Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed. I cannot express enough gratitude that you all enjoy my story. Also, anyone wishing to be a beta for my stories, please do not hesitate to contact me. The only requirement is that you have to be well conditioned in grammar. I do tend to make mistakes and would like to have them corrected.


I got lost
Inside a memory
When I was young
And I almost drowned
But I was found
It sounds tacky
But I'm hopeful
There's a reason
That I found the ground
And my siren's sound
Just set the dark on fire
Turin Brakes –
Dark on Fire


To say that one Sirius Orion Black had been shocked when he opened the letter from the Ministry of Magic would be one of the understatements of the century. He was more than traumatized, more than outraged—that was until he found that he had opened Remus' letter by mistake.

The latter had found it quite hilarious; of course, the calm and placid nature of a composed wolf overtaking the werewolf within made him that way. It only left the animagus in another tit of frenzy. His best friend was now engaged to be married to his niece.

"I didn't choose this", Remus pleaded his case, his voice now barely a whisper. The downcast expression only caused Sirius to come back to the present. No one, no one except the Minister had chosen this. He had been too irrational in his own thoughts to perceive it that way. His hand now found its way to Remus' shoulder, clasping it comfortingly.

"Friend", he said before a mischievous smile curved upward upon his lips. "Nephew-in-law—"

A roll and an exasperated sigh from Remus was his reply. Sirius then handed him his letter. It was only fair.

He watched as Remus carefully open the letter, much slower than he had done. He tapped his foot impatiently while crossing his arms at his best friend. He was never one for patience. It was never in his nature to be. Perhaps he was more impatient because the letter in Remus' hands contained his future. It was the letter that dictated whom he was to woo, marry, and procreate with.

He hated that fucking letter.

"Elena Cavendish", he heard his best friend speak. The name was indeed recognizable. They were in the same year back when they went to school, until she left their sixth year. He also remembered that she had a best friend that tailed her around a lot. He also remembered that he had tapped that ass in their fifth year.

A smirk still held on his features, waving a hand at his best friend. "Been there, tapped that", he noted to his friend, moving about the classroom he was to teach in. the bell for dinner had rang through the castle just a few minutes before, but being late to the feast was his specialty.

"Yes", Remus spoke, a light tone to his voice. "And she left that year. Greengrass had said she opted for homeschooling. Poor bloke was devastated that Sirius Black drove away his best friend." The werewolf clapped his friend's back before starting to move towards the door.

Sirius took this as a sign to start walking towards the Great Hall for dinner.

The beginning of their journey proved uneventful enough, the two men were engrossed in their conversation about Remus and his intended. They both knew Tonks from being in the Order together—and the fact that her mother was Sirius's cousin, Andromeda. Sirius smiled at his inward musing. It was just three days ago that Tonks had confided in him that she had a crush on Remus—more like, Sirius taunted it out of her. Those two would be perfect for each other.

However, they both were stopped by a certain redheaded Weasley as they reached the hall doors. They both entertained Charlie with their stories and he in turn relayed his own. The most joy brought out of the three of them was the look on Sirius' face when he realized he'd have four step-children that he had to win over. Of course, none had missed the teasing that Sirius had given Charlie when he told his fellow Order members of his own intended.

It was Sirius' way of coping with the news. Rather than be the adult that he was and had grown up to be, he regaled in living like a twenty-two year old. He was oblivious in matters but when it came down to it, he was there when needed. He was noble, loyal, honest. He needed to be, not just for his own sanity, but for the others around him. If he showed everyone that he accepted this piece of bullshit, maybe everyone around him would as well.

The three men took their places at the staff table, sitting next to their schoolmate and potions master, Severus Snape. The man in question was saving a lone seat beside him.

"Open your letter yet, Severus," Remus asked of his colleague in an attempt to make small talk. The encounter and tea during the summer holidays was still fresh in both Sirius' and Severus' minds.

"As a matter of fact, Narcissa and I are to be wed", the Potions master spoke, the tone of his voice was grim and monotone as always. However, there was a hint of nervousness to such a tone—as if he was nervous about marrying his friend. It was only then when Professor McGonagall arrived with the first years to be sorted.

Everyone had been quiet during the annual sorting ceremony. The hat itself sang the song that it always did, earning applause from the massive room. Slowly, one by one did the first years started to put on the hat. And one by one were they sorted to one of the four houses—Gryffindor for their bravery, Hufflepuff for their loyalty, Ravenclaw for their intelligence, and Slytherin for their cunningness—it wasn't until the last student was about to be started when a frantic Vega Cavendish entered the Hall dressed in a black muggle pencil skirt and green blouse.

"Sorry", she said and quickly walked to the staff table. Her heels clacked against the marble tiles of the Hall as she walked. Sirius raised an eyebrow a the female when she sat down next to Severus Snape. "I forgot how far the Runes office was from the Great Hall", she said just as the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff. "Oh hello, Professor Snape. Thank you for saving me a spot."

"Anything for Slytherin Alumni and one of my best students."

Sirius turned to the two beside him, his eyebrow much in the position it was earlier. His hand propped him up on the table, his head tilting more towards the direction to listen in on their conversation. He was just about to ask Remus and Charlie what the two were going on about before Professor Dumbledore stood up and addressed the populous.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts", the old man spoke, his hands were in front of him as he got everyone to hush on their conversations. "I'd like to start off with the singing of our school hymn. Now everyone, pick any tune", he said as he brought his hands down. "And let us begin."

Sirius sang the song to the tune of the oompa loompa song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, earning him looks from whoever heard him. He grinned back cheekily.

"Tuck in", the headmaster said again and instantly the food appeared right on the table.

It was just as Sirius had remembered it. The traditional welcome dinner of roast beef and chicken, pork and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled and roasted potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, assorted vegetables, and gravy was always something to look forward to when he was in school, and nothing has changed since.

The potatoes piled onto his plate easily—hoarding them all more than likely. He gained looks from his neighbors once more, but he didn't mind them. They were free potatoes and they were all just too late to beat him to the punch. And the fact that he got raised eyebrows from Severus and that new professor who walked in late made it all the more better.

"Oh, would you like some potatoes?" His tone of voice was cheeky as he offered the bowl of roasted potatoes to Severus and Vega, both of whom still had credulous looks upon their faces. His reply to them ended up being that he passed the said potatoes and smiled rather charmingly.

"Mum's going to have a field day with him", Vega spoke, her own tone of voice teasing so as she nodded her head toward his direction.

Sirius had to retort. It was in his nature. The gleam in his eyes sparkled just a bit more than usual when he heard of the opportune moment to do so. He turned in his seat towards Vega and Severus. "Oh, your Mummy talks about me? I haven't seen her since our fifth year here, you remember right Sevvy, Remmy? What happened?"

He watched the right eyebrow on the girl rise again, Severus's lips pursing as Sirius started to press for more answers.

"I do believe, Professor Black", Vega started to speak while cutting into her own steak and potatoes. "That my mother should tell you where she has been. It is not my place to tell what she should herself."

And that matter was dropped for the while. Sirius himself began to eat, finally, and overlooked all of the house tables before finally falling towards the familiar maroon and gold he once sat himself. The memories that he had of this place had never failed him while he was in his darkest days. They only made his life in jail all the more bearable. The only other thing that made Azkaban, the wizarding jail he was held captive, all the more acceptable was staring back at him with a smile and a twinkle with his green eyes.

He smiled upon Harry adoringly—as any godfather would do to his godson. And even though he was going to fain for new charges into his own life, he was going to make damn sure that that boy who had all of his best friends' attributes be showered and loved on adoringly just rightly so.

And now, he was beginning to sound so unlike himself. Frankly, it unnerved him to the point that it sent shivers about his frame. His neighbors, yet again, knowing nothing of his thoughts stared at him once again.

"What", he started before turning to Remus. His hands were now on his own face, kneading his cheeks. "Have I turned into Snivellus?"

"Ha ha", the man in question spoke before going back to his own dinner.

The rest of the feat proved to be dull. The chatter and the clinking with the silverware and dishes in the Great Hall started to become overbearing and loud. Everything was light and joyous, much like it should have been before the threat of old moldyshorts. Sirius let out a snort at his inner musings.

That also earned him more weird glances from the other teachers. "Inner musings", he explained before grabbing his goblet and made a toast to himself in the air. Remus and Charlie joined moments after on the randomness that was Sirius Black.

However, the food was starting to disappear and the students were getting a bit restless. Noticing, Professor McGonagall used a knife to tap on her water goblet. Sirius smiled widely. The speech Dumbledore makes meant that it was almost time for her to crash on his bed and sleep the night away. Too right after the amount of potatoes he had eaten.

"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts", the headmaster spoke, earning him a round of applause. He only lifted his right hand to signal everyone to quiet down.

"I have just a couple of reminders before we release you to your dorms. Remember that The Forbidden Forest on our grounds is forbidden to students, unless a professor accompanies you. The third floor corridor is off-limits and all Weasley Wizard Wheezes are banned." His arm now extended over towards a side door where a haggard man stood with his cat at his feet. "A list of all banned items can be viewed outside Mr. Filch's office."

Sirius commentated with his own scrunched face. There were still few things he needed to nick back from that office.

"And there are four new professors on our staff. Most of you all remember Professor Lupin from four years ago. He will now be assisted by Professor Black", the headmaster said as he made way to applaud with most of the students. The two men in question stood up, Remus giving an appreciative bow and Sirius held up his right hand in peace.

"And our old Care of Magical Creatures Professor Hagrid has recently resigned. In his absence is our new caretaker, Silas Reigh", again Dumbledore moved out of the way to show the students a burly man at the end of the table. Much like the two before him, he stood up to give an appreciative bow and sat back down. "And our new Care of Magical Creatures professor, Professor Weasley." A loud roar of applause came from the Gryffindor table, excited that there were three new Gryffindor professors on the staff panel.

The headmaster raised his hand again to silence the noise. "And finally," he spoke again. "With the loss of Professor Babbling at the beginning of Summer, I am pleased to welcome her replacement with our youngest Professor, Procyon Cavendish."

The girl in question stood up as the fifth, sixth, and seventh year Slytherins who remembered her did the same. "And it's Vega Cavendish, if you please", she corrected and stood back down once again.

However, the impact of the new professor's first name was not lost on the smartest witch of her age.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat once more to silence the hall. "And if the students who are sixteen years of age and above would please return to this hall at nine o'clock sharp, I have your letters and I assure you you'll get them when you arrive on time. The rest of you all, have a pleasant night's sleep."

And with that said, Sirius stood up and waited on his best friend to bid his goodbyes before turning his head. He caught Vega's eye, the girl giving him a smirk before being led by Professor Dumbledore and Charlie Weasley out. His brow furrowed in confusion.

Where had he seen that smirk before?


"I must congratulate the both of you", Professor Dumbledore spoke before sitting down upon his chair behind his desk. Vega chose to sit down on the chair nearest the windows on the right hand side. Her head nodded, but she avoided any eye contact. Her breathing only steadied through her thoughts.

"I suppose", she spoke, addressing the headmaster carefully. "Being teachers at our age is quite an accomplishment indeed. I can't thank you enough—", she was cut off when Professor Dumbledore lifted his hand.

"You both are more than qualified for the positions you both hold. I meant the news about your engagement to each other."

The two in question blinked back at the headmaster like gaping fish, wondering how on earth he knew. And just like that, the twinkle in his eyes gave it away. "We do monitor the floo calls in the castle."

Vega's face fell into a deep blush before clearing her throat. It was a habit of hers when she became nervous—that and running a hand through her hair, which she rightly did afterwards.

"Thank you", Charlie Weasley spoke up, Vega's head turning while she raised an eyebrow. That was one of Charlie's endearing, yet annoying qualities. He knew when people needed help and saving he always did the saving well.

"Nevertheless", the headmaster spoke again. Vega turned her attention back towards her boss, her features softening as she listened on to catch his words. "I must congratulate you both on finding each other so young. With you both knowing each other so well, I only wish to propose a favor."

The both of them looked on quizzically; the expression on both if their faces were identical. The headmaster even let out a laugh at such a thing.

"I don't understand". The brunette female spoke. The girl was clutching onto her cell phone with dear life at this point. "A favor, from us?"

"What can we do, I'm sure you're more than apt to it Professor Dumbledore", Charlie added.

The headmaster shrugged at the comment and smiled appreciatively at the man in front of him. "The marriage law is unpopular amongst many people out in the world. It is crucial for this law to be implemented to ensure peace, if not anything else. You two come from warring houses and yet, you fell in love."

Vega bit at her bottom lip and turned her head away from Charlie as much as she could. After today, it wasn't as much as the word fell—there still was a lot of unfinished business when it came to her and Charlie. It seemed like none of them wanted to address it.

"You want us to set an example for everyone, yes?" Vega rolled her eyes at Charlie's question. It was obvious that was what the headmaster wanted out of the both of them.

"Yes, Charlie. I wish for the both of you to embrace the law and help your students and colleagues do so as well. We all need peace more than anything."

Peace, were they now calling submission peace? A sigh escaped through Vega's nose and she nodded her answer. She was already too deep in it, might as well play it. "I'll do it, only if Charlie is willing to as well."

She turned her head to Charlie's frame at this point, her eyes now on him for the first time since their train ride encounter. He hadn't aged much since the last time she spoke to him at fourteen. He developed into his chiseled physique, an appreciative smile dancing across her lips as she admired his frame. He looked deep in thought before nodding as well, agreeing with what the headmaster had proposed.

"Wonderful. I suppose you'd want new living quarters. I have taken the liberty of moving you both into another suite—closer to the Hall and other activities. I'm sure you both would love to know each other again", Professor Dumbledore spoke while handing them a new set of directions. At least, Vega smiled at her thoughts, she wouldn't be so late to anything anymore.

Truth be told, she was thankful that the meeting itself was now over. It was more than embarrassing to have someone else—someone she looked up to like a grandfather—talk about her love life. Her legs carried her out and down the spiral staircase before one word stopped her in her tracks.

"Procy", Charlie called out to her, his voice low. Her heart ached as she turned around, a distant smile at her old nickname.

"Fiancé", she spoke, her tone of voice teasing as she waited for him to catch up to her. It would be easier to walk towards their suite together. "Can't stand to be away from me now, can you?"

A laugh elicited from Charlie's lips, his smile contagious as they walked towards the fourth floor corridors. "You're still the same flirt as ever, aren't you?"

Vega shrugged her shoulders before crossing her arms. She thanked whoever made their banter flow so easily. It certainly helped with easing into this state once again. "Oh, I mellowed out with age, Charlie. Clearly, you see that, don't you?"

Charlie laughed again and nodded, stopping only to turn down another corridor. Vega followed suit, not wanting to get lost. "Clearly", he spoke again, the tone of his voice changing with an attempt to tease her. "That's not the only aspect of you that matured."

The female smirked proudly. Leave it to Charlie to make something so innocent into something so perverted.

"Maybe if you're nice to me, I'll let you see them."

She only made to confirm her statement with a nod to her head. The blush started to creep upon Charlie's frame slowly. Oh, how she loved that blush.

Her mind reverted back to reality when Charlie announced that they were here, he opening the door as he did so. Inside, they found a large classroom with one door leading to an oversized office and two others to be a bedroom and a connecting classroom, respectively.

"Well", Charlie spoke as he looked around the bedroom, exploring every inch of their shared space. "It's not like we haven't shared a bedroom before."

Again, a smile crossed Vega's features before she nodded in agreement. She kicked off her shoes and stashed them in her trunk. Professor Dumbledore thought of everything. "If only you kept your hands to yourself."

"If you hadn't seduced me then"

The same mischievous smirk played on Vega's lips as she recalled the memory. "What can I say? I'm a little 'Slytherin slut'."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he sat down upon the lone bed in the room. Vega noted his expression and held up a hand. "Don't worry about it. It was seven years ago", she spoke, a small faint smile to her face. They didn't need to relive that part of their past. She saw down on the other side of the bed, resting her feet properly. Her phone was now beside her on the bed.

"Right", Charlie spoke, his head moving to give Vega a small nod. "It's not like we can change what happened or what any of us had said to each other."

Vega licked her lips in agreement. "We do need to talk about what the headmaster proposed", her voice was quiet as she spoke. It was as if she was nervous about his retort.

"What do you propose we do?"

A sigh elicited from the female before she turned her attention around, facing her fiancé fully. She didn't know how or why the headmaster had chosen them for this job. There were going to be more inter house relationships to choose from, so why them? She lifted a hand and brought it to her hair, running it through before revealing her thoughts.

"Accept it and realize that we both have changed and realize that now, we might be able to work and trust each other." A smile managed to crack on her face.

Charlie's expression was pensive before a smirk cracked on his face. "Suggesting we pick up where we left off, Cavendish?"

"Maybe so, Weasley. Maybe so." Vega's shrugged before standing up. "But I have you know, there comes complications to dating and marrying a girl like me."

Charlie looked at her with another confused expression. Vega's only reply was a quick smile and her phone to her ear.

"What are you doing", he asked of her.

"Getting you a cell phone and then we're going to the Hall. I need to meet my siblings' intendeds and we need to 'set the example'."

Charlie suddenly got very nervous—not because of their situation, but out of the imminent idea of a riot happening at Hogwarts.

What have they gotten themselves into?


To say that Pansy Parkinson was nervous after dinner would be one of the worse comments anyone would be able to make of the Slytherin queen. Inwardly, she was just as nervous as everyone, the anticipation eating at hre stomach. It was like the fluttering of winged bats wrecked havoc instead of the occasional butterflies that were there. She wanted to sweat, wanted to vomit out whatever she consumed for dinner and crawl into a hole to suffer out the rest of her days. It would be such a release to do so. But there was something holding her completely together.

Her pride.

Her pride was one of the attributes that allowed her to be in the infamous house of Slytherin. It was the one thing that all her friends classified as her. Some called her stubborn because of her pride, others called it class. She, she called it being passionate and herself. She was damn proud and so be if she wasn't going to show her nervousness because of it.

That very same pride allowed Pansy to be stoic and pensive, sitting in one of the armchairs that were provided in the green and silver armchairs that decorated the dungeons that was the Slytherin common room. There was no inkling of an expression or emotion on her face as she watched the prickling magicked green embers of a fire dance in the lone fireplace. There was no anger about what they all were about to experience. There was no hope. All there was, was fear.

Fear was something that Pansy had faced daily for as long as she could remember. It was a constant guest in her house that never wanted to leave. She catered to it, much like anyone would in her situation, and it fed off of her own fear.

However, she had conquered fear before. It should be easy to conquer it again. Why was this any different? Last time, fear manifested itself in the form of her father. The day she defeated his ways was the day that her fear had disappeared. That time, her fear had a physical manifestation.

No, this time her fear didn't take part in any physical appearance. No, this time, her fear was her future.

What was it to contain? Would she be so lucky to have someone that cared for her as much as she would hope? Would she have that wondrous love story like Viola had shown her? She wanted her own Cinderella fairy tale—minus the evil stepmother, siblings, and soot. Pansy Parkinson did not deal well with dirt.

A sigh escaped her during her musing, grasping the attention of the person beside her. Most of the younger students had retired to their dorms. The only people in the common room now were the ones that were required to be in the Great Hall at nine.

"Everything alright, Pans", Blaise Zabini asked of her, his attention diverted from his journal for this one moment.

Pansy smiled appreciatively at him—the first sign of an emotion she had shown in minutes. "I'm quite fine", she told him, giving his hand an affectionate pat before turning her head to find the rest of her friends. Draco was doing what he always did in stressful situations and wanted to calm down. He was studying out of his potions textbook at one of the desks provided. Theo was developing new chess strategies while Viola scribbled something down in her own journals.

Meanwhile, Pansy's mind reverted back to her fear once again.

"Blaise", she called out to her friend. The boy in question had to turn away from his writing once more. "Aren't you nervous", she continued.

He put his pen down and closed the journal. "Pans, I'm bloody terrified."

At least she wasn't alone in her fear. The pure knowledge that Blaise was just as terrified as she was had eased the bats in her stomach somewhat. She returned and comforted him with another pat to his hand. "Thank you", she told him, waving off the confused expression that had shown upon his face. He didn't question her answer to his statement, but really didn't feel the need to. Pansy returned to her position and he continued onto write.

The time on Pansy's watch had told her it was only merely eight o'clock. They had another good hour before they were needed in the hall. Another hour and her fate would be sealed.

The winged bats came back again, full force.

"Viola", she called out in a small, desperate attempt to create a distraction. "Tell us another muggle fairy tale?"

The girl looked up from her journal as her friends gathered around her—curious at the stories muggle parents would tell their children.

"What about Snow White, then", Pany's eyes shined at her best female friend. it was like Viola was in tune with everyone around her. Everyone had managed to stop what they were doing—even Draco had managed to stop studying to sit at the arm of Pansy's armchair.

"There once was a Princess. Her name was Snow White", Viola began, letting everyone know the back story.

"She had a mother, the queen, who was a vain and awful witch—"

"If her mother was a witch, shouldn't Snow White be one too?" Leave it to Theo to overanalyze a story.

"No, Snow White wasn't a witch."

"So she's a squib?"

"Would it get you to shut up and let me finish the story if I say she was?" Anyone could tell Viola was getting impatient at the boy. Theo merely smirked and Viola continued on. Right as she got to the part where the Witch Queen brewed her potion, Theo interjected once again.

"Was it like the drought of living death, where she was asleep, but seemed dead?"

"Yes, Theo. Can we move on?"

By the time the story ended, Pansy was feeling considerably better. The winged bats in her stomach had now stopped wrecking havoc and the time had passed significantly faster. Most everyone had moved and gotten ready to go the Great Hall. She hand her group of friends had decided to don pajamas to the party. The boys walked in front while Pansy deliberately walked behind with Viola.

"Do you think we'll end up with Prince Charming?"

Viola turned her head towards Pansy's direction, linking arms with the girl. "Very likely if the spell works, like it should, Pansy. Don't you think so?"

Pansy found it very awful to live life according to a spell, but she decided to humor her friend. "But I mean, do you think we'd find Prince Charmings like Cinderella and Snow White did?"

Viola shrugged her shoulders as her reply. The look of confusion and thought was upon her face. "I don't really know", she began to speak before nodding her head to the boys in front. "But we all love you enough; shouldn't that be all that matters?"

A small smile managed to break upon Pansy's features, the girl in question nodding slowly. Of course, she was thankful for her friends. They were the only people—besides her mother—that made everything all the more tolerable. She couldn't have asked for a more solid group.

"And besides", Viola spoke again. She slowed down her pace to prolong the conversation. Pansy followed suit. Girl talk was greatly appreciated. "Love can't just be all smoochy and warm all of the time. He has to annoy you, make you furious. That's how you know he's your Prince Charming."

A laugh escaped Pansy—albeit forced. Viola had no idea the force of fury that she and her mother had dealt with first hand. The encounter last year was the last, yes, but not the whole of the story. As Pansy began to open her mouth to retort, Viola stepped in once again.

"But a real Prince Charming knows it's never alright to do physical, mental, and emotional harm to their Princesses."

Hit the nail right on the head.

Pansy shrugged off the subject for now, walking slowly towards the hall to prolong the waiting. She wasn't ready to talk about what happened—the whole of it, yet. The time was now or never to seal her fate. Her own heart beat inside her chest heavily.

At the doors, the three boys awaited them, Theodore Nott waving at them impatiently.

"I swear you ladies walk like you're old", he scoffed, the two females rolling their eyes as they walked in. They grabbed their seats and Pansy turned her attention back to Viola.

"I don't understand what you see in Theo", she spoke to Viola quietly. "But aren't you going to tell him how you feel? It's almost too late."

"He lusts after my sister. It's already too late."

And with that said, the matter was dropped and they all waited for their letters anxiously.


"Hermione, I think all that time inhaling the fumes off of those books made you loony."

The witch in question rolled her eyes at one of her best friends. There were times when she absolutely adored Ronald Weasley, like when they would venture with Harry and the others to rid the world of an oppressed, sexually frustrated, evil little no nosed man. She found Ronald Weasley valiant and kind, as a noble man should be. The times when he can be heroic and show what a wonderful person he could be were honestly the best times imaginable.

However, this was the times—the times that angered Hermione Granger—that Ronald Weasley turned into a right old git. He was insensitive to the issue at hand and it was insufferable.

A groan escaped Hermione, crossing her arms about her chest as she did so. "Fuck you, Ron. I'm only telling Harry that all of the signs are there. The black hair—how she looks like him—her name? Connect all of the dots, please."

But the boy who lived and defeated did nothing to sedate the two feuding friends. He was more transfixed on the fireplace more than anything.

"Harry? Harry!" Hermione scolded him before sitting upon one of the empty armchairs nearest her friend. Ron took the empty spot next to Harry. "Harry, what are you thinking about?"

The boy merely smiled and shrugged his shoulders, keeping his eyes on the dancing flames. "I'm finally going to have a family", he confided. "A bigger one. With Sirius and his new wife—my own fiancée. I reckon it would be quite nice."

Hermione blinked at him like he had two heads. Was this the same Harry not three hours ago that ranted how much he hated this stupid law and wanted it retracted? Was he not the same Harry that wanted another rebellion and the position of Minister of Magic just to abolish the same law he was raving about now?

Hermione's mind couldn't wrap around Harry's sudden mood change—until she saw the exchange between Harry and Ron. The brunette male had offered the redhead a bottle with a brown liquid.

"Harry", Hermione said. "Have you been drinking?"

"And just now sharing", Ron continued, taking one huge gulp from the bottle. His ears started to emit steam and Hermione's head nodded knowingly—Ogden's Old Firewhiskey.

Harry Potter nodded his answer and pointed to his left, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were completely knocked out on one of the high tables. "I won."

Hermione rolled her eyes, leaving Ron and Harry to continue their pointless drinking before going back to her musings.

If there was anything Hermione Granger always had extensive knowledge about, it was her surroundings. It started as a means to be safe during her years at muggle schooling, but it has now turned into something of a hobby. She knew everything there was to know about a school like Hogwarts—and her pride shown through whenever she recited a fact that no one else knew. However, though she had known all about her professors, her mind couldn't wrap around one. She knew Vega Cavendish to be only four years older than they were; but even so, she only knew her as Vega Cavendish. So, her first name was Procyon. It didn't take a genius to figure out what it meant.

Or maybe it did. After all, everything in the wizarding world always had double meanings.

However, she was thrown out of her thoughts when Ginny came down the stairs dressed in her night clothes. "Anyone have the time?"

"Time for you to get a watch", Bennett said from his own chair, waving the bottle in his hand around. It gave just enough time for Travis to grab the bottle and continue with the merriment.

"It's almost time to go to the Great Hall", Neville Longbottom spoke up. Both girls in question were thankful that there was at least one sober male in their group.

Hermione smiled before turning her attention back to Harry and Ron. The two in question now almost finished with their bottle, with Ron drinking off what was left. "Honestly:, she said, taking their arms to pull them up. "Getting drunk before meeting your brides—I feel sorry for whoever has the both of you."

The both of them waved her off and started to cling to each other.

Hermione turned to Ginny, who had the same problem with the Cavendishes. Neville had Dean and Seamus up and running easily enough. If anything, this wasn't the way to sedate their nervousness.

"Hey, Hermione has a twin. Hello", Seamus said to the air before falling down on the common room floor. His face was flat against the carpet.

Hermione let out a laugh before moving to help Neville with his charges. The hall would be several floors below theirs. They only needed a way to get to the hall quickly—and safe. And if there was one person who could figure it out easily, it had to be Hermione Granger.

"Levicorpus", she said, her wand drawn out and pointing to Seamus. Soon, he was levitating in the air and staying so under Hermione's wand. Thankfully, Neville did the same to Dean.

The levitation was easily enough, but the hardest part would be to move the bodies in the air. That and making sure they didn't vomit on any passerby.

"Honestly, all of you", Hermione started to scold the lot of them. "It's almost nine—"

Bennett decided this would be a good time to leave up for his dorm room, Travis following soon behind. Hermione and the others didn't see any of this—they were too busy listening and watching her fume.

"Wow, Hermione", Ron said, pointing to his own forehead. "When you yell, you get a crease there like McGonagall. Scary."

"Oh Ronald", she growled before grabbing a pillow and beating him with it. Her wand dropped, causing Seamus to be dropped as well. She only stopped when she heard the noise.

"Oh my god", both Ginny and Hermione spoke, their hands clasped over their nose and mouth in the process. "Oh my god, is he alright?" Hermione's voice was high as she picked up her wand again.

"He'll be fine with a drop of this", Travis said as he came down from the boy's dormitory and handed a potion bottle to Hermione. "Maybe three should be enough. I had one and Bennett had two."

"What the hell is it?" Ginny's eyebrow raised as she asked the question.

"A sobering potion. Nicked it from Zabini two days ago while we were packing for Hogwarts."

Bennett came down now, bright and happy with no inkling that he had been drinking. "Just distribute it to them quickly, it's almost nine."

The five of them quickly helped out and soon they were all on their way towards the hall. Everyone was fully functional enough to walk down.

The lot of them jested and laughed the way down, where they found a bench at the Gryffindor table to sit at. They continued with their conversation before a voice from the Slytherin table broke their conversation.

"Ben! Travie!" Viola Cavendish yelled and waved over her brothers. "Come meet our soon to be brother in law!"

The two left and moved over, seeing Vega holding onto Charlie's had. Ron and Ginny held surprised expressions while Hermione let a very uncharacteristic smirk appear on her lips.

"Looks like I just doubled my savings", she stared to boast before the doors of the hall opened again. This time, the headmaster came through with his wand in hand.

"I know most of you hate this situation that the ministry has put all of us through, but believe me, it would all be worth it."

Hermione elbowed both Ron and Harry to get them to pay better attention.

"Soon, owls will be arriving with your letters and I advise you to keep an open mind. Peace is what our world needs more than anything. Professors Weasley and Cavendish are here to supervise. Good luck and have faith."

After the headmaster left the room, owls started to swoop in, dropping letters for everyone. Hermione's heartbeat began to quicken, her mouth running dry. The effect on her nervousness had shown when she let out a yell when her letter flew down to her lap.

Tentatively, she tore out the letter and read, her color draining from her face. She turned ot the person whose name was on the paper. He too stared right back at her.

Draco Malfoy.

However, Ron hitting her accidentally on her head broke her out of her thoughts. "Ron, what are you—", she wanted to ask, but found Ron holding back Ginny in his arms and Harry hiding behind Neville for protection.

"Let me go", Ginny yelled. "I'm going to finish what Riddle started. I'm going to kill Harry Potter."


So sorry for the long wait, but here's chapter four. Chapter five won't be up until December only because of Thanksgiving Holidays.

Please read and review.