There is a war on, and William De Winter is not amused.
He stalks up the path towards the castle, blasting Death Eaters out of his way with a flick of his wand, intent on killing his son as soon as he finds the ungrateful little bastard for worrying his mother like this.
A Death eater luges at him from the left, William sidesteps him and hits him right in the chest with a stunner. Yes, he resolves as he steps over the body, he is going to murder Nathaniel when he finds him.
William De Winter is accosted on the steps of the castle. He recognizes Rodolphus. They were children together once, distantly related, thrown together at various pureblood functions. They had been dorm mates, friends. They had sat next to one another in History of Magic. William laughs, because it's funny that they should meet after all this time, like this.
"Finally decided to come around De Winter?" Lestrange calls, drawing his wand because he already knows the answer.
"No."
"Thought not." And then they are dueling. William is pushed back, away from the castle, away from his son. He gets a hit or two in, but the Death Eater has the upper hand. He's out of practice, he realizes, and it's all William can do not to laugh because why not?
"You should have joined us De Winter!" Rodolphus calls after a particularly vicious hex that William barley blocks, "We were friends! Your family-"
"You know nothing of my family!" William says, straightening again, "Look at you! What has your service gotten you? Nothing!"
Rodolphus screams with rage, or perhaps with anguish, it is hard to tell. His next spell knocks William to his knees, and the man on the ground cannot recover quick enough to block the Death Eaters next spell.
Blood spurts from William's now opened chest. He holds his hand to it, like it will make a difference, and tries to drag himself towards the castle. He doesn't make it.
Its Neville Longbottom finds him.
"M-my son…"
"Shhhhh, shhhhh, it's alright sir, what's your name?" the Longbottom boy is pale, William notes, but his hands don't shake as he tries to calm the dying man.
"P-please, it's important he knows…."
"Knows what sir?"
"He has to go home." William whispers, because he can't manage deeper breaths, "His m-mother and I are w-worried you see."
"I'll tell him sir." Neville promises, "I'll make sure he's alright."
And somehow William believes this pale boy who can't be much older than Nathaniel.
"Thank…."
And then all is dark.