Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 28: Andrea's tragedy

James' POV

"That was one ball I can honestly say I had a good time at," said Sirius as he fell down onto his bed happily. I didn't say anything and just lay on my side with my back facing them.

"What's wrong, Jamie?" Sirius asked as he noticed my silence. Remus watched as he took off his watch and jacket.

"Nothing," I mumbled into my pillow. Sirius and Remus came to sit on my bed. Peter wasn't back yet.

"Move your fat ass, Sirius," Remus grunted as he struggled to find room. He gave a mighty push and Sirius flew off the bed. Remus shifted over and started trying to figure out what was wrong with me. "Prongs, tell us what's up," he said. Sirius popped up on my other side, right in front of my face.

"It's nothing!"

Remus sighed.

"Fine," he said and grabbed a hold of my ear. He pulled it until I sat up.

"Ow, Remus, what the hell?"

"Tell us what's going on!"

"Fine!" He let go of my ear and I got in a comfortable position. "So my date wanted to go outside, right? We went outside and, I don't know why, but I really wanted to kiss her. When she opened her eyes after, I thought they were green, like Lily's. I guess it was wishful thinking because I looked at her eyes again later and they were blue." I got up and started pacing around the room. Remus and Sirius looked at each other.

"…So?" they both said simultaneously.

"It just reminded me that I'll never really have a chance with her again. That's all," I said quietly and flopped down into the chair near Peter's dresser.

"Sorry, mate," said Sirius after a moment.

"Nah, it's fine. I should have realized a long time ago. I guess now it just hit me full blast. Let's go to sleep, I'm dead tired." I climbed back into my bed and lay on my side again. All night my dreams were filled with a silhouette of a red haired woman, calling out to me and then running away.

Nobody's POV

Lily was walking to Charms when James suddenly caught up to her. Ylan and Andrea gave him a slight glance and then turned back to their own conversation.

"Lily," he said, out of breath. "I need to talk to you; can you come here for a second?" It was the day after the ball, right after lunch. All day, James had been tortured, trying to figure out if he should ask Lily the question he was longing to have an answer for. He finally decided to do it.

"I guess," she said hesitantly and moved into an empty classroom with him.

"I have to ask you something about the ball last night."

Lily's heart started pounding in her chest. She knew what was coming.

"Go ahead," she said, swallowing. James paused, not knowing how to continue.

"Um. Ok, were you my date?"

Lily raised her eyes to his and then looked away. She looked around the classroom silently. After what seemed like an eternity for both of them, she glanced back into his eyes once again.

"No," she said quietly. James' heart fell. Lily walked towards the door and he watched her, a knot forming in his stomach.

As Lily walked out the door, she wiped a tear from her eye. Why couldn't she just tell him how she felt?

A few hours later, at dinner, Andrea showed up late. Her expression was somber and her eyes were red. Her friends immediately found her a place.

"Andrea, what happened?" asked Sirius, an arm around her.

"My – my parents. You-Know-Wh – I mean, Voldemort. He – he, -" she broke down in sobs. Everyone looked at each other worriedly. James suddenly felt a blast of compassion for Andrea. He realized what must have happened.

"I'm so sorry," he said quietly.

"What happened?" asked Jenna.

"I think Voldemort killed her parents," James said, swallowing. He knew how hard it must be for her. "Am I right?" Andrea nodded into Sirius' shoulder, her tears wetting his robes.

"Oh, Andrea, I'm so sorry," Lily said rubbing her friend's back. The others remained in shocked silence. They sat like that for the duration of dinner. Finally they went back to the common room and sat around the fire. Andrea stared into it as she spoke.

"Dumbledore said I can go home tomorrow," she said in a flat voice. "You guys can come with me for a day if you want."

"Of course we'll come," said Ylan softly. "Jenna and Lily and I will get your stuff ready for you," she offered.

"Thanks," Andrea said, nodding.

"We'll just go up to our dorm," said James. He, Remus, and Peter left the room. Sirius and Andrea were alone now.

"I'm so sorry."

"Thanks."

Sirius wrapped his arms around her again and rocked her back and forth. They sat like that for the rest of the night.

The next day, the group headed out of the front door to the carriages. Remus and James carried Andrea's bags. She was going to stay home with her grandmother for a little while until she was okay again.

The carriage and train rides passed by silently. Sirius kept his arms on Andrea the whole time. At the platform, they were met by an old lady dressed in black. She was Andrea's grandmother, on her mom's side.

"Andrea!" the woman exclaimed and rushed forward to hug her granddaughter.

"Hi, Grandma," said Andrea.

"And these are your friends, I imagine," said Andrea's grandmother (her name was Alice), trying to force a smile. In her eyes, however, everyone could see the devastation.

"Yeah. James, Remus, Lily, Ylan, Jenna, Peter, and Sirius," said Andrea, pointing to each one.

"Hello, all. Let's go to the car, shall we?" As they walked, Sirius put his arm around Andrea's waist and whispered in her ear.

"She seems nice," he said. Andrea smiled.

Soon they were driving (James had offered, saying he didn't want Alice to go through too much trouble and he knew how because he had taken Muggle lessons) and were out of the city. They stopped at Alice's house. She said she couldn't take seeing her daughter in that state again. The next stop was Andrea's house.

When the group walked inside they saw everything in perfect condition. They walked through a few rooms and went upstairs. The door at the end of the hall was open and swinging slightly because of the breeze from the open window. Andrea dug her nails into her palm and led her friends inside. She bit her lip when she saw what was there.

A man, Andrea's father, and a woman, Andrea's mother, lay side by side on the floor. Their eyes were wide open, the wands in their hands just charred remains. They had obviously been going to bed, as both were in their pajamas.

Tears started falling from Andrea's eyes and her shoulders began to shake.

"It's horrible," Peter whispered. Suddenly a sound came from the bathroom. Everyone whirled around. There was someone standing in the doorway. It was clear it was a man, from how built he looked. He had a skeleton mask covering his face and a hood covering his head. He was a death eater.

"Hello, children," he snarled. Andrea stared at him in shock.

"You killed my parents," she said in a whisper.

"No, not really. But I sure helped." The death eater sent chills down everyone's spine. James grit his teeth, trying to stop himself from going after him. Whoever this person was, he had something to do with his father's death. But this was Andrea's time.

She slowly got out her wand.

"You killed my parents," she repeated. The death eater snarled as he saw her mouth moving to form a spell.

"Oh no you don't," he said. "Avada Kedavra!"

"NO!" Sirius jumped forward, saying a silent spell in his head. The death eater waved and disaparated, right before he was hit. The jet of red hit the closet door, which he had been standing in front of, and burned a hole right through.

The group could only watch while, as if in slow motion, the green killing curse shattered through a chandelier and struck Andrea. She flew back into the wall and fell forward, not moving. Lily let out a shriek and Sirius sank to his knees, watching as the life left the eyes of the one he loved.