The house looked even worse than in had the last time she had seen it. Ginny shivered a bit and edged closer to the others, her hand clenched around Harry's wrist, her heart still pounding from the lingering sensation of side along apparition ( Read more... )

Ron had been staring at the fire for at least an hour, and his nose must have crinkled up almost as long because it sure hurt when he pulled it down from that position. How in the hell had that happened? She'd kissed him! A perfectly easy way to get the worst of it over for him, and he kissed her back. Of course he kissed her back, he did want ( Read more... )

Oliver smiled as he left the twins shop. He had several errands to take care of and if he didn't buy groceries Fred would be forced to do it for him. He didn't want that, Fred had enough on his plate. He was contemplating going into the quidditch supply, not really looking where he was going, when he crashed right into a young man who obviously ( Read more... )

Ginny took the stairs two at a time, hoping to find Harry in the dorm. Her meeting with Charlie had gone well and she hoped she'd be able to see Fred and George in a day or so.

She pushed open the door to the boy's dorm just a bit and stuck her head inside.

"Anyone home?" she asked, her eyes sweeping the room.

She didn't know why she bothered with plans. Most of the order had shown up a little before the midnight, taking their posts. She should have known that with so many family members and friends involved, everyone would have wanted to be present ( Read more... )

It was still dark when Neville dressed and left his dorm room. He climbed to the top of one of the quidditch towers, facing east, and watched the sun rise. It was one of those perfect mornings, just the barest hint of a breeze. When the wisps of clouds had all turned back to white he started down the stairs. Today would be bittersweet, but ( Read more... )

Minerva waited until everyone had sat down, and the chatting had quieted down ( Read more... )

Neville had thought long and hard about whom to approach. McGonagall was prickly. Sirius was, frankly, a bit disturbing. Madam Pince would look down her nose and point to a vast number of books. He didn't have time to research, so he was here - standing outside Professor Lupin's door. Neville steeled himself, put on his game face and knocked ( Read more... )

Ginny crawled through the portrait hole, weary and tired. The night before with Fred had been fantastic, but even with the potion she felt a bit off. And she suspected, from the way he'd looked that morning, that he'd not actually taken a potion himself. Damn him. She smiled softly. He always had taken care of her. Well... when he wasn't turning ( Read more... )

It was time. She knew everyone had to be wondering after the last Patronus they received, but she had wanted as much information as possible before setting up the meeting. Now, they couldn't wait. The attack was imminent, and they would have to plan a response based on what they knew.

Her grip tightened around her wand and cast her Patronus:

( Read more... )