Eclipsed

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow across James’ room. The light filtered through the partially drawn curtains, casting soft patterns on the walls. James and Lily were nestled in their usual study positions: James at his desk, surrounded by stacks of legal texts and parchment, while Lily was sprawled on the bed, her potions textbooks and notes spread around her like a colorful scatter of autumn leaves.

James leaned closer to his desk, his wand carefully tracing the pages of his law textbook, connecting it magically to his headphones, providing a soft, repetitive murmur of legal terminology, allowing him to concentrate amidst the comforting hum of the apartment. Lily’s concentration was evident as she meticulously jotted down formulas and observations, but her gaze occasionally drifted to James, her affection for him evident in her gentle smiles.

The soft flutter of wings interrupted the quiet. James’s head turned toward the sound as an owl landed gracefully on his desk, dropping a letter before it ruffled its feathers and flew away. James’s fingers reached out to retrieve the letter, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Lily, could you please read this to me?” James asked, trying to keep his tone steady. “I’m sorry to bother, I’m just in the middle of these notes and don’t want to lift my wand and lose my place.”

Lily set aside her potions text and took the letter, unfolding it carefully. Her eyes skimmed the elegant script, and she began to read aloud.

“Hello Darling, I hope this letter finds you well- I’m guessing it’s from your mum-  There is no need to worry, but I just wanted to let you know that your father has had a little relapse and had to visit St. Mungo’s- he was there for a few days and had some treatments done, which thankfully he took to pretty well. We’re home now, but if you’re not too busy to stop by and say hello, I know that he would greatly appreciate it. Please let me know if you’ll be able to stop by sometime soont. Love, Mum.”

James listened intently, his brow furrowing slightly. The news about his father stirred a mix of worry and hesitation within him. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his mind racing through the implications of a visit.

“Lily, would you... would you come with me to visit my parents today?” James asked, his voice tentative. “I’d like to see my dad, but... Obviously no pressure for you to come.”

“Don’t be silly!” Lily looked at him with a supportive smile. “Of course, James. You want to go now?”

They quickly cleaned up their things, and with crack, Lily apparated them both to the familiar front yard of the Potter family home. The snow-dusted garden and the warm, inviting glow of the house provided a comforting backdrop as they made their way to the front door.

Effie Potter opened the door with a relieved smile. “James- and oh! You brought Lily! It’s so good to see you both.”

Effie’s embrace was warm and reassuring. She ushered them inside, her gaze lingering with a mix of affection and worry on James’s face. As they entered the cozy kitchen, the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, providing a comforting counterpoint to the underlying tension.

Fleamont Potter was seated quietly in an armchair by the hearth. He looked pale but peaceful, resting with a book open in his lap. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be catching up on much-needed rest. Effie gave Lily an apologetic look before guiding him and Lily to the table.

“Let me set you all up in here- I’ll wake him up in a moment.” 

They settled around the table, the meal laid out with Effie’s usual care. Her efforts to keep things upbeat were evident, but the undercurrent of concern remained as James and Lily talked about school and work while they waited for Effie and Fleamont to come back in.

“James, Lily!” Fleamont’s voice was weaker than usual, as he hobbled into the kitchen, Effie on his elbow. “It’s so good to see you both.”

James hugged his father gently, his touch cautious but affectionate. “Hi, Dad. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Fleamont waved off the concern with a small, tired smile. “Just a small bump in the road. I’m on the mend.”

As they began to eat, Effie turned to James with a hint of curiosity. “How is Sirius doing? We haven’t heard much about him lately.”

James shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his fork pausing mid-air. “He’s... he’s been okay,” he said evasively, but Effie knew her sons.

“Darling, is there something wrong?”

“No… Well, there’s–” James sighed, setting his fork down with a heavy clink. “I’ve been worried about him, actually.”

Fleamont’s expression softened with concern. “What’s been going on?”

“I know he’s gonna be upset that I’ve told you both, but…” James took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I guess there’s no other way to say it. He’s been drinking a lot again… it’s starting to feel like it’s becoming a problem. I’m not sure what to do.”

“Remus hasn’t been well, and Dumbledore’s sent him away again, and that’s just got him all worried, we think,” Lily continued, picking up where James left off. “You know he doesn’t handle feelings very well.” 

Effie nodded thoughtfully, though hearing about it obviously hurt her too. “We’ll figure it out, James, don’t worry. Your dad and I will help you make sure he gets the support he needs.” She grabbed his hand. “You’re not alone in this, love.” 

James smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Mum. It means a lot.”

“Off the top of my head, there’s only one thing I can think of.” Effie took a deep breath, her demeanor calm but resolute. “I think it’s time for an intervention.” 

__

The soft light of the late evening filtered through the curtains of James and Sirius’ apartment, casting long shadows on the walls. James sat on the edge of the couch, Effie beside him. They waited in a tense, heavy silence, the air thick with the anxiety and gravity of what they were waiting to do. James adjusted his position slightly, his hand resting on the armrest, fingers drumming a nervous rhythm. Effie placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her touch calming him, making him sit still. 

The sound of keys jingling at the door broke the silence, then the front door creaked open, followed by unsteady footsteps and the sound of Sirius kicking off his boots in the kitchen. He stumbled into the living room, his eyes bleary and unfocused, and stopped short when he saw Effie and James both sitting there, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion in an instant.

“James? You’re up late,” Sirius slurred, blinking in confusion as his gaze landed on Effie. “Mum? What are you doing here?”

James took a deep breath, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Sirius, we need to talk.”

Sirius frowned. “Talk about what? And why is Mum here? Is it your dad? Did something happen?”

Effie leaned forward from her seat, her eyes filled with a mix of love and concern. “Sirius, we’re here because we love you. We’re worried about your drinking.”

Sirius’ confusion morphed into anger. “You brought Mum into this?” He turned to James, his voice rising. “Fuck you, James! You had no right!”

James flinched but held his ground. “Sirius, we’ve tried talking about this before, but it hasn’t helped. Mum’s here because she cares about you, just like I do.”

Effie’s voice was gentle but firm. “Sirius, this was my idea. I couldn’t stand by and watch you struggle without trying to help.”

Sirius looked between them, his anger wavering. “I don’t need help. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” James interjected, his voice steady despite his nerves. “We’ve seen this before, and it’s getting worse. Your drinking is affecting everything.”

Sirius’ eyes narrowed. “And what do you know about it, James? You’re just—”

“I’m your brother,” James cut in, his tone sharp. “And I’ve seen how much you’ve been drinking lately. It’s tearing you apart.”

Effie stood up, and took a step closer to where Sirius was frozen in the doorway, her gaze unwavering. “Sirius, I’ve known you since you were eleven. I’ve seen you grow into the incredible man you are today. But I can see the pain you’re in, love; I know you don’t want to do this anymore. Please, let me– let us help you.”

Sirius’ anger seemed to waver, his shoulders slumping slightly. “What’s there to talk about? I’m just having a few drinks. It’s not a big deal.”

James shook his head, his grip tightening on the armrest. “It is a big deal. Think about everything that’s happened because of your drinking. Remember the incident with Snape during our fifth year? You could have gotten him killed.”

Sirius flinched, the memory of that night flashing in his eyes. “That was a long time ago. I’ve changed since then.”

“And what about the recent fight with Remus? You were so mad and drunk you didn’t even realize how sick he was,” James pressed. “If he knew you’ve been drinking like this, it would break his heart. You know it, so don’t play it so cold, Sirius.”

Sirius’ bravado crumbled, his shoulders sagging as the weight of his denial lifted. He sank onto the floor, his head in his hands. “I’m just... overwhelmed,” he confessed, his voice breaking. “I miss Remus so much. And the attacks... my job... it’s all just too much. I’m… alone.”

Effie groaned as her knees protested, but lowered herself down and sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “You’re not alone, Sirius. We’re here for you. We always will be.”

James too got up, and arm outstretched, moved closer, his voice soft as Effie found his hand and pulled him closer. “We love you, Sirius. We want to help you get better and get through this. You don’t have to face it all by yourself.”

Tears streamed down Sirius’ face as he looked up at them, his defenses finally shattered. “I can’t do this,” he whispered. “It all feels too much.”

Effie hugged him tightly, her voice full of maternal warmth. “It’s okay to feel too much, darling. We’re here to help you figure it out.”

James joined the hug, putting Sirius between the two Potters. “We’ll be here every step of the way. You’re not alone, Sirius. You never have been.”

_______

The atmosphere at Broomhaven was one of routine and camaraderie, with students bustling between classes and professors moving about their duties. The early March air was brisk and the sun was shining, for once, and Lily felt excited about the progress she was making with her potions mastery- after this year, she’d be in a field placement at St. Mungos, and then after that, she’d be certified to work with potions in any capacity, and with the grades she was getting, Lily would certainly have her pick of jobs. 

Lily entered her potions lab with a determined stride, her mind focused on the day’s work, but as she approached her workstation, the cheerful greeting she had prepared was replaced by a jarring sight.

Her workstation was defaced in a most disturbing manner. The entire surface was covered with crude slurs and hateful propaganda. Words like “Mudblood” and “Filth” were scrawled across her workbench, interspersed with offensive symbols and Pureblood slogans. Lily’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding as she took in the extent of the vandalism.Her ingredients, meticulously organized, had been thrown on the ground, their jars cracked and crushed, and the potion she’d been working on had clearly been tampered with. Most heartbreakingly, though, her notes and journals that she’d left in her desk seemed to be gone. 

She stood frozen for a moment, the shock rendering her motionless. The room seemed to spin as she processed the enormity of what had happened. Her hands clenched into fists, but she took a deep breath and willed herself to remain calm.

She started cleaning up the mess, her movements methodical and deliberate, as if she could erase the hatred by sheer force of will. Her professor, Professor Adler, a kind and sharp-eyed woman, entered the lab and immediately took in the scene. Her face paled as she saw the defacement, her eyes darting to Lily, who was alternating between pointing her wand at the mess and scrubbing at the offensive words with grim determination.

“Merlin’s beard, Miss Evans!” Professor Adler exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and concern. “What on earth happened here?”

“It’s nothing, Professor,” Lily replied, her voice eerily steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll clean it up.”

“No, no,” Professor Adler said firmly. “This is unacceptable. Take the rest of the day off. I’ll handle the cleanup. I want you to go home, get some rest. We’ll deal with this properly.”

Lily nodded, her resolve barely wavering. She gathered her things, her movements slow and deliberate. As she made her way to the door, she overheard a group of Pureblood students nearby.

“Did you see what happened to Evans?” one of them giggled.

“Yeah, she got what she deserved,” another sneered. “Maybe that mudblood trash will think twice about coming back to school.”

Lily’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. She walked briskly out of the lab, her head held high despite the sting of their words. The corridors of Broomhaven seemed to close in on her as she made her way to the exit, the weight of the day’s events pressing heavily on her shoulders.

When Lily arrived back at the apartment she shared with Marlene and Mary, the familiar comfort of home was a welcome relief. The cozy living room, with its warm tones and clutter of personal items, provided a stark contrast to the cold, harsh reality she had just faced.

Marlene and Mary were in the kitchen, chatting and laughing over a cup of tea. Their conversation stopped abruptly as Lily entered, her expression a mix of exhaustion and resolve.

“Lily, what’s wrong?” Mary asked, her eyes wide with concern as she saw the distress on Lily’s face.

Lily took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she recounted the day’s events. “Someone vandalized my workstation at Broomhaven. It’s all covered in slurs and Pureblood propaganda, everything I’d been working on has been destroyed, and my notes and journals just… gone. Professor Adler told me to go home for the day, and so here I am.” 

Marlene’s face darkened with anger. “That’s awful, Lily. I’m so sorry. People are such...”

Mary placed a comforting hand on Lily’s shoulder. “You don’t deserve this. It’s not your fault.”

Lily shook her head, trying to push away the feelings of helplessness. “I know. I just—I don’t want to let it get to me.”

Marlene walked over and hugged Lily tightly. “We’re here for you. Don’t let them win. You’re stronger than this, and we’ll get through it together.”

Mary nodded in agreement. “Exactly. We’ll support you through this. Don’t let their hate define who you are.”

____

Lily recounted the event later that to James, who told Dorcas the following day, and so the following morning, Lily stepped outside her apartment, ready to head into school, and there Dorcas was, her braids loose, wooden beads on the ends clinking in the cold breeze. She held two to-go cups, one in each hand.

“I heard you had a rough Tuesday?” Dorcas smiled, holding out one of the small, blue cups, the steam coming out of the tiny hole in the lid and warming Lily’s face as she took it. “Are you alright?”

Lily forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Morning, Dorcas. I’m doing... Well, I’ve been better. But I’m determined to push through.”

Dorcas fell into step beside Lily as they began their walk to Broomhaven. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened. People are actually the worst. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve had my own share of trouble, too. It’s not quite the same situation, but I've been… Well, let’s just say that our classmates can be so narrow-minded.”

Lily’s eyes widened slightly. “Really? I hadn’t heard. What happened?”

Dorcas sighed. “I’m surprised James hasn’t mentioned it- they’ve been on him too, for other things, obviously- but it’s mostly been subtle—snide comments, exclusion from study groups, that sort of thing. It still stings though. It’s like you’re constantly having to prove yourself, even when you shouldn’t have to.”

“No, he hasn’t said anything….” Lily shrugged, telling herself to bring it up with him later. “But I know what you mean. It’s exhausting.”

There was a brief pause as they walked, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps on the pavement creating a comforting backdrop to their conversation. The trees lining the street swayed gently in the morning breeze, their leaves rustling softly.

Dorcas glanced at Lily, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You know, maybe there’s something– Would you ever think about starting some kind of student group or union for Muggleborn students and allies? We could do it together- something to give us a voice, or a way to stand up for ourselves, if not just a space to commiserate?”

Lily’s eyes lit up. “That sounds interesting, honestly. But... do you think it’s safe? I feel like we might draw more attention to ourselves, and that could lead to more hostility, which obviously I know that I could handle but I know other people might not want to deal with that.”

Dorcas’s face was set. “It’s true, we’d be putting ourselves in the spotlight. But sometimes, facing that risk is necessary to make a change. If we can create a support system and raise awareness, I know we can make things a bit better for everyone.”

Lily considered this, her mind racing with the possibilities. “Right. We can provide a safe space and advocate for ourselves, it could make a real difference. We just need to be careful about how we approach it.”

Dorcas smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “Exactly. Lets start small, maybe with a few friends and allies, and build from there..”

The two girls walked in silence for a few moments, each lost in thought. The idea of creating a union seemed both daunting and exhilarating, a beacon of hope in the midst of their struggles.

As they reached the school, Lily turned to Dorcas with a grateful smile. “Thanks for that, Dorcas. It means a lot to me.”

Dorcas returned the smile, her expression one of solidarity. “Of course. We’re in this together, right?”

The school loomed ahead, its familiar facade a reminder of the challenges that awaited them. But with Dorcas by her side and the possibility of creating something meaningful, Lily felt a renewed sense of determination. They would face the difficulties together, and perhaps, in doing so, they wouldn’t seem so difficult after all.