---As you can see, I've decided to continue. Thanks for your feedback.
Molly Weasley sat at the kitchen table; her coffee was cold, her hair a mess and her entire face wet with tears. Arthur Weasley sat across from his wife staring at the same page of a special issue of The Daily Prophet—which was already five days old-- unblinkingly, his eyes red with tears as well. The headline on the front cover read, "HARRY POTTER: MISSING." He removed himself from his newspaper and looked at the plate of untouched food he'd made for his distraught wife. She was hastily wiping away her tears with a crumpled, blue handkerchief. Both were completely immersed in their worry.
"You really should eat something; you haven't in days, dear."
"I can't eat at a time like this," her voice was horse. "What if—what if…" she began but tears began to flow and he head sank. "What if they don't come home; if they never find them?" she shouted.
"Starving yourself is not going to bring them home," he replied sternly.
"Arthur!" She gave him the most disappointed look he frail, ageing face could muster and sighed. "I can't believe you."
"Damn it, Molly, be realistic." He was raising his voice now, his own fear bringing out his temper.
She began to sob at this and got up as fast as she could, knocking over her chair in hast to leave the room. Mr. Weasley stood to follow but thought better of it and sat down again. He sat back and rubbed his sore, tired eyes. He wept himself to sleep at the kitchen table; the first sleep he'd gotten in five days. They had been gone five days.
---
"As you all are probably very aware," McGonagall began, "The war of or kind has, now, officially begun. I do not wish to alarm you, but it must be known to everyone. You are now in the safest place you could possibly be, even without the presence of Professor Dumbledore." Hagrid began sobbing at his mention. "However, if at anytime this school becomes unsafe, everyone will be sent home immediately. After the incident on the Hogwarts Express last week, I realize there is concern for your safety as well as the safety of fellow students, but I press that you continue your activities as normally as you possibly can. Those responsible for that attack have been apprehended. We, sadly, have no word yet on location or wellbeing of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger or Ron and Ginny Weasley, but there are countless officials working tirelessly to find them. And I am confident that we will find them soon." She was lying, everyone knew; she was losing hope quickly. There were no snide remarks- nearly all of the Slitherins had not returned, no happy laughter from the remaining Gryffindors; a grim silence hung heavily in the hall. Even the enchanted ceiling was still, grey and cloudless.
Neville and Dean were the only seventh year Gryffindors to return. Neville whispered across the table to Luna. "So, how are we going to find them? They've had nearly a weeks head start. " Neville had changed a lot mostly with the help of Luna; he no longer feared the future, he was much more confident in his magic.
"I've owled Fred and George; they're going to help us; we are meeting them in Hogsmeade tomorrow. And, I know exactly how we're going to find them."
"How are we going to get past all of the security measures and get to Hogsmeade?"
"You'll see," she answered simply with her usual dreamy grin.
---
"We think we may have found a lead," Lupin said grabbing his cloak from the hook near the door of the Order headquarters. He was franticly gathering various items in preparation. Moody limped behind him studying a piece of parchment very closely. "Tonks," he yelled up the stairs, "grab your broom and those extra invisibility cloaks; we'll need them. This may take a few days and we'll be covering some dangerous territory. Mundungus has already begun on foot, he knows the area well. We'll need to contact Arthur, as well. And Charlie; he wanted to help."
Tonks appeared at the top of the stairs, in a short purple bathrobe. "I can go," she said a tear dripping down her cheek.
"What? Why not? Go get ready." He turned to wait
"Remus, I'm—I'm pregnant." His jaw dropped from either surprise or disbelief, it wasn't clear. "I'm--We're having a baby."
At this even Moody looked away from his papers. He smiled and giggled very uncharacteristically. Remus turned on him; he stopped instantly and changed his look from joyful to a very fake look of concern. He looked back at Tonks as if he was waiting for her to begin laughing to. She didn't. She walked down the rest of the stairs, a melancholy smile forming on her lips. "I'm sorry."
"Oh, gods." He hugged her, still looking absolutely stunned.
---Sorry for the shortness of this chapter but I had to show a small glimpse of what was going on back home. This is occurring in parallel to the last few chapters, I hope that I didn't confuse anyone. I assure you that the next chapter-- which is almost done as well-- is much longer. This chapter also sets up a few things that are important for the next chapter: i.e. Neville, Luna, Fred, George, and various member of the order know how to find them and will try to; 'wink-wink'. ;o)