As if on cue the front door flung open and Hagrid squeezed through the door. Kingsley, McGonagall, Aberforth, and Flitwick were right behind him. As they all hugged and greeted each other, Seamus and Dean came in through the kitchen door. Ten minutes later, they were all gathered around the sitting room, and Neville brought them up to speed on Snape's surprise visit.
"How do you think he survived?" Kingsley asked while sticking his head into the fireplace as though Snape was hiding halfway up the chimney.
"I think it's fairly obvious that Voldemort let him live," said Flitwick, who was lying down on the couch with his eyes closed.
"I don' know," Hagrid said gruffly from his spot on three kitchen chairs he'd pushed together, which didn't seem willing to hold his weight. "I reckon he's runnin' back ter Voldemort, countin' on being let back in ter the Death Eaters."
"He'll be met with a lot of angry bad guys," Arthur spoke knowingly. "Shame he trusts Voldemort and them more than us."
"Perhaps it isn't a matter of trust, but of beliefs. Maybe Snape just believes in their cause over ours," Luna said.
The whole demeanor of the new Order was far different from what the Weasleys remembered. In the old days, everyone was on edge, always planning the next move, and always eager for the next victory. This new group was far more laid back and contemplative.
"Goodness me, is this how you have been running things?" Molly said while shoving Flitwick's feet off of her couch. "Just lazing around making general assumptions and doing nothing?"
"The meeting's only started, Molly," Flitwick said, feeling ashamed nonetheless.
"You've been away for a while, and I'm afraid this isn't the best first impression," Luna said calmly, "but we are dealing with something a bit unprecedented for us or anyone really."
"Yeah," Neville interjected, looking a bit sheepish, "It's not every day one has to deal with a person coming back from the dead."
"Alright, alright," Molly replied with her hands in the air in defeat. "I'm just a bit nervous. It's been a while since we've seen each other or this house."
"Quite understandable, dear," Arthur said reassuringly.
He went to pat Molly on the back, but his attention was on the far corner of the room. He thought he saw someone familiar, but nobody was there. As he stared into the corner, however, everyone else in the room looked on with intrigue as Arthur proceeded to pat the air two feet from his wife's back. Ginny casually approached her father and put her arm around his shoulders. She grinned sheepishly at the others as if to say, "Sorry about him," and led him to the couch.
Percy broke the awkward silence by addressing the room. "Do you suppose we should get started?"
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Percy," Neville said, moving seamlessly into a state of complete professionalism. He walked over to the counter and produced a binder from a satchel he had brought from his house. He opened the binder, and consulted the twentieth or thirtieth page inside.
"Now then," he said after clearing his throat, "We covered quite a bit last time. Aberforth brought in a lovely spread."
George interrupted with a snort. "Aberforth brought food? And it was lovely?"
"Well, not really," Seamus said with a glance toward Aberforth, "but bad food is better than no food."
"Maybe I just won't cook next time, then." Aberforth said, slightly perturbed. "Maybe Hagrid can bring the food next time."
"NO!" Everyone, including Hagrid, shouted together.
"I think the minutes can be skipped today, Neville," Dean said, clapping a hand on Neville's back. "You know, now that something interesting has actually happened."
"I suppose," Neville replied, looking at the fireplace once more. "What do we do now?"
They all sat around looking at each other awkwardly. The Weasleys got the feeling that the Order of the Phoenix had been reduced to social gatherings since Voldemort's last victory. In the past, it had always been Dumbledore leading the meetings. Snape always had news to bring, and therefore they always had something to discuss. When Snape or Dumbledore had nothing to contribute, it was the eagerness of Sirius or Remus that got the meetings started. When the Order first formed, James and Lily always organized the meetings. The gathering currently at the Burrow were missing all of those people, and they were lost.
"What have you all been talking about at these meetings?" Molly inquired, slightly exasperated.
"Honestly, Mrs. Weasley," Luna spoke as kindly as she could, "We've spent most of our time wondering what happened to you and your family."
Molly flushed. "You were worried about us?"
"Well, o' course we were worried about yeh, Molly!" Hagrid roared, perhaps too loudly. "What do yeh expect? Yeh lost two of yer kids! Voldemort beat us again. Yeh lost Harry! Then yeh disappeared! Just left us here ter rot!"
"Hagrid!" Minerva cried out, "Don't yell at her."
"Why not!" Hagrid said, shaking his head, holding his hands out.
"Well, for starters, all the reasons you just mentioned." Minerva retorted.
"They've been through a lot, Rubeus," Kingsley spoke softly, resting a hand on Hagrid's shoulder. "Let's not pour guilt on top of the poor woman." Kingsley smiled warmly at Molly.
Silence ensued momentarily, but didn't last long as Kingsley spoke once more. "Well, I hate to break up this long awaited reunion, but a man we thought was dead, and know to be a Death Eater has just been at the location of an Order meeting." He headed for the front door, and spoke over his shoulder, "And has just run off to tell our enemy."
They all called out their good-byes as the minister left the meeting to alert the Aurors and anyone else who might be able to help.
"I hope you'll pardon me for interrupting," a raspy voice emanated from the fireplace hearth, "But what shall I do with this half-blood traitor?"
Everyone turned toward the voice, and saw an interesting sight. Snape was bent at an angle toward Kreacher, who had Snape's ear pinched firmly between his thumb and index finger. Kreacher looked positively disgusted to be touching Snape. Snape appeared prepared to strangle Kreacher as soon as the house elf let go. The rest of the people in the room, however, couldn't help but break into spontaneous laughter at Snape's predicament, and their own luck.
"Luna, you have a fairly steady corporeal Patronus, don't you?" Neville asked without taking his eyes off of Snape and Kreacher.
"I do." Luna replied, taking out her wand.
"You want to dispatch a message to Kingsley?"