Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter/Wizarding World. They were all created by the genius that is J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reading and reviewing. I read every review and when people throw up suggestions or scenarios I do take them into consideration when I am writing.

Chapter 17: The Changing of Plans

Harry's spirit was lifted, since Dumbledore died he'd felt defeated in a lot of ways. He had no idea where to begin looking for the Horcruxes well that wasn't exactly true he had a few hunches. All last year there were so many important things he should have been asking Dumbledore while they were having their private lessons. Even though he was happy Hermione and Ron were going with him, at the same time he knew that he was responsible for them. If anything happened to them it would be his fault. Taking a deep breath he blocked that from his thoughts it was the last thing he needed to be thinking about right then. Mad-Eye would be there to take him to the Burrow any minute.

He walked over to his bed where his rucksack was setting on top of the items he'd discarded. They wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts so there was no need to take his school robes or Quidditch things or even the majority of his text books. In fact besides the bare essentials like his Muggle clothes, his potion making kit, the Dark Arts books Lupin and Sirius had given him for Christmas the year they started the D.A., his wand, and Invisibility Cloak; the only other things he packed were his Christmas gift from Hermione the picture of the two of them on the bridge, the photo album Hagrid had given him at the end of his first year at Hogwarts, the shard of Sirius's mirror, the locket that had cost Dumbledore his life, and The Marauder's Map. After he was sure he had everything he needed he threw the strap over her shoulder then felt the breast pocket of his jacket. It seemed odd that that everything that meant the most to him he was able to carry on his person. Hedwig and his Firebolt had already been sent ahead to the Burrow. After all Mad-Eye was supposed to along-side Apparate him to the Borrow if all went to plan but nothing ever seem to be that easy.

When heard a something smash downstairs he pulled his wand out of his pocket and headed down. Even though the house of Privet Drive had never felt like home to him even when he called it this it still pleased him to no end when he saw the pristine kitchen that his Aunt Petunia was so proud of chalk full of Wizards. The people who she'd spent her entire life, from the time Lily had discovered she was a witch and would be going to Hogwarts and that Petunia wasn't special, distinguishing herself as completely opposite of. "So explain it to me again Tonks….exactly how did you pass your Stealth test to be an Auror?" Harry teased.

"For once, it was not me." Tonks said trying to be offended but couldn't help smiling.

"You're not going anywhere Mundungus." Mad-Eye growled in his gravelly voice.

"I told you I'm not okay with this at all." Mundungus protested.

"Are we having a garden party?" Harry asked confused as to why most of the key members of the Order were there along with Fleur, Bill, Fred, George, Hermione, and Ron. "If so I think my Aunt keeps the good China and crystal in the cabinet in the formal dining room."

Hermione pushed her way through the crowd and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you." She said low enough to where he was the only one to hear her.

"I missed you too." He said back his hand sinking in her hair as he held her against him inhaling her sweet scent.

"The two of you knock it off you'll make me lose my lunch." Mad-Eye growled.

Harry pulled back but kept his arm around Hermione. He'd only been away from her for two weeks and it had seemed like a life time. "So exactly what are we doing?" Harry asked again.

"Well as much fun as a garden party would be…which looking at the garden would be none at all we are really here to drag you back to the Burrow." George said.

"I thought Mad-Eye was going to-" Harry started.

"Change of plans Potter." Mad-Eye said then went on to explain that Pius Thicknesse had been taken over by the Death-Eaters, be it by being under a spell or that he was acting by his own will, it didn't matter. He'd made it impossible to get Harry out of the house by any direct magical means meant: Floo, Apparition, or Portkey. "Which means that we'll be using brooms, thestrals, and Hagrid's flying motorbike. We've had a dozen houses all connected to the Order put under every measure of protection we could muster, which means they have no idea which house you'll actually be going to."

Harry's brow wrinkled, "Wouldn't it be kind of obvious which house we're going to once we're up in the air?"

"That's the beauty of this plan Harry, they won't be expecting seven Harry Potters in the sky tonight." Mad-Eye said his magical eye whizzing around.

Hermione felt Harry's hand tighten on her waist. "No." he said then looked at her. "You agreed to this?"

Hermione opened her mouth to defend her actions when she was cut off by Ron, "We all did." He said. "It's not like we haven't haven be risking our necks for this for years. We know the score better than anyone Harry."

Harry shook his head. "No this is different. What you're suggesting…you would be becoming me. I'm not letting anyone else die for me."

"Harry everyone here is of age." Lupin pointed out.

"And exactly what are you going to do against fourteen people when you can't use magic?" Fred grinned.

Hermione sighed, while Harry was distracted she grabbed a hank of his hair and jerked it out, "Bloody Hell Hermione." He growled rubbing the back of his head while she dropped the hair into Mad-Eye's flask.

She turned back to him. "Harry you need to relax. The Order has had this planned all the contingencies…everything is going to be fine." She assured him.

"Damnit Hermione!" George cursed. "Now something bad is going to happen…"

"Nothing bad happens until someone says 'nothing bad is going to happen'." Fred finished.

"All of you shut your gobs." Mad-Eye said when the potion started to bubble.

Harry pulled Hermione into the hall away from everyone else and cupped her face. "Be careful." He told her.

"Harry you really need to stop worrying about me. I'll be fine." She assured him as she looked up at him. "Besides I'll be riding with Kingsley on a Thestral. You need to worry about you."

He leaned down and kissed her softly, "I love you…when we get to the Burrow we're going to have a long talk." He said sternly.

"I love you too." She smiled at him before they rejoined the others.

As they got ready to take off Harry had a sense of dread fill his stomach. This wasn't right…something was going to go wrong.

Author's Note: Just putting this out there…there are no Owls harmed in the writing of this story…I couldn't bring myself to let Hedwig die.