I apologize for the delay on this chapter, exams are this week and I have a lot of work to catch up on as well as revising. I hope you'll forgive me on this, I will try my best to keep you all updated on this story, as it's been going really well. Anyways, I hope you lot enjoy this chapter, as I've worked extra hard to make you all smile. Of course, as promised, we see Gilderoy Lockhart in this chapter, as he should've been seen. Anna put him in his bloody place. The bloody prat. I hope you enjoy this. Remember feedback is always appreciated.

Chapter 3
Incompetent Professors, Pranks, Autumn and Christmas Holidays

November 30th, 1992
Hogwarts - Defence Against the Dark Arts

"I don't expect you to understand the joys of publicity, but if you were in my shoes, you'd know that it's not an easy job," he explained as he paced the front of the class, eyeing the students, his smile was large and it made Anna and Vixen roll their eyes. "Miss Cloud, is something the matter?" Anna sat up straight at being called out, a few Slytherins snickered and James growled at them, the rest of the Lot glared in their direction. They immediately stopped their snickers and skived their attention elsewhere.

"Well, Professor, aren't we supposed to be learning how to defend ourselves from Dark Wizards rather than learn about the "joys" of publicity?" Anna asked, raising her hands to imitate the quotation marks and she could tell that the question bothered her Professor, Weaver and Thomas were snickering from behind her.

He thought about her words for a moment before he smiled at her. His smile was perfect, too perfect. She had to resist the urge to cringe. "I'm glad you asked that question, Miss Cloud. I'm here to teach you about how to defend yourselves, yes you are right, but I'll also be teaching you about how hard it truly is to be as famous as myself. Order of Merlin, third class. An Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming Smile." he smiled at a few female Slytherins in the front row, they all swooned and began whispering to one another.

"There's more to life than just publicity," Anna pointed out, the Slytherin girls in the front row turned and began glaring at her as if she'd just used an Unforgivable.

"You are absolutely right, Miss Cloud, there is more to life than just publicity," Lockhart replied, his smile growing if it grew any more Anna was going to have to excuse herself to throw up.

"Shouldn't we be learning about actual defensive strategies?" Anna asked, holding up her hand before he could reply to imply that she wasn't finished speaking. "Rather than learn about just how famous you truly are?" she let her hand fall and nodded to him, letting him reply.

He put a hand to his heart, as though her words wounded him. "Miss Cloud, you wound me, but you are absolutely right. We'll take up where we left off, tomorrow. Dismissed." Everyone stood and began packing. "Miss Cloud, will you linger a moment?"

After everyone had cleared the room, Anna made her way to her Professor, Spirit suddenly jumped on her shoulders and Lockhart looked mildly put out. "Did you need something, Professor?" He nodded and gave her a stern look. All sense of innocence and devotion gone from his usual kind gaze.

oOoOoOo

Hufflepuff Common Room

"Un-fucking-believable!" Vixen shouted as they made their way to the Kitchens. "Detention for a month! Just what we fucking needed!" her eyes returned to their ocean blue hue as Anna sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff let her in. "Un-fucking-believable!"

"What happened?" James asked, running to her the moment the portrait hole closed behind her, he cupped her face and examined her looking for anything wrong.

"Detention for a month, and that's not even the worst part!"

"What could be worse than detention with Lockhart for a fucking month?" Holly exclaimed, Amos, hugging her from behind, his hands falling to her shoulders to rub them, he always did this when Holly was tense.

"My detention is to help him answer his fucking fan mail! I straight up told him, answer your own fucking fan mail, bloody fucking prat. That's why I have it for a month, it was only supposed to be for this Friday. Now it's every Friday for a month, starting this Friday."

Irys pinched the bridge of her nose with one hand and placed the other on her hip. "Oh, Merlin,"

"Did he dock points?" Peter asked, his voice squeaking. Anna shook her head, he visibly relaxed.

"You should've seen him! He almost grabbed me, he was bloody pissed, said I'd embarrassed him in front of his fans. Like fucking, please!"

"Oh, Merlin, that's where he fucked up," Weaver said, a glare showing on her face as she adjusted her Quidditch goggles before her hands fell to her hips. She'd begun wearing them, everywhere. It was something she always wore now, like the necklace Thomas had given her for her birthday in their first year. The copper Beaters bat and Bludger necklace still hung proudly from her throat. Thomas draped his arm over her shoulder.

"Pads is right, anyone knows not to fuck with you, especially us. He's lucky you didn't hex him on the spot. I think a lesson is in order my fine, furry friends." Thomas smirked at his friends and they all beamed.

December 4th, 1992
Hogwarts - Defence Against the Dark Arts

Anna made her way to detention, the Lot following her from afar. He deserves this, honestly, he gets on my nerves. Vixen's voice came from within her mind, Anna nodded. "You and me both, Vix," Anna whispered. When she reached the door, she turned and gave her friends a thumbs up. "Remember, once it's done, get out of here," she told them and they all gave her a thumbs up.

"How are you going to get out?" Irys had asked. Anna had simply smiled and winked.

She knocked on the door thrice and entered, closing the door behind her and sighing. She couldn't even see her Professor with the amount of fan mail that sat on his desk, his blonde hair and bright blue eyes appeared from over a pile of mail and he glared at her, he was still pissed with her, yet he stood from his desk anyway and smiled, the smile was disgusting, nor was it real, his eyes proved that to her. Suddenly, he clapped his hands together, making her jump slightly. "Ah, Miss Cloud, right on time, sit," he gestured to a desk in the front row that had 3 piles of fan mail piled on top. She took her seat and sighed. "Get to work," he said as he grabbed another letter from on top of a pile in front of him and retook his seat, disappearing from view. Anna sighed and Vixen grumbled about incompetent Professors.

Stop complaining, or I'll make you do it, Anna huffed, Vixen immediately stopped complaining. The room was silent for only an hour before a giant crash! was heard from outside the door. Lockhart jumped from his seat and ran to the door, wrenching it open and cursing aloud at the sight of a swamp taking up the entire corridor. "I swear those Weasley brats are starting to grind on my nerves," she heard him mumble as he starting pacing the length of the classroom. Suddenly, he turned on her. "You better not have had anything to do with this, Miss Cloud, if you have, I will see to it that you are expelled."

She laughed at this. "Yeah, good luck with that, you bloody prat!"

He advanced on her. "Why you little—"

"Whee!" Anna beamed as Peeves flew into the room. Lockhart suddenly looked terrified.

"What's wrong Professor? You look as though you've seen a ghost!" Anna teased.

"I'll make sure you're expelled for this young lady,"

"Minerva's my mum you bloody prat, like I said, good luck with that." she winked and took the extended hand Peeves held out for her, picked her up and flew her out of the room over the swamp. "It bloody worked!" Anna exclaimed as they flew over the corridor. They could hear Lockhart's shouts from the other end of the corridor, he was screaming obscenities to her retreating form.

"You've been naughty dearie, very naughty," Peeves said as he set her down at the end of the corridor where the swamp ended. She winked and shrugged.

"Someone needed to put that prat in his place. Thanks for the help," he bowed low and gave her an evil grin.

"When it comes to chaos, dearie, I will always help. He'll be there for a while, prat doesn't know spells worth shit. Enjoy the rest of your evening." she smiled at him and gave a small curtsy before she sauntered off towards the Hufflepuff Common Room, taking a secret passage that George had shown her years earlier.

She entered the Common Room to find to Lot waiting up for her, they laughed. "Merlin! It

bloody worked!" Irys exclaimed, she sounded relieved. She ran and hugged Anna tightly, Anna returning the hug automatically.

Anna held out her arms. "Tada!"

"How did the prat take it?" Weaver asked, she swung her legs over Tommy's lap and he held them. Over the next half hour, Anna told them what had transpired. "Oh! That's bloody perfect! As if you called him a bloody prat to his fucking face!" Weaver doubled over laughing. Anna winked at her ebony haired friend.

Al stood from his seat and paced back and forth, his expression hard before he glared at Anna."'I'm going to make sure you're expelled, young lady!'" his tone was identical to Lockhart's and everyone doubled over laughing.

"As I told him, good luck with that, Minerva's my mum,"

December 11th, 1992
Entrance Hall - Corridor to the Kitchens

A week had passed since Anna and the Lot had put Lockhart in his place. Minerva had chewed Anna out for it but had looked extremely proud. No points had been docked, nor was detention given, Anna was praised for it by her friends. Even Peeves had flown around singing songs that he'd written about Anna being a hero.

The Lot had given their thanks to the Weasley twins for giving them a Portable Swamp, along with how the scene had played out, they had been extremely pleased with the results. There had been rumours travelling around the castle that the Heir of Slytherin had returned to Hogwarts and had open the Chamber of Secrets. At first, Anna and the Lot had ignored the rumours until someone had turned up petrified. Curfew had become earlier, students now had to be in pairs when roaming the corridors. Anna and the Lot were on their way back the kitchens when everyone stopped in their tracks. "Mrs Norris!" Spirit cried when the path was cleared for the Professors. Words in what appeared to be dripping red paint were scrawled on the wall.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

The words had been written in blood, causing Anna to shiver, James hugged her tightly. Mrs Norris hung from her tail, she had been petrified. Anna caught a glimpse of Hermione's bushy mane of honey-brown curls. She, Ron and Harry were surrounded by students from every House.

"Caught red-handed!" Filch shouted.

"Shame, I knew the very countercurse that could've spared her," Lockhart said, Anna and the Lot rolled their eyes, Lockhart's eyes fell on Anna and he momentarily glared at her, which she utterly returned, smirking as her eyes flashed violet which caused the prat to avert his gaze, making Anna smirk all the more.

"She's not dead, Mr Filch, she's only petrified. Pomona? Are the Mandrakes ageing well?" Professor Dumbledore asked as he turned to the plump little witch, who adjusted her hat at being called out. Professor Sprout beamed and nodded.

"They'll be ready for stewing in a few months, they've started teething."

"Poor Mrs Norris!" Filch cried and Anna had had enough, making her way over to Hermione, Harry and Ron, blocking them; protecting them.

"Mr Filch, do you really think, three second years would do this to Mrs Norris? Let alone know the spell for such a thing?" he tried to glare at the three from around Anna's head. Anna's eyes flashed a menacing violet, which made him return his attention to her. "Do you?"

"They killed Mrs Norris!" he cried, falling to his knees in a mess of uncontrollable sobs.

"Mr Filch!" they heard Minerva shout. "Compose yourself! Miss Cloud." she turned to Anna and sighed. "Out of the way, please."

"Hang on, Mum, you can't possibly believe that they had something to do with this?!" Anna cried, using herself as a shield for the Golden Trio behind her when Anna had called Minerva, Mum, the crowd began whispering amongst themselves.

"We'll discuss this later, Anna."

"No! I believe they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose from beneath her glasses and sighed, she looked to Harry, Ron and Hermione and they all nodded vigorously.

"Very well, but I'd still like for them to explain themselves. Out of the way please," Anna sighed and turned, giving the three a hug before she made her way back to James and the Lot, who had pushed their way to the forefront of the crowd. "The rest of you, back to your Common Rooms, curfew is still in order." the crowd dispersed, all except Anna, the Lot, the Professors and Harry, Ron and Hermione, who followed Dumbledore to his office. Anna hugged James before she followed Minerva. Anna caught up to Minerva and they walked side-by-side down the corridor. Anna had lingered long enough to hear Draco Malfoy mutter "You'll be next Mudbloods!" to Hermione, Harry and Ron in passing and Anna audibly growled at the little slimeball.

"Mum, they're just bloody kids,"

"Language dear,"

Anna sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "They're just kids, I truly believe they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, however, I know that's (not) how it looked, but they're my closest friends and I know for a fact that they had nothing to do with this."

"What makes you speculate that?" Minerva asked, looking at Anna from the corner of her eye.

"Hermione was with them, Minnie. I know for a fact that Hermione's greatest fear is being expelled from Hogwarts and therefore, thrown from the Wizarding World, she'd never do anything that risked that. Ever." Anna explained and Minerva thought about it for a moment.

"You have a fair point, dear, however, those three are always causing trouble. Have you ever heard of the phrase; those who go looking for trouble often find it?" Anna nodded.

"You're right, Mum, but you're forgetting that those who go looking for trouble, yes they often find it, but there are some that trouble usually finds them. No matter how hard they try to avoid it. I believe that's the case here," Minerva smiled at her and nodded.

"You've grown up to be very wise my love, I'm proud of you," Anna beamed at her.

"Thanks, Mum,"

"Excuse me?" the pair turned and looked down at a Hufflepuff student, they hadn't been aware, was following them. She appeared to be a first year.

"Oh my goodness, she's adorable." Spirit mewled and jumped from Anna's shoulders to rub herself against the little girl's leg, she smiled at Spirit and swooped down to pick her up.

"Sorry, dear, we didn't realize you were behind us," Anna said as she leant over to be level with the girl who had curly ginger hair. "What's your name?"

"M-my name's Autumn," the girl stammered, her eyes wide. "Autumn Thunderstorm."

"It's lovely to meet you, Autumn," Anna smiled. "My name's Anna, did you need a hand?"

Autumn nodded sheepishly. "I'm a little lost."

"No need to be upset, where do you need to go?"

"The Common Room," she looked down at her robes and Anna smiled, she turned to Minerva who simply nodded and continued down the corridor to her office.

"Follow me," Anna smiled and gestured for Autumn to follow her.

"What about Professor McGonagall?" Autumn asked.

"Mum's going back to her office, I'll take you to the Common Room, I was heading that way myself."

"Mum?"

"Professor McGonagall adopted me last year," Anna explained at Autumn's look of confusion. "Now, let's get you safe," the older witch smiled and they walked side by side down the corridor.

December 18th, 1992
Hufflepuff Common Room - Fourth Year Girls Dormitories

Anna and the girls were packing for the Christmas holidays. Mia was letting Al stay at her place for the holidays, Holly was going home with Amos, Weaver was meeting Tommy's parents for the first time—the girls had never seen her so nervous, Weaver Hibiscus Sprout, star Beater, known troublemaker who wasn't scared of anything, reduced to the nervous girl that stood before them now—, Irys was going home with Peter and Clover was joining Cedric. Anna was going to a place she now called home—besides Hogwarts—and that was the Summer Manor. The girls were teasing Weaver about meeting Tommy's parents for the first time.

"You lot have been taking the piss out of me all morning, we're going to miss the train!" Weaver exclaimed as she hauled her trunk behind her and left the room. The girls following closely behind her, giggling loudly at how easily they had gotten a rise out of the ebony haired witch that walked five feet in front of them.

Anna and James sat together after they had found an empty compartment, Weaver, Thomas, Clover and Cedric piled in afterwards. They talked about many things, Quidditch, what they planned on doing with their holiday. When they arrived at Kings Cross Station, Jamie's parents stood waiting for them. The Mischiefous Lot said their farewells and separated for the break.

As the family made their way to the Floo, they smiled at Anna. "We'll be along later, Lina will take care of you until our return, we have some business to attend to." Star smiled at them and they both nodded in understanding.

The flames turned green as Anna and James appeared in the Manor drawing room. "Oh! Miss Anna is here! Oh! Lina is so happy!"

Anna smiled at the violet-eyed House-elf and set down her trunk, getting on her knees and opening her arms. Lina ran to her and hugged her tightly. "Hello Lina, I've missed you so much!"

"Lina has missed Miss Anna too!" When Lina let Anna go, she turned and smiled up at James. "Lina has missed Master James too."

"Hello Lina, lovely to see you again," he smiled at her.

"Has Miss Anna and Master James eaten yet?" they shook their heads and Lina tutted before she smiled at them and placed her hands on her hips. "Lina will make breakfast then," and she disappeared with a pop!

oOoOoOo

Summer Manor - Manor Library

After the couple had eaten a proper breakfast, courtesy of Lina, they retired to the Manor's library to catch up on some homework. "I haven't seen Vixen in a while, you're doing a good job at keeping her contained." Anna simply laughed. "What? What's so funny?" that's when he realized her eyes were violet. "Oh,"

"Don't worry, Moony, you'll have her back later, I'm just helping her out." she gestured to the supplies that was laid out in front of her.

"You're helping her cheat?"

Vixen laughed and shook her head. "She didn't really have a choice, I was bored out of my fucking mind, besides I've already learnt this, this," she gestured to the room. "Has already happened, it's how it's supposed to happen," her eyes returned to normal only a moment before Jesse entered the library to check on them, as though she had sensed him coming. She gave James a sideways glance and her eyes flashed violet briefly for Vixen to wink at him before they returned to their ocean hue.

December 23rd, 1992
Summer Manor - Jamie's Bedroom

When everyone fell asleep that evening, Anna waited an hour before she snuck out of her room and slipped into Jamie's, she knew it was the night of the new moon and on those nights, Jamie couldn't sleep. She closed the door quietly behind her and turned to look at him, he smiled at her and she made her way over to him. He pulled back the duvet and she snuggled down next to him. He pulled her bangs from her eyes, kissing her forehead. "Hello love," she smiled at him and pulled his face down gently to kiss the tip of his nose.

"Can't sleep?" she shook her head with a smile.

"Just thought you could use some company since I know you don't sleep on nights like tonight." He smiled at her and pulled her body against his. Suddenly, he had her pinned to the mattress beneath them, his eyes a liquid gold, his mouth went to her throat and he nibbled at the soft flesh, Anna moaned in response to the sensation. "Silencing Charms," Anna whispered and James paused to fetch his wand from beneath his pillow before he cast a Silencing Charm around the room. He returned his wand to underneath his pillow before his lips went back to her neck, she moaned and his eyes flashed gold at her reaction, he pulled back and her eyes were violet.

"Vixen, give her back," he growled, his eyes a liquid gold at her audacity to take Anna's place at a time as intimate as the one they were sharing.

Vixen blushed bright red. "Sorry," Anna's blue eyes returned and she smiled at him before she looked puzzled. "She took my place again, didn't she?" he nodded. "Fuck sakes, Vixen, stay out of this." her eyes returned to their violet shade. "I said I was sorry," her eyes shifted back to their blue hue and Anna rolled her eyes. "Mhmm."

To distract the argument from getting worse, James' hands gripped her hips and he pressed himself against her, earning a sharp moan to escape from her lips. He grinned victoriously as his lips returned to her neck, his teeth grazed the soft skin as her fingers threaded through his hair.

"We shouldn't be doing this, James," Anna whispered, earning a huff from Vixen as her eyes flashed violet momentarily. "We're still so young and if the others ever found out—God forbid even Minnie—we'd never hear the end of it." Deep down as her words sunk in, he knew she was right. The rest of the Lot already thought they were shagging—even though those accusations were untrue—and if Minerva were to find out, Merlin only knew what she'd do. James pulled back—after a great deal of self-control to not mark her as his Beta right then and there—and sighed, nodding in defeat.

Deep down, he knew she was right. She always was in the end. They were much too young, let alone unprepared for the rumours that were sure to spread if word got out. Even as fourth years, they were still much too young, no matter how much their bodies, minds and subconscious' wanted it, craved it, needed it. If Anna and James closed their eyes, they would be face to face with their inner selves. Anna would be face to face with a rather angry Vixen and James would be face to face with his inner wolf, who would be growling and snarling at him. "You're right, Anna, we should wait." he winced slightly as Moony began growling at him, urging him to possess her right then and there.

"Moony!" Anna snapped as James opened his eyes and growled at her as Moony took control. "Leave him alone!" his eyes slowly returned to their pale green shade as he visibly relaxed. "Vixen's not too happy about it either, but I still believe waiting is what's best." his eyes flashed a molten gold as he growled low and dangerous. She eyed him warily, showing absolutely no fear as she faced off an angry wolf, meanwhile ignoring Vixen's protests in her own mind. "I don't like it any more than you do Moony, but please don't growl at me, I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be," James growled back. She sighed and cupped his face with her hands, kissing him softly, purposely shifting her eyes to a light lilac, staring him in the eye until the gold subsided.

"I'm not afraid of you, Jamie, I never have and never will be. I know we aren't mates and that's okay. Just because you growl at me when Moony takes over doesn't mean I'm going to up and leave you all alone."

"I don't want to hurt you, Anna,"

"And I know you never would on purpose Jamie."

He sighed and hugged her tightly, breathing in her scent as it washed over him. Sugar Quills, orchids and chocolate. There was something else too, something he hadn't noted before, as she hugged him back he breathed in her scent once more as it washed over him completely.

She smelled like home.

Well, there it is everyone, Chapter 3. I hope you all enjoyed it. See you soon for Chapter 4.