Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Thanks to SingularityStar, who beta this story for me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Deathly Hallows
"Don't you think we should take a break … I'm getting really hungry," Ron said.
"Ron, Death Eaters just nearly caught you and you want to eat!" Ginny said to her brother.
"Well … I'm hungry," Ron said.
"We can eat after this chapter," Molly said, smiling at her youngest son and his appetite (though he did have a point, it was getting late).
Remus, figuring that this issue was settled for now, and really wanting to know what was going to happen next, started to read. "The Deathly Hallows."
Hermione says Protego Totalum … Salvio Hexia…:
"Good," Molly muttered.
"Though it's not like they could have followed you there," Tonks said. "They would have had to be holding onto you for that to be true and they aren't there."
"It's never wrong to be cautious," Bill said.
"Agreed," Tonks nodded her head.
Ron says that treacherous old bleeder:
"Hmph!" Molly huffed her agreement with her son's comment.
Hermione says I hope they don't kill him:
Everyone shivered, not wanting the man to get killed, though on the whole still quite angry at him.
Hermione says that's why I wanted the Death Eaters to see Harry before we left, so they knew he wasn't lying:
"Good thinking Hermione," Ginny said, knowing that Luna wouldn't be able to handle her father's death well.
Hermione says what would happen to your family if they knew you're with Harry:
The Weasleys all shuddered at that.
"Thank you, Hermione," Molly said in a soft voice, she was trying not to think of her family being in such horrible turmoil.
Ron says you're a genius:
"Still trying to get on my good side, Ron," Hermione said to him.
"Nope, just stating a fact," Ron chuckled.
Harry says I don't know what we'd do without you:
"You wouldn't have made it out of your first year without her," Sirius laughed.
"Yeah, you're right," Harry sighed, knowing his godfather was joking but it was true all the same.
Ron says if they're telling the truth and Luna's still alive:
"Oh, Ron, don't say it like that," Ginny shivered.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she's okay," Harry said softly. "Besides, we're going to make sure that none of this ever happens, so she'll never get taken in the first place."
Ron says then she'll be in Azkaban, whether she survives that place, loads don't:
"Don't be so damn pessimistic, Ron!" Ginny hissed at her brother.
"I'm only telling the truth," Ron sighed, and noticed Ginny's glare intensify added, "Sorry …."
Harry says she will, Luna's tough, much tougher than you'd think, she's probably teaching about Wrackspurts and Nargles:
Fred and George laughed at that, though they too were worried about this odd girl. They were starting to really like her from what they had read so far in the book and didn't want anything to happen to her.
Mentions that after their escape the tent felt like home, safe, familiar, and friendly:
"Oh, don't say things like that," Molly moaned.
"Er … what?" Harry said, not understanding what was wrong with saying things were safe familiar and friendly.
"Whenever you start relaxing in this book something terrible happens," Molly explains with a shiver.
Hermione says he probably doesn't believe in the Deathly Hallow, he just wanted to keep us talking until the Death Eater arrived:
"Oh, I'm sure he wanted you to keep talking, but I don't think he made up the Deathly Hallows," Sirius said. "Trust me, I'm skilled at telling stories …."
"Sure you are," Remus interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Making people believe they're true is another story."
"And the only way to make it believable is to put in as much truth as you can," Sirius said, ignoring his friend completely. "I would have to admit though the fact that he had you read the story and other things were ways he tried to stall you from going."
Ron says the Chamber of Secrets was supposed to be a myth, wasn't it:
"Ron … which side are you on," Hermione questioned. "It sounds like you don't believe in this one minute and the next you trying to argue for it."
"I think he's just falling back on what's comfortable and picking the side that you're against so he can argue with you," Fred teased.
"I probably haven't made my mind up yet," Ron said, glaring at his brother.
Hermione says no magic can raise the dead, and that's that:
"No … not raise the dead," Harry said sadly. "But there is some kind of magic that can bring an impression of the dead. I've seen it …."
Hermione says but they weren't really back from the dead:
"I'm sorry," Hermione said as she felt Harry flinch at those words.
"No … you're right," Harry sighed. "I supposed the stone would be like the Mirror of Erised … it would be dangerous to have."
Dumbledore smiled sadly at Harry, knowing that what the boy said was true and that it was a very wise thought.
Mentions Harry had scared Hermione with his talk of living with dead people:
"You know that's because I'm afraid you wouldn't live your life the way you should, right?" Hermione said.
Ron says extinct in the male line:
"That just means the name is no longer past on," Sirius said. "For instants if I were to die the Black name would be extinct."
Please don't say it like that," Harry said looking at his godfather warily, for Sirius seemed to be pleased at that idea.
"Don't worry about it … I'm not going anywhere," Sirius said reassuringly.
Hermione says the name died out, in the case of the Peverells, they could still have descendants:
"Hm … could I be a descendent of the Peverell?" Harry questioned. "I mean I had to have gotten my Cloak from somewhere."
"That seems very likely," Remus said.
Harry says Marvolo Gaunt, You-know-Who's grandfather, he was descended from the Peverells:
"Oh, isn't that just bloody fantastic!" Harry exclaimed. "I really hope that I'm not right about being a Peverell now."
"Harry that was hundreds of years ago …" Hermione said. "Besides, you know that all wizards and witches are related to one another anyway, I don't see …."
"None of that makes a bit of a difference," Harry grumbled, "I don't effing what to hear that I have any relations to that monster."
"You can't do anything about that Harry," Sirius said. "Believe me if there was a way to change your heritage, then I would have found it. All you can do is just realize that it has nothing to do with you."
Harry says Gaunt says it was the Peverell coat of arms on it:
"Huh?" Harry said.
"I believe that I have shown you a few memories to help you understand Voldemort better," Dumbledore said. "That particular memory is of a time before Voldemort was born as I was looking into his grandfather, uncle and mother."
"Oh," was all Harry could say to that, wondering what the memory had shown.
Harry says I only ever saw it really close up after it had been cracked open:
Dumbledore's eyes widen at his, seeming to put together the pieces. He had always been interested in that stone in the vision, wondering if it was in fact the Hallow that he would most like to see now. He had figured that it was a Horcrux as well after it was evident that Voldemort had stolen it from his uncle. He longed and feared to know what he would do if he were to find the ring and it was indeed the Hallow. He wondered if the stone could still work if it was cracked open … it would surely have lost some of its power, but perhaps it would still work.
Harry says Gaunt would have loved if the scratches were a coat of arms, he believe having pure blood made you practically royal:
"After the invention of the three powerful objects, the symbol had become the Peverell coat of arms," Dumbledore explained and everyone looked at him, surprised that he was saying this. "Though it is how Miss Granger had said in this book, the Peverell name became extinct fairly quickly, in fact it was only a few generations after that that the Peverell were no longer."
"How do you know this sir?" Harry questioned.
"In my youth, I was very interested in the Deathly Hallows, and spent a great amount of effort trying to find out as much as I could about anything that related to them." Dumbledore said.
"And you believe that the Deathly Hallows are real," Remus stated.
"I don't only believe, I know they are real," Dumbledore said.
"So, my Cloak..." Harry started.
"Is a Hallow," Dumbledore finished. "I believe that you are the long descendent of Ignotus and that the Cloak had been past from father to son, mother to daughter throughout many generations."
Harry smiled, but then sighed, "and Voldemort …."
"Yes, he too can claim heritage from the Peverell," Dumbledore said. "But you should not let yourself dwell on that."
Hermione says it never worked, there's no such thing as a Resurrection Stone:
"Merlin Mione, you really don't want that to be true do you," Ron said.
"I don't like the idea that a stone can bring someone back from the dead," Hermione said shivering. "There are just some things that shouldn't be messed with, and death should be one of them."
Hermione says a minute ago you told us you never saw the mark on the stone:
"She has a point mate, you did say that," Fred said.
"Well, I'm sure that my book self is right, and I didn't even see the stone for myself," Harry shrugged.
"That's because Dumbledore had just told you that they exist," Hermione grumbled, in a slightly foul mood knowing that her book self was wrong.
Mentions that Harry's imagination was racing ahead, far beyond Ron and Hermione:
"Yeah, that's because we're not crazy," Ron chuckled. "What are you thinking about this time?"
Mentions three objects, if united will make the possessor master of Death, master, conqueror, vanquisher, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death:
"And now you see why I didn't just tell you about the Hallows," Dumbledore sighed. "I was enticed by this kind of thinking too..." he added in an even graver tone.
Mentions possessor of the Hallows facing Voldemort, whose Horcruxes were no match, neither can live while the other survives, was this the answer:
"I honestly don't see how that would work," Ginny said, frowning. "Even if you somehow became the master of death, all it would do was make it so you couldn't die. I don't see how it would affect the Horcruxes, or Voldemort, at all."
Was there a way to ensure that he was the one to triumphed, if he was the master of death would he be safe:
"No Harry, not safe," Dumbledore said.
"But they will help," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I obviously seemed to think they will," Dumbledore nodded his head.
Harry says Dumbledore had my Cloak the night my parents died:
"You knew then what it was," Harry sighed.
"As soon as I saw it," Dumbledore nodded his head. "It was impossible for me not to examine it."
Mentions that Harry felt certain in his belief in the Hallow, as the idea was giving him protection, and felt joyous as he turned his back to the other two:
"Who are probably staring at you like you've finally cracked," Fred said.
"But I'm right," Harry said.
"I know that, and you know that, and even Ron and Hermione in this room know that, but the ones in the book … they're going to think your mental," Fred laughed.
"Oh great," the trio all sighed in unison.
Harry shouts IT'S IN HERE, he left me the ring, it's in the Snitch:
Dumbledore smiled; he had thought that was true as well. The smile faded though, for he knew why Harry would need it and that wasn't a very pleasant thought at all.
"Yep … definitely mental!" George said.
Harry says You-Know-Who's after the Elder Wand:
"Oh, bloody hell," Ron groaned, and he wasn't the only one that said something. There wasn't a person in that room that wanted Voldemort to get the wand. Dumbledore of course realized that Voldemort wouldn't know how to make the wand work from him properly, but that didn't mean that he would want it in Voldemort's hands.
"He really would want that wand wouldn't he," Hermione groaned.
"The thought of becoming even more powerful than you are … to becoming invincible … yes, he would want that," Severus shivered.
Mentions that hardly any wizards believe in Deathly Hallows, was Voldemort knew about them:
Dumbledore shook his head at that, he didn't see Voldemort putting any time into finding out about the Hallows. It wasn't something that he would be interested in. Other than the Elder Wand … Voldemort would be very interested in the Elder wand.
Mentions that if Voldemort had known about the Deathly Hallows, he might not have needed Horcruxes:
"That just doesn't seem likely to me," McGonagall said. "I don't see how those objects would make you master of Death … it just doesn't seem likely at all."
"I have found now that I have thought on this for many years that master of Death is not exactly what I thought it meant in my youth," Dumbledore said, but didn't elaborate more.
Mentions didn't Ron and Hermione know how far they had traveld in the last few minutes:
"No, I don't think we do," Hermione said, and she was looking at Harry oddly. She wasn't sure if this was really good news for them either.
"Well, it's not my fault you're slow," Harry shrugged.
"Git," Hermione glared at him, and he just chuckled.
Hermione asks if the Deathly Hallows existed and Dumbledore knew about them, then why wouldn't he have told you:
"Yeah, Professor, why?!" Fred demanded of Dumbledore, a smirk clear on his face.
"Fred don't …" Molly started to reprimand.
"It's alright Molly," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "First of all, as I have just said, I don't believe that the master of Death means what it sounds like … as a way to prevent yourself from dying …."
"Then what do you think it means?" Harry asked.
"It means that you would be willing to face death," Remus said. "Face death and become master of it because you're not afraid of it but accept that it is something that all humans have to go through."
Dumbledore nodded his head towards Remus in agreement. "The next thing is also like I have said, I know how tempting the idea of collecting all the Hallows is. If you become a true believer, as the Harry in the book seems to be, it usually fills all of your thoughts. I likely wanted Harry to learn this in a gradual fashion so that he wouldn't get carried away with it …."
"It doesn't look like that can be helped now," Harry sighed. "Knowing that there might be something out there that will cause me to be the master of Death … which I believe in the book is what would happen … will definitely make me obsess with it. Especially since I know such a powerful madman is after me. Do you think you really wanted me to know all this?"
"Oh, that is for certain," Dumbledore said. "I would not have given Miss Granger that book if I didn't want you to learn this story."
"Why?"
"I cannot be sure about that," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "but I imagine that at least part of it has something to do with Voldemort searching for the wand. I would have known that Ollivander was taken, and there is a chance that I would have thought it was possible."
Harry says but you said it, you've got to find out about them yourself, it's a Quest:
"And that?" Harry questioned.
"That could be part of the reason too," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Harry says Dumbledore usually let me find out stuff for myself, let's me try my strength, take risk, this feels like the kind of thing he'd do:
At this explanation Molly was glaring at Dumbledore.
He sighed deeply and said in a grave voice, "Harry is such a unique case. It is hard to know what is the best way to deal with him."
"Oh thanks," Harry grumbled.
"I'm sorry Harry," Dumbledore smiled at him. "It's just I've never had a student or a situation quite like this before. You had to be allowed to do certain things that I would normally have discouraged in my other students, for I knew that one day you will have to face something like you are in this book, and you needed to be ready for that."
Harry frowned, wondering exactly what he meant.
Molly was still glaring at Dumbledore, she didn't like how this sounded at all, but she couldn't deny that it was a good thing that Harry was able to handle himself in a quest like this.
Hermione says Dumbledore gave you clear instructions, find and destroy the Horcruxes, forget the Deathly Hallows, we can't afford to get sidetracked:
"That's true … why did you want me to learn this when it would sidetrack me from the Horcruxes," Harry frowned.
"You needed to know this information Harry," Dumbledore said. "And I know for one that finding the Horcruxes is not an easy thing … it will take time. You are capable of thinking of more than one thing at the same time … and if not, you're excellent friends won't let you get too sidetracked."
"No … I doubt they would," Harry chuckled.
Harry thinks if only he had the stone, he could ask Dumbledore these questions in person:
"That would have been nice for him … you definitely helped me understand things," Harry said.
"I'm sure I had a reason for making the Snitch keep the stone from you longer," Dumbledore said, trying not to look too sad about that.
Mentions that Harry tried everything to open the Snitch, even Parseltongue, but the golden ball would not open:
"Parseltongue!" Draco said shaking his head. "Why would Dumbledore make it open with Parseltongue?"
"It worked with the locket," Harry shrugged.
Mentions that Harry hasn't tried to cast a Patronus with the blackthorn wand:
"You really should," Remus said, looking at Harry worried. "It is a high possibility that you would face a dementor before this story ends. It would be horrible to find that you couldn't cast a Patronus when you are actually face to face with a dementor."
"You don't think I will be able to do the charm," Harry observed.
"I think it will be difficult," Remus corrected. "The Patronus Charms draws on a lot of your strength. Not being able to channel your energy as easily as you do with your wand it will take some getting used to before you are able to do the spell properly."
Mentions neither can live while the other survives, master of Death, why didn't Ron and Hermione understand:
"Because we're rational people," Hermione said.
"Well, that explains why you don't understand," George said. "But not Ron."
"I supposed believing that one of the stories that I grew up hearing about was real just didn't make sense to me," Ron shrugged.
Mentions even the mystery of the silver doe seemed to be less important to Harry:
"Harry, I really hope you don't stand on all this for too long," Ginny said. "Your obsession is getting boring."
"But I'm right," Harry grumbled.
"Can't you see that it's not healthy for you," Molly said. "Thinking of nothing but the Hallows."
"Yeah, I can see that," Harry sighed. "But I really hate it when Ron and Hermione don't believe me when I know I'm right about something."
Mentions that Harry worried that the connections between himself and Voldemort had been damaged, a connection he both feared and prized:
"Prized?" Hermione said, turning sadly to Harry.
"I don't prize it now," Harry said firmly. "But I can see how it could be useful."
"And dangerous," Dumbledore said. "More for you, Harry, then for your book self I would think.
Mentions Harry thought this was because of the destruction of his wand, as if it was the blackthorn wand's fault that he couldn't see into Voldemort's mind:
"I, on the other hand, believe that it has more to do with the fact that Voldemort is obsessed with finding the wand as well," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Obsession might be a powerful emotion but I'm not sure if it translates well with the connection of your scar."
Mentions these frequent forays into Wizarding territory brought them within occasional sight of Snatchers:
"Okay, I vote for staying away from Wizarding territory," Tonks said.
"I second that," Molly agreed.
Ron says Potterwatch, didn't I tell you, the program I keep trying to get on the radio, it tells the truth about what's going on:
"Oh … it's the radio station," Fred said. "It's a pretty clever name."
"Though seeing as none of us know what the hell Harry is up to, I don't know how accurate it is," Ginny said. "You're not really watching Potter after all."
"But everyone knows that Harry's the one that's standing up against Voldemort," Sirius said. "It's a brilliant name."
Ron says Bill had a real knack for guessing them, I'm bound to get on in the end:
"Ron seems to really look up to you Bill, he is always mentioning you," Fleur said to Bill.
"It's just because I was staying with Bill then," Ron grumbled, his ears turning red again. Of course, he looked up to Bill, but that didn't mean he wanted it broadcast like that.
Mentions Hermione had been polishing the sword of Gryffindor:
"Mione the sword doesn't need polishing remember," Ron said with a smirk, and she rolled her eyes.
A familiar voice says sorry for our absence, which was due to a number of house calls from those charming Death Eaters:
"I hope whoever this is, is safe now," Molly said worried, not liking how it had said 'familiar voice'. She could see the twins doing something like that.
Hermione says but that's Lee Jordan:
"Cool!" the twins said together, smiling broadly.
"Way to go Lee!" Fred cheered.
"A friend of yours?" Sirius questioned with a smile.
"Yeah, he's our best friend," George answered. "He has a knack for announcing things."
"He's the commentator for the Quidditch matches," Harry added.
Ron says River, that's Lee, they all got code names and Hermione says shh:
"Yeah, come on Ron, shut up, we want to hear what River has to say," Fred chuckled, wondering how his friend would take it if he suddenly started calling him that.
Lee says but before we hear from Royal and Romulus:
Remus's lip twitched at the mention of Romulus, knowing that it was highly likely that it was him.
Lee says it is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks:
"NO!" Tonks sobbed and Remus immediately dropped the book, so he was able to wrap his arms around her. She leaned into his grip, letting herself cry for a minute. She could feel everyone's sympathetic eyes on her, but she didn't pay them any attention. She didn't want to lose her father; he was much too young to die.
"We're not going to let this happen," Remus whispered to her softly.
"That's right Dora, nothing is going to happen to Ted!" Sirius said firmly, he was looking pale. He had always liked Ted, thinking that Andy had made an excellent choice in a husband.
"You're right," Tonks nodded her head, and wiped her eyes. She knew they were right; they would prevent this from happening. She stayed in Remus's arms, however, as he picked up the book. It might not happen, but that didn't stop her from thinking about what it would mean to her if her dad died.
Lee says believed that Muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, may have escaped:
The trio, Ginny and the twins, let out a breath at this, then they looked at Tonks sadly. They had wished her dad was okay too, but they couldn't help but be relieved that Dean, who they all knew at least a little (and all liked) was okay.
Lee says that Muggle slaughter is becoming little more than a recreational sport under the new regime:
"Those bloody sick bastards," Tonks hissed, as anger started to fill her. What was the point of attacking Muggles, they didn't do anything to anyone?
Lee says I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of those that were lost:
Remus paused in his reading for a second and everyone was silent. It wasn't a silence for the memory of this people though, it was a silence that almost everyone felt resolved to make sure that this never happened in their reality.
An unmistakable deep and measured reassuring voice says thanks, River:
"Kingsley," several people said at the same time.
"It seems like the Order has a hand in getting this program out there and keeping it running," Arthur said.
"Well, that's good, it's important that there's something out there that is still telling the truth," Bill said.
Kingsley says perhaps by casting a protective charm over any Muggle dwellings in your street, many lives could be saved if such simple measure are taken:
"Hmph … like people would want to risk their lives for something like this," Draco said and nearly everyone glared at him. He just rolled his eyes; he should have known that they would all do this.
"Maybe someday, when you actually grow a heart Malfoy, you would understand why someone would be willing to risk their lives to do something like this," Ginny said to him harshly.
"Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it," Draco shrugged. He knew he would never risk his life for a stranger or someone that just lived near him. However, he could think of a few people that he would be willing to risk his life for, but it's not like anyone here needed to know he felt this way.
Kingsley says it's one short step from Wizards first to Purebloods first and then to Death Eaters:
"As if it's that simple," Draco said shaking his head.
"I think it is, aren't you on the cusp of being a Death Eater?" Fred narrowed his eyes. "And you definitely think Purebloods first."
"Well, not all Purebloods first," Draco said looking defiantly at Fred. "But I'm not sure if I really want to be a Death Eater."
"Really, I thought that was your life ambition," Ron said.
Draco just shrugged at that.
"Trust me, it's not what you think it is," Severus said in a grave voice. "You don't want to sell yourself to the Dark Lord …."
Draco shivered at that.
Lee says Royal you've got my vote for Minister of Magic if we ever get out of this mess:
"Mm … I really think he would make a good Minister," Arthur said thoughtfully, knowing that he was strong enough not to bow to anyone's will, but was also open minded enough to listen to people.
Says we know it's Lupin:
"Yeah, Moony, it's you!" Sirius said.
"I'm glad it's you too," Tonks said softly, she was still thinking of her father, and it was a lot easier getting distracted from that when Remus was in the story.
After what Remus says about Harry and he wonder if Remus had forgiven him, for the terrible thing he had said when they had last met:
"Oh Harry, of course he has," Sirius laughed. "Moony never holds on to his anger long … especially when he knows he's wrong."
"Which is a big difference between us," Remus chuckled. "Sirius is always more stubborn when he knows he's wrong but doesn't want to admit it."
Remus says and I'd tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right:
"Excellent advice Remus," Dumbledore smiled, he had faith in Harry's instincts as well.
After Harry looked at Hermione, she says nearly always right:
"I take that to mean that you think I'm wrong about the Hallows," Harry chuckled.
"Naturally," Hermione chuckled too.
Ron says oh, didn't I tell you, Bill told me that Lupin is living with Tonks again:
"Argh … Ron, you should have told us right away," Hermione groaned, "that's something we would want to know … at least it would be good news."
Says Hagrid was rumored to have hosted a 'support Harry Potter' party in his house, but he wasn't taken into custody, but on the run:
"Well, that's good at least," Harry let out his breath, relieved.
"But that was pretty stupid," McGonagall said shaking her head. "He should know better than doing something like that."
Lee says I suppose it helps when escaping from Death Eaters, if you've got a sixteen foot-high half brother:
"Oh dear!" Molly said.
"He does have a giant!" McGonagall groaned. "At Hogwarts … probably at this very moment!"
"It would seem so," Dumbledore said gravely. "But it also seems as if this giant is helping him."
Lee says I'd like to introduce a new correspondent, Rodent:
"Argh … that's an awful name," the twins said.
"What's with all the 'R's' anyways?" Ginny said. "Can't they think of a name with a different letter?"
The trio says Fred and then no, is it George:
"It's obviously me," the twins said at the same time and then glared at each other.
Fred says yes, River, I can:
"You don't know it's really him," George pouted, he wanted to be on the show.
"Give it up, it's clearly me," Fred said smugly.
Fred says he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to:
This of course caused everyone to laugh except for Severus, who was now glowering at the twins.
"Nice one Fred!" Sirius laughed.
Harry says he's abroad; he's still looking for the Wand, I knew it:
"Of course … you just had to go back to that didn't you," Ginny rolled her eyes.
Harry says Hermione why are you so determined not to admit it, Vol -:
Everyone gasped, knowing that Harry was going to say the name and remembering that it was tabooed now … it would bring the Death Eaters too them.
Harry says – demort's after the Elder Wand:
"No," Harry groaned miserably as he grabbed his head. "I can't believe I just did that."
"Harry …" Hermione started to say, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"No … don't!" Harry moved away from her. "Don't try to comfort me … I just bloody put us in terrible danger … if anything were to happen … it would be all my fault!"
Mentions Ron bellowed, leaping to his feet as a loud crack sounded outside the tent:
"They're already there!" Molly groaned; she had hoped that the trio would have had at least a little time to get away.
"You have to leave now," Remus said, just as worried as Molly was, before he started reading the end of the chapter without letting anyone interrupt him.
Someone says you've got half a dozen wands pointing at you and we don't care who we curse:
"That's the end of the chapter," Remus said, holding out the book for someone else to take. No one seemed to be willing to take the book, though they all were dying to know what happened next (there was no talk of eating either, they were too nervous to do that).
Dumbledore sighed and then took the book from the werewolf. "I suppose I should read."