Severus crept up the stairs. The events of the past few days had made him more cautious than usual, especially since Gawain had been so odd that morning. He carefully examined the upstairs bedrooms for signs of anything that might indicate a struggle. There weren't any. Severus pushed Harry's door open. Lying on the bed, he found a scroll of parchment addressed to "Uncle Sev, Uncle Sirius, Uncle Regulus, Aunt Minerva, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny".
"He didn't," Severus muttered. "If this is what I think it is, I'm going to kill him the next time I see him." He took the scroll back downstairs and went into the kitchen. "Sit down. Harry's left us a note."
Sirius and Regulus shared a look. "He didn't go after Dumbledore or something stupid like that, did he?"
"That's what I'm afraid of." Severus turned to Minerva and Molly, who had come into the kitchen while he had been upstairs. "Harry's missing and so is Hermione. I'm going to read the note he's left us." He cleared his throat. "Dear everyone—We've gone to fight Dumbledore. Whatever you do, don't trust Dad, he's under some sort of compulsion spell or something. Find him and remove it before he comes back home today. I've had a vision that showed Dumbledore killing Aunt Minerva and I don't want it to come true. Hermione's figured out that I am a "Truth-Future" Seer, which means that not only can I see multiple outcomes of various choices anytime I want, but I can also detect when I am being lied to.(Of course, I can't lie either, which is kind of annoying, but at the same time useful.) This will come in handy when I'm speaking with Dumbledore. We left by ourselves because I know where he is, and we can more effectively take him down with a smaller group. You three are not nearly as powerful together as Hermione and I are, so to bring you along would most likely result in your untimely demise. If I don't come back, you three can take care of Voldemort for me. (By the way, Hermione wanted me to mention that she has a bit of a crush on Uncle Regulus, even though she's only known him for a few hours. Just in case I don't make it back, I wanted to tell you all that.)—I love you, Harrison Orion Abraxas Black Malfoy. P.S. Hermione and I discovered (and used) the Marauder Code spells first year, though we didn't quite know what they were then. We improved the spells to include telepathy and location. Hermione and I can find each other from across several continents. Really, you don't have to worry about us. See, we are smarter than you guys. "
"That's now seven Gryffindors that have engaged in blood magic right under my nose. What makes you Blacks think you can do anything?" Minerva growled.
"I'm so glad that I wasn't I Gryffindor. She scares me sometimes," Regulus whispered to Ginny. Now that he knew everything that had gone on over the past few years, he realized that there was definately a need for someone without a nasty temper in Harry's life. He, unlike his older siblings, was quieter and more thoughtful. He didn't always rush into things like Lily and Sirius, nor was he one who sat and stewed in anger like Severus. Years of living alone had taught him to value those who did both. Right now though, he was scared that Harry would die and that his brothers would follow in an attempted rescue. Obviously, he didn't know Harry very well yet.
Severus threw down the note. "What in the name of all that is still good in the world does he think he's doing? Why would two teenagers, even two exceedingly powerful teenagers, think they even have a chance going up against a man who has over a hundred more years of experience than they do?" Severus was boiling mad. He was also, though he was loath to admit it, very scared that Harry and Hermione would be killed in their attempt.
Sirius put his hands on his older brother shoulders. "Why did the six of us think we had any chance going up against Voldemort? Why did we think that what we were doing was right, even if we had absolutely no clue what we were trying to do? Why did we think we were smart enough to do anything we tried? Because we could, Severus. Together, we could have done anything. Harry's right, you know. We, even with our added power, aren't nearly as powerful as he and Hermione are, and that's scary, because we are the most powerful wizards of our age. That doesn't mean that I'm not afraid for them." Sirius paused to take a deep breath. "I am. More than you can imagine. Well, actually, you can probably imagine…but that's beside the point here. We have to try to find them. We can't let our emotions get the best of us." Sirius looked at Minerva for encouragement. It wasn't often that he was in the position of trying to cool down someone's temper. Usually, it was Severus or Minerva trying to calm him down.
"That's quite true, Sirius. Why don't Regulus, Molly, Ginny, and I try to sort out our little issue with Gawain, and you and Severus can try to track the kids. I know you'll be able to find them. There's no question of that. Let's just hope Voldemort doesn't find them first." Minerva's cooler, more experienced voice of reason prevailed.
"I knew that when Ron wrote home that he'd become friends with Harry that I was in for an adventure. Little did I know that I would be the one doing the adventuring," Molly sighed, grabbing her cloak from the kitchen closet. "Come on, Ginny. We may need your help."
"I can't believe him! Of all the stupid, foolish, arrogant things he could do, he tries to go off and save the world…again!" Ginny muttered, following Minerva out the door.
"Remember, Ginny, that not only is he a Black, with all of their hotheaded stupidity, but he's also a Malfoy. He didn't go through with this without careful planning. You know that." Minerva looked back at Severus and Sirius as she walked out. "Be careful, boys."
"We always are. Slytherin cunning with the Gryffindor penchant for being noble and brave… what a horrible combination." Severus shook his head. "Have you any idea where they might be by now?"
"There's only one possible place they could be. Think for a moment, Sev. Where's the only place that Dumbledore would make his headquarters?"
"The same place that he grew up in and orchestrated the deaths of two Marauders. Godric's Hollow. Grab two of Gawain's dragon hide Auror cloaks…preferably the black ones. We may need them before the day is over.