stardust ⋮ george weasley

sixty-eight :

S I X T Y - E I G H T

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Midnight patrols were usually uneventful.

Most of the other prefects hated doing the late night patrols around Hogwarts, not wanting to take the time away from their studies or sleep. But Adeline signed up for them at every opportunity she could, loving just how quiet the castle got at night and how she didn't have as much to do if she had chosen to do an earlier shift. The only troubles she seemed to have was dealing with students sneaking out past curfew or having awkward confrontations with couples who had decided to have a midnight rendezvous.

That's why Adeline was so surprised when she heard a large group of footsteps in the distance.

At first, she thought it might've been a large group of students attempting to sneak out to Hogsmeade. Given how close the holidays were, there had been so many more people trying to sneak out to go last-minute Christmas shopping or have a last hurrah with their friends before they separated for several weeks.

But then the group rounded the corner, and Adeline's anxiety went through the castle roof. At first, she could only see Professor McGonagall and Ron were holding up a pale, almost-sickly looking Harry. His neck of his pajama shirt was lined with sweat, and Harry looked so dazed that he would collapse on the floor if the two let go of them. Professor McGonagall noticed Adeline in the distance, but she was so focused on getting Harry and all the Weasleys to Professor Dumbledore that she didn't say anything when Adeline started making her way towards them.

Adeline's worry only seemed to increase – if that was even physically possible – when she saw George, Fred, and Ginny all trailing behind, still in their flannel pajamas and fear clearly etched on their face. When George spotted Adeline rushing towards him, while his worry didn't disappear in the slightest, but he couldn't help but be slightly thankful that they had run into her. George's head had been spinning ever since he had been woken up in the middle of the night by Professor McGonagall.

"What's happening?" She asked quickly as she approached George. "What's going on?"

"Dad's been attacked."

It was such a short sentence, but the absolute panic and heartbreak in George's voice was enough for Adeline to squeeze his hand tightly and let him lead her down the corridor. Next to her, Ginny's bottom lip wobbled as she tried to keep a straight face, wanting so desperately to cry but not wanting to panic her brothers even more by doing so. In an attempt to comfort her , Adeline extended her other hand out to Ginny's, who grabbed her hand and gave her a grateful look.

Professor McGonagall led them up the stairs and into Professor Dumbledore's office, the small light from her wand lighting the way down the dark hallways. When they reached the office, where the Headmaster was already waiting, Fred spoke up and asked, "What's...what's going on? All we could find out is that Dad's been attacked and–"

"Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore informed the group before Harry could explain the dream. Adeline's heart dropped to her stomach, and George's grip tightened on Adeline's hand so hard that her knuckles paled. "He has been taken to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than the Burrow. You will meet your mother there."

A bright flame suddenly appeared in the middle of Professor Dumbledore's office. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it soon disappeared and left a single golden feather, which gently floated down to the ground. "It is Fawkes's warning," He stated. "Professor Umbridge must know you're out of bed. Minerva, go and head her off, tell her any story."