Alex shared his worry, feeling uled. The Ministry's response was slow, and as he feared, it might already be too te. All they could do noait for updates.

  A few tense minutes passed with no further news from the radio. Then, suddenly, a Patronus appeared, filling the room with its white glow. It was an ermine—a small, sleek creature—and Alex reized it immediately as Frank Longbottom’s Patronus. The glowing ermiopped in front of Augusta and spoke in Frank’s voice.

  “Mom, there’s been an atta wall. The Marlene Mon family has been killed. Worse, the Prewett brothers who went to help them were ambushed by Death Eaters and didn’t make it. Their bodies are three miles north of Marlene’s house. Moody thought you should know and asked us to alert the Weasleys, especially since Molly’s close to giving birth. You’ll want to sider how to tell her.”

  The room fell silent, the weight of Frank’s message sinking in. Alex jumped to his feet, a rush of horror flooding over him, while Arthur sat frozen, shock etched on his face. Then they heard a sharp shattering sound.

  Turning, they saw Molly standing in the doorway, her face pale as a ghost, her hands trembling so badly that the gss she’d been holding had fallen to the floor. She looked like she was about to colpse.

  Alex quickly stepped ently taking hold of her arm to steady her. Arthur hurried over too, guiding Molly to the sofa with Alex’s help.

  The room was thick with grief. Augusta, Arthur, and Alex exged gnces, none of them sure what to say. Alex poured a gss of water and ha to Molly. She took it with shaky hands, tears streaming down her face as Arthur sat beside her, rubbing her ba quiet support.

  After a long, painful silence, Molly looked up at Arthur, her voice barely a whisper. “Arthur… go see them for me. Please, see my poor brothers.”

  At that, Molly’s quiet strength broke, and she sobbed, heartbroken. Hearing their mother’s cries, the children came rushing in, their pyful faow filled with worry. They stared, bewildered, at their mother, not uanding why she was so upset.

  Arthur gave Molly a reassuring nod before looking at Augusta. “Mrs. Longbottom, please stay here with Molly. She’ll need your support. I have to go to the se and see for myself.” He then turo Bill, the oldest child, and said, “Look after your brothers and keep an eye on your mother. I’ll be back soon.”

  Alex spoke up, his tone firm. “Mr. Weasley, let me e with you. They were my friends too.”

  Arthur looked at him, hesitating. “Alex, it could be dangerous. We don’t know what we’ll find there.”

  But Alex was determined. “I handle myself. And I help you—if anything happens, it’s better to have someohere watg your back.”

  Augusta gave a supportive nod. “Let him go, Arthur. Alex is responsible and handle himself better than most.”

  After a brief pause, Arthur relented. “Alright. Thank you, Alex. And Mrs. Longbottom, thank you for staying with Molly.”

  Alex turo Augusta. “Please let the Diggory family know what’s happened and ask if they e help. If you o reach me urgently, you send a Patronus.”

  Augusta nodded, giving Alex a proud look. He seemed more dependable than many adult wizards she knew.

  With everything arranged, Arthur led Alex outside. “We’ll Apparate straight to the se. I’ve been to Marlene’s house before, so I know the location. Hold onto my arm.”

  Alex took Arthur’s arm, and with a sharp twist, they Disapparated, reappearing moments ter in northern wall. They found themselves outside a home that was nearly in ruins. Aurors were patrolling the area, their faces somber. Two bodies, ed in white sheets, y on the ground outside, a grim reminder of the violehat had taken pce.

  Frank and Alice hurried over to meet them. Frank’s face was grim. “Gd you’re here. These are Marlene and her fiancé. The Prewett brothers… they’re further north in the woods. Moody is keeping the area secure. I’ll take you there.”

  Alex g the two bodies covered in white cloth he shattered house remains. He could only imagihe desperate battle that had unfolded here.

  Alice’s voice was sad as she spoke to Arthur. “How’s Molly? Did she… find out?”

  Arthur nodded solemnly. “She knows. Augusta and Alex stayed with her until we left. Augusta is taking care of her.”

  Alice exged a worried look with Frank. They both knew how devastating the news must be for Molly.

  Frank put a f hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Alice, stay here and wait for Marlene’s family. I’ll take Arthur and Alex to the Prewetts.”

  Aliodded, watg them with a heavy heart. With that, Frank took Arthur’s arm, Arthur took hold of Alex, and together they Apparated.

  They reappeared in a small grove just north of Marlene’s house. More Aurors stood guard, their wands raised as they checked the area for any remaining threats. In the ter of the clearing, Moody and Barty Crouch, head of the Department of Magical Law Enfort, were iing the se where the Prewett brothers had fallen. Nearby, two more bodies y on the ground, covered by white sheets.

  Arthur, Frank, and Alex walked over to join Moody and Crouch. Moody gave them a brief nod, his expression graver than usual.

  The grove was scarred from the fierce fight. Trees were splintered and burned by curses, and scorch marks covered the ground. Alex studied the se carefully. From the dire of the damage, he could tell that the Prewetts had likely beereating, forced to fall back from Marlene’s house. It seemed they’d arrived to help but had been overwhelmed and chased into the woods, fighting every step of the way.

  Arthur k down with a heavy heart and lifted the white cloth c one of the bodies, revealing Gideon’s pale, dust-covered face. Barty Crouch, standing nearby, pced a hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “Arthur, I’m so sideon and Fabian were heroes. They gave everything in this fight.”