If This Ain't Love 《C. Weasley》

19~ THE LAST ENEMY

Brooke was seated next to James and Lily's gravestone after successfully having survived in the world of teaching for 2 months at Hogwarts. She waved her wand across the tombstone, as a few more words engraved themselves on it- "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

"I wish you lot were here today," Brooke said as she conjured a flower wreath and placed it on the grave.

Saying so, Brooke wiped away a few tears and turned to look at the mess of red hair, as he placed his palm on her shoulder comfortingly. 

TW: Self Harm

31st of October, 1993. Thirteen years of existence in a life devoid of James Potter dawned upon the blonde as her exposed forearms, with freshly created cuts, involuntarily caressed the gravestone.

"They're watching over you. And they're ruddy proud of how far you've come," Bill said as Brooke looked back at the grave and nodded. 

"Come on, let's get you back to school before the dementor's shift," Bill stated as Brooke got up.

Brooke hated how she felt when the dementors were near. She felt as if the world had grown completely devoid of happiness and joy as sorrow dawned on her. 

Moreover, Brooke had been having episodes of the night Voldemort killed James and Lily, which played in her subconscious on a loop. And not just that, Brooke had also been having flashbacks of her parents on their deathbeds, as dragon pox slowly consumed the two of them. And at times, the words of shame uttered by Antoine Norton wrung through her ears, as she felt disgusted by herself.

Brooke had begun to feel like she was losing it. How can she not? Charlie Weasley, the only thing keeping her sane, had stopped writing to her, as a result of their breakup. Harry Potter, the only family she was left with constantly had danger lurking in on him, and all her efforts to keep him safe and give him the life that James and Lily wanted was failing.

As Brooke stepped out of Godric's Hollow, Bill offered his hand to her as she accepted it and they apparated. However, unlike the other times she had apparated, this time felt different. Brooke felt as if she had been shrunk to the size of a pill and had grown back again as soon as her feet touched the cobblestone of Hogsmeade.

And unlike all the times Brooke had apparated smoothly, she fell to the ground, heaving as Bill ran up to her and held her hair back. 

Brooke continued throwing up for ten minutes as Bill rubbed her back and helped her empty the contents of her last meal.

"I'm sorry you had to see this," Brooke said as Bill pointed his wand at her and muttered 'aguamenti' under his breath, and Brooke washed her face.

"I'm more concerned about you, Bree. McGonagall told me you haven't been eating properly, are always working, and rarely leave your office, hospital wing, room, and classroom. Why do you think I came rushing back?" Bill yelled as Brooke put the stray strands of her hair away and lowered her gaze.

"I thought you could use a brother's support right now," Bill said as he comfortingly held her hands in his.

Brooke said nothing, and neither did Bill. He just stepped forward, his teeth like dagger earring dangling frantically as he hugged her tightly. Brooke didn't know she needed that comfort until she was engulfed in it.

She couldn't bring herself to hug him back. Instead, a tear left her eye. Then another, followed by two more. And before Brooke knew it, she had started crying profusely, breaking down in Bill's arms.

"I hear their cries, Bill. L-l-loud and clear," Brooke cried, struggling to catch her breath.

"Day and night, before I sleep and as soon as I wake up, and throughout the day," Brooke slipped up, as Bill comfortingly rubbed her back.

Saying that Brooke was miserable, was an understatement. But beyond all the misery, a question lay hidden in Brooke's subconscious, that had started popping up more frequently than usual.

"How did I survive, Bill?" Brooke cried as Bill gave her a look.

"That night. When brother James and Lily were killed," Brooke asked.

Bill stayed silent, not knowing what to say, since even he had been thinking about it since the day Brooke showed up at the Burrow as well.

"And the other day, when I... turned," Brooke said in a deadly whisper. "I had alcohol running through my system. Why weren't there any side effects?" Brooke stated, wiping her tears away.

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that question," Bill said, "But Dumbledore might know something".

Brooke said nothing. She knew that Dumbledore had kept secrets from her all her life. And not just secrets. Dumbledore had also lied to her repeatedly and asserted his power over her and Harry.

Brooke vividly remembered the day Dumbledore left Harry with the Dursleys.  

Dumbledore had no jurisdiction over her and her nephew since none of them were his students back then. But he was also right about Lily's blood magic, which was essential to keep Harry healthy.

Neither was Dumbledore supposed to have a say in having Brooke stay with Remus, but he also knew that she wasn't ready to deal with Remus' monthly transformations, at least back when she was entirely human. 

But then again, instead of letting Brooke stay with her nephew, Brooke was left with the Weasleys who bought her up in an environment that was opposite to that of the Dursleys. She still blamed Dumbledore for her missing out on Harry's first footsteps, his first day of school, and the other crucial parts of his childhood. 

But she also knew that Dumbledore would be the only person who was most likely to have an answer to that.

"Let's get you back to Hogwarts. You can speak to Dumbledore post-dinner," Bill said as he helped Brooke up.