The two of them helped Vico up. Kris gave him a quick examination and found that he had only broken two ribs. It was nothing serious.
"Aguamenti!" Water gushed from the old Auror's Wand and poured over the burning display window of Eeylops Owl Emporium.
With a loud hiss, the old Auror put out the fire.
He then kicked open the pet shop's door and dragged Vico inside, where the owls were screeching wildly. "Stay here. Don't make a sound."
Vico struggled a little, apparently unwilling to stay put when there was still a fight going on. The old Auror didn't stop him. He merely said, "You've broken two ribs. We'll take you to St. Mungo's in a bit, and you'll be fine after a night in bed. But if you go back into that fight and a rib pierces an organ, one night in bed won't fix it.
"And if it pierces your heart... kid, have your parents got a coffin ready for you?"
At that, Vico stopped struggling. He lay down on a table in the shop and didn't move again.
The old Auror gave Kris a look, and the two hurried back outside.
Diagon Alley rang with deafening blasts. Flames rose everywhere.
It seemed the Death Eaters had come tonight for no other reason than to smash the place up. They had thrown the entire alley into chaos.
Fighting raged from one end of the street to the other.
But once the Aurors found their footing, they quickly checked the Death Eaters' assault. For a brief spell, they even had them pinned down.
The Death Eaters seemed to know they were losing ground.
"Retreat!"
At the low command, the Death Eaters began to gather, several clustering around each of their companions.
The old Auror arriving with Kris