May 2, 1998

Hogwarts Castle

Michelle Cartwright struggled over the rubble coating the hallways of Hogwarts. She didn't think about footwear before apparating into the Hog's Head only hours ago. There was a moment as she felt the twist behind her navel that she remembered she didn't tell anyone that she was leaving. She felt the heat in her pocket, the adrenaline began to course through her veins and it was the only thing she could think to do. This was something she had been waiting for: the call. He said something was coming and that she should be prepared. He told her it would be dangerous, but if it wasn't for him she never would've found the bravery within her.

She wasn't even sure that it would work. He said he had the coin for a few years. Michelle found the charm incredible. It was obvious to her that whoever performed it was very bright. When he gave it to her, she asked where it came from but he refused to tell her its origin. Saying, "A gentleman never reveals his secrets." He followed it with one of his patented smirks that she had grown to love over the years.

Just as she reached the top step at the seventh floor, the castle shook, as a club nearly as big as Ravenclaw Tower came down onto the stone, shattering it. As Michelle righted herself, two Death Eaters flew into the castle, like streams of black smoke. They landed just ahead of her, when she heard the man she was looking for.

"You're joking, Perce!" The voice was unmistakable. "You actually are joking, Perce… I don't think I've heard you joke since you were—"

All Michelle could see was a flash and more pieces of falling rock from the Hogwarts castle. Suddenly, the air felt thick; her stomach fell in knots.

"No—no—no! No!" someone shouted. "No! Fred! No!"

Michelle felt sick. The smoke cleared and she saw him crouching against the wall, unmoving.