Subdued Vigil
I took Sirius's advice and went to Ted's place two days ago. I don't know what got into me, but I felt so helpless beforehand, and it took Sirius to point out to me what I knew I needed to do deep down-- just be with him.
Ted was really down, which is understandable. Since I was there, though, I didn't need to know the *right* thing to say; I just had to listen, which I did. We sat together in each other's arms and sometimes talked and sometimes just sat in the quiet. There were some tears shed by both of us.
I can't imagine how alone he must feel right now. He's got his siblings, but he's got to help all of them through this, since he's the oldest, which only makes it harder. He's got me, but I don't flatter myself to believe I've come anywhere near the presence of his parents in his life just yet. I know I want to reject my family all the time, but even if we separated I would at least know they're still out there, alive and relatively happy. And Ted's always been so close to his parents; it's almost not even comparable.
I'll probably be heading out there again sometime soon to check up on him, and help out around his old house with the siblings. They've got an aunt moving in to help, but I think Ted might go and help her, move back in until things get settled. It might put a damper on his career, but he's always been more about the people he cares about. (I think that's probably one of the reasons I love him).
Things feel sort of dead after the rather quiet tragedy of last week. Still life goes on; people love, study, chat . . . everything. Even so, it feels rather subdued, like there's something stifling in the air. Hopefully something can be done to liven up everyone's spirits, whether we're down over the state of the world today, or just exams.
Dear Headmaster,
I was discussing with my cousin Sirius the other day how the students seem to be lacking energy. It's exam time, and there have been a few tragedies this year, some quite recently, however hushed up in the Prophet. I think it would be good for the students to have a little bit of fun to lighten the mood. We came up with the idea for a carnival. It wouldn't be too hard to pull off; the weather's getting nice, and we could do it in the simple "Muggle" style with rides and games and prizes and food. I'm sure some students could help organize it. What do you think?
-Andromeda Black