AN: I know this is flipping around a bit, but I swear to god that they will all be at school by chapter six, including a train journey chapter. Also, I dedicate Raphael Yuki (American) to Thorn. I was going to call him Yuki Aya, but you would kill me. He is for you (and all Gravitation fans). I hope you enjoy this.

Jade

Chapter 4: Hermione Granger and Arthur Weasley

Hermione wiped her brow as she finished scrubbing the large bay window of the seventh bedroom. Even with Madam Gerkin's Magical Mess remover, the grime from the windows was hard as hell to remove. Ron was in the garden, beating the dust from the curtains and rugs before they were washed. Mr. Weasley had insisted that everything be done in the muggle way if it could be seen by muggles. "That means you, Ron!" he had said sharply at breakfast this morning. "We have electri-thingy; you know how to work that," he gestured to Harry and Hermione, "but I want no magic where it could be seen from outside the house." This didn't apply to Harry, Ron or Hermione, for none of them were seventeen and were considered underage, therefore they could not use magic outside of school.

Harry was now polishing the posters on one of the four-poster beds, having just moved it around to find space to fit in a second bed. He looked about as tired as Hermione felt. She could see the sweat that had formed on his brow and hear his heavy breathing. He had unbuttoned his shirt and the sun reflected off the muscles on his torso, now tense from the effort. They seemed to gleam in the sunlight now spilling in from the window, which was finally clean.

Ron entered, carrying the curtains, rug and a tray of iced tea. "Drinks, anyone?"

"With pleasure." Both boy and girl dropped what they were holding and came forward.

They were sipping their drinks in silence, lolling in the bright sunlight, when Hermione heard an unfamiliar sound. The doorbell clanged throughout the house, alerting everyone to the presence of a visitor. Evidently, the Order of the Phoenix was back in business.

It wasn't until Harry, Ron and Hermione had finished the seventh room, that the real commotion began. As they descended the second story stairs, they were met by a sudden eruption of voices, several of which were recognisable as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody. Harry, Ron and Hermione crept down to the first floor, finding the door to the study ajar and Fred and George already listening at the crack.

"What's going on?" Hermione whispered anxiously.

"Meeting." Fred said, not very informatively. Well, thank you, Captain Obvious. Before Hermione could reply, Ron clarified her question.

"What are they yelling about?"

"Don't know," answered the other red-headed twin, "But I think we're about to find out."

Arthur sat in his armchair, unable to move. Was this really what Voldermort was trying to do? No. It was not possible. There was no way in hell. Then again, if there was a way… The words "Oh fuck" were circling around and around Arthur's head. 'Damn him.' Arthur thought viciously at the man across the table. 'Damn him for his cold smile; for his tranquillity; for the darkness of his eyes. What he has told us puts everyone up shit creek and all he can do is sit there with that stupid sneer on his face.'

In fact, Severus Snape was not sneering. This made him look odd, as it was very uncommon to see this man without his trademarked expression. His mood was businesslike and straightforward. He had told them what they needed to know, and that was that. Now, what were Dumbledore's trusted members going to do about it?

Arthur, Molly, Mad Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and a woman with short raven-black hair, spiked with gel like a porcupine sat around the dark oak table in the study. It was this woman who spoke now, much to Arthur's surprise, for she had not said a word, other than to introduce herself as Morgan Crow, since she entered the room.

"That plan is probably the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. Unfortunately, that is the reason I believe what you are saying, Snape. I think that a high-risk plan would be typical of Voldermort. I gather that the subject has already been intercepted by Voldermort?" Snape nodded. "Well, that at least gets her out from under our feet. I don't know about the rest of you, but I recommend we contact the Twins."

Arthur, Molly and Lupin shivered. They remembered the "Twins" very well. Two identical men, so pale that they seemed unearthly, which contrasted with their raven black hair. They moved together; the same foot at the same time. They looked at the same place at the same time. They spoke simultaneously, using the word "I" to refer to both of them. Some said they were one person in two bodies. Arthur, himself, didn't know what to think. All he knew was that they were damned creepy and the less he had to do with them, the better.

He had met the Twins briefly during Voldermort's previous uprising and held the same opinion now, as he did then. They were strange. They were tall, slim and looked between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. However, according to Dumbledore, the Twins were over a hundred years old. They did not eat any solid substance, surviving solely on bitter black coffee. Their only good quality was their knowledge. They knew almost everything about the Dark Arts, its history, uses and defence. Perhaps it was because of their age. If you live for a hundred years, you probably did something to entertain yourself. Whatever the case may have been, the Twins would be the right people to talk to, for they would know everything about the "subject." To be honest with himself, Arthur had to decide which would be worse: the creepy twins, or the world's biggest psychotic bitch.

"Any volunteers?" Crow asked, looking at the rest of them.

"I'll do it," said a voice from the back; another member who had said little since the beginning of the meeting. His name was Raphael Yuki and he was described by Molly Weasley as the "slimiest dirt bag that has entered my kitchen," and that was saying something, seeing as she had had Mundungus Fletcher in her kitchen many times. Raphael Yuki was of an East Asian background, but had left in his teens for New York, not long before Voldermort's downfall. He would probably remember little of Voldermort's previous rein other then the terrified and anxious atmosphere of the time. He had come to Britain five years ago, offering himself to Dumbledore's service. Dumbledore declined and found Yuki a job in the Ministry. He cared little for his job in the Magical Law Enforcement and turned spy for Dumbledore, telling him all of Cornelius Fudge's doings. When Fudge recognized Voldermort's return, Yuki transferred to the Education department, to at least attempt to stop scum like Delores Umbridge from getting into Hogwarts again.

However good natured Raphael Yuki seemed to be, Arthur didn't trust him in the slightest. He had bright scarlet hair, slicked back so that the black roots could be seen. He reminded Arthur of Lucius Malfoy, with the exception of his black eyes. His eyes were black, rather like Snape's but even colder.

He had to debate though. Which was worse? Raphael, who he didn't trust, going to talk to the Twins; or going to see the Twins himself? For he knew that if he questioned Yuki's reliability, he would have to go himself. He had visited the Twins once before and had yet to forget that dreadful experience. They would look at him in their eerie fashion and speak to him as if they knew him.

"He has a good soul," they had said in unison, "But he is frightened of me. Yes, Very scared. He thinks I'm mad. He is working for Dumbledore. He is trusted by him. Yes, very trusted. One of the Order, I would think. I think he thinks that I know more than what I say. Yes, indeed I do. But I don't want to scare you, sir, so I will say no more." Arthur had not said a word to them when they told him this. He had indeed been frightened and the way they talked as "I" would scare him forever. So Arthur Weasley made his decision on the question and stood.

"I agree," he said, "Raphael Yuki would be the best man for the job."

"Right, that is settled. Will you leave at once?" Crow asked.

"With pleasure." Yuki rose and walked towards the door.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George all moved hastily away from the door and slid into the neighbouring drawing room. The man with slick red hair walked quickly as he left the study. He stopped just long enough to wink though the drawing room door, which was ajar, before proceeding down the stairs to the ground floor.

They closed the door and took seats in the squashy armchairs; they all looked at each other, not speaking for a minute. Finally, George broke the silence.

"What," he asked, speaking usually quietly, "the bloody hell was that about?"

Thank you for being so patient with this. Don't worry. I wanted to beat myself because I have been so slow getting this together. But it is coming. I even have a title now! Yay! (I didn't when I began writing.)

I just wanted to take this opportunity to do the thank-yous. So I would like to thank:

Elly - My amazing beta and friend. I couldn't have done this without you… ok that's a lie. I could, but it would have been a shabby job. Thanks for working with the spelling and grammar disasters! Pairings for you are coming.

Thorn (Alana) - My other amazing friend. Without your support, and your ideas that I pinched (sorry!), none of these pitiful 4 chapters would have been possible. Yuki Raphael is for you (He was originally based on Kimbley from FMA but I want to add Yuki Eiri in here somewhere). Thanks koi! Now actually read the damn thing. Pairings for you are coming too.

Completed: Nov 9/04