Chapter 21: The War Begins

Chapter 21

The War Begins

Dumbledore took a seat behind his desk. He looked more tired then they had ever seen him. "I only have a few minutes. I want you all to pay close attention. After this attack, the ministry will close the school. Everyone will be sent home immediately. All of you are to go to Grimmauld Place. You will wait for my instructions. I will need you to be part of this and fight at our sides. We will find Ginny, but we need to get all of us in order. Stay calm and we will be there shortly."

With that, he stood up and took a book from the shelf and tapped it with his wand saying, " Portus."

"Wait for us to come to Grimmauld Place do not venture out on your own or I will not allow you to help in the fight or the search. Am I understood? " Dumbledore advised.

They all nodded their agreement and took hold of the port key. Harry felt the familiar tug around his waist. They tumbled over each other as they hit the foyer floor at Grimmauld Place.

"Harry Potter sir you has come home. " Squealed Dobby.

"Yes, Dobby we are here. Are our rooms fit for sleeping?" asked Harry.

"Yes, sir they are. I was just cleaning the drawing-room. And Harry Potter sir Dobby is thanking you for paying me but I think you have made a mistake Dobby is getting two Galleons a week." murmured Dobby.

"It is no mistake Dobby I thought you needed a raise." Said, Harry

George took Hailee's hand. " I need you." He whispered in her ear.

Hailee let George lead her off towards her room. They entered the room and he shut the door. George turned to Hailee and fell into her arms. Hailee wrapped her arms around George. He was sobbing. After about a half-hour of this, there was a knock at the door.

Harry walked in and said, " George your mum and dad are here and they are asking you to come to the kitchen."

Looking defeated George stood up and walked out of the room.

"Harry what are we going to do? I can't believe that they took Ginny. I don't know how to begin to find her." Hailee started to ramble. Harry couldn't hold it in any longer he started to cry. Hailee reached out to him and took him in her arms and consoled him. " I am sorry Harry. We will find her I am sure Dumbledore will have a plan of some sort. She will be ok." Harry looked into the eyes of his sister as if begging her to have an answer.

Hailee felt so badly. How could this be happening? From downstairs there was a yell. Hailee and Harry ran to the steps. Bill and Charlie had just arrived and Mr Weasley had told them what had happened at the school and to Ginny. Then the front door opened and in walked Remus and Tonks.

"They have the Aurors out looking for Ginny." Informed Tonks.

Dumbledore arrived with a crack. "Everyone to the kitchen ." People in Grimmauld Place didn't have to be told twice. They scrabbled towards the kitchen. Everyone grabbed a seat. Looking around the only one missing, from the ones that knew about the minor involvement in the Order was Snape.

"There is much to do and we must act quickly. I believe they have taken Ginny for two reasons mind you they are my guess but... We know that they weakened

Ginny with the 'Cruciatus Curse' and my guess that was so that they could use the imperius curse. I believe that they see Ginny as a double opportunity she is the daughter of a ministry official and she is the love of the one who has the power to end Voldemort." Many of the members shuttered at the sound of the name. "Now I am sending Hailee, George, Remus, and Arthur on a mission. You all will gather what you need for a couple of days. Hailee stop at Gringotts and get muggle money and some wizarding money. I know you have some there and we need to move fast. You will be heading to where I believe that Voldemort has been in hiding, the Riddle House in Little Hangleton. You will all need to be careful. Arthur, you know how to contact us if you get into trouble. Harry, Hermione, and Molly, you will go to Surrey and watch over the Dursleys. You can use Arabella Figg's house as a base. Contact Petunia and let her know the dangers that are arising..."

"Harry, you take Merlin he can get to you faster than Hedwig. All she has to do is tell him and he will come and get you." Hailee interrupted. "Sorry Professor."

Dumbledore nodded and continued. " Minerva I ask you to return to Hogwarts. I will need you to guard over those left there. The other professors will be there and they will help you. After the last students are out of the building to seal it up. It will be up to you and the other professors to guard the secrets that Hogwarts holds. Fred, I ask you to head for Angelina's and find Wood and any others that you think might be willing to join the fight. Fred, I will give you a communicator as you will be on your own. You will need to be the most careful and check-in every few hours. You understand?" Fred nodded to show Dumbledore that he was ready. " Tonks you go to the Ministry follow with their orders. Report to me when you need, you will be joining Ron and I coordinate all that is going on. Harry, I think you should go to Gringotts as well, just for precaution. Take some time to say you're goodbyes. We must move quickly to save as many as we can. " Dumbledore finished with a solemn look on his face. They knew that this was weighing on the man, no matter how powerful he is.

Harry stood first and asked his sister, " Can I have a word please?"

Hailee smiled at her brother. She stood and made her way out of the kitchen. Hailee headed for her room. Harry followed closely behind. Hailee let Harry enter her room and she shut the door.

"Hailee I have to tell you I love you and I am not ready to be without you. Please be careful. You are going to be in the frying pan heading there. He is evil just evil." Harry stammered.

"Harry I know you will be careful so I won't even ask. But you make sure that you come back to me! I am not ready to be an only child again!" Hailee wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and whispered, " I love you too! If she is there I'll bring her home to you I promise."

Tears slid down Harry's cheeks " I know you will. I know you will."

Reluctantly they parted and Hailee started to pack up a duffle then she and Harry made their way to the kitchen. Hailee walked into the kitchen and asked, "Dumbledore should Harry and I flow to Diagon Alley to go to Gringotts?"

"No, I will take you both I can apparate there and be by your sides. " Replied Dumbledore. "Hailee are you packed? You need to be ready to leave as soon as we return. There are several stops on the way to Little Hangleton that your group needs to make. Arthur can you take care of checking things at the ministry while we are gone and meet us back here in a half-hour or so. "

"Certainly I will. I need to stop at the Burrow also Molly can join me and we will return here in about a half-hour. George, Fred, Ron are going to get things also am I right? Hermione, are you needing anything? " Asked Mr Weasley

"Well yes I do need some things but who is going to watch out for my parents, Dumbledore?" Hermione Questioned.

"I have people watching them already, but if Remus is ready to go he can apparate you home to them so that you can get a few things, but a word of caution I would not alert them to anything being wrong, yet. They are well guarded Hermione. I would not let them sit blind without protection." Soothed Dumbledore.

Hermione seemed consoled by these words. She turned to Remus who said, " Of Course we will leave here in ten minutes I just have a few things to discuss with Harry and Hailee." Hermione nodded and left the room to wait for Remus.

Remus took Hailee and Harry to the drawing-room and began to speak. "Now you two are going out into the world and you are to make sure that you both stay safe. I have just been given the greatest gift in two new children and I can't afford to lose them. I need you both! Your parents would have been so proud of you both I know I am." He took the twins into his arms. They all stayed that way for a few minutes gaining the power that they needed to be back together and be the family that ironically they had been melded to be.

Dumbledore entered the room. " I am sorry to interrupt Remus but we do need to get moving."

Remus nodded. Kissed Hailee on the cheek, then he hesitated but leaned in a kissed the cheek of Harry. They left the drawing-room to find the Weasleys' had left and Hermione was waiting. Tonks came into the room and grabbed Remus. "Remus J Lupin you had better stay safe and come home to me. We have a long future to grow old in." Tonks hugged him and leaned in and whispered. " I love you."

Remus whispered back " I love you too." Tonks smiled as her hair blushed like her cheeks. They gave each other a brief kiss and then Tonks apparated off to the Ministry. Next Remus left with Hermione.

The only ones left at Grimmauld Place were Dumbledore, Harry, and Hailee. " I want you two to know that whatever is to come I will stand by your sides. Should anything happen you two must always believe that the power to conquer Voldemort comes from the unconditional love you have for each other and the love that you share with this Order family." With that, the trio disappeared with a crack from Grimmauld place.