It was Severus Snape,the potions master at Hogwarts. Harry and Snape loathed each other. Snape hated Harry because Harry's father had saved his life as a child at Hogwarts. Harry hated him because he made his life a living hell. Snape strode in but just behind him was the one person Harry had most wanted to see, Professor Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts and one of Harry's closest friends.
Snape passed Harry and glared at him. Harry was so angry and tired that he glared right back. Dumbledore came right up to Harry, who was now,again,in Mrs.Weasley's arms,
"Harry,how're you feeling?"
Harry's face grew red with anger but he held it in like he had since June,"Fine,sir,but i'm feeling pretty bad for troubling everyone like this."
Dumbledore smiled and gave Harry his look as if he could see inside you,"Harry, we live to keep you safe and if this brings trouble than so be it."
Harry felt no comfort from these words but he knew that they had some meaning that Harry,for the moment, could not see.
Harry looked into the kitchen where Snape and Moody were talking. Snape threw his hands into the air in anguish and walked over to Dumbledore,
"Headmaster,I believe there has been a bit of trouble in getting a legal portkey in a muggle neighborhood this night. Do these children have any trouble with going to the Weasley home by Floo Powder."
Harry caught the word "children" with a distinct air of loathing.
Dumbledore looked at Harry,"Do you see any problems with this Harry?"
Harry suddenly remembered his trip to Knockturn Alley in his second year when he had first used Floo Powder to get to Diagon Alley. He shook his head and Dumbledore turned to Snape,
"Severus,would you be so kind as to go to St.Mungos and find Miss.Granger and ask if she would like to go to to the Weasley's for a time? Then I want you to bring her back here to get her things. Then take this," he gave him a small bag," ,and then she can go alone in the fire place. We shall all be gone by this time."
Snape nodded reluctantly and with a bang he had apparated out of sight.
Christina then walked in and stood next to Harry with her hands crossed over her chest.Mr. and Mrs.Weasley said goodbye to Dumbledore and the few Order members and then said goodbye to Christina and Harry.
"See you at home.",said Mrs.Weasley and with two bangs they were gone.
Dumbledore stood in front of Harry and Christina and said,"It seems there is no legal way to situate a portkey here tonight but if you two are prepared to cooperate, I do believe we may travel by the Granger's fireplace with, no doubt, Floo Powder."
Just then Lupin entered and Dumbledore turned to speak to him.
Christina turned to Harry,"He says "we" meaning us.Not him.He doesn't have to get all covered in soot or have to worry about what grate to literally,fall out of."
Harry laughed but turned it quickly into a cough as Dumbledore turned to face them again,"Miss.Black is quite right.I won't be traveling with you but if need be,I will come and see that everything is in order."
He smiled at them,then turned back to Lupin.Harry looked at Christina.She was dumbstruck.Her mouth was hanging open and her eyes were wide.Harry started laughing and took his hand and closed her mouth.
She started mumbling to herself,"I was so quiet.Less than a whisper! I don't see how he does it!"
Dumbledore turned and clapped his hands,"Fantastic! Well off you go then." He gave them a bag of Floo Powder,"I'm sorry but I must get back to the school now.Be careful and remember to get out at the right grate."
With that he apparated. Lupin clapped him on the back and walked out the front door with Moody.Tonks hugged Christina and shook Harry's hand.
Now the two were alone.They walked up to the fireplace.Harry looked at Christina and smiled yet he had a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Well I suppose it's our turn.",he said,slowly.
His smile faded as he looked at the fireplace.He really never was one for Floo Powder.Christina noticed his hesitant look.
She put her hand on his shoulder and smiled,"Have no fear for Christina the Floo Powder Queen is here!"
Harry laughed and took her hand.Harry looked at his hand in hers and smiled.He took in a big breath and they stepped into the fireplace.
Harry looked at Christina,"Should we both say it?",he asked.
"Sure I guess.",she answered.
Harry took in a big breath of soot and he tried to say,"The Weasley Burrow" but all that was said from either of them was a short croak.All the same,green flames licked up too their faces.Harry squeezed Christina's hand,determined not to loose her.
Fireplaces flashed past their faces.Harry tucked in his elbows.He tried to see where they were but he only caught glimpses of living rooms.Suddenly they both fell onto a carpet.Harry and Christina both looked at each other and laughed for they were both black with soot.Harry stopped laughing long enough to look around.
This was not the Weasley home.