Arthur’s eyes filled with tears, though he tried to hold them back. After a long pause, he whispered, “They’re our pride. Those damned Death Eaters caused all of this… but Gideon and Fabian will live on in our hearts.”

  Alex watched, his face serious. The Prewett brothers’ injuries were severe, hinting that the fight had dragged on for at least half an hour. If only they’d had a ce to call for help, things might have turned out differently.

  As Arthur posed himself, Moody began to expin what had happened. “Around noon, a group of Death Eaters unched a full atta the Mon family. Marlene must’ve fought bad mao send word to Gideon and Fabian through that double-sided mirror they gave her st Christmas. They were close—fought together when they backed the Potters st year.”

  Moody paused, looking at the damaged grove around them. “Instead of warning the Order, the Prewetts rushed straight here. By the time they arrived, the Mons were likely already defeated. If they hadn’t gone in alohey might’ve had a fighting ce. But they pushed on, as stubborn as ever. They tried to retreat north through the grove, intending to Apparate out, but the Death Eaters blocked them. The fight ended here.”

  Arthur ched his fists, his eyes fixed on the ground. “Gideon and Fabian were… family. They would protect everyone, no matter the danger. But to die like this…”

  Frank pced a f hand on Arthur’s shoulder as Arthur took a deep breath, trying tain his posure. Just then, Emmeline Vance Apparated into the clearing and walked up to Barty Crouch, her faber.

  “Sir, the Mon family has arrived. Alice asked me to inform you.”

  Crouodded. “Thank you, Emmeline.” He turo Arthur and Alex. “My dolences. I have to meet with Marlene’s family now.”

  He Apparated away, leaving Emmelih the others. She offered Arthur a sad smile. “Arthur, I’m so sideon and Fabian were some of the best. None of us saw this ing.”

  Arthur nodded, aowledging her sympathy, but before he could say anything, a brilliant white Patronus—a vulture—appeared, h in front of Alex. Frank reized it immediately.

  “That’s my mother’s Patronus. She wouldn’t send it unless something serious happe home,” Frank said, suddenly anxious.

  They all watched as the Patronus turo Alex and spoke in Augusta’s voice. “Alex, are you with Arthur? Molly’s too distraught, and she’s goo bor uedly. I’ve takeo St. Mungo’s. Please e to the hospital when you hear this. Mrs. Diggory is with the children at the Burrow.”

  Alex felt a wave of shock. He turo Arthur, who had gone pale with worry.

  Uanding the urgency, Moody quickly turo Frank. “Frank, you should go too. I’ll stay here with Emmelio hahings. We’ll take care of the Prewetts’ remains. Go on, don’t dey.”

  Frank aking Arthur and Alex by the arm, and they Apparated to an old-fashioned red brick department store. After expining their io the dummy in the shop window, they walked through the gss aered St. Mungo’s Hospital. A quick check with the receptionist firmed that Molly had been taken to a ward on the sed floor.

  They hurried up the stairs and found Augusta waiting anxiously outside the ward. Little Neville wasn’t with her, so they assumed Mrs. Diggory was back at the Burrow looking after him and the other children.

  Seeing them arrive, Augusta quickly expined what had happened.

  “After you left, I notified Mrs. Diggory, ah went to help Molly. She was fi first, but the stress got to her, and soon after, she started having abdominal pains. I realized her water had broken. Not wanting to waste any time, I brought her here while Mrs. Diggory stayed with the children. The Healers admitted her to a ward right away, but she’s still very distressed.”

  Arthur, already tense, looked ready to burst into the room but held himself back, knowing he didn’t want to disrupt the Healers. He started pag anxiously.

  After a while, the ward door opened, and a Healer emerged, taking off her mask as she spoke to the worried group. “Molly is stable for now. She’s taken a potion tain some strength, but since her water broke, it’s only a matter of time before bins.”

  Alex, curious, asked, “’t you perform a C-se?”

  The Healer looked puzzled. “C-se? I’m not familiar with that term. Molly’s regained some strength, but she’s still weak from the stress. We’ll have to let her deliver naturally.”

  Alex frowned. Not having an option like a C-se felt limiting, but he stayed silent, sensing it was the usual method here.

  Arthur quickly asked, “ I go in and see her?”

  The Healer thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, but only for a short while. She o rest.”

  Arthur nodded gratefully a in to see Molly, leaving Alex, Frank, and Augusta to sit on the benches in the hallway.

  After a bit, Alex turo Augusta. “Why don’t you head back to the Burrow? I stay here with Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Diggory could probably use some help with all the children.”

  Frank nodded in agreement. “I’ll stay here too, but it would be helpful if you checked on things at the Burrow. I’ll message Alice ter to e help if needed.”

  Augusta thought for a moment. Knowing Mrs. Diggory was managi children, including little Neville, she agreed. “Alright, I’ll head back. I’ll send word if anything ges.”

  After Augusta left, the three men waited anxiously. Arthur came out of the ward after a while, looking both relieved and worried. “Molly’s regained some strength,” he reported, “but now it’s just a matter of waiting for the bor tress. I just hope she’ll be alright.”

  As the hours dragged on, the tension remained. Alex felt helpless—though he was skilled iing injuries, childbirth was far beyond his knowledge. He could only sit beside Arthur and Frank, quiet support.