When the monsters invade, Lily's first instinct is, as always, protect Harry. But when the first instinct crashes into the horrible reminder that Harry isn't here, her Order of the Phoenix training kicks back in, and she runs out into the mess to help as much as she can. (You've already died once! part of her brain points out cheerfully. What's the worst that can happen? Gallows humor. A necessary, if morbid, response.)

She skitters round a corner, firing off one last hex at the thing with too many legs that had been haring after her, and stops to catch her breath, hands on knees, still clutching her wand. She looks up, scanning the area, and spots a familiar figure. Quickly, she closes the distance.

"Ah - it's Hermione, right? Are you okay?"