Forever Young

Happy Halloween my lovely's! I feel like this is the perfect chapter to be posting on Halloween don't you think? Thanks to those who followed and reviewed! One more thing before you move on to reading! I would just like to give a shout-out to my best friend in the whole world who has helped me through hard times! She has done more than I could think of and I am eternally grateful! Also because I'm sitting next to her right now as she reads this... so shout-out to myself as well! Enjoy!

Chapter 9: I'm Happiest When I'm With You

Cassidy's POV:

"I'm going to ask again Miss. Clark, tell me what you saw when you walked into the bathroom." Said the female Auror who was assigned to question me. I was frozen. I couldn't think or breathe.

"Miss. Clark I know this is hard for you but we need to know everything you saw to find out who did this to him." She said again. This is what caught my attention.

"Who did this to him?" I say slowly "No one did this to him. He did it to himself." I shout angrily "It wasn't murder it was suicide."

"Miss. Clark I understand you're upset but please calm down." She said to me placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Calm down?" I spit "You want me to be calm when I just found my father dead on his bathroom floor!?"

"I've got this from here Caroline." A soft voice said from behind me. I turn and see Grace Potter standing there with a somber face.

"Grace." I cry as I launch myself into her arms. She wraps her arms around me and rubs my back and whispers soothing, kind words into my ear.

"Honey you and Spencer are going to be staying with us for a while. Ok? So we're going to go upstairs together and get your clothes." She said pulling away from me.

"No," I cry shaking my head "I'm not going back up there."

"Ok that's fine… umm." She says trying to think "Go wait by the front door with Christopher, he has your trunk. He'll take you back to our place ok? I'll be there in a bit." she says rubbing my arms. I nod my head and hug her one last time before making my way to the front of the house. I see Christopher standing by the door with Spencer and our trunks.

"Hey Cassi," Christopher said pulling me into a hug.

"Why would he do this to himself?" I ask into his chest through my tears.

"I don't know honey," he said rubbing my back "I just don't know." When I let go I grab hands with Spencer and then we apparated to the Potters home. We are right outside the front door. Chris unlocks the door and we enter. I can hear mumbling the living room. I suspect James and Sirius are in there.

"Guy's we're back." Chris calls into the large house. The mumbling stops and then you hear the pounding of feet. James and Sirius come running around the corner along with Lily and Marlene all of them in pajamas or sweats.

"Oh Cassidy," Marlene whispers as she looks at me. I try to smile but it quickly turns into tears. James quickly steps forward and holds me in his arms.

"He killed himself James, He actually killed himself." I whisper into his chest.

"I know Cassi," he whispers "I know," The door opens again and Grace enters the house.

"Oh good, you girls are here." She said as she closes and locks the door once more. Lily and Marlene have meet the Potter family multiple times due to me spending lots of time there during the holidays.

"Lily and Marlene, will one of you come back to the house with me and help pack her things?" she asked after she hugged her Chris, James, and Sirius.

"I'll go," Marlene said.

"I'll stay and help clean her up." Lily said moving to take my hand.

Grace nods, "Thank you girls," she smiles. Lily and Marlene both nod as well. Grace and Marlene leave the house again to get my things and Lily along with James take me upstairs to the room I stay in when I visit the Potters.

"Get her clean and in new clothes and then put her in bed." James said as we walked into the room "She need's sleep." Lily nods her head and for the first time since I've known them both they aren't fighting with each other.

"Are you ok to shower by yourself Cass?" Lily asks as James leaves the room. I nod my head and enter the bathroom. For the first time since I found my father I look at myself in the mirror.

My jeans and sweater are splattered with blood. His blood. My skin has blood on it too. There was so much blood. My hair was pulled back into a messy bun with hairs popping out everywhere. I could see blood on my hairline as well. I pulled the elastic out of my hair and my curls come tumbling down. I kick off my boots and pull off the sweater. My t-shirt has blood on it too. I finish undressing and then I step under the scalding water.

I rub my skin raw trying to rid my skin of my father's blood with the berry smelling soap set up in the bathroom. I move to wash my hair with the honey smelling shampoo. I rinse my hair and see the water turn pink as it drips out of my hair. I repeat that with conditioner then get out and dry off.

I put on the silky blue floral pajama pants and white t-shirt that Lily set out for me. I brush my hair out to let it dry somewhat neatly. I brush my teeth and wash my face as I would any other night. But that's the thing, it's not any other night. My mind flashes to earlier that day.


Flashback

I head into the front hall to place my jacket and bag in the front closet. I notice a note on the table by the front door. I put my things away and then pick up the note addressed to me and my brother. It has my father's handwriting on it. When I unfold the note it has only two words.

Forgive me.

"No," I whisper to myself "No dad no!" I look behind me at the stairs leading to the 2nd floor.

"Spencer," I yell bolting for the stairs "Call the Potters, call the Aurors! Call someone!" I scream racing up the stairs. When I reach the landing I scream for my father.

"Dad?" I scream "Daddy?!" I race down the hall to his bedroom. I try to open to door but it is locked.

"Daddy open the door." I screech tears streaming down my eyes. I throw my shoulder against the door as hard as I can. I do this multiple times before kicking it. It burst open and I run in.

"Dad?" I call into the room "Daddy!?" I see the bathroom door slightly ajar. I slowly make my way over. I push the door open a little more.

"Daddy?" I whisper scared to look. I open the door fully and finally see my father. I also see the blood. And boy was there a whole lot of that.

"Spencer!" I scream. At this point I'm full out sobbing. I pull off my sweater to try and mop of the blood on his body. It doesn't work.

"Cassi," my father gargles. I look in amazement as his chest rises and a falls slowly.

"I'm here daddy," I cry holding his hand "I'm right here."

"I...lo-love….yo-you." He chokes. His breathing stops and in that moment I know he's not coming back.

"I love you too daddy," I cry laying my head on his chest "I love you too."

"Cass? Cassidy!? Where are you?" Spencer yells.

"In here!" I yell through my sobs. I hear footsteps and then he's in the bathroom.

"Holy mother of Merlin." He gasps as he takes a look at the scene before him "What the blo- What happened." He asked stopping himself from saying bloody.

"He killed himself," I choke "He's gone Spence. He's gone."

Flashback


I shudder and wipe away the tears forming in my eyes. I clean the bathroom and make my way into the bedroom. Lily is sitting on the bed in her pajamas as well. She gives me a small smile and gestures for me to come over to the bed. I trudge over and lay down on the large bed and go under the silky covers.

"It'll all be ok Cass," She whispers stroking my hair "I promise." We stay like that for a while until Marlene comes in with multiple bags and boxes.

"My turn," she says with a sad smile. Lily gets up and Marlene takes her place. She wraps her arms around my body and I place my head against hers.

"What do you need?" she asks as she rubs my back.

"I need my daddy," I whisper as tears fill my eyes once more.

"I know sweetie, I know." She coos. After Marlene gets her turn James comes in and lays on the bed with me. I lay my head on his chest as we just sit in silence.

"Would this be a bad time to tell you that I broke one of those records you collect?" he asks as he strokes my hair. I lift my head and look at him. He has a huge grin on his face and he laughs.

"I'm kidding Cass," he laughed kissing my hair and slowly moving out of the bed. The final person to visit me is Sirius.

"Hey Cass," He whispers as he softly closes the door.

"Hi," I whisper back. He points to the bed and I nod and move over making room for him to lay down with me. He lays down and I curl up next to him.

"My dad died today." I say slowly "He died and it was his fault."

"I know," He said back

"Why do you think he took his own life?" I asked looking up at him. He thought for a moment before he answered.

"To be happy." He said simply. I gave him a questioning look which in turn he explained his answer.

"Your mom died and he was left to raise two kids on his own. He was upset, depressed. He was happy with you and Spencer don't get me wrong." He explained "But you can tell that he was happiest with your mother." I nod trying to understand but unable to.

"I'm happiest when I'm with you." I admitted to him.

"Me too," he stated. He got off the bed and made a move to leave. He hesitated briefly before turning back around and kissing my cheek softly.

"Good night Cassi." He whispered as he left the room. As soon as the door closed I heard hushed whispers outside before the door opened again. Spencer walked in wearing his pajamas. He hands me a small vile. I stare at it questionably.

"Dreamless sleep drought." He says as he climbs under the covers with me. I down the potion and cringe at the awful taste. He turns off the light and we rest against the pillows.

"What's going to happen Spencer?" I whisper

"I don't know Cass," He whispered back "I just don't know."

I stare at the clock on my bedside table and stare into the red digits. I continue to stare at the red numbers until I drift off into a dreamless sleep.


I stayed in bed for the next three day's straight. I only got up to use the bathroom or sip the water that was continuously placed on my nightstand. I don't cry, I don't think, I just try to forget. On the fourth day I get out of bed and head down stairs for the first time. No one says anything. I eat my breakfast. Grace tells me I have to go to the hospital so I can identify my father's body before they send it to get prepared for the funeral. When they begin to take away the body I finally break. I cry and scream and clings to my father's lifeless form. This is when I finally realize he's gone.


The next morning I climb out of bed and go into the bathroom. I brush out my unruly mess of curls and then I wash my face. I grab my black robe and slippers from my trunk and then make my way downstairs to get breakfast. When I pass the living room I notice a sign that reads 'Happy Birthday Cassidy' in big gold lettering.

"Wow," I say to myself "I completely forgot." I make my way into the kitchen and I'm greeted by Marlene, Chris and Grace. Lily left two days earlier due to having to go to France for the holidays.

"Happy birthday sweetheart." Grace says coming around the counter and hugging me.

"Thank you Grace." I say hugging her back. I take a seat at the counter and pour myself some tea. Marlene places a plate of food in front of me.

"Thanks Marls," I say with a small smile as I begin to eat. No one speaks of my breakdown the day before.

"Girls why don't you go join the boys in setting up the dining room for the lunch this afternoon. And would you mind sending Spencer in?" Grace says after a few moments. Marlene nods and makes her way to the dining room. Soon enough Spencer joins us.

"Happy 17th sis." He exclaims with a large grin on his face.

"Thanks Spence, I just wish dad was here to celebrate as well." I admit sipping my tea.

"We all do honey," Chris says with a sad smile. We are all silent for a few moments before Grace clears here throat and begins to speak.

"We found his will on the bedside table in his room and he stated that you are to stay with us until you graduate. Once you graduate you can stay with us until you find a place of your own." Grace continues "He wants the house to be sold and each of you get half of his fortune."

"Now remember," Chris says placing an arm around both of us "We will always be here for you two, no matter what. If you need to talk or just need guidance we are here. We love both of you as if you were our kids. Don't be afraid to ask for anything."

"And remember your father loved you very much. He was just very sick and no one could help him." Grace said. I could see tears forming in her eyes. I reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Thank you for everything," I tell her "Really thank you."

"Of course," she smiled coming to hug me once more "Now we will probably be spending most of the day getting ready for your birthday dinner so you two can set up your rooms however you want, and now that you are a legal wizard Cassidy you can do whatever you please." Grace said with a large smile on her face.

"Awesome!" I exclaim. I finish off my tea then run to grab Marlene to help me set up my room. Before I can leave Grace stops me.

"There's one more thing Cassi," she starts nervously.

"What is it?" I ask nervous myself to hear what's coming next.

"Well your father's will also said he wanted you to speak at the funeral tomorrow." Chris told me. I stare at them blankly.

"He what?" I ask

"If you don't want to we completely understand." Grace said "There is no pressure."

"I'll do it," I state. They give me a look and then I say "Really, I'll do it."

"OK sweetheart," Grace smiled "Go make up your room." I laugh and running to get my friends.

Without changing out of our pajamas we get set to making the room mine. We change the sheets and comforter to the ones from my bed at home but instead of the pink color they are I change them to different shades of blue. I hang my curtains which I change to white with a mix of blue. I Hang up all my pictures and posters around the walls and place some on the desk and dresser. I place all my clothes in either the closet or dresser and place my tolitres into the bathroom.

"Perfect," I announce as we finish.

"What about the walls?" Marlene asked rubbing the smooth surface. I think for a moment before waving my wand. The molding along the top and bottom of my walls turn the same shade of blue as my desk chair. The door turns the same shade along with the ceiling.

"There," I announce triumphant once more "Now it's perfect." There was a knock on my door and Grace enters.

"Wow, it looks beautiful in here girls." She beams as she admires the room.

"Thanks Grace." I smile.

"Well I just wanted to tell you that dinner is going to be ready in about half an hour to 45 minutes. So if you wanted to go rest up or get ready." She informed us. We thanked her and Marlene left to get ready. I head into my closet to pull out and outfit to wear. I chose a blue dress with a nude colored sweater and nude heels along with a light pink scarf. I placed the outfit on my bed and went into the bathroom to get ready. I applied simple make-up and started to brush out my hair. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I felt like I had to start brand new. I mean I completely changed my room. I think it's time to change something else. I fingered a long, dark curl and looked around for supplies. I found exactly what I was looking for under the sink.

Let's get this started.

Any guess as to what she's about to do? Leave them in a review! Also to anyone trick or treating tonight: please be careful! I don't want my readers in harm! That means less readers and less reviews! Have tonight though! And one last shout-out to my girl Gabby! Love you! 3

XOXO,

SophieElizabeth630