The flames from the exploding Flying Broomstick spread through the air, roiling and expanding, bathing the faces of everyone looking up at Fred and George in a glaring orange light.
The flames were like beasts tearing at one another, consuming the Flying Broomstick completely.
The Flying Broomstick warped and snapped in the intense heat, leaving behind only a few drifting ashes, like bloodstains left after a beast had fed.
Harry drew a disbelieving breath, looking up at the still-burning blaze as the crackling of the Flying Broomstick lingered in his ears.
Perhaps Voldemort's attack had come too quickly. Fred and George had not even had time to react, unable to let out so much as a 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 turned heartrending. "No! No!"
Ron's eyes were wide, bloodshot veins crawling across the whites.
His mouth opened as though he wanted to shout something, but in the end, he could not utter a single word.
Hermione covered her mouth, her eyes reddening at once.
Ginny's hand holding her wand fell to her side. Her entire body froze in place, with only her fingertips trembling faintly.
Bill and Charlie stepped forward almost at the same time, intending to rush beneath the blazing fireball.
Arthur Weasley's eyes were somewhat vacant. He stared at the burning flames, his lips moving soundlessly as though murmuring something.
"Fred! George!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, her voice filled with unbearable grief.
Just moments ago, Fred and George had been grinning at her, yet now those smiles had already been swallowed by the flames.
Snape looked at the flames in midair, the