Chapter Three

A Safe Haven

An engine could be heard howling in the distance as the sun peeked in the window. A few moments later the Hogwarts Express pulled in and they walked towards the front. Dumbledore walked off the train and greeted them.

"Good morning, Weasleys, and Harry," he said, "It's good to see you safe. "

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," said Fred.

"I am very sorry about your Father," he said. "It is most unfortunate. He was a good man, and a great wizard."

The Weasleys nodded and they climbed onto the train. They found a car right in the front and they sat with Dumbledore, who was explaining the situation to them.

"Hogwarts is the safest place for you right now," said Dumbledore. "All of you are in danger."

They all nodded and went on to different subjects. Soon they were asleep, all of them except Ron. He was staring out the window, watching the scenery.

"Something bothering you Ron?" asked Dumbledore.

Ron looked down at his hands and then at Dumbledore.

"Professor," he said. "Do you think our Mum's alright?"

Dumbledore froze and a worried expression crossed his face. Ron didn't feel reassured.

"I do not know, Ron," said Dumbledore. "I can only say that a woman such as your Mother has a very strong will, and she will not give in easily."

Ron nodded and watched the scenery again.

"I'm worried about her," he said. "I don't think she's safe."

"If you need anything, anything at all," said Dumbledore. "To talk or just have pointless conversations, I'm here for you."

Ron nodded and grinned slightly at Dumbledore.

"Thanks," he said, "But I think I need to be alone right now."

Dumbledore nodded as Ron left the compartment and found one near the back of the train. He pulled his legs up to his chest and closed his eyes. The blinding green light flashed through his mind and his Father falling over dead, raced through too. Tears slid down his cheeks as sobbed silently. He sat there alone, crying until the train stopped. He heard the door slid open and saw Harry standing there.

"We're here," he said.

Ron stood and they left the train and went into the castle. As they walked up the front steps Ron looked at Dumbledore.

"Where will we be staying?" he asked.

"In the Gryffindor Tower," said Dumbledore. "It is like home to you all so you should be comfortable there."

"Are any teachers here?" asked Ginny.

"A few are, Ginny," he said. "Just a few,"

Ron and Harry went up to the tower and claimed their beds. Ron sat there and Harry looked at him.

"It's a painful feeling," Harry thought out loud. "Knowing you'll never see him again."

Ron nodded; the tears were threatening to come back.

"I don't think my Mum's alive," he said. "I just have this feeling."

Harry shrugged.

"We're safe here," said Harry. "We're safe with Dumbledore."

Soon Harry and Ron went into the Great Hall, where they were discussing what they were going to do about all this. As they entered they saw a fire was burning in the fireplace, and several teachers, including Snape, Hagrid, McGonagall, and a tall man with messy black hair who was very thin.

"Sirius." whispered Harry.

He ran towards Sirius who turned and hugged Harry.

"You're alright!" exclaimed Harry.

Sirius nodded, and smiled, but the expression didn't reach his eyes. They still held that mournful look Azkaban had given them. Sirius turned and smiled at Ron.

"You all right there, Ron?" asked Sirius.

"I suppose," he said. "You?"

"Okay," Sirius replied. "Listen, I'm sorry about your Dad. He was a great man."

Ron sighed and nodded.

"If I could've stopped it I would've," said Sirius. "I just wasn't quick enough."

Sirius hugged Ron and then walked over to Dumbledore. Ron stood perfectly still. He didn't want to be here, not when they were all talking about his Dad. He heard footsteps and saw someone tall stop in front of him.

"I'm sorry to hear about Arthur, Mr. Weasley," said a voice.

Ron looked up and saw Professor Severus Snape standing before him. Ron's eyes widened for a second and then and relaxed. Snape's face had genuine concern on it and he looked truly sorry.

"Thank you," said Ron.

"If there is anything I can do," Snape said. "Please don't hesitate to ask."

Ron nodded as Snape walked away and Harry walked over to him.

"What was that all about?" asked Harry.

Ron shook his head.

"Nothing," lied Ron. "Nothing at all."

They headed over to the table and Ron sat next to Ginny, who was lying with her head on the table. Ron had never seen her this depressed. All the teachers seemed ready but still they waited. Ron looked up at Dumbledore.

"Excuse me, sir?" said Ron. "But who are we waiting for?"

Just then the doors to the Great Hall flew open and in walked a tall, brown haired man with a handsome young face. His hair was flecked with gray and his eyes looked very serious.

"Ah, Remus," said Dumbledore. "So glad you could make it."

"Sorry about being late," said Lupin.

Remus Lupin smiled and shook Dumbledore's hand. Sirius stood up and shook Lupin's hand as well.

"Good to see you," said Sirius.

"Like wise," said Lupin. "Old friend."

Sirius sat down and Lupin walked back up to Dumbledore. There was a loud clunking noise that echoed through the halls. Dumbledore smiled slightly as the door opened.

In limped Alastor Moody, his hair in his face, hand on his cane, which was supporting most of his weight.

"Albus, old friend," he said, "Very sorry about our lateness. Had troubles finding Lupin over there."

Dumbledore nodded and shook Moody's hand.

"It's quite all right," said Dumbledore. "Please take a seat."

Moody sat down and Dumbledore spoke.

"As you all know there have been many attacks on Muggle families with children at Hogwarts, and even people who befriend the Muggles, such as the Weasleys," said Dumbledore. "Given these conditions, Hogwarts is currently the only safe place for you at this time. You are in great danger," Dumbledore paused and his voice lowered. "We all are," he said. "We also have received word on your Mother."

Ron's eyes lit up and Ginny sat up straight.

"I'm sorry to tell you that we received this letter this morning," Dumbledore said. "The Death Eaters have your Mother. She is still alive, but for how long I am not sure."

"We need to tell someone," said McGonagall. "We should inform the Ministry."

"Tell Fudge?" asked Fred. "Are you mad? Fudge would fancy us all mad and send us off like that. He won't believe You-Know-Who is back until he's banging down his front door."

Ron agreed.

"Fudge doesn't even believe Dumbledore," said Ron. "He won't help us."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Sad as it is, the Weasleys are right," said Dumbledore. "Fudge does not believe any of us. Right now, we are on our own,"

As they talked about the Death Eaters, Ron gave a vivid description of all he had seen up until the part that he had left. Then he turned to Sirius and asked, "How did you get out alive?"

Sirius looked at Ron and then Dumbledore. All eyes were on him.

"Voldemort saw Errol fly from the house and he got distracted," said Sirius. "Luck was on my side and I was able to disapparate in time."

That night Ron couldn't sleep. He wandered down the stairs of the tower and into the common room. As he sank down into a squishy armchair, he looked around the common room. He couldn't remember how many nights he and Harry had spent up around the fire talking about Quidditch, the trouble they had caused, or what the rules they were breaking. Over in the corner was where they would play exploding snap and over at the tables is where they would try to copy Hermione's homework. All of his memories came back; stealing the car and flying it to school, fighting off Voldemort, sneaking out in the invisibility cloak and going to Hagrid, finding the shrieking shack and all their other countless adventures.