Melody Riddle and the Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 7: Number 12, Grimmauld Place

 'The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number 12, Grimmauld Place, London.'

I no sooner read this off of a little slip of paper than Severus grabbed it out of my hand and used his wand to set it aflame. He'd said to memorize it, but I'd hardly had the time to read it over a few times before he up and destroyed it. And the light from the street lamps hadn't helped much for it, either, considering the handwriting.

"What —?" I started to ask as I looked at the set of buildings before me. There was number eleven and number thirteen, but no twelve as far as I could see. Then again, what would be the point of memorization unless something magical was about to happen?

Severus cut me off, "Think about what was on that slip of paper."

I thought through the address that was on the slip of paper, and once I got to 'Grimmauld Place,' a battered door appeared — windows followed it until an extra building had grown between the numbers eleven and thirteen, revealing number twelve. Looking around, there was no one around to notice the additional door except a stray cat, and the Muggles in the houses next to it didn't seem to notice a thing.

"I wonder if Muggles aren't noticing magic because they just don't expect it..." I said as I followed him up to the door. "Yet, Muggle children completely believe in it. Unless the majority don't, and those who do are the ones who are witches and wizards... hence being sent a letter to attend Hogwarts."

Severus stopped where he was to turn and look at me, as though he actually started to think critically about that.

I looked behind him at the door to see the silver door knocker was in the shape of a twisted serpent. No keyhole. That seemed more like something dad would have.

Severus took out his wand and tapped the door once. There were several loud clicks, and what sounded like a loud chain being pulled, before the door slowly creaked open. "Get in quickly," he said, lightly pushing me before him into the house.

We were in darkness as we walked in, and I gently set down my trunk and Bodoujn's cage. When Severus closed the door behind him, it was completely dark.

"Hold on a moment," he said. I heard a soft hissing, and the hallway where we were was lit up by old-fashioned gas lamps. I could tell it was an old house by, not only that, but the strong, damp, rotting smell that accompanied it. Who was the friend who lent this to them? No wonder Professor Dumbledore said they needed some extra help.

From a door at the farther end of the hall came Mrs. Weasley and... Sirius Black!

"Oh, it's lovely to see you dear!" she said, coming over to us speedily.

Sirius followed slowly behind her, giving Severus a dark scowl before sending a kind smile my way. That only made me feel guilty, like he should be scowling at me, too.

Severus smirked, ignoring Sirius as he handed Mrs. Weasley the groceries.

"What's this?" she asked in surprise.

"It's food I bought that he doesn't want," I quipped.

Surprisingly enough, Severus didn't look annoyed by this as Mrs. Weasley and Sirius laughed. Instead, he said smoothly, "I like to do things for myself, since I am able. Unlike others."

Sirius' face grew considerably darker at this remark... ooohhhh.

Mrs. Weasley didn't notice this — or pretended not to — for she quickly went back down the hall saying, "We'll get all of this eaten up by dinner tomorrow night."