TW AND CW: mentions of death

After the party for Ron and Hermione's awarding of prefect duty and for Harry's cleared charges, Remus sat with the others, laughing and eating dinner.

He noticed Harry and Moody talking, and Moody showing Harry a picture. Sirius seemed to have noticed, and walked up to look at the picture, while an uncomfortable-looking Harry trotted up the stairs.

A moment later, a loud wailing made everyone at the dining table quiet.

Remus got up immediately, pulling out his wand and running to the source of the commotion.

Molly was sitting on the floor, weeping, while she limply pointed her wand at...

A dead Ron.

"R-r-riddikulus!" she sobbed.

The image of Ron's dead body disappeared and was replaced with dead Fred and George.

Harry was trying to get her out of the room, but Molly was so caught up in her own misery that she didn't hear him.

"Riddikulus!" Remus said firmly, pointing his wand at the Boggart, just as Sirius and Mad-Eye burst into the room.

The Boggart disappeared with a final crack.

"What happened, Molly?" Sirius asked urgently.

"Oh!" she gasped, covering her face as tears streamed down it. 

"Molly," Remus said gently, walking towards her. "It's ok. Molly, don't-"

Molly began sobbing openly onto Remus' shoulder, and he said soothingly, "It was just a Boggart, Molly, just a Boggart."

"I- I- dream about them d- d- dead! All the t- time," she sniffled.

Remus handed her a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Don't tell Arthur," she mumbled, dabbing at her tears. "I must sound so silly.

"Harry, I'm so sorry, what must you think of me? Not even being able to get rid of a Boggart..." her voice trailed off.

"Don't be stupid," Harry said, trying to muster a small smile.

"I'm j- just so worried b- because half the family's in the Order, and it'll be a m- miracle if we survive this, and Percy's not talking to us, and w- w- what is something horrible happens, and we never get to talk to him again? And if Arthur and I die, t- then who will look after the kids?"

"Molly, this is not like last time," Remus said firmly. "The Order knows what they're doing this time, we have a head start, and we know what Voldemort is up to."

Molly squeaked at his name.

"It's just a name, Molly- oh, look, I can't promise no one'll get hurt, but this time we're much more prepared," Remus said, calmingly. "You weren't there last time, they were picking us off, one by one..."

"And don't worry about Percy," Sirius cut in. "He'll come around. Besides, it's only a matter of time before Voldemort comes back into the open, and the Ministry will be begging for our forgiveness."

"And what, do you really think we'd let the kids starve if you and Arthur died?" Remus said, a small smile on his face. 

"Being silly," Molly said, smiling slightly, and straightening herself up before leaving the room.