I wretched off my seat belt, letting it revolve slowly back into place as I ardently followed Robert, leaving both doors to our car wide open.

Robert was standing in front of our house, his hand resting on the wall, and yet, it wasn't even a wall. Debris and dust flittered onto his hand, and he removed it, falling onto the floor.

"Katie…" he whispered, not looking at me, "Look. Just look"

I was lost for words, but I was looking alright.

Our beloved family home of almost 5 years stood in front of us; windows smashed, walls caved in, and the roof hanging off on its last limbs.

"How did this happen?" I whispered, tears falling down my face. I suddenly heard Mabel from the car, crying for her Daddy, and I tentatively went back to retrieve her.

"Mummy!" Mabel yelled, and my pace quickened. I pulled her out from her seat and hugged her close to my side.

"Home." She murmured, pointing a finger. I didn't reply, rather clung onto her tighter as I approached Robert. He was back up on his feet and was picking up a flowerpot that had fallen over.

"I don't get how the fuck this happened." He said, placing the flowerpot back on the floor.

"I.." I started, but I found that I had nothing to say.

"It looks like a fucking bomb was thrown here!" he yelled, running his hand over the front door, gently pushing it open.

"Language," I whispered, out of instinct, and I saw Robert give me a reproachful look as if his choice of words were the least of concerns.

The door creaked open, revealing a total and utter mess. Dust caked the coats, and shoes lay cluttered all through the entrance hall. I felt my breath tighten in my throat, before following my husband further inside.

"Maybe a bomb really did go off." He muttered, picking up this morning's mail from the dusty doormat.

"But that makes no sense!" I told him, still holding tightly onto Mabel, "We live in 2008, not 1940."

"An ERW?" He suggested, going further into the dark house.

"A what?"

"Explosive remnant from war." He explained, but I shook my head.

"They would have found something when they were building this house." I reasoned, and he sighed.

"It doesn't fit." He said, trying the lights in vain, for they stayed stubbornly off.

"Rabbit!" Mabel cried from my arms, and Robert gave a start as if he was only just noticing she was there.

"Don't bring Mabel in here!" he told me, frantically taking her from my arms, and hurrying back outside.

"Hey!" I protested, darting after him, "We can't just leave her!"

"Fine," Robert snapped, "Drive her to Ginny's house, and let her look after her."

"Why the hell should I do that?!" I shot back, anger bubbling through my veins.

"She's only bloody 3 for God's sake, Katie!" Robert yelled, "She shouldn't be seeing our fucking house destroyed with all her stuff inside!"

"And you think we can just dump our daughter at someone else's house when she's seen this already!?" I cried, reaching for Mabel, but Robert moved away from my grasp. I began to feel tears in my eyes as Mabel started to cry.

"Mummy!" she wailed, trying to reach me, but Robert determinedly placed her back into her seat. She kicked her feet as her cries broke the air, and I felt myself running towards her.

"Mabel, sweetheart, you're ok," I told her, tears pouring down my face.

"Katie, just take her away," Robert breathed, shutting the door.

"Robert!" I blubbered, "What on earth has got into you!"

"I case you haven't noticed, Katie," he shouted, "Our whole damn house has been blown up!"

"Of course I've noticed that, but now you're forcing me to dump our child at Ginny's house! It's not fair, Robert!" I yelled back, making Robert wince.

"Look," he said, his voice gentler, "I just want you to be safe."

"That's stupid," I muttered, wiping away a tear.

"For all I know, that damn murderer could be hiding in the house somewhere," he replied, pulling me towards him. I choked on a tear.

"Then why would I let you go inside?" I cried into his chest.

"I wasn't going to." He assured me, "I was going to call the police."

"Sod the police, you need to call Harry." I corrected him, hearing Mabel's frantic wails from the backseat.

"I would if I knew where to find him," Robert said, looking down.

"Come with me to Ginny's, and we'll get her to tell Harry," I begged him, opening the passenger door, and shoving him inside. He began to protest, but I grabbed the key and locked him in. He scowled and nodded begrudgingly.

I hopped into the driver's seat and slammed my foot into the accelerator. I drove us to the Hollies and pressed on the buzzer impatiently.

"Who is it?" came a voice from the other side of the gates, before I could press the button.

"Katie Williams and I need to see Ginny Potter," I said quickly, not thinking straight.

"I'm sorry, who?"

"Katie. Katie Williams. I'm Ginny's friend!" I replied urgently, "and I need to get a hold of Harry."

"Oh."

"We have a car, could you let us in?"

"Of course."

I breathed in relief when the gates began to slowly open and saw the man in whom I was speaking too. He had a long black cloak wrapped around his shoulder and had his hand tucked into the inside of it.

"You said you needed Potter." He grunted, and I nodded quickly, "Any particular reason?"

"Yes. Our house has been blown up, and I –" I began, but the man's dark eyes widened.

"Blown up?" he confirmed, and I nodded, yet again. He turned on heel, and darted towards the house, hammering onto the front door with his fist. Ginny appeared looking thoroughly disgruntled.

"Honestly, Ledden, don't break down my door," she huffed, before she lay eyes on me, "Oh, hi Katie. Everything ok?"

I shook my head frantically and dashed off towards her.

"Our house," I panted, "Our house has been blown up!"

"What?!" Ginny cried, "Were you inside? Robert? Mabel?"

"No, we're all fine, just a bit shaken." I said, forcing a smile, "But it looks like it could have been done by a person. I thought maybe –"

"Ledden, firecall Starcoff, and get the Aurors and DMLE," Ginny ordered, sounding calm, but looking terrified. The man nodded and dashed into the house.

"Get Robert and Mabel inside," Ginny told me, noticing the car in the driveway. I nodded nervously and went to get the rest of my family.

"What'd she say?" Robert asked when I told him to get out the car.

"Nothing, yet, but I think she went to get Harry. Something about 'Aurors' and 'DMLE'. I don't know. She sounded pretty freaked out, though."

I unclasped Mabel, who was still sobbing and brought her into the house, Robert following me.

"Hi, Robert," Ginny said, not smiling.

"Hi, again."

She ushered us into the living room, before darting to close the curtains.

"One moment," Ginny muttered, leaving the living room, and closing the front door.

"Why's everything so urgent?" asked Robert, and I frowned.

"I would expect some urgency, seeing as our house has been torn to pieces!" I replied, placing Mabel in-between me and Robert. We were silent for a minute, and I thought I could distantly hear the soft sounds of firecrackers go off; that 'pop' sound they made when they get thrown onto the floor.

Ginny returned, and to my surprise, Harry was with her. Now I really was confused. It was impossible to get from London to Kent in under 2 minutes. Robert was obviously thinking the same thing, for he looked at Harry with disbelief.

"Katie, Robert," he greeted, looking immensely intimidating with his long dark outfit on. Not unlike that 'Ledden' was wearing. He sat down on a free chair, looking at us closely, "You ok?"

"Yes, considering our house has been fucking blown up." Scowled Robert, obviously not happy.

"Do you know when it happened? We need to know if they're still around." Harry questioned, ignoring Robert's tone.

"No." Robert replied, folding his arms, "Otherwise we would have told you."

"And what'd you mean 'they're still around'?" he added, his voice cracking.

"The person who did it." Harry sighed, looking at Ginny for help, but she wasn't looking his way, "Ginny?"

"What?" Ginny said, avoiding her husband's eye.

"The kids," Harry said suddenly, leaping to his feet, "They're not outside, are they? Ted? And Al?"

"Yes, I let them out this-" Ginny began, but she soon was looking frantic too. Harry dashed out the room, Ginny hot at his heels, leaving me and Robert in an even more confused state to what we had started in. I stood up, making my way to the curtain, and pulling it away slightly. I gasped in shock when I saw what was happening out in the driveway. About 25 or so odd people were stood there, talking in undertones, and continuingly glancing at the gates to the Hollies.

"What?" Robert asked, coming to my side. He too gaped at what he saw, before tugging the curtain shut again, concealing us from view.

"Who do you think they are?" I whispered, falling back into my place on the sofa.

"Harry's squad, maybe. I dunno." Shrugged Robert. He was about to open his mouth to speak again, but the Potter's entered again, this time accompanied by Albus, Teddy, and Lily.

"Al!" cried Mabel, wriggling off the sofa, and running towards Albus. Al darted away, clambering onto the chair Harry had only recently vacated, glancing at his father nervously.

"We need to go over to your house, Katie, Robert," Harry said slowly, running a hand through his hair, "We think the suspect is here."

"You're sure?" Robert asked, eyes wide.

"We 98% percent sure. The last murder was subsequent to the victim's house being exploded," Harry muttered, "Stay here, with Ginny, whilst we go and investigate."

"Oh my-" Robert gaped, "Liam's still at school!"

"8 people from the department are already there. They'll be on guard." Ginny told Robert, and I breathed in relief.

"Can't I come with you?" Robert asked, but I shook my head before anyone else could.

"Don't be an idiot, Robert," I growled, "You know nothing about solving crimes."

"I'm a sodding security guard, Kate, I know I little." Robert huffed, but I shook my head again.

"And what would you think I'd do if you didn't make it?" I replied, and I noticed Ginny look down.

"Alright, fine, you win." Robert scowled, slouching further into the sofa.

"We don't know if we can retrieve all your possessions from your house-" Harry started, but I shook my head frantically.

"Do what you must," I told him firmly, and Robert nodded his agreement.

"Thank you," Harry said before his professional demeanour changed, and he pressed a kiss on Teddy's forehead. The boy looked petrified, and I didn't know if it was my imagination, but I thought I saw the tips of his hair waver from turquoise to red, and back again. Harry reached towards Al and took him into his arms.

"Be good for Daddy, ok?" Harry muttered to Al, who nodded.

"Very good."

Harry held him for a moment, before setting him down again.

He glanced at me and Robert, before pulling Ginny out into the entrance hall. We heard murmured voices, and the soft sound of baby Lily shuffling around in her blankets before it was quiet.

"How long do you think it'll take?" Robert muttered beside me, looking cagily at the door.

"How am I supposed to know?!" I hissed back, fully aware that both Albus and Teddy were in the proximity. Teddy glanced at me, before shoving Al out the seat to sit beside him.

"It can sometimes take ages," Teddy said quietly, "And it gets really scary, even though I'm always told that Harry wouldn't be working as an Auror unless he was really good at his job."

"A what?" I asked, upon hearing the term 'Auror' again.

"Oh," Teddy said, reddening, "I dunno."

I shook my head in confusion and turned my head back to the door. The soft voices had returned but were soon diminished as the front door closed.

Ginny returned, looking neglected, and flopped back onto the sofa beside me, Lily hugged close to her chest.

"It's so damn irritating," she sighed, "Just after we thought we were back on track, this happens."

"I'm so sorry-" I started, but Ginny gave me look.

"It's not your fault, Katie. Nor you, Robert," she sighed again, "Some people are fucked up."

"Language," Robert muttered, making Ginny grin slightly.

"It's only James I watch out for when it comes to repeating what I say," she told us, "I never know what's going to come out of that child's mouth sometimes."

"It was his birthday cake the other day," offered Teddy, making Ginny laugh, "He didn't even leave any for me."

"He and Uncle Ron ate the whole thing," Teddy continued, "And I really wanted to try it!"

"So did I, Ted, but alas, we have Ron and James in the family." Ginny smiled before it slipped off her face like butter in a butter dish.

"I've just realised," she said slowly, "James will need collecting from school later today."

"So will Liam," Robert agreed, shooting an anxious glance at me, "How long do you think it'll take?" he repeated, this time in a hope that Ginny would be able to help him. However, she shrugged.

"It depends, really," she told us, "But I don't think they'll take too long."

"Roughly?"

"3 hours," she replied, "Max."

"What happens if they don't-" I gulped, not really wanting to think about it.

She sighed, and raised her hands in unsurety, "I suppose that they'll keep looking."

"I mean to us," I said, my voice wavering, "Our home. Where will we sleep? Mabel's things, Liam's clothes?"

"Oh," Ginny looked down, paying attention to the baby in her lap, instead of the two adults facing her, "I assume you'll be able to stay here, until your house is secure, at least."

"You don't have to," I protested quickly, "We can stay in a hotel or something."

"Don't bother," Ginny muttered, "We have plenty of space."

"I stay with Al!" Cried Mabel, and I was momentarily taken aback that I had literally forgotten the other 3 in the room.

"No." Protested Al, quickly wriggling off the seat, and scooting out into the hall. Mabel giggled excitedly and scrambled after him.

"Sorry," I said to Ginny, feeling sorry for her little boy, but she only grinned.

"No need to apologise to me, Katie," she chortled, letting her daughter wrap her fingers around hers, "It's damn cute."

"Mabel adores him, you know," Robert said, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"I would say the same about Al, but he's very indecisive when it comes to choosing friends." Ginny smiled, "Yesterday it was Mabel, but the day before it was Rose, and the day before that, it was Lucy, although we haven't seen Lucy and Molly in about 3 weeks."

"Who are-?" Robert started.

"They're my brother, Percy's, children," she said, confirming my suspicions.

"I'd love to have more cousins for Liam and Mabel," I told the people in the room, surprising myself as I did so, "They have 5, in total."

"Yeah, that's it." Robert nodded, "Orla, Abbie, Archer, Harlow, and Clayton." He added, ticking off the names on his fingers, "And the youngest in 9."

"There are 8 Weasleys, 3 Potter's, and 1 Lupin," Ginny smiled, looking at Teddy. He smiled a little in response and then got up from his seat.

"I'm going to check on Al." He muttered, and Ginny nodded.

"Make sure they don't go outside," warned Ginny, making Teddy come to a halt, and look back curiously, "It's important they don't go outside, Teddy."

"Sure," Teddy shrugged, disappearing from view around the door frame.

"Why's it important they don't go outside?" Robert wondered, mirroring Teddy's confusion. Ginny exhaled a breath.

"We don't want to give the murderer any targets, and we're afraid that the kids would be easy to get a hold of." She said quietly, watching Lily closely, purposely not meeting our eyes.

"But why Al and Mabel?" Egged on Robert, desperate to get answers, "Any kids in the whole of the UK, and they target Al and Mabel," he thought for a moment, "And our home."

"Think about it," Ginny said, looking up rapidly, "The lead investigators children. A way for the chief to stop focussing on the case, and therefore giving the culprit more time to strike."

"That explains Al, but not Mabel," Robert said quietly, looking edgy.

"A way to get to Al, I suppose." Ginny said sadly, looking directly into my eyes, "I'm so so sorry, Katie. I never meant for you or your family to get involved in any of this."

I looked down, not daring to give away my thoughts through my eyes.

"I don't really like the idea of Liam being at school with a murderer targeting our family." Robert grumbled, beginning to get up, "I'll go and collect him."

"The Au – Police – down there are fully trained," Ginny assured him, "Nothing will happen to Liam or James."

"And the house?"

"This house is safer than the school, I bet," Ginny said lowly, glancing at the curtained windows.

"So why not bring Liam and James here?" Robert queried, and I nodded, so bit begrudgingly, in agreement. I'd much rather have both of my children safe in the same place when a murderer is apparently tailing us.

"Whoever's after them will be keen to get into the house, rather than the school," Ginny said, and I felt a ripple of anger flutter through me.

"Why the hell aren't we moving?!" Robert said, slightly louder than I anticipated.

"It's safer here," Ginny said again, looking warily at Robert, "Safer than anywhere else."

"My son's at school!" Cried Robert, looking incredulously at Ginny.

"And so is mine!" She argued back, anger flushing her cheeks, "Don't you think I'd have James here if I didn't think he was safer at school?!"

"I want my son near me!" Robert yelled, standing up. I tried to tug him back down, but he had buckled his knees.

"Fine," breathed Ginny, looking at Robert with aversion, "I'll get Harry's men to bring both of them up."

"And why can't I get him myself?" Robert growled, making me frown. He was being incredibly uncouth.

"You have a fucking murderer on your tail." Ginny said bluntly, making Robert subdue his rant, "And if you-"

But something happened.

A terrible, most hair-raising yelp had broken the air like a bullet, making us all jump out of our bloody skins, and causing Lily to wake up with a whimper.

She stopped, and her eyes widened, as did mine, as we all dashed to the window, trying to find the source that had rattled the very insides of my bones.

"What the-" Whispered Robert, hands pressed upon the window, eyes round as he searched for the cause of the sound.

"Hang on," Ginny said, silencing him, and narrowing her eyes to the outside. Nothing was moving. It was quiet inside and out.

A few minutes passed, and nothing had happened, so I opened my mouth to speak.

"What happened?" I said urgently, but a second later, more yells came, sounding closer than they did a minute prior. Ginny hurriedly closed the curtains, just as I caught a glimpse of someone appearing in the front garden. Teddy had come tearing into the living room, clutching both Albus' and Mabel's hands, looking terrified.

"We heard someone," he gasped, "It was horrible."

"They've lost him," Ginny groaned, placing a wriggling Lily in an empty Moses basket by the sofa, and swiftly moving out into the hall. The front door flew open, and frantic voices flooded the house. Hearing them made me panic, and I quickly scooped up Mabel from the floor, hugging her close to my chest.

Ginny reappeared, looking dark, and this did nothing to reassure me. She looked at me gloomily and stepped aside to reveal a very shocked looking Harry, and a few other people.

I didn't for one second think that they'd caught the perpetrator, for their faces were all withdrawn; Not the looks of successful policemen.

"What happened?" asked Robert urgently, glancing at the individuals.

"It was yer 'ouse, I suppose?" asked a woman with short silver hair. We both nodded, and she continued, "It's been smashed t' smithereens, I'm afraid."

"Our things?" Robert gaped, looking at me with uneasiness.

"Nothing left. We thought we had them, but they slipped from our fingers," replied a man with a thin face, "Quite literally."

"I had him," muttered Harry, glancing at his counterparts, "I had a hand on his cloak!"

"We don't blame you," mumbled a woman with dark curly hair, "You did the best you could."

"There's still a murderer on the loose," said Harry, straightening up, and looking impressively intimidating, "But we're closer than before."

"Go home!" cried Mabel, obviously distressed about seeing so many black-clad people all looking incredibly daunting.

"Mabel, we're staying here for a bit," I whispered quietly in her ear, and she began to wail.

"Oh, I forgot," said Harry, reaching into his cloak, and pulling out Mabel's pink rabbit, "We saved this."

I began to cry, as I took the slightly singed rabbit from Harry's grasp, and handed it to Mabel. She hugged it close.

"My rabbit," she sighed contentedly, looking adoringly up at Harry.

"I'm so sorry about your house," Harry said dejectedly, looking from me, to Robert, "There was nothing we could do."

"I…" stammered Robert, "I don't know what to say."

"Daddy," mumbled Al, tottering from Teddy to Harry, and reaching his arms up. Harry looked down in surprise, as if only just noticing he was there, but bent down to retrieve his son.

"Jamie," he said quietly, clinging onto Harry for dear life. Harry glanced at Ginny, who shook her head.

"Potter," came a rough voice from the back, and Harry turned around, "We'll need to gather the evidence."

"Right, yes, sorry," Harry muttered, attempting to place Albus back down on the floor, but the small boy was having none of it.

"Stay." Begged Al, tears beginning to flood down his cheeks.

"Hey, Al, don't be sad," Harry said, his professional composure crumbling in front of us, "I'll be back soon."

"No," Al stated, tightening his grip around his Father's neck.

"Please, Albus," Harry pleaded, catching Ginny's eye. She came forward and managed to prise Al off her husband.

Harry brushed a kiss onto Al's forehead, before turning on heel, the other Police following after him. A door across the hall slammed shut, and all voices were distinguished. Al was now crying freely and was wriggling ferociously against Ginny's hold.

"Please, Al, be good," Ginny said, dropping Al onto the sofa, and encouraging Teddy to do the same. Lily then decided that she needed to make herself known, for tiny sobs were weaving through the air, making Ginny sigh.

"You can tell somethings going on, can't you?" murmured Ginny, taking the baby into her arms. Lily let out a few strangled sobs, before grabbing a hold of her blankets and tugging hard. They tumbled to the floor; a small heap of pink, and left Lily free to flail her arms around and kick her feet as much as she pleased.

"Oh Lily," sighed Ginny, holding Lily in one arm, whilst bending down to gather the blankets back up.

A sudden knock at the door startled us all, and Ginny looked nervously through the doorway. She gently placed Lily into Teddy's arms and went to go investigate. For some unknown reason, I decided to get up with her, despite Robert's protests. I left Mabel with my husband and accompanied Ginny out into the hallway. The door directly opposite slowly opened, and Harry's face appeared, looking curiously at the front door.

"Who is it?" I whispered, and Ginny shrugged, reaching towards the door handle. However, Harry came striding up to us, and forcefully pushed Ginny's outstretched arm away, his own arm extended instead.

"Git," Ginny muttered, trying to shove Harry aside, but he didn't budge. His hand rested on the handle, contemplating whether he should open it or not.

"It's not your Mum or something, is it?" asked Harry, but Ginny shook her head, still trying to move Harry aside.

He twisted his hand and opened the door.

To my utter surprise, Helen stood there, looking as smug as a thug.

"We're extremely busy," Ginny snapped from behind Harry, and I have to say that I admired her nerve, for Helen's sickening smile faltered.

"Not too busy, I assume," she sneered, indicating me, "Having a cosy little catch-up, are we?"

"Nothing of the sort," Ginny replied haughtily, succeeding in shoving Harry aside, and facing Helen properly. Harry sighed, and leant forward to whisper something into Ginny's ear. She nodded, twisting her head around to kiss her husband. He then left, backing into the room, and closing the neighbouring door with a soft 'thud'.

"So, what's so important that you have to interrupt us?" Ginny asked Helen, folding her arms.

"A house, 'Oak Tree End', has been-" she began, but I stepped forward, not wanting to hear Helen's nonsense about our home.

"Eff off, Helen," I said hotly, making Helen stutter back slightly, "I've had enough of your stupid mendacities!"

She suddenly sneered.

"You've been spreading rumours, I've heard," she said.

"That's your job, Helen," I replied, not fazed by her attitude.

"Now now, Katie," Helen smirked, feigning confusion, "You don't want to be saying that, do you. I only came to deliver information-"

"Yeah," I spat, "Information that has nothing to do with you!"

"I was just watching over the neighbourhood, dear," she retorted, getting slightly snappier, "Seeing as no one else has the initiative to do so!"

"It's none of your business!" I yelled, noticing that the voices coming from the opposite room had quietened considerably.

"Katie," Ginny said softly, obviously realising too, "We'll bring this conversation into the living room if that's ok." She then turned to Helen; a faint frown etched on her tense features.

"If you'll come inside, Helen," she said, standing aside to let Helen in. The latter nodded, and stepped in, letting Ginny close the door behind her.

Helen's eyes studied everything; her face contorted in a way that was painstakingly familiar to me. It was the face she made when she judged. Someone, something, everything. Always that same face.

Judgement.

Pure and utter judgement.

Ginny must have noticed it too, for her eyes lowered, and she quickly ushered Helen into the living room. Robert looked up and gave a start when he saw Helen standing there. He hastily stood up; his arm extended.

"Helen," he stuttered, clearly uncomfortable, "Nice to see you."

"Your posture is saying otherwise," Helen sneered again, glancing at the 3 (4 if you counted Lily) sitting side by side on the sofa. Robert scowled, slumping back down next to Mabel. Helen raised an eyebrow and seated herself down on the vacant seat. I glanced at Ginny, who shot a nervous smile back, before gently taking Lily from Teddy, and sitting down herself. I squeezed in between Teddy and Mabel and turned to look at Helen. She had resumed her careful clocking of Ginny's home.

"What do you want?" Ginny said calmly, eyes not leaving Helen's.

"I want to inform you of a, in my opinion, quite a severe incident in our locality!" Helen vented, glaring at Ginny as if daring her to get even calmer.

"Yes, we've heard, and it's under control," Ginny nodded, her eyes blazing furiously at Helen. She was obviously trying to control her temper, "Is that all? Or do you have more chinwag to share?"

"Control yourself," Helen said, her nostrils flaring alarmingly.

"You're in my house," Ginny argued back, "I can kick you out whenever the hell I like!"

"Yes, dear," Helen said mulishly, "But I have to point out that Katie and Robert are, in fact, in your house too."

"Al's my friend!" Mabel said cheerfully, and Al glanced at her, his little face screwed up in denial.

"My question?" Helen repeated, ignoring Mabel.

"Our house. It was our house, Helen." Robert said quietly, before placing his head in his hands, hiding his face from the rest of the room. Helen looked startled and drew back into her chair.

"You weren't inside?" she said, her change of tone taking me by surprise.

"No. It happened when we took Liam to school," I replied, reaching over, and pulling Mabel onto my lap. I needed her comfort, her warmth. She happily snuggled into me, and I wrapped my arms over her.

"Oh, I-" Helen stammered, looking thoroughly uncomfortable. Serves her right, I thought.

"Is that all?" Ginny said, joining back into the conversation.

"Yes. Yes, that is all." Helen said, almost inaudibly, ducking her head, "But I do hope you've got this under control."

The doorbell suddenly rang, and all 4 adults looked nervously towards the window. Ginny pressed Lily further into her chest, before slowly standing up, and making her way towards the sound. I followed her out, gently handing Mabel to Robert as I did so.

"Who is it now?" I said softly, but Ginny shrugged, glancing towards the door behind us.

"No one dangerous can get through those gates," Ginny muttered, and I didn't know if she was telling me, or rather assuring herself.

We were almost at the entry when footsteps started plodding through my ears, so I looked right, and saw the pretty woman with dark curls by the bordering door, looking at me and Ginny curiously.

"The door rang," Ginny said to her, and the woman's dark blue eyes widened.

"Wait here," she hissed, but Ginny shook her head.

"Don't warn Harry, Falcov," Ginny huffed, "I can handle it on my own."

"But-" 'Falcov' began, but Ginny's frown stopped her.

"Adalia, I mean it," Ginny said firmly, turning back around, and reaching out towards the doorknob. She opened it meaningfully, ignoring the intake of breath by a so-called 'Adalia Falcov', and smiling when she saw who had rung.

It was James. James and Liam, and a man with light brown curly hair.

"Mummy!" Liam cried, seeing me, and veering into my legs.

"Hi, Liam," I said, bending down to receive him properly.

"Why do I have to miss school?" he asked, looking at me in confusion, and obviously noticing the lines of stress on my brow.

"I'll tell you in a minute, sweetheart," I said quietly, aware of the Adalia and the browned haired man in the close proximity.

I looked over and saw that Ginny had already bent down to James' level, and was whispering something, to which he was nodding his reply. I then looked over our company. The man was standing at the door, frequently looking behind him, his facial features giving away his nervousness, and Adalia Falcov, who was resumed her pacing of the door to the right.

I looked down when I felt a slight tug at my trouser leg, and saw Liam, looking curiously back at me.

"Its been a minute," he offered, but I shook my head.

"Just wait," I told him, before instantly feeling guilty when I clocked the harsh tone the words had come out with. I lowered my voice, "Its been a long morning, darling."

"I just wanna know what's happenin'" Liam mumbled, looking hurt.

"You will, I promise."

Ginny suddenly straightened up and nodded at the man in the doorway.

"You alright?" She asked, and he nodded.

"I'm fine," he replied, "You? We haven't spoken in ages."

She shrugged, adjusting baby Lily in her arms, "We've been busy, I suppose."

"Yeah," The man agreed, turning his head to look at me, "I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"Katie," I said, extending an arm, "Katie Williams."

"Nice to meet you," he said, dipping his head, "I'm Oliver Norcross, Harry's colleague."

"He's really nice," James said to Liam, eyes wide. Liam nodded, looking back up at Oliver.

"I asked him to collect the boys," Ginny said, glancing at me, "Since you asked."

"How did you get permission to get them out of school?" I asked, the question falling rapidly off my tongue. I have to admit, I had been wondering how Ginny was going to work around this. But, apparently, this 'Oliver Norcross' had found a way.

Oliver Norcross blushed a little, before glancing at Ginny.

"He had a note," Ginny said simply, ushering Oliver in, and shutting the door behind him. Adalia looked up when she heard the door shut.

"Olly," she said quietly, beckoning him over, "They want you inside."

"Oh." The latter said softly, striding over, and slipping into the room. From the gap in the door, I could see countless people huddled together, talking in frantic whispers, and making agitated hand movements. Ginny's eyes narrowed as pulled James into the living room. Liam scooted quickly behind him, and I brought up the rear.

"You took your time," Helen sneered, obviously back to her old self.

"Who are you?" James said, looking surprised. She ignored him and began to get to her feet.

"I've heard what I wanted to hear, so I better be off." She stated, but Ginny shook her head.

"We can't just let you leave, Helen," the younger woman said, "We've been ordered to stay inside."

"No one's ordering me around, thank you very much," Helen snapped, waving a dismissive hand in the general direction of Ginny.

"Go speak to the ones giving the orders then," Ginny said hotly, placing Lily down in her crib, and folding her arms. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw little Albus do the same; folding his littler arms over and furrowing his brows.

"Yes, I shall," Helen said matter-of-factly, moving towards the door.

"You'll be the one prosecuted for interrupting their meeting," Ginny muttered, making Helen scowl.

"They can't prosecute me, actually," she said, "My husband knows people in the police force all over the cou-"

"I'm sure he does," Ginny said coolly, interrupting Helen, "But I assure you that he won't know anyone currently situated in that room."

"There's a chance," Helen said, peeking out into the hallway. Ginny rolled her eyes at me and Robert, making us grin only slightly; our house had been blown up, after all, so our levels of amusement weren't high.

None of us followed her out, as we knew we would hear it when she tried to get into the room, and we were proved correct when we heard Adalia's firm voice.

"I can't let you in, Ma'am, you're not qualified." She said, speaking with bored indifference.

"I'm being held captive in this house!" Helen said austerely, "I demand an explanation!"

"Fine." Ginny said from the door frame, shooting Adalia an apologetic look, "There's a chance you'll get killed if you go outside. Happy?"

Helen paled, and to be honest with you, so did I. The way Ginny said made me feel sick. I automatically looked at the window.

Nothing.

"Not particularly," Helen said soundlessly. She turned back to the door, and hastily stepped back, "How long?"

"As long as they need," Adalia said, leaning back against the wall, and picking at a hangnail. It was obvious that she had dealt with people like Helen all to frequently.

"My children are at school!" Helen protested, looking anxiously at Ginny. The redhaired looked a little sorry for Helen, before shaking her head.

"They'll be fine," Ginny told her, "They won't be targeting the school."

"Then why bring your son out!?" Helen retorted, her face contorted with fear, "Why bring your son out if it was safe for him at school?!"

"That was my idea," Robert said, appearing at the doorway "Ginny was all for leaving them both at school."

"What was your reason?"

"I wanted him by me," Robert muttered, "I don't want no weirdo in my son's extremity."

"And what if I said that about Florence? Or William? That I needed them by me. Would I be allowed to get them? Or am I being held hostage in this stupid house?" Helen hissed, glaring at Ginny.

"They'll leave again in a minute," Ginny replied coldly, "You can go when they've left."

"How long-"

"As long as it takes," Ginny repeated, folding her arms.

"I don't think they'll be much longer," Adalia said, looking at Helen curiously, "But I agree with Ginny; Your children are safer down at the school."

"Bloody fools," Helen muttered under her breath, striding back into the living room, brushing rather rudely passed Ginny on her way.

"I should just let her go, you know," Ginny told me quietly, "She's not helping anyone by being here."

I nodded in agreement and suggested that we went back into the living room.

When we entered, the first thing I saw was Teddy sitting on the sofa, one arm and Al, and the other around James. The black-haired boys were both looking anxious, both curling in Teddy's side, wrapping their arms around their older counterpart.

"Where's Daddy?" James said, lifting his head when he saw Ginny re-enter.

"He's in the room opposite, James," Ginny told her son, pointing behind her, "But he'll be leaving soon."

"I wanna say goodbye," James said stubbornly, wriggling away from Teddy, "I wanna say goodbye!"

"You can't go in there," Ginny said firmly, "You know that."

"Al and Teddy said goodbye!" Whined James, trying to dodge around Ginny, "I wanna say goodbye too."

"You'll see him tonight, James," Ginny said, ushering James back onto the sofa. Liam had watched this whole affair whilst in the comforting arms of his father. He too had wrapped himself close to Robert and was looking at James wearily.

"Tut-tut," Helen sniffed from her position on an armchair, "Not allowing your children to see their father. Disgraceful."

James looked at Helen.

"Who are you?" he repeated, glancing back at Ginny.

"I'm Helen Nightingale," Helen said sweetly, "Florence's mother."

"Oh yeah, I remember you." James said, turning his focus back to Ginny, "I wanna see Daddy."

"James, give it a rest," Ginny sighed, shutting the door, and sitting down, once again, "He won't appreciate you being difficult right now."

"You don't know that." James huffed, refusing to sit down.

"James, be nice," Teddy said quietly, and James' brows furrowed as he turned to face his godbrother.

"I'm being nice," James said resolutely.

We all sat – In James' case, stood – in the living room; not in awkward silence, rather silence used to dwell in our own thoughts. I knew I had loads.

After a bit (I certainly wasn't counting, anyway), we heard the door across the hall open, and hushed whispers crept under the small gap under the door. James was instantly at the door, groping for the door handle, and ripping it open before Ginny could reach him.

"James!" She cried, leaping to her feet, and dashing over to her son. She grabbed him around the middle, before sitting down next to him, not allowing him to wriggle away, much to James' fury.

"Daddy!" James cried, and I spotted Harry at the front of the unexpectedly long line of people. He turned slightly, but the man behind him – a greying, wispy haired man – pushed him on.

"Daddy," James said weekly, before turning around, and starting to sob into Ginny's shoulder.

"It's ok, Jamie." Ginny murmured, stroking James' hair soothingly, and looking longingly at the front door, in which the last of the group had just disappeared through, "Daddy loves you."