Nah, She Didn't

~ Part 86 ~ It's All My Fault ~

Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar

-Lily POV-

At precisely 10:05 pm Christmas night I left the theatre. I, fortunately, had not had an encounter with the perverted employee (remember summer?), and had been able to order my popcorn and Icee in peace. I was still wearing James's shirt and my pajama pants, but, because it was Christmas, the place was practically empty and no one saw me.

The movie had been really good, as well.

So I hopped back into the car, and started the engine. As I sped out of the parking lot, my slippered foot on the gas pedal, I looked out at my dark surroundings, the only light being street lamps, my headlights, and lights on the inside of houses. I'm sure dad and mum would still be awake, awaiting to hear my input on the movie, and waiting for Petunia to return from her date with Vernon (still don't know why she's with him, that man's a pig).

I contentedly pulled into the driveway, not a worry in my mind. I took a deep breath of the night air, and looked up at the sky, a few stars starting to creep their way into view.

I felt my heart stop, though, as I look at my house. My breathing becoming ragged, I stared wide eyed at the space right above the place I grew up in. Where I learned to crawl, talk, walk, ride my bike, read, and all the other milestones in one's childhood. And yet, I felt that whole childhood falling apart as I stared at it, willing it to go away, to disappear.

The Dark Mark.

I quickly did Accio with my mind, as I'd been practicing, and my wand came flying out of an open window and right into my grasp.

I took a deep, steady breath. Well, as steady as a breath can be when you're shaking to the bone.

I held my wand out in front of me, my hand vibrating it was shaking so bad.

I walked up to the front door and pushed it open, finding it to be slightly ajar. My jaw clenched, I walked down the hallway and into the living room.

I felt my whole world crashing down as I caught view of the two rooms ahead. In the living room by the couch I saw... I saw my dad, unconscious on the floor by the couch. And through the door to the kitchen I could just spot my mum in the same state.

I rushed forward to my dad, and fell to the ground beside him.

"Dad," I say gently, as if only waking him up from a nap. Because it is just a nap. It's just a nap.

"Dad," I say again, holding my breath as I feel tears silently streaming down my face. I shake him. "Dad, wake up."

"Dad!" I exclaim, shaking his inanimate body, blinking tears out of my eyes. "Dad, it's-it's time to get up. I have to"-my voice breaks-"I have to tell you how the movie was."

"Dad," I say firmer this time. "DAD! WAKE UP!"

I jump up, sobbing and race over to my mum. "Mum," I say, gasping for air. "Mum, you-you never taught me how to make your Shepherds pie... you never taught me the recipe. You never met James... you... you never..."

"Mum. MUM, PLEASE COME BACK. YOU-YOU CAN'T-" I break down into tears, and slide down on the wall in between the kitchen and living room.

They're gone.

They're both gone.

Mum is gone.

Dad is gone.

I grip my hair and pull; maybe if I focus the pain somewhere else I won't feel so much in my heart.

I won't be able to hug them ever again. I won't be able to say good night. They can't give me one last kiss because...