For Chapter 32, I updated a line that didn't make sense with the rest of the story. That being said, I have a few chapters pre-written and I am hoping to get those all up within the next couple weeks. I appreciate all of those who have been waiting. Much love.

Chapter Thirty-Three – The Potters

Tension was running high in Grimmauld Place the day Harry's rescue was to take place. The plan was set – several of us were to use Polyjuice to become replicas of Harry. It was a plan that Hermione knew would not go over well with the subject of the mission, but there was no other choice. They had to take precautions, and this was the safest route to take to protect him.

Hermione checked her bag once more. There were seven identical outfits, a flask of Polyjuice, 6 sets of fake eyeglasses. All they needed was Essence of Harry so to speak. Hermione had been told by Mad-Eye to get hairs off Harry's head one way or another. The door to her shared room with Ginny squeaked open and Hermione turned. Both Ginny and Ron entered the room. The redhead pair took a seat on Hermione's bed.

"All packed then?" Ginny asked quietly. Hermione knew the younger girl was trying to hide it, but she was fearful, and for good reason. All of her brothers – minus Percy – plus her father and Fleur were headed out on this mission tonight to retrieve Harry. Ginny had to stay at the Burrow with her mother and sit idly by for a few hours, just waiting for news. Once the group departed from Grimmauld, Ginny and Molly would Floo back to the Burrow and prepare for the group that would be arriving by midnight.

"Yes. All packed. Ginny, we will all be okay. We will make it back," Hermione clasped Ginny's hands in her own, kneeling down in front of her. "We will take care of each other and make sure we all get back safely."

Ron shifted and placed an arm around Ginny, who had started to cry silently. "Yeah, Gin, we will all come back. Just make sure you kiss the proper Harry when we arrive."

Ginny chuckled slightly and elbowed her brother in the side. "Shut it, you." Hermione reached up and wiped the tears from Ginny's face. The trio rose and made their way out of the room and down two flights of stairs to the kitchen. Molly was standing by the fireplace with Arthur, the pair talking in hushed tones. Arthur seemed to be reassuring Molly of the same things Ginny had sought comfort for.

As Ron, Hermione, and Ginny approached, Molly and Arthur looked up. Molly's eyes were red-rimmed, swollen, but still lit up with a smile at the sight of the trio. Arthur nodded, his normally jovial face set in a grimace.

Molly rushed to her two youngest children, and Hermione. She embraced Ginny and then fussed over Ron, smoothing his jumper, pressing his hair flat, and for once, Ron allowed her to fret without complaint. After a moment, Molly embraced her son. Ron hugged her back tightly. When Molly pulled away to face Hermione, her eyes were wet yet again.

She pulled Hermione to her as well, squeezing tightly. "You're my child too, Hermione. I love you with a mother's heart. Make sure you all get back to me, yes?" Molly whispered in her ear. Hermione felt her own eyes prickle as she nodded on the older woman's shoulder. Molly released Hermione, placing a hand on the brunette's cheek. They held eye contact for a moment, until Molly collected Ginny and led her toward the back of the kitchen to set about preparations to head back to the Burrow and await the others.

Ron and Hermione headed to Arthur, who only nodded once more. After a few moments, more of the group assigned to rescue Harry arrived in the kitchen. Bill, Charlie, Fred and George, Mad-Eye, Arthur, Kinglsey Shacklebolt, Tonks, Fleur Delacour (soon to be Weasley) all gathered in the kitchen.

"Remus and Hagrid are waiting outside," Tonks announced quietly as she stepped into the semi-circle that had formed. "With Mundungus out, we are a person short, don't forget."

"Who will be going alone, then?" Hermione asked.

"Mad-Eye. He will be bringing up the rear of the group, making sure no one falls behind." Tonks replied. "Is everyone ready?"

The group shuffled out of the kitchen, waving good-bye at Ginny and a once again tearful Molly. They quietly exited Grimmauld Place with Fleur pulling the door shut softly behind them so the portrait inside remained silent and still. They met Hagrid and Lupin outside.

"Al'righ' there, 'ermione? Ron?" Hagrid smiled at them, his eyes crinkling. They nodded and smiled back, stopping to stand just beside him as Lupin addressed the group as a whole.

"Our plan is to be in and out in under two hours; back to the Burrow in under three. Once we arrive…" Hermione's mind trailed off, having already gone over the plan with Lupin several times in the last few days.

She let her mind wander to Draco. How was he doing? Was he okay? Did he think of her? He hadn't contacted her in days. She also wondered how Narcissa's was faring, cooped up at the Burrow with Andromeda.

So far, she hadn't had much interaction with the Malfoy matriarch, but she had surprised Hermione with her ability to adapt. Narcissa didn't appear to have such the air of superiority around her, as she normally did while she was with her husband. Hermione had noticed in passing that the two former Black sisters seemed to be mending their relationship as best they could.

"Now, we do know from Severus that the Death Eaters may be aware of our movements tonight. Remember, they do not know the exact location of the Dursley's home, but once we break the protective barrier, I want everyone on their guard for any activity. We cannot lose a single member tonight. Understood?" Lupin looked at each witch and wizard in turn. Every one of them nodded.

"Alright then," Moody snapped. "Everyone get a broom or –" he snapped, and three Thestrals appeared "- a beast, and we will be off."

Hermione climbed onto the back of a Thestral with Remus, having already declared she would not ride a broom. As she settled in behind her former professor, she clasped her watch.

If you're there, please be safe.

Just a moment later, the winged animal below her took flight. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and clung to Lupin.