Anxiously, I run my fingers through my hair. Long, black curls that went to the little of my back, I decided to shorten. Inches of curls are gone. The once long tresses are shortened to shoulders' length, if not an inch shorter.

"Don't worry sweetheart," my grandmother stands behind me, observing as I flip my hair from one part of my head to the other. "You look lovely. Your friends will love it."

I slowly breathe in, twisting on my heels. "That is the least I am worried about, grandma. I'm just not sure if I like it myself. You don't think I made a mistake by cutting them off, do you?"

The older woman, slowly, walks over to me, placing a careful hand under my chin. Long, wrinkly but beautiful fingers make me look up. "There is nothing to worry about. Long or short hair, it does not matter. You are a beautiful young woman. It is in your genes, after all." I try to stifle the smile.

"Thank you grandma." I reach out to pull her into my arms. "Would you tell mum that I am going to be back soon? All I need is a few things for school and a little talk with my friends."

She nods, her white curls shaking. "Of course, you go enjoy yourself. But before you go," her hands take mine, placing something in them. The pouch is heavy. I can tell what she is trying to do. Relentlessly, I hand it back, turning to put on the new scarf, I have been gifted with. "I can't and I won't take your money grandma."

"Yes you will. I want it that way."

"I can't." I softly plead with my eyes. "Please don't make me, grandma. I don't want people to look at me like I'm a charity case. Especially not my own family. Without dad's income, there will be a large dent. But mum will be able to pay and care for us. Please don't offer me your sympathy by giving me money."

With even and balanced footing, she walks forward. The pouch is placed between my fingers again. The leather is rough, yet soft in my palm. I shake its content. "I do not see you as a charity case. Nor will I ever do so. You are my granddaughter, the daughter of my daughter. I watched you grow. I have been the one to bring you into this world, after we have been stuck in the house." Her hands caress my cheeks. "You, your siblings and cousins are the only ones that are keeping me here. Take it. I don't have any use for it."

Grandma leaves the room, without uttering another word. Silence greets me like an old friend, embracing me in its emptiness. The new year has begun - a rebirth, reincarnation. I stand in my temporary room. We have officially moved from my home, the four walls I grew up in. Mother and I went back there, picking up the clothes we left behind. My father had not been home, since everything, had been left untouched. Furniture was still broken. Blood was still marking the walls.

I breathe in deeply, turning in my spot. For once in my life, I embrace the awkward sensation of apparating from one part of the world to another. The squeezing at my stomach increases, makes me want to barf out the breakfast I enjoyed, this morning. But before I can, I land on the familiar white field, in front of the Burrow. The Potters and Weasleys returned, after the successful celebration. Having declined the invitation, I stayed home, sulking in my bed.

I walk through the thick snow, my shoes carrying the white dust along. My gloved hands move to knock against the door. Once. Twice. Thrice. The drum like rap is short. People inside, jump, call, run to get to the door. The wooden surface moves backwards. Mr. Potter stand behind the threshold, his hair sticking up into different directions. He yawns, not caring to hide his gesture.

"Vienna." He smiles but his brows pull into a deep frown. "You know you don't have to knock."

The adult version of the chosen one moves back to let me inside. I wipe off my shoes, crumbles of snow, hitting the ground. "I realized. But it would have been improper to just walk in here and intrude."

He nods, before walking into the kitchen. I stay put in front of the door. Many red heads run past me, ignoring my form as I wait for my friends to get ready.

"Vienna, right?" Molly Weasley II, a former Hufflepuff appears in front of me. Her soft, amber eyes shine in the morning light. Her beauty matches her grandmother's.

"Yes. Good morning, Molly." I wrap my arms around her, as she pulls me into a hug.

"Morning." Her beautiful smile makes the morning brighter. "I like what you did to your hair." Her slender fingers pick up a strand, running it along the surface.

"Thank you." I breathe.

The older girl smiles again. "I apologize but I fear, I may not be able to stay and talk. Work is calling and I am already late as it is."

"Oh, please do continue on your way. I don't want you to get into any trouble."

She shakes her head, assuring me that she would not get any. Before leaving, Molly stands in front of the stair case. Calling out for her sister, she lets her know, that I have indeed arrived.

"Hope to catch you some time soon, Vienna." She smiles yet again. Walking over to the fire place, I watch as the red head steps into it. A handful of floo powder is thrown onto the ashes. Green flames lick at Molly's legs, ascending to her thighs, stomach and head. She is engulfed in fire. As they die, I see her gone.

"What in the name of Merlin's ugly beard did you do?" The shriek makes me jump in my place.

Dominique rushes over to me, running her hands through the shortened length of my hair. Mouth wide open, she takes a bunch of it and throws it over my head.

"What did you do?" My friend whines. "You cut off all your hair."

I place my arms inside her angles elbows, pulling them to let me go. "I didn't cut all of it. Just the tips."

"This is a hell lot more than just the bloody tips. It's so short." Her last words are whispered.

"Don't you like it?" I feel insecure, regretting that I decided on it.

"Of course," She screams. "It's just different. Out of the usual to see you like this. The boy will like it, don't worry."

Lost, I tilt my head. "What boy, Dom?"

Her eyes widen slightly, the realization of having sad the wrong thing, sinking in. She shakes her head, dismissing the issue. "Your future boyfriend, of course. God knows, he will have fun running his hands in your hair as you have wild sex."

"I- I'm not really -"

"ROXANNE! LUCY!" She screams, overpowering my tired voice. "GET THE BLOODY HELL DOWN!"

The two remaining cousins, run down the steps. Heavily footed they land on the last step. Taking our hands, they do not waste to disapparate.


I focus more on the music playing in the store, than on the clothes in front of me. Millions of thoughts run through my head, crashing against the walls of my brains. Emotions, I tried to keep bottled up, desire to be freed.

"This one might look nice on you." Roxanne holds a piece of clothing onto my body, stretching it lightly to fit my form. I barely acknowledge the green, but disgusting colour.

I hum, my eyes drifting towards the mirrors. Once again, I catch myself looking at the reflection of myself. I do not resemble the girl that looks back at me. She, a beautiful girl, stands confident, fierce. The inner pandemonium, I cannot see in her features, yet her eyes speak thousands of words. They look sad, angry and disappointed. Once filled with life, they are now a mere shadow of what they used to be.

"Vienna?" I shake my head awake, looking at my company. Suspicious, they watch me, eyes slightly narrowed. I hum again. "Are you alright?"

Was I! "Yes, sure. Why wouldn't I be?" I pull at my sleeves, covering my balled up hands. "Just a little tired and cold, if I'm honest. I didn't get much sleep the last couple days."

"Why?" I smile gratefully at their concerned voices. "Did something after you left? You never told us what happened with your brother and sister."

"Let's just get out of here." Roxanne throws the article back onto the rack. "There isn't anything worth buying. Why don't we go to Papa Joe's and get something to drink. That way we can warm up," she wraps her arms around me. "and talk."

"Sure," We link arms. "Why not."

We walk from the clothing store, and onto the main alley. Diagon Alley has calmed, after New Year's has been over. Less and less people roam the street. Nevertheless, stand and carolers still try their luck to lift the post-Christmas spirit. The sound of boots crunching in the snow, reaches my ear. We pass different stores, stands and people in the mass. Papa Joe's sign shines bright in the darkened morning light.

Much like Diagon Alley itself, the little café is barely filled. A handful, careful chosen party of tables have been occupied. The girls and I search for one, in the corners, places where we know we can speak in private. One after another, we slip into the two booths. Almost immediately, we are greeted by one of the waiters.

"Hello," she smiles, ready to take our order. "My name is Sandra. Did you girls decide on something?"

"Yes," Dominique does not open the menu on the table. "I'll have a spicy latte with cinnamon and coco on top, a splash of vanilla essence and no cream please."

Sandra scribbles down the different order, going in circles as she asks the rest of us. "And you?"

"A hot chocolate for me." Roxanne closes the menu.

"With or without cream?"

"Without."

Another note is added. "Okay." She looks up.

"A caramel latte for me. No cream."

Sandra then looks towards me. I swallow. "I'll just have the sage tea with a spoonful of honey, if that's okay."

Sandra smiles, noting the last order. "Of course. I'll be back in a bit." The perky blonde vanishes behind the counter.

We sit in silence, the low music substituting our voices. Barely interested, I keep my gaze focused on the table, one hand supporting my head. Sandra is fast with our drinks. We each get what we ordered, and Sandra smiles, letting us know, if anything was needed we just needed to scream.

I sip on the herb infused water. The temperature is hot on my skin. I blow on the surface, spinning my spoon around it.

"My parents are getting s divorce." I decide to break the silence. It is making me nervous, anxious. And I rather have this over than keep it from my friends.

Short gasps sound from their lips. I refrain from bursting into tears again. I nod, not able to keep my eyes from tearing up. Their hands shoot out to caress mine. "They were fighting. More often than they usually would. That night, when Ves said he wanted me home - they were at it again. I arrived home, or at least I tried. The magical barrier wouldn't let me through. The doors were locked and I wasn't able to unlock them. I had to blast it off." I chuckle against my better judgement.

"The house was a mess. Everything was broken; the living room, my siblings' rooms, my parents'. No one was home when I arrived. My mum and the young ones, left to go to my grandmother's. That is where I was headed to next. She told me everything." I shake my head, wiping away the tears. "That bastard left us for another whore. He dined with her went on holidays, rather than spending time with his children and wife. He was about to take money that didn't belong to him. And maybe that is why I cut off my hair, I don't know. I don't know anything, as of late."

I continue before anyone is able to utter a word. "It's weird. You hear stuff like that from other families. Dads and mums leave behind their loved ones. They remain hurt, deprived of any happy emotions. I never understood why, but now? Now I can see why they break down. Why they don't want to interact with others. With every second that we are wasting here, I am just wishing to leave. To cry. To tell that fucker what I truly feel inside. I don't even know why I left my bed today. All I do is ruin your mood."

"Stop that." Roxanne softly whispers, reaching out to run her fingertips along my wet cheeks. I notice Dominique standing to get a tissue. "You are not ruining anything. We are your friends. If not we, who else will you go to?"

I take the napkins, muttering a small thank you. I blow my nose, wiping the napkin along my nose just to be sure.

"I shouldn't be crying. We'll get over this. We have to. The times will be rough but mum has everything under control." I don't know who I am trying to convince; them or me?

"It's going to be alright! We are going to be here for you. No matter what." They promise. I nod.

"On a better note," I laugh. "I won't leave Hogwarts. I guess that is good, right."

"I don't have to kill your mother and kidnap you after all." Dominique's words make me smile.

"Whore." I mumble under my breath, throwing the used tissue against her head. Feeling a lot better, I straighten in my seat. "By the way. What was Adam doing at Potter's on New Year's Eve? I thought you two broke it off or something like that."

Lucy shrinks in her seat, clutching her head in her hands. "Oh please don't remind me. I don't know why I even bothered to invite him. If he did take advantage of me, I shouldn't even think of him anymore."

"Did anything happen on that night?" Roxanne sips from her beverage.

Lucy continues to stare at the table, her fingers playing with one of the napkins, ripping it to pieces.

"You didn't!" Dom shouts. "Lucy. What the fuck? I thought we said that you should stay away from him. Yet here you are, having sex with him."

"I didn't mean to, okay?" She throws her hands into the air. "He said all these sweet things and assured me that he never out anything in my drink. We started kissing and one thing led to another."

"He didn't force -" I start. She is fast to interrupt me.

"No!" She almost yells, furiously shaking her head. "No. I initiated it."

"But you said you didn't mean to have sex with him." Roxanne raises a brow. "How can you be the one to -"

"I kissed him okay? Things got heated and we did it. Let's just please forget this ever happened. I am trying to! I promise it won't happen again. My first resolution, don't have sex with Adam."

We laugh at her. "Okay."

"By the way- "

We start another topic. The mood lifts from there on. For the moment, I forgot my problems and the people around. All I focus on, are my friends and the dun that we are having, the laughter we are sharing and the memories we are creating. The pain in my heart is slowly healing. My lungs feel free and for a moment it all feels normal again. Little do I realize that other things are going to change as well.


A/N

Not really my best work but meh. I wanted to post something. I am sorry that I didn't leave any proper annotations at the end of the last chapters. I initially wanted to finish one and then write the author's note. But since I was in the flow, I wrote In Memory Of ... New Year's Eve. After that my mood was at a low and I just dropped the A/N, didn't write one respectively.

The reason for that is, that this and the NYE chapter are somewhat of a trigger for me. I lived through a divorce when I was ten, and to this day, eight/nine years later, I still find the emotions coming up and ruining my day. I can sometimes ignore them. But then again, there are some times when questions like 'why?' or 'what if' come up. I am over it, for the most part. But yeah... If any of you have problems with that as well, or ANY other one, feel free to write me a PM. I learned that talking about it is the best you can do.

Just wanted to put that out there, otherwise it would have been in another chapter.

Strangelove9

I hope that I can make it emotional. These chapters are... I don't even know. Just be excited ;) cause I am.

Sohuii

It's CRAZY! Eight chapters! 10-20.000 ? words in one week! In a matter of hours. But I really want to get this done. And for that I am going fast. No one can stop me.

bpaulus

Brit, Brit, Brit ... You know very well that my story lines and doings have a hidden message or a deeper meaning... SOME times. In this case I have something planned, don't worry. As for the hints...

HINT #4 With the next project, I am trying to be more Siri- serious and more mature.

I don't know why, but writing this A/N and replying to you all, made me smile. Made me happy and lifted my mood from the chapter. xox