Huge thanks to my fabulous Beta, MrsBates93.
Something like this actually happened to me a couple of years ago. We went on Easter break and my friend was fine, we came back and were told that she had hung herself. I used her last name for Bethany for inspiring this. (Although I wished she hadn't)
Bethany is an OC, she was a year above the Marauders and Lily and was Head Girl.
Marauders Era. Seventh Year. On the train to Hogwarts
I stood outside, just to the side of the noisy compartment, listening to my friends talking and laughing. Not yet aware of the tragedy that had befallen one of our friends just two days ago.
It had fallen upon my shoulders to deliver the news I had barely had time to process myself, and yet I had insisted that I would do it. "It would be better coming from me."I had said.
After all, she was my friend too.
She had been my friend.
Using the past tense hurt, I let out a cry of pain and loss, holding my stomach as I doubled over and continued crying. I barely heard the sound of the compartment door sliding open, I heard James speak, and asking me what was wrong but I couldn't answer. I let him guide me into the compartment, clinging onto his shirt and staining it with my tears. He sat me down next to him; I buried my face in his neck.
I knew they were worried, I could feel their questioning eyes on me, I even felt James shake his head, his way of telling them that he didn't know what was wrong either. Thankfully they let me calm down before asking any questions.
It was Remus who spoke first, soft words laced with worry and confusion. "Lily, tell us what's wrong please."
I could feel the name on my lips, thinking the name made more tears fall, silently this time.
"It's Bethany."
Bethany Taylor, a prefect who had been a year above us, a girl who had become Head Girl and had just graduated last year, who had also been a good friend of mine and the Marauders.
Bethany Taylor, the girl who had seemed so happy.
"Is she okay?" Sirius asked.
No, she wasn't okay and she never would be. I shook my head as best I could while leaning against James's chest. "Her mum found her… She was just lying there… Her wand… She did it to herself." The last line came out in a whisper and the tears fell once more.
There was silence as they each processed what I had said. I thought about the last time I had spoken to Bethany, she had just told me about her plans to travel abroad. She was smiling and laughing, a carefree sound that would never be heard again. She had showed no signs of depression, of wanting to die; it was all so sudden, a shock I wished had never happened.
The silence in the compartment was deafening.
