It was bad news. Cissy knew it was bad news almost the moment the elegant grey owl landed in front of Lily. She knew it by the way Lily went ashen as she read, the way her breath hitched in her throat, making her throat muscles clench and jump. Most of all though, she knew it by the way Lily got up and left the hall without a word to anyone. That was a breach of courtesy; a breach of courtesy neither of their upbringings would have allowed without an extremely good cause.
She turned her head to Accalia Crouch, "Tell Professor Lunewood I've been taken ill and I'll be late, will you, Lea?"
Confusion sparked in the other girl's eyes, but a quick glance in the direction Lily had gone was all Cissy needed. Lea nodded, "Of course. I'll tell her Lily took you to the Hospital Wing for a Pepper-up Potion."
"Thank you," Cissy nodded gratefully, glad to see that at least one of her circle was fairly quick on the uptake.
Then she rose and hurried out of the hall after Lily. The red-head had disappeared by the time she reached the double doors, but Cissy didn't even have to think about where she might be.
Sure enough, the tapestry of Morgana round the corner from the Transfiguration classroom on the second floor hung slightly askew. With a quick curtsy to the former Princess, Cissy ducked past it, into the dark recess behind.
"Lily?" she murmured softly. "Lily, what is it? What's wrong?"
A momentary hitch as a breath caught in Lily's throat was the only answer she got. She stayed still, waiting for her eyes to become adjusted to the gloom, not wanting to light her wand and blind Lily with the sudden brightness.
Before long, she could see enough to make out Lily's dejected form, huddled against the wall, curled into herself as though she wanted to shut out the world.
Cissy didn't even try to say anything. Kneeling down beside Lily, she pulled her into her arms, letting her head rest against her breasts, rocking her gently back and forth.
At last, Lily pushed a scroll of parchment into her hand, "It's my sister."
Cissy didn't even read the letter. It had black edges, as a quick Lumos Minima, proved. And that combined with Lily's tears, was enough.
She let the parchment slide from her hand to the floor and pulled Lily even closer, shielding her from the world as she let her emotions take control. As she cried for her dead sister.