Thick Of It

The Weasley family home, the Burrow, was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of plates, but an underlying tension threaded through the air like an unspoken spell. Harry sat at the kitchen table with Sirius, Lupin, and Andromeda, each with an air of quiet seriousness that rarely found its way into holiday gatherings. Molly bustled about, determined to bring some semblance of warmth and normalcy despite the looming shadow of Voldemort.

Lupin broke the silence, his tone measured but grave.

Lupin: "So, Voldemort has chosen Draco Malfoy for a mission."

Harry looked up, his expression a mix of anger and frustration.

Harry: "I know it sounds bad."

Lupin tilted his head slightly, watching Harry carefully.

Lupin: "Has it occurred to you, Harry, that Snape might have been pretending to offer Draco help? To find out what he was after?"

Harry's jaw tightened.

Harry: "That's not what it sounded like."

Sirius, leaning back with a glass of firewhisky in hand, interjected with a hint of caution.

Sirius: "Perhaps Harry's right, Remus. There's a certain… tone to things that can't be ignored."

Arthur Weasley entered the room, adjusting his glasses as he joined the conversation.

Arthur: "An unbreakable vow, though... That's a serious commitment. If Snape's involved in something like that, it's not to be taken lightly."

Lupin's calm but firm tone cut through the rising speculation.

Lupin: "It comes down to trust, doesn't it? Dumbledore trusts Snape. Therefore, I trust him."

Sirius, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, gave a low chuckle that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Sirius: "Well, nothing can be said for sure, can it?"

Harry's voice rose slightly, his frustration spilling over.

Harry: "Dumbledore can make mistakes. He said so himself."

Lupin's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, his voice sharper now.

Lupin: "You're blinded by hatred, Harry."

Harry: "I'm not!"

Sirius raised a hand to calm them, his tone a mix of exasperation and care.

Sirius: "Harry, you've got to admit—when it comes to that boy, you lose all objectivity."

Lupin sighed, rubbing his temples as though the weight of the conversation were bearing down on him.

Lupin: "Jason, though… He's done spectacularly well. Because of him, we've taken out several Death Eaters. But even so, people are disappearing daily, Harry. We can only place our trust in a handful of people now."

Sirius set his glass down firmly on the table, his expression grim but determined.

Sirius: "If we start fighting amongst ourselves, we're doomed."

Molly appeared with plates of pie.

Molly: "Pie, anyone?"

Lupin waved it off with a polite smile.

Lupin: "Not for me, thank you."

Sirius leaned over to Harry, speaking in a hushed tone.

Sirius: "You'll have to forgive Remus. His… condition takes its toll, especially around this time."

Lupin gave Sirius a sideways glance but didn't argue, instead turning his attention to Arthur.

Lupin: "Mr. Weasley, are you all right? You've been awfully quiet."

Arthur sighed deeply, his hands clasped together.

Arthur: "We're being followed. All of us. Molly barely leaves the house these days. It's not been easy."

Sirius nodded, his expression softening.

Sirius: "I know the feeling."

The conversation shifted slightly as Harry and Sirius moved to the side, speaking in hushed tones.

Harry: "As for Draco Malfoy, I know a bit more."

Sirius: "Go on."

Harry: "I sent an agent to Borgin and Burkes. From what we've seen, the object Draco is interested in is a vanishing cabinet."

Sirius's brow furrowed, his voice low.

Sirius: "A vanishing cabinet? Those were all the rage when Voldemort first rose to power. I suppose you can see the appeal—if Death Eaters come knocking, you can just slip inside and disappear."

Harry: "What happened to it? The one at Borgin and Burkes?"

Sirius: "Nothing. It's still there."

The room seemed to settle into an uneasy quiet as Sirius, Lupin, and Harry exchanged glances. Molly's voice broke through, her tone insistent but warm.

Molly: "The pie was delicious, really. Are you sure you won't stay?"

Lupin shook his head, his voice soft.

Lupin: "No, we should go. The first night of the cycle is always the worst."

He glanced toward Tonks, who was waiting patiently by the door.

Lupin: "Sweetheart?"

She gave him a gentle nod, and they began to gather their things.

As the group exchanged farewells, Sirius clapped Harry on the shoulder.

Sirius: "Merry Christmas, Harry."

Harry nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.

Harry: "Merry Christmas."

====

Just as Lupin and Tonks were about to step outside, a loud noise erupted from the living room.

Harry: "No!"

The entire room froze as the noise grew louder. Lupin's wand was in his hand in an instant.

Lupin: "Ginny!"

The scene burst into chaos as everyone scrambled toward the source of the commotion, wands at the ready. The tension that had hung over the evening like a storm cloud now descended in full force.

The tension inside the Burrow erupted into chaos as a blaze ignited just beyond the windows, casting flickering shadows across the walls. The sound of mocking laughter carried through the air, grating on everyone's nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

Outside stood Bellatrix Lestrange, her wild hair catching the firelight, her eyes blazing with sadistic glee. She twirled her wand idly, her grin wide and feral.

Bellatrix: "Oh, Sirius, dear cousin! Just like old times, isn't it? Except your precious friend James is dead—and soon, his brat will join him. Shall we make it a family affair?"

Sirius's face darkened, his hands trembling with fury as he clenched his wand.

Sirius: "You twisted wench! You're not laying a finger on Harry!"

Before anyone could stop him, Sirius stormed toward the door. Harry, shouting after him, bolted in pursuit, his heart pounding in his chest.

Harry: "Sirius, wait! Don't do this!"

Ginny, without hesitation, sprinted after Harry, her face set with determination.

Ginny: "Harry, don't be stupid!"

The others scrambled to hold the line of chaos erupting around them. Lupin tried to grab Sirius, his voice a desperate plea over the roar of flames.

Lupin: "Sirius, don't let her bait you! It's a trap!"

But Sirius didn't stop. The heat of the fire illuminated his silhouette as he pushed forward, wand raised, his gaze locked on Bellatrix with unrelenting fury.

Out in the tall grass, the eerie orange glow of the fire cast long shadows, making the landscape look like something out of a nightmare. The wind whipped around them, carrying Bellatrix's haunting laughter.

Bellatrix: How far you've fallen, Sirius! Look at you, playing house with blood traitors and half-bloods. It's pathetic!"

Sirius didn't reply—he lunged, his wand aimed directly at her, sending a Stupefy curse hurtling toward her. Bellatrix danced out of the way, cackling maniacally.

Suddenly, figures emerged from the shadows. More Death Eaters, their black cloaks billowing like specters in the night.

Harry skidded to a halt, his breath catching in his throat as he realized they were surrounded. Ginny, her wand drawn, pressed her back against his, her fiery determination burning as brightly as the flames around them.

Harry: "Sirius, we're outnumbered!"

Ginny: "And outflanked. ."

Sirius stepped in beside them, his wand moving with practiced precision.

Sirius: "Outnumbered? Maybe. Outclassed? Never."

The Death Eaters closed in, their laughter echoing in the night. The trio moved instinctively, forming a defensive triangle, their backs to one another as curses flew.

Bellatrix: "What a pretty picture you three make! Shall I paint it red for you?"