Moments in Love

All I Need For Christmas

The muddy lawn of Black Manor was a scene of bedlam as Order Members began arriving by portkey with the prisoners freed from the Ministry's Concentration Camp by the Potters and their friends. The internees milled about as they were gradually debriefed and found accommodations in the many rooms of Black Manor. Madam Pomfrey (who had sneaked out of Hogwarts along with Professor McGonagall), bustled about with the assistance of other Order members, performing triage on those most in need of medical attention.

Harry, Hermione and the rest of the Coven felt a bit useless as every time they tried to help, they were rebuffed at Pomfrey's insistence that they should all be in recovery themselves after their own traumatic experiences.

"Shoo... shoo, you all need rest and recuperation," said Pomfrey after she had given them all a once-over and directed McGonagall to dose the Potters and their friends up with calming draughts and find them a quiet place to clean up.

And to be sure, Harry was indeed just going through the motions while lost in a sort of blank fog of emotional numbness. In the end, Dora took charge of the Coven, sweeping a load of calming draughts and sleeping potions into a bag, and they were about to step outside to apparate back to Jennifer's home when they heard a squeal.

"Gemma," shouted Clara Dawson, who was hovering at the edges of the throng, trying not to get in anyone's way. "Over here..."

Gemma whirled around and gasped, surprised to see Clara. She squeezed through the crowd in the parlour and flung herself on her sister, bursting into tears. Clara bit her lip as Gemma sobbed and trembled violently, clinging to her sister for dear life. Overwhelmed with emotion, Clara's knees wobbled and she began to feel faint.

"You go on Fleur," said Dora, when she spotted Clara's distress. "Get 'em outta here before they fall apart. It's a madhouse in here... I'll be right behind you."

"Oui, Chérie," Fleur agreed as she corralled the Potters, Daphne, Jennifer, Parvati, and Luna and hustled them towards the entry hall.

Seeing the Potters and the rest of the Coven well in hand as Fleur ushered them out of the parlour, Dora scurried across the room and caught the Dawson sisters before they collapsed. She managed to direct them into the dining room where a number of freed detainees were lying on conjured sofas and cots. Deciding that Gemma needed to just let it all out, Dora gave Clara the calming draught and set them both down on one of the sofas.

Feeling a bit more together after downing the potion, Clara peered worriedly at Dora while her sister kept sobbing.

"Will... will she be alright?" she asked shakily. "What did they do to her?"

Dora frowned uncertainly. She had a very good idea what the Minister's Death Eaters and Snatchers had been doing to the younger and prettier female prisoners, and she wasn't really sure how to tell Clara... especially while her sister was crying all over her. Dora was startled when Madam Pomfrey put a hand on her shoulder.

"Why don't I take things from here dear," said Pomfrey.

"I... er... I think I'll stick around for a few more minutes if it's alright," Dora replied. "Clara needs t'know what's goin' on. It's just... Clara's sister..."

Pomfrey glanced at Clara sadly and nodded. "Of course... I understand." Madam Pomfrey gently rubbed Gemma's back, getting her attention. "Come along dear... your sister's not going anywhere and I need to have a look at you..."

Dora gave Pomfrey a grateful look as the nurse led Gemma to a cot nearby and conjured a curtain around it, then she turned her attention back to Clara who was anxiously wringing her hands and peering at her questioningly. Dora took a deep breath to steady herself.