Disclaimer: I am not J K Rowling, no matter how much I play dress up and like to pretend so. I'm hoping one of these days to shave off all her hair and pocket it, use it for my polyjuice potion to impersonate her for a week and then to empty out her vast fortune in that time and then successfully transfigure her into a frog without anyone ever knowing. Wish me luck :D

Shout Out: I would like to thank my first reviewer sailinmad. It's real nice to hear comments even if there's only one review per chapter.
And in answering your question, yes this is a R/H fic and I plan to have H/G too, although it will be very subtle at first.

Warning: Contains insight and plot lines relating to the sixth book HBP. So don't read this story if you haven't read it yet.

Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Houses Horcruxes
Chapter 2 - Order Happenings and Inter-House Unity

So it was official, Arthur Weasley was now the leader of the Order of the Phoenix and things were well underway.

Things felt more in control with him in command, and his family were a lot more proud to have him as their dad.

It also gave him added benefits such as his wife Molly being more relaxed and glad that he was doing things right, she hardly ever stopped to scream herself hoarse in the house over trivial matters, though they thought that probably was because she was getting used to the twins not living there anymore by now.

After some much revised thinking all the adults thought it best if Harry and Hermione were to stay on at The Burrow, as it would be best for Harry's well-being and good for him to stay in close contact with those who really care and look after him, and Hermione really wanted to be there with all of them, as she plainly put "I'd go mad without much contact from you all."

Though Ginny interpreted that to Harry as, "What she really means is that she'd go mad without hooking up with Ron at frequent intervals."
Harry smirked and laughed quietly along with her, they had got on really good terms lately despite their saddened conversation at Dumbledore's funeral.

But really, the shock of what happened on Harry's grim birthday yesterday put all of the Weasley family's priorities first, and that was to all stick together at this difficult time.

One of the clock's hands turned, it was Mr Weasley, whose hand was pointing at mortal peril to travelling to mortal peril again.
"Dad's home." Ron mentioned unhelpfully.

Arthur strode inside the kitchen looking a bit tired but thoroughly pleased with himself.

"We're making some progress at the Order now, setting up times and plans, even getting a few more recruits. Seems like more people are interested in helping out with the war."

Harry and Hermione looked uneasily, and Harry could tell she was thinking the same thing he was.
"Mr. Weasley, are you sure there isn't anyone as a spy or double agent this time?" Hermione asked.
Arthur looked down at Hermione, glad she had asked that exact question.

"Well you see, Alastor, Remus and I have eliminated any possibility of that happening ever again." He replied, with an annoying all-knowing wink, quite like one of Lockhart's.
They had to take his word for it, and it didn't like he had anything else to say on the subject so it was hopeless trying.

As he told them before, the Order had managed to make Hogwarts as their headquarters which would be unreachable to anyone but them and the Professors over the holidays.
Professor McGonagall had given them permission to do so seeing how she was the newly appointed Headmistress.

-o-0-o-

Arthur went with Harry to stop off at the Dursleys to collect the rest of his school gear and equipment, Hedwig's cage too, as she was already safe and nesting at The Burrow as well.

When they got there by flooing to Mrs Figg's place and walking the rest of the way, they found that Dudley was away at a friend's place and Uncle Vernon was still at work.
However Aunt Petunia was back at that time and was scrubbing the floor in her kitchen vigorously when they walked in.

"And where have you been then?" She asked him sharply, like a vulture about to peck at Harry's insides any moment.

"Something important came up, wizarding emergency." Arthur strolled into view properly after nosing at all the muggle artefacts and answered for Harry.

Clearly she didn't realise Arthur was in the house, shrieked and told him to get far away from her and her family, their past encounter with each other undoubtedly haunting her still.

"Aunt Petunia, please. He's just here to help me collect my gear, I'm going back now to his place." Harry spoke to her carefully.

Harry looked at her, seeing her eyes flitting nervously to the two and back, realising this must be the last time Harry would be there, ever again.

"Oh, alright..." Then obviously fighting with herself mentally for a few seconds, slowly went to give Harry a hug then jerked away almost instantly like it wasn't natural.

He and Arthur then went upstairs to collect everything, and when that was all done Harry waved and smiled back at Mrs Dursley, who returned a nervous smile and meek wave back.

He was finally free from the Dursleys, but he still felt a pang in his heart even though they had treated him over all these years abysmally.

They set off down the road with his entire luggage and gear in hand; he looked at Privet Drive thinking this would be the last time he'd ever stroll down it.

The street sign up ahead told them they were to turn back into Magnolia crescent, to where they just came from Mrs Figg's house.

Walking by, he saw the exact place where he had run away from the Dursleys in his third year, on how he almost got ran over by the Knight bus because he thought Sirius was a Grim, a death omen that scared him senseless at the time.

All too soon they reached the only house down Magnolia Crescent that smeltgut wrenchinglyof cat litter.

-o-0-o-

By the time they came back to The Burrow, it was already lunchtime and they ate everything outside by the garden like they always did when eating with a large amount of people, which included all the Weasleys (minus Percy), Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley, Hagrid and a few of the Professors.

It was a banquet feast and a half, celebrating Harry's late birthday as it wasn't appropriate to celebrate yesterday, and his new move-in which he found to his delight that he could stay here whenever he wanted to whenever he liked after his last year at school.

"There will always be a home for you and a spare bed." Molly said to him over a toast. "So welcome home Harry." Where this met with the whole table going "Hear Hear!"

A couple of tears were threatening to spill as they had surprised him; he beamed widely at all of them and was made to stand up to give a impromptu speech, his of utmost gratitude.

Time wore on and the table had a merry time socialising with one another, the adults going on their seventh glass of Firewhisky and the children's fourth glass of butterbeer each.

Hagrid's laugh was booming across the table from a joke he had just heard. Remus and Tonks had their hands across their waists and nuzzling, enjoying each other's company. Tonks hair although looking mousy brown was now showing a slight pink shade seen in only a certain light.

Kingsley was talking animatedly to Mr Weasley, about something funny that happened in the Auror department the other day. And the Professors were all amongst themselves chatting away too, including Professor McGonagall who Harry has never seen look tipsy, and it came as quite a shock when she started singing some old wizard song along with Molly, reminiscing together.

The twins were telling Ginny, Bill and Charlie about their new products they just created, about some that were still prototypes that they were still testing out.
"It seems like it makes the hair under you armpits grow ten times their normal size, we haven't found how to reverse this yet." Fred was saying matter-of-factly, Ginny looked grossed out and made a mental note not to sit with them till they had that problem fixed.

Harry, Ron and Hermione however, were talking hushedly about Harry's concerns about the Horcruxes. Hermione told him not to worry, and that they'd continue their little chat later when it was more quiet and secluded, as they saw Mrs Weasley stop singing to look over at them suspiciously wondering what they were up to.

After an hour or so the party broke off, so Harry walked upstairs to go start relocate his stuff in the Twins old room so it was ready for him to sleep in that night.

Ron had followed him and peered around by his door and huffed.
"You get the bigger room"
Harry smiled and flung a pillow sailing Ron's way because he was acting like a prat, Hermione and Ginny came bouncing up to his new room and declared "PILLOW FIGHT"

So the rest of the later afternoon was dedicated to every single pillow in the household flying in every direction.

Harry felt happy, as when they were play fighting he could flirt a little with Ginny in a non-serious way. Hermione and Ron were doing it too but being shameless about it, giving each other loving looks and making Ginny put her finger in her mouth pretending to puke.

Harry was glad for her to have that sort of sense of humour, otherwise he would've found that situation awkward with both her and him there witnessing the horrid scene that no best friend or sister should have to ever see.

Then all four decided it was enough and went down to the kitchen, and sat around the table drinking some more Butterbeer leftover from before.
Ron just remembered something.

"Hey Harry, you can sit your Apparation test since your seventeen, i can do it along with you now!" Ron spoke excitedly, before slurping some butterbeer that went down his front as he spilt it from being extremely overexcited.

"Yeah I guess I can too, I might need to put in a little more practice though." Harry was being modest.

Ron shook his head "What are you talking about, both you and Hermione could pull it off easier than I could!"

Harry shrugged, in all honesty he was a little afraid of splinching himself or something, and apparating wasn't the most pleasant feeling or way to travel, but it would be handy for him to know when going off to do the Horcruxes.

The Evening Owl brought news of the article of which Percy mentioned, that the Department of Mysteries was really cleared out, that several heads and governors have all checked inside the rooms themselves and had given the word that it was emptied. It also said that many things were destroyed from within it, but they refused to say what things were and weren't, saying that would be too dangerous to release as this information would most undoubtedly be watched by You-Know-Who and his followers.

Harry and the others wondered what things out of all they had encountered there had been relocated and not destroyed, and if so where would it be now?

Perhaps Gringotts or Hogwarts as there were no places safer? No, Harry thought and voiced this aloud to them. They'd put it in a place least expected to be he assured himself. He also didn't know what to feel about it all, since the Dai was where Sirius passed through and could not get back.

When it became evening and the quiet dinner affair was over, Ron, Hermione and also Ginny went up to the feathered covered room again so Harry could get something off his chest, he was feeling a bit crestfallen by this time.

He spoke again about the Horcruxes remaining, and his ever constant worry about finding and disposing them. Naturally Ron and Hermione were still in; they would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked them to.

But Ginny, who knew and understood Harry, was not to leave Hogwarts to join them. He asked her however if she kept lookout when he was gone and to send any new information back.

They still hadn't talked to the adults yet about what they were planning to do, but thought it best to break it to them pretty soon.

"But, we'll do what we said we'd do with Mr Weasley. We are to join him in the Order and to receive those defence lessons whenever we're not fully involved in this Horcrux business, alright?" The other three nodded their heads, it was ideal for them to still learn something at least this year if at all.

"And I'm going to speak to Dad, ask if the other students from the DA can join too since the Order said they would still hold the headquarters in Hogwarts for the rest of this year." Ron added on.

"Yeah you should, that's a good idea Ron, but shouldn't we also think about doing what Dumbledore and the Sorting Hat asked as well? You know inter-house unity; I think it's about time we gave some Slytherins a proper chance to join up. Malfoy and his little gang won't be back at Hogwarts anymore so you don't have to worry about them." Hermione piped up.

"...Guess it wouldn't hurt but I would hope to think that we thought this more thoroughly with, plan it out more carefully." Harry replied, who was not too keen on having the Slytherins join straight away.

They sat around a while just quietly; all starting to think what would happen to them in a year's time. Harry eventually broke the silence.

"...Yeah um sounds good guys, I think that was all I wanted to say, and uh, thanks. Your support has really meant a lot to me." He truly spoke from his heart, his voice breaking a little.

They all smiled encouraging back and said it was no problem at all; they'd gladly help him anytime.
When it was time to go to sleep, all four of them slept quite cosily in Harry's newfound room. The boys letting the girls sleep on their beds while they slept comfortably on mattresses beside them.

-o-0-o-

Over the next few days, they discussed more and more with Arthur, and he found some questions they had asked him he could not answer, so he brought Professor McGonagall over to speak with them all privately as soon as she was available, eventually she was finally freed up.

She walked over to them in the living room to make a quick start on things.

"Okay I'm only here very briefly you four, so I'll try to make this quick and answer all your questions in time." She couldn't be any more blunt with themlike a silver spoon.

"Right then, Mr Potter I have seen to the matters concerned, and am I also to understand that Miss Granger and Mr Weasley here wish to accompany you on your little adventure this year?"
They all nodded.

"Very well, but I would think it best that when you aren't currently after those objects, that you are to be back receiving your education back at Hogwarts as normal, yes I do not wish you to leave fully but I do understand that under these circumstances that you need to do this mission as you and Dumbledore requested. The Order will also be here to help you out when needed. Just ask and we'll assist, just remember that."

Harry looked at the others, they looked at another and both agreed with him that they were fairly reasonable terms for the time; no doubt she was going to continue to explain further so they let her speak with her harsh penetrating prim lips without being interrupted.

"This year the school will also host the Order Member Headquarters full-time as you are aware, I am also to discuss with the rest of the school that they are here with war matters and that they will also be teaching duelling and defence classes after school with the DA students - that was a marvellous idea by the way you four and I am glad for you to have suggested it.

When your not dealing with the Horcruxes you are to be with the Order learning one-on-one training with them - yes so your normal circular subjects are cancelled as I'm sure your happy to hear - and the Order will also be supplying you of any information or know abouts in relation to the Horcruxes. There will be several classrooms set up for the Order, accessible only by them and you four if you ever need it for anything, oh and of course the DA students can use it as well when it is time for their lessons each week" She added.

The trio and Ginny all looked at one another, happy with what was arranged and that it was better than they had ever expected it to be.

She still hadn't finished quite yet.

"By the way I am also here on another note. I'd like to say Congratulations to both you Mr Potter and Miss Granger; you are made Head Boy and Girl this year. And if or when you are out of school then the Deputy Head Boy and Girl will take your place for that time." Harry and Hermione were smiling away madly at this.

"But Potter, I do not wish for you to be captain anymore for Gryffindor's quidditch team as it would get too messy with training and your mission at hand as it is very time consuming to be organising trials and practices all the time."

Here she turned to Ginny.

"I express that I wish young Ginny here do this instead as your successor. I'm sure you'll agree Potter that she's a fine flyer and is good at being independent and also getting along with others, which would make her ideal for this leadership role." Ginny was beaming now too, and Harry agreed full heartedly.

Ron however looked a bit down; Harry supposed he felt down hearted for not getting Head Boy or any valuable roles, thinking back to Ron's greatest desires with the Mirror of Erised.

But by what Professor McGonagall said next was that they were hoping for Ron in particular to be apart of the Order, Harry and Hermione too if they were willing, to be monitoring the Order's plans for their attack strategies against You-know-who and his followers.

Seeing how Strategy was Ron's element, no doubt from his skills playing chess, Ron felt very good indeed to be wanted - no needed - as such that their new Headmistress had put it. He just managed to do something none of his other brothers had, and it felt good to him.

They spent another ten minutes talking, her answering any questions they had. All in all this was a very handy chat, and Harry didn't feel as lost or worried as he was before, he was more prepared and ready with even more people behind him, supporting him.

So for the time being it looked like they were still going to Hogwarts, and for them to get training from the Order and not going to regular classes as Ron put it, was an added Incentative.

"And no Malfoy or Snape this year either." Harry commented. If it wasn't for the fact that he still had to find the rest of the Horcruxes during his time while also working at school, Harry would have enjoyed his last year at Hogwarts very much since both his school enemies had left.

Freaking out that Hermione hadn't made a start to all her summer holiday homework, disappeared up the stairs in record timing. She along with Ron and Harry thought they wouldn't be returning back to Hogwarts.

Harry and Ron just ignored her panic attack and went outside straight away with Ginny to play a few games of quidditch, they still had a little under a month left till school starts, plenty of time.

It was great; he had this overwhelming sense of freedom, hardly any burdens or worries left apart from the mission which he decided he'd deal with when the time came.

They went to the paddock above the trees which sheltered them from the muggle area below to play, they saw that the garden gnomes were up there scurrying along below them when they were flying, both Ginny and Ron thought it would be funny to chase after them on their brooms instead so they played that all day diving at them, throwing them to one another instead of playing regular quidditch.

It would become a new family game tradition in future Ron decided.

They also got to go to The Weasley Wizard Wheezes later in the week, only because Molly was assured it was safe for them to go as they had a fireplace in their home above the twins shop to floo to instantly, and that only The Burrow would be able to floo there and no other people could, George expressed clearly. "No Deatheaters could come and take us by surprise - We'd surprise them!"

Molly thought annoyed that this was probably true, the twins would give any Deatheaters the shock of their lives, but this still didn't stop her worrying.

When they got there Harry stocked up on all the exciting stuff and also quite a large number of low-level damage Dungbombs as well, thinking that when they got back they could all have a dungbomb fight.

He felt guilty getting all his stuff free of charge, he wanted to pay like a normal customer but Fred and George refused, period, full stop, end of story.

Ron asked very irritably why he couldn't get anything for free, so the twins finally gave in and decided to give him a whole bag of something suspicious that Harry was sure to backfire on him.

By the time that they got back Mr Weasley informed them that they had a system and that the Order were stationed around the ministry as well keeping an eye on things, and as he was glad to report, the Deatheaters withdrew from their hit positions; for now they and the Ministry were reasonably safe, keeping a good watch out with caution.

Percy had also sent another brief letter, saying that the spell still wasn't lifted and that he and his co-workers were grateful for his dad's and the Order's protection, even Rufus Scrimgeour had sent a letter too thanking them for their efforts and extra security, but that their Auror force could handle things from here.

At this Mr Weasley shook his head in disbelief and flooed directly over to the Minister to explain that they were there keeping another eye out if he liked it or not.

The Lion-faced minister wasn't at all happy, but eventually he complied. Mr Weasley told them he was probably very annoyed with him because that was his Auror force and he would've liked to have seen things dealt to his way, even if he was powerless to do anything about their sticky situation.

Mrs Weasley announced that she was also planning for them to go on a trip for a week in the next few days, without her husband though because he was too busy now. This was because she wanted to celebrate Harry and Hermione's Head Boy and Girl position, along with Ginny's new captaincy and Ron's new important role in the Order.

They got to go to France to Hermione's delight and to Harry and Ginny's displeasure as it turned out they were only there to go check up on Phlegm and Bill.

Their wedding would be at the end of the holidays, which would be a very big and elegant occasion. Bill had healed considerably, some marks still covered his face and body, but it was a lot better than before and showed signs of more improvement.

As they found out that week on the full moon, Bill wouldn't transform but would go hyper, animalistic features in his behaviour and he had trouble controlling it if he got angered which was easily, the Wolfbane's potion would for the most part make him act like a female with major PMS, as Fleur's young mother so delicately put it while she complained to them about her daily woes.

But it was good to have spent this time here, for they got to go on the French beaches and play in the sand, sunbathe and swim and generally have a fun time together if only for a little while. His first summer vacation trip, not including his large cousin's day out to the zoo.

They got to go shopping in the muggle part of town and buy some new clothes for when they weren't at Hogwarts. Harry had found about five outfits, all thanks to Hermione's and Ginny's help. He had a few casual things to wear and a few formal things as well.

They even found something for Ron too which was good, Hermione also got this elegant dress that Ron couldn't stop talking about, Ginny didn't get anything as both she and Ron were reminded to be careful with what they spend seeing how their dad didn't have the high paying job anymore, the Order was volunteer work without pay. Ron said he needed clothes that weren't second hand desperately anyhow.

Too soon they found they had to go back home, but at least he and Ginny were now kind of looking forward to the wedding now since Phlegm-Central wasn't as bad as they had originally thought.
Everything turned back the way it was, old routine at The Burrow.

Till they got word next day from Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore's Portrait finally awoke.