Professor Ddraig looked on feeling extremely awkward as the girls clung to each other, tears running down each of their small faces.
"You will be sent home today of course and you won't have to come back till the new term."
The girl looked up at him, tears filled her usually happy eyes and ran down her cheeks as she nodded.
"Nhad, what's happened?"
He looked up at his daughter, he remembered that cold November evening when she had been born, remembered the joy in Gwenhwyfar's eyes as she held their baby. He could still see Gwenhwyfar kissing Branwen's head whispering in her ear. It was at that moment Gwenhwyfar's eyes rolled up and she left their world, returning to the ancient times to rule until the day her daughter was ready.
He watched as Branwen hugged her friend tight whispering encouragement into her delicate ears. Carefully he walked over placing his hand onto his daughter's shoulder.
"Branwen, take Lily to Dumbledore's office the password is Gummy Bears."
He watched as the pair left the room, he looked at the other three and kneeled down on the floor opening his arms to them. They moved into his hug each weeping at their friends despair. He didn't know what to do so just held them until he heard Alice's voice
"What'll happen now?"
"Well Caried the funeral will be organised for just after Christmas, December 28th I believe, and then Lily will return to Hogwarts and we will continue as normal."
He heard a small sniff and then Ginny's voice
"Will we be allowed to attend it, you know for Lily?"
He let a small smile escape his lips as he leaned away from them looking each one in the eyes, he could see the hurt there, they felt the pain as if it had been their own mother taken from them.
"Of course you'll be there, you will come with me and Tad. Now come on lets go get some breakfast before we go to my classroom."
The next question made him laugh and he saw a small smile spread up Amanda's face when he answered
"Do we have to go to the lesson because we don't really feel like it anymore."
"Miss Dixon I think that Lily would still want you to go to the lessons and knowing her she'd be glad if you took notes for her. Now come on breakfast."
He stood up and shook his leg a few times to get the feeling back and then letting go of the girls headed to the portrait. He turned and shook his head as the girls sat on the floor that was until a loud rumble made the three laugh.
"I think my stomach needs food."
"Mand your stomach always needs food."
Again the three laughed as they climbed to their feet and followed their teacher out of the common room to have their breakfast.
Branwen wrapped her arm around Lily's shoulder letting the girl cry into her, she knew where she was going and just let the girl cry. She stopped by a statue and simply said Gummy Bear and watched as the statue jumped to the right showing the spiral steps.
Carefully she directed Lily onto the moving steps and looked around her. She had always loved going to visit Dumbledore. She remembered spending every Christmas here with her family and after her Christmas dinner she would run to these steps and yell names of sweets until it opened and then scream with joy as she went up the steps.
They reached the top and Branwen knocked the door, she heard Dumbledore's voice and using her free arm pushed the door open. She pushed Lily through the door and followed behind.
A flash of red zoomed pass the pair and Lily gasped as something hit her shoulder. She could feel something caress her cheek, and Branwen's soft laughter. Then the sound of waterfall singing erupted in her ear.
"Fawkes leave Miss Evans alone."
Branwen moved her arm closer up Lily's shoulder and felt the bird move onto her hand and walk down to her shoulder snuggling up close. Branwen smiled at the shocked look on Lily's face as she studied the bird for the first time.
Branwen remembered the first time she had seen Fawkes. She remembered the shock she had when the bird landed on her lap and the smile spread up Dumbledore's face as she hugged it, laughing. It was because of Fawkes she had come up to this office every year.
"Miss Evans I am sorry for your bad news, I am waiting for Professor Ddraig to sort out his notes for his lesson and then he'll come and take you home to see your father."
Lily nodded to the old professor however her mind was on the bird that was sitting on Branwen's shoulder.
"Professor is that a Phoenix?"
Branwen saw the smile spread up Dumbledore's face as he nodded at Lily. Branwen watched as she made her way over to a chair and sat down with Fawkes quickly landing on her lap and watched her carefully.
The door behind Branwen opened and she saw her father enter. Instantly she had her arms around his waist as tears fell down her cheeks. He held her tight as he kissed the top of her hair. They were interrupted by the voice of Dumbledore.
"Miss Evans if you are ready Taliesin will take you home to your father."
Fawkes flew up to a stand and sang a sad note looking at the group. It was as if he knew what had transpired and was as upset as the group.
Lily stood and looked at the Defence professor he released his daughter as he came closer to her and took her hand. He walked close to the fireplace as Professor Dumbledore spook up
"You will go to Dame Martina's and then get the number 32 bus to the town centre, then onto the number 5 to Victoria Road. Lily will show you the way then."
Lily looked closely as Taliesin yelled Dame Martina's as he dropped something in the fire and then he was gone. Lily's mouth fell open as Dumbledore neared her.
"This is the floo network, it is how we travel around. Just stand in the fireplace and say where you want to go while releasing the floo powder. Now here's the powder, don't worry go on."
Lily could feel her knees wobble as she took the powder from Dumbledore she gave a small wave to Branwen then stepped into the flames. She could sense it tickling flames as she shouted
"Dame Martina's"
She opened her hand releasing the powder and the room spun; the last image of Hogwarts was Fawkes and then blackness until…