The Greatest Loss

Carter Kaster

head of international magical law
Messages
505
Blood Status
Mixed Blood
Relationship Status
Widow
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual
Wand
Curly 13 1/2 Inch Sturdy Mahogany Wand with Hippogriff Feather Core
Age
5/2006
The funeral didn’t take long to plan, evidently losing one’s wife was not so uncommon an occurrence as one might think. Carter really needed only explain what had happened and everything had seemingly fallen into place. It was all too easy, too convenient. The room was decked out in Kiera’s favourite flowers, pictures of her with various members of her family were scattered about the room. It was all very beautiful, but almost clinically so. This felt foreign to Carter, sterile despite the colour. Kiera had never been an ordinary person and for her to go the way she did, it just didn’t seem right. She was passion and energy together, a stubborn combination of every irritation trait. But they worked so well together in her. This wasn’t what he had been expecting to do just days after her death. Kingsley and Kamryn sat in little cribs in the corner of the room, Carter couldn’t bare to part with them. As much as it pained him to look at them, remembering how they’d come into the world, he would never blame them. It was not their fault, it was his.

The chairs were spread throughout the room, weaving around the pedestal flowers and tables with Kiera’s face adorning them. It hurt to look, it hurt to be in the room, but he wouldn’t leave until all of this was over. This was Carter final goodbye, a chance for her family to grieve together, knowing she would never laugh with them again, as strange a thought as that was. Carter had a terrible feeling that he would take some time to get used to this. They’d fought so hard to be together again, the consequences of such had been too great. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Kiera’s words came flowing back, but he only ignored it. She would say that, trying to make him feel better, but it wasn’t working. Shaking his head, Carter moved over to the newborns and looked down at them. They were so small and so unaware of the terrible sadness they were about to be surrounded by. Part of him thought it would be better to remove them, but he wanted Kiera’s family to see them, they deserved that much at least.

Carter realised what time it was and moved over to his last photo with Kiera. The Christmas party. He’s almost decided not to place it, but it was his last tangible memory with her, apart from their children. He couldn’t bring himself to leave it behind. He turned as the door swung open, Dalton and Daelin wandered in, talking in hushed whispers. He could only imagine it was about him. Dalton looked up and was about to make his way over, but a look from Daelin kept him still. Carter could only assume she’d read his mind. He didn’t want to be disturbed right now.

 
Rhianne had heard of sad news. Though she may not have a close relationship with Kiera, the former Gryffindor could not just let it pass to pay her respects to a fellow Gryffindor and to her family. Keira and she were both in Gryffindor, though 4 years apart. She knew her to be an active and energetic person. With these in thoughts, she sent word to her staff in the Three Broomsticks that she would come in later or in the evening as she had an important matter to attend to. Stopping by a flower shop, she picked a simple arrangement of white flowers that she could bring to the funeral. She arrived shortly at the place and sadness overcame her once again. Looking at the pictures, Rhianne could see what a beautiful and happy family Kiera had. Photos of Kiera's children beaming at the camera made a tear fell. She knew how hard and painful it was to lose a mother. Rhianne knew this firsthand, She slowly walked forward and looked for Keira's husband or children so that she could personally condole them.
 
Jacob had peeked into the tiny cribs when he walked in and simply stared at the two tiny babies, but now he was seated in a corner, his legs swinging slowly, his gaze on his Uncle Carter as he listened to the quiet murmurs of the crowd. Other family members milled about, but Jacob didn't really feel up to talking to anyone. His parents had sat them all down to explain what had happened, though he was sure Noah knew more. Jacob didn't really get why it had happened. The babies were fine. Why couldn't Aunt Kiera have been too? He didn't think it was fair that she wasn't here anymore. Jemma needed her. Jacob needed her too. Aunt Kiera always listened to him even when his parents didn't and she snuck him extra cookies even when his mom said no. Who would do that for him now?

The eleven year old boy was in a suit and he kept tugging at his tie as if it was too tight, but there was nothing wrong with it. He looked towards the door, hoping he'd see his mom and dad soon. His mom had been crying. Again. It made Jacob sad to see his mom and dad so sad, but he was glad she was at least out of her bedroom and out of the house. As his eyes fell on a picture of all of them at the zoo, Jacob sniffed loudly and rubbed at his eyes, feeling sad again. He had to be strong for his parents though and for Jemma and his cousins. He saw a picture he hadn't seen before and drifted over to it. It was his mom and Kiera but they looked so young! Jacob stared at it for a long moment and watched the teenaged girls whispering in each other's ears and then he put it face down before drifting back to his seat.
 
Cyndi wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief that someone had passed to her some time ago, sometime before she'd been led to a bench which was sometime after she'd entered this space. Time had gone funny since she'd heard the news about Keira. Already, it was days later but the words still felt fresh as if she'd just heard them. Dead. Gone. Departed. Passed On. All of the words felt meager to how Cyndi felt. She'd known Keira since she was 12, shared her deepest secrets, her happiest moments and deepest tragedies with the woman. And now she was left to deal with this soul shattering event, the loss of yet another room four sister. Alone. Someone was talking to her, someone, perhaps the same person, rubbing her back. Cyndi felt deaf and blind to it all, the noise coming and going, knowing that just beyond those doors, her friend in repose.

Remembering her children, Cyndi looked around, happy that someone had led Eleanor and Jacob away from her. She knew they shouldn't have to see her like this, that they all, even Noah and Cameron, needed more than she'd been able to give them these last few days as she'd laid in bed, alternately crying and sleeping. This was the first time she'd been out of the house. Rubbing at her eyes once more, the woman took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, squaring her shoulders as she stood and headed for the room. She turned her head away as she spotted Carter and moved to the other side of the room though she desperately wanted to touch the last pieces of Keira she'd ever have the chance to hold. Their names sadly escaped her, lost with all of the other information she'd been given over the past several days. Shaking her head firmly as someone asked if she wanted to go over there. "No, I said" she stated, even more firmly though her chin quivered, as another person asked. Cyndi moved away from them all, her eyes falling on different items and moving on just as quickly. She couldn't focus on all of the pictures, all of the memories. Not if anyone planned on her making it through this.
 
Jemma's green eyes were bloodshot and burned. Probably from all the crying. A new wave of tears hit her sporadically, just when she thought she had cried them all out. She still didn't understand it. Her mom couldn't just leave them all like that. When Carter had returned from the hospital, alone, Jemma knew something was seriously wrong. His eyes looked red, and there was something...off. He wasn't supposed to be there. Lyra and Link were supposed to take her to the hospital to see the babies and her mom. Anxiety and tension had filled her as he sat them all down to talk to tell them what happened to their mother, but she didn't really understand it. Her mom had been fine. It was just another normal day, and then, it wasn't. Christmas used to be her favorite holiday.

Today had been awful. Lyra had come in and forced Jemma out of her bed and made her get up and get ready. She didn't want to come to the funeral. She had cried and screamed and begged, yet here she was. Being here made it all real. Jemma still expected her mom to walk in through the door. It had to be a mistake. Someone as wonderful, beautiful, selfless, and loving as her mom couldn't just vanish from the earth. How was it fair that she lost both of her parents by the age of eleven? Jemma looked around, seeing Jacob. She breathed a sigh of relief. Jacob was more than just her cousin. He was her best friend. More like a brother than a cousin. Jemma slid into the seat beside him, not saying anything but laying her head on his shoulder. Fresh tears swelling in her eyes again.
 
Sadness loomed over family and friends, and the constant sniffling of running noses accompany it. Tears stream down faces, hearts break in silence. Everyone was either in black, or a color close that went well with grief. He wore a borrowed suit from his father, and some shoes he own from years ago. He hopes he looked right, with his hair gel back and all. He hoped he looked the part to pay his respect. Jake came for a friend, someone he knew from his younger years at school. A friend that had been close to him, dear to his heart. Someone he wished he had made an effort to stay in contact. It would've helped to fit in easier with a room full of some odd strangers, and a handful he knew by name. At the very least he wasn't here alone. Maddiie, his dear sister tagged along.

They knew grief, they both knew grief very well. Jacob, where he stood observed Jemma and her cousin looking way beyond the years, sitting there sad with fresh tears in their eyes. It broke his heart seeing any child to have go through this at such a young age. Jacob nudge his sister, Maddiie who's hands were secured around his arm, misty eyed and all. Losing a mother at any age, they knew firsthand what's that like. He wouldn't wished that sort of pain, not even on his enemies when he was younger. It's sad, it really was. Jacob sighed, looking away. He would've gone up to them, and possibly try to find a way to make them smile again. But not every place was fitting for a joke. Not in place like this, let them grieve. It's the only way to get over it.
 
Tears smeared the bit of eyeliner she wore that day. Catching them with the napkin she held, she dabbed down her skin as not to ruin whatever that's left behind. By the time the funereal will end, it would've been pointless to have bother with in the first place. However, the concealer had done wonders to cover her latest scratches. They were light, almost human light touched her neck. She was a bit more optimistic these days. Life had been a blessing and a curse, though lately she felt everything was getting better for her family and Maddiie. Kiera's death, however, came to a shock to many that knew her. As much as Maddiie wanted to remain in her happy place, she felt in her heart that coming here was the right thing to do. That paying respect showed the humane side of her that still existed. Jake, like the anchor that he was, stayed at her side. He promised that he would remain throughout the service, but they had to do more than just stand around. They had to be part of the mourning and grief period, as it effected all of them.


Jacob nudge her, Maddiie's attention fell over the two young bodies supporting each other. She believed, the boy was Jacob, Cyndi's son. And the girl, well that was Jemma. More tears swelled up from her bottom lid. Like Jacob, she felt their pain. That grief, that sadness, poor Jemma. Maddiie had always though Kiera was one who was born blessed with talent and grace. A very brave woman who stood her grounds and went up against anything. How sad, how awful that she was taken away from this world and her family like this. And she thought of her other children, Kathryn, Cameron and her husband. Everyone that simply adored this woman, such tragedy. Maddiie sobbed, covering her mouth as she did.
 
Nadia had never been expecting to attend a funeral so soon before getting ready for the elections. There was a lot of work to be done, but she'd always liked Keira. Though she didn't really know the woman all that well, she'd been to the family gatherings and had seen how infatuated her cousin had been with the woman. It had saddened Nadia to hear about her passing and she'd vowed to Carter that she would be at the funeral. Dressed in a simple black dress, Nadia had left behind her usual writing equipment and instead decided to downplay her career. This was not about a story, this was a grieving family saying goodbye to a loved one and that was the only important thing.

Nadia had never really had a family to speak of, even after she'd been adopted she'd always been busy with everything else. The only person she'd considered family was Tamalia and she didn't speak to her at all anymore. Still, she supposed family was family and she walked into the room, her face blank as she looked around at everyone there. She recognised a couple of people, Dalton, Carter's best friend and Cyndi, her former professor, but most of these people were unknown to her. She noticed the babies in the corner of the room and went over to them, looking down at them and playing with them for a moment before turning to see her cousin in the corner. Carter and Nadia didn't really talk and she hadn't seen much of him at all in the last year, but they had a comfortable relationship, they were similar people in many ways and so she walked over to him and simply stood in his space. She didn't say anything, but she let him know she was there for him if he needed someone.
 

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