Unspoken

By EllaWatson

"So, you guys are going out now? Cool." Sirius said, as James told them about Lily and himself.

"Yeah, I guess. Have I told you about this girl called Jamie Nick?" James said.

"No – is it that girl that's glued to Evans?" Peter said.

"Yes. She is really something, you know."

"Nick? Is she related to Vincent Nick?" Remus asked, looks weaker than ever, "Poor thing, a couple of Slytherins put an ear blocking charm on him."

"Really?" James asked.

"Yeah, I really feel sorry for him – he doesn't speak to anyone – everybody makes fun of him."

"He doesn't talk?" Sirius asked.

Remus shook his head. "But no one really knows why. He hasn't told anyone."

"That's pretty sad." James said. "I'll go see him - after I talk to Lily about Vincent."

X-X-X-X

"Jamie! Lily! There you two are!" James said as she spotted Lily and Jamie sitting under a willow tree.

"James!" Jamie exclaimed as she saw him.

"Hi." Lily said, giving him a peck on the lips.

"I just found out Jamie had a brother." James said, sitting in between them. Lily looked at Jamie (whose face was paler than before).

Jamie shrugged, "Yeah, I do."

"Tell us about him, Jamie," Lily said, "he should come with us."

"Well, Vincent, he's my twin, doesn't talk to me, or to anybody." Jamie started, "I should tell you, our parents, they don't really like us."

"Why not?" James and Lily said at the same time.

"Because, of my illness and because he doesn't say anything. They blame us for a lot of things." Jamie said, "Our whole family's kind of falling apart – mum and dad fight all the time…

Well, I think the reason why Vincent doesn't talk to anyone is because he's scared, every time he tried to talk to my cousins or tried to make friends, everyone just ignored him – or laughed at him. So he just gave up and locked away all his words."

James and Lily were silent for a while.

"When was the last time he said anything?" James asked.

"About a year ago."

"Jamie," Lily said.

"Yeah?"

"Have you tried to talk to him? I mean, and get him to talk back to you?"

"A lot." Jamie said, "But I miss his voice you know, but I want him to be happy. However, he just doesn't see that. He cannot see that to be happy, is not having everything in your life to be perfect. It's about stringing together all the little things. Like, how much everyone around you cares for you, or what you want to do with your life. Making those count more than the bad stuff. I want him to get through it, and that all I can ask for."

There was silence.

"Did you know that Elephants are the only animals that can't jump?"

Jamie fainted.

X-X-X-X

"Madam Pomfrey, Jamie fainted again!" Lily said as James levitated her to one of the beds.

"Oh, dear."

"Please tell us she's going to be okay…" Lily said, standing over Jamie.

"She will, she will, she just needs a rest."

"Well, can we stay with her?" James asked.

"Well, I trust both of you, company won't hurt her." Madam Pomfrey replied.

X-X-X-X

The next morning, Jamie was still in the Hospital Wing. James and Lily were having breakfast when they spotted Vincent walking past by himself.

"Mr Nick – you care to join us?" James stopped him.

Vincent looked at him for a while, he backed away a little, choosing his actions carefully, and he sat down.

"Do you want to visit Jamie with us, Vincent?" Lily asked.

Vincent shook his head.

"But she's your sister, she's sick."

Vincent shook his head again.

"Well, okay."

James whispered to Lily, "I think I should talk to him while you go see Jamie."

Lily nodded.

X-X-X-X

Vincent and James faced each other sitting in a spare classroom.

"Vincent," James started.

Vincent just sat there looking at his shoes.

"One day – any day – do you want to feel good about yourself?" James asked.

Vincent slowly nodded.

"Well, how can you feel good about yourself when all you see are the qualities you don't like? I don't think you can."

Vincent looked at him.

"Not like that." James said. "That's not how it works. I think what it takes is for someone else to say, 'I like you.' That is the only way you can truly feel good about yourself. When someone else accepts you that is when you begin to see yourself through his or her eyes…

Moreover, you may begin to realize that there may actually be many qualities to like about yourself. Vincent, we care about you – Jamie cares about you, so, so much. Maybe, if you know we can all see the good qualities in you maybe that will help you to see them in yourself."

Vincent nodded, tears filling his eyes. "I can't quit now, or I'll really mess everything up – even if I can't make friends – even if they still ignore me."

James nodded, "That's right."