Chapter Thirty-Five:
( the eight potters )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

             SPENCER KNOWS SHE IS selfish for practically guilt-driving her best friend to stay and she absolutely dislikes herself for it. His parents left a few days later to France and charms were put around the house of both defense and warnings just in case, but Ricky finally chose to stay with her toward the end. Sure, she did not actually beg him, but she figured just quietly staring at him for some time and not saying anything about it made him feel guilty. And although she assured him that she is completely fine with him choosing to leave, he knows her better than that to know she actually did not want him to. And Ricky does not exactly mind staying with the Weasleys, but he knows that at one point she will join in the mission Harry is set to have and the young boy is still unsure of what to do. That is to say, the two of them planned to avoid having such talk until a later time period, but it all comes to light when a plan to safely get Harry Potter out of his Uncle's house seems to bring the topic close to heart.

             "Daniel, let me help," Spencer continues, following her brother around the tight-filled kitchen. Remus, Tonks, Fleur, and Bill (you know, the usual) are in there mixing their own cup of coffee or tea— she is not quite sure, but both smells are lingering in the air. Now, one may be wondering: what exactly does she mean by 'let her help'? On Saturday, the Order members along with Hermione and Ron will have the privilege to help Harry escape from his house unnoticed by others— that is to say Death Esters and any Montague relatives by the manor. Spencer agrees that they should definitely do the plan they have mentioned, but she only has one problem.

             She is not in it.

             And she understands why she is not part of it! Spencer Montague has still not turned seventeen years old yet (unfortunately). Thus, Daniel does not see it fit for her to join which she thinks it is absolutely ridiculous because she has other ways to defend herself if needed. The older Order members (well it is actually just Mad-Eye Moody) requested for her to join while the others do not seem to particularly care or not (except Molly who immediately denied) whether she is planning on going except her own brother specifically said no. Since he is technically her guardian despite never having done any legal papers, Moody let the topic go.

             Daniel sighs in exasperation. "Give me one good reason why I should let you go," he stops dead in his tracks, crossing his arms while he gives his full attention to her. Remus quietly sips on his tea curiously (he was one of the few who seemed to have no vote whether or not she should go) while Tonks raises an eyebrow in amusement (she encouraged it only because she senses a 'fiery spirit' within her).

             Spencer straightens her position and clears her throat confidently. "I am turning seventeen soon— no that is not my reason why," she starts off before giving him a glare at his pointed look. "Harry is like a brother to me... he helped me escape from the manor and gave me a chance to find a new place to rest. I promised him and myself that I will do everything that I can to help him in this messed up world we live in. Sure, I'm not seventeen yet, but that doesn't leave me defenseless. There are substances I could use to defend myself if needed: for example, I still have a ton of Fred and George's supplies that could cause mayhem... there are muggle inventions that I have from Ricky's dad which can cause some sort of explosion. Please, Daniel," Spencer lists off, a determined expression on her face.

             Fleur places her hand on her shoulder. "I theenk Spencer 'as a point, Danny," the beautiful French woman defends the Ravenclaw. Bill raises his eyebrow wondrously before smirking slightly at his soon-to-be wife.

             Tonks notices the intervention and grins, jumping down from the counter as she leans on Remus (who automatically blushes even though they are married— and yes, Spencer cried when it happened). "If you go with her, perhaps your worry will lessen," the metamorphmagus comments slyly.

             Daniel stares at the two older women and then back at the young girl. He taps his chin for a few seconds before releasing a sigh. "Fine, but you will stick with me. And I don't care if you might get expelled—" oh, yeah, she still has not told him about her plan, "— if something is coming your way, just cast any spell."

             "Yes," Spencer nods her head right away. She grins slightly before giving him a serious look. That is until she cannot help herself from pressing a kiss on his cheek quickly and then flees from the kitchen. She finds Ricky sitting beside the fireplace in his own world until she flings herself toward him. "I did it! I convinced Daniel to let me go with them and since you're seventeen you could too," Spencer laughs.

             It begins dialing down when she notices that Ricky is not laughing with her. His lips twisted upside down clearly feeling the opposite than she is and so she stops her laughter and stares at him questioningly. There is a moment of silence between them until the older boy finally sighs, "I'm not going."

             Spencer blinks. She easily hears the words go through her head and she knows what it means and still a simple "Huh?" gets out of her mouth. Ricky purses his lips firmly and shrugs. "I can't do it, Spencer. The first few times it was pure adrenaline running through me... I didn't see it coming and the fear in my body— that maybe I wouldn't— I can't do it," Ricky stammers, his hands trembling in shock.

             Guilt spurs in her insides and Spencer wraps an arm around him. "I'm sorry, Ricky. I understand," she apologizes, a frown plastered on her face. She does, but it does not mean she likes it. However, at the end of the day, it is her best friend's choice and no one else's. He seems to know what she is thinking with the pursed smile he gives her; uncertain and afraid.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             MAD-EYE MOODY FINISHES TELLING their plan before assuring that everyone understood. He easily walks through the crowd of Order members that will take part in the mission, nodding at every one of them with tight firmness. Spencer stands by George and lets his arm lazily wrap itself around her shoulders while she has them around his waist (he is far too tall!). She only departs from him when Kingsley begins handing out broomsticks to majority of the crowd. Spencer easily grabs one before glancing down at it— thank Merlin for Blaise and Theo teaching her how to properly fly that one time...

             Her eyes meet Ricky's and she smiles in assurance, noticing his concerning gaze. Spencer traps the broom between her legs the moment she heads outside with the others. She waits patiently for their signal and when Daniel reaches beside her and gives her a short nod, the two of them begin flying when Hagrid's motorcycle goes off.

             The Disillusionment Charm begins to make its work while all of them fly whether on the brooms or the familiar skeletal winged-horses. It is slightly funny and yet upsetting that Spencer once could not see those thestrals. Yet, ever since she witnessed Sirius practically die in front of her... Spencer had been one of the people to have seen him fall to his death when Bellatrix Black sent him that spell. Slow and all at once. She used to not be able to see them, but now?

Her attention returns back forward as she grips her broom to the right position and flies off. Quidditch is not her cup of tea, but flying doesn't seem too bad. Last time she flew had been in the Thestrals to get to the Department of Mysteries, this time she is on a broomstick. Her hair flies behind her long and smoothly which reminds her that she is going to have to cut it soon... there is no way her hair would not get caught in some bad crossfire. Though, maybe not right before the wedding.

             Being on a broom during a summer night and feeling the fresh wind hit her face somehow relaxes her. Although, the muggles cannot see her, she can see them and even in the darkness they find ways to laugh. Her stance begins to lower as she begins to recognize the streets down below. One by one, they all begin to be visible in sight as the Disillusionment Charm lifts. Spencer gently hops off her seat and runs toward Harry, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting herself take in the fact that he is there. Harry hugs her back and grins when the two of them part from each other.

             "I missed you," Spencer sighs, carefully caressing his cheek before stepping back.

             Harry playfully rolls his eyes and comments, "Yeah, I guess I did too."

             Hermione then flings herself toward him and Ron claps him on his back. Hagrid moves toward them and tells them, "Ready fer the off, Harry?"

             Spencer takes her place beside Daniel and shakes herself to prepare for what they are about to do. She stretches her arms before following the others inside when Harry leads them through the kitchens. Mad-Eye marches up ahead of them with his arm carrying a whole supply sack. He allows for them to sit down and rest around the table where his aunt, uncle, and cousin used to eat— she noticed how completely silent the house has gone without them there... and empty too. While Mad-Eye continues warding off the place so they can talk about their plan to Harry, the twins sit across from Spencer and smirk at her.

             "Recognize us now?" Fred questions with a cool look. Him and his brother wear similar clothing style that would definitely trick some other fools (apparently Harry is good at telling them apart too), but not Spencer. She still spots the tiny differences across their face that says otherwise.

             Spencer raises her eyebrows unamused. "Always," she responds easily.

             She glances back at Harry and for a split second makes eye contact with him. Only for a few since he seems to be eyeing all of them with awe and fondness. Her attention returns back to those around her and she sighs softly. A few miles away, the Montague manor rests on top of a hill all the while they are in the old Dursley's household. It feels like a time ago when Spencer ran away and came upon a chubby boy and his mother. Even now she remembers it quite clearly— every second of it. Now, thankfully, she surrounds herself with people she knows she can trust (apart from Mundungus).

             Kingsley, one of the cool Aurors and a member of the Order, informs Harry that for this night, the prime minister will have to be by himself since the younger boy is more important. Spencer finds that she actually likes the older man seeing as he practically takes no shit from anyone (same with Mad-Eye). For a few minutes, Harry has a vague understanding about what happened in a short amount of time (including the small marriage) until Mad-Eye steps in with his usual, well, mood.

             "As Dedalus probably told you, we had to abandon Plan A. Pius Thicknesse has gone over, which gives us a big problem. He's made it an imprisonable offense to connect this house to the Floo Network, place a Portkey here, or Apparate in or out. All done in the name of your protection to prevent You-Know-Who getting in at you. Absolutely pointless, seeing as your mother's charm does that already. What he's really done is stop us from getting you out safely," Mad-Eye Moody grunts, letting his mechanical eye shift around. "Second problem: you're underage, which means you still have got the Trace on you. Same with Montague there, but they are not keeping an eye on her like you."

             Harry tilts his head not understanding what Mad-Eye is talking about. The older man gruffly explains what the Trace means and then continues, "We cannot wait for the Trace to break. The moment you turn seventeen, you'll lose all the protection your mother gave you which means Thicknesse thinks he's got you cornered."

             "So, what are we going to do?"

             Mad-Eye Moody bites back a retort and impatiently tells him, "We've got to use brooms, thestrals, and Hagrid's motorbike to get your through the means of transportation." While he begins to explain what exactly the plan is— not mentioning the part of them changing their appearances— Spencer begins to quietly tap her fingers on the table. She repeats the plan on her own head, her jaw clenching in deep thought. There is to be twelve different houses for them to arrive to (seven people pretending to be Harry) and one of them would be Daniel's small cottage that he rarely uses from either working too much or being at the Burrow. Spencer knows that is their destination of where the protective barrier would rest and the Portkey taking them elsewhere. She knows someone must be waiting there, but she did not ask Daniel who it would be.

             "Ah," Moody's incoherent sound makes Spencer get her mind out of thought and focus back at his words. "Fourteen of us won't be flying to Tonks's parents'. There will be eight Harry Potters moving through the skies tonight, each of them with a companion, each pair heading for a different safe house."

             Immediately, Harry shakes his head in disagreement and loudly snaps, "No!" His voice rings through the kitchen. "No way!"

             "Yeah, I don't think you have a say in disagreeing with this, Harry," Spencer sighs, sharing a knowing look with Hermione since the two of them knew exactly how he would react. Always the noble hero. Harry gives her a glare that she simply ignores.

             "If you think I'm going to let seven people risk their own lives—"

             Ron chirps in, "—because it's the first time for all of us..."

             "This is different, pretending to be me—"

             "Well, none of us really fancy it, Harry," Fred jokes around, a smile pleasantly on his lips. Spencer snorts in amusement when the redhead continues, "Imagine if something went wrong and we were stuck as specky, scrawny gits forever?"

             Harry crosses his arms in defiance. "You can't do it if I don't cooperate. You need me to give you some hair," he huffs out strictly, glaring hotly at all of the present figures. Spencer raises her eyebrows as she takes a glance at those around her. Both of them could not do magic and he thinks they won't do anything? If Ricky were here with her they would have shared the same look of amusement.

             George seems to rethink his words and then rolls his eyes. "Right, well that's it guys. The plan scuppered completely. Obviously, there is no chance at all to get his hair unless he cooperates," the redhead snickers silently.

             Fred smirks. "Yeah," he agrees, "thirteen of us against one bloke who's not allowed to use magic; we've got no chance."

             Spencer stifles a laugh to herself while the twins send her a sly wink. Harry scowls at the pair of them and mutters, "Funny."

             "If it has to come to force, then it will," growls Mad-Eye, his magical eye quivering slightly in its socket as he glares at Harry. He motions to the people at the table, "Everyone here is willing to take a risk."

             The young Montague almost nods her head in agreement before her eyes fall to Mundungus who simply shrugs and grimaces. Spencer scrunches her nose in disgust as the two make eye contact— what is his problem? Is it safe for him to even be there?

             (Of course not for his own safety but rather theirs).

             While Harry continues pestering on about how this is completely dangerous and that he does not want anyone to get hurt, Spencer stands up from her seat and heads behind him. Noticing that he pays no attention to her, she glances at her friends before smoothly yanking his hair. Her friend yelps in surprise before swapping her hand with his.

             "Dude, what the f—?" Harry groans, rubbing his hair momentarily in pain before sending her a look of betrayal. Spencer gives him a sweet smile before handing the pieces of hair to Moody. The older man nods roughly in appreciation while taking it away to prepare the potion itself. Fred snickers at what she did while George clears his throat seriously and interrupts him, "Watch your fucking language, kid."

             "Don't be fucking rude," Fred slaps Ron's arm despite him not doing anything. Ron gapes at him in surprise while he rubs the spot Fred smacked him in. Mad-Eye Moody begins stirring the potion for a few seconds while the others amusingly stare at the twins and Harry. Spencer skids by Moody and glances down at the potion in slight awe— she would not have suspect that the color would change into a bright gold symbolizing Harry's personality and yet here it is. She should not be surprise by it since it is Harry. By the looks of it, Hermione too seem in awe with it and mentions something about how tasty it looks? Well, that and something about Goyle which she does not know exactly what they mean but lets it pass.

             Moody casts a tired look at each one of them before announcing, "Right then, fake Potters like up over here, please."

             Spencer walks with Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, and Fleur to line up formally. They stand curiously among another and either appear unbothered (Fleur and Spencer), excited (Fred and George), or aghast— you can guess who those are. Remus stands up and goes beside them with a slight frown.

             "We're one short," he points out the obvious.

             Hagrid gruffly holds on to Mundungus and tells them, "Here." The half-giant drops the older man down beside Fleur, who wrinkles her nose pointedly and moves along to stand between Fred and George (and honestly, Spencer cannot blame her). The two redheads give her a greeting grin and bow slightly. Fleur releases a wonderful chuckle at the boys and gives them her charming smile. Spencer eyes her with a droopy look before focusing back at Harry.

             Mundungus shakes his head repeatedly. "I toldjer, I'd sooner be protector," the man stumbles, his eyes widening in fear.

             "No one trusts you to protect them," Spencer scoffs out what everyone else is thinking. They all glance at one another knowing her blunt words are true in every way— hell would need to rise before they actually trust that man. Good intentions, but not good. Mundungus gives her a look indicating that he is offended, but she chooses to pointedly ignore it.

             Mad-Eye Moody pulls out seven eggcup-sized glasses from inside his cloak, which he hands out, before pouring Polyjuice Potion in each one. Spencer grabs her own and gives half a smile to the rest of her friends before drowning the drink in. She swallows deeply to allow the potions to do its work before gasping at the same time as the others. All at once, Spencer feels her features change to form into Harry's body. She frowns noticing the shift in size— Harry is shorter than her (not by a lot but still)— and then her hair completely shortens and darkens. Spencer glances down at her own (or Harry's?) body and widens her eyes in surprise. Yeah, those clothes of hers she is wearing fits a bit too tight...

             "You're gonna rip my shirt," Spencer gasps, a small pout in her lips. Despite her friend managing to be scrawny-looking, he is still bigger than her. The real Harry— at least she assumes is the one beside Moody— stares at her offended, especially when tugs in her shirt and then questions, "I can just take it off... right?"

             Daniel furrows his brows knowing what she is insinuating. He takes a few seconds to answer before shrugging. "Well, I suppose?" Her brother responds and yet does not even sound sure himself.

             Spencer shrugs in return and still takes it off to reveal Harry's own body. Mad-Eye Moody hands her a bigger shirt (while handing the boys smaller ones) and pants which she gladly takes. While putting on the shirt, her attention diverts to Fred and George who turn to each other and gasps, "We're identical!"

             "I dunno," one of them (Spencer figures that it is Fred based on his next sentence) exclaims, "I think I'm still better looking."

             George (she assumes once more) widens his eyes and stares at each of the Harry's unsurely before turning to Fleur and saying, "Spencer! Now you actually can't figure out who is who!"

             Spencer snorts at his claim and gets his attention to his other side. "Wrong 'Harry'," she retorts and waves a little when George and Fred turn toward her. "And I'd beg to differ, George. Fred always makes those types of comments," she motions to the redhead slightly admiring how he looks good as Harry too.

             "Thirty is just 13 years more to go..." Fred reminds her of the deal they did back at their shop. There is an impressed look on his face which makes Spencer rolls her (Harry's?) eyes. Truth be told, she really does not see them marrying each other only because she sees him as a brother. Though, she knows their words are simple jokes to remind them that they can still smile during times of war. Fleur-Harry gives him an odd look before glancing at herself in the microwave door. It takes a minute for the idea to cross her mind before the Veela gasps.

             "Bah," she cries out. "Bill, don't look at me— I'm 'ideous!"

             Spencer coughs loudly at her friend's words and begins stifling a laugh with the warning glance that the real Harry sends her. All the Harry's (except the real one) begin putting on different clothes to fit their body type. Taking notice of Harry's embarrassed expression, she (unlike the others) is careful to give him some privacy while she changes her pants into something much more comfortable for his body. While she feels comfortable to realize this is not her body, Spencer still respects him since she would not want him to do what everyone else was doing.

             "I knew Ginny was lying about that tattoo," Ron mumbles while he glances down at his bare chest. Spencer sends him an odd look before placing the round glasses on her. She blinks numerous times before adjusting them to her vision— still completely off since she is not blind herself, but enough to get her to see well.

             Spencer grabs rucksacks and an owl cage that has a stuffed white owl resembling Hedwig inside— she tilts her head curiously and smiles at how adorable the toy is. She quietly wonders if she can keep it... her eyes glances up as Moody clears his throat.

             "The pairs will be as followed: Mundungus will be traveling with me, by broom—" Moody begins before being rudely cut off by the Harry beside the door. Spencer does not have to think to realize it is Mundungus. "Why'm I with you?"

             Moody shoots him a disgruntled glance. "Because you are the one that needs watching," he growls in annoyance. His magical eye does not waver once from the man and he continues, "Arthur and Fred—"

             "I'm George," Fred gasps, furrowing his eyebrows at the finger pointed at him. "Can't you even tell us apart when we're Harry?"

             "Sorry, George—"

             Fred grins. "I'm only yanking your wand, I'm Fred really—"

             Moody gives them a sharp look. "Stop messing around!" He snarls at all of the figures. "The other one— George or Fred or whoever you are— you're with Remus. Miss Delacour—"

             "I'm taking Fleur on a thestral," Bill interrupts with a fond smile. "She is not a fan of those brooms."

             Fred snickers and places an arm around Spencer. He leans down and whispers, "Notice how he said 'those' and not—" Spencer begins coughing loudly having been caught off guard with the extremely inappropriate words coming from Fred's (oh, boy it's Harry's) mouth.

             "Miss Montague with Gray, by broom," the older man continues. Daniel heads over to Spencer with a calm expression and nods at her in assurance. Spencer smiles at him in return and notices the broom he is holding. Tonks (who trips over a mug tree) ends up with Ron while the real Harry with Hagrid. Spencer gazes at the thestrals softly and lets her mind recall the words Blaise used to describe them. Daniel nudges her arm in the side and she raises her head to meet his eye.

             "What are you doing?" There is curiousness written on his face obviously noting that she zoned out for couple of seconds. Spencer waves it off gently. "I never knew how beautiful thestrals truly are," she sighs, a gaze of wonder visible.

             "Yeah— wait... you can see them?" Daniel grabs her shoulder with a fear-struck expression.

             Spencer frowns at the reminder of who can see them. "Ever since Sirius..." she trails off, taking a quick glance at Remus and Harry and is thankful they are not paying attention to her. Daniel nods slowly in understanding, but the same frown stays on his lips for the meantime.

             "— come on," Moody grunts, his hand calling them over to the dark back garden. Spencer takes a deep breath before letting the broom leap on her hands. She glances at Hermione and Harry enviously before sucking in the detail that she was allowed to come last minute and they only managed to get two thestrals. How fortunate is that she took Flying classes in her first year and that Blaise and Theodore gave her some pointers?

             She sends an assuring smile to Harry (he keeps glancing around nervously) and places her feet between the broom while they wait for Moody's call.

             "Everyone ready, please; I want us all to leave at exactly the same time or the whole point of diversion's lost," Moody clears his throat appearing aggravated, looking more specifically at Mundungus than anyone else. Spencer mounts her broom the moment everyone else does. Daniel offers for her to go with him, but she politely declined since she figures it is easier for both of them to head their own separate but close ways.

             Hagrid's motorbike roars into life and suddenly, Spencer feels her heartbeat increase in thought.

             "Good luck, everyone," Mad-Eye Moody shouts. "See you all in about an hour at the Burrow. On the count of three. One... two... THREE!"

             While a great sound from the motorbike is heard, Spencer lifts herself up from the ground and steadily flies up close to Daniel as they begin making their way to the safe house. She feels the wind hit her face again except this time her hair does not bother her with Harry's style over hers. Higher and farther they fly, slowly departing themselves from the rest of them to make their way to their assigned destination. For some time, she enjoys the freshness overdose of the night sky shimmering a glow into her brother's face. The stars seem to call for her name as she elevated deeper into the unknown, soaring over the muggle houses and trees. From her view, they seem to look like ants. Instead of focusing below, she lets her hand swiftly move closer beside Daniel like how Blaise had once instructed her to move the broom around. She can still see a few of the Order members towering their own way, but slowly become insignificant as Daniel leads her to the right side to head to their station. Or at least, they tried to.

             Spencer stares up alarmingly as she hears the first frightened scream coming from her side. Out of nowhere, out of nothing except darkness, four Death Eaters surrounds her brother and herself far immediately. Instead of letting fear struck her frozen, she raises up her wand in one hand while slightly trembling with the other to hold herself up.

             "Exp—"

             "Stupefy!" Spencer strikes faster having no other thought than the words 'stay alive' in her mind. Whoever tried to take her wand away ends up falling from the sky. There goes that plan of hers of not getting expelled— she could just continue with throwing dungbombs, but what is the point of it anymore? One of the other ones tries hexing her as well, but she lets her grip loosen on the broomstick and the weight of it lowers to avoid the spell. "Expelliarmus!"

             Grabbing the Death Eater's wand with her other hand, she lets out a yelp while her feet are the only thing holding her up in the broom. Yeah, they didn't teach me how to do that, Spencer thinks to herself. A sigh of relief escapes her when Daniel grabs her by the shirt and pulls her in the right spot all while he hexes another Death Eater. Instead of focusing on that, she quickly snaps the Death Eater's wand and completely destroys it with a spell.

             "Did he say 'Expelliarmus'?" One of the hooded figures ask with alertness. Recognizing the the tone to be filled with glee (fuck that's Harry's signature spell, isn't it?), Spencer grunts from her position and simply flicks her wand at the distracted figure, Flipendo!

             A green light almost strikes her then and there except Daniel casts a spell toward him and the shadow almost falls from its ride. Noticing that her brother is about to be hexed on, Spencer grips the broom tighter and heads on faster, Avis! A flock of birds attacks the figure causing them to head down the road. More Death Eaters begin arriving in their way, trying to surround the two of them completely— while it is good for Harry that they thought she is Harry, it definitely is not excellent for them. Taking in the idea that being surrounded together would do them no good, Spencer flings herself lower and a bit to the left to guarantee them the chance to follow her instead. As expected, the Death Eaters begin heading to her giving her brother a free chance to overpower them.

             Spencer speeds further from them and then does a quick spin while her wand lit up, Confundo! All the Death Eaters surrounding her stops momentarily making Daniel reach her side and casts, "Explulso," to some of their objects— three explosions reach their side pushing them off the grid. Spencer gasps as the spell causes her to lose balance and her left hand grips onto the broom tightly.

             "Hang on!" She barely hears her brother curse with the high winds before she is back on her seat. Spencer breathes heavily before almost stopping completely as she spots a familiar snake-like face appearing from behind her. "He's here!" Spencer hears Harry's own voice come out of her mouth.

             Her brother takes a quick glimpse behind them before his eyes widen in realization. Voldemort tilts his sickening facial structures at them threateningly and with only fear and adrenaline driving Spencer to the core, she lets herself simply fall from the broom knowing it is the quickest way to escape his wrath. Taking another glance at the snake-like white monster, she is both glad and frighten to realize that he is gone from their view. Barely hearing Daniel yelling out for her in worry, she waves her wand and mumbles, "Arresto Momentum."

             She lands on her feet gently and raises her wand once more, Accio broom! A few seconds later, the broom she flew goes straight to her right hand. The young Montague mounts it once more and a beam of light gets out from the tip of her wand with the simple incantation.

             After mere seconds of flying by herself, she suddenly hears a familiar soar reach beside her and a possible smile reaches her face. Daniel releases a sigh of relief and waves his hand over to get her to follow him.

             "We've lost them— we're almost there," Daniel informs her, taking a quick look around before speeding up. Spencer follows his movements until she is right beside him. "How do you figure it is actually me?"

             Daniel sends her a comforting glance. "The spell I casts leads me to the person this object belongs to," her brother comments, briefly holding up the necklace Blaise had given her for Christmas. Spencer gasps in surprise, taking a look down at her neck before realizing it truly is hers. She gives him a thankful nod and her eyes closes in relaxation once they fee a rush of magic run through them and the view from behind vanishes.

             A small cottage is near their sight with a single light flashing on and off. Daniel waits for her to jump off the broom before entering the blue-colored built house. Spencer takes a quick look at herself before realizing that she no longer (thankfully) appears like Harry. While her brother leads her inside his barely used house, she follows along and her eyes notices a redheaded male who assumingely looks familiar.

             Daniel greets the male with a friendly shake while the redhead grins in return; and despite her brother holding out his hand, the redhead brings him in for a hug. Her brother grunts in surprise before awkwardly returning it. The two of them seem to know each other unlike she assumed. They probably met when she was at school. Spencer watches curiously when the two of them let go and the new male begins walking toward her with the same grin. "I'm glad the two of you made it safe— you must be Spencer, I'm Charlie, the se—" the redhead begins introducing herself while Spencer makes a face of recognition.

             "Oh! You're the second oldest Weasley! Nice to meet you, Mister Charlie Weasley," Spencer exclaims loudly, holding out her hand almost in awe. The male— Charlie, widens his grins and nods, correcting her to just call him Charlie. Unlike what he did with her brother, he actually shakes her hand politely. Charlie Weasley manages to be exceptionally good-looking with his tall features and slightly long hair. Spencer can imagine the young man does not cut it often since he busies himself with dragons rather than people. She would assume he is unsociable, but based on his body movements, he does not seem to mind talking to others. The two of them only chat for a few minutes before deciding it is best to head to the Portkey. Before leaving, however, Daniel casts another protection spell upon his cottage. Then, the three of them are swirled out of the place and into the safe one they call the Burrow.

             Spencer almost stumbles to the ground and is only thankful when Charlie quickly uses his reflexes to get her just in time. She grabs his arms and exhales tiredly— oh, sleeping sounds far extraordinary at the moment. The young girl takes a look up noticing a familiar boy running her way with the most worried look on his face to ever exist. Ricky wraps his arms around her immediately and overlooks to see if she is alright. He lets his hand caress her cheek while a sigh escapes him.

             "I'm so glad you're okay," Ricky admits, the worry slowly depriving. "I swear I'm never letting you do this on your own."

             He allows for Daniel and Charlie to help her inside and Spencer finds herself smiling lightly in accomplishment when she spots Harry and Hagrid being fussed by Mrs. Weasley. The older woman gasps in delight once she notices her and urges her to go beside Harry.

             "Oh, it is fortunate the two of you— with Charlie, of course— made it back in time," Mrs. Weasley presses a motherly kiss on top of her head. Then, she goes up to Daniel and gives him a short hug before wrapping her own child in another one. Spencer turns to Harry and closes her eyes in relief, bringing him into a hug that he equally returns.

             "You're okay," she barely whispers. That feeling up in the air when Voldemort was right behind her and then he vanished quickly... she knew it was because somehow he had to have found someone else who he thought was the real Harry. It both relieved her (that she would not die), but scared her too.

             Harry tightens his grip as he feared the worst for her too. "I'm okay," he repeats, assuring her in every way that he is. Spencer parts from his hold and looks around the room curiously.

             "Where is everyone else?"

             Ginny, who immediately goes toward her after Harry lets go, wraps her in a hug for a few seconds before repeating the words she told Harry, "Ron and Tonks missed their Portkey. George and Lupin should come in any second."

             Spencer nods in understanding and lets herself wait by Ricky's arms. Her best friend holds her tighter than ever before and she knows he had feared for her safety while he stayed. Suddenly, a blue light appears in the darkness: it grows larger and brighter, and Remus and George appear, spinning and then falling. She let out a small gasp when noticing that Remus is supporting an unconscious George whose face is covered in blood. Her hand reaches up toward her mouth in complete shock and she turns away to hide her face in Ricky's chest for a few seconds.

             No, no, not George, Spencer feels her face pale at the sight of him unconscious. Harry scrambles to help Remus with George and all she does os stare at the spot with wide eyes. It is only when Ricky pulls her forward that she snaps out of it and quickly goes by his side, gasping at the sight of a missing ear and the mess of blood. She can hear Harry and Remus arguing in the back, but her attention rests on one half of the twin— she only hopes Fred isn't hurt too. Although, Spencer feels a brief relief pass through her when spotting the pulse by his wrist, she lets herself stay beside him in deep worry. Ginny is next to her as well, tears gathered in her eyes just the same as Spencer. Both of them do not let them fall and instead slowly back up to let Mrs. Weasley try to help her son. Daniel gently grabs Spencer and comforts her, letting his hand run through her hair. Her brother stares up at Charlie and gives him a slight tilt to allow the redhead to be beside his brother and mother.

             "I think Hermione came," Daniel whispers, his lips curled up as he motions to where Harry is now at. Spencer glances down at George for five whole seconds before slowly walking to the next room. Her brother stands correct as she spots Kingsley appearing disgruntled while Hermione in Harry's arms. When they separate, the Gryffindor girl releases another sigh of relief and sprints toward her to do the same. Spencer closes her eyes and takes in how her friend is okay and unharmed.

             Kingsley huffs in anger and then asks, "Who else is back?"

             Remus purses his lips into a frown. "Harry, Hagrid, George, Spencer, Daniel, and me," he answers, swallowing deeply as he realizes there is still more people needed to come. Hermione stifles a moan clearly distraught that not everyone else has come back.

             "What happened to you?" Remus questions Kingsley noticing the tiredness and alertness he had. The Auror glances at Hermione and shakes his head. "Followed by five, injured two, might have killed one... and we saw You-Know-Who as well. He joined the chase halfway through for only two seconds before vanishing. Remus, he can—"

             Spencer widens her eyes in realization. "Fly," she says at the same time Harry does. Harry shoots her a surprised expression before nodding in agreement.

             "Daniel and I saw him— I think they thought I was the real Harry and he came, but then he left after I dropped myself," Spencer explains vaguely, shuddering at the familiar red eyes staring at her. Death had been only inches away and she briefly escaped it. Hermione releases a small gasp and tightens her hold. The young Montague quietly comforts her, her heart and mind still only hoping that everyone else is alright.

             Kingsley gives her a short assuring glance before frowning. "How did he knew to switch?"

             "Harry behaved a little too kindly to Stan Shunpike with the Disarming Charm," Remus sneers, glaring at the young boy for having acted that way. Spencer furrows her brows and defends him, "So did I. That's why he came after me, but I don't regret doing it. I still injured the Death Eater and I gave Harry more time."

             "What happened to you, Remus? Where's George?" Kingsley changes the topic noticing the short tension between the werewolf and Harry. Remus returns back to his solemn look and lets his head fall. "He lost an ear," the older man reveals.

             Hermione separates herself from Spencer with wide eyes. "Lost an—?" She repeats in shock with a high voice.

             "Snape's work," Remus confesses. Spencer feels her worry shift into anger at the mention of their former Potions professor. The werewolf explains that the man used the Sectumsempra spell on George— on George who was pretending to be Harry! How did Dumbledore come to trust that poor excuse of a man? He had always been a bully as a simple Potions teacher and now as a Death Eater? No amount of decency is on him. The fact that he knows what the spell did, that he invented it and made George lose an ear... Any other spell could have worked well, but that one?

             Ricky tugs Spencer's arm and pulls her forward. "Spencer, stop," he whispers in shock, glaring down at her hands. It is then she notice that she had made herself bleed by how angry she had gotten. Her friend stares at her in concern and she shakes her head, returning back inside to wait for the others. Her eyes focused solely on George and lets her head lean back.

             He's okay, he's okay, everyone else will be too, Spencer repeats inside her own mind like a mantra. Those are the words keeping her sane as she waits impatiently.

             "I'll prove who I am, Kingsley, after I've seen my own son, now back off of you know what's good for you!" She hears Mr. Weasley shout like never before. Spencer stands up at the same realizing that means Fred must have arrived as well. Arthur bursts into the room, his bald patch gleaming with sweat and Fred right behind him, both pale but unharmed. Spencer feels a lump in her throat coming up and she forces herself not to run and hug him.

             Mr. Weasley drops to his knees beside George while Fred simply stays quiet, completely lost for words which is something Spencer has never ever seen in her life. He gapes over the back of the sofa at his twin's wound as if he could not believe what he is seeing. And suddenly, she takes a look back at George when she hears a small stir.

             Mrs. Weasley sobs into her hands and lightly asks, "How do you feel, Georgie?"

             George, barely awake, lifts up his hand and touches the side of his head. Spencer breathes in deeply at the sight of him moving. "Saintlike," he murmurs quietly and yet audible.

             "What's wrong with him?" Fred croaks, looking terrified. "Is his mind affected?"

             "Saintlike," George repeats calmly, opening his eyes and staring up at his brother. "You see... I'm holy. Holey. Fred, geddit?"

             Spencer releases a small, shaky chuckle and sets herself to go beside Fred. George weakly smiles at her in assurance. Mrs. Weasley sobs even harder than before while the color in Fred's face floods back in. "Pathetic! With the whole wide world of ear-related humor, you go for holey?"

             "Ah, well," George grins like if he is not injured at all and stares at his teary-eyed mother. "You'll be able to tell us apart now, Mum. Though, of course, Spence never had a problem."

             Fred turns to the young Ravenclaw and develops her into a hug, noticing the way she has been holding back tears. She is sure she heard him mumble something about being glad that she is okay, but all she does is listen to his heartbeat that ensures her that he is okay.

             "Why isn't Ron and Bill huddled in my bedside? Even Charlie is here!" George questions, smiling at his older brother that is beside Daniel. Charlie gives him a weak one in return. The grin on George's face slowly diminishes as his mother informs him that they have not arrived yet. Spencer stays beside the twins while staring numbly at the door from where most arrive from. The others are taking far too long now... they should have been back and yet they still haven't.

             Silence undertake their places. Shifting just the tiniest bit makes them startle and have a look of hope in their face. It feels like hours have passed between the time that she arrived. The undeniable fear that the rest are dead or captured... it makes her feel sick. She can feel Ricky's gaze on hers from across the room. Any other time she would be curled up beside him, but he simply does not understand the tremendous pain that ran through her body knowing how it felt to be up in the sky with the idea that this might be their last breath or the only thought being survival. She does not blame him for it and she is glad that he chose to stay, but Fred's warm chest heavies her worries from earlier and gives her just a tiny bit of hope that the others will be okay.

             That George's ears is the worst that happened today.

             For what felt feels forever, Spencer finally hears Hermione yell out that someone else came. She skids outside and has never been more glad to see Tonks tumble her way out of the broomstick. The young woman glances up in worry and it all vanishes when she spots Remus nearby.

             "Remus!" Tonks cries out as she staggers into Remus's arms. The older man wraps his arms around her securely and a look of relief flashes through his face. The amount of love presented on both their faces make Spencer briefly smile before a slight pain comes through her own heart. Her eyes water at the thought of running straight into Blaise's arms— his arms holding her close to his chest with all the comfort in the world.

             The thoughts of hers are scrambled away as Ricky suddenly pulls her along to the group hug that Ron, Hermione, and Harry are doing. Ron glances up and smiles at the sight of Spencer, bringing her in close with assurance to all of them.

             They are all fine.

             "Ron was great," Tonks mentions warmly, smiling down at the five kids. "Wonderful. Stunned one of the Death Eaters straight in the head, and when you're aiming at a moving target—"

             Hermione loosens her hold and stares at Ron in a fond way. "You did?"

             Spencer takes notice of intimate moment and motions for the two other boys to let go of Ron, letting Hermione have him all for himself. "Always the tone of surprise," Ron mumbles grumpily before looking around. "Are we the last back?"

             While Ginny explains to Ron who they are waiting for. Spencer gazes up at the sky again. How incredibly awful is the fact that the stars she is staring at... the luminous hot gas— beautiful and yet completely aware of the darkness? She used to look at the skies beside Blaise and admire them, but with him not at her side, she only hopes that another familiar thestral makes its way in the protection barrier.

             Kingsley somehow manages to leave in the time they continued waiting. The others head back inside. Not Spencer. She waits in the windy breeze for silverly blonde and red hair of any kind. Fleur and Bill are suppose to get married— they are. She will be dressed most wonderfully to honor Fleur and see Gabrielle again. Ricky and Theodore will be together enjoying their day while she with Blaise and they are laughing. Fred and George will joke around them while Harry and Ginny throw each other wanted glances and Hermione and Ron dance around each other—

             She stops herself and gasps in relief upon noticing a thestral land beside her. Spencer stands from the ground and immediately heads toward Fleur, helping her get down the creature and noticing the tears streaming down her face. Fleur flings her arm and sobs straight into Spencer's shoulder. Bill is blank-eyed even as he makes his way inside his house where Mrs. Weasley heads to him in relief. Fleur tries speaking to Spencer, but then stops trying as more tears escapes her beautiful blue eyes. The young Montague purses her lips tight knowing this is not for a good reason. Her thoughts are answered when they head with everyone else and Bill looks directly at his father, pale and shocked.

             "Mad-Eye's dead," the oldest Weasley reveals.

             Nobody moves. Nobody speaks as they let the information seek in. Spencer freezes in her spot and she even stops patting Fleur's back while the words repeat over in her head. Mad-Eye's dead, Mad-Eye's dead— Ricky collapses into the couch overwhelmed with the information.

             "It happened just after we broke out of the circle: Mad-Eye and Dung were close by, they were heading north too. Voldemort— he can fly— went straight for them. Dung panicked. I heard him cry out, Mad-Eye tried to stop him, but he Disapparated. Voldemort's curse hit Mad-Eye full in the face, he fell backward off his broom and— there was nothing we could do, nothing, we had a dozen of them in our own trail—" Bill's voice breaks and he no longer can continue trying to hold in his tears. Fleur only lets her tears stream harder and she slowly separates from Spencer to hug her fiancé.

             Remus clears his own throat and briefly glances away. "Of course, you couldn't have done anything," he comforts shortly.

             Fred and George no longer laughing and instead overwhelmed shock in their expression. Tonks begins crying silently into the handkerchief having been closed to Mad-Eye... Daniel fidgeting his feet, his hand rubbing his temples in full surprise and tiredness. Charlie turning away from them with his lips pursed. Spencer... she simply stares almost numbly. It would feel wrong for her to cry when she did not know the man very well, but her heart clenches tightly in clear grief.

             Bill walks slowly to the kitchens before returning with cups soaring through the air and a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand. Every individual at the Burrow grabs a bottle that is filled with the drink and raises it up midair. "Mad-Eye," Bill speaks first, bringing it up higher.

             "Mad-Eye," Spencer and the rest repeat. She glances at the glass before forcing it down on her lips. Spencer begins to choke on it and almost spits it out before she inhales it all. It sears through her throat and creates a sensation of burning within. After a full second, she no longer feels frozen, but completely numb to the world outside. Her face grimaces at the taste, but she chugs it down completely and lets its magic do the work.

             She stares right at Remus when he then asks, "So Mundungus disappeared?"

             Everyone knows what his words are meant to be taken as. Was Mundungus the person to have betrayed them? If not— then who was it? Spencer figures no one there would do such thing, maybe Mundungus, but not anyone else. She tenses up but shakes the thought off her head. No, none of them had done it, Spencer repeats in her head.

             Daniel seems to agree by the way he shifts in his place and releases a sigh. Based on his expression, he removes the grieving look and turns into one of professionalism. Her brother is about to profile the situation.

             "I know what you're thinking, but I don't think it was Mundungus," Bill speaks up first, staring down at Remus surely. He goes on about why Mundungus would not do it. Daniel moves from his spot and goes forward.

             "I agree with some parts," he chooses to say. "Mundungus is not brilliant. He fidgets too much, never even wanted to join in this situation because of his fear— we have to remember that he is the one who gave the idea for eight Harry's to be flying around. If he betrayed us, why would he leave the main point behind?"

             Remus clenches his jaw and nods. He glances around suspiciously. "Then who?"

             Daniel glares at his friend. "I don't think anyone here would have willingly betrayed us, Remus. And if anyone did—including Mundungus, then I'd assumed they were under some Confundus Charm or perhaps..."

             He trails off in deep thought, his brows furrowing in disbelief. Spencer gazes at her brother curiously but then realizes he will no longer continue. No one loosens up their tension and Spencer hates how untrusting everyone makes each other to be. She swears it in her life that all the people currently inside would not do anything. Her mind only wanders to Mundungus, but even then she has a feeling that it would not have been intentional. Careless, yes, but not a secretly hidden dark wizard.

             "If somebody made a mistake and let something slip," Harry finally speaks up, taking a look at each and one of them, "I know they didn't mean to do it. It's not their fault," he repeats louder, "we have got to trust each other. I trust all of you. I don't think anyone in this room would sell me to Voldemort."

             Silence— their practical new best friend— lingers in the air again. Spencer gives him a kind brief smile and then nods in agreement. "He's right. I-I found a family in all of you and I have been surrounded by complete insaneness and bloodthirsty relatives my whole life to realize why all of you differ from them. It may have been an accident, you may have been a victim of the Imperius Curse, but none of you would truly betray him like this. You see how everyone is looking around in suspiciousness? This is what will bring us down if we continue this way," she announces, backing up Harry's words in a deeper depth.

             Harry gives her a grateful glance before agreeing with her words. Fred and George look at the pair of them before nodding as well.

             "Well said," Fred agrees unexpectedly. He offers Spencer and Harry a short smile.

             "Yeah, 'ear, 'ear," George utters with half a glance at Fred, the corner of his mouth twitching up. Spencer somehow finds the courage to smile lightly, awfully thankful that he is still there to tell his jokes.

             Remus stares at Harry with an odd expression and the Gryffindor boy narrows his eyes at him. "You think I'm a fool?" Harry demands to hear the words. Spencer sits back and watches the scene unfold.

             "No, I think you're like James," Remus tells him stiffly, "who would have regarded it as the height of dishonor to mistrust his friends."

             Spencer raises her eyebrows knowing those words cut deeper toward Harry whose glare only deepen. Was the werewolf mentioning this because of Peter Pettigrew? The man that he used to be friends with? She does not know, but what she does know is that she is exhausted and every part of her body wants to curl up and release forbidden tears. Her eyes wander to Ricky and notices that he is already staring at her in concern.

             Her best friend stands from his spot and brings her close to his arms, soothing her hair gently as if she were crying even though no tears came out. Except, he knows her better than anyone else and he knows that deep inside, she is completely devastated.

             (And here lies, Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody— for they will forever be missed).

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
bye this took forever to write because
i kept thinking about how fred **** and
nothing is the same with him and george :/

god... i can't believe chadwick boseman
is gone :/ he will honestly truly be missed.
i found out about it while walking my dog
and i literally had to stop in the middle of
the road because of shock and fuck... he
was a great person. and so incredible strong.
rest in peace, king <3