A.N.: Okay... I know, I know! I haven't posted in over a month! I'm sorry. It was harder for me to post while I was home over break, because I wasn't motivated to write all the time, and I lost my flash drive with most of chapter 11 written on it for about two or so weeks. Now that I am back at school, and getting used to my new schedule, I will try to post every once in a while, but this semester will be a bit more hectic, so I may not stick to a normal schedule. I will write when I have time, which may be on Friday's and Sundays. I will post as often as I can. The story is really going to start getting put into motion from here on.

Disclaimer: Same as always, anything you recognize from a franchise I do not own, and therefore am making no profit from it... And I didn't get James Phelps or Sherlock under my tree for Christmas... So I don't yet own them... T_T

Word Count: About 1,450 words. Its sort of a transitional chapter.

The next day saw many students returning to Hogwarts. Friends were catching up, and there was gossip about so many things flying around the halls. The most common piece of gossip was about Gemina, however. People had started to give her worried looks, and when her roommates had returned the dorm, they gave her a large berth, as though they no longer trusted her.

Some of the older Ravenclaws approached her, and asked her a few questions about the article, simply seeking the truth, but for the most part, even her house mates were unsure of what to think about this turn of events.

Many Slytherin's had taken to asking her when she was going to transfer houses, and become a snake like she obviously should have been.

For the most part, it was easy to ignore the taunts for the first several days, and throw herself into her work, reading and trying to deduce what the homework for the upcoming weeks would be. She had taken to staying in the library until late, and then going back to Ravenclaw house when the others had gone to bed, and to getting ready quickly. She had begun to eat her meals with John at the Hufflepuff table, because the Hufflepuff's were the only people in the whole of Hogwarts who weren't judging her because of something that had been revealed about her in a less than lovely way. And if they were judging her, none of them openly said anything.

About a week and a half after all the students had returned to Hogwarts, Fred found his chance to speak to Gemina alone. The group was meeting up like they usually did to work on Homework, but Fred knew that she would be in the library before everyone, as she had taken to skipping out on dinner, or leaving early from the meal and retreating to the library. At this rate, Fred was convinced she would have read the entire collection of books by summer.

As the ginger boy walked into the library and back towards the table the group liked to study at, he tried to collect his thoughts, and to decide what he would say to his friend, if he could still call her that.

"Gemina…?" He asked softly as he neared the table, where she already had many of her books laid out. He watched as the girl jumped at the sound of his voice, and looked up at him.

It was immediately obvious how hard all of the drama from the past few days was hitting her, as she had circles that were beginning to form under her eyes, and her hair that was usually braided intricately was thrown up in a messy bun, looking more lifeless and pale than usual. It lacked it normal silvery-gold sheen that had so many people stopping and staring at the girl in sheer confusion as to how she did it. Her face looked almost fearful at the sight of Fred, as though she expected him to yell or freak out on her as many of her housemates and other students had. And that made Fred flinch, and look down at his hand in shame as he sat beside her.

"Eef you are 'ere to mock me, I 'ave 'ad enough today, zank y-" She started, only to get cut off by Fred.

"Look… I'm sorry. I had no right to be such a prat to you over Christmas. George made sure I realized that… And when I read the letter you sent us on New Year's Day, well, I felt even worse. I was a complete arse, and you didn't deserve that. I was so caught up in the fact that you had kept a huge secret from us, and who that secret was, that I refused for days to see why you kept it a secret. It took George actually yelling at me in front of the whole family to see what a prat I was, and to realize I did owe you an apology. I get it now, and if you want me to go away and never speak to you again for what I did, I will completely understand that." He said, still not meeting her eye.

The girl sat, completely shocked at the apology that had come from the male. She sniffed softly, and threw herself forward, hugging the male, who sat shocked. After a moment, she pulled back, and slapped him across the face.

"You are an arse, Fred Weasley. But I appreciate zat you apologized to me. I-I will try to forgive you, mais I make no promises. Zat was a jerk move you made before Christmas, and I was very upset about eet for zee 'ole time I was at zat man's 'ouse." She said, sitting back in her chair, and going back to her books, though her demeanor had lightened slightly. Fred half smiled, before pulling out his own books, and grabbing a scroll, looking up as the others came in.

"Are things okay now?" John asked, taking his seat, and pulling out his potions book.

Gemina and Fred shared a small look, and then nodded at each other.

"So…. How bad was the Malfoy's?" George asked, making conversation as they got back into their normal groove.

As Gemina shared with them the horrors of Christmas at the Malfoy home, they all laughed, and fell back into their old group dynamic like nothing had changed.

(Time Skip)

As the year got closer and closer to its end and exams came around the corner, people stopped talking about Gemina's dirty secret, and it soon became old news, with barely anyone looking up as multiple owls arrived each days for the French girl, who was communicating feverently with her mother and several wizards who had quite a bit of influence who were willing to help the young girl fight the battle of staying out of the Malfoy family's hold.

It had started with Mr. Scrimegour, and from there he had directed her to a Madame Bones, who was the head of the department of Magical Law Enforcement. The woman apparently had a soft spot for young children, and as any custody claims would end up coming through her office as a broad issue if the law, going to her and telling her the truth of what had happened with the Malfoy's had proven to be a good idea in the end, as the woman assured the girl that she would aid the young girl in staying with her mother in France.

On the night of the final feast, after all exams had finished, an owl swept into the Great Hall, dropping a very official letter at the Ravenclaw table for Gemina. She broke the ministry seal, and scanned the letter quickly, her face lighting up.

After the feast had ended, Gemina met her friends in an unused classroom on the first floor.

"Leesten to zis.

Dear Miss Etoile,

I am writing to eenform you zat, given zee letters zat you 'ave sent to me regarding your past, and your short stay wiz zee Malfoy family over your Christmas 'oliday from school, zee Ministry of Magic 'as decided zat at zis point een time, eet would be detrimental to your growth as a young witch to pull you from your 'eritage and first 'ome. Zee Ministry ees ordering Mr. Lucius Malfoy to aid you een zee purchasing of your school supplies for zee next year, and we will be revisiting zee custody claim een a year's time, too ascertain eef anyzing 'as changed. Between now and zen, eef anything comes up, or problems arise, please, do not 'esitate to contact my office, and we will take all information we receive into account een making any possible emergnecee decisions regarding your wellbeing.

Wishing you a nice summer,

Amelia Bones,

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

…. Guys! Zis means I get to go 'ome zis summer!" Gemina exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"Yes. But it also means that next year you will have to go through a similar process again. Of course, if Lord Malfoy chooses to continue with this farce, you will be going through this process every year until you come of age unless something tips the scales." Sherlock said bluntly, causing Fred and George to elbow him.

"Don't try to dampen her mood!" George told him.

"Oh, don't worry Sherlock. I 'ave zough of zis already, and I don't eentend for zee Malfoy's to ever ween." Gemina said, shrugging.

Not too long after that, the friends split, going to their own respective common rooms, preparing for the summer to come.

Hope you enjoyed! Please review.