When they apparated into the Weasley's living room, it looked the same as when they left "It looks the same," Harry said.
"No one's been here…" Hermione said.
"Where is everyone?" Ginny asked. "Mum! Dad!" She looked up the stairs. "Has no one been home since we've gone?"
"Seems like it," Ron said.
"Well, It's a place to stay the night at least…" Harry said.
Later that night, Ginny had gone to sleep, and Harry was looking through some of Hermione's book. A Practice she scorned, but Harry couldn't help himself. He had been looking obsessively for the identity of R.A.B. While Ron and Hermione were talking by the fire. "Hang on….HERE! RAB"
"Really?" They both got up and ran across the room.
"Oh…It's just a constellation." Harry said downheartedly.
"That's an astronomy book Harry," Hermione laughed.
"Well, He's exhausted all the others," Ron said.
"I don't have much to go on!" Harry shouted.
They both backed away as though he was going to relapse into one of his shouting fits.
"I'm sorry." He said, they both eased up. "It's just, I've got absolutely nothing on that front, or the Horcrux front, or anything else."
Hermione and Ron looked at each other.
"What?" He asked, almost frightened.
"Well, We wanted to discuss something with you, but…it's just…now doesn't seem like an exemplary time." Hermione stuttered.
"Just say it," Harry said, exhausted.
"Well, It's nearly September."
"And you want to go back to school." Harry said.
"Yes." Ron said.
"Go," Harry responded.
"But…" Hermione began.
"I don't want you lot in danger anyway. You'll be safer at Hogwarts." Harry said.
"Right, because Malfoy proved that last year." Ron said sarcastically.
"I knew you were going to go back," Harry said. "I'm fine with it, really."
"We…Don't even know if the school's going to reopen yet. No decision's been made…There's going to be some kind of meeting in the next week or so, it's been up for debate all summer." said Hermione.
"Listen," Harry said. "You need to finish school. I understand that."
"I think…" Ron began. "I'm just gonna send an owl to Mum, tell her we're alright."
"Pig's still gone, Ron. Use Hedwig," Harry suggested.
"Thanks," Ron said.
Harry tossed and turned that night. He was thinking about RAB, About the Horcruxes, about the Smith's and their ruined house, and about Hedwig off in the middle of nowhere, trying to find Mrs. Weasley. There was a tap on the window and Harry looked up. Surprised, there was an Owl hovering outside with a newspaper in it's talon. He put on his glasses and realized it was already starting to get light. Was it that early already? Had he been awake all night? This must be the owl bringing the Daily Prophet.
He let it in and took the paper. Slipping a broze Knut into the pouch, the owl hooted softly and then flew off again. He couldn't believe it. There was nothing! Nothing about the attacks on the Smiths or the Murder of the Jordans. Harry wondered for a moment how Lee had taken the news…If he even knew.
No.
Not now. Not Here. He squinted out the window and clearly saw the Dark Mark hovering about a house in the town.
"RON!" He pounded on Ron's door. Ron groggily opened it.
"What is it, Harry?" Ron asked.
"We have to go. The Dark Mark," He pointed out of Ron's Window and he squinted too.
"Damn." Ron said.
"Get Dressed." Harry ordered and ran downstairs to wake up Ginny before going to get Hermione.
"Hermione!" He knocked on her door and she answered immediately.
"Look at this," She gestured to the paper.
"I saw the paper," He said irritably.
"No, This," She unfolded the paper and there was yet another picture inside. Another Polaroid.
Harry reached out and grabbed the photo and looked at it. It was MacNair again. He was still…He was standing outside the Burrow.
"We need to go!" Harry said. "Pack up, I've just seen the Dark Mark, and clearly he knows where we are now."
He went back upstairs and told Ron and Ginny about the picture. They quickly obeyed him and each packed some new things. Harry returned to his room and grabbed his trunk and his broom. They couldn't use the brooms now though.
"Ron," Harry asked a few minutes later when they had all packed are were ready to go. "Can you get us there, I don't want to risk using the brooms at this time of day."
"Of course, I know where it is." Ron responded, grimly.
They set off quickly, led by Ron. They walked through a small forest until they reached the Town Square and jogged across it. They reached another residential area with no one saying a word.
"Nearly there," Ron called. They could see the Dark Mark.
The house was part of a development, all the houses looked the same. "Ugly Cookie-Cutter House" Aunt Petunia used to call them, Harry thought. The only distinguishing factor with a great amount of Ivy growing on the side of the house.
Ron Muttered "Demordrum" and the dark mark vanished as usual. "What do you reckon?"
Harry didn't have to ask what he meant. It was the same every time. Ron on this left, Ginny and Hermione on his right. He turned around.
"Listen, If you guys don't want to…" Harry started.
"Stop asking that, you prat," Ron spat at him. They both laughed, and Harry led the way up to the house. He pushed the door and it opened freely as they always did. He went upstairs as the others looked around the house. The house had several lights on, meaning that the murder probably occurred last night. He looked in the bedroom. It was covered in ugly purple wallpaper. Thinking it was probably a woman who lived here, he looked around some more. He checked in another bedroom. Both this bed and the woman's looked as though they'd been slept in.
"Found Her!" Hermione's voice came.
Harry journeyed back downstairs and saw immediately where they were, the living room. The woman was lying flat on her back.
"Look for an ID," Harry said. Ron reached into her pocket and found a wallet.
"Here," He took it out and found a picture ID. "Dawn Orva," He said. "Red Hair, Blue eyes, 187 Pounds, Single…"
"Single?" Harry interrupted.
"Yeah…Why?" Ron asked.
"Two of the beds upstairs have been slept in." Harry responded.
"Well that doesn't mean anything. Does it?" Ginny said.
"I think he needed a place to stay," Harry said.
"You don't think he just…" Hermione began.
"Of Course I think he just," Harry said. "Damn," He kicked the coffee table in Fury. "Okay. We've got to go to…" He had almost said 'Number 12 Grimmauld Place' But realized that MacNair May be there. "To…Order Headquarters…Everyone okay to apparate?"
They generally chorused "Yes" and with a loud CRACK they Disapparated.
