Chapter 17
"You're wrong about this!" Professor Maxwell yelled as he was pulled away. "I had nothing to do with in the attack at he ministry!" His screams could be heard down the halls. Everyone could hear them, along with the screams of a few seventh year, mostly yelling the same things. It was hard to believe a teacher and some students could be a part of the attack on the ministry. It scared Lily. It was the reason she was with James at the moment. "Do you think there are other teachers out there willing to do the same thing? How can we trust anyone?"
"I'm sure about ninety percent of the teachers here are fine. There might be one more, but chances are all of the teachers are the good guys," James told her, hugging her. "It's because he was head of Slytherin. You can't trust most of them."
"But Dom, Roxanne, and Albus are all in Slytherin and they're good people," Lily said.
"Yeah but they're not the norm. Most Slytherins are horrible person," James said.
"I think that's not a good way to think," Lily said. "The houses get along very well now. It's not like it was when Dad went to school. You shouldn't share his, and Uncle Ron's, ideals of what it means to be Slytherin." Lily said. "I mean, I'm dating Scorpius."
"Yeah I still don't like that," Jame said. "Are you going to be okay? Chloe's freaking out because her dad died."
"I'll be okay. I mean, I'll go to Scorpius,"Lily said, leaving.
James cursed. Why couldn't he take away everyone's pain? He wished he could take all of everyone's pain so they could be happy, but that didn't happen. That couldn't happen. He would die under the pressure of all of that grief.
James went over to Chloe. Without saying anything, he just hugged her.
"He was only there to deliver some new papers. He got there early. If he had been on time he wouldn't have been killed. It was my mom's birthday. He wanted wanted to make her a surprise dinner and dancing. My mom loves dancing. It was going to be special for both of them. But he was killed. He was just a new paper deliver. He didn't work there. He had nothing to do with politics." She said more, but James couldn't understand what she was saying.
"I'm so sorry," was all James was able to say. He just held her as she sobbed against James. "It's not fair. That was not what my mom needed on her birthday. She'll never have a happy one again."
"I know life is unfair. I know it hurts. That's why we have our army right? So that could never happen here," James said.
"What are you talking about? If they attacked here it would be a bloodbath. The best our army could do is get people to safety. There's nothing we can do against actual wizards,"Chloe said. "Do you believe we could actually put up a fight?"
"I think we could do some good damage to them. We're working hard on attack and defensive spells. I'm sure we could do a lot," James said.
"If you think we'll be ready if we attacked then I'm with you all the way,"Chloe said. "J-just" She took a long pause. "You can't die. I don't think I could handle it if you died."
"I promise you I won't die," James said. "I can't just leave you and my family. Besides, I'm the great James Potter. I can do anything."
Chloe laughed a little through her sobs. "Y-yeah. No one can beat the great James Potter."
"And remember, I'll always protect those close to me. That's includes you," James kissed Chloe.
"Not now," Chloe said, pulling away from James.
"I'm sorry. I understand."
"How could you understand? Your parents are still alive! Your father made it through and will be okay. My dad doesn't get that. All he gets in is a furinal, like so many other kids' families. How can you understand that?" She took a few steps away from James. "I think I should be alone."
"No you shouldn't be alone. You can dwell on this alone. It's a lot to take in for one person. My Uncle Ron died. I know what it' like to lose someone close to you. He wasn't my father or anything, but we were close. My whole family is close. To have someone in it die, it's almost too much to bear, but I need to stay calm and cool so I don't upset them more then they already have." James sank to his knees. "I'm not that strong. I can't be their rock right now, but everyone thinks I can be. Aren't I able to grieve too?"
James had tears in his eyes as Chloe bent down and hugged James. "it's okay. You can don't have to be strong for me. I might not be strong, but I'll be strong enough for you," Chloe said. "I love you James." She paused a moment. "Let's get marred."
"What?"
"Let's get married. With everything going on, we should get married now incase something bad happened. I love you James Serious Potter. Make me the happiest girl in the world. School's almost out. We can get marred soon after it's done. I want to be with you forever and ever," Chloe said.
James laughed a little. "I thought it was my job to ask you, but I wold love to marry you. I'll send word to my family. We can have the marriage at my grandparent's house. That's where Flur and Bill got married. It can made to be really nice."
"That sounds wonder. I'll send word to my family. Maybe someone good can come out of this horrible happening."
"Well I have a lot of owls to send out. I'm sure you have several and -" James took out a ring. "I was going to ask you when the time was right. Here," he put the ring on Chloe's finger. "I love you Miss Chloe."
Chloe's eyes grew big. "You really are amazing, you know that James? You should have been the one to ask me.
"Well I as afraid you'd say no."
"I run the James Potter Fan Club. I love spending time with you. You're even closer now that my dad is gone. My mom's a wreck, but I have you and I never want to lose that."
"There's a James Potter Fan Club? I want to go," James said with a small laugh. "Who loves me more than me?"
Chloe gave a weak smile. "I love you. I've loved you since we met. I felt something in you that I can't explain, but I knew I had to get to know you better."
James got up. "Well those owls aren't going to send themselves. Should we go Future Mrs. Potter?'
"I think I am."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Lily went to see Scorpius. "Why aren't you with your brother?"
"He's off with Chloe." She hugged Scorpius. "Scorpius, my uncle's dead. He's really dead and not coming back. I'll never see him again. I-it's not fair. A-and did you hear Professor Maxwell lead some kids along in the fight? He wasn't my favorite teacher, but I never thought he was evil. James said that doubts another teacher is evil and I shouldn't worry about it. But how can I not worry about happened happening again?"
Scorpius held into Lily. "I know he's dead. I know it's hard. I'm not going to say I know what you're going though, but I can be here for you." He just held her as she sobbed.
"Oi! Lily!" Roxanne called, coming over to the duo. " Did you hear that James is going to marry Chloe?"
"He what?" Lily asked through her tears.
"Yeah he's been sending owls out of our whole family about it," Roxanne said.
"Why now? Why when everyone is so sad and-"
"It might be a way to lift people's emotions. Weddings are supposed to be fun," Scorpius cut in. "It makes sense if they wanted a wedding to make everyone else happy."
"I suppose," Lily said. She was still crying, but was calming down.
"I think it's a great idea," Dominique saisd, coming over to them. "Roxanne will be my date of course."
"We both have boyfriends." Roxanne pointed out.
"But they don't like us the way we love each other," Dominique complained. "And who doesn't like kissing cousins?"
Roxanne laughed. "I suppose that's true."
"You two are so happy despite everything going on?"Lily asked.
"Because if we let sadness win, that's like letting the bad guys. Yeah I'm depressed about Uncle Ron, but I won't let it stop me from being me," Roxanne said.
"But how can you do that?" Lily asked.
"It's hard, but I keep a smile on my face and try to push though the pain," Roxanne said. "But don't think we don't care or anything like that. We're suffering too. Everyone deals with pain different."
Dominique wrapped her arms around Roxanne. "We have each other and love each other. We have someone to talk to when we need to, but we just cry. We need to push through he sadness."Dominique said. "We need to stay together and we'll get through this. We're going to go to Rose next. You should stay here. It's going to be hard taking to Rose right now. Just stay here with Scorpius."
"I want to help Rose too," Lily protested.
"I know, but the best you can do right now is to stay here with Scorpius," Dominique said.
"Fine."
"It's okay Lily. I'll be here with you," Scorpius said. He hugged her again. "Just stay with me and things will get better with time."
"Fine," Lily said again. She leands in against Scorpius. "I just want to help." She stated crying again.
"And that's why you can't come. Rose doesn't need to try and make you feel better while she's suffering," Roxanna said.
"Alright. I understand,"Lily said. She watched her siblings walk away.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Roxanne and Dominique came over to Rose. She was in the arms of her Ravenclaw boyfriend. His name was Cooper, if Roxanne remembered. She was sobbing. Hugo was there too, crying just as hard.
"Hey Rose. Did you hear the news? James and Chloe are getting married," Roxanne said.
"Good for him," Rose said with a frown. "Why should I care?"
"Because he's your cousin. We're all your cousins. We've all lost our Uncle and-"
"It's good to see you girls," Hermione said, coming back with some food. "Rose hunny, you need to eat, you too Hugo."
"B-but it's-" Rose looked down.
"Your mom is right. You haven't eaten anything since the attack," Cooper said.
"Fine," Rose said, frowning. She ate some of the food.
"Aunt Hermione, have you heard about James marriage to Chloe? They want to have it soon after school ends," Dominique said.
"I have heard that. I'm happy for him," she said. "I'm sure they'll want a big party. It's a good idea to get people's mind on something nice instead of all of this pain," Hermione said. "Victoria and Teddt are getting married this summer too. Maybe we can through a really big double wedding."
"Yeah. Dom and me are going together."Roxanne said. "I might invite my boyfriend, but it'll be us together. Family needs to stick together right?"
Rose smiled a little. "You two were always a little odd." She laughed a little. "But I'm glad you're here. It's just- dad's gone and never coming back. I'll never see him simile, or get mad at Lily for dating Scorpius. I'd give anything to see him, even if he he was angry with me. I- it's not true,"Rose said.
"I'm so sorry hunny," Hermione said. She pushed Cooper away, and hugged Rose. "I know it 's hard, but things will get better. Your father wouldn't want you to suffer because of him."
"Yeah, I suppose he would be upset with me if I-I let myself suffer because of him," Rose said. "It's just so hard."
"No one is telling you that you have to do it right now. Just, you can't dwell on it forever," Hermione said. "We'll be here as long as you need us."
"I'm sorry. You must be hurting just as much as I am," Rose said.
"I've seen a lot of people I was close to die. It doesn't get any easier, but it helps numb the pain," Hermione said. "I loved your father dearly. I still love him. I'll always love him, but I can't let it stop me from doing what needs to be done. As hard as it is to hear, we haven't got the person in charge of the attack. We still have work to bring Ron's killer to justice. We won't stop until we do that."
"I want to help," Rose said.
"You just need to stay here and go to school. Don't worry about it. Let us, adults, deal with this." Hermione said. "You can help by staying close to your cousins and just try and be a kid. I know it's a lot to ask for, but it's what needs to be done."
"I'll do what I can," Rose said. "I'll be strong for everyone, ]and more so for Hugo."
"You have all of us for support." Roxanne said. "We won't let you do this alone. We're all here for you."
"That's right. You got us, and we love you a lot. You'll never be alone," Dominique said.
"O-okay."
XXXXXXXX
"Molly I'm tired. I think we should take a break," Micheal said.
"But, my uncle is dead. Sex makes me feel better," Molly complained.
"I know, but you need to calm down. Sex isn't going to solve your problems," Micheal said.
"What am I supposed to do? My uncle is dead."
"You keep saying that. Saying it won't change anything. Why don't you just let me hold you for a while. It's not sex, but it's nice to just have our bodies touch and be held close." Micheal leand in and kissed Molly. "Everything will be okay."
"Okay. I'll try to just lay here with you," Molly said. "Just make my pain go away."
"I'll do my best,"Micheal said.