Prompt- handle
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Remus feels dread knotting his stomach as he arrives at the scene. Lily is waiting, hugging herself like she's trying to keep from falling apart. Her face is pale, brows knit together. In that moment, she looks older than her eighteen years.
"That bad?" Remus asks.
She nods. "James told me to step outside, the overprotective git," she grumbles, though she delivers the insult with affection and the smallest of smiles.
Remus peers over her shoulder just as James steps out. For once, there's no laughter in his eyes. He is grim, like he's stared into the deepest pits of Hell. "Poor bugger," James says, ruffling his dark hair with a sigh.
"Death Eaters?"
Lily and James nod.
"Whatever he knew, they wanted it. Badly, I'd wager," James says.
Remus starts to reply, but Alastor chooses this moment to appear and push them out of the way, none too gently. "Move along, folks," he growls, winking at them with his normal eye. "Nothing to see here. Let the Aurors handle it." Under his breath, he adds, "Order meeting tonight."
James and Lily look relieved to have an excuse to leave. Remus follows along, feeling lightheaded, through he hadn't seen the damage done.
"Whoever did that... Whatever sorry bastard... I'd like to get my hands on him," James says darkly.
"James," Lily whispers, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
Though Remus is shocked by the hostility in his best mate's voice, he finds himself nodding. "Yeah. Me too."
And he means it.