When McGonagall entered the living room Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly tried to pretend they were focussed in their game and books and had not heard the whole conversation. However, Professor McGonagall had been teaching young wizards and witches for far too long to be fooled.
"May I ask how you managed to eavesdrop on the conversation between Mr Moody and myself?"
Ron and Harry looked at each other nervously, but Hermione's gaze remained disconcertingly focussed upon McGonagall, a stunned look upon her face.
"What do you mean Professor?" Harry ventured.
"I am not as foolish as you appear to think, Mr Potter, and I am well aware that you heard our conversation. I am merely inquiring how."
Hermione timidly held out her extendable ear without ever removing her stunned gaze and McGonagall took it, frowning slightly.
"Very interesting," she commented, "What do you call it?"
"An extendable ear," Harry replied, "Fred and…"
"Ah," said Professor McGonagall her mouth twitching slightly, "I should have known that Fred and George Weasley were involved. Very talented wizards both of them, indeed I sometimes feel the only area where they do not fully demonstrate their ability is in their studies."
The three students glanced at each other uncertainly for a moment before McGonagall's twitching mouth formed a half smile and they realised she had been joking.
At that moment Lupin, Moody, Sirius, Tonks and Arthur and Molly Weasley entered the room, closely followed by the twins and Ginny.
"Moody's explained the situation," muttered Arthur Weasley, the concern obvious on his face.
McGonagall looked up at him with a sigh, "I am afraid this could put Albus, and the Order in a very difficult position if the Minister learns of it. And if You-Know-Who ever learns the whole story…" she shook her head, indicating the hopelessness should such a situation arise.
"What is the whole story?" demanded Tonks, "I'm sure I never knew."
"No," McGonagall said, "You wouldn't, you were not a part of the original Order."
"Neither were Molly and myself come to that," Arthur added.
"True," said McGonagall, "Well, I suppose the story must be told again. Remus, if you would…"
Lupin nodded and left the room, returning moments later with what looked like an overly large pensieve.
"What's that?" Tonks asked.
"The Order pensieve," replied Lupin, "Filled with memories of Order members which could be of relevance."
"Dumbledore put the original story together," McGonagall commented. "He used slightly more memories than I would consider necessary, but as most of you have already seen it, I suppose it will do no harm to see it again in the way he arranged it."
The assembled company nodded and Molly Weasley found her voice and turned sharply to Ginny and the twins, "Go to your rooms," she ordered.
"But mum," they began.
"This is Professor McGonagall's private business," Molly informed them, "You have no right to intrude." She turned to the far corner, "You three as well."
Harry glanced at his godfather pleadingly.
"Harry has a right to know of anything to do with the order," Sirius argued.
"He is still a child," Molly responded, "And Professor McGonagall's student."
Sirius sighed, "He's more than mature enough…"
The Weasley twins and Ron cut in, arguing if Harry could hear the story then they should also be allowed to. Quickly Ginny's pleas joined theirs and Arthur and Lupin became involved in the discussion.
McGonagall said nothing to them but turned to look at the bushy haired girl still sitting in the corner looking shocked.
"Miss Granger, is something concerning you?"
The girl looked nervously at her Professor.
"You and Mr Moody mentioned the," she paused, "The dark mark."
Professor McGonagall said nothing, but Lupin and Harry had heard and both turned to stare at the pair. The other occupants of the room soon realised and by the end of Hermione's question everyone had fallen silent and heard her words.
"Were you a death eater, Professor?"