“I’m fine, Rose. I just-”

“-talk to Longbottom. Or your-”

“No! He’ll just make me quit-”

“You can’t play Quidditch forever, James!”

“Can you help me or not!”

“I will, but you have to focus.”

“I can’t, remember?”

“Still, James, you need to work on this.”

“I CAN’T HELP IT, ROSE! YOU THINK I LIKE THIS?”

“Still. You hurt her. A lot. More than you think you did.” 

“I’m still scared for her! I’m the one who saw the blood coming out of her mouth! I saw her lying on the floor!” I yelled.

“Fine. This isn’t about you. It’s about Charlie. Now, why the hell was she coughing up blood? I thought she was taking medicine for a cold?” 

“A cold. Not a sickness like that.” Albus replied. We sat there in silence, staring at the door. Waiting for news. 

“James, please. . . this is the second time. Just try?” 

“I’m not going to talk to a shrink! I’m perfectly stable, thank you very much.” I tried to leave, but Dad sealed the door.

“Prove it. Read this.” The Healer handed me a complicated medical sheet. “Out loud.” I glared and attempted it. By the second line I was becoming more and more frustrated. On the third line I threw the paper down.

“I CAN’T BLOODY READ IT! IT’S ALL MUMBO-JUMBO AND HIGGLEWASH!”

“They’re back, Lily,” Al said as soon as everyone else cleared out of the common room.

“The circles?” She asked, and he nodded. “I wish he wouldn’t keep everything bloody bottled up inside; it’s starting to eat him alive.”

“I haven’t seen them for a few years, but the one charm he’s really mastered is-” He started, running his hand through his hair.
 

SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! YOU DON’T KNOW A THING! HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO TELL SOMEONE . . . TO TELL SOMEONE WHAT I HAVE TO? DO YOU KNOW WHAT I JUST DID? DO YOU KNOW WHAT I’VE GONE THROUGH; WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH?” James turned to his father, his face contorted with rage. But something terrified Charlie even more. Even though his voice was filled with rage, his eyes were still hollow. James’s eyes were never dull or hollow; they were always twinkling or glinting slight madness as he preached about Quidditch.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Dad was pisssssssed. Yes, I am even more immature than I was before. I was going to fight for this; I didn’t bloody care about living anymore, especially if it meant here, or locked up at home because they were scared I was going to off myself or something.

I just remember just being enthralled with the castle, and how it looked so beautiful no matter what the weather. And I remember watching the older kids goofing off after exams, the couples talking and hanging onto each other’s words like the fate of the world depended on it, the water fights, the duels . . .

I love you forever
Forever and always
Please just remember even if I'm not there
I'll always love you forever and always

“Down, girl,” Scorpius ordered, but Laurel stuck her tongue out. Fred then flipped her over, off the couch, and onto the floor. Charlie closed her eyes, fearing what would happen next.

“OW! YOU BLOODY BINT!” Fred shouted, and I saw Laurel’s quill sticking out of Freddy’s calf. Laurel shrugged.

“Be thankful my scissors are in my dorm,” she commented, before stepping over Freddy and onto her seat.

At least, though, she could say it was over. For them . . . lord knows the next generation of Potters, Weasleys, and Lupins would wreak havoc soon. It was in their blood.

As they walked back up to the castle that night, Charlie couldn’t help but thinking a chapter of her life was over. She was leaving the fights and the tears she’d had with James behind where they belonged, at Hogwarts, and the next chapter would be simple; her hand in James, just as it was now.

Because that was all Charlie needed. And it was still perfect.