"Okay so we need a good plan," Hermione whispered running her fingers over the smooth grains of their table.

They never actually got around to that plan since they were too busy being worried about Harry himself.

They'd gone into the Library after Harry had woken and he once again avoided eating in the dining room like it was ground zero for the black plague. It was the best gathering spot that most of the Order wouldn't approach with all the Dark books in there. Molly always wanted to clean them out but she never actually started any ventures into doing so.

"Avoid the portrait."

"Obviously, Ron," Ginny snorted contemptuously.

"We could try the windows," the twins hummed thoughtfully.

"Already tried that," Ginny said with a shake of her head. "Any magic near the outside of the windows makes the Order come running. What? I was bored and going stir crazy."

Harry sighed. That was going to be his idea too but Grimmauld was too smooth to scale down its sides and there were no windows on the first floor. Jumping from the second was an option but one that risked injuries if anyone landed wrong. Then they would be vulnerable pre-

The green eye wizard dropped his head onto his folded arms being careful of his glasses. Hermione poked him in the ribs and he grunted at her. With a sigh and some herculean effort he was able to lift his head again. He looked to Ron who sat at his right and Ginny who was across from him. Hermione was to his left and Fred and George were each leaning against a bookcase facing their little square table. They were so soft and full of bloo-

"If we can't use the windows the only option is the front door but who knows if they've got a proximity ward," he muttered.

He still felt like shite. Especially because he had to keep careful control of his magic so it didn't lash out again. He was lucky there was no injuries earlier. They could have been kil-

Not to mention that insistent need was still pounding in the back of his head giving him the worst migraine he'd suffered yet. It's why Fred had offered one of their testing products called Blackout Glasses. They looked like muggle sunglasses but they completely blocked any form of light getting to your eyes rendering you blind. They were supposed to stick to the victim's head for a full twenty four hours unless the counter curse was used but the twins had modified his to have something akin to nightvision. Which was actually pretty awesome.

"That's true. I don't think any of us here are skilled enough to remove Dumbledore's wards without alerting him," Hermione sighed.

"I'm so proud of you, Mione," Ron sniffed wiping away a fake tear. "You actually admit you can't do everything."

"Oh, stuff it you berk."

The twins giggled, along with Ginny, at the familiar banter between the couple.

"You guys are terrible at staying quiet."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry! How's your head?"

Oh good back to whispering. At least that didn't feel like a drill trying to rip his brain open.

"It's fine, Hermione. Can we please get on with the planning," he grumbled.

"Well, the windows-"

"Are probably still-"

"Our best bet," George finished.

"We'll just bust out the muggle way."

The grin that crossed their freckled faces was downright mischievous.

Ginny raised a brow and turned to look at them, her arm resting on the back of the chair as she twisted around to stare at them. "What are you two talking about."

"Rope made-"

"From muggle sheets!"

"It's not like we don't have enough of it here."

That's true. Could everyone hold themselves up, though? Could he at this point in time?

"Oh yea! I remember Dad going on about that once," Ron chuckled. "It's probably the best we're gonna get without any form of magic."

Hermione bit her thumb thoughtfully. "We'll want to go out of the higher floors just in case. The lower the floor the more wards are probably on the windows. Which means more sheets."

"Alright so we've got the tentative breakout plan. Now we need provisions and supplies!"

"What do you think this is," Harry harrumphed, "some sort of muggle spy movie?"

"Exactly," Ginny grinned in excitement. "We're breaking out of prison right now and have to sneak our way to the scene of the crime!"

Harry normally would have shared her excitement but he only felt his head throb. Nothing seemed right and it was irritating and tiresome. He just wanted the wrong to stop.

"Um, I think you're getting your genres mixed, Ginny," Hermione giggled.

"Definitely need our wands. Constant vigilance and all that rot," Ron chortled at his sister's flushed face. "But to get around we'll need some muggle money. Hermione you know more about getting around in the muggle world so we should leave that to you. Fred, George, we could probably use some of your prank items. Grab us some useful ones? And Ginny you deal best with Mum. See if she'll get us some food packed for later. Actually, how long are we planning to stay out?"

Everyone hesitated, glancing at Harry and he glared back at them. "How should I know," he snapped. Then bit his lip. Damn, he hadn't meant to do that. "Sorry, sorry. I don't know… I just…"

"Hm. I have the feeling that if we leave now the Order is gonna have quite the stick up their arse about it. I don't really feel all that inclined to come back anytime soon," Ginny said fidgeting in her chair throwing furtive glances at him. He caught her gaze and she gave him a small pretty smile when he nodded his gratitude.

"Yea they'll be right buggered they will. All the youngest 'members' taking off in the middle of the night. Specially our Ginny," Fred said with a distinguished nod.

"She's not even of age. That'll just tickle Mum pink," George agreed.

"And Harry only just came of age, come off it," the ginger scolded her brothers. "I can take care of myself!"

"Oh, we know, Ginny. But the twins bring up a good point. The trace on your wand hasn't dissolved which means you can't use magic without the Ministry tracking you."

"I doubt any of us can," Harry muttered darkly.

He had the feeling that it wasn't the Ministry they'd need to worry about, though.

They stared at him again and he growled as his muscled decided now would be a great time to throb alongside his head. He just wanted to drain the-

"Look. I trust the Order as far as I can throw them and I can't even physically pick them all up. I can guess that they'll be wanting to know where we are at all times and what's the easiest way to do that? Our wands. It might not be the Ministry but I bet they'll still be able to track us if we use magic."

"Wow… that's pretty dark Harry… Do you really think they would?" Ron's face was ashen as he thought over the implications.

"Maybe not for you guys," he conceded. "But me…?"

"Maybe this isn't the best idea th-"

"I am going," Harry cut off his best friend, side eyeing her. "I'd rather you not but after the DoM we all know you will."

The brunette huffed out out a breath. "Alright so the muggle way it is. Oh, this is not going to be fun at all."

"Do ya think someone should stay to distract the Order?"

"Not if we sneak out tonight. Most everyone should be asleep and Mum only checks on us once. After that we'll be free," Ginny cheered.

"There's no meetings-"

"Tonight either. We-"

"Double checked."

"Perfect." Harry grinned with just a bit a too much teeth.

From there the plan was underway. Hermione would have rather they waited a day but Harry was much too sick and desperate to leave. His part was the easiest. Go to sleep or act if he couldn't. Ron was the one gathering and tying the sheets in all the rooms. Hermione was planning their muggle route and clothing. Ginny was plying Molly for late night snacks and George and Fred were picking which prank items to bring.

He shivered in anticipation.

Nearly an hour later Ron came back with a shrunken pile of sheets wrapped around his wrist to look like a funny bracelet. Hermione checked in with them, announcing her tentative plan to use a payphone to call a cab. The only problem was only three people could fit. They'd need two cabs. Instead, she thought it would be better to have the twins and Ginny set up a safe place for them so they would have somewhere to go in the 'off-chance' they didn't come back to the the Order.

He wasn't coming back.

Harry instantly agreed. Ron was more hesitant but he still caved in the end. The youngest male Weasley didn't like being cooped up and kept ignorant either.

Ginny came back a few minutes later dumping a few boxes on Ron with the order to find a bag to carry it since it probably wasn't the best idea to shrink them if they couldn't undo it later. Hermione, always prepared as she was, pulled a backpack from the small leather necklace she'd been wearing. Everyone gaped at her as she explained about the mokeskin pouch and the endless space charms on it.

The twins came and dropped two leather satchels under the bed, George being infinitely careful with his, and told them to keep watch.

Within the next hour everyone was separated to their rooms, Harry staying with Ron since he was supposed to have been asleep this entire time. Molly checked in on them, giving a small smile at Ron's loud fake -though they didn't sound it- snores before she shut the door again.

"Wow. I didn't think she'd believe that," Ron chuckled.

"You do know that's what you actually sound like right?"

"What!? I do not!"

"Ron," Harry rubbed his eyes, exhausted and jittery, and stuck his glasses back on before pulling the sunglasses out from under his pillow and putting those on too. "I've lived in a dorm with you for seven years. I know exactly what your motormouth sounds like. It was so spot on I almost thought you'd fallen asleep."

"I've been betrayed by my best mate," Ron wailed quietly.

"Oh, bugger off."

There was soft knock on the door before Ginny let herself in followed by Hermione. A few minutes later the twins arrived and gathered their bags.

"Are we all ready?"

Everyone nodded at the bookworm gazes filled with determination. He had the best of friends. His brothers were bett-

Climbing down the fifth story window - because the Blacks couldn't build out in this area so they built up- in his condition was not an easy feat at all. Ron had gone first, struggling a bit in the beginning while they all watched apprehensively. Eventually, he figured out how to use his arms and legs in conjunction to shimmy to the ground. He gave a thumbs up for the signal as soon as he was clear.

Harry wanted to go next. He needed to get out. He was running out of time, he could feel it.

Climbing was possibly the worst mistake he could have possibly made. His muscles clenched and spasmed trying to hold his admittedly meager weight, almost sending him sprawling to the cement below. He took a tremulous breath, burning his lungs in a cloud of pain, as sweat started slipping into his eyes. His friends were whispering something, probably encouragement, but their voices were near silent next to the pounding of his heart vibrating in his ears.

The air scraped up his lungs and throat like rusted nails as he exhaled. His fingers were cramping with how tight they clutched the off white sheet in front of him. His vision was fading, black spots growing larger every passing second and everything tilted suddenly to the left.

Was this how he died then? It was a mistake. He wanted his bro-

He was supposed to live fore-

Harry gasped in a sharp breath, fingers spasming in shock, inhaling some water in the process which sent him sputtering and coughing.

"Harry are you okay," Ginny called in a yelled whisper.

Oh, he could hear again. He could breathe again.

The wizard glanced up spotting the empty glass the ginger witch had clutched in her fingers, half hanging out of the window. How long had he been out of it? Actually was he lower than before?

"I-" He rasped, pausing so he could swallow torturously. "I'm fine. I can do it."

He looked down at Ron, blinking as the ground swayed beneath him. What was wrong with him?

Muscles spasms were a pain in the arse but Harry was able to manage going down three more floors before his body decided it had had enough. Horror ate at him as his hands unclenched and his arms gave out.

"Shit!"

There was pain on impact but not as much as he'd thought there'd be. Maybe it had something to do with the groaning Weasley beneath him?

"Ron? Ron, are you okay?"

"Bloody hell mate. You are bloody lucky that you're light. Now geroff!"

Harry rolled sideways, landing on the blessedly cool concrete where he sprawled out trying to get as much skin contact with the ground. It felt so good, in lieu of the now missing cooling charms they couldn't risk, that goose pimples were breaking out on his arms.

"Sorry," he mumbled into the ground. "Are you hurt?

Ron huffed beside him and sat up leaving Harry's view. "It's fine. I'm fine."

A few minutes later and the soft sound of the last person's feet hit the ground. Harry almost felt reluctant to leave with how much he was enjoying the cool feeling beneath his cheek. Still, he had somewhere to be. He sighed and shifted his arms beneath him to get up.

Fred and George assisted him a moment later.

"You alright, mate?"

"That was quite the tumble."

"I'm sure ickle Ronniekins-"

"Won't be forgetting anytime soon."

"This way," Hermione urged, making sure everyone in the group was together. He glanced back at the hanging sheets. Nothing they could do about removing it without magic so they were left dangling and swaying.

A moment later, Harry shuddered as he crossed the ward line. It felt like someone had dropped chilled water on him -oh wait thanks Ginny- but he shook it off as best he could.

They walked quickly and quietly, Harry leaning on Ron for support as he stumbled a few more times than he could easily brush off, a few blocks down until they were entering a more business like area. The houses stayed behind them as they crossed the street warily. A red phone booth stood out starkly under a streetlight a few meters away and they made a beeline for it.

Hermione dumped a few coins into the slot and waited for the operator to answer. She chattered quietly to the person on the other line, going silent only for a minute before she spoke again requesting a cab. Everyone else huddled and stared around suspiciously waiting for the Order to appear out nowhere. Harry especially. His 'Potter Luck' as it was jokingly called could ruin everything. It usually ruined everything.

But this… this could not be ruined for him. He needed this to happen. He felt like he would die if it didn't.

"They estimate about ten minutes," Hermione said as she walked over to the group.

"So long," Ron complained.

"Hush. They don't have very many drivers out at this time of night. Not in this area. We should get out of the light, though, just in case."

Harry made his way closer to the building, away from the streetlight, and slumped against the wall. The cool night air brushed against his face in soft breezes. The darkness was something comforting, an old friend that wrapped chilled fingers around his shoulders. Just like vam-

"Ginny, do you remember the plan?"

"Yea. Best thing right now is a hotel room somewhere cheap, that one you mentioned in Woking as it's far enough away from Privet Drive it'll take a bit to get there. Don't worry, we'll have something set for you when you're done. I am still curious about you having all this muggle money, though."

Hermione blushed high on her cheeks her hands coming up to wave in front of her face as if to ward off their stares. She stammered, "Well I might have… made it?"

"You transfigured it," Fred and George asked looking impressed.

Her blush deepened and her whole stance shifted side to side. "No… I-I well, I figured enough to help us wouldn't hurt! I just want Harry to get better and if this helps-!"

Ginny laughed uproariously before covering her mouth to try and stifle the sound.

"You conjured it," Harry accused with a smirk.

"Didn't you say something about that being bad for the economy back in fifth year?" Ron had a shit-eating grin on his face as his girlfriend swatted his arm, her face near boiling red.

Harry just enjoyed the freedom of the night, the cool air outside of the stifling house his Godfather had gifted to him.

He frowned thoughtfully. His godfather had bequeathed Grimmauld Place to him in his Will (that he never got to hear and that still rankled him). So… he owned it right? Why hadn't he just kicked out the Order? Ginny laughed again and Harry relaxed. That's right it was a safe-haven for them as well, not just the annoying useless birds.

But still he hated it when Molly moved about the place as if she owned it. Or when Dumbledore would walk into the kitchen and the sudden hush that followed in his wake as if he were the uncontested king. One day he was going to do something about that. One day when it wouldn't be putting people into danger… No. No. The Order could handle themselves. His friends could stay, obviously, but everyone else had to go. They didn't deserve a safe haven.

They didn't deserve Harry at all, actually. Only his bro-

In fact they could all go rot in the deepest pits of Hell as far as he was concerned.

Why was he thinking about this again?

Oh. Right. His godfather. Who went absolutely bat shit in that musty place, trapped again like in Azkaban. Kreacher also didn't help, the filthy beast. Normally he had more compassion but that house elf was a piece of work that deserved no sympathy.

He snorted bitterly, attracting Fred's attention.

"You okay there, Harry?"

"Just… bad thoughts I probably shouldn't be…. No. No. That's not what I wanna say."

What the hell. Why couldn't he just keep himself together? His thoughts and words kept see-sawing like they did when it came to Dumb...le...d...ore. Oh. OH.

Harry was gonna kill him. He was going to tea-

He didn't care if it got him thrown in jail. Somehow, someway that man was messing with his head!

"Harry, mate?"

They were all looking at him in worry now. Ron being the closest, his hand hovering just above his shoulder but not touching. Asking permission. The brunette jerked his shoulder away, into the brick of the painted white wall, not in the mood. The Weasley backed off with a wry smile.

"Something is wrong with me."

Ron snorted, "We all know that."

"No, Ron," Harry grit out forcefully. "I'm not talking about my magic. I'm talking about my he-"

The sudden onset of dizziness almost brought him to his knees as his gut lurched in protest. The heat of his face wafted from his pores and his head throbbed. His ears were buzzing and his magic was rousing, starting to lash around him angrily.

"Whoah!"

"Harry! Oh, Harry, you can control it! You need too!"

"Bad timing-"

"Cab is pulling around the corner."

Something was wrong.

Ginny was quick to lash him in the back of the neck. She'd seen it once in a muggle cinema when she'd snuck out about a year ago with Luna. It seemed to work well enough if Harry dropping like a stone was any indication. She could still taste the oppressive aura of his magic shattered, chained, and sharp as it slowly retreated. It was just like when she'd walked in on him during a night terror, his piercing screams caught by his silencing ward. She'd run to her mother absolutely terrified for her friend and Dumbledore just happened to be there. He told he would take care of it. Lying bastard.

She let out a sigh of relief. If he'd had an episode here in the middle of a muggle street, not only would it bring the Order straight to them but the Ministry as well. Considering that You-Know-Who was leading behind the scenes… well that might've been a bit bad.

She was also lucky she'd been quick enough his magic hadn't retaliated.

"Well, that should keep him out for a while. I hope this trip really does help…"

"How did you know how to do that Gin?" All three of her brothers looked flabbergasted.

"I'm just awesome," she replied flipping her hair over her shoulder with a smirk.

"Right, well, as wonderful as you are, Gin, we're on a time constraint unfortunately," Hermione piped in as she stared at the cab that had just pulled up to the curb. "You have the coins I gave you for your own call right? You remember what to say?"

"Course I do," she scowled. "I'm not like these dunderheads."

She gestured to all of them and they protested, sans Harry who was out cold in Ron's arms.

"Be careful you three," she whispered sadly, beckoning Ron and his 'luggage' towards the cab.

"Aren't we-"

"Always?"

Ginny let her smile drop as she turned to the twins as soon as the yellow car had pulled away.

"I have a feeling we're going to be at odds with the Order soon enough."

"Not to worry, Gin," Fred said seriously one hand coming to rest on her left shoulder.

"We have a few contacts that'll help us once we have the time to notify them," George added dropping a gentle hand on her right shoulder.

"Heh. How could I ever doubt you?"

AN: Uh oh! Things are only getting worse :D You can thank my roommate for any dark path this goes down. I asked him slightly happy or dark and gory. You can guess what he chose... Any way I don't have any actual plot for this, just certain story points that need to be hit so... this can go any which way!

Also we get to see the awesome that is book Ginny~

Thank you all for your support! Drop a review so I can know what you think. :)