Chapter 3: Information

A/N: So, here we are. Chapter 3 is up. I never thought this day would come.

Disclaimer: As I am feeling slightly bored and very random, I decided to put a disclaimer on this particular chapter even though I did not put one on the last. Oh, well. As any of you with brains know, I do not have billions of dollars, paparazzi following me, nor

Ginny's handwriting was unsteady, but not as much so as Harry himself. He was trembling from head to toe. No, not her. Harry swallowed hard and buried his head in his hands. Please, anyone but Mrs. Weasley. She was the closest thing he had to a mother. She cared so much about him and this was how he repaid her, by getting her kidnapped.

Why did this keep happening? Why did everyone close to him get hurt? The answer that Harry found was not one he wanted to hear. You, he told himself you put them all in danger. Harry's parents, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Sirius and now Molly Weasley were all vulnerable, all targets, because of him. Harry had the chance to end the final battle, to end this war and yet he didn't. Every second that Harry did not act was a second in which others were hurt and Voldemort was gaining strength. Harry felt a sharp pain in his stomach thinking about this. Was he just as bad as Voldemort? No, he told himself, he couldn't be.

Harry's regret and sadness was quickly replaced by anger, which soon became rage. He slammed his fist against the wall. Not again. Voldemort may have taken his parents, then Sirius, but he was not about to take Mrs. Weasley. He was not going to let it happen. Every parental figure he ever had was taken by Voldemort except Mrs. Weasley. She was Ron's mom, Ginny's mom! He was not going to leave them motherless. He banged his head against the wall, furious with himself. He had to do something.

Suddenly, Harry heard Uncle Vernon's voice from downstairs.

"BOY! What in the bloody hell are you doing up there? Keep it down I'll…." Harry threw open the door.

"Or you'll what? Lock me in my room? Make me skip supper? That's what I thought!" He screamed.

"You...will...not...talk to me that way, you... you ungrateful-" Harry, his temper getting the better of him, flashed a rude hand gesture at his uncle.

"How dare you? Get out of my house! NOW!" bellowed a purple-faced Uncle Vernon.

"No need to show me the door," Harry said coldly, "I know my way out."

Harry stomped back into his room and opened his trunk. He threw his things unceremoniously into it and, within seconds, was thrusting open the front door of number four.

"I'll see you next summer." Harry said quietly, his eyes boring into Uncle Vernon's skull.

As Harry reached the end of Privet Drive, his anger rapidly disintegrated into sheer terror. What had he just done? He was now alone, out of the protection of his aunt's blood.

"Ho, ho. You can see 'is gears turnin'," Harry spun around, wand out, his heart beating in his throat. "Put that thing away, boy. You gonna curse me?" It was Mundungus Fletcher.

"I will if you don't prove to me that you really are who you say you are."

"What do you wanna know 'Arry?" Harry thought for a moment. His eyes never left the man's hands and his brain never lost concentration.

"What did S-S-… my godfather call Remus Lupin?"

"'E called 'im Moony, cause 'e's a werewolf."

"Why'd they send you?" Harry asked, satisfied with the man's response to his question.

"'Cause Dumbledore knows you better than you think 'e does."

"Where are they keeping her, Dung? You have to tell me." Mundungus looked surprised.

"So you know. I have to tell you, do I? Why?"

"Because you owe it to me. Because you almost got me soulless and expelled form Hogwarts." Mundungus looked around uncomfortably.

"Right, you got a point there. Well, they're not too sure, but they've got an 'unch that she's somewhere in London." Dung looked very angry with himself for letting that information slip.

"Where in London?" Harry demanded, his panic level increasing, "They must have a specific location. Tell me, Dung, or you'll be in serious trouble."

"'Arry, are you threatenin' me?"

"Yes, I am. I got Mrs. Weasley into this and I plan on getting her out."

"'Arry-" Mundungus started.

"Tell me." Harry ordered coolly.

"Dumbledore'll kill me."

"I…don't…care! Where is she? Tell me!" Harry found himself shouting.

"Shhh! Harry, you'll get all the bloody muggle's attention." Dung whispered.

"Then tell me!" Harry hollered.

"Knockturn Alley!" Mundungus said with exasperation, "Oh, Merlin. They'll 'ave my 'ead for this. I can't let you know anymore than that. You can not, by any means, go there. I won't allow it, 'Arry."

"Yes you will, Dung." Harry stated calmly.

"No."

Before he knew it, Harry was holding Dung's wand. He had not cast a spell, nor thought about doing so. But somehow, he was holding two wands, both ominously pointed at the man. "Now you know that I'm serious." Harry said coolly.

Just then, a flash of white light pierced the night, leaving behind a single phoenix feather with a note. It was a warning from Fawkes, from Dumbledore. Harry had a feeling deep down in the pit of his stomach that this wasn't a good sign. Dung picked up the note. He dropped it instantaneously and, with a loud pop, Disapparated. Harry bent and picked up the small piece of parchment. On it was one word;

BACKUP!

A/N: So, we are finally done with what was originally chapter 2. If this is accepted on the first try it will truly be a miracle. Thanks a gazillion to Kaity! You are so great that I have to make up numbers to show my gratitude. If I were you, Kaity, I would have killed me already. :) This chapter may not be up until after HBP comes out, but if it is I wish you all good reading on Saturday, or should I say I wish you all good standing-on-line on Friday night. I don't know about you, but I will need the latter.