Dad and I quickly got ourselves hidden, and after checking in with mum and Leo to ensure that they'd gotten away safely, I went back to the Burrow with a powerful disillusionment charm on myself whilst in the form of a lion, allowing my superior senses to do the work for me. I could smell and see the Ministry wizards watching the house, though as I tested the barrier, it didn't stop me from going through. Like I suspected, they'd set up a trap for people. Animals apparently didn't count. Lucky for me. I passed through and secretly went into mine and dad's tents to pack up our belongings, remaining completely unseen as everything went into our separate rucksacks with extendable charms on each, shrinking anything that wouldn't fit until I then cast a spell on both to make them invisible and left them by the side of the house next to a large rock so that I'd be able to find them again.
Then I snuck inside, made sure the coast was clear then stood up, returning to a human whilst still invisible. "Molly?" I whispered, walking through to the sitting room to find her sitting there, staring at her clock on the wall where all the hands were now pointing at mortal peril. "Molly don't panic, it's me. I'm invisible at the moment."
"Mia!" She gasped audibly but did her best not to react, remaining sitting in the chair. "Oh thank goodness, I've been so worried! We're being watched, how on earth did you get past them?"
"I have my ways. How is everyone?" I sat down in one of the chairs and to my surprise, Crookshanks came and jumped up onto the arm in order to settle down and purr as I started to stroke his head and back lightly. "Was anyone hurt?"
"No, no, we're all fine. I think they were just trying to cause chaos and make people afraid…of course, they were clearly after Harry but he…he…oh Mia, I'm so worried about them, do you have any idea where they could be?" Molly sniffed, tears constantly streaming down her face. She must have been crying ever since the attack, hours upon hours of tears which had made her face damp, sticky and puffy.
"I might have an idea. Don't worry, I'll find them and keep an eye on them all. I promise Molly. I can't stay long, I just wanted to make sure you were all alright and collect mine and dad's things. We're going into hiding, it's the safest bet for us, so we won't be able to make contact for a while. I'm going to leave Orion here with you, he can find me in an emergency, I've trained him so he knows what to do to make sure he doesn't get caught or followed." Moving over to Molly I placed my invisible hand on her shoulder where she immediately grasped it as I leaned down and kissed her cheek. "We're not giving up. We'll keep on fighting. It's not going to end this way, so don't give up hope. I believe we'll win this war."
"Oh Mia, you're such a dear, but you shouldn't be running off into troubles. It'll be best if you just sit tight for now, we don't know what's happening with the Order…we're all rather disconnected and scattered right now…I think it might really be over this time." Unable to accept this, I kissed Molly's cheek again and squeezed both her shoulder and her hand.
"Give my love to Ginny and all the boys, and to Arthur when he comes home. Remember, send Orion if you need help. I'll be sure to come." And with that, I left. I returned to the cave that dad and I were hiding in where I gave him his things and we got changed separately into more comfortable clothes. I stuffed the dress away then asked for dad's two-way mirror so that I could contact Harry.
"I've already tried, he's not answering."
"Hm, Hermione probably buried it too deep in her purse, either that or they're all sleeping. I think I know where they might be, so I'm going to go check on them. If they're where I think they are, I'll stay with them for a few days. I want to teach them how to stay hidden like you and I, make sure that they're okay."
"Shall I come with you?" I considered it for a moment before deciding against it, looking to Fawkes who had perched himself on a rock and was now pruning his feathers.
"No, we need to start planning what to do next, which means gathering information, finding our allies and other members of the Order. Fawkes? Stay with dad for now, please. Watch his back and if trouble comes, get him out of here then come find me." He cawed in agreement so I smiled and stroked him for a moment before drawing myself up to my full height. "I'll check in every couple of hours. Do you have that mirror?" Nodding his head, dad promptly handed it over to me before I tapped it and made a copy, quickly performing the charms and spells needed to also duplicate the magic so that the new mirror was also connected to this one and Harry's. "This will make it easier. We'll stay hidden for a couple weeks, let the heat die down before making our move. It's the best way forward." Realising that dad had been looking at me strangely, I frowned and arched an eyebrow. "What?"
"It's just surprising, that's all."
"What's surprising?" He smiled at me.
"How good you are at leading." Taken aback by his words, I blinked slightly then shrugged awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. "I'll stay here and wait to hear from you, just make sure you find Harry and see that he's alright. James would never forgive me if…"
"I know." Filling in after dad trailed off, I sprung up in order to hug him tightly. "I love you dad."
"I love you too Mia." Kissing my head softly, I gave him a final smile before turning on the spot and disappearing, focusing on number twelve Grimmauld Place so that I appeared right on the front doorstep and, after taking a deep breath, I raised my wand and tapped the old, peeling door.