What the War Stole

by Sable Supernova

The First Wizarding War was full of heartache and sorrow; the darkest of days. James, Sirius, Marlene... all of the beloved allies knew the charcoal of despair, even as beacons of hope shone on their horizons. They were the perpetrators as much as they were the victims; the tragedies of a war they chose to fight in. Collection.

1. Sleepless

Sleepless

Finding himself unable to sleep, James headed downstairs, into the Gryffindor Common Room, and sat in the deep windowsill. He looked out at the waxing moon, reminded himself that the Full Moon wasn't far away, and sighed. He should be happy, he knew. Christmas was around the corner; he could finally call Lily his girlfriend and exams were ages away.

But there was a growing sense of dread settling in his heart, a nervous tension building up inside of him like a tin kettle put on to boil, beginning to whistle. He didn't know what to make of it.

He knew that if he was honest with himself, if he confronted his fears and his desire to act, he knew exactly what it was.

It was the reason he poured over the Daily Prophet every morning, breathing in every word, oblivious to the breakfast chatter. It was why he struck up conversation with McGonagall in detentions and scrutinized Dumbledore's every word.

If James was honest, truly honest, he was afraid of the future he was beginning to build. He didn't know what it would hold.

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Written for the Ultimate Chocolate Frog Cards Challenge, for James Potter – Write about James Potter. 185 words.

This is a series of nine short pieces about nine different characters during the First Wizarding War. They do follow a chronology, but can be read separately. I'll be publishing them between now and Wednesday, 30th December.