AU story. HBP didn't happen.

Human nature dictates that we trust and believe at face value. Time allows us to discover truth among faith and friendship as we learn about skeletons.

I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters. I own Brooke and her circle of friends. Also, I don't want to be sued or anything, so I'm changing the names of certain peoples, but their history and backgrounds might be too recognizable to many.

I DON'T OWN (except for Brooke) NOR KNOW ANYONE!

Chapter 1: Time and Friends - Can't shoot them, can't live without them

"Rise and shine, sunshine!" chirped a cheery voice.

' Oh dear God, where's a shotgun when you need one' thought a girl as she groaned and rolled over only to pull the covers over her head.

"Hey now," continued the annoying chirp as she pulled at blankets.

"What on God's green Earth could you possibly want at the butt crack of dawn!" croaked the covered figure.

"Bella… it's nine in the morning," replied the voice.

"WHAT!" yelped the figure as she threw off the covers and sprang to her feet, only to stumble, "whoa, head rush."

"You ok there?" asked the voice.

"Brooke! Why did you let me sleep this late!" wailed Bella. At the edge of the bed, Brooke merely shook her head and smirked.

"Well, I felt sorry for you because you went to sleep so late last night. I figured I'd let you sleep in, if only for a little while."

"Gee, thanks. Now, I'm going to be late. You know how I like punctuality."

"Ok. I'm sorry. Would you like for me to jump into my time machine and go back in time to wake you up at your usual time? Of course I'd have to figure out how to and actually build a time machine, although I don't think that people wouldn't appreciate me around power tools as much as you. So, I'll get right on that. And in all the time that we've wasted talking about wake up calls, you could have been ready by now," quipped Brooke.

"I believe that was sarcasm, but my mind is not completely here at the moment, so let me get back to you about that," replied Bella.

"You do that."

"Shut up."

"Oh yeah, like that's going stop me."

"Hey, one could try."

"They'd be unsuccessful."

"Obviously."

Bella sighed and rolled her eyes. She then proceeded to get out of bed and head into her shower. As she walked into her spacious, marble luxury bathroom she called out, "What's on the schedule for today?" Brooke, anticipating this question, opened her trusty planner. It was black leather with a coat of arms emblazed on the cover, embossed with her initials, BD, which stood for Brooke Dashall.

"Let's see, you have a meeting with the prime minister scheduled for 10:30 am which should run until about noon. Then, a budget meeting with financial advisers at 1:00 pm, an appearance at the hospital for the new wing dedication at 2:30 pm, that should take about an hour. Then, you're off to a photo shoot at 4 pm for your annual portrait, back for a meeting with the counsel for the fundraiser at 6 until 9, then you're on the plane to Milan for the fitting tomorrow," replied Brooke as she heard the shower turn on."

"Joy," gurgled Bella as she stood under the steaming spray, washing away remnants of sleep, "Let's do just bagels and cream cheese for lunch ok? It's only a little while to lunch anyways and I'm not too hungry right now," called Bella out to the bedroom where Brooke was still sitting.

'Again,' thought Brooke. "Sure," she responded.

A few minutes later, Bella walked out wrapped in a fuzzy bathrobe and sat down at her vanity dresser. Brooke moved to dry and style Bella's hair.

"Up or down today?" asked Brooke.

"Um… down."

"Aright." Brooke worked in silence for a few moments before she asked, "You ok? Are you completely awake yet?"

Bella just shook her head. 'That's Brooke for you,' she thought to herself. "I'm fine Brooke, just a little tired. I didn't get much sleep last night," she replied, "I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"Things in general, or particular? Particularly, someone?" she inquired.

"No," defended Bella.

"Yeah. Right."

"I've known you since our mothers' wombs. I'm your best friend. Don't think I don't know when you're avoiding the question."

Bella sighed. She could never get anything by Brooke. "I'm just worried," she said.

"Bella, listen to me. There is not a whole lot you can do for him. He has to come to you on your own time. You can't force people to talk."

"Really? Is that so?"

"Well, I said YOU can't force people to talk. I didn't say anything about myself, now did I?"

"True."

"Just give it some time."

"You're right. I need to focus on getting these things done so I can shift my attention elsewhere."

"You know, you're going to have to tell them at one point or another."

Bella caught Brooke's eyes in the mirror.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there," she said quietly. Brooke raised an eyebrow, "But-"

"Carry on," said Bella with a note of finality. Brooke sighed. "As you wish, your royal highness. Suddenly, there was a knocking sound and Brooke went to the door, but didn't see anyone. Bella on the other hand, gazed through her mirror towards one of her massive windows where an owl stood gracefully.