Darby had stayed up until past midnight with the Potter children. It had been a fun evening and exhausted, she had drifted off to sleep. But she woke up at the break of dawn in Lily's room, Lily sleeping in her sleeping bag so Darby could use the bed. Stretching, she went and freshened up. Ten minutes later, the two girls went down to join the two boys, James and Albus. The calling bell rang and Ginny opened the door to find Dudley and Beryl who had come to take Darby home.
"We're here for Darby," Dudley said smiling.
"Hey, Big D. Both of you should stay for breakfast. I insist." Harry said, coming out of the shower.
No sooner had the Potters and the Dursleys sat for breakfast than the floor network became active and Teddy came into view. Teddy looked exhausted, his normally pink hair had turned green (which was a sign of Teddy's worry ever since he was a baby), and his eyes were red.
"Teddy?" Harry, who had just been sitting, stood and rushed to him. "What's wrong?" He put an arm around his godson.
"H-Harry..." Teddy said and broke down. Watching his son in tears broke Harry's heart. Everybody was tensed and alarmed now. Even the children had fear written on their faces.
"W-What happened?" Ginny asked weakly. "Ted Dear!"
"G-Grandma! Grandma is..." Harry's heart stopped beating for a moment. Was Andromeda Tonks de...? No, he couldn't bring himself to think like that. Ginny gasped and began to cry, "Oh, no! How did it happen?"
"I don't know," Teddy said between sobs. "The last time I saw Grandma was yesterday morning before Victorie and I went out on our usual work. Grandma didn't show up all night and I'm really worried!" He held on to his godfather for support. The table soon recovered from the shock.
"I'm sure it isn't something to worry about. I'll floo call and ask Scorpius. She might be at her sisters place." Albus offered and went to contact Scorpius.
"There is a chance she might be at our place. She has been saying for ages that she wanted to visit my fast food joint." Dudley said and took Beryl and Darby with him. "We will find Mrs. Tonks."
"I'll go check with my parents and brothers. James, come with me!" Ginny said, hurrying. James was quicker than ever.
"Teddy, stay here with Lily. I'll go check at Hogsmeade. Ginny will go to Diagon Alley anyway." Harry instructed and disapparated.
The busy table from a moment ago now looked like a heath to Teddy. Every minute felt like an eternity. For Teddy, his grandmother was one of the last people that meant a lot to him to be alive - much like what Sirius Black had been to Harry, although Harry too was to Teddy what Sirius had been to him.
"Teddy, we'll find her," Lily said as Teddy buried his face in his hands. She patted Teddy's back much as he did to her whenever she was upset. Teddy appreciated the gesture and tried putting up a brave smile.
"Mum!" Ginny called out at the Burrow. "Dad!"
"Ginny? What is it?" Her dad called.
"Oh, you've come at the right time. Why don't you both join us for break...? Ginny? What is wrong?" Her mum cried out.
"Mrs. Tonks is missing! Grandma!" James quickly said.
Abandoning breakfast, the older Weasleys joined Ginny and James in searching. Victorie had alerted her parents and siblings, and the five of them were at Percy's by the time Ginny and her team reached the place. In a matter of a few moments, the entire Weasley clan from Arthur and Molly to the grandchildren were all looking for Andromeda.
As soon as Ginny returned, Harry pulled her closer, "Any news?" He asked. She shook her head on the verge of crying. Just then. Dudley came in, "We have searched our entire colony apart from the shop! We even took the chance to check at our old house. She wasn't there, Harry."
Draco Malfoy came with his son, both white in the face, "Potter! Mum says she hasn't seen Aunt Andromeda for a while! We'll need to search! Have you checked Hogsmeade?" Albus went to join James, and Lily insisted that she too join them. Rose and Hugo were already on the trail.
A tired Harry, who had spent every minute running frantically across Hogsmeade shook his head. "Ron and George are looking around Inthe Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley."
Calvin and Jasmine came to the Potters residence, looking worn out and upset said, "Teddy! We have checked several parts of Muggle London as well! Nowhere!"
"Jasmine and Calvin! Please..." Teddy said and his friends patted his back in an attempt to calm him down.
After hours of frantic but futile searching, Harry registered an official complaint with the Auror Office. Being the Head, he dispatched Aurors on the mission. How is it possible that an elderly but powerful witch disappears without a trace suddenly?
Harry spent all night going through various reports his junior Aurors brought him about 'recent sightings' of Mrs. Tonks. None of them were satisfying. To add to his woes, the following morning, a senior Auror, Robards came up to Harry with a grim expression on his face.
"Mr. Potter. This requires your immediate attention. There has been a blast at 'Killjoy circle this morning at seven. The blast came from the very person you're looking for - Mrs. Tonks. She has been found..."
Harry's heart stopped. No! It can't be! Mrs. Tonks couldn't be...! Nor would she attack others!
Even as he looked at the scene, his heart broke seeing Teddy sobbing by Andromeda's side. Then, he heard a familiar cry. It was... Dudley?
Turning around, he saw who exactly Andromeda's supposed victim was, and to his shock, he watched three Dursleys lying dead. Uncle Vernon and Aunts Petunia and Marge! What were they doing here at seven in the morning? Probably on a visit to Dudley and family!
Apart from the Dursleys, there was no one else on the road. It looked like a planned murder! There was no way Mrs. Tonks would do such a thing!
"My grandmother is INNOCENT! She didn't do this!" Teddy bellowed loud and clear to everybody who approached them.
"Exactly! Why would she go missing and then show up and kill some people, herself included?" Harry heard somebody say. His heart felt heavy, his shoulders stooped, and his knees gave way. He could hear Teddy and Victorie crying their hearts out. He sat on the ground watching as the peripheral vision on one eye showed his beloved godson grieving his grandmother's death, and the peripheral vision on the other eye watched Dudley, Beryl, and Darby mourn the three Dursley elders. On both sides, it was he, Harry, who had lost someone! Someone was clearly targeting...
"Harry!" Hermione said furiously. "Someone's out there to get Harry! Why else would they go after the people related to Harry in one way or the other?"
"I reckon some of Voldemort's old followers are still out there, mate!" Ron growled. "I'm handing over my resignation letter to George and rejoining the Auror force!"
"W-What?" George said. "You needn't resign, Ron! You can always come back to my shop anytime! It doesn't matter if you work elsewhere, but please don't talk of resignation. We are family!"
"R-Ron, perhaps if you reconsider..." Hermione said but Ron cut her off. "No! I can't sit back and watch my family being taken! Especially if I'm an Auror! If they're after Harry, they'll have to cross my DEAD BODY!"
"Not just yours, but MINE too!" Hermione declared. "We won't let anyone get Harry!"
The funerals were solemn. Darby was sobbing hard and her cousins were trying to console her. Her parents were an emotional mess and Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny were trying to console them. Following the funeral, the entire summer was filled with sorrow, worry, anxiety, and tension. Darby, for the first time, had a summer that resembled the summers of Uncle Harry's time at Hogwarts. The transition from her third year to her fourth year was frightening. She heard that Uncle Ron had rejoined the Auror force and was always on duty with Uncle Harry. Aunt Hermione, being the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement was ever busy. Rose and Hugo would often be found at the Potter residence or the Burrow.
Darby couldn't meet any of her cousins or friends. She could talk to them, though. That's how she found out that the situation was the same for the Potter and Weasley kids too. Beryl even took things further by sending Darby away to her parents house for most of August. The summer went by with stress accompanied by boredom at intervals for her. One day, Aunt Ginny even apparated to Dudley's house with all the things Darby would need for her fourth year, thus necessitating no need for Darby to go to Diagon Alley too. Darby's grandparents thought Darby would be upset because of her paternal grandparents' accident (the muggles were told that this was an accident that killed three women and a man) and still felt Darby should attend Dunkel.
While at Beryl's parents house, Darby was allowed to play outside. She explored the surrounding area, briefly made friends with some muggle children nearby, and did play with them. However, worry always nagged her and she wouldn't play as much as her muggle friends would like. By late afternoon, the time muggle children were about hours away from going home, Darby would return to her grandparents and spend the rest of the day indoors.
A week before her new term at Hogwarts started, Darby went to her house. She sent a goodbye note to her muggle friends before leaving. After a month, she was finally allowed to see James, Albus, and Lily. Lily was starting Hogwarts this year, and everyone was already debating whether or not to send her. Or the boys, for that matter, since the supposed target was Harry. But the children wanted to attend Hogwarts and the adults understood - they themselves had loved Hogwarts when there. Apart from that, it felt safe that the children would be at Hogwarts rather than Harry himself, by his own words.
Teddy was doing better. but was still a wreck. Even Darby's heart broke seeing him like that. It had been more than a month since his hair had turned into dull, mousy brown hair. Like everyone, Darby longed to see that vivid pink and purple hair of Teddy's spring to action.
The situation did not improve at all, even after they left for Hogwarts. As Darby boarded the train (she was last), she heard someone run up to Harry and whisper urgently. "She could only make out the words, "Calvin... Missing... The note... "MUDBLOODS SHALL DIE!" Aurors dispatched..."
When she told this to James, Lily, and Albus, the three Potter children began tearing up, "That's Teddy's best friend!"
"Poor Teddy! First his grandmother!"
"And now his best friend!"
"Maybe THEY ARE AFTER TEDDY, NOT UNCLE HARRY!" Darby said loudly, and that was the last words Harry heard as the train moved past him.
"Oh, no! Gin, did you hear Darby? She said..." Harry began but Ginny cut him, "She said that Teddy is the target, not you! Harry, oh, no!"
Meanwhile, the conversation inside the train continued.
"Teddy told me. Jasmine is pregnant! Calvin is the father! They were planning to get married soon! They were going to announce the date!" James said. "Mum and Dad are the only ones who know this!
"W-What?" Albus stared in shock.
Lily began sobbing, and Darby too found her knees going weak. The news had put a damper to their excitement about Hogwarts too, what with the already existing worry and anxiety.
"I-I want to go home!" Hugo, also starting his first year at Hogwarts began crying. "I wanna be with Mum and Dad!"
"Hugo, it's fine. We'll be at Hogwarts." Rose comforted her younger brother.
"The Fidelius Charm! We can send Jasmine into hiding!" Harry said.
"Yes, and Teddy would want to be Secret Keeper. Maybe we should ask him." Ginny advised. Harry nodded.
When Darby and the others reached Hogwarts, they met Professor Longbottom at the Entrance Hall.
"Potter - James. Harry informs me that Teddy and many others are using the Fidelius Charm. As for you lot, you have to inform me before you leave this castle for anything. These are dangerous times and I personally can't trust -" He gave a dark look at one figure at the distance "-some people."
Hogwarts was always a mirthful place, but for Darby, the Potters, and the Weasleys, it wasn't as mirthful. Darby clutched Jean's hand tightly as they watched the Sorting. She could make out James and Andrew with their heads bent together at the Gryffindor table. Next to her, Albus sat with Scorpius, who seemed to be telling Albus something about his grandmother acting strange of late.
"Potter - Lily!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Weasley - Hugo!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Darby clapped hard for her cousins as they joined James and Rose at the Gryffindor table. After supper, the students of Hogwarts returned to their dormitories for bed. However, some of their parents were in no sleeping state.
Harry opened the door to see a disheveled Draco Malfoy. "M-Malfoy?"
"POTTER! You have got to help me!" Draco cried out.
At midnight, Harry found himself at Malfoy Manor staring at Narcissa Malfoy.
"Mum has been acting strange of late! Let me elaborate!" Draco said and took a deep breath. "Ever since the war, Mum always gets up at dawn and bathes. Then, she takes the name of Uncle Ted, Nymphadora, and Remus - you know, the ones who died in the war. And then she would either visit Aunt Andromeda or busy herself with pursuits like knitting. However, since we heard of Aunt Andromeda's death, she has begun sleepwalking! Initially, it was normal stuff - like walking around her bed, or maybe grabbing a snack from the refrigerator Astoria and I gifted Mum and Dad long back. But over the last four or five nights, she sleepwalks with this peculiar habit."
Just then, Mrs. Malfoy appeared, her eyes half-open as though in a trance. She obsessively rubbed her hands and lamented, "Murder! Blood! The blood of innocents lies on my hands!"
Then, rubbing her hands, she walked into her room again. Perplexed, Harry turned to look at Malfoy. "Call a Healer, Malfoy."
This is NOT what I've called you here for, Potter! I suspect she is under the Imperius Curse! I wish to lodge a complaint. Please, save my mother! She means a lot to me!" Malfoy cried.
"Okay, Malfoy. I'm also trying to understand the situation." Harry said.
On the morning of second September, Darby and Jean made their way to breakfast and collected their timetables. Albus told them that he and Scorpius (and Rose) had Herbology. James and Andrew were headed outside for Care of Magical Creatures. Lily and Hugo were grouped together and they followed Parvati Patil for their Transfiguration period. Darby looked down and saw that she and Jean had Charms.
As Hugo and Lily passed by, James, Albus, Rose, and Darby nodded at them with a smile. Shortly after, Jean and Darby made their way to the Charms classroom. Darby's mood had improved slightly on knowing that it was Charms. They said that Flitwick was a dueling master in his heyday! Oh, she would love to learn from him now, especially when so much uncertainty and fear were there! Looking up, she saw dark grey clouds with mild thunder and lightning.
When Darby and Jean went to the Charms classroom, they were greeted by Professor Flitwick and a gigantic, raven-haired man with a scowl on his lined face. He looked like a mountain even compared to the students, which was saying something since all the students were about a foot taller than Professor Flitwick!
"Good morning, class. I am Professor Flitwick, your Charms professor." Flitwick said as the students said, "Good morning, sir!"
"Leopold Ellison here works for the Department of Mysteries and is going to be at Hogwarts for an undisclosed period of time during which he is going to be doing important research. He will be with us in many classes for all subjects." Professor Flitwick said.
But even as Professor Flitwick began explaining the chapters they were to study that term, Darby felt a chill run down her spine. Something wasn't right. She looked up from her Charms book only to meet Leopold Ellison's dark eyes. He was glaring at her in such a way she could feel the hair at the back of her neck stand up. Shuddering, Darby looked down again but could still feel his gaze upon her.
The weather wasn't different in London. The Head of the Auror Office too had gone to work that day expecting a regular routine. No sooner had he settled on his chair than he was confronted with terrible news again - Beryl's parents were straight-up murdered and Narcissa Malfoy was found at the scene with her wand. She looked disheveled and was barely breathing. She had been taken to St. Mungos Hospital. But Audrey Weasley informed Harry that Mrs. Malfoy died of her injuries.
"Why did Mrs. Tonks and Mrs. Malfoy go after us? ANSWER ME, POTTER! Aren't you the Wizard Head of Police?" Beryl screamed and sobbed. Dudley held her close and looked at Harry apologetically.
"I'm so sorry about this, Mrs. Dursley. I really am trying to find a solution. Beryl, please." Harry implored.
"You're an Auror. Please help us." Harry heard Dudley's voice drifting in and out of clarity.
It didn't stop there. Draco Malfoy kept shouting hoarse how the Aurors had been careless and demanded justice. "MY MOTHER WAS KILLED THROUGH DECEIT! I WANT ANSWERS! WE WANT JUSTICE, POTTER!"
From all sides, all Harry could hear was, "Answers!", "The Auror Office has become careless!", "Potter!", and "What is going on?" Even the press was having a field day and mocking his misery, "Mr. Potter. What do you say about the disappearance of Mr. Gilford? And what of Ms. Wood? Weren't they friends of Mr. Lupin? Come to think of it, we haven't seen Mr. Lupin in public for a long time!"
"We - we are looking for Mr. Gilford. Our sources say that he is missing." A junior Auror said, trying to placate the media, but the media began to cross-question him instead.
"Calvin Gilford is missing and the Auror Office is clueless. Jasmine Wood, the daughter of the legendary Oliver Wood is missing too, and Mr. Wood is unavailable for comment. Mr. Lupin, who happens to be Mr. Potter's son is also missing. And the Auror office has no answers!"
Harry could no longer tell where he was or what he was doing, or even how much time passed by.
"Harry?" Ginny's voice suddenly made him look into her eyes. "Harry, you don't look well! You look stressed and weak."
"No! I'm fine." Harry insisted.
"You're being stubborn, Harry. You need food and sleep!" Ginny said, her voice breaking.
"I don't need sleep! I need answers!" Harry declared and rushed to his office. But he had barely entered when he collapsed on the floor. Ron, who had just walked in, rushed to Harry.
"HARRY?" Ron said. Harry stared into the distance. Ron noticed the pamphlet. A moment later, his face betrayed shock and fury.
"Harry! It's alright!" He said. "Let me call Hermione!" Seconds later, Hermione was there. She looked pale and gave a small scream as she entered.
"Hermione, take him to Ginny." Ron said.
"No, I can't go anywhere!" Harry said weakly but fainted. Hermione ensured Harry was put to bed. Ginny was sobbing, "What's all this, Hermione?"
Wiping her eyes, Hermione put up a brave smile, "The war is over, Ginny. Be strong."
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, Darby was furiously pacing up and down.
"Jamie! Al! Lils! I'm telling you! That Ellison bloke looks sketchy!" Darby said that evening, "He has an eye on me probably because he wants people to think he might be targeting me. I'm sure he targets you!"
Darby had been reading a note as the Potters, Rose, and Hugo assembled around her.
"W-What?" Lily said.
"Yes! He has this creepy look, Lily-Flower! You are the one who needs the most protection!" Darby insisted.
"I-I'm not sure if we're the only targets here," Albus said.
"NO!" Darby said furiously, "Al! You don't understand! They're after Uncle Harry. They can't get him, obviously! So, his children - you - are the targets!"
"No, listen," Rose demanded. "First they target Mrs. Tonks. Then, they go after Calvin Gilford. So, we're inclined to think they're after Teddy. NO, LISTEN!" She said sharply as Darby opened her mouth. "After that, they target Mrs. Malfoy! Now, they're trying to mislead us by making us believe they're after the Malfoys."
"Rose! You're forgetting that in both cases, MY GRANDPARENTS WERE BUTCHERED TO DEATH IN BROAD DAYLIGHT! They aren't related to the Malfoys, but are related to the Potters!" Darby growled so loudly that everybody in the corridor jumped. "Now, will you please listen? They target everyone who is important or related to Uncle Harry! This could mean only one thing."
"Darby, we are sorry about the Dursleys' deaths. But it's been two months now..." Rose began but Darby held her hand.
"I got an owl just now. Along with Mrs. Malfoy, my maternal grandparents were killed too!" There was a stunned silence. Tears streamed down Darby's cheeks. She had lost both sets of grandparents. She may not have enjoyed their company, but she nevertheless loved them. Saying it aloud that they were dead was like finalizing it and it felt horrible to accept it.
"I-I'm sorry for shouting at you, Rosie." She sobbed. "Jamie, Al, Lils, I only want you guys to be safe and I suspect you're who the wicked monsters are after! I find often that I'm like my mother. I get super pissed and can't control my rage a lot of times and..." Just then, five people hugged her and she broke down - on whose shoulder she did not know - completely.
"We will be safe, Darby," James said, sounding like he had a bad cold. "We have one another."
"Yeah, y-yeah! We will fight to the death anyone who tries to harm any of us!" Albus declared, breaking into sobs.
Rose swiped at her eyes furiously, "We will show them! They can't get us!"
After everyone had split and wiped their eyes, Rose said, "Leopold Ellison did look sketchy. But I was thinking it has something to do with his job at the Department of Mysteries. I think Darby's right. He could be after... Oh, Jamie! Al! Lily-Flower!"
"I-Is that him?" Lily said suddenly and the kids turned to see a shadow disappearing.
"He was watching us all the time now!" Hugo said in dawning horror. "He is definitely after you three!"
A while later, Scorpius Malfoy came up to Darby, "I'm sorry about your grandparents, Darby. I promise, neither my grandmother nor Mrs. Tonks wished harm upon them."
Darby took a close look at Scorpius. His generally bright blonde hair had turned dull, and he looked on the verge of tears. She felt a stabbing pain inside. The pain was still raw and it hurt. "I-I'm sorry about your grandmother. I know how it feels, Malfoy." She could feel her own tears running down her cheeks.
Scorpius turned away, hiding his tears, "I-I... Thanks, Dursley!"
Soon, the Quidditch season was upon them and they got busy with Quidditch practice along with their studies, assignments, and homework. On the day of the first match of the term (Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff), Hufflepuff won the match even though the Slytherin Seeker caught the Snitch. For weeks there was no terrible news, and the atmosphere lightened up. Soon, it was time for the first Hogsmeade visit of the year.
"Darby! Are you done?" Albus called from the Slytherin Common Room. Darby came out of her dormitory just then. "Yeah, Al. I'm waiting for Jean. She wants to wear her silver tiara."
"Well, hurry up, then!" Albus huffed impatiently.
"It is fine, Al." Scorpius said as he entered the Slytherin Common Room. Something about his hair attracted Darby's attention. The way his deliciously blonde hair drifted lazily in the wind and a strand of it settled on his wide forehead. He was taller than her, had strong arms, and walked imperiously. But he was a kind and humble boy. Darby's cheeks flushed. Why was she suddenly thinking about her cousin brother's best friend like this?
When the two girls and two boys reached the Great Hall, they found an impatient James, a grinning Andrew, a glamorous Rose with a black-haired boy, presumably her date, and Lily and Hugo who were scowling. They wanted to go to Hogsmeade too. Tying her red hair in the back, Rose led the way with her date as the others followed.
"That's Amit! From India! One of the most popular boys at Hogwarts!" Jean squealed. Darby smirked at her. It was obvious that Jean had a crush on Amit. Darby didn't fancy the boy. She respected him just like she respected every human being. To Jean's left were James and his best friend, Andrew. The duo was talking about going to Honeydukes and getting some sweets. To Darby's right was Scorpius. He was talking excitedly with Albus. Even as Scorpius turned his face in Darby's direction and laughed at something Albus said, it sounded like music to Darby's ears. Right ahead of them, Rose and her boyfriend were talking about going to the Three Broomsticks.
"Amit is going into the Three Broomsticks!" Jean said excitedly and raised her voice for the rest of the group, "I think we all should get a drink!"
"Sure! We were thinking the same!" Rose said. Her boyfriend pecked on the lips and Darby turned away. "Jeez! Get a room already!" She thought mentally. But while she was thinking so, she found herself sitting right next to Scorpius. Albus sat opposite Scorpius with James. Andrew sat opposite James, so Jean occupied the seat opposite Darby. Darby turned to her right and saw Scorpius looking a bit tense. There was a tinge of pink on his cheeks and he was trying hard not to touch her. Unfortunately for him, his fingers brushed with hers while getting the drinks, while examining the cute Pygmy Puff Rose's boyfriend bought for her, and after drinking Butterbeer. Each time their fingers brushed, Darby felt goosebumps erupt in her, and seemingly so did Scorpius.
"What's going on with you two? Why are you so uncomfortable?" Albus asked as he drained the last of his butterbeer.
"Are we?" Scorpius laughed nervously. By now, Darby was trying hard not to stare at Scorpius. She didn't want to freak the poor boy out.
"Darby! Come with me, quick!" Jean practically dragged Darby out. She had seen Amit leave the place. Behind her, Darby knew that Rose was snogging her boyfriend. She also heard Albus and Scorpius say as they left that they were going to Honeydukes.
"Let's all meet at the Great Hall by lunchtime." Andrew said as he exited the Three Broomsticks. "Come, Jamie!"
Darby spent an entire hour walking endlessly. Jean wanted to go everywhere Amit and his gang of admirers went. Finally, he began walking in the direction of Hogwarts and Jean went after the group. Darby made to follow but was exhausted. Just then, an ear-splitting crash reverberated around Hogsmeade.
There were screams coming from a shop in the alleyway Darby hadn't noticed before. Then, a hooded man with a blood-stained knife came out and bellowed, "Incendio!" He flung something into the main road and disapparated before anyone could come near.
Soon, a crowd gathered. Darby stopped Jean from following Amit. Instead, she took Jean's hand and moved towards the crowd. "We need to see who is injured! We should try and help!" Darby insisted while Jean walked behind her with a defeated look. It was growing steadily darker.
Not even days after the incident would the sight Darby saw just then, ever fade even a bit from her mind! She remembered a chill passing down her spine, her heart break into a million pieces, her limbs going weak, and a group of cries erupting from her and several members of the crowd.
Even fifteen minutes later, as Mr. and Mrs. Potter rushed into the infirmary and stared in disbelief as Darby, Albus, Lily, Rose, and Hugo sat dumbstruck, Darby couldn't think straight. A boy sat sobbing uncontrollably by the side of the table. Mrs. Potter's screams shook the entire hallway. A slip of parchment fell from Mr. Potter's hand. Ron and Hermione rushed in, with Ron telling his wife that Harry found the parchment in his office. He explained that the parchment was pink - the pink that made the scars at the back of his hand tingle horribly. The words were in capital letters, "HE IS AT HOGWARTS! STOP HIM FROM GETTING THE KIDS IF YOU CAN, POTTER! YOU'LL LOSE TO THE DARK LORD! HAIL LORD VOLDEMORT!" as Darby would read shortly.
Darby slowly stood up as the rest of the Weasley clan and her own parents rushed in next. Walking slowly towards the table yet not daring to hasten or look eagerly, she took one step after the other. Teddy patted his godfather's arm as he sobbed. Victorie had her head on his shoulder, shaking with emotion.
When Darby finally neared and took another look, she burst into tears. An arm supported her and she began crying into the boy's shoulder. She vaguely recognized the familiar blonde hair and he was also crying. Next to him stood Albus, Lily, and Hugo who were bawling their eyes out. Rose sobbed into her boyfriend's shoulder. Jean sat next to Andrew patting his arm and wiping her eyes. Everyone inside the infirmary looked solemn and was crying.
They were staring at the decapitated head of James Sirius Potter.
The body was destroyed in the fire. With the death of James Sirius Potter, things have become murkier than ever! Will there be more deaths? Will there be another war? Another Dark Lord, perhaps?
