Prologue
Prelude:
1996
First thing first, my godfather is gone. I know that to be absolutely real. I tried closing my eyes and blocking my ears, pretending I don't know anything but my godfather isn't coming back.
I stand there, still and silent in the face of this harsh reality. On the outside, I seem like a calm, collected young woman.
In truth, I am not calm and collected at all. The very idea of death seems unfamiliar to me; I can't make the connection between it and my godfather.
I feel detached, as if watching a badly performed play - as if nothing has happened at all, as if any moment he might just appear, mumble “Right then,” and make his usual cup of tea. I would have felt perfectly normal to me, but it doesn't happen.
Instead, the man remains gone.
First things first, my godfather is gone.
Reality gradually begins to take root in my heart.
I finally manage to squeeze out a few words.
“This is messed up, Sirius.”
But there is no reply.
