American Royalty III

Part 4: Told you

The motorbike splashed down into the reeds with a loud, sputtering noise, then cut out altogether with a final, smoking hiss. Harry glanced around in the dimness, his eyes darting towards the crooked house ahead. A door creaked open, and two figures dashed forward – Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Their faces were a mixture of relief and panic as they reached Harry and Hagrid.

"Harry! Hagrid!" Mrs. Weasley gasped. "What happened? Have you seen the others?"

Harry shook his head, his heart pounding. "Is no one else back yet?"

Ginny, standing beside her mother, shook her head silently, her face pale in the dim light. Before Harry could speak again, Hagrid lumbered forward, wiping sweat from his brow.

"They were on us from the start, Molly – the Death Eaters. And... You-Know-Who as well."

Mrs. Weasley's face tightened in fear, but she fought it back with a sharp breath. "Thank goodness you two are all right," she said, her voice quivering slightly.

Hagrid, looking somewhat worse for wear, glanced at her sheepishly. "Haven't got any brandy, have yeh, Molly? Fer medicinal purposes, o' course."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and led Hagrid towards the house, leaving Harry and Ginny alone. Once they were out of earshot, Harry turned expectantly to Ginny. Her face, normally full of strength, now looked frightened.

"Ron and Tonks should've already been back," Ginny whispered. "Dad and Fred too."

Before Harry could respond, a blue light flared in the distance, cutting through the darkness like a beacon. Harry and Ginny rushed toward it, hearts pounding. Lupin materialized out of thin air, cradling an unconscious figure in his arms, their clothes torn and head covered in blood.

Harry's breath caught in his throat as he recognized himself—at least, it looked like him. Then, as he stared, the figure began to transform, shrinking into the familiar form of George. His face was pale, and as the moonlight caught his profile, Harry saw the true damage: George's ear was gone.

Ginny gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh my God! George!"

"Quickly, to the house!" Lupin urged, his voice tense as he and Harry hurriedly carried George toward the Weasley home.

Inside the sitting room, Lupin and Harry gently laid George onto the sofa. The light from the lamps cast an eerie glow over his pale face, making the blood on his head appear even more shocking. Mrs. Weasley, who had just re-entered the room, let out a shriek.

"My boy! My darling boy! What have they done to you?!" she cried, rushing to George's side, her hands shaking as she dabbed at his wounds with a cloth.

Harry stood by, misery twisting inside him as guilt and anger waged war within. He was so distracted that he didn't notice Lupin until the man seized him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"Remus!" Ginny cried, her voice sharp with alarm. "What are you doing?"

Lupin's eyes were wild with desperation. "What creature sat in the corner the first time that Harry Potter visited my office at Hogwarts?" he demanded.

Harry blinked, his confusion mixing with fear. "Are you mad? What—"

"WHAT CREATURE?" Lupin roared, shaking him.

"A grindylow!" Harry shouted, wrenching free.

Lupin exhaled heavily, releasing Harry. His face softened, and he turned back to the others, explaining, "We've been betrayed. Voldemort knew you were being moved tonight. I had to make sure you weren't an imposter."