Chapter 2
Bill and George advanced slowly, but for every Death Eater they felled or drove back, another seemed to appear. They were coming back to the thick of the fighting now: spells were flying in all directions, and Bill distinctly heard his father bellow: "Stupefy!" from somewhere ahead of where he and George fought side by side.
Suddenly, there was a huge bang, flashes of red and green light and a dull roar. It came from somewhere a long way behind them, but it seemed to shake the floor beneath their feet. With mounting terror, Bill realised that George was no longer fighting beside him, but had fallen, almost at his feet. Roaring "Protego!" and "Stupefy!" and halting the Death Eater in front of them in his tracks, Bill dropped to his knees, groping desperately for his brother.
"George! Where are you? Are you okay?" As he gripped his brother's shoulder, Bill felt George move, struggling to sit up, and he almost sobbed aloud in his relief that George was not dead, that he had not failed to protect his little brother. But as he crouched beside him, and as George struggled upright, Bill saw George's face and felt something inside himself freeze.
George's eyes were wide and terrified, his face was green-grey. He looked as if he were about to faint. Bill shook his shoulder gently. "George, what is it? Are you okay?" But somehow he knew what had happened, even before George spoke, in a strangled whisper that was almost a sob: "Fred. Fred. No, please, no! Bill, Fred's dead."
It never occurred to Bill to doubt what George had just told him. The twins were so close, it was inconceivable that one would die without the other knowing. Even as his mind formed the words: "Are you sure?" Bill realised how stupid they were. Of course George was sure. How could Fred die and George not know? Bill felt his tears overflowing as he struggled to his feet, pulling George with him.
"George, come on, we have to get out of this!" Dragging his dazed brother along with him, Bill continued forwards along the corridor, roaring spells at the hooded figures who appeared in their way, barely aware of who they were or where he was. Somehow – he never knew how – he got himself and George through to a place of relative quiet and safety. The dark and gloomy history of magic classroom had remained free of fighters. Bill pushed the door open and steered George into a chair.