"The wounded recognized the wounded."
– Nora Roberts

Kira and her brother arrived through Floo Powder. They landed in Dumbledore's office. The smoke and dust caused Thomas to sneeze. Kira muttered a quick 'bless you' and stepped forward out of the fireplace.

"Good Morning Miss Rose, and Mr Rose." Dumbledore greeted them after they had both stepped forward.

"Morning Professor." They responded.

"You have both been excused from all classes today. They will however continue as normal tomorrow." Dumbledore spoke. Kira and Thomas both nodded along to what he was saying, though neither were actually listening. "You are dismissed." He smiled at his two learners. They have both gone through so much yet they stood tall as if it did not affect them.

Kira nodded her goodbye and led her brother out of the office and into the hallway. "Come along Thomas. Let's get back to the Common Room." She said softly. As formal as she was, refusing to call her siblings by nicknames, she still managed to speak to them with a certain softness.

Thomas nodded. They walked until they reached the statue that gave them the riddle to enter the common room.

"The more there is the less you see..."

"Darkness." Kira answered easily. The statue moved out of the away allowing them to enter.

Thomas looked up at his sister, a glint of admiration in his eyes. Kira turned around and gestured towards the stairs leading to the Boys Dorms. Thomas waved a goodbye to his sister and quickly walked up the stairs. Most likely to sleep.

Kira wandered over to one of the large bookshelves that adorned the walls of the common room. Between every wall was a large window, providing a beautiful view of the Hogwarts grounds.

Kira grabbed a book and began reading to pass time.

Looking up, Kira took note of the time. It was lunch now and she was starving. She did not eat that morning because she was rushing to ensure her brother was ready to go back to Hogwarts.

Making her way into the Great Hall she took note of the whispers that followed her. They had no doubt either noticed her absence or heard about the death of her mother in the Daily Prophet.

Ava spotted her walking in and immediately jumped up. As Kira neared the Ravenclaw Table, Ava pulled her into a larger hug. Kira, startled, slowly hugged her back, not liking the amount of stares she was getting.

Ava released her and pulled her down to sit. "Where have you been?" She asked immediately.

"Surely you've heard, have you not?" Kira answered with a sigh.

Ava gave her a sad smile. "I wanted to hear it from you."

"My mother died and my brother is missing." Kira answered shortly as she placed some toast onto her plate. Ava was shocked at her friend's bluntness regarding this topic.

"Thomas?" Ava asked. Her heart breaking more with every second that passed.

Kira shook her head. She finished chewing a piece of toast before answering. "Charles."

"Oh no. Not Charlie. He's only 8. I'm so sorry Kira." Ava put her hand over Kira's free one and gave it a squeeze.

Kira smiled gratefully. "It's okay Ava. There's nothing I can do about it right now." She sighed. She wished there was something she could do.

She had barely gotten any sleep last night but she managed to cover up her bags with some makeup.

Nightmares had plagued her sleep recently. Thoughts of Charles suffering the same treatment she received from her father ran through her mind, taunting her as she tried to sleep.

She tried not to think about it but it continuously crossed her mind. Along with those thoughts came the ones of her own misfortunes. All the bruises, cuts, and scars left behind by her father. All the memories, the screams, the cries, they plagued her mind and she wished now more than any other time that Charles was safe.

Hopefully him being her father's favourite would prevent him from being treated badly in any way.

The next day came and Kira was now required to attend classes as normal. Ava and herself headed to Potions, the first lesson of the day.

They quickly entered the class and made their way to their designated seats. Kira took note of the absence of her partner. Regulus Black was late. Regulus Black was not known for being tardy. He was always on time, or fashionably late.

"Ah Good Morning class!" A cheery voice called from the front of the class. Slughorn smiled brightly as he looked over his students. It faltered however as he reached her table. "It seems Mr.Black is not here today."

As if on cue, two boys stumbled into the class attracting the attention of everyone. "My apologies, Professor." Regulus Black said, slightly out of breath.

Evan Rosier, Regulus' best friend, stood behind him. "Yeah, sorry professor." He muttered, not really caring if he was late. The Professor usually only tolerated him because he was Regulus' best friend.

"It's alright, take your seats." Slughorn sighed before going into a lengthy discussion about Veritaserum. Something Kira already knew much about, having read through book on the topic several times before.

Regulus took his seat and as he did he ruffled up his hair. He turned to Kira and smirked, "ah, you're back."

Kira leaned forwards on her elbows. "Who said I ever really left?" She smirked.

"Well you weren't in class for a few days." Regulus shrugged. He took out his quill and parchment and set it out on the desk. He turned to her again, "Where were you anyway?" He asked.

"Surely you've heard." Kira said. Her smirk no longer on her face. She clenched her jaw and began making notes. She really did not want to talk about this at the moment. Especially not when she had been receiving looks of pity the entire day yesterday and this morning. It had not put her in a good mood.

"I haven't actually." Came his reply.

"Well, surely someone like you can find out quite easily." She said sharply, her gaze focused on her work. She had no idea what had come over her but she was too far in already. She didn't feel like explaining something so personal for her to someone who was being so ignorant.

How could he have not heard?

Regulus frowned to himself. Why would she be so cold towards him? Surely he had not done something. He hasn't seen her since the night before she left. Even then she didn't seem quite angry.

Maybe it has to do with why she left. He decided he'd talk to Evan. He'd know. He is always keeping up with the latest news and gossip.

The lesson ended and he watched Kira get up and leave. He packed up his things and walked out to see Evan waiting at the door for him.

"Evan." He said to get his attention.

"Yes?" Evan turned to Regulus.

"Why was Rose not at school for a few days?"

Evan's eyebrows rose, "you haven't heard?" He asked, shocked.

Regulus rolled his eyes, "no I haven't. I wouldn't be asking if I had."

Evan hesitated before he spoke, "Mate, it's in the Daily Prophet. Her mother was murdered, and, uh, her brother is missing."

Regulus stopped. His heart dropped.

Evan sighed and patted his shoulder. He nodded his head in the direction of Charms and they began walking slowly to their next class.

Regulus scolded himself mentally. How could he be so stupid?

The sky was clear that night in the Astronomy tower as Kira stood against the railing. Her perfect patrols had ended hours ago yet she remained in the tower. While she had only been gone for a few days she missed standing out here for hours at a time just thinking about everything and nothing at all.

The door creaked open from behind her. She knew who it was by now, seeing as he had joined her on multiple nights before.

"Evening Black." She greeted casually, her gaze never leaving the sky.

"Kira." He said carefully. He walked quickly to join her by the railing. She didn't respond. "I heard what happened. I just wanted to say I'm sorry, I know you must be going through a difficult time and I'm here if you want to talk."

Kira sucked in a breath. She turned her head to look at him and spoke, "thank you. I just ask one thing from you though," she paused for a moment and continued once he had nodded, "don't pity me. Don't treat me any differently. What happened doesn't affect who I am." She spoke defiantly.

Regulus nodded his head. "Alright." He saw something glimmer in her eye, an emotion he could not quite identify but it was gone as quick as it came.

Kira sighed. She hadn't noticed Regulus moving closer to her, but she rested her head against his shoulder nonetheless. She felt him tense for a second before relaxing once again.

And so they stood there in the empty Astronomy Tower in silence. Kira leaning her head against Regulus' shoulder and his own head against hers.

In a way they were leaning against each other in more ways than one. Both figuratively and literally.

They needed someone who would know exactly how they felt. Though they both knew little about the other, their souls had already become too far entangled in each other's lives and it was dragging their hearts and minds with them.

Knowing they couldn't see each other's faces, they both smiled, content with their lives in that very moment.

Though that was all they needed. A few moments of light inside the darkness that was their lives.