The next day started out "normally" enough. Get up, have breakfast, go to class etc.… The mysterious frost that had followed her to bed was nowhere in sight. Maybe it was one of the Weasley pranks or something which wore off? As Lucy sat down to lunch with Harry and his friends, the main topic for once was not the "stone" and who was behind the attempted theft, but rather Hagrid?

"Just how long do you think Hagrid's going to be able to "keep" Norberta?" Hermione whispered,

"Newly hatched dragons grow pretty fast within the first month, according to Charlie" Ron said between mouthfuls.

"So, he's got maybe a week at best?" questioned Harry,

"I suppose so, unless she burns down the hut before then. Lucy, can you say something to her? I mean you "talked" last night? asked the redhead.

The older girl sighed, "I did talk to her, I said Hagrid was going to take care of her until we found her mom-"

"But Hagrid-!"

"You didn't really think Norberta would recognize him as her Parent, do you? She's not a baby bird. She's a reptile, they are smarter than that. Out of all the creatures in the room, I was the closest one to her own species. Being cold blooded, at least in that form. Harry, Hermione. Please try to retain what you learned in Muggle school. The Animal Kingdom works pretty much the same way whether Magical or Non."

They both nodded, "What we need is a plan. Ron, you said your brother works with Dragons? Do you think he would be willing to take on one more and give her to a nesting mother on the Reserve?"

"Hmm," answered Ron, then swallowing. "I could write a letter to Charlie but it would never get there in time"

"Leave that to me," she said as Hedwig flew in with a parcel and landed right in front of her.

"Bit late for mail today isn't it?" asked Hermione.

"Oh no," Lucy gasped as the envelope that came with it started to get very animated. "Who would be sending you a Howler?"

"That's not a Howler," the teen confirmed as the letter broke free: "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Luuuccyy! Happy 17th Birthday toooo youuuu!" sang Midnight and Mary Jane's loud voices

"Thanks, you two" grumbled the birthday girl, her cheeks now red with embarrassment as pretty much the whole Gryffindor table stood up and applauded, along with a few others from different tables, and the staff (including Snape.) She could tell though that he was surprised, they had never discussed her birthday.

Preparing herself, Lucy began to untie and get into the parcel. Her friends had each sent her an "editable" treat.

Ever since she'd told Midnight, about her mother giving her an annual Chocolate Frog to mark the day. The little pint had decided to resurrect the tradition, (with a Marauders' twist of course!) Better get that one over with first. Lucy quickly unwrapped the paper before opening the box as Midnight's voice announced "On your mark! Get set... Hunt!"

The chocolate candied amphibian leapt out on onto the table, never stopping as the lion Animagus changed and gave chase around the hall. Ultimately being pounced on, bitten, eaten and swallowed in under three minutes.

"Wicked!" cheered the Weasley twins,

"I hate fast food, Midnight!" Lucy huffed changing back.

"Hey, aren't I innocent until proven guilty?" asked the recorded paper, "Happy Birthday" causing Filius Flitwick to chuckle and the Weasley twins to share identical grins of mischief.

The next one the teen opened up; she knew was "safe". For Mary Jane knew of her likeness of the muggle treat "Jell-O". But the thoughtful werewolf had also put her own spin on it, nothing dangerous but…

"Jello Jigger bugs?" Lucy rolled her eyes as she opened the lid of the plastic container eyeing the quivering tasty molded gelatin creatures. There was also a note with it, thankfully a silent regular one this time. "Slimy yet…Satisfying? Hakuna Matata!"

"Honestly," she breathed, the irony not lost on her.

Yes, she knew very well what her favored Animagus form was. As soon as her friends found out, they made her watch The Lion King about fifteen times! That movie always gave her mix feelings. She could identify with Simba; having lost the parent they were close to and being exiled from the world they were born in. At least she was totally alone, having Harry. But instead of a meerkat and a warthog, her Timon and Pumbaa were a Werewolf and a Monkey! Which was worse? She snickered, putting her stuff away.

"What?" she questioned noticing others eyes still on her.

"It's your birthday?" asked Ron,

"Yes…"

"Oh Merlin's beard Lucy! I-! I can't believe I forgot!" exclaimed her brother.

"That's understandable, you three have had a lot on your minds that is not strictly speaking "school work". Just stay OUT of trouble for the next twelve hours: No visiting Hagrid and Norberta after hours. No causing trouble with Professor Snape, and Stay away from the 3rd floor and its contents. Tomorrow, you can resume your usual. I don't need a trip into the Forbidden Forest tonight for Detention, are we clear?" stated Lucy, her emotions beginning to rise and the frost starting to return from where her fingers were gripping the table.

"Calm down Lucy, I promise we won't do anything," assured Hermione, glaring the other boys into agreement. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on with the older girl but she did know that magic responds strongly to a Witch or Wizard's feelings.

"Thank you," said Lucy as she meditated and the frost began reverse? Back inside her fingers? Weird…

The hours in the day passed by, soon it was advanced 6th year Potions. A class that while challenging, Lucy also excelled at. It was the last class of the day, and the girl noticed that Professor Snape's attention kept coming back to her. Finally, the bell rang,

"Miss Potter" he called as she stood, walking to the front desk, giving him her work. "You did very good today Lucy," her father spoke when the door had shut, leaving them alone.

"Thank you" she replied, as he suddenly reached down and pulled something out of a drawer. It wasn't wrapped but he handed it to her anyway. "Advanced Potions" she read the cover; it was the same book they were currently working through. She looked at him puzzled,

"Open it" he suggested, a hint of a smile could be seen in his eyes.

His daughter did as she was asked, there was hand writing inside: "Property of the Half Blood Prince"

"The Half Blood Prince?"

"This book was mine when I was your age. Inside is some of my notes in the margins of when I began to experiment with potions and create my own spells. I'm giving this to you on the three conditions: One- that you will not technically "cheat" by bringing this particular book to class. Use it to study with on your own time. If you retain some information by memory that's different, I will not judge you. Two- this book is for your eyes alone. Not for your friends and especially not your brother. It's locked by blood magic specifically to my DNA; you and I are the only ones who can open it."

And Three?"

"Three-" he nodded, "There is a certain dark spell I created in there for one's enemies. It's called "Sectumsempra" I want your word, that no matter how mad you get at the Headmaster, you will never use it on him. Or anyone in general until you are out of school. Only I know the counter curse, do we have a deal?" he said, holding his hand out, Lucy took it. "Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions, come see me at a convenient time"

"Meaning alone" she translated. Still, she couldn't help but be touched by the first gift she'd ever received from her father and a family heirloom at that. "Thank you, I promise I'll take real good care of it"

"I know you will…"

...

Lucy had just gotten into bed after securely putting her new book away at the bottom of her personalized trunk when there was a tapping on the window next to her. She instantly sat up. The Gryffindor girls' dorm rooms were up pretty high in the castle, so it couldn't be a boy and the tapping persisted. Finally, the teen got out of bed and pulled back the curtains.

It was Miss Aurora in her bird form!

Curious, Lucy opened the window and let the blue Macaw in.

"Miss Aurora, wh-? What are you doing here? This late? Mary Jane and Midnight already sent me my gifts and-"

"Breathe Lucy," suggested her tutor, upon changing back to human, calmly and quietly so to not wake the other girls she shared with. "I didn't just come here for your birthday, though I am pleased to congratulate you in person. Happy Birthday" the older witch said, giving her a soft hug before letting go.

"I came here because of a request you made to me long ago when we first met and you found out about my "future" abilities. You asked, if I recall correctly? that if anything connected with your Mom shows up to let you know"

Lucy nodded eagerly, "You saw something?"

"Yes, but you are not going to like it, its also connected to the Asgardians. Specifically, the Royal Family"

"Ahh! Shit!" Lucy swore under her breath. Anything to do with the so called "All Father" Odin Borson was complicated to say the least. She did not trust him; he was a dangerous mad man and a thief! Pretending to believe in Peace. Thor, she was indifferent to. The only one she truly respected was Frigga.

"Please tell me anyway," Lucy said with a sigh, preparing herself. But what came out of her teacher's mouth shook her to the core. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, she will need your help"

"But what can I do? I am still in my first official year of learning"

" You also have magic and not the "regular" kind by Wizarding World standards either" Miss Aurora reminded.

"Oh Alright, but I'm doing this for Frigga. Because I owe her. Meet me outside the castle gates in five minutes" said the teen, now grateful that she had swiped her brother's invisibility cloak for the night.

Oh, the irony, as she herself was using it to sneak out after she reprimanded him earlier. Leaving was surprisingly easy, as she made next to no sound, using the "secret" passage ways the loan of the Marauders' Map showed her (a gift from Fred and George after the "wicked" chocolate frog prank)

"What am I going to tell Professor McGonagall?" asked Lucy as she arrived.

"I already wrote her a note and left it by her bedside stating you had a "family" emergency and did want to disturb Harry, as he had yet to take his final exams, which is true"

Family Emergency? The girl almost wanted to scoff at the idea. But if it worked? It worked…

...

3 days later Lucy returned to find that the "Golden" trio had gotten themselves in trouble again. This time with a Detention into the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid.

Before she had left, Ron had indeed written a letter to Charlie Weasley about Norberta and given it to her which she sent through the Floo in the Common room fireplace. Charlie had apparently gotten back with them very quickly and sent a couple of friends to retrieve the baby dragon. It was hard for the Groundskeeper but he eventually came to see it was the best thing for her. The problem was they'd had to do this under the cover of night after hours.

Of Course, they didn't have the cloak, so Draco Malfoy had once again caught them. But this time Harry, Ron and Hermione did not get off so easy, hence the Detention.

But why did it have to be in the one of two places they were told not to go? Two wrongs don't make a right, particularly if one of them is stupid-

"Thanks a lot Potter" Malfoy glowered, even though he told on them, he'd gotten a detention too.

Ugh! Does no one grasp the concept of Choice &Consequence? They are only children, Lucy assured herself.

"Did you hear me Potter?" questioned Draco, raising his voice as the trio were ignoring him.

"If that Malfoy brat keeps this annoyance up?"

"Potter!" he hissed, but was surprised when the sixth year stood, "Not you"

But she just raised an eyebrow. "Hey Malfoy?"

"What?" he snapped, put out that he got the wrong Potter.

"Do you want to build a Snowman?" she asked innocently enough.

"What?" the blond now asked in confusion before finding himself covered and encased in three large balls of snow! His arms broke out on either side becoming long and skinny branches and where his nose had been, there was a carrot now sticking out.

"Chill out Frosty" she said over the tables' laughter as the snowman began to hop away…

Something is going on... Hope you enjoyed and will review!