Believe me, being locked in a dank old house isn't my idea of fun. Order members came in and out, but rarely stayed. Even Remus had his own little missions, meaning I was left alone for days on end, with nobody but Buckbeak and Kreacher for company. I complained to Dumbledore, feeling like a petulant child under his gaze. He calmly told me that I would be unable to leave the house, and suggested I try to start cleaning the dump, much to Snape's delight.

I was overjoyed when the Weasleys turned up; the twins who I can never tell apart, their sister Ginny, Arthur and Molly, Bill and Charlie; the two who had just joined the Order, and of course Ron. Hermione joined us a few days later, and the kids were assigned to "helping Sirius clean." That was a barrel of laughs, I can tell you. Although I do take great pleasure in throwing away my family heirlooms, watching those old photographs smash…

Then Harry arrived. He, like me, was less than happy with Dumbledore. Harry had been locked up as well, with his relatives. I had begged Dumbledore to let Harry live with me instead, but he muttered something about blood protection. So Harry was safe with his Aunt and Uncle? That was why bloody great Dementors had just attacked him?

Harry wasn't expelled, cleared all charges in fact, but if he had been expelled it would have been all Dumbledore's fault. Although I have to admit that a tiny part of me did entertain the idea of Harry leaving Hogwarts, coming to live with me… He had asked before the hearing if he could do… But those thoughts were not fair on Harry. He had done nothing wrong; he deserved to go back to school. I should be happy for him. I was, after all, the only real family he had left.

After Harry and the others left for school, I was gloomy once more. I counted the days until Remus would be getting back from his latest liaison with the werewolves. Snape was here some of the time, but we ignored each other as best as we could. The older Weasleys were sometimes here, but Mrs Weasley and I… let's just say we don't get on that well. Just because I wanted to tell Harry exactly what was going on, what Voldemort wanted. Mad-Eye and Kingsley popped in for a few hours at a time, and meetings were held once a month, but most of the time I felt truly cut off. It was so annoying, not being able to do anything, unable to help. I wanted to fight; I wanted to feel like I was doing something worthwhile, like I was making a difference…

"You are making a difference," Remus told me, one day when he was taking a break from his assigned tasks. I snorted derisively.

"What, by removing mould from Headquarters? That'll make a real difference, that will…"

"I know you're feeling a little isolated right now…"

"Gosh, whatever gave you that idea?"

"…But Dumbledore has your best interests at heart."

"Yeah, well Dumbledore always knows best…" I said bitterly, spitting out the old man's name as if it were poison. Remus looked at me, his smile tense but warm and reassuring.

"… I mean, even if I could just do guard duty or something, or help in that capacity, I would feel better about his all, instead of being holed up here all the time… it gets so monotonous, Remus, I hate it…"

"Here's some news to cheer you up then." Remus said, drumming his fingers on the wooden table. I recognised the rhythm as a Weird Sisters song that had been playing on the enchanted wireless that morning. I hummed the guitar riff absently, and Remus smiled at me, his eyes twinkling. It was moments like this that I missed most when he was away; little connections, bliss.

"What news?" I asked, reminding Remus about what he had previously mentioned.

"Oh," he said, breaking out of his interlude and looking at me. "Harry and his friends have formed a secret society to fight Umbridge and learn DADA themselves."

I snorted in delight.

"They did what?"

"You heard."

"That's fantastic!"

"I thought you'd think so."

"What, you mean you don't?" I asked, staring at Remus in surprise.

"I think it's a bloody marvellous idea, but what if they get caught."

I shrugged

"They won't get caught. Besides, the risk makes it fun."

"Still saying that, huh?" Remus asked fondly. I laughed.

"THEY DID WHAT?!" came a shrill voice from the hall. Mrs Weasley was looking furious, her red hair nearly standing on end. Behind her, my insane mother started yowling and spitting. Remus looked at me, and we both giggled madly.