Prologue: The Red Dying

Halloween 31 October, 1981, Ottery Saint Catchpole, Devon

Albus Dumbledore stood surveying the damage to the house that was known as the Burrow, or what was left of it. One wall on the second floor was gone. All of the windows, from the ground floor to the attic were shattered. A fire that had started because of the force of the killing curse rebounding back on Voldemort was slowly consuming the house, with no way to stop it. But the war was finally over. Albus sighed. He knew it was only the active war that was over for now, but as soon as Voldemort could, he would return. But the fighting, for now was over.

It should have been a joyous night. Voldemort had disappeared, but at a cost. A terrible cost. One of the best families the Wizarding World had to offer was torn apart. Arthur and Molly Weasley had died protecting their children, two of the seven were dead. The middle boy, Percy and the youngest boy Ronald. The twins, Fred and George had been hidden in the cupboard under the stairs were able to be saved as he and several Order members had arrived. They had cuts and bruises, but they would survive. The oldest two boys, William and Charles, were on their way from Hogwarts. And then there was little Ginevra, Ronald's twin.

Ginevra had been the one to survive the Killing Curse. Albus knew she was the girl of the Prophecy. Or at least one of them. Voldemort had chosen her and not the Lovegood girl for some reason. Albus sighed again. To protect them all, he had to separate the remaining family further. In his mind it was for their protection as well as Ginevra's. It was all for the greater good, he reasoned with himself.

Two of his closest allies approached with the twins, Fred and George. A whooshing sound was heard as two more landed with William and Charles by portkey. Albus sighed once more. It was for the greater good, he told himself again. All four boys hugged each other, all crying for their loss. It was truly a heartrending scene to watch as they fell to their knees. After a deep breath, Albus turned, drawing his wand.

"Sylas, Markus, Quinten, Hector, I have a mission for you," Albus began. "For their own protection they must be hidden, even from each other."

"What about the girl?" Hector asked, he had been the one to pull young Ginevra from the ruins of the house.

"I have made other arrangements for her," Albus answered. "Now, each of you must leave the country and care for the boys. Change their names, and do not tell them anything until you have word from me. Understood?"

"Of course, Albus," Sylas spoke for all of them.

"Sylas, go to the Americas. Hector, Australia. Marcus, Africa. Quinten, the mainland," Albus paused. Pulling four small ropes out of his robes. "Chose a boy. I must modify their memories."

In a matter of minutes all four of the Weasley boys were gone with no memory of who they really were. Albus moved to the other side of the ruined house. He thanked Poppy for looking after Ginevra as he picked her up. He disaperated. Albus arrived on the border of Molly's aunt's house. He had sent word to her already, outlining what she would be required to do for the next ten years, until Ginevra could go to Hogwarts and be trained. A middle-aged house-elf met him at the gate, taking the sleeping little girl. With a nod, Albus returned to the Burrow. The night was far from over.

"Albus!" James Potter called. The young Auror strode toward him with his consent companion, Auror Sirius Black.

"James, Sirius," Albus nodded.

"What a crazy night," Sirius intoned sadly.

"What else has happened?" Albus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"The Prewett boys had a huge battle. Seems Gideon turned," Sirius choked, unable to continue.

"Albert's dead. Fabian is in a coma at St. Mungo's," James continued with a hard swallow. "Healer's…don't know…"

"Merlin," Albus felt drained, but he was certain now that hiding the surviving members of the Weasley family was the right choice.

"Moody called us to help with the cleanup at the Rookery," James went on. "Pandora Lovegood is dead. Bellatrix killed her before Moody could get there with his team. But Xeno and their daughter made it out." He pointed in the distance to the orange glow on the other side of the village.

"Did…Were there any…" James tried to choke out as he looked at the house as the roof collapsed.

"Ginevra. She survived. She lived despite being hit with the Killing Curse," Albus answered. "When William and Charles arrived, they were so distraught they ran into the house just before the stairs collapsed. They didn't make it either."

"Good Godric," Sirius sobbed, dropping to his knees, covering his face. "This is not my day."

"Pads?" James asked. Albus could tell there was more to this, but waited for the friends to speak on their own.

"Marlene went to the Healer today," Sirius sobbed. "We…we can't…she can't…and now this…"

"I am truly sorry, Sirius," Albus offered as James dropped to his knees to hug his best friend.

HPHPHP

The memorial service for the Weasleys and Pandora Lovegood was a private affair. James Potter, his wife, Lily, were in attendance. Sirius and Marlene Black came with Sirius and James' longtime friend, Remus Lupin. Albus Dumbledore presided over the service as the nine caskets were laid to rest in a plot of land donated by the Potters. The Blacks paid for the headstones, adding one for Molly's oldest brother, Albert. Xenophilius Lovegood was too heartbroken to attend, and he had his daughter Luna to look after. It was a quiet service with few words. As the few guests filed away, Albus sighed. The waiting had begun.

For now, the greater good was all that mattered. Time would tell if the Prophecy was true as Albus suspected. Time would also be his judge for the choices he had made.