Author's Note: Sorry it's taken me so long to update, but hopefully this incredibly long chapter (over 23,000 words!) will make up for it. It covers nearly Victoria's entire second year and the title is a play on Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. The chapter primarily revolves around Quidditch and "boys" - Severus, Remus, and Harry (this is where the Harry/OC part of the story begins. They're both so young and awkward that it makes their "romance" especially cute) and Victoria's interactions with all three. Also some things are glossed over (like Christmas dinner) because going into detail would require me to bascially write the scene from the book verbatim. And lastly, please, please, please, REVIEW. I have no idea what people think of the finer points of the story. I'm not one to hold a story hostage for reviews, but they certainly motivate me to write. That being said, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Anything recognized doesn't belong to me and there is dialogue taken from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

7. Of Broomsticks and Boys

Victoria was jolted from her shock when somebody hit her shoulder, hard.

"Watch it, Victoria!" Cynthia Kincaid snapped, throwing her hair over her shoulder, before she caught up with Sarah, Henry, and John.

Victoria looked back at the forest, but all she saw was trees. After a few more moments of carefully combing the tree line for the dog, she shook her head. She chalked up the whole scare to her overactive imagination. She'd been especially worried about large, black dogs recently on account of the Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney, having seen a Grim in Harry Potter's teacup. At the thought of the bespectacled boy, Victoria blushed and hurried after the Gryffindors making their way to the pitch.

She walked through the small passage that led under the stands and went over to where Ginny and Aaron waited. Ginny raised an eyebrow at Victoria, but then shrugged. Time and again, Victoria was considered the "odd" one of the group and it wasn't unusual for her to lag behind or daydream.

Both turned their attention to their fronts as the six members of the Gryffindor team, brooms over their shoulders, assembled themselves in front of the Chaser hopefuls.

The captain, a burly seventh year named Oliver Wood, surveyed the crowd with a shrewd eye. Everyone knew he took Quidditch very seriously. The twins, Fred and George, both stocky and strong as Beaters should be, eyed the crowd with uncharacteristic seriousness. Then, the one on the right winked at one of the giggly sixth year girls near Victoria. Beside Victoria, Ginny snorted. The only girls on the team were the two chasers. Angelina Johnson, a fifth year, was black, with a tall, lean figure. Katie Bell, a fourth year, was a bit shorter, her glossy brown hair pulled back into a simple plait. And lastly, on the very end, was the Seeker and youngest player, Harry Potter. His hair was wilder than usual and he held his beloved Nimbus 2000 with pride. He looked the crowd over, like Oliver Wood, but stopped at Victoria and smiled, friendly. Victoria smiled back, half-heartedly, for the captain stepped forward.

"Alright, listen up you lot," Oliver Wood began, "Now, unless you're serious about Quidditch, you'd better clear out!" He glared at the crowd. Several people retreated, including the giggly girls, obviously intimidated by the captain. Victoria, unsure about the whole Quidditch thing and only being here because of her friends, shifted on her feet, but stood still again when Ginny glared at her. "Also, being on my team means that Quidditch is the top priority! That means no detentions and Quidditch comes before any clubs." A few others dropped out of line. "And lastly, no first years!" Two boys scurried away, leaving the total remaining Gryffindors at around two dozen. "Alright, then. Here's how this is going to work. We're going to get all of you up in the air passing around some balls, see how well you fly and how good you are with a Quaffle. Then, we'll pick the best few to try a few drills with Angelina and Katie, trying to get the ball past me. Everyone understand?" He didn't wait for an answer before shouting out, "Those of you without your own broomstick, go on over to the broom shed to borrow one of the school's."

Victoria followed his instructions, but Ginny and Aaron stayed behind. Both had their own brooms, although Ginny's was a hand-me-down. Five others also went to borrow a broom, and after seeing what they had to chose from, began to shove each other for the best ones. Victoria, who wasn't aggressive in any sense, waited until they had finished before looking at the meager selection remaining. Most of them were all the outdated Cleansweeps used by the first years in flying class, but in the corner there was a pile of mangled other brands. Victoria wasn't quite sure which to pick, but looked over the models, trying to remember what – because he most assuredly had – Aaron had said about each.

"I'd try the Duster 1200," someone said behind her. Victoria turned around and saw Harry Potter standing in the doorway, the sun bright behind him. Victoria unexpectedly found it hard to breathe. Harry Potter was wearing his Quidditch uniform, the striking red broken up by the dark, leather pads. The sun glinted brilliantly off his eye glasses. Unsurely, he smiled, "It worked well for me before I got my Nimbus 2000." He shrugged.

"Uh-huh," Victoria replied breathlessly, before she shook her head and bent down to look through the pile once more. She found the Duster 1200 at the bottom. Hoisting it over her shoulder, she blushed and said, "Thanks."

Harry Potter moved aside to let her through, "No problem." The walked a little ways before mounting their respective brooms. He pushed his glasses up quickly, "Good luck," he said and kicked off, his hair and robes fluttering wildly in the wind.

Still blushing, Victoria kicked off the ground. She smiled with pleasure as she felt the wind whip around her face and she easily flew over to Aaron who was waiting for her. Ginny was with her brother, Ron.

Oliver Wood gave the order, "Now fly around the pitch, but around and through the goal posts."

The mass of people did so. Victoria, although her broom wasn't the fastest, weaved through the goal posts with ease, her tied back hair flapping about her back.

Soon Oliver Wood called them back over and they broke into their pairs. The team members passed out grayish balls and sat back and watched as the captain observed the hopefuls up close.

Victoria caught nearly all of Aaron's throws despite something going far over her head or way short in front of her. She did her best to throw them all to Aaron, but her well thrown tosses slipped through Aaron's hands often. "Sorry!" he'd call as Victoria shot down once again to catch the ball he'd dropped before it hit ground.

Off to her right, Ginny was having difficulty with her brother. Ron Weasley appeared extremely nervous and had a hard time catching the ball. Ginny was growing steadily more frustrated and it was effecting her playing.

Victoria dipped suddenly, and then swerved to the right to catch one of Aaron's wayward throws.

"Keep it closer to your chest!" Oliver Wood barked from behind her. Victoria instinctively clutched the ball closer and flew up, level with Aaron once more. A few more painful passes later, the captain called out, "Alright, I've think we've seen enough. We'll meet you on the ground." He flew over to the rest of the team as the other Gryffindors descended.

Once on the ground, Aaron murmured, "Sorry, Victoria."

"I'm sure you did okay, Aaron," Victoria said sympathetically.

"Me?" Aaron asked incredulously. "I'm worried about you. After that, I know I want to stick to watching Quidditch." He then smiled and Victoria knew he was telling the truth. There were no hard feelings.

Ginny stomped over to them, "Stupid Ron," she muttered.

Victoria looked over to Ginny's brother and saw that he looked utterly dejected. Victoria's heart went out to him. It couldn't be easy having to live up to five older brothers, with one of who was the captain of the house team and two who were currently on the team. It also didn't help that he was best friends with Harry Potter, who was fantastic at Quidditch. Ron Weasley then looked over at her, frowning. Victoria gave him her friendliest smile, and he smiled back, although it seemed a little like a smirk.

Before Victoria could think further, the team landed on the ground. Oliver Wood cleared his throat, and then said, "I want to thank everyone who came, but in the end we've decided that Flemming, Valentine, Switch, Kincaid, and Thomas, the girl, have made it to the next round. So if you five want to come over, we'll get started."

Victoria managed a glance at Ginny's disappointed face before she walked up with the other finalists to the team.

"One of you five," Oliver Wood paused to sweep his gaze over them, "Has what it takes to be a part of this winning team." He jerked his head back to his players. The twins grinned and Katie Bell smiled kindly. "Right, now, one at a time, you'll team up with Angelina and Katie to try scoring against me. The rest will pretend to be the other team."

"Can we play like Slytherins, Oliver?" One of the twins teased.

Their captain glared at them, before saying, "Flemming, you're up first."

The others ran to the side of the pitch and craned their heads back to watch what they would soon each have to go through, one by one. Victoria tuned out the cheering and other noise from the crowd to concentrate on the tryouts. Everybody had around five minutes.

Lizzie Flemming, a freckled seventh year, had a hard time keeping herself focused as the twins used their "Slytherin" tactics, once missing Angelina Johnson's pass to yell at one of the Weasleys as he pulled her curly brown ponytail. She did however manage to nearly score on Oliver Wood.

Ian Valentine, sixth year and older half brother of Hufflepuff second year Emily Valentine, was, to put it simply, a Quaffle hog. Once it was in his possession, he wasn't willing to lose it, not even to his own teammates.

Tony Switch, a gangly fourth year, kept on overestimating the other Chasers' reaches and threw the Quaffle far beyond them, letting Harry Potter catch it once. He managed to score on Olive Wood at one point, though.

Cynthia Kincaid, leader of the better half of the Gryffindor second years, surprisingly managed to get the ball past Oliver Wood twice. But, she wasn't as good on her broom as both of the Weasleys managed to get her to a complete stop no less than three times, the last time colliding with Angelina Johnson.

And then, last to go, Victoria mounted her broom and kicked up just as Cynthia landed with a huff. She, like the others before her, got in between the two Chasers.

"And begin!" Oliver Wood shouted from his place in front of the three massive goal posts.

Katie Bell had the Quaffle, and before she even think, Victoria was off. Dodging one of the Weasleys' outstretched hands, she caught Katie Bell's pass and took a sharp turn, confusing the other Weasley and sped toward the goal post. She aimed and took a shot at the left goal, but Oliver Wood saved it. The next few runs continued the same way. Victoria would have to pass between the Chasers, keeping the Quaffle from the other "players." She would always be the one to throw for the goal, but Oliver Wood kept on saving them, again and again.

Victoria found herself growing increasingly frustrated. After getting the Quaffle from Angelina Johnson, Victoria aimed, "Oof!" and threw it as hard as she could at the center goal. The captain still saved it, but the power of her throw managed to push him back quite a bit.

Oliver Wood looked at her with a peculiar look, before tossing Katie Bell the Quaffle, "Again!"

Victoria realigned herself and began once more, determined. She was going to get this ball past Oliver Wood, no matter what. She didn't stop to consider where all this aggression was coming from. As she learned in the last few minutes, you couldn't think too much in Quidditch. Mostly it was pure instinct, and Victoria caught the Quaffle and held it tight against her chest without thinking a single thought other than Get to the goal posts!

However, in her way was none other than Harry Potter. He looked uncertain and didn't race toward her, staying suspended in the air.

"Come on, Harry! Go for her!" One of the twins shouted from behind her, trying to catch up to her.

Harry Potter still didn't move.

"Harry!" Oliver Wood yelled.

Victoria felt someone come up from her left, right in her blind spot. Leaning against the handle of the Duster 1200, she aimed straight for Harry Potter. His eyes widened and he quickly dropped out of her way. Victoria straightened and aimed the Quaffle for the right goal. Oliver Wood, miles behind after her risky stunt, naturally made a sharp left to guard that post. But in the last second, Victoria turned slightly and watched the Quaffle sail through the left goal.

Victoria couldn't stop herself from smiling widely. The crowd beneath them cheered and Victoria heard both Aaron and Colin clearly.

Oliver Wood had retrieved the Quaffle, and said loud enough for all to hear, "Okay, that's it then. We'll just talk it over for a bit and then let you all know who made it." The six players huddled in the air once more.

Victoria drifted back to the ground and dismounted. Cynthia shot her a dirty look and to Victoria's surprise, Ian Valentine and Tony Switch did the same. She turned her attention to the ground and tried to catch her breathe. She was completely winded and she felt rather hot.

"Victoria!" Aaron called out as he, Colin, and Ginny hurried over to her. He hugged her, "You were brilliant!"

Victoria blushed.

Colin held up his camera, "I got some good ones." Victoria shook her head hopelessly.

Aaron then began to analyze in detail, "Flemming and Valentine are definitely out. Switch got one past Wood like you. Cynthia got two, but you're much, much better at flying. You also got the most shots total, even if only one got in. But the last play, brilliant. Though I'm a bit surprised about Potter. Other than that last time, I don't think he went for you once…"

Victoria tuned the rest of Aaron's monologue out as the thought, since her feet were firmly on the ground, over that one remark in particular. Aaron was right; other than that last time, Harry Potter hadn't tried to cut her off once. She didn't know why…just like she didn't know why she suddenly had a fluttering stomach.

"Oh, here they come!" Colin cried.

Victoria watched as the team descended together. Oliver Wood walked over to the finalists, who'd been surrounded by their own friends. The captain took an authoritative stance, "Now, I want you all to know that this wasn't the easiest decision. It wasn't necessarily about being the best player, but about being the best team player - someone who'd be best for the team as a whole, not just a new star player. Our decision's final, and we've decided on…Victoria Thomas."

Victoria blinked in surprise. They couldn't have possibly chosen her? Aaron clapped her on the back, hard, and she stumbled forward a step.

"Thanks everybody for coming out. I hope you'll show this much support for Gryffindor next time there's tryouts. Thomas, stay here."

Flushed, Victoria walked toward the group. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ginny give her an odd look before she slowly followed Aaron, Colin, and every else off the pitch. Well, almost everybody left. Ron Weasley stuck near the passage entrance, no doubt waiting for Harry Potter.

Suddenly, Victoria found an arm thrown around her shoulders, "Welcome to the team!" One of the Weasleys said.

"Hmm," she said.

He grinned, "You don't know which one I am?"

Victoria shook her head, embarrassed.

The other twin stuck out his hand for Victoria to shake, "I'm Ginny's brother. Pleasure to meet you, Ginny's friend."

The twin who had his arm around her shoulder gasped, "Why, I'm Ginny's brother too! Who'd have thought?"

Victoria blushed.

Katie Bell pushed the arm off Victoria's shoulder, "Leave her alone, George."

"Fred."

"Whatever."

"Alright, listen up," Oliver Wood began, interrupting them, "Now, we have a complete team, and as good as Victoria is, we'll still need as much practice as possible to get ready for our first match. We're going to practice three times a week," the twins groaned comically and ignored the captain's glare, "Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, six to eight, starting next Thursday. But Victoria, you'll have some one-on-one training with me this Monday and Wednesday, alright?"

She nodded.

"Good. You're got the stuff to be a great Chaser. You're quick, but you're a bit small so we'll have to toughen you up. You've got more of a Seeker's build." Victoria glanced at Harry Potter, only to find him looking back at her. She turned her head quickly, stomach fluttering. "I think we'll call it a day. Victoria, I'll just need to get you your uniform."

Victoria followed the Oliver Wood off the pitch and he showed her the Gryffindor locker room. After some searching, the two managed to find the smallest of everything for Victoria, since she was now the littlest on the team. Oliver Wood took Alicia Spinnet's old robe and after a few charms, had it at the right size. Another charm replaced the "Spinnet" above the gold number "1" with "Thomas."

Oliver Wood wanted to stay behind for a bit and Victoria, carrying her bundled uniform, left, fully prepared to make the long trek back up to the castle. She was surprised, however, to find Harry Potter waiting outside the locker room.

Victoria felt her face grow hot, "Hey, Harry."

"Hey, Victoria," He rocked on his feet. "I wanted to say congratulations on making the team. You were – I mean are, very good."

She shrugged and said modestly, "Thanks." She walked toward the exit off the pitch and Harry Potter fell into step beside her. They walked silently through the passage and Victoria spotted Ron Weasley some ways ahead of them.

"Was your friend really upset he didn't make it?" Victoria asked.

Surprisingly, Harry Potter frowned, "I don't think so." At her inquiring look, he continued, "Chaser's not his favorite position…why do you want to know, anyway? You're not friends with Ron."

Victoria was hurt by his somewhat rude remark, but explained her curiosity nonetheless, "I think Ginny's going to be mad at me. She really wanted to be on the team, definitely more than I did." Quietly, Victoria added, "She's my friend."

Harry Potter blushed and seemed to regret what he'd said, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just…" he trailed off.

"Hmm?" Victoria asked after a moment.

"Nothing," he said quickly.

Victoria shrugged again, "Okay."

There was more silence. Victoria caught Harry Potter looking at her a couple times and each time she felt his gaze, her stomach somersaulted. It took too long – but was also too quickly – to arrive at the castle and walk through the massive wooden doors. The Entrance Hall echoed with the sound of the rest of the school having lunch. Victoria found herself decidedly lacking an appetite and found she wanted to avoid her friends for the time being.

She was just making her way for the stairs when Harry Potter called out, "You're not eating?"

Victoria shook her head, "No, I'm not hungry. Besides," she half lifted the bundle of Quidditch gear in her arms, "I should probably put this away."

He nodded faintly, "Okay."

Victoria smiled and took a few more steps toward the stairs.

"Victoria?"

She turned around back to Harry Potter, "Yes?"

He blushed, and then looked her right in the eye, "We're friends, right?"

Victoria's mouth dropped with surprise, but she quickly clamped it shut, blushing. Cursing her dancing insides, she smiled, "Yes."

Harry Potter beamed, "Right." Then became rather flustered and after giving her a goodbye wave, he ducked into the Great Hall.

Victoria, still smiling, wandered upstairs until she found herself at Professor Lupin's office. Her smile fell. She didn't need to talk about Harry Potter, but rather her friend, Ginny. Victoria's feet had found their own way to Professor Lupin, but her head whole heartedly agreed. There wasn't anyone else to talk to about this. Professor Snape, upon hearing her intention to try out, had sneered, "Miss Thomas, you would be better off to concentrate fully on your academics and not waste your time on Quidditch." Victoria, knowing full well that Professor Snape, an avid academic, did indeed enjoy Quidditch; his issue was with the Gryffindor team, and she tried out anyway without guilt. Now that she'd made it, she wasn't sure how she was going to tell him, especially since practice would cut into their potions sessions.

Victoria knocked softly on Professor Lupin's door.

"Come in," the professor called from inside his office.

She opened the door and saw him hunched over his desk, reading a massive book, a tea tray beside him.

He looked up and smiled brilliantly upon seeing her, "Tori."

Victoria gave him an uncertain smile, "Hello."

His faltered, "What's wrong?"

She shut the door and crossed the room. Setting the bundle on the desk, she answered, "This, I think."

Professor Lupin looked confused, "You've made the team, I assume."

She nodded.

"That's good news, isn't it?" He asked.

"I think Ginny's upset with me." Victoria admitted.

"She said so?" Professor Lupin asked, conjuring another teacup and filling it up. He fixed it just the way she liked.

Victoria, not wanting to bother him, remarked "Oh, no, sir. That's not necessary. I'm just here for a quick chat – I don't want to ruin your afternoon," she insisted.

Professor Lupin paused and looked at her seriously, "Tori, I've told you before –"

Victoria blushed, "Not to call you sir. Sorry."

He handed her the tea cup, "And you're definitely not bothering me. I'm quite glad you come to me when you're in trouble."

"But that's just it. There's always a problem. We've never had a nice chat," Victoria explained.

"Nonsense. I always enjoy your company, even if it's spent helping you sort through your problems," He said leaning over his desk, getting eye level with Victoria who was sitting in the chair across from him.

She wasn't willing to give up, "Sir," she began, but at his look, amended, "Professor –"

"Tori." He gave her a stern look that was somewhat diminished by his twinkling eyes and the corners of his mouth twitching.

She acquiesced, "Okay." She took a sip of tea.

Professor Lupin folded his hands in front of himself, "Now, what's wrong with Ginny?"

Victoria launched told him all about the morning and then, "…I know how much she wanted to be on the team. And she didn't say anything to me at all and she looked so sad. I'm terrified that she'll be mad at me when she sees me."

"So you haven't talked to her since this morning?" Professor Lupin asked.

She shook her head.

He looked thoughtful for a moment, "Perhaps, she's not so much upset with you, but rather with herself, for not being better. Not to mention, as you said, her brother didn't make things easy for her."

Victoria considered this, "True, but…" she wasn't certain.

"Tori, you've said it yourself. Ginny's got a temper to match her hair," he said, a fond look on his face, "But she's always fiercely protective of and loyal to her friends and family."

"That is right," Victoria admitted, "It's just," she began, feeling very small and more than a little scared, "They're my friends. I couldn't stand to lose them. It can't be like last year again."

Professor Lupin pulled the empty teacup from her trembling hand, "It's not."

"I know, but things are so good now. Something has to go wrong sooner or later." She thought about the Dementors patrolling the entrances of the school, ominous Grims, and the haunted eyes of Sirius Black.

"It will if you insist on being that optimistic," Professor Lupin teased.

Victoria had to smile.

"I'm sure Ginny, once she gets over her own disappointment, will be just as supportive as always. And don't always assume that Colin and Aaron will side against you," he reasoned.

"It's just I try so hard to be a good friend," she said.

"You are. But don't lose yourself. You have to be your own person too, okay?" He seemed nearly as insistent as he'd been when he made her promise to take the threat of Sirius Black seriously.

"Okay," she agreed.

"Good," he began, and then smirked, "Besides, not all your friends are as easy to please as Ginny, Colin, and Aaron."

For a second, Victoria thought he was talking about Harry Potter, but then realized he meant Professor Snape. "Right," she agreed. Remembering her new practice schedule, she said with concern, "He won't be pleased when he learns I have practice on Thursdays."

"I'm sure you can reschedule," he replied. Seeing she had some lingering doubts, he said, "You like Quidditch, right?"

"More than I thought I would," Victoria admitted.

"Then go and enjoy it. If Professor Snape likes you as much as he claims, he won't mind rescheduling."

Victoria hoped Professor Lupin was right. She then pointed out, "I have practice on Wednesdays too."

"Oh, then I guess no Quidditch for you," he joked. Victoria giggled before Professor Lupin continued, somewhat anxiously, "I'm more than willing to reschedule for you, Tori…that is, if you still want tea and talks?"

"Definitely," she assured him, confidently.

"Good," he said, relieved.

Victoria picked up her Quidditch gear, "I think I'm ready to go find Ginny."

"I agree." Professor Lupin said and got up to walk her to the door.

There, Victoria said, "Thanks, for everything."

"It's no problem at all, I promise," he said sincerely.

Hesitating for a moment, she reached out and hugged him. Unlike Professor Snape, Professor Lupin instantly pulled her close and tight. "Thank you," she murmured again into his robes.

"Thank you," he whispered above her.

Victoria pulled back, confused.

Professor Lupin released her, "Go on. Everything will be alright."

Victoria smiled before opening the door and walking out into the corridor. She spent the time it took to get to Gryffindor Tower thinking about Professor Lupin. He'd made her feel it again, what she'd felt back in her foyer at her house. She felt safe and…cherished. It was a feeling she hadn't felt at all except around Professor Snape, and only on occasion.

She felt warm inside and she couldn't help but smile. Her smile, however, was lost as soon as she walked through the portrait hole and saw Ginny, with Colin and Aaron, sitting in their corner.

Going over, Colin was the first to notice her, "Victoria!"

"Hey, guys," she greeted them shyly. Ginny was frowning.

"Where were you?" Aaron asked.

"Having tea with Professor Lupin," she answered. Summoning up her courage, she turned her attention to Ginny, "You're not mad at you, are you?"

Ginny sighed, "No, I'm happy for you. It's not your fault I didn't make it. Stupid Ron. It's just…"

"Yes?" Victoria pressed her.

Ginny shrugged and gave a lopsided smile, "Promise me we'll practice together when the next spot opens up."

Victoria grinned, "Of course."

Colin was looking between the two girls, obviously relieved.

"Victoria," Aaron began, "You have to use my broom."

"Aaron –"

"No, you have to," Aaron insisted.

Victoria still looked skeptical.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "If our best friend is going to be on the team, the least we can do is make sure she has a decent broom to use."

Victoria sighed, "Okay." She then flopped onto the couch beside Colin, listening to her friends launch into a discussion about a confrontation between the Weasley twins and Ian Valentine, thinking that not only was Professor Lupin safe, but that he was also right.

XxXxX

With Quidditch practice three times a week, Victoria found her free time in seriously short supply as autumn slipped by.

She still had potions sessions on Tuesdays, but had to reschedule her other appointment. Professor Snape, predictably annoyed at Victoria's new status as Gryffindor Quidditch player, was moderately placated when Victoria offered to devote her Friday nights for potions.

Tea with Professor Lupin was moved from Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon. Their planned meetings soon became a weekly release for Victoria. She soon depended on them, which scared her at first. What happened with Tom Riddle was still too near. But on some fundamental level, Victoria knew the two couldn't be more opposite. Tom had made her dependent and needy, whereas Professor Lupin left her feeling safe and happy; he provided her with warmth that neither her devoted friends nor affectionate Professor Snape could seem to give her love-starved self.

Victoria's friends still found her friendships with two men who loathed each other amusing, but had less and less to say about it as the homework kept piling up as term progressed. Sometimes, Victoria struggled with getting her homework done to its pre-Quidditch standards, but pushed through nonetheless, not willing to lighten her load or do less than her best in everything.

This meant going all out during training sessions even when it was pouring and the wind chilled her drenched body to the bone like it did one Thursday evening late in October.

Victoria was still shivering as she walked with Harry Potter down the Fat Lady's corridor. "Harry, Quidditch shouldn't be so miserable," she complained.

"It's Oliver, not Quidditch," Harry Potter countered, grinning.

She smiled, used to Harry Potter's little seen humor.

Victoria really had to make an effort to act normally around Harry Potter. For some reason, being near him made her stomach flutter wildly. She also found herself thinking about him more and more. The logical part of her argued that it was natural since she was spending more time with him. Three days a week, they'd walk down to the pitch together, practice together, and then return to the Gryffindor tower together. Their conversations had become a little less awkward, but sometimes they both seemed uncomfortably nervous. At these times, Harry Potter would run a hand through his messy hair and Victoria would twirl the ends of hers.

They separated in the Gryffindor common room, which was filled with excitement. Harry Potter walked over to his friends, who were smirking, again. Victoria had yet to figure this out.

Wishing the blushing boy good night, Victoria tried to tame her butterflies as she walked over to sit with Colin and Aaron.

"Good practice?" Aaron started.

"Aaron," Colin began. Aaron liked to go through the entire practice when Victoria came back. Victoria knew he only did it because he was proud of having a best friend on the team, but it was very tiring talking Quidditch with Aaron. Colin continued, "Not tonight."

Aaron slumped back against the couch, resuming his Herbology essay.

Victoria leaned Aaron's Horizon 7 against the side of the couch, "What's going on," she asked, nodding to the notice board where several older students were gathered.

"First Hogsmeade visit is next weekend," Aaron said.

"Oh. Where's Ginny?" Victoria asked shifting, uncomfortable in her wet robes.

Colin shrugged, "After you left, she went up to the dorms."

"That was two hours ago," she said, worried.

Colin shrugged again, eyes on his Charms charts, "Yes."

Victoria rolled her eyes and sighed, "Boys." Grabbing the broom, she said "Good night."

"'Night."

"Hmm."

Shaking her head, Victoria walked up the stairs and into the second year dorm. Ginny wasn't on her bed, but the bathroom door was shut. Going over, Victoria knocked on the door, "Ginny?"

"Go away," Ginny said through the door. She sounded as if she'd been crying.

"Ginny? What's wrong?" Victoria asked and tried the handle. It was locked.

"Victoria! Go Away!" Ginny yelled.

"Ginny, what's wrong?" Victoria asked desperately. "Do you want me to get one of your brothers?"

"NO!" Ginny shrieked. "No boys!"

Victoria shook the hand uselessly before turning and running back to the common room. Scanning the crowd for the few girls she knew well enough to ask, she skipped over Hermione Granger when she saw her sitting with a glum looking Harry Potter. Victoria then looked over at the notice board and saw Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson chatting excitedly.

Walking right up to her fellow Chasers, Victoria said, "I think something's wrong with my friend, Ginny Weasley. She's locked herself in the bathroom and she been crying."

"Have you told one of the other Weasleys?" Katie Bell asked.

Victoria shook her head, "No. When I suggested that, Ginny said 'no boys'."

"Ah," Angelina Johnson began, "I think I know what's wrong." The three girls went up to second year dorm, and knocking on the bathroom door, Angelina Johnson said, "Ginny? It's Angelina Johnson. I'm on the Quidditch team with Victoria. I know what's wrong, so please open the door."

There was some shuffling and teary eyed Ginny opened the door. "Blood…I know what it is, but I just…" Ginny trailed off.

"You weren't expecting it?" Katie Bell finished kindly. Ginny nodded. "I'm Katie Bell, by the way," then she turned to Angelina Johnson, "I'm out. Have you got any?"

"Yeah, I'll go get some," Angelina Johnson said and then left.

Katie Bell wrapped her arm around Ginny's shoulder, walking her over to the bathtub and sitting her down, "It's alright. It happens to all of us. It's part of being a woman."

Victoria, confused, asked, "What is?"

Katie Bell looked up at her in shock, "You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"About periods?" Katie Bell continued.

"Period?" Victoria asked.

"Menstruations?"

"Oh," was all Victoria said. It all made sense now. Victoria remembered an awkward conversation with her adult American cousin, Susan, three years ago. Her mother had never discussed anything of that sort with her.

"Here," Angelina Johnson, who'd returned, said. She handed Ginny a handful of packages, "There's a charm on them to keep the blood from leaking."

Ginny nodded unsurely, and then gave the other three girls a look. They left her alone to take care of her…business.

"You haven't got yours yet, Victoria?" Angelina Johnson asked.

Victoria shook her head, "No."

Ginny came out of the bathroom, holding something behind her back.

"Don't worry about the blood, they'll take it out when your wash gets clean," Katie Bell reassured her.

Ginny nodded again.

"I gave you enough to last a few days. Madame Pomfrey has them too, but they aren't anywhere near as nice as those that you can buy. You'll probably have to write your mum," Angelina Johnson said.

"And does," Ginny began, her voice still thick from her crying, "Does Madame Pomfrey have anything for the pain?"

Angelina Johnson shook her head, "Just regular pain potions. But they don't do much for cramps, though."

"Okay," Ginny sighed.

"You'll be alright?" Katie Bell asked.

"Yes," Ginny said, "Thank you."

The two older girls smiled and waved before leaving.

"Are you really alright, Ginny?" Victoria asked.

Ginny shrugged, "It hurts a little. And all I want to do is sleep, but I still have to write Snape's essay."

Victoria smiled, "I'll help."

"Thanks," Ginny said, smiling for the first time. "Do you think we could do it up here? I don't fancy going down with the boys. You won't say anything, right?"

"Of course not," Victoria agreed and the two climbed into Ginny's bed to do homework.

True to her word, Victoria said nothing to the boys the next morning about Ginny's 'period.' Not that they noticed anything was wrong. Only when Ginny skipped lunch to send her mother a letter and Victoria to go to the library, did they ask. Ginny came up with some vague excuse about 'girl talk,' and the two were able to get out of the Great Hall and part ways.

It took the entirety of her lunch period, but after looking through several texts of medicinal potions, Victoria was able to find one that was specifically for menstrual cramps.

Checking out the book, Victoria ignored the raised eyebrow of the librarian and stowed the book away in her bag for her session with Professor Snape that night.

Victoria was a bit hesitant about deviating from her series of antidotes, but found courage when Ginny left dinner early because of cramps. She lost her newly found resolve as soon as she showed him the potion she wanted to make.

Professor Snape, well, he actually looked a little flustered, "Miss Thomas…is…is this potion for you?"

Victoria, blushing, replied quickly," No, sir."

"Ah, Miss Weasley, then." Professor Snape concluded.

"Oh, Professor," Victoria panicked, "You can't say anything. Ginny would be so embarrassed."

"Who would I tell, Miss Thomas?" He asked.

Victoria shrugged.

Professor Snape looked over the potion's ingredients and procedure, "You are more than capable of brewing this potion."

Victoria took this as approval and hurried off to the closet which held the stores of ingredients. Gathering them up, she left and saw, to her surprise, Professor Snape working over his own smoking cauldron. He usually marked homework while she brewed.

Curious, she asked, "Professor, what's that?"

Unexpectedly, he smirked, "Oh…nothing you need concern yourself with, Miss Thomas."

There was something odd about how he said it and how happy he'd been while saying it.

XxXxX

Ginny managed to survive her first period with the help of Victoria, who'd given her very gracious friend relief in a bottle, and Mrs. Weasley, who, in addition to sending a large bundle of charmed pads, had also sent a package of baked goods to help cheer Ginny up.

Soon, it was the following Saturday, Halloween, and the four Gryffindors lounged in the nearly empty common room. Most of the older students had gone to Hogsmeade.

They were discussing the upcoming match against Slytherin when Victoria, out of the corner of her eye, saw Harry Potter come through the portrait hole. He looked utterly depressed and as if she could feel his pain, she sighed sadly.

Colin followed her eyesight and brightened at the sight of the boy, "Harry! Harry! Hi Harry!" Colin, despite having grown up over the last year, had yet to relinquish his hero worship of Harry Potter. If anything, it had increased since the famous boy had saved the life of one of Colin's best friends. Colin continued, "Aren't you going to Hogsmeade, Harry? Why not? Hey," Colin looked at his three friends, "You can come and sit with us, if you like, Harry!"

Harry Potter looked at the four second years one at time until his eyes came to rest on Victoria. She felt her stomach flutter as he blushed, "Er, no thanks, Colin. I-I've got to go to the library, got to get some work done." He left as quickly as he'd arrived.

It took a lot of effort on Victoria's part to get back into the conversation on Quidditch. But she did, and soon the day slipped by and the four Gryffindors, anticipation heavy in the air, walked down the many flights of stairs to the Great Hall and the Halloween Feast.

Victoria, who'd missed the feast last year, couldn't keep herself from smiling as she took in the magical decorations, like pumpkins and bats. And the food was just as pleasing to the stomach as the decorations were to the eye. Victoria managed to fit several helpings of everything into her little self.

Stuffed contently and somewhat sleepy, the four friends followed the stream of Gryffindors from the Hall back to their tower. As they walked down the Fat Lady's corridor, they realized it was much fuller than it should have been.

"What's wrong?" Aaron asked.

Victoria shrugged and was then shoved as Percy Weasley, Head Boy, pushed his way to the front of the crowd, "Let me through, please. What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password – excuse me, I'm Head Boy –" After several moments, the Gryffindors seemed to quiet down and a chill, one that Victoria hadn't felt in exactly one year, swept across the corridor. Seriously, Percy Weasley called out, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick."

The crowd pressed forward, all trying to see what had happened. Ginny was up against Victoria's back. "What's going on?" She asked.

Then, Victoria recalled her Sunday school lessons because like the seas parted for Moses, the Gryffindors parted for Professor Dumbledore.

As they were moving, Victoria was able to see the portrait and what she saw made her blood run cold. The Fat Lady was nowhere to be seen and her portrait was horribly mutilated, as if someone had tired to rip it down and pull it from the wall.

Other teachers – Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Lupin – rushed for Professor Dumbledore. The headmaster addressed them, "We need to find her. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky," somebody giggled from above the crowd. Victoria recognized Peeves the Poltergeist, bane of students and Mr. Filch alike.

"What do you mean, Peeves," Professor Dumbledore asked.

Peeves seemed to deflate a bit, and said slickly, "Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging in between trees. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing," he finished insincerely.

"Did she say who did it?" Professor Dumbledore questioned further.

"Oh yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see," the poltergeist flipped in the air and grinned manically, "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

XxXxX

Later that night, Victoria refused to fall asleep. She was scared of the nightmares she knew she would have. Around her, the rest of the school slumbered, unhindered by the fact that a mass murderer might be after them. After discovering the Fat Lady's flight, all the students were herded into the Great Hall and provided with purple sleeping bags and prefect supervision as the teachers searched the school for Sirius Black.

Victoria felt her breathe lodge in her throat and tears slipped silently onto her pillow. She found she was trembling, and couldn't stop. She felt a hand grip her left arm and she jumped.

"Victoria?" Ginny whispered. "Are you alright?"

"No," Victoria murmured miserably.

Ginny shifted and pulled her sleeping bag closer to Victoria, who was lying on her stomach, face away from her ginger friend. Ginny slipped an arm into Victoria's sleeping bag and around her friend's waist. "It's okay."

"No," Victoria said again.

Colin reached out and gripped Victoria's right hand, which was resting beside her face, "We're here." Victoria could make out Aaron's gaze just beyond Colin's shoulder.

Victoria nodded into her damp pillow and closed her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep. Surprisingly, she found herself drifting off and mercifully, there were no nightmares, no dreams of any kind as she slumbered safely in the arms' of friends.

XxXxX

Victoria found that despite the break in on Halloween, the next week rushed by. She had her first Quidditch match that Saturday and training sessions prior were particularly draining, the last one especially so since they found out they weren't to play Slytherin. Their Seeker, Draco Malfoy, was still recovering from a Hippogriff attack that took place two months ago. As expected, the team, Victoria included, was infuriated, but it made them all the more determined to win.

Added onto her list of worries was the fact that the day before the match, Professor Lupin fell ill. Professor Snape substituted, and although she liked the potions professor very much, she missed Professor Lupin. Concerned, that evening before heading off to bed early, she went to visit him. Not sure where he'd be, she'd gone to the Hospital Wing only to be shooed away by Madame Pomfrey who reassured her that Professor Lupin would better in a day or two. This depressed Victoria further. She, amidst what had happened Saturday, hadn't gone to seen him the following Sunday. She really missed Professor Lupin.

Victoria woke up early the morning of the match. She lay in bed for what seemed like forever, listening to the storm rage outside. It'd been raining for days and had only gotten worse. Victoria didn't look forward to it; it would be more like swimming than flying. Then the gloom from the prospect of having to play in the storm disappeared as she realized she'd be playing her first match in front of the entire school. She jumped up from bed, sure she was going to be sick.

Later, dressed, she sat on her bed, Ginny pulling her wavy locks into a practical French plait. Before going downstairs, Victoria slipped on her Harry headband. She hadn't worn it since that day on the train. She found that as much as liked it, she was much too self-conscious to wear it in front of Harry Potter.

Victoria met Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson on the stairs, and then all three met the Weasleys and Oliver Wood in the common room. The walk to the Great Hall was silent, but alive with nerves and Victoria hands clenched anxiously around Aaron's Horizon 7.

Harry Potter was already eating breakfast and the rest of the team joined him. Victoria sat across from him and his eyes immediately went to her headband. He grinned and took a bite of his toast as he blushed. Victoria felt her own cheeks go red as she helped herself to some sausage.

Oliver Wood didn't eat anything, "It's going to be a tough one."

Katie Bell sighed, "Stop worrying, Oliver. We don't mind a bit of rain."

Victoria wished it was just a bit of rain. They used umbrellas to get to the locker rooms, but knew, as they changed into their scarlet robes, they wouldn't be safe from the torrential downpour up in the air.

Victoria felt her heart pounding in her chest as she walked out onto the field. She was then promptly pushed sideways into Harry Potter, the wind was so strong. She walked through the wet, slippery mud to get into position, to the left of Angelina Johnson, and mounted her broom, still unbelievably nervous.

But as soon as Madame Hooch blew the whistled, Victoria was up in the air, and her instincts, honed from weeks of intense training, took over. She soon realized that their opponent wasn't just the Hufflepuff team, but also the weather. Victoria had to adjust her throws, catches, and flying to make up for the strong wind whipping her about and the heavy, drenched robes she was wearing. Visibility was practically nonexistent. Harry Potter nearly ran into her, and she couldn't hear the commentary or Oliver Wood. However, she'd just managed to score her first goal – the Hufflepuffs were having as much trouble with Mother Nature as the Gryffindors – when lighting lit up the pitch and Oliver Wood called for a timeout. They squeezed under an umbrella, all positively drenched and splattered with mud. The captain told them they were up by fifty points, but the game should end sooner rather than later. Harry Potter needed to catch the Snitch, but couldn't see because of his glasses. Luckily, Hermione Granger showed up and with a clever charm, Harry Potter's glasses were impervious to water. Then, much too soon in Victoria's opinion, they were up in the air and out in the rain again.

Victoria received possession of the Quaffle, a Hufflepuff close behind her. She went higher, but the Hufflepuff Chaser was blocking her. Victoria dipped beneath her, and tossed the Quaffle to her left and into the hands of Katie Bell.

The Hufflepuffs rushed off to follow the other Gryffindor Chaser, when another burst of thunder echoed loudly, adding to the din of the wind and rain. Lightening followed, revealing all that the storm obscured. And that's when, as she sped along to open up for Katie Bell, Victoria saw a huge black dog sitting in the stands. She all but stopped as she stared open mouthed at the animal, whose head followed the players across the pitch –

"Victoria!" Her head whipped around just in time and her hands automatically opened, ready to receive the Quaffle thrown her way by Angelina Johnson. She sped toward the Hufflepuff goal, nearly getting hit by both team's Seekers as they surely raced after the Snitch.

As she got to the Hufflepuff goal post, she aimed, threw and got it through the hoop, but something was wrong. The Hufflepuff Keeper hadn't even tried to stop her and everything seemed to grow eerily quiet.

Victoria swung the Horizon 7 around and saw dozens of Dementors near the entrance of the pitch, their hooded faces all trained upward on the same spot.

The cold, which, in her mad rush to score hadn't seemed unordinary, suddenly seized her. There were so many of them, the cold so great that it was like a vice around her heart. She breathing rapidly, visible in the frigid air. Victoria struggled to keep her terror from consuming her. Suddenly, something scarlet fell through the air, right in front of her – glint of glass, black hair – Harry!

On a broom, thinking wasn't necessary, nor did it happen as Victoria instantly dived and tried to reach the boy who was currently falling hundreds of feet to his death.

Since she wasn't thinking, she didn't realize that in going after Harry Potter, she was going closer to the Dementors. As she slowly pushed her broom to get closer to Harry Potter, she heard his voice, "You won't make it."

Victoria tried her best to ignore him, to be brave. She threw an arm out to try and grab Harry Potter's arm, just inches away.

"You won't make it. He'll die."

Victoria felt tears sting the corners of her eyes, but she didn't know if it was from terror or her sharp descent. She reached out her arm further.

He chuckled cruelly inside her head, "It's pointless. He won't –" His voice was cut off as something bright and luminous lit up the pitch.

Victoria reached a bit further and managed to grab Harry Potter's arm. However, suddenly stopping his descent threw her and the Horizon 7 off balance and both players tumbled the last few feet to the ground, splashing in the mud.

Unfortunately, Victoria landed badly. Harry Potter landed on her arm and she was sure she heard it crack. She hit her head, hard, on the ground and she felt disoriented, not bothering to get up.

It seemed she lay there froever, unable to open her eyes because of the heavy rain and her arm, throbbing, beneath Harry Potter. Then, she felt Harry Potter move off her arm and somebody reach behind her to help her up. She opened her eyes, and saw everything out of focus. "I think I'm going to be sick," she barely got out, before turning her head and emptying her stomach of her breakfast. She sat there, in the mud, coughing, trying to get the taste out of her mouth, unable to comprehend the anxious conversation around her when someone swung her up into their arms.

Through her blurred vision, she saw the scarlet uniform and red hair, "Fred?" She said meekly.

"George," he corrected her softly as he carried her bridal style to…somewhere.

Victoria leaned back and asked quietly, "Harry Potter, is he alright?"

"Harry Potter?...nevermind. He's out, but looks okay. Going to be in a right state though when he finds out what's happened to you. He's so obvious about…"

George Weasley's voice drowned out as Victoria was greeted by darkness.

XxXxX

When Victoria woke up, she was startled when she realized that she wasn't in her bed. She looked from side to side and saw high curtains pulled up around her. The night table beside her held a variety of different potions. She tried to sit up, but her head hurt unbearably and she fell back into bed with a cry.

From somewhere out in what she now knew was the Hospital Wing, she heard movement. The curtains were pulled aside, revealing Harry Potter. His hair was especially messy and he was in striped pajamas. "Victoria! You're awake. Are you alright?" He asked anxiously, coming to stand beside her bed.

"Um…my head hurts," she said.

"Well, you have a concussion," Harry Potter explained, "You hit your head when we landed," he finished looking guilty.

"Are you alright?" She asked, generally concerned.

Harry Potter sighed, "I'm fine, but you shouldn't have come after me. I-it was really – was really stupid," he ended, obviously upset.

"Um, Harry," Victoria said, surprised. She didn't think anyone could be so angry over having their life saved…"Well, I guess we're even now."

"I," Harry Potter began, but seemed to deflate, sitting down on the edge of her bed, "I didn't mean it like that. I'm very happy about not dying, it's just I don't like seeing you hurt."

Victoria shrugged, and then, with some effort managed to partially sit up, "It's not so bad. Besides, stuff like this can be fixed overnight. That's what magic's for."

"Magic," Harry Potter sighed. He clasped his hands in his lap, rubbing the palms together. Victoria had observed, furtively of course, that he did this when upset.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Victoria asked.

"I passed out again because of the Dementors…" he began, "I don't know why they affect me so much, but I…"

"Harry?" She pressed gently, hesitantly reaching out to hold his arm fondly.

Harry Potter turned his gaze from her, "On the train, I head someone screaming when I passed out. I heard it again during the match and I realized – I realized it was my Mum."

"Oh, Harry," Victoria said sympathetically. She couldn't imagine how remarkably painful that was for him. Since she didn't know quite how to console him, she tried to understand, "I hear Tom Riddle, or at least I think it's him."

Harry Potter looked at her, "You think?"

Victoria looked down at her feet's indentation in the covers, "I never heard him speak. He always wrote, but…but it feels the same. It's so scary," she admitted, almost feeling the desperation that welled up every time she heard Tom's voice.

Harry Potter put a hand over Victoria's, "He's gone, Victoria."

Thinking about it, Victoria corrected him, "But he's really not though, is he?" To prove the point, she let her eyes drift up to Harry Potter's scared forehead.

Harry Potter didn't say anything, but Victoria knew he agreed.

XxXxX

Harry Potter left the Hospital Wing before class Monday morning, but Madame Pomfrey told Victoria that she'd have to stay through the day to receive her last dose of Concussion Correction Concoction.

As Victoria eagerly waited for the day to be over, she couldn't help but be glad that it was Monday. Her friends wouldn't be able to visit her today until later. This was good because Victoria was angry at Ginny, though she wasn't sure why. She only realized it when she watched Ginny give Harry Potter a singing get-well card, both of them blushing. Victoria's hands had balled into fists and she turned away. When she identified this aggressive emotion as jealousy, she couldn't imagine why she was jealous over Harry Potter getting a card. She herself was not in a position to make one for him. She was calmed slightly when Harry Potter had put a fruit bowl atop the card to shut it up. Ginny's strong suit was never Charms.

After eating one more meal and receiving the last bit of potion under the watchful eye of Madame Pomfrey, Victoria was released from the Hospital Wing. It was just after dinner had finished, so Victoria didn't bother going down to the Great Hall.

So as Victoria started in the direction of Gryffindor Tower, she took a detour to Professor Lupin's office. She knocked on the door, expecting to get no response, both because she hadn't earlier and because it was dinner time.

To her surprise, Professor Lupin called out weakly, "Come in."

She opened the door and saw Professor Lupin hunched over the desk, as usual, but today, he seemed much more ill than he usually appeared.

He looked up, and his eyes widened. He jumped up from his seat and walked toward her, a bit wobbly. Pulling her into an embrace, "Tori, you're alright," he spoke emotionally down into her hair.

"S – Professor, are you alright? You're shaking," Victoria exclaimed, alarmed at the way he trembled against her.

"I was just ill, but you, Tori, diving all that way, saving Harry! You had a concussion, a broken arm! I went down to the Hospital Wing straight away when I could manage the walk, but you were still unconscious –" He sounded downright hysterical.

Victoria pulled back enough to look up at him. His pale face was flushed and his eyes were alight with emotion, "Professor, I really am alright. Madame Pomfrey wouldn't have let me go if I wasn't."

Professor Lupin seemed to calm down slightly at this, "Of course she wouldn't," he mused, a faraway look in his eyes. He then motioned to a tray of food sitting beside a pile of parchment atop his desk, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes," Victoria answered, "Just a few minutes ago, right before Madame Pomfrey let me go."

An odd look crossed his face, "You came here first? To see me?"

Victoria nodded, shyly.

Professor Lupin beamed, "I'm flattered, Tori, I really am."

Victoria was unsure, but asked anyway, "Professor, would you mind if I stayed for a little?"

"Not at all," he said, still smiling, "Not at all." He went back to sit behind his desk and Victoria took the chair across from him. He conjured a teacup and prepared a cup for her, "So…" he began, waiting for her to start their conversation.

There were a lot of things she could talk about, but upon seeing how unbelievably frail he looked, despite his smile and glowing eyes, she avoided talking of Grims and voices heard only when Dementors were around, not wanting to distress him more than she already had, and instead Victoria began to talk eagerly about the next class unit.

Professor Lupin was completely oblivious to his student's successful attempt to be merciful.

XxXxX

The last half of term was busier than ever for Victoria.

Quidditch practice took on a nearly maniac overtone as Oliver Wood pushed his team harder to make up for their loss against Hufflepuff. Luckily for Gryffindor, three weeks after their defeat, Hufflepuff was crushed by Ravenclaw, enabling Gryffindor to remain in the running for the House Cup. However, this good fortune did not stop Oliver Wood from pushing his team, despite the fact that winter had fully set in. Twice, the other players, Katie Bell and Harry Potter to be specific, forced Oliver Wood to end practice early on account of Victoria's bright blue lips and near frostbitten fingers.

Both Professor Lupin and Professor Snape had been indignant when they found out, though through others means than by Victoria telling them. Victoria found it easier to calm down the defense professor, when she agreed to let him take her to the Hospital Wing. Professor Snape, who already despised Gryffindor Quidditch, was much harder to talk down, especially when Victoria mentioned that she got out of the cold sooner than she would have courtesy to the efforts of Harry Potter.

Nonetheless, although he still had several nasty things to say about Oliver Wood and Harry Potter, Professor Snape allowed Victoria to brew the menstrual cramp potion for Ginny again at the end of November. Victoria had forgotten her anger toward her friend when Ginny, upon seeing her in the Gryffindor common room after she'd been released from the Hospital Wing, gave her a warm hug.

So, she happily gathered up the ingredients for the Ginny's potion from the storeroom, and brought them over to her workspace. Victoria was surprised, though, to find that Professor Snape had left the room, leaving his own smoking cauldron.

Victoria, although wondering if it was the same he'd been brewing last month, was hesitant to snoop. She tried to crane her head to see what ingredients he'd laid out, but the blue smoke obscured them. Waiting a moment to see if Professor Snape would return, Victoria let her curiosity get the better of her as she crept up to the table where Professor Snape worked.

First, she got a good look at the potion in the cauldron. Victoria made a face, and then coughed as she breathed in the smoke. The mysterious potion was a dull brown and looked to have the consistency of sludge. Beside the cauldron, Professor Snape had laid out all his carefully prepared ingredients. Of about a dozen ingredients, there was only one that Victoria couldn't identify. It was a dark brown, roughly the size of her palm and appeared to be a pod of sorts. Picking it up to observe it closer however, Victoria could tell from its earthy texture that it was actually a root –

"Miss Thomas?"

Victoria dropped the root and hastily turned around. Professor Snape stood in the doorway into his private workroom. He eyed the root on the floor critically. Victoria said quickly, "Sir, I'm so sorry. I was just curious, I wanted to know –"

Professor Snape waved a hand and a vial flew into his hand, walking over to her, "Miss Thomas, you should know better than to handle an ingredient with out knowing its identity, especially since we've spent so many weeks on antidotes."

"Sir?" She said weakly, now understanding that the root was poisonous.

He handed her the vial, "You probably did not hold it long enough to do any damage, but as a precaution, drink this."

Victoria readily complied and drank the rather vile tasting solution. Professor Snape levitated the root onto the table, put on his dragonskin gloves, and began to cut the root into equal sizes. Victoria, still a little scared, but also still curious, asked, "Professor, the root, what is it?"

"Aconitum," he answered briskly. Victoria didn't recognize the Latin term, and sensing this, Professor Snape amended, "Monkshood."

"Oh, wolfsbane," Victoria clarified.

"Yes."

When he didn't continue the conversation, Victoria had to ask, especially since wolfsbane was incredibly poisonous, "Sir, what are you brewing?"

Professor Snape snapped, "Miss Thomas, you are more than capable than finding that out for yourself." Victoria recoiled a bit, and Professor Snape saw this, and much softer, said, "I can't tell you everything, Tori." He then returned to his wolfsbane, now smirking, as if delighted.

Victoria found she hadn't time to go to the library in the days following the session with the mysterious potion. Ginny, with the aid of the potion, managed through another cycle, but just as she was recovering, Professor Lupin fell ill again, though she only assumed. This assumption came from the fact that Professor Snape once again substituted for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Through the windows, Victoria watched the snow blow violently from where she sat beside Ginny. She shivered involuntarily. She'd had Quidditch practice in that very weather the night before and currently, she still wasn't quite warm. The class around her chatted excitedly, eagerly anticipating today's class: dueling. Although most had gotten to try dueling at the club last year, Professor Lupin promised them a more complex lesson.

Victoria's gaze was drawn from the window when a ball of wadded parchment hit the back of her head. She looked over her shoulder and saw the smirking face of Brett Montague from where he sat in the back with the other Slytherins –

The door in the back of the classroom slammed open and Professor Snape strode into the room, robes fluttering madly. He went to stand behind the podium, something that Professor Lupin never did, and addressed the class, "Professor Lupin has informed me that you are to duel one another in class today. So, all of you, out of your seats," the class obeyed wordlessly." Professor Snape flicked his wand and the desks and chairs moved to the sides of the classroom, some of them nearly hitting students. "Now, into pairs," he ordered.

At first the class just looked at him confused. They weren't actually supposed to duel today, just learn about it. Apparently, as he had with Professor Lupin's other classes, Professor Snape was deviating from the lesson plan.

Victoria turned to Ginny, only to find her friend shoved out of the way and her spot taken by none other than Brett Montague.

"Alright there, Thomas?" He grinned, wand already in hand.

Victoria made to go to Ginny, only to find her too with a Slytherin. Looking around the room, it was obvious that the Slytherins had come up with a plan to divide the class. Every Gryffindor, all eight of them, would be dueling a Slytherin.

"Now, spread into two lines, facing one another," Professor Snape said. All the Gryffindors silently took one side together. Victoria stood across from a smirking Montague. She chanced a look at Professor Snape, but he didn't meet her gaze as he looked out at the students expressionlessly. "Now bow," every student did so. "And…begin –"

At once, the room erupted.

Victoria had no time to observe, as Montague yelled, "Furnunculus!"

She ducked and cried, "Tarantallegra!" She hit her mark.

Montague, now dancing uncontrollably, red faced and humiliated as somebody laughed at him, tried "Diffindo!"

Victoria feels her robes rip across her shoulder and the sting of the spell cutting her skin. She looked up at the Slytherin, now scared. She didn't think she should risk angering Montague further if he was already willing to do her bodily harm.

The boy raised his wand once more, "Diff –"

"Expelliarmus!" Montague's wand flew from his hand and into Professor Snape's.

Now safe, Victoria checked on her friends: Aaron's nose was swollen to the size of an orange and Colin was on the ground, holding his head. Ginny was on the ground next to Colin. Her opponent, however, was being attacked by greenish bats.

Professor Snape raised his wand once more, "Finite Incatatem!" Most of the lingering effects of the students' magic disappeared, although, Victoria could still feel the pain from her shoulder.

"It seems," Professor Snape sneered, "That many of you have much to learn about dueling. Now," he waved his wand once more and the desks and chairs slid back into place, "Open your books to the chapter on dueling and write a twelve inch summary on its entirety, in your own words."

Victoria could sense the anger in the Gryffindors and the glee of the Slytherins, but all the students got back into their seats. Well, all of them but Victoria.

"Miss Thomas?" Professor Snape asked, neutrally.

Victoria was more than angry. She was infuriated. Professor Snape had broken his promise - he gave his word that he wouldn't act anymore. So, with as much respect as she could muster, Victoria said, "I'm bleeding."

Professor Snape's eyes narrowed on her shoulder, and it must have been the first time he'd seen the blood, hidden as it was by her black robe, because his eyes widened momentarily, "You should go and see Madame Pomfrey."

Victoria nodded, somewhat mollified by Professor Snape's surprise over her injury picked up her bag, and made to leave the classroom.

As she closed the door behind her, she head Professor Snape announce, "Detention, Mr. Montague. I thought it unnecessary to instruct against actual injury, but apparently, I was wrong…" Victoria smiled and wondered why she'd ever doubted him.

Madame Pomfrey fussed over her for a long time. Since her concussion, Victoria found herself in the Hospital Wing often, though this was the first time for a non-Quidditch related injury.

When she was let out, there were only a few minutes of Defense left, so Victoria decided against going back to the opposite side of the school. Herbology, which followed Defense, was cancelled, so Victoria used her rare free time to go to the library as she had yet to find a potion that used wolfsbane.

In the potions section of the library, a part little visited, Victoria began to sift through some huge, ancient encyclopedias on plant potions ingredients. After searching through the indexes of half a dozen, trying all three names, she had yet to find a potion that used the root of the plant. All the encyclopedias warned readers to never use the plant, it being much too poisonous.

Victoria rethought her strategy, and came up with the theory that wolfsbane's uses other than poison might be a relatively new occurrence. She moved further down the shelf until she got to the section that held recent scholarly potions works. Carefully reading through the titles of the essays in each book, she found an article in Journal of Potions Research from 1991 titled "Wolfsbane Potion."

Victoria skipped most of the article to look at the ingredient list to make sure that this was the mysterious potion. And in fact, every ingredient on the page had been on Professor Snape's work table a few short days ago. Turning over the page, Victoria read through the article, but froze as she read what the potion's purpose was in the introduction paragraph.

Rushing back over to the table where she'd put her bag, she all but threw the journal down. Victoria dug through her bag, looking for the Astronomy book she'd used earlier to finish her homework at study hall. Checking a few charts, she confirmed her suspicions.

For the past two months, Professor Snape had brewed the Wolfsbane Potion, only days before the full moon. It was reasonable possibility that Hogwarts was home to a werewolf.

XxXxX

Victoria only had the weekend to think about the werewolf at Hogwarts. She had, upon her discovery, checked out the journal with the article along with several general books on werewolves.

On Monday, she was dealt with a blow that effectively took her mind off of lycanthropy. That morning at breakfast, Professor McGonagall went around to all the Gryffindors to take down the names of those staying at Hogwarts for the Christmas holiday. After Victoria was the only one to give her name, her three friends looked around at each other.

"I thought you were staying?" Aaron asked Ginny.

"I stayed last year," Ginny replied. "Colin?"

"My Gran's fiftieth birthday party is over the holiday," Colin said.

"Well somebody has to stay," Ginny insisted.

"It's alright," Victoria said softly. She was heartbroken – her friends were arguing on who would have to stay behind with her, but also because she didn't have a family to go home to.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked. To her credit, she really did look upset.

Victoria nodded, "Yes." The rest of breakfast was uncomfortable.

In Defense Against the Dark Arts that afternoon, Professor Lupin had noticed Victoria seemed upset and all her friends acted especially guilty. After class, he'd asked what was wrong and Victoria promised she'd stop in before Quidditch before hurrying off to Herbology.

At dinner, all of her friends apologized, but it didn't make Victoria feel any better. Only after she was in Professor Lupin's office and finished telling him the entire story, while crying, did Victoria feel any different.

Professor Lupin looked as distraught as she felt. Softly, he said, "Tori, I'm so sorry you have to spend the holiday here."

Victoria rubbed an eye with her palm, "I don't mind spending it at Hogwarts. I just wish I had somebody to spend it with. I mean, going home isn't really an option," she said, sniffing, trying not to think about her indifferent parents.

"Tori, I'm sorry about your parents –"

Victoria, upset and frustrated at her situation, interrupted, "Professor, stop being sorry. It's not your fault." Then, as an afterthought, she admitted, "They're not really my parents."

"They're not?" Professor Lupin asked, surprised.

"No. I heard them arguing after I got my Hogwarts letter and later my Mum told me that Professor Dumbledore brought me to them," she explained.

"I see," he said. Then, fidgeting uncharacteristically in his chair, he asked "Do you know who your parents are?"

Victoria shook her head, "No. But the Sorting Hat said I had a parent in Gryffindor and the other was in Slytherin. It said it was an odd match."

"Indeed," Professor Lupin said, nodding his head vaguely.

It was then that Victoria realized that she still had to get to Quidditch that night. "Professor," she said, "I have to go." She picked up Aaron's Horizon 7.

"Of course," he said. But before she walked out, he offered, "If you'd like, Tori, you could come visit me over the holidays. Whenever you'd like."

"Really?" She asked.

"Of course," Professor Lupin said, giving her a kind smile.

"Thank you," Victoria said with a teary-eyed one of her own.

The next two weeks went by quickly and all too soon, Victoria was in the common room, hugging her friends goodbye before watching them leave with the trunks, all set and ready for a happy holiday.

Not knowing what to do, Victoria went back up to the dorm, now empty as all the other girls had gone home, fully intending to go to sleep. When she was unable to do so, she pulled a book off the stack loaned from the library. She began Not Really Human half interested, only to become thoroughly disgusted. The book documented the history of werewolf persecution, though on the side that believed wizards and witches cursed with Lycanthropy ought to be treated like animals. It included everything from traceable tattoos to outright euthanasia all the while faulting the 'legislation' that Britain currently relied on.

Putting aside that one, not quite finished because it had made her so upset, she started reading Lycanthropy: Medicine and Magic. The tone was completely clinical and vividly described the pain that lycanthropes experienced during transformation as well as the loss of their mind while a wolf.

Most of the other books followed along the patterns set by the other two: indifferent or prejudiced. And the more Victoria read, the less she saw lycanthropy through the eyes of the authors. She found herself wholly sympathetic to these poor people who suffered from a curse she'd only thought existed in fiction. Her feelings were also influenced by the fact that Professor Snape was brewing Wofsbane Potion, incredibly complex and used to help the lycanthrope retain his mind after transforming. He wouldn't do that if werewolves were monsters like the books said. Besides, Professor Dumbledore had to allow a werewolf to be here at Hogwarts, since he pretty much knew everything.

It was nearly dinner when Victoria had exhausted her pile of books. Before eating – she'd have to the way her growling stomach was demanding food – she decided to make a quick trip to the library. She walked through the eerily empty common room and down to the library. Victoria handed her books back to the librarian before going back to the section with the books on werewolves. Pulling some new ones out, she piled them into her arms before making her way to the check out desk. Unfortunately, she had to pass the library's only other occupants, Harry Potter and his two best friends.

Hermione Granger knocked over her ink well when she saw the books in Victoria's arms, "Werewolves?" The girl asked shakily.

Victoria, now knowledgeable to the prejudices werewolves faced, wasn't willing to give any hints that there might be one here at Hogwarts. She shrugged, "Yes."

"You're interested in them?" the other girl pressed.

Victoria shrugged once more and replied vaguely, "I don't know a lot about them, so I decided to do some reading over the holiday."

"Sounds like you, Hermione," Ginny's brother, Ron Weasley, mumbled.

Hermione Granger ignored him, "Victoria, what –"

"Leave her alone, Hermione," Harry Potter said, "She'd just getting some books to read, right?" He asked, looking at Victoria, blushing a bit.

Hermione Granger sighed, "Honestly, Harry." She then looked at Victoria suspiciously.

Victoria stiffened and tried to get away the only way she knew how, "I know how to keep secrets."

Hermione Granger paled, "Alright then," and resumed reading her heavy tome.

Harry Potter looked back and forth between the girls before shaking his head and said, "See you later, Victoria."

"Okay," Victoria said, before leaving with her books.

In the week preceding Christmas, Victoria spilt her time between Professor Snape and Professor Lupin.

Most of the day was spent in the dungeons. Victoria had moved onto antidotes that required bases beyond water and these two part complex potions were tricky. She was also concurrently brewing presents for her three friends: for Ginny, the same perfume she'd gotten last year, Aaron, who'd been complaining about the onset of acne, would get a special lotion, and Colin would get a polish for his camera. Despite being busy brewing, Victoria didn't fail to notice Professor Snape prepare the Wolfsbane Potion once more. She didn't comment.

After exiting the dungeons and having a quick dinner, Victoria would go up to Professor Lupin's office where they'd have tea and dessert, most of which was inevitably chocolate flavored. They talked about books mostly. Victoria avoided burdening him with her problems, namely black dogs, Dementors, and werewolves. However, Thursday, Christmas Eve, while at dinner, a note arrived by owl from Professor Lupin calling off their appointment because he'd fallen ill once more.

Victoria decided to go back down to the dungeons, where with nothing more than a raised eyebrow, she was accepted by Professor Snape. She threw herself into brewing once more and unexpectedly, she found she'd rather be with Professor Lupin.

XxXxX

Victoria woke up late Christmas morning, at around eleven. There'd been no one to wake her and she'd stayed up late rereading Wizards of the Labyrinth. Stretching, she was surprised to find a pile of presents, more than last year, waiting for her at the end of the bed.

Opening the largest package first, she wasn't surprised to find a gold sweater with a Quaffle on it. There was also an assortment of baked goods and since she'd surely missed breakfast, she didn't feel guilty about having some of the cake. With the Weasley package was a Holyhead Harpies poster, definitely from Ginny since they were her favorite team.

Aaron had also sent her something Quidditch related: the glossy biography of German Chaser Hans Bucheim, World Cup wonder.

Colin sent her a picture of herself at the Quidditch tryouts in a frame he'd obviously made himself. Victoria thought it was cute.

Professor Snape had sent her this quarter's Journal of Potion Research, which had his article on the potential properties of shark stomach lining. He'd also gotten her a three year subscription.

Victoria wasn't surprised to find a present from Professor Lupin. She was then pleased when she opened the parcel to find an original edition of Jane Eyre. She didn't have a copy of her own, and having one from the early nineteenth century was especially special. It must have taken Professor Lupin forever to find this.

After she'd opened all the presents from her friends, she was left with one more. Curious, she opened it and found a bar of Honeydukes' famous fudge and an elastic red headband, one that was more sporty and practical than what she always wore. It came with a note,

Victoria,

This one might be better for Quidditch. Also, I got you chocolate since it's your favorite.

Happy Christmas,

Harry

Victoria felt herself blush as she smiled at the letter feeling unusually giddy. She decided to save the elastic headband for the next match and instead wore, with the Weasley sweater which perfectly matched, the other headband given to her by Harry Potter.

XxXxX

Professor Lupin missed the Christmas feast, but Victoria saw, for the first time, the Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney. It was during that meal that Victoria decided against taking Divination next year. Soon enough, though, Professor Lupin was better and the pattern established before Christmas continued until next term with little variety and Victoria didn't mind.

The only thing that happened outside of the dungeon or Professor Snape's office was that Hermione Granger got Harry Potter's Firebolt, the best broomstick in the world, confiscated. Her two friends wouldn't speak to her, so Hermione had taken to sitting with Victoria at meals. The two came to a mutual, though silent truce to not mention lycanthropy.

Soon term resumed, and Victoria's friends came back.

Aaron, who had a nearly acne free face, ran to Victoria and gave her a tight hug, "Thank you!" He exclaimed.

"Let her breathe, Aaron," Ginny scolded him and he let go of Victoria.

Colin looked at her uncertainly, "Are you okay, Victoria?"

Victoria shrugged, "Yes, I guess. Have good holidays?" And since she was the one to ask, they didn't seem to feel guilty as they launched into their stories.

Quidditch and classes resumed. Oliver Wood had them preparing to take on Ravenclaw, who were shaping up to be the team to beat after they annihilated Hufflepuff. This belief was only reinforced when Slytherin, usually a powerhouse in its own right, barely managed to beat Ravenclaw.

The Sunday following the game, Victoria finished her homework sooner than expected and decided to visit Professor Lupin early. She needed advice on how to tell Professor Snape that Oliver Wood would have the team practicing five days a week until they played, and hopefully beat, Ravenclaw. The schedule had been rearranged to allow Harry Potter to work on his 'Dementor Problem,' so that day's practice was moved to Tuesdays with Saturdays being added for good measure.

Professor Lupin's door was already opened slightly, so she opened it fully, calling out, "Professor Lupin?"

What she saw stopped her cold. Professor Snape was there, watching with undisguised animosity as Professor Lupin drank from a goblet…a smoking goblet. It suddenly clicked: the Wolfsbane Potion, the illnesses that, looking back, always coincided with the full moon…Professor Lupin was the werewolf.

Both men were staring at her. Professor Snape looked smug whereas Professor Lupin looked panicked.

Victoria stuttered, "I-t's you. Y-you're t-the werewolf."

Professor Lupin looked devastated, and he, with urgency, tried to get her to understand, "Tori, now, this isn't –"

Professor Snape scoffed, "Of course, it is what is seems, Lupin."

Professor Lupin looked at the other man accusingly, "I can't believe…can't believe you told her."

"Hardly. She merely deduced it from her own inquires," turning to her, Professor Snape continued, "No doubt you found the article on Wolfsbane in the library after seeing me work with Aconitum, correct?" She nodded.

Anguished, Professor Lupin said, "You brewed it in front of her! You knew she'd figure it out!" And very quietly, he added, "You know what she means –"

"Save it, Lupin." Professor Snape sneered, "Since the headmaster prohibited me from outright telling her, I found it prudent that she discover what your condition was through other means, especially considering how much time she spends in your company. Now she knows you for what you truly are: disgusting, dangerous –"

"But he's not, though," Victoria interrupted, now confused but still standing in the doorway, "He keeps his mind when he transforms with the Wolfsbane Potion, right?"

Professor Lupin nodded meekly, "I do."

Professor Snape glared at him, "True, but that doesn't keep you from becoming the wolf."

The defense teacher shook his head sadly.

"Does it really hurt as bad as the books say it does," Victoria said with so little tact that she noticed it herself, flinching.

"What books?" Professor Snape asked.

"The ones in the library. After I figured out the potion was for a werewolf, I read nearly every book in the section about them," Victoria explained.

Professor Lupin cringed, and rightly so. None of those books were particularly flattering. Morosely, he asked, "And what have you decided?"

Looking him directly in the eye, she countered, "You didn't answer my question."

Pain flitted across his face as he answered, "More than they could imagine."

Victoria found her eyes dampen as she considered how much pain her beloved professor went through every month. "Are you mad at me?" She asked through her tears.

Professor Lupin, alarmed that she was crying, went over to her hesitantly, as if she'd run away screaming, but was surprised when she threw her arms around his neck.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" She asked again.

"Whatever for?" He asked, holding her without any stiffness whatsoever, rubbing her back tenderly.

"For knowing your secret," Victoria told him.

Professor Lupin shushed her, "Of course not," then continued, "You don't hate me, do you?"

Victoria held him tighter, pressing her face into his neck, "No, professor. Never!" She only sobbed harder, honestly stricken over his curse but also glad that no matter what, she felt safe in his arms.

Unnoticed by the two kneeling on the floor, Professor Snape left the room without another word or a single glance back.

XxXxX

It was obvious the next morning that Professor Snape was upset with Victoria. He, for the first time, criticized her potion during class. She was mortified, especially when the other students began to whisper and point. She was regarded as the best in their year. Ginny looked at her curiously, but Victoria kept silent. Although he had criticized her, Professor Snape hadn't taken points; there was hope fore her yet.

After class had been dismissed, Victoria stayed up and approached the teacher's desk, "Professor Snape?"

"Yes?" He said curtly, not looking up from the pile of homework he was straightening.

"You're mad at me," she stated.

Professor Snape looked up at her sharply, "I refuse to pretend to be pleased with your reckless behavior, Miss Thomas. You may be sympathetic, but that does not make being friendly with a werewolf less foolhardy, less thoughtless –"

"He's not dangerous," Victoria insisted.

Professor Snape stood up and towered over her, "You think you know what he is capable of? Well, I'll tell you – while we were at school, one of Lupin's friends thought it would be funny if I stumbled across your precious professor after he had transformed. I would have died, if it were not for –"

Victoria interrupted him again, "But he couldn't have known!"

"So he says," Professor Snape countered, "His lack of control does not excuse his actions. In fact, it only makes him more dangerous. He should not be here, with children –"

"He's my friend!" Victoria cried, nearly in tears. She'd never fought with Professor Snape before, but facing the full force of his wrath…Victoria wondered how Harry Potter survived it.

"Your friend! Did he tell you he was a werewolf?" Professor Snape seethed, "Has he told you that his best friend, the one how tried to kill me all those years ago, was none other than Sirius Black!"

Victoria, now crying, practically ignored his last argument, for she was recalling one of Ginny's worries, one she'd brought up months ago, and realized what might happen, "Please, sir – I can't," Victoria sobbed, "You can't – I can't – I can't choose, don't make me, please…" She looked up at Professor Snape.

He didn't say anything, but looked at her with a curious, but deep look. He sighed and deflated, "No, Tori, I will not make you choose. It would not be fair to you. You have done nothing wrong."

Victoria nodded, wiping her puffy eyes.

"Just…just be careful," Professor Snape asked.

She nodded again, soberly.

"Now," he conjured a handkerchief and offered it to an accepting Victoria, "Did you require anything else, Miss Thomas?"

Reluctantly, Victoria told him about Oliver Wood's new training schedule. Astonishingly, Professor Snape merely asked when would work best for her. Her second session was shifted once more, though to Saturday morning this time.

With all the Quidditch practice, Victoria barely had enough time to complete all her homework. Although she was nervous about the match against Ravenclaw, Victoria was relieved as well; it would mark the end of the extra practice.

The practice before the game left Victoria, and the whole team it seemed, feeling particularly inspired. Professor McGonagall had relinquished Harry Potter's Firebolt and he preformed spectacularly that evening. Even Oliver Wood could find nothing to fault with his team.

As she dismounted, Victoria heard somebody call out to her, "Want a go, Victoria?"

She turned to see Harry Potter and his friend, Ron Weasley. Knowing he must be talking about his new Firebolt, Victoria hesitated, "I don't know –"

"Ah, Harry, come on. You've got to let me go first," Ron Weasley said.

Harry Potter didn't respond, so Victoria said, "It's alright. I don't have to."

Ron Weasley took the Firebolt, mounted it, and was off.

Harry Potter came over to stand by Victoria as they watch the red headed boy zoom across the pitch. "I've sorted my Dementor problem," he informed her.

She smiled, "That's great, Harry."

"I've been meeting with Professor Lupin. He's brilliant, isn't he?"

"The very best," Victoria proclaimed earnestly.

Blushing, he changed the subject and said conversationally, "You were really good tonight."

"Not as good as you with your Firebolt," Victoria said, modestly. Her stomach was fluttering again.

Harry Potter shrugged, "No, you really were. Good brooms are nothing next to talent."

"Which you have," Victoria insisted, feeling her own face flush.

"You too," he said, running a hand through his hair, something he did while he was nervous. He tried to make it lay flat, but he never could manage it.

Victoria was spared from giving a response because Madame Hooch, who'd been supervising their practices, awoke, furious at them for letting her sleep and for staying out past nightfall. She shepherded the students back to the school and the whole way, Ron Weasley talking about the superior qualities of the Firebolt. Harry Potter kept glancing to the left, giving Victoria quick looks. She didn't look back; she was sure her face was bright red and she wasn't able to keep a small smile of her face.

Then Harry Potter kept his eyes on her, and Victoria finally looked at him. He suddenly stopped and it was then that she realized that he was looking at something behind her. Victoria followed his gaze and saw what had him frozen – it was a pair of large gray eyes, shining brightly, menacingly from the darkness.

Ron Weasley, curious, lighted his wand, but all that was revealed was a huge, ginger cat. Victoria recognized it as belonging to Hermione Granger, as did Ron Weasley, who was instantly furious. According to Ginny, Hermione Granger's cat, Crookshanks, was suspected of eating Ron Weasley's rat, Scabbers.

Victoria drowned out his fury and exchanged glances with Harry Potter. One look confirmed what her rapidly beating heart already knew: those eyes didn't belong to a cat.

XxXxX

When Victoria walked down to the Great Hall the next morning, it was immediately apparent that the Gryffindor Quidditch team had a new star, and it wasn't one of the seven players. Sitting there, in the very center of the table, surrounded by adoring fans, was Harry Potter's Firebolt.

Soon, the team, after a hearty breakfast, walked through the clear, cool morning to the locker rooms. There, Victoria changed out of her school robes and into her Quidditch ones. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the red elastic headband she'd gotten from Harry Potter. She looked at the boy, but saw that he was busy putting his wand into his shirt. Victoria raised an eyebrow, but turned he attention to Oliver Wood, who was ready to give his pep talk. "You know what we've got to do," he said. "If we lose this match, we're out of the running. Just – Just fly like you did in practice yesterday, and we'll be okay!"

The team left the locker rooms for the pitch and was greeted with deafening cheers. Victoria got into position and mounted her broom. Oliver Wood shook hands with the Ravenclaw captain. Madame Pomfrey blew her whistle on one, and all fourteen players were off, Harry Potter faster than anybody else.

Victoria received the Quaffle from Angelina Johnson, than quickly passed it off to Katie Bell. She then realized that although the weather was perfect, some things could be nearly as distracting, like Lee Jordan's commentary. He was best friends with the Weasley twins – one of which just saved her from a Bludger – and was currently trying to advertise the Firebolt despite Professor McGonagall's scolding.

Katie Bell scored the first goal, and the three girls kept scoring, four by Victoria, as they focused on the Quaffle while the Beaters headed off Bludgers and the Seekers weaved in and out of the game, ever watchful for the elusive Snitch. The score: Gryffindor, eighty, to Ravenclaw's zero.

Unfortunately, Ravenclaw made three goals, and the Gryffindor's breathing room was gone. Victoria was in possession of the Quaffle, racing for the Ravenclaw goal posts, tuning out Lee Jordan's commentary on Harry Potter and the other Seeker, when a girl cried out, "Oh!"

Only after she had scored did Victoria turn around. Three Dementors had come onto the field, all looking up at Harry Potter, who, without stopping, whipped out his wand, yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" shot something silvery at the Dementors, and without pulling up from his dive even a little, caught the Snitch.

It was silent for a beat, and then the red section of the stadium erupted. Victoria joined her fellow teammates in racing toward Harry Potter and grasping him in a group hug.

"That's my boy!" Oliver Wood screamed again and again. One of the twins was holding Harry Potter tight. Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson both kissed him. Victoria, hesitating for a moment, also leaned over and, blushing, pecked Harry Potter's cheek shyly, probably longer than she should have. The boy, already smiling, grinned so widely, his face almost spilt and went bright red as the team descended to the ground, where their fellow Gryffindors descended upon them.

Aaron picked Victoria up her waist and swung her as best he could with the crowd. Colin caught her when Aaron lost his grip and nearly dropped her. Others, Gryffindors Victoria didn't know the names of, began to clap her on the back, shake her hand, or ruffle her hair. At that, Victoria shooed the hands away and righted the elastic headband.

One of the Weasley twins yelled, "Party! Gryffindor common room, now!"

The team led the way, and once in the common room, someone turned on a wizard radio and the party started.

Victoria stayed with the team first, and received the collective praise, but it was obvious that Harry Potter was the hero of the day. Throughout it all, Victoria couldn't keep from smiling. They still had a chance to win the Quidditch Cup! As evening came, the Weasleys arrived with treats for all, and grabbing a fizzy drink, Victoria slipped away to where Aaron and Colin were talking to some first years.

Aaron threw his arm around her shoulder, "You were brilliant!" He gushed.

Victoria smiled, embarrassed and took a sip of the drink, making a face at its weird pumpkin flavor. It was then she noticed something, "Where's Ginny?"

Colin looked conflicted, but Aaron shrugged, "She went up to the dormitory."

"Why?" Victoria asked.

"Don't know," Aaron said, "She looked sick." Victoria quickly went through her mental calendar: Ginny's period ended two days ago. And unavoidably, she remembered the next full moon was in two weeks.

"Or upset," Colin suggested softly, though there was no need. At this point, the first years had moved away.

"Upset? Why?" Victoria asked.

It was Colin's turn to shrug.

Victoria couldn't stand to enjoy the victory and party when something was bothering Ginny. So giving her drink to Aaron with a, "You can finish this," Victoria left the common room for their dormitory.

There, she found Ginny sitting on her bed. The red head turned around when Victoria walked in and glared, "Oh, it's you."

"Ginny?" Victoria asked.

"Go away. I don't want to talk to you," Ginny said, turning her gaze back to the wall.

Confused, Victoria asked, "Ginny, are you mad at me?"

"Don't sound so surprised. You're the smartest in our year, so why don't you use that big brain of yours."

"Ginny," Victoria began meekly, "I don't know –"

"You knew I liked him and you kissed him! I know you like him too!" Ginny exploded, turning and standing.

"Ginny, Katie and Angelina kissed him –"

"But they don't like him like that," Ginny said bitterly, "Not like you do!"

"Ginny," Victoria started.

"Do you?" Ginny interrupted.

"Ginny –"

"You do, don't you?" Ginny demanded.

Victoria couldn't deny it. She'd refused to label it, but she knew why her stomach fluttered every time she talked to, saw, or thought of Harry Potter. Victoria had a crush on the Boy Who Lived.

At her friend's silent affirmation, Ginny's face crumbled and she said miserably, "How could you? I thought you were my friend."

"Ginny, I am your friend –" Victoria tried to tell her, but Ginny rushed past her, crying, and into the bathroom. The door was locked, the click echoing in the nearly empty dormitory.

Victoria could still here the party, but now there didn't seem to be anything to celebrate, so she crawled into bed and, listening to Ginny sobbing from in the bathroom, cried herself to sleep.

XxXxX

Victoria awoke when she heard someone yelling. It sounded like it was coming from the common room. The other girls in the dormitory were also waking up.

From the darkness, Cynthia Kincaid announced, "Let's see what's wrong."

She didn't respond, but Victoria fumbled her way through the darkness, feeling stiff from having fallen asleep awkwardly, and followed the silhouettes of Cynthia and Sarah Clippenger from the room. Victoria didn't see or hear Ginny.

Coming down the staircase, Cynthia, upon seeing that the second year boys were responsible for the noise, said, "Professor McGonagall told us to go to bed!"

From behind them, one of the Weasley twins asked, "Excellent, are we carrying on?"

Victoria deduced that the party only ended when Professor McGonagall demanded it end.

The Head Boy, Percy Weasley, came down the stairs, pushing aside people, and ordered authoritatively, "Everyone back upstairs!"

Ron Weasley, who looked white as a sheet and was sweating profusely and breathing loudly, said, "Percy, Sirius Black! In our dormitory! With a knife! Woke me up!"

Everyone grew quiet instantly, except Victoria who drew in a deep shuddering breathe. Several heads turned toward her, including Harry Potter, who looked confused to see her still in her Quidditch robes, but Victoria ignored them all. Between Quidditch and schoolwork, she effectively forgotten about Sirius Black, but if he'd really gotten into the tower, threatened Ron Weasley –

"Nonsense! You had too much to eat, Ron – had a nightmare –" Percy Weasley tried to tell his brother.

Ron Weasley wouldn't give in, "I'm telling you –"

"Now, really, enough's enough!" Professor McGonagall interrupted as she walked through the portrait hole. She was in a tartan dressing gown and her hair held with a night cap. She looked around the room, "I am delighted that Gryffindor won the match, but this is getting ridiculous! Percy, I expected better of you!"

The Head Boy defended himself, "I certainly didn't authorize this, Professor! I was just telling them all to get back to bed! My brother Ron here had a nightmare –"

Ron Weasley snapped, and Victoria cringed – he and Ginny had the same temper – " It wasn't a nightmare! Professor, I woke up, and Sirius Black was standing over me, holding a knife!" The boy yelled.

Professor McGonagall scoffed in disbelief, "Don't be ridiculous, Weasley, how could he possibly have gotten through the portrait hole?"

"Ask him!" Ron Weasley yelled. He pointed at the portrait of Sir Cadogan, the Fat Lady's little liked replacement. The knight liked to change the password daily, so nearly every night, a cluster of Gryffindors would find themselves shut out from their own tower and would have to wait for some other Gryffindor to let them in.

Professor McGonagall left the common room to speak to Sir Cadogan, her Gryffindors listening in. "Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?" The professor asked.

"Certainly, good lady," the portrait answered in the affirmative.

After a moment of shock, Professor McGonagall sputtered, "You – you did? But – but the password!"

Sir Cadogan explained, "He had 'em! Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"

Professor McGonagall returned, face tight, white, and deathly serious, and she slowly asked, "Which person, which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?"

Third year Neville Longbottom raised his hand.

XxXxX

After Sirius Black slipped into Gryffindor Tower and escaped once more, there were some changes in Gryffindor House. The Fat Lady returned, but only with a pair of troll bodyguards. Neville Longbottom, in addition to the punishment doled out by Professor McGonagall, had received a Howler from his grandmother. It was forbidden to give him the current password, so other Gryffindors had to let him in. On more than one occasion, it was Victoria.

There were also shifts within Victoria's group of friends. It was apparent that Ginny and Victoria were no longer speaking, and not because of a lack of effort on Victoria's part. No matter how she pleaded, Ginny wouldn't forgive her. And her cold shoulder was too obvious for the boys to not notice.

After a particularly icy Monday morning, the boys cornered Victoria on the way to History of Magic.

"What's wrong with you and Ginny?" Colin asked.

Victoria hesitated telling them what had happened; it would mean admitting to liking Harry Potter and Victoria wasn't sure she wanted anyone else to know. The only thing that got her to divulge her secret was the firm belief that perhaps the boys could help mend the girls' tattered friendship.

When she'd finished, Aaron asked her incredulously, "You like Harry Potter?"

Victoria nodded, blushing.

"Huh, I wouldn't have guessed," Aaron said.

"I thought it was obvious," she said.

Aaron elaborated, "But you're always shy and blushing with everything. You're like Ginny is around Harry Potter nearly all the time."

"Aaron," Colin scolded, and then he shifted uncomfortably, "She did like him first, though. Everybody knows that, even Harry, I'm sure."

Victoria sighed, telling them what she had tried explaining to Ginny, "It isn't on purpose. It's not as if I can help it…it just happened."

"True," Colin agreed.

"And it's not as if Victoria's mad at Ginny for liking him too," Aaron pointed out.

Colin nodded, and as they walked to Professor Binns's classroom, the boys decided to not pick sides, but it was apparent they weren't mad with Victoria since their reason to remain neutral was to "– avoid upsetting Ginny." Once there, they sat in their regular seats. Even though there was no one talked other than Professor Binns, it was evident that Ginny was giving Victoria the cold shoulder.

And Ginny wasn't the only one.

When Victoria went to her potions sessions that Tuesday, she could plainly see that Professor Snape was grumpier than usual. Opening Descriptions of the Deadliest Drafts, she said, "Faust's Antidote tonight, sir?"

Professor Snape said curtly, "Yes." He didn't look at her.

Victoria didn't move. "Professor, is something wrong?" she asked him.

"It is obvious that you would rather ask questions than brew, Miss Thomas. Perhaps there is somewhere else you would rather be," he snapped, slamming the fourth year textbook open.

"Sir?" Victoria questioned.

"You are not stupid, Miss Thomas," he said.

Victoria was struck with a bout of déjà vu, "Sir?" she asked quietly.

"Of all the foolish things you could have done, Miss Thomas, you have decided on the most idiotic. You should know better than to have a crush on Potter," he seethed, now looking at her, eye alight with anger.

"How –" She began.

"I have suspected for a while, Miss Thomas. I hoped I was mistaken, but your kiss on the match Saturday proved otherwise," he said coldly. "It is clear to me, and you make no effort to deny it."

Victoria hung her head in wordless admission.

Professor Snape continued ranting, "If anything is worse than being friendly to a werewolf, it is you and Harry Potter linked romantically."

Victoria pleaded, "We're only friends!"

"But you want to be more?" He asked.

Blushing, she reiterated, "We're only friends."

"And since when have you been friends with Potter?" He demanded.

"We're on the same team and he's always been very nice –"

"So for months now?" Professor Snape said, answering his own question.

She pointed out, "He's never not wanted to be friends with me because I'm friends with you. And neither has Professor Lupin!"

"You, Miss Thomas, are my student, not my friend!" Professor Snape spat.

Hurt, Victoria lashed out, "Then why do you care who I like at all then?"

Professor Snape stood up and said in a slow, hateful voice, "Leave, Miss Thomas."

Victoria was surprised and upset with herself. She very rarely acted on impulse because when she did, it was bound to end like this. Professor Snape had never dismissed her. "Please, sir," she tried, feeling the tears coming.

"Leave!"

Victoria grabbed her bag and fled. She didn't stop until she reached Professor Lupin's office and threw open the door, startling said professor.

It took a long while and two cups of tea, but Professor Lupin managed to coax the story from Victoria: two of her dearest friends hated her because she liked Harry Potter.

When he looked at her oddly after she'd finished, Victoria felt the tears come on once more as she cried, "Oh, no! Not you too!"

Professor Lupin reassured her, "Tori, by no means do I hate you. And I quite like Harry myself, though in a much different way than you do…" He looked uncomfortable.

"Professor?" Victoria questioned.

"It's just…I'm rather protective of you. I don't like the idea of you with any boy," He admitted, frowning. "Besides, aren't you a little young?"

"Professor, it's not like we're boyfriend and girlfriend or anything like that. Anyway, he doesn't think about me like that."

Professor Lupin raised an eyebrow, "Hmm…you're friends though, right?"

Victoria's breathe hitched, she'd remembered why she'd come here, "Professor Snape and Ginny hate me," she lamented.

"I'm sure they don't hate you. Ginny's a twelve year old girl who's discovered that her best friend likes the same boy she does. But at your age, things like that are passing. Eventually, she'll realize that no boy is more important than friendship," Professor Lupin said sagely.

"And Professor Snape?"

"I'm sure he'll come around," Professor Lupin comforted.

"I really hope so, but…it seems all we've done this year is argued. It didn't happen last year," Victoria said.

"I'm afraid I'm to blame for that," he said, guiltily.

Victoria nodded, "He really doesn't like you, does he?"

"No," Professor Lupin said, "Nor did he when we were in school together. Did you know that?"

Victoria nodded again, though this time more slowly.

"You did?" Professor Lupin said in disbelief. His face fell as he realized, "He told you what happened, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did," she said.

"Oh," was all he said, looking into his empty teacup miserably.

Victoria got up and walked around to the other side of the desk and said with a sad smile, "Professor, I'm not like my friends. I don't get mad at people for things they can't control."

Professor Lupin smiled and looked at her with something akin to admiration, "Of course."

XxXxX

The rest of February was very wretched for Victoria. Ginny wouldn't speak to her, Colin and Aaron were around only half as much because they divided their time between their feuding friends, and there were no more potions sessions since Professor Snape refused to have anything to do with her.

Mercifully, the misery wasn't permitted to endure.

Just after March began, Victoria, coming back from a particularly arduous Quidditch practice, was informed by worried Colin and Aaron that Ginny had been nearly green after dinner and hadn't come back down from the dormitory.

At once, Victoria knew what was wrong. She promised the boys she'd help and retreated to the dormitory. One look at Ginny's figure, lying curled up atop her comforter, led Victoria to open her trunk and pull out her little cauldron. She pulled out a packet of ingredients, the one for the menstrual potion – Professor Snape hadn't wanted to waste anymore of their sessions on this one potion, so he gave Victoria the means to make it on her own weeks ago – and with water from the bathroom, commenced brewing.

A little less than three quarters of an hour later, the potion was the perfect amber color and Victoria ladled the proper dosage into a glass. She approached Ginny's bed, "Ginny?"

Expectedly, Ginny said nothing.

Victoria said to her still friend, "Ginny? I know you're on your period and I know you're having cramps, so I made the potion, it's here on –"

Victoria meant to put the glass on the bedside table, but Ginny flung an arm out. Victoria handed it to her and watched as Ginny half sat up and downed the brew. Ginny didn't say anything, but handed the glass back, stared at Victoria for several long moments, before she rolled over back into bed, huddling herself.

After cleaning up, Victoria went back downstairs and told the boys that Ginny would be fine.

The next morning, as Victoria made to leave the dormitory, Ginny called her back, "Victoria?"

She turned around and saw Ginny lingering by her bed, clutching her bag nervously, "Ginny?"

"I just wanted to say thanks, for, you know…" Ginny trailed off.

Victoria gave a friendly smile, "No problem."

"But, I was wondering, why though? I've been so awful to you," Ginny said, looking genuinely repentant.

Victoria sighed, and remembered what Professor Lupin said weeks ago, "Our friendship's more important than a boy." And she meant it.

"Oh, Victoria," Ginny began guiltily, "I'm sorry, it's just I really do like him, and I'm jealous of you. You're on the team with him and you two are friends. You can talk to him without breaking something or blushing."

"I blush every time, actually," Victoria admitted.

Ginny sighed heavily, "Listen, I know you like him too…and it's probably better that way. He's so cool and nice…I know he'll never like me like that."

"Ginny," Victoria said, and no matter how much it hurt herself to say it, told her friend, "Of course he could. You're pretty, smart, and fun. He'd be crazy to not like you."

Ginny smiled, "I could say the same thing about you."

Victoria shrugged, not sure if she quite believed her friend.

Ginny grew serious once more, "Can you forgive me, Victoria?"

"Of course," Victoria said earnestly.

The two girls went down arm in arm, stunning, the two boys who then did little to hide their happiness over the girl's reconciliation.

Professor Snape seemed to consider making peace with Victoria in class that day, perhaps because he saw how she'd patched things up with Ginny, for after he'd dismissed everyone, he called out, "Miss Thomas?" She stayed and he waited until everyone had left before he commented, "You and Miss Weasley appeared to have reconciled."

Victoria answered honestly, "She realized that a boy isn't worth our friendship."

Professor Snape actually looked somewhat ashamed, or at least, Victoria interpreted his expression as such, "As I should of."

Victoria didn't reply.

"Tori…" Professor Snape leaned against his arm on his desk and almost appeared to fidget, "You know better than most why I hate Potter –"

"His dad saved your life," she interrupted softly.

He clenched his jaw, "Among many other things…but know this: I do not like Potter and I am certain nothing will change that. If you were ever to become involved with him, I would not hesitate to voice my disapproval…but I will not let it interfere with our friendship. However, I expect the same in return, Tori."

"Of course, Professor," she promised, "You don't know how miserable I've been without you this month."

"Likewise, Miss Thomas," he revealed. "Now, you should not be tardy for Transfiguration again. Professor McGonagall may accuse me of sabotage," Professor Snape said dryly. He was referring to the highly anticipated Quidditch final where his Slytherins would play the Gryffindors.

"Never, Professor," Victoria said, backing away slowly to the door, "Can we meet Friday night?"

"Of course. We'll resume our regular schedule until your captain decides to let Quidditch rule your life once more," Professor Snape said, giving her one of his very rare, very much coveted smiled.

The next evening, Victoria was walking back from the library, where she'd returned some due books, when Harry Potter called out her name.

Turning, she saw him, tried to control nerves that twisted in her summer region, and noticed he looked pale, "Oh, Harry! Are you alright?"

"What?" He asked, and then waved his hand dismissively, "Dememtor lessons with Lupin. But that's not what I wanted to talk about," He ran a hand through his hair, "Victoria, there's something about Lupin, something you should know –"

She raised a hand to stop him and said quickly, "Harry, it's alright. I already know."

"You do?" Harry Potter asked.

"Yes. I've known for a few months now," she clarified.

"Oh," he said, "How'd you find out?"

"I pretty much figured it out. And you?" Victoria asked.

"I overheard Lupin and Snape talking about it, or rather, arguing about it," Harry Potter explained.

She sighed, "Of course." Then she said seriously, "Harry, you can't tell anybody. It would be very bad for Professor Lupin if this got out."

"Really? I don't really think it would be bad at all," Harry Potter said.

"Harry, people can be really prejudiced about this," She tried to reason with him, "He's a really good person and I don't want to see him treated badly for something that it isn't his fault."

"It wasn't?" he said slowly, as if confused.

"Of course not, Harry," Victoria said, a bit patronizing.

"If you say so. I promise though, I won't say anything," he agreed. "Are you heading back to the common room?" He asked. She nodded and let him lead the way. They both nervously messed with their hair before Harry Potter asked, "How come you want everyone to think you're Muggleborn?"

Victoria stopped, "What?"

"Those Muggles you told me about in Kings Cross last year, they're not your real parents," he elaborated.

"No they're not…how'd you find out?" she asked.

Harry Potter looked at her oddly, "Like I said, Lupin and Snape."

Victoria had absolutely no idea how her parentage could be relevant in a conversation about Professor Lupin's lycanthropy. Shrugging and resuming walking she offered, "Okay." They finished walking to the common room in confused, awkward silence.

XxXxX

Victoria was very happy to be friends with Professor Snape once more. Before the Easter holiday, Victoria and all the other second years had to choose which electives to take next year. After weighing the advice of both Professor Lupin and Professor Snape, she decided on Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures. Aaron, Colin, Ginny all chose Care of Magical Creatures as well, but decided on Divination over Ancient Runes. Victoria, although she would miss her friends, decided she would rather miss out on Divination, especially after meeting Professor Trelawney and having to listen to Professor Snape ridicule her subject during their sessions.

Their 'holiday' proved to be a misnomer. The professors, in order to prepare their students for the rapidly approaching final exams, had piled on the homework. Between that and Quidditch, the 'holiday' was just another busy week for Victoria.

Oliver Wood, in preparation for the Quidditch final, once again had his team practice every night. He pushed Harry Potter and the Chasers especially hard. Slytherin was leading in the tournament by two hundred points, so Gryffindor had to be up by more than fifty before Harry Potter could catch the Snitch. Otherwise, they'd win the game, but lose the cup.

The match was set for the Saturday after the holidays. During the week prior, the rival between the two houses reached an unprecedented high. Small fights broke out in the hallway and several students ended up in the hospital wing. No member of the Gryffindor team was allowed to walk the corridors alone, especially Harry Potter.

The night before the Quidditch final, Oliver Wood sent the players to bed early, in hopes of getting a good night's sleep.

The next morning, the team walked into the Great Hall together, receiving applause not only from their house, but from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The Slytherins hissed loudly, and it was then that Victoria noticed something.

She pointed out, "Oliver, what happened to the other Slytherin Chaser?"

Oliver Wood's eyes narrowed, "He, uh, apparently was injured."

"Which means," Harry Potter butted in angrily, "They've replaced him with Montague hoping to intimidate you."

Whispering over her breakfast, which no longer seemed appetizing, Victoria admitted to Harry Potter, who'd sat next to her, "Harry, I think it might be working."

"Don't let him get to you. Anyway, I know exactly how you feel," he said. Both of them looked over at Draco Malfoy, who looked particularly white today. Harry Potter bumped her shoulder reassuringly, then blushed, "Don't worry about it, Victoria. You're a brilliant Chaser."

Victoria blushed and shook her head.

Harry Potter made to respond, but Oliver Wood gathered the team to walk out to the pitch. Once there, they changed into the robes – and Victoria exchanging her black plastic headband for the elastic red one – before they made their way out onto the field where they were greeted with the wild crowd.

Lee Jordan began his commentary, "And here are the Gryffindors! Potter, Bell, Johnson, Thomas, Weasley, Weasley, and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best team Hogwarts had seen in a good few years –" The Slytherins booed, " – And here comes the Slytherin team, led by Captain Flint. He's made some changes in the lineup and seems to be going for size rather than skill –" And more booing. Victoria gulped as she saw Brett Montague walk out onto the field, massive, his black hair in his eyes, which, along with his mouth, were both smirking at her.

The captains shook hands, everybody mounted their brooms, and on Madame Hooch's whistle, the game began.

Victoria was first to get the Quaffle and, easily weaving through the other players, made to the Slytherin goal posts, took aim, threw – only to have it intercepted by a Slytherin. Soon though, Angelina Johnson was in possession and she scored. In response, the Slytherin captain nearly knocked her off her broom and in retaliation, one of the Weasleys threw his Beater's club at the captain's head. A penalty was rewarded to both teams. Victoria was to take it and YES! The crowd cheered as her shot made it past the Keeper. Oliver Wood saved the Slytherin's penalty shot. Gryffindor was up by twenty points.

The Quaffle was going back in forth between the two teams without making it near a goal post when Montague decided to play dirty. He grabbed Katie Bell by her head and she nearly fell from her broom. Luckily, she managed to stay on and make her penalty shot. Gryffindor was up by thirty points.

Then Slytherin scored. Gryfindor was up by only twenty points once more.

Slytherin continued to play dirty. Victoria was hit upside the back of the head by a Slytherin Beater, who claimed he thought her head was a Bludger. A Weasley twin elbowed him in the face. Penalties were awarded to each team again, though only Victoria got hers past the Keeper. Gryffindor was up by thirty points again.

Katie Bell scored, but Oliver Wood took both Bludgers in the stomach. Angelina took the penalty shot and made it. Gryffindor was up by fifty points.

A Slytherin Chaser dropped the Quaffle to avoid a Budger sent his way by one of the Weasleys and Victoria caught it and scored again. Gryffindor was up by sixty.

Everyone's attention turned to Harry Potter. Gryffindor was ahead by enough and he could now seriously look for the Snitch. And he must have seen it because the entire school cheered him on as he dived, arm out – he stopped. Draco Malfoy had grabbed the back of Harry's Firebolt, keeping him from the Snitch.

At once Madame Hooch, Lee Jordan, and Professor McGonagall's indignant cries could be heard across the stadium. Victoria took the penalty, but in her fury, missed the goal. Then after that, Montague scored. Gryffindor was up by only fifty points once more.

Knowing they needed one more goal to win, wanting desperately to get back at Montague and redeem herself, Victoria quickly took possession of the Quaffle and pushed Aaron's Horizon 7 as fast as it would go –

"Victoria Thomas gets the Quaffle for Gryffindor, come on, Victoria, COME ON!"

– she could sense the Slytherins come up behind her, and Montague called out, "We'll get you, Thomas!" Victoria pressed forward and heard a startled cry from behind her. She didn't bother looking back, she had a clear shot, and…it was in! Gryffindor was up by sixty again.

Then with baited breathe, the entire stadium watched as Harry Potter dived, way behind Draco Malfoy who'd already seen the Snitch and nearly had it in his grasp. But with the Firebolt, Harry Potter easily caught up and caught the Snitch.

The crowd erupted. Victoria, along with the rest of the team sped toward Harry Potter and they all embraced awkwardly in the air. Victoria found herself sandwiched between a Weasley and Harry Potter, who'd wrapped an arm around her to keep her from falling off her broom. She could feel the beating of the Snitch against her back. The team crying and yelling exuberantly finally descended.

There, they were attacked by the red clad tide. Aaron reached Victoria first and swung her around again, screaming incoherently, face bright red, glasses askew. Ginny and Colin also managed to hug her before she, with the rest of the team, was hoisted onto the shoulders of other Gryffindors.

Professor Dumbledore, smiling, awarded the Quidditch Cup, and as Harry Potter lifted the trophy into the air, grinning madly, Victoria surprised herself by hoping, irrelevantly and for the first time, that she and Harry Potter, with his very nice smile, might someday be more than just friends.

XxXxX

The exhilaration of winning the Quidditch Cup could only last so long. With the Quidditch season over, the students were given more work than ever. And as the weather became warmer and spring was in full swing, everybody stayed in inside to study.

Faster than Victoria could have believed, exam week came and passed. Afterwards, her friends celebrated, anxious for summer. Victoria, on the other hand, wished it all hadn't gone so fast. Summer meant going back to Owlhill, back to her parents who would lock her up in the house and then ignore her.

Feeling the dread set in and unable to shake it loose even after an afternoon of light-hearted frolicking with Aaron, Colin, and Ginny, Victoria sought Professor Lupin that warm June evening.

His door was open, so Victoria walked in, "Professor Lupin?"

Professor Lupin, who'd been studying a piece of parchment with great interest, looked up and sighed, "Victoria, you shouldn't be here tonight," he motioned to the untouched goblet smoking on his desk.

"And you should drink your potion," she responded taking a seat in front of his desk.

He made a face, "I should, shouldn't I?" Professor Lupin looked back down at the parchment. He frowned and muttered, "So foolish…James…" He then returned his gaze to Victoria and asked, "What can I help you with, Tori?"

"I don't want term to end," she admitted.

"Why not? Surely, you want a break after being so busy."

Victoria shrugged, "I'd rather be busy," and then she added, softly, "I don't want to go back to Owlhill."

"You don't?" Professor Lupin asked sincerely.

She shook her head, "No…it's so miserable…so lonely."

"Perhaps you won't be," he said, then reached out to over her hand with one of his own, took an deep breathe, "Tori…there's something I should tell you…I –" He glanced down momentarily, and then froze. His pale face then lost all of its remaining color and he shot from his seat, knocking over his potion, and ran from the room.

Victoria stared at the sludgy brown mess in horror. He hadn't taken his potion – he wasn't safe! She barely had time to think before her body automatically began following Professor Lupin. He was running so very fast, but Victoria pushed her little legs and kept herself from losing him from sight. He ran down the many staircases, out of the schools front doors, and across the ground, his tattered robes whipping about. Victoria had never seen him so blindly driven before. She glanced up and saw the watercolor sky that marked the prelude to evening. The full moon would rise soon, and Professor Lupin wasn't safe.

As he approached the large and violent Whomping Willow, Victoria panted out, "Pro – professor Lupin!"

He didn't respond, but merely pointed his wand at the tree, "Immobulus!" And the tree's branches, which a moment ago had been twitching with the stirrings of anger, froze in place. Professor Lupin sprinted toward the massive tree's trunk – Victoria following – and he crouched down and slid into a well concealed hole among the roots.

Victoria slipped in after, and crawled after Professor Lupin. She was confused and concerned; she'd never seen him this singularly consumed by anything before. When they emerged from the dark tunnel into a dank room littered with broken furniture, Victoria gripped Professor Lupin's robes, hard, "Professor! What's –"

But he was determined, and interrupted, his eyes glowing oddly against his bloodless face, "Tori, we need to help –"

"We're up here!" A girl screamed from above them, "We're up here – Sirius Black – quick!"

Professor Lupin shot off once more and Victoria called out, fruitlessly, "Professor, the moon, your potion!" But he was already halfway up the dusty stairs. Heart beating rapidly at the thought of how dangerous Professor Lupin would be in a short while and at how Sirius Black was there, just upstairs, she bravely followed Professor Lupin. She had to get him to realize he hadn't had his potion and there was the girl from upstairs.

On the landing, Professor Lupin shot open the door with his wand, and cried out, "Expelliarmus!" He then caught several wands.

Victoria inched forward slowly and was surprised to see Harry Potter towering over Sirius Black, bloody and on the ground. The convict's eyes were trained on the professor's, looking completely desperate.

"Where is he, Sirius?" Professor Lupin.

Victoria didn't understand. She had no idea who Professor Lupin was talking about.

Sirius Black, gaunt and unbelievably unkempt, pointed a shaky hand to the corner of the room. From beneath Professor Lupin's arm, Victoria saw Ron Weasley sitting, his leg twisted awkwardly, holding a wriggling rat tightly.

Professor Lupin only had eyes for Sirius Black, "But then…why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless…unless he was the one…unless you switched…without telling me?"

Sirius Black, staring unblinkingly at Professor Lupin, nodded slowly.

"Professor, what's going on –" Harry Potter started to say, but stopped abruptly as Professor Lupin lowered his wand and walked to Sirius Black from the ground. Then, to Victoria's horror, Professor Lupin hugged Sirius Black.

Victoria couldn't believe it…Professor Snape…he couldn't be right about Professor Lupin. But here the proof was, staring her right in the face. Professor Lupin and Sirius Black. Victoria let in a small, terrified breathe.

It was then that Sirius Black, over Professor Lupin's shoulder, noticed her, half hidden in the doorway. His deep, haunted gaze found hers, and his jaw dropped and he, looking as if he's seen a ghost, said hoarsely, "Tori?"

XxXxX

Author's Note: More from me now that's you've spent forever reading through this monster of a chapter: PLEASE REVIEW!