Chapter VII

Death

((James's POV))

"Look, Prongs, you're just going to have to find another girl," Sirius said at breakfast the next morning. He was examining himself in the back of his spoon. "I have a lady friend in Hufflepuff with a friend who would be glad to date you." He waved at a dark haired girl sitting at the other table, who smiled and waved back.

"You mean a snog friend?" snorted Remus.

Sirius glared and flicked a bit of hair behind his ear.

"Look, James, just apologize to Lily if you're so worried about it." Remus was giving me advice on women. Brilliant.

"Look, I'm not here to talk about it," I growled, picking up my bag. "You guys just asked why I wasn't eating…so I told you. See you in Potions." I stalked off, avoiding Lily's eyes that were following me across the Great Hall.

((Lily's POV))

"He's been brooding all morning," I muttered to Pansy and Rose as James walked away. "I ruined everything. I just don't want to be so friendly with him, you know?"

"Lily, you're smart and everything," said Pansy, who was putting some solution on a bit of acne as it vanished within seconds, "but sometimes you make the most lousy decisions ever."

"James just gets on my nerves. You would be constantly mad at him, too, if he hexed you so your leg hair grew out all over the place."

Rose, whose face was behind the Wizarding World newspaper, suddenly appeared. "You like him, Lily."

"I do not!"

"I think you were just nervous," she said simply, her misty eyes gazing at me. She was wiser than a lot of people thought. "I think you wanted James to kiss you. But then people would start talking about you two, then maybe you would forget to study for N.E.W.T.s, and who knows what'll happen after that? He might forget about you and move on to another girl once he finally gets you. Take some chances, Lily."

I blinked. Pansy stared at her. She gave me another meaningful look before disappearing behind the newspaper again.

"Is she telling the truth?" Pansy asked with raised eyebrows. I paused, and then nodded slowly.

"Aha!" she said triumphantly. "I knew you two would end up together! Oh, this is brilliant!"

"We're not together," I said firmly.

"Wait!" Rose said, flattening the paper on the table so we could read the front page. "I've been reading this. Look."

Attack on Muggles in London

Ministry Aurors have reported that this morning at approximately one fourteen, the Dark Mark was hovering above the house of Muggles Richard and Emmeline Patterson. Sources tell us that these people have no relations to any in the wizarding world except for Muggle-born Lily Evans, Head Girl at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We believe that there is no reason these Dark Wizards should be after Evans and that this was their idea of fun.

We investigated the house and found the dead bodies of Richard (31), Emmeline (29), and their two children, Luke (8) and Katherine (5). Memory modifications will not be made to the relatives or friends; further investigations tell us that the family knows about the wizarding world. Friends were told that the house filled with carbon monoxide without the heed of the family and that they all suffocated.

I stared at the stationary picture of my cousin, Emmeline, and her husband Richard with their two children. The bottom of my stomach was suddenly no more. My legs turned into jelly in seconds. They were dead, and their children as well.

"Oh, Heavens," said Pansy, glaring at the page. "You were related to these people?"

"Emmeline was my cousin." My voice cracked. Rose put a consoling hand on my shoulder.

"I have to send a letter," I said, my eyes blurring and obscuring my vision. "Cover for my in classes." I walked hastily out of the Great Hall, telling myself not to cry, that it could wait…

"Lily, what—?" I heard Remus say as I passed him, but I just walked faster, tears pouring out of my eyes. I soon reached the Owlery, and my whole face was drenched by this time.

I pulled out a bit of parchment and a quill and began writing a rather scribbly note with teardrops all over it.

Mum and Dad,

I've gotten the news about Emmeline and Richard. Send word back as fast as possible.

-Lily

I stared at the note, sobbing. One of the school owls drifted down to me and hooted softly, as if he understood. Nobody understood.

I tied the note to his leg and sent him off. I watched the brown shape disappear into the white sky, and then I stood in the window and cried.

How could Voldemort do this to me? Despite what the paper said, I was sure he did it because he had something against Muggle-borns. Or perhaps his Death Eaters were having a bit of fun…how sick. How sick of them to kill children!

"I hate them! I hate them all!" I pounded the windowsill with my hand and cradled the now throbbing fingers. I cried more, tears staining my robes.

Emmeline was my favorite cousin. Even though she was eleven years older than me, she was still the most understanding one I had. When I was accepted to Hogwarts, she stuck up for me against my less accepting cousins that made hateful remarks. I always talked to her about problems I had; she was always so resourceful when it came to boys, even ones with magical powers.

Suddenly I was drawn from my reveries as a hand laid itself on my shoulder. I turned.

Dumbledore.

"Miss Evans, I hope you will accept my deepest apologies."

My throat caught, but I nodded besides. His eyes were full of grief behind his half-moon spectacles. He always had the sort of impression that he was reading my mind.

"Voldemort has been killing many people recently," he said, still holding my shoulder. "As his power grows, he feeds on death and destruction. I have done a great deal of thinking since I was summoned by the Ministry this morning, and I conclude that he was providing his Death Eaters with a chance to get back at the Muggle-borns."

I just stared at the ground. "How could he—do you even understand—Emmeline was the greatest—I HATE HIM!"

"I do understand, Miss Evans." His eyes twinkled. "When I was but two years younger than yourself, my godfather died. He was one of my favorite people then…. But I can assure you that wherever Richard and his family are now, it is a better place than here."

I looked up. "What…I don't fully understand…."

Dumbledore smiled feebly. "You shall see them again, Miss Evans, this I will promise."

A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter. Uh, thanks for the reviews, also. Sorry it took so long to update, though I doubt you're very disappointed in me.