A crowd packed the doorway, watching the few people preparing to leave.
"Su Er." Just before they left, Hermione gave him a quiet reminder, like a young wife seeing her husband off to work each day.
"Be careful."
Su Er looked at Hermione and smiled brightly without saying anything. He raised a hand and ruffled her fluffy, bushy hair.
"It's about time," Moody said heavily. "Little Bo... Su Er, can you Apparate?"
"I haven't had time to learn yet." Su Er shook his head.
"No problem. I'll teach you when we get back." Tonks cheerfully patted Su Er on the shoulder.
"Then we'll have to ask Dumbledore to fetch a healer from the Spell Damage Department at St. Mungo's to stand by," the elegant Emmeline Vance teased, covering her mouth with a slender hand.
"Hey!" Tonks puffed out her cheeks and was about to argue, but Moody's gaze swept over her. She ducked her head and zipped her lips.
"In that case, I'll take you." Moody shook his head and rested a hand on Su Er's shoulder. "Find some time to learn Apparition once we're back. It isn't a difficult spell."
Su Er nodded silently. Even without Moody saying so, he had already intended to learn the spell. It was like buying a vehicle in the modern world-whether a little electric scooter or a car, it was indispensable.
"Move out. Rendezvous at Figg's. Especially you, Tonks. You know what I mean," Moody urged.
They vanished, leaving only dust swirling in the bright yellow light.
Thud...
"Ow..."
Clumsy Tonks was the third to arrive at Mrs. Figg's house. She had picked the wrong landing spot and accidentally collided with the cat tree in the sitting room.
"Meow!"
A large, snow-white cat dropped from above.
Tonks felt something else, heavy and