Jane, her mother, her sister, Neville, and Mrs. Longbottom arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius and Professor Lupin were there. Everyone exchanged pleasantries, and then Jane glanced at the table.

Jane picked up an issue of the Daily Prophet, with an article on the front page saying that Voldemort was not really back. "Well, this is awful."

"I know," Professor Lupin said. "I'm hoping that won't last. On the bright side, the ministry now provides free Wolfsbane potions to werewolves. By the way, did Hermione do something to cause that?"

"Yeah," Neville said. "She started a letter-writing campaign."

A smaller article said that Professor Umbridge had checked into Saint Mungo's, with a mysterious illness. She was not planning on working at Hogwarts again next year, because she suspected that that was where she caught it. It was good news for all the students, but Jane felt bad thinking that, and just because Jane didn't like her did not mean it wasn't sad that she was sick.


One day, they were all cleaning up a room, while Sirius and Kreacher argued.

"Sirius," Jane interrupted, "since you don't like him maybe you should just set him free."

"No, He knows too much."

"While then at least be nice to him."

"He's not very nice to me, is he?"

"While he'd probably be nicer to you if you were nicer to him. He is your subordinate."

Jane turned to Kreacher. "Kreacher, why are you so mean to Sirius?"

"Because he's a disloyal brat, who turned against his family."

Jane realized, that while she felt sorry for Sirius and Kreacher, she didn't like either of them.


Eventually, Jane and Neville got their Hogwarts letters.

"I think it's best if I just go to Diagon Alley myself, and get all your stuff for you two."

"We can't go to Diagon Alley. I feel so cooped up," Neville said. They hadn't been allowed to go anywhere but the backyard.

"With Voldemort back, it's best to go out as little as possible."