Poppy's POV

Not that I told Sirius but following our adventure with Evelyn I kept a protective spell around our bedroom now whilst we were in it. I don't think Sirius could feel it, but Evelyn had, and she gave me an appreciative nod the next morning, a small smile on her face. It was, however, very difficult to sleep and keep it up and I found that even if I felt I'd slept through the night I would wake up weary and depleted. I realised it would take some getting used to in order to build up my strength so that I could properly sleep at night and keep up a spell, thinking it would only be more difficult to keep it up around a house. Thankfully, the day after Evelyn instead taught me how to apparate with my light magic which required us leaving the Hogwarts grounds and I could feel this made her a little…apprehensive. She had a protective spell in a circle around us as Sirius practised utilising his newly found magic and Evelyn taught me. I found it surprisingly easy, mastering it within an hour and was overjoyed at how easy it was to do. The next part of the morning was then dedicated to getting me to take Sirius with me which was slightly more difficult and required him to project some of his magic in order to help me at first. However, by lunch time I had mastered it and could do it quickly and easily, Sirius not needing to use his magic now. As such, I headed into lunch happy that I had a solid escape plan in any circumstance, Evelyn telling me that anti-apparition wards didn't affect this mode of travel.

After lunch it was back to regular training and Sirius was given a free afternoon off the lucky devil as Evelyn focused her attention on me, teaching me a few new spells and getting me to practise them first with her and then against her. I was pleasantly surprised when one of my spells managed to shatter her shield charm and saw her look of surprise before she smiled widely, telling me she was very proud of me which buoyed me somewhat.

When we got back for dinner, we found Sirius asleep on the sofa (I was so jealous) and he was groggy upon waking, admitting he had slept all afternoon. I did my best not to scowl but he laughed at me as he threw an arm around me, forcing me into a hug, his mood good as a result of his sleep. We had a nice dinner together before Evelyn had us both back outside for evening duels, telling us we needed to get used to the changing light and how to use it to our advantage. Although we were always tired, Sirius and I were significantly stronger at night and Evelyn told us this was on account of the starlight which helped boost our magic. She kept us at it until ten when she finally let us go back, Sirius and I nearly collapsing into bed. I just about managed to get a protective spell up before the sleep came over me.


It felt like I had just shut my eyes when Helios woke me up with an urgent sounding call and I sat upright in bed, arm reaching out for Sirius who thankfully was still here. I could feel my protective spell still up and frowned at Helios who was looking right at me. He chirruped again and I got out of bed, poking my head out of my room and seeing Evelyn's door stood open with no sign of her. I had just turned around when Sirius appeared, looking confused.

"What's up?" he asked, Helios flying out after him and still staring at me.

"I don't know. Helios is unhappy with something but not saying what" I told him, tilting my head and looking at him confused. Helios in turn tilted his head at me before disappearing in a flash of light.

"Where's he gone?" he asked me, stretching and yawning.

"To check something" I replied, still feeling confused. However, a second later he reappeared and chirruped urgently at me, making my eyes widen as I rushed back into the bedroom, pulling on my training gear and grabbing my wand. I was about to dash out, but Sirius was blocking the door, arms folded.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"She's taken James and Lily" I told him, trying to push him out the way without resorting to magic.

"She what?!" he exploded, pushing me into the room as he started pulling on his own training gear.

"You're not coming!" I exclaimed and he scoffed.

"Try bloody stopping me. This is a test for both of us, don't you see?" he asked, voice slightly muffled as he talked to me whilst pulling on a t-shirt and grabbing his wand. "Right let's go" he told me, pulling me into the living area. I, however, paused, thinking he had a point.

"Wait. You're right, this is probably a test so let's think about it" I told him, and he tapped his foot impatiently. Helios was waiting expectantly, and it was to him I looked. "You, no thunder or lightning okay?" I asked and he bobbed his head. "I want you around the area, overhead. Do not let her know you're there okay?" I clarified and once again he bobbed his head. "Stick around, act instinctively. The more you do the less she'll expect. Signal me though" I told him, and he nodded before disappearing in a flash of light and I knew he was doing it so I could follow him, knowing he would be able to locate them quicker than me. "We need to work together" I turned to Sirius who nodded, his foot having stopped tapping now. "I'll focus on Evelyn. Make sure you've got a shield up at all times okay?" I asked him and he nodded, beginning to stretch. "She'll force us to both fight, but I'll try taking the force of it which leaves you to go and get James and Lily" I told him. "I assume that it will be similar to when she took you given, she's on her own. I'm stronger with you on my right so I need you to stick there" I finished, and he nodded again.

"Got it boss" he was able to grin, saluting me before taking my hand. His confidence relaxed me somewhat as I focused on Helios, feeling he was taking me slightly out of where Evelyn was. I closed my eyes and focused hard on keeping the light as minimal as possible (which at the moment I wasn't very good at) as I took us out of the castle and presumably into the grounds. We both stood in silence for a moment and I saw Helios on a branch, deliberately looking in a set direction and I nodded. He stayed where he was for the time being as I signalled Sirius. I turned, saw him grin and a moment later he disappeared and reappeared as Padfoot. I widened my eyes, but he said nothing, and I watched as he moved so much more silently through the forest in his current form. Thinking that was genuinely better I followed him, seeing him sniff about and I assumed he was following James and Lily's scent to where Evelyn was. He stopped behind some bushes and I crouched down as I joined him seeing Evelyn looking in our direction. She would know I was here, being able to feel my magic but Sirius as Padfoot would surprise her and make her think I was alone. I gently touched Sirius, seeing him turn to me as I threw up a very small silencing spell around us.

"Stay like this" I whispered as quietly as possible, not wanting to risk it. "She won't expect it. She'll think I've come by myself. She'll fully go at me for coming without you, but it should give you a chance to slip in behind. Get James and Lily and between the three of you, you should easily help me" I explained, and he nodded once before slipping away and I removed the spell, straightening up and firing a spell at her. I heard her laugh at this, knowing she would have deflected it but hopefully this would give Sirius a head start.

"Much better. Only 7 minutes for you to get here" she said aloud as I stepped forward, seeing James and Lily tied up behind her. Both looked out of it and I frowned seeing her scan behind me. "Poppy" her voice was a warning. "Please tell me you've not come alone" she said but I stopped her chat by attacking her now, using her momentary lapse against her. I could see her anger at my apparent solitude, pressing me as hard as she would during the day, taking advantage of my sleep deprived state. I used the energy from the night sky to press her back as hard as I could, managing to shatter a few of her shields whilst mine stood up to her advances. I knew she wanted to be impressed but couldn't and despite not giving me room to get round her, I didn't press it too much as I saw Sirius gnawing at the ropes tying James and Lily. I knew, without seeing him, Helios was close and a moment later saw James and Lily come round and I tried not to be surprised, assuming this was more of Helios's new magic. Thankfully, I kept Evelyn occupied enough as they figured what was going on and Sirius reappeared in his usual form. I sent a strong spell at Evelyn, knowing it would shatter her spell and Sirius winked at me before using his protective spell, sending her flying and I disarmed her and put a spell around her to keep her down as I finally relaxed, the tiredness sweeping over me.

"Are you two okay?" I asked James and Lily, who were looking between Sirius and I astounded, Helios appearing with a flash on the ground looking very pleased with himself.

"I…we're good but what the hell?" James asked, still looking confused. I ignored him for now, running my eye over him and Lily and seeing they both looked fine before turning to Sirius who was still grinning, so I assumed he was good before I went over to Evelyn. She looked as confused as James as I took down my spell and offered her a hand up.

"Explain" she told me at once and Sirius moved over to me, putting an arm around my waist with a grin.

"You're not the only one with special skills" he replied cockily. She stared at him and he chuckled, withdrawing his arm before changing into his animagi form. She gaped at him and he barked, making James and Lily laugh before he changed back with a grin.

"Oh, that was good. Very, very good" she told him with a smile, and I saw him look proud. "And you" she turned to Helios who puffed himself up proudly. "You told her, didn't you?" she asked, and he bobbed his head as she turned to me.

"No, I haven't got a protective charm on them, figuring they were safe in the castle. Yes, Helios warned me as he suspected something was wrong. Yes, Sirius came with me, but it was his idea to transform. And yes, Helios did wake them up as I assume you used your light magic to keep them asleep" I rounded up, anticipating her questions. She smiled at me before she came towards me and surprised me with a hug.

"That was a brilliant piece of teamwork. I'm proud of you" she told me, and I beamed at her as she pulled away, feeling dead chuffed. "Thanks, you two for helping me" she said, turning to James and Lily who were smiling.

"Happy to help" James told her and I stared at the both of them. "What? Dumbledore knows we know so what was the harm?" he asked with a shrug. I shook my head at them before turning to Evelyn.

"Do I need to put a protective spell on them now?" I asked and she laughed, shaking her head.

"No, you're good" she told me. "Right, it's 1 a.m. and you two have got training in the morning" she reminded me, and I did my best not to groan, just nodded. "Poppy take James and Lily back. I'll take Sirius" she instructed, and I saw him pout a little, but he didn't argue as she grabbed him and disappeared, and James and Lily turned to me.

"Firstly, a hug" Lily told me with a smile, coming to me and hugging me tightly.

"Sorry I'm a bit sweaty" I apologised, making her laugh as she pulled away to be quickly replaced with James who squeezed me tightly.

"We've missed you" he said with a smile. "But you and Sirius look like you're flying" he told me, and I thought I could detect a trace of pride in his voice.

"Thanks James. We've missed you all too. It's only a few days now though" I said, and he nodded as I held a hand out to him and Lily. They both took it, looking intrigued as I took them to their common room, seeing their look of surprise when we were back.

"Pop you're so cool doing that" James told me, making me blush slightly as he stretched.

"Well, I'd better go before Evelyn tells me off for lingering" I said and they both laughed.

"She's a scary lady" Lily agreed, and I nodded, yawning as I was still shattered.

"Thanks for coming to rescue us Pop" James told me with a grin and Lily shoved him lightly.

"Any time. I'll see you both in a few days" I said, about to disappear before hesitating. "Please don't let Evelyn kidnap you again" I told them and they both laughed before I disappeared back to our apartment where Evelyn was waiting for me.

"I really am proud of you for that Poppy. You took your time to organise yourself, Helios and Sirius and that worked to your advantage" she told me with a smile.

"Thanks Evelyn" I replied, and she shooed me to my room.

"Now, go get some sleep so we can get training again tomorrow" she told me with a grin, and I nodded, heading into the bedroom and finding Sirius already asleep. I smiled at him, putting up my protective spell before getting changed and joining him, falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.


The next day Evelyn permitted us both a lie in, not waking us up until nine! We were both pleasantly surprised and I felt actually rested as we resumed training, Sirius and I working much better together now and we came to understand each other's movements better, moving without needing to communicate any more.

On our last day with Evelyn, she had us training as per usual, Sirius however getting a lie in as she gave me some one-to-one time, going over the spells she'd taught me before Sirius joined us.

Before dinner we were allowed to shower and change before re-joining Evelyn in the sitting area, finding Professor Dumbledore there and no food on the table. She motioned for us to join them, the pair of them having left us the sofa. As we sat, Sirius shuffled up so he was right next to me and I couldn't help but smile at the action.

"Well, you two are looking well" Professor Dumbledore said with a smile once we were settled.

"Thank you, sir," Sirius replied as Evelyn smiled.

"How has your week gone?" he inquired, and I nodded with a smile.

"Really well thank you sir. It's been invaluable" I replied politely, and I saw Evelyn's smile widen.

"Oh, I am glad" he said, sounding happy.

"They've both been excellent. I've been pleasantly surprised on numerous occasions" Evelyn told him and I heard Sirius laugh quietly at this, obviously thinking back to his animagi surprise.

"Thanks Evelyn" I told her sincerely and she smiled widely.

"Well, that is wonderful to hear. Now, I've come by to have a quick talk about moving forward from here" Professor Dumbledore said and I felt a seriousness envelop the room. He turned to Evelyn who nodded at him and looked at me.

"I won't be able to come back and finish your training for another month or so" she told me, surprising me somewhat. "I've left a…situation which needs my urgent attention" she said, keeping it vague but I nodded, realising she would have told me if she could. "As a result, I would like you to stay here, in the UK until the beginning of August" she said and I felt a small wave of fear this created, feeling Sirius take my hand. "Poppy, I wouldn't tell you this if I thought you at risk" her voice was soft as she sat forward on her seat a little. "I know what's been said but I'm sure you will know by now that this is something you need to do. It's…it's a test" she told me, and I sighed but nodded, feeling Sirius's surprise.

"Polaris told me last night" I admitted, feeling Sirius tense and it was to him I turned to now. "I have to do it. Like Evelyn said it's a test, something I have to do" I kept my voice soft, but I could see his fear. "I'll be fine. It's why Evelyn came early. You've seen how prepared I am" I reassured him, gently putting a hand to his face and feeling him lean into it. "No, I have to do it on my own" I anticipated his question and he sighed, eyes on me as he nodded. I knew there was a further discussion to be had here but for now gave him a smile before dropping my hand and turning back to Evelyn and Dumbledore.

"But before I go, I want you to remember one thing. And it's important, the both of you" she told us, and I nodded, wondering what she was going to say. "You can only trust each other okay? I don't want you trusting anybody else. Don't get pulled into anything, don't believe anything. Make up your own mind about everything and have each other's back" her voice was firm taking me by surprise, but I nodded nonetheless, knowing she had a point.

"James and Lily?" Sirius questioned and I saw her hesitation, eyes looking between us before settling on me.

"You trust them?" she asked me, and I nodded straight away.

"With my life" I told her, and she sighed but nodded and I felt Sirius relax beside me at this.

"Just, remember what I've said okay?" she asked, and I nodded, feeling she was getting at something but for some reason she either wouldn't, or couldn't, say what. I filed it away for later consideration before she sat back in her chair, evidently done for now.

"So, you're to remain here until August first when, I am hoping, the pair of you will go to France" Dumbledore said and Sirius nodded before I did, making me smile. "Wonderful. We'll talk again at the end of the school year but for now, I think the both of you are probably very hungry and I would hate to keep you from food and your friends" Professor Dumbledore said and I nodded, feeling ravenous. Evelyn stood at this and Sirius and I also got up as I crossed the room to hug her.

"I believe in you Poppy. Keep Sirius and Helios close. I know you've got this, you're stronger than ever" she whispered to me, hugging me tightly.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us" I replied quietly, hugging her tightly in return before stepping away from her. She smiled at me gesturing Sirius over and I moved away to give them some space, seeing them talking but not quite managing to hear what about.

"I'll have your things taken to your dormitories so you can go straight down to the Great Hall" Professor Dumbledore told me with a smile.

"Thank you, sir," I replied as Sirius stepped away from Evelyn, coming over to me and taking my hand.

"I'll see the pair of you soon. Keep each other safe" Evelyn told us as Professor Dumbledore nodded for us to go. I gave her one last smile, seeing Helios hop over to her as we made our way out, back into the castle. It took us a moment to orient ourselves before we found where we were and headed to the Great Hall. We didn't get far, only a floor when Sirius pulled me into an empty classroom, taking me by surprise.

"So" he started, looking at me with his crooked smile. "I know we've spent every night together, but I want one last night in our room before we leave" he told me, making me smile. "So, I was thinking tomorrow, on our penultimate night?" he asked, and I nodded, leaning in to kiss him.

"Sounds perfect" I told him, and he nodded, smile firmly on his face.

"Right, ready to see everybody again?" he asked, and I nodded, actually excited as we made our way down to the Great Hall to spend the last two days in the castle with our friends.