I revised chapters one and two a bit with this release. The only plot element changed was that the Polyjuice Potion was left in Grimmauld Place when the Order abandoned it. The other changes were minor and don't really affect the plot much.

Chapter Three

Doubt

"So are you finally going to tell us what's going on around here?" Ernie Macmillian's loud voice had no problems filling the kitchen, where most everyone had gathered. A long welt still lingered across his forehead; a trophy of their last night at Hogwarts. "You've barely spoken to us since we came to this crumbling place. We deserve some answers!"

"Ernie's right," said Zacharias Smith as he stood next to his fellow Hufflepuff, "We've been here a day and a half now, with no explanation as to what we're supposed to do next. Are we supposed to just sit around and hope that you've got a plan?" Several assenting nods went through the group and a few voiced their agreement.

Lavender's irritated voice rose above the din. "Harry's gotten us this far! How long do you think we would have lasted if he hadn't brought us here?" A few other voices enthusiastically agreed.

"No one is saying that it was wrong to come to Grimmauld Place," Justin Finch-Fletchley spoke reasonably. "I think we can all admit that it was the right move at the time. After all, we're all still here, aren't we?" He gestured around the room to emphasize that they were, in fact, all still among the living. "But we've been holed up here for quite a while now–sitting on our hands–while Harry is off doing who knows what?"

"But he brought back Professor Flitwick!" Collin Creevy leaned his small frame forward so he could be seen by the others at the table. "I mean, he's a Professor! He'll be able to help us, right?" Collin's little brother, Dennis, nodded fervently beside him. Zacharias laughed.

"So Professor Flitwick is going to save us? He's gathered his Ravenclaws up there with him to help with whatever it is he's going to do! If students like us can help him, how powerful can it really be? Somehow I doubt something like that could protect us from You-Know-Who."

The room nearly erupted in arguing, growing to a crescendo in seconds flat. Harry sighed as he stood in the doorway, watching the heated exchange. It seemed the lines were drawn squarely between the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, as though they were still at Hogwarts competing over the House Cup. He had known something like this would happen, that the stress and anxiety would wear on everyone, but he hadn't expected it so soon, or over something so stupid.

"Enough," Harry spoke, his irritation spiking when no one heard him. Pointing his wand at his Adam's apple, he muttered, "Sonorus." "That's enough!"

His angry voice exploded through the whole house. Everyone had thrown their hands over their ears; even Harry winced as his ears rang. Quickly cancelling the spell, he opened his mouth to speak when he realized another voice was already audible.

"Filth! Blood-traitors! Leave this honored house at once!"

Harry's teeth clenched as he fought the urge to roll his eyes. "We'll get it, Harry." Dean waved his hand a bit as he and Seamus jogged past him and up the stone steps.

Everyone was looking at him, and few seemed pleased. Several were still rubbing their ears while they viewed him with nearly a glare. Even Gryffindors like Lavender were giving him reproachful looks. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he finally spoke.

"I know we haven't had a chance to sit down together and talk since we came here. All of us have been through a lot since Wednesday night, and with it coming so soon after – after Professor Dumbledore's funeral," he hesitated, trying to keep his voice straight, "well, it's not been easy." The mention of Dumbledore's death, only a month past, seemed to cast a chill over the room. Most shifted in their seats, fidgeting uncomfortably. A few rubbed at their eyes, too, but no one spoke. Mrs. Black's cries vanished from the background.

"I guess what I'm saying is that you all did a great job the other night," he spoke into the silence. "The odds were against us, but we all stuck together. We got out safe because we all looked out for one another. Our escape proved that we're stronger when we're united, far stronger than the Death Eaters gave us credit for. We can't loose that unity now."

Someone called out "Here-here!" and several people thumped the heavy wooden table in approval. Harry couldn't help the tiny upward curl at the corner of his mouth.

Ernie stood up, waving his hand about. "I agree with Harry." Could've fooled me, Harry thought. "If you'd asked me a week ago if we could've snuck nearly thirty people out of Hogwarts–with Death Eaters combing the halls for us, no less–I would've laughed at you! But we came through it all together!" He gestured grandly as he spoke. Harry heard a quiet snickering behind him as Seamus and Dean returned to their place along the wall. "It would be for the best if we all came together as one in this difficult time, trusting one another with our safety and well being. I think the first step in building that trust is for us all to know what the plan is for the DA. You agree, don't you, Harry?"

Blinking, Harry saw that all eyes were on him again. "Well, that's why I called you guys here," he said honestly. "I thought you guys deserved to know what's being done to keep us safe from the Death Eaters." He could have sworn everyone leaned in closer, so much that he almost wanted to take a step back.

"Well, you all know that Professor Flitwick is here," Harry began. "We brought him to—" he tried to think what would be the best way to describe it, "—to repair a charm that was keeping this house hidden for the last few years. If he can get it reset, then we'll be safe here. Permanently. We won't have to worry about being attacked by anyone as long as we're within the charm's radius."

"Oh, please," Zacharias scoffed, "you're telling me that Flitwick can conjure up some super-charm that not even You-Know-Who can break? I know he's a teacher, but don't you think you're overstating things a bit?"

"If Dumbledore chose him to be Charms instructor, then I'd say he's probably pretty damn good at Charms, wouldn't you?" Harry's voice became hotter with each word. Zacharias was ready to argue back, but Harry cut him off. "I suppose you've never heard of a Fidelius Charm, have you? As long as the secret keeper doesn't tell the location of this house, then no one can find it; not the Death Eaters, not the Ministry, and not even Voldemort." The yelps and hissing at their enemy's name irked Harry even more. "If anyone still thinks it's such a stupid plan, then why don't you go tell Hermione? She's risking her life so we have a chance to make this place safe!"

Harry only vaguely realized his fist hurt. He hadn't realized he had stepped forward and pounded the table as he was yelling. No one was leaning forward in their seats anymore; no one was looking at him, either. Zacharias seemed rather abashed, and was staring at his fingers as they tapped lightly on the table.

No one else seemed any more ready to speak than Zacharias. There was an uncomfortable silence that covered them like a heavy blanket. Harry knew he shouldn't have blown up at them like that, but he felt no remorse over it.

"What are you yelling about?"

Everybody turned to see Ginny come in. She had been with Ron most of the morning, trying to coax him into speaking to Harry. Ron had taken to ignoring him since he had left Hermione at Hogwarts the previous evening, as if Harry didn't feel badly enough about doing it already.

"It's nothing," Harry answered her shortly. "I think I've covered the plan so far," he said, turning back to the table. "All we're focusing on right now is making this place safe. Nothing else matters until that's done. Any questions?"

None came, and he quickly turned on his heel. He met Ginny's eyes as he left but didn't slow down. By the time he turned up the stairs to the second floor, he realized she was following him. He gave no sign he noticed her, however, and marched forth until he came to Sirius' old room. Leaving the door open for her, he began pacing animatedly around the room he had claimed for his own.

The door closed quietly and Ginny was soon sitting cross legged on the end of the bed. She said nothing, but only stared at him impassively as he flitted about the room. Pulling out the enchanted Galleon from his pocket, Harry stared at it for several seconds before stuffing it back in its place. When he was certain he had situated it near his skin, he resumed his pacing.

"You think I'm worrying too much, don't you?" He had finally had enough silence.

"I didn't say that."

"No, but you're thinking it," he answered. "I can see it in your eyes."

She smiled a bit, continuing to watch him. "You're right, you are worrying too much. But don't feel too bad, Ron's doing it worse than you are."

"Doing what?"

She shrugged, pushing some of her back behind her ear. "Pacing, beating on tables, yelling. I told him that he looked rather childish when he started taking out his anger on others."

Harry said nothing for a minute, recognizing the thinly veiled reprimand. He continued his pacing until his irritation had subsided again before he looked over at her. "So I reckon it's going to be a while before Ron comes out of his room?"

"He'll come out when he's hungry," she smiled again. "But I imagine when he does come out, he'll be just as irritable as you are."

"I'm not irritable," he snapped at her. She didn't cringe or yell at him; she just arched an eyebrow, looking at him questioningly. "Alright, you win," he relented, "I'm irritable. I'm wound up like a spring!" He dropped heavily onto the bed next to her. "I'm just worried about Hermione. I mean, did I do the right thing? I left her there with Snape in charge of the castle and Death Eaters combing the place!"

"I know, Harry," she spoke soothingly, "I'm worried about her, too, but she'll be alright." She began smoothing his hair. It was an impossible task, but it was one of her ways of relaxing him.

It was working rather well, too. Leaning his shoulder against hers, Harry realized just how tired he was. He had been so nervous about the mission that he hadn't slept since the previous morning. It was quite possible that the last time he had a proper rest was at Hogwarts, before the Ministry fell into enemy hands.

Harry became aware that he was lying down, and he saw Ginny smiling warmly down at him. "Get some sleep, Harry."

He reached out, grasping her hand as he yawned. "Go see if Professor Flitwick is going to need anything. If we need to get supplies, we should plan out how we're going to get into Diagon Alley without…"

"Alright, Harry," she answered, placing a finger over his lips. "I'll make sure nothing important happens until you're awake." She leaned forward and kissed him, drawing it out for several seconds before she pulled away, caressing his cheek. Crossing the room, she paused at the door. "Sweet dreams."

He licked his lips after she had gone, savoring the moment they had just shared together. It seemed as if it had been a lifetime since they had last been together in private. He began to think back to some of his happier memories with Ginny. Before he knew it, though, he was sound asleep.

Harry felt the constricting feeling of Apparation ease as the darkness faded into a slightly brighter gloom. Looking about, he saw the familiar signs and storefronts of Diagon Alley. It was twilight, and there was no one on the street that Harry could see. All the same, he made sure the Invisibility Cloak was covering him completely before he moved on.

It was a short walk to his destination, a rather elaborately decorated shop just down the cobbled road. Light spilled through the windows of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, though the front door was locked. Harry took another look around to confirm he was alone before knocking. He heard a muffled voice call from inside. "Sorry, but we're closed for the night. We open bright and early at eight in the morning!"

Harry knocked again, drawing a more irritated answer. "I said we're closed! Come back tomorrow!" Sighing, the young man knocked a third time. Listening closely, he heard footfalls drawing close over a grumbling voice. "Oi! Have you been overdoing the Confunding Cakes? I said we're…"

Fred pulled the door open, trailing off when he saw no one on the step. "It's me," Harry whispered.

The tall wizard seemed not to notice, however, as he stepped out into the street. Harry darted through the open door as Fred looked up and down the lane. George's voice came from the back room as his twin moved back in. "Who is it?"

"Wasn't anybody there," Fred called back loudly as he was closing the door. "Guess I'm the one who's been abusing the Confunding Cakes!" He laughed as he closed and locked the door. "Back room, Harry," he said suddenly.

Harry obeyed, making his way through the isles of joke boxes, fake wands, and charmed quills. It was surprising just how much room there was in the shop. It had always been stuffed full of people the few times he had been there.

Coming into the next room, he saw George counting money at a lavish desk. There were stacks of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts nearly a foot high.

"Hey, George, guess who it is?"

"A handsome and debonair young wizard who just happens to look like me?"

"Close, George," Harry chuckled a bit as he revealed himself. "Close."

The twins rushed over to pat him on the back and muss his hair. "Well, George, he is handsome, there's no denying that."

"And he's debonair; I was right about that, too!"

"But we mustn't forget his most winning attribute," Fred wore a particularly amused smile to match the one George was showing. Harry had learned to be wary when he saw that look.

"What attribute is that?"

The twins answered as one. "You're a fugitive!"

Harry spent the next several minutes trying to keep up with Fred and George's merriment. A stranger would have seen it as mindless frivolity, but Harry knew them better than that. He suspected they were simply showing their joy that Harry was still alive and out of the hands of the enemy.

"So, Harry," George said as he passed a butterbeer to his guest, "how's everyone doing?"

Fred summoned two large, squishy chairs for himself and Harry. "Yeah, Mum's been going crazy since we heard about your escape. Wish I could've been there to see it."

Harry settled into the chair, which was extraordinarily comfy. The only problem was he felt as if he were slowly sinking farther and farther into it. "Yeah, we're all fine."

"Where's Ronniekins?"

His mood darkened, though he tried not to show it. "Not talking to me. Thinks I'm an idiot for letting Hermione go back to Hogwarts." He paused for a moment. "Problem is, I agree with him. I keep wondering if it was the right thing, if I should've stopped her."

Fred leaned forward in his chair with some difficulty. "What'd Hermione want to go back to Hogwarts for?"

"She forget her favorite book?" George sat on the edge of the desk as he joked, but it seemed only half-hearted.

Harry didn't laugh. "She's there to get us some help securing Grimmauld Place."

The two Weasley's glanced at each other. "Snape knows about Sirius' house, though."

"I know," Harry said. "Hermione went to take Professor Flitwick's place while he tries to reset the Fidelius Charm. That's why I'm here, actually."

George beamed. "Ol' Flitwick's there, is he? Give him a hug for me when you get back!"

Smiling in spite of himself, Harry continued. "Anyway, there are a few things he needs to finish the work." He pulled a bit of parchment out of his pocket and handed it to Fred. "None of us can be seen in Diagon Alley, or anywhere else, really. Fugitives would have a hard time buying Siglejack oil or The Codex of Advanced Home Defense Charms."

"You'd be surprised," George told him, "not many people here in Diagon Alley would turn you guys in. I heard old Kanderkrak, the bloke down at Magical Menagerie, saying that he'd be happy to sell you a blast-ended skrewt if you ever wanted one."

Harry wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing, but didn't have long to think it over. Fred had finished reading the list and was handing it to George. "Some of the things you need are in back. We keep a stock of common ingredients for experimentation purposes. You can take that with you."

"Some of this other stuff, though," George said a little slowly as he was reading, "will be a little harder. Might have to nip down to Knockturn for this one."

"I don't know when I'll be able to pay you back for any of this," Harry told them, reaching into his pockets, "I've only got a few Galleons. I would think that Gringotts is being watched, so I can't get you any more right now." They were already waving their hands before he finished his sentence.

"No need for that, Harry," George said.

"Don't worry about this one," Fred added. "Remember, you don't pay in our shop."

George nodded. "And you're sitting in our shop, so you don't pay."

Harry protested, shaking his head. "You two giving me some of your joke stuff is one thing, but I don't want you to have to pay for everything I need to buy."

"We just think of this as our contribution to the Order," Fred stated dramatically, posing with his arm stretched out to the ceiling.

"Or rather," George amended with a grin, "our contribution to Dumbledore's Army."

Harry tried to argue further, but the twins mostly ignored him. They occasionally poked fun at his stubbornness and wondered aloud if it would help if they wrote him a letter. He finally relented as they gathered what materials they had, packing them into a miniature chest that was far too small to have held it all.

"Almost forgot about your new 'sampler pack'," George grinned. "Thought you might be able to use a fresh supply of our wares!"

Fred pulled out a rather large red bag that reminded Harry of something Santa Claus might carry. "We're sending a lot this time just in case we don't get to see you for a while. You are a fugitive from the Ministry after all." He handed the bag to Harry. It wasn't as heavy as he had thought, but it was certainly bulky.

"We've special made something for you, too," George sat the small chest atop the over stuffed sack. "Powdered versions of our Skiving Snackboxes."

"They're concentrated forms of all the different snacks," Fred explained proudly. "Just add them to your favorite…"

"…or your enemy's favorite…"

"…food or drink. As soon as they take one swallow, it'll take effect just like they had eaten the real thing."

"Uh, thanks," Harry managed around his rather ungainly load. "I'm sure we'll find something to use this stuff on. I'll change the protections on the hideout so you two can get in. We need the rest of that stuff as soon as you can get it."

"Don't worry, Harry," Fred gave him a surprisingly reassuring smile. "We'll have everything you need by noon tomorrow."

"Thanks, you two." He tried to give them each a nod around the red sack. "You don't know how much this helps us."

They both flashed winning smiles at him. "Just don't get caught before Flitwick finishes," Fred told him.

George followed, nodding sagely. "For that matter, don't get caught afterward, either."

"Tell Ginny to keep her nose clean, but not too clean."

"And tell Ickle Ronniekins that if he doesn't shape up by the time we get there, well…" he looked thoughtful for a minute, "well, we can leave that to his imagination."

Harry smiled again as he readied himself. "Take care, you guys."

"You, too," they said together. "See you tomorrow!"

Grasping the sack tight, and keeping one hand awkwardly on the small chest, Harry turned in place. His vision went dark and he felt that unpleasant compression, but he kept his mind focused on the front step of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.

AN: I am sad. Apparently my first chapter isn't being widely enjoyed. Out of all the hits on the first chapter since my last update, only one in four has gone on to chapter 2. What did I do wrong? I didn't think it was that bad…

I'm sure some of you who have made it this far are wondering why I set this in the 'action' category if there's been no real action so far (the thing with Filch hardly counts). Next chapter, perhaps the chapter after that, will be a fairly significant action sequence, so please bear with me.

I'm still kind of trying to get my footing on this story. I'm also trying to decide how badly I want to continue it. I know a lot of people won't read anything less than 10k words, so I'm planning on one more chapter for now. If there's still no one reading, then I'm probably going to cancel this story and try something else. So please review and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading!

Gunso