Where Do I Go From Here?

Order members began knocking at the front door of Grimmauld Place, and Harry half-reluctantly welcomed them into what was now his house. As each person entered, he felt a mixed sensation of relief and gladness to see them but also the piercing unfairness that he was basically forced into allowing these guests into his house, whether he liked it or not.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were among the last to arrive, surprisingly, and after giving Harry quick greetings, they went directly to find Ginny, embracing her like they would never release her again, even though she protested that she was fine. Next, they took turns hugging Ron, expressing their worry about him "roaming around Merlin only knows where." Hermione was next, and then they turned back to Harry, who was looking at them with anticipation of their reaction to seeing both the boy they counted as another son and the young man who had stolen their daughter from them.

"Harry," Mr. Weasley said politely, holding out his hand. Harry took it and shook it, but by the look on Mr. Weasley's face, Harry knew that he was not pleased. He could only imagine what Mrs. Weasley would have to say.

"Glad you could, er, make it," Harry half-lied. "Should we go to the kitchen?"

"Just a moment, Harry," Mrs. Weasley interjected. "I have a few words for you."

Glancing helplessly at his friends, Harry gazed levelly at Mrs. Weasley and nodded.

"You three can go into the kitchen and wait," Mrs. Weasley practically ordered them.

Ginny was about to argue, but the look her mother was shooting in her direction spoke volumes about keeping her mouth shut for once. Slumping her shoulders, Ginny followed Ron and Hermione into the kitchen, casting one last glance over her shoulder at Harry, her eyes sparkling with hope that he would survive her mother's looming attack.

"Harry, what you did was irresponsible and utterly selfish," Mrs. Weasley lectured, taking on her best motherly voice. She proceeded to wag her finger at him, continuing, "I understand the importance of what you are doing, but endangering the life of my one and only daughter is completely uncalled for, and to think you involved Fred and George in your scheme, too!" Her voice was growing more and more shrill with every word, her arms raised in the air.

Mr. Weasley came toward her from behind and gently pushed her arms down, trying to calm her, murmuring, "Molly, dear, do try and relax. I agree that what Harry did was wrong, but try to see it from his point of view. He loves Ginny, don't you, Harry?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied sincerely. He felt horrible for having upset the Wealseys like this, but at the same time, he felt that he had done what he needed in the situation. "Please, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley... you have to understand that I never meant to hurt you or Ginny. I love her with everything I've got. I know what I did was reckless, but I cannot apologize for doing what I felt was necessary. Ginny would have found a way to find us. You know how determined she is. Once she sets her mind on something, there's no changing it."

Harry gave the Weasleys a hopeful look, and Mrs. Weasley felt herself crumbling. "Oh, Harry," she sighed, wiping stray tears from her eyes. "I can't stay mad with you. It's just that-"

She then embraced him like the son she had always said he was to her. "I'm sorry, Harry, but you do understand, right? I wish with all my heart that Ginny would stay home with us, where she is safer, but that would be denying her the very type of person she is, I suppose."

Harry hugged Mrs. Weasley back and nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so. I won't push the issue anymore, but don't you think it should be up to Ginny to decide what she wants?"

Releasing Harry, Mrs. Weasley stepped back. Mr. Weasley placed her arm around her, murmuring, "Molly, you know in your heart it's the right thing to do."

Finally, she nodded. "Yes, yes... I will go ask Ginny, but I already know what her answer will be."

The three of them were just about to head into the kitchen, Harry assuming that he would have to be the one to take Dumbledore's place as head of the Order, when there came a demanding knock on the front door. Harry tentatively approached the aged door, wondering if it would simply fall to pieces one day from the insistent knocking that was always upon it. He peeked through the peephole and saw someone whom he had seen a couple of times before - the old man who worked at the Hog's Head.

He looked oddly familiar. Opening the door cautiously, Harry asked, "Yes?"

"Let me in, boy. I'm here to begin the meeting."