the_debt_of_time

The Patronus landed in the shape of a lynx, and everyone turned to get a good look
at the large cat. Its mouth opened wide, and it spoke in the loud, deep voice of Kingsley
Shacklebolt: "The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
Silence spread outward in cold ripples from the place where the Patronus had
landed. Then somebody screamed, and everyone panicked, rushing toward the exit.
Sirius's first instinct was to look for Hermione, who he saw being pushed toward
him by Remus. Walking steadily toward her, wand in hand, Sirius scanned the room for
Harry and Ron.
Hermione pulled her own wand as she reached him, and Sirius tucked her into his
side just as the crowd erupted into chaos. Guests were sprinting in all directions; many
were Disapparating—the protective enchantments around the Burrow had broken.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed. "Ron!"
"Hermione!" Harry shouted, pushing his way toward them.
Shortly behind Harry, Ron appeared. "We need a safe place to hide," he pointed
out as Sirius rushed them away from the panicking crowd.
"Grimmauld Place," Harry suggested.
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry! Snape can get in there," Hermione said.
"Ron's dad said they'd put up jinxes against him. And even if they haven't worked,"
he pressed on, interrupting Hermione as she opened her mouth to argue, "so what? I swear,
I'd like nothing better than to meet Snape!"
"But―"
"Hermione, where else is there? It's the best chance we've got. Snape's only one
Death Eater."
Sirius nodded in agreement. "Harry's right. Apparate to the top step of number
twelve. You can't be seen from the street in case they've got people watching it."
"Side-Along then," Hermione insisted. "Or else we'll end up knocking each other
over once we Apparate."
Paternal instincts kicking in, Sirius automatically took Harry's arm, grateful when
Hermione grabbed Ron's. He would have liked to have been able to take all three
individually for safety reasons, but time was not on their side. On the count of three, the
four turned on the spot, vanishing into the compressed darkness.