𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 | √

⎡83⎦

The Thestral landed right in front of the Burrow. Harry and Ginny were talking nearby. I swung my leg off the side of the skeletal creature and stood on the ground again. It felt nice to have my feet on solid ground. Dad gave me a hug and wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the house. I could feel the Polyjuice Potion coming off, as my hair began to grow back. Behind us, several yards away, a blue light flashed in the darkness. Lupin materialized, cradling an unconscious "Harry," clothes torn, head awash in blood.

"Here! Quick! Into the house!" Lupin was dragging a Harry on his shoulders. Real Harry rushed to the other side of the Harry that was now being brought into the house. It was George. Lupin and Harry dropped George onto the sofa where Mrs. Weasley stood over him. I noticed Bill and Fleur standing behind it. As soon as Lupin regained his breath, he grabbed a fistful of Harry's shirt and hurled him, none too gently, against the wall. "Come here!"

"Lupin!" Hagrid exclaimed.

"What are you doing?" Ginny asked frantically.

"What creature sat in the corner the first time Harry Potter visited my office in Hogwarts?" He asked Harry, wand pointed to his chin, giving him a small shake.

"Are you mad?!" Harry yelled.

"What creature?!"

"A—" Harry closed his eyes trying to remember, "Grindylow."

Breathing heavily, Lupin slowly released Harry and moved away from him. He turned to us.

"We have been betrayed. Voldemort knew you were being moved tonight. I had to make sure you were not an imposter."

Harry nodded.

There was a boom in the distance and Lupin rushed out. We followed. He pulled out his wand. "Wait!" He said to us.

Kingsley held up his wand as well. "The last words Albus Dumbledore spoke to the pair of us."

"'Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him.'" Lupin recited.

Kingsley lowered his wand and wheels on Harry.

"What gave you away?" he asked.

"Hedwig I think. She was trying to protect me." Harry replied.

Just then, the yard glowed with blue light and Tonks materialized, dragging a Harry behind with her. It was Ron, but that doesn't stop Hermione from enveloping him in a fierce hug as he transforms back into his battle-weary self. He looks mildly abashed to be in such close proximity to Hermione.

"Thanks," Ron said as they pulled apart.

"He deserves that. Brilliant he was. I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for him," Tonk complimented as she hugged her husband.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Always the tone of surprise," Ron replied. Hermione took off his glasses. Harry and I took off, grabbing our friends and pulling them into a hug. In the distance, Fred and Mr. Weasley appeared.

"We the last back?" Mrs. Weasley asked patting his son on the shoulder. "Where's George?"

We all stayed silent. Fred and Mr. Weasley eyed us all before dashing into the sitting room, I followed close behind. We walked into Mrs. Weasley, stroking her son's hair as he rested on the couch, and where his ear should be, blood all over. Mr. Weasley stopped dead in his tracks. Mrs. Weasley looked up, her face saying it all. Fred came up to his father's shoulder, eyes stinging with tears as he saw his twin. For the first time since I had known him, Fred seemed to be lost for words. He gaped over the back of the sofa at his twin's wound as if he could not believe what he was seeing. As if sensing us, George stirred. Fred dropped the his knees next to him.