Moments in Love

Here is the News

Thrilled and relieved to still be alive, before she could stop herself, the pretty blonde muggle girl planted a big wet kiss on the wizard with long red hair and a fang earring. Bill Weasley was pleasantly surprised to find himself the recipient of the exuberant kiss as sleet began to fall again.

Despite having made tentative arrangements for a date with Miriam, Bill hadn't really expected things to move so quickly, but he supposed the emotional catharsis of the moment had been a bit overwhelming for her and he allowed himself to be taken along for the ride. The vibration in his pocket and the sound of his name being called interrupted Bill in mid-snog.

Miriam watched with great interest as Bill retrieved a mirror from his pocket, and saw an elderly man's concerned features and clear blue eyes staring back from the mirror instead of Bill's freckled features.

"Ah, thank goodness!" said the elderly man in the mirror, looking clearly relieved to have reached someone, "I tried Harry, but he didn't answer. I thought I would try you first before interrupting any of the oth..."

"His mirror broke sir!" Bill replied before Dumbledore could finish his sentence. "But did you see what he and the others did?" he continued excitedly, "That was incredible! I've never seen anything quite like it..."

"Bill," interjected Dumbledore, a hint of urgency in his voice, "it is imperative that Harry and his companions resume the shield spell immediately!"

"Of... of course, Professor Dumbledore... sir!" Bill gulped when it became apparent that it wasn't over just yet; he looked up and was about to call out to Harry when he saw the glowing teenagers raise their wands at the sky again. "Er... looks like they're already on it sir!"

"Good! Very good! I'll be there shortly..."

~o0o~

Harry tried to slow his breathing as his heart continued racing. The billowing smoke and orange flame of the fireball from the last missile to strike the shield dissipated above, and a drop of icy rain stung his forehead, then another, and another, mixed with splodges of wet snow. Harry swallowed nervously when he realised that the Coven's shield had only barely held off the attack.

"Blimey!" He gasped. "That was bloody close! If there'd been any more missiles..." Harry trailed off and raised his eyebrows questioningly at Hermione and Dora as the sleet grew heavier.

"Sh...should we do it again? Or d'you reckon that's it?" he asked, afraid that he already knew the answer.

Hermione's furry ears and soggy tail twitched uncertainly as she peered at the older girl. Dora sighed; her own experience with military tactics was limited despite her Auror training and being a few years older than the others, but she'd seen enough muggle war films to at least give her an inkling.

"I dunno if they'll try again, but it's better to be safe than sorry," Dora muttered. "Even if they don't do another aerial assault, they're bound to 'ave tanks and troops with missile launchers and other ground equipment surrounding Puddleby."

"Right!" Harry agreed. "Again it is then..."

The eight drenched young witches all nodded at Harry and returned to formation. The Luminous Coven raised their wands at the sky and the sleet halted once more. They held their breaths when moments later Dora was proved right, and more fiery explosions struck the invisible shield closer to the edge of town, coming from all sides. The building seemed to tremble slightly as the thunderous roar of the attack echoed throughout the small city.

"We'll have to do it again!" barked Harry. "Before this one fails..."

The Coven kept their wands in the air and cast the spell again and again, wondering for how long they'd have to keep this up, and if they could manage to continue to ward off the heavy bombardment. They were momentarily distracted by the sound of apparition cracks, but quickly returned their focus to the Protego Horribilis Charm which they were recasting every few seconds at Harry's direction.