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"So what's the real plan?" Severus asked.

"We could just improvise?" Sirius suggested.

Severus' response was a mere condescending look that had Sirius ready to hex him out of sheer annoyance.

Harry shook his head, "No, I've got a better one…"

Chapter Twenty: Desperate Measures

"So you're expecting to just waltz into the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, find your friends in one of the many rooms and leave without any interference by the Order?" Severus sneered.

Harry and Sirius looked at each other and in unison, turned back to Severus and replied; "Yes".

Severus shook his head in disbelief. "Gryffindors" he murmured to Natalie's growing amusement.

The group has just finalized their plan of action to get the senior Hawkins and Wilson's out of the Order's Headquarters, to Severus's chagrin, there wasn't much to it. The plan was utterly 'Gryffindor.'

"Surely something as delicate as a rescue operation should be a bit less suicidal? Especially since the suicidal action is going to be on my part…" Severus muttered the last part to himself.

"Where would the fun be in that?" Sirius asked cheekily.

Severus opened his mouth to comment, but thought better of it and just gave up.

Satisfied that Sirius and Severus weren't going to erupt into a massive verbal spar, Harry turned to Remus and Ashley.

Ashley was just coming back from outside of number 8 Grimmauld Place after she had discreetly collected an object to be turned into a portkey by Remus who was concentrating rather furiously on a mangled hose pipe trying to charm it.

"Portus!" Remus said forcefully, jabbing his wand at the offending object just as Ashley deposited a third item. Remus then turned to the newspaper that Ashley had dropped and charmed that too.

"Is that all we'll need?" Remus asked, looking quite exhausted. Creating a single portkey was difficult for the average wizard, but three was pushing for complete magical reserve depletion.

"Yeah, that should do it. Thanks Remus." Harry replied.

Remus nodded and handed Natalie's wand back to her. He had to use Natalie's as hers did not alert the British Ministry of Magic to portkey creation; this was because in America, the laws for portkey's were a lot more relaxed.

Severus, seeing that Remus was done, turned to him for support. "Remus, you agree with me! This plan of theirs is entirely foolish!"

Remus smiled, "I don't know, I think it may have its merits…as long as you're careful!"

Severus looked shocked, "I believe I've overestimated your intelligence!"

Harry finally decided to step in. "Severus, think of it this way; when the Order finally realize that they've been tricked and that their hostages have been successfully rescued by the very people they should have been prepared against, how will they react? Not to mention, that this plan does not take too much effort…"

Severus looked contemplative. "They'll probably be shaken up that they've been tricked…hmmm…you're seriously going to mess with their confidence. Maybe there's some hope for you Gryffindors after all."

Harry smirked. "Whatever."

"Alright then, if there are no further objections…" Natalie started.

"Can I come in-" Ashley began.

"-NO!" Harry and Natalie said forcefully.

Suppressing a grin as Ashley pouted sullenly, Harry turned to Remus. "Will you be alright waiting here?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Anyway, Ashley is here to help." Remus replied giving Ashley a fond look.

Ashley grinned back happily.

Remus passed a portkey to Harry, Natalie and Ashley for 'back-up.' Remus, Sirius and Severus already had their own permanent ones.

"Thanks" Harry said as he tucked a rolled up newspaper into his inner jacket pocket. Ashley was glaring at her hose pipe come portkey in disdain.

"Red sparks, we need help. Green, we've found them. After 30 minutes, go back home and hope we come back." Harry clarified to everyone's grim agreement.

"It's now or never." Natalie stated as she marched to the front door of number 12 Grimmauld Place.

"See you later guys." Sirius said Remus and Ashley.

"Give them hell for us!" Ashley ordered, it was obvious that the young blonde was furious at her parent's kidnapping.

"Yes ma'am!" Sirius saluted.

Severus glared at Sirius. "Hurry up you fool!"

"Aww, I love you too Sevvie!"

"Didn't know you swung that way Siri…" Harry said with a smirk.

"Why you…"Sirius spluttered while Severus looked extremely affronted.

"Ready?" Harry asked softly once they reached the front door. Severus, Natalie and Sirius nodded to reply.

Severus moved to the door and commanded it open. Harry, Natalie and Sirius slipped in behind him under disillusionment charms. After letting the three in, Severus placed a small wedge of wood in the door to stop it from closing entirely, allowing the others to use the door as an escape route if it was needed.

"Ahh, Severus, what brings you here my dear boy?" Severus swore softly as Albus Dumbledore came up from the basement where the kitchen was situated.

"Albus." He greeted cordially.

"It has been a while since I last saw you. Come into the kitchen, Molly has just made some wonderful apple pie, you must try some." Dumbledore offered.

Severus knew the underlying message to the Headmaster's words and knew that refusing would be detrimental to his health so he just nodded and followed Dumbledore down to the kitchen.

"Shit! Do you think that Severus will be okay?" Sirius whispered in genuine concern.

"Dumbledore won't try anything and if he does…" Harry left the threat hanging.

"Let's go upstairs." Sirius said before moving to the staircase with Harry and Natalie close behind.

Severus couldn't help but inwardly groan when he found the entire Weasely family, McGonagall, Fletcher, Granger, Tonks, and various other Order members seated around the enlarged dining table.

Ron's head snapped up when he saw Severus enter. He snarled angrily before diving at the Potion's master to the shock of everyone else.

Severus stepped aside calmly, allowing Ron to stumble past him and straight into the doorway which Ron collided into with a sickening crunch.

"Argh! My nose, you son of a bitch!" Ron swore as be grabbed his bleeding and most likely, broken nose.

"I believe you're the one who foolishly chose to run at me like a raging bull. And you call yourself the best Auror in the past decade…pathetic!"

"Severus" Dumbledore said in warning, "do not antagonize young Ronald further."

Always favoring your Gryffindors Dumbledore. Severus thought bitterly, but instead, he replied submissively; "of course Albus, my apologies," and hated himself for it.

Hermione was already healing Ron's broken nose and it snapped back in place with a painful crack.

"Where's Harry you bastard?!" Ron yelled as blood ran down his chin.

Severus gazed at Ron coolly, "I don't know what you're talking about Weasely, how could-"

"-Bullshit! Where is he?" By now Ron was being physically restrained by Fred and George who weren't looking too pleased with their younger brother.

"Why would you care Weasely?" Severus asked harshly.

"Why else you git? He's my best friend-"

"-was your best friend," Severus corrected, taking pleasure in the way many faces contorted into grief as he continued. "You betrayed him Weasely, all of you did," Severus glanced at the Twins who smiled back grimly.

"Harry will understand; he'll forgive us!" Ron persisted.

Severus laughed; it was a hollow chilling laugh that shook at Ron's resolve. "Are you really that foolish to believe that?! You left him to rot in Azkaban for ten years! Ten years Weasely; Harry's had ten years to become bitter to become hateful. Ten years is a lot of time for someone to forget the concept of forgiveness!" That's for you Harry, now don't say I didn't do anything for you…

"Wh…Where is he?" Ron's voice shook slightly as he asked.

"Why would I know?"

"Come now Severus, we saw you leave with Harry to see Sirius and Remus. Now where are they?" Dumbledore cut in gently.

"I don't know" Severus replied, looking Dumbledore in the eye.

"You know where Sirius and Remus are?!" Ron exclaimed.

"And if I do?" Severus asked smoothly.

Ron opened his mouth to deliver another angry retort but one of the Twins had already cast a silencing charm on him. Ron glared at his brothers only to cower at the loathing expressions they both gave him.

"Severus, we must find Harry. It is not wise for him to be out in the open during these dark times." Dumbledore pressed.

"What makes you think he needs help? Potter killed Voldemort," several people shuddered, "he can take care of himself."

"As you saw before, Harry has a huge amount of magic within him that he needs to learn to control before he hurts someone" Dumbledore stated, referring to his own meeting with Harry previously.

"He was in complete control of his magic" Severus murmured darkly as he accepted the cup of tea that the angry Weasely matriarch pressed into his hands.

"Drink your tea before it gets cold Severus," Dumbledore ordered softly.

Severus could see people looking at him, trying to be sneaky about it but just failing miserably. It was the only hint he needed to know not to follow Dumbledore's order.

Pursing his lips tightly, Severus pretended to take a sip. Ron's expression was almost predatory as he watched Severus.

"Now Severus, where is Harry Potter?" Dumbledore asked, dropping all pretenses as he bound Severus to a chair.

Severus morphed his expression to one that a victim of a truth serum would wear and answered in a monotone voice; "I don't know."
"Why have you come back?" Moody's gruff voice asked as he limped forward.

"Potter contacted me. His friends have been kidnapped by Serpentine's followers. He's asking for the Order's assistance," Severus replied as Dumbledore looked triumphant.

"How did he contact you?"

"He sent an owl."

"What of Harry's fiancé? Have you seen her since your last meeting" Dumbledore asked as Hermione and Ron both looked surprised that their 'friend' was engaged.

"No."

"Does Harry trust you?"

Severus hesitated before answering; "Yes." He was unsure what Dumbledore would make of his confession.

"Why would Harry trust that slimy git?!" The silencing charm that one of the Twins had cast on Ron had been dispelled by Hermione, who now looked regretful.

"I didn't believe him to be a murderer, even though everyone else he trusted did." Ron looked furious while Hermione looked as if she had been slapped. Guilt was again the main expression on the various Order members' faces. Dumbledore merely scowled slightly and continued his interrogation.

"Where and when did you last see Harry Potter or his fiancé?"

"At an unknown location on the 22nd of July."

Dumbledore looked puzzled, "unknown location?"

"I didn't know where I was therefore it is an unknown location." Severus cheered inwardly as Dumbledore's face twisted in annoyance.

"I know that!" Dumbledore snapped back before addressing the other Order members. "It seems that the serum is starting to wear off as Severus's personality is starting to creep back in."

"Professor…will he remember this?" Hermione's quiet, hesitant voice came.

"In normal circumstances Severus would, but due to the nature of this questioning, it would be best that he didn't."

"What do you mean sir?" Ron asked.

Severus groaned inwardly Merlin, Weasely can't really be that stupid! Bloody hell, where's Harry and his hero-complex when I need it?!

"Are you going to obliviate him?" McGonagall asked, looking slightly nauseous.

"It must be done Minerva. For the greater good." Dumbledore replied sagely as he raised his wand and pointed it at Severus's temple. "Forgive me dear boy. Obliviate!"

Author's notes: Woohoo! I'm on my summer break now and exams are over! Big thanks to all my readers and reviewers!!! Hopefully the next chapter will be up before Christmas…if not, then I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

I've had a few reviews from people who were a tad annoyed with the use of 'Authoresses' instead of 'Author,' I'm sorry about that, I wasn't sure if it was that big a deal but as you can see, I've changed it now.

Help needed: How do I make a name that ends with an 's' (e.g. Severus, Remus or Sirius) show possession? (Does that question make any sense?) Like Harry's is easy enough, but I'm not sure how to write that properly for Severus etc. If anyone can advise me in that, it'd be much appreciated…

Fire-Pawz