#78 - Bad news

Molly watched Anduin space out after a few bites and asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Anduin? Is the food not to your liking?"

"No, it's not that. I'm just very envious of your family, it reminds me of some past events. Reading М," Anduin replied, snapping out of it.

"Oh, Merlin's beard, I'd thank my lucky stars if these little rascals could give me a moment's peace one day," Molly said, annoyed, then saw Arthur next to her, focused only on eating. She scolded, "And you, you don't even think of helping me manage them."

Arthur shrugged innocently, gave Molly an apologetic smile, and continued to happily eat.

The boisterous lunch soon came to an end. All the little ones were covered in food. Anduin kindly used cleaning charms to clean them up, like washing the children's hands one by one.

"Your magic is really great. I don't remember being able to cast such a fluent cleaning charm at your age," Arthur praised Anduin.

"Just practice hard, it's not as complicated as you think," Anduin said with a smile.

Anduin and Augusta joined the Weasley family for fruit and tea, chatting and listening to the Wizarding Wireless Network broadcast.

This was a very popular radio station in the wizarding world, currently broadcasting the 'Wizarding Wireless News Roundup'. The children weren't very interested in this; they preferred the 'Toots, Shoots and Roots' talk show and the 'Magic Time' music program, so they all ran out to play in the yard.

"Wizarding Wireless News is reporting an urgent news bulletin. Just now, a violent explosion occurred in the northern region of Cornwall. The Ministry of Magic suspects that Death Eaters are active in the area, and Ministry Aurors, Hit Wizards, and the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad have been dispatched to investigate. All wizards in the area are advised to pay attention to their personal safety. Please wait for subsequent reports for detailed damage and casualties." An unpleasant message came from the magical radio in the Weasley's house.

"Damn it, these Death Eaters are getting more and more rampant," Arthur said with a frown upon hearing the news broadcast.

"There have been more and more of these reports lately. I hope the people there are alright. I remember Marlene McKinnon and her fiancé live near there, I hope they weren't affected," Augusta said worriedly.

Anduin also frowned with concern. An attack in one place, even though people had been sent, was likely already too late. Just as he had analyzed before, the official response was too slow. Now he could only quietly wait for further news.

The group listened to the news in the living room for a while, but there were still no follow-up reports from the scene.

But just then.

A Patronus, glowing white, passed through the walls of the Burrow. It was a small ferret. Anduin had seen it before, he remembered it was Frank's Patronus.

The ferret stopped in front of Augusta, and a voice came from the Patronus's light and shadow: "Mum, there's been a murder in Cornwall. The Marlene McKinnon family has been killed. A few miles away, the Prewett brothers, who were responsible for coming to support, were also ambushed by Death Eaters and sacrificed. Their bodies are now 3 miles north of the McKinnon's house. Moody thinks it's necessary to notify you first, and then help send a message to the Weasley family next door. We know Mrs. Weasley is about to give birth, so please consider whether or not to tell her this bad news."

As soon as Anduin heard the message conveyed by the Patronus, he stood up abruptly. Arthur also sat there in a daze. The group looked at each other with solemn expressions, and then suddenly heard the sound of porcelain falling behind them.

Only then did the group turn around and see Molly looking at them with a pale face, her hands trembling so badly she couldn't hold anything. She was deeply shocked and looked unsteady, as if she would fall at any moment.

Seeing this, Anduin quickly rushed over, came to Molly's side, and helped her up. Arthur also arrived and together they supported Molly, helping her to sit down on the sofa.

The air in the house was heavy and suffocating. Anduin, Augusta, and Arthur didn't know what to say at this moment, and could only look down at Molly in grief.

Anduin poured a glass of water and handed it to Molly. Only then did Molly's eyes focus, and she grasped the glass with trembling hands, tears streaming down her face.

Arthur looked at Molly, who was silent but tearful, and could only pat her back consolingly, unable to say anything for a moment.

After a while, Molly looked up at her husband and said, "Arthur, please go and see them for me, please, my two poor brothers."

At this moment, Molly's crying erupted, wailing so loudly it shook the heavens and the earth.

The children playing outside heard their mother's cries and hurried in, looking at their mother in confusion, not knowing what had happened.

Arthur nodded to Molly, then looked at Augusta and said, "Madam Longbottom, please take care of Molly, she needs you. I have to get to the scene to confirm." Then he turned to Bill and said, "Look after your younger brothers, take care of Mum, I'll be back soon."

Anduin then said, "Mr. Weasley, I'll go with you. They are also my friends."

Arthur shook his head and said, "It hasn't been confirmed whether it's safe there yet, so it's best not to go, it's too dangerous."

Anduin insisted, "Don't worry, I can protect myself. With me accompanying you, there will be someone to look after each other."

Augusta then said, "Let Anduin go with you, he is a very opinionated child, and he can give you some ideas when the time comes."

Seeing that both of them had said so, Arthur had to nod and say, "Alright, then thank you very much, I'll leave this place to you."

Anduin also turned to Augusta and said, "Please try to notify the Diggory family and ask them to come here to help take care of things. I remember you also have Patronus messaging, if there is anything urgent, locate me and send me a message."

Augusta nodded in agreement. In her eyes, Anduin was just a child, but he was more reliable than many adult wizards.

After making the decision, Arthur took Anduin outside and said to Anduin, "I've been to Marlene's house, we'll Apparate directly to the scene, grab my hand."

Anduin did as he was told, and Arthur and Anduin disappeared from the spot.

Northern Cornwall, a house in the suburbs here was almost completely destroyed by the explosion. Several Aurors were patrolling the area, and two bodies wrapped in white cloth were placed on the ground outside the house. Frank and Alice stood guard beside them with solemn expressions, awaiting orders.