Imprisonment

Thirty five

Ron sat down in his armchair. He was shaking and couldn't stop. Across from him Neville looked equally affected. As he looked at his brother-in-law he was suddenly reminded of his own school days. He didn't think about them much anymore, it was a lifetime ago. But Neville looked exactly like he had on the day the fake Moody had shown them the unforgivable curse.

Ron couldn't blame him though the scene that had met the pair of them in the muggle house had been horrible. They had left after much debate. Remus had wanted to come with them but they needed somebody to stay with James and Claire. In the end Remus had agreed and Neville and Ron had travelled quickly to the town of Mumbles.

They had wasted time though in the small debate. Then there was the time it took them to leave the grounds before they could apparate. When they had reached the house in which Claire and James had grown up it had been too late. Two pops had sounded as they had entered the house and they knew they had just missed the attackers.

As they entered though Neville fell over something in the shadow just inside the main door. They had lit their wands only to find that it was the body of Marie. Her bright blue eyes were glazed as she stared up at the ceiling.

They didn't hang around just moved into the living room where both saw the devastation. The rest of the family were on the floor all dead staring up. Ron looked at them and couldn't help but remember that morning at breakfast. They had all been so full of energy. Voldemort would pay for this.

They left the house soundlessly appearing back just outside the grounds of the school. They walked together not uttering a word back up to Ron's room. Remus had been inside and one look at them he had sent his patronus out into the corridors of the school.

Ron closed his eyes suddenly trying to rid himself of the awful memories that were now haunting his eyelids. It wasn't easy. He heard the door to his quarters open and turned to see Ginny walk into the room.

His sister had changed greatly from the girl she had once been. There was an air around her of confidence but sadness. He knew that she like he felt the burden of the loss of their family. They had never considered that they would become the sole Weasleys, there had been too many of them for that.

Behind her came the familiar clink of a wooden leg signalling that Moody was about and then a bang of somebody falling over. Tonks it seemed was right behind Moody.

"What's happened?"

The man grunted the question as he dropped into a chair next to Neville. Ginny had taken the arm of her husbands chair while Tonks and Remus had pulled up wooden chairs next to Ron. They had formed a sort of half circle around the fire. Nobody spoke for a moment and then Neville's voice sounded quietly.

"He's killed the muggles that raised Harry's son."

A daunting silence fell over them then they heard a calming voice that had long been lost to them in the living form.

"Neville what happened?"

They all turned to the large frame on Ron's wall. In it sat Albus Dumbledore. His hands were knotted together in front of him as he looked at them all gathered.

"We don't know sir. When Ron and I got there they were already dead."

"Why did you go there?"

Neville looked at his wife before looking to Ron and Remus. It was the eldest of the three that spoke up.

"James came to us a little before ten with Claire. She had apparently gone into a trance a little earlier. What she said led us to believe that the muggles were in danger."

"What was said Remus?"

Their old headmaster still had the same touch even in a portrait. They knew that this had to be important. Ron cleared his throat as he remembered the words.

"By the time the clock strikes the twenty second hour the Dark Lords greatest servant will strike. He will show no mercy to get what he so desires. As the twenty second hour strikes he will be a step closer to his ultimate goal."

Another silence fell over the room and it was broken this time by Tonks.

"You don't think they said anything do you?"

Ron shrugged closing his eyes. He was tired now.

"We can't know that but we must assume that they did. I shall find Harry and tell him what has happened he will want to know. Ron you will have to tell the boy and his sister. I've been watching them from portraits and they trust you."

"Of course Dumbledore."

The man in the frame disappeared to start his hunt for Harry. Ron didn't know what he should do for the best. Should he tell the kids now or let them have a peaceful night sleep first. The others all looked at him and he just shrugged remaining in his seat.

"How much did the muggles know Weasley?"

He looked at Moody and shrugged again.

"I told them about Harry and Hermione, but Voldemort already knows that. I don't think they would learn anything new other than the fact that I'm alive …"

His eyes darted to Tonks.

"They were in the kitchen that morning. They were all in the kitchen."

She looked blank for a moment then her eyes widened.

"No. They couldn't remember that though could they?"

"What are you two on about?"

They both looked at Moody and Ron spoke up.

"Tonks mentioned the school she had to since we wanted Claire. But she asked about you Neville, you too Gin. I told her that you were both alive and then –"

"I told Ron that Remus you were here and I mentioned Flitwick too. I think the only person they won't know about is you Moody."

The group all sat silently together thinking. Things it seemed may have just taken a turn for the worse.