Constant Vigilance!

I come here as often as I can, this cold place shrouded in silence. I suppose I could come around when it is light outside, but I find the darkness to be a bit more soothing. It hides me from all who may seek me; it hides my most vulnerable side. The one grave sitting near my feet holds the two people that meant the world to me: my wife, Elizabeth and our daughter, Savannah. I sigh deeply. Savannah would have been in her last year at Hogwarts right now and Elizabeth and I would have been so proud. Instead, her life was snatched away before it had a proper chance to begin. Even now, sixteen years later, I kick myself for not being more protective... for not being more observant. They say that hindsight is twenty-twenty, but what good does it do us? Not one bloody good bit if you ask me. So tonight, I stand here, above the grave of my loves and reflect on what happened and what has changed.

It was a nice warm day outside, unusual for that time of the year and I wanted to take Elizabeth and Savannah out for a picnic. Savannah was a year old and just getting the hang of walking unaided. She would be able to have free space to roam while her mother and I kept a close eye on her. We were nearly finished getting ready when I got an urgent Owl that I was needed at the Ministry. I did not give the Owl a second glance, and if I had, I would have noticed that it wasn't an official Ministry Owl. I turned to Elizabeth and kissed her, promising to meet the both of them at the picnic site and I Flooed from our home to the lobby of the Ministry. I reported to the Auror department and was greeted by Kingsley Shacklebolt, a young man of just sixteen. He was doing his summer internship at the Ministry and was doing the trivial paperwork of the Auror office.

"Mr. Moody, sir."

"Kingsley."

He nodded politely and walked away with his stack of papers. I reported to the Head Auror's office and knocked on the door. When no one answered, I knocked again, harder.

"Mr. Delamont is gone for the week, Mr. Moody."

I jumped clear out of my skin and turned around, wand drawn. The shocked face of Kingsley greeted me and I holstered my wand before speaking.

"Shacklebolt, never EVER sneak up on an Auror. You've been here long enough to know that. And what do you mean he's gone for the week? He just sent me an urgent owl."

Kingsley looked confused, and then shook his head slowly.

"No sir. He left last night to take his family camping. He said that with the lack of Dark Arts it was perfect time for a vacation."

The blood ran cold in my veins as I slowly backed away from the youth. If Delamont hadn't sent me that Owl, who had? I nearly knocked the boy over as my limbs regained themselves and I raced from the department. My first inclination was to get back to the house. It was silent and all signs of my wife and child were gone. I swallowed hard as I checked the last room in the house and found it empty. I then Flooed to The Three Broomsticks and asked Rosmerta if she had seen either of them. She smiled and told me that Elizabeth had taken Savannah to the outskirts of the little town, to a little clearing between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. I thanked her and rushed for the spot. The sun was shining brightly. How funny that I remember that. How funny that I remember the bright purple and red flowers that grew in the field. I drew near to the clearing and saw them, Savannah toddling around and Elizabeth smiling down on her. She looked up towards me and her face broke into a huge grin. Suddenly, Savannah fell wordlessly, in a still heap near her mother's feet. Elizabeth opened her mouth to scream, but before the sound came out, she too fell to the earth next to her precious angel. My eyes grew wide and I ran for them both, but I was too late. Now I remember hearing the pops of Disapparating... but at that time, I wanted to get to my family. I gathered Savannah into my arms and ran towards the village, screaming at anyone within range to help me. By the time the other Aurors arrived, I had been given a Dreamless Sleep draught. I don't remember much of those next few weeks, as I was kept mostly sedated. My colleagues told me that they had to pry my daughter from my arms because my grip on her was so strong.

My first coherent thought came perhaps a month after their deaths. Never again would I be caught off guard. Constant Vigilance. That would be my motto. However, the years weren't very kind and I lost part of a leg, then a chunk of my nose, then I lost my eye. With each injury, the promise of constant vigilance seemed to take root. And today, as I stand over this grave, the wind blows around me and I let my guard down for the night. Tears silently trek down my cheek for what I had lost all those years ago. For a life that had not begun, a love lost, and a life that would never be the same again.