Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Author's Note: This and the next chapter are short, but I have added the next chapter as well... Hope it makes up for it.--RD

Chapter 9 - Help of the best kind

The four teenagers sat at the table eating as Arthur began to explain what had happened. Molly sat quietly looking at her clock; Rowan patted her shoulder. "It's the Burrow…" his voice choked on the word, "it was attacked last night. There had to be at least fifty death eaters. It… was burned to the ground. We were all there. Percy had come home and we were talking about what had gone so horribly wrong that year. There were people in robes apparating all over the property… we all just went into action, fighting as best we could. Have to tell you that your Bat-bogey hex would have come in useful last night, Ginny."

Ginny nodded. Harry pulled her into his arms as she tried to stand. He cradled her like a lost child as Arthur continued. "Dumbledore coming turned the tide for us though; the aurors came as soon as they could too. They got eighteen in custody, twelve were killed. The rest got away. I have never been more proud that I was at that moment of my family." Arthur paused to blow his nose. Hermione, sobbing quietly, held Ron's forearm with one hand and rubbed his back with the other. Ginny sobbed quietly into Harry's shoulder. The rest of the room was quiet.

"But, why attack the burrow Arthur?" Rowan asked quietly.

It was Fred, or maybe George that answered after many looks were exchanged. "They were looking for Harry…"

Harry's face went suddenly pale and contorted.

"…and Hermione." The other twin finished.

Hermione's hand stopped moving on Ron. She let out a small sob, while looking at her feet. Harry muttered "Oh Merlin…"

His eyes briefly met Hermione's. The look exchanged was identical. It was their fault that the family that took them in had lost everything because of them. Hermione's voice was barely heard when she asked why. Professor Dumbledore crossed the room and kneeled between her and Ron. "Because they must divide the allegiances to Harry. By destroying the Burrow and making it known that the reason they were there was to look for Harry and you, the love that the four of you have developed over the years would be in jeopardy. Unless the four of you are together and working for the common goal of Voldemort's defeat, Harry will not be able to survive."

"We don't blame you dear, or you Harry. You-Know-Who is desperate. He does not even know the entire prophesy and he is grasping at pixies in order to keep his place in the world. You must know that we love you." Molly said completely.

"Mum? Where will we live now?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Grimmauld Place? Or we could stay at Hogwart's until school started, couldn't we?" Ron answered for her, still looking at the ground. Dumbledore met the gaze of the brilliant green eyes across the table. Harry, understanding the unspoken reminder, suddenly looked alert. He stood and carrying Ginny, he walked into the common room.

Setting Ginny down for a moment, she looked up at him. Harry, glancing only briefly at her, before he picked up the large roll of parchment. He turned back to the beautiful redhead, bent to pick her up, and carried her back into the living area, sat down and unrolled it.

He cleared his mind for a moment then proceeded. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," they looked at the young man, "you have been the only family I have ever really known. I know how much the Burrow meant to me, so I can only imagine what you are going through. I… we… Hermione and me… God, we're so sorry loving us has done this to you. Mrs. Weasley, you are the only mum I have ever feared and loved at the same time. I know you're a proud lot, but the fact is, there are things, that I just found out about that I think can help us all right now. As tired as you all are, I still think that if you can find another hour in your soul, it may benefit all of us."

He paused and looked to Dumbledore. The light blue eyes showed respect and love for his young charge. Harry nodded his understanding. "This," he said as he handed the large roll of parchment to Mr. Weasley, "is a deed to a home near the same town the Burrow was. I don't know anything about it and I don't want to go alone. Would you all go with me and look at it? It would be a place to be near the Burrow as it is reconstructed." Harry looked expectantly around the room. Molly, tears rolling down her face, nodded. Rowan quietly told the kids to get dressed. She then told Harry to have Dobby take this fantastic tray over to the house so everyone could eat there.