Number 12 Grimmauld Place had so many people, some coming and going, some staying for weeks at a time, some merely dropping by to share information and quickly head on their way, that the place was becoming somewhat like Hogwarts in the sense that rumors about its inhabitants and visitors were often running wild about the Order.

Ron, Fred, and George were sitting in the drawing room quietly when Ron suddenly exclaimed 'Have you two heard about Harry and Hermione? They're dating now, did you know?'

'Oh Ron, I haven't heard that one before, but I don't believe it!' said George.

'Yeah, it's just a rumor,' said Fred with a loud laugh.

Ron laughed. 'Follow me,' he said. 'And be quiet.' Ron led Fred and George up the stairs and toward his and Harry's room. He reached for the doorknob, turned around and whispered 'Shhhh,' before turning it and looking in. Fred and George both leaned forward to look over Ron's shoulders.

Harry and Hermione were joined at the mouth, both with their hands entwined in the other ones hair and it was difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Fred and George both gasped loudly and Fred began laughing hysterically. Harry and Hermione sprang apart. 'RON!' Hermione said loudly. 'Go AWAY!' Harry just glared at them, but his cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

Fred laughed again. 'Don't mind us, just keep snogging.' He said this as if it was the most hilarious thing in the world, turned around, and walked off down the hall laughing all the way.

'Er…sorry 'bout that,' said George. 'Bill accidentally got him with a cheering charm, he was aiming for Mum.' He turned and stalked off down the hall after Fred.

Ron looked at them, decidedly embarrassed. 'Right. Um, you can…er…carry on, then,' he said strangely, before closing the door and disappearing off down the hall.

Harry opened his mouth to speak. 'Well, that was…embarrass-' but Hermione cut him off. With her mouth. He pulled her towards him so she was straddling his lap. She moaned against his mouth and he pulled his hands from her hair and slid them down her back.

'Boys! Ginny, Hermione, Dinner!' Harry and Hermione jumped apart, startled.

Hermione groaned. 'I want to stay here. Please, please don't say we have to go down,' she whined unhappily.

'If we don't go down they'll come looking for us, and that'll be even worse,' Harry replied sadly. 'Come on,' he said, pulling her to her feet. They went downstairs to eat dinner with the rest of the order.

When they reached the kitchen, they found a larger number of people there than usual. The two most unusual people sitting at the table, both who had never eaten here since Harry arrived last summer, were Snape and Dumbledore. When Ron saw Snape, he choked and ran back out of the room.

"Ronald Weasley, where in Merlin's name are your manners?' Molly called out after him angrily.

Snape glared menacingly at Harry as he sat himself down in a chair as far from him as possible. Dumbledore stood up. "Bill, Charles, would you come with me please? Order business needs to be attended to. Molly, we will be back in time for dinner, and a few more guests will be accompanying us," he said.

Molly nodded. "Of course, Albus."

Bill and Charlie followed Dumbledore down the hall and out the door.

Ron poked his head in the door, winced when he realized that Snape was still there, and quickly shuffled toward the seat next to Harry.

Harry nudged Ron. "Any idea why he's here?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," said Ron, "but I hope he leaves soon," he added, a bit loudly.

Harry glared at him. "Shhhh," he hissed.

Snape glared at Ron. Ron sank down onto his seat and stared at his shoes. Harry rolled his eyes and turned towards the door where Hermione was coming into the kitchen.

Hermione's face broke out in a smile, but when she saw Snape, she frowned. "What's he doing here?" she mouthed from behind the black robed mans back.

Harry just shrugged. Hermione shrugged as well and walked over to sit next to Harry. She slipped her hand into his under the table and leaned her head on his shoulder sleepily. She had already changed into her pajamas, and was wearing pink flannel pants, a pink tank top and pink fuzzy slippers.

Just then there was a fairly loud thump in the hallway and the sound of several people walking down the hall. Dumbledore walked into the kitchen, followed closely by a man and woman in their early forties, the woman carrying a baby and a large bag, and a young girl of about ten or eleven, with a back-pack on her back. They all looked as if they had just walked through a particularly strong wind.

Hermione's jaw dropped. "Mum? Dad? What are you all doing here?" she asked. She ran over and wrapped her arms around her father. Then she went on to kiss her mother on the cheek. She squeezed the young girl in a big hug, and took the baby from her mother's arms. "Mione," the little girl whispered quietly, "I got my letter."

Hermione smiled widely. "I thought you would," she said.

'Hi Cora,' she cooed softly to the baby in her arms. 'So, what's going on?' she asked Dumbledore.

'I'll talk to you and your family out in the hall.' He replied. 'Mr. Potter? Would you care to join us?' Dumbledore asked.

Harry nodded and dropped his fork. He stood up, and followed the group out into the hall.

As he walked through the door, Hermione grabbed the back of his shirt. 'Don't say anything' she said. Harry looked questioningly at her, but then he understood. Her parents were not to know about them yet. He nodded. 'My lips are sealed,' he said.

She giggled. 'That sucks,' she said, before pecking him on the lips and following her family and Professor out into the hall, Harry laughing, and following closely behind.