star shopping ✰ d.m.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

With the help of Arabella, Professor McGonagall woke up Ginny next, and the three went down to the common room where Fred and George were waiting for them. The group hurriedly made their way to Professor Dumbledore's office, and on the way there, McGonagall explained that Harry had seen Arthur injured.

"Harry - what's going on?" Ginny asked the boy upon entering Dumbledore's office. "Professor McGonagall says you saw Dad hurt-"

"Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore informed them. Arabella felt her blood run cold. "He has been taken to St. Mungo's Hospital for Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than the Burrow. You will meet your mother there." Next, he turned to Harry. "In the dream, were you standing next to the victim, or looking down at the scene?"

"Neither," Harry said. "It was like I... Professor, will you please just tell me what's happening?"

Instead of answering Harry's request, Dumbledore rushed to one of the portraits on the wall. "Everard, Arthur's on guard duty tonight. Make sure he's found by the right people." The subject of the portrait got up from his chair and walked out of frame.

"Sir," Harry tried but was ignored.

"Phineas," Dumbledore said, walking over to another portrait. "You must go to your portrait at Grimmauld Place. Tell them that Arthur Weasley is gravely injured, and his children and Harry Potter will be arriving there soon by Portkey."

"They've got him, Albus," said Everard, returning to his portrait. "It was close, but they think he'll make it. What's more, the Dark Lord failed to acquire it."

"Oh, thank goodness. Next we need to-"

"Look at me!" Harry burst out, startling everyone in the room. Dumbledore did indeed look at him. "What's happening to me?"

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Shortly thereafter, the children all gathered around the Portkey and put a hand on it, and seconds later, they were being transported to 12 Grimmauld Place. Arabella failed to remain standing once her feet connected with the floor of the kitchen and fell, Ron quickly helping her to her feet.

"Back again, the blood-traitor brats, is it true their father's dying...?" was the first thing they all heard upon their arrival, not helping to settle their nerves.

"Out!" Sirius yelled at the house-elf. Upon hearing his voice, Arabella wiped the frightened tears from her eyes quickly. He turned to the children. "What's going on? Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured-"

"Ask Harry," Fred said.

"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself," George said.

"Boys..." Arabella trailed off in a shaky voice. The situation was all bad enough without them placing the blame on Harry. After all, he had just seen a vision, it wasn't his fault what had happened to Arthur.

"It was-" Harry started. "I had a - a kind of - vision..." And he continued on to tell them all that he had been sleeping when he had seen Arthur get attacked by a giant snake.

"Is Mum here?" Fred asked Sirius.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened yet," Sirius told him. "The important thing was to get you away before Umbridge could interfere. I expect Dumbledore's letting Molly know now."