The next few hours dragged painfully slowly Harry tried, and failed, to complete his Potions essay, and numerous books were spread across the floor; he'd thrown there earlier in unsuccessful attempts to distract himself. Eventually, he heard faint movements from the room next to him, meaning his aunt and uncle were awake. Glancing at his watch, which told him it was 8:30, he stretched before heading downstairs to make breakfast. He had dressed and packed his trunk long beforehand.

Half an hour later, Harry found himself back in his room, pacing back and forth. Breakfast had included the whole Dursley family glaring at him while he ate. He'd eventually got sick of it and, after informing them he'd be leaving today, stormed up to his room, leaving him in the position he was in now. Glancing at his watch again (9:02) he kicked his trunk in frustration, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his leg. Sighing, he turned to pick up a bundle of parchment he had dislodged, jumping as something tapped on the window behind him. His hand already on his wand, he looked up to see a dazed looking Pig fluttering around on the windowsill. Rolling his eyes, Harry let the excitable owl in, who then proceeded to zoom around his room, sending his lampshade swaying frantically. He grinned and unrolled the letter;

Harry,

We'll be there in a couple of minutes. Sorry I took so long but I wasn't allowed to let you know until just before we set off. I'll explain when we get there. Leave your trunk; Fred and George'll get it. Bring Pig with you though, see you soon,

Ron.

As he finished, Harry heard a frantic knock on the door, followed by a prolonged ring of the doorbell. Laughing, he snatched Pig out of the air and ran downstairs, reaching the door before Vernon did. Pulling the latch, he grinned at the sight of the four red-heads that met his eyes.

"Harry, good to see you mate! How are you?"

"Good afternoon Harry, could we…?" Mr. Weasley gestured to the hallway, glancing nervously over his shoulder as Harry led them inside.

Fred and George immediately bounded upstairs; arriving back in the living room moments later with Harry's trunk hovering in front of them.

Glancing around, Mr. Weasley looked puzzled. "Where are your aunt and uncle?"

Harry shrugged. "Out I guess. They didn't look too happy when I told them you were coming" He laughed along with the twins and Ron, but Mr. Weasley looked uncomfortable.

"I'll get someone to check in on them later." Laughing at Harry's raised eyebrows, he reassured him. "Arabella Figg will probably do it."

As what Mr. Weasley had just said registered, Harry looked at him, shocked. As he rubbed his head wearily, the man he had known for 4 years suddenly looked older than ever before. "Here's really not the place to be discussing that I'm afraid, and I'm not the one that should be telling you. Come on, let's get out of here."

He took an empty chocolate wrapper out of his pocket and held it out to the rest of them. When he was sure everyone had a bit, he muttered "Portus" and Harry felt the familiar tug behind his navel, before he found himself land with a thump on top of Ron. Blinking, he sat up, feeling disorientated.

They seemed to be in some kind of alleyway, but everywhere around them was pitch black. He could just make out the Weasleys around him and glanced at Ron. He put a finger on his lip and listened carefully.

From somewhere to his left, Harry heard Mr. Weasley calling his and Ron's name so, standing up warily, they walked over to the voice.

"Follow me."

Keeping his hand on his wand, Harry nervously followed his friends until they reached the end of the alley. There, Mr. Weasley glanced around again, before muttering something indistinguishable to the wall. Stifling a gasp, Harry watched as a hole appeared in front of them, and then hurried through after Ron, Fred and George. Mr. Weasley followed him and carefully sealed the wall behind him.

From there on, everyone else seemed to know where they were going so Harry knew they must be close. Finally, they reached a small door at the end of the passageway and, pressing his index finger to the door handle; Ron opened it and motioned for Harry to follow him through. As Fred closed the door behind them all, Ron breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed a slice of bread off the table in front of them.

Looking around curiously, Harry saw that they were in some kind of kitchen. There were pans bubbling on the stoves, and dishes washing themselves at the sink. Glancing at Ron, he grinned briefly at him and leaned against the wall.

"Explain."

Ron rolled his eyes and watched his brothers and father walk out of the kitchen before answering.

"It's the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix…" He trailed off at Harry's furrowed eyebrows. "They're the people that actively fight You-Know-Who. They were here last time too, some of the original members are here too; Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore. Most of them died though, or some just don't want to risk their families. Before, they were adventurous, with nothing to lose. Now they've got families to think about."

Harry suppressed a grin, but Ron didn't miss his friends amused expression. "What?!"

Harry shrugged, laughing. "Nothing, you sound like Hermione, that's all."

Ron tried to look offended, but failed. "I'll take that as a compliment Potter. Nah, seriously, she explained it to me in the first place, I'm just repeating what she said."

"Figures." Harry grinned, dodging his friend's playful punch.

"Come on, Dad and the twins'll have gone to tell everyone you're here. I promised Sirius I'd bring you straight through."

Smiling at the prospect of seeing Sirius again, Harry followed him through a door and into a corridor. They reached a room a short way away, and Ron paused outside, listening carefully.

"Where the bloody hell are they?"

"Don't worry Sirius, I left Ron to explain a few things to him. I'm sure they'll be here soon."

"Told you," Ron muttered, before opening the door and flattening himself against the frame as a huge black dog came running towards Harry, followed closely by Hermione. Grinning, Harry pushed the dog down and hugged Hermione, laughing as the dog changed into a tall, dark man with long black hair.

"Heeeyy, I was first," Harry's godfather mock-pouted, folding his arms sulkily.

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Hermione had the manners to be in human form when she saw me…and had the decency to say hi first."

"He has a point there Sirius." Harry turned, smiling, to see his favourite professor looking amusedly at the scene in front of him. As he did so, he caught sight of the entire Weasley family, laughing and joking and grinned. He was home.