"Ah, here you are."

Startled, Harry tried to get up and grab his wand. At the last moment, he held Ginny, who he almost pushed off the sofa in the heat of the moment.

"What are you doing here, and why is Ginny here. We're looking for her everywhere."

"Tonks?" exclaimed Harry. Pushing his glasses on his nose, he gazed at his visitor, still a little sleepy. "What are you doing here?"

"We got your Patronus at Grimmauld Place, and I thought I'd check here. I was the only one there who knew where you live," the young woman explained.

"Yes, of course," Harry murmured, remembering. "Glad you came. The floo doesn't work, and since I was a bit hurt, Ginny didn't want me to Apparate."

"Hurt?" Tonks asked, concerned. "What happened?"

While Harry told Tonks the short version of their adventure from the previous day, Ginny apologized because she had to use the loo.

"Damn Malfoys. They're a shame to be related to," Tonks cursed when Harry had finished. "Show me your injury."

"I'm fine," Harry murmured. Rolling his eyes, he took off his pyjama top anyway, realizing that Tonks wouldn't let him rest otherwise.

"Doesn't look too bad," Tonks murmured, turning to Ginny, who was just coming back. "Good work Ginny. Harry's wound is healing well. How are you? Still in pain?"

"I'm fine so far," Ginny replied.

"You still need to get checked up, though," Harry said worriedly. "You can get permanent body aches and occasional chills when the Cruciatus isn't treated properly."

Ginny sat down on the sofa next to Harry. She took his hand and squeezed it, giving him a sweet smile. "I promise, I'll let myself check-up. Right after you."

Tonks raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"

Harry rolled his eyes at Ginny, who just shrugged. "I asked Ginny to be my girlfriend. But don't tell Sirius. We'll do that ourselves next time we see him."

Tonks grimaced. "You don't know about it yet? Sirius has been arrested. He is accused of stealing an old cup that is said to have once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff."

"Damn it," cried Harry. "Malfoy is behind this again. That cup was in Bellatrix's vault, awarded to Sirius." Since Harry didn't know what Tonks knew about the Horcruxes, he didn't mention them, just to be safe.

"And where is this cup now?" Tonks asked.

"Good question," Harry replied thoughtfully. He didn't know where Dumbledore kept the Horcruxes. "I have no idea where the damn thing is," he answered truthfully. Looking at Tonks, Harry hesitated. "What about Remus? Was he with Sirius?"

Tonks's face darkened again. "Remus left on an Order mission yesterday. I don't know when he will be back."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "First Sirius, now Remus. How many people did Dumbledore actually send on Order missions? What is Remus supposed to do?"

"I don't know any details either," Tonks replied sullenly. "It must have something to do with werewolves." She sighed and looked at the two. "All right. Is there anything you would like to take to Grimmauld Place?"

"All my stuff is still at Hogwarts," Ginny said.

"I have a few things to pack, but it won't take long," Harry said.

"Then I'll take Ginny to Grimmauld Place while you're packing," Tonks said, standing up.

"I'll help Harry pack," Ginny said hurriedly. "With his injured shoulder, he can't carry heavy things."

"I'm fine," Harry said, pausing when he saw Ginny's pleading look.

"I'd rather arrive together with you," she mumbled apologetically. She shrugged, "I don't want to answer all those questions on my own. My mum can be a bit overprotective sometimes, and I just don't feel like it right now."

Tonks gave them a scrutinizing look and finally nodded. "Yeah, I know that feeling." She gave them a mischievous look. "Should I also help Harry pack, or rather wait here for you?"

"Erm…" Harry began.

"I think we can manage on our own," Ginny said, pulling Harry with her.

"Okay, but then don't smooch more than absolutely necessary. I don't have forever," Tonks called after them, laughing.

"Wait for us here," Tonks said as she dropped Harry off at the back door of the house in Grimmauld Place.

"Okay." Harry nodded and sat down on his trunk, which Tonks had brought here first. It only took a few moments until she Apparated back together with Ginny.

"I'll take your trunk, Harry. You two walk ahead," Tonks said.

"It's not necessary. I can carry my stuff alone," Harry complained, rolling his eyes but then shrugged and opened the door when he saw Tonks' stare.

"Arthur and Molly moved back here after you were kidnapped, Ginny. I take it your mother is already impatiently waiting for you," Tonks said as they walked through the basement, up the stairs to the first floor.

They found Mr and Mrs Weasley in the kitchen over a cup of tea, looking miserable. Their faces brightened the moment the small group and their daughter, in particular, entered the room.

"Ginny, there you are. We were so worried," Mrs Weasley exclaimed, hurrying to her daughter. Taking her into her arms, she held Ginny as she would never let her go again.

Moist-eyed but with a relieved smile on his lips, Mr Weasley was standing behind his wife, waiting for his turn to greet his daughter. He got his chance when Ginny moaned, "Mum, I need air to breathe," and pulled away from her mother.

"We're really glad you're back," Mr Weasley said, giving Ginny a brief but warm hug. "But of course, we want to know what happened."

"Before we tell you what happened, we should call someone to give Ginny a check-up," interjected Harry. "Could you please ask your mother to come over, Tonks?"

"Aye," the young Auror replied. "But it might take a while for her to get here because the floo isn't working."

"And tell her Harry needs a check-up, too," Ginny said.

"Okay, okay," Tonks held up her hands defensively. "I'd best go and get her myself. We don't want anyone in St Mungo's overhearing my Patronus, do we?"

Tonks was about to leave when footsteps were heard from the stairwell. Moments later, Dumbledore and Ron emerged in the doorway.

"Good day," the headmaster greeted, looking around. His eyebrows shot up when he spotted Ginny. "Miss Weasley, what a surprise. We thought you had been kidnapped from Hogwarts. Therefore, Ronald here had insisted on coming with me. Would it be possible to enlighten me?"

"We've just arrived and been about to relate what happened," Harry said to Dumbledore, stepping to Ginny's side.

"And I'm already gone," Tonks called and vanished through the door.

"Have a seat, everybody. I'll make us some tea, and then the children can tell us everything," said Mrs Weasley, turning to the stove.

Everyone sat down at the kitchen table while Mrs Weasley put the kettle on and placed a bowl of biscuits on the table. Harry hurried to get the seat next to Ginny, who gave him a thankful smile. Harry reached under the table, took her hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

When everyone but Mrs Weasley was seated, and quiet had settled, Dumbledore nodded to Harry, hinting him to begin.

Harry cleared his throat and glanced at Ginny to make sure she was ready. As she squeezed his hand, he let his eyes wander over the audience and said, "Well, then let's get started."

Harry briefly spoke about the Marauders map and his short trip to Hogwarts when he'd given Ginny her communication mirror. Then he explained how he'd noticed that something was wrong and how he'd tried to warn Ginny using their mirrors. At that point, Ginny took over to talk about her time in captivity. Her mother cried out briefly when Ginny related how Lucius Malfoy had used the Cruciatus on her, but Ginny continued without hesitation. When she finished her tale with her escape from Malfoy Manor, there was a moment of silence as everyone processed what they'd just heard.

"As glad as I am that you rescued Ginny, Harry, that was very reckless of you. You should have called an adult instead of going off unaided," said Mrs Weasley with a worried look.

Harry returned Mrs Weasley's gaze and nodded thoughtfully. He knew Ginny's mother meant well, but now that he couldn't ask Sirius for advice and help anymore, he was on his own. Taking a deep breath, Harry rested his elbows on the table and gathered his thoughts. "That's all well and good, and you're certainly right. But who should I contact? Unfortunately, my godfather was not available." Harry gave a short sarcastic laugh. "Briefly, I considered calling Professor Dumbledore or checking if anyone is here at Grimmauld Place, but as you all know, the Floo network wasn't working."

"As far as I know, you have the Apparition license," said Mr Weasley in a calm voice.

"Yeah, that's right. And that's how I went to Malfoy Manor. After all, I had to hurry. They had Ginny." Harry paused, giving Ginny a smile as she put her hand on his arm. Looking into her eyes, he said, "I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Who knows if you would've escaped without the Invisibility Cloak?"

"That wasn't meant as a criticism either, Harry," said Mr Weasley. "We're just worried."

"That's alright," Harry replied, trying to stay calm. It wasn't Ginny's parents. It was the thought of the moment they'd taken Ginny away were upsetting him, Harry recognised. With tears of rage in his eyes, his voice trembling, he blurted out, "But I was beyond worried. I had just watched how they'd dragged Ginny away. That was... I...I couldn't..." Harry turned to Ginny. "I'll always be there for you."

Looking into his eyes, Ginny nodded and said softly, "I know."

In the silence that followed, Harry missed the meaningful look Ginny's parents exchanged. And moments later, he was distracted by Tonks and her mother, Andromeda, who were just arriving.

"Where are my patients?" asked the woman who had come in her St Mungo's uniform and looked around searchingly.

Harry got up and pointed at Ginny. "Hello, Aunt Andromeda. Can you please start with Ginny? She was subjected to Cruciatus."

Ginny rolled her eyes but walked with Andromeda without protest, presumably into the living room while Harry waited indecisively in the doorway.

"Arthur, Molly, can I have a minute?" asked Dumbledore.

"Of course. What is it about?" asked Mrs Weasley.

"I have to go to the Ministry later. As headmaster, I received a summons from the Minister of Magic," Dumbledore said in a grave voice.

Harry didn't know if the conversation was meant for his ears and was glad when Ron approached him.

"Do you know which room Ginny will sleep in?" he asked Harry, pointing to a suitcase that was in the stairwell. "I brought her stuff from Hogwarts."

"Oh, I...I have no idea," Harry replied. "To be honest, I've never slept in this house before. I'll have to see where there's a spare room for me."

"Okay, I'll ask Mum when she's done with Dumbledore then," Ginny's brother replied, pulling something out of a pocket. "At the place where she was attacked, we found her wand and that mirror you told us about. She'll be glad to get it back. The mirror is broken, though. Can you fix it?"

"I'm not sure," Harry said, turning to Ginny, who had just emerged from the living room.

With a big smile, she said, "I got the all-clear. I'm only supposed to take it easy for a few days. And now it's your turn. Your aunt is already waiting."

"I'm on my way," Harry murmured, leaving the siblings to themselves for their reunion.

After treating Harry's back and wrapping a magical bandage around his chest, Andromeda praised Ginny's work. In a few days, his back would be like new, she promised. Harry thanked his aunt and headed back into the kitchen, glad Dumbledore hadn't gone yet.

Harry was about to approach the headmaster when the man looked up at him. "Harry, I'm glad you're still here. I wanted to give you something." He got up and motioned for Harry to follow him. "We better go to the library."

"Ah, okay," Harry replied. "I also wanted to ask you something before you leave."

Dumbledore walked past the bookshelves towards the window overlooking Grimmauld Place. With a brief flick of his wand, he shut the door and looked thoughtfully down at the busy square.

Following the headmaster's gaze, Harry hesitated to ask his question until the older man had brought up his matter. When he finally cleared his throat, Harry looked at him expectantly.

"As you've probably heard, I will follow the Minister of Magic's summon and meet him in the Ministry," Dumbledore began.

"I don't think that's a wise decision..." Harry began.

"I'm pretty sure it is not," confirmed Dumbledore. "Lucius Malfoy can't dismiss me, but it's my job as headmaster to make sure my students are safe at Hogwarts."

"And what if it's a trap?" asked Harry worried.

"That's a good question," Dumbledore replied. "Then Professor McGonagall will become Headmistress. Lucius Malfoy can't do anything about that either without the Board of Governors."

"And what about the Horcruxes?" Harry asked, meeting Dumbledore's eyes.

Dumbledore smiled at Harry. "That was the question you wanted to ask me?"

"Yes," Harry admitted. "If something happens to you..."

"And that's exactly why I wanted to talk to you, Harry," Dumbledore replied. "I wanted to tell you where the Horcruxes are hidden."

As Harry looked expectantly at the headmaster, he noticed how the man had aged over the past few weeks. His cheeks were sunken, and his right hand was shaking a little. Especially his eyes didn't shine as brightly as they used to.

"You know the secret staircase leading up to my office?" Dumbledore finally began and continued as Harry nodded. "The portrait with the fisherman guards the Horcruxes and some other items you might find useful. The man's name is Douglas Breac. Call him by his name and ask for the things I left for you. Don't forget his name! Otherwise, he won't accept your request."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Who else knows about this?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid no one knows but the two of us. If anything happens to me, inform Professor McGonagall or Mad-Eye Moody about the Horcruxes. They will then take over the leadership of the Order of the Phoenix. Professor McGonagall will find out right away if anything happens to me. She'll be headmaster then unless the Board of Governors decides otherwise. That's not the decision of the Minister of Magic either."

"I see," Harry replied. He looked out the window again, watching the Muggle passers-by going about their business as if Voldemort wouldn't exist. "Does the Order know where Voldemort is?" The question had been bothering Harry for some time, as the self-proclaimed Dark Lord had not yet shown up in public. He had his string puppets installed and directed Lucius Malfoy from the background.

Dumbledore took a deep breath and slowly shook his head. "There are only assumptions. We can rule out that he is staying at Malfoy Manor. He is probably at another Malfoy or Lestrange estate."

Harry nodded. It really didn't matter where Voldemort was. And as long as he operated from the shadows, at least there was no open terror and murder. The repression the Ministry imposed on Muggle-borns was bad enough. "I don't trust Malfoy," said Harry. "And it's disturbing that he's searching for the missing Horcruxes for his master." Harry gave a short laugh. "Maybe the missing Horcruxes are the reason why Voldemort is carefully avoiding to show up in public."

"Unfortunately, that's just a guess, albeit a reasonable one," Dumbledore agreed.

As Dumbledore left the library, Ginny peered through the door. With a worried look, she asked, "How's your back?"

"All right so far," Harry replied, grinning. "Andromeda said you did a good job. I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy for the next days."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not that heavy," Ginny replied with a mischievous grin. She put her head on his chest and hugged him. "Do you think we could have a few minutes to ourselves before someone misses us? Mum has already pestered me with questions. I'm pretty sure she'll see to it that we're not alone for too long."

Chuckling, Harry took Ginny by the hand and led her to the sofa. "No one can see us here, and we'll hear if someone comes in."

Harry sat down and pulled Ginny onto his lap. Putting his arm around her shoulders, he kissed her.

"I wanted to do this for a long time," she murmured.

"Me too," Harry replied. When Ginny leaned back, giving him a raised eyebrow, he chuckled, "I just didn't know it."

Pulling Ginny closer again, Harry inhaled her floral scent. "You always smell so good," he murmured between their kisses. "That's another thing I've always noticed but never knew."

"Don't talk so much," Ginny replied. "I want to thank you properly for rescuing me."

"But you freed yourself..." Harry tried to say, but when his mouth was attacked by Ginny's, he gave in, kissing her back with equal passion.

Harry groaned as the realization hit him what the warmth of Ginny's body and her wiggling on his lap was doing to him. "Ginny, you're killing me," he moaned, desperately trying to shift in his seat.

Obviously noticing Harry's predicament, Ginny giggled. "I take that as a sign that you really like me."

"You are a little minx." Deciding to give up his resistance, Harry moved his tongue softly over Ginny's lips. Ginny didn't need to be asked twice and opened her mouth to let Harry's tongue enter.

"Errm."

Harry almost jumped up when he realized they were being watched. Next to them stood the house-elf. Dobby was his name, Harry remembered. But it wasn't the awkward expression of the elf that made Harry gasp. Dobby had a black eye and a large bump on his head, not to mention bruises all over his body. Apparently, he was also missing a few teeth.

"Harry Potter, sir," Dobby stammered. "Dobby is terribly sorry to disturb. But Harry Potter sir needs to tell Professor Dumbles he can't go to the Ministry."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that, Dobby," said Harry, dumbfounded. "Professor Dumbledore already left."

"What happened to you, Dobby?" asked Ginny, worried.

"Dobby is good. Dobby is free," the house-elf replied with a wry smile. "Young master has punished Dobby when Dobby eavesdropped. Young master gave Dobby old pair of boxer shorts to wipe his blood off the floor. Young master didn't know he can't give Dobby clothes. So he set Dobby free."

"But how did you get into this house?" Harry asked, confused.

"This house belongs to family. Dobby has been here before. House elf magic allows Dobby to come here despite the hide spell," Dobby replied. "But Harry Potter, sir must warn Professor Dumbles."

"Professor Dumbledore went into the Ministry half an hour ago," said Harry, worried. "It's too late to warn him."

Dobby looked miserable and murmured, shaking his head, "Is no good. Is no good."

"Professor Dumbledore is a powerful wizard. He can take care of himself," said Harry, more to encourage himself. He wasn't sure when he would see Sirius again. But who should he turn to if he needed help? Remus was also travelling indefinitely. And now even Dumbledore seemed to be in danger.

"Where are you going to live now, Dobby?" asked Ginny. "Where do free house-elves live?"

"Dobby will find a place to live." The elf nodded optimistically.

Harry had an idea. "Dobby wants to live with Harry Potter?"

Dobby looked around, obviously uncomfortable. "There is house-elf here. Dobby doesn't like the house-elf."

"Not here," Harry hastened to reassure. "I meant our other house. The house where I live. I can take you there in a few days."

"Dobby knows the house. The house belongs to family," Dobby suddenly stopped short and shook his head in disbelief. "Dobby does not remember where the house is anymore. Dobby is not family anymore. Dobby could only come here because he's been here before."

"Fine, then I'll take you to our house," Harry explained. "But first, you have to get well. And I'll pay you. Is ten galleons a month okay?"

"Five Galleons," replied Dobby.

"Okay, but then you get one day off a week," said Harry.

"One day a month is enough," objected Dobby.

All afternoon they were trying to find a place in the house for Dobby to sleep. Kreacher had a tiny chamber accessible from the kitchen. Since Dobby didn't want anything to do with Kreacher, they prepared a corner in the living room for him, just behind the sofa. Mrs Weasley had just called them into the kitchen for tea when something unusual happened.

Someone knocked on the front door.

Harry knew there was a heavy knocker outside on the front door, modelled as a ring of snakes. But he, and neither did the Weasleys, recall it ever being used by anyone. The Order members commonly use an Alohomora.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other in disbelief and made their way to the front door, followed by Ron, who had been keeping them company all afternoon.

Harry opened the door a crack and peered out. Recognizing the visitor, he yanked open the door and called out with a delighted grin. "I'm glad you made it."