The night was dark, though the sky was clear. Stars were just visible above, winking feebly amongst the black canopy. I turned, engulfed in the phantasmagorical world of slumber in my bed, appreciatively acknowledging the warmth and comfort of my sheets. I was unaware of everything, unaware of what was to happen in less than three minutes. Two minutes. One minute...
BANG! The bedroom door was blasted open with a flash of red light, and the window smashed. I sat bolt upright as two hooded and masked figures entered. I struggled up, and reached for my wand, but another spell caused it to fall to the floor and roll under the shelf. Then I felt some invisible heat graze my cheek and I was blasted backwards. I hit the wall and slumped to the floor, yet regained myself, inwardly grateful that I had not lost consciousness.
The intruders were speaking irritably to one another.
"He's not here - tell Rookwood -"
"Allow me to dispose of the girl first," one said sleekly, and aimed his wand at me. I was rescued by his companion's objection.
"What if we didn't come to the right house -?"
"We knew exactly where to come," the other snapped impatiently. "And what's wrong with hurting a helpless Muggle anyway?" He raised his wand, and I saw his lips form words. "Avada -" he began.
I had rolled out of the way before he had finished uttering the incantation. The wall blasted away with a great deal of racket, but nevertheless I could discern yells and shouts in other parts of the house. My hand shot under the shelf and grasped my wand firmly, then I seized my cloak hanging in a corner and cried, "Stupefy!" But I missed. The men jumped to the side, then turned angrily to face me.
"You little -" one started.
"Expelliarmus!" I continued, advancing slightly. My spell hit the wall. My head was whirling, and I felt dizzy, but I kept my determination as strong as I could and prevented my hand from shaking. But the men were leering, and presently I stopped edging forward.
"You've been taught well, huh?" One smirked. "Has mummy and daddy sent you off to school to learn with Dumbledore like the rest?"
Rage pulsed within me, but fear held me back.
"We're very sorry to disturb you tonight like this," the man continued sardonically, "but you see it was of greatest necessity. We couldn't let your parents proceed with their little habits of catching us Death Eaters and carting us off to Azkaban. It simply won't do."
I trembled.
"Yes, we're here to -"
"Flipendo!" I yelled, and one of the Death Eaters flipped backwards. Turning to my other opponent, I muttered the Bat Bogey Hex but missed - the Death Eater raised his wand.
I dived through smashed window. Jets of light shot after me but it was hard to aim in the darkness and I escaped, tearing off down the street. It was foolish of us to live in the country. No one had heard the noise but the cows and sheep, startled and nervously mooing and baaing as they were. Tears sprang to my eyes as I thought of Mum and Dad, trapped inside and possibly even -
No, I thought sternly. That's not happened. They're not - not -
Dizziness overwhelmed me. I sank against a hedge, but forced myself to stand up again. But then I was keeling over, and blackness surrounded me as I fainted.