ONE CANDLE

Prologue

The Daily Prophet's heading stood out amongst the crowd. Every witch and wizard in the Atrium had the large newspaper opened with the heading as large as the front page:

ONE CANDLE, UNATTENDED.
ONLY ASHES REMAIN.

Report by Douglas Focan.

Two-thirds of the Golden Trio, Ron and Hermione Weasley, have been taken tragically from the wizarding world. The couple's home, "The Nook", was been reduced to cinders last night from what is believed to have started in the living room by a candle.

Authorities were alerted late this morning when Head Auror, Mr Harry Potter, Mr and Mrs Weasley's close friend and other third of the Golden Trio, arrived to find this heart-rendering situation. When the Aurors arrived it was too late.

The circumstances of this fire are being treated as suspicious and Aurors are currently surveying the area for any signs of a duel. Mr Potter, declined to comment to the Daily Prophet. Minister for Magic, Mr Kingsley Shacklebolt, expressed the world's sorrow through his sentiments, 'Our task force, headed by Mr Draco Malfoy, are working hard on this case and are exploring every option to this case. The culprit will be caught and sent to Azkaban indefinitely.'

Whispers heard from the Atrium echoed throughout. ('Azkaban... Serves them right...' 'Such a tragedy...' 'Poor Mr Potter...')

Mr Potter, however, did not hear the whispers for he was far from the Ministry of Magic. He sat in his bedroom, inside the restored home of his infancy in Godric's Hollow. Big, fat tears dripped from his face and down his nose. His hands were cradling his aching head as he sobbed and sobbed. Harry Potter's green eyes were red-rimmed and tired looking. His famous scar was not very prominent since Voldemort's downfall and was almost a thin silver line. His chest heaved as he took gasping breaths. His throat managed a strangled yelp as he tried to call out 'Ginny!'.

Mrs Potter strode in. Her hair was as red as it was at Hogwarts. Her eyes looking similar to Harry's as they were red-rimmed. She walked straight to Harry and hugged him fiercely. "I'm here." She whispered. His head buried into her shoulder, making his black hair stand up on end, wilder than it always had.

Together they cried. They held each other. They comforted each other. They whispered words of support. Finally, worn out from the grief they drifted off to sleep. Their hands intertwined, holding onto the connection- physical, mental and emotional- they needed desperately.