Re: Al, Severus, Lily / Jamie
Al stared at the letter in shock: pale and wide-eyed. All colour drained from his face and a dozen awkward conversations flooded his mind, followed by memories of his mother banishing peas off her plate, of her hand grabbing Al's arm, of her reactions to Severus. Of her threats toward Severus.
Mum.
For a second he felt all of five years old and about a foot tall, speaking a completely misunderstood language as he tried to explain to his mother the societal contribution of owls and was incapable to make her see his side. His knees failed him and he sat back against the chair he just got up from.
No! Nononono. God. Why? Why her? Why now?
He wished Dad was around but Dad was not.
He buried his face in his hands, squeezed his eyelids shut, and pressed his palms against his temples.
In short, Al was as incapable of spreading the news, as any man rendered mute by pure shock of them. All his effort was directed toward the struggle to take another breath, and to keep breathing.