Chapter 14

Tonks stared grimly at her mother. "Now what? If I ever get my hands on the person who put the potion in that cake! I'd suspect the Weasley girl, but she isn't clever enough."

Andromeda shook her head. "Perhaps there will be another chance."

"They are checking everything in the Great Hall. Though…he sometimes visits Remus for tea. Perhaps I could try there?"

"I think you should stay away from the werewolf."

"I find him quite attractive. Better than a boy so much younger!"

"He's not an acceptable match." Andromeda's nose wrinkled in distaste.

Her daughter merely shrugged. "I didn't say I'd ever marry him."

"Let's have our friends for New Year's Eve," suggested Harry. "A party."

"Yes!" Daphne was eager; it would be the first time she hosted as Lady Black-Potter. "Shall you invite Granger and Weasley?"

Harry had received the usual sweater, this one in red with the picture of a Hungarian Horntail appliqued to the front. It was accompanied by an invitation to the Burrow, and Harry was still deciding what this portended for his friendship with Ron.

"I think maybe Ron. Hermione and I are still not getting on, so…but maybe Ron will expect her to be here?"

"Why?" Daphne was honestly surprised.

"Well, I think they have feelings for one another."

"They do? Isn't he with Lavender Brown?"

"I don't know how serious that is."

"If Weasley is smart," Daphne said earnestly, "he'll make it serious! Can you honestly see him with Granger?"

"Hey, Ron has plenty of good qualities," protested Harry.

"Probably," Daphne shrugged. "That doesn't make him suited to Granger! Can you name anything, anything at all, that they have in common?"

Harry ran a hand through his thick raven hair. Truthfully, the one thing Ron and Hermione had in common was Harry himself.

"How about I ask Ron, and tell him to bring anyone he likes?"

Daphne nodded approvingly. "That will work."

Ron came accompanied by the twins.

"Wasn't sure if I should bring Lavender," he muttered. "And, Hermione is acting weird."

"Isn't Susan here?" Hannah asked. "I tried to call her on the floo but she never answered."

Just then Terry and Susan showed up, both beaming.

"We're official!" Susan exulted, flashing a large diamond engagement ring. "We told Auntie and she approved."

Luna arrived next, and Ginny followed. The former smiled happily, but the latter was glum.

"Isn't Neville here?"

"Not yet." Hannah eyed the redhead warily. "But why should you care? You barely speak to him!"

Ginny flushed but said nothing.

"Neville's really late," Harry remarked. "Not like him…you don't suppose something happened with his parents, do you?"

"I hope not," Daphne answered.

Just then the floo rattled, and disgorged Neville and his grandmother- both bruised, bleeding, and barely conscious.

"Death Eater attack!" gasped Neville, just before he passed out.

Harry fairly lunged for the fireplace and pressed his signet ring against the Black crest on the mantel.

"Oi! What're you doing, mate?"

"I just locked down the floo." Harry looked to the portraits. "Phineas?"

The bearded image was already moving.

"Why'd you do that?" Ron persisted.

"Nobody comes through until we get some answers!"

Daphne had already called for the elves, and Winky, the one with most knowledge of healing, examined the Longbottoms.

"Will survive, Master Harry."

Little Petey, flourishing now that he resided in Grimmauld Place, trotted in with the required potions. Soon Neville was sitting up and bending anxiously over his grandmother.

Augusta's eyes fluttered. "No warning…but we made it to the floo before they broke the door down. Don't know how they got through the wards that fast. But we survived to fight another day, though I fear the manor sustained considerable damage."

Harry told the elves to take Augusta to the master bedroom, thankful that all traces of hippogriff occupation had been thoroughly scoured away.

The rest gathered around the dining room table, but – with the exception of Ron-had little appetite for the sumptuous buffet prepared by the elves.

"I wish I could contact Auntie," fretted Susan.

Harry recalled the communication mirror he'd received from Sirius; perhaps it could be replicated somehow?

"I'd like to reach the Burrow." Ginny was worried. "We have no idea where else the Death Eaters attacked!"

Phineas Nigellus popped back into his portrait. "Attack on the Ministry! Amelia Bones is dead!"

Susan screamed, and Terry wrapped his arms around her.

Phineas wasn't finished. "Death Eaters tried to access the Hall of Prophecies…Amelia rallied her aurors and led them into battle but got hit with the killing curse. One other auror is dead and three ministry employees injured."

Harry's mouth was a grim line. "Any death eaters?"

"Amelia took out Macnair."

Susan raised her tear-stained face. "I'm going to avenge her!"

Terry nodded. "I will help."

"We've got to go home!" Ginny insisted. "Right now!"

"It might not be safe." Fred was uncertain. "At least let one of us check things out first. The rest of you wait here!"

"I'm going with you." George said stubbornly.

Fred regarded him for one long silent moment. "Okay."

In one swift movement he drew his wand and cast a stunner at George. Before anyone could react, he turned and disapparated.

"We should revive George!" Ginny was insistent.

Ron shook his head. "Fred stunned him so he wouldn't follow…no point in endangering someone else."

"But George could help Fred!" argued Ginny.

"Or get killed himself."

Harry was torn. He desperately wanted to go to the Burrow to help, but knew he had a responsibility to the people in his house.

Just then a magpie patronus appeared and directed the other Weasleys to go to St. Mungo's where Arthur had been taken for treatment.

Ron revived a disgruntled George, and Harry asked Dobby to take them to the hospital.

"What about Lady Longbottom?" Hannah asked anxiously.

"She'll recover, and Neville is already on the mend. I think they are safer here," decided Harry.

"Is it all right if I stay with Neville?" Hannah blushed but looked determined.

"Of course," Harry acquiesced. "In fact, I think everyone else ought to remain until tomorrow, when we'll hear more."

Terry nodded, and guided Susan to one of the guest bedrooms indicated by Kreacher.

Hannah disappeared into Neville's room, and Daphne took Harry's hand. "We should try to get some rest as well."

He followed her obediently, but she doubted either of them would sleep very well.

The next morning brought another horror.

Voldemort, enraged by the failure of his attempt to recover the prophecy, sent Fenrir Greyback's pack rampaging down Diagon Alley.

Nineteen shoppers had been killed by the horde, and among them was Marian Abbott.

It was Neville's turn to comfort Hannah, who shrieked and ranted for hours until she finally broke down sobbing hopelessly.