Here's the next bit where we start to get into Hogwarts troubles! I don't care for this chapter as much as I thought I would, but I hope Dumbledore and Nox's talk in here is okay. Dumbledore is surprisingly hard to write without Nox showing his more... adult side.

Curious what you all think though! And expect stuff to get a little hectic as Umbridge starts making moves ;)

I felt like I'd just downed a bottle of fire whiskey. White-hot warmth flowed from my gut through my entire body as I practically skipped down the train corridors in search of whichever one held Harry. I heard subtle whispers from those who saw me—first years thinking I was mad and those in other years who knew me and my reputation wondering who'd gotten jinxed before even reaching the school. I opened the door to the compartment I'd seen a familiar face in and blinked in surprise at the small grey cactus Neville was holding and the goop sprayed all over them. I opened my mouth, closed it, and slowly began to shut the door.

"I see I've interrupted something. I'll just—"

"Nox, don't be silly," Ginny huffed, waving her wand and vanishing the goop.

"Hello," a feminine voice chimed then, drawing my gaze to Luna Lovegood. "You're Nox, right? The one with the crow."

She waved a hand idly at her shoulder where Dubh was missing from his usual perch and I nodded.

"He's not been right since he was hurt last year. I felt keeping him home this term would be best," I replied, though the decision hadn't come easily when Lupin had mentioned Dubh struggling to maintain his perch on my shoulder for long periods of time.

He was getting older and with the abuse his body had received courtesy of Barty Jr., he wouldn't be ready to go back to delivering letters or keeping me company at school. Especially not this year.

"Sorry, h-have we done something wrong?" Neville spoke up then, making me turn to him in confusion. "I-It's just… y-y-you're smiling."

I tipped my head. "Am I not allowed to smile?"

"It's just a bit weird," Harry murmured, shifting on his seat. "You're usually pretty stoic. You only smile like that when… well, when you've hexed someone you really don't like."

My smile fell and I blinked. "Oh. That would explain the looks I was getting in the corridors." I glanced over my shoulder and a few whispering third years yelped and scrambled out of sight. "Was it really that bad?" My brows furrowed. "And I'm genuinely happy too."

"About what? You're not usually one to be happy about heading back to Hogwarts," Harry mused, catching the letter I tossed him as a more easy-going smile flickered over my face.

"Remus gave that to me before I got on the train, though I suppose hanging Malfoy upside-down by his ankles was a bit of icing on the cake."

The group leaned close together to read it before their mouths dropped open.

"No way," Harry breathed.

"You're joking!" Ginny tacked on, looking excited as Neville looked more stunned.

"T-This is from Professor Lupin?"

"Yes, way. I'm not joking. And yes, it's from Professor Lupin. I've just been adopted," I beamed again, the group bursting into excitement themselves and congratulating me.

And when Ron and Hermione showed up, everyone was quick to tell them and I found myself suddenly sprawled across the seat with Hermione's arms wrapped tight around my neck, her voice tight with emotion.

"I'm so happy for you Nox. So, so happy."

"You should've seen Nox when he showed up," Harry chuckled. "Like the cat that caught the canary. Jinxed Malfoy in the hall and was scaring the first years, he was so happy."

Hermione gasped, pushing herself up off me as I sighed in mild annoyance.

I could taste a scolding.

"Nox, you can't be doing that! Malfoy's a Prefect now!"

I raised a brow at her, sitting up myself. "And?"

"And you could get in serious trouble!"

I'm already planning on it, actually, but I best not tell her that or I'll be getting lectured the whole trip. My gaze drifted but her hand snapped out and grabbed my face, squishing my cheeks and forcing me to face her scowling expression.

"Don't ignore me, Morpheus," she said sternly, making me wince at my middle name.

She was the reason the twins found out about it, no doubt. I get scolded by Lupin one time and she starts using it too.

"Promise me you won't cause any trouble this year!"

I snorted, getting a firm shake of my face in her frustration.

"I mean it! If you get expelled—"

"I won't get expelled," I grumbled, flinching a little as my cheeks were starting to hurt.

"No more jinxing Prefects!"

"Well—"

"And no teachers either!"

"But what if—"

The pressure of her fingers on my face grew as she leaned in.

"Promise me you won't, or I'll tell Dobby and the other house-elves to only give you pumpkin juice."

My eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."

Her lip twitched up in a small smirk. "Promise me."

We were locked in a staring match, neither willing to give up in this fight, before Ron coughed loudly.

"Would you two just kiss already?"

"Ron!" Harry hissed, elbowing him as both our faces turned red and we realized our positions.

I was leaning back against the wall of the compartment and Hermione was hovering over me with a knee between my legs and her face rather close to mine as she squished my poor abused cheeks. This hadn't been the first time we'd been caught in an awkward position like this either. Hermione scrambled to sit back down properly whereas I just rubbed at my sore jaw.

"J-Just try not to cause trouble, Nox. Malfoy will really try to get back at you if you do."

He's not the one I need to worry about, I mused but felt I better compromise. "I promise I won't try anything unless I feel it is absolutely necessary to protect someone, okay?"

She sighed but conceded before Luna spoke.

"Are you two dating?"

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. This is going to be a long train ride.

The train ride did feel forever long though we were thoroughly amused with Luna. Or at least, I was. The others thought her strange, but I'd seen worse, and strange was hardly something to be bothered by. They were friends with me, after all, so maybe that was why they didn't seem to mind her strangeness as much as I'd expected. She was nice too, far better than some of the people we dealt with in Hogwarts and she looked good too. I was honestly a bit surprised that someone hadn't managed to see her potential yet but was quick to be reminded that I had another pretty girl seated right beside me when Hermione crushed my foot with her heel. My own fault. She's a bit of the jealous type. Still, I was quick to reassure her by leaning against her shoulder and slipping into a light doze as we got in the carriages.

There were only a few things out of place when we finally reached the castle. For one thing, Hagrid was missing—though I knew it was because he was still off dealing with the giants that Dumbledore hoped to sway away from Voldemort's side.

"He's not there," Harry muttered.

"He can't have left," Ron mused, a bit worried.

"Of course, he hasn't."

"You don't think he's… hurt or anything, do you?"

"He's fine," I hummed, drawing their attention to me as I spared Harry a pointed look. "He was busy, remember? Probably just lost track of time or got distracted on the way back. I suggest we stay quiet about it though. Dumbledore might not want everyone in the school knowing."

The trio nodded, but Harry eyed me uneasily and I sighed.

"I swear, he's fine."

Harry slowly nodded and we ignored the odd looks from the other two as I eyed the other oddity at the staff table. Umbridge was sitting at Dumbledore's side, chattering into his ear and sticking out like a sore thumb in her fluffy pink cardigan. Hermione must have noticed my staring though.

"Nox? What is it?"

I nodded towards her. "I don't like her."

Ron snorted. "You haven't even heard her speak yet, Nox. How can you hate her already?"

"Easily," I murmured, eyes focused on her as the first years finally wandered in to get sorted and for once, I listened to the Sorting Hat's song as it warned us to what was coming.

"Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you…
Let the sorting now begin."

Murmurs and whispers broke the applause this year and Ron's eyebrows were raised in suspicion.

"Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?"

"Too right, it has," Harry agreed.

"I wonder if it's ever given warnings before…"

"Yes, indeed," Nearly Headless Nick said, leaning across Neville who shivered. "The Hat feels itself honor-bound to give the school due warning whenever it feels—" He stopped as McGonagall frowned around the room at those whispering, starting to call up the first-years one at a time.

Then, Dumbledore stood gave a quick greeting, and summoned the food, which I greedily tucked into. I let out a groan of ecstasy as I bit into a nice lamb chop, my taste for meat having grown quite a bit since my transformations. When I went for my drink though, I nearly choked, forcing myself to swallow the bitter concoction that had replaced my usual drink and earning a confused look from the others.

"Full moon is coming up," I grumbled, scowling at my Wolfsbane Potion-filled goblet in disdain. "He couldn't have waited until after?"

A quick glance at Snape told me that, no, he did this on purpose. Malfoy must have mentioned my jinxing him on the train to him or something. Git. Hermione turned back to Nearly Headless Nick though, satisfied when I drank my potion again as I should.

"What were you saying before the sorting? About the hat giving warnings?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, I have heard the hat give several warnings before, always at times when it detects periods of great danger for the school. And always, of course, its advice is the same: stand together, be strong from within."

Ron attempted to ask something, but his mouth was so full that none of us could understand him until he swallowed. "How can it know if the school's in danger if it's a hat?"

"I have no idea," Nicholas admitted. "Of course, it lives in Dumbledore's office, so I daresay it picks things up there."

I hummed in agreement. "No one considers what could be overheard by inanimate objects. Bit silly, considering the portraits are enchanted and gossip. Ignoring things that could be enchanted seemed stupid."

"Ah, but how could you tell if it's enchanted or not if it pretends to not be?" Nicholas challenged, making me frown.

"Suppose extreme paranoia is the only way to be safe." I looked at Hermione. "Would you still love me if I had a swirling magic eyeball?"

She smacked my shoulder as I chuckled, amused.

"Still," Harry grumbled. "The hat wants all the houses to be friends? Fat chance."

"Well, now, you shouldn't take that attitude," Nicholas argued. "Peaceful co-operation, that's the key. We ghosts, though we belong to separate houses, maintain links of friendship. In spite of the competitiveness between Gryffindor and Slytherin, I would never dream of seeking an argument with the Bloody Baron."

"Only because you're terrified of him," Ron countered, making him bristle.

"Terrified? I hope I, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, have never been guilty of cowardice in my life! The noble blood that runs in my veins—"

"What blood? Surely, you haven't still got—"

"Ron," I grumbled as Nicholas snapped at Ron and floated away to sit by the Creevey brothers.

"Well done, Ron," Hermione scolded him.

"What? I'm not allowed to ask a simple question?"

"Not if you're gonna be a git about it, no," I replied, sipping my now tea-filled goblet. "You know, Ron, if you don't start thinking through what you're saying, you'll never get a girlfriend."

He gaped at me before scowling and grumbling about not wanting one as he plowed into his food once more. And once the food was devoured, Dumbledore stood for his start-of-term speech.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices. First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students—and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."

His gaze drifted to me, making me wrinkle my nose. I always hope he'll forget to announce that one year.

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the—"

"Hem, hem."

All eyes went to Umbridge, who had the shock of the entire Great Hall as Dumbledore politely stopped his speech midway and sat for Umbridge to stand. Even the professors were stunned by the interruption.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!"

"Oh, fuck off," I muttered, apparently not quietly enough for I enticed some snickers from those nearby.

No one was really listening after all, especially when she went on to blabber about the Ministry and the progress of the school's education. People had started whispering and giggling to one another—something that never occurred when Dumbledore was speaking—though it wasn't as though Umbridge was paying any attention as I leaned towards Hermione.

"So, you remember that promise I made? About not jinxing teachers?"

"Nox," she hissed. "Don't you dare!"

"Oh, come on. Can you imagine what lessons are gonna be like? Bet she won't teach us anything. She'll be worse than Lockhart. So, just let me do one little Melofors Jinx—"

"No, Nox. You'll get expelled."

"I'll change her hair color then! Make her grow a tail! Oh, I'll get detention, of course, but if she deserves it—"

"I will give you detention," she snapped, though I saw her eyes drift to Umbridge as though she were imaging her with a tail for a second before she shook her head. "No. Absolutely not. You swore only if it's to protect someone."

"It is. Me. I'm protecting what little sanity I have left."

She smacked my shoulder before there was a spattering of claps and Umbridge finally sat down to let Dumbledore finish. Hermione's focus wasn't on his explanation of when Quidditch tryouts were though, having actually been listening to Umbridge's rambling.

"It explained a lot," Hermione informed Ron, who was eyeing her in disbelief that she'd been paying attention to Umbridge at all.

"Did it?" Harry questioned, also uninterested. "Sounded like a load of waffle to me."

"There was some important stuff hidden in the waffle."

"Was there?"

"Yeah, blueberries," I snickered, earning an eye-roll from Hermione as the two boys chuckled.

"How about: 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged'? How about: 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited'?" Hermione quoted.

"Well, what does that mean?" Ron grumbled.

"It means, the Ministry is interfering with the school now," I explained simply. "Umbridge plans on cutting lessons or even classes."

They went to say something, but a clatter meant that Dumbledore had released us to head to bed and Hermione and Ron—as Prefects—were needed to lead the first-years. So, they split off and Harry glanced at me.

"So, we heading upstairs? I'm pretty beat."

I went to agree, only to spot a flare of light in the corner of my vision, drawing my gaze to Dumbledore who tugged on his ear while giving me a pointed look. Great. Pinning a target on me already? I looked at Harry apologetically.

"Sorry. I've got to speak to Dumbledore apparently."

Harry frowned. "Just you?"

I resisted the urge to sigh, knowing this was his frustration at not being told things building up his distrust towards me. "If it's anything important, I'll tell you and the others later. Not where people can listen in though, okay?"

He nodded, though still not looking pleased, and headed off on his own as I made for Dumbledore's office. I was cautious though, ensuring that Umbridge wasn't around and no one was watching as I scowled at the gargoyle.

"He didn't tell me the password… lemon sherbet, licorice wands, treacle tart, um…" My brows furrowed before an elderly voice spoke up from behind me.

"Sugar quills, for now, Mr. Sterling," Dumbledore hummed as the gargoyle leaped out of the way. "Ah, though I suppose it's Mr. Lupin now, correct?"

I rolled my eyes as I trailed after him. Like you weren't the one who set it all up. Honestly. "What is it you wanted to speak about, sir?"

He held a finger to his lips, silencing me as my eyes drifted towards the other headmasters in their portraits who were also silent but attentive. Dumbledore flicked his wand and seemingly nothing happened, though I felt a sort of tightness in the air around me, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Apologies, though I do feel it best to keep what we discuss about the Order between ourselves."

My eyes narrowed as he sat down at his desk, taking a seat in the plush chair he'd summoned for me and growing serious. A lot had changed in the Order since he'd not been around at my home except for the first few meetings. Most of his information had been relayed through multiple people since we couldn't trust that owls wouldn't be intercepted. Either way, he undoubtedly heard about the incident I'd had with Mrs. Weasley and the others.

"Now then," he hummed smiling politely as he interlocked his fingers on his desk. "What do you think?"

"What, did you redecorate?" I joked, eyes not leaving his false smile as his lip twitched up a bit.

"You've grown a sense of humor, I see."

"I've always had one," I countered. "You've just not been around to see it."

It was a verbal jab at his absence at the later Order meetings, but if the comment bothered him, he didn't show it.

"Yes, well, you would have noticed, I'm sure, but I was busy as well."

"Course," I said, voice clipped as my fingers grew a bit twitchy.

The air was thick with magic due to his sound-proofing spell and despite my magic sensitivity having become manageable without potions and headaches, I could still tell when there was something powerful wrapping around the room. He seemed to notice too.

"Apologies. It must be tiring, yes?"

"Mildly suffocating," I hummed, gaze drifting to a familiar face in a portrait. "How's Sirius?"

The man, Phineas Nigellus Black, scoffed. "Fine."

So detailed, I mused sarcastically. And to think I agreed to letting your smug face hang in my house.

"You have concerns?" Dumbledore questioned.

"Obviously. He's not someone who sits still willingly nor happily," I replied. "Much like myself."

He let out a short chuckle. "Yes. I heard you had a rather entertaining evening before one of the last meetings."

I don't like the way he said that. Did he…? "Did you set the time for the meeting?" I questioned, scowling as his false smile seemed to grow.

"I simply believed—as we were intruding in your home—tensions would rise and you would let them be, as you tend to do. So, I felt a… push was needed for you to reaffirm your place to silence those who were against you being in the Order. I will admit that I assumed those your own age would cause you more trouble than Mrs. Weasley and Mundungus."

Liar. "I can handle those my age, it's those who think they're better and more experienced because they're older who needed the affirmation," I said shortly.

"Because you've been sharing to Harry, despite my requests."

And the crux of the problem. "And how long do you plan to keep him in the dark?" I asked—his false smile falling. "Harry is directly involved in this. Voldemort is after him. Harry being completely clueless as to what's happening is only causing more harm. He's too unprepared for what's coming and doesn't even understand why Voldemort's so determined to kill him. He deserved to be a part of this more than I did, but you've been avoiding giving him any answers for the very same reason Mrs. Weasley refuses to acknowledge me in the Order. You're afraid of losing his trust and hurting him, but you're doing both by not giving him a chance."

The look on Dumbledore's face was the only thing that kept me from going on and potentially losing my temper with him. It was calm, cold, all-knowing, suspicious. Did I say something wrong?

"You speak as if you know why Voldemort is going after him," he pointed out which, technically, I did.

But he shouldn't know that. Did I slip up? "I don't," I lied, though there was an added tension in the room that wasn't the soundproofing that put me on edge. "But to try and kill a baby? Something so defenseless? People don't do that just because. They do that because they're a threat; they're in the way," I tried to reason, spilling out half-formed deductions in the hopes of appeasing him and keep him from digging deeper into this.

He hummed, as though considering this. "So, you've taken it upon yourself to designate what he's allowed to hear?"

"That's not—" I winced, sinking back in my chair a bit and suddenly feeling like an actual child.

And in a way, I was in comparison to this person. Dumbledore was an aged wizard with far more years of experience under his belt than my mere sixty to seventy years. He had more experience in this world than I did and was in such a position of power and leadership that he knew how to read even the best of liars, knew how to protect his secrets, and find threats in even the most peaceful of times. So, in this moment, I was scared of what he was capable of.

Then, his expression softened into something more… sad, throwing me off guard as he let out a soft sigh and leaned back in his seat.

"I truly have lost my ways if I've resorted to frightening one of my students."

I remained silent for a moment before speaking up. "I'm only telling him things he should know for his own safety," I murmured. "I know I may not be picking the right things in your eyes, but… he should know. He's old enough to understand and may be a bit… stubborn and untrusting for a while but I'm sure…"

I trailed off, wringing my hands as he watched me.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're wiser than I," he hummed, smiling a little at my stunned expression. "Not in all ways, or even very many."

Oh, gee, thanks.

"But perhaps, in this, you are." He waved his hand and a couple of glasses appeared and a decanter of alcohol that drew my eye. "Drink?"

I raised a brow, wondering if this was a test, but feeling that I needed a bit of liquid courage to calm my nerves. "Only if you don't tell Hermione."

He chuckled, one far more relaxed than he had been, and I accepted the drink with a sigh of relief as the warmth sank into my body and helped me relax.

"You're going to tell him about this too, are you not?"

And I nearly choked. I blinked back tears as I coughed, shooting him a dark look as he obviously knew what he was doing.

"I-I told him I would," I grumbled. "Though, I had expected us to talk about something else."

"Ah, Umbridge, yes? I take it you dislike her presence?"

It was more of a statement than a question.

"Hermione has forbidden me from jinxing her unless it's to keep someone safe if that's what you're worried about," I replied, sipping my drink once more.

"Of course," he hummed, highly amused by Hermione being the one person controlling me. "Though I am curious about your opinion of her."

I stared at him, long and hard. "I don't even know her."

"You've known her for at least the fifteen minutes she spent interrupting my speech."

That got a hint of a smile from me. So, he was bothered.

"She feels she's entitled because the Ministry sent her," I shrugged. "So, yes. I dislike her and from what Hermione caught of her speech—Don't give me that. She's worse than Professor Binns so why would I listen," I huffed at the look he gave me. "What she said though, has me concerned as to her… sway at Hogwarts. This is just the Minster sending in a spy who can regulate what you're teaching the students. All it takes is her sending one letter to him, and you'll have the Ministry changing everything that Hogwarts is meant to be."

"Which I am fully prepared to deal with."

I gave him a drab look. "And by 'deal with' you mean just let it happen and see where it goes, right?"

"Perhaps."

I rolled my eyes. "And you wonder why I don't trust you."

He chuckled at that, lifting his glass. "I'll sway you to my side sooner or later, Nox."

"I don't choose sides," I grumbled.

"Ah, quoting young Scamander there. He said much the same to me when I attempted to get his help dealing with an old… friend of mine."

"I know the stories," I murmured. Part of it anyway. "How do you plan on dealing with Umbridge? You can't just leave it to the students."

"Why not? You're a student as well, are you not?"

I shot him a look. "And I plan to handle some of the trouble she'll bring, but I do expect some assistance from someone holding more power than a measly sixteen-year-old."

"Ah, but we both know you're much more than that, Nox," he purred, gaze sharp and all-knowing once more. "I'll trust you with ensuring the students learn what they should despite Umbridge's tutelage."

"Me?"

"Are you not one of the best duellers of your year?" He pressed.

"I'm not—"

"Remus was singing your praises after your duel with Mundungus," he went on, again looking amused. "And while some of it may have been a bit embellished by his favoritism towards you, Mundungus—despite all appearances—is a capable duellist and wouldn't have gone down easily. I do believe Remus mentioned a concern for anyone to get on your bad side as well, considering the nature of your temper at the time. I simply assumed you would do as you planned, and keep Harry prepared for what was to come."

Damn old man twisting my words, I mentally grumbled. "Hermione will be glad you didn't make me a Prefect then," I huffed, standing carefully as the light buzz of alcohol made the fuzzy feeling of the room even fuzzier. "I'll be getting detention a lot."

"Which I'm positive you will handle in your own unique way."

I snorted. "If you mean by giving her as big of a hassle as I can, you can bet my dragon's arse I will. She'll be right furious with me. She can only expel me, after all, and I'd much rather be with my creatures than dealing with her nonsense."

"Your friends will be upset."

"Not like it'd be hard to sneak in. Sirius did it, after all. I could always hide in my tower."

Dumbledore cracked a small smile, but it looked sad almost. "Do you believe I should tell Harry the truth? Why Voldemort wants to harm him?"

I looked at him from over my shoulder, hand on the door out. "I think you should have told him before."

The first evening passed with quite a bit of tension. Harry had gotten into a fight with Seamus about how his mother viewed Harry and Dumbledore due to the Daily Prophet articles slandering them both. Then, Nox had returned looking mildly annoyed and explained to Harry that Dumbledore would speak with him about things momentarily and if he didn't, then Nox himself would.

"And why can't you just tell me now?"

"Because it's Dumbledore's responsibility. He's the one who knows the whole story and should have told you already. I'll give him till the end of the month before I just explain it myself, okay…? Look, Harry, I'm trying. If I could give you everything without fucking up the future, I would, but right now, not even I'm prepared to deal with the aftermath. And I know you won't trust me that this is the right decision, but at least give me a chance. This isn't easy for me and it's definitely not easy for Dumbledore either if that means anything to you."

Both events meant that the next morning Seamus was gone before Harry dressed and Nox looked as though he hadn't slept at all before, he went downstairs to do his morning exercise routine. Hermione was frustrated too, having been trying to deal with Fred and George searching for testers for their new joke treats and Ron was refusing to help despite being a Prefect. And when Ron mentioned Seamus's disagreement with Harry, she begrudgingly admitted that some of the other Gryffindor girls felt the same. Harry was starting to get frustrated with the whole thing and couldn't wait for Dumbledore to just summon him and give an explanation as to why he had to deal with this.

"The point is that this sort of thing is exactly what Dumbledore was talking about," Hermione urged them to understand. "You-Know-Who's only been back two months and we've already started fighting among ourselves. And the sorting hat's warning was the same: stand together, be united—"

"And Harry got it right last night," Ron countered. "If that means we're supposed to get matey with the Slytherins—fat chance."

"You never know," Nox said, stepping in and drying his hair from his morning shower. "There might be some decent Slytherins. We've only met, what? Five? Six tops? And even if we don't get on with them, it wouldn't hurt to make friends in the other houses. Luna's decent and she's from Ravenclaw and Cedric has already proven helpful back during the tournament, and he's from Hufflepuff. You'd be surprised what common ground you can find."

Hermione nodded. "I think it's a pity we're not trying for a bit of inter-house unity. Oh, give me that, Nox." Hermione stole the towel Nox had been using before drying his hair with a flick of her wand. "Honestly, why use a towel at all?"

"Old habits," Nox hummed, surprising them all when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Thanks."

She sputtered, cheeks red, and earning a smile from Nox before she lightly smacked his arm. "N-Not in public!"

"Oh, should we find a broom cupboard instead?" He teased, making Harry chuckle as Hermione smacked his arm repeatedly until he apologized, and they headed for the Great Hall for breakfast.

Hagrid still wasn't back, and Hermione hoped that the reason Dumbledore didn't mention anything was because he didn't want to draw attention to it. Nox reassured them that Dumbledore hadn't told him anything about Hagrid during our meeting, but that he was undoubtedly fine, and we should be more careful about what we were saying with Umbridge around now.

"You really don't like her, do you?" Harry muttered.

"Should we be worried this is another Lockhart situation?" Ron snickered, making Nox frown.

"Lockhart was an annoying liar. Umbridge is different. She's got power backing her up and that very same power thinks Dumbledore is out to get him. As long as she's around, this term isn't going to go well."

"You're starting to sound a bit paranoid, mate."

Nox rolled his eyes before the mail swooped in. A large barn owl dropped a Daily Prophet in Hermione's lap while Nox received a letter from an eagle owl that he frowned at, eyes drifting to Dumbledore as the man completely ignored him and ate his breakfast.

"What are you still getting that for?" Harry scowled at Hermione. "I'm not bothering. Load of rubbish."

"It's best to know what the enemy is saying," Hermione argued, earning a hum and nod from Nox as he read through his letter. "…Nothing. Nothing about you or Dumbledore or anything."

"They're not about to put in anything important," Nox mused, folding his letter and lighting it with a candle that was on the table.

"Mr. Sterling—"

"Lupin," Nox corrected McGonagall, who's lip twitched up from its scowl.

"Mr. Lupin then. Do try not to set your letters aflame at the dinner table."

"Sure," Nox shrugged, using his wand to vanish the ash and taking his class schedule from her as Ron groaned at his.

"Look at today! History of Magic, double Potions, Divination, and double Defense Against the Dark Arts. Binns, Snape, Trelawney, and that Umbridge woman all in one day! I wish Fred and George'd hurry up and get those Skiving Snackboxes sorted."

"Do my ears deceive me?" Fred said, having apparently just arrived with his twin and sliding up to sit with the group. "Hogwarts prefects surely don't wish to skive off lessons?"

"Look what we've got today," Ron argued, showing him. "That's the worst Monday I've ever seen."

"Fair point, little bro. You can have a bit of Nosebleed Nougat cheap if you like."

"Why's it cheap?" Ron questioned, knowing the twins better than anyone.

It wouldn't be cheap without reason.

"Because you'll keep bleeding till you shrivel up, we haven't got an antidote yet," George replied, discouraging Ron from buying it, but it piqued Nox's interest.

"Have you tried using Murtlap essence? It helps heal abrasions and other injuries by increasing the blood's ability to clot and repair. Should be decent for that or any of the other ones you're up to."

Fred and George leaned in eagerly. "Don't suppose you could…"

"…perhaps set us up with some?"

Nox smirked. "You guys keep me supplied with decent drinks in the castle, and I'll get you some within the week."

"It's a deal!"

The three shook hands as Hermione groaned loudly, dropping her face into her palm.

"I'm never going to be able to get you to stop helping them, am I? And drinking is still bad for you, Nox!"

"I do it in moderation," Nox countered, smirking a little. "And I'm sure you wouldn't mind a nice wine every now and then. Besides, without these two and their jokes, there's a lot of people who wouldn't be able to smile in the castle. Let them have their fun."

Hermione frowned over at Fred and George, who both raised their brows, expecting some retribution, but she surprised them.

"Fine. But! No forcing first years into anything especially. I want contracts written up for those who end up testing your products and a promise that a portion of your profits will go to something more useful."

Fred and George exchanged looks before smiling and agreeing, thrusting out their hands.

"All right! Contracts and no first years."

"And we'll donate five percent to a magical creature reserve."

"Not mine," Nox said pointedly. "I've got enough money and I'm not about to go hounding my friends for more. I can recommend one though if you'd like."

They nodded.

"Sure thing! And hey, if you ever need one, Hermione, we'll give you it for free for helping out."

"Yeah. You're starting your fifth year, so you'll be begging us for a Snackbox before long."

Hermione frowned. "And why would starting fifth year mean I want a Skiving Snackbox?"

"Fifth year's OWL year," George reminded her.

"So?"

"So, you've got your exams coming up, haven't you? They'll be keeping your noses so hard to that grindstone they'll be rubbed raw," Fred added.

"Half our year had minor breakdowns coming up to OWLs. Tears and tantrums… Patricia Stimpson kept coming over faint," George listed off.

"Kenneth Towler came out in boils, d'you remember?"

"That's 'cause you put Bulbadox powder in his pajamas."

"Oh, yeah. I'd forgotten. Hard to keep track sometimes, isn't it?"

"Anyway, it's a nightmare of a year, the fifth. If you care about exam results, anyway. Fred and I managed to keep our peckers up somehow."

"Yeah, congrats on that," Nox mused, earning thanks from them. "Three each?"

"Yup! But we feel our futures lie outside the world of academic achievement."

"We seriously debated whether we were going to bother coming back for our seventh year now that we've got that betting money. Thanks again for that, Nox."

"Sure. Did you pick a decent place?"

"Course! We just need to keep gathering supplies and get workers to make the stuff."

"Place is perfect too. Lots of customers and Hogwarts won't even know we've gone."

"Filch is gonna be furious. C'mon, George, if we get there early we might be able to sell a few Extendable Ears before Herbology."

"Oh, wait. One last thing," Nox said, getting up and meeting with them before they left, drawing Hermione's narrow-eyed gaze as they whispered and Nox received a duel thumbs-up.

"What was that about?"

"Oh, you'll thank me, trust me. I'll be keeping them off Umbridge for a while… Well, I say a while…"

"I know you hate her, but at least try and keep our promise, Nox. You could get in serious trouble for attacking a Ministry worker!"

"I'm keeping my promise. No shenanigans unless I'm protecting someone."

"Um, do you reckon it's true this year's going to be really tough? Because of the exams?" Harry asked, worried.

"Oh, yeah," Ron agreed. "Bound to be, isn't it? OWLs are really important; affect the jobs you can apply for and everything. We get career advice, too, later this year, Bill told me. So, you can choose what NEWTs you want to do next year."

"D'you know what you want to do after Hogwarts?" Harry asked as the group headed for their first class.

"Not really," Ron admitted. "Except… well…"

"What?" Harry pressed, seeing his shyness and wondering what he could be thinking.

"Well, it'd be cool to be an Auror."

"Yeah, it would," Harry agreed, but Ron still looked uneasy.

"But they're, like, the elite. You've got to be really good. What about you, Hermione?"

"I don't know. I think I'd like to do something really worthwhile."

"An Auror's worthwhile!" Harry countered, but she didn't look convinced.

"Yes, it is, but it's not the only worthwhile thing. I mean, if I could take SPEW further…"

"You should pick something where you can influence people then," Nox mused, making the group turn to him. "That's the way you make changes. If you can get connections and impact people's lives, they might be more willing to listen. You should look into working in the Ministry if you ask me.

"But the Ministry is—"

"Corrupt right now, but Dumbledore's not about to let things stand. Things will change as time goes on and getting a career there could give you the power to try adding getting new laws passed."

"What are you planning on doing, Nox?" Harry asked.

"Magizoologist, probably," Nox shrugged. "But I think taking a place in the Ministry under the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures could be helpful. As corrupt as it is, there needs to be change and being in that position means I could help regulate black market creature sales and help change the attitudes towards creatures in general."

"You… You really thought this through, didn't you?"

I raised a brow. "Am I not supposed to? I think things through normally and I technically already run a business. I have to think about my place in things."

"Well, I think you'd do great in either career," Hermione murmured, earning a snort from Ron.

"Shush, you," Nox chided him. "You're gonna have to get your grades up if you want to be an Auror, especially in potions."

"Ugh, don't remind me."