The flames from the exploding Flying Broomstick spread through the air, churning and expanding, casting the faces of everyone looking up at Fred and George in a blinding orange glow.
The flames were like beasts tearing at each other, consuming the Flying Broomstick completely.
The Flying Broomstick twisted and snapped in the heat, leaving behind only drifting ashes that fell like bloodstains left after a beast had fed.
Harry drew a disbelieving breath, staring up at the still-burning blaze, the crackling of the Flying Broomstick lingering in his ears.
Perhaps Voldemort's attack had come too quickly. Fred and George had not even had time to react, let alone scream.
The color drained from Percy's face in an instant, leaving only the orange-red glow of the flames.
"Fred! George!" He first called his brothers' names softly, then, as if unwilling to accept what had happened before his eyes, his voice became heartrending. "No! No!"
Ron's eyes were wide, blood vessels crawling across their whites.
He opened his mouth as if he wanted to shout something, but in the end, not a single word came out.
Hermione covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening.
Ginny's wand hand fell to her side. Her whole body froze in place, with only her fingertips trembling slightly.
Bill and Charlie stepped forward almost at the same time, wanting to rush beneath the blaze.
Mr. Weasley's gaze was somewhat vacant. He stared at the burning fire, his lips moving soundlessly as though murmuring something.
"Fred! George!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, her voice incomparably anguished.
Only moments ago, Fred and George had been grinning and laughing at her, but now those smiles had already been swallowed by the flames.
Snape stared at the fire in midair, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he let out a short