That Goddamn Twinkle - ENZO BERKSHIRE

࣪𖤐 Y6 | 3 . trials

➵ SYMPHONIA IX - CURRENT JOYS

After the first few days back at school, Rory decided she would pay a visit to her favourite medi-witch. She knocked on her office door, the nurse coming to the door almost instantly.  "Rory! Come in, come in!" Poppy exclaimed with a smile, truly happy to see her.

Rory sat down by the fireplace as Poppy poured a glass of water for her. "How've you been, dear?" she asked, sitting down next to her.

"Not too bad— I've been worse."

"How've you really been?"

Rory sighed, tapping her finger on the glass. "I mean, I miss him more than anything. I stay up all night thinking about him. I am struggling without him— but I think I'm coping. I don't think I'm struggling like last time."

"That's good, darling. But know that it is okay if you're not okay."

Rory nodded and twisted her bracelet, "I know." she sighed, "I think the worst part about it all is seeing how it's affecting dad." Poppy's heart sunk at the thought of her favourite student mourning entered her mind. "He's doing a lot better than he was, that's for sure, but he still has his days. I think me being away from home isn't helping either. You know what he's like, he'll spiral without someone there to remind him of reality."

Poppy nodded, "I think Remus will be okay as long as you are."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"I noticed you not spending time with your usual Slytherin friends, have you fallen out?"

Rory sighed and took a long sip of water. "Enzo and I decided it was for the best that we stopped being friends with them. We ended things on good terms but I don't know, I miss them. I know I did the right thing and it would've been worse if I didn't, but they were my best friends— I can't just forget them that easily."

"Nobody expects you to move on from them that quickly— they've been your best friends for the past six years, dear. You'd be insane if you could forget them easily."

Rory nodded, "I just don't know what to do with myself really."

"But that's okay. You don't owe anyone anything. As long as you stay alive, that's all that matters."

Rory smiled but tugged at her bracelet. "Is it normal to grieve for this long?"

"Sirius only just passed, dear, it's completely normal."

"No no, not Sirius." Rory said, shaking her head. "Cedric, I mean."

Poppy nodded with understanding and guilt. "Cedric was your best friend, darling. Even before I knew you like I do now, I saw how much he meant to you. He'd always be the first person in here after you were brought in. He would refuse to leave, now matter how much I would pester him. You two were each other's everything— so yeah, I think it's completely normal." Poppy stood up, motioning for Rory to do the same. She wrapped her warm arms around her shoulders and brought her close. Rory sighed and rested her head on her shoulder. "You're going to be okay, dear. If you're ever not okay, come straight to me. I care about you ever so deeply."

—

A few weeks after the start of term, Rory began to adjust. She got used to smiling at Pansy whenever they'd walk past each other. She got used to the pit in her stomach when she'd watch Mattheo and Blaise whisper. She got used to being with Ron, Hermione and Harry all the time. She got used to relying on Enzo.

So, one late September morning, Rory, Ron and Harry stood by the side of the manic corridor, watching and laughing as students scrambled to get to lesson. Mcgonagall stood in the middle of the hallway, shouting and sending students in different directions. Luckily, the trio had a free period whilst Hermione and Enzo were in Potions with Slughorn.