Luciscura / Fred Weasley

The silence that followed the battle in Diagon Alley was deafening. Smoke still curled from collapsed buildings, the air thick with the scent of scorched wood and spell residue. The cobblestone streets were littered with rubble, shattered glass, and unconscious Death Eaters being restrained by Aurors.

Lettie exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders as she surveyed the damage.

Her wand was still gripped tightly in her fingers, knuckles white from the fight. Beside her, Fred ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, his face streaked with soot and something that looked alarmingly like blood.

"Everyone okay?" Sirius's voice rang out, slightly hoarse. He strode toward them, his wand still raised.

Harry nodded, though his eyes were still alight with adrenaline. "We're fine."

Theo dusted himself off, muttering, "Could've gone without nearly being hexed into oblivion, but sure, we're fine."

Susan, standing beside Harry, glanced around. "The Aurors are taking control now."

Indeed, Mad-Eye Moody had arrived with a team of Aurors, barking orders as they restrained and transported Death Eaters to the Ministry.

"Dawlish, get these bastards out of my sight. Shack, secure the perimeter. No one in or out without clearance."

Tonks jogged over to them, her bubblegum-pink hair singed at the ends. "That was intense. You lot okay?"

Fred grinned. "Oh, you know, just a casual trip to buy school supplies. Nothing like an attempted massacre to spice things up."

Tonks snorted. "Merlin, I really hope this doesn't become a regular thing."

Molly and Arthur Weasley rushed toward them, their expressions frantic.

"Fred! George!" Molly clutched her son's face, checking for injuries.

"Mum, I'm fine," George groaned.

Arthur's eyes swept across the group. "You all fought well. I saw some of the spells you were using."

Molly pulled Fred into a tight hug. "Never do that again."

Fred exchanged a glance with Lettie over Molly's shoulder and smirked. "No promises."

Within an hour, newly appointed Minister Amelia Bones arrived, flanked by high-ranking Aurors and Ministry officials. She surveyed the destruction, her expression grim.

A hush fell over the gathered crowd as she conjured a platform and stepped onto it.

"People of the Wizarding World," she began, voice carrying through the alley, "you have all seen today what many have tried to deny. Lord Voldemort has returned."

Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
"He attacked innocent civilians in broad daylight, proving what we have feared: He is no longer working in the shadows. He has declared war. And we will answer."

The crowd murmured in agreement, whispers of rebellion rising.

Bones' gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on Harry, Sirius, and their friends. "But today, we did not stand alone. Many brave witches and wizards fought back, refusing to let fear win. This is our stand. We will not back down."

Cheers erupted.

Lettie felt a weight settle in her chest.

This was real. The war wasn't coming—it was here.

That evening, the Selwyn family's estate, Thornswood Hall, became a sanctuary for their group. Sirius, Harry, and Susan had come along, seeking safety away from the chaos of the outside world.

Theo sank into one of the plush armchairs in the drawing room. "Well, that was fun. I don't think I'll be able to hear the words 'Diagon Alley' without breaking into a cold sweat."

Lettie sat beside Fred on the couch, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. "At least we know we can hold our own."

Fred pressed a kiss to her temple. "We're bloody brilliant, that's what we are."

Harry, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke. "He was there."

The room fell silent.

"He was right there. And I wasn't scared." Harry's voice was steady, almost surprised. "I thought I would be, but I wasn't. I wanted to fight."

Sirius placed a hand on his godson's shoulder. "You did fight, Harry. And you'll fight again."

Lettie caught Harry's eye. "And you won't be alone."

Harry gave a small smile. "I know."

As the fire crackled in the hearth, the weight of what they had done—and what was coming—settled over them.

The battle for the wizarding world had officially begun.

And they were ready.