The entire Ministry was a disaster, and the Auror department was the worst. Ron watched wizards and witches scurry here and there, snapping at each other and wearing permanent scowls.

He knew the situation was bleak. A mass breakout at Azkaban was bound to reflect badly on the Ministry. Thank Merlin he hadn't been on patrol duty this week. The few Aurors who were had been sacked immediately, even though there was nothing they could have done to stop the Dementors from abandoning their posts. Three wizards against all of those convicts was no match; they were lucky they'd escaped with their lives, honestly.

The war was beginning to really pick up now and everyone was twitchy, on edge, and watching every step they made, Ron included.

And Harry...well, he'd been more pissy and distracted than ever. He'd gotten written up for disobedience to his superior officer just the other day. Ron wasn't sure what had gotten into him lately. His friend was nothing short of a mess. He showed up to work with unkempt hair, several days' stubble, and wrinkled robes more than once. Ron had saved him with a few charms, and growled at his friend to hold it together.

Ever since Harry had been summoned to Hogwarts….

"They sacked Tonks."

Seamus slipped into Ron's cubicle with Harry right behind him. His whispered words startled Ron.

"Tonks? But she had nothing to do with-"

"Apparently, she mouthed off to Robards," said Seamus. "Told him this whole mess was the Ministry's fault."

Ron sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. He'd been on patrol for more than twenty hours now with only quick breaks for the loo and to down another cup of coffee.

"Can't say I blame them," grumbed Harry. He looked as unkempt as ever and Ron wondered what duty they'd stuck him with today. Even Gringotts refused to have him, right now.

"Yeah, but you can't say that around here," warned Seamus. He peered around, as if the Head Auror might jump out and catch them gossiping at any minute.

"Still," said Ron. "Tonks."

"Got to head out," Seamus said after glancing at Harry then nodding at Ron. "Got me pulling a double tonight. See you blokes later. Keep yer heads down!"

The two friends watched him go and Harry flopped into the rickety office chair that perched in the corner.

"It's all useless, isn't it?" he said quietly. "You-Know-Who is going to take over."

"Harry!" Ron hissed. "You can't say things like that."

"It's true."

The despair he'd seen in his friend's eyes the past couple of weeks took over his features once more. Ron wasn't sure what to call it, but he suspected that Dumbledore had warned Harry of something about the war. Harry had always tried to play down the attack that he'd survived, but Ron knew that there was something strange about it.

"Maybe," said Ron, "but you can't run about saying it. And it's not like the Ministry is just going to let it happen."

"Like they let those prisoners break out of Azkaban."

"It's happened before. Remember Sirius Black?"

Harry couldn't argue the point, as they'd gone back and forth for years about it, anyway. Sirius Black had escaped-no one knew how-and then had disappeared. Ron had his own theories. He was fairly sure that Black, one of You-Know-Who's most loyal Death Eaters, had quickly joined his evil master's ranks in order to subdue the Wizarding World. Harry wasn't so sure, but his theories didn't extend much past why the convict had broken out in the first place.

"What's with you lately, anyway?" Ron asked. "You've been off ever since you went to Hogwarts. Maybe before then, even." He shook his head and ignored Harry's scowl. "Does this have something to do with Ginny?"

Harry's expression darkened even further. "No."

"Because she's not really seeing Neville, you know. That was some sort of joke. But...I think she might be seeing some bloke from work, actually. She told Mum something like that the other day."

Harry didn't even flinch. He was staring out into the hallway, as if he hadn't heard Ron at all.

"I need to tell you something…"

Ron sat up in his seat, sliding forward slightly. "What?"

Harry hesitated. He shifted about, pushed his long hair back with both hands, and couldn't keep his eyes off the hallway.

"When I went to Hogwarts-"

"WEASLEY!"

Ron swore to himself and slumped back. Being summoned by Robards was never good, but especially not now.

"Hold that thought." Ron motioned for Harry to follow him, worried that if he let his friend out of his sight, Harry would clam up again and Ron would never know what was going on inside his head.

They both trudged down the hallway, Ron trying to straighten his own wrinkly robes, giving it up as a bad job. He'd been at work long enough to excuse a little laziness.

Robards was standing at the entrance to the Auror department, waiting rather impatiently. He glared at Harry, who had the decency to try to smooth his robes in front of the Head Auror.

"You've got a visitor." He hooked his thumb back toward one of the interrogation rooms that sat along the far wall. The windows were fogged over, so Ron couldn't make out who it might be waiting for him. He honestly had no idea. Nobody had ever come to see him at work before. He supposed it could be his father, but...it seemed odd that he would be waiting in one of those rooms.

"Thank you, sir."

"Make it quick, Weasley. We need you back out in thirty minutes."

Ron bit back the angry reply that came to mind and nodded jerkily as Robards marched away.. "Come on, Harry."

"He didn't say anything about me!"

"You're coming."

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Ron's quelling look was enough to warn him away from argument. He finally nodded and followed Ron.

"Wands out, do you reckon?"

"It's the Ministry, Ron."

"Better safe than sorry." Ron tightened his grip on his chestnut wand and reached for the door handle.

When he saw who was inside, he nearly fell back against Harry in surprise.

"Percy?"

"Close the door, Ronald."

Ron hesitated, unsure if he was being tricked in some way, or if it was really his prattish brother appearing out of nowhere after months-months!-of disappearing.

"I assure you it's me," Percy said. He rattled off a few facts that eased Ron's mind somewhat, but Ron still kept a tight hold on his wand.

"Are you sure you want me here?"

Harry looked back and forth between the two brothers. He knew how much friction there was between Ron and Percy at the best of times and was ready for any escape, no doubt.

"Sit," Percy said. "What I have to say concerns you, too."

"Where have you been?"

Percy raised his wand and sealed the doors. He performed some other sort of spell, also, that made Ron's ears ring slightly. He shook his head to try and clear them, and it helped a little.

"Various places," said Percy. "You know I work for the Department of International Cooperation, Ronald. Occasionally, they sent me to other countries to-"

"Cooperate internationally," interrupted Ron. "Yeah, I read the letter you sent to Mum. Didn't believe a word of it. Still don't. You're up to something."

"What makes-"

"I grew up with Fred and George, Perce. I know when to spot trouble."

Percy seemed to change in an instant. The prim and proper brother Ron had always known looked tired and suddenly much older. "Fine."

"Are you going to tell me?"

Percy's jaw tightened and Ron swore he could hear his teeth grinding. "I've been...working undercover for a secret organization."

Ron pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. Harry sat next to him, leaning toward the table as they waited for Percy to continue.

"An organization dedicated to the downfall of Vold-" Harry hissed and the Percy glared at him. "-You-Know-Who."

Ron's mind went blank as he tried to process that idea. "Cor." Percy? Percy was a spy?!

"It's called the Order of the Phoenix."

"Why're you telling us?" Harry asked.

"Because I've been commissioned to invite you to join us."

Ron sat back in his chair and stared at his brother. Harry ran his hand through his hair again, pushing it clear of his forehead. His scar stood out more prominently than Ron remembered it being in the past. It was a pale pink color, not the faded color that made it almost invisible unless you looked closely.

"Join?" asked Harry. "What would we have to do?" He swallowed loudly enough that Ron heard it.

"For now, not much. Perhaps pass along information from the Aurors."

"We can't do that!" Harry sputtered. "We took oaths."

Ron thought back to the pledges of loyalty that they'd taken upon completing Auror training. There had been nothing about passing information one way or the other. Could he still be loyal to the Ministry and loyal to his brother at the same time?

"Technically," Percy said, "your oaths-"

"We'll do it," Ron said. Harry thumped him painfully in the side, but Ron didn't tear his eyes from Percy's. "Whatever you need."

"Ron!"

He turned on Harry. "Weren't you just saying that the Ministry wasn't doing enough to stop You-Know-Who? Well, this is our chance."

Harry paled and shook his head. Ron could see his shoulders trembling as he stared off into the room.

"Come on, Harry. We have the chance to really make a difference, here."

"It's not our war." Harry's whisper was shaky, and Ron knew he didn't believe it.

"It's everyone's war," Percy said. "Yours especially."

Harry's head jerked around, his eyes bright and wide. "Why mine? What do you mean?"

Percy glanced at Ron before sighing. "This isn't general knowledge, but...there was an attack yesterday night in Surrey."

Ron felt the bottom drop out of his stomach. "Surrey?"

"Privet Drive."

They both looked at Harry, who stared blankly back.

"Are they… Percy?" Ron's heartbeat pounded in his ears.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

They all knew what that meant. The Dursley's had been killed simply for their connection to Harry.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because they could," Ron said.

"No," Harry said. "I mean, why bother?"

"They were looking for you, I'd assume," said Percy.

"I haven't been back there in ages. There was no point."

Ron stared at Harry, wondering at his disconnected affect. It almost seemed as if Harry didn't care at all about them.

"I mean, they did their job, kept me alive, didn't they?"

"Harry!"

He shrugged and brushed it aside. "Why is the Ministry keeping it quiet?"

Percy seemed just as perplexed at Harry's reaction and shook his head. "I'm sure they have their reasons."

Ron definitely knew there was more going on, but now wasn't the time. He'd press Harry about it later.

"What do you need from us right now?" he asked.

Percy took a deep breath and leaned forward. "I need information. Our best source is no longer available to us, and-"

Something clicked in Ron's mind and he sat up. "Tonks?" he asked. "She was your spy?"

Percy didn't confirm, but the way his eyes dilated slightly was enough for Ron.

"If they know you're involved, Perce, they'll suspect me right away."

"They don't know I'm involved. I really am working abroad for International Cooperation. At least, officially."

A whole new respect for his brother bloomed in Ron's mind and he shook his head. "I'll do my best." He turned and looked at Harry, who had a very doubtful expression. "Right, Harry?"

Harry looked rather gray, but nodded. "Sure."