"Anything?"
"Sorry Harry. These books don't have anything!" An exasperated Hermione called form under a mountain of books.
"Why don't we take a break mate? McGonagall will be here anytime anyway." Ron called from yet another mountain of books.
"I don't want to waste any more time."
Knock, knock, knock
"That'll be her, I'll get it." Harry rushed downstairs. "Hello Professor, come in."
"Thank you Harry." They walked into the book-covered drawing room. "I'm sorry if I've come at a bad time."
"Oh not at all Professor. We were just doing research."
"I imagine, Molly told me what you were doing. I'm not all that surprised." She said raising her eyebrows at the chaos. "Ms. Granger, I should not have been surprised to find you under these books." She chuckled as Hermione crawled out from a massive book.
"So what is it you needed to tell us?" Hermione inquired.
"Albus, Professor Dumbledore left you this Harry." She said pulling out Dumbledore's pensive form her cloak and unshrinking it.
"What? Why…oh."
"I assume you know why you may need it. All I know is that it was left to you. I also wanted you to know that Godric Gryffindor's sword is still extremely safe. It would appear that the charms that were placed on it are still intact. "
"Thank you professor. I'm glad to hear that." There was an awkward silence that in which no one looked at each other. "What about the Order? You're still welcome to use this place. It is very large for just the three of us."
"That's another thing I wanted to talk to you about. We thank you for your offer but must decline. The threat that Bellatrix Lestrange may pop by one day is still great. We have found another place that is perfectly fine. We do recommend that you three also find another place, with the secret keeper gone, and… just in case." She added seeing their faces.
"It's okay, we're working on another secret keeper charm." Hermione added.
"Very well. Also, for the past few years, the Dumbledore has been protecting someone who now wishes to help."
"Who?" Ron asked taking a seat in a chair.
"Elaine Snape." McGonagall said simply.
"What? Snape! Wha-"
"Potter. Listen! Yes, Snape. Her father is Professor Snape. When he became a spy, so it would seem, for the Order, she and her mother went into hiding. They've been protected and can continue being protected but Elaine or Ella as she prefers to be called, is determined to bring He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named down. When she caught wind of what you were up to, she became even more determined to help and was wondering if she could join you."
"This is a Snape we're talking about! Sounds fishy."
"Yes Mr. Weasly, but keep in mind, she hasn't had any contact with her father in years and shows no signs of being any good at occulmency.
"She could be useful Harry." Hermione mused while staring out her window.
"We'll meet with her. Is the Leaky Cauldron still secure?"
"Yes, excellent. I will tell her to meet you there tonight?"
"Sure thank you Professor."
"Harry," she said adopting the use of his first name again. "If you need any help, we're all here for you. Don't hesitate to ask for any assistance." Giving one of her rare smiles as she headed for the door. "Be safe Mr. Potter." And she was gone.
"Well, it would be nice to have another girl here." Hermione had been trying to persuade then to not convict this Ella girl before they met her.
"That way you don't get scared and end up like last night?" Harry chuckled.
"Harry! That…um…nothing happened. Harry stop it!" Hermione blushed furiously.
"I know, but come on, you've liked each other how long?"
"Watch it mate." Ron warned. "Besides, why doesn't Ginny join us?"
"Because! She can't, we've decided. It's better this way. I couldn't let her get hurt again!"
"Harry." Hermione reached out to hug him but he pulled away.
"No, no. It's fine. Let's get back on topic. This is Snape's daughter we'll be dealing with. I want a game plan."