape sitting across from Harry. Snape had cooked, and it was a simple plate of bacon and eggs.

Harry noted that it was really very delicious, but didn't voice his opinion out loud. It was a welcome change from takeout every night for two weeks.

Snape cleared his throat once they had finished. 'I wish to speak about our situation in more detail. Let us proceed to the living room.'

They stood and followed him out, Harry and Ron exchanging uneasy looks as they went. Soon, they had seated themselves in their normal seats. It was some unspoken agreement that they sat in the same seats, so Harry was once again sitting in between Snape and Ron.

'As we all know, the Dark Lord is still at large,' Snape started. 'And we no longer have help from the Ministry or the Order. It is well known that only Potter,' he glanced at Harry before continuing. 'Can defeat him, so we need to devise a plan. The Order was notified of the plan to kill Potter, so they do not think I kidnapped you. However, there could be some who are like Weasley and wish to support Potter. We need as much help as we can get.'

'So… We're basically trying to recruit Order members?' Ron asked.

'If you wish to put it so vaguely, yes.' Snape replied, crossing his arms.

'How would we do that?' Harry asked, shifting.

'I think we should use Polyjuice Potion to turn ourselves into one of the Order. We shall go about, whispering to the others, and see who remains loyal. Then we shall reveal ourselves to those, and ask them to join us.'

'Wow. You really thought it all out,' Ron gave a small grin.

'Yes. With brains like yours, I would have to. You would most likely waltz in there and shout at the top of you're lungs to join us.'

Ron's grin faltered, and he frowning in annoyance. 'So, when should we do it?' Harry cut in hurriedly.

'I do have stores of Polyjuice, which only need a bit of that person. It should take about a month to watch some of the Order and memorize their routine, so they do not walk in on us.' He paused. 'I shall watch Percy Weasley.'

Harry thought for a moment, before choosing. 'I'll be Fred Weasley.'

'I'll have to be George, then,' Ron said quietly. 'The real George would know it wasn't Fred in an instant.'

Harry nodded, and Snape continued. 'We shall take turns at watching them. They will all be close together, as they are brothers. No one is to go without another. Starting next week, on Monday. Weasley and I shall leave with Potter's cloak. Potter will stay here. On Tuesday, you two will go again, and I shall stay behind. On Wednesday, Potter and I shall go. We will continue in that order. Is that understood?'

'Yes, sir,' Harry and Ron said at the same time. They both looked affronted at having to spend a few days a week alone with Snape.

'I am not technically you're professor anymore,' Snape muttered. 'So just Snape will be fine.' Both boys nodded, and Ron finally asked,

'Can we go now?'

'Yes,' Snape waved a careless hand. 'Go.'

They stood and walked out. Harry stared at Ron for a moment. 'It's really happening, then…' Ron whispered. 'We're really going to go up against You-Know-Who alone.'

'No,' Harry shook his head. 'We're not alone. We've got Snape.'

XoXoXoX

Monday came slowly for both Harry and Ron. They were confined to the house, with nothing to do. They regularly talked about the plan, and they even devised a little game to play with Pig. Harry and Ron would sit at different ends of the hallway. They would write a note, and then give it to Pig, who happily brought it to the other. They played that a lot, not even stopping when Snape came out of his Private Lab and saw them.

'Childish…' He had muttered sourly before striding to the kitchen. Ron had only grinned at Harry and sent Pig to him again.

They ate breakfast in tense silence, and when they had finished, Harry gave his Invisibility Cloak to Snape. 'Weasley, we will now go to the Apparation Point. We will apparate to the Burrow under the cloak. Potter will stay here. Understand?'

'Yeah,' Ron replied. He sent Harry a pleading look, but allowed himself to be led away by Snape when Harry did nothing. 'See yah, mate!'

'Bye! Don't get killed!' Harry called back, and then sighed when they left the house. It was going to be a long Monday.

XoXoXoX

Next chapter: Ron and Snape arrive at the Burrow.