Chapter Six- Weasley Talk at Grimmauld Place

Severus Flooed to Grimmauld, careful to step out of the pit correctly. If he stumbled in front of Black, he'd have to kill the bloody Animagus, as he'd never hear the end of it.

He managed a smooth exit and could have sworn he saw a disappointed look on the other man's face as he emerged. Black was waiting at the Floo for any guests, though Severus had, as usual, timed his arrival to make sure he was one of the last arriving people. He detested small talk, especially with Gryffindors, which an annoying amount of the Order was.

With Black was young Potter, looking more likehis father than ever, as he was finally dressed in clothes that fit him. He had a small bag tucked over one shoulder, that Severus hated as much as he had expected. This meeting would likely take all night and more than a few fights to conclude.

It didn't mean he had to be happy about his daughter being alone in the manner with a young man all night.

"Hey Snape." Sirius Black reluctantly greeted his unwanted guest, as they had been forced to neutrality by an angry Minerva McGonagall, an experience they never wanted to happen again.

Harry, though no more pleased to see the Professor than his Godfather, couldn't help but be excited about the chance to see Hermione again. "Hi Professor!" He said, practically bouncing with excitement

"Black. Potter." Severus was no happier to see them than they were to see him. Nevertheless, he gestured to the fireplace. "Hermione is awaiting you, Potter. You stay out of trouble in my Manor or you'll not see her again for the rest of the summer." He knew how, with pathetic ease, to manipulate Gryffindors. Sure enough, the boy's face fell at the very thought.

"Yes, sir." The boy agreed after a moment, his smile coming back full force. He wasn't exactly sure he wanted to go wandering around Snape's house anyways. And he wouldn't do anything that would mean he couldn't see Hermione!

"Go on then." Severus said. "Floo to 'Snape Manor'."

"Yes, sir." The boy said, taking the Floo powder offered by Sirius. "See ya, Sirius." He said, grinning quickly at his godfather before Flooing away.

There was a moment of shared mutual glaring between the two dark-haired men after Potter was gone, as neither was happy to see the other. Finally Sirius sighed though. "Come on, Snape, the meeting is going to be in the kitchen. Dumbledore hasn't called for a full meeting."

Severus nodded and allowed the other man to lead him through the dark and gloomy squalor that was Grimmauld to the kitchen.

Dumbledore and McGonagall were there, sitting with the two eldest Weasley brothers between them at the round kitchen table. Looking around, Severus realized this was an 'Inner Circle', such as it was, meeting. Remus Lupin was there, seated to McGonagall's other side, with a seat saved to his left that Black quickly took. Nymphadora Tonks was there as well, seated to Black's other side talking with her mentor, Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody and his partner Kingsley Shacklebolt, leaving the final seat for Severus.

The Weasleys, Molly and Arthur, Severus thought, with an odd pang in his heart, had been the final members of the Inner group.

Before he could take his seat, however, another redhead strode into the room. Percival.

"Ah, young Percival." Albus said before either Bill or Charlie could open their mouths. Both of the elder Weasleys were glaring at their brother with open anger. "So glad you could make it. Sit, sit. You too, Severus." He urged, pulling out his wand and conjuring a chair between Moody and Kingsley.

"Thank you, Headmaster." Percy said, in his usual pompous voice as he took his seat.

Severus took his too, nodding genially to Shacklebolt, already well amused. This was going to be fun. "Headmaster, what is Percy doing here?" Bill, always the calmer of the two oldest boys, asked. Though Ron seemed on his way to taking after Bill in looks, he would always share Charlie's temper. "I was under the impression he was avoiding our parents as well as the rest of the 'Old Crowd'."

Albus nodded, smiling gently. "I'm afraid the fault there lies with me." He said. "I asked your brother to attempt to penetrate Fudge's circle. That was, regrettably, going to mean that he would have to spout some ideals that your family didn't exactly agree with."

"Did Mum and Dad know about this?" Charlie asked, watching his younger brother with suspicious blue eyes.

"No." Percy had never had a problem standing up to his brothers, as evidenced by his continual battles with the twins, and wouldn't stop now. "They didn't. I couldn't take any chance that my cover would be blown. Working where I do now, I see all the documents that go in and out of Fudge's office. We've gotten some much needed information as to what Fudge is plotting while we're busy fighting You-Know-Who. I can't afford any kind of slip-up. Especially now." He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fudge was furious when three reports of the Dark Mark came in. He tried to pull all kinds of stops to keep the information from getting out."

This Albus had not heard yet, being unable to get Percy's report beforehand. "What happened?" He asked, curious.

"I slipped the information out, don't worry." Percy assured the Headmaster. "I've become quite skilled at making sure the right information gets out." He turned back to his brothers. "I know neither of you would agree, but my position is vital. While I'm terribly sorry I couldn't be there for Ron and the twins, what could I really do anyways? The twins have never listened to me and Ron has been influenced by them for years. He holds no respect for me."

"And this is not the way to try and rectify that, Perce." Bill said, shaking his head. "Surely you could have told someone. Dad."

Percy shook his head. "Come on, Bill, you know Dad. He's the worst actor I've ever seen. He has no subtlety to speak of. Had either of you been here, yes, I would have told you. You weren't though, so there was no one else to tell. The twins didn't care to hear. Ron was too young. That was everyone. I sent Mum and Dad money anonymously though, and I'll do the same for whichever of you decides to raise the others."

"We don't want your money, Percy." Charlie snapped. "Bill and I make decent enough salaries anyhow. We want our brother to help his younger brothers out. George has stopped talking and Fred spends all his time trying to keep Ron from blowing things up. None of them are sleeping or eating. We need your help."

"I can't help you." Percy said, shrugging. While his heart yearned to help, he knew the realities that neither Charlie or Bill wanted to think about. "I can do more good where I am. They don't need me- you'll be fine with them."

None of the Weasley boys looked ready to yield, but Albus needed to hurry the meeting along. "Let us worry about this issue later." Albus said diplomatically. "Have either of you come to a conclusion as to what you are going to do with your siblings?" He asked, looking between Charlie and Bill.

Charlie shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. "I can't leave Romania. Dragons are illegal in England and that's all I'm trained in. I'm a Dragon Handler. I can keep them with me there, but they all want to return to Hogwarts. I can keep them during the summers, they just won't be able to see their friends during the summers."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Bill said. "I've put in a request at Gringott's to be transferred back to England. Fred and George are fine with each other, but Ron would go crazy without anyone outside of the family to talk about. The Floo between Romania and England is temperamental at best, so he won't be able to use it all the time. Ron is not the kind of boy who does well with too much free time on his hands- which would be why Mum had him degnoming the garden so often. I think it would do him a lot of good to be back at the Burrow." He sighed. "I just can't be sure when I'll get the transfer. Or if I'll get the transfer. Goblins…" He said, shrugging. "You just never know with them."

"Charlie, you don't think that Ronald would be stifled in Romania?" Minerva McGonagall asked, smiling fondly at her former Seeker.

"I don't." Charlie said, crossing his arms. "I don't think it's a particularly smart idea to let Fred and George anywhere near dragons, but practically the only times Ron calms down anymore is when I take him for walks out on the range. Fred can keep him from killing anyone else, but that's only if Fred takes the anger on himself and that's not helpful for Fred either, as he's really the only one who can keep George from retreating into himself. Ron likes animals and, honestly, the twins are behaving themselves. I say leave them where they are. Ronnie's always had a bad time holding his anger. Bringing him back here might just result in him losing his friends. He can't offend the Handlers and they'll give him enough little jobs to keep him busy."

Severus, not about to let anyone hurt his daughter, even the slightest bit, spoke up. "It seems as if Charlie has a handle on Ronald, from what I know of the boy. I would also agree that those twins should be as far from dragons as we can get them. What if you took a vacation, William?" He asked. "A year's leave?" He turned to the Headmaster. "There is an empty seat at Hogwarts. I believe a cursebreaker would be an adequate DADA professor, wouldn't you?"

The thought, amazingly enough, hadn't occurred to the Headmaster, but he instantly saw the brilliance. "Why that would be quite helpful." He agreed, turning twinkling eyes on Bill. "And if I remember correctly, your mother often talked of you not using your vacation days."

Bill smiled fondly. "I do have quite some time saved up. I could take a year's leave. The goblins are good about that. If I bring the twins home with me for the summer, Charlie can work with Ron. Ron always got along best with Charlie. I'm just worried abut the year after. I've no doubt Ron will get along well with Charlie, but that will leave the twins alone at the Burrow."

He glared at Percy. "Which was why we were hoping that you would come home, to try and keep a hand on them."

"Bill!" Percy pounded his hand on the table, trying to convey his frustration. "Don't you understand? Nothing is going to change between the twins and myself! They dislike me and they've never shown any inclination of trying to be civil. And going home will immediately put Fudge on notice. He thinks I'm against Dumbledore and everything he stands for. If he thinks otherwise, I'm not going to be able to do all that I do."

A thought hit him and he turned back to Dumbledore. "That will be especially true if you bring Bill in as the Defense professor. The Minister is ready to appoint his own choice- his Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge."

"Umbridge!" Remus spoke up. "Headmaster, you cannot let that woman in the school!"

"We will work on next year later on," the Headmaster said. "But right now, let us take care of this year. Bill, you will take the position?"

"Yes, sir." Bill said, sighing. "If you're sure you and Ron will be fine." He said, looking at Charlie.

"We'll be fine." Charlie promised. "And…" He turned to Percy. "I know we all criticize the twins, but if you really come down to it, they're trustworthy. You said you would have told Bill and I, but why don't you stop in next week or so and explain it to the twins."

"Are we talking about the same twins?" Percy asked doubtfully. "Fred and George? They call themselves Gred and Forge?"

Charlie sighed. "Come on, Perce." He said. "We can't split this family any more than it already is. Please?"

Percy had never noted any positive aspects to the twins. He turned rather doubtfully to Bill.

"Just give it a try." Bill said, smiling at his younger brother. "You do trust Charlie and I, don't you?"

"I suppose." Percy said uncomfortably. "Next week then." He checked his watch and turned back to Dumbledore. "I had better get back. Nothing has been decided yet, I'll let you know if something does."

"Of course, Percival." Albus said, smiling. "Kingsley, you said you have to get back as well, don't you?"

"Yeah." The bald black man said, standing as Percy did. "Amelia is organizing us the best as she can, considering Fudge is still denying You-Know-Who has come back. Tonks, don't stay up too late, you're on duty in the morning." He said, playfully pulling a lock of his friend's bright pink hair.

A few smart remarks later, the two Ministry employees left.

"The Minister is going to do everything he can to call this the work of someone else." Albus said musingly. "We are going to have to prepare some plans for responses."

"You think these attacks mean that You-Know-Who is going to move on the offensive?" Minerva asked. "He has been silent since his rebirth."

Sirius interjected here. "I don't think he will, not if he's smart. They're going to blame me, you all know that. Then Lucius Malfoy is going to give a donation to Fudge and the whole thing will be swept under the rug."

As much as Severus hated to agree with anything Sirius Black said, he found himself nodding. That was the most likely outcome. "He's right. Lucius isn't going to let anything come of this." He said. "We'll have to plan around this."

And with that, they settled in to draw up plans.

***

Harry did not have such a graceful landing, as he stumbled out of the fireplace and fell to the ground. Something good came out of it, for he was graced with the gentle laughter of Hermione as she hauled him up.

"Harry, are you alright?" She asked, looking him over with a critical eye. She brushed a bit of soot off of his shoulders, grinning at him.

"Never better." He said, teasing her.

She recognized the words and laughed, slapping his shoulder. "You look very handsome, Harry James." She said.

"Thanks." Harry said, looking slightly embarrassed. "Sirius sent Tonks and Remus out and made them buy clothing. Tonks made sure Remus bought clothes for himself and Sirius, while Tonks bought mine. Sirius and I burned my old ones."

As that had always been a vow of Harry's, Hermione couldn't resist another hug. "That's so great, Harry." She said, squeezing him tight. She released him and looked him over critically. "You'll have all the girls chasing after you now." She teased.

To her everlasting pleasure, he blushed again. She loved that Harry was so modest, it was so endearing.

"You're looking good too." Harry said, feeling the heat in his cheeks. He hated that he was embarrassed as much as he loved that Hermione was joking around. Sometimes he and Ron had a hard time understanding why exactly Hermione hung out with them…until she started teasing.

But, she looked so cute when her brown eyes lit up with that mischievous glint, he couldn't mind too much.

"So this is Snape's house, huh?" Harry said, looking around. "I don't see any skulls and dead bodies."

It was actually, hate to admit it as he did, a nice place. Nicely decorated, in darker colors than he would have liked personally, but definitely more sophisticated than he would have thought Snape would have.

"This is the Snape family home," Hermione said, looking around. "I'm sure he wasn't the decorator." She teased.

He shoved her, half-heartedly. "Shut up." He said, pouting. "So, have you found the library yet?" He asked curiously.

Hermione gasped. "Harry!" She said, clasping a hand to her mouth. "I didn't even think about it! Of course there should be one, shouldn't there? All the Pure-blood families have them, I read a book about it."

"Really?" Harry said, surprised. "I can't you didn't think about it. What have you been doing?"

"Same as always." She said, shrugging. "Reviewing things from last year. Then I take a two week vacation of sorts and then begin homework for next year."

She said it so matter-of-fact, he had to laugh. "Only you, Hermione." He said, shaking his head fondly. "C'mon, let's go sit." He said, taking her hand and pulling her over to sit at the couch.

He pulled her down, sitting so close that their hips were pressed against each others. He took a chance and held onto her hand. "So, how've you been?" He asked. "I realize they weren't your real parents, but losing them…" He trailed off hesitantly. He wasn't sure how exactly to offer such comfort.

"You know me," she said, her smile falling as she thought about it. "I'm really good at repressing things. I figure if I just keep to my schedule and don't think about it, I'll be fine. It's not like I've spent much time with them anyways in the last few years." She said sadly. "I was always somewhere else."

"Hermione, Snape won't be mad if you mourn." He said, patting her hand. "He may be cold, but he's not that bad."

"I know." She said uneasily. "But I don't really do mourning. It's easier not to. I've got Severus and Capricia- Harry, you've got to meet my mother. She's crazy. And when Blaise comes, I'm guessing Malfoy won't be far behind." She trailed off, not wanting to think about it. "C'mon." She said, standing abruptly. "Severus said we could go exploring. I know you loved that."

Sure enough, he was on his feet. "That sounds great. How big is this place?"

She grinned. "Big enough for me to get lost in."

"Let's go!"

***

The plans, once the group began, took far longer than any of them planned. They had to make evacuation plans, for the homes of the Muglge-born students, for Hogsmeade and for Diagon Alley. In addition, they had to prepare for the chance of a siege being laid on Hogwarts as well as attempt to figure out scenarios on how they would act to work around whatever measures the Ministry was sure to take to prevent them from protecting their world.

When they finally finished, the first lights of dawn were beginning to light up the sky.

"Oh my," Albus said, rolling his neck as they watched the group leave one by one. "I'm getting too old for such things."

It galled him, to a very high degree, that Tonks and Charlie and Bill looked like they were ready to go out dancing. Minerva and Moody seemed tired, though, which made him feel a little better. Sirius looked as tired as ever, though he moved with his usual childish energy.

Severus…well, Severus was as unreadable as ever.

"I'm going home." The Slytherin finally said. "Black, I'll send Potter back after breakfast, unless the two slip off somewhere."

"It's no problem." Sirius said, shrugging. "I know you'll keep him safe." As horrifying a thought it was, he knew he could trust the other man.

Severus felt much the same and only gave Sirius a long stare. He was tired and left without another word. It wasn't the time to have a good long fight with his Gryffindor counter-part. He was just going to check on his daughter and guest and then hit the sack.

At least, that the was the plan until he looked in Hermione's room and saw two bodies in her bed.

Thanks for all of your kind reviews! I appreciate them so much; they absolutely make my day. The next update is coming soon!

Minara.