Chapter 3

But memory is an abstract painting;

It does not present things as they are,

But rather as they feel.

Eugenia Collier, 'Marigolds'

"Why couldn't we just move into another place?" asked an ever curious Emmett for what it felt like the umpteenth time. Alice, though she found her brother amusing, couldn't help but groan. Even Rosalie, who would often stay silent during some conversations, had muttered a soft, 'Oh, Emmett' with a shook of her head. The huge vampire pouted childishly at his mate who chuckled at his antics.

"We already told you, Emmett," Alice answered, leaning against Jasper as she made an eye contact on everyone. Her gaze lingered a little longer on Edward who sat sulkily on his piano bench. "It would only raise unwanted questions."

"But we already covered Bella's death," he argued back. "It wasn't like anyone was bound to connect the dots."

Carlisle glanced at Edward's direction as soon as the words slipped off Emmett's mouth. The bronze-haired vampire was clenching jaws, and his golden eyes were fixated on the marble floor. If the oldest Cullen didn't know any better, he would've said that his son was ready to rip his brother into shreds. Ironically enough, it would be Rosalie who would make such a remark, which greatly set the rest of them off guard when Emmett was the first one to suggest such thing.

It had been two weeks after the mortal's death. And the family had watched as Edward withdrew to his old self: all cold and silent. If not, he had been worse than before. He had blamed himself non-stop at his singer's death as Jasper had it confirmed.

The poor Texan vampire had to suffer Edward's conflicting emotions.

Charlie Swan, as they'd expected, had high doubts with his daughter's death. How did Bella have a bite mark on her wrist when the autopsy itself said that there was no foul play in the car crash?

Carlisle shook his head at his son before a fight between him and Alice could ensue. "Alice is right," he said. "We couldn't just leave after Bella's supposed death. Charlie still has his suspicions. And considering that he's good friends with Billy Black, it wouldn't take them long to put two and two together. Besides, there's only a year left for you to graduate."

"How about you guys finish your High School here and let things cool down for the moment before we move into a different place?" He added, pressing his fingertips together.

"Sounds like a plan," Jasper nodded while Emmett sighed and Alice, Rosalie and Esme agreed. Edward, who remained silent throughout the whole conversation, ran his hands on his hair and growled in frustration.

"Edward?" Esme asked in concern. "Are you alright, son?"

"Alice has been blocking me!" he snarled, glaring at his sister who looked back at him with an innocent smile. He might have pretended like he didn't give a damn about the whole thing, but he didn't fall behind with concern to what was happening around his family.

"What have you been keeping from us, little pixie?"

The smile on the smallest vampire's face grew wider. "I don't know what you're talking about, Eddie."

Ginny was worried for Hermione.

It had been six days since the latter was released from the hospital; six days since she had caged herself inside her bedroom. And the brunette had yet to come out and mingle with her friends.

But the redhead understood that things were not as easy for Hermione as it sounded. How would you ask a girl, who had lost her parents, to move on and lead the life she'd always lived, like nothing tragic has happened?

It wasn't until the Weasley matriarch decided that someone had to convince Hermione to stop drowning herself in misery, that Ginny spoke up, "I'll do it".

The rest of the Weasley clan – save for a certain Ronald Weasley who had yet to show himself - along with Harry and Teddy, were eating lunch in the dining hall of 12 Grimmauld Place.

She pushed her chair out and stood up, rounding on the corner to the set of stairs that lead to the second floor. She distantly heard her mother calling a short 'thank you' over her shoulder before she completely disappeared from their view.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked as she knocked on the oak door. She tested the knob and found it surprisingly unlocked. "Hermione I'm going to come in. Are you decent?"

Without getting a response from the brunette, Ginny pushed open the door and searched the room: it was as clean and organised as the first day she had stepped inside it. The bed was made, and it looked as if it hadn't been even an occupant in the room since the last six days.

The gentle breeze of the nearing autumn brushed the white curtains that adorned the half-opened windows. That was where she found her friend.

Hermione sat on the hardwood floor with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around them. There was a blank look set upon her eyes as she rocked herself back and forth. "Hermione?"

The older girl cocked her head on the side, her hair swaying limply with her action. "Ginny," she said, her voice barely above a whisper that the redhead had to strain her ears to hear her friend.

"Hermione, you have to eat," Ginny walked toward the other witch and sat down beside her.

"I'm not hungry." Ginny let out a heavy sigh as she took in the older witch's appearance. Hermione looked way paler than she had been in the hospital and her hazel eyes were devoid of the usual warmth it held. She looked so fragile Ginny was afraid that even the slightest touch might break her into tiny, million pieces.

This wasn't the Hermione she knew.

"That's what you told Harry when he tried to fetch you the other day." She was rewarded with no response. "Fine. But you have to come out of the wall you've built around you, Hermione. You can't stay like this forever. You have to move on."

Again, she received no response.

"I know it's hard for you, 'Mione. But maybe, maybe it's finally the time for you to move on, to keep memories as memories only. To forget the pains of yesterday and face what tomorrow would bring. Your parents wouldn't want you to live like this."

Hermione shook her head, eyes still trained outside the window. "I... can't. I'm afraid, Ginny."

"I'm afraid that if I move on, I would forget what they looked like or how their voices sounded... I don't want to let go of the only thread that tied me with them now."

"Oh, Hermione," Ginny exhaled, scooting closer to the older girl and wrapping her in a warm embrace. The redhead felt her friend's resolve broke as tears ran down her face.

"It hurts so much," the brunette hiccupped. "I d-don't think I can take it an-anymore."

"Sshhh, it's going to be fine," she soothed, cradling the skinny girl in her arms. Ginny swore she could feel her best friend's bones beneath her baggy shirt.

"Now, come on and eat before Mum decides to force food down your throat. Merlin, you're skin and bones!" That had Hermione smiling a little. She knew how Molly could be very... motherly sometimes. And it looked like Ginny had inherited the personality from her mother.

While Ginny was helping Hermione to fix herself, a hesitant knock could be heard from the door. "Come in," the younger one called.

Both girls watched as Harry's head poked in as the door swung open, a grave look etched on his handsome features. "Harry?" Hermione inquired, her forehead scrunched up in worry. "Is everything alright?"

He smiled tightly at his best friend. He was very grateful that Ginny had seemed to achieve what they've been failing to for days. And just seeing how she was slowly coming back to her old self made him happier. He'd hated the blank look in her eyes the other day. He didn't want to add another burden onto her shoulders.

He shook his head at her question and sat beside her, taking her small hands in his large ones.

"Kingsley has some bad news."

A/N: So, I know that no amount of apologies will make up for the long break. I'd just like to thank you all for sticking by with this story. This chapter was also written by by AliceEnchanted. Good news is next chapter is almost ready and will be up by next week or sooner, if I get enough motivation *wink wink* I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about this chapter, and what you think the bad news is going to be.

Till then,

Adieu