Chapter 2

Whispers

She turned back to the carriage and saw the Thestral that drew it. It brought back all the feelings of guilt and sorrow she had managed to leave behind for a moment. She reached out and touched its glossy black coat. She held back images that threatened to surface. A hand joined hers on the Thestral. So he could see them too, she thought.

"Prongs!" someone called.

His hand disappeared from its place besides her and she heard him reply, "Padfoot! Over here!"
She turned to find that two people had joined them. There was the smiling handsome face of Sirius Black. Next to him was little Peter Pettigrew. He too had a smile.

"Sorry 'bout what happened Evans. Really sucks," Sirius said gravely, a somber look replacing his smile.

"Horrible," Peter agreed, copying his friend's expression.

"Moony, Remus I mean, sends along his condolences too," Sirius added.

"Where is he?" Lily asked, realizing how odd it was for him to not be there. Usually if those three were there, the fourth would be too.

All three quickly shared a glance.
"Y'know, I don't know," said Sirius, his grin slowly returning.

"Perhaps we should look for him," suggested James.

"Definitely," Peter finished.

All three now wore the same sly smile. "Bye, Evans," Sirius said as he turned away, dragging Peter who waved.

"Are you going to be okay, Lily?" James asked before he left with his friends.

She was a bit angry now and she didn't know why. Before this, she would have been happy that James would be leaving her alone. She decided it must be because he was acting natural around her and not all awkward because of what had happened. Besides, that excuse was easier than the confusing one trying to make itself known.

"Of course, Potter. I'm a big girl," she finally snapped in reply.

He laughed. "There's the Evans I know and love," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek before jogging away.

"Don't get too close to the lake, Potter!" she shouted at his quickly retreating back. He turned around and blew her another kiss.

She turned and headed towards the Great Hall, energized by the familiar exchange with James.
But her mood didn't last. It was impossible to ignore the glances and whispers.

"So sad..."
"Squibs, you know..."
"Orphan now, her and her sis..."
"You-know-who hisself..."
"Murdered..."
"Killed..."
"Dead."

All around her the whispers came like, cutting her like knives. The students around her gave her a wide berth, none meeting her eyes. People fell abruptly silent when she drew even with them, their murmured conversations continuing after she passed, following her as she made her way hurriedly down the hall. She kept her head held high as she strode down the hallway, but each whispered comment, even the most sympathetic ones, cut her.

Finally she could no longer keep the act up. She stepped into an empty classroom, shutting the door against the whispers. The silence of the room wrapped around her like welcoming arms. Slowly she slid down the door until she sat on the ground with her knees folded in. She placed her head in her hands and sat in her self made prison of guilt.