Always light the candles

Chapter 29

We arrive at the cemetery, and with every step, the weight of my sister's absence feels more tangible. The sight of her grave, with her name etched on the headstone, sends a jolt of pain through my heart.

I stand in front of her grave, staring down at the simple inscription. I feel a mix of regret, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of loss.

I kneel down in front of the grave, reaching out to touch the headstone gently, as if I could somehow touch my sister's spirit.

"Hey doppelganger." I say softly as I always used to, my voice cracking as my eyes were filled with tears once again. I remember going here often, just sitting here in silence but somehow I blocked those memories for fantasies of actually being with her.

My father kneels down next to me, his hand on my back, offering a gentle, supportive presence. He lights a candle, placing it at the base of the headstone.

"Always light the candles, Albus," he says as if an addition to his speech earlier and I smile softly. The flickering flame of the candle dances in the wind, casting a gentle light over my sister's grave.

I reach out and touch the cool headstone, tracing my fingers over my sister's name. The reality of her absence sinks in, and I can't help but feel a wave of guilt and sorrow.

I can't hold my words back any longer, the memory of my sister at the Yule Ball bubbling to the surface. "Dad," I start, my voice tinged with surprise, "I saw my sister at the Yule Ball."

My father looks at me, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise. "At the Yule Ball?" he repeats, clearly taken aback. "What do you mean, Albus? How did you see her?"

I struggle to find the words to explain what I saw. "She was there, on the dance floor," I say, trying to put the memory into words. "She was wearing a dress, and she was dancing. She looked so happy, Dad."

I say my fathers eyes fill with tears.

"Was it all real or was it just happening inside my head?" I ask as tears fall down my cheeks.

To that Harry chuckles, "You really are my son, huh? You know I once asked the same exact question." he says with a smile, "What did you get as an answer?" I ask curious, "Of course it is happening inside your head Albus." he says and pauses and my expression saddens even more, "Why should that mean that it's not real?" he adds and winks at me which makes me lighten up a bit.

***

We sit there for a good while. When it's time to leave I ask Dad to give me a second alone with Lily to which he understandingly nods. When he is out of sight I talk to Lily. I tell her all about Yule ball, about the boring classes, about the interesting classes, about Julie, Alexander, Ellie, Nathaniel, Jude and Scorpius.

I talk until words fail me, and then I break down into tears, the weight of my grief and love for her overwhelming me.

"And hey, if you're listening," I finally whisper, my voice cracking with emotion, "I love you more."

As I kneel there, tears streaming down my face, a small gasp escapes me. I blink, thinking that maybe I'm hallucinating, but there she is - my sister's ghost, materializing before my eyes.

My sister's ghostly form floats before me, her translucent frame hovering just above the ground. She laughs softly, a familiar sound that sends a shiver down my spine.

"That's not possible, Albus," she says, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

I sit in disbelief, my heart racing. I can still see her, solid and translucent at the same time. Her smile, her laugh, it's all so real. Despite knowing it's not possible, my mind refuses to accept the supernatural sight before me.