A/N: Hey guys! Ok, I know some of you are very upset that I brought Snape back into the picture. Let's be clear: while I hate the man, I don't believe he killed Dumbledore for Voldemort's or his own gain. The rest of my opinions will be expressed through the characters, but just so that you all know, I am sorry if it upset you. It upset the gang too! And now on with chapter twenty-three.
"Harry, stop sulking! Honestly! Do you think any of us like that he's here? But you can't be constantly plotting his death!"
Ginny's voice brought Harry out of his thoughts, which true enough, were focused mostly on killing Snape at the next opportunity.
"And why not, Ginny?" Ron's voice retorted. It was late at night after the meeting, and the four occupied the deserted living room of The Burrow. Harry had done nothing but stare out the window in a reverie for the better part of a quarter of an hour. Ron had joined him while Ginny and Hermione sat away in the corner, rolling their eyes at men's inability to bend to the ways of the world.
"Don't you start, Ron Weasley!" Hermione scolded.
"Are you sticking up for him, then Hermione?" Ron scowled, not looking at her, but continuing to stare out the window. Harry wouldn't look at Ginny either and for a full three seconds, they remained in broody silence until Ginny looked at Hermione- who nodded-and both girls moved in front of the chairs of their respective boyfriends.
"ENOUGH!" They both shouted.
Harry and Ron had the sense to look a bit frightened. When these two donned those faces, Harry knew, things could get ugly fast.
"You two are such ridiculous men!"
"How on Earth could two wizards be so stupid?"
"Just because you're angry, doesn't mean you shut the world out!"
"Do you think that we don't feel the same way about Snape?"
"The fact that you two think you care more about the way Dumbledore died is mind-boggling!"
"If you think that we would, for an instant, stand up for Snape, you are sorely mistaken!"
"But that doesn't mean we can't accept the inevitable!"
"He's obviously innocent of any malicious intent, and, though that doesn't make him innocent of the murder…"
"It does mean that he's back in the Order."
"Apparently at Dumbledore's wishes."
"Now, if you can't respect Dumbledore's wishes, then what cause is it that you're brooding over?"
"Get over your male tendency to hold a grudge…"
"And learn to live with the fact that Snape—while number two on our 'least favorite person' list—is going to be helping the Order."
"You don't have to trust him completely—we don't."
"But you HAVE TO STOP THIS BROODING!"
The last was said together, but the rest of the speech had alternated flawlessly from Hermione to Ginny, and when they had finished, Harry and Ron both had their mouths hanging wide open in shock and a bit of fear. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and walked from the room. Ginny stopped at the door and turned saying, "When you two are done, you know where to find us."
"Blimey," Ron's voice cracked.
"Yeah," Harry agreed.
"And…we're sure we're in love with them?" Ron asked.
"Yeah," Harry said again.
"That's what I thought. But can you imagine what it'd be like to live with that?"
Harry let out a weak chuckle, "Ron, you've been living with Hermione for seven years. You've been married for six out of that seven. You just didn't realize it."
Ron shook his head, "I reckon they may be right. As much as we want to kill Snape, we're just gonna have to accept that he's back. We don't have to like him, mate, or even trust him, like they said. But we're probably going to have to abandon the assassination plots."
Harry nodded with an angry gleam in his eye, "I hate him. With everything I am. I can't pretend otherwise."
"I get that, Harry, really I do. But I think we're gonna have to put on an act here. Otherwise, I'm never gonna get so much as another kiss out of Hermione. And that would just be sad."
Harry chuckled again, "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Should we go up and try to make up?"
"If we don't, I think we'll be target for another attack. They're scary when they get together."
"We'd better watch our steps," Harry said seriously as they walked up the stairs towards Ginny's room, extinguishing the remaining lights as they went—everyone else was already in bed.
"You knock," Harry said as they reached the door.
"If I knock, you have to walk in first," Ron said.
Harry thought it was probably more likely that they curse the first person to walk into the room rather than the hapless man knocking at the door, so rethinking it, Harry knocked himself.
"That was sneaky, Harry," Ron said grimly, knowing that now he had to walk in first and so doing risk being hit with Hermione's curse.
Slowly, Ron pushed the door open to find that both girls were asleep in bed. Ron let out a sigh of relief.
"They look so peaceful," Harry said.
"Appearances are deceiving, mate," Ron said, but he nevertheless bent and brushed Hermione's forehead with a kiss.
Harry thought it was oddly tender for Ron, and he knew in that instant that Ron would lay down his life for Hermione without an instant's hesitation. Knowing he would do the same for Ginny left him with a warm, safe feeling. Nothing would harm these girls unless it came through Harry and Ron first. He was slightly worried for Ron's safety, but Ron was his best mate. He'd been with him since the beginning, and though he tried to think in a way that would protect his friend, it comforted him to know Ron would be there with him. Until the end…the Final Battle. Harry shook that thought. He knew he'd be all on his own there, and he didn't want to contemplate it. He pulled the covers up around Ginny's chin and beckoning to Ron, the two left the room. Neither Harry nor Ron was thinking that they had dodged a bullet there. They were both thinking of the eventuality of the complete lack of security. They went to sleep without speaking, and dreamed dreams of imminent danger.
"Come on, you lot! We're going to be late!" Mrs. Weasley shouted up the stairs as she waited by the fire to travel to Grimmauld Place.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny rushed down the stairs.
"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, her cheeks flushed.
Mrs. Weasley pretended not to know that the two couples had been engaging in activities that most couples engaged in. If Hermione and Ginny believed that they could convince her that their cheeks were not pink from a good bout of kissing, then they had a lot to learn. But she said nothing as she offered the pot of Floo Powder to them.
"Arthur and Bill are coming in from the office, so it's just us."
Harry and Ron both vanished through the fire, leaving Mrs. Weasley and the girls behind. Mrs. Weasley grabbed a handful of powder and threw it into the fire.
"I'm sure you two can manage on your own. You look as though you need a moment to calm down after the…exertions of the morning," Mrs. Weasley offered a knowing smile and then vanished, leaving Hermione and Ginny looking even more embarrassed than before.
The Order re-convened and, though Harry and Ron avoided looking at or addressing Snape and the girls avoided Mrs. Weasley's eyes, the greetings were pleasant enough. Then they got down to business.
"I'm afraid, Minerva," said Lupin, "That we did not locate the locket. We are sure that Mundungus has it in his possession, and we are hoping against hope that he has not sold it. We hoped to put together a team today to retrieve it from him."
McGonagall nodded, "Very well. Remus, you, Nymphadora, and Harry will retrieve it."
"Me, Professor?" Harry was shocked that he was included in the grouping. He had thought he would have to argue to be included.
"Of course, Potter. I told you that you would have the services of the Order to back you up. This is still your mission, and I would not presume to cut you out of it."
"What about Ginny, Ron, and Hermione?"
"Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have full leave to go with you, Mr. Potter. However, it is at her mother's discretion whether or not Miss Weasley goes with you."
Ginny was still avoiding her mother's gaze, but she resolved to argue her point vehemently later.
"She can go," Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry was as shocked as the rest at Mrs. Weasley's easy agreement.
"Oh, don't make those faces at me, you four," she said, "Remus and Nymphadora will be with you. I see no reason why you shouldn't go. Goodness knows, you'd probably sneak out anyway."
This was the reason that Mrs. Weasley offered up, and though it was true, the real reason she was allowing Ginny to go is that she had finally realized that her daughter and Harry had a sort of partnership. Much the same as she and Arthur had. If she was not permitted to come to Arthur's aid, should he require it or ask it of her, she would be as put out as Ginny. And so, she would let her youngest daughter embark on the most dangerous missions known to wizard kind. Because she knew it would be far more dangerous not to.
"That's settled, then," McGonagall said, "You will all travel to The Burrow where you will await instructions from there. We must first locate Mundungus Fletcher before we can question him. Severus," again her voice became a degree colder, but she spoke in a civil fashion, "I will also need a batch of Veritaserum. I believe you have some already prepared. I would like you to bring that to me so that I may deliver it to this group before they depart. They may need it."
The only coherent thought Harry had was that Snape would never make a real dose of Veritaserum. It would be fake! He knew it! But recalling the confrontation the night before, Harry refrained from comment.
"That's all then," McGonagall nodded briskly, "Potter, Granger, Mr. and Miss Weasley, Remus, Nymphadora. I will be with you shortly."
And the group moved to the fireplace to Floo back to The Burrow. Harry was determined to discuss his opinions with Moony about the Veritaserum. Stepping into the green flames, Harry was met with the familiar, yet uncomfortable, sensation that was Floo Powder. Arriving at the kitchen in the Burrow, Harry waited patiently for everyone else to arrive. Poof! Ron. Poof! Ginny. Poof! Mrs. Weasley. Poof! Lupin. Poof! Tonks. But where was…
"Hermione!" Ron had gone pale, looking frantically around the room, "Where's Hermione!"
A/N: Sorry…I enjoy writing the cliffies! Where is Hermione? Review please!