Chapter 20 – Hogwarts needs an Army

Amelia was getting ready for her date, was she really calling it a date? The way she felt when Sirius was around was no different to the butterflies she felt when she was a teenager. Only things were different now, so many things had happened between them since the days they first dated.

When they first noticed each other, Amelia knew she was just one of Sirius's toys, he saw her as a challenge because she didn't automatically swoon every time he walked into a room, and that annoyed Sirius. Sirius became more and more interested in Amelia and it bothered him that Amelia denied his invite to Hogsmeade. Such a memory came from, all the way back in their third year, Sirius was shocked at her rejection, he acted like he wasn't but he was. Years later, he admitted he never forgot, that day was when it all started for him. As they didn't date in those early days, over the next few years, the two actually became friends, but Sirius wasn't mature enough to be 'just friends' with a girl. Sirius made advances, that put Amelia off a bit. Every time it looked like Sirius had accepted their friendship, he would go and ruin it with compliments, compliments that were of a personal nature.

But than one evening, Sirius made a gesture that she couldn't ignore, he said, he would ask her for one last date, to a Christmas Party and if she said 'no', he promised never to ask again. If Amelia honestly didn't have feelings for Sirius, she would have simply said 'no'. But she gave him a chance.

Sadly, it was Amelia's own fault that things went horribly wrong. It was her immaturity that ruined it for them both. They were good for a while, but Amelia was very jealous, Sirius couldn't even be partnered up with somebody in class, without Amelia being put out of sorts. How childish Amelia was, she would tell Sirius he needed to grow up, yet she acted like a spoiled brat. Despite knowing Sirius as a friend, she had seen what he was like with other girls before her and she didn't trust that she could be any different.

They argued, they fought and they broke up, within a few months of dating. Their friendship was in ruins and Sirius went straight back to his womanising ways, to the delight of some Hogwarts girls.

Seventh year, the world around them had begun to dramatically change, or maybe not the world, but the war had come to Hogwarts, families were being pulled apart by pointless politics and death. Suddenly, the fight the pair had back in firth year, didn't matter anymore. Their friendship rekindled and they relied on each other. Students began to form alliances and a group of Seventh years formed a training organisation, which was led by the Head Boy and Head Girl at the time, Lily Evans and James Potter. During these meetings, what started as comforting hugs between Amelia and Sirius, led to all night discussions. And a few heated training sessions, led to heated broom cupboard sessions. Team work, led to a partnership. Their answer to the chaos around them was to train together and they trained very hard. They fought together rather than against each other. They made each other stronger and despite the horrors around them, he still made her laugh.

After school, their friends quickly started getting married but they didn't feel pressure from each other or their friends, to do the same.

Both wanted to wait until after the war, they wanted to focus on fixing the world. They had idealistic plans that were different from everyone else's. But things didn't work out like that. Sadly, there is little in life that truly goes to plan.

Amelia's thoughts were abruptly interrupted, with one loud bang at the door. Without hesitation Amelia drew her wand, and stalked towards the front corridor.

"Amelia, it's me, let me in." Came Sirius's voice, although it didn't sound right. There was a reason Amelia's house was surrounded with protective wards, and only Sirius could make it this far but still...

"Prove it!" Amelia called.

She heard Sirius mutter something that sounded like "Paranoid Witch," and then he called back, "When we first fooled around, you were wearing pink underwear with a butterfly -"

"Ok! Ok!" Amelia demanded.

When she opened the door, she found Sirius leaning with his hands either side of the door way. He looked up with a smirk. "Haven't even opened the door yet and you're already hot and bothered."

"Bit presumptuous, aren't you?" They had been - whatever this is called, 'seeing each other', for a while now, and closeness had progressed well, since he was found innocent. But there was something stopping them from moving forward anymore.

"Always." Sirius, said. But Amelia could tell his heart wasn't in it, not like it would be with their normal banter. He moved himself to the living room and chucked himself on the sofa, he looked so defeated. Sirius was holding his head in his hands.

"What is it Sirius?"

Sirius let out a long desperate sigh. "If I murdered somebody, you'd have to put me away again, right?"

Amelia didn't say anything, she waited for Sirius to continue.

"You're supposed to say, 'yes'".

"I know what I'm supposed to say." she returned. "Is this about Dumbledore?" Sirius had told Amelia about the Dumbledore's decisions. About how he placed Athena with who he pleased and about how Dumbledore could have demanded Sirius receive a trial. Amelia would never forgive herself for not checking the trial record herself. But by that time, Sirius and Amelia hadn't been talking for over a year, all she knew, was that he had gone to prison, she thought he had been found guilty, it was unheard of that there wouldn't have been a trial, why should she question it when it was too painful to think about? She had been told by other Aurors, that he was the reason, James and Lilly was dead, but at least that meant, You-Know-Who was gone. Amelia was outraged by such comments, as if her friends and Sirius's betrayal was for the greater good, somehow.

Amelia was grieving the loss of her brother and sister-in-law and because of that loss, Susan became her responsibility. She was also grieving Sirius but she didn't question it, it was too painful to question it, because than she would have to think about what she had done. Had she made a different decision – had she not done what she had done - would have things been different?

But Sirius was innocent and when she saw Sirius - or a shadow of Sirius, smiling back at her in that disgraceful place, her heart swelled despite her pain from their past. Things since than had progressed slowly; she couldn't help but want to be near him. But this history sat between them.

"I told you about the prophecy," he said, "and how it seems like he got rid of me, to isolate Athena. But it's hard to prove, right? Well the last few weeks, we thought he might have arranged a betrothal contract between the Malfoy kid, and Athena."

"That would have made zero sense," Amelia said seriously, "even for Dumbledore."

"Well, exactly. For weeks, we feared the worse, thought the worse. The Goblins took their damn time, ensuring any contracts or accounts, regarding Athena were sent directly to me. But just to be sure, I arranged a meeting with the Malfoy Scum, via the Goblins. He took an oath to swear there was no magical contract between the families and we also checked to see if he had ever been approached for one. Hopefully, with all the hassle, he will set his kid right."

Amelia was relieved, surely Dumbledore wouldn't mess with betrothal contracts. She was trying to look at the situation regarding Dumbledore objectively. The picture that had been made, really painted Dumbledore in a bad light, but Amelia wanted to keep her emotions out of the situation, she wanted to remain objective and consider the possibility that Dumbledore decisions were not solely to do with the prophecy, but what else could it be in regard to? How does one justify, keeping a young girl in an abusive home? But then, maybe he didn't know it was abusive? Regardless, as Guardian proxy, he should have checked on her.

But then how could he allow Sirius to go to Prison without a trial? Maybe he didn't know about that either, after all Amelia didn't question it and she worked at the Ministry at the time? No, Albus knew more about that situation, as far as he knew, Sirius was guilty because he believed Sirius was the Secret Keeper. He made an incorrect assumption, but still he made and assumption based on more information than she did. She couldn't truly justify his actions, but this is how they Wizengamot may approach the situation.

However, Dumbledore broke the law when he made himself Guardian Proxy, that was not his decision to make. He sealed the will, perhaps he will say he did this to protect Athena, protect her from a fight for her guardianship. But then, that would have been simple, had the will remained open, Minerva would have been the most available choice.

Dumbledore could be charged with crimes, but with the way the Ministry is, with the politics and bribery, it is likely no criminal charges will be brought forward.

Minerva, Ted and Sirius were right, they need to destroy his credibility first, or cause enough doubt that people will look upon his actions poorly. What was the saying? 'The higher you are, the further you fall?'

Before Amelia could respond to Sirius, he interrupted her thoughts. "There's more, something, I've been meaning to talk to you about." Sirius's tone had changed, he had progressed from frustrated to hesitant and unsure.

Sirius bit his lip and his eyes shifted. "Sirius..." Amelia said hesitantly. "You're scaring me."

"I'm scared shitless, Amelia. I don't want to lose you again." Sirius's voice shook.

"What?" Amelia's heart sank, "Sirius for as long as you want me, I'll be there."

Sirius reached over to hold her hand. "But there's something we need to talk about. We never spoke about it, before. I'm sorry, I was devastated. I didn't realise or consider what you were thinking. I think I understand, you wanted to save me a horrible decision. I still wish you would have told me; I honestly think, I could have changed your mind..."

Amelia felt the hairs on the back of her neck tingle; she hadn't cried for a really long time and as soon as she realised what he wanted to talk about, berried emotions sprung to the surface. "I don't want to talk about this..." she felt her body close away from him. But he wrapped his arm around her and as she leant into him, she let the tears leak from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sirius, I was so scared, having a child out of wedlock, the names that child would have been called."

"Amelia, I would have married you, in a heartbeat, baby or not."

Amelia moved away slightly, she looked Sirius in the eyes, and she could see his words were the truth. "But - But we agreed, we wanted to build our careers up first, we didn't want to marry young, just because there was a war going on."

Sirius shrugged, "That was what you wanted... I wasn't going to stand in the way of that."

Amelia's mind was whirling, she honestly thought, he had felt the same. "Sirius..."

"I didn't think you would say 'yes' if I asked." He shrugged casually.

"I would have called you a lot of names," She assured, "but I would have said 'yes'." She said without a doubt.

"What?" Sirius seemed shocked; Amelia wondered if she had said the right thing. Regardless, it was the truth, she could have still advanced her career as Madam Black.

"I'm sorry, if we had just talked a bit more..." Amelia began.

"We've talked about it now. I'm trying not to dwell, too much, on what could have been. Honestly, I think I will go mad, if I sit and think about what could have been, had things be different. Pettigrew wouldn't have been Secret Keeper, just to name one."

"When did you get so wise?" Amelia mused, in attempt to lighten the mood.

"Oh, I met this young red head, with fiery red hair. Are you jealous yet?" Sirius smirked.

"You know me, always jealous." It was nice they could joke about somethings in the past, things that are so trivial now. And they could talk about the hard things; the hard things were painful, but the path forward seemed clearer now.

Peacefully, Sirius lent down to kiss her. The thing that blocked their relationship had been stripped away, what was left, was a pair with a complicated history, but nonetheless they were stronger because of it.

"Amelia..." she groaned slightly as he pulled away to talk to her. "There's something I need to ask, just, while we are getting everything out in the open..." Amelia wasn't sure, she liked the sound of that.

"That night. I know, Lilly, made the potion, she blamed herself but-"

"Oh no, it was all our faults. We found it really amusing that we had found yours and James's Firewhisky, the good stuff, it was old stuff. We were completely out of it. We really didn't want to wait a month to start the next one. If Dumbledore hadn't come in, at the right moment and saved the potion -"

"WHAT!" Sirius was on his feet, he looked ready to explode, and it scared Amelia. "Why was Dumbledore there?!"

"I - I – I don't know! We were mortified, we may have been of age, but the Headmaster had just caught us wasted!" Why did this matter?

"Ok, ok. Let me think for a second." Sirius said as a calmness, reclaimed him. "Amelia, how long was he left with the potion?"

"I don't know Sirius, I didn't set a glass timer, I was drunk!"

"Amelia." Sirius said firmly, "What are the chances, of three witches, falling pregnant at the same time, after only one month of being off the potion?"

"I don't know, maybe you are extra fertile when you come off the potion?"

"Nope, I checked all the books, the longer you are on the potion, the longer it can take to conceive once you're off it. And it affects everyone different."

Amelia didn't actually know that. "What are you trying to say?" Amelia was putting the pieces together but surely Dumbledore wouldn't have reason to mess with their potion?

"It's difficult to mess up that potion, the main requirement is the moon phase. Please, think back, what happened after Dumbledore walked in?"

"We..." Slowly, Amelia was seeing that picture again, the one that painted Dumbledore badly. "I didn't see him come in, when I saw him, he was peering over the potion...Oh Merlin..." What were the chances of three witches falling pregnant at the same time? At that time.

"Did he add anything to the potion?" Sirius was surprisingly calm.

At first Amelia could only nod, as she tried to ponder the possibility... "Lilly was so apologetic, she let him, help her stabilise the potion. He assured us it would still be fine. I remember being disturbed that he could recognise the Potion...gross." Amelia was just saying things now, if she kept talking, no conclusion could be made.

"Did you ever work out, what our baby's due date would be?" Sirius said painfully.

It was a good thing Amelia was still sat down, because her legs would have buckled under her as the final puzzle piece fell into place. She had only recently heard the Prophecy. Amelia was crying again, she nodded as she barely whispered, "End of July."

"'Born as the seventh month dies.'"

"I'm going to kill him." Amelia said fiercely.

OOO

Athena didn't really fancy her breakfast today. In the last two months, Athena felt like she had probably eaten more at Hogwarts, then she had her whole life. Madam Pomfrey had invited Athena for a check-up and chat, on the request of Auntie Minerva. And since then, she had been magically receiving Nutritional Potions and Athena was shocked that she found she had much more energy and her body felt healthier. When she first started them, she noticed her appetite had increased, now, the potion that tasted of honey and milk, was enough to fill her up. Madam Pomfrey said, when this happened, she should go back to see her.

While Athena played with her toast, she pondered what day it was. Today was Halloween, everybody would be celebrating the holiday, there would be a feast, and it was the ten-year anniversary of The Fall of He-who-Must-Not-Be-Named. However, nobody seemed to mention, it was ten years, this night, that she became an orphan. Athena had developed so many questions about that night, she understood, that Sirius left her with Hagrid, so he could chase after the man who set her parents up to be murdered. She didn't blame him for that. But then, what happened after that? Why would her parents Will be sealed and why didn't Auntie Minerva know she could access that? Why did no one check on her at the Dursleys?

Athena felt bad for thinking this one, but she just wished she could have moved in with Auntie Minerva sooner. The truth was, someone did check on her. After one letter, Auntie Minerva appeared at the door and her life was changed forever. Athena was so grateful.

"Athena?" came a voice. "Hello, Athena? Are you still with us?" Susan was waving her hand in front of Athena's face; she was clearly more than concerned.

"What?" Athena said startled. "Are you ok?" She asked as all her friends looked concerned.

"Are you ok?" Susan encouraged. Athena noticed more than her best friends were watching her. Cath, was sat with her friends opposite and she also looked concerned.

"You've barely touched your food." Cath said, "Maybe we should take you to the Hospital Wing, you look really pale." She commented as she started to get up.

"No, No!" Athena desperately reassured. "Really, I'm fine, I was just thinking about our study group." Athena lied.

"Oh no, I don't blame you for being nervous," she sat back down, "it does seem like you have your whole year group coming. We are so amazed you were able to start it, us prefects are really proud of you four." She complimented them. Athena wasn't actually too worried about the lesson, but she was now, having the whole year group show up seemed like a lot of pressure.

Today was the first session of their study group, last week was the last of the flying exams, so now all of the first years had a free double period. Athena and Susan were extremely proud that both Hermione and Neville had passed flying. Susan had promised that she would get them trained up for Quidditch in no time, but Hermione was having none of it.

The training club on the other hand, Hermione was very excited about, she had provided them all with a scroll which contained a structured plan of the lesson and how it would progress in the event everybody had mastered a spell. Hermione seemed really happy to take the lead and so the other three were happy that she was happy. Hermione had decided that Athena would introduce the class, as she was the most well-known of the group, (by a considerable amount).

Thankfully, before Athena had something else to worry about and before anyone else asked her what was wrong, the post began to arrive. Amongst the browns and greys, the striking white feathers, that belonged the Hedwig, emerged from the rafters. She elegantly glided towards Athena and she perched on her shoulder. Hedwig's claws, never seemed to hurt Athena, she was like an extension of Athena's arm.

"Hey Hedwig, what have you got for me?" Hedwig was carrying a very thick looking letter.

Sirius had been writing Athena at least twice a week, thankfully, Hedwig liked to keep busy. Athena once suggested she could use another owl, just in case Hedwig was getting tired with all the trips. However, Hedwig, did not take to this kindly, in fact she was insulted by the suggestion as she gave Athena the cold shoulder for about three days. Athena knew better than to ask again.

Athena was pleased to see Sirius's handwriting.

Dearest Athena,

I have news, I actually have lots of good news. Really – I don't know where to start, perhaps I should start with something else and save the best till last, although I still don't know what order to put things in.

Right, I got it.

So, you are going to see me today! Happy Halloween! Wow that's a first in a while, I don't know about you, but I haven't had a reason to think fondly, about Halloween, in a long time. And I have decided, (your Auntie helped), that we are going to create good memories for this holiday. How do you feel about signing the papers to become, Athena Lilly McGonagall-Potter - TODAY?

I'm sorry it has taken so long, apparently, it's not as simple as sign on the dotted line, we needed to make sure it was done properly and even when, the legal adviser is one of your new best friends and family, all this legal ...rubbish, still takes time.

This brings us to the other good news, sorry to leave you hanging but – dun dun dun – You are in no way shape or form betrothed or promised to anybody! Yay! I'm sorry and not sorry that we took our time to check this one, betrothals can be hidden in all kinds of places, but I promised you we checked and double checked. You are all good, to marry whoever you please. Once I have threatened them first, obviously.

But let's face it, Auntie Minerva is scarier than the dog - ex - convict. (Don't tell her I said that.)

Speaking of hidden things! (Damn, I'm good at this writing thing. (Oh, don't let me forget 'writing thing', hold that thought)).

Where was I? – Hidden things. In the volts, we found a letter addressed to you, it is your Mother's handwriting. I didn't want to just spring it on you. I'll hand it over to you this evening, you can open it with just Auntie Minerva or with me or on your own, whatever you are comfortable with. You don't even have to open it, it isn't going anywhere, we can keep it safe, it is really up to you.

Alright, speaking of written things – we have brought enough shares in the newspaper, we pretty much own it! As the biggest shareholder, our recommendations will be listened too. They really don't have much choice. So yeah, we pretty much own it and we are going to be making some changes. For starters, only the truth will be printed – there will need to be some creative speculation – but this will be made clear, fact and opinion are two different things - as we know, all too well.

As a sort of peace offering (not everyone is happy about the changes), we are offering them our story. Well, my story and we would like to request to write about your story. Your real story not this Girl-Who-Lived story. I don't mean the details about those - About that family you lived with. Technically, I have always been your Guardian but because of...events, I've not been able to be there for you like I should have been. I can go into more details when I see you but my point is, anything we don't wanna talk about, can be talked around. Truly, we would mainly want to focus on today's adoption, so there can be no doubt who your guardian is and what your name will now be.

The good news is, this won't be written by just anyone. There is no one I know better, who doesn't love getting the true gossip out of people. I cannot wait to introduce you to my cousin Andromeda Tonks, (we call her Andy). She's Teds, wife and them and their daughter are my blood relatives. I suppose they are yours in a way because your Great Grandmother, is Andy's Great...Aunt? Something like that, I'll have to check the tree.

Anyway, so, she will be coming with me today, you'll get to meet Andy and you can decide if you would like to have your adoption included in the paper. You don't have to agree, there's no pressure, but we figured, we could tell everybody at once, the relationship between you and your Auntie, and it would mean people would be less likely to speculate their own conclusions.

Ok, my friend, Remus, (I mentioned him) is with me, he pointed out that I could be pushing you – I assure you – I promise I'm not, it's completely up to you. I have complete trust in Andy but it is up to you to decide who you trust. I would also like to point out, I was completely against this idea to start with, until I knew it would be Andy writing it.

Ok, so, look out for us at the feast, and look forward to after the feast because by the end of the day you will legally be your Auntie Minerva's daughter.

All my love,

Your DogFather

P.S.

Good luck with your study class today! We are all so proud of you and your friends.

P.P.S.

I can't wait to meet your friends.

Athena was elated, her mood had completely turned. The adoption was today! She would be seeing Sirius today! SHE WAS BEING ADOPTED TODAY!

Athena wasted no time telling her friends, she had to whisper as she had been conditioned to be secretive, but she could not hide the smile from her face.

She wasn't too sure about the newspaper, but wasn't it only a few weeks ago, Athena wished she could write to all the students at once, to avoid them all asking her questions about Sirius being free, and Sirius being her Godfather. Perhaps, her family had found the solution. But then how much detail would they need to know about her past, she didn't want anyone's pity and she really didn't want to talk about it. Athena supposed she would withhold making a decision until after the First study class.

OOO

The day seemed to drag, on a Thursday, the Hufflepuffs had two single periods and then a free period, while the Gryffindors where in charms, Susan and Athena made any last-minute arrangements in their new classroom but there wasn't much to do.

After lunch, all the First Years would normally have flying class, but that was over now, which left two more periods free for the First Years. They had invited the first years to arrive for their study class during the last period of the day. But until they started arriving, the four friends were becoming restless.

They were all sat in their new classroom, not saying much to each other. Hermione was muttering to herself as she read her book. Athena noticed when Hermione was speed reading for something, her lips would move as she read the words in her head. Athena couldn't blame her for the nerves, after what Cath said this morning, she was rather nervous herself. She had never really spoken in front of a large group of people before.

Instead of pacing the room, an activity that seemed appealing, she decided to challenge Susan to a game of chess. Susan's chess skills were improving, she was very determined to beat Athena's tactics.

Meanwhile, Neville was sat at the teacher's desk, the only desk left in the room. Every now and then, he would flick through his chocolate frog cards, he was positive Nicolas Flamel was on them, even though he must have looked through the cards over one-hundred times. Athena had given up on the Flamel mystery, she agreed with Hermione they were told to leave it alone.

Susan and Neville however, still wanted to know, only with the little time the group had, they hadn't got very far.

"I found him!" Neville cried, as he nearly fell out of his oversize seat. "Here look."

Each of the girls flew to the feet, and dashed to see the card Neville was holding. The name read "Albus Dumbledore".

"Dumbledore?" Susan queried.

"Here look, "Neville started to read, "'Considered by many the greatest wizard – bluh, bluh bluh - and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel.'" Neville was looking at his friends, as if he'd found the answer to everything.

"Erm, Neville?" Hermione said hesitantly. "That doesn't actually tell us anything new?"

"No, but I knew he was on a chocolate frog card! It just wasn't his own!" Neville said.

"I'm glad you found what you were looking for Neville." Athena said kindly.

"You guys really aren't giving up with this are you?" Hermione said awkwardly.

"Don't you want to know what they are hiding in the school?" Susan returned.

Hermione sighed. "I do, I'm just scared we will fall behind."

Athena was worried about her Best Friend. She wasn't worried that they would fall behind, because with the way the group supported each other, that would be impossible. As a group, the worked hard, but Hermione seemed to work harder. It wouldn't surprise Athena if Hermione had already mastered every spell in the First-Year books. Why didn't she believe that was good enough?

Athena didn't get a chance to ask her friend, as the classroom door creeped open. Their study session was about to begin.

OOO

Student after Student wondered into their classroom. First, came a group of Ravenclaw girls, including Lisa who Hermione and Athena knew from Diagon Alley, and they were closely followed by the Hufflepuff boys and Lily. As Lily came in, she gave them a shy thumbs up and went and stood to the side. Next came the Gryffindor girls, along with Hannah, who came to greet Susan and her friends.

"Wow," Hannah said, "you have certainly attracted a lot of attention. Apparently, every prefect from every house, has encouraged their first years to attend."

Next came the Ravenclaw boys, and the Gryffindor boys. Ron, Dean and Seamus didn't look too impressed at being here.

"But why do we have to come, we can practice in the common room?" Dean moaned.

"I told you," Ron argued. "Percy is making me. Even Fred and George said I should come, which put me off more, but they threatened to prank me if I didn't." Ron shrugged.

"It might not be too bad," Seamus offered, "Just don't put your mouth in it, Ron." He joked.

"Oi! Sod off." Ron laughed and playfully shoved Seamus.

All the students had arrived from three of the houses, but Athena was starting to think her attempt to include the Slytherins was wasted. Until two more students made their way through the door, two girls with green ties. One girl was tall, with ice blonde hair and Athena noticed her features were very striking, and she stood very proudly. The other girl, had light brown hair and she looked very pleased to be here.

"Er, who let the Snakes in?" Ron barked. Seamus rolled his eyes at Ron's actions.

Athena didn't miss a moment; she wasn't sure what forwardness came over her.

She charged to the back of the class and loudly said, "Everybody is welcome to practice. House rivalry will not be accepted here."

She put out her hand to welcome the pair. "My name is Athena, we've not met?" The tall blonde one, simply raised an eyebrow towards her hand.

However, the other girl eagerly reached out around her friend to take Athena's hand. "Hi, I'm Tracey Davis and this is my best friend, Daphne Greengrass. Don't mind her, she takes a while to warm up to people. And you can call us by our given names."

"Tracey!" Daphne said harshly.

Tracey rolled her eyes at her friend, "Fine. You can call me Tracey." She smiled.

Athena still wasn't up together with her magical world etiquette and so she simply smiled back.

"You're not going to teach them, are you?" Ron said, clearly shocked at the exchange.

Apparently, Seamus was getting fed up with his friend and he kicked him in the shin, in an attempt to shut him up, "Ow! Mate!"

Athena spoke loudly, so all could hear. "Listen, Mr Weasley, this is not a class, we are not teaching you. It's a space for us all to practice and it's a place for us all to support each other. We may not be professors but in order to keep things running smoothly, we have been granted some power. If anybody is disturbing the group, we are allowed to grant a warning. If you receive a third warning you will not be allowed to return. Do you need a warning, Weasley?"

It felt weird, talking to a peer so formally, but she remembered Auntie Minerva had explained to her it was impolite to refer to someone as by their first name, without a level of informality already being established.

Ron muttered something, that sounded like no. Athena had a choice, she could make an example of Ron and force him to say sorry or she could wait and see if the message sinks in.

She decided to make her way back towards the front of the classroom. She saw Susan looked quite impressed with her display, whereas Hermione looked a bit star struck.

"Very eloquently put, Miss Potter." Athena hadn't noticed that Professor Flitwick had arrived. He was standing at the back of the class with a bag of strolls over his shoulder. "Oh, do not mind me. I'll just be over here marking these papers." He starting getting out his things and laying them on a table at the back. "I am very confident, I can leave things in the very cable hands of the four, you see in front of you." He gestured to Athena and her friends. Each of them stood taller than the rest as a few steps led the way to the desk. "Pretend, I'm not here. Pretend, I am not here." He said dismissively, as if shooing them back to work.

Only it was very evident that he was there, as nobody said a word as if they were waiting for him to say more.

Now, Athena felt nervous. She felt something in her stomach stir and she was suddenly grateful there wasn't much in it. She looked to her friends and Hermione looked like she had forgotten to breathe, Susan had nothing to say, which was rare and Neville looked like he had become a lobster for Halloween.

Athena, had to find her voice. "So? Thank you all for coming. Let me tell you more about what we are about." Athena was struggling to think why they were there. "Erm, two of us are from Hufflepuff -" The boys from Hufflepuff cheered. "and two of us are from Gryffindor." The cheer was louder this time and came from the back of the room. "But as Best Friends, we found we worked really well together, we all had different strengths and weaknesses, so we could help each other. But there wasn't really a place for us to practice spells together. So, we decided to start this club, it's not important, what colour tie you wear, everyone here is an individual, with strengths and weaknesses. And, er, it is our hope that we can all work together, to er be better." Athena felt like she was rambling, but she kept going.

"So, we have plans to work through the Standard Grade One spells, and we are following the school structure, so this week, we would like to work on the Levitation Spell, but if there are any other spells you feel you would like more practice with, just let one of us know, and we could work on that one too."

Athena felt a bit more on track now, "So, to start with, does anyone here, feel they have mastered the Levitation Charm?" Hermione put her hand up first, but Susan and Neville kept their arms down. A girl from Ravenclaw put her hand up and so did the blond girl, Miss Greengrass. That was pretty much the amount the group expected. Athena had managed the spell, but she didn't think she was very good at it.

Athena was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Hannah, raised her hand and asked, "Don't we need a name?

Out of reflex, Athena looked to Susan to answer, "We were actually going to ask you that at the end. We wanted to choose a name as a group." Susan told Hannah and the rest of the group. "If anyone has any ideas, we'd love to hear them, if we want more time to think, than we can always pick it next week?"

"What about? First Year Fighters?" Said Terry Boot, from Ravenclaw.

"That's rather aggressive." Hermione commented.

"First Year Spell casters?" A Ravenclaw girl said.

"It doesn't have to focus on us being first years." Athena said, "It would be nice if we could carry this on next year, as well."

"Hogwarts Spell Casters?" Neville suggested

The chatter in the room picked up, as everybody started playing around with words.

"Ok, Ok!" Athena called over the group; to her surprise, everybody stopped to listen. "I bet we have loads of ideas between us. How about, over the next week, pass your ideas to us on a piece of paper, we will pick, four or five and we will have a group vote next week?" Athena thought that was the fairest thing.

The group accepted the idea and Athena was able to move on to practicing magic. She requested that those who felt most confident support those around them and once they felt better, they too could start moving around the room.

At first, everybody kept to their normal groups, the Ravenclaws started talking together and practicing, while other houses just practiced quietly by themselves.

The four founders of the group, made their way down to the groups and started mixing with the other houses. Athena, made her way to the two Slytherins at the back. Daphne was helping Tracey with her wand movement. "Trace, look, you have to point with purpose, you are commanding the feather to lift, not asking it politely. Wingardium Leviosa." Without delay, the feather raised obediently.

"Wow nicely done. Do you think you could help me?" Athena asked boldly.

Daphne only looked at her at first, Athena didn't think she was going to respond, when suddenly she said, "Let's see what you can do?"

Athena wasn't sure what she expected, but she felt very put on the spot. She thought about what Daphne had just said to Tracey and she lifted her wand with purpose. The point of her crooked wand perfectly aligned with her arm as she swished and flicked. "Wingardium Leviosa." Athena said clearly. Athena may have overpowered the spell, as the feather flew up and dusted the old high beams of the classroom.

Tracey, looked at Athena in wonderment, whereas Daphne just shrugged, "Your spell work seems acceptable." She said simply.

"Acceptable?" Tracey commented, "Too good more like, you might want to rain it in a tad?" She giggled. It wasn't an unkind giggle, in fact it sounded just like something Susan would say.

"I guess, I know how to do the spell, but I just need to control it." Athena chuckled back.

With a little encouragement from Athena and advice from Daphne, Tracey also mastered the spell.

"Do you think you guys could move around the rest of the group? The more people that know, the more people who can get help."

For the first time that day, Tracey didn't look too joyful. "I don't think they will want our help."

"That's not what this group is about. Come on, I'll introduce you to some friends of mine."

Tracey was going to follow, but Daphne didn't move. "I know what you are trying to do, but it won't work. There is too much history between families."

Athena's mouth got away with her a bit; it had been doing that a lot lately. "Did your family have anything to do with my family being murdered?" She said, bluntly.

For the first time, Athena saw some emotion in Daphne's strong stern face. "No, our family have always been neutral." She said automatically.

"See, even if you had said yes, it wouldn't have meant you personally, had anything to do with it. You were a baby, just like me. If we find that we have similar interests, even if we have different opinions sometimes, there's no reason why we shouldn't be friends?" Athena said.

Athena was worried what Daphne would say, she actually looked confused. As if someone switched a switch, Daphne's expression changed again. "Either you are the most righteous Hufflepuff there is, or you are a Slytherin hiding with the badgers. Not only do you want to unite the Houses, which I thought was ambitious enough - you want to unite the families too." She sounded impressed.

Was that what she was doing? Athena thought to herself. She felt strongly the school houses didn't define who you were, but did that also apply to family names? She didn't think of it that way, but of course that is what it meant. Sirius, came from a family known to support Voldemort, that didn't mean Sirius supported Voldemort? Why should it? The Weasley family were apparently known for being well liked, but Athena didn't particularly like Ron.

"Honestly?" She responded with a shrug. "I just want everyone to get along. And it bothered me that it was pre-decided who I will be friends with, based on my house, or who my family was friends with."

Daphne glanced around the room, they noticed that some mixing of the houses had started to occur, more than you would normally see in a normal class.

When Athena looked back, Daphne had extended her hand. "Daphne Greengrass, Heir Apparent to House Greengrass. You can call me Daphne."

Athena wasn't sure what the formality meant. But she happily accepted her hand. "Please call me Athena."

Tracey looked like she was going to say something, but their discussion was interrupted by Hermione's cry.

"Stop, stop stop!" She cried at Ron, who was thrashing his wand at the feather. "You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar."

Ron looked like a swollen tomato, as he noticed everybody was staring at them. "You do it then, if you are so perfect?!" Ron called back.

Hermione pulled out her wand and levitated the feather. Wordlessly.

Everybody was watching by this point, and a gasp filled the room as Hermione performed wordless magic as a first year.

However, Ron didn't look happy. He looked mortified. "Why are you such a show off? It's a miracle you actually have friends!"

Athena wasn't sure what happened first, it all happened so fast. Her feet charged towards Ron, ready to scream at him for talking to Hermione like that. Susan, at some point had her wand in her hand. But it seemed the leader of the pack was Neville, as Neville's fist reached Ron's nose, everybody flinched at the sound it made, as Ron fell to the floor.

"MR LONGBOTTOM! CONTROL YOURSELF!" Professor Flitwick's little voice boomed. "Mr Weasley, I suggest you escort yourself to the Hospital Wing, I would like a talk with you Monday Lunch time. No doubt your Head of House would like a word with you too."

Professor Flitwick waited for Ron and his friends to leave, before he turned his attention to Neville. "Mr Longbottom, what do you suppose would happen, if I dealt would a student who spoke out of turn in my class, the same way you just did?"

Neville continued to look down at his feet. Athena could tell he was still angry at Ron, but he was also angry with himself.

"We shell discuss it Monday evening, this week and the following week. I am also going to deduct 20 points from Gryffindor."

"Yes, Professor." Neville accepted.

"Miss Granger, I -" Nobody knew what Professor Flitwick was going to say to Hermione, because as everybody turned around, Hermione was nowhere to be seen.

Athena's feet reacted quicker than her mind, she didn't know where she was running to, she just knew she needed to find Hermione.

OOO