Part III: Revelation

Chapter I: In Which Corinna Gets Passed Over

In hindsight, Corinna would grow to appreciate the fact that Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted cared so much. At the moment, however, she wanted nothing more than to disappear.

When Dora first apparated them back to the house, Corinna was greeted with hugs and relief. Ever the healers, they looked over her ear and changed the bandages, even if she had changed them after showering the night before. They told her the exact same things that Madam Pomfrey had told her about the injury. She already knew she was going to be in for a rough few weeks, if the demon voice she heard whenever she talked was any indication.

Then they sat her down at the table, and she knew she was in for it.

"While what you did was very noble, it was also very stupid," said Aunt Andromeda. Her back was ramrod straight as she bore her eyes into Corinna. "Running off to the Ministry instead of allowing Professor Snape to alert the Order to handle things."

"We did tell him," Corinna defended weakly. "We just didn't realize that he understood Harry's coded message since we couldn't blatantly say anything with Umbridge around."

"Then why didn't you go to him once you got away from Umbridge?" asked Dora. At least none of them seemed to have a problem with Umbridge's demise. And Corinna did gloss over the fact that she spit in her face, a memory that would help her create a corporeal Patronus every time.

"I mean, we were already in the Forbidden Forest, and the thestrals were coming out of the woodwork. We just went for it. We were just focused on saving Sirius."

The questions kept coming on what they could have or should have done differently when it came to the events of the faithful night.

"I think what you need to remember is that you are still a teenager," said Uncle Ted, looking the most disappointed in Corinna at that moment. It was worse than Aunt Andromeda's anger. "It's not your responsibility to save the day."

"What I did as a teenager does pale in comparison to this," said Dora with a playful smile. She nudged Corinna's shoulder, who was oddly stiff after the dressing down. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself about this. That's what the adults are for. It takes something special to do what you lot did."

She was still grounded, not that it meant much. She wasn't allowed to leave the house unless accompanied by Aunt Andromeda, Uncle Ted, or Dora. Which would have been the rule anyway considering You-Know-Who was Public Enemy Number One again. It was a fact they all had known and believed for a year now, but it seemed now that the Ministry has acknowledged his return and there is no need for him to hide. Reading the Daily Prophet became less about finding out what was going on in the world and instead turned into checking if someone you knew was killed or went missing.

One article she was surprised to read was speculation as to why the numerous Death Eaters that were caught (which, sadly, didn't include Bellatrix) were trying to steal a prophecy containing information about You-Know-Who and Harry Potter. Of course, it was easy to connect some of the dots. Since Harry was the only one to have ever survived the killing curse and the one who tried to kill him was You-Know-Who. The article went on to suggest that Harry just might be "The Chosen One" who will rid the world of You-Know-Who. Corinna, of course, thought that it was completely absurd. Or, was it, really? Why else would the Death Eaters want that prophecy so badly, the one that Harry and Neville smashed when trying to get away from the Death Eaters in the chamber with the veiled archway. No one knew what the prophecy held so it would all simply be speculation.

Corinna hardly saw Dora at home except when she needed to change or sleep. Between the Aurors office in upheaval from You-Know-Who's official return and doing things for the Order, Dora didn't seem to get much of a chance to breathe. She also started being less and less of her colorful self. The last time Corinna had seen Dora, she had mousy brown hair and looked quite drawn. Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted were also pulling longer shifts at St. Mungo's as more and more people were being attacked. She found herself being alone more times than not, which didn't bother her last summer at the Crouch Manor, but now that she had a family, she very much would like to see them.

A fortnight after coming home from Hogwarts, Corinna received a school owl with her O.W.L.s results. She knew they would be coming sometime in July, but she wasn't fully prepared when it did arrive. Only Uncle Ted was home at the time, just coming back from a double. It seemed like all he wanted to do was go to bed, he sat at the table with Corinna as she opened the envelope.

After going through what the pass and fail grades meant, she stared at her results:

Ancient Runes: P

Astronomy: A

Care of Magical Creatures: A

Charms: O

Defense Against the Dark Arts: O

Herbology: E

History of Magic: P

Potions: O

Transfiguration: E

"Two O's, that's incredible," said Uncle Ted, beaming with pride. Corinna still couldn't believe she had gotten an Outstanding in Defense. Harry was an amazing teacher after all, even if she did keep getting distracted by him. "Did you get the grades you wanted?"

Corinna could almost see her grandfather focusing more on the P's she received than on the O's, particularly the P in Ancient Runes. She had partially taken that class to appease him about his love of languages. She was glad she no longer would have to take it, even if she did have to admit that it had its enjoyable moments.

"Yeah," she said as she looked it over again. "Yeah, it means I get to continue with the classes I need to…"

"To, what, Corinna?"

She looked up at Uncle Ted. He still had an easy smile on his face, but his brows furrowed in confusion.

"I can continue the classes I need to become a healer."

Uncle Ted seemed to be taken aback a moment before his smile widened. "That's great, Corinna! I didn't know you were interested in becoming a healer."

"After reading through the leaflets, it's what I was drawn to most," said Corinna, deciding to keep the real reason why she wanted to become a healer to herself. "I hope that's alright."

"Of course, it's alright," said Uncle Ted as he slung his arm over Corinna's shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. "No matter what you decided to do, we would be proud. But I will admit, hearing that you want to be a healer fills me with a little more pride. Although, you just might change your mind seeing the hours 'Dromeda and I have to pull."

"Doubtful," said Corinna with a smile on her face. She turned and wrapped her arms around Uncle Ted in a compete hug. "Thank you, Uncle Ted."

The weeks after that seemed to blur together. Just a few days before August, Aunt Andromeda was looking over her ear and, after reassuring her that Corinna didn't hear any more ringing or demon voices, or have any sudden bouts of vertigo, she announced that the rupture had healed itself and Corinna should be able to hear as normal once all the pus clears up. That came as a relief as she was tired of waking up with the fowl-smelling liquid pooling on her pillow or being immobilized when the ringing and pain became too much.

Her Hogwarts letter and booklist arrived one the first of August. She was quite amazed at how little she had to buy compared to previous years as she could mark a few off her list as she did not plan on taking very many classes. She thought five classes were too few, but Dora reassured her, on one of the rare nights she was home for dinner, that those five classes alone will be hell for the next two years, especially if she needed to get all E's on her N.E.W.T.s in order to even be considered for the Healer Academy.

"I just wonder who they got to be the new Defense teacher," said Corinna as she poked at her goulash. She had to admit that hers was not as good as Aunt Andromeda's, but everyone reassured her that it was fine.

"I guess you will find out at the Welcome Feast," Dora teased lightly, but her eyes didn't have the normal glint it normally does. "Listen, Molly is going to be taking her lot along with Harry and Hermione to Diagon Alley on Saturday to get their supplies. She's hoping Arthur will have the time off, but I volunteered to go either way. You should go with us, as long as it's okay with Mum and Dad."

Corinna took a moment to remember who Dora was referring to. Arthur and Molly were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "Well, she needs her books," said Aunt Andromeda. "I suppose it's alright."

After dinner was cleaned up, Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted retired to the living room to listen to the wireless and read as they tend to do when they both have evenings off. Corinna and Dora sat at the table with a game of Exploding Snap between them. Zelda was fast asleep on the chair next to Corinna, where she would pet her in between hands. "So," said Corinna as she debated her next move, "why the hair? You normally have fun colors."

"I'm just finding it hard to change my appearance," said Dora as she didn't look up at Corinna. "Probably with what's been going on lately."

"You were able to change last year, and the only thing that's different is that everyone knows he's back," said Corinna, assuming that Dora was talking about how their world seemed to change overnight. So, she over-simplified things. There is a reason why she reads the Prophet religiously every morning while she drank her tea.

"It's not that…"

"Then what is it?" When Dora was silent, Corinna decided to keep prodding. "You know how stubborn I can be. I can keep asking you all night and never tire."

Dora looked up at Corinna and honestly looked very sad. "It's Remus."

It took her a moment to remember that Remus was the first name of her third year Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. "What about him?" she said, finally making her move.

Dora didn't move as she stared at the cards laid out in front of them. "He keeps making excuses as to why we can't be together."

"Oh." Corinna stared up at her cousin. Of all the things to come out of her mouth, Corinna did not expect that one. "Does he also like you?"

"I think so," she said, resting her head in her hand with her elbow braced against the table. "It seemed like he was always flirting with me whenever we were together, and we like to be with each other after Order meetings. We don't even talk about the meetings themselves, we just talk. But, when I finally admitted to him that I have feelings and I thought he did to, he just came up with all these excuses. Age difference. His lycanthrope. Our demanding jobs. The war. Blah, blah, blah. What's worse is the latest excuse he gave." Dora gave a short, humorless laugh. "He said that he's not the type of man that you bring home to your parents. As if my parents wouldn't like him, or if they even need to approve my choice of partner."

Corinna tried to imagine what Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted would think of Lupin. He was an amazing professor. Corinna's favorite in fact, not that there was much competition for such a title. Quirrell in the first year turned out to be housing You-Know-Who, Lockhart in the second was not that good of a teacher and turned out to be a fraud, and Moody in the fourth was…well, secretly her brother/father and she didn't even like him before she found that out.

But as for Lupin, she didn't know much about him outside of the classroom besides the fact that he was a werewolf, and why should something he has no control over be used against him?

"Just talk to him," Corinna suggested. "You can also be stubborn. I'm sure you can wear him down."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What about your love life? I talked about mine, now you owe me the pleasure."

Corinna's heart tightened as she thought about it. "Oh, erm, there's nothing going on."

"What about that boy you keep sending letters to?"

"Terry?" said Corinna, and she could help but laugh. "He's gay. He's just my best mate. Although, we did try dating in our fourth year. It was super awkward."

"Tends to happen when you date someone who's in the closet," said Dora, seeming more like her old self. "So, if it isn't Terry, is there anyone you're interested in?"

Corinna hesitated a moment as she looked Dora over. She talked about her problems with Lupin. She glanced over at the living room. Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted were absorbed in their separate readings, but Aunt Andromeda was leaning against Uncle Ted and he had an arm around her. It must have been difficult to turn a page, but they looked content.

With a steadying sigh, she whispered, "Harry Potter."

Dora choked on her laugh as she eyed Corinna suspiciously. "You're joking." When Corinna turned beet red, Dora sobered slightly. "Do you think he has feelings for you?"

"Doubtful. He had a crush on Cho Chang last year. I'm, like, the exact opposite of her. She's smart, pretty, likes Quidditch and is decent at it."

"Don't sell yourself short since you are all of those things," said Dora. "Well, except for not liking Quidditch, but that is a character flaw we have all elected to ignore. But you won't know until you put yourself out there. Why not try talking to him when we go to Diagon Alley? I'm sure I can find a way to get Ron and Hermione away from him."

Corinna had no intentions of talking to Harry about anything remotely to do with feelings, but she still found herself waking much earlier than usual on Saturday. She tried to do something with her hair, but it just remained limp and she just ended up putting it in a plait. She honestly couldn't believe how long it was getting. The plait ended at her waist. She put on some simple makeup that she somehow managed to collect, but it made her feel silly by putting it on. Her suspicions were confirmed when she finally went down to the kitchen to drink some tea and Uncle Ted asked why she was all gussied up. Dora told him to shut up and that's how girls were.

"We'll be meeting them at the Leaky Cauldron," Dora explained when they walked off the property to Apparate. She had set up an anti-Apparating charm as a precaution. They had also taken themselves off the general floo network, so the only place they can get to would be St. Mungo's in an emergency. "Along with some additional security."

Corinna did not expect the additional security to be Hagrid. They found a seat in the Leaky Cauldron to await the Weasleys who were coming in by car, which was empty except for Tom, the landlord. Hagrid and Dora reminisced about Hogwarts during her time. Corinna only half-paid attention, keeping glancing at the door.

"They're here," said Dora when the Ministry car pulled up. Hagrid was the first one out the door to greet Harry as soon as he got out of the car. He seemed to have grown since the end of last year, and he had a faint stubble on his face. He seemed to be in better spirits than when they had left things. Before she could say anything, Mrs. Weasley handed her a pouch full of galleons. Dora did warn her that Bill Weasley would get money from her father's vault since it could take a long time for most people to get access to their Gringott's vaults thanks to the added security.

They made their way into Diagon Alley. Gone were the days of bright colors and large crowds, replaced with warning posters on how to protect yourself and wanted posters for known Death Eaters. Corinna pointedly looked away from Bellatrix's poster. The image of her throwing a killing curse at her and torturing her classmate still haunted her nightmares.

As much as Mrs. Weasley did not want to do it, they split up since not all of them needed to go into Madam Malkin's. She found herself in the group going to Flourish and Blotts to get books for everyone, while Dora went with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid to get robes. It was the fewest amount of books that Corinna had to get, but she still had to get more than Harry and Ron who were taking fewer classes, but still less than Hermione who was sticking with more of her classes. She still felt bad for Ginny, who needed the most and was going into her O.W.L.s year. Corinna was convinced that all the gold in Gringotts wouldn't be enough to convince her to take that year all over again.

After replenishing their potion ingredients at the Apothecary and a quick stop at Eeylop's, they decided that it would be alright for a quick stop at Fred and George's storefront for Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. This was the only place that was genuinely packed with people, much like the old Diagon Alley. No one could even get close to the shelves as they explored around. Fred and George, of course, whisked Harry away to give him a personal tour for whatever reason. Corinna, Ginny, and Hermione were immediately wandered over to where they had Patented Daydream Charms and Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, but Fred had dragged them over to the Wonder Witch products after he was done with Harry. They had love potions that were supposed to work for up to twenty-four hours, Pygmy Puffs, and ten-second pimple vanisher, which Corinna gladly picked up a few. She also liked the look of the Pygmy Puffs, but she could see Zelda try to eat it.

After a while, Dora pulled her aside. "Have you seen Harry, Ron, and Hermione?" she asked in a harsh whisper to be heard over the crowd.

She shook her head. "I was with Hermione, but I didn't realize she had gone."

"Well, Mrs. Weasley is panicking," said Dora. "And you know how that lot can be."

"I've dealt with it firsthand," said Corinna. She agreed to split up, looking in the back room with some of the more serious products such as shield hats and other accessories. She went back into the main room and saw them walking into the shop with Harry shoving his cloak into his bag. She did not say anything as they came up with excuses as to how they couldn't have looked properly.

Their trip to Diagon Alley did not last much longer. Mrs. Weasley rushed the others along and Corinna paid for her products. She decided not to get a love potion, as that was not how she wanted to get Harry.

The rest of the summer holidays went by in a blur. Corinna almost couldn't believe that it was the last day of August until Aunt Andromeda asked if she was all packed for tomorrow. It was much different than how it used to be when she would count down the days until she went to Hogwarts.

She spent the afternoon making sure she had everything. She couldn't believe how lived in the guest bedroom had become. Uncle Ted had taken the tchotchkes off the shelf and put them in the attic. "Where they belong," he muttered as he haphazardly shoved them in a box. In its place, she put her various novels and old textbooks she wanted to hold onto. Uncle Ted had also found his and Aunt Andromeda's old textbooks in the attic from their time at the Healer Academy. They were slightly outdated, but it was interesting to read and helped Corinna prepare more for what to expect with this career path.

As she shoved her trunk full of the things she would need for the coming term, she was surprised how there wasn't much room. It seemed that she replaced the real estate that her textbooks had taken up and replaced them with the various skin, hair, and makeup products that Aunt Andromeda and Dora had either bequeathed or bought her. She used to laugh at the girls who cared so much about their appearance and she hadn't even realized she had become one of those girls.

The next morning, she had expected Dora to be in the kitchen, but it was Uncle Ted. Apparently, Dora was on an assignment, unspecified as to whom gave the order, and couldn't take her to King's Cross like she had every other time. So, Uncle Ted asked for the morning off so he could take her to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. After she managed to get Zelda into her carrier, Uncle Ted took her trunk and they went out to the apparition point. "I haven't done this in a while," he admitted as Corinna gripped his arm tightly. "I apologize in advance if I splinch anything."

"What?" Corinna demanded as the familiar feeling of being squeezed through a tube. Before she knew it, they were in the alley by the station. She looked herself over, but she seemed to still have everything intact.

They made their way through the station and to the familiar brick wall that divided Platforms Nine and Ten. Once it was safe, they went through the wall. While normally a jovial affair, it was much more muted as parents rushed their kids onto the train and they would quickly leave themselves.

"Have a good term," said Uncle Ted as they walked over to the nearest entrance. He gave Corinna a quick hug. "Write often. Stay out of trouble. Uh…what else should I tell you?"

"Study hard?"

"That's implied." He thought a moment. "No dating until you're thirty?"

"I'll see you for Christmas, Uncle Ted," said Corinna, rolling her eyes. She took her trunk and made her way onto the train.

Of all the things she expected to happen, being gawked at was not one of them. As she went down the corridor to find an empty compartment, people turned to stare at her and openly whisper. She got used to it at the end of last year, but she didn't expect it to continue into the following school year. They hadn't even looked over at Corinna at the beginning of her fifth year since they had an entire summer to get over what happened to her grandfather and father.

It was a relief when she found Harry, Neville, and Luna in the corridor. After a quick exchange of pleasantries, they found a compartment to themselves. Neville talked about his new wand, which was one of the last that Ollivander sold before disappearing. He then dove under the seats to grab Trevor, who had escaped from his grasp as the toad liked to do. Luna turned to her copy of the Quibbler with the odd pair of spectrespecs included for the issue. Corinna was about to ask Harry how the rest of his summer was when a fourth-year girl stepped into the threshold of the compartment. "Hi, Harry. I'm Romilda Vane. Why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them."

Corinna was about to call this Romilda Vane character out on her audacity when Harry said coldly, "They're friends of mine." She couldn't help but smirk when Vane slowly retreated, closing the door on her way.

"People expect you to have cooler friends than us," said Luna.

"You are cool, said Harry. "None of them was at the Ministry. They didn't fight with me."

"That's a very nice thing to say."

"We didn't face him, though," said Neville as he climbed from underneath the bench with Trevor clamped in his hands. "You did. You should hear my gran talk about you!"

The subject was quickly changed to O.W.L.s. They exchanged their grades, and there was some debate on which ones they will be able to continue. Neville was going on about how he was worried about his Transfiguration scores when she looked over at Harry, who was giving an odd look.

"You okay, Harry?"

He jumped up as if she had slapped him. "Er, sorry."

"Wrackspurt got you?" asked Luna. At Harry's question, she elaborated. "A wrackspurt. They're invisible. They float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy. I thought I felt one zooming around in here."

The three of them gave Luna a questioning look as she started looking around wildly and they switched the conversation to quidditch. Corinna was not able to contribute much to the conversation, so it almost came as a relief when Ron and Hermione showed back up after their prefect meeting.

"Malfoy's not doing prefect duty," said Ron after exchanging pleasantries. "He's just sitting in his compartment with the other Slytherins. We saw him when we passed."

Harry seemed to sit up straighter at that news. "What did he do when he saw you?"

"The usual," said Ron, demonstrating with a crude hand gesture. "Not like him, though. He's usually spending his time bullying first years."

"Maybe he preferred the Inquisitorial Squad," Hermione suggested. "Maybe being a prefect seems a bit tame after that."

"I agree with that one," said Corinna. "I am going to miss taking points away from Slytherin, although I am not going to miss kissing Umbridge's arse."

"I don't think so," said Harry. "I think he's—"

Before he could share his theory, a scared-looking third year opened the compartment door carrying two scrolls. "I am supposed to give these to Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom." He handed over the scrolls and then scurried away before they could say anything.

"What are they?" asked Ron.

"Invitations," said Harry, "to Slughorn's compartment."

"Who's Slughorn?" asked Corinna.

"New teacher," said Harry.

"But what does he want me for?" asked Neville, looking nervous.

"No idea," said Harry. He and Neville left the compartment, but Corinna noted how he was pulling out his invisibility cloak as he did so.

The lunch trolley came and they loaded up with sweets. She just nibbled on a cauldron cake while she read her book, curling up in her seat. It wasn't until the sun started to set and the others changed into their Hogwarts robes when Neville came back from whatever it was that Slughorn wanted from them. He was about to launch into whatever Slughorn made him suffer through, but the others didn't really care about that. "Where's Harry?" asked Corinna.

"Dunno," Neville admitted as he went to grab his robes from his trunk. "He just said he'd see us later."

Ron and Hermione exchanged a look that the others were not privy to. Corinna tried not to let it bother her, but she couldn't help but scoff. But she worried more and more as the sun steadily disappeared beyond the horizon, plunging the world into darkness. No matter what Harry needed to do, he would be back by now.

"Should we grab his things?" asked Hermione as the train started to slow into the station.

"Maybe," said Ron, looking as nervous as Corinna felt.

They waited a few minutes for the crowds to thin more, just in case Harry came back. When it was obvious that he might have already left the train, Ron grabbed his trunk and Hermione grabbed Hedwig's cage. They walked out and Corinna took up the rear. She took the corner too sharply with her trunk. Zelda's carrier landed with a loud thunk and burst open. "Zelda!" she shrieked when the tabby cat shot out of the carrier like a blast, running down the corridor. "You stupid cat!" She abandoned her trunk and ran down the corridor, dodging around students as the last of them exited the train.

She managed to corner Zelda in one of the compartments close to the front of the train. Zelda howled and tried to escape from Corinna's arms, causing scratches on her hands and arms. "I'm sorry for dropping your carrier, but would you stop trying to escape!"

"Wotcher, Corinna!"

"Dora?" Corinna hadn't expected to see her cousin. By then, they seemed to be the only ones on the train. "Is this why you couldn't take me to the platform?"

"Yep," she said as she kept poking her head into the nearby compartments. "I'm stationed in Hogsmeade for extra security. I was assigned to monitor the platform to make sure the students got into the carriages safely. You haven't seen Harry, have you?" She gave a humorless chuckle as worry still ebbed at her features. "I figured when no one had seen either of you get off that you two were—"

"Shut up!" said Corinna, regretting how she admitted her feelings about Harry to Dora. "No, I haven't seen him since he went to Slughorn's compartment for lunch."

Dora immediately sobered and kept her wand trained around the corridor. "Have you noticed anything off about the journey?"

"Other than Malfoy not bullying first years and a fourth year trying to cozy up to Harry, no," said Corinna. She shoved Zelda back into her carrier, but abandoned her and the trunk to follow after Dora. "Do you think he…?"

"Let's not think about that until we have to," said Dora just as the train lurched. "Get your things and get off the train. I just have one more car to check."

Corinna decided to obey this time. She ran back and grabbed her trunk and Zelda. She had managed to jump off just as the train started to move. No one else was on the platform as she waited with bated breath for Dora and Harry to appear. She released her breath when she saw them jump off the train just as it was really started to gain momentum. She rushed over to them.

"What happened?" Corinna asked, staring at Harry covered in blood as it flowed heavily from his nostrils. "Hold still," she said, not waiting for his response. "Episkey."

"Draco Malfoy," Harry hissed as his nose shifted back together. While Corinna had fixed Harry's nose, Dora summoned a silver, four-legged creature to send a message to the castle that they were safe and making their way there. "Was that a Patronus?"

"Just sending word so they won't worry," said Dora. The 'about you' was implied as Harry's safety was their biggest priority as he was You-Know-Who's biggest target. "Let's go. We shouldn't dawdle any longer."

They trudged up the lane, following the marks left by the carriages. "How did you find me?"

"I noticed you hadn't left the train and I knew you had that cloak. I thought you might be hiding for some reason. When I saw the blinds were drawn down on that compartment, I thought I'd check."

"But, what are you doing here, anyway?" asked Harry.

"I'm stationed in Hogsmeade now, to give the school extra protection."

"Is it just you who's stationed up here?" asked Harry.

"No. Proudfoot, Savage, and Dawlish are here, too."

Corinna fell silent. Dora seemed more drawn now, almost older. She wished she would tease Corinna about Harry some more. Maybe she had tried to talk to Lupin without success. Even Harry seemed withdrawn and kept glancing over at Dora and Corinna. She met his eye once and quickly looked away.

Since they had always traveled using the carriages, Corinna couldn't believe how long the lane was from Hogsmeade Station all the way to Hogwarts. It was a relief when the large gates came into view, but they were stubbornly locked. No charm and no attempt at a muggle break-in were going to be effective. Dora pointed down the path as someone approached from the school, and Corinna's heart sank when she saw who it was. Harry swore under his breath as Snape unlocked the padlock with his wand.

"Nice of you to turn up, Potter, although you have evidently decided that the wearing of school robes would detract from your appearance." He went to defend himself, but Snape talked over him. "There is no need to wait, Nymphadora. Potter and Crouch are quite safe in my hands."

"I meant for Hagrid to get the message," said Dora, frowning. Corinna expected a little more for her, as she hated her given name. Instead, she ushered Harry and Corinna through the gates.

"Hagrid was late for the start-of-term feast, just like Potter and Crouch here, so I took it instead. And incidentally, I was interested to see your new Patronus." He slammed the gate shut and tapped the padlock to lock it again. "I think you were better off with the old one. The new one looks weak."

Snape swung around and Corinna briefly saw the shock and anger on her face. They quickly bade her goodnight as it seemed that Snape wasn't keen on dawdling after insulting her like that. Anger coursed through Corinna as she trudged after Snape. She was usually indifferent about the Potions teacher. He would nitpick her work more than those of his house, sure, but she still did well enough in his classes and she enjoyed the subject matter. She could never, however, forgive him for how he always treated Harry and Neville and a lot of those from her house. And she especially couldn't forgive him for such a snide remark about Dora. All she did was make sure her and Harry made it to Hogwarts safe and sound.

"Fifty points each from Gryffindor for lateness, I think," said Snape. "And, let me see, another twenty for your Muggle attire, Potter. You know, I don't believe any House has ever been in negative figures this early in the term. We haven't even started pudding. You might have set a record, Potter."

Corinna's jaw clenched at the injustice of it all. They were in this situation because of someone from his own house, not that he would even care if they had pointed that out. Malfoy, like every other Slytherins, was under his cloak of protection that no other House got since their heads were fair. She was annoyed with herself when she felt the burn of tears in her eyes.

It wasn't soon enough that they climbed up the stairs to the entrance while Snape kept going on about how Harry was a show-off. He probably forgot that Corinna was even there after giving her fifty points from Gryffindor. "No cloak," said Snape as they stood by the doors to the Great Hall. Corinna had dropped her trunk and carrier off with the others that would be magicked to the Gryffindor dormitories. "No cloak. You can walk in so that everyone sees you, which is what you wanted, I'm sure."

Harry might have walked in with his head held high to defy Snape, but Corinna definitely had her head tucked down and refused to look up at the hall. She followed after Harry who made his way to the Gryffindor table, which was the furthest from the entrance, of course. She sat down next to Harry, who found spots by Ron and Hermione. They were, of course, fretting over him and the fact that he was covered in blood. They pressured him to talk about what happened, but he didn't want to say anything around the prying eyes and ears of their fellow classmates.

Corinna's stomach jolted when she realized that she had missed the proper feast and was only left with sweets laid out on shiny platters. She chose a pumpkin pasty and picked at it.

Once the Great Hall reached the pitch of a dull roar, Dumbledore stood up to make his speech. The first thing she noticed was his hand. It looked like it was in a fight with some fire and lost. It seemed to be the focus on many people's low conversations as he plowed through the usual about quidditch tryouts and what Filch has banned this year (which was all Weasley Wizarding Wheezes products—too bad he never learned that banning things is what makes them popular).

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of potions master." Despite the fact that many people broke out about the unexpected turn of events, Dumbledore continued. "Professor Snape, meanwhile, will be taking the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Discussion immediately broke out among the students. Corinna vaguely heard what Harry, Ron, and Hermione talked about as others also broke into their own discussions. Dumbledore let the discussions die down before he turned his talk to the more serious topic of You-Know-Who.

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scruptulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefor, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them—in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety. But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"

Corinna was more than happy to trudge up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower, ignoring the whispers happening around her. "Hey, Corinna!" However, she did not ignore her best friend, Terry, running to catch up to her.

"Terry, hey," said Corinna, looking relieved as they continued up the stairs, but at a much slower pace now. "How's it going?"

"I should be asking you that," he said with a smirk. "Showing up late to the Welcome Feast with Potter. What were you two doing?"

"Walking from Hogsmeade Station with my cousin," she said, which seemed to make his smile fall. "What did you think we were doing?"

Terry cleared his throat. "Well, you know…" He nudged Corinna's shoulder.

"Malfoy used the body-bind curse on Harry and broke his nose," said Corinna. "He would have been sent back to London if it wasn't for Dora being stationed in Hogsmeade and looking out for him."

"Then why were you late?"

"I had to chase down Zelda. She escaped from her carrier." She pulled up the sleeves of her robes to show Terry the numerous scratches. She would heal them up once she got to her dormitory.

"Ouch," Terry winced.

"Nothing some magic can't fix." Corinna rolled the sleeves back down and let her arms fall to her side. "What about you? How was your summer? I didn't hear much from you."

"That's because my parents were a little paranoid," Terry admitted, looking suddenly ashamed. "They didn't want me to come back to Hogwarts this year."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know," said Terry with a sigh. "But, you know, they're both Muggle-born, and they went to Hogwarts during the first go."

"Then they should know that this is going to be the safest place for you," said Corinna easily. "Dumbledore is the only one You-Know-Who has ever feared. Plus, my cousin and other Aurors are stationed in Hogsmeade for extra protection."

Terry didn't say anything as the took the long away up to the seventh floor where their respective common rooms were located. "You don't get it, Corinna," he said. "You're pureblood. They aren't going to go after you like they will me."

"I'm basically a blood traitor at this point," said Corinna coolly. "And I don't appreciate you using my status like that. I have never said one ill thing about you or your family and I don't give a damn how pure my blood supposedly is."

"It doesn't matter what you think," said Terry. "It's how they think."

A lump formed in her throat and anger burned tears into her eyes. It was becoming harder and harder to heed Aunt Andromeda's advice. It was one thing when it was Neville. They may now be friends, but her and Terry were best friends. Although she might not have done so in the beginning, she now tells him everything.

"I'm going to bed," said Terry, not looking at Corinna. "I did not mean to start something like this now. I just…" He released a tense breath. "It was just so much easier last year when everything thought Harry was nuts about something like this. Now that it is reality…"

"It's always been reality," said Corinna softly. "Just now people can't ignore it." She shook her head as she broke away from Terry and headed into Gryffindor Tower with the password she overheard from a couple of fourth years.