Moments later, two figures could be seen making their way up a hill carrying an invisible object between the two of them.
"How much longer, Ron? I can't even see the house!"
"Well, yeah, the Secret-Keeper would have to tell you the location to be able to see it, wouldn't he? It's just on the top of the hill," grumbled Ron, a little breathless from carrying the bulk of Harry's weight.
"I have got to talk to Harry about starting a diet," muttered Ron. "Aha! Here we are!"
Ron supported Harry with one hand while he knocked a code out onto the door. Just moments later, Bill opened the door.
"Ron…what are you doing back? Hermione? Where's Harry?" Bill asked, completely flabbergasted by their unexpected appearance on his doorstep.
"Nevermind that, Bill, we've got to get inside." Ron heard a sharp intake of breath as Bill observed them carrying an invisible burden. Bill had guessed where Harry was.
"Bill, we need Mum and Lupin. It's urgent!"
"Already done, Ronald!" said Fleur, emerging from the sitting room. "I saw you two com' up ze hill. Follow me."
She led them into a small bedroom with a fireplace. As they removed the Invisibility Cloak and laid Harry down on the bed, Fleur quietly asked, "What 'appened?"
As Hermione sent a meaningful look at Ron and quickly busied herself with wiping Harry's face with a conjured towel and bowl of water.
"Er…" Ron thought wildly for an answer.
Bill, who had been standing in the doorway, angrily said, "Ron, what the hell's going on? You turn up here, mere days after you left, with Harry looking like this," he gestured towards Harry lying on the bed, "and refuse to tell us anything –"
"You're in the Order, Bill, you know Dumbledore left us a mission. We're not supposed to talk about it to anyone else."
Fleur made an impatient noise, but Bill did not look at her; he was staring at Harry. His deeply scarred face was hard to read. Suddenly they heard banging from downstairs – the same rhythmic code that Ron had used, but ridiculously louder. It sounded like they were trying to break the door down. Everyone whipped out their hands, while Bill peered out the window.
"It's all right. They've arrived." He swept downstairs to open the door.
A little strangled shriek followed by a crash came from the bedside. Ron whipped around, wand at the ready, to find Hermione trembling and ashen down to the lips.
"He's not breathing!" She cried out in a strangled voice.