NOTE: Oh, gosh, I'm soooo bad. Didn't update formore than amonth. I apologize for the wide delay, too busy at school. We just finished our huge amount of tests last week. Hope you all would forgive me. Anyways, I'll update a bit sooner now…not much homework nowadays. R&R please !

Chapter 18: Without

"WAKE UP, HERMIONE!" Hermione jumped up from the couch and bumped her head onto something hard. The collision forced her to slump back into the couch. She rubbed her sore forehead and opened her eyes, only to find a boy with blazing, red hair rubbing his temple.

"What was that for, Ron!" she scolded.

"You were the one who bang into me!" he replied, annoyed.

"What do you want?"

"Hermione, breakfast will be over in 15 minutes! You fell asleep here in the common room. Now come on, before they run out of bacon!"

Hermione groaned and went out of the common room with Ron. She brushed her bushy curls down with her hands, lazy to go back up to the dormitory. When they reached the bustling Great Hall, they noticed that there was a great buzz of talk, which seemed to increase the tension.

"What's happening?" Hermione asked Harry when they sat themselves in front of him. He was reading the Daily Prophet with a grim expression.

"Things just got worst. Three students just left with their parents and Dumbledore's gone."

"WHAT? What do you mean Dumbledore's gone?" Hermione asked.

"He went away for a few weeks. Well, that's what many heard from McGonagall. I guess people are getting more and more anxious by the minute."

"Well, of course, with Dumbledore gone and all. Next thing you know, everyone will be waiting to be collected by their parents," Ron said.

The trio looked up at Dumbledore's empty throne-like chair. It looked as if it would be empty for quite some time. Even a few of the staffs looked worried. In fact, McGonagall, Hagrid and the other Order of the Phoenix members looked like they were about to explode because of the unease their bodies were gripped with.

"I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference. Surely, he put more of the Order in charge," Hermione comforted.

There was a pause before Harry spoke, "Do you think Hogwarts could still function if things get any worse?"

"You mean much worse than now?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I mean, now students are leaving, teachers are worried and everyone looks like they will jump out of their wits with just a tap on the shoulder."

"As long as Dumbledore is headmaster, Harry, nothing will harm Hogwarts. You know that," Hermione replied.

Harry grinned back at his best friends "Yeah, I do. Hogwarts wouldn't exist without him."

(N/A: Consider this as a tiny tribute to Albus Dumbledore from me…hehe)

Hermione opened a red diary as she lean on her dormitory window, her moist skin sticking slightly to the cool glass. The classes just ended and she is finally taking her long deserved rest. The news of Dumbledore's temporary leave has already subdued. But just like everyone else, she's hoping he would return soon. She flipped her hair and started reading her current page.

April 16

Dear Diary,

Hogwarts has never been gloomier. Even if everything is normal, the atmosphere is filled with depression. Well, I guess it's just me. But even the infamous Marauders were abnormally quiet. I think it's the fact that one of their members is missing. It has been nearly two days since James left to tend to his family's funeral. Also, he has to deal with all the possessions they left him. The news about what happened to him had already spread, and everyone was whispering around in the corridors about the flight of the head boy and how subdued the Marauders were.

But I think it's Sirius who was taking it most badly. I noticed that even his appetite had gone. Peter and Remus remained quiet and depressed but Sirius was the most changed. During meal times, usually, he would be wolfing everything in his reach. But now, he would either be found slowly spooning food into his mouth in a reluctant way (as if food would poison him), or stare at his empty plate.

"Poor Sirius, not only is his best friend gone for a week, the people who took him in warmly are gone forever." That's what Sam said this morning.

"People who took him in?" I asked.

"Didn't James tell you? Sirius ran away from his home and lived with James after he turned 16. I've heard that the Potters were one of the nicest families around."

That was probably the blow that quieted the Marauders. Well, I must say, this world needs good people and it wouldn't do for the bad to be getting rid of them.

Anyhow, today was almost very boring.

Well, James might be the biggest git in the entire world, but he seemed to make normal, everyday, boring life interesting. Together with his friends, not only do they get themselves in trouble or cause school wide mayhem, but they make you smile even if you don't want to. I didn't realize how much impact James had on me in the last few days. I mean, he's the Head Boy and all. Hogwarts can't function without both its Head Students properly in place.

But you could really see the difference. Usually, after all the hard school work, I would retire to the common room and find the marauders filling the room with their exhilarating and prominent laughter. Also, there would be me scolding James about how he is neglecting his Head Boy duties. Then he would be the one pulling me to a chair and beg me to get our work finish as quickly as we can.

What's more, there seemed to be something missing in my life at Hogwarts since yesterday. Everything seemed quieter than usual. Potions is more quiet and, most annoyingly enough, the Slytherins appeared more cheerful than usual (earning them hateful glares from the Marauders).

Moreover, I found Sam and Will commenting on how miserable and quiet I looked the whole day since yesterday every minute they get. I replied to them by retorting that I am not miserable and I'm just quiet because the days had been boring.

But their continuous nagging brought me to my sense. Wow, I can't believe I'm writing this…admitting it even!

I miss James Potter. Well, not him exactly…more like his presence. His jokes, annoying statements, his laughter, the ruckus he (together with Remus, Sirius and Peter) caused, and the funny, but sensible things he says.

Yeah, I guess it is true that you don't really know how much someone means to you until you loose them. But hey, he doesn't mean that much to me, just as a friend and co-student.

Well, goodnight or should I say, soon-to-be-good-morning.

Lily

Note: Hope you like it. Please review and thanks for waiting for this chapter (for my old readers)!