CHAPTER 12: The Agony

James flew toward his sister as fast as lightning. But for the first time in his life, he felt like his broom had let him down by flying too slowly. He saw Teddy and Scorpius followed by Hugo who were closest to her and got off their brooms to reach Lily. Seeing Hugo confused James for a moment. Shocked to find Lily's fall close to their side of court loops, horrified to imagine how far her sister had thrown

"Don't touch her! Let me look at her first!" It was Aunt Audrey's shout.

Louis, who flew close to where the family had been watching, grabbed their healer Aunt on his broom, and then flew towards Lily at the same time James landed. James saw blood spurted from his baby sister's mouth, she looked pale and had difficulty breathing.

"Somebody help her!" Rose cried out.

"Audrey, please," Teddy begged, full of misery beside their sister.

A second later Louis landed, Audrey jumped from behind him. She's in her healer mode – her wand at the ready – knelt down and finally grabbed Lily gently. Scanning spells were instantly cast all over Lily's little body.

"No concussion," Her voice quavered, but still clear, "No cervical spine damage, her spinal cord - spinal nerves - spinal disc all clear. Good-good," she rambled hastily. "Lily?" said her softly, "Lily darling, can you hear me?" When Lily reacted, Audrey laughed shakily, "Her vestibular system is safe," she said automatically as a habit of her healing etiquette. "You are very brave, sweetheart. You protected your head when you fell." Audrey's hand keeps reciting non-verbal spells to Lily's chest. "I know, I know, it's still hard to breathe. You broke some ribs. I can mend it in a heartbeat. Give a little second, sweetie. That's it, keep breathing slowly, slowly. That's it."

And finally they could hear Lily's deep breath. She coughed a few times, then again and again she took deep breaths. "Ouch," her little voice trembled.

Some nervous laughter full of gratitude sounded here and there, but almost all the women in his family started sobbing – mixed with relief and horror. Uncle Percy arrived with Molly and got off his daughter's broom, Aunt Audrey's medical bag was in his hand. His uncle and cousin – the faces of the two were uncannily similar – were pale and shaking. But swiftly Percy crouched behind his wife, took out some necessary potions and handed them over to Audrey. Audrey slowly helped Lily drink one potion after another – draught of peace, painkillers, blood-replenishing potion, healing potion, etc. The color of his sister's face was not as pale as before, slowly back to normal.

James could pay more attention now. His Mum took up the position of holding Lily from behind helping Aunt Audrey put all potions into Lily's mouth. Lily's left hand was in his Mum's grip. Ginny was crying silently caressing Lily's face over and over, whispering tender loving words in her left ear. Lily's right hand was in Teddy's. His godbrother's hair had become mousy brown, tear marks glistening on his cheeks – he kept stammering, 'You're safe, you're safe. Thank Merlin, thank Helga, thank Morgana, whoever. You're safe, petal, you're safe. I'm here.'

If it wasn't a dire situation, James would have laughed at Teddy's stutter. The silly thoughts though, were like a trigger – adrenaline left his body system that was in shock before. A lump of acid reached out of his stomach and James couldn't or didn't have the strength to hold it in. He ran away from the crowd, and not far away he took out all his guts. Not long, his godfather's hand patted and stroked his back gently. After he finished emptying his stomach, with a wave of his wand Uncle Ron vanished all of it.

"You okay?" His Uncle's voice was hoarse.

Unable to trust himself not to throw up again, James only nodded.

"Here," Ron handed over the remaining half bottle of butterbeer. "I didn't even realize I was still holding it just until now," he explained weakly. "Drink it, James. You'll feel much better."

James obeyed. Sure enough, the sweetness and warmth of the beverage spread through James' body, calming his throbbing stomach. When he felt calm enough, he asked his uncle, "D-dad?" His voice was similar to Teddy's. Thinking about it makes him ashamed of himself. He wanted to ask where his Dad was, but only the stutter that came out.

However though, his uncle understood. Gloomily he pointed not far from them, also outside the crowd, his petrified father. His Dad looked like a mess. Aunt Hermione stood quietly beside him. She didn't help him or comfort him, the fact was the two of them just stood still toward the crowd pensively. But James could feel how much support his Aunt was now giving to his still-shocked Dad. Looking like such a mess, James was even sure his Dad just did the same thing as him, puking their guts out. Seeing his Aunt's treatment, feeling his Uncle's warm hand still lightly touching his shoulder, James sought out his brother's whereabouts.

Albus was sitting far from them all, but not far from the spot where he fell. Scorpius was beside him. Somehow like James, the Malfoy heir had left the crowd.

Following his point of view, Uncle Ron sighed, "He's okay. Bill treated his scratches from the fall, nothing serious. But he refused to approach. Scorpius came to accompany him, because he had been silent alone."

Hearing this, James stared back at Albus. Albus' face contorted. There were turmoil there, sorrow, worry, but there was also something else. James didn't understand. He saw his brother's movement now. Albus' hands were tightly clenched in his lap, both were pale – blood didn't flow. Albus was furious. Albus rarely got angry, but right now James was so sure of it. His heart started pounding hard. Before he was about to step towards Albus, the high voice he loved so much chirped in the middle of the crowd.

"Really Mum, I'm okay." It was Lily – Lily's usual lovely and cheerful voice. "I am Teddy. I'm sorry, I love you," she said again. Typical Lily – trying to calm everyone. She stood now, looking as good as before, her eyes darted around, "Al? Where's Albus? Is he okay?" she quavered. Of course his silly sweet sister would question the safety and well-being of others more than herself.

But both Lily's eyes caught James first. She ran toward him and threw herself into James' arms. James hugged his little sister wholeheartedly, not daring to be too tight for fear of hurting her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Jamie. I'm okay, I love you." Like a panacea, all of James' worries and fears evaporated. Lily let go first, "Where's Al? Is he okay? Where's Daddy?"

Stupidly, his head automatically turned towards where Albus was sitting. They both looked towards their brother. Albus and Scorpius were standing now. And again the rage still adorned his brother's face. Lily, who didn't notice immediately broke free and ran towards Albus. James frantically ran after her, silently hoping nothing would go wrong.

Like before, Lily threw herself at Albus' arms. She apologized, expressed her regret, and expressed her affection to her youngest big-brother. Lily didn't realize Albus just froze there and didn't return the hug. When she let go, she frowned, "What's wrong, Albie? Are you hurt?"

James, who had already stood on the other side of Albus, harshly gripped his brother's shoulder. Their heights differed only slightly, but Albus refused to settle down. The angry Albus couldn't be stopped.

"That's very stupid, Lily." There, he said it – without raising his tone, still full of acid.

"Al," Scorpius warned edgily from his left side. But of course Albus paid no heed, not even to Lily's pale face.

"What were you thinking, huh? Being slammed in a flying position like that? What if you break your neck? Did you think about how it would affect me? Did you even consider how it'd affect Mum and Dad?"

"Enough, Albus!" James yelled, "You take a walk now!" He repeated the words their father used to say, whenever Teddy or the Potter boys went ballistic or blew a fuse. But James knew Albus wasn't done yet. 'Where's Dad!?' James screamed in his heart desperately.

"I-I didn't," Lily stuttered, "It-it was an accident," tears rolled down her cheeks. Lily rarely cried, but today it seemed like every rare thing had actually happened.

"Accident, huh?" Albus retorted coldly. "So, it'd always be like this then? Every game we'd play in the future, you'd take all the Bludger for me? Is that it, Lily?"

All of a sudden the trembling Lily was in Teddy's embrace. Their godbrother's hair was bright red, Teddy was infuriated. Well, Teddy's rarely angry, even rarer than Albus. But again, every rare thing had happened in this stupid day. "That's more than enough, Al," Teddy said, full of disappointment.

Something in Teddy's voice woke Albus. He breathed deeply and turned his face towards James. The two brothers stared at each other. James noticed that Albus' anger had evaporated and was replaced by regret.

Somehow James understood the rage – somehow James also agreed that what Lily did was stupid. That's not the way to play Quidditch. There was no such thing as blind passion or thoughtless sacrifices. But if Lily and Albus' positions were swapped, James wasn't sure if the ending wouldn't be any different. Or if James was in Lily's place, James certainly wouldn't be sitting around watching the Bludger smack his sibling's head. Playing with family did make them greatly understand each other's style, but it was things like this – thinking about 'what ifs' – made James uneasy.

But this was Lily they're talking about. Surely rage was too much for their baby sister, especially now after that accident. James raised his eyebrow toward his little brother.

Once again Albus took a deep breath, and started to say much warmer than before, "Lily…"

"Geroff me!" Lily pushed Teddy's arms away. "I want Daddy!" she cried out hysterically.

Out of empty air their Dad suddenly appeared, lifting her, and then enveloping Lily's entire body tightly. Lily fell apart in her father's embrace. She cried and screamed loudly. Her magic was flowing out of her body. Like being struck by lightning, one of the loops closest to them collapsed crashing into the loop in the middle and the one on the far right exploded.

James was wide-eyed. 'Well, that's new. Lily definitely never lost control like this,' he thought worriedly. But as usual their father always knew how to solve any problems, how to mend the broken pieces.

"Lily," Harry soothed affectionately. His voice was steady and full of control. "Hey angel, it's alright, you can let it go."

"It hurts! It hurts like hell! I hate it, I hate it all!"

"I know," Harry responded calmly. "Just let it all go, Lils."

"I hate it here! Take me home, take me home NOW!"

"We are going home," Harry answered firmly. "Remember our code, my love? Hold me tight!"

And just like that, both of them disappeared in the air.

For a while no one spoke. And in that instant moment, James realized that his whole families were there standing around – definitely had paid attention to everything that happened from the start.

Rose's nervous voice from beside Scorpius broke the silent. She whispered shakily to her Slytherin friend, "And that's why you never make Lily angry."

"Well, family…" George drawled assumingly, "Where's the fun if there's no drama."

"How could Harry disapparate inside the ward?" Bill asked bewilderedly, couldn't help but worry about the existence of the Burrow's ward. After all, the matter of ward was always Bill's responsibility.

"Please," George responded, "It's Harry. If anyone can do the impossible, it'd be him."

"Seriously though?" Bill looked anxious, "Should I be worried? Can anyone explain? Teddy? James?" Then he looked around, "Where's Ginny?"

'Yeah? Where's Mum?' James wondered. James of course knew how his Dad and sister had disappeared. Well, actually all the Potters including Teddy would certainly know about their code, and their father's inaudible whisper to activate the two gemstones they had on them – sapphire and the black diamond rings.

"I think Ginny went after Harry to the Meadow by floo," Angelina said thoughtfully.

"Or maybe, she just decided to disapparate too," Bill was still cross. He was staring at the Potters godbrother now, "I know you know, Teddy, just explain."

Teddy sighed, "It's a Portkey. Each of us has it."

"But I didn't see any kind of Portkey," Hermione wondered, "And Lily definitely didn't hold that either."

"And a Portkey can't be activated inside the ward," Bill urged.

"Well, then just ask Dad, Uncle Bill." Albus cut in annoyed, "Because clearly Dad modified it to pass through the ward." Then he scowled to his bushy-haired Aunt, "And of course you couldn't see anything, Aunt Hermione, because it was supposed to be a secret."

"An unregistered secret Portkey, that's illegal."

"Mione," Ron's stern voice warned his wife.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Hermione looked embraced. "I'll just stop talking."

James sighed at his brother's rude behavior. He explained to his family, "We should only use it in a time of emergency, Uncle Bill. Constant vigilance," he shrugged. "Lily… Lily never lost control like that. I think Dad only wanted to give her the best for her situation."

"Of course James," Bill nodded understandingly.

"Lily's safety is absolutely an emergency situation," Ron supported with a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, before your sister blew up another loop," George smirked, "Though there's nothing left on this side of court," he shook his head in disbelief looking at the remnants of the loops destruction in the distance. "Has anyone tried to reparo them?"

"I've tried," Charlie supplied. "I even tried the mending charm of dragon scales. It didn't work."

George chuckled, "Wow Lily."

"Wow indeed," Charlie smiled fondly. Then he turned to his sister-in-law, asked seriously, "She's really fine, right Audrey?"

"She is," Audrey assured. "There were actually no other injuries other than the fracture of three ribs. Some of the cracks cut into her internal organs causing bleeding. And because of the position of the fall the blood blocked the airways so she couldn't breathe. But there was no damage in the spine area, so with a simple spell everything returned to normal."

"But still…," Victoire trembled, remembering again Lily's fall.

"I know," Audrey responded, caressing Victoire's pale cheek, "That was horrible."

Arthur took a deep breath, "Let's just move to the house, shall we? Molly, I think it's time for late lunch," Gramps said lightly.

But how could James allow himself to be relieved so easily. His Gran seemed to not heed Gramps' gentle resolution. Instead, she looked disappointedly at Albus.

James tried stopping another drama, "That's right. Please, Gran. I'm hungry."

But of course his grandmother didn't take the bait. "Albus Severus Potter," she narrowed her eyes. "How could you say such a thing to your baby sister? And even a second after she's just crashed to the ground?"

"No, Gran…" whatever James was trying to say was cut off.

Albus heated up again. He jerked James' hand that was still resting on his right shoulder, took his broom, and flew off.

James cursed the absence of his broom. Hastily he said to Scorpius, "Follow him. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid like fly across the ward or something. I'll be right behind."

Scorpius nodded and took off.

Scorpius tried to chase Albus from behind. However, Albus was a one hell flyer, so it's not easy. He could see from afar his best friend swung, turned, swooped down or just sped up – Scorpius just followed. He understood that Albus needed this – just flew off, forgetting for a moment.

It's definitely one hell afternoon. Honestly, his own heart still felt like jumping every time he thought back to Lily's accident. He paid attention 'though. He noticed how shakin all Weasleys were, how terrified all Potters were. Merlin! He himself was shaken and terrified.

When finally he landed, it was at the lakeside near the Burrow. They were supposed to play here this late afternoon, but now it's definitely canceled. Albus was pacing, his fists clenched. This side of Albus' anger was very new to Scorpius.

"Did you try to get through the ward?" He opened the conversation.

Still pacing Albus glanced, "Yeah."

"Where were you planning to go?" Scorpius was confused. Surely Albus didn't consider going back to the Meadow by broom.

"Anywhere but here," he muttered darkly. "I was considering going to your Manor."

Scorpius smirked. "Well, I've to admit. I never thought you would lose your cool like this."

Albus snorted, "Shut up."

"I mean, I can expect that from James. But you? Never," Scorpius raised his eyebrow grinning now.

"I said shut up, Scor," Albus said without raising his voice, but the chill was still there. "What are you even doing here?"

"Your loving brother sent me to babysit you," Scorpius shrugged nonchalantly. "As a humble guest I must respect the wishes of the host."

Again, his best friend only snorted.

After a moment Scorpius required, "Now, will you stop pacing? You give me a headache."

Albus halted – he took a deep breath. "It was supposed to be fun," he reproached. "It's quidditch!"

"Yeah," Scorpius sighed, "Felt like hell."

"I feel so angry. I want to blast something."

"Well, there's no loop here. But surely, there are lots of trees there," Scorpius pointed to the forest, "Just pick!"

Albus couldn't help but smile, "That's quite a powerful reducto back there."

"Or a bombarda," Scorpius shook his head fascinated.

Talking about Lily though made Albus frown again. He turned to the lake, pensively gazing away.

Scorpius stepped forward and stood beside his friend. The two of them just stared at the slowly moving water under the setting sun before them.

"You hate yourself for being harsh to your sister," Scorpius deciphered slowly, "But you don't regret what you're saying to her."

Albus stayed silent and didn't argue.

"I agree with you," Scorpius contemplated. "But maybe you're supposed to tell her later when she's feeling much better. I mean, that was one horrible way of being crashed."

"Terrifying also," Albus nodded, swallowing hard.

"But a brilliant way of flying though," Scorpius chuckled, but then crinkled, "Can you side-flying like that?"

"Never try it – never think about it." Albus smiled impressed, "She had to hold on the whole one side while flying. And in the bottom across the ground like that? – She's amazing!" Albus shook his head.

"Just imagining it makes me dizzy," Scorpius approved.

Albus sighed, "Never thought the day I'd resent quidditch like this."

"Oh, you'll get through it. Where's the fun without quidditch? It'd be boring."

Just then, they heard a flying sound behind them. Albus kept gazing away, Scorpius turned to see. It was James - trying to feel the atmosphere around his brother. Nodding to Scorpius, he approached and took his place on Albus' other side.

"You okay?" asked James, concerned.

Albus shrugged, then he stated, smirking, "You puked."

Scorpius had to hide his smile.

"Huh! You've to mention it, don't you?" James' voice became lighter.

"Dad did too, you know? I saw it." Albus softly laughed, "Our Head Auror of the magical community of Great Britain, puked."

"The Conqueror of the Dark Lord," Scorpius offered amused. When the two Potters turned around and raised their eyebrows, Scorpius rolled his eyes, "I mean: The Conqueror of Voldemort. You both know I never mind saying his name. It's just what your Dad's called in magical history."

The both brothers snorted.

"Teddy's crying," James supplied, grinning.

Albus laughed half-heartedly. "I don't want to play quidditch anymore."

James sighed, "I thought about that too."

That surprised Scorpius, "James Potter, considering never playing quidditch again?"

At first they were silent. Then Albus started chuckling, followed by Scorpius, next James burst out laughing – making the three of them guffawed together for a full five minutes.

"Oh, I need that laugh!" Albus grinned.

"Do you guys know what I'm thinking?" Scorpius speculated. When the two brothers paid attention, he continued, "I cursed that damn Snitch. Never ever seen a Snitch more stubborn than that."

"That's true!" James claimed. "Whose bloody Snitch is that anyway?"

"I thought about it," Albus frowned. "Neither have I seen a Snitch fly so fast, so low, and so not wanting to be caught. That's definitely a professional Snitch. Wow…," Albus couldn't help but be amazed. His own Snitch was a high quality but definitely not professional.

"You think?" Scorpius pondered.

"Of course," James stiffened, "None of Hogwarts' Snitch – even ours, would be that great." Then, he gaped, "It's Dom's!"

"From her boyfriend!" Albus choked up. When he saw Scorpius puzzled, Albus elaborated, "Dominique's boyfriend, a former Slytherin, now is one of Wimbourne Wasp's seeker reserves."

"Stupid Dom," James cursed. "Well, let's get back! I want to ask her myself."

Albus was reluctant. "I want to see Lily," he said meekly.

James paused and stared at his brother. "Let's go home then. I can murder Dominique another time."

"I don't want to talk to Gran or anybody," Albus grumbled.

James nodded then took the invisible cloak from his pocket, Albus surprised.

"I thought you might not want to make a fuse," James explained. "Listen, we fly to the shed, put our brooms, then you and Scorpius use the cloak – go straight to the floo. I'll catch up after talking to Gran." He sighed, "I want to see Lily too. Let's go back to the Meadow, yeah?"

"Is she going to forgive me?" Albus turned melancholy, "I really hurt her."

Scorpius had no answer for it as he knew only a little about the youngest Potter. Rose always said James was the passionate one, the drama queen in the family. However after today, he must say that all Potters including Teddy loved passionately. The anxiety, the dread, mourning, screaming, agony, even the anger just proved the love. He wouldn't be surprised if one took Avada kedavra for the sake of the others. It gave him goosebumps though.

"She will," James' answer brought Scorpius back from his thoughts. James smiled sadly, "I actually think she's in a lot of pain right now, imagining you will give her silent treatment for at least a week." He shrugged, "It happened before."

"Then, let's get your sister out of her misery," Scorpius smiled to his best friend.

Albus nodded and with that the three of them flew off with their brooms.