To my Reviewers: I know this took REALLY long…for me at least. I've been busy.

Curlytop: Thanks for the review; this chapter took me a long time. I'm still not quite satisfied with it…oh, well. Have a cookie!

Sweet Sorrow: Thanks for that, I really needed to warm my roll back up again.

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Amyaggie: I'm glad you like it, enjoy this chapter! Have a cookie.

Serpentsattire: Damn, it's good to know I'm good…=P Enjoy this chapter! Harry-abuse! Have a cookie.

Texasjeanette: I love hearing from new people, thanks so much for your review, I'm pleased to present the next chapter…have a cookie!

ShadowYamiQueen: Here's another chapter, I hope you enjoy. Have a cookie!

Reflective Velvet: Hey, I was wondering where you went…don't skip chapters, silly! That ruins it. Hmm...That Tonks idea isn't bad…I'll have to see how it works out. Have a cookie!

CrimsonTearsOfPain: Yay, for Sirius! Have a cookie! Thanks for reviewing.
MiruSedna: Everyone wants to hear that their work is original, thank you for reviewing, have a cookie!

Blackenedsoul:  There will be more of Harry/Draco interaction later =P Have a cookie!

Wiccan Pussykat: Post all the things I cut? Yikes! No way…first, I don't remember the things I cut, (I hardly remember the things I write) secondly, it would be plain scary, I have totally random things I start to type before I realize that it's totally out of place. You were locked in the trunk in daycare? That's so sad! Have a cookie. I'm glad you like the Harry/Draco parts; I'm pleased with the way they are writing themselves. You like my Wizard of Oz idea too, yay! I thought it was funny. Thanks for your review, and the banana Popsicle, have another cookie! I'm sorry I took so long…I'm working on a research report for English.

EnglishGirl: You'd better finish the story **glares** have a cookie!

JazzLady: Glad you liked the Draco/Arabella part, too bad I killed her, BWAHAHAHAHA! Of course you can have a cookie, in fact, you can have two! Thanks for reviewing.

TheSilverLady: I've always thought of Mrs. Figg as an expendable character…anyways, have a cookie!

Tati: Yes, Harry and Draco are in trouble…here's chapter 15, now! Have a cookie.

Paranoiain2005: Yeah, I have a confession to make…I write each chapter in like three hours…I don't proofread, or beta-read…If I get stuck, I sleep on it, and then I usually have a solution…I'm unorthodox…but I'm the queen of winging it…I don't have anything planned, I just type away…so, there's my life story. As for your question: I'm going to credit Sirius's statement as just being a generalization of how he feels about Harry's eating habits, and how scrawny his godson is…for now…Have a cookie!

Lyss33: Glad you like it, have a cookie!

Random Quote:

"I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose." –anonymous

Warning: This chapter has physical domestic violence! Harry-Abuse!

Chapter 15: In the Enemy's House

Wake up, Draco's thought speech commanded Harry forcefully; I need to talk to you.

Harry groaned, and rolled around, nearly succeeding in falling out of Sirius's arms. So much for his restful catnap.

"Harry," Sirius smiled, "glad to see Draco could get you up. Listen, I need to get out of here before the ministry arrives. Just explain everything to the Dursley's… and get some rest." Harry's eyes widened in surprise, he wasn't ready to return so early to the Dursley's, and he needed some time to recuperate from the shock of the evening before returning to his relatives. He was at least hoping that his godfather could frighten his uncle long enough for him to lay off the Wizards before they returned to Grimmauld Place.

He was about to open his mouth to argue with Sirius, when the man set him gently on his feet and transformed into Padfoot, bounding off into the neighboring yards. Across the street, he could see Order members, disapparating away as quickly as they had come. He saw Dumbledore raise his hand in greeting to Cornelius Fudge, who was approaching from the other side of the street. Draco groaned, and turned to Harry, come on; I want to get out of here before the Minister sees us.

So do I, Harry turned to lead him inside the house, when his legs gave out beneath him. He fell backwards, and Draco grabbed his arm to steady him.

"Easy, Potter," He laughed, "I'm no healer."

"No surprise there," Harry mumbled, Draco grinned, and wrapped Harry's arm around his shoulder.

So, Potter, number four, is it? Draco asked, furrowing his eyebrows as he peered at the address above the door.

Harry nodded, and they turned to hurriedly hobble up the front steps of the Dursley residence. Harry was not looking forward to returning to the Dursley's, seeing as how they were now mad at him for screaming and banging on his door in the middle of the night so he could run over to Mrs. Figg's house. When Vernon had finally opened Harry's bedroom door, he had dodged the furious man's punishing grasp, and ran out the front door, Dudley squealing with fright the entire time. He knew he was in for it now.

Should I? Draco looked uncertainly at the doorbell, sensing Harry's hesitation.

"Try the door first. If it's unlocked, we won't have to wake them," He told Draco. Not that they would fall back asleep so quickly, he told himself sarcastically. The blonde yanked on the door handle, but it didn't budge. "Knock." Harry told him, resigned to their fate.

Draco tapped lightly twice on the door, glancing nervously at Harry's grim face, knowing that something seemed out of place, but not being able to put his finger on it.

He knew what was wrong the moment Vernon Dursley opened the door and grabbed Harry by the shoulder in an undeniably painful grip. He yanked two boys in, and roughly shoved Harry against the foyer wall, tearing him away from Draco's grip. In his blind rage, the hefty muggle managed to miss Draco standing next to Harry as he leered in the Gryffindor's face.

"What trouble are you up to now, boy?" he hissed through clenched teeth, "Waking us in the middle of the night, to go on a jaunt throughout the neighborhood?"

"No sir," Harry mumbled, his gaze darting away from his uncle and Draco, landing sporadically upon pieces throughout the room. Draco found it odd that the other boy's behavior was so uncharacteristically submissive.

"You'd better h-" Vernon began, balling his hand into a fist before Harry's eyes. He stopped when he spotted Draco from the corner of his vision, and he pulled his hand back from Harry's neck as if he had been burned. "Who the hell are you?" he snapped, "What are you doing here so late?"

"Draco Malfoy, sir." Draco stammered, taking his cues from Harry, "I'll be staying with you for awhile."

Vernon blinked, "Awhile…" he repeated, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm not sure," Draco told him, "sir." He added as an afterthought. "You see, the headmaster needs a place for me to stay until we can go to a secure location."

Vernon blinked again, before scowling. "They expect me to watch after two of you freaks?"

Draco's eyes widened in indignation, nobody had the right to insult him like that, especially not some heavy muggle. "No," he replied smoothly and arrogantly, a gleam of his Malfoy attitude showing through, "I'd expect a filthy Muggle like you to be incompetent in the childcare department, and I was not disappointed," he spat, tossing a meaningful glance in Harry's direction. Harry's eyes had gone wide with fear for his companion, and Vernon did not disappoint this time; savagely backhanding Draco across the face in a spectacular display of rage.

For Draco's part, he was in a slight state of shock, but he didn't cry out. He only stumbled slightly against the door, and looked at Vernon in awe. "You hit me!" he exclaimed, "You….you hit me!"

Vernon did not stop to explain himself to the Slytherin, turning instead towards Harry and grabbing his wrist. Wrenching the boy's arm painfully backwards, he yanked him near to his face. Harry gasped in pain, as Draco stared mutely on in horror.

"You, boy," He growled, "I don't want to see or hear from that freaky friend of yours until it is time for your departure. He will stay in your room until those other freaks come to get you…and none of those owls flying around either….you will continue with your regular summer activities as if he wasn't here. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Vernon twisted Harry's arm so he didn't have any choice but to nod affirmatively. "GO!" Vernon shouted, and Harry and Draco flew up the stairs, faster than they had ever raced for the snitch on broomsticks.

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"Padfoot, sit down." Remus sighed in impatience, "Hogwarts wasn't built in a day."

"Moony, what if the Ministry doesn't believe him?" Sirius asked for the fifth time that day, as he paced across the room.

"Sirius, stop it." Remus commanded, "Dumbledore will handle Fudge, and the rest of the Ministry will follow." The two of them were waiting in Dumbledore's office for news of the Headmaster's meeting with Fudge. Moody had successfully managed to keep Sirius and Pettigrew away from each other during their brief encounter at Arabella's house. The convict currently had no idea that Peter had been found and captured, and that Dumbledore was planning an interrogation under Veritaserum. The Headmaster had been unsuccessfully trying to convince Fudge of the truth. He hoped that tonight's evidence would convince the Minister of Sirius's innocence and Voldemort's return. Remus watched his friend pace about the room, and he felt pity and confusion for the man who only wanted a second chance at the life that had been so brutally torn away from him. That was all any of them wanted, Moony included.

"It's been a long time!" Sirius whined, "What's happening?"

"Sirius," Remus rose from his chair, "I don't know! Now, sit down, or I will make you sit down!"

Sirius sat down, and proceeded to bounce his heel against the carpeted floor, wringing his hands anxiously. "What if Fudge is a Death Eater?" he asked so suddenly that Remus had to suppress a grin.

"I don't believe he is, Sirius," Moony told his friend, "And we have had this discussion before. Either way, Dumbledore will convince someone."

"He's only getting stronger, Moony," Sirius changed topics quickly, "And it's affecting Harry badly."

"I've noticed," Remus sighed miserably; he wouldn't wish Harry's luck upon anyone. Nearly everyone close to Harry had made note of his recent transformation under the influence of Voldemort's position in his mind, and then his connection with Draco after nearly being killed by the Cruciatus. Sirius stopped in his hand-wringing and foot-tapping to run a hand through his hair.

"Moony," He started, "Do you think they can still find Draco through the locator charm? What if they get to Harry?" Panic made his voice rise as he began to stand from the chair. Remus stood quickly and pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him back to a seated position.

"Tonks disabled it, don't worry so much" Remus assured him, "We-"

He was cut off by a sudden and unexpected dry sob from Sirius, who had found the stress of the situation had caught up to him. His worry for Harry, his grief over Arabella's death, and the adrenaline rush from capturing Death Eaters had finally reached a peak, and he shivered, trying to catch his breath. Remus rubbed a hand on his friend's back in continuous circles, attempting to calm him while controlling his own emotions. "Breathe, Sirius," he instructed slowly, "It will all work out for the best."

"How can you say that?" Sirius asked, "Oh, Remus, you were always the faithful one…" He trailed off as his eyes became moist with distant and recent memories. "If I knew I was going to worry this much about my Godson, I wouldn't have let James have that baby." He laughed wryly, wiping his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm his suddenly racing heart.

"Padfoot, James didn't have the baby; Lily did."

"Moony, you never miss a beat." Sirius smiled fondly up at his friend, and then nearly jumped out of his chair when Arthur Weasley's head appeared in the fireplace.

"Sirius, Remus, good to see you." He greeted solemnly, "Dumbledore told me to relay a message to you to return to Headquarters, he has called an emergency Order meeting tonight."

"Has he returned yet?" Sirius asked eagerly.

"He's on his way," Arthur said, pulling his head out of the fireplace to allow Sirius and Remus to pass through. Most of the Order had already arrived, if they hadn't stayed after the attack on Privet Drive. It was another half hour before they were all assembled within the meeting room, and Dumbledore cleared his throat and informed everyone of the news.

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Once upstairs, Harry collapsed on his bed, as Draco closed to door behind him, massaging his already slightly bruised cheek. "Holy Hell, Harry," He gasped out, "That was the scariest Muggle I've ever seen." Draco leaned his back against the wall, and slid slowly down towards the ground. Harry snorted, and then gasped in pain. Draco leaned forward, looking concerned.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered suddenly.

"For what?" Draco asked him, grinning, "I haven't had this much fun for awhile."

I'm serious, Malfoy, Harry thought, I'm really sorry.

You don't have to be, I chose this for myself. Draco told him firmly. If I wanted you out of my life, it would have already happened.

A slightly awkward silence followed Draco's statement. Harry sighed and shifted uncomfortably on his leg, massaging his arm. Draco pulled himself up from the ground and settled on the end of Harry's bed. His piercing gaze made the other boy uncomfortable, and Harry averted his eyes, licking his lips nervously.

"Still," Harry murmured, "I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted." Draco said dryly, "Now, drop it."

Does your face hurt? Harry asked carefully, noting that Draco had winced when he spoke, I hate that my uncle did that to you.

Hate that he did it to me? Draco asked incredulously, skirting the previous question. "What about what he did to you?" he hissed. "You know, Dumbledore would have his head if he knew."

Harry laughed disbelievingly, "I've already thought about that, but the Dursley's offer me blood protection from Voldemort that can't be found anywhere else…"

"Blood protection?" Draco raised his eyebrows until they nearly disappeared altogether. "By spilling your blood, they protect you from the Dark Lord?"

"Hey," Harry told him, "I grew up with him shoving me around; it's not a big deal to me. I said I was sorry he hit you, leave it be!" he slumped backwards against his pillows, exhausted by his sudden outburst. Draco opened his mouth to reply; when the clicking of a lock on the outside of the door, and a thundering voice shouting at them to hush up and sleep, caused him to shut it with an audible clamp.

We can get help! Draco encouraged him, send your snowy owl!  His eyes then traveled over the padlock on Hedwig's door, and he knocked his head against the wall in frustration.

Welcome to hell, Harry told him, we're stuck here until someone comes to find us.

They'll see our injuries, Draco reasoned, they'll take us out, and punish the Muggles.

If we live that long, Harry thought dejectedly.

Hey! Don't say that! Draco snapped, don't you dare say that…'cause you've lived this long!

"It's different," Harry whispered, "He's different, I saw it in his eyes."

"Stop trying to scare me, Potter, because it's not working." Draco growled, suddenly the air in the room felt much colder, and he couldn't stop himself from glancing over his shoulder. What are you trying to pull?

I mean it; he was out of control tonight, Harry told him, "I've never been as scared of him as I was when he heard you were staying with us."

Draco shuddered involuntarily.

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"Good evening everyone," Dumbledore began, eyes twinkling. "I believe you all know the circumstances that are surrounding our meeting here tonight." Everyone nodded. "The attack on Arabella Figg's home was not entirely unexpected, but unfortunately, we now find ourselves facing the first casualty of the second war. I would like you all to take a moment to reflect upon your personal relationship with this lovely woman, and wish her peace wherever she may be." He paused for a moment of silence as everyone heeded his words and bowed their heads in mourning. "I will be arranging memorial services. I am certain Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy will wish to attend." Everyone nodded gravely, and even Snape managed to wipe the sneer off his face as he stood in the back of the room.

"When will they be coming here?" Asked a young witch named Winnie, who was a distant cousin of Tonks, and had recently joined the Order working undercover from her position at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley.

"Within a week or so," Dumbledore replied, "As soon as possible. I have a few things to organize before they come here, which brings me to my next order of business." He took a sip of water and cleared his throat quickly. "There are three things that I set out to accomplish when I went to visit Minister Fudge, and I am pleased to say I was very successful in my endeavors."

"Well don't keep us waiting," Fred Weasley jested from the corner, while his mother tried unsuccessfully to make him show more respect. Dumbledore simply chuckled good-naturedly and beamed at the assembled Order.

"Very well, First and foremost, I have finally convinced Fudge that Voldemort arose during the Triwizard tournament." Cheers went up around the room, and most of the members sighed in relief. Their number one goal had been to gain the support of the Ministry, and now they could use Fudge's help more than ever. "However, I have not yet informed him about the Order of the Phoenix." Everyone quieted down at this statement, and tried to decide if this was a positive or negative announcement. "We will continue to operate in secret; we will allow the Ministry to protect the citizens, while we work to destroy Voldemort."

Everyone nodded, it sounded like a good plan.

"How'd you manage to convince Fudge?" Tonks asked.

"With a number of things, really," Dumbledore told her, "Firstly, I presented the Death Eaters that had been captured in tonight's raid. He did not want to believe my theory, until I presented their testimony under Veritaserum, and Harry's interview that was published in the Quibbler. He was forced to admit that the evidence was overwhelming, and even though he was frightened of the implications of Voldemort's return, he has agreed to work with us to end his reign." Everyone smiled, they knew that Fudge would only blunder about until someone got lucky and killed Voldemort, and then he would take all the credit for the Dark Lord's defeat. "I told Fudge that Draco was at Arabella's house for a Muggle studies project over the summer, when Death Eaters attacked the house. Fudge was quite surprised to learn that Lucius Malfoy was still practicing the Dark Arts under Voldemort's instruction, and he seemed eager to move onto the next subject."

"That's not surprising," Arthur added, "seeing as how he was so supportive of Lucius during last summer."

"And the year before that," Fred said.

"And the year before that, too," added George.

"It seems that Minister Fudge has a lot to own up to," McGonagall piped up from her seat next to Mundungus Fletcher.

"Which brings me to my next topic of discussion with Fudge; Dolores Umbridge," Dumbledore told them. "I have arranged for her to be moved to a holding facility within the Ministry before a trial can take place…however, considering the evidence against her-she stands a good chance of heading to Azkaban for using an unforgivable curse."

"Good," McGonagall snorted, "That woman is a maniac."

"She should be locked up!" Tonks agreed vehemently. "She's evil."

"Imagine torturing a child for information," Molly shook her head, "It's disgusting."

"She could have killed Harry." Sirius growled.

"Or Minerva," Snape interjected, "those aurors were acting on Umbridge's orders."

"So were the dementors!" Remus said, "She sent them after Harry last summer."

Suddenly, everyone in the room had remembered a personal grudge they carried against Dolores Umbridge, and they weren't willing to give her up without some punishment.

"I say we poke out her eye and give her a fake one!" Moody shouted suddenly over the scraping of chairs as everyone stood to get their point across.

"I say we let me bite her." Remus added darkly.

"I'll hold her down for you, Moony," Sirius yelled. "And give her a bloody nose while I'm at it-"

"Silence!" Dumbledore shouted, and everyone shut their mouths and took their seats. "Remus, you know you would get sent to Azkaban for knowingly biting a person." And Lupin hung his head in shame. "I will not condone any violent action against Dolores…however, should you find a way…and I am not aware of it, there is nothing I can do to stop her from coming to harm." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled suggestively, and the Weasley twins grinned maliciously, followed by Lupin and Sirius.

"This brings me to my final topic of discussion…Peter Pettigrew." Sirius's mouth dropped open in surprise.

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END OF CHAPTER 15

I know this took really long, and I wanted to write more on this chapter, but I won't be in town on this weekend, so I won't be able to write anything for another week or so…bummer. Anyways, review, because it does make me write faster. I wanted to get this part out for you guys…=-) Have some cookies while I'm gone.