"Molly? Are you in here?" Lena walked into the kitchen; empty. Walking back out to the living room, she thought of where Molly could be.
"Lena, is that you? What happened?"
"Arthur!" She grabbed his arms as she tried to calm down. "They're rounding muggle-borns," she managed to say, her throat closing up.
He solemnly nodded, gently sitting her down. "I'm guessing that's why you're here."
"They're looking for me, those men. Almost got caught at St. Mungos."
"Snatchers."
"What?"
"That's what they're being called, Snatchers," he gulped. "You're welcomed to stay here. You can stay in Ginny's bedroom."
"Thank you so much but I can't stay here too long."
"I wouldn't worry too much, I don't think they'll come here anytime soon, and nothing to thank me for Lena, you're family." He looked at his watch and jumped. "I have to go. Molly should be back in an hour or so; she went to do some errands. I have to go now," he said. "I'll see you later, and Lena try to calm down."
Lena nodded as he apparated. Picking up her bags once more she headed up the narrow stairs to Ginny's room. She couldn't count how many times she had stayed in this room. Even before they had begun dating, he would invite her over whenever he could.
Despite being in the same year they didn't meet until their third as they were in different houses, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. One day on a Hogmeades trip, she decided to enter Zonko's Joke Shop first to purchase some sugar quills. As she was entering, he was exiting, causing them to collide; they locked eyes and something clicked. They spent that entire day together as if they were the bests of friends though he didn't officially ask her out until their sixth year.
Lena laid on the bed trying to calm down and before she knew it, exhaustion hit her. No longer able to keep her eyes open, she surrendered herself to sleep.
"Lena dear, wake up." Molly hovered over Lena who had finally woken up at the disturbance.
"Merlin's beard, how long have I been sleeping?" She bolted up from the bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Five hours or so," Molly smiled. "Come on down, I've prepared dinner."
She quickly washed her face and proceeded downstairs, following the delicious smell.
"It's just going to me and you dear. Arthur is running late at the office, like always," she laughed as she sat down. "So tell me what happened."
Lena explained everything that had occurred that day, while she listened attentively.
"This is all terrible," Molly whispered. "Everything has gone to hell. I got a letter from Ginny yesterday told me death eaters have invaded Hogwarts. Snape is the new headmaster and they- they aren't being taught anything."
"But is she all right?"
"Yes, yes she's fine. I'm just being a worry-wart," she smiled, but Lena knew she was just putting up a front.
"It'll all be ok." Lena started clearing the table much to Molly's apprehension.
"Stop, you go and res-relax, better yet. You've had an exhausting day. Go on!" she lightly pushed Lena to the stairs.
She went to the room once more, laying down, listening to anything her ear caught; Arthur had arrived. She tried to make out what they were whispering about, but to no avail. Darkness covered the outside, silence in the Burrow. Lena got up and looked into the hallway, but no one was there, only light snoring coming from the room down the hall. Closing her door, she started pacing, thinking of a solution; she couldn't stay here and burden Molly and Arthur.
Hours passed and Lena remained awake, full of anxiety. It wasn't even midnight when she heard the banging coming from downstairs. She ran to her door, Arthur and Molly, in night robes, were standing outside her room.
"Stay here, both of you," Arthur advised as he descended downstairs; the banging had gotten louder.
"Oh dear, who could it be at this time?" Molly asked to herself.
Lena heard multiple voices, but she couldn't make any of them out.
"Where are you going?" Arthur shouted.
"We need to check," a woman's voiced sounded from the bottom of the stairs.
"Molly it's them!"
"Who?"
"The Snatchers!" She quickly ran back to the room, picking up her two bags, Molly right behind her.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to go! You can be arrested for having me stay here," she whispered. But Molly shook her head, "You have nowhere to go Lena!" The voices were getting closer, Arthur's voice resonating. "Couldn't you wait until the morning? It's midnight for crying out loud."
"Why not come now? Are you busy?"
"My wife is up there."
She heard someone laugh, "It'll only take a minute. How about you show me the way? It is your house, if you can call it that."
Lena turned away from the door, picking up her bags; she looked over at Molly who was bordering on tears.
"Bye Molly."
Not having a chance to hear her say goodbye, she apparated.
