Written for Hogwarts - Assignment #9 - Men's History - Task #2 - Write about losing a child
Warnings: character death
When a child has no parents, they are an orphan. However, there are no words to describe a parent losing a child.
Lily remembered those words her mother told her when she attended her first funeral. A classmate of hers was in a car accident. Her name was Amber, and she didn't survive. She was only in third grade, and although they were never really friends, her parents thought she should go to the funeral.
She would never forget Amber's parents. They looked lifeless, like all the light in the world had gone out and only darkness remained. Of course, Lily didn't understand that kind of grief back then, but since then, she had lost people, including her parents.
'Of course,' she thought dully, her mind still numb, 'It still doesn't compare with the grief of losing a child.'
Losing a child was a different grief, though. It was hearing children's laughter in now empty halls, seeing memories in every room, and leaving the bedroom untouched, forever waiting for a child that would never go to sleep there again.
"Lily," she heard someone say. She could no longer tell who, and she only barely felt the hand on her shoulder.
Lily remained though in the same position ever since she heard the news. She stared blankly at the wall, as if it would give back what was taken from her. She barely felt the stiffness her muscles felt from being in the same position, but that's what everything felt like these days. Just numbness.
"Lily," the voice said, firmer and louder, and Lily snapped.
She angrily shrugged off the hand on her shoulder and screamed. She probably could have screamed forever, but she settled on a few words.
"JUST GO AWAY!"
Arms wrapped around her and she fought for a few moments before sagging into them, fresh sobs coming forth. The person (it was James, she could tell now, though her mind remained numb), held her tight and she could feel the tears streaming on his face.
"Merlin James," she sobbed, "Why did it have to be him?"
"I-" his voice cracked, "I wish I knew, Lily-Pad. I really do."
The two stood for a moment, letting the numbness fade to reveal the raw grief and anger that lingered under the surface. No words needed to be said as they held each other through the grief of losing Harry. Sweet Harry, who had only been a year old before he killed him.
Harry, who would never go to Hogwarts, who would never write letters, make friends, play Quidditch. Harry, who would never graduate, get married, have kids. Who had his entire life taken away just because of a prophecy.
And in their grief, anger formed, along with a vow. They would not allow Voldemort to live. For Harry's sake, and to make sure no one had to go through what they were going through. It was time to end the war for good.