For a few seconds, Cedric stared at them in something skin to shock. Then …

"I should have known," he said, shaking his head. "Why else would he come after you so often?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave Harry an affectionate smile. "He does seem to be a magnet for trouble, doesn't he? Thing is, it doesn't quite stop there …"

It took the better part of the morning to explain about the Marauders, the prophecy, and their first five years at Hogwarts, along with the reasons they didn't trust Dumbledore.

When they had finished, Cedric let out a low whistle. "Unbelievable. I want in."

"I thought you would," Susan said.

Cedric looked at Harry. "So your parents …"

"Yeah," Harry said. "Still can't quite believe it myself. Jen's still trying to find the place though."

Cedric frowned. "If their spirits are travelling to and from the place, could they not map it?"

"It's not really that simple," Hermione explained. "They can only travel so far from their bodies. After that, they need to … tether themselves, I suppose would be the best description, to a person. So they get to the middle of the ocean, and then they need to use that tether to pull themselves directly to me, or Harry, or Sirius. From us, they then have another maximum radius, but the two don't cross over."

"I suppose that would be too easy, wouldn't it?" Cedric asked.

"Speaking of easy," Susan said, trying not to smile, "I assume Cho knows you're back?"

"She knows I'm alive," Cedric said, pulling a face. "I don't know if she knows I'm back at school. I thought she was a prefect?"

"She was," Luna said, buried in The Quibbler. "Professor Flitwick thought she had a Wrackspurt infection."

"Cho did absolutely nothing to stop her friends bulling Luna," Ron translated.

Cedric's face darkened. "I didn't know about that. I haven't had a moment's peace all summer. Mum's barely let anyone visit, so I've had owls several times a day. I never realised she was that clingy."

"Don't think 'clingy' is the word you're looking for, mate," Harry said. "She was hanging on to me by September."

Cedric shook his head. "Unbelievable. It's not your fault," he added hastily, seeing the guilt that crossed Harry's face. "So how can I help with … you know?"

"Well, I think what we need to do," Hermione said, "is make sure that we're prepared for the worst-case scenario, which I would say is Voldemort attacks the school and we get no back-up."

"We'll get back-up," Harry said. "Jen and the others would come."

"What if they can't?" Hermione asked. "What if we have no way to contact them?"

"We would need the DA to be an actual army," Luna answered immediately. "Trained in combat, people who know what they're getting in to, battle-ready strategies, and people to man the infirmary." She looked over the top of The Quibbler at Cedric, her eyes slightly out of focus. "You have a host of nargles following you, did you know?"

Cedric looked to Susan for help.

Susan shrugged and mouthed, "Go with it."

"Is that good?" Cedric asked Luna.

"Oh, yes," Luna answered absently. "Just don't worry if you start being drawn to people you hadn't considered."

Hermione hid a smile. After learning about the thestrals, and how they could only be seen under certain circumstances, she had wondered how many of Luna's 'imaginary' creatures were the same. Many things the girl came out with did make sense if you looked at them from a different perspective, and they had all promised themselves that they wouldn't do what so many others did and dismiss her out of hand.

"We'll need to find a way of getting the younger years out of the castle as well," Daphne said. "And anyone else that doesn't want to fight. We can't rely on the floo – what if he finds a way to block it?"

"Good point," Hermione said, frowning.

"Jen will probably have some ideas," Ginny said.

"She definitely will," Hermione said. "Maybe we should all have a think about it."

Everyone agreed, and she removed the shield charms with a wave of her wand, jumping back into the conversation the first years were having.

When the trolley came round, Harry bought a large selection of sweets, allowing the new Muggle-borns to sample wizarding candy for the first time.

For her part, Hermione delved into her bag and retrieved a selection of Muggle sweets, which was a huge hit among the magically-raised.

Seeing how successful the wizarding etiquette lessons and the Muggle day trips had been among their own group, they had decided to try to bridge the gap between the two cultures as best they could with the younger students.

Once lunch had passed, they took it in turns to take the first years in groups to the next compartment, which was empty thanks to a small charm on the door, to allow them to change into the robes – and help them, in the Muggle-borns cases.

By the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, all the students were ready and they had just one more thing to do.

The older girls all opened their bags again and pulled out wand holsters, which they helped the younger students to attach to their arms.

As soon as everyone was armed, Harry and Hermione led the way off the train and on to the platform, where Hagrid's familiar voice could be heard shouting, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

The new Muggle-borns stopped dead and even the other first years hesitated.

Hermione chuckled, wrapping an arm around the shoulder of a young girl who had attached herself to her side. "It's alright. Hagrid's a good friend of ours."

A few of the braver first years trotted forwards, but the others stayed where they were.

Hermione understood. It normally took a good half an hour for all the first years to assemble.

Hagrid was definitely a food example of 'not judging a book by its cover'.

In these times, however, no one could afford hanging around the station any longer than they needed to; despite the war, and despite the fact that the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmeade Station every year at the same time, there seemed to be no security measures in place.

Most of the others were already at the coaches, making sure that the younger students were all loaded up.

Hermione decided she would need to take matters into her own hands. Squeezing the shoulder of the girl beside her, she lowered her head to talk to her. "What's your name?"

"Catherine Barter," she whispered.

Hermione smiled at her. "Come with me, Catherine." Releasing her shoulder in exchange for taking her hand, she led the young girl over to where Hagrid was standing. "Hello, Hagrid."

"Hermione!" Hagrid greeting, bending down to give her a hug that was, mercifully restrained. "How are you?"

Hermione automatically touched the top of her scar. "Better, Hagrid; thank you." She nudged Catherine forward. "This is Catherine Barter; she's a first year. Catherine, this is Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."

Hagrid's eyes crinkled in a beaming smile and he held out his huge hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Catherine. I've always said a friend o' Harry and Hermione's is a friend o' mine."

Looking a little startled, Catherine looked up at Hermione, who nodded with a smile. Her face lit up as she shook Hagrid's hand, her own hand almost disappearing within it.

At that, the rest of the first years surged forwards and Hermione took a step back. "Hagrid will take you up to the castle. We'll see you in the Great Hall for the Sorting."

She met Harry and the others at the last carriage, where Ginny was staring at the space in front of them. "Is that a thestral?"

"Yes," Draco said. "No one died at the Ministry, did they?"

"No," Harry said. "But I could see them after Cedric, and I didn't see them at the end of fourth year. I think that thinking you've seen death and mourned over it is enough. We did think Padfoot was dead for a good month."

"Longer than that," Ginny muttered, accepting Draco's help into the last carriage.

Hermione put a tentative hand out, feeling it rest on a leathery neck. "I don't know if you were one of them," she whispered. "But thank you for your help last June."

Something nudged her gently and she started, stepping back into Harry's arms.

"I think that was a 'you're welcome,'" Harry murmured in her ear.

Hermione chuckled weakly. "I guess so." She twisted her head round to look at him. "Ready for this?"

Harry looked at her for a moment, love shining in his eyes. "Hermione, with you by my side, I'm ready for anything."


The new students had been sorted, the Sorting Hat removed, and the students of Hogwarts were waiting patiently for Dumbledore to address them.

Daphne and Draco were sitting at the Slytherin table, at the end nearest the teachers, unashamedly using the younger years as a barricade between them and their classmates.

Luna was at the Ravenclaw table, being ignored by her classmates as per usual, and in a slight daze – also as per usual, but her friends had come to realise that this expression just meant that she was thinking deeply about something.

Susan and Cedric were sitting together, a little closer than they needed to be.

As soon as they'd entered the Great Hall, Cho had made a beeline for them, and Cedric had quickly wrapped an arm around Susan's shoulder and pulled her closer, seeming to whisper something private in her ear.

Only Susan knew the truth: "I can't deal with her right now; please play along."

Susan had given him a small nod and complied, leaning into him as they walked to their House table, trying to ignore the dirty look his ex-girlfriend gave her.

The five Gryffindors were all grouped together, all of them pointedly looking in any direction other than at Dumbledore.

Hermione was quietly making arrangements with the castle and Ginny was talking to Draco in her head.

Harry, Ron and Neville were scanning the Great Hall, taking in everything and everyone, eyes and minds finely tuned from a summer spent training with the Marauders (who let's face it, made you as paranoid as the Weasley twins).

They took note of everyone who might possibly pose a problem, for once not just focusing on the table furthest away from them.

Occasionally, their eyes met, and they'd all look at the same person, before agreeing.

It goes without saying that they all kept their shields up, barricading their minds and thoughts from the expected mind-sweep Dumbledore performed before his speech.

As always, Dumbledore explained the general rules to the first years (and reminded everyone else), before explaining that everything and anything sold at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was now on the 'Banned Item's list – Hermione had a feeling that had more to do with the owners than the actual products, especially since Fred and George had come up with a whole range of school-safe pranks …

Okay, Alicia and Angelina had come up with a whole range of school-safe pranks.

"And finally, it is my pleasure to introduce Professor Addison McKinnon, who will take on our Defence Against the Dark Arts classes."

Amidst the applause, Hermione saw Ginny start, but said nothing until the food had appeared on the table. "What's wrong?"

"Draco just said something I hadn't thought of," Ginny muttered. "I'll tell you later."

Hermione nodded understandingly. "Tell Draco that he and Daphne can go to the Room of Requirement after they drop the first years off, if the castle hasn't already."


Getting the first years safely into their dorms wasn't easy for Draco or Daphne, but they weren't in Slytherin for no reason.

They easily put on their icy fronts, responding to the students who wanted help, ignoring those who repeated snide comments about blood traitors.

Then, as curfew approached, they strode out of the Common Room together, heads held high.

They passed several ghosts and countless paintings, and came within a few feet of Filch and Mrs. Norris, but none paid a second's attention to the two prefects; Draco and Hermione had done their jobs, and no one would notice them, bar the castle herself.

When they reached the Room of Requirements, it didn't take more than a few seconds for the door to appear, and they were met with a simple, yet comfortable, common room, with two doors leading to bedrooms and ensuite bathroom.

Draco let out a low whistle. "There's something to be said for pissing off your entire house."
"I'll say," Daphne agreed, running a hand along the back of the sofa, not flinching with Dobby and Winky appeared with their trunks.

"Thanks," Draco said quietly.

"Thank you," Daphne echoed.

All of the purebloods had their eyes opened over the summer, but none more so than the two Slytherins.

The trips to the Muggle world had helped Draco in particular understand the way Harry and Hermione saw house elves.

But it had also forced them to see the opportunities the magical world was denying itself.

In some areas, it had to be admitted, magic was superior; there was no way they could compare flooing or portkey or even the Knight Bus with Muggle transportation, but they had come to appreciate how every Muggle-born or raised student must feel entering the magical world for the first time.

Dobby and Winky disappeared with another pop and Daphne turned to Draco. "Why did you suddenly look annoyed with Dumbledore introduced Addie as the DADA teacher?"

"Well, it suddenly hit me that he has no idea who he's dealing with," Draco answered. "He hired Addie at the last minute. But as far as he's concerned, she's been trapped without magic for eighteen years and never even graduated Hogwarts."

Daphne cursed under her breath. The fact that Addie had spent her time learning and perfecting wandless magic was a secret only a few were privy to.

"So basically, he's as bad as the Ministry when it comes to teaching us to defend ourselves, but he's managed to pull the wool over everyone's eyes again, because Addie escaped after so long and no one's cottoned on to the fact that her escape was more luck than anything else. This cannot be good."

"No," Draco said, a smirk spreading across his face. "No, this is good. Addie's a lot more powerful and a lot more controlled than he thinks."

Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "So what Dumbledore thinks is hindering us is actually helping." She snorted. "Because obviously, no one would ever hide something from him. Apparently there is an upside to him being an arrogant shit."

"I don't think that quite becomes you, Miss Greengrass," Draco drawled in an accurate impression of himself in third year.

Their eyes met and they both began to laugh.

Daphne calmed down first, bit she was still smiling broadly when she floated her trunk into her room. "Goodnight, Draco."

"Goodnight, Daphne."


Addie heaved a sigh, surveying her new domain. She had to admit, of all the classrooms at Hogwarts, this one was her favourite, with the spiral staircase behind the desk that led up to the office and, behind that, the private living quarters.

She just never thought it would be her classroom and her office and her living quarters.

She hadn't had long at all to prepare for this job, although Hermione was right about the text books. Whatever topic she chose practically had the lesson written for her.

Hmm … I could make a few changes here and there … Maybe give them an idea of what they're dealing with …

With a flick of her wand, a picture of the Dark Mark appeared on the back wall, next to another picture of a Death Eater mask.

They should at least be able to recognise trouble … Now … lessons …

She took a seat at her new desk and pulled a piece of parchment towards her, loading a quill to begin jotting them down.

She could have asked her quill to do it by itself, but for some reason, she'd never quite mastered a wandless levitation charm, and using her wand seemed to be more draining.

Seventh year's easy enough; that's just duelling and revision. Sixth year … curses. Offensive curses that can be used safely, and ones that they should recognise but not use … Fifth year is counter curses, I think …

Wordlessly, she conjured a list of spells needed for the DADA OWL exam.

Yes, counter curses. I am right. Better pull a Moody and move Unforgivables further down the list … Or is that pulling a Crouch? Jinxes and hexes in fourth year … magical creatures for third … and then I can concentrate on defensive charms for first and second. Starting with the shield charm.

Addie tapped her quill against the desk thoughtfully. And the first lesson should probably be a history lesson – for all of them.

Addie's schedule was a little fuller than most of the teachers. Unlike the rest of the classes, Defence Against the Dark Arts was taught in single house groups.

The only exception was first years, who were paired up to make room for the extra introductory lessons they would need – early theory, proper wand care and general subject introductions were all covered in the first few weeks.

It wasn't quite the Wizarding Studies that Addie privately felt the Muggle-born students could benefit from, but it helped even things out a little – even if Snape refused to participate.

Setting her quill down, Addie rose from her chair and made her way down the classroom.

Thankfully, sense had prevailed this year, and Gryffindor had been paired with Hufflepuff, and Slytherin with Ravenclaw.

It was two fairly neutral pairings, which was especially necessary when the subject matter was so divisive.

She stopped halfway down the classroom, behind a very familiar chair. Closing her eyes, she could almost hear the Marauders' laughter, Lily and Jen's stifled giggles, their teacher's desperate attempts to regain control of the class.

Despite being in a castle full of people, she suddenly felt very alone. The necklace that rested beneath her robes warmed comfortingly, and she smiled.

A throat cleared softly in the doorway, making her jump a little. She looked over sharply, then relaxed immediately. "Oh. Good evening, Professor McGonagall."

"Addie, please call me Minerva; we are colleagues now," her old teacher said, stepping into the classroom. "It is so good to see you again."

Addie had only just arrived before the students did, so she and Minerva had yet to have a proper conversation. "I'm sorry I haven't been by before; I was finding my feet again and …"

"You certainly don't need to apologise for that," Minerva said firmly, giving her a very unexpected embrace. "I mean, what you must have gone through … But you don't want to talk about that."

"No, I don't," Addie agreed fervently.

Minerva sighed, waving her wand at the door, locking and silencing the room. "Addison, there are very few times I disagree with the headmaster, but I'm afraid this is one of them."

Addie smiled. "Let me guess. You're concerned, because I've been trapped on an island without a wand for eighteen years, so what could I possibly teach these children?"

Minerva faltered. "Well … yes, actually."

"I taught myself wandless magic out there," Addie explained. "Although, to the best of my knowledge, Albus doesn't know that."

"But then …"

"Why did he hire me?" Addie asked with a sigh. She waved a hand, setting up more privacy charms around them. "I have no idea. But there is something else you need to know, Minerva, but I need a witch's oath you won't repeat this, especially to the headmaster."

The display of magic by her former pupil shocked Minerva into doing just that.

"I wasn't alone out there," Addie said.

Minerva sucked in a breath. "Leona?"

Addie nodded. "And James and Lily."

Hand on heart, Minerva sank into the nearest chair. "Potter?"

"Exactly." Addie leaned against one of the desks. "They arrived as the Death Eaters vanished, obviously. By the time Cedric reached me, I was in another part of the island … The wards had shot back up to full force again, so I bided my time, hoping they'd forgotten about us … Apparating myself and Cedric out … wandless magic or not, it really was as big a miracle as everyone's saying it was."

"Where is this island?" Minerva asked.

Addie sighed. "I don't know. I wish I did. Jen and Remus are half-buried in books and maps and scrolls trying to find something."

"What about …?" Minerva began.

"Snape's taken an Unbreakable Vow," Addie said.

"And Albus?" Minerva asked. "Why don't you trust him?"

Addie sighed. "Minerva, we have a number of reasons. My main one is that Regulus Black told Albus we were out there, and to the best of my knowledge, he never bothered to look. My second one is that Albus cast the Fidelius Charm to make Peter their Secret Keeper and yet Sirius still ended up in Azkaban."

Minerva's face had paled quite considerably, and Addie took pity on her. "I would talk to Jen. She's got a whole list of reasons and probably more evidence than I do."

Minerva nodded slowly. "I believe I will." She rose from her chair, taking Addie's hand in both of hers. "I must admit that you, Lily and Jennifer were three of my favourite students. And it pains me to see what the three of you have gone through. I'll keep this to myself. Goodnight, Addison."

"Goodnight, Minerva." Addie watched her former head of house leave the classroom and turned to the window.

Focusing her gaze, she could just see the wards shimmering at the edge of the boundary. At some point she would need to take a closer look, so that Jen could adapt Portkeys so they didn't need to be outside the wards to work.

With a heavy sigh, she made her way up the stairs to her office, crossing the room to the portrait on the wall. "Marauders forever."

The wizard in the painting winked at her and gave a bow, and the frame swung forwards, allowing Addie access to her new bedchamber.

As she entered, she felt her necklace warm again, and smiled. Maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all.