Experimental post for quidditch_stag [September 1977 - Seventh Year]

[jaffacakes_mine]

[The video opens out onto the Great Hall in Hogwarts castle. The four houses tables along with the teachers’ table are clearly visible

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[flower_of_lions]

[Jogging to catch up with him... bad news so soon into the school year, it compels her to place a gentle hand on his shoulder when she finally does.]

Po-- James, what's happened?

[quidditch_stag]

[He doesn't even noticed her hand on his shoulder as he shrugs, not to get rid of the hand but because he hasn't read the letter yet. Part of him doesn't want to.

He continues out of the Entrance Hall and over to the lake.]

[flower_of_lions]

[She lets her hand slide off, but she follows him outside.]

[quidditch_stag]

[As he walked over to the lake, he realised he was being followed so didn't head towards the Willow. Instead, he sat down on the edge, the water lapping at his feet.]

[flower_of_lions]

[She stood behind him quietly for a few minutes before taking a seat next to him.]

[quidditch_stag]

[James hadn't even looked at the letter yet. It was grasped tightly in one hand while the lake water soaked his shoes. He hardly noticed Lily sit next to him as he seemed to be in his own little world.]

[flower_of_lions]

[She put her hand back on his shoulder, the one closest to her. Taking note of his inattention, her feet were kept a few inches from the water.] Your feet are getting wet....

[quidditch_stag]

[He nodded but didn't answer. Soaked shoes seemed of little importance compared to the contents of the letter in his hand.]

[flower_of_lions]

[She really wasn't sure what to say at this point. She couldn't say she was overly eager to see the contents of the letter, but letting it just remain unopened felt like ignoring a Howler....]

[quidditch_stag]

[James looked at her for the first time. There was fear as well as sadness in his eyes. But most of all, there was uncertainty. He was scared of what lay inside the letter and he wasn't sure if he wanted to read it or not.]

[flower_of_lions]

No matter what is inside that letter, just remember we're here for you. That's what friends are for, aren't they?

[quidditch_stag]

[James nodded. Thankful he wasn't alone. Taking a shaky breath, he opened the letter and read.

Dear Mr Potter,

We regret to inform you that at 11:36pm on the night of 19th November 1977, two Death Eaters were seen in the vicinity of your home at Godric's Hollow. Unfortunately, your parents did not survive the attack.

We are sorry for your loss and hope you will contact us in due course for funeral arrangement.

-Ministry of Magic]

[flower_of_lions]

[She had been leaning over his shoulder, reading along. A look of absolute horror crossed her face. The hand on his shoulder was shaking slightly as she moved it around his back in a one-armed hug.]

[quidditch_stag]

[He fell sideways, mostly in shock. He hadn't just lost one parent, but two. Both. It was all so raw and too much to bare. He didn't know what else to do, so he started to cry.]

[flower_of_lions]

[Somewhere through the shock of what she read, it hit her that James was crying. A wave of... it wasn't quite pity, perhaps compassion was a better term for it, swept over her as she wrapped her other arm around him, and held him tight.]