The dark haired outlaw

The other's story

In many years afterwards Harry would think of the Christmas of 1998 as the saddest he remembered. The one he'd spent on the run with Hermione hadn't even been that bad. Not even the dreadful ones he'd had with the Dursleys before learning he was a wizard had been.

Christmas day the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and her parents had gone to Shell Cottage. But the normally so cheerful family was solemn and subdued; not even the Christmas while Arthur was injured had been so, sad.

New Years Eve at Andromeda's place hadn't been much better. Little Ted who had no idea he was an orphan. Andromeda crying for the loss of her family.

Why? Harry often wanted to scream.

Why should a person like Fred die? So full of life. Ever happy. Even at the moment of his dead he'd joked; joyful that his pompous older brother showed sign of humour.

Why should a person like George be left alone? Not as loud as his brother but still a half of a whole; losing his ear had scarred his face. Losing his twin had scarred his soul.

Why should so lovable people as Arthur and Molly lose one of their beloved children? Those two who always had been ready to open their hearts to a lost boy. Not even pushing him aside when their own son died.

Why should a man like Remus die? Outsider because of a curse he'd received in his childhood. Kind-hearted and clever. Worried that he wasn't fit for being a father. Overjoyed when his son was born.

Why should a woman like Tonks die? Ever so full of life. Happy, clumsy. Depressed when the man she loved didn't answer her feelings. Never caring he was a werewolf. Again happy when love finally won. Unable to sit with her son while her husband went to war.

Why should someone like Ted Tonks die? Forced on the run simply because the Death Eaters thought him a mudblood while his heart was so much purer than theirs.

Why should a person like Andromeda be a widow? Choosing love above issues of blood. Losing her husband not once but twice. Losing her daughter and her son-in-law in one stroke. Her daughter even to her own sister.

Why should a boy like Ted be an orphan? A gleam of light in a dark time. Orphaned barely a month old.

Why should a man like Snape die? Ever loyal to the woman he loved and couldn't have. Risking his life to spy on Voldemort.

Why should a boy like Colin die? Ever excited. Wanting to fight though he was too young. Sneaking back in meeting his doom.

Why did people like the Creeveys have to lose their son to a case they didn't understand?

Why did Dennis have to lose his brother?

Still, in a way Harry knew why; those people had sacrificed their lives so that those left could have a life in peace.

Slowly the Weasleys wouldn't cry when Fred was mentioned but laugh at his pranks and jokes.

And little Ted was maybe an orphan but he was certainly not alone.

Even Andromeda's resentments towards Bellatrix would slowly die out.