Wow, I haven't updated in awhile. Sorry. Well, here's the next chapter. Please review! And I promise, one more chapter, and the romance part of this story will really happen!

"So, what'd she say?" Charlie asked, peering over the silver-haired boy's shoulder.

"Keep your nose to yourself, Weasley! I'll let you know in good time," Draco responded lazily. Charlie chuckled and stepped aside. He knew how to deal with Draco now. It was rather like tending a baby dragon, though he wasn't going to tell Draco that. He watched as the boy's eyes scanned the note, and then slowly put it down. Charlie quickly looked out the window. If Draco wanted to tell him, he would.

"She says she must be crazy for believing me, but she'll try to meet me at Diagon Alley. She also sent this note." He thrust out his hand, offering Charlie the note.

Charlie sighed. There was a trick to handling objects when one was a ghost, a trick he hadn't quite mastered yet. "Go ahead, Draco, open it."

Draco's eyes glimmered. "Can I read it?"

"Not on your life, Malfoy. Open it and scram."

"Oh, I'm so afraid." Nevertheless, Draco opened the letter, gave it to Charlie, and headed to the bathroom.

Dear Charlie,

I miss you so much, it hurts. We all do. Ron was taking it the worst, I suppose, but Mum told him Dumbledore gave permission for Harry to come here, and he's perked up somewhat. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that Hermione's coming too. Anyhow, I'm glad there's still some form of you left, Charlie! It's made me so happy! Can we possibly meet even sooner? I didn't want to ask Malfoy. Please let me know.

Your loving sister,

Ginny

Charlie laughed sadly. He missed his family.

"Can I come back now?" Draco called from the bathroom.

"I rather you didn't."

"Haha, Weasley." Draco walked in, and stopped when he saw Charlie's crestfallen face. He softened. Charlie was likable, and Draco admired him. It took guts to face down dragons every day and to face down Voldemort himself. "It'll be Diagon Alley before you know it," he said quietly, in an attempt to cheer Charlie up.

"I hope so."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"That'll be Remus," Bella said, running to get the door. "I haven't seen them in so long!" Her face was alive, and Harry could tell she was happy to see her friends again. He sat down in the living room, not sure how he should greet his former professor.

"Bella!" he heard a masculine voice shout. He tried to hear Bella's reply, but a dog's barks shut everything else out. Harry stood up. "How did I forget Sirius was coming?" he asked himself. He ran out to the foyer where a joyous reunion was taking place.

Remus was hugging Bella, and Sirius was jumping up and down around them.

"Hello, Professor Lupin," a voice called from the stairs. Everybody turned around.

"Hello Parvati. How are you?" Remus asked politely, unaware that Sirius had left his side, and had bowled Harry over.

"Harry!" Parvati shrieked. "That dog's going to hurt you!"

Harry sat up, laughing. "Of course Sirius isn't going to hurt me." He gasped as he heard his slip.

"Sirius? I thought Bella said his name was Snuffles?" Parvati looked at Bella inquiringly, who glanced back at her, her face white.

Remus looked calmly at Sirius, who was now whining, and at Harry. "Harry, it's so wonderful to see you again. We'll talk more later. Sirius, why don't you show yourself?"

Arabella yelped as Sirius grew back into a human and Harry could hear Parvati scream. Sirius shook his head slightly, and asked, "What? No hug for me?"

"Don't tease, Sirius. Bella, listen to me before you make any rash decisions. Sirius convinced James and Lily to switch at the last moment to Peter. So they did. And- "

"The little rat gave them away to Voldemort." Sirius shook with anger. "And then he had the nerve to confront me and ask why I killed them. He cut off his finger, blew the street apart, transformed into his Animagus form, a rat, and scurried into the sewers." Sirius stopped to wipe his eyes. "Because of me, James and Lily are dead."

Bella ran forward and wrapped Sirius in a tight hug. "Sirius, I've missed you so much! Please don't ever leave me again," she sobbed.

Harry looked away, not sure what to say. He made eye contact with Parvati. She colored slightly, but looked back at him. She climbed down the stairs and made her way up to Sirius.

"Excuse me, Mister Black?"

Sirius turned around slowly. He gasped. "You look just like your mother when she was younger," he whispered.

Parvati stuck out her hand. "It's nice to meet you," she said simply.

Sorry this was so short. Chapters should be getting longer soon though.

Su