After my dad had regained his strength, I decided to go and talk to him about the necklace he had given to me. It seemed he also wanted to talk to me about another present...

"Who's the owl from?" He asked as soon as I walked through the door.

"What?" Play it cool, Faye, play it cool.

"The owl you got for Christmas, who gave it to you?"

I decided to feign innocence."I don't know, I thought it was you?"

"No..." He frowned and I was willing to bet he knew it was from Sirius.

"Harry got a mysterious present too, didn't he?" He added after a brief pause of thinking.

"Yeah, but Hermione told Professor McGonagall that it might be from Sirius Black so she took it away to get stripped so now Harry and Ron aren't really talking to her." I was giving a slightly biased view but she didn't believe me and my view of Sirius no matter how much evidence I gave her.

"I heard... What did she do about your owl?"

"I told her I assumed it was from you and she just accepted it - I think."

"I was thinking about what you told me on Christmas Eve... Do you think the owl could also be from Sirius?"

"It's a possibility, I guess" IT'S FROM SIRIUS. I GOT HIM CLOTHES.

"Now I'm not saying I believe your theory but... It's a good theory."

"Really?"

"Yes, now I presume you want to know about that necklace I gave you?"

"You may as well take professor Trelawney's place with those psychic skills!" I grinned trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Yes, well," my dad paused, "I've never mentioned your mother and I felt you needed to know-"

"Dad, its okay, I'm happy just knowing you!"

And that was the truth, sure, I wanted to know but I was content not knowing - I was thankful to have a caring dad like mine that took on both roles that I didn't miss a female parent at all. Of course, people like Harry have a valid reason since he had such a rotten upbringing.

"Are you sure? I found a picture of her if you wish..." He trailed off hopefully.

"... Do you?" I let my curiosity get the better of me.

"Yes!" He reached under some papers on his desk, uncovered it and handed it over. I resisted the urge to say 'already seen this' because I had. It was the same picture I would find myself staring at whenever I was feeling nosy about my Dad's school life in his photo albums.

"If you ever want to talk about her, I'm always here!" He gestured to the surrounding office and I grinned,

"Will do, dad!" I stood up feeling better that I had sorted out any 'feelings' I had on the subject.

"You can keep the picture, dad, I'm sure you want to keep it yourself," I handed back the picture and walked towards the door.

"If you're sure..." My dad was frowning more than he often did - obviously in serious thought, "See you later!" He quickly changed his frown into a grin and I returned the favour and left.

It wasn't till halfway through January that I was finally able to produce a patronus.

My memory was simple, just talking to my Dad on various Christmas Eve's including the latest one in which he had unfortunately turned into a werewolf and I had seen him for the first time.

I allowed the memory to fill my entire body like Sirius constantly told me to do and breathed just reliving the memory.

"Expecto Patronum!" I gasped when I realised it had actually worked. A wolf had leapt out of my wand and was just bounding around like an over-excited dog which - coincidently enough - was exactly what Sirius was doing.

"YOU DID IT!" He cheered.

"I DID!" The patronus disappeared and I smiled at the thought that I had actually achieved something worthwhile - sure, I've done other stuff but this took 2 months to achieve!

"I'm so proud of you!" Sirius suddenly walked over and hugged me and I hugged back - the moment seemed right. He suddenly gasped.

"What?!"

"I just realised... What are we going to do every Sunday morning?"

I grinned, having already thought about this, "Well there is one other thing I'd like to learn..."

"And what's that?" Sirius grinned; he probably knew what I was going to ask.

"Can you teach me how to become an animagus?"

"Of course! Be here at the regular time next Sunday and I'll have an entire lesson planned!"

And that's exactly what I did for the continuing Sundays until one February evening I began to question Sirius' sanity due to him BREAKING INTO THE COMMON ROOM WITH A KNIFE. All to kill Scabbers apparently. Too bad he was m.i.a.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING BREAKING INTO HOGWARTS YOU IDIOT." I shouted the Sunday morning that followed the incident as soon as I saw him in the shrieking shack.

"I didn't think he'd wake up..."

"You're on Britain's most wanted! You can't just appear at the bottom of Ron's bed with a KNIFE."

"Ok, maybe that was slightly out of order..."

"SLIGHTLY?!" My voice raised an octave. I should add this to the list of overreactions as number 3.

"Ok, maybe a lot - I found a list of passwords, it was too hard to resist!"

"... 'Found'." I made quotation marks with my hands as I said it.

"Well Crookshanks found them..."

"You've been talking to Crookshanks?!"

"He's on our side!" He protested grinning – he was having fun clearly.

"He killed Scabbers."

"He wishes he had killed Peter," He corrected, "He's simply missing so I decided to go and look for him."

"I wouldn't try that again. The castle has even stricter security now!"

"Sorry," he did look sincere finally, I'll give him that.

"I'll forgive you once you've helped me become an animagus."

"I've told you it's not that simple! It took James and I years!" I noticed he didn't even mention Peter anymore.

I sighed, "I know... It just looks cool, you know?"

I had made no progress so far. None. Sirius had wanted me to research it first saying he had to go through the trouble so I had to as well – rude.

"Not only is it cool, you can be with your dad when it's a full moon!"

"There's a potion that helps him keep his mind, I need to learn how to make that..." I had an idea, "You know what - instead of becoming an animagus, how about you help me to perfect this potion?"

He seemed a bit stunned to my sudden change of mind. "Are you sure?"

"Yep." At least a potion doesn't involve years of concentration - I hoped.

"Do you know what this potion called by any chance?"

I thought for a moment. All I knew was that it was called Wolfsbane potion because I had never investigated further than that one book which was now back in the library.

"Wolfsbane Potion. It's rather complicated though and it needs to be completely perfect otherwise it could have disastrous consequences according to a book I read."

"I see... Well how about you send me the list of ingredients and recipe and I'll see what I can do."

"But I don't know what it needs." I said half-heartedly. So close yet so far.

"I'll figure out something then, if you find anything - send it over with a non-suspicious owl around dusk."

"Oh now you think about your safety..." I couldn't stop myself saying.

"I said I'm sorry! I hope the poor boy isn't too traumatised." He did look genuinely sorry.

"Oh he's far from it - I think he's slightly proud he survived such a notorious murderer!" I left out that he had told anyone who would listen of his 'brave' survival of Sirius Black.

"As long as he's ok - do you think he'll read an apology from me?"

"Sirius, don't even go near him! I don't want to hear about how Sirius Black sent Ron an apology but is probably secretly a murder threat!"

"I suppose you're right... Well - If you don't leave now, you'll be late to breakfast so I won't be keeping you!" I don't think he realised how early it still was.

I left the shack and went to breakfast extremely early.

"You're down early for a Sunday, Faye!" Neville observed and I grinned as he sat down.

"Couldn't sleep!" The usual lie for early awakenings.

We began discussing Professor Binns' essay that was due in for tomorrow and I promised Neville that we would work on it together later. Of course, Seamus and Dean chose that moment to arrive themselves and naturally wanted help as well. So it was after breakfast that we sat in one of the corners in the common room working on an essay on the history of witches in the medieval times.

Time passed quite quickly now since I had learned how to perform the Patronus spell and I was getting quite good at making the wolfsbane potion - that is, without a test subject since I didn't want to harm anyone. Sirius insisted on giving it to my dad but I didn't have enough faith in myself despite the potion looking correct.

April 1st marked the Twins birthday and thankfully they kept reminding me beforehand so I had remembered to get them a present the next time I was in Hogsmeade and brought them both non-identical ties that made the wearer practically glow; It was in the top pranks section of Zonkos so it must be good.

"Happy Birthday!" I told them at the party they had held in the common room for the Gryffindors. It had taken a while to get them by themselves but I had waited patiently since they knew everyone.

"Why thank you, Lupin!" George grinned.

Fred on the other hand... "Get us a present?"

And people wonder how it's so hard to tell them apart.

"Sure did!" I handed them both their respectively wrapped presents which had happy birthday written on it a billion times.

They unwrapped them identically and both reacted identically.

"TIES!" They exclaimed so loudly in excitement they startled many nearby Gryffindors.

They put them on proudly and then hugged me.

"Hey Fred! You're glowing!" George observed.

"So are you!" Fred grinned.

"Wicked." They said together and I shook my head laughing.

"See you around, Lupin!" George said disappearing into the crowd.

"Thanks for making us glow!" Fred added following George into the crowd.

Now it wasn't hard to spot the twins anymore.

I quickly retreated back to my dormitory since I had an essay to write that I had neglected all day to do since it was Herbology and I couldn't find Neville so I had to think for myself and I wasn't up for it - bad excuses, I know.

With nothing to do during school, Dean, Seamus and I thought this was a perfect moment to bring out his stick phobia so that's what we did.

We waited till we had a care of magical creatures lesson and as we studied the lovely flobberworms (not) , Dean found a stick to hit Malfoy with and I enchanted it to follow him around and hit him.

His reaction was priceless.

*whack*

"GET AWAY FROM ME." He yelled suddenly causing Crabbe and Goyle to jump away in surprise.

*whack*

"IT'S GOING TO KILL ME."

"Calm down, Malfoy. What's going ter kill yer?" Hagrid asked walking over almost regretfully. He clearly didn't want to help.

"THE STICK. THE STICK IS GOING TO KILL ME."

"..." Hagrid had no response for that.

"GET AWAY FROM MEEEEeeeeee" Malfoy ran away back to the castle and I stopped the enchantment.

"Back ter work everyone." Hagrid tried to say seriously but all us Gryffindors were laughing while the Slytherins glared at us.

"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron said with awe in his voice

"Did you see his face?!" Seamus joined in acting innocently.

No-one seemed to care that a stick had attacked him just that Malfoy was being an idiot.

I saw Hermione give me a knowing look and I grinned innocently back at her.

The fourth of May was my birthday and I was surprised to wake up with Hermione standing over me grinning. I was glad our friendship was closer this year she was actually amazing.

"Happy Birthday, Freya!" She grinned as she shoved a present in my face oh so kindly. This was the second time this year Hermione had woken up before me - The first being Christmas.

"I set my alarm so that I could wake up before you." Hermione said answering my unspoken question – creepy.

I nodded still confused as to why she would bother and gazed at the present in my hands. It was book shaped.

I unwrapped it and read the title: The dark arts outsmarted , I grinned, "Thanks, Hermione! Maybe there's something on here that even my dad doesn't know!"

"I hope so, I tried to find a book that wasn't too complicated and you hadn't heard of."

"You could've found any book that wasn't part of the requirements for school and I wouldn't have read it!"

"I'll keep that in mind..." She smiled then looked at the bottom of my bed where a small of pile of presents were waiting. I grinned and grabbed them all and placed them by me on my bed.

The first one was from my dad and was two mirrors. I was confused until I saw a note saying:

It's a two way mirror, I know Sirius and James had a pair at school to stop being bored in detentions so I figured, since you've started getting into detentions thanks to those Weasley twins that this could come in some use for you and a friend. Love Dad.

"What is it?" Hermione asked peering into a mirror with confusion.

"A two way mirror – look," I picked up the other one and said Hermione and she appeared in my own mirror with a look of surprise.

"You're in my mirror!" Hermione exclaimed and I grinned.

Hermione put the mirror down and her image disappeared showing my own face again, "That will come in useful, I'm sure."

"Hope so!" I placed the two mirrors on my bedside table then opened a joint present from Harry and Ron – chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts every flavour beans.

"That sorts me out for a while, sweet wise!" I noted and Hermione smiled.

I went on to the next present which was from both Dean and Seamus which was a nifty little charm bracelet with a football charm and a shamrock charm. Huh. The card said:

Now you can NEVER forget us! Seamus and Dean.

I smirked and put on the bracelet.

"Is that from Seamus and Dean?"

"How did you guess," I said sarcastically.

Hermione didn't even bother answering.

At breakfast, I received an owl from Sirius with a gift – It was a miniature wolf, Stag and dog to resemble Sirius, my dad and Harry's. They moved and everything! I grinned and placed them in my pocket for safe keeping.

It was a Wednesday which meant I had lessons, on my birthday. But they went by quickly enough thankfully and I decided to do my homework quickly in the common room so I could just relax.

This was not going to be the case.

"WELL IF IT ISN'T DEAR OLD LUPIN!"

"WHO'S NOW 14 YEARS OLD."

"THAT'S A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!"

Lee, Fred and George arrived and sat around me on the table I was currently using. They tied a balloon to a table leg and then placed a present on the table. I stared at it unsure if it was safe to open.

"It's not dangerous we promise."

"Solemnly swear." George agreed and I sighed and unwrapped it to reveal an object that looked familiar...

"MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!" They yelled simultaneously and I realised it was from the muggle movie, Star Wars. I had watched them once and thought they were brilliant. I can't believe I hadn't recognised it!

"A LIGHTSABER!" I exclaimed as I picked it up and whooshed it to reveal a glowing rod.

"We er... spiced it up a little bit." Fred grinned.

"... Is it like a real one?!"

"Maybe..." Lee grinned.

The balloon above my head chose that moment to pop and loads of streamers flew out and fell on all of our heads.

"Thank you guys so much!" I grinned also while peering out from under a pile of streamers on my head. I stood up and equally hugged them all.

"So, shall we test out this lightsaber?" They all grinned at my suggestion.

They threw stuff at me while I deflected them entertaining many Gryffindors who were currently in the room and for once, I didn't feel overwhelmingly self-conscious!

Seamus and Dean joined in and everyone had goes deflecting objects with the lightsaber. We even deflected spells! It was brilliant fun and we even persuaded Neville – who was trying to avoid us seeing what we were doing – to have a go and he was actually brilliant.

With birthdays out of the way, I had to study for the upcoming exams in June since our teachers kept telling us in every lesson and I had done quite well so far. DADA was covered, so was charms. I had Neville to help me on Herbology and Dean and I studied Potions together since we were a good team.

Overall, my studying went by great just as it had done in the last two years and I had got good results so when it actually mattered, I'm sure I'd be fine.

By the time exams began, I was ready to face them and needless to say, I left my first exam (transfiguration) feeling quite confident. All we had to do was turn a teapot into a tortoise and my tortoise was alive and well! I couldn't say the same for Seamus' who apparently only gave it three legs but apart from that it looked fine, as did Dean and Neville's.

The afternoon consisted of Charms which was to conjure the cheering charm which was simple so that was over quickly.

The rest of the exams were rather boring apart from defence against the dark arts thanks to my dad who had conducted a course filled with all the creatures we had learnt that year. It was quite fun - minus the boggart part but hey, no-one likes those things.

After our Divination exam (boring), Dean, Seamus and I all sat in the common room relishing in our defeats and victories of our exams and that they were finally over. I hadn't messed up too majorly thankfully and I don't think the guys did either.

I had found a plate of some millionaire shortbread on my bedside table from Harvey with a note saying 'hope you did well on your exams!', bless him.

My dad had also given me a bar of chocolate as we passed him in the corridor returning from our divination test. I had split it up evenly between the four of us and now we were eating millionaire shortbread – brilliant!

News spread quickly that Buckbeak was going to be executed today also but there was nothing we could do. Harry, Hermione and Ron all went to comfort Hagrid but then they never came back.

I had gone to bed quite late wondering what they were doing when I saw the lunar cycle which was stuck strategically on my bedside table so only I could see it and it said that it was a full moon tonight. I sighed hoping my dad was ok in his office when I heard a howl from outside. That was new.

I got up to look out the window with the safe knowledge that my other two roommates were snoring, deep in sleep. I couldn't see anything out of the window so I just assumed it was a coincidence that there was a wolf nearby - my dad wouldn't be roaming the forest... Would he?

Needless to say that the idea of a lone wolf that could also be my dad kept me up the rest of the night.

I never heard Hermione come back so I hoped she was ok.

I went down to breakfast - early as usual and when the post arrived, I had a letter from Sirius.

Dear Freya,I'm sorry, but I've had to leave. Your father will explain, I'm sure. But I will explain briefly now.Last night, I attacked Peter in my dog form but unfortunately Ron had a firm hold of him. I couldn't help it - I attacked Ron and dragged him to the shrieking shack. You should've seen his face when I transformed! Harry and Hermione followed and so did Remus soon after. So did Snape surprisingly and after knocking him out we explained the story of peter and his betrayal. We had peter in our grasps but unfortunately it was a full moon. We lost peter and I had to protect Remus. Of course it wasn't long till the dementors found me - I got put into the prison above the school and Hermione and Harry arrived helped me escape with a hippogriff!I'm safe now. Don't worry.Sirius.P.s give Remus that potion!

I blinked. So I did hear my dad last night and somehow Harry and Hermione had found a hippogriff! What. Talk about 'brief description'.

I slowly folded the letter and placed it back in its envelope and noticed Neville sit down in front of me moments later.

"Hey," he greeted and I grinned.

"Every day, we're both down early!"

"Apart from Sundays for the most part this year," Neville stated and I nodded.

"True... But I won't be anymore, bright and early every day now!"

"Really? I don't know how you manage it. Even Hermione says you get up at the crack of dawn but I don't think it's possible!"

"What about the giant sleepover in here?"

"Everyone was up though!"

"Fair enough. Maybe I'm just destined to wake up early for the rest of my life!" I said over dramatically.

"Maybe," Neville agreed and we ate in a companiable silence.

This year was going to end great! My dad would be returning again next year, Sirius Black was still safe and no-one had found out about my dad being a werewolf.

The hall gradually filled and Seamus and Dean joined us and we discussed a bit of everything. With the summer holidays in sight, we discussed our plans - Dean was going to Germany for a week, Seamus would be having a family reunion in Ireland (as always) and Neville wasn't sure. I didn't know myself to be honest. Every year meant a different house in a different location so I was left wondering which place in England we would be taking residence.

We also talked about the last Hogsmeade trip of the school year and we planned to spend the entire time in the three broomsticks until we had to return since we loved the taste of the butterbeer.

"Snape looks suspicious." Dean observed quietly and we turned around to see him smiling. If he's smiling, something bad was going to happen. He looked over at us then directly at me and purposefully stood up and walked over to the Slytherin table and whispered something at the top of the table.

"What is he doing?" Seamus asked narrowing his eyes.

"No idea." I answered.

The group of Slytherins suddenly turned their heads to stare at me and whispered to the people next to them.

Oh no. No no no no. The colour drained from my face.

He walked back to the teacher table still smiling and acted as if he had done nothing.

More and more Slytherins were staring at me and sneering.

"What's going on?" Dean asked me confused as to why they would stare at me.

"My dad's secret is out." I simply stated before standing up and walking out of the room ignoring the laughs and sneers at the Slytherin table. I walked back to my dormitory ignoring Dean, Seamus and Neville's questions on 'what secret' as they followed me and lay face down on my bed.

My life was over. My dad was going to quit thanks to Snape. A man I had momentarily respected for being able to create such a useful potion for my Dad had gone and told the Slytherins his secret. By the end of the day, everyone would know his secret – even Seamus, Dean and Neville.

"FAYE." I heard from the common room but I didn't respond knowing it was Dean, Seamus and Neville.

"LOOK," It was Dean that continued, "YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY UPSET."

Duh.

"WE'RE GOING TO HOGSMEADE STILL IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US?"

I didn't respond even though I really wanted to, I couldn't. The only person I wanted to see was my dad.

"WE'LL TAKE THAT AS A NO." Seamus continued this time.

"YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT."

Silence.

There was now no-one in the Gryffindor tower apart from me and I didn't like it.

Merlin I hated my reactions sometimes. There were my friends, going to Hogsmeade without me, who I could've told my secret without them judging me but no. I choose to overreact like an overdramatic and not talk to them. This was my fourth over-reaction this year - Hey, maybe Ishould try out for West End? Trelawney and Malfoy better watch out, I'm going to get that role! Whatever role that is...

After about 5 minutes of just lying face down on my bed and letting my thoughts revolve around my head, I heard Lavender and Parvati walk in and giggling in hushed voices. I couldn't see them because thankfully I had closed the curtains around my bed. They soon left again still giggling and I couldn't help but KNOW the giggling was about me.

I waited another ten minutes before deciding to go to my Dad's office where I knew he must've been now that breakfast was over and everyone would now be or about to go to Hogsmeade.

His door was open and a suitcase was currently being opened onto the table.

"So..." He began. I blinked.

"Saw you coming," He winked and pointed at the marauders map currently open next to his suitcase.

I walked over to it and stared in awe. It was just how he had described it. "It's brilliant!"

"Isn't it just?" He sighed in content it seemed.

"How'd you find it? You said it was lost!" I trailed a finger over Harry, Ron and Hermione who were in the hospital wing - guess last night wasn't an easy ride.

"Harry had it."

"He did?"

"He was walking down the corridors at night with Lumos on. Professor Snape found him and I was patrolling a corridor further along and went to investigate. I recognised the parchment immediately. Naturally I had to confiscate it to stop Professor Snape from stealing it."

"Fair enough..." I paused for a moment watching my Dad pack up almost subtly.

"So the entire school now knows your werewolf all because Snape saw you and Sirius try to attack Peter?" I grinned trying to sound calm but I knew my voice had come off as weak.

"I see you've read Sirius' letter." He observed.

"Yup..."

"I'm not mad at you for talking to Sirius behind my back but it's clear why you suddenly had a theory of him being innocent. Do you want to hear the full story of what happened last night?"

"It would be nice!"

He told me of Harry telling him about seeing Peter Pettigrew on the map and then last night seeing Sirius black attack Ron and Peter o the map. He naturally went to go and investigate and save Ron who was then accompanied by Harry and Hermione. He had left the map open on the table so once he had arrived at the scene and finally understood that Sirius was innocent - Snape had seen the map when going in to give him the wolfsbane potion and had followed my dad.

It ended with my Dad waking up near the lake and having to get back to his office.

"I'm sure Sirius told you his side of the story."

I nodded, "yeah, something about escaping on a Hippogriff?"

"Ah yes, he told me that too in a letter which I assume arrived at the same time as yours." He looked wistful for a moment.

"So you knew all along the owl was from him?" He asked and I nodded.

"I went over to the shrieking shack on Christmas in the evening and we exchanged presents..." I trailed off.

My dad gave me a quizzical look.

"I got him some basic clothes since all he had was that prison uniform."

"He was wearing his prison uniform last night..."

"He doesn't like wearing his new clothes when turning into a dog apparently."

"Makes sense, he was always picky about his clothes..."

"Where is he now then?"

"Who knows? Maybe he'll stay with us in the holidays..." He paused for a moment, "that is, if you don't mind?" He grinned already knowing the answer.

"That'll be great!"

"I knew you'd agree! What's this about a patronus charm then?"

"Oh that..." And I told him my story of how I met Sirius with my dad nodding and 'ah-ing' at the right times. My dad's a great listener.

"I heard you last night." I said suddenly after a momentary silence from finishing my story on Sirius.

"You did?"

"Yeah... I heard you howl but I was hoping it wasn't you."

"Guess I failed then?" He grinned.

"You didn't fail... Just slipped. The best of us do."

"Ah, but not the best of us are werewolves that can harm people."

"You don't harm people!" I argued and he shook his head laughing it off.

"Sure, sure."

"Are you resigning?"

"Yes... I did it first thing this morning and then I found out the entire school now knows I'm a werewolf thanks to Professor Snape." His eyes subconsciously narrowed at the name.

"I saw it happen. He had fun doing it - smiling the entire time."

"Well if it makes him happy for once, I guess we can allow it."

"But you're leaving! You finally have- well had- a job!"

"Not all good things can last, Freya." He placed a clock into the suitcase.

"You don't bloody deserve it!"

My dad gave me his fatherly look at the word 'bloody' but I shrugged it off.

"How many times have we been over this? 10? 20? 80 times? While I may have lost my job, I have found a friend I previously thought a criminal. I'm happy with that!" He did look happy despite the prominent wrinkles under his eyes from last night which would eventually fade slightly as the days went by.

This reminded me of something.

"Did Sirius tell you about the potion he helped me to make?"

"No..."

"Well after some research, I found the name of the potion, Snape, had been making and Sirius helped me to make it because I knew you wouldn't have it over the summer holidays and I didn't want that so there is a batch somewhere... But I don't know where so I guess I can make it again - I know it off by heart now!"

"Instead of revising, you made potions?"

"Only on Sunday mornings!" I protested!

"Thank you. I'm sure it will help immensely. It truly is a great invention!"

"I'm leaving today." He announced after another moment of silence.

"I guessed..." I trailed off sadly, looking at the suitcase which was half full. I noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione leaving the hospital wig and walk to the lake.

"So you won't see me again till the summer holidays. But don't worry, Sirius and I will be waiting to pick you up at the station!"

I smiled, "I can't wait! I wish you didn't have to leave."

"It's for the best, Freya."

"I know..." I couldn't really argue against him now he had his mind made up.

I helped him pack up then asked what he was going to do with the empty Grindylow tank.

"Maybe we should get some fish?" He laughed.

"..."

"No? Then it shall be an empty tank." He decided.

"That's not very interesting; don't you have any other ideas?" The thought of an empty tank was boring.

"The tank wasn't exactly at the top of my list of things to think about!" He protested and I laughed.

He stared at the map and sighed.

"Harry is on his way. I'm willing to bet he's going to protest about me resigning. Do you want to stay?" He already knew my answer.

"No thanks! Talk later!" I quickly but strongly hugged him since I wouldn't see him for a few days before practically running out to avoid Harry and decided to walk to the lake to see Hermione and Ron to see if they were ok.

Their initial greeting was by Ron who said his customary "Bloody hell!"

"Nice to see you too, Ron!" I smiled.

"Did you hear about what happened last night then?" Hermione asked.

"Yep..."

"I'm sorry for arguing with you about Sirius," Hermione apologised and I just waved it off.

"It's alright, you had reason to believe he was this mass murderer."

"Did you actually talk to him for an ENTIRE year?!" Ron asked.

"Yeah..."

It was silent for a moment. Everyone seemed to be thinking about Sirius Black but in their own way.

"How did you meet him though? Sirius only said about how you helped him keep sane throughout the year." Hermione asked

I smiled at the sane fact before I told them about how I had met him ever Sunday morning to learn the patronus charm which Hermione answered with a "you did get up rather early on Sundays..."

I told them about me telling him off for attacking Ron and for attacking the fat lady which they both laughed at.

I didn't tell them, however, about the wolfsbane potion but I did tell them about living with a werewolf since they now knew my dad's secret. They didn't hate my dad like most people used to do before he came to Hogwarts. I had hoped this would be a permanent attitude to werewolves but I knew it wouldn't seeing the Slytherins reactions this morning.

In return, they told me their version of the events last night.

The next few days were peaceful. Not only were exams over but there wasn't much to do except relax and look forward to results (or dread in Neville's case).

Harry and I spoke more, often discussing Sirius Black since he wanted to find out more about him but I didn't want to sound as if I was boasting so I tried to not make it sound too boastful.

Although everyone knew my dad's secret now, it was mostly only the Slytherins that would laugh and jeer. Everyone else was either curious or would just come to his defence whenever a Slytherin made a comment since he wasn't there to defend himself.

Seamus was especially defensive, with Dean being second often insulting the Slytherin (mainly Malfoy) to oblivion and, because the teachers were also on my side, the Slytherin (again, mainly Malfoy) would get detention.

They had returned from Hogsmeade that day enlightened to my rage and had immediately returned to comfort me which I had been thankful for.

Fred and George were also enchanting anyone who insulted me or my dad by shaving 'Prick'into their hair without them knowing thanks to a spell they wouldn't tell me. The Slytherins still hadn't sussed out that if you stopped insulting us, they would stop getting it shaved into their hair. It was quite amusing really.

I couldn't stop thanking anyone who was on my side and it gave me hope that my dad would have rights in the future.

Results swiftly arrived and Seamus, Dean, Neville and I were all surprised that we had gotten E's in Trelawney's class as well as DADA (well, I already knew I had it). All of our results were great so our studying had paid off!

"This calls for a celebration!" Seamus announced and I knew just what to do.

I took them all down to the kitchens for the first time and we sat at a replica house table and ate millionaire shortbread and other sweet foods before returning to the common room and go to our respective dormitories.

The next day we all went to the station to go on the train to return home.

We quickly found a compartment and spent the journey reminiscing about our year at Hogwarts and playing dodgem paper which I of course won but Dean won a few times too.

When the train arrived, I hugged them all and told them I'd write before finding my dad waiting with an extremely shaggy dog.

This chapter has flaws, I know but I'm tired and in a rush, I'm sorry! Hope you enjoyed the presents - honestly, magical presents are the hardest things to come up with!

~ fantaicy