Ministry Balls hardly seem a concern. - Order

[Yoshimar]

August 30
Around 9 pm

It was odd to see the streets deserted at this time of night, but it was terribly hot that most people opted to stay inside their homes with their air conditioners and fans. That was why if anybody were to see the long purple with stars robe that the man was wearing some eyebrows would be raised.

He took out a small item that made a clicking noise and one by one the lights on the streets went out. He had an old battered suitcase as he walked to a seemingly empty area between too houses. He softly said the location he was looking for. His voice raspy, as if he hadn’t talked in a long time.

He was crummy, his face covered in what seemed to be mud, and his robes battered. As the house materialized out of thin air he stepped forward and opened the door not even bothering to knock knowing the consequences of what would happen.

The old man lifted his beard out from behind his buckle a sniff of the air made his stomach do a slight turn as he fondly remembered Molly’s cooking. He walked through the hallway passing a mirror in the way and looked at his reflection. Well if he knew the Weasley mother he would definitely not let him have dinner with this appearance. He walked to one of the small bathrooms and washed his face and hands.

He walked back out of the bathroom and went back for his suitcase. On one of the decorative tables was a discarded copy of the Daily Prophet. It was a day old but a couple of turns of the pages showed a rather interesting article that was announced on the front. Dumbledore closed the newspaper and walked slowly to the kitchen as if every step was taking him a lot of effort.

He sat at the kitchen table and set the paper down. "I believe that in tonight's meeting we should also talk to Harry." He said flipping through the pages. In the front a slight blurry picture of Harry and an unknown female.

[wintersnow]

Molly hadn't heard the door to the house open, due to the fact she was so busy cooking, however she did hear the sound of running water in a near by bathroom. Good, she thought, About time those boys learned to actually wash their hands without being told to.

She heard the kitchen door swing open and someone walk in. She paused in her work. . .those weren't the footfalls of any of her boys, or the girls. They were too slow, and tired. Lupin had a tired walk but it was a lot heavier when his feet hit the floor. This was a lighter step.

Molly turned around, and nearly jumped out of her skin seeing Dumbledore cross the kitchen and take a seat unfolding yesterdays paper. "Dumbledore! Oh you gave me such a fright. . ." she sighed and smiled toward him. She quickly bustled to a near by cabnient and withdrew a large mug. working her wand she sliped a bit of brandy into it followed by several other less intoxicating liquids, only to cross the kitchen and set the heavy steaming cup in front of Dumbledore. "You look frozen, drink up. That should warm you."

She patted his shoulder, dusting the dirt from it as best she could. She would have offered to clean his clothes, however she knew such an offer would, kindly, be refused. Heading back to the stove to check on dinner she sighed brushing her hair over her shoulder. Where had the blasted hair tye gotten to? She had such a hard time keeping up with them, even though they were dead useful. Her long red hair had grown over the past couple months. She hadn't had time to cut it or mess with it at all really, and now long curly waves of red spattered with gold and a bit of gray cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.

"I believe that in tonight's meeting we should also talk to Harry." He said flipping through the pages.

Molly looked up and sighed, "Do you honestly think that's Harry on the cover? It's so blurry its hard to make out what's what." She came back to the table carrying a mug of her own steaming concoction and a plate of freshly baked dinner rolls. "I meant to ask him about it earlier but thought better of it. So many rumors fly around about the boy . . ." Molly had learned her lesson two years ago. Reading such rubbish as the Skeeter woman would write. She had completely fallen for the tosh about Hermione and Harry's supposed love affair, only to regret it when Harry had cleared things up for her. Molly had been harsh to Hermione and it wasn't fair to the poor girl at all. Ever since the episode Molly had been quite skeptical of any articles that came up featuring Harry, his love interests and social life.

She took a sip from her mug, the warm liquid sweeping down her throat. She sighed looking to the tall man hidden behind the paper, hoping she wasn't talking to a man so focused on reading he'd become deaf.

[Yoshimar]

As the steaming cup was set in front of him he wrapped his bony hands around the cup. Even with all the other liquids Dumbledore could still notice the slight hint of brandy in it. He didn't think he looked that frozen but perhaps his face was even paler than before. He smiled softly at Molly and nodded.

"Thank you." He said sincerely as he raised the cup to his lips the warm liquid warming his stomach and spreading towards his body. It was nice to finally get something that was fulfilling and not having to hide while doing it.

As Molly brushed dust from his robes he nodded. "I apologize for frighten you and my appearance but running around hiding doesn't seem to give me that much time to be in the latest fashions." It wasn't said in a hurtful tone and the chuckle that accompanied it made it clear. "I did wash my hands though." He smiled.


"Do you honestly think that's Harry on the cover? It's so blurry its hard to make out what's what." She came back to the table carrying a mug of her own steaming concoction and a plate of freshly baked dinner rolls. "I meant to ask him about it earlier but thought better of it. So many rumors fly around about the boy . . ."

Dumbledore reached for one of the dinner rolls and cut it through the middle the steam coming off from it. He took a bite out of it and nodded. He flipped through the pages of the newspaper and looked up at Molly. He noticed a hair tie on the floor and set it on the table. "There you go."

As he finished his dinner roll Dumbledore looked back at Molly. "Well I thought I saw him when I was in the Leaky Cauldron that night." He took a pause and leaned back on the chair his tired aching bones feeling good relaxing even if for one brief moment. "I was trying to meet with Dedalus."

"I'm worried about this ball. I have you know I didn't receive an invitation." This was mainly a joke as he folded down the newspaper and set it on the table smiling at Molly.

[wintersnow]

"I apologize for frighten you and my appearance but running around hiding doesn't seem to give me that much time to be in the latest fashions." It wasn't said in a hurtful tone and the chuckle that accompanied it made it clear. "I did wash my hands though." He smiled.

Molly smirked at the old man, "I don't expect you to be in the latest of Fashions Albus. I dare say none of us are into such frivolous things at the moment." she smiled brightly happy to see the old man, a mentor, doing well despite the very hard times.

She took another sip, quietly thinking. . .or was it more so worrying? She was worrying a lot lately - she'd lost weight because of it. Best diet on earth, she mused to herself.

He noticed a hair tie on the floor and set it on the table. "There you go."

She came from her thoughts for a moment and sighed, "Ah thank you!" Taking it she pulled the stretchy band taught spreading her fingers wide. Pulling her long hair into a clump she wrapped the band about itself and sighed happy to have her hair off the nape of her neck.

Taking another sip from her mug she waited for Dumbledore to respond to what she had said. The man was generally off in his own world, but some how he always managed to have one foot planted in reality. He eventually finished his dinner roll and spoke.

"Well I thought I saw him when I was in the Leaky Cauldron that night." He took a pause and leaned back on the chair his tired aching bones feeling good relaxing even if for one brief moment. "I was trying to meet with Dedalus."

Molly stopped mid sip. A gate opened in her mind and a new wave of worry washed over her. Had Harry been so foolish to go some where on his own in these troubled times? And just to meet a girl? Molly wasn't adverse to Harry meeting anyone as long as it was in a public setting. She couldn't really imagine Harry being the kind of boy to run off into the night only to meet up with a sleazy girl at a pub. She pushed thoughts of Harry's sex life out of her mind, that wasn't what she needed to be worried about. She NEEDED to be worrying about what they were going to do about this, if it indeed was true. Would Harry lie to her? To the Order? To Dumbledore? Her thoughts were once again interrupted by the old man sitting across from her.

"I'm worried about this ball. I have you know I didn't receive an invitation."

She laughed, "I'd imagine not." Molly shook her head lightly setting her mug down and letting out a heavy sigh. "I'm worried about this ball too. I'm worried that those of us who are loyal to you will easily be pointed out if we don't show up. I'm worried that it's just going to be an opportunity for the Malfoys to make a ridiculous festival of pumping their egos further." She again sighed not knowing what else to do. "I'm worried about Aurthur's job now that Lucius is over the Ministry. . .I'm worried about Muggleborns, I'm worried about Muggles in general, and I'm terrified about what's going to happen to everyone. . .my family, the Order members, Hermione, you, Harry." She could feel her eyes starting to glisten, but she quickly stifled them closing her eyes and taking in a long drawn breath. "Worrying is all I seem to do these days. . .well, that and cook."

[beedlebard22]

A warm breeze rustled through the trees on Grimmauld Place, through it hardly did any good. It merely stirred up the balmy air and perhaps blew a bit of dust into someone’s eye. A man turned the corner onto the lonely street, a hat pulled low over his face, covering a few of his scars. The street was unusually dark. The man took notice, eying the streetlamps that were void of their regular glow. He quickened his step, anxious to get inside. It was the first Order meeting they’d had in a while, plus it would be nice to see Harry. The boy who was not only was a former student, but the spitting image of one of his best friends.

Remus came upon Number 12, one of the few people who could actually see it. Watching the building squeeze itself between numbers 11 and 12 was routine. He covered the distance to the door and a few quick steps. He pushed the door open as quietly as he could and stepped inside, where he was immediately affronted by a familiar musky stench. No matter how much cleaning want on inside that house, he feared the smell was there to stay.

He didn’t have to have the nose of a werewolf to detect the smell of baked goods wafting from the kitchen. Remus stepped softly as he passed through the entrance hall and made his way down the stairs. A warm light was escaping from the gap under the door as if leading the way to a full stomach. He could hear voices coming from inside and waited until there was a pause to open the door. He’d assumed he would not be the first to arrive. It was good to see Dumbledore. Disheveled as he looked at the moment, he was still a ray of hope in troubled times.

“Good evening, Albus.”, he said, crossing to the table and drawing up a seat. “Molly, always a pleasure.”. He helped himself to a roll, which felt like it melted in his mouth with the first bite. Much better than anything he could find to eat on the road. His luck with the werewolf community was not as good as he’d hoped. They didn’t trust him because he lived primarily as a wizard. The rest of the Wizarding world didn’t trust him because he was a werewolf. It was an interesting scenario to deal with. But enough with his problems.

"I'm worried about this ball too. I'm worried that those of us who are loyal to you will easily be pointed out if we don't show up. I'm worried that it's just going to be an opportunity for the Malfoys to make a ridiculous festival of pumping their egos further…Worrying is all I seem to do these days. . .well, that and cook.”

“I sure your family will not want you to worry so much, but I will never complain when presented with your cooking.”, Remus stated with a limp smile, his exhaustion evident in his voice. “You are not the only one not to receive an invitation, Albus. As much as they are promoting unity, my kind still don’t seem to qualify.” A slight tone of bitterness could be detected in his words. His mission was not progressing. Perhaps he could stay at Headquarters for a while. A little rest might do him some good. He looked ragged enough as it was.

“I also managed to catch a glimpse at a recent copy of the Prophet.”, said Remus, leaning an elbow on the table. “What do you suppose Harry has been up to?”. He had expressed his feelings about sneaking around to Harry nearly three years ago. He knew Harry was a bright boy, but there what sense could be found when he deliberately put himself into danger. It was no way to respect his parent’s sacrifice.

[Yoshimar]

Molly smirked at the old man, "I don't expect you to be in the latest of Fashions Albus. I dare say none of us are into such frivolous things at the moment." she smiled brightly happy to see the old man, a mentor, doing well despite the very hard times.

"That is most dreadful to think Molly you look lovely even when not in the best of times." He smiled and nodded as he grabbed another roll. Well there were plenty of rolls on the basket so another one wouldn't hurt.

“Good evening, Albus.”

Albus turned sideways and saw the man, as he saw the hat pulled over he sighed and shook his head. They all looked so much tired than usual. If that was the way that Remus looked Dumbledore feared to think how he himself looked. He shook his head slightly deciding that wasn't a time to think of such events.


"Worrying is all I seem to do these days. . .well, that and cook."

“I sure your family will not want you to worry so much, but I will never complain when presented with your cooking.”

"Thank goodness for Molly's cooking. I assure you if it weren't for her I'm pretty sure our meetings would have less people in them. Plus, less people in the Order in general" He smiled and then rubbed a side of his temples. "I think we all have our worries. I'm concerned about those poor students from the summer camp." He took a pause. "I am concerned about what they might try and do with them to hush it down. It is fairly certain now what happened to Fudge." The man ran his bony fingers through his beard deep in thought. "I might attempt to visit with some of them but according to some the ministry is keeping a close watch on them." He rubbed a side of his forehead again.

“You are not the only one not to receive an invitation, Albus. As much as they are promoting unity, my kind still don’t seem to qualify.”

Dumbledore shook his head. "This does not seem to be working well. We will have to wait for Severus to let us know if we should be with guard up." He took another brief pause. "I still believe that the invitations allow more guests so perhaps some of our members should attend in disguise." He set a thumb on his chin. He was getting ahead of himself but time was always so short these days.

He raised his eyebrows at Remus. "Perhaps we should move you to another task. I fear for your safety if things keep going the way they are."


“I also managed to catch a glimpse at a recent copy of the Prophet.”, said Remus, leaning an elbow on the table. “What do you suppose Harry has been up to?”

"Well according to the article what most boys do at that age." He smiled slightly at Remus. "Sneaking off un-detected." He took a deep breath. "Perhaps we should include Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny in tonight's meeting just so they are aware of what is expected of them at the ball?" Dumbledore looked at Molly, she was the one that was always bend on protecting her children and she was the closest thing Harry had to a parent asides from Sirius.

”At the very least we should speak with Harry.”

Dumbledore took off his half moon glasses and set them at the table rubbing his eyes. "I am really concerned about what is to happen at Hogwarts with these new changes."

[wintersnow]

By the time she had finished talking, Remus had come into the kitchen plopped down into a chair and partook into a roll for himself. Good thing she'd made a large batch. No left overs tonight that was for sure.

“I sure your family will not want you to worry so much, but I will never complain when presented with your cooking.”

"Thank goodness for Molly's cooking. I assure you if it weren't for her I'm pretty sure our meetings would have less people in them. Plus, less people in the Order in general"

Molly smiled and stood, "Well I'm glad the two of you appriciate my cooking." She slipped over to the stove, stirring a large pot of hot French Onion soup that was inside of it, only to tap the side with her spoon lightly and set it aside.

She stretched and checked the clock on the wall, another ten minutes until the next batch of rolls came from the oven. That'd be the last of them and then the chicken could go into the oven. Grabbing up another mug she started work on making something hot and comforting for the werewolf at their table. Tea, a small shot of some fire whiskey and a bit of cream and sugar. She set the steaming mug in front of Remus, idly running a hand through his hair as she walked away. To check on the rolls once more. Listening in on what the men had to say as she quietly began cutting carrots and other various vegetables to go in with the chicken.

"I think we all have our worries. I'm concerned about those poor students from the summer camp." He took a pause. "I am concerned about what they might try and do with them to hush it down. It is fairly certain now what happened to Fudge. I might attempt to visit with some of them but according to some the ministry is keeping a close watch on them." He rubbed a side of his forehead again.

“You are not the only one not to receive an invitation, Albus. As much as they are promoting unity, my kind still don’t seem to qualify.”

Dumbledore shook his head. "This does not seem to be working well. We will have to wait for Severus to let us know if we should be with guard up." He took another brief pause. "I still believe that the invitations allow more guests so perhaps some of our members should attend in disguise." He set a thumb on his chin. He was getting ahead of himself but time was always so short these days.

He raised his eyebrows at Remus. "Perhaps we should move you to another task. I fear for your safety if things keep going the way they are."

“I also managed to catch a glimpse at a recent copy of the Prophet.”, said Remus, leaning an elbow on the table. “What do you suppose Harry has been up to?”

"Well according to the article what most boys do at that age." He smiled slightly at Remus. "Sneaking off un-detected." He took a deep breath. "Perhaps we should include Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny in tonight's meeting just so they are aware of what is expected of them at the ball? At the very least we should speak with Harry.”

Molly stiffed when the mention of her children came up. They'd been put into an order meeting against her will one time, and it wasn't going to happen again if she could help it. The less they knew the better. "I know what you're fishing for Dumbledore, and I do not agree with the sentiment of letting them in on more than they need to know. If you want to give Harry a scolding and perhaps the others a firm talking too about looking for trouble, I'm fine with that and ONLY that." As she talked her cutting of the vegitables got quicker - and after a moment she had a great deal of very thinly sliced carrots and. . .no more carrot left. She slammed another on the cutting board and worked.

Dumbledore took off his half moon glasses and set them at the table rubbing his eyes. "I am really concerned about what is to happen at Hogwarts with these new changes."

"You and me Both, Dumbledore." she said, trying not to snap but feeling as though she did. Her temper. . .when it came to her children she'd kill Voldemort himself in order to save them. Far be it from Voldemort to visibly threaten her children. Molly had a feeling she'd kill the man with her bare hands if she was mad enough - rip his head right off.

[Iris2]

The darkness on the street outside Number 12 was interrupted by a young woman with violently pink hair. The color was so bright, it almost appeared to glow in the night as she hurried along the sidewalk. Tonks, while clumsy and a little childish, was typically very punctual. In all honestly, she had been looking forward to an Order meeting for quite some time. It was a lot better then sitting in the Auror office and pretending not to know a Death Eater was running the Ministry of Magic.

She took the front steps two at a time and eased to door open. Stepping in to the deserted hall, she immediately took out her wand and muttered, “Lumos”. She followed the light beaming from the tip of her wand, her eyes mostly on the floor. If there was some kind of obstruction, she’d be sure to find it, trip on it, and wake up that bloody portrait. Luckily, she found no obstacles on her way to the kitchen. She’d only received word that there was going to be a meeting. It did not specify who was attending, so it was with curiosity that she pushed the door open, whispered 'Nox', and entered the warm kitchen.

“I also managed to catch a glimpse at a recent copy of the Prophet.”, said Remus, leaning an elbow on the table. “What do you suppose Harry has been up to?”

“Managed to find himself some more trouble, has he?”, Tonks said as she walked towards the table and pulled off her traveling cloak. She smiled brightly at the kitchen‘s occupants, especially Remus, who she hadn‘t seen in weeks. He was looking very tired. “Can’t be good if he’s in the Prophet.” She glanced at the paper laid out in front of Dumbledore and spotted a blurry picture that seemed to resemble Harry. “I haven’t been keeping up with the papers. Trying to keep an eye on our Minister.”, she told them, eyeing the rolls giving off that glorious smell.

"Perhaps we should include Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny in tonight's meeting just so they are aware of what is expected of them at the ball? At the very least we should speak with Harry.”

"I know what you're fishing for Dumbledore, and I do not agree with the sentiment of letting them in on more than they need to know. If you want to give Harry a scolding and perhaps the others a firm talking too about looking for trouble, I'm fine with that and ONLY that."

"I am really concerned about what is to happen at Hogwarts with these new changes."

"You and me Both, Dumbledore."

Tonks had pulled up a chair and polished off two rolls before adding to the conversation again. “I haven’t been able to dig much up in the way of Hogwarts. I know they found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”, she said, wiping crumbs off of her lap. “Heard she was a Muggleborn. Hard to believe with Malfoy in charge.” As much as Tonks wanted to believe it, as her father was a Muggleborn, a Death Eater wasn't likely to favor one. Pure blood was their thing, just like her dear old aunt upstairs.

[Yoshimar]

Dumbledore sighed slightly at Molly's reply, however he supposed that was as far as he was going to get. He couldn't blame the woman but he was actually hoping for more than just a talk at least with Harry.

“I haven’t been able to dig much up in the way of Hogwarts. I know they found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”, she said, wiping crumbs off of her lap. “Heard she was a Muggleborn. Hard to believe with Malfoy in charge.”

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and then furrowed his brow. "Well there is always hope, but I agree with you. If she is I would actually be concerned for her safety."

Meanwhile, outside on the dark neighborhood there was a sound of a snap and a tall figure materialized out of nowhere. His long greasy hair was tied up at the nape of his neck and he was wearing what would have been considered muggle clothes. A dusty brown vest over his plain white shirt and plain black trousers covered by a black cloak over his frame he looked around with his dark black eyes and he sighed.

The pale man stepped forward and soon reached the place he was looking for. He turned the doorknob and stepped into the house the smell of food hitting him right on. He smelled the air and listened to the sounds stepping to the room where the sounds were coming from.

Severus just cached the last end of the conversation and he immediately sat down without a word. His mind was swimming, most of the summer had been spend with Voldemort trying to conjure up plans, and the Death Eaters responsible for the summer camp fiasco had been disposed off since they had not worked on his orders.

The real plans that the Dark Lord had frightened him beyond any reason even though he was not going to voice them out yet. He was still trying to figure out how his plan was going to work. It did not make any sense at all unless he had someone inside which was a possibility now that Lucius was Minister.

Finally, there was a moment of silence and he sighed rubbing his forehead. He looked around and moved from his chair and sat next to Dumbledore. He looked down at the table and finally leaned against the chair and looked at the ceiling.

He looked over his shoulder to make sure that none of the brats were listening. He looked back and glanced at everyone on the room.

"He wants to recruit students this year. I have no idea what he wants to do with the students that were kidnapped but they will need more security on them."

Dumbledore looked at him in an almost disbelieving matter. There was concern on his eyes and he looked around. "Poor kids they shouldn't be involved in this but they are going to aren't they?"

[wintersnow]

Snape had walked in, and Molly in stride placed a steaming mug of warmth and spice before the dark cloaked figure. A bat - her children called him. She could understand the sentiment but the man deserved to be respected, putting so much on the line for her family and children.

Snape looked over his shoulder to make sure that none of the brats were listening. He looked back and glanced at everyone on the room.

Molly knew that look. Standing by the oven she quickly whipped her wand out, a shot of lavender sparks billowing from it's tip and sinking into the door. An anti eavesdropping spell and a door lock all in one. Molly was rather proud of herself for coming up with the spell on her own. With children like hers, it was dead useful. Putting her wand back into her pocket Molly placed a new plate of steaming rolls on the table and stood by Tonks.

"He wants to recruit students this year. I have no idea what he wants to do with the students that were kidnapped but they will need more security on them."

A hand shot to her mouth. Kids? The man wanted school children to be recruited onto his side?! A new plague of worry washed over her body. It wasn't just going to be her children in danger but every child. No one was safe, muggle or wizard alike, man woman or child.

Dumbledore looked at him in an almost disbelieving matter. There was concern on his eyes and he looked around. "Poor kids they shouldn't be involved in this but they are going to aren't they?"

Molly wouldn't let this stand. "There's GOT to be something we can do. Minerva? She's there, perhaps she could. . .but, they'll be watching her every move." Annoying and frustrating as it was Molly could only come up with one answer to solve this problem - and it was one that involved her own kids. She wasn't willing to send her children into battle but it seemed as though that's what was going to happen wether she liked it or not. Without even being present, Voldemort had tied Molly's hands in this. They were going to have to be involved . . .there was no way around it - which meant that she was going to loose them. One by one. Just like her brothers.

Molly turned and walked to the oven drawing out the last batch of rolls and putting the chicken in. Quiet tears rolling down her cheeks. She knew that crying wasn't something that would help, and wallowing in dispair wasn't going to get her anywhere, but for the moment she needed a good cry.

Shutting the oven door she set the timer with a tap of her wand and quietly walked out of the room, muttering the counter spell to her creation, and setting it once more as she left. Molly slipped into the library checking to see if anyone was there. Her children seemed to be all upstairs for the time being. Closing the doors to the room, Molly sank into a chair by the fire and sobbed.

[beedlebard22]

"This does not seem to be working well. We will have to wait for Severus to let us know if we should be with guard up."

A small grimace appeared on Remus’ face at the mention of the Potions Master. Even though they were fighting on the same side, it was hard for him to let go of the malice that lingered from their days at Hogwarts together, both as students and professors. It was Severus who had been responsible for notifying the school board of Remus’ condition and it was one of the reasons he’d turned in his resignation. The man was, however, performing a vital role in the fight against Voldemort. He was the only person that had direct contact with the Death Eaters and as it was a terrible risk, Remus could be cordial.

"I still believe that the invitations allow more guests so perhaps some of our members should attend in disguise."

“ I completely agree.” he said, leaning an elbow on the table. “There’s no telling what they might have planned, and the students would be much safer if the Order was around. I doubt I would be welcome as a guest, but I’m sure I can create a decent disguise.”

"Perhaps we should move you to another task. I fear for your safety if things keep going the way they are."

“I’m not so much concerned with my safety, but in this task, I feel like more of a hindrance than a help. They do not see what we can do for them, and Fenrir Greyback seems to be much more persuasive than I am.”. The bitter tone is his voice could not be avoided. Greyback was the one responsible for his condition. The man relished the wolf inside of him and that was something Remus could never understand. “I would be happy to accept a post as guard for Harry and the others, if you would agree.” he added, looking at Dumbledore. It was true, Remus would enjoy time spent with his best friend’s son, but if Dumbledore had other plans, he would certainly acquiesce to them.

"Well according to the article what most boys do at that age." He smiled slightly at Remus. "Sneaking off un-detected. Perhaps we should include Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny in tonight's meeting just so they are aware of what is expected of them at the ball?"

“I believe Harry should be kept in the know as much as possible. Clearly, he is young and doesn’t need to know everything, but he must have enough information to keep himself safe. As for the others…” he broke off and chanced a glance towards Mrs. Weasley. He knew how sensitive she was about her children. “Molly, it is up to you to decide how much to involve them, however, I’m sure Harry would not hesitate to tell them anything he knows.”

Remus took the next moment to help himself to another roll. He listened as Tonks spoke about a new professor at Hogwarts. In Dumbledore’s day, the hiring of a Muggleborn could easily go unquestioned but with Malfoy in charge, it made little sense to employ a person he believed to be scum. They would be right to fear for her safety with the Death Eaters on the prowl. Remus had little to add to the conversation, and remained silent. He listened with a cold civility when Severus entered the room and began to explain what he knew of Voldemort’s plans.

"He wants to recruit students this year. I have no idea what he wants to do with the students that were kidnapped but they will need more security on them."

“How does he plan on doing that? He would need to have Death Eaters planted in the school.” Remus replied with a nervousness in his voice. “Would he be kidnapping more children?” The situation was slowly turning from bad to worse, and Remus feared that there was little to be done to stop it.

"There's GOT to be something we can do. Minerva? She's there, perhaps she could. . .but, they'll be watching her every move."

“Minerva is doing everything she can, Molly. We all are. Right now, it just doesn’t seem to be enough.”