Chapter 23:
I Don't Always Need Defending
Nothing had really changed. Every day the students waited to see if anyone they knew was dead but now it was more likely than ever. Every day the list of dead friends and family got longer. The students were no longer surprised when a student ran from the Great Hall in floods of tears, having just received terrible news. The two weeks that had passed since the Lestin family was attacked, had been some of the worst in wizarding history; never before had so many died in such a short space of time. James had still not heard from his parents. He was becoming quite anxious and he wasn't the only one. The Daily Prophet had started making comments. It had started with little comments like; things can't be that bad or the Head of the Auror Office wouldn't be on holiday… and of course, Charlus Potter clearly believes that the ministry is doing well in the fight against Voldemort or he wouldn't be on holiday… but soon they were becoming vicious; with so many dead surely its time to come back – the beach can wait!... and if we can't rely upon Potter then who can we rely on?
On the morning of Gryffindors Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, there was an article in the paper that had James reeling. He sat next to Sirius happily eating his breakfast when Lily's paper was threw across his lap accidentally. He looked up and noticed that the bird responsible was zooming out the window. He went to hand the paper to its rightful owner when the headline caught his attention.
MINISTER CALLS HEAD OF AUROR OFFICE BACK TO WORK – AND HE REFUSES!
The minister himself has been reported to have tried to reach Charlus Potter. Potter is believed to be enjoying a quiet getaway with his wife, Dorea. They have been gone for some time now, leaving the running of the auror office in the hands of close family friend Alastor Moody. The minister is said to have sent a message via patronus (an ingenious method of communication invented by Albus Dumbledore). Potter is said to have responded saying, "unfortunately, I am unable to return just yet but I have every intention of being back by mid March." This reporter tried to gain access to Hogwarts to ask the young James Potter if he had heard from his parents, however, Dumbledore refused to allow any communication with the boy, saying that he needed to focus on his school work. It is hard to believe that anything could be more important than the war against the Deatheaters but according to Potter there is; his holiday! Perhaps voters will remember this come election season. He was the favourite for Minister For Magic, however it doesn't appear that he can be trusted in times of real struggle and despair. Today is a very sad day for the wizarding world.
James thrust the paper into Lily's lap before jumping to his feet and rushing towards the door in an angry mess. Lily followed after him, having already read the article over his shoulder. She put her hand in his, "calm down…"
"I can't," he told her.
"You can," Lily whispered, "you know its lies so don't let it bother you."
"But…"
"No James… you know better."
A group of Slytherins soon caught up with them, "ah Potter finally got her?"
"Get lost," Lily retorted, she turned and noticed that Snape was amongst the group.
"Shut up mudblood!" The Slytherin replied.
James swivelled around on the spot and cursed the Slytherin. Lily pulled on his arm and pulled him away from the group of Slytherins, "you shouldn't have done that."
"He shouldn't have called you that," James defended.
"Doesn't make it right, James," Lily sighed. "I like that you want to defend me but can you try and only defend me from the things that have potential to hurt me?"
"But that had…"
"No it didn't," Lily laughed, "do you really think I care what some idiotic Slytherin thinks of me? Do you really think it matters to me what anyone thinks of my blood? My heritage? My parents? Me?"
"James, I don't care. They can think and say what they like because I know that I am a better witch, a better friend, a better student, a better person… do I need to go on? They're words can't hurt me but you getting into a fight over it can."
James frowned, "so I can't defend you?"
"Of course you can; defend me against death eaters if you want, defend me when we walk down the corridors and people pull their wand on me just because I'm a muggle-born, defend me when I'm right and everyone else thinks I'm wrong, defend me when I need you to defend me, when I'm in danger, when I'm hurting…"
James nodded, "ok."
Rebecca sat with Regulus in the library. She could hear the cheers from the pitch. The students were excited; any minute now the match would start. Regulus looked over at her, "you wish you were at the match?"
"No," Rebecca grinned, "I want to be here with you."
Regulus took her hand in his and kissed it gently, "good because I want you to be here too."
That was all Rebecca needed to remind herself that some things, some people were more important than Quidditch and winning.