The rest of the week went by fairly quickly. Remus took Ron and Hermione over to the house to make sure they had access and to show them the memories, since they would be working close with Snape as well. They were more stunned than Harry. Ron and Hermione were both amazed by the chase from the tower to the gates. Harry had given them a rundown on what had happened, but hearing about it was nothing compared to seeing just the little bit contained in the pensieve.

"Harry, do you think we could get Snape to teach us the spell he was using to block you during his retreat?" asked Hermione.

"I'm not sure what he has in mind for us Hermione, and I'm not sure if I want to ask him for extra help. I'm still not completely sure I trust him," answered Harry.

"Harry, Dumbledore would not have let Snape know anything about our mission if he didn't trust Snape completely, and I trust Dumbledore," scolded Hermione.

"I understand what you're saying, I just have a feeling we're missing something. We haven't gotten the full truth behind why Dumbledore trusted Snape. The only thing we were shown was Dumbledore ordering Snape to do what he did, and I also saw Snape holding a baby. But so what, Lucius Malfoy had a son and that didn't stop him from being a Death Eater, nor did it turn him to our side of the fight." Harry looked perplexed.

"So we don't know the whole truth, big deal mate, there's no way Dumbledore would have told Snape to help us if he didn't trust him. I have to agree with Hermione on this one." Ron said shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, this is nothing new." Harry said letting out an exasperated sigh as he rubbed his temples. "You two have never trusted my instincts. I knew all last year Malfoy was up to no good, and look what that lead to, but did either of you listen to me? No! You kept telling me I was imagining things, to leave it to the adults to handle. Well, we're the adults now, so what do you suggest I do? Just ignore the same instincts that have kept me alive time and again?" Harry was shouting by the time he was done.

"Oh Harry, of course not. But Dumbledore wanted us to work with Snape for a reason, and I think we should learn as much from the man as we can. We can have him teach us with Remus, that way he'd have to teach us correctly, even if he does turn out to be on the wrong side," said Hermione as she tried not to cry.

Harry chuckled welcoming the chance to lighten up a bit after his explosion. "Hermione?" he asked.

"Yes Harry?" she said with a bit of trepidation considering they were just arguing.

"Your Slytherin is showing." Harry and Ron burst out laughing after that.

She giggled, and then asked, "So we're ok? You agree?"

Harry sighed. "Yes, Hermione, I agree. Let's take advantage of the git for as long as we can. But you two need to quit sweeping my instincts under the rug." Harry said, deciding to leave it at that for the moment.

*~~*~~*

After going almost a week without hearing from Snape, he finally contacted them. The attack was definitely going to happen on the thirtieth of July, and it was going to either be in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. It seems Ol' Tom figured he'd take advantage of so many Ministry members being at Bill's wedding. Little did he know the Order would be ready.

Harry, Hermione and Ron spent their time juggling between practicing Occlumency and transforming. Ron shocked everyone by transforming before Hermione, and he was none too happy with the flack he was getting from his friends over his animal form. He knew he'd never live it down.

Hermione and Harry couldn't stop laughing. Between fits of laughter they managed to talk to Ron. "I...I can't believe...Ron is a...a FERRET!!" Hermione finally said as she laughed.

"Well, Ron, at least you're a reddish ferret and not a white one. Oh, man I can't wait ‘till the twins find out. They are going to have fun with this. Ouch, what was that for?!?" Harry rubbed where Ron had nipped his finger.

"Oh, Ron, come out from under the bed. We're only playing around with you. You make a cute cinnamon ferret. I want to see if you can change back." Hermione said as she peered under Harry's bed.

Slowly, Ron came out from his hiding spot and let Hermione pick him up and put him on the bed, where he slowly changed back.

"So, how did it feel? Oh I can't wait until I can transform. How did you do it? Was it different than Harry described? I wonder what's taking me so long?" Hermione said in a rush.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and smiled. Hermione was a riot when she really got going and forgot to breathe. But they knew eventually she'd need to take a few breaths and then Ron could answer her questions.

"I felt small. It was weird seeing you both tower over me since I'm normally the one towering over you." Ron said trying to get a jab in on Harry, because he knew Harry wasn't ever going to quit teasing him about being a ferret. "Yes, it was exactly like Harry described. I just had to push my magic really hard down the pathway. Hey, Harry, does that get easier the more you practice? It didn't seem like Snuffles had that hard of a time transforming."

"Yeah mate, it gets loads easier. Congratulations! Welcome to the Animagus Club." Harry said, as he patted Ron on the back.

"Well, now that the excitement is over, when are we taking Harry to go get his dress robes for the wedding? Now that he can use magic freely we can all use Glamours and safely go into Diagon Alley." Hermione said.

"Let's send Remus a message real quick and see if he can go with us, just to be safe?" Harry suggested.

"Ok mate, I've got the coin I'll send it this time." Ron fished around in his pockets looking for the DA coin, finally finding it at the very bottom he pulled it out and tapped it with his wand. "Ok message sent. I wonder how long it will take him to get back with us?"

"Well, let's get some Occlumency practice in while we are waiting. I don't know about you two, but I don't want Snape messing around in my mind. Especially after what Harry described he went through in fifth year." Hermione said, trying to get the boys back on track.

"Yeah, I don't want a repeat of ‘Remedial Potions' lessons if at all possible. It's a good thing we've all gotten to be better Legilimens, but I doubt it's near good enough. That's another thing we can have Remus help us with while he's here, he can test us again." Harry said with a shudder.

They spent the next few hours trying to invade each other's memories. The more they practiced, the more Harry was impressed with his friends, and the less Harry thought of Snape's teaching skills. Clearly the man had no idea how to teach if just the three of them and a few books could make this much progress.

*~~*~~*

The next day Remus and Professor McGonagall showed for a visit. Luckily, Aunt Petunia and Dudley were out, so they didn't create a fuss. Although Harry thought he'd love to see Petunia face off with Professor McGonagall. His aunt wouldn't stand a chance against the stern professor.

"Hello, Professor, Remus. We weren't expecting both of you. Is there something wrong?" Harry asked, as they entered his room.

"Arthur wanted me to check in with the three of you and make sure you were going to be prepared on the thirtieth. We're going to need two groups, and he wants to pair the three of you with the twins and possibly Tonks. It seems the twins think very highly of your skills. They keep going on about your little club back in their seventh year and won't let their father pair them up with anyone else, Mr. Potter."

"We'd love to work with the twins, and I'm sure working with Tonks will be a learning experience for all of us. We'll need to get together to plan. When can they come over?" replied Harry, looking excited. He was glad he was being asked to help.

"I'll have Arthur send them over as soon as they can make it, I'm sure it won't be easy for Tonks to get the time to get over here. Now that it is settled, how are you three doing on your transformations?"

Harry and Ron grinned then changed. All of a sudden, Professor McGonagall had a ferret on her shoulder and a snake winding around her feet. She beamed at them both and they transformed back.

"I'm so proud of both of you. I knew you could do anything as long as you put your minds to it. I just wish you both had applied yourselves better while you were at school. Now, Miss Granger, how are you coming along?"

"I have the meditation down and I can see the magical pathway, I just can't seem to force enough magic down it to transform." She looked a little crestfallen. This was the first time that the boys had gotten a spell right before her, well other than Harry and DADA spells. But she was glad he picked those up easily, if not he might not be alive today.

"Don't worry Miss Granger, I'm sure you'll get there soon. Mr. Potter here has a lot more magical power at his disposal, and I'd be willing to bet Mr. Weasley has a good deal of power himself. Where as you depend on your intelligence to get things done. This is one of those things that need the power to back it. Intelligence alone won't get you through it." McGonagall gave Hermione a soft smile, and was happy to see the witch cheer up.

"So, Remus, when can we go to Diagon Alley? My dress robes from fourth year are way too small. Seems I had a growth spurt and didn't realize it." Harry said with a shrug, even though he was still shorter than Ron, he had grown a bit over the past two summers.

"That's why I'm here today. I'd like to help you with your glamours, and then we can go once we're sure you won't be recognized. We can also stop by the Twins shop and save Minerva here a call to Arthur. How does that sound?"

"Great let's get started then." Harry said as he pulled out his wand. A half an hour later found three very different looking teens. Hermione had short spiky black hair, that kind of reminded Harry of Tonks, and her eyes where the clearest blue. Ron had lost his freckles, and had shoulder length ash blonde hair with light green eyes. Harry went with his mother's hair color in a shaggy, choppy cut, and rich brown eyes. Hermione was just finishing up by putting her Muggle make-up concealer over his scar.

"Well, how do we look?" Ron asked with a grin.

*~~*~~*

As the four of them apparated to Diagon Ally, Harry was slightly nervous, scared someone would see straight through the glamour, or that the make-up Hermione put on his scar would come off. They quickly walked to Madam Malkin's, all the while Harry was marveling in the fact that he was in the middle of Diagon Ally and no one had bothered him. He made a mental note to always go out like this from then on. It made shopping a lot easier.

"Hey, Jane, is there anything else we need to get while we are out? No point in wasting a trip for just robes." Harry asked.

"Yes, James. I think you should update your wardrobe a bit. You did hit a growth spurt, and you'll need something other than just these dress robes."

Ron and Harry both cringed, Harry was very sorry he asked. Remus just laughed at their antics. "Ha...James, I really need to teach you the things you should never ask a woman." Remus cringed to himself. It was too weird using that name again.

"I'll need to stop by Gringotts to exchange some money. These robes are going to clean out what I had left from my last trip. Hey Bill, what are you wearing to the wedding?" said Harry, looking into his money pouch.

Ron looked at Harry with a weird expression, and then smiled. "I'm lucky mate, Mom has already gotten my robes."

Forty-five minutes later Harry was the very grumpy owner of a brand new set of dress robes that looked almost exactly like what he wore to the Yule Ball his fourth year. Harry wanted simple dress robes, and that's exactly what he got himself. With his purchase shrunken and stored in a pocket the group made their way over to Gringotts. Then they made their way over to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to schedule a meeting time with Fred and George.

Once they were in the secluded corner the twins had set up for just that purpose, Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropped their glamours and went into the back room.

"Hiya Harry, how's our favorite silent partner?" asked Fred.

"Just fine, Fred. Do you have a place we can talk?" answered Harry.

"Yeah, just this way, the clerk out front can handle the shop while we chat." Fred led them to the backroom. There was a rainbow of splatters all over the walls and ceiling. Harry figured this was where they did most of their experimenting.

Waving to George, Harry sat down on a somewhat clean chair and said, "So we hear that you two are teamed up with the three of us as well as Tonks, when can we get together to plan strategy?"

"Mum has pulled in everyone to help prepare for the wedding. We're all supposed to be over there in a few days to help, even you three. Why don't we talk then?" replied George. "We'll see if Dad can get Tonks there as well." added Fred.

"Sounds great, we'll see you then. We've got to go. Hermione is dragging me out into Muggle London, to play dress up. Ow! What was that for?" Harry asked as he rubbed the spot Hermione just pinched.

With a quick change, and a thorough check to make sure everything was back the way it was before, they left the shop.

They decided to stop for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron before heading out into Muggle London for more clothes shopping for Harry.

"You know Jane, this really was a good idea. I'm looking forward to having clothes that actually fit." Harry grinned at Hermione to show he was being sincere.

"Bloody hell, mate, don't encourage the woman. Next thing you know she'll be picking out your boxers, or worse mine." Ron said with a shudder.

Four hours later Harry had himself a complete new wardrobe and felt he would be more than happy if he never saw another Marks and Spencer or Harrods in his lifetime. Shopping with Hermione was almost worse than Cruciatus Curse from Voldemort. Ok no, shopping with her was worse, at least with Voldemort he wouldn't have had seen the lingerie department with a very excited Hermione in it. Harry was sure that he and Remus would be scarred for life after that. He wasn't sure about Ron though, at one point Ron had a far off look with a huge grin on his face.

Harry was so happy to be done with clothes shopping for a long time to come that he forgot to make sure it was safe for everyone to enter the house. Unfortunately his aunt and uncle where right inside the sitting room and were none too pleased at the racket the four of them where making. The clincher seemed to be Remus being there.

"Out! Out right this instant!" bellowed Vernon. "I want you and all that bloody freakish stuff out of my house this very instant. It's bad enough that you've had those two with you constantly this summer, but now you're bringing more freaks into my house? I've had enough, we are done with you." Harry had never seen Vernon quite that shade of red before.

Remus saw it was useless to argue with the man. After all, he had been one of the ones to threaten Vernon after the ministry incident. So he quickly shooed the teens upstairs to pack everything up so that they could leave.

"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia? I'd like to thank you for taking me in and keeping me for all these years. As Dumbledore said last year, you might not have taken the best care of me, but you did take me in. I wouldn't have lasted this long anywhere else. Just do me one favor and watch out. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are back in full force and with you being Muggles your prime targets of theirs."

With that Harry left Private Drive for what he hoped was the last time in his life. The trip to the house was a quiet one. No one wanted to talk about all the nastiness that came from Vernon's mouth, which had been going non-stop as they were packing. Ron and Hermione had only ever had a slight idea how bad it was for Harry there. Then they saw for themselves and understood that they never really knew a thing about what Harry's life had been like with his so-called family.

Quietly they each took a room, and started settling in. Harry pulled up his courage and went up to the room Sirius used to stay in. He felt the need to be near family, and this was as close to that as he could get. Harry sat all his bags down on the floor near the bed, and put Hedwig's cage on the dresser. He opened it up and let her out.

"Well girl, you'll never have to worry about being locked up ever again. We're free of the Dursley's for good." He sighed and looked into his familiar's eyes, "So why do I feel so dreadful?" She cooed as Harry felt a few tears slide down his cheeks.

"Hey, Harry, can we come in?" Hermione called through the door.

Wiping his face quickly, "Sure, guys, come on in. I'm just thinking about unpacking, I haven't even really gotten started yet. Are you two done already?"

"We know your upset, mate. I don't really understand why, but I don't blame you. Is there anything we can do?" Ron looked sincerely upset on Harry's behalf. Harry had to smile at his two best friends.

Pulling them into a group hug, Harry said, "Just be here for me. You two are more like family than those three ever were. I'm glad you were there with me for then, and even happier you're here with me now."

"Well at least we can get a jump on the Horcrux hunt. How about we start planning tomorrow? We still need to decide where to start looking." Hermione had that glint in her eyes. Harry and Ron knew she had sunk her teeth into a new puzzle and wasn't going to let go until all the little pieces fit back together to make a nice neat picture.

"So it's agreed?" Hermione asked after Harry had nodded in agreement. "Tomorrow we start on the Horcrux issue, then the rest of the day after Ron and I have to be at the Burrow to help get everything ready for the wedding."

"I just hope everything goes ok. We know there's going to be an attack that day. Oh, bloody hell. We have to make time to get together with Fred and George as well. Who knows when we'll be able to get Tonks over there too." Ron said.

"Yes, but they will be at the Burrow with us. Weren't you even paying attention when we spoke to them earlier Ron?" Hermione asked.

"No, I was too busy trying not to get pranked. They always get me when my guard is down."

Harry and Hermione laughed, that would be the twins, always taking advantage of any chance to "test" something on Ron. They went to bed in a better mood than they had entered the house in, and were trying to stifle their laughter as they didn't want to wake the nasty portrait.