A/N: I'm terribly sorry about the long amounts of time between my updates. Hopefully I will be able to update regularly rather soon. Thanks for all the reviews. Please keep it up.
I know this chapter is short, but I should have some longer one's coming up shortly.
--- --- ---
"Now everyone," Albus Dumbledore began, causing the quiet murmuring that was happening amongst the group of people sitting around a large table at 12 Grimmauld Place to stop, "let's let the meeting begin, shall we? Does anyone have a matter they wish to discuss?"
"Did everything go smoothly with Hermione and her parents?" Remus Lupin asked. He and Hermione had formed a friendship after spending so much time at Sirius' old house for extended amounts of time, and he was often worrying about her.
"Yes, Remus. Severus managed to find where Voldemort was keeping Miss Granger's mother and father, and was able to bring them to us," he explained. "They got to reconcile yesterday, before the Grangers go into hiding," Dumbledore added with a smile, remembering the girl's reaction when she found out her parents were alive and safe. The headmaster noticed Fred Weasley smiling amongst the group of Order members as well.
"Where is Severus?" McGonagall questioned, noting the potions master's absence.
"He was summoned by Voldemort just before the meeting began, but hopefully he will be back tonight." A look of worry passed through many faces around the table.
"Tonks, would you care to share the information you discovered on your recent mission to magical Rome?" Dumbledore asked, changing the subject.
--- --- ---
Voldemort stared down at his followers with anger and venom in his glowering red eyes. "You have all disappointed me," he said, considering which Death Eater he was going to "Crucio" first. "Avery," he decided out loud, "you were hiding the mudblood's parents. Why are the gone?" the Dark Lord questioned.
"I don't know, Master," a man from the circle spoke, trying to hide the fear in his voice. He really didn't know what had happened to the Grangers.
"Are you expecting me to believe that they just disappeared?" Voldemort stared at Avery. "Crucio." The Death Eaters and their master watched as the main writhed on the ground, fighting back screams. Voldemort lifted the curse and turned to his next victim. "Severus."
The man stepped forward, blocking any memories of taking Hermione's parents from Avery's house from his mind. "Yes, Master?"
"Have you heard anything from Dumbledore about the muggles?"
"Yes, Master. The old fool has somehow managed to get a hold of them," Snape said, keeping a cool demeanor.
"Where is he hiding them?"
"I do not know, Master. He has used the Fidilius charm, and he is the secret keeper." Voldemort's eyes flashed with enough anger and malice to scare and tame any Norwegian Ridgeback.
"Crucio."
--- --- ---
Snape walked with a slight limp into the headmaster's office, sitting in the chair by the desk. The Dark Lord had been very upset about Hermione's parents being found for some reason.
"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore greeted the man. "Lemon drop?" The potions master shook his head. "Ah, well. Please tell me about tonight's events."
"Something is very odd, Albus. Voldemort was enraged about Miss Granger's parents. I believe that he was using them to get to the girl." Albus got a grave look in his eye, as Severus continued to replay the events of the meeting.
"What should we do, Sir? She certainly cannot stay at the Burrow any longer." Severus questioned, for although she found the girl an annoying know-it-all, always meddling in other people's business, he definitely didn't want her dead.
"Hermione will have to go into hiding, but with whom? Her parents are staying with Kingsley Shacklebolt, and as much as they would love to be with each other, they can't, for all of their safety, and Remus, Tonks, and you are going back to Rome tomorrow to finish the meeting with potential Order members," Dumbledore continued going through different people Hermione could stay with until he remembered the previous meeting. "She could stay with Fred."
"Fred? Fred Weasley?" The headmaster nodded. "The infamous prankster? Are you sure he's the best candidate?" 'More like "Are you mad!' Snape thought to himself.
"Yes, the more I think about it, the better it seems. She will stay with Fred Weasley in his flat above Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Voldemort would not think to look there. There are already protection charms around the building, which would of course, need to be strengthened." Dumbledore's twinkle was back in his eyes as he spoke. He knew Hermione would be upset that she was going into hiding, but he also knew that she would be glad it was with Fred instead one of the older members of the Order which she hardly knew.
"And you are sure this is the best choice, Albus?" Severus still looked uncertain.
"I am positive, Severus. We should floo to Fred's to let him know, then to the Burrow," Dumbledore said as he stood.
Snape remained seated. "Sir, it is five in the morning. I am sure both Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are sleeping at this time."
"I am quite aware of the time, but there could be an attack at any time. We must be prepared. Come now, Severus, let's get going."
Snape stood and walked over to where the headmaster stood. Dumbledore grabbed a handful of floo powder, walked into the fireplace, and said very clearly, "the Pranking Palace". Severus followed behind.
--- --- ---
Fred awoke to a loud thud, followed by another.
"See! He's sleeping!" he heard someone whisper loudly.
"Sleeping or not, this has to be done!" he heard someone whisper back, more calmly than the first, but still said with enough force that he got the point across.
Fred pulled back his blanket and turned so he was sitting on the edge of his bed. He grabbed he wand and stood slowly. "Who's there?" he called, trying to sound brave, though he was scared. There had been quite a few attacks involving Death Eaters lately.
"See, now you've woken him!" the first voice said.
"I'm warning you!" Fred said again, confidence slowly coming to him as he woke up a bit. The Weasley walked out of his room, looking around cautiously. He jumped back as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
The twin spun around and held his wand at the ready, expecting a duel.
"Oh, stop trying to play the hero, Weasley," a voice drawled as the lights turned on, revealing Snape and Dumbledore.
"Goodness! I thought you guys were Death Eaters!" Fred said as relief rushed over him.
"No, my dear boy, but we do have business we need to discuss," Albus spoke finally.
"Order work?" Fred asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "It's about Miss Granger."
