Defend

Chapter Forty-One Hey, Losers, He's Not Here

 There's a brief moment of silence, and then someone screams. Pandemonium breaks out as people start running for a cover. I see Harry, Hermione, and Ron disappear in a pop and I feel a bit abandoned.

Masked figures appear, and I grab Ginny's hand, sticking my other hand into a concealed fold in the fabric of my dress where I put my wand. Death Eaters are everywhere and we sprint inside the Burrow, dodging curses.

Most of the other Order members are there and I slam the door shut behind me, leaning against it, panting. Ginny falls forward, and George grabs her before she falls. Remus points his wand at the door and I duck out of the way just in time.

"Colloportus!" he shouts, locking the door. I know it won't last long, considering it can be undone with Alohomora, but I think at this point we're just trying to buy time to figure out what just happened.

"How did they get in?" I ask.

Nobody says anything.

We're all silent until realisation dawns on me.

"My parents!" I yell, grabbing the door knob. Fred jumps forward and grabs me. "Eliza, you can't, besides, they know how to apparate. I'm positive they're okay."

I stand there in Fred's arms for a moment, trying to process what's happening. I love the twins. They're so protective over me. I'd probably have gotten myself killed by now without them.

"Ginny and I can still go to Hogwarts this year, right?" I ask Tonks.

"Honey, that's not up to me," she says, pulling me in for a hug.

"Well, if no one's stopping me I'm still going." I pout.

"If you were a bit more grade-obsessed and in Gryffindor, you'd be Hermione," George laughs. I attempt a smile. I need to go back to Hogwarts. Not just to get smarter and even more ready to defend myself, but to see Draco.

Pounding starts on the door and I jump at the noise.

Remus raises his wand to the door. "Who is it?!"

"It's us, Arthur and Molly Weasley!"

"Let them in!" all their children and I cry.

Remus maintains his wand pointed at the door. "How can we know it's you?!"

"It's us! Bill and Fleur are with us!"

"Remus, let them in!" Tonks and I cry.

He opens the door and Arthur slams it behind him. I hear Death Eaters' bodies slam against it.

"Kids, get back!" Arthur yells, pushing Molly protectively behind him. I grab Ginny's hand and stumble over the hem of my dress, grabbing my wand that had fallen on the floor. We're supposed to all go into the kitchen, except the twins, who claim they're of age and will stay to fight. Which leaves just Ginny and I in the kitchen.

"Ginny, I'm scared."

"It's alright, I am too."

We sprint to her room and change into normal clothes. As soon as we're dressed, I raise my wand to seal the door after changing. The moment I raise my wand a Death Eater breaks the door down. I can't tell who they are through the mask, my only reassurance is they're much taller than Draco.

"Stupefy!" I yell. They deflect it with a flick of their wand and point their wand at Ginny.

Not my best friend.

"Stupefy!" I shout from behind them.

Their body collapses and Ginny untenses.

"Thank you!"