Chapter Thirteen

Soon Sunday came. Hermione, Sandie and Lily all got up early, wearing black robes to represent their mourning for Clover.

Students looked at them with confusion; obviously they hadn't heard about Clover's death.

They took their seats at the Gryffindor table. Sandie's head was bowed; Hermione had a suspicion she was praying. Before the tables were filled with delicious food, Dumbledore stood up, his goblet in his hand.

"I must inform you of the terrible tragedy that struck a few days ago," he announced, his grave voice getting all of the students' attention, even the Slytherins.

The Hall was silent, watching Dumbledore with bated breath. The other teachers looked forlorn, their faces filled with misery. This moment reminded Hermione of what had happened in her fourth year, when Cederic Diggory died.

"I regretfully tell you all that a fellow student has passed away, due to personal reasons. She was a Gryffindor, who had a very strong heart. Please drink to Clover Cross."

Echoes of 'Clover Cross' chorused through the Hall, though the Slytherins did not join in.

Sandie was openly crying now; people who surrounded her gave her hugs and offered their condolences.

The Marauders remained in their seats and did not offer Sandie their condolences. Like the Slytherins, only James and Sirius did not drink to Clover.

Hermione felt the rage boiling inside her. Were they…that cruel, that insensitive? Sirius should at least drink to Clover. He had the best reason of all, as he apparently loved her.

Or was it because of Hermione? Did Sirius not drink to Clover because Hermione was friends with Sandie? Or was it an entirely different reason?

Whatever reason it is, it better be a good one, Hermione thought.

000

Sandie, Lily and Pertida crowded around Dumbledore's office. Sandie's mood was so low that she could not speak. She was aware of Lily and Pertida's pity for her, and Sandie hated it.

She was embarrassed by how everyone surrounded her, as if she was the honey and they were the bees. She didn't voice out these complaints, however, as Sandie feared that they'd think her insensitive and uncaring.

"How long will the funeral be?" asked Dumbledore, politely. Sandie lowered her eyes to the ground.

"We'll come back around lunchtime," she guessed. Dumbledore nodded.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Cross."

Is he trying to make it into a rhyme? Thought Sandie, coldly.

"Thank-you, sir."

"How will we get to the funeral?" whispered Pertida.

Sandie closed her eyes, listening to her heart and her breathing. She was nervous about facing her Mother again.

I should've expected I would be seeing Mother so soon.

"We will Floo to my house, of course," Sandie explained, slowly opening her eyes. Sandie faced Dumbledore, and Sandie hoped the expression on her face was blank. When her Father was alive, he told her so many times that he could read her expression as easily as reading a child's book.

"Thank-you for letting me and my friends go to Clover's funeral."

A faint smile formed on Dumbledore's lips; the twinkle shining brightly in his eyes.

"My pleasure. Now, shouldn't you start going?"

000

Hermione was the first to offer to go first. "Say: 'Cross Manor, Fereste End', Okay?"

Hermione gulped, while saying a very shaky yes.

Dumbledore held out a bowl to her, which contained the Floo powder. She took a pinch of the powder, and went into Dumbledore's fireplace.

"Cross Manor, Fereste End!" she cried, while throwing the powder over her.

She hated the experience. You were turning faster and faster until…thump.

"Ow," murmured Hermione, picking herself up. She got off the fireplace and gasped. The room was so vast that Hermione had to squint so she could see the other side. Old-fashioned candles lit it; it had a spooky atmosphere that Hermione liked. It gave her a feeling that the house was full of history.

She turned around and examined the wall a few centimetres away from the fireplace. The wall was dark red, and a picture of a large snake was hung there.

She jumped back, shocked. Clover told her that her family wasn't dark (minus herself and Sandie.). Did her family turn dark before or after her Father's death?

"Her Mother pretended to support the dark side."

Hermione spun around, and a very grave Lily met her.

"B-but wouldn't all her friends hate-?"

"Us three and only Mrs Cross is attending the funeral," Lily revealed. "There's a mourning party after it…and we're invited."

Hermione sighed, and turned back to the picture. "This is a very interesting painting. Can't you see how all the colours in the snake's body immerged into one?"

Lily stood next at her. She smiled. "That's exactly what I said in the last summer holidays."

000

Sandie got out of the fireplace, and despite Clover's death, she grinned at what she saw. Next to her were Lily and Pertida, looking at the picture that her Mother had hung up a few months ago.

Sandie noticed that Lily was shorter than Pertida,. Lily barely came up to Pertida's shoulder. They were both book-smart, while Sandie lingered in the middle. She got embarrassed whenever Lily or Pertida discussed books; she felt more inadequate by the minute as they talked about books that she had not read, or had even heard of.

Sandie joined her friends, enjoying the peace and the calmness that surrounded them. But the peace was soon to be disturbed.

"Hello, Sandie Grace."

Sandie whipped around, and the person she hated most in the whole wide world was standing there.

"Hello, Mother."

A/N: oooooooh! Next chapter- the explanation of 'Sandie Grace', and Clover's funeral. Enjoy!

Thanks to:

Little mimi: yeah, I know The Gryffindor Drummer: thanks Skadesake: yeah, I guess Sirius doesn't understand. Enchantedlight: will do MidNite Phoenix: thanks Potter 's-Puppet-Pal: lol, well that depends prettigurl7: lol, thanks StringBean458: hehe, I am ;) Hogwartsgirl52: Well Siri is the star in this fic, isn't he? CrystalShard: not this one, but next Rose Richelieu: Yeah, I find others most unrealistic :( thanks for kind words OnerousOrangutang: yep, I feel sorry for her, too. :Sigh: Kates Master: lol, hope this chapter's update speed has cheered you up! Holla-BOO: thanks for reviewing me! nilda: thanks Devilishly-Charming: will do Sorrow's Death: thanks diggoryfreak5545: lol, I sure will! LunaLovegoss: same as. Thanks amrawo: I will HannahCimsGwendolyn: I know, I like the flashbacks too. I'm lucky that you came across this fic :) Serendipty-England-1922: lol, there's more to come! asecretno1nosbutmeOh well, Sirius changes his mind a lot in this fic! Ghilliekitten: I know… childoftheorient: thanks for the tip…and I'll hope the chappies will be longer.