Ginny, who had been starting to settle, awoke once more as her mother froze in horror. Mingling with the sounds from downstairs, she gave a loud wail. Instantly, Molly clamped a hand over her mouth, but she knew it was too late. A loud, high voice from downstairs was shouting the words of that most terrible of curses. Again...and again...she gasped, reeling against the wall.

A loud crash brought her to her senses, and she ran, not downstairs, as she longed to do, but down the hall. Each step was agony...Arthur and her boys were dying, and she was fleeing away from them...she half turned, but Ginny gave a whimper in her arms, and she resolutely made it to the end of the hall.

There was a staircase to the attic here, and she pushed open the half-door that led to it. Ginny fit through easily, and Molly was preparing to climb in herself when the sounds from below ceased. Her blood ran cold, and after a moment of indecision, she slammed the hatch shut, darting away from where her daughter now lay hidden.

She slumped, gasping, in the middle of the hall, her eyes welling with tears of pain and rage. That was how she was when a foot slammed into her ribs.

"Where's the brat?"

Molly forced herself to look up, glaring defiantly into the malevolent red eyes.

"I heard a baby crying up here. Tell me where it is, and I'll spare your pathetic life!"

With her final bit of strength, she spat hatefully at his feet. He screamed in rage.

"You'll pay for that, you filth! Crucio!"

Waves of agony wracked her body, and despite herself, she cried out in pain. A thin wail split the air, and she gasped. It was Ginny. Quickly, she redoubled her yells, trying to cover the sound, but it was too late. His eyes darted instantly to the door, and he removed the curse on Molly with a sneer.

"You had your chance, wench - you'll share her fate." He paused for a moment, then, with a gloating smile..."Avada Kedavra!"