I give a yawn as the four of us enter the Great Hall. Peter should be coming back sometime today, he didn't feel like going with his father to visit his aunt on the continent, and the other three had decided to wake me up in the loudest fashion they could. I kept sending them glares as we sit down at the breakfast table, there aren't enough of us for house tables, and pull the toast to me, taking a few pieces and beginning to munch on them.

About five minutes later, Rowan comes bursting into the Hall, walks right up to Sirius and punches him in the shoulder. Sirius hisses in pain, grabbing his left shoulder where Rowan had hit.

"Rowan!" I shout as I jump between them, "What the hell was that for?"

"He left! After saying he wouldn't, he left! And now he's terrified!" Rowan shouts, glaring at Sirius, before trying to dodge around me.

I'm suddenly grateful that I'm taller than he is by a good foot, and intercept him, catching his stomach on his shoulder and walking toward the doors, "Sorry about this, I'll take care of this twerp and the day will continue as normal."

Once out of the Hall, I walk to one of the classrooms, Rowan struggling the entire way, bruising my back. Once inside, I close the door and lock it before setting him down. I then grab a chair and sit in front of the door, propping my booted feet on the desk.

"Alright, explain yourself, and do so thoroughly," I say, keeping my voice even as possible.

Rowan glares at me, before snapping, "Why the fuck would you care? Let me go so I can beat that bastard's arse."

My eyes narrow and I frown, "One, watch who you threaten. You can't back it up yet. Two, explain why you're so pissed off and I may let you go."

"I received a letter from Regulus last night. He had been shaking so badly when he wrote it, I could hardly read it. He said things about how Sirius had abandoned him and how he didn't know what to do. He said that their mother had shoved his things in a closet and was watching him to see if he put a toe out of line," Rowan is shouting again at this point, "He's terrified of doing the wrong thing and upsetting her, but he is also trying to be a good son. Mrs. Black is now apparently talking to him about having him spend some time with Bellatrix over the summer, and try to get him to become more like his cousin. Which is the last thing he wants. Mr. Black has buried himself in his books and study and is not helping any. And then he has the nerve to sit at that table like everything is fine? Sirius should be trying to figure out a way to help Regulus, not be sitting there chatting with his mates!"

"Rowan, there are factors that you don't understand," I mutter, "Sirius hasn't been taking this alright, in fact the whole part of him acting like everything is fine is just that. It's an act." I rub the bridge of my nose before looking up at my brother, "You have no idea how much this is killing Sirius, but he cannot go back there."

"Why not?"

"Because, if he did, they would kill him. Without pause. That's why I'm hoping to god that Regulus or Alphard or Arcturus can calm them down enough so that they won't kill Sirius when he goes back this summer," I say.

Rowan glares at me again, "Yes, but how is that going to help Regulus now?"

"I don't know. I don't have all the answers. I don't know what to do," I growl.

"I knew you would take his side. You always do."

"It's not about taking a side!"

"Then what is it about?"

"It's about knowing what can and cannot reasonably be done!"

"And when have you been reasonable!"

"Since I started noticing the world outside is changing!"

"Yeah, well I didn't think that meant you'd change with it."

"Of course I would. It's called adaption."

"The Ann I know would never let someone else get hurt."

"I don't have a choice!"

"Never stopped you before."

"Damn it Rowan! This is out of my league! I can't kidnap a member of the House of Black!"

"Well then convince father to help."

"He won't help me. He doesn't think I deserve it."

"Maybe if you'd stop being so stubborn about the mudbloods."

"Rowan!"

"What? That's the problem."

"No, the problem is that mother and father have their heads up their robes. And don't use that word!"

"Why not? Snape does. Mother and Father do."

I frown at him, "What's gotten into you? Since when do you listen to Snape? You haven't called muggle-borns mudbloods in years."

"Maybe I'm seeing a new way of thinking," Rowan says, shrugging, "Plus, Snape is actually teaching me things that you won't."

I pale, knowing that there's only one thing that Snape could teach Rowan that I refuse to. I would rather die than teach Rowan Dark Magic, but Snape is one of two people in this school who I would say has as much knowledge in the Dark Arts as I have.

"Can I leave now?"

"Yeah, just leave Sirius alone or you'll find yourself on the ceiling of the Entrance Hall in a bunny suit." I unlock the room and sit there, even after Rowan had slammed the door shut. I can't help but to wonder what happened to my little brother. It was only a couple of nights ago that we were standing on the tower drinking hot chocolate and talking about this and that and whatever. As I shake my head, I stand and walk to the other side of the room and open a window. Conjuring a pack of cigarettes, I pull one out and light it with my wand. Taking a drag, I look out over the lawn and sigh. Why does the world have to turn to hell?

~*~AG~*~

Rubbing a hand over my face, I look down at the parchment in front of me. As much as I would rather deny it, there is less than a year until I reach my majority. At which point, my being the head of the family once father dies becomes official.

"You look like you could use some sleep Grimwood," Evans says from across the room.

I give a tight smile, "There's no rest for the wicked."

Evans looks slightly surprised that I would know that saying, but she also seems to forget that I've been observing her since we became dorm mates and that Sirius is quite talkative when he finds something interesting in Muggle Studies, like motorcycles.

"What are you reading anyway? It looks older than a lot of books in the Library."

"The Grimwood Grimorie. Basically the official book of the family listing all of the accomplishments that they have as well as other important pieces of information pertaining to the family," I pause, "I believe it would be a bit like a family bible."

Evans nods, and opens her mouth to say something else before turning pale and running to the bathroom. I hear her start throwing up and follow her. As much as we don't get along, it seems to be an unspoken girl code not to let puke get into another girl's hair. I pull her hair from her face and wait for her to finish emptying her stomach. When she's done she flushes the toilet and rests her forehead on the porcelain. I feel her cheek with the back of my hand and frown at how warm she is.

"Come on, Evans," I mutter, grabbing under her arm and pulling her up. The girl who had looked so chipper this morning now looks like she's about the fall over. Pulling her into the dorm room, I set her in her bed and get her arranged before walking to the small fireplace. I grab some floo powder and throw it in, calling for the hospital wing and sticking my head in.

"Madam Pomfrey?" I call.

The matron walks over, "Miss Grimwood, what's the matter?"

"Evans is feeling ill. Fever, throwing up, and exhaustion are what I know for now. Should I give her anything?"

"Just water and crackers for the stomach, everything else has to be left alone until we know what's wrong for sure," Pomfrey says, "Keep an eye on her while you can and have the other girls help."

I nod, "Good thing I have today off then. I'll alert you if another symptom shows up."

Pomfrey gives an affirmative before I pull out of the fireplace. Grabbing the pitcher of water, cup, and a waste basket, I place them over by Evans.

"Why are you helping me? You hate me," Evans mutters.

"Please, don't think so highly of yourself," I scoff, "I don't hate you. Not get along with and disagree with you? Yes. Hate you? No."

Evans nods and closes her eyes. A few moments later and she's sleeping. I frown again, wondering what could be the problem. Evans has always been in really good health. It's unusual for her to get sick. I pull up a chair and summon the Grimorie, picking up at the page I left off at.

~*~AG~*~

It's just after ten at night when Evans starts moving again. I glance up at her before placing a mark in my book and banishing it to my bed. I help the girl up out of bed and toward the bathroom, letting her go once I know that she's stable and use a spell on her bed to place fresh linen on it. It's never a good idea to sleep on a bed where one has been ill.

"I'm starving," Evans says as she exits the bathroom.

"Well, we can go down to the kitchens and get some food."

"But that's out of bounds."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"Show me where in the rules it says you cannot go into the kitchens?"

Evans opens her mouth then closes it. She furrows her eyebrows in thought before shrugging, "It's still past curfew."

"And? Since when has that stopped anyone? Besides, it's better for you to get food than not to."

Before the girl can protest too much more, I grab her arm and pull her along. After a few minutes, we reach the painting to the kitchens, and I tickle the pear before pulling her into the kitchens. Evans blinks, looking around at everything in awe as I ask one of the house elves for food for both of us. Keeping the food from being too rich, I smile as I realise that this is probably her first time seeing house elves and a magical kitchen.

"What-what are these creatures?" Evans whispers, being careful that none of the elves can hear her and become offended.

I smile, "House elves. Lovely little fellows aren't they?"

"Are they employed by Hogwarts?"

"They don't receive payment if that's what you mean."

"Why not?" Evans's eyebrows knit together, "That's slavery if they aren't compensated."

"Actually," I motion for her to join me at a table where our food is waiting, "it is in a house elf's nature to work without pay. Generally, if an elf has a kind master who tries to further the elf's happiness, then it is a brilliant relationship."

Evans gives a motion for me to continue as she slowly eats her soup.

"House elves are remarkably loyal. If a family has earned that loyalty, then the bond between elf and master is strengthened. In most cases, an elf needs to be bonded to someone for their magic to stay with them. If the typical elf does not bond with a person, they lose their magic and will to live."

"What about a non-typical elf?" Evans asks.

"I am not entirely sure. You would have to ask an elf that question," I say before picking up my sandwich.

"How come no one knows about them though?" Evans asks, right as I'm about to take a bite.

I raise an eyebrow, "Because it is the mark of a good elf, of a happy elf, to not be seen while he or she works. House elves take pride in their work, regardless if their master, or mistress, recognises it."

Evans starts again, "But then how would the master or mistress know that they're truly happy?"

"Because they know where the elves quarters are."

"Elves have quarters?"

"Yes, where did you expect them to sleep? On a kitchen counter?" I snap, "Please, I don't mind answering your questions, but let me get a bite to eat!"

Evans blushes and lets me eat for a bit while she eats her soup. After I've had enough with the silence, I clear my throat and ask if she has me any other questions.

"Does anyone in the magical world know how to cook, or do they all use elves and spells to do such?"

The corner of my mouth twitches and before she can blink, I'm laughing. After a while, I gain control of my laugher, "Of course we cook. We're human aren't we? Granted, not many of the old families cook themselves, hence why they own elves, but there are a lot of people who cook and bake as a hobby."

Evans nods which is something that she does if she understands something. After fiddling with her soup and asking a few more questions we stand to leave right as the door to the kitchens opens. Rowan walks in with Snape, both of them discussing something. Our two groups pause at the sight of each other and I turn to Evans and Snape.

"I ask that you leave my brother and I. There are things that I would like to discuss with him."

Both of them nod and walk out the door. I sit back down in my chair and point to one that is next to me. Rowan huffs before sitting down. I frown and intertwine my fingers, resting my chin on them and watch as Rowan glares at the table.

"Is Miss and Sir wanting anything?" a house elf asks.

"Tea, please," I say, turning from my brother to give the elf a tight smile and thank it when the tea appears.

"So are you going to stare at me all night, or are you actually going to do something?" Rowan sneers.

I raise an eyebrow at him, "Watch the tone, I've done nothing to you to warrant it."

"I don't understand why you won't just leave me be."

"Because I'm worried for you. You're changing, and not into a person whom I expected. Nor am I very much interested in knowing Rowan Grimwood, pureblood supremacist," I say, keeping my voice low. "What's changing, why are you taking up these ideas again? And don't give me that rubbish about Snape and our parents."

"Because…because if I don't do something…if I can't do something…anything…then what use am I? I read the same paper you do, but when you're older you can help those people. I can't. And to find out that Regulus is trapped at his house with no way back until break is done…. It just made me realise how completely useless I am," Rowan says, his voice normal and lacking the sneer or aristocratic tilt it had gained in the last few days, "I keep thinking that maybe if I knew some Dark Magic that I would be able to help."

"Rowan, Dark Magic shouldn't be played around with. You know that."

"I want to learn how to use it though. If I can use it I can help!"

I frown, "It doesn't matter if you're able to use Dark Magic or not, you're helpful in your own way."

"I can't fight! I can barely defend myself," Rowan snaps, "And I don't see why you keep telling me that I shouldn't learn."

My eyes narrow and I frown. Setting down my cup, I motion for Rowan to follow me, heading toward the Room of Requirement. Almost automatically, I ghost through the halls, keeping to the shadows as much as possible and making extremely little noise. Passing by a window, my eyes dart toward the sky, noting the position and phase of the moon before I pass it. I can hear Rowan behind me and give another frown. Once we arrive at the entrance, I pass in front of it three times, and then open the door that appears. Rowan walks in, caution etched in his eyes.

I follow him and light the torches in the room, "I'm not going to let you perform any of these spells, unless you're too thick to realise the effect of them on a person."

"What?"

Flicking my wand from its holster, I think about some dummies that I need. Five of them pop into existence and I frown at them.

"Decollatiomortem." I cast the first spell at one of the mannequins, watching with a sadistic satisfaction as the head is taken off. I frown at how clinical it looks and mutter, "Well that's not right."

"Is that spell not supposed to do that?" Rowan asks.

"No, the curse worked perfectly. Ah, yes…that would be the problem." I then wish for five realistic dummies and they appear, "Decollatiomortem."

When the head comes off this time, blood starts to pour out of the wound and the body falls to the ground, twitching slightly in the fingers. I nod, satisfied that the problem was taken care of. I turn to the next mannequin, I cast an animation spell on it so that it acts and sounds human.

"Prohibere motuspedes." A pause to decide what spell to use next. "Rompreos." The dummy screams in pain when the spell hits their shoulder. "Impedespiritus." This time it is breathing in gasps that are mixed with whimpers. "Ossavitro." The dummy gives another scream, but this one is far more animalistic. "Expelliarmus." The dummy doesn't have a chance to scream as all the bones, which had been turned to glass, break. I turn to the next dummy, feeling the Dark Magic in my veins singing.

"Ann?" Rowan asks, his voice odd.

"Hmmm?"

"H-H-How…."

"Come on Rowan, speak up and finish your thought."

Silence.

"Well?"

"Never mind."

I grin, "Excellent! You don't mind if I continue, do you?"

Rowan shakes his head.

Turning back to the next mannequin I tilt my head, trying to figure out what to do to this one. "Marionetta." The mannequin, which has also been animated, starts to turn green from dizziness, but other than that, nothing happens. "Ignis." The thing begins to scream. I smile. "Profundus incidere." Blood splatters around the room. "Mens irretitus." The person stops screaming. Cancelling the marionette spell, I walk up to the mannequin and smirk when I see the lost hollow appearance to their eyes. I shrug and move onto the next dummy, leaving the other one to sit there, trapped in its "mind". Turning to the next one, which has been previously animated and is now cowering in fear, I smirk.

"Suscitatio umbra," I cast. The shadows around the dummy animate and look at me. I raise an eyebrow, "Attack." The shadows do my bidding and begin to attack the animated being.

"Ann! Stop! That's enough, I understand! I'm sorry!" Rowan shouts.

I turn around, surprised that he's said something, and kind of annoyed that he interrupted me, "Do you really? Do you really understand?"

Rowan nods, his eyes glassy as he looks over the animated beings on the floor and the last one, cowering in a corner and crying. I walk toward him slowly. When I reach him, I tilt Rowan's chin up so he's looking at me and I give a grin. He flinches and I shake my head.

"Cause you see, I don't think you get it yet." I slowly start to bring up my wand, "I think one more demonstration is needed."

Rowan flinches again, obviously trying to get out of my way, but I spin around and aim at the last mannequin, "Bombarda!" The head is bludgeoned in and the animated being dies instantly. By now, the tears are flowing from his eyes and he's sunk to the bottom of the wall of the room.

I close my eyes and ask for the room to remove the mannequins and the evidence of what they had been through. I then dispel the shadows, allowing them to turn back to normal and sink down opposite of Rowan. Swallowing, I force down the desire to use more Dark Magic. When I open my eyes, Rowan is watching me with more than a little fear.

"Now do you see why I don't want you to use Dark Magic?" I ask, my voice still oddly void. "And you only see and hear the physical effects of the victim. The effects of Dark Magic on the caster can be just as bad. After a while, especially for people who have been raised learning this magic, it gets in your blood. I'm sure you feel the same thing, though not to the same extent. It's a pull, a desire to use it, and after a while it can become really bad. If a person follows that desire and does not watch what they use and how much, that desire and that tint to their person can drive them mad."

Rowan nods slowly, wiping his eyes of his tears, "But…that last spell was just bombarda."

"Yes. That was to prove my point. No matter what there are ways to kill a person. To harm them. Use wingardium leviosa on a person and drop them from a cliff it is the same thing as avada kedavra. The only difference is one is an automatic ticket to Azkaban. The other is not," I explain.

"Is…is there anyone else in the school who can do what you can?"

Blinking at the question, I frown, "Yes."

"Do you mind if I ask who?"

"I do actually, as it is not my place to divulge that information."

"Oh, right."

I sigh, knowing that Rowan will be uncomfortable in my presence for a while, "Come on, let's get you back to Slytherin dorms."

Rowan nods and leaves the room. I follow him out and then walk alongside him through the halls, being careful so as not to brush against him. After a long uncomfortable walk, we reach the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. Rowan looks at me, wary. I feel my heart clench, but push it away. Nodding, I give a small smile to him.

"I wish I didn't have to show you that, but I'm not sorry. I don't want you turning out the same way that I am," I murmur, "Try not to dwell on the images, but remember the overall lesson."

Rowan nods, the movement jerky, before entering his dorm. Turning on my heel, I head back to Gryffindor tower, my thoughts racing and my emotions barely being kept in check. I arrive in my bed somehow, and as I bury myself in the covers, I know that I am going to have nightmares to last me for quite a while now.

~+~Sirius's POV~+~

I shoot out of bed, the nightmare bringing me from what should have been a good night's rest. I cast a tempus charm and groan at the time. Slipping from bed, I forgo the dressing gown, knowing that there won't be any Gryffindors in the common room at three in the morning. As I near the common room, I smell something odd, like some kind of perfume and I am surprised to see Ann sitting in front of the fire, her eyes oddly blank as she watches the flames.

"Ann?" I call, keeping my voice low enough so as not to startle anyone who is still sleeping in the first dorms.

She turns to me and gives a small smile, "Couldn't sleep?"

"No, and I imagine you couldn't either."

Ann shrugs and turns back to the fire. I sit next to her and the perfume smell becomes stronger. I raise an eyebrow at her, which she catches from the corner of her eye and she sighs. Before she can answer though, Remus also stumbles down the stairs. Ann gives him a small smile as well.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you Remmy," she says, her voice too even and eyes too dull.

Remus shrugs and sits on the floor in front of the couch we're sitting on, "I couldn't sleep. I heard Sirius come downstairs and decided to follow."

I watch the two talk for a while and Ann soon starts to become sleepy. She curls up on the couch and after murmuring a few things starts to sleep. Remus joins her in the land of oblivion not long after and before I can protest, my eye lids drag themselves down, and I drift into sleep.

-^- McGonagall's POV-^-

Walking into the Gryffindor common rooms, I frown and look around for my three missing lions. I hear a light whimper which is quickly silenced and turn to face the fireplace. Giving a slight smile at the sight, I walk toward the three to check that they were well before turning around to leave. I know that Lupin, Grimwood, and Black often have nightmares, so if they can gain some rest, then I would rather them miss a class that is a review session than lose their health.

~*~ Ann's POV~*~

I slowly start to wake, light dancing on my eyelids. Giving a yawn, I snuggle further into my pillow and grasp the sheets in my hand a little tighter, hoping I can go back to sleep. That's when I realise that my pillow isn't as soft as it usually is, and that I'm not holding onto bed sheets. I blink and glance around. My head had been resting on Sirius's leg and my hand is still holding onto Remus's shirt. Sirius has his legs stretched out in front of him while his head rests on the back of the couch. Remus is on the floor, leaning against Sirius's legs, his head resting on the bit of cushion in front of where my head had been. Still tired, I cast a spell to dampen the light being cast into the room and go back to sleep.

AN/ I just realized that my page breaks, when it looks like '~*~' for example, aren't showing up. My change in POV breaks are, so I think that I have to have some lettering in there. If someone could send a review letting me know if the new page breaks, which will look like ~*~AG~*~, show up, that would be great. It would also be great just to get a review letting me know how the story is *nudge nudge*.