The group alit on the quiet lawn, their eyes scanning the shadows of the deserted street. "Think she's been attacked?" Mad Eye asked Remus.
"No," Remus said. "Give her a minute."
At that moment a woman melted out of the gap between the house and the hedge. She looked like just another muggle, hands buried deep in the pockets of her jacket as she scuffed her way over the grass toward the group. She regarded them shrewdly, skewering Remus with her eyes. "What was the name of the girl that lived above me when we met?"
He smiled. "Abigail, although I'm surprised I remember. How many toes do you have?"
She rolled her eyes. "Eight. I lost two in a dog fight years ago."
"All quiet?"
Dora nodded, looking down the street. "No one's even been by to case the joint. I'd expected we'd smell them. It's all the muggles that live here there."
"Glad to hear it. We'll be back in a moment."
Dora nodded, slinking back into the shadows.
She was waiting by the gate when they emerged. "Anything to report?" Mad Eye asked.
She shook her head, putting a comforting hand on Harry's arm. "Neighborhood is quiet. All the landing points are secure. We'll be there," she told Harry. "You won't see or hear us, but we'll be watching out for you. All you have to do is get there."
As they lifted off the ground Harry looked back, imagining the werewolves skulking around the neighborhood, and thought of others waiting for them to land. He knew it would have most of the wizarding world shaking in their boots (and he hoped that applied to Death Eaters) and he couldn't help but be relieved.
When Harry woke on the Tonks' couch he completely missed the hulking dark man in the corner until they he stepped forward as they went to the portkey. Without saying a word he touched the hairbrush to follow them to The Burrow.
When they landed he stepped away from Hagrid and Harry, turning to the men and women emerging from the reeds around the yard. They formed a small group in the corner of the garden, speaking in lowered voices.
When Lupin and George arrived they carried the injured twin into the house. The door opened and Dora with the dark man from the Tonks' home came in. She stood back as Lupin questioned Harry. When he turned his wand on her she stood stock still although the man behind her bristled.
"What did we have for desert the day I asked you to marry me?"
"Cherry pie. My favorite. I picked the berries myself. Where?"
He sighed in relief. "The neighbor's orchard, to the west of the house. I still don't know how you never got caught."
"Devil's luck visits us wolves," she said absently. "What the bloody hell happened?"
"We were attacked," Remus said.
She leaned through the door to look at George. "You don't say."
"We've been betrayed. Someone told them it was tonight. They were waiting in the air." He looked around. "We're short a few. Were any of the landing sites attacked?"
"Not that I know of," she groused. "I haven't heard anything you haven't. If they did they're going to have a hell of a surprise."
"How did you know which was Harry?" Remus asked.
"Huh?"
"Before we left, you went to the correct Harry. How did you know?"
"I could smell him of course."
"I couldn't smell a difference."
"You don't want to." She put her hands on her hips. "Were there wolves up there?"
Lupin shook his head. "They were all Death Eaters."
She looked him up and down. "You have blood on you."
"George's," he said with a motion toward the next room.
"Is he all right?"
"Lost an ear. Molly's with him."
She moved toward the door. "I know a little healing, and there should be our healer coming with the next set, if they make it." She disappeared into the living room, the man trailing after her.
When Hermione and Kingsley arrived she went out to talk to the people that came with them. An older man bustled into the house at a few words from her. The rest stayed in a group to discuss. Dora's face was uncharacteristically serious and drawn.
When Tonks and Ron arrived Dora stepped forward. A small smile lit her face as she watched Tonks and Remus reunited. She held back a few moments but when they were done telling what happened she stepped up to Tonks, looking a bit surprised when the woman hugged her.
"I'm glad you're back and all right," Dora said, "but can I ask about my people?"
Tonks nodded. "Sorry. They insisted we come ahead. Since we just had the one broom they said they'd walk. I was worried the Death Eaters might see them but they said they wouldn't be seen. I did try."
Dora shook her head, a real smile lighting her face. "I just wanted to hear they were all right when you left," she sighed, holding a hand to her heart. "Thank you."
She withdrew again, staying out in the yard talking to her werewolf contingent. Tonks' grouped about the same time Bill and Fluer arrived, their set apparating in after them. They stayed in the yard as the others went in.
A few minutes later Dora poked her head into the living room. "Would anyone object to our going back to the forest?" she asked. "A few will stay here. We're going to keep patrolling until after the wedding. Just in case," she added.
"I'm sorry, I've been a horrid host. Can I bring you anything?"
"Molly, this was order business and you were a bit distracted," she said, nodding to George. "We can take care of ourselves. Thanks all."
The group called thanks as she returned to the yard. Remus followed her.
"It was Snape," Remus told her.
"Hm?"
"George's ear. It was Snape."
She shrugged. "It wasn't a killing curse. Maybe he was keeping up appearances. Maybe George flew into it."
"Why do you insist on defending him?" Remus demanded.
"Because I know he's on our side."
"He killed Dumbledore."
"That man played things close to the belt. Maybe there was something going on we don't know about." Remus rolled his eyes. "I know what I know, Remus. Mark my words, he's working against that man. He has to move carefully. But he's still helping us."
"Believe what you like," he said, a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for the help tonight. The others too."
"The spells did the work. We didn't have to do anything."
"It did something to know you had our back. I saw it Harry's eyes."
She smiled at him. "I'm glad." She pulled him close into a hug. "Be careful. Take care of you and that wife of yours."
"You too." He rubbed her arm, finally turning toward the house and letting her go to the hulking figures by the fence.