Safe House

Twenty Nine

Professor McGonagall was stood with Fred, George and Ginny, they were all in their pyjamas, all three of my siblings looked terrified and out of it, most likely the same as me.

"Miss Weasley, where is Professor Snape?" She asked me when I reached them.

"He came to tell me, but I ran as soon I heard" I said, desperately trying to catch my breath.

"Very well, come on, come on" she Ushered us up towards the Headmasters office.

"Harry - what's going on?" Ginny asked when we got inside the office "Professor McGonagall says you saw Dad get hurt-"

"Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix" Dumbledore said. "He has been taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than The Burrow. You will meet your mother there."

"How're we going?" Fred asked. "Floo powder?"

"No." Dumbledore said. "Floo powder is not safe at the moment, the Network is being watched. You will be taking a Portkey." He indicated to the old kettle lying on his desk. "We are just waiting for Phineas Nigellus to report back .... I want to be sure that the coast is clear before sending you-"

There was a flash in the middle of the office, a single golden feather fell, Dumbledore caught it.

"Professor Umbridge must know you're out of your beds... Minerva, go and head her off - tell her any story -"

Professor McGonagall left quickly.

"He says he'll be delighted" A bored tone voice said from behind Dumbledore "my great-great-grandson has always had an odd taste in house-guests."

"Come here, then" Dumbledore said to the six of us. "And quickly, before anyone else joins us."

We gathered around Dumbledore's desk.

"You have all used a Portkey before?" Dumbledore asked, we all nodded and all outstretched our hands to touch a bit of the kettle.

"Good. On the count of three, then ... one ... two ...three"

A powerful jerk hit me, the floor had vanished. It felt like I was being pulled and thrown around. Everything was whirling around me.    

I hit the ground hard. 

"Back again, the blood-traitor brats. Is it true their father's dying?"

"OUT!" A voice roared.

I  got to my feet quickly, We were in the familiar basement kitchen in number twelve, Grimmuald place.

The others were scrambled to their feet quickly.

Sirius was the one who shouted, he was hurrying towards us as Kreacher left the room.

"Whats going on?" He asked, helping Ginny up to stand on her feet. "Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured."

"Ask Harry" Fred told him.

"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself" George said.

"Snape said you had a dream about Dad" I said to Harry facing him.

"It was -" Harry started but stopped. "I had a - a kind of - vision ..."

Harry then told us everything that happened, and how he watched the snake attack Dad from the sidelines.

Ron was a ghostly pale white.

No one said anything, we just stared at Harry.

"Is Mum here?" Fred asked Sirius, finally breaking the silence.