You would think that something would be different with the threat now acknowledged, but no. Hogwarts was still the same as it ever was.

McGonagall welcomed them to school grounds and led them to staff quarters – living quarters that Marina was pretty damn sure hadn't been there last year.

No one would ever discover all of Hogwarts' secrets, but the castle couldn't grow an extra wing, could it?

And even Dumbledore shouldn't be powerful enough for an Undetectable Extension Charm of this magnitude.

Either way, they had rooms inside the castle instead of having to apparate home to sleep. Made sense.

There were too many of them however, so two aurors would have to share one apartment.

Marina blushed scarlet next to David when their colleague/superior didn't even hesitate to assign them rooms together while the rest would bunk according to gender, like in the dorm rooms.

"You have an hour to settle in, then we'll go over the castle's security," McGonagall said with a straight face, belying her amusement.

And so they unpacked. Marina felt exactly as she had every year at the start of the school term. In no time at all, she and David had summoned their Gryffindor rugs and drapes from their rooms at home and magicked their clothes into the far too big closet.

She went to sort their stuff into the bathroom. When she came back out, David had moved the two single beds into the middle of the room, edge to edge, almost as if it was a double.

"I'm pretty sure that's not what Tolliver had in mind," she stated drily while he changed the linens into her favourites.

And just how the bloody hell did he know that? He hadn't exactly spent that much time in her room back home.

"Then he shouldn't have us bunking together," David shrugged went to place his family picture on his nightstand. The 'right' side because he knew she preferred the 'left'.

"Okay, now I have to ask," she said, shaking her head and placing her own family picture – Remus, her father, Harry and her; they'd taken it last Christmas after they'd known that Arthur and Jupiter would be okay.

"You sleep on your right side and can't stand it when something – or someone – is in front of you," he shrugged. "Pretty sure you're a bit claustrophobic, even in your sleep."

By the end of that statement, she was staring at him.

"But how do you know that? I haven't spent that many nights at your place."

"Enough that I noticed. Plus, I have a spy pretty close to you," he grinned and banished their empty suitcases into an empty closet.

"Carmen and you talk about my sleeping habits?"

If so, her best friend really needed her head checked. Dear Merlin.

"I asked after our first night," he shrugged.

"You're lucky she already knew before I stayed over. Otherwise, that would have been a dozen shades of mortifying. For all of us," she grumbled.

"I actually have a more important question," David said, still teasing but she could sense a serious undertone. "Does Sirius know?"

She huffed a laugh.

"Yeah, I think he might have noticed me not coming home. Of course he knows."

And if her Dad hadn't pulled the overprotective father routine the next morning, Remus would have for sure.

"All of it? You were still sixteen the first time," he mumbled, clearly somewhat surprised that he was still unscathed if her father knew.

"First of all, I do not talk about this to Dad," Marina shuddered. That would be too embarrassing to contemplate. "Second of all, he all but gave his permission when I was unconscious at the infirmary and you half-burned to a crisp – yes, Harry told me all about that talk you had.

And lastly, even if he had lost his mind about it, he knows better than to do something stupid. Between your family and me, he'd have the devil of a time."

"So then, if I suggested we look at this as a trial run for living together…"

Marina hugged him, hiding her face against his chest so that he wouldn't see her expression. She was pretty sure it was leaning more towards heartache than joy.

It wasn't that she didn't feel thrilled that he had asked. And she wanted to live together and get married … … eventually.

There was just a big part of her that still felt like the little girl who had missed out on all that time with her father, not to mention Harry; she didn't know if she could move out yet. She didn't want to leave either of them.

The grown-up, more rational part of her knew that it wouldn't be leaving them. For heaven's sake, between the floo and apparating, she could drop in anytime. They could drop in anytime.

And yet…

But she couldn't tell David any of that. For the first time in a while, she actually felt the six years separating them.

"We're here to work, not to play house," she reminded him, acutely aware of their colleagues next door.

"No one says we can't do both," he shrugged and pushed her away far enough to look her in the eyes. Then he proved that he really did know her inside out. "We'll wait as long as you need. I know you'll have a hard time leaving Harry and Sirius."

Times like these, she wondered if he maybe could read her mind despite her occlumency.

"How did you do it?" she asked him, half-embarrassed, half-exasperated with herself. "How did you actually go and leave home?"

Despite the fact that they teased each other to no end, and had probably annoyed each other as kids, the Nott siblings were actually really close. Never mind their parents.

"Well, getting a place with Elias helped. It was kind of like bunking here. But I still ate the entire yellow cake with white chocolate frosting Mum whipped up as a housewarming thing."

His favourite cake (and hers). Sounded like Laura.

"Isobel made chocolate butter cake for Elias, and that was gone in no time too."

That was Carmen's favourite too. Coincidence much?

"And how long has that been his favourite?" she asked him, to which he grinned broadly.

"Since Carmen gorged herself on it her birthday before I moved out."

"We were thirteen."

"He was intrigued since he'd never had it before. I snuck away a piece before she could inhale it. Now he never wants anything else."

"Harry is the same with chocolate pumpkin cake. He had it here his first year and now he and Ron stuff themselves with it every time."

Granted, he'd never had anything with the Dursleys, so…

"No one is actually ever ready to leave home, love," David assured her quietly. "Mainly, at some point it's just time. But we can wait."

And there he went again.

"If we wait until I can bring myself to, we might both be in our dotage," she joked, but was actually half serious. She didn't foresee herself ready anytime soon. "Just… until Harry is done with school? After this assignment, I'll probably only see the lot of them during the holidays – that is, if we're not at all-out war by then. And…"

"And you've only actually had them for two years," he finished her thought. "Like I said, we'll wait. We'd have to find a place we can afford anyway."

Marina wisely didn't mention that they both had a fortune. She agreed that they should live off their salaries – they never knew when or if they might need the safety net of money.

"It's another two years. Are you sure?"

Either way, she was so going to have a talk with Remus. She would go to her Dad, but this was a subject he couldn't help with. He literally fled his so-called home. He couldn't wait to get away.

"Living together is a formality mostly. We still spent most nights together when we can. Stop worrying," he added before she could argue. "I love you. That won't change."

Only he managed to do this. She had to swallow a salamander-sized lump.

"I love you too."

After that emotionally draining conversation, being assigned their guard duties was almost cathartic to Marina.

How the hell had she not seen that coming? They'd been really seeing each other for eighteen months, give or take. And before that, they'd danced around their feelings rather obliviously for half a year. Of course he was going to ask eventually. This was usually when she felt impossibly young compared to him. And off-kilter.

Then again, she grinned to herself, they weren't the only ones. Aside from Carmen and Elias, the Weasleys had been presented a shock this summer.

Bill had been dating someone for over a year, keeping it under wraps to keep Molly from meddling – and potentially scaring the woman away. But now he'd brought her home because he had proposed and she'd said Yes.

His fiancée was none other than Fleur Delacour.

Marina and Harry had been thrilled – well, as thrilled as possible while mourning Ted – to see the Frenchwoman again. And Bill seemed (and sensed) deliriously happy.

The Weasleys had all been shocked, not having suspected how serious the relationship was, but as supportive as possible of the couple. Even Percy, who had moved closer to home.

All but Molly and Ginny. The women of the family couldn't stand Fleur for some reason. For the matriarch, Marina suspected, it was a case of no one being good enough for her 'baby'. But Ginny made no sense whatsoever.

Strangely enough, Hermione and Susan couldn't stand her either. To the young Miss Bones, Fleur was too pompous and above them all.

Marina was well aware her friend appeared that way, but Fleur wasn't actually anywhere near as arrogant as she sometimes sounded.

Hermione, however, knew better from all the time everyone had spent together during the Tournament, trying to keep all the champions alive.

She consciously avoided sensing any of the younger witch's emotions because what glimpses had come through had been… jealousy.

Mostly when a certain young wizard was obviously still getting on great with the woman.

That way lay… … she couldn't think of anything more dangerous than dragons.

Her brother was painfully oblivious, chalking up Hermione's disdain for Fleur to the same dislike Ginny and Susan had for her.

She just prayed that no one would get their heart broken. They'd all been through enough misery already to last several lifetimes.

Marina snapped out of her musings when Tolliver called her name.

"- and Tonks are assigned to the Prefect carriages. Nott and White, the last carriages, with the second-years. Williamson, Bennet, Sawyer and I will handle everything in between."

Everyone else had been stationed around school grounds close to the castle and inside the castle, everywhere from Entry Hall to the hallways leading to the Common Rooms. Rotating positions and shifts.

They had too few people for all that. She bit her lip to hide a smile when McGonagall pointed just that out.

"I have already sent word to Scrimgeour. Until he responds, we'll have to make it work."

Riding thestrals was a singularly odd experience. Marina could see them, alright, but that made it worse. They looked creepy as hell – not that she'd ever tell Hagrid that. Plus, they were uncomfortable. If they looked skeletal, they sure felt like it even more.

But it's not like there were horses at Hogwarts. And borrowing a broom to hover all the way to the castle was ridiculous.

She scanned the surroundings, her wand at the ready, and blocked out the students' chatter next to her.

Or she tried to anyway. Scrimgeour's move proved true. Most the students were absolutely thrilled that she was here. Happy that Dora, Elias and David had been assigned here too.

The only ones who demurred were, shocker, the Slytherin students whose parents were known Death Eaters or supporters of those. And then she heard Harry.

"… ended up who knows where to recruit a really odd guy. New professor this year. Dumbledore said he needed me because Slughorn likes to collect talent. And fame."

She damn near fell of her beast at that.

Slughorn was a Potions teacher. He had been their parents' professor and only left the school when Snape was hired.

If Slughorn was back, there was no way he would teach anything but Potions. So where was Snape? And, more importantly, who would teach Defence this year?

She mentally smacked herself and focused back on the job at hand. Teachers, other than their safety, were no longer her problem.

Or so she thought.

The next morning, they were all dumbstruck. All the aurors assigned inside the castle had breakfast with the students – as they were all in the same place – after starting their shift an hour before. The outdoor aurors would have their breakfast when the students were all in their first class for the day.

However, scarcely anyone's thoughts were on security today.

Dumbledore had dropped the bludger of the decade on them all at the start-of-term feast.

Slughorn was the new Potions master alright. No particular surprise there.

The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was none other than Snape.

Snape.

Not a person had not been shocked, even the Slytherins who'd burst into loud applause.

The rest of the Great Hall had been conspicuously, deafeningly silent.

Poor Neville had paled so much he had actually swayed in his seat. The bat terrified him.

Marina would be surprised if even half the kids learned as much as they should this year. Hell, even Hermione and Harry – Harry! – would have a hard time with Snape in charge.

Unsurprisingly, she had therefore not slept well. Never a good thing when you were supposed to be constantly vigilant. David had been up and gone by the time she'd forced herself out of bed. Yet he was late.

As if summoned, he suddenly dropped onto the bench next to her. The Gryffindors had made room for everyone as if they'd never left school – as had the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.

"I just came from Dumbledore's office," he explained by way of a greeting before piling lots of food onto his plate in record speed.

"Why?"

He just shot her a look. Right. He was no more pleased about the new staffing than her. His little brother still went to school here same as hers.

"He has given official permission to reinstate the DA, if they want. Disappointed in the request he was though," he added sarcastically before starting to all but inhale his food.

"What did he expect? A medal? No one wants Snape teaching Defence."

She was fairly sure not even his House did, because now they'd have to actually work for good Potions grades.

"I reckon everybody will want to continue. Question is, does Harry? Little point without him."

For all that 'their' students had caught up last year, it was just that: they had to play catch up. Thanks to their unfair advantage of aurors and order members in the family.

"Let's ask him after his first lesson with Snape," Elias suggested, who had chosen to sit at their table rather his own house.

After that, they focused on eating, since they had to finish before the students and return to their posts. Well, the men at least.

Marina was supposed to stay put until all students had left.

Tolliver gave her as much blatant special treatment as Scrimgeour.

She positioned herself at the doorway and waited. It would take a little while, like every first breakfast, since the Heads of Houses needed to distribute specialised timetables for the sixth-years. Even while internally chastising herself, Marina pointed her wand towards her ear and mumbled 'Sublingo'* under her breath. Suddenly, she could hear McGonagall and the others just fine, depending on whom she focused.

Neville, naturally, got Herbology; plus, Charms, Defence and Transfiguration – if the latter just barely, apparently.

She got dizzy from listening in on several conversations, but she heard the gist of all of them:

Anthony Goldstein: Arithmancy, Defence, Herbology, Muggle Studies, Potions and Transfiguration.

Daphne Greengrass: Arithmancy, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration.

Draco: Arithmancy, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration.

Theo: Ancient Runes, Charms, Defence, Potions, Transfiguration

Ernie Macmillan: Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Defence, Herbology and Transfiguration

Hannah Abbott: Charms, Defence, Herbology, Muggle Studies, Potions and Transfiguration

Michael Corner: Arithmancy, Charms, Defence, Herbology and Potions

Parvati Patil: Astronomy, Charms, Defence, Divination, Herbology, Transfiguration

Padma Patil: Ancient Runes, Charms, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration

Susan: Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Defence, Herbology, History of Magic, Muggle Studies, Potions and Transfiguration – an overachiever like her aunt.

Which was, of course, nothing compared to the greatest overachiever of their year.

Hermione: Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defence, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration.

Everything about any assignment was always a test as long as you were an auror trainee. She would be expected to know the high-profile students whereabouts at all times after being stationed here. Luckily for her, she was obsessive like that anyway.

Lastly, it was the boys' turn.

Setting a bad example – as if anyone noticed – she couldn't help but listen to all of Harry's consultation

"So, Potter, Potter…," said McGonagall while reading her notes before turning to the boy. "Study of Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration… all fine. I must say, I was pleased with your Transfiguration mark, Potter, very pleased."

Not to mention surprised, probably. Her brother's enthusiasm for the subject, other than animagi, was… limited.

"Now, why haven't you applied to continue with Potions? I thought it was your ambition to become an Auror?"

Marina gnashed her teeth.

"It was, but you told me I had to get an Outstanding in my O.W.L., Professor," Harry reminded her.

"And so you did when Professor Snape was teaching the subject. Professor Slughorn, however, is perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T. students with Exceeds Expectations at O.W.L. Do you wish to proceed with Potions?"

So maybe there was one tiny good thing coming from Snape changing subjects: Harry could keep taking Potions without extra trouble to qualify for the Ministry. Said and done, and Harry had his new schedule.

Then McGonagall turned to Ron.

The young Weasley was cleared for all the same classes as his best friend, except he took Muggle Studies instead of Ancient Runes. He was Arthur's son after all.

"Oh, by the way, Weasley – twelve hopefuls have already put down their names for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I shall pass the list to you in due course and you can fix up trials at your leisure." With that, she sent them off.

Everyone had been thrilled when the Captain's badge had reached Ron this summer. Mostly, they had assumed Harry would get that too, but he was thrilled he hadn't. Firstly, because he had enough on his plate with school, being a Prefect, training and, you know, worrying about Voldemort, and secondly, Harry was the first to admit that Ron was the better strategist and would therefore make a better team captain.

She kept listening to Snape as Zabini got his schedule, even as the 'boys' passed her by.

"Look," Ron said gleefully while studying the timetable. "We've got a free period now and another one after lunch… excellent!"

History of Magic and Astronomy Theory – gazing at the constellations in the middle of the night was once a week; there was one additional period of studying the raw theory.

They would soon learn that they would desperately need those periods to study for next year's exams.

After another ten minutes, only a cluster of eight students stayed behind: the new fifth-year Prefects. Showing the newbies their dorms last night had been easy. Today they would be assigned the rest of their duties.

Marina saw Ginny – another Weasley to make the ranks – and Aaron Steele for Gryffindor.

Then there was Ty – making it all the Notts – and Felicity Burbage for Ravenclaw.

Jordan Gimlet and Luna – whom people suddenly took very seriously after this past June – stood up for Hufflepuff.

And Balthazar Burke Ⅲ and Euryale Travers were up front for Slytherin. Honestly: what were their parents thinking with those names?

Starting this year, all Prefects except the third-years would be assigned more patrols; everyone would get more responsibility and stress in general.

For that alone Voldemort and his Death Eaters deserved Azkaban.

"Scrimgeour has deputised the Order of the Phoenix," Tolliver announced that evening when everyone reported the days' happenings – as expected, she was questioned on the inner circle's whereabouts. It helped that she had a bunch of aurors whose experiences she could draw from.

"So, who is he sending?" she questioned while half-watching the last stragglers slowly make their way to dinner.

"Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Dodge, Emmeline Vance, Remus Lupin and a whole host of our colleagues," Tolliver replied. "The rest of the Order is being sent on auror missions."

Marina forcefully bit her tongue. Those exact missions without proper training had almost got Arthur and Jupiter killed last year.

But beggars could not be choosers during war. Plus, they could fight in the Order, they could fight on official missions, right?

"They are being paired with aurors, Black. Relax."

"That obvious, huh?"

"You get that look in your eyes when you're swallowing a remark."

"I have a tell and no one thought to mention it?"

"You're still in training," he told her calmly. "Everyone has a tell in training."

"Which we only get rid of if we're bloody told. I can't afford a tell."

Naturally, her thoughts were on Titania. Something told her that sooner or later, she'd be the one to face her twin again. Or Bellatrix.

"You'll get there. Now, get out of here. You're done for the day."

After the students had eaten, she walked out to the courtyard, which was freezing at this time, because she knew – unlike her colleagues – that some students just had to push curfew.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Susan, Neville, Anthony, Draco, Theo, Daphne, Ginny, Ty, Hannah, Astoria and Luna, to be exact. The seventh-years were noticably absent; most likely already studying like maniacs.

The younger students listened in horror to what appeared to be a recap of the other's first lesson with Snape.

Marina was not the least bit surprised it had ended an unqualified disaster with Harry getting detention his freaking first day back. Classic Snape.

After a moment, she pulled Harry aside.

"I didn't want to say this in front of the others, as to not get their hopes up," she started, thinking particularly of Neville. "Dumbledore gave his official permission to restart the DA this year. Everything Mad-Eye, Kingsley and Dad have been teaching us, you guys could teach the other students.

There is just no point in bringing it up, if you're not up for it."

"'Cause we're not busy at all," he grumbled in response but seemed thoughtful.

"Just think about it. Because let's face facts: so many students are so terrified of Snape, they are not gonna learn a darn thing. And they need to learn."

Harry nodded, still in thought.

They re-joined the others, where she was promptly bombarded with questions about auror training. She practically parroted what everyone else had told her, leaving out the special treatment she was getting – thanks to Amelia, most likely. She also had to explain how she could get her Ancient Runes Mastery simultaneously.

"And everyone else? What are they doing now?" Astoria asked, the only one not yet in fifth year in the group. She still had time to decide her future.

"Trying to decide what to do after school?" Marina smiled, remembering the fourth-year hassle all too well. Everyone had advice to impart, whether you wanted it or not.

Astoria nodded glumly; even some of Harry's friends seemed eager for an answer – apparently choosing subjects had been easier than deciding what to do with them.

"Well, let's see:

Bill Weasley is a Curse Breaker at Gringotts – basically, he hunts treasure for the goblins. He gets to travel a lot, but also has to get passed ancient traps sometimes. He got his Mastery in Arithmancy.

So did Bianca Nott, who tutors privately right now, but she is hoping to join the Department of Magical Education's Tutoring Offices.

Bianca's husband Talib is an Advocate – he mastered in Magical Law, obviously.

Bill's fiancée-," she grinned, ignoring the girls' groan. "-Fleur Delacour – the Beauxbatons champion at the Tournament – is now getting her Business Mastery by working at the offices at Gringotts.

Charlie Weasley and his girlfriend Irina Talinov are Dragonologists in Rumania. It's a year on-the-job training in addition to the Magizoology Mastery to get the specialty mastery.

Percy Weasley works at the Wizengamot Administrative Services since the new administration has taken over.

Now, for my classmates:

Patricia is working at the Ministry press corps right now, but she's got assurances that if her performance keeps up, she'll make full journalist by the end of the year.

Fred and George Weasley have, of course, opened their own shop. Steer clear if you don't like noise.

Angelina Johnson works as a columnist for Witch Weekly right now, much to her chagrin, but she'll apply at the Prophet as soon as a position gets free.

Elvira Rookwood actually works at the Department for International Magical Cooperation. She gets to travel to her counterparts across the globe for meetings.

Lee Jordan got into the Department for Magical Games and Sports. You can expect to hear him as a commentator for Quidditch and Duelling in the near future.

Jolene Wood started her training as a Mediwitch – the requirements aren't quite as high as for healers.

Carmen Nott started her Healer training in July, ahead of our N.E.W.T. results, simultaneously starting her Charms Mastery. She'd already decided to switch to Mediwitch training if her grades weren't up to par."

Marina had to swallow a snort at that last bit of nonsense.

"And Cedric Diggory, if you can believe it, took his inheritance from his grandparents and bought Quidditch Quality Supplies. He's taking over in January." Amos was less than pleased.

There reigned silence for a minute while they all processed. Clearly, Umbridge had really messed up their guidance consultations last year.

Marina decided they needed more information, as all careers were not limited to the Ministry, St. Mungo's and becoming a teacher.

"Also, I know that Katie Bell wants to be a Mediwitch too – which is why she'll be slaving over Potions this year. Sam Price wants to go into day-care – she loves kids; she can get a mastery in Child Care for that at the Ministry. Our friend Rolf Scamander takes after his rather famous grandfather and wants to be a Magizoologist. And Cho Chang is all about event-planning, so she'll need Charms and Transfiguration, at least.

And our acquaintances on the continent or overseas are artists, musicians, chefs, athletes, shop owners, businesspeople, inventors, librarians… employees. The list of jobs out there is endless."

Which gave them even more to ponder seriously.

"On another matter: how was Snape today?" she asked with no small amount of trepidation. The question wasn't if it had been bad; more like just how bad.

"Non-verbal spells," Neville mumbled into his non-existent beard. "Only Hermione did it."

Started them off easy, did he?

She shot her brother a look.

Carmen's mimicry had shown them years ago that he had natural talent for non-verbal casting. Not to mention he'd been doing it for two years without noticing.

She had her suspicions why it came so naturally to him and didn't like a single one.

"You faked incompetence in Snape's class?" she asked him, confused.

"He'd just use it as another excuse to call me a braggard."

"Sadly, that's a good point," she sighed. Hateful man.

"Yet another reason to think about it," she told him pointedly, to the confusion of everyone else. "And Slughorn? How was Potions?"

Oddly, Hermione fairly beamed at Harry at the question.

Her father had sent a laughing howler when she'd written about the potions master. Apparently, he remembered Slughorn well.

"Well, he's certainly… excitable," Daphne said. "But Potions seems like it might be more fun now."

"And Harry won a bottle liquid luck," Susan added happily.

"Do not take that before Quidditch," she ordered sternly. Not that he really needed luck for Quidditch, but depending on who would end up on the team this year…

"I know, I know."

Now Hermione looked uncomfortable but didn't utter a word.

She decided to leave before she meddled where she shouldn't.

"Alrighty then. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Now I have to go write half a dozen letters to all our worried parents and then try to actually catch some sleep before my shift in the morning.

"You here Saturday evening?" Harry asked before she could slip away.

It was her day off for Duelling League – this time it wasn't even special treatment. All aurors in the League got their training and duel days off.

"Yep. I'll be back by 4pm."

"Meet me at nine at Dumbledore's gargoyle?"

She looked at him sharply and nodded. That should be interesting.

.

* I made it up. Latin for eavesdropping.