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THE LAST WEEK OF JULY BROUGHT MORE DEMENTOR ATTACKS AND DISAPPEARANCES. Every day, there was a new article in the Daily Prophet about a new disaster, odd accidents, mysterious kidnappings, and even deaths. It seemed as if the Death Eaters were everywhere. Some days, Castor would come home from work with the news before it even hit the papers.
Every witch and wizard was on edge. Priscilla forbade Eleanor and Cassiopeia from going out alone after a Muggle family was murdered not too far south of them. The only place they were allowed to go to now was Mrs. Mickelson's house.
Muggles were starting to notice too. They had overheard a small group of Muggle children talking about the strange cold front that brought persistent mist on their way to Mrs. Mickelson's house one day. Cassiopeia knew that a "strange cold front" hadn't brought about the cool weather and mist. It was from the Dementors. They were breeding nearby.
Knowing that the Dementors were growing was an unsettling thought. Almost as unsettling as knowing that the Death Eaters were everywhere and giants were running about. But the most unsettling was knowing that Muggles were completely oblivious to this. There had been a giant attack in Somerset last week and Muggles deemed it a hurricane. Ten people died, including four children, and another number were missing.
Cassiopeia would've never pictured herself feeling sorry for Muggles but here she was. She felt awful that those innocent people were being attacked by the Death Eaters. They had no way to defend themselves against the Dark Lord and his minions.
This wasn't their war.
One Friday morning, Castor brought home more dismal news after working all night at the Ministry. He stepped through the fireplace as the girls and Priscilla were eating breakfast. Priscilla jumped up and took his briefcase and cloak before whisking off to get him something to eat. Castor slumped down in his chair, utterly exhausted. He turned to the girls, "Have you heard?"
"Heard what?" Eleanor asked as she poured him a glass of orange juice. "Has something else happened?"
"Florean Forestscue. Do you remember him?"
"The man who ran the ice cream shop in Diagon Alley?" Cassiopeia asked. Her stomach churned and she expected the worst.
"Dragged out of his shop by the looks of it."
"Why?" Eleanor asked. "He was so nice."
"Who knows? The Death Eaters will take out anyone who upsets them. Looks at them the wrong way."
Cassiopeia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Has anything else happened in Diagon Alley?"
"Ollivander is gone. His shop is empty. No signs of struggle so he might've left voluntarily. Either way, it's not a good sign."
"But what will people do for wands?"
"There are other wandmakers, dear," Priscilla said. She set down a plate of pancakes in front of Castor. "Though, no one compares to Ollivanders. And if the other side has him, that's not good."
