A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews and all the kind words! You're all fantastic and lovely people. I'm working really hard to try to find the mistakes in all my old writing so thanks for not being on my case about it, but this one should have very few. You see, the original chapter, I decided, was really crummy and weird, and this seems like a better, less crummy version. Also, it introduces my three favorite characters which is nice. Sorry for this long note! Enjoy!
"I can't believe you're leaving me!" Draco said hugging me as I waited by the front door.
"I know. I've loved being here, despite that Pansy was here," I said. "We'll have to do this again sometime."
"Indeed we will," Draco said. "So, how are you getting out of here?"
"Uhm, side along apparation I believe," I said. "Dumbledore should be here any minute."
"Lucky. I've never apparated before. You'll have to tell me how it is," Draco said.
"It's like being sucked through a tube. It's kind of uncomfortable, but given my tendency to get motion sickness I prefer it to flying," I said with a smile.
There was a knock at the door.
"Who's it?" Draco said.
"Remus Lupin. I'm here for Hannah," they said.
I squealed and threw the door open. There he stood, the greatest teacher in the world, Professor Lupin.
"Lupin!" I cheered hugging him tightly. "What are you doing here?"
"Dumbledore sent me to fetch you. He sends his apologies. He was called to the ministry of short notice," Lupin said.
"It's fine. I don't mind," I said. "I'll see you at school, Draco."
Draco nodded. He'd never felt too kindly towards Lupin so I could understand why he was being so quiet.
Lupin and I walked out of the house and of the grounds of Malfoy Manor.
"So, how have you been?" I asked.
"Quite well," he replied.
"Have you talked to Sirius at all lately?" I asked. "I haven't heard from him in a while."
"If you're patient you'll be seeing him in a few minutes," Lupin said.
"You mean he's at Hogwarts?" I asked.
Lupin laughed. "With the way the ministry has been butting in there? Absolutely not. He's home."
"Home?" I asked.
"Yes. He's at home. His childhood home. It's unplottable via the Fidelius Charm. I'm sure you've heard of that," Lupin said.
"Sure have. It was used on my childhood home to hide us from our buddy Voldemort," I said.
"Exactly," Lupin said.
"Remus!" a woman said jumping out right in front of us, startling us. She was slightly taller than me with a heart shaped face and violet hair.
"Jesus, woman!" Lupin said.
She laughed. "Sorry about that." She looked over at me. "Wow, you look much different than you did last I saw you. You had to be how old then? About nine I think."
I stared at her hard. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
The woman gasped. "You don't remember me? I was Bill Weasley's best friend in Hogwarts."
". . . The clumsy one who kept ruining the potion's table?" I asked.
The woman frowned. "Yes. That was me. Don't you remember me?"
"I remember all the things you destroyed and Bill mentioned something about an incident with Dumbledore and pudding a few times but, I don't know you," I said honestly.
"Well, what a turn of events this is. Usually you're a very memorable person," Lupin said.
"Indeed," she said.
"This is Nymphadora-."
"Now let me stop you right there," she said. "I hate to have this conversation again, but I could've sworn I told you not to call me that."
"I was introducing you," Lupin said.
"Well if you introduce me that way that's what she's gonna call me," she said.
"Why must you make everything so difficult?" Lupin asked rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"I'm not making anything difficult. I'm just asking you respect my wishes," she said.
"I don't have time for this," Lupin said.
"And neither do I, so I suggest you get this right," she said with a smile.
Lupin groaned. "This is Tonks – Nymphadora Tonks who goes by her surname only."
"And so would you if your fool of a mother called you Nymphadora," Tonks said.
"I'm sure you two will be great friends," Lupin said. Tonks was probably someone who was just like me and used irritation as a way to display affection.
"I'm an auror. Have been for a whole year," Tonks said.
"Really?" I asked. "As clumsy as I've heard you are how is that possible?"
Lupin chuckled and Tonks rolled her eyes at him. "As it happens, I'm a metamorphagus. While I might have gotten less than favorable marks in stealth and tracking, my skills with concealment and disguise were unmatched by anyone ever."
"Ah, that explains the cool hair," I said.
"Do you like the purple, really?" she asked.
"Well, it's kind of dark actually. Makes you look a bit peaky," I said.
Tonks gasped and turned to Lupin. "I told you Sirius was lying. I asked him and he said I looked perfectly fine. I thought I looked pale."
"Okay, don't take it out on me," Lupin said.
"You know Sirius?" I asked.
"Of course I do. He's my older and annoying cousin. Honestly, I love him to death but some days I just wanna punch him in the face," Tonks said. She scrunched up her face and her hair went from purple to pink.
"How's that?" she asked.
"Excellent," I said.
Tonks turned and smiled at Lupin.
"I'm thrilled for you," he said humoring her. Obviously Tonks was someone who like to annoy Lupin. "Mind if we get going? You know if we're gone for too long, Moody is gonna show up shouting 'constant vigilance' and all that other nonsense at us."
"Moody? Alastor Moody? The real one?" I asked.
"Yep, that'd be him. He was my mentor, until he was forced into retirement for going a little bananas," Tonks said.
"Are we apparating?" I asked.
"Nope," Tonks said flicking her wand. Out of nowhere two brooms shot over. I groaned and then looked over at Lupin.
"You know I detest flying," I said.
"Detest? Now that's a word only 15 year old you taught would use," Tonks said to Lupin.
He ignored her. "I know but this is the easiest way to get you to where you need to be without the ministry knowing."
". . . If I throw up," I started.
"You won't throw up," Lupin said. "Trust me."
"So, what's with all this secrecy?" I asked.
"For your protection," Tonks said.
"Protection from what? I just spent two weeks in the same house as Lucius Malfoy," I said. "Think Voldemort is gonna jump out from behind a rubbish bin and do away with me?"
Tonks giggled. Lupin gave her a serious look. She stopped giggling but continued on smiling.
"Let's just go," Lupin said mounting his broom.
"You leading the way, Remus old buddy?" Tonks asked.
"Last I checked that was your job," Lupin replied as I climbed on the back of his broom.
"Whatever you say," she said.
"Just don't look down, Hannah," Lupin said.
"And let's go!" Tonks cheered.
We took off. I held onto Lupin tightly and pressed my face into his back so I couldn't see. I could still feel that we were up in the air. As long Lupin didn't make any sudden movements I would be okay.
"Ducks!" Tonks shouted.
"What?" Lupin called back.
"There are ducks!" she shouted again.
". . . Those are geese!" Lupin called back.
"Just don't hit them!" she shouted again.
Then suddenly, much to my chagrin, Lupin threw the broom to the right. The next thing I knew I was looking down at ground.
My stomach started turning, my head started spinning.
"Lupin. . . I don't feel so good," I said.
"Hannah, you will not throw up," he said. "Do you understand me?"
"I understand but I 'm not making any promises," I said feeling dizzier by the moment. "Are we almost there?"
"Yes, you'll be fine," Lupin said.
I felt worse with every moment that passed. A tightness grew in my chest and I kept thinking to myself "I'm going to fall and die."
After a few long longs minutes we descended onto a little London street. My body didn't hesitate to throw up onto the sidewalk (and the back of Lupin's robes and broom) when my touched the ground.
"Ewe," Tonks said stifling a laugh.
"I can tell you're just overwhelmed with sympathy," Lupin said taking off his robe. "Are you alright, Hannah?"
"I bet she is now," Tonks said.
"That's enough out of you," Lupin said.
They led me to an open path of grass. He picked up a piece of paper from the ground. "Read this."
"Number Twelve Grimmauld Place?" I asked.
"Now just keep that in mind," Lupin said setting it on fire.
I then looked at the two houses in front of me. It went from 11 to 13.
*Well that's not right.*
-Number 12 Grimmauld Place.-
*Yep, it's missing alright.*
Then right before my eyes a large house popped itself up right between 11 and 13 pushing them to their separate corners and there was Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
"Now inside. I'm sure Remus is eager to take a bath," Tonks giggled.
"We're not friends today, Tonks," Lupin said.
"Is Sirius here?" I asked as we walked inside.
"Well it's his house," Lupin said closing the door behind us. "He'll be in the kitchen just down the stairs."
Eager as ever to see Sirius. I ran down the stairs into the kitchen. I saw Mrs. Weasley and a host of other unfamiliar faces.
"Hannah!" Mrs. Weasley said happily.
"Hi," I said looking around the room. Sirius wasn't in here. I walked out the room and ran upstairs and came into a lounge. Hermione, Ron, the twins, and Ginny were there.
"Hey, Hannah!" they said.
"Hi," I said dismissively. Sirius was here. I could sense it. So I shouted. "SIRIUS!"
"What are you shouting for?"
I turned around and standing there looking a lot cleaner and healthier and happier than he had when I last saw him was Sirius.
