Hey, thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming! Also my profile pic is meant to be as similar to what I imagine Penny would look like, but slightly slimmer with more cheekbone, in case you wanted to picture it!

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The next few weeks were the happiest Penny could remember. As well as having her best friend back, Penny couldn't help but enjoy the thrill of their secret relationship. Though not much had changed beyond slight increase of flirting and occasional stolen kiss in the grounds, to Penny it felt like she was carrying a talisman within herself, to the extent even Hermione's continued dampened spirits could not pull her down. True to their agreement, neither Penny nor Ginny had spoken about it except amongst themselves. Penny knew her Slytherin friends muttered about it behind her back, but none of them seemed brave enough to mention it to her directly.

'I can't believe that Persephone would rather spend time with that blood traitor runt than with us!' Ursula Flint was whining one evening 'I mean, what happened to Slytherin loyalty?'

'I don't think Penny has ever had loyalty to her house' Heather Greengrass replied 'Remember what she did to your brother and his team mates last year?' Ursula groaned in response. 'Besides Weasley isn't as bad as that damn Mudblood Granger.' Heather said pulling a face.

'Perhaps' Penny interjected softly, making the two other girls jump 'I pick my friends based on traits far more valuable rather than their blood status' Penny continued, speaking in a quiet but threatening tone that the other two recoiled from. 'After all, you'll never find a more studious witch than Hermione, nor a more skilful caster than Ginny. Never know when you'll need a good set of friends to watch your back' Penny finished pausing dramatically before sweeping away, smiling at the look of awe that followed her. Up in her dormitory she plucked both bracelets, smiling as it was returned almost instantaneously from Ginny.

Hermione looked as harassed as ever, Penny hadn't forgotten about the Time Turner but decided to avoid temptation by evading the topic. One evening she went down to Hagrid's hut with Hermione, with some of the notes the two of them had made on trials of Hippogriffs. Hagrid smiled at the two of them as they entered his Hut.

'Lo you two.' Hagrid said, heaving himself on to a squashed chair.

'Hello Hagrid, so there is this trial in 1963...' Hermione began trailing off the notes that they had gathered. Soon Hagrid had tears forming in his eyes as he thanked them.

'I can't thank yeh enough' He said beaming down at them.

'I'm sorry Hagrid' Penny began looking at the wooden floor 'I would ask the Malfoys to drop this all together, but after...well let's just say I didn't make a good impression at Malfoy Manor. I'm sorry.'

'Yeh don't need ta be sorry Penny' Hagrid said gently 'Yeh are not responsible for the actions of your family.' Hagrid said pouring them both a cup of tea before turning to Hermione. 'So Harry and Ron still mad at yeh?' Hagrid asked as Hermione looked upset.

'It's just Ron really, but Harry is siding with him as usual. I just can't win' Hermione said beginning to sob. Penny rolled her eyes a little as she sighed.

'I don't see why you are so worried. You have Ginny, you have me, as I keep telling you, you are better off without them' Penny said scowling as Hagrid gave her a look.

'That's harsh Penny' He said 'They are good kids really, immature perhaps but don't be too hard on them. They'll come round.' Hagrid promised the bushy haired witch. Hermione sniffed, allowed herself a little smile and continued running through the notes she had made.

'I didn't even tell him how Ron has been trying to get Harry to sneak to Hogsmeade' Hermione huffed as they crossed the lawn to the castle in the warm April sun.

'Can he even do that?' Penny asked as Hermione hesitated.

'Harry has this map of the school that shows a few passages out' Hermione whispered 'But I didn't tell you.'

A couple days later Hermione seemed to reach breaking point as she stormed into the library. Penny looked wearily up from her bench, where she was sat next to Ginny. They quickly let each other's hands go under the desk.

'Stupid old fraud' Hermione whispered angrily.

'Who?' Ginny asked.

'Professor Trelawney. I have had enough of Divination. It's a waste of time. I quit it.' Hermione said huffing.

'You are giving up a subject?' Penny asked astounded before adding 'That said I heard you punched my cousin earlier so seems all bets are off' Ginny chuckled as Hermione looked sheepish.

The next day Penny had received a letter with familiar writing on it.

'Persephone,

I am writing to invite to come to Malfoy Manor over the Easter Holidays, and I am hoping you have changed your mind about permanently living at your rightful home.

With regards,

Your Aunt Cissy'

When she had told Ginny she had scoffed.

'I don't think so, I'll write to Mum, let her know you are coming to ours this Easter. See how a proper family lives.' Ginny had smiled as Penny grinned. Ginny looked around them quickly before giving Penny a peck on the lips and continuing to walk down the corridor.

As she started packing her trunk a couple days early ready for the holidays, dread filled Penny at the idea of having to exit past the Dementors. She still hadn't asked Lupin about the lessons he had been giving Harry. So the next day she left Potions quickly and rushed past people heading on break to Lupin's classroom. The last of his class were just filing out as Penny walked in. Lupin was in conversation with a fifth year Ravenclaw girl Penny didn't know. Penny thought she might play on the Quidditch team but she wasn't sure. The girl turned her dark eyes towards Penny causing Lupin to look round.

'Are you ok Penny?' Lupin asked as the young girl tried to catch her breath.

'Yes Professor, I was wondering if I could talk with you...in private?' Penny added as the dark haired girl looked curious. Lupin too looked surprised but didn't object.

'Of course Penny, did you want to go and wait in my office and I'll be there in a few minutes?' Lupin said turning back to the slim girl as Penny nodded and left 'Yes the Occamy eggs are highly valued but they are furiously protective of their eggs.'

Penny walked into Lupin office and closed the door behind her. She ran her eyes over the office with interest before noticing a scrappy piece of parchment on the desk. She could just make out small labels appearing to move rapidly round the page like ants. Curiosity getting the better of her she lifted the parchment and began to examine it. She gasped as she realised this must be the map Hermione spoke of. Glancing towards the door she unfolded it completely and rapidly scanned it with her eyes, taking in all the secret shortcuts and passwords and passageways before her. After a couple minutes she heard footsteps and hurriedly folded the map, tossing it on the desk just as the door swung open. As Lupin came in his eyes drifted from Penny to the map, but he made no comment.

'So how can I help you Persephone?' Lupin asked as he opened a draw on his desk and pointedly pushed the map inside. Penny paused for a moment before remembering why she had come.

'You are teaching Potter to fight Dementors' Penny said, in a slightly more accusatory note than intended. Lupin raised his eyebrows slightly at her tone but he didn't deny her statement. 'What I mean, sir' Penny went on attempting to sound more polite 'You know I am just as influenced by the Dementors as Potter, surely it is only fair you teach me how to defend myself from them as well? Is that not what your job is?' Penny said, inwardly scorning herself for her reverting tone. Lupin didn't challenge her tone but appeared to be watching her thoughtfully.

'A Patronus Charm is asking a lot of a second year student' Lupin said, raising a hand to silence the beginning of Penny's protest 'I am aware your talents exceed the majority of even my Ordinary Wizarding Level students. However I have three reasons why I am unable to teach you like I did Harry, for one Sirius Black has broken into the castle twice since then, so having you out of your common room later than necessary is irresponsible of me. Second, we are nearing exam time so whilst you may cope fine with additional work load, I am afraid I may not.' Lupin said.

'And the third reason?' Penny asked sighing.

'My health is likely to decline in the time between now and the exams. Stress etc' Lupin said off-handedly not meeting Penny's eyes. She narrowed her own as she watched him.

'Liar' Penny muttered, causing Lupin to look startled.

'I tolerate a lot from my students but there are limits' Lupin said, a hint of irritancy entering his voice for the first time.

'I suppose the way you react to a full moon does count as being ill' Penny said bluntly. Lupin looked as if she had slapped him.

'How did you...' He began.

'It doesn't matter' Penny said shrugging 'Wolfsbane Potion working ok?' She asked a baffled looking Lupin.

'You really are quite remarkable.' He stated looking at her with admiration as she shrugged. 'So, tell me Penny, everyone knows why Potter reacts the way he does to Dementors, but what it is that haunts you?' He asked curiously.

'I have to go to class' Penny said sharply, exiting the office and closing the door behind her.