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February 1978
The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Thea flooed back to the school.
"Welcome back, Ms. Potter! Your parents are in good health, I hope?" Professor Dumbledore asked cheerily as she exited.
She turned and looked at him with blood-shot eyes.
When she couldn't find James, she started to run.
She ran and ran and ran until she reached the Great Hall.
There he was.
The moment before he knew.
It was a beautiful moment, really.
Lily was laughing at something he had said and he had his arm around her. Sirius was practically off the bench. Remus was trying to hide his smile behind his book. Peter had his face on the table.
She considered not telling him.
Letting him live that moment.
She turned to leave, but Remus spotted her.
"Thea!" he called.
Thea turned around and closed her eyes and opened them again.
She carefully walked over. James met her halfway.
"James, can I talk to you for a moment," she whispered.
He already knew.
"When?" he asked.
"an hour ago," she whispered.
Tears started to roll down his face as he stared at Thea.
He turned away and then back to face her again.
"You said you were going to take care of them," he yelled.
She stared at him silently.
"Did you not care about them?" he yelled again, his voice cracking.
"Of course-" Thea whispered.
"Then why didn't you save them. You said- you said-," he demanded as he became more and more hysterical.
Thea stayed silent and shook her head, her eyes wide.
Lily ran over and hugged James. She led him back to the table, sending a glance over at Thea.
Thea stood alone in front of the Great Hall.
She turned on her heel and head towards her common room.
Magic erupted around her.
hello!
If I see any James hate here, I'll come for you.
Everyone processes initial grief in different ways. Thea internalized it. James got angry and confused. Everyone processes differently.
