Draco cried out, and Hermione could see the bones of his shoulder before they started to splinter away. Lucius Stunned him and dropped his head, taking a deep breath.

"Malfoy! They're getting away!"

Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw at Death Eater sprinting past, only to drop with a hit from a green light to his back.

She watched Lucius's eyes rove frantically over his son before his lips parted. "Mippy," he called hoarsely.

In three seconds, the elf appeared. Hermione's shoulders shook.

"Master Draco—!"

"Take him to Dr. Xavier immediately. Once he is settled, bring Narcissa to him."

Lucius stood swiftly, and Hermione watched him sweep down the beach, headed for the shore as the breeze twisted around his robes and hair.

Mippy and Draco were gone a moment later.

She stood on shaking legs and ran after him. Spells flew toward him, but he beat them back, headed for the water.

She didn't know why until the waves lapped at her ankles.

Three boats rowed out into the ocean. The one furthest away was empty. She furrowed her brow and found the next furthest boat, just as two of the passengers Disapparated.

Her jaw dropped, her mind spinning back to a months-old article from the Prophet. The Anti-Apparition Line. They were paddling past it until they could Apparate into France.

There was one last person in the second boat. Lucius raised his wand and sent a curse hurtling toward them, missing the person by inches as they Disapparated.

He walked further into the water until it lapped at his thighs. The third boat was almost there. He cast a spell to drag it back, his whole body lunging and pulling the weight of it. A woman screamed as the boat rocked.

It was Katie Bell. Hermione's heart pounded.

She turned to the white cliffs at Dover and found only bodies. Lucius was the last Death Eater standing.

The four bodies in the boat grappled for control, and Hermione watched the water slosh. Lucius reeled back, his arm arcing overhead—

And the woman at the back of the boat turned over her shoulder, locking eyes with him.

Andromeda Tonks. She scrambled, pointing her wand at him.

Even from here she was recognizable.

Lucius hesitated, his lips pulled in a snarl.

And from around Andromeda's shoulder, a small head peeked, crawling up from her arms to look back at the beach.

Hermione heard Lucius take a heavy breath, still poised to strike.

Teddy Lupin stared at him, and after cocking his head, the Metamorphmagus toddler changed his hair to Malfoy blond.

Lucius lowered his wand.

Katie Bell and two others popped out of existence. Andromeda and Teddy followed.

And then there were only three empty row boats bobbing in the waves at the beach at Dover, the only sound the crash of waves and caws of seagulls.

With a deep sigh of relief, she turned to stare at Lucius, feeling tears streaming down her face. His eyes never left the spot Andromeda had been, his jaw working just like his son's did.