Author's Notes: I know in the book that Hermione arrives the next day, but for this story she takes a n extra day to arrive. Also, I'm sorry for the pronoun mash up that's going to happen in this and future chapters. Sometimes Harry will refer to himself as she, sometimes Heather will say he. If it gets too confusing, please let me know. This is a confusing time for him/her in a lot of ways and for me as the writer.

As always the world of Harry Potter does not belong to me but J.K. Rowling

Chapter Nine

Having come out about Heather to Sirius, some of the weight that had being weighing him down left Harry's shoulders. That more than anything was how he was able to survive all of the worry and doubt that filled him for the next day. All around him Sirius and the Weasley's were decorating the house for Christmas and filling the air with cheer. Rather than face them and risk exposing them to his potentially possessed self, Harry stayed in hiding.

All through the house Harry could hear Sirius singing Christmas carols as he strung the banisters with garlands and put Santa Claus hats and beards on the house elf heads. Harry spent most of his time either in his bedroom or in Sirius's mother's room with Buckbeak, his back against the door to prevent anyone from entering. When he heard Mrs. Weasley calling softly up the stairs for him, he ignored her and continued staring blankly at the ceiling.

It wasn't until Hermione arrived later that evening that he was confronted by anyone. She had had to wait until term officially let out to come, though she was supposed to be going to France with her parents. Unlike everyone else who was willing to let Harry handle his feelings himself, she insistently knocked on the door of Sirius's mother's bedroom until he opened the door, Ron and Ginny in tow. Calmly she told Harry that she'd been told by Ron and Ginny what they'd overheard Moody say. It didn't take her long to make Harry understand that there was no way that Voldemort had transported him to London. Ginny followed this up by asking questions based on her experience with being possessed to get him to realize that that wasn't true either.

Harry felt like an idiot. When he'd needed them most, he'd cut his friends out completely, even though he thought he was doing it for their protection. Having been pulled back completely out of the funk he had fallen into, Harry joined the efforts to decorate the house with gusto. Hermione it seemed had come to join them for the holidays rather than meeting her parents, and the gloomy house was full of laughter and mirth. The updates that were brought back from the hospital were positive, and plans were made to go visit Mr. Weasley again on Christmas Day.

In the days that followed it became a sort of tradition that after dinner Sirius would go sit in the study on the first floor and Harry would come with him. They talked and sat in silence, Sirius asking questions about Heather, and Heather answering. It felt comfortable to be able to talk to an adult about this, in a way it was different than talking to Hermione or Ginny. Heather still hadn't told them everything that had happened in the last week or so and knew that soon the three of them would have to have a long conversation.

That was the only time for the entire Christmas break that Heather was able to be herself with another person. Anytime he tried to be alone with the girls Ron or the twins would come along. On Christmas eve night, Heather was getting ready for bed when she saw a small letter laying on her bed. Curious she opened it and a small ring fell out of the envelope. Years of practice as a seeker allowed her to catch it before it fell to the floor. It was a ring set with three brilliantly blue stones. Looking at the letter, she read

Heather,

On the night your house in Godric's Hollow was attacked all those years ago, I came too late to be able to save your parents, or even to pick you up. In my duty as godfather, I went through the house to see if there was anything that could be salvaged for you to have one day as a reminder of your parents and their love for you. This ring was always a favorite of Lily's. James gave it to her as a gift in their seventh year. No, it wasn't an engagement ring, but she cherished it for the rest of her life. I saved it so you could give it to a girl one day, but instead I think it's right that as Lily's daughter you should wear it yourself.

Merry Christmas,

Sirius.

At a loss for words, Heather looked back at the ring. This was my mother's, she thought, staring into the depths of the stones. Four years ago, she'd been given the invisibility cloak and two years after that she had gotten the Marauder's map, both things that reminded her strongly of her father. But never before had she been given anything of her mother's. She reread the letter, running her eyes over the words Lily's daughter over and over again. Smiling, Heather slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of her right hand, admiring the way the stones shone in the light of the lamp.

The next morning, she almost didn't want to remove it before going down to breakfast. But, deciding that it would be too much of a giveaway if Harry came downstairs wearing jewelry, she stashed it safely in her small jewelry box and got dressed. In the kitchen everyone was digging into one of Mrs. Weasley's fantastic breakfasts, Christmas cheer filling the air. Presents were exchanged and Harry opened a book on defensive magic from Sirius and Lupin, a small model of a Firebolt from Tonks, the usual hand knitted jumper from the Weasleys, and a homework planner from Hermione. The little book was such a Hermione gift that he couldn't help but smile.

After lunch the group, including Harry, the Weasley's, and Hermione got ready to leave for the hospital, escorted by Mad-Eye and Lupin. They all climbed into a car that had been "acquired" by Mundungus Fletcher. Half an hour later they pulled up next to the dilapidated storefront that hid the entrance to the wizarding hospital. In the brightly lit atrium, Christmas baubles hung from the ceiling in reds and greens. As they waited in line to find out which ward Mr. Wesley had been transferred to, Harry took his time to look at the directory hanging about the desk. Idly he wondered if there were a department he could speak to about becoming a girl.

Mr. Weasley had been moved to a new ward, a good sign according to Mrs. Weasley. After visiting for a few minutes, Harry, Hermione excused themselves to go to the tea shop on the fifth floor, wanting to avoid the coming row between Mr. Weasley and his wife. Apparently, he and one of the healer's had tried to use stitches to close the wound, something Mrs. Weasley wasn't talking kindly too.

Several days later Harry was playing wizards chess with Ron in the drawing room when Mrs. Weasley stuck her head in the doorway.

"Harry dear, Professor Snape is downstairs and would like a word."

"Snape?" Harry asked, sure he had heard her incorrectly.

"Yes dear, Professor Snape."

"What did you do?" asked Ron as Harry got up and left the room behind Mrs. Weasley.

Down in the kitchen Sirius stood next to the fireplace, his arms crossed and glowering at Snape. Snape in turn was glaring at Sirius, exuding an air of wanting to complete his business and leave as soon as possible. When Harry arrived, Snape proceeded to inform him that on Dumbledore's instructions, he was to being learning the magical defense of Occlumency, starting on the Monday he returned to school. Occlumency, explained Snape when Harry asked, was the study of blocking external magical access to your mind.

Sirius didn't seem any more pleased at the thought of Harry taking lessons with Snape than he was. "If I hear you're giving He-Harry a hard time with these classes…" He said, almost slipping up on Harry's name.

"Have no fear, Black" replied Snape coldly, "In case you haven't noticed Potter is very much like his father. He's so arrogant that criticism bounces right off him."

Sirius was only stopped from whipping out his wand and cursing Snape by the sudden arrival of Arthur Weasley, supported by his wife, walking into the kitchen.

The next morning, they were due to return to Hogwarts. After a hurried breakfast they pulled on scarves and coats to brace against the cold grey morning. Sirius, who had been growing quietly more sullen since Christmas, took Harry aside into the study and thrust a small wrapped package into his hand.

"I want you to take this. Don't open it here, glancing out into the hallway, "I doubt Molly would approve. It's a way of letting me know if Snape's giving you a hard time."

Wondering at the small little rectangle, Harry stuffed into his pocket and hugged his godfather. "Thank you, Sirius. For everything."

"You're welcome, Heather" Sirius said, hugging him back.

Breaking from the hug, Harry considered never opening the package, so it wouldn't be him who ever lured Sirius out from where he was safe. That feeling was quickly replaced by excitement at the prospect of being able to talk to him again freely. Harry followed the rest of the group out onto the cold street and waited for Tonks to summon the Knight Bus. As it materialized, he turned to take one more look at the house, wondering when he'd see it again. It wasn't home, not yet. But with Sirius here he could see it becoming one for him.