The Epilogue : Part I - The Shadow Army

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The Avowal

    There were many noises around, some confused and inaudible whispers. James's whole body was still sore but fell kind of nicely warm. Slowly coming back to his senses, he understood he was lying in a perfectly comfortable bed that wasn't his. Few minutes later, his eyes rolled under his lids.

    "Cassy..."

    As soon as his eyes opened, he saw his mother standing by his side.

    "Hello you... how are you?" asked Ginny, with a loving smile while stroking his head.

    "Oh, I'm ok... I'm in St Mango, right?"

    "Yes dear, and everything is going to be fine," Ginny promised, a bit too kindly not to be suspicious.

    "What's wrong mom?"

    "Nothing...you need to rest dear, you've been through a lot... I'll come to visit you, we'll talk later."

    Ginny kissed him on the forehead before leaving.

    "Mom. How is Cassiopeia?"

    Instantly, Ginny froze on her way out. Her face tensed and, for few seconds, she seemed to be thinking about what the right thing to do was. Behind her, James understood that something had happened.

    "Mom... how is she? How is Cassiopeia?"

    He stared at his mother's back, hoping that she would end up telling him a good news, but the more time passed, the more he understood there were no good news to tell.

    "Tell me what happened mom! Answer me!"

    Ginny finally moved and James saw her whipping out her wand. He suddenly felt abnormally drowsy and tired. Before his eyes closed, James glimpsed her turning around and coming back to him.

    "...not now... you need to rest for now, we'll talk about it later, I promise. Let's talk... let's talk about it later..."

    James felt his overthinking mind working slower and slower, he also felt all his questions and worries drifting away and, before falling asleep, and felt the caring touch of her lips on his forehead.

    He felt like he slept for years when James lazily opened his eyes again, few days later. He was very surprised to notice that all his family was present.

    "How are you, son?" Harry asked.

    "How is Cassy? Where is she? I want to see her." answered James at once.

    A tensed atmosphere instantly laid upon the whole room and James could read compassion on his family members' faces and, at that very moment, he wondered if he really wanted to have answers to his questions.

    "Hm... listen James," started Harry after searching for his wife's approval that she, unwillingly, ended up giving. "You know James, Cassiopeia... always had... a fragile health let's say, and... she also had always been, as you've seen, extremely powerful... too powerful."

    Harry marked a pause, as though the following words would be difficult for everyone.

    "As you probably know, Cassiopeia always had strict instructions and limitations about using magic, about using her wand as this... extremely powerful and unstable inner force she bears, can be very dangerous for herself and for others, and... few days ago now, she used her magic more than she should have and lost control. Her own magic somehow attacked her... and deeply damaged her..."

    "Do - do you mean that she... that she is..." James asked.

    "...dead?"

    "Yes."