Together by the Lake ((Gram Tonovan))

[rosewood]

It was the morning after the tragedy. Breakfast had been awful; nobody was talking very much, and like Julie most people looked like they had not slept very well. Even at the Slytherin table their were many downcast faces, unlike the time when Brian Sullivan had been killed and some of the Slytherins had been gloating.

Julie breakfasted quickly; she did not feel like eating vey much. "I have to get out for a few minutes," she thought. "Maybe if I get some air I'll feel a little better."
Julie's emotions varied from a deep sadness as she thought of the dead students to a red hot anger and hatred when she thought of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. It all went back to Voldemort.... she sometimes wondered how it must feel to be Harry, and have met him so many times. No wonder he was a Gryffindor.

Julie walked out of the Great Hall and on to the grounds. She could see the Aurors Dumbledore had said would be all over the school. Julie had a favourite spot near to the lake. There was a tree she had spent many happy times reading or hanging out with some friends near to. When she came to the tree she did not sit down. She had a lot of pent up energy she needed to get rid of and she walked right up to the lake and gazed at the clear sky a breeze blowing her hair, deep in thought. It was a minute before she realized she was not alone.

"Oh!" said Julie startled. "I'm sorry I didn't expect anybody to be here right now," she said looking up at a boy who was a head taller then her. "Hi I'm Julie," she said quickly. Pushing her hair out of her eyes she said "I know you, you're Gram Tonovan, I've seen you in class." She talked rather quickly and her face was laittle flushed; she had not expected someone to be there and felt like he had just walked in when her emotions were on public display. She attempted a smile and had no idea what was the result.

[gram]

Gram layed in his bed. A few people from his dorm were down in the Great Hall, but him and two others didnt move. Gram didnt sleep much the night before. Cassie was running threw his mind among all the other students who have died. Rolling his head to the right he had a straight view out the window. Usually the greens were filled with students running around and talking. But only a few ventured outside.

Gram knew Cassie, specifically, all too well and he was in Hogsmeade at the time of her attack. But In the book store he was in, they locked the door, and wouldnt let him leave. Sitting up in his bed, his yellow and black covers wrinkled under him. He looked over toward his wand that was sitting on his buror across the room. Gram could have stopped it, or at least tried.

Running his hand through his short hair, he attempted to mess it up. But he was unsucessful since his black hair was so short. Creeping out of bed he began to dress. 'I need a walk.' he thought quite litteraly as his feet replied in motion.

After being fully clothed, the thought if he should stop at the Hall. 'Not in the least bit hungery.' he replied to his thoughts as he grabbed his wand and stuffed it in his pocket as he left the dorm. Reaching the Common Room he made his way toward the porthole. Tightening his tie he began to walk to the main hall.

Reaching the vast marbled floor he glanced in the Glumly nonspoken Great Hall. Usually voices echoed through out the castle when it was a time to eat, but today it was different. Reaching to tall front doors, which were previously opened, he walked through them. He wanted to go to a space by the lake he knew of, Some people usualy are there but he doubted at this time anyone would be. Walking across the lawns and down a hill he came to the valley where the lake lyed. A few sparce trees were placed around the lake, as far as he eye could see, as Gram picked one that was closest to him. Walking up to it, he walked around to the front, where it faced the lake. To his supprise there was a Ravenclaw already seated there. "Oh Sorry, didnt mean to disturb you." he said as he turned and began to walk away. She spoke up as he turned back toward her and listened. "Julie? Oh yes, we have quite a few classes together. Im... Gr.." he started to say as she said his name. "Yes." he said with a polite nod to her. Gram decided to stay. From the looks of it, Julie needed a good conversation just like he did. Sitting down on the grass he placed his arms over his bent knees and played with a blade of grass as he looked out onto the placid top of the lake.

A picture of Cassie still flickered in his mind. She was like a little sister to him, and quickly lost. Gram didnt mean to strike any nerves but he turned his head slightly toward Julie, on his left, and said. "Its been quite a night in the Hufflepuff Dormatories. Just as Bad as every other house, Im guessing." he said as he frowned a bit. He knew how he felt and he didnt know how to hide it. The view from his position, the lake was amazing. It was a bit after dawn and a slight mist was rising from the lake. 'Great view, Unlike the feeling everyone feels right now.' he thought as a sigh excaped him.

[rosewood]

Gram sat down on the grass and started playing absent-mindedly with a blade of grass. He was staring ahead of him at the lake and nether Julie nor Gram said anything for a minute. She was thinking about sitting down beside him when Gram said something about the Hufflepuff dormitories. Julie looked down at Gram, and she could see the deep sadness in his eyes. Her heart went out to him. He must have known one of the victims really well. She had known all the victims of course but none of them had been close friends, and only one Ravenclaw had been killed. Dropping down beside him she said quietly "Nobody was talking much but this moning it was quite obvious not much of us slept very well."

She looked at the lake, and indeed it was as sight for sore eyes. For the first time Julie looked at Gram's face. She could see the dark circles under his eyes and then she heard a sigh escape his lips. "He looks like he's had a rougher time than most of us," she thought. Moving closer to Gram she asked carefully "Was one of your friends killed?"

[gram]

Gram nodded as Julie adden on to Gram earlier comment. Slowly the blade of grass in his hands fell to the ground below. Clasping his hands together, he watched the top of the lake. Julie Spoke out to him. Still looking at the lake he said, "Yea,..... Cassie Harper." he said in a monotone. He could think of her but it was hard for him to speak her name. With a quick look down he turned his head over to Julie. "You know her?" he asked bluntly. Talking about her to someone else just made it a bit better. Gram shifted his weight and turned his whole body to Julie so he could see her without turning his head.

A few seconds past as Gram added more on. "Did you loose anyone that was close to you?" he asked. He wasnt sure about her. Her look seemed quite stunded about the whole deal, but that was the look that was seen on everyones faces.

[rosewood]

"No I didn't... not anyone that was that close," Julie said looking at him. His voice was devoid of emotion but she could tell he was depressed. She felt sympathy for Gram so she moved a bit closer to him and answered his first question. Cassie Harper. Julie had known her though they were not friends. Cassie had been a lively, fun-loving girl who talked a lot and brought happiness everywhere she went. Poor Gram... She gently placed one hand on his shoulder as she said "Yeah I did... they say she was attacked in Hogsmeade. Did you two go a long way back?" she asked quietly. She wondered if he felt OK talking with her about Cassie and waited anxiously to see what he would say.

[gram]

Gram listened as Julie went on. "Yea..." he said softly as she asked if he knew her awhile back. "Well, ever since she came to Hogwarts ive known her. In the Common Room excetera.." he said as he tryed not to drag it out. As soon as Julie brought up Hogsmeade, Gram turned his head and looked right at her. He started, "I was there... In hogsmeade." with a sigh he relaxed as he went on. "I was in a store right across from her. We were going to meet up when we got our things. But they locked me in the store and said no one was allowed to leave." Gram said in a forcefully worried tone, as he relived the evening. "The shop owner said there was an attack going on, no one was allowed in... or out." Gram put his hand in the grass as picked up a rock. Throwing it across the lake with all his might it skidded over the surface. Turning back to Julie he said, "I could have stopped it if they let me out.... Well I would have tryed!" he said as he looked at Julie. His expression was angry and sadness all mixed together. Cassie was like family to him, and its hard losing Family.

[rosewood]

"Four years... his voice sounds terrible," thought Julie. "And I was feeling sad... I can't imagine what he's going through now." At the mention of Hogsmeade, Gram looked even more upset, but another emotion showed on his face. Anger. Wondering why Julie listened and then she was shocked to discover he was with Cassie at the time. Gram threw a rock into the lake and then said he would have tried to help her. Upon hearing this Julie got up from his side and sat down before him. She took his hands in hers and said "Gram... I know you think you could have helped her... but You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters would never have given you the chance," she said, looking into his eyes. She was feeling very sorry for him and tried to keep her voice steady as she said "Its good she had such a good friend with her just before she died." She paused for a minute at a loss what to do or say next, but didn't let go of his hands.

[gram]

Julie went in front of Gram as she tryed to calm him down and talk some sence into him. Quickly to reply "I know they wouldnt of gave me a chance, But it would have been better than of sitting back and doing nothing." he said as he shead his hard outer layer and gave Julie a sympathetic look. Still holding on to Juliet's hands he shook his head and looked down. After a few seconds he looked up back at Julie. He was cool, calm, and composed, as he spoke. "All I want to know is, Why they went after her? Her family is a clean slate. She never did anything against You-Know-Who. So.. why?" Looking into Julie's eyes he blinked as he quickly said. "You dont have to answer that. I bet no one can." Looking at Julie a small grin appeared on his face.

After awhile he let go of her hands as he stood up. Putting his hands at his sides walked toward the end of the lake. Looking off into the forest, he took a breath as he spoke out. "One day a sole person would die, as another is born. One would cry, while one rejoices. One day a person will end a friendship, as another is bloomed. But the last day all will die and the reason would all point to fate."

[rosewood]

Julie didn't say anything for a few seconds. She got up and walked to the shore and stood by Gram but did not look at him. She crossed her arms across her chest and gazed in front of her. "Why?" she said. "Why does You-Know-Who do what he does to anyone? Do you really think it is a matter of whether they tried to harm him or not?" she said, her voice full of hatred. "So many of his victims have done nothing to hurt him; he even kills his followers and those who were faithful to him, don't you remember what happened to Professor Quirrell in our second year?" she asked. "Don't be surprised that the Death Eaters act the same way," she added.

Gram then started talking about time and fate. Julie who had now long forgotten her own sadness in the face of Gram's terrible grief now turned to him and said "That's why there's hope Gram. That's why wizards and witches are still trying and risking their lives- it's because they still believe that tomorrow might be the day we conquer You-Know-Who and his followers. Maybe one day we'll help them, and be sure that if we do, that is the way you could really help Cassie."

[gram]

Gram finished his verse from a book he had in his dorm as Julie started. Listening to her, he didnt have an answer. Slipping his hands in his pockets he stood next to Julie and listened to her while his eyes floated throught the forest. A small smile shown on Gram's face. He began thinking, She has all the answers. This was the first time the two were talking and it seemed like she had all the answers. Looking at the shore line the sand hand many imprints in it. From himself and Julie. Turning back to Julie he looked down to her and said, "Your right...absolutly right." he smiled and took a breath of relaxation. Turning around Gram nudged Julie's shoulder as he sat back down in the grass. Looking up to her and said, "You know, You helped alot." quicking up his words he said. "I dont mean to be a 'softy' or anything but its true." he begain to nodd his head as he went on. "When I came here I noticed a feeling of tention. Almost like you were feeling the same way as me. Is there something wrong? Or is it the attacks that got you down?" he wondered as he waited for an answer.

[rosewood]

Julie sat down again after Gram nudged her. "I'm glad to hear that," said Julie, smiling. "You've helped to." It had been a long time since she had a long conversation with someone, let alone someone she didn't know all that well. "Tension?" she repeated. "Well yeah the attacks of course," she said. For a minute she looked embarassed then looked up at Gram. "You came at a moment when I was so caught up in my own feelings I felt like you had invaded my privacy," she admitted. "But I'm glad you came. I feel much better myself." Julie smiled again, and in that moment she stopped thinking about Voldemort and the deaths, and thought about her new friend instead, glad to see some of his grief was no longer in his eyes.