We were all silent as we followed her to the large, white building. A goblin greeted us with a small bow and a good morning.

Gringotts was like any other Muggle bank, with countertops for making withdrawals. But instead of lights, beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling. They shined as if sunlight or starlight reflected off of them.

Instead of bankers behind the counters, there were goblins, working hard, stamping and filing paperwork.

"Good morning," greeted Mrs. Weasley.

The goblin at the counter looked up at Mrs. Weasley and scowled.

"Good morning."

"We're here to open vault number 575," said Mr. Weasley, showing the goblin identification.

"And vault 687," said Harry also showing the goblin his ID.

"Griphook!"

Doors opened and a Goblin motioned for Harry and the Weasleys to follow him.

"We'll be back in a minute," said Harry.

"I'll be here," I grinned.

Harry grinned back before following the goblin and the Weasleys.

There wasn't much to do to entertain myself while I waited, so I did the only thing I could and wandered around.

As I stood under a chandelier watching the sunlight turn to starlight, the sound of doors opening caught my attention.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this, Amos."

It was Mr. and Mrs. Diggory.

Not wanting them to see me, I moved into the shadows.

"I know, love," said Mr. Diggory. "But, we need to get this done."

"But, why today, Amos?" asked Mrs. Diggory. I noticed her voice trembled. "Today has been hard enough already."

Mr. Diggory cleared his throat and I listened intently.

"I know," he said holding his wife tightly. "Burying a child is never easy for a parent."

"No," I whispered as my stomach turned into painful knots. I wanted to shout out, beg the Diggorys to tell me that I was just hearing things, that they didn't really bury Cedric.

"Excuse me, can I help you?"

The sound of the goblin's voice caught my attention.

"Yes, Amos and Abigail Diggory here to see Mr. Dragonshell."

"Mr. Dragonshell is in a meeting," explained the goblin. "Follow me to his office."

"Thank you," said Mr. Diggory as his wife sniffled.

I flattened myself against the wall, holding my breath as they passed my hiding place. I longed to see them, but I knew if I did, they would question me about Ciara. I knew I would end up telling them my theory, but I didn't want to hurt Mrs. Diggory any further.

Once I heard the distance sound of a door closing, I stepped out of my hiding place and found a place to sit and wait for Harry and the Weasleys to return.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked.

"Hmm?" I didn't notice that they had returned, my thoughts were elsewhere. "Yes, I'm all right."

"Then why are your eyes red?" he asked, handing me a handkerchief,

At his words, I realized my eyes felt swollen and burned.

"It's nothing," I mumbled. "Nothing important."

Harry stared at me like he didn't believe me. "If you say so."

I got to my feet and wiped my eyes.

"Now that we have our gold, it's time to buy your school supplies," said Mrs. Weasley as we stood outside the bank.

"I already have what I need," I told her. "My parents and I bought it not long after the break started."

Everyone stared me in surprise.

"How did you manage that?" Ron asked, impressed.

"I'm not sure," I said. "The letter came early for some reason."

"Well, all right, dear," said Mrs. Weasley. She motioned me forward, which I obeyed. "Here," she said, taking my hand and placing several gold, silver and bronze coins into my palm. "Have fun."

"I can't -"

"Have fun," she said again.

I smiled in thanks.

"We will meet you at Flourish and Blotts in say, an hour and a half."

"See you later, then," said Ron as he followed his family and Harry down the stone path.

I still didn't feel very comfortable wandering Diagon Alley with the Weasleys' money in my pocket instead of my own. I knew it would make Mrs. Weasley happy, but it didn't feel right. I decided to just do window-shopping.

I continued down the path and soon turned a corner. The sound of what seemed to be carnival music came from somewhere unseen.

I soon stopped next to a shop that caught my attention. Looking through the window sent emotional pain through me.

It was a children's store, full of many baby things and toys for children.

Should I go in? I thought as I chewed on my index finger.

After thinking about it for a while, I decided I could go in to just see what they have, but I wouldn't buy anything.

A jingling bell announced my arrival, causing several people near the door and a woman behind the counter to look my way but no one said anything.

I passed many aisles until at last, I came to the baby aisle, shelved with many items needed for newborns and toddlers. Even though the aisle strongly reminded me of Ciara, I stepped in.

I glanced over the many toys, picking up the building blocks, then a black bear, holding it to me tightly.

But, it was the clothes that I was more interested in. Still holding the small, black bear in the crook of my arm, I approached the rack of clothes. Bonnets were lying neatly on top of the rack. I looked through them first.

Many of the bonnets I looked through were beautiful and cute in many colors and designs but none caught my interest. Then I picked up another bonnet.

It was made of black lace with designs of flowers, stars and…maybe it was my eyes playing with emotions but could also see the letter C in between the flowers and stars.

I smiled sadly, biting my lower lip. I shook my head, making my decision and putting it with the bear.

Then I went on to look at the clothes.

They were the same as the bonnets, many beautiful designs.

I soon pulled out a creeper. The size seemed to match Ciara's. It was canary-yellow with golden snitches, their silver wings fluttering.

"Looking for something?"

I looked over to my shoulder, finding the woman from behind the counter standing a foot away from me.

"Maybe," I mumbled.

"Something for your baby sister?" the woman asked.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah."

"Well, you made some fine choices. They're adorable!" the woman smiled. "I especially like the bear."

I glanced at the bear, smiled at it and then returned my attention to the woman.

"Follow me, I'll check out your items."

"Thank you," I said following her to the counter.

The woman asked me to place my items on the counter, which I did. She smiled at the bear before placing it in a bag along with the bonnet and the creeper. She then told me the price for them. I bit my lip, pulling the money Mrs. Weasley gave me from my pocket and laid it on the counter. She took it, leaving several sickels and a knut. I returned them to my pocket.

"Here you are."

"Thank you," I said, taking the bag and heading for the door.

"Have a nice day!"

I sighed deeply as I continued down the path.

"Hermione? Hermione!"

I turned around finding both Cho and Luna running towards me, each carrying their new school books.

"What are you doing here?" Cho asked with a smile. She then noticed my shopping bag. "That doesn't look like school books."

I laughed softly. "I already have my school books."

"Lucky," said Luna. "So, what's in your bag?"

"Just stuff," I said.

"So, where are Harry and Ron?" Cho asked.

"Shopping for school supplies."

Cho and Luna shared a laugh.

"I bet they're having a lot of fun with Mrs. Weasley," said Luna.

I laughed. "Loads."

We all laughed but it died down all too quickly.

"So, how have you been?" Cho asked.

"I've better days," I admitted.

"Harry told us about your fight," said Cho.

I sighed and turned away from them. "Let me guess, you think I'm crazy too?"

"You're not crazy," said Luna kindly. "But, Cedric is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory buried him this morning."

I shut my eyes tightly but didn't face them. "I know."

"So, can't you forgive Harry?" Cho asked. "He was just being honest."

I turned to face them, crossing my arms, my shopping bag swinging on my wrist. "I know Harry's story. I know what the newspapers and reports say. But, that's just facts, facts can be altered, forged."

Cho and Luna shared a glance.

"But, Hermione, they found his body, buried his body," said Luna with the same kind tone.

I sighed again. "Fine. You two believe what you want, but I'm not giving up on this."

Before either one of them could say a word, I went down the path I had come.

Some time later, I was standing outside Flourish and Blotts. There was a poster on the outside window announcing a new book that had all the school subjects in one.

'You'll never have to carry so many school books again,' it read.

Yeah, I thought sarcastically as I entered the store. You'll only have to carry a book big enough to break your spine.

"Good morning to you," the owner greeted from behind the counter. Recognizing me, he smiled. "Ah, you're back. Come for more books? Perhaps our newest one." He disappeared behind the counter, but soon reappeared, struggling to place a large book on the counter, which shook from its weight.

I smiled shyly. "No, thank you. I'm only here to wait for my friends.

The shop owner nodded raising his hand, welcoming me further into the store. I nodded in thanks.

Flourish and Blotts seemed more like a library then a bookstore with its many, many bookshelves, some comfortable armchairs with reading lamps next to them, and its uneasy silence.

I found an armchair in a corner of the store. I sighed heavily as I sat down, covering my eyes with one hand, thinking of the one thing on my mind.

Cedric.

As usual, thoughts of him sent warm and happy feelings through me, but at the same time cold and sad feelings, both battling for me to feel them first.

Cold and sad won.

I brought my feet into the chair, tucking them under me. My face was suddenly wet.

Is he really alive? I thought. Of course he is! My heart argued with my mind. What have you been telling everyone and yourself?

But, all the facts show that he's dead.

Lies! My heart insisted. Facts are lies! He's alive! Cedric is alive!