Almost

Chapter 81: Other Side

It was eerie—she thought it would feel like more. Thought there would be a burst in her chest, or something would at least loosen. But she felt nothing. Nothing but George's arms wrapping around her and an aching pull upstairs.

Katherine's eyes fluttered over to Lee, who was still stunned. She broke the spell as easily as breathing and he sat up clutching his chest. He looked her dead in the eyes and hurried to his feet. Grouse was apparating back and forth, taking first Otis and then Velern to MACUSA. Quahog was bent over Hollinghunt—Katherine broke the spells around her next, followed closely by Schmidt. Russo was quickly at his side, while Orion had already run to a still shivering Mona.

Looking at Mona pulled Katherine's focus to her family. Charlie and Bill were hugging their mother, emphatically apologizing. Ginny was at Harry's side, and judging by the way she was laughing through tears, he must have been telling her how awful it was to try and fight against her. Audrey was helping Hermione with Teddy, pulling free a bottle of dittany that she carried out of habit from when students splinched.

Fred and Roxy had come to their father's side, and Katherine spoke softly to the three of them. "Angelina is in Iowa with my friends and Bonnie and Kevin," she said, looking at her father and conjuring the door. "And Dominique. You should go—she'll be worried. And I'm sure they'll all want to know what happened."

She didn't wait for their response, instead walking over to Alicia, who had pulled Hermione to the side. The two spoke quietly.

"Mark and Shep are in the inn," Katherine said, not bothering to politely interrupt. "I'll change the wards so you can get into the room I put them in. Or I can just cast the door if you'd like. I know you will have some sort of protocol. All I ask is that you not change their memories. Not again. Mark at least helped me get my friends out, and I plan on helping them if they have to go before the Wizengamot or something—"

"We'll only hold them for now," Hermione assured her. Katherine walked away on that promise.

Grouse had just returned and was standing over Talia. Katherine let her cage shift to only hold her hands behind her back, but with the same teal silk that held Crawley. Nothing that would hurt the young woman as Grouse took her, too.

Her eyes sought Picquery next. She found him standing in front of Tom and Sam. When Grouse came back, Katherine went to her side.

"Sam changed his mind. He came willingly," she told the auror. "I told him we'd find a way to let him see his dad—"

"You shouldn't have made that promise," Grouse said softly.

"I know. But even if you don't uphold it, I will. I've broken into that Prison before, and I'd do it again. They don't have much time. And he's just a kid."

Grouse sighed, but nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Maybe we could confiscate his wand or something, keep him on house arrest."

"I'd appreciate that. I'll speak on his behalf if I have to."

She walked with the auror towards Sam, bending down once they reached him so they were eye level.

"Sam, this is Grouse. She's an auror, and she's going to take you now. But I will keep my promise, okay?"

Sam nodded and she let the magic fall to his hands as it had for Talia. Grouse even gave him a sad smile as the disapparated.

Katherine found Lee next. He hugged her tightly and apologized, but she shook her head dismissively. "You never told me you were such the dueler."

He blushed. "Just because I don't like to duel doesn't mean I'm not good at it. But I never meant to use it against you, I just—"

"The Imperipowder," Katherine shrugged. "There was nothing you could have done."