Disclaimer: Anything you recognise does not belong to me it belongs to JK Rowling. I'm not making anything from this, so please don't sue me.

A/N: Here's chapter 42, hope you enjoy? I am so sorry for the delay, had no idea were the story was going next. Beginning of this chapter is just story setting for later chapters (and maybe a sequel). Also a new term has just started and at the moment I'm probably not going to be able to update more than once a month (will try to but can't promise), believe me if you had seen how many students we have just enrolled you would understand (I think Trelawney would predict death by drowning under paper!)

Thanks for the great reviews, can't believe people are still reading but very glad that you are.

Thanks to my Beta Allie for doing great job and fast.

* Life goes on *

It had been a week since the infamous dinner when the student body had watched a distraught Sirius Black attack Lucius Malfoy and then being led from the Great hall by Marie Devon. Over the week Marie and Sirius had once again become inseparable. It has taken a tragedy to avert one but the sadness that now shone from Sirius's once bright eyes bore holes into the hearts of his friends.

After the first morning spent alone with Marie, Sirius returned to classes but the vivacious full of life teenager seemed to be a shadow of his former self. The sorrow that radiated from him seemed to be infectious as it slowly seeped through all those who had come into contact with him.

On the Slytherin side of the great hall the behaviour of the Gryffindor's was being carefully observed by a tall seventh year. He watched his seventh year counter parts openly display their grief at the loss of the small second year. Over the years this had become his nightly activity to watch them from across the great hall. They were creatures he just couldn't fathom, he had been trained from an early age that openly showing emotion was a weakness yet he couldn't help but wonder now, if in fact it was a strength that should be nurtured not shunned. The unconditional acceptance they had for each other bonded them together far greater than the sense of duty that maintained his loyalty to his family's honour.

If he had been sorted differently would he now be sat sharing their grief being given that same unconditional love? Then as his gaze settled on one Gryffindor in particular, he wondered would he be the one offering the beautiful red head comfort. Taking his eyes from her he knew she would never be his but the hurt that clouded her bright green eyes as always caused a flutter in his conscience.

Glancing at the students surrounding him he knew his future was set. Over the Christmas holiday his father had told him that his initiation ceremony would be straight after graduation. It should have been the week before his eighteenth birthday but this years initiates had been given a reprieve until they had left Hogwarts so that suspicions were not raised. He had six months of freedom left, if you call it that, before he would have to give his life to the dark. It saddened him that the devotion and loyalty he knew his housemates were capable of would be used to destroy rather than build a future. Ultimately the only thing a true Slytherin was devoted to was them selves, from across the great hall he knew that each Gryffindor would gladly give their life to save their friend but from within his own house he knew that they would happily sacrifices each other in their pursuit of their own ambition and power.

Catching sight of the blonde Slytherin caused him to sneer in disgust, for someone who claimed to be the perfect Slytherin his display in the great hall last week was that of a simpering Hufflepuff. What did he think he had been doing, it had only been a few weeks since the incident with Court, which he had some how gotten away with and here he was openly challenging Black in the middle of the great hall. If those around him were the future of the dark side then the Ministry had nothing to worry about because the incompetent idiots would bring about their own down fall.

With one last look at the Gryffindor's Severus Snape stood and nodding to his fellow Slytherin's left the great hall.
******
Four o'clock Monday afternoon found Sirius Black sat in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. His friends had finally agreed to leave him alone for a while, he just needed to sit here and think. He needed this moment to let it really sink in that his little friend was not now or ever again going to meet him for their tutoring session.

Leaning forward Sirius's head dropped into his hands as the reality of it all finally hit. He had spent the last week in a dream world but he knew that he had to do this because life had to go on but it just hurt to think of all the things she would miss out on.

His musings were cut short as a little voice said, "Mr Black, can I talk to you?"

Lifting his head out of his hands Sirius looked up to see one of Tara's friends stood in front of him, tears running down her face.

"Hello Betsy," Sirius said. "Come here," he said as he pulled the girl down next to him on the sofa.

Betsy fell into the arms of the older boy and buried her head into his robes while she cried. Sirius rubbed her back but said nothing he just let her cry. Stood on the stairs a blonde seventh year smile at the sight and turning went back up were she stood guard to ensure no one went into the common room.

As her crying slowed Sirius reached into his robe pocket and retrieved a hanky. Pulling back slightly he wiped her face of the fallen tears and tipping her face up he smiled at her.

Staring into his face Betsy asked, "I don't understand why grown wizards would want to kill a twelve year old. Its not like she could hurt them is it?"

Wiping the last remaining tears away Sirius asked, "Betsy, do you know what a death eater is?" watching her shake her head Sirius went on to explain, "Death eaters are the followers of a very dark wizard called Voldermort. He doesn't like Muggle's, Muggle born witches and wizards or witches and wizards who like them."

As Sirius paused Betsy asked, "Why?"

Sirius thought about this for a moment before saying, "To be honest I'm not sure."

Now biting her bottom lip and looking very worried Betsy said, "I'm Muggle born, does that mean they will kill me as well?"

Sirius put his arms around her again and pulling her close to him he said, "No, they will not kill you. Not if I have anything to do with it." As he said this Sirius felt the girl relax slightly and heard her sigh in relief.

Looking back up at him Betsy asked, "I really miss Tara, do you think she knows that we miss her?"

Sirius nodded at her and let him self for the first time really think about the little second year that had befriended him. In his minds eye he saw her smiley happy face and could here the tinkle of her laughter and it was like a bolt of lightening hitting him as he realised she would not want this.

Smiling down into the face that was staring at him he said, "She knows we miss her but knowing Tara I bet she wouldn't be happy with us for being sad and moping about."

"But its hard," she replied.

Ruffling her hair Sirius said, "I know but we have to try for Tara. The happier we are then the happier she will be, so what do you say."

Trying to smile at him she said, "I'll try."

"Good girl but don't forget I'll always be here if you need me, ok," Sirius said with a smile before going on to say, "come on time to go and find the rest of your friends."

Nodding at him Betsy got up but before she moved away from the sofa she said, "Thanks, see you around."

Running up the stairs Betsy ran straight into Marie, who simply smiled at the girl and whispered "Thanks," before she headed down the stairs and into the waiting arms of Sirius Black.

******
Over the next few week's life slowly improved for the Gryffindor's much to the relief of the headmaster who had watched the events since Christmas with a heavy heart. As a Gryffindor him self he understood their pain at a loss of one of their own but he knew that Tara Phelps would not be the only casualty of this war. Observing the students at meal times he noted the various houses and the behaviours displayed. Mostly his time was divided between just two of the houses, Gryffindor and the Slytherin.

This year's batch of seventh years had turned out some of the strongest witches and wizards he seen in quite a while. He had watched them develop over the years, growing into their powers and abilities. As his eye fell upon the Slytherin's his heart grew heavy, knowing what lay ahead for those that would be following in their families foot steps and it pained him that he was powerless to stop the pain they would experience.

Looking around the great hall he wondered how many of them would survive this war. As his eye roamed around the room, Professor Dumbledore smiled as many of the faces before him reminded him of students long gone, their parents. He wondered if he would still be here to see their children enter the domain of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.

******

The full moon was upon them before any of them realised. Remus was preparing for his trip down to the shrieking shack when Aggy popped her head around the door of the boys dorm.

As she watched him for a minute it slowly dawned on her what he was doing and a wave of guilt swept over her as she walked into the room. Putting her arms around him Aggy held on to him tight.

Raising her head so she could see his beautiful hazel eyes Aggy said, "I'm sorry. There has been so much going on, I just never thought."

Tenderly his hand stoked her cheek as he said, "Aggy, its ok. It is actually better this way at least I don't have to watch you worry."

Snuggling into his arms Aggy sighed and then whispered, "I love you."

Remus smiled into her hair as he said, "I know and I love you too." Brushing his lips over her forehead he said, "Come on lets go down and find the others."

As they opened the door to leave they found Sirius on the landing. Halting Remus put his arms around Aggy pulling her close to him. Aggy eased back into the warm embrace as they both examined the face of their friend. Sirius couldn't help but smile at the love that radiated from the couple in front of him and noted how glad he was that they were his friends.

Taking a step towards then Sirius said, "Can I have a quick word with you Moony?" as Remus nodded, Sirius motioned back towards the dorm.

Kissing Aggy on the cheek Remus said, "I'll meet you in the common room."

Aggy returned the kiss before smiling at Sirius and then leaving the two teenage wizards as she headed down the stairs to the common room.

As the door to the dorm closed behind them Remus turned to looked at his friends and said, "What's the matter Padfoot?"

A worried expression crossed Sirius's face as he looked up at his friend as he said, "Remus, I've got detention tonight. I'm really sorry but I'm not going to be able to come down to the shack." As Sirius paused he noted a confused look on Remus's face. "I've been assigned to Professor Sprout to collect Mooncalf dung, so I won't be able to transform."

The significance of his friend's words became clear and then the worried expression made sense to him. Moving closer Remus placed his hand on Sirius's shoulder before saying, "We'd better tell Prongs that there is no adventuring tonight," Remus noted the down cast look on Sirius's face and said, "Sirius its alright, one night alone is not going to kill me. I did it for years before you all learned how to be animagus."

Relief flooded Sirius and raising his eyes from the floor to look at Remus he said, "Thanks Moony."

Shaking his head at his friend slightly Remus slapped Sirius on the back before saying, "Come on Padfoot, let's go and find the girls."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the common room as the Gryffindor seventh years enjoyed each other's company. Remus remained the wizard chess champion after beating each of his friends in succession.

Before they knew it Madame Pomfrey was walking into the common room and soon the small group were one short as Remus was escorted down to the shrieking shack for his monthly visit. As Remus left the girls migrated towards Aggy offering her comfort and support.

When dinner came to an end that night Sirius bid goodnight to his friends just outside the doors to the great hall, standing there for a moment he watched them head up to the Gryffindor tower before turning and headed for the front entrance were he was to meet the Herbology Professor.

Sitting in the common room that night Aggy's worries for Remus were not alleviated any as she realised that James and Peter didn't seem to be making any move to go down to meet Remus.

Glancing at her watch Aggy said to James "Are you not going to the shrieking shack to meet Remus tonight?"

James shook his head as he raised his eyes from the book he was reading and giving her a small smile said, "No we can't, Sirius has detention in the grounds tonight with Professor Sprout," putting his book down James got up and moved to sit next to her. "Remus will be fine, it's just for one night."

Leaning against James Aggy nodded her head and happily accepted his arms around her as he hugged her to him.

Down at the entrance to the school Sirius had found Professor Sprout. Walking towards her he smiled as he said, "Good evening Professor."

"Good evening Mr Black, as you know we are collecting Mooncalf dung. Hagrid says he has seen evidence of a small colony on the far side of the lake near in a clearing near the Forbidden forest."

Nodding at her Sirius asked, "Professor exactly why are we collecting Mooncalf dung and what should I be looking for?"

Frowning at him she said, "Do students not read their set texts any more? Mr Black Mooncalf dung collected before the sun rises and spread upon magical herds and plants not only makes them grow faster but also improves the strength of the plant. Their dung is a silvery colour and as you can imagine to a Herbology Professor very valuable."

"What do they look like?" Sirius asked.

The small Professor now rolled her eyes in exasperation at him before saying, "If you had read Fantastic beasts and where to find them by Newt Scamander you would know." Watching the apologetic smile he gave her she continued, "They are very shy creatures with smooth pale grey bodies, they have bulging eyes and spindly legs. They only emerge during the full moon, so we need to get going."

With this she motioned for him to follow her and they headed outside. Sirius didn't make it back to the Gryffindor tower that night until nearly day break due to not only having to collect the dung but also having to help the Professor store it in a large container in greenhouse three.

Finally getting in the common room Sirius slouched onto one of the sofas and this is where his friends found him a couple of hours later as they came down for breakfast. Sirius was woken up as a quill feather was used to tickle his nose. Watching him flap his arms around at the irritation caused his friends to laugh but as he got up from the sofa he was quickly sent up to the dormitory to have a shower and change his robes due to the stink he was giving off. While they waited for him in the common room it was agreed that they would all take it in turns to keep him awake during classed that day.

To Sirius's dismay he spent that afternoons Herbology lesson spreading the Mooncalf dung onto the plants in greenhouse three. A quick dinner was had by the Gryffindor seventh years that night as they headed back up to the common room and Sirius into the boys dorm to get a couple of hours sleep before he, James and Peter slipped out under the cover of James's invisibility cloak to meet Remus in the shrieking shack.

With detention now over Sirius put all his energy into Quidditch and his friends sighed in relief as slowly their friend returned to his old self, a little more reserved but definitely Sirius Black.

A resounding victory over the Hufflepuff's put the Gryffindor's well in the lead to win the house cup. Three weeks later the Slytherin's beat the Ravenclaw's and now is seemed the Quidditch cup rested on the final game of the season. Both the Gryffindor's and the Slytherin's went into over drive with extra practices being scheduled by both team captains. Thankfully for the rest of the student body and the Professor's of Hogwarts this meant that peace ensued and before any one knew it Easter break was upon them.

******

A/N: Betsy at the moment will not be a regular feature, she is not going to replace Tara. 

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Madame Padfoot