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.

4. Futureless

Futureless

Alice knew how it worked. She'd read the books, spoken to the nurse: she'd done everything she needed to do. Frank was out at work still. She had the house to herself for at least half an hour. All the same, she'd locked the bathroom door, just in case. It was a potion, was all. Just a simple, harmless potion that would pass straight through her. Apparently, it even tasted nice, sweet, like marshmallows.

And yet, as she held the little vial, her hands shook. She brushed one through her short brown hair, finding her forehead damp with sweat. She was afraid, but not of the potion.

She was afraid of the future; the life that her and Frank have started together, unplanned. She's scared of the war, and all the horrors it's already brought. She's scared of what might be around the next corner, yet unseen but looming ever closer.

Steeling herself, drawing her Gryffindor courage tighter like a comfort blanket, she uncorked the bottle and downed the contents. Almost immediately, the urge to use the toilet crept upon her, and she struggled with the toilet lid and the buttons on her jeans at the same time, desperate. At least this bit was easy – she didn't have a choice.

The deed done, all that was left was too look. If it was normal, she was normal. If it wasn't… she couldn't bring herself to finish the thought.

She closed her eyes as she separated her knees, tilted her head down. All she needed to do was open her eyes and she'd know. It would all be over, or it would all begin.

She cracked one eye open for a fraction of a second, but it was enough. The waves of panic began to wash over her. She wished Frank was here, with her, right now. That she wouldn't have to tell him. That he would already know.

The water was blue. The future suddenly became a little clearer as she learned part of what it had in store. At the same time, the future suddenly became more uncertain.

She tried to calm down with one little, simple thought, repeated on fast-forward in the recesses of her mind. It's only a baby.

---

Written for the Ultimate Chocolate Frog Cards Challenge, for Alice Longbottom – Write about Alice Longbottom. 372 words.