WHO: Al Potter & Roxy Weasley
WHAT: Al is worried about his cousin.
WHERE: Roxy's cottage
WHEN: April 2 - after school
RATING: PG
Most of Al's anger dissipated once the memorial passed. He didn't like what happened, of course, but it wasn't the first time a war ravaged the village. Death Eaters were just a different brand of monsters. His lack of anger didn't mean he didn't grieve the fallen. He did. He needed that memorial to say his goodbyes. However, sadly, saying goodbye only got easier the more he needed to say it. Jamie's death left Al heart-broken only a few months ago, but he learned a thing or two about grieving after that. Channeling it into his art and writing helped him. It was no substitution for those he loved, but he realized if he was stuck in the village, he couldn't fall apart every time something terrible happened. He did that already. It was time to grow up and learn how to cope. It was a bittersweet feeling, like some part of himself was dying too, but he was starting to accept he could only go forward, not backward.
He knew he couldn't push Roxy into accepting what took him so long to process, but that didn't mean he was just going to let Roxy wallow forever either. She was a big support to him. They were close in age and good friends. Even at home, they would become roommates one day. He owed it to her
and the Uncle George and Aunt Angelina he knew at home. He owed it to Freddie. He wanted to take care of her, but he also just wanted her to be happy. She had been in the village for a long time, just like he had been, so it was unlikely either was leaving any time soon. They needed to learn to live, even if it meant getting used to being on their own.
He knew what it was like to get parents sucked up in the village's vacuum. He knew what it was like to watch people he loved died. Maybe, just maybe, he could help Roxy because of those experiences. It is why he armed himself with cupcakes (for throwing
or eating), extra blankets, his puffskein, and his dog. He was just going to plant himself there. He plopped outside her bedroom window and called, "You know, it might be spring, but it is still cold out here! Especially come nightfall."