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Día de los Muertos
Day of the dead.
When your loved ones can visit you from beyond.
It was always James’ favorite holiday, from when he was little he enjoyed setting up the ofrenda with his mother. Placing photos of his abuelos and of his old dog, who passed when James was still very small. James loved listening to his mother tell stories about their life while she baked the pan de muerto.
James always watched in pride as his father placed the marigolds and straightened out the photos. It was a very special day to him. But this year was different.
This year he found too many faces on the ofrenda staring back at him. His parents. Regulus. Marlene. Dorcas. James wasn’t sure just how many more friends he could add before his heart shattered beyond repair. How many more would this war take? James’ hand shook as he clutched his fist, before taking a deep breath and letting it go. He wouldn’t think about that now. Día de lot Muertos was a day of celebration. The last thing he wanted was to be sad when his parents came to visit. When Regulus came to visit. James looked at his photo, it was an old one, from around 6th year. Regulus was smiling, grinning ear to ear as he looked at something off camera. James felt himself smile too. Lily was upstairs with Harry, changing
him out of the silly little pumpkin costume Sirius had gifted him. James sat back from the ofrenda, making sure it was perfect. When satisfied he brought himself to the couch, leaning back in it as he closed his eyes. After a moment, or maybe it was longer. He felt Lily’s hand on his shoulder, he looked up as she sat beside him, taking one of his hands, she squeezed it lightly. “The altar looks beautiful. Your parents would be proud,” she tells him. James looks at her, a genuine smile on his face. “Thank you,” he whispers. “What time is it?” He asks after a moment, Lily checks the watch on her wrist “Ten minutes to Midnight,” she says, leaning her head against his shoulder.
James hums, running a hand up and down her arm. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. Harry is asleep, Halloween is coming to an end.
Two minutes till midnight, a knock is sounded on the door. James furrows his eyebrows. Pete never dropped by this late, not without writing first. Though James would never turn him away for anything, pulling himself up from the couch he made his way to the door, an unsettling feeling creeping in his gut. Lily watched him from the couch, her face stiff. She must have felt it too.
The handle felt heavy as James turned it. And no later that he did he turn to Lily, “Get Harry and go!” He pushed the door back closed, “It’s him! Go! I’ll hold him off!” Lily's face fell, bolting up the stairs to the nursery. James reached for his wand only to find it still on the couch. His eyes widened as genuine fear consumed him. Was this the end? How did Voldemort find them- Peter.
James’ heart ached. Why? The door blew open, James flew backwards, his body slamming against the wall, he got up quickly, blocking the way to the stairs with his body as the hooded figure walked in. He had to buy Lily just enough time to get out- James' eyes widened as the green light filled the room.
Dead. He was dead. He would have been offended it was that easy to kill him, had his last thoughts not been his son and wife.
He was pulled to darkness. Endless silence in peace. He doesn’t know how long he was there, nothing felt real. When his eyes finally opened a familiar face stared down at him. “James.” He greeted, a sad smile across his face. James sat up quickly, but he didn’t, his body stayed behind. “Regulus,” he whispered. Regulus said nothing, glancing up the stairs. James followed his gaze, eyes widening. “Harry- is he?” James choked out. Regulus' eyes softened. “He survived. Lily on the other hand…” he stopped. James was sure his heart would have dropped if he still had one. “Where is she?” He demanded, Regulus looked at him sadly.
“Gone.” James blinked. “What do you mean gone? You mean she's dead?” James pushed, Regulus shook his head softly. “We’re all dead James. Lily is gone.” Jamss stared at him in horror, Regulus sighed before continuing. “She sacrificed her soul to make sure Harry survived. Temporary that is. She will stay with him till he’s ready.” Regulus explained, it was complicated magic. Something far stronger than anything taught at Hogwarts. James blinked. “So I’ll see her again?” He asked,
“Yes, we will see her again.” Regulus comforted him, offering out his hand. “Until then you are stuck with me, Potter.” James, despite everything, chucked. Taking his hand. “So… what happens now?” James asks, standing in the middle of the room, just as two hands fell on his shoulders, he turned around, his parents smiling back at him. Behind them Marlene and Dorcas. “Now we go home.” Euphemia told her son.