An hour has passed. Not the longest hour of my life, but certainly close. It breaks my heart to watch him sitting there, staring at the fireplace.
"George…" I start to say just as the floo turns a bright green, announcing the arrival of a smiling Ginny.
"Hello, you two! What's going on? What would you two like o do for dinner? I'm starving, and Harry's working late." She's babbling on and on as she hangs up her coat and puts her purse away.
"Ginny." George says, moving towards her.
"What?" She falters at his serious tone.
He swallows a few times, seemingly at a loss as to how he should tell his baby sister that her fiancé has walked right into the lion's den. They both look at me with the same puppy dog eyes; imploring me to take charge of the situation.
"Gin, Harry isn't just working late."
"What do you mean?" She asks, placing a hand on her heart.
"They found the death eaters hiding out in Malfoy Manor. Harry's over there now. He didn't want to worry you while you were at work."
"He didn't want me to WORRY?!" Ginny shouts, stomping her foot "This is ridiculous! He's bloody infuriating!" She continues, resembling yet another of her brothers.
"How about we turn on the wireless? We can see if there are any reports." George suggests, cutting off her tirade.
I shoot him an appreciative look and, to my relief, I receive a small smile in return. I pour drinks for the three of us as George switches on the radio. Ginny is rolling us a joint. The wizarding world is backwards on a lot of things, but not on this. Marijuana is far from illegal here due to the many great benefits. One of them being anxiety relief, which we desperately need.
We get situated around the table just as on-air reporter, Magenta Mullins, starts to broadcast.
"Good evening everyone. This is Magenta Mullins, coming to you live from Wiltshire near the home of deceased Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy. Earlier today the MoM traced the Death Eaters who brutally murdered 20 muggles, back to the Malfoy Estate. Some two dozen aurors, including two-thirds of the Golden Trio- Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, and the reformed Draco Malfoy, were sent to apprehend them. They entered the premises some two hours ago and there has been no sign of them since."
We exchange nervous glances. Suddenly a loud rumble and the sound of many screams comes through the wireless, making us jump out of our seats.
"Dear Merlin! People are ducking for cover. It is dangerous out here folks! It looks like an explosion of some kind has taken place inside the manor. There is so much smoke and debris, and what is that? It's some kind of pink mist…. Oh heavens. Oh my God! I can't do this! We have to get the fuck out of here. We have to leave! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
With that the radio goes silent. Nothing but dead air.
A minute is all it takes for Ginny to jump into action.
"I have to go to him. What if he's hurt? What if he needs me?" she asks, hysterical.
"Ginny, you need to calm down. You're not an auror. You can't help right now." George says, trying to get her to stay put.
They're both looking at me again. Each of them, pleading with their eyes for me to take their side.
"I'm sorry, George. I have never let Harry fight a single battle alone, and I'm not about to start."
A second after Ginny and I apparate to Wiltshire, we hear the resounding "pop" announcing George's reluctant arrival.
"Well, I wasn't about to let you two birds rush off by yourselves." He mutters getting in front of us as near the perimeter of Malfoy Manor. As we get closer to the house itself, we see that the fountain that was once filled with water of a cerulean blue, is now red; no doubt filled with blood. We start to hear shouts and the unmistakable electric sound of magic. The smell of charred flesh and smoky ash fills our noses. We exchange looks trying to prepare ourselves for what's inside.
As we step into the long hallway it becomes clear that half the house is on fire. There are aurors and death eaters alike, sprawled on the floor. Some dead, some dying. A faction is battling in the ballroom, but still no sign of Harry. As we make our way to the drawing room, where I was tortured only two years ago, I see Harry hunched over a bleeding Ron.
We run as fast as our legs can carry us but before we can get to them a skirmish catches us off guard. George and I get separated from Ginny as we battle with the vile creatures known as pureblood extremists. It's been so long since I've been in a proper duel, let alone one that I know could result in my death. I do my best and eventually take out the two death eaters I'm up against with a well aimed Sectumsempra, just in time to see George use the killing curse on his last opponent. I look at him questioningly as I stop to catch my breath.
"He killed Fred." All is fair in love and war, right?
I grab George's hand and we make our way back to where we last saw Ginny. George seems happy about his revenge and it seems that the band of vermin we were fighting were the last of the heavily armed death eater militia. All that's left now is dust, fire, and torn up meat suits. I get to the drawing room first. I can't move. I can't breathe. I feel George come up behind me and my vision starts to blur. Tears are forming in my eyes and I hear screaming. George is sobbing, so it has to be me.
Ron, Ginny, and Harry are dead.