What Luna Said
By SilverCrystalArtemis
Summary: Based on "What Sarah Said", by Death Cab for Cutie. As a Veela's mate lays, dying, in St. Mungo's, they reflect on the years they spent together, and the (admittedly) magical journey that brought them there.
AN: Yes, yes, I know... I have two unfinished stories; how on earth could I even contemplate starting a new story? Well, I can answer that; inspiration. Unfortunately, it is virtually nonexistant on either SMLRM or HATM, but I figure, If I'm going down I should at least make the trip worthwhile, right? So here you go. Another piece of *cough cough* genius, from my poor addled brain.
By the way, if you've never heard the song, I suggest you listen to it. It's not often I use lyrics in the midst of stories, but I think this chapter warrants it. Nevertheless, actually hearing the song, I think, brings another dimension to this entirely.
Also, while I think the epilogue of DH is complete and utter tripe, I enjoy some of the next generation, so you will see them present *hint hint*.
What Luna Said
Chapter One
The sudden knocking on the door awoke the man from his, albeit, restless slumber in the too uncomfortable hospital chair in his wife's private room. Though St. Mungo's far surpassed most muggle hospitals in medicine and doctor-patient interaction, they were still wearily behind when it came to the comfort of patients' families.
He shifted, a painful feeling in his left arm and lower back played testimony to the many nights he'd spent here, now, in the same position, bent over onto his wife's bed with her hand cradled in his own.
He looked to the door to see his son enter, and quietly close the door behind him. While the sound of knocking had woken his father (he'd been sleeping on pins and needles since this whole catastrophe started), it did nothing to interrupt the slumber of the witch in the bed.
His son looked almost remorseful, having broken the quiet serenity- so rarely seen, now- between his parents. He stepped over to his father, still sitting in his chair, still holding his mother's hand, and quickly squeezed his other in a sign of affection.
"Has she woken at all?" he asked, and immediately regretted it. The defeated look in his father's eyes was answer enough.
"No. She's been asleep since you left yesterday. Which is good, though. The healers say she'd probably be in a lot of pain, even with the potions..." A strangled breath, then silence.
"Victoire's outside with Cass and Leo. We thought it would be best if they got to say goodbye...."
The silence hung between them. Both father and son loathing to admit that the matriarch of their family was leaving them. The steady sound of people walking by, of families talking, of life happening outside the door was reminder enough of what they would be loosing.
After a few moments, the younger man turned to his father, and let out a deep sigh. "Father, have you eaten anything? Have you even moved? You know Mom-"
"I know, son I just...." Another choked breath. "I don't think I have it in me. I can feel her pulling away; the closer I am, the less it hurts."
"Dad, I know. But you need to, for her sake. Imagine what she'd think, how she'd feel..."
A bitter laugh left the old man; it almost hurt. "I'd hope, after over a damn half century, she'd understand the bond."
"You know Mom. She'd be her usual stubborn self, demand you not fall into some 'silly well of self-pity."
Another laugh, not as bitter, not as forced. More resigned. He squeezed his wife's hand, needing to remind himself of her presence.
"Mom....Mom knows what's going to happen, right?" Almost afraid to ask. Almost afraid to run the cut deeper.
"She knows. You think that she'd get herself into something without examining every aspect of the situation? Hell, when I first went to talk to her about the bond, she came to me with five books worth of information already memorized. She'd already figured it out, you see. She already knew. And she was going to teach me all about myself." Another squeeze of her hand. "She doesn't like it, but she knows."
Silence. There never used to be much of it in this family. She'd always make sure there was laughter, and conversation, and bonding. It seemed that, with her, left the mark she made on the very hearts of these men.
The young man sighed. "Dad, I'm going to go help Victoire with the kids. Poor Cass is beside herself. You'll let me know if anything changes, mm?" A sharp nod from his father- always the same, proud man- though his eyes never left his wife.
The son took a few steps, stood by the door, but never opened it. He turned back to his parents, studying them for a moment. He couldn't call to mind a time when they weren't hopelessly in love, always touching, always, well, bonded.
"Dad?" his father turned to him, his only acknowledgement of the question.
"Dad... with Mom... has it...well, has it ever changed? The bond?"
He looked at his son, almost studying him, something he learned from his wife.
"No, Scorpius. It still feels the same."
Okay, I know, weak ending. However, I couldn't find one good enough. Maybe someday, I'll come back and fix it. Either way, I hope you enjoyed. PLEASE R&R, it keeps me going. Also, I wasn't sure if I should post the characters when I added this story, because I do so love adding an air of mystery, even in the first chapter....Anyway....rambling.....words.....pidgeons.....potato salad.....yea....