Emmaline ran a brush through her hair, watching it smooth out into it's usual straight locks. Sighing, she held a wand up to it, and only after she was sure it was dried, put it in her pocket, and walked out of the bathroom. She was still rather tired, and usually would have stayed in comfortable clothes; the letter from the Ministry ruined everything. Slowly, she walked out of Lily and her room, opening the letter while she went. By the time she reached the dining area where everyone was still seated, she had the letter fully open in her hands. Absentmindedly, she sat down before beginning to read:

Dear Miss Vance,

The Ministry is terribly sorry to inform you that last night, at around eight thirty; the dark mark was spotted over your parent's house. The Ministry was informed immediately, and sent in Aurors to make sure that you're parents hadn't somehow survived. When sent in, they weren't able to find any bodies. We would like to offer you our utmost sympathies.

Sincerely,

The Ministry of Magic

Auror Department

Emmaline frowned down at the letter. That was all there was. No explanation, no more details. Her heart seemed to be beating faster, but Emmaline didn't notice. The words had sunk into her heart, but not into her brain; she couldn't think, or move. After what seemed like forever, the tears came. They fell, and fell, and fell, and as hard as she tried to brush them away, they just kept falling. Somewhere in her consciousness, she felt someone wrap their arms around her shoulders, and although she wasn't sure who is was, she leaned back into them, and sobbed.

XXX

Lily and James were sitting on the floor, leaning against the table in the center of the room. Remus sat in a chair across from the couch, where Emmaline and Sirius were sitting. It was awfully quiet, and awkward in the room; in most situations Emmaline would have been the first one to break the silence, but now it was she that needed the consoling. She leaned her head against Sirius' shoulder and sighed deeply. The continuous crying had stopped long ago, but now and then they would start again, leaving a damper on the overall mood at the apartment.

Just as Emmaline thought she was strong enough to start talking again, a tear slid down her cheek. She turned away from her friends, ashamed of herself.

"It's ok, Emmy," Lily said quietly, "I can't imagine what you're going through, but I know for a fact that it's better to just let it all out."

Shaking her head, Emmaline brushed the tear away with the back of her sleeve, "I feel so pathetic. So many people have gone through, and are going to go through this now that the war is going on. Why should I be crying like this, and feeling sorry for myself when there are so many worse things happening around me?"

Sirius put his arm around her and cleared his throat lightly, "I don't think you feel sorry for yourself. I think you're just feeling angry, maybe even a little bit at yourself."

"Well I should be angry at myself. The last time I talked to my mother I had a huge row with her," she sighed, as her voice was wavering again, "I could have at least sent her a letter saying I was sorry. But you know me, and my bloody pride."

"How were you to know that this was going to happen? Besides, Emmy, everyone has pride, and although you may feel miserable about it, let me just tell you every single one of us wouldn't have written our parents either," Remus said softly.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better. But I think I should just think about this alone for a while. I don't mean it in a bad way…you all really made me feel better; I just…need to think more," Emmaline sighed, stood up, and walked into her room.

Sirius watched her go, and shook her head, "I feel so terrible. You know how my birthday is next week? I don't think we should go out. It might be too much, you know? We could just hang around here for the day."

James felt a jolt of panic in his gut as he heard these words. They had to go out. Not only had Emmaline made a rather expensive reservation at a restaurant for a surprise, but James had a plan of his own at the party. James could always do it if they stayed here, but he wanted it to be special. Sighing, he comforted himself with the fact that Emmaline would never let them miss Sirius' eighteenth birthday party for her own good.

A/N: Good/bad/ok? I know it's short, but, you know. I'll make the next chapters longer for sure.

Your Authoress: Heh, another cliff hanger. Sorry! And, like I just said, longer chapters are definitely coming up.

HPLover12: Brooding means to like worry, or a looming feeling. You were right!

Pavement-greengrass: Yeah, I love intense fics. They're really powerful and memorable; I hope mine will have the same affect on people.