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Fall 1993

Darcy purposely put herself toward the back of the line of her classmates, hoping that there wouldn't be enough time to get to her before class ended.

It was the first Defense lesson of the year, and Remus and Sirius–the latter of whom was there to fill in on days surrounding the full moon–were both there to introduce themselves to their students.

Darcy smiled weakly as Ron's Boggart, a giant spider, lost its balance on roller skates after he cast the spell. She had a horrible feeling she knew what the form of hers was going to be, and she really didn't want anyone to see it.

Darcy glanced at her godfather, who had been watching her closely for a few minutes.

Okay?, he mouthed. She shook her head and he motioned her over.

"I don't wanna do this", she said quietly.

"You'll be alright", Sirius promised her. "You just have to remember that it isn't real, and you're safe. Do you think it's going to be your uncle?"

Darcy nodded.

"Well, I have to see what the spell does to him. You saw Neville's, right? Snape dressed like Augusta?"

She smiled slightly. "Yeah."

"There you go. Just relax, I promise you'll be okay."

"Thanks."

"No problem", Sirius replied. "Now, back in line, before I give in to my urge to embarrass you."

Darcy rolled her eyes playfully and retook her spot in the queue. It was moving quickly, she was now fifth in line.

Much too quickly for her liking, she was next in line. Remus was still chuckling, but he stopped when he saw how scared she looked.

He motioned for her to step forward and she did.

"Listen to me", Remus said softly. "You can do this."

"But everyone's going to know", Darcy whispered back.

"No one is going to know who he is", Remus assured her. He squeezed her shoulder before stepping aside. He unlocked the cabinet and, sure enough, Vernon Dursley stepped out of it, his eyes hard as he stared at Darcy. She unconsciously took a step backwards.

"Go on, Darcy", Sirius called.

"You", Vernon growled. "I thought we were rid of you years ago! Did those bloody freaks get tired of putting up with you? Figures, you're more trouble than you're worth."

Darcy held her wand up, her hand shaking.

"R-riddikulus", she stammered.

"Louder, Darcy", Remus instructed. "It's not real, remember that."

The boggart took another step forward and Darcy visibly flinched. Before she could react, Sirius dashed in front of her, the boggart shifting from Vernon to a man who looked a lot like Sirius, but much older.

"Riddikulus!"

The man shrank down to the size of a pebble before jumping back into the cabinet.

"Class dismissed", Remus announced. "Everyone go to lunch." He hurried over to Darcy, who was still shaking and staring at the floor.

Sirius glanced up and saw Ron and Hermione still standing in the classroom, concerned for their friend.

"Darcy will catch up with you two later", he assured them. "She'll be okay."

They nodded and hurried from the room.

"Love", Sirius said as he bent down slightly. "Look at me."

Darcy shook her head. He gently took her chin in his hand and turned it so he was looking in her eyes.

"Come back to us", he said softly. "You're safe here, no one is going to hurt you."

Remus was smoothing her hair down. "I'm proud of you for trying, sweetheart. I know you were scared."

"I s-still couldn't d-do it", Darcy cried.

"Hey, it's okay", Sirius assured her. "Let's go up to the office to talk."

He took her hand and led her up the stairs. Once they were inside, he sat down in one of the chairs across from the desk and pulled her into his lap. Remus sat beside them.

"It's okay that you couldn't do it", Sirius told her. "Your biggest fear happens to be very, very real for you."

"That's right", Remus nodded, placing a hand on her knee. "For you it isn't spiders or snakes–while those are also valid–it's more serious than that."

"E-everyone will know", she sniffed. "Or at least b-be able to g-guess."

"Do you think anyone will make fun of Neville for being afraid of Snape?", Sirius asked her. "By the way, should we tell Dumbledore about that? A student's biggest fear should not be a professor."

"We'll deal with that later", Remus shook his head. "Darcy, I meant what I said. You could have asked to be excused from the lesson."

She looked at him, surprised. "You would have let me skip it?"

Sirius looked just as shocked.

"Probably not", Remus conceded. "But we could have talked more about it. We should have warned you ahead of time, and I'm sorry we didn't."

"It's okay", Darcy said. She laid her head on Sirius' shoulder. "Sirius?"

"Hm?"

"What...what was your boggart?"

Her godfather sighed. He knew this question was coming.

"You know I ran away from home to live with your dad and your grandparents", he began. At Darcy's nod, he continued. "Well, I ran away because my parents abused me."

Darcy's eyes widened. Now she knew why it felt like Sirius understood what she had been through. Because he did understand.

Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He smiled softly and returned the embrace tightly.

"When we had this lesson", he said as he stroked her hair. "I was terrified. Just like you, I knew what mine was going to be. I pretended to be sick to get out of going to class. You're very brave."

Darcy pulled away and wiped at her eyes. "Thanks for stepping in front of me."

"Anytime", Sirius promised. "I'd do it a million times for you."

She laid her head back on his shoulder. "Love you."

"I love you too."

"Can I have a hug?", Remus asked.

"Nope", Sirius tightened his grip on her. "Mine."

"She has to go to lunch."

"Do I have to?", Darcy asked. "Can we just eat here?"

"Sure, if you want to."

"See?", Sirius said. "It's not so bad having us here, is it?"

"It's only the first day", Darcy joked. "It could get worse."

"You cheeky little monster." He poked her stomach. "Maybe we should be trying harder to embarrass you. Next time I call on you in class maybe I'll accidentally call you ladybug."

Darcy glared at him as she climbed off his lap. "I'll never talk to you again if you do that."

"Teenagers say that all the time."

Remus pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "Are you doing better?"

"Yeah", she replied.

"I love you so much, cub."

"Love you too."

Remus released her and reached around to fix her skirt.

"Stop." Darcy's cheeks prickled at the action.

"It's sticking all the way up in the back."

"I can fix it."

Remus smirked and ignored her protests. "Let me have this."

"You know what I just remembered?", Sirius snickered.

"What?"

"When she was five and her skirt was tucked into her tights for the entire day at school. It was a good thing your knickers blended in."

Darcy glared daggers at him.

"Alright, I'm done. Are we eating in here or have you deemed us too embarrassing to spend time with?"

"Yes", Darcy nodded. "But I don't want to face everyone yet, so…"

"Brat."