Suddenly Saturday was upon them, and Halie hadn't had the chance to warn Luke, he seemed to be avoiding her. "Hal, come on just have some fun and forget about that idiot," Jenna urged her friend, as they walked down the streets of Hogsmeade.
"I'm not really worried about him. I'm worried about what will happen to Dan if he does something rash." Halie answered scanning the crowds, looking for her brother.
"Everything is going to be just fine Halie," Rose assured her cousin. "Besides, I asked Scorpius to tail him, and stop anything from happening."
"You are too much!" Halie exclaimed happily, pulling Rose into a fierce hug. "Thank you." The girls walked through Hogsmeade pointing things out to Halie who, of course, had never been there. It was hours later when they finally made their way back to the castle. As they laughed and talked their way to Gryffindor tower Halie noticed her aunt Hermione walking in the direction of the Headmaster's office with a steaming goblet.
"Hal, come on!" Jenna called to her when they noticed she fell behind.
"Coming," Halie replied, jogging up to them, she continued to think about what she had seen, but pretended to be as lively as she had been. That night at the feast she noticed that Professor Lupin wasn't there, and that's when she made the connection. She had seen Hermione brining Lupin the Wolfsbane potion.
"What are you staring at?" Dan asked his sister, waving a hand in front of her face.
"I just realized something, sorry."
"What did you realize?" Devon asked.
"That tonight is the full moon," Halie replied nonchalantly, but everyone in hearing distance knew what she meant. The whole school knew that Professor Lupin was a werewolf. "So Dan, have you decided to do something about my not so secret admirer that might get you expelled?"
"No, my head has cooled, I guess. I'm just not going to talk to him for a while, see if he comes out of hiding to apologize."
"That's very mature of you, congratulations." Halie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Dan blushed beet red, and everyone laughed. They ate, and ate, and ate until all their plates were cleared, and Professor McGonagall announced that it was time for bed. The next morning Halie woke feeling very sore, it wasn't until she went to get dressed that she noticed deep scratches all over her arms, and legs. She scanned her memories, trying to remember what she'd done, when her dreams from the night before hit her like a sledgehammer to the gut.
Without talking to her friends who were starting to wake up, Halie left the dormitory, rushed through the common room, and almost ran to the library. "Do you have any books on Occlumency?" Halie asked the librarian breathlessly.
"Follow me," she ordered, and led Halie to an entire bookshelf filled with books on Occlumency.
"Thank you," Halie said as she grabbed three books at once. It was hours later, when it was time for lunch when Halie finally finished. She had found what she wanted. Halie left the library with a book under her arm, and went to sit at an isolated corner of the Gryffindor table in the great hall. She was still sitting there when the great hall emptied.
"Miss Potter," a stern voice interrupted her.
"Yes Professor?" she asked not looking up from her book.
"Are you intending to join my class or not?"
"Not today, you can go ahead and take points or put me in detention, but this is really important," Halie replied shortly.
"Very well, sixty points from Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall announced, and left Halie sitting there.
"Professor, have you seen Halie?" Dan asked when Professor McGonagall finally entered the classroom.
"Your sister, is otherwise engaged at present, and doesn't fell my class is worth attending. Don't compound the problem," she warned Dan, knowing his temperament. Halie was still sitting in her spot at the Gryffindor table when people started filing in for dinner. She was laying her head on the table, and covering her face with her arms.
"Halie, what's wrong? McGonagall was seriously angry when you didn't come to class," Sophie informed her friend, trying to get her attention.
"I had something that I needed to do, besides I'm ahead in all my classes, one day off isn't going to do much damage." Halie replied tightly.
"What has gotten into you?" Jenna asked, sounding perplexed, and offended.
"I'm sorry, I've just got to be alone for a while," Halie stood and left the table, running out onto the grounds.
"Okay, that was really weird," Sophie commented looking to Jenna for an answer.
"Bad day I guess," Jenna answered, she shrugged and turned to her food. Halie only stopped running when Professor Longbottom waved at her to stop.
"Can I help you Professor?" Halie asked breathing heavily.
"That's my line," he joked, and then he became serious. "All of your teachers were concerned when you didn't come to classes today. This evening Professor McGonagall told us of your conversation earlier, and I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."
"I'm sorry about today Professor, but I'll be fine, no help required, and I'll be in classes tomorrow."
"Halie, we just want to help," Neville assured her.
"I know, but I don't think anyone can," Halie gave him a small smile and walked back to the castle. The next day Halie was fine, it was almost as though the day before had never happened.
"Your sister is a strange duck," Brian commented to Dan as they watched Halie's transformation from the day before.
"I know," Dan replied shaking his head. November passed in a blur of classes and conversations. Almost every night Halie would have a group of her friends sitting close by requesting help with their homework. Halie would explain things, and then her friends would take what they needed, or put it in their own words so that it sounded like them. December passed much the same way. It was only then, just before the holidays, that her friends noticed that for a few days Halie would be very uncomfortable when someone touched her. She'd flinch away, and then after a couple of days she'd be back to normal.
Nobody thought much of it until Rose bumped into her, and her sleeve was tugged up. "Halie what happened?" Rose asked shocked at the long scratches she saw on Halie's arm.
"Shhhh!" Halie hissed pulling Rose aside, Scorpius followed, as he had seen the scratches as well. "It's nothing, but I don't want everyone to worry, as they always do."
"How far do the scratches go?" Scorpius asked, noticing how worried she was about the others finding out.
"Most of my arms, my shoulders, my legs, and maybe my back," Halie replied resignedly.
"Halie that's a big deal," Rose stated anxiously.
"No it's not, I just had a rough couple of nights, I'll be fine."
"Are you saying you did this?"
"I was asleep, so it wasn't like I did it on purpose."
"Halie – "
"I don't want you to worry, promise you won't worry," Rose nodded to Halie's lighthearted request. "Don't tell the others," Halie said sternly before walking away.
"Come on Rose, worrying won't do anyone any good." Scorpius wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and steered Rose down the hall to class. That night Halie made an interesting invitation.
"I want all of you to come to our house for New Year's," Halie blurted out to her friends as they sat around the fire talking of their Holiday plans.
"Okay," Jenna replied startled.
"Sorry, but we're throwing this big party and I want all of you there, because – it's my birthday."
"WHAT?!" All of her friends, cousins, and brother shouted.
"Yeah – I'm turning 16 and I would like all of you there."
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Dan demanded.
"Because I don't want a lot of fuss, or presents, and I figured we're already having a party so . . ."
"You are crazy!" Sophie exclaimed happily, hugging Halie.
"Does that mean you'll come?"
"Of course we're coming!" Jenna proclaimed.
"Good," Halie was grinning from ear to ear in joy. The holidays started a day later. Harry and Ginny met Dan and Halie on the platform, and they had a pleasant ride home from the train station. Soon they were in a flurry of activity trying to get everything in order for the holidays. Christmas was fairly simple, they opened presents in the morning, then they went over to Molly and Arthur's to have a feast with the whole family.
Halie was seated next to Teddy Lupin, the Lupins were considered family by all of them. Rose watched them closely so she could report back to Jenna and Sophie about how Halie and Teddy acted together. It was obvious that Halie was very comfortable around him, but whether they were flirting or not it was hard to tell.
"So have you joined the Quidditch team?" Teddy asked Halie later that night.
"No, no way. I have too much on my plate catching up with what's okay, or not okay in the wizarding world to play sports."
"That's too bad, you're really good."
"Thanks, but playing in the back yard isn't the same thing."
"True. So are you doing anything extra curricular?"
"I'm studying Occlumency."
"Really? Is anyone teaching you?"
"No, I'm just trying out the basics on my own. I'm not having much progress yet." Halie looked down, almost seeming ashamed by that fact.
"Well, if you want I could help you out. All aurors have to learn Occlumency as part of our training."
"That's sweet, but I'll manage." Halie replied smiling serenely.
"Just trying to help," Teddy replied tossing up his hands.
"I know, that's what makes me uncomfortable. Everyone is always trying to help."
"Still not used to it?"
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to it."
"Halie, what do you want for your birthday?" Molly asked coming over to the two friends.
"Nothing Grandma Weasley, honestly I don't want to see a single present," Halie replied adamantly.
"Too bad," Molly grinned as she walked away shaking her head.
"Your birthday is coming up?" Teddy asked surprised by the short conversation.
"New Year's Eve, my birth parents were a little surprised by that one."
"Is there a reason we didn't know about it?" Teddy asked.
"Yes, I didn't want anyone to know, but I had to tell my cousins and friends, and apparently it spread to my other relations, and now you know."
"Is that a problem? Because I can forget if you want me to," Teddy joked.
"No, just promise you won't get me a present."
"I promise." Their conversation went onto safer grounds for the rest of the evening. As the night deepened Halie went around exploring the Burrow, she ended up in a room on the top floor that had the remnants of a young boy's room.
"This was Ron's room," a voice said from behind her. Halie turned to see one of the twins standing in the doorway. "Your dad used to spend his summer vacations up here."
"I know," Halie replied. "I'm just surprised that Molly and Arthur left it like this."
"They kept all of our rooms the same, nostalgia."
"Well if I had as many great kids as they do, I would probably do the same."
"That's planning a little far ahead don't you think?"
"It's not planning anything. So tell me, why did they send you, instead of one of the others?"
"I'm charming," he replied.
"Yes, Fred you are," Halie replied sitting on one of the two beds. Fred sat on the one opposite. "So . . . what do you want to charm out of me?"
"What you want for your birthday."
"Blunt, I like it. If all of you are going to get me something anyway, is suppose art supplies, and some books, I'll leave a list tonight."
"Good," Fred hopped up. "Now come on down."
"I think I'll stay here for a while." Fred shrugged, and left the room. New Years was another story entirely, they were busier than Halie had been in a long while. She happily planned the party with her family, and only had to dodge glances from Luke half the time. Finally the day of the party arrived, and Ginny abducted Halie very early in the morning.
"Where are we going?" Halie asked as they got into the car.
"Town, we're going to get a little pampering before the party," Ginny informed her grinning mischievously. They spent the day getting pedicures, manicures, facials, their make up and hair done, and new dresses. When they got back to the house, Harry and Dan were speechless.
"So this is what you've been up to all day while we've been setting things up," Harry finally commented.
"It's her sweet 16, we had to do something special as girls," Ginny explained, moving up the stairs to set down their things.
"It was all mum's idea," Halie shrugged her shoulders.
"You look amazing," Dan assured her smiling at her embarrassment. "Come on, people will start arriving any minute." Halie and Dan walked out into the back yard just as the guests started arriving. There were two tables, one set with food, and one for presents. The second filled up quicker than the first emptied. At midnight the fireworks were set off and Halie opened her presents, it wasn't until she reached the bottom of the pile that she got nervous. There was a small package, it didn't have a name on it, but Halie recognized the handwriting.
She hid the package, in the folds of her dress and thanked everyone for their gifts. It started to get very windy so everyone moved inside, but Halie stayed and opened the box. Inside was a mobile phone and a message, Don't let it happen again. Halie took a deep breath and turned around.
"Hello Patrick, thank you for my present," Halie slowly walked toward the young man standing before her. When she reached him, she gave him a good long kiss. He smiled, and punched her. Halie fell to the ground.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked calmly.
"I couldn't," Halie replied quietly staying still. Patrick knelt down and pushed Halie's hair from her face.
"Why not?"
"I didn't know until I left, and there is no phone here. I would have gone to town, but they won't let me drive."
"For all this time?"
"I've been going to a boarding school, no phone and no electricity." Patrick hit her again.
"You're lying to me," Patrick stood, still looking at her. "You know I don't like being lied to."
"I'm not, I swear!" Halie objected. Patrick kicked her in the stomach.
"Don't you know it's not nice to swear," Patrick continued to kick her. Halie only cried out when she heard a rib crack.
"Halie, aren't you coming inside?" Sophie asked as she walked outside, then she saw what was happening. "Mr. Potter!" she screamed at the top of her lungs running back inside. "Quick he's hurting her!" None of the men knew what she was talking about, but every one of them ran outside.
Dan and Teddy took off running, the rest of Halie's family following close behind. They tackled Patrick to the ground, Ginny rushed to Halie's side trying to sit her up. Halie was breathing heavily, but she was able to focus enough to talk.
"Don't hurt him," she ordered breathlessly.
"What?" Dan demanded.
"Erase his memories of all of you, and send him to 10 Downing Street. His father is in Parliament, that's where he'll be." She saw the boys were about to argue. "Just do it!" she ordered angrily. Harry nodded to them, Teddy nodded grimly, took out his wand and disapperated.
"We need to get you to St. Mungo's," Ginny stated trying to pull Halie up.
"I'm fine," Halie growled.
"No you're not," Harry objected, coming over, and picking her up. "You can't even stand." Halie closed her eyes, and gritted her teeth as Harry carried her to the car.
"This is not good," Jenna stated watching them go. Sophie was quietly crying, so Jenna pulled her into a comforting hug. Twenty minutes later Halie was throwing a fit in the hospital.
"I'M NOT STAYING HERE!!!!" she screamed at the doctor. "As you can see, my lungs are fine, you mended the broken bones, and the bruises are going to clean up. The only way you are keeping me here is if you kill me, so let me go!"
"Alright," the doctor sighed.
"Thank you," Halie left the room, and rushed past her family who were waiting in the hall.
"Halie, what's going on?" Ginny asked running off after her.
"I'm going home that's what's going on," Halie called over her shoulder. They all followed her to the car, where she waited until they were inside. "I don't want to talk about it," Halie stated before they could ask any questions. The ride back to the house was silent. Halie didn't say anything as she ran up the stairs to her room.
"She's fine everyone, just a little tired. I think it's time to call it a night," Harry told everyone before they could ask their questions. Their guests filed out quietly, Jenna, Sophie, Rose, and Scorpius were the last to leave.
"We'll be back in the morning," Rose told Dan.
"See you in a few hours," Dan replied glumly.
"I'm going to bring in Halie's presents," Ginny informed them, walking back out into the garden.
"Let's get some rest," Harry said ushering Dan up the stairs to his room.
