The Weasleys, minus the newlyweds and of course Percy, were seated around the kitchen table. Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing, having just finished their explanation of what they were up to, what their mission was. Mrs. Weasley was weeping quietly in the corner, Mr. Weasley's arms around her and shushing her even though he, himself, looked like he wanted to cry. The twins looked grim, their arms crossed as they stared at the wooden patterns on the table. Charlie was rubbing his hand across his stubble in serious thought. Ginny wasn't even in the room.
"You three haven't told anyone about this?" Charlie asked, looking at the trio.
They shook their heads grimly.
"This is mental," Fred said, no sign on his face to suggest that he was joking. "You three can't do this on your own!"
"But we won't be doing this on our own. We told you." Harry said, determination in his voice. "You guys are the only ones I know of that are still faithful to the Order of the Phoenix."
Silence resounded around the table. The impact of everything hit home, and it hit hard.
"But we're going to come with you!" George interjected, rising from his seat.
Harry shook his head firmly. "No. What I need everyone here to do is help assemble the Order. With Dumbledore gone, we're going to have to work extra hard."
Hermione nodded. "Get the Order together! Make sure that the others are still faithful even with Dumbledore gone. When you are sure that we can trust them, tell them everything about the horcruxes."
"You can help us from there," Ron added. The three of them stood together, looking a lot older than they really were.
"What about Snape?" Mr. Weasley asked, his arms still around his quivering wife. Hermione noticed Harry's jaw tense.
"I-I don't know about Snape," Harry said truthfully. "He killed Dumbledore." The words hovered ominously in the air. Hermione moved closer to him, unnoticed by no one.
"So we just stay here..." Fred said disbelievingly. "While you three go out into danger, we stay here and do nothing."
"Why?!" Mrs. Weasley suddenly screamed out. "Why must you three go chasing after danger? We can assemble the Order and do it ourselves! You three can stay safe! You can-"
"Mum..." Ron said helplessly, but it was Harry that approached her.
He walked up to Mrs. Weasley's chair and silently knelt down in front of her. She clutched her handkerchief to her face, her sobs shaking her body. Harry peered up at her.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley," he said, blinking back tears. A few tears leaked out of her eyes until finally she engulfed Harry into a tight, motherly hug. Harry drank in the feeling. It felt like it was strengthening him. He pulled back. "I-I have to do this. For everyone."
Mrs. Weasley nodded, tears still seeping out and running down her cheeks. Mr. Weasley took a hold of Harry's hand. "Don't leave right away, Harry. Now that we know, at least we can help you prepare a bit. You need all that you can get."
*
Much to Hermione's relief, it was finally decided that she, Harry, and Ron wouldn't go off hunting right away. They would still go to Hogwarts, for Hermione was quick to point out that they had excellent resources of research for them. Remus would be contacted about helping the Weasleys assemble the Order, and on a side note, perhaps Harry would visit Godric's Hollow to visit his parents.
"I don't know why I never visited them before," Harry said as he packed away his belongings. Hermione was folding all the clothes he threw carelessly into the trunk. Ron was gathering things for their trip from all over the house.
"What do you expect to find there?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I don't even know if the house I lived in will still be there..." He cleared his throat. "Something is just telling me to go there."
"Ron and me will be with you," Hermione said. Harry looked over at her. She was smiling at him. He smiled back, deep affection for her bubbling inside of him. "Did you want to be alone when you... when you visit your parents?" Hermione questioned, her smile slowly fading.
"No," Harry said, moving closer to her. "No. I want you there with me." He hesitated then finally brushed his lips against hers. He was still getting used to this new relationship he had with Hermione. It was exciting and deathly frightening at the same time.
Suddenly, a cough startled the pair of them and they whipped to look at the doorway.
It was Ginny.
Immediately Hermione moved away from Harry, but he consciously moved closer to her once again. Ginny approached them, her face not showing if she noticed this or not.
"I heard you're leaving tomorrow," she said. Hermione went back to folding. Harry nodded wordlessly.
Ginny bit her lip, a trait that Harry had once found endearing. He could see that she was struggling with something. Finally, she leapt up and put her arms around him.
"Come back safe," she said. She let go. She coughed again uncertainly. Hermione slowly turned around, expecting the worse... a verbal lashing... a slap in the face... she didn't know. She braced herself.
But unexpectedly, Ginny hugged her fiercely as well.
"Both of you," she said. "Come back safe."
*
As the three of them prepared to Apparate into Hogsmeade, Harry watched Ron and Hermione fuss over their belongings, making sure everything was there.
"Ron, where are the torches?"
"What do we need those Muggle contraptions for? We have wands!"
"Ron! We must be prepared for anything and everything! Now where are the torches!?"
"They're in the trunk with everything else."
"Fine... Omigosh, Ron! How much food did you bring?"
"You said we had to be prepared for anything and everything!"
Harry smiled to himself.
"You two ready?" he asked as he cut into Ron and Hermione's banter. Hermione quickly shut the lid of the trunk.
"Yes, I think so."
"We're all set," Ron said.
Harry took a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this."
"Let's save the world," Ron said.
"Together," Hermione added, linking her arms with Harry and Ron.
The both of them grabbed a hold of the trunks and with a loud Pop! all three of them vanished.