Chapter 879 - Panicked Arrival Ⅱ (1/2)

The three younger witches visibly shiver at the question, but the fair-haired middle-aged witch's blue eyes remain cold and calm. The elegant, stern beautiful witch purses her lips into a thin line. ”There was a giant attack, we managed to survive, but we lost Lucretia and Ignatius Prewett, Bilius Weasley,” Druella said, before hesitating and adding, ”Juliet D'Eath.”

Arthur lets out a pained whimper at hearing the death of his older brother and in-laws by marriage. Ignatius Prewet and always treated him well and especially his Mollywobbles and the children. ”What of Ronell?” Arthur desperately rasped. ”Is he still alive?!” He hopefully gazed at the older witch.

”Your brother yet lives, Arthur,” Druella carefully answered, ”but he was severely wounded. He is presently at St. Mungo's being treated.”

Arthur's face relaxes only a bit of relief as grief overcomes his features causing him to close his blue eyes to hold tears at bay. He didn't know what he was going to tell his dad, Septimius Weasley. His dad hadn't wanted to attend the Prince Ball claiming to be much too old, but he had wanted his three sons to attend the presentation ball…And now his older Bilius was gone, his older brother who always had a smile and laughter in his eyes was simply gone!

Seeing her husband's grief, Molly can only comfort her husband by wrapping an arm around him as tears whelm up in her own warm brown eyes. Her uncle, Ignatius was dead including her Aunt Lucretia not to mention her brother-in-law. She didn't know how her father would take this, but she knew that he would be absolutely heartbroken to have outlived his last remaining sibling.

Druella interrupts the grieving family and says, ”I understand your grief Arthur Weasley, but there is a subject of importance that must be said,” causing Arthur to blink his tears back as anger fills his wet eyes.

”And what can possibly be of such importance, Druella, when my brother lies newly dead!” Arthur growled with genuine anger. ”If this about some obscure pureblood tradition, well, I care nary a wit about it! It can go to Hell for all I care!”

Not surprised by the outburst, Druella does not even bat an eye at her younger cousin-in-law's reaction. ”You are grieving, Arthur,” she lightly chided him, before letting out a tired sigh. ”I understand and even emphasize the reason for your current emotional state, but there are grave matters of importance that must be discussed as they will directly impact every single integrant of the Black family.”

Arthur pushes back his anger and stiffly nods his head at his cousin-in-law by marriage. ”What is it, Druella?” He roughly croaked.

”The reason for our survival this day was not to our own doing, but rather the warning of the half-,” Druella paused and rephrased her statement, ”-the child, Lorcan D'Eath. The children would not have survived if not for the boy's instincts and more importantly, he directly saved the life of your son, Bill Weasley.”

Arthur lets out a surprised sound as he knew their neighbor's son, Loran, and that Bill rather enjoyed playing with the older boy. He was a pale child, but he was a good lad. And he was rather patient despite Bill always wanting to tag along with the older boy and his friend, Glenda from the village.

”A life debt is owed to the boy and more so now,” Druella solemnly declared, ”His mother, the widow, Juliet D'Eath perished in the attack, and the child is effectively now an orphan.”

Arthur lets out a choked sound as he knew that the widow D'Eath was who his brother, Bilius had been secretly courting. His older brother had sworn him to secrecy and he'd even gone as far as to prohibit him from telling his Mollywobbles. In fact, Bilius was to present Juliet D'Eath today to the Blacks and their father, Septimius Weasley to show his sincerity in his courting of the widowed witch. And now, they were both gone without a chance to have ever even attempt to make a life together for themselves.

Arthur closes his eyes in a futile attempt to hold the tears that are forcing their way down his face at bay. A hint of pity surfaces in the depths of Druella's eyes as she says, ”A life debt must be repaid and even more so with the death of his mother. It is the creed, a life for a life, the debt must be repaid.”

”A life for a life?” Molly rather startled interjected at the solemn pureblood's words.