I'm sorry I couldn't get to you -- December 2018

I felt new arms around me and I could tell that it was Leo by his cold, strong grip around me.  I still held onto my parent's hands, but let him hold me, putting my other arm around him, crying into his chest.  What was I going to do without them?

I was shaking and would not let go of Elena's hand.  I needed her... never before have I needed her more than I did right then.  It broke me to see my family so broken.  they were all so cold -- I could see the red on their cheeks, the tears frozen in place, everyone was shaking from emotion and cold.  the powdery snow was gathering and getting thicker now around all of us.  I opened my mouth to speak, but I could not find any words.  I closed my mouth and when I did, a sob rose in my throat.  My tears were finally falling and I could barely stay on my feet.  That was Charlie and Desdemona!  How could they be gone?

I wished I could take the pain away from my siblings, but how could I when I was already hurting s badly as they were?  I took a deep, shaky breath.  I needed to get control of this situation, right?  It's what a big brother would do.  "We... they need to be moved," I said, my voice hoarse from my tears.  I cleared my throat and continued, my voice sounding slightly better.  "Leo, take Quinn to the cottage, okay?  Th-the rest of us will be there momentarily.  Please... we don't need Quinn or anyone to get sick..." Like that was what any of us were worried about -- we just lost our brother and sister...

How was Bill doing this?  I held onto Percy as tightly as I could.  Desdemona was my best friend and a sister to me by marriage and nearly by blood.  I had come to love Charlie like a brother and he was close to Percy after things got cleared up.  I could not believe that Bill was able to find his voice.  I knew that if I spoke, I would lose all the strength I had keeping me together right now.

Being nearly seventy, it took me a little bit to get around -- even when it seemed urgent.  I never knew Bill to be one to ask for help.  I waited for Arthur and we took off to Sleepy Hollow.  The sight before me nearly brought me to my knees.  My eldest son was trying to gather the troops to be strong... while my baby -- my Charlie -- was on the ground... gone... Desi was gone... I was at a loss.  A mother should not outlive her children.  I put a hand over my mouth as I bustled quickly towards everyone.  "No... please... not Charlie..." I had tears running down my cheeks.

Everyone else's sorrow seemed just like background noise to me -- I almost did not really sense it through my own despair.  I pulled my face away from Leo's chest when I heard Nan's strangled cry.  It brought a fresh batch of tears to my eyes and I have never seen Nan or Pops look the way they did right then.  It kind of scared me... I knew that the questions would start coming at me soon, but I was nowhere near ready to speak about such things.  They did, however, deserve to know that my dad did not defend himself to give me and mum a fighting chance... and then Mum protected me from him... it was horrible... everything I heard.... and now, the aftermath... it was just horrible.

Mum's strangled voice made me look over at her.  I was barely doing the job at being strong and she was not helping the matter at all.  Dad was just trailing behind her, looking as if he was in shock.  Which was something I never thought I would see.  I took a deep breath and looked at my parents.  "Please... we were all going to go back to the cottage.  I think it best... get away from the rubble..."  Of course we would move Charlie and Desi to be somewhere else.  We really needed to get a Healer or coroner out here to take care of them... but I was not sure if anyone could handle that yet -- espeically Quinn.

I had to be the support for my husband, I knew they needed some help out here. I would get that out here as soon as possible. Tears welling in my eyes as I just held onto George. I needed to be strong for the both of us. He didn't need to see me upset. I held onto him as he sobbed. Just holding tighter and tighter.

We had gotten word from Charlie about Uncle Charlie and Aunt Desi. Josh and I headed for where we knew everyone would be. Sleepy Hollow, or the Burrow. I looked to Josh, " I'm with you every step of the way. hun." I said to him as I knew he already knew.

I held onto Ally's hand as we went towards Sleepy Hollow.  I knew that things were bad -- I knew what had happened.  Why else would everyone be there?  I could not even blink back my tears and I felt like I was shaking.  All I could do was nod at what Ally said to me.

How do we know that?...It's always good to tell you because who knows when you're listening?

I looked up at the Dark Mark and shuddered.  It should not be there.  I raised my wand towards the sky and a light erupted from it.  We needed to get rid of it.  It did not belong above the home of my dear brother and his wife...

I had gotten word from Uncle Bill to head to Sleepy Hollow, that's where Maggie and I went. We saw the family and what I saw chilled me to the core. No.....no way. My grip on Maggie's hand grew tighter. I didn't know what to do. " Why...." I said quietly.

I saw what Percy and Fred were doing and, without letting go of Quinn, I pulled out my wand and raised it into the air.  She would need the support like this to make it through -- her and all the Weasleys.  And all of us... Desi was part of our family, too.

I held onto Jake's hand as tihgtly as I could -- wishing that I could do more to be supportive for him.  But I had no idea what to do... except to just hold onto him...