Disclaimer: If J.K.Rowling owns, it I don't.

Second Chances

chapter two: Forgetting Lia

Upon returning to the farm, Remus immediately went out to the greenhouse to start setting up his beloved herb shop, leaving Sirius to his thoughts.

And such troubled thought they were. He worried about being surrounding by witches and wizards again: what if someone recognized him? And he worried, like he always did, about Harry, who was starting his fifth year that day.

Actually, Sirius tried to worry about these things (lately, worrying was what he did best), but his thoughts kept drifting back to the woman he had met with Remus.

What was her name? Leanna? Lia? It didn't really matter, for it was her face that stuck in his mind. He felt certain he knew her before he went to Azkaban. And perhaps he did, for Azkaban caused him to forget many things and people.

Sirius pushed of thoughts of Azkaban to the back of his mind where they always lingered and went to help Remus in the greenhouse.



"What can I get you, sir?" I asked, wondering how it was possible that Hagrid had grown even bigger since I saw him last.

"I'll have none o' that 'sir' codswallop," Hagrid grinned. "Call me Hagrid. Everyone
does."

"Okay, what can I get you Hagrid?"

"A large ale, if yeh please."

I made Hagrid's drink, making a mental note to keep talking to him through out the night. This proved none too difficult as Hagrid ordered another Ale, and another, and another...

"So, what do you do, Hagrid?" I asked, bringing him his sixth Ale, trying to bring the
conversation around to Hogwarts.

"Grounds keeper at Hogwarts," he said, then added proudly, "an' I teach Care o' Magical creatures."

"Really?" I was rather surprised, but pleased. "I've always had a soft spot for magical
creatures."

"Have yeh?"

I grinned, thinking, It's too bad he has no idea. We could have quite the conversation. "Oh yes. Except for maybe Griffins."

Hagrid finished his Ale in one big gulp, "Yeh should come see one o' me classes," he said. "What'd yeh say yer name was?"

"Lia Strummings."

"Yeh should come and see one o' me classes Lia."

"I'd like that."

Hagrid left then, but not before promising to see me again. I felt much happier, it appeared I had found my way into Hogwarts.




Sirius ate his cereal with a bit more perk than usual. Indeed, even his rice bubbles seemed to be snapping, crackling and popping more than necessary. This was a good day, and he planned to enjoy it.

Remus noted his friends mood with sly satisfaction. He'd just received a large order of
herbs and needed some help unpacking them all.

"You're in a good mood today," commented Remus, discovering that Sirius had finished
off the milk.

Sirius did not appear to be listening, he was looking intently out of the window. "Is that
Hedwig?"

Remus turned and strained to see the three owls in the distance more clearly. "I can't tell. Could be."

It was. None of the owls stayed for long; they dropped their mail and left right away,
obviously trying to beat the approaching storm. It was no wonder, as it was apparent that it was going to be a howler.

Sirius pounced on Harry's letter, leaving Remus to deal with the other two.

Dear Sirius,

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying life in London, just make sure nobody sees you! I am, as usual, glad to be at Hogwarts with the Dursleys far behind me.

We have another new DADA professor now, Professor Whitton. She's ok, not as good as Remus but still good. (Better than Lockhart, at least).


I found out just this morning that Katie Bell is the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. (she is, of course, very happy about this). Let's just hope she's not a big fan of lectures like Oliver was!

Well, I can hear Ron and Hermione fighting AGAIN, so I'm off to play peacemaker. Hope you are well!



Love

Harry

Sirius grinned, feeling even happier now that he knew that Harry was well.

Remus had discarded the first letter, (no we don't want a set of size zero brooms!), but
treated the second with much more respect.

"It's from Dumbledore," Remus informed his friend.

Sirius raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I managed to get hold of most of the old group," he explained, "except for Bill; he's too busy making Muggle computers. And, they've all contacted Dumbledore. They're all ready to start up the fight again, so there's a meeting at Hogwarts tomorrow."

Sirius nodded and read Harry's letter again. There was no mention of Lord Voldemort or
scar pains; of course, Harry might just be trying not to worry him.

Seeing the happy mood slipping away, Remus grinned brightly and said, "C'mon, Padfoot, I need some help unpacking herbs."

Sirius groaned. It was going to be a long day unpacking herbs, and with a significantly perkier-than-normal Remus, at that.


"Hello again, Hagrid," I looked at my watch, "Shouldn't you be at Hogwarts?"

Hagrid nodded and grinned, "got a class in half an hour, yeh want to come watch?"

"Go on!" called Rosemerta from the other end of the bar. "I can keep an eye on this place."

I laughed and grabbed my cloak, "I guess I have no choice, then."


"What class are you teaching?" I asked, wondering how Hagrid managed to get hold of
one of the horseless carriages.

"Fifth year Gryffindor and Slytherin."

I wondered if Harry took Care of Magical Creatures. I hoped he did.

"What animal are the kids studying today?"

"A Pegasus. I managed to get hold o' one," he said, "they're a bit moody, but mostly
harmless. " He said this with such conviction that I had to laugh.

"Do you like teaching care of magical creatures?" I asked Hagrid, thirsty to know
everything about him.

He nodded vigorously, "Yeah. But I won't be teachin' for much longer."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Have to leave. Special business from Dumbledore." He said this with great pride, as though every man's dream was to have special business from the Headmaster.

I wanted to know what the special business was (curious cat that I am), but obviously
Hagrid wasn't going to tell me, so I was silent for the rest of the ride.



The Pegasus was standing outside Hagrid's hut with one dainty leg chanced the ground to prevent escape. It seemed rather irked at being held in such an undignified manner.

"Well, really," it muttered, pawing the ground, "Quite unacceptable."

Hagrid went inside his hut to make last minute preparations, and I sat on the grass,
watching the unicorn curiously.

As if sensing my stare, the Pegasus turned and looked into my eyes. I suddenly felt strangely compelled to set it free, almost crying tears of sorrow for those who would never see such beauty. It seemed wrong to keep such splendor chained...

I forced myself to look away and break the spell. The Pegasus snorted in annoyance.

"Here come the Gryffindors," Hagrid said, dropping a bag of grooming brushes on the ground.

I turned around- and the first person I saw was Harry. He was flanked on either side by the girl and boy he'd been with in Hogsmeade.

"Is that Harry Potter?" I asked Hagrid, wanted to make sure, even though I was certain.

Hagrid nodded. "Yeah. Great kid, jus' like Lily an' James."

"I knew Lily and James," I said, not taking my eyes off Harry.

"Really?" Hagrid sounded like he wanted to say more, but Harry and his friends had
entered hearing range.

"Hi, Hagrid," said the girl with bushy hair, giving me a curious look.

"Hello, Hermione," Hagrid replied.

"Hey Hagrid," Harry and the red-headed boy chorused.


Hagrid greeted them both, then nodded at me. "This is Lia Strummings," he said. "She's
gonna watch the class."

Hermione, Harry, and the third boy (who's name was Ron) all said hello.

By now, the other Gryffindors had arrived and I was introduced again, this time as 'Miss Strummings.' If Sirius had been there, he'd have had a field day. Provided that Sirius actually remembered me. I quickly swallowed the lump in my throat, ignoring the concerned look I got from Hermione.

The Slytherins strutted over a few minutes later, and I was presented yet again, with
much less welcoming statements.

The lesson proceeded and as Hagrid went over the basic, less pleasant characteristics of Pegasuses. The Pegasus grew more and more outraged.

"This is unheard of!" He half yelled half whined. "Why, my great-grandfather before
me was the favorite steed of mighty Zeus! If he knew I was being treated in such manner, you would be strung from the highest walls in hell, forced to have you organs removed, only to be reborn and have them removed again for all eternity!"

It was an impressive speech. A pity I was the only one who could hear it. Or was I? I
scanned the students in front of me, wondering if the Sabi was among them. None of them appeared to be hearing anything out of the ordinary, and besides, hadn't the woman said the Sabi was a sixth year?

Hagrid moved on to the Pegasus' vanity, and handed out the grooming brushes to each
student. He then proceeded to tell them to carefully brush the Pegasus's silky fur, but to avoid the wings.

The Pegasus, (which was starting to remind me of Amos Diggory), began to calm itself then; indeed, he sounded almost happy. 'Yes, yes, my wondrous beauty. Glorious far beyond even the plain unicorn!"


I rolled my eyes and almost said something, but decided not to, as Hagrid and his pupils would most likely think I was insane. And who was I to argue with them?

A bell rang, the class ended, and Hagrid and I cleaned up.

"Are you going to let the Pegasus go?" I asked Hagrid, sick of hearing it threaten me with eternal pain and agony.

Hagrid nodded. "Yeah. It'll probably stay in the forest for a while. Here," he passed me a key. "Will you unlock it?"

I nodded and walked over to the Pegasus. "Calm down," I told it. "I'm letting you go."

"Good," it sniffed, not the least bit surprised that it could understand me. "It's about
time."

I watched it fly away into the forbidden forest and waited for Hagrid to clean up. Then I
made my way back to Hogsmeade alone, wondering why, after a trip to Hogwarts, I still had no idea who the Sabi was.



"Sirius?"

Sirius quickly jammed the remainder of his ham and banana sandwich into his mouth as
Remus entered the kitchen. "Mmmmm?"

"I'm going to Hogsmeade for some more bottles. You coming?"

Sirius nodded and Remus gave him an odd look. He quickly turned into Snuffles before
any questions could be asked.

The walk to Hogsmeade was uneventful, and Sirius laid happily on the grass of Potent
Potion supplies waiting for Remus to collect any spare bottles.

A familiar scent made it's way to Sirius' doggy nose, and he jumped to his (padded) feet and look eagerly around.

The woman, (Laura? Linda? Lucinda? he wondered absent-mindedly. Juliet. Juliet? Where did that come from?) was climbing out of one of the Hogwarts carriages. Odd… though Remus did say that she'd told him she had business there.

Sirius, without knowing why, desperately wanted to talk to (or at least hear Remus talk with) this mystery woman, so he issued three loud barks to get her attention.

She saw him, grinned, and immediately made her way over to the waiting black dog.
"Hullo, Snuffles," she said. Sirius noticed that she had the hint of an accent. (French- Lucille? Portuguese- Lolita? Scottish- Lucy? Dutch? German? Poor Sirius was confusing himself.)

The door to Potent Potion Supplies opened and out came Remus, several bags of jars, and a case of bottles.

"Hello Lia," he said when he saw her, "I hope Snuffles hasn't been harassing you?"

Lia! Sirius thought triumphantly. I know the mystery woman's name…

"Not at all." Lia waved an arm towards the multiple heavy looking bags. "Do you want
help with those?"

Remus shook his head. "No, no I'm fine."

Lia laughed. "Come now, you don't really think I'll let you walk all the way to your house with all those bags? Give some to me."

Smart enough to know when he was beaten, Remus handed a couple of the bags to Lia, who grinned. "See? That didn't hurt your macho pride too much, did it?"

Sirius snorted, which sounded odd in doggie form. Remus' macho pride…

Remus laughed and Sirius barked in doggy joy, loving to see his lycanthropic friend happy. Slowly, the three made their way to the farm house together.

This, mused Sirius in a moment of canine thought, is just how it's meant to be.


The house wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. It was snuggled somewhere in between the two. I immediately decided that it was a house I might like to live in one day, and then I wondered where that thought had come from. I'd gone from being fifteen and not wanting to be married to thirty and seriously considering it. It was quite the change.

"Welcome to my humble abode," said Remus grinning. He swung the door open and I
stepped inside.

There were still several unpacked boxes around the pace and dirty dishes in the sink. Dirty dishes for two. I pretended not to notice that, and hid my knowing grin behind a few words. "Nice place," I said, looking around. "Now I'm jealous that I didn't find it first."

Remus laughed. "A friend of mine tipped me off actually."

I nodded, unsure of what to say next.

"Would you like a coffee?" Remus asked, I nodded, then realized I'd never had coffee
before. I sincerely hoped it didn't taste as bad as it looked.



Sirius the dog sat and watched Remus and Lia drink their coffee. Funnily enough, Lia
didn't seemed to like it that much. Sirius thought this was funny, but, as a dog, Sirius
thought many things were funny.

He cocked his doggy head and listened in on the conversation around him.

"Is your shop coming along well?"

"Yes, it should be up in a day or so. I'm expecting you to be my first customer."

A laugh. Nice laugh. "Of course, though I must say, I don't know the first thing about
herbs."

"Then I'll just have to teach you won't I? Mind you, I tried to teach Snuffles and that was a mess."

"I can only imagine." More laughter.

Sirius the dog liked laughter, even if he was the cause of it.

"I'd better be going, don't want to get fired."

"Quite true."

Scraping of chairs, shuffling of feet. Lia was leaving. Sirius barked good-bye and, after she left, transformed back to his human (slightly saner) self.


Many kilometers away, a young woman sat in a coffee shop drinking what people
normally drank in coffee shops: coffee.

She didn't even like the stuff, but normal people drank coffee, and she needed to feel
normal.

You couldn't tell by looking at her, but this young woman was haunted. Not by ghosts or jelly eating leprechauns, but by a face. A face with a name she could not remember. A face that didn't exist, but she had once known.

If only she had a name. A label to pin on the face she couldn't forget. Then perhaps she would be a normal person. And she wouldn't have to drink a drink she hated just to
belong.

Authors note: A tad shorter than the last part.. Oh well! Many thanks to Lone Astronomer, who beta-read this for me and came up with the title and many thanks to my science teacher who has fallen ill and can not give up homework. *evil grin*