Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 97

Once back under the starry sky, they heaved themselves back on top of the nearest boulder, sodding and shivering.

Again, Lucy struggled to catch her breath, coughing up water, Albus's weight still heavy on her shoulders.

"Grab my hand," Harry said.

She did as he said, squeezing his hand tightly.

The familiar sensation of apparition took over and when Lucy opened her eyes next, they were on High Street in Hogsmeade.

Lucy immediately knew something was off. Every single light was diminished, they were standing it pitch black.

"Something's wrong," she whispered, scanning their surroundings, "it's never this quiet, nor this dark."

"We did it," Harry didn't seem to here her, "we actually did it!"

"Shh," Lucy whispered, "let's get out of the middle of the street, we can go to the Hogshead."

"We need to get him up to the school," Harry protested, "we need to get him to Madam Pomfrey."

"No." Albus said, "it is Severus whom I need...but I do not think I can walk very far just yet..."

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks then," Lucy declared, "Rose will help, besides it's right here."

"And I'll run and get Madam.." Harry started.

"Severus," Dumbledore said clearly, "I need Severus."

"Fine then, Snape," Harry said, "Lucy, will you be ok if I leave you for a moment so I can—"

Lucy heard running footsteps and looked behind them to see Madam Rosmerta scurrying down the dark street towards them on high-heeled fluffy slippers, wearing a silk dressing gown embroidered with dragons.

"Rose!" Lucy breathed in relief. Rose would know what to do.

"Come here, Lucy, darling," Rose opened her arms and Lucy fell into them. "You're soaked!" She pulled away and cast a drying charm. "Thank Merlin you're alright, I saw you apparate as I was drawing my bedroom curtains—what's happened to Albus?"

"He's hurt," Harry said, "Madam Rosmerta, can he come into the Three Broomsticks while I go up to the school and get help for him?"

"You can't go up there alone! Don't you realize-haven't you seen!"

"Seen what? Rose?" Lucy asked, a pit in her stomach.

"What has happened?" Albus asked, "Rosmerta, what's wrong?"

"The-the Dark Mark, Albus."

She pointed to the sky in the direction of Hogwarts.

"No!" Lucy gasped dread flooding her body.

The blazing green skull with a serpent tongue was hanging in the night sky above the castle. The mark Death Eaters left behind whenever they had entered a building—whenever they had murdered.

"Aberforth is already up there," Rosmerta said, "so is Phil Flume and Giles Hayden."

"When did it appear?" Dumbledore asked, struggling to his feet.

"Must've only been minutes ago, it wasn't there when I put the cat out but when I got upstairs..."

"We need to return to the castle at once," Dumbledore said, "Rosmerta," and though he staggered a little, he seemed wholly in command of the situation, "we need transport brooms."

"I've got a few behind the bar," Rosmerta said with a hesitant glance towards Lucy, "but Albus...shouldn't the children stay here with me?"

"Nonsense," Albus said, "they'll come, Harry, go and fetch the brooms."