Oh, sweet Louisa. It seemed a lifetime ago but James remember her so clearly. The McLaggens were an old Magical family that lived a few miles away from the Potter estate when he was growing up. Louisa was 8 years old when James was born and babysat as often as she could. When she was accepted into Hogwarts, she would tell him all about the magical school over her holidays. She never had any siblings, just like him. And while they had lost touch when James went abroad on Auror assignment, she was family.

One of his mentors and close friend had caught the case and sent a coded message. James just happened to be in England for his monthly report when he received it and appeared immediately to the crime scene. After sorting an issue with some reporter trying to get a scoop, he returned to the room where she lay.

She was the last McLaggen in her family. Her parents had died when she was still in Hogwarts, one of the earlier casualties of this war, and since then she had thrown herself into public service. The ministry was her life. He only aim was to help however she could in bringing an end to this war. She would have been an Auror if she could, but she was't expecting there to be a war when she was picking her NEWT classes. She contributed as she could. By being the Minister's right hand woman.

And while James should have been mad about losing her, angry about another death so close to home… He had grown numb to grief. All he could see in his mind was 16 year old Lou, wearing a yellow dress that clashed horribly with her blonde hair, laughing at his big birthday picnic in their front lawn. She was messing up his hair, pointing out her new crush from Hogwarts who was also in attending and winning the Chubby Bunny contest.

He smiled, thinking of the Lou before the war touched her.

Then he closed her eyes and made a silent promise to find out exactly what happened to her and end the people who did this.