Wren couldn’t help but wonder what it was that her people had done that was so bad to justify such hatred from them. She couldn’t bare to think about the lengths that they would go to, after all the destruction that was currently around them was a good enough indication. “I know. I know that you’d try and do your best any way.” She couldn’t help but think over his words, she knew that he meant what he was saying but in order for those words to stay true it would also mean that she’d never be allowed to leave his side and that wasn’t fair to either of them. Seeing his face made her feel slightly guilty for stepping away from him but she knew it was for the best. “You can’t always be here though. You won’t always be there to protect me, it wouldn’t be fair to ask that of you. It wouldn’t be fair to everyone else either. There are other’s that need your help. Maybe that’s why we’re not allowed to know about magic? We cant worry about what we don’t know or expect to constantly have someone with us?” She was trying to reason more with herself than she was him. As if by saying it out loud would make it all easier. This time when he stepped closer and took her hand, she didn’t pull away. “I don’t want you to get hurt or for you to get in trouble. Not because of me.” It was that thought alone that made her realise that the right decision had to be to have her memories taken away. “You, you have to make me forget.” Her words came out sounding more like a whisper.

Danny listened to the blonde speak and found his eyes softening under her every word. He sighed heavily and broke the connection between their gaze and slowly nodded, agreeing with her words. “But.. I can try- I can look after you. I can protect you..” He tried to protest but was immediately shut down by her next statement. His heart fell to the pit of his stomach and he broke the contact between their hands, his gaze falling to the ground beneath him, willing it to swallow him. “No.. Wren. It doesn’t- It doesn’t have to be that way.” He spoke quickly. Danny really wasn’t all that confident in his memory charm capabilities and he really didn’t want to risk it with Wren. For all he knew he could end up taking every single one of her memories. He took a step back, running a hand back through his hair. “There has to be another way - I don’t.. I don’t want you to forget about this.” His gaze flickered back to her face. “About me..” His voice was almost a whisper as he connected his gaze with hers. 

“Bad to happen to me? What do you mean, what could happen to me?” She questioned chewing her lip as fear began to fill her. She took a step back from him needing to clear her head and not feel so overwhelmed. She avoided his gaze as she didn’t think she’d be able to say what she had to say if she met his gaze. “Danny–” she paused and began to nervously bite her thumb nail. 

Danny sighed softly as the blonde spoke, his brows tugging together as he broke the contact between their gaze. A hand slowly moved back through his hair, pushing it away from his face as he tried to form a stable sentence. “The people attacking us.. They.. They don’t take well to- to your kind. To non-magic folk..” He quickly shook his head then moved his gaze back to meet hers, eyes softening as it did. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.. You know that, right?” Danny asked her, taking a cautious step closer. Yet as she took a step away, he quickly snapped his gaze to the ground, knowing he had overstepped. “I’m sorry..” He spoke softly, shaking his head. As his name left Wren’s lips, his dark eyes moved to peer back toward her. “Hey... What is it?” He asked gently as he once again took a step closer. He took her hand in his and delicately tugged it away from her face so he could see her properly.

Hearing the younger wizard’s sobs as he held onto him tightly, James shook his head. It was natural for him to blame himself, James was doing the same – he should never have let her go out there, even if he had made sure she was escorted. Especially after everything that had happened. They hadn’t had much time together before she was pulled away from him again. But, it was not Danny’s fault, and James certainly didn’t blame him for it. “No, Danny, you did all you could. You’re the reason Harry is here.” The words were genuine, but they were also laced with a sadness that accompanied his every word and thought since the passing of his wife. He wouldn’t have wished that kind of death on anyone. Lily certainly hadn’t deserved it, but to suggest someone else was more worthy of it was ludicrous, and he didn’t want to hear it from his friend, either. After asking the question, James waited, a determined look on his face. He wanted to hear every single thing Danny had to tell him about his wife’s murderer. He was waiting in anticipation and then he began talking. The picture of the individual began to form in his mind, or at least his envisioning of the man. However, the mention that Lily had known her attacker caused the image that had been forming to dissipate into nothing and James’ eyes simply widened. Waiting for a name, anything. But, when it finally came, James had wished he hadn’t heard it. He shook his head, feeling the stinging sensation in the back of his eyes again. “No,” he said, still shaking his head. “No. You heard wrong.” The description was now so clear – the picture in his head was no longer a nameless face, but the face of one of his best friend so easily painted with Danny’s words. His hands came up to the back of his head, trying to comprehend what he had just been. “It can’t – no.” He turned around as the tears began to fall from his eyes again. His chest felt heavy, torn apart – there was barely anything left in there to break and yet somehow the pain that was already residing in his chest increased. While his head was refusing to believe it, it had seemed other parts of his body had already made their decision. “He wouldn’t – he’s – he’s dead.” The last word came out slower, quieter. Was it easier to believe that his friend had died rather than turned on Lily? On him? Peter was his friend. Their friend. He couldn’t have done this. He wouldn’t. They had tried to find him. If he was alive, they would have found him. Peter couldn’t have done this.

Listening to the other male speak, Danny quickly shook his head before pulling back from the embrace, tear stained eyes looking into those of the other. “But she should be here too.” He spoke, his voice weakened by the sobs that previously left his being. The young male couldn’t help but blame himself - he was there, he had seen her attacker draw his wand and he hadn’t thought to draw his own to protect her, he hadn’t thought. Danny brought both of his hands to his eyes and rubbed them roughly in an attempt to stop the tears from flowing, though it didn’t work. “James I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry.” The words came more as whimpers as he once again fell back into the embrace of the other male. Though as soon as the name of Lily’s attacker had left his lips, he took a step back so he could peer toward the other male. Seeing the expression that laced James’ face, he figured that it was not only Lily who knew the attacker. “James I-” He tried to speak but instead chose to remain silent for a moment, allowing the male to process the information. Once he had finished speaking, Danny slowly shook his head and took a few steps closer, placing his hand down gently on his friend’s shoulder. “She called him Peter..” The young male confirmed, brows knitting together in sadness.

“Well you look awful.” Lucy stated bluntly as she stood over her friend. Even though her words sounded a little harsh, her tone of voice was concerned as she stared at him in worry. Without waiting for an invite, she pulled out a chair and took a seat in front of him as she placed down a new cup of coffee for him and one for herself. “Drink.” She demanded, wanting to be sure that he had at least ate and drank something.

Danny hadn’t even noticed the presence of his friend until she sat before him and a fresh cup of coffee was placed on the table in front of him. The young male didn’t respond, instead he carried on staring into the cold cup of coffee that was held between his hands. “I can’t.” He spoke simply after a few moments of forcing the words from his mouth.

Remus was walking past the cafe when he spotted the male in the window, turning around he headed inside to take a seat opposite the young wizard. He was unsure what to say, witnessing Lily’s death had clearly taken its toll on him. Remus, himself, was struggling so he could only imagine how Danny felt. He may not have been as close to the redhead as he was but he was still friends with and he’d been the one to witness the tragic events unfold. The gryffindor cleared his throat awkwardly not really knowing what words should follow. “How are you holding out?” It was a stupid question. “I, erm, I wanted to thank you… for getting her to the hospital, for being there to help.” 

Blinking with a blank stare on his face, Danny then shifted his gaze to settle on the face of the other male whom he knew to be a close friend of Lily’s and also James’ - another figure whom he admired. The question that left the male’s lips caused Danny to look back down at the mug, eyes darkening as he once again settled back into his silent stare. Though as Remus began to speak again, the young former Gryffindor peered back toward the other, a sad smile crossing his lips. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save her..” Danny’s voice was coarse, his throat raw from the sobs that he had spilled every day since.

Wren wrapped her arms around his waist tightly as she buried her face in his chest, wanting to hide away from the world and forget what was going on around them. His words helped ease some of the fear, glad that he wasn’t going to go along with what the other male had said, but that left a horrible feeling of guilt and dread at what that would mean for the young wizard. “So what happens now? Will you be in trouble or–” She questioned as she mumbled into his shirt. “Could this put you in danger?” Though her questions were pretty much answered when she saw his face as they parted from their embrace. She bit her lip to hold back the jumble of words and feelings that were building up inside of her, instead choosing to take his hand and trust in his judgement and what he was saying. 

Danny couldn’t stop a smile from spreading over his face as the petite blonde returned his embrace, the feeling of her arms around his waist ignited a certain warmth in him. As she questioned him, a gentle sigh passed the young man’s lips and he closed his eyes for a moment before shaking his head and peering back down at her. “I don’t know, I will likely get into trouble but.. It won’t be me in danger, Wren. If they found out that I didn’t do it, that I didn’t take your memories-” Danny shook his head once again then lowered his gaze to the ground, he didn’t want to think of the possibilities. “-I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” He spoke truthfully with his brows furrowing as he once again moved to connect his gaze with hers, fingertips fumbling gently against hers. 

“I’m pretty sure I’ve proved that I’m a wimp, I mean, you found me cowering in a corner.” The blonde pointed out feeling slightly embarrassed about it. She chewed her lip smiling as she felt the male squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, I don’t mind, they’re safer inside anyway.” Wren gave the male a small smile to reassure him she wasn’t upset about it. She tried not to frown as the male dropped her hand. Stepping forward she shook her head vigorously, trying to catch the male’s gaze. “Please don’t do that. I don’t want to forget. Please Danny. I promise I won’t tell anyone. Don’t take my memories.” She begged desperately.

As soon as Wren stepped closer to him, Danny allowed his gaze to move up to capture hers and saw the desperation behind her eyes. Quickly, he shook his head and stepped closer, encasing her in his arms he hugged her tightly. “Hey, it’s okay - I didn’t want to do it anyway. I wouldn’t want you to forget any of this.. Maybe just the bad parts - But I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do I promise.” He told her, his voice holding true. The young man’s hand gently rubbed up and down the blonde’s back for a moment before he stepped back, offering her a gentle smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He knew that there would be something he had to do in order to make sure that no one else was to find out that the young muggle knew about everything that had happened that night. But, the more he thought about it the more he realised the only solution would be to take away her memories, but Danny had never cast a memory charm before, he didn’t know whether he would be able to do it, or if he could make a mess of it and he really didn’t want to take that risk - especially with Wren. “Come on..” He held his hand out for hers once again. “Lets get you out of here.” Danny smiled, wiggling his fingers.

James tried to steady his breathing but it was proving increasingly difficult. With every moment that passed, another fragment of himself seemed to part from him to join his wife. Still, every fibre that was left ached for her – hurt for her. The pain was hardly bearable. All he could do to stay sane was think of his little boy. His gaze moved to Danny’s clothes, stained with his wife’s blood and was once again greeted with the image of his wife laid across that bed, covered in blood and not breathing. It was enough to quicken his breathing again. The feeling of Danny’s hand on his shoulder pulled him out of the trance and once again he met the young man’s gaze. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he finally replied with a nod. “They saved him.” He said, the words coming out as a whisper. “He’s okay.” For now. “Thank you.” He pulled the young man in for a hug. He was aware that the experience must have been horrific for him, also. He had been there and seen everything, had witnessed his wife dying right before his eyes. He had been there. His breathing stopped for a moment and he pulled away from the hug, his gaze on the floor as he thought. When he moved his gaze to meet his friend’s again, there was a hint of anger that accompanied the pain. “Danny. I need you to tell me who did this.” 

Danny noticed the older male’s gaze fall to his clothes and suddenly felt as though he maybe should have cleaned himself up a little first before following, but he hadn’t thought of that at the time.. He just needed to be here, not only for James but for Lily.. After the ordeal they had been through together he had wanted to get back, to see how she was doing.. Yet he had been greeted with terrible news that was likely the result of him not being quick enough to get her to the hospital, or not thinking to protect her from her male attacker. As he was pulled into a hug, Danny finally allowed the tears to spill down his face, he couldn’t shake the image of the redhead from his mind, the weakness in her voice, her drooping eyelids that she struggled to keep open and her blood, the blood that now coated his own shirt that spilled from each and every one of the cuts that ladened her torso.  “I’m so sorry James.. I should have - I could have - It should have been me..” He choked out a sob as he clutched tightly onto the other male, his eyes shutting tightly. Sniffling, he allowed James to pull back from the embrace and quickly moved his gaze to settle on his. As the question flitted through the air toward him, the young man took a step back and inhaled deeply, hand running back through his hair. “He was tall, had really defined features and dirty blonde hair - he was quite skinny. And.. He knew her, they knew each other. He called her by her name.” Danny spoke quickly, trying to think of the name Lily had called him. “Peter.. His name was Peter.” The young man spoke, not knowing that what he had just told the other male would likely set off another round of heartbreak for James Potter.

“I mean, I always liked to think that I was somewhat a strong person when I needed to be but…” She paused chewing her lip as she considered everything he was going through. “I don’t think I could go through everything you are. It’s crazy and– I mean it’s terrifying. Yet you’re just carrying on like it’s nothing.” She stared at him in awe before looking down at their entwined hands with a small smile. She couldn’t lie to herself, there was something about him that made her feel at ease and like she was safe. “I doubt they’ve even noticed I’m missing though.” She tried not to sound sad at the prospect and instead gave a shrug of her shoulders. Wren looked up alarmed at the sound of the other person’s voice, her eyes widening in surprise as her stomach filled with nerves not knowing what team he was on. When he started lecturing Danny, she couldn’t help but feel guilty knowing that she was the reason he was getting in trouble, she gave his hand a  small squeeze in attempt at offering some kind of comfort. “Danny, what does he mean? Do what you have to do? What does that mean.?” She whispered as the scared feeling that she had earlier, returned. She didn’t like the way the Guard looked at her or the sound of his words. “Danny?”

Danny listened to the blonde speak and couldn’t help but smile at her words, he hadn’t really thought about it that way - he had never thought about himself as being brave or fearless either. Though knowing that Wren saw him that way was enough to make himself begin to. “So far you’ve proved yourself to be pretty damn strong so you’re good for now.” He smiled before giving her hand a quick squeeze as he watched her gaze fall to look at the point of contact. “Hey, don’t say that. They’re probably out looking for you right now.” Danny spoke, hoping to reassure the girl. The young Gryffindor exhaled deeply as the head of the guard sprinted away, his words weighing on the young wizard’s mind. As Wren began to question him, he moved his hand away from hers then ran his back through his hair before looking over at the girl, sadness laced through his features. “It-” He stopped then shook his head. “Protocol states that whenever a muggle finds out about us we must cast a memory charm on them, making them forget everything they saw in regards to the wizarding world.” Danny spoke, his voice cracking multiple times throughout the statement. “I don’t want- I can’t do that.. I don’t want you to forget about this.. About me.” The young male shook his head as a gentle sigh passed his lips. 

semi-closed starter | only close connections reply (i mean it)

It was the first time he had left Harry since sitting beside him. He had been waiting outside the room. “She’s gone.” He said, as he spotted them. It was the first time he had said those words and they made him feel so empty. “She’s gone.” He repeated, quieter this time and the tears he had been managing to hold back for some time, as he waited for his friend to arrive finally broke through once again. When he was finally able to think, he had managed to send a message out via his patronus asking them to come to the hospital. He couldn’t leave. Not with his son here. But, just staying in the same building he knew his wife was lying dead within was enough to make him go crazy. His hand, still stained with his wife’s blood, brushed through his hair.  “And I can’t – I don’t know how…who…” He could barely get his words out – he didn’t really know what he was trying to say. “And Harry – he…” As if they knew who Harry was.

As soon as James had apparated away to the hospital, Danny had followed - though he had chosen to give the male some privacy when they got there. He didn’t know just how long he had been waiting for some news on the auburn haired female, though he was growing more and more anxious by the second. She had been in quite the state when he left her and honestly.. He had prepared himself for the worst. But Merlin, he hoped they were able to save at least one of them, Lily or the baby. All he could remember was the words of the young woman, begging him to make sure the healers saved the baby. Danny heard the door to the room click open and immediately got to his feet as he saw James approaching. That’s when the words left his lips, the words the young man had been expecting, yet they stung nonetheless. His stomach churned as he dropped his gaze to his blood stained clothes. “James.. I’m so sorry.” He sighed softly, brows knitting together as he peered back over at the male. As he mentioned another name, his frown deepened for a moment. “Harry? The baby? Is he.. Is he okay?” The young man asked as he took a step forward to place a gentle hand on his friend’s shoulder.