"Tonks," said Ron, after the polite applause had died down. "I think dad mentioned her, doesn't she work for the Ministry?"

Hermione frowned.

"She's an Auror," said Dudley.

They all stared at him.

"I saw her with the Aurors last night," he said. "She kinda stands out," and he nodded his head in her direction.

Tonks had removed her cape, revealing shoulder length hair that was bright pink. She was also wearing a pink t-shirt from the wizarding rockband Dragonfire.

"She looks fun at least," said Dean. "Not like the usual lot."

Tonks' pink hair and style of dress especially stood out among the older professors. Snape, they saw giving her a disapproving look. A look that became even more pronounced when she knocked a goblet of pumpkin juice into his lap.

"I like her already, if she's getting onto Snape's bad side," he snickered.

"I hope she's a good teacher," Hermione said, tilting her head to the side.

Tonks was now trying to blot up her spilt pumpkin juice and had knocked Dumbledore's hat off with a stray elbow.

"Bound to be if she's an Auror," said Ron. "They're the best aren't they?"

"Is she really an Auror?" Seamus asked, excitedly, leaning over to listen in.

"Dud reckons so," said Ron.

"I saw her with them at least," Dudley said.

"I did too," said Ginny. "She was one of the Aurors that cast a patronus."

"Cool," said Dean, giving Tonks an admiring look.

Hermione looked a little bit impressed. "Well, she certainly sounds like she knows her stuff," she said, approvingly.

Word that Professor Tonks was an actual Auror had spread around the table. Dudley heard Parvati and Lavender talking about it, as well as Euan Abercrombie telling how Tonks had personally dueled You-Know-Who himself.

After dinner, they returned to their dormitories. Hermione, predictably, sat by the fire with a book, much to Ron's mixed astonishment and disgust.

"Seriously?" he said, raising his eyebrows.

"What? I want to get a head start," Hermione said, defensively.

Just as Dean had broken out his packet of exploding snap cards, Angelina Johnson stalked over to them.

"Hello you lot, Ron, good summer?" and without waiting for a reply she said, "I've been made quidditch captain."

"Nice one," said Ron.

"Thanks, we're having trials on Saturday. I want the whole team there."

"Can anyone try out?" Ginny asked.

"Of course," said Angelina. "Like always. We're trying to find a new keeper, if any of you lot are interested." and she hurried away to tell Fred and George who were talking to a 7th year called Harold Dingle.

"Be nice if one of you three get on the team," said Ron to Dudley, Dean and Ginny. He glanced at his watch and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Dean asked, frowning.

"I said I'd meet Cho, I haven't seen her since the quidditch match," Ron said.

"Of course, it's been a few weeks since you got some snogging done," said Dean.

"Shut it," said Ron, but he was grinning. "I'll see you later."

Hermione lowered her book and gazed at Dudley over the cover. "Didn't you arrange to meet Luna?" she asked.

"No, why ... do you think I should have?" Dudley asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes so hard they nearly fell out of their sockets.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Dud," said Ginny. "Luna isn't the sort to want to see you every minute of every day or make dates. You'll see her at dinner anyway, won't you? You always sit together."

"Yeah, yeah, I suppose," said Dudley, but he couldn't help but wonder if he should have made an effort to meet Luna.

As Dean dealt out the cards, Dudley checked his schedule.

"I dodged a bullet today," he said. "Muggle Studies, History of Magic and Astronomy," he said. "Glad we got the day off."

"Tomorrow's not bad," Dean said, checking his own. "Charms first thing, then a break, and then Defence Against the Dark Arts,

"Cool, we'll get to see what Professor Tonks is like," said Dudley. He was looking forward to learning from an actual Auror.

Professor Moody had been an ex-Auror and his lessons had been great, so he was expecting a similar sort of thing from Professor Tonks.

They spent a relaxing afternoon, playing snap, talking and chilling out in the common room. Occasionally others who they knew came to join them. Lee Jordan came to show them a scorpion he had bought and was keeping in a box. Colin Creevey came over to say hello to Ginny and a somewhat nervous hello to Dudley.

Dudley gave him a small nod. He didn't like Colin Creevey much. The boy was extremely annoying. But he had stopped beating him up and bullying him. Still, Colin kept treating Dudley as if he was a toxic snake who might bite at any moment. Dudley actually liked it that way. It meant he did'nt have to put up with Creevey's annoying habits.

They met Ron in the entrance hall before dinner. He was looking very pleased with himself and wouldn't elaborate on where he and Cho had gone, but Dudley thought he could guess what he had been up to. Ron had a smudge of lipstick on the collar of his robes.

"Hello, Dudley, good first day?" said Luna, coming over and taking his hand. Dudley didn't have time to answer before his girlfriend continued.

"I'm popular," she said, looking pleased. "Everybody wanted to know all about our fight with the Dementors," she said. "Even though they saw it themselves. They kept asking questions. And of course, they all wanted to see my patronus. I've never been popular before. I quite like it. It's better than everyone been mean to me."

"How's your house coping, after, you know, Roger?" Dean asked.

"Everybody is very upset," said Luna. "He was very popular, you know. Star of the quidditch team and Head Boy. I suppose it's the same Gryffindor felt after Neville."

"Dean put up a banner in his memory," Dudley said. The banner, which had a simple drawing of a hand showing a middle finger was still hung above the Gryffindor fireplace.

"Some of the Ravenclaw girls are planning something similar," said Luna. "They've put a framed photo of Roger on the wall with a little plaque underneath."

Dudley nodded, pleased that Roger was been honored. He hadn't known him all to well, but he had certainly been brave.

Tracey Davies

Tracey returned to the Slytherin Common Room shortly before dinner. She had spent the whole morning with her parents, reminiscing about her brother Roger. She had always been close to him. He had looked out for her a lot, even though they were opposites in many ways. He was very sporty and athletic and got good grades without trying. She was much more studious, though not as smart. He had a bit of a mean streak that Tracey lacked and enjoyed being the center of attention. Whereas she preferred a smaller circle of friends. They both shared the same quick temper, however.

"Are you going to be OK, Trace?" Hestia Carrow asked.

Tracey felt pleased that her friends had waited in the Common Room by the door for her. Hestia and Flora Carrow, Daphne Greengrass and Astoria Greengrass. Each of the girls were wearing the S.A.D badges.

They were a good group of friends, Tracey thought.

Hestia and Flora—tall, lanky and identical. Each wore their black hair short in a bob cut. The only difference was that Hestia wore a purple ribbon on the right, Flora to the left. Hestia swore constantly, while Flora spoke like she had swallowed a thesaurus but they could be good company.

Daphne was the prettiest of the group with long blonde hair. She was the most talkative and loved been the center of attention. She she was very generous, though quite lazy with her studies. Then there was Astoria, she looked a lot like Daphne except she was shorter and wore braces. She lacked her sister's confidence and was very shy but very sweet.

"I don't know," Tracey said, after a few seconds.

"Of course she isn't going to be ok!" said Flora. "Roger was her brother! You don't get over that, that quickly!"

"We're here for you, Trace," said Daphne, quickly. "All of us. If you just want to sit and talk, or go for a walk in the grounds and find somewhere—or if you just want to sit in silence. It's all up to you."

"Or if you're up for it, we can go for dinner?" said Hestia, sounding helpful.

Flora gave her a sharp dig in the ribs.

"Dinner actually sounds good," Tracey admitted.

"Let's go, then," said Daphne, linking arms with her.

"Wait ... erm ... hang on ... remember ... Professor Snape wanted a word," Astoria said.

Tracey had forgotten about that. "I'll see you down there," she said.

"We'll wait," said Daphne. "Won't we?"

They all nodded, even Hestia, though she looked a little unhappy at further delaying their meal.

Deciding to get her meeting with Snape over with, Tracey headed to his office. She knocked once and entered.

He looked up at his desk and nodded to the empty chair. Feeling a little awkward, Tracey sat down.

Severus Snape was a good head of house with plenty of time for students who needed help, but he hated time wasters and his sharp tongue cut to shreds anybody who came to his office with petty problems they could solve themselves.

He stared at her for a few seconds. "How are you holding up, Davies?" he said finally.

"I'm fine," she said.

"No, you're not," Severus Snape said, staring at her. "How could you be. I'm not going to sit here and tell you a bunch of meaningless, comforting words—what good will that do? I'm sure you have heard them all."

Tracey gave a small nod.

"And did they help?"

"No, not really," Tracey admitted.

"Nor am I going to sit here and tell you how brave Roger was, you have heard it all before. It must be tiresome," Snape said.

"A bit," Tracey admitted. "It won't bring him back. And ... and all the words about him dying a hero and ... I know he was brave. But I wish he wasn't gone at all."

"Of course," Snape said, understandably. "Anybody would feel the same. Now, what I want to say is this—you will get through this. It will hurt ... it will hurt unbearably for a long time. So much that you want to tear this world to pieces. That you will want to curl up and give in. Or even seek revenge. You will be going through, and will continue to go through, a whirlwind of different emotions. But know this, things will get better. You need a goal to focus on. Something to aim for so you can put the past behind you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, professor," said Tracey, uncertainly.

Snape seemed to realise that she didn't really know what he meant. "What is it you most wish?"

Tracey thought immediately of Roger being back, but she didn't think that's what Snape meant. "I want revenge on the Death Eaters who murdered him," she said. "I want to see them brought to justice."

Snape nodded. "I understand," he said. "Then know this, being reckless will only get you killed. The best way for you to get justice, is to not do anything rash."

"I wasn't going to," Tracey said.

"Perhaps," said Snape. "I am going to recommend you join the Auror Initiative once you finish Hogwarts."

"Huh?" Tracey was surprised.

"You have good grades—perhaps with the old standards, you wouldn't have made it. But with Minister Lockhart lowering the standards ..." he put a slight sarcastic emphasis when he said Lockhart's name and it was clear he didn't think much of the Minister.

"... you will be accepted. It will be a goal to focus on, so you can move past your grief," said Snape. "Joining the Aurors will give you the best chance to strike back at those who murdered Roger."

Tracey stared at him for a few seconds, she got the feeling that he was speaking from experience and had lost someone he cared deeply about.

For a moment, she considered asking him, but then quickly shoved that thought aside. She knew Snape wouldn't look too kindly on her prying into his business.

"Thanks, professor," she said, wondering what goal Snape had focused on to get through his own personal loss.

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius was shaken. Lord Voldemort considered his son, Draco, to be a traitor for daring to raise a wand and fight against the Dementors attacking the train. Lucius had been subjected to the crucio curse, a favorite of Lord Voldemort's for Draco's supposed treachery, and Lucius' pleas that Draco was loyal and wanted to join the Death Eaters had been ignored. Lucius had thought he was going to die. Instead, Lord Voldemort had lifted the torture and smiled a wicked smile.

"Do you remain loyal, Lucius?"

"Always," Lucius gasped. His entire body hurt because of the crucio curse.

"Hmmm, we'll see," Voldemort said, doubtfully. "I think your faith in me has faded of late, has it not Lucius?"

"Nom my lord,"

"The loss of your left arm, the arrest of your wife, your son turning traitor …"

"Draco isn't a traitor!" Malfoy gasped.

"Crucio!"

Lucius screamed again, but, thankfully, the curse didn't last long.

"Don't interrupt," said Voldemort. "As I was saying, your loyalty is in doubt, Lucius. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what will happen if I suspect youa re a traitor."

"No, my lord, please! I remain loyal. Always," Lucius pleaded.

"Does your loyalty lie with me, or with your family?" said Voldemort.

"I … you," Lucius said.

Voldemort smiled. He had noted the hesitation. "Would you kill your wife for me, Lucius?"

"My lord?" Lucius looked stunned.

Voldemort smiled again. He enjoyed watching Lucius Malfoy squirm.

"My lord, you ask …"

"Relax Lucius, I won't ask for your wife. She is with the Ministry. Why would I want her to pay? She remains a true supporter of our cause, does she not?"

"She does, my lord," said Lucius, visibly relaxing.

"And yet, she never joined my ranks with her sister, dear Bellatrix?"

"My lord, with a son … Draco … she decided to care for him."

"Of course, nurturing the youth so they realize the truth about wizard superiority is important," said Voldemort. "Yet Narcissa seems to have failed. Draco turned traitor."

"A misunderstanding, I'm sure. I swear—he remains loyal. He plans to join once he is of age," Lucius said quickly.

"You can prove your loyalty, Lucius. You will bring Draco to me, so he can answer questions about his actions against my forces," said Voldemort.

Lucius felt his blood run cold. "My lord, I …"

"If you say I can't, I will kill you. I will kill your wife and I will kill your son," Voldemort said coldly.

"What will you do with him?" Lucius said, lowering his head.

"I will ask him to prove his loyalty to me," said Voldemort. "If you bring your own son to me, then you will have proved your loyalty, Lucius. As a reward, I will offer Draco the chance to do the same."