Please accept my deepest apologies for not updating sooner!!!

38.

The next morning was probably one of the happiest anyone had ever had. Breakfast was enjoyable for once, and silence never crept on the table as everyone swapped stories and discussed plans.

But it was plain to see that Mrs. Weasley wasn't the most enthusiastic of the large group. Maybe because of the new found information considering one of her sons, Percy. No one said a word about it, but they were all worried and waiting for the moment for the topic to surface.

It wasn't until lunch that it was obvious it was all that was on Molly's mind. Kingsley, Mad-Eye, our trio, and Neville entered the kitchen, knowing that whatever might happen, it was good to have some tissues ready for Mrs. Weasley.

"Erm, Molly?" Kingsley started. She turned from the sink, her dishcloth dripping. "We need to talk."

She sighed and plopped the rag into the sink, leading the way to the table. "Where do we start?" she asked.

"Well, according to you three," Mad-Eye began as he nodded to the trio, "Percy is in contact with Lord Voldemort, and he is at the Burrow. Probably using it for Him."

Molly sucked in a raggedy breath, "Is he a...Death Eater, do you suppose?"

Kingsley and Mad-Eye shared a look, then Kingsley said, "It's not entirely impossible, but I wouldn't say so." Mad-Eye gave a quick nod to Kingsley, they didn't need to torture the poor woman with such suspicions.

She didn't pick up on the nod, and asked the trio, "So, what is he doing, exactly?"

Harry decided to answer after a few moments of silence, "We don't know, exactly. Maybe-"

But his words were cut off by the sudden banging of the door and the squeals of Mrs. Black. "Who is that?" Ron wondered aloud as Molly rushed to the doorway.

"Well, good to see you Molly. Thought I should come at once as soon as I could, I'm sure Flitwick can hold the joint for a few minutes," Minerva McGonagall announced as she came into the kitchen.

All the students sat upright, as if expected to be asked if their essays were done. Professor McGonagall stopped in her tracks as she saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione. And Neville, bless the boy. They were alive, they were safe, was all she could think for a few minutes before a small voice pipped up behind her dress.

"Um, Professor?" Winky asked kindly.

"It's okay, Winky, it's just Harry Potter," Dobby explained kindly to Winky behind the dress. It took a moment for his own words to hit him, "HARRY POTTER, SIR!"

Dobby rushed to Harry and knocked him in a hug. Ron and Hermione smiled at the familiar, mischevious house-elf, but the smile wouldn't last long.

"Why are you here?" Harry asked.

Dobby's joyous face fell as Minerva took over the conversation, "There seems to be an intruder at Hogwarts."

"Professor Edgurg," everyone but Molly chorused.

Within ten minutes, the entire troupe consisting of the trio, Neville, Ginny, Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye, McGonagall, and the elves were at Hogwarts. After shaking off their blackened clothes, they had gone by Floo Powder, they had but barely stepped out of McGonagall's office when screams hit their ears.

"Uh oh," Winky whispered as she clutched Dobby's hand.

"He's here," Mad-Eye declared and eight pairs of frightened eyes whirled to his.