A/N: We have arrived at story number three in this series! If you haven't read the first two, you may want to do so before reading this one. The first story is called This is Home for anyone who wants to start at the beginning.

A very important update about this story: I will now be posting chapters on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as opposed to Monday and Thursday. As the stories get longer, I wanted to up the frequency of posting to get it completed a bit quicker. The Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule will remain for the rest of the series.

Another thing to note: the rating of this story is T instead of K+ like the past two stories. This is mostly because of language that will start sprouting up from here on out.

There are 18 chapters in this story. I hope you're ready for the ride! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.

We are connected
We'll never be alone
We walk together
Forever down that road

Connected by Hoobastank

Chapter 1 – A Prisoner Escapes

It had been a hot summer so far in Massachusetts. July was at an end, and Lucy Jones was beginning to get restless. She had finished her second year of witch schooling a few weeks earlier, but now that she'd been back home for a while, she was getting very bored of her summer vacation.

This was the first summer that Lucy felt stuck. She went to school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which was all the way across the ocean in Britain. All her friends lived over there. Lucy was the only person who attended Hogwarts who was from America, which was because she had been adopted from England by a couple who lived in the United States.

Twelve years previously, there had been a war going on in Britain. An evil wizard—whom Lucy and many others referred to only as You-Know-Who—had been attempting to take over. Lucy's birth parents had been part of the resistance against him, which meant that they had been targeted. To protect Lucy, they had sent her to the States. Unfortunately, her birth parents were killed a short while after Lucy had been sent away.

So, Lucy was adopted by the couple who had temporarily taken her in. Dan and Sue Jones were unable to have children of their own, so they had jumped at the chance to permanently adopted Lucy. They had told Lucy very early on that she was adopted, but they had never told her anything about her birth parents.

Then, two years ago, Lucy had gotten an invitation to attend Hogwarts, and Dan and Sue told Lucy everything that they knew about her birth parents. They didn't have a lot of information, however, since they were never told the names of Lucy's parents. To keep Lucy safe, it was better for everyone involved that her birth parents remained a secret.

During the last two summers, Lucy had been able to spend the month of August in England with her good friends, the Weasley family. The Weasleys had acted as Lucy's host family while she was in England, and she really felt as though they were part of her family now. However, no plans had been made so far for Lucy to go and stay with them before school started again.

~LJ:C~

The morning of Lucy's thirteenth birthday—July thirty-first—was bright and warm. Although she was excited that it was her birthday, she was also sad because she wasn't going to be able to see any of her friends.

When her black cat Evie realized that Lucy was awake, the cat crawled onto her chest and started begging for breakfast. So, Lucy got out of bed, changed out of her pajamas, and took Evie downstairs to feed her.

As Lucy entered the kitchen, she heard a soft hooting coming from the owl perch next to the window. The Joneses' family owl Thomas was standing there with the morning mail tied to his leg. There were quite a few letters and packages that morning.

"Good morning, Thomas," Lucy said, setting Evie onto the floor. "I'll be right there, buddy."

Thomas let out another hoot, and Lucy took that as the owl agreeing to wait. She turned back to where Evie's food bowl was and filled it for the cat. Evie greedily munched at her food, and Lucy smiled.

After refreshing Evie's water bowl, Lucy returned to Thomas and untied the stack of envelopes and parcels from his leg. Then she stroked his feathers for a moment before also filling his food bowl.

"Good morning, Lucy." Sue had entered the kitchen. "Have you been awake long?"

"No," Lucy answered. "Evie made me get up, because she was hungry."

Sue smiled at her daughter. "Well, happy birthday," she said. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, please," Lucy replied. She carried the mail over to the kitchen table and sat down while Sue moved over to the stove. Lucy began sorting through the mail, and she was excited to see that a lot of the letters and packages were addressed to her.

"What have you got there?" Sue asked, glancing over to see what Lucy was doing.

"I think they're birthday cards and presents," Lucy replied as she finished pulling out all her mail.

"Ah, of course," Sue said. "You can have your present from your father and me tonight, after he gets home from work. Your aunt sent you something, as well."

Lucy nodded, picking up the first letter. It was from her best friend, Hermione Granger.

Dear Lucy,

Happy birthday!

I hope you are having a wonderful summer back with your parents. My parents and I are spending the next three weeks in France, which is sure to be very enjoyable, although not as much fun as I'm sure Ron is having—did you see in the Daily Prophet that his family won a Galleon Draw? Their picture was in the papers and everything; I'm so jealous that he is visiting Egypt!

Anyway, I hope you like your present. I found it in a shop on our very first day on vacation, and I immediately thought of you! And if you don't like it, please disregard that last bit—ha!

Oh, Ron also mentioned that he and his family will be coming up to London during the last week of summer before school starts—will you be able to make it up to Diagon Alley then? I know it's a bit more difficult for you, what with being in America and all. Talk it over with your parents, and if you can make it, I'll see you then! Otherwise, I'll see you on the train!

Lots of love,

Hermione

Lucy set aside the letter and picked up the small box that was from Hermione. She opened it and found a red and silver scarf. Embroidered on one end was a roaring lion. Lucy gleefully threw it over her shoulders and turned to Sue. "Look what Hermione got for me," she said, holding up the end so her mom could see the lion.

"That's beautiful," Sue commented.

"Also, she asked if it would be possible for me to meet them in London sometime during the last week of the summer," Lucy added.

Sue shrugged. "I'm sure we can work something out," she replied.

Lucy, grinning, turned to the next letter. It was from another one of her best friends, Harry Potter.

Dear Lucy,

Happy birthday! I still think it's cool that we share the same birthday. It makes it really easy to remember!

Anyway, since I've been at the Dursleys, I've had little contact with the Wizarding world, so I couldn't get you a present for your birthday. So, on the Hogwarts Express, I will buy you whatever candy from the trolley that you want! I hope that makes up for not giving you a present now.

I hope your summer has been more exciting than mine has. I'll see you on September first on the train!

Harry

Lucy smiled at the letter, happy to hear from her friend. She didn't care that he hadn't gotten her a birthday present; she was just relieved to have heard from him at all, considering that she hadn't received a single letter from him the previous summer.

Next in her pile of mail was a thick envelope from the Weasleys. When she shook out the contents, she was surprised to find multiple pieces of parchment. The first thing to catch her eye was a newspaper clipping; she picked it up to see a photo of the whole family waving up at her from in front of a pyramid in Egypt. The caption on the photo explained how Mr. Weasley had won seven hundred galleons in a drawing, just as Hermione had said in her letter.

The next piece of parchment Lucy picked up was a letter from Ron, who was the same age as she was.

Dear Lucy,

Happy birthday!

I sent along the clipping from the Daily Prophet, because I wasn't sure if you got that in America. But can you believe it? 700 galleons! Mum and Dad have promised to buy me a new wand for next year with some of the gold, which will be nice. I've had to hide my current wand, because it wouldn't stop whistling.

Egypt has been great so far. Bill has been showing us around all the old tombs. These Egyptian wizards must have been really paranoid, because some of the curses they put on their tombs are really extravagant! People sprouting extra heads, or their hands being relocated on their bodies—some of it is really creepy. (Don't let Fred or George know that I said that.)

We'll be getting back the week before school starts. We're going to try to meet up with everyone in London again! I've told Harry and Hermione about it, so try to talk your folks into letting you come, too!

Ginny and George both wrote you letters for your birthday, by the way. They've begged me to put them in with mine, so that's what the extra bits of parchment are.

We'll keep in touch, and hopefully see you the week before school starts in London!

Ron

P.S. Percy's been made Head Boy. He hasn't been able to shut up about it since he got his letter a week ago.

Lucy picked up the other two pieces of parchment to see short birthday notes from Ginny—Ron's younger sister—and George—one of Ron's older brothers. Then she pulled the box towards her that was labeled from the Weasleys. She opened it up to find a note from Mrs. Weasley—Ron's mother—on top.

Lucy,

This is a present from all of us to you. Have a wonderful birthday, and we hope to see you soon!

Love,

Molly

Inside the box was a large, leather bound book. Lucy curiously opened it up and was immediately greeted with a photo of her with Ron, Hermione, and Harry that had been taken the year before. Lucy leafed through the first few pages of the book, smiling at the photographs from the past couple of years. The rest of the book was blank, obviously meant for Lucy to put her own pictures inside.

"What's that?" Sue asked, bringing Lucy a plate of French toast.

"The Weasleys got me a photo album for my birthday," Lucy replied. "Here." She slid the book over, so her mom could take a look, while Lucy took the plate from her.

"How thoughtful," Sue said. "That's very kind of them."

Lucy picked up the next letter, which was from Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. She smoothed it out on the table to read as she ate her breakfast.

Lucy,

Happy birthday! Thought I'd send you a little something to make your day brighter.

Exciting stuff is happening here. Won't say any more now, but you'll find out when you get back to school!

Hope your holidays have been good.

Hagrid

Lucy opened the package from Hagrid, smiling as soon as she knew what it was. "Hagrid sent fudge," she told Sue. "We'll have to make sure to soften this before anyone tries to eat it, otherwise they might break their teeth off."

Sue chuckled.

Lucy moved on to the next letter, and she was surprised to see that it was from Noelle Watson. Noelle was the daughter of some of Dan's and Sue's old school friends. She was from Michigan, and she went to Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which was the American school of magic. Lucy had never really considered any of Dan's and Sue's old school friends' children as her friends, but after spending a few days with Noelle the summer before, Lucy felt much closer to the other girl. They had exchanged a few letters over the past year, but Lucy hadn't thought that Noelle would remember her birthday.

Dear Lucy,

Happy thirteenth birthday! I hope you're having a wonderful summer. It seems like it's been a long time since I last wrote to you.

For the past few weeks, my family and I have been on vacation in Canada. It's been great to get away for a while, especially since my little brother starts at Ilvermorny this year and hasn't been able to stop talking about it.

Anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! Hopefully we'll be able to catch up in person sometime soon.

Sincerely,

Noelle

Lucy smiled before setting the letter aside. She moved on to the next one and saw that it was from her friend and fellow Gryffindor second-year Sally-Anne Perks.

Hi Lucy,

Happy birthday! Just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know that I'm sending you all kinds of positive thoughts for your birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I can't wait to see you in a few weeks when school starts again!

Sincerely,

Sally-Anne

P.S. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it, but my mother has been in and out of St. Mungo's a lot since Easter. Things haven't been looking so great, so if you could send her some kind thoughts, I would really appreciate it.

Lucy frowned when she reached the end of Sally-Anne's note. She immediately hoped that Mrs. Perks would be all right.

There was one final letter that went with a small package. Lucy took one look at who it was from and practically tore it in half trying to open it.

Dear Lucy,

Happy birthday. I hope this reaches you in time; my mother has been nagging me nonstop about how we're on vacation, so I should be spending time with my cousins.

I'm in France with my mother's family again, just like last summer. It's been very boring here. I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts, so I can get away from my parents and see my friends.

I found your present in a small Muggle shop here when I snuck away from my family for a bit. My father would be beside himself if he knew that I went to a Muggle shop, much less had some Muggle money to pay for things, but I figured that you were worth the risk. I hope you like it.

My mother is yelling at me to go spend some time with my cousins, so I'll wrap this letter up. I hope your summer has been much better than mine has, and I'll see you on September first.

Jeremy

Jeremy Whitlock was Lucy's friend from school, who had been sorted into Slytherin house. Most people found their friendship to be very odd, because Lucy had been placed in Gryffindor. It was widely believed that Gryffindors and Slytherins didn't typically get along.

Lucy picked up the accompanying parcel sitting on the table and opened it up. Inside was a charm for her charm bracelet that Jeremy had given to her for Christmas. The new charm was a silver letter L, and Lucy was quick to fasten it to her bracelet.

"Looks like your Hogwarts letter arrived this morning, as well," Sue said, nodding to the final envelope on the table.

Lucy, noting that it was indeed from school, picked it up and slit open the top. Inside was the usual letter that stated when the beginning of term was, a list of books and other supplies she'd need for the following year, and her ticket for the Hogwarts Express. There was also an additional piece of paper in the envelope. Lucy quickly read the opening letter.

Dear Miss Jones,

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.

Third-years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.

A list of books for next year is enclosed.

Yours sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Mom," Lucy said immediately, turning to Sue. "The letter says that third-year students can start visiting Hogsmeade village on certain weekends, but I need you to sign the permission form." She handed Sue the form.

"All right, but I'll only sign it as long as you promise to stay out of trouble," Sue said in a light, teasing tone.

"Mom, when do I ever get in trouble?" Lucy shot back, grinning.

In her first two years of Hogwarts, Lucy and her friends had gotten into trouble a few times. To be fair, they had stopped You-Know-Who from stealing the Philosopher's Stone at the end of their first year, and in their second year, they had saved the entire school from the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. However, Lucy understood that—as her mother—Sue was always going to worry about her.

"Here you are," Sue said, handing the signed form to her daughter.

"Thank you," Lucy replied. "I'm going to take it right up to my trunk, so I don't forget it."

"Put your dishes away first, please!" Sue said, motioning to Lucy's dirty plate.

Lucy picked up her plate and brought it into the kitchen. Her parents cleaned all the dishes with magic, but it had always been a rule for her to at least bring her dirty dishes to the sink.

Once her dishes were cleaned up, Lucy scooped up her birthday presents and letters and took them up to her room to put them away.

~LJ:C~

Later that night, Dan came home from his job at the Magical Congress of the USA with a troubled look on his face. He had the newspaper in his hand. Both Lucy and Sue, who had been in the kitchen getting dinner ready, paused when he entered the room.

"What's wrong, dear?" Sue asked. "Has something happened?"

Dan held up the newspaper. "Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban," he replied.

Sue let out a little gasp, but Lucy was confused. She had no idea who the person was, but the name Azkaban sounded familiar to her.

"Who is Sirius Black?" she asked. "What's Azkaban?"

Dan let out a heavy sigh before motioning for Lucy to sit down at the kitchen table. He sat next to her, setting the newspaper down. Lucy glanced at it and saw a large photo of the man in question.

"Azkaban is the wizarding prison for Great Britain," Dan explained. "It's guarded by dementors, creatures that you would never want to meet. Nobody has ever escaped from that prison before."

"Dementors?" Lucy repeated, frowning.

"They suck all the happiness from around them," Dan continued, shuddering. "Any bit of happiness that you have, they take it away."

"So, nobody's escaped before this Sirius Black guy?" Lucy said.

"Yes," Dan answered. "Nobody has ever been able to break out of that prison. Sirius Black was—well, it's said that he was a supporter of You-Know-Who. He murdered a wizard he was supposed to be friends with, along with a bunch of No-Majs, the night the Potters were killed and You-Know-Who disappeared."

"What does this mean, Dan?" Sue cut in, looking very worried.

"All the magical governing bodies have been notified," Dan replied. "Some of the No-Maj leaders have been warned, as well. As far as I know, they won't be closing Hogwarts."

"Why would they need to close Hogwarts?" Lucy asked anxiously.

"Well, as I said, Azkaban is the prison for Great Britain," Dan answered carefully. "It's really not that far from Hogwarts. Until they recapture Black, there's nothing stopping him from trying to break into the school—"

"Why would he want to get into a school for?" Lucy interrupted, her voice getting high.

"Lucy, honey, it's okay," Sue said, hurrying to put a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Your father said that they weren't closing the school."

"I'm sure they'll add some extra protection, just to be safe," Dan added. "We're just worried about you going to school so far away."

"But Dumbledore will be there," Lucy reasoned. "Even You-Know-Who was scared of Dumbledore!"

There was a long pause.

"I can still go to Hogwarts, though, right?" Lucy finally asked.

"Of course you can," Dan replied. "You've already been going there for two years. Plus, if anything should happen to the school, the Weasleys will be there to look after you."

Lucy nodded.

"Well, then," Sue piped up; Lucy thought she looked slightly disappointed by her husband's answer. "Let's all try to forget about this, so we can have a nice birthday dinner for Lucy."

Dan stood up to help Sue get dinner on the table as Lucy sat, thinking hard. A prison escapee wouldn't want to break into Hogwarts… would he?

~LJ:C~

A/N: Originally (way back when I first started writing this story), Dan and Sue knew who Lucy's parents were. They were sworn to secrecy from Dumbledore to not tell Lucy the truth. They also fought in the first war against Voldemort; they were part of the Order's international forces (which I imagined there was such a thing, since Dumbledore wants Charlie Weasley to help recruit international wizards during the second war). That's how Dan and Sue initially knew about Sirius Black.

But as the story grew and changed, I knew that I didn't want Dan and Sue to know who Lucy's parents were - I wanted them to be clueless about where she came from (other than she had been born in Britain, and her birth parents wanted her out of the country for her safety). So instead, I feel like Dan and Sue know who Sirius Black is because Voldemort's downfall and then Sirius's arrest the following day was such big international news that Dan and Sue would have heard about it. They were all fed the same story that Sirius was super dangerous and that he was the reason that Voldemort had tracked down the Potters.

The very quick, almost throw-away line of "Lucy thought she looked slightly disappointed by her husband's answer" is actually kind of important to Sue's character, but you'll have to stick around until story 6 to find out why. Seems mean, I guess, but there's a very important moment there between Lucy and her parents.

Sorry about the length of this A/N. lol