Harry Potter and the Master's Mirror

by T.H.W

In fifth year, Harry Potter and his friends return to school early after a murder is committed against one of their number. What do all-seeing eyes, a teacher, a vengeful ghost and a mysterious phrase the 'Master's Mirror' have in common? Not Ootp

18. Departures and Deals

CHAPTER 18.

DEPARTURES AND DEALS

Silence echoed around the field for only a moment before a shrill cry arose among the wizards and witches in the air and on the ground. The ghosts beside them cried out as well, the sound of victory flowing madly throughout the ruins of Hogwarts. Hermione rushed to Ron, pushing madly through the crowds and flung her arms around his neck joyfully. Ron blushed and winced slightly, allowing his good arm to slip around her. Hermione noted his injured arm, then kissed him long and hard upon the lips. The ghost beside her, put her hand on her heart and smiled happily. The ghost beside Ron, a young man with dark hair, rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips as Ron finally kissed Hermione back after recovering from the initial shock of it all. After Hermione released her hold on him, she rested her head gently on his shoulder, a hot blush playing across her cheeks. Ron's red face was jubilant and he grinned and winked at Ginny, who sighed and shook her head, a small smile playing about her lips.

All around the witches and wizards, the giants were shaking the ground with their laughter and the thunderous back-slaps and handshakes that they gave each other. Harry watched in amazement as one of them, who looked to be the leader from his immense headdress, bent down to see eye-to-eye with Dumbledore. A smile came over the Headmaster's face and he extended his hand to the giant. Something that could almost be called softness came over the giant's face and he extended one finger to the Headmaster.

Sirius flew over the battlements, finally settling down on the soft grass. Draco leapt to the ground and stood in front of Sirius awkwardly for a time as the older wizard stepped off his broomstick.

"Thanks. I probably could have gotten through on my own, but thanks." Draco said stiffly, unsure of what to say to this man. Sirius scoffed and nodded.

"Yeah, I have a hard time saying thanks to people who've saved my life too, so I won't take it personally." Sirius said sarcastically.

Draco was taken aback for a moment, then simply stared at Sirius before turning and stalking away. Sirius chuckled quietly to himself as the boy walked away from him. Sirius knew he didn't know where he was going. The little git was just as confused, or maybe moreso than the other kids here. But a pained look flashed across Sirius' face as he watched Draco's face light up as Artemis rushed towards him happily. Slowly, he extended his arms to her as she bounded up to him.

Sirius watched as the girl threw her arms around the Slytherin, holding him close to her and laughing excitedly. But Draco did not laugh, nor did he smile. He simply placed his arms around her waist and closed his eyes as a wave of emotion washed over him. Artemis felt him sink into her arms and she slowly lowered herself and him to the ground. Draco let himself loose from her grasp and bent over, his head buried in his hands, his body shuddering with a pain that even he could not understand. Artemis rested a reassuring hand on his back, unsure of what to say or do. Sirius stared at them, sense of knowing inhabiting his dark eyes and an uneasy look resting in the lines of his face.

As Ron held Hermione, he leaned back and frowned, then rolled his eyes as he saw Bill and Rhiannon holding each other not far away from him. Bill was sitting on the grass holding Rhiannon desperately. His lips were pale due to the pressure with which he was pressing them together. He brushed Rhiannon's hair gently from her face as he rocked her. Ron couldn't help but notice the paleness of Rhiannon's face and the harshness with which she breathed. But all the same, he looked upon them with scorn and sarcasm even as he held Hermione in his arms. The minute he realized the irony of his thoughts, he blushed red, but did not let go of her. He simply resolved not to be nearly so hard on his brother later.

From his spot on the Hogwarts grounds, Harry slowly turned to look at his mother. She stood before him, as real as she would ever get, his mother. The woman who had died saving him, the woman he'd never truly know.

"Mum," Harry croaked.

Silvery tears filled Lily Potter's eyes as she gazed upon her son, the son she could not touch, the son she could not cradle in her arms, the son she so longed to hold, but could not due to the restrictions placed on her. She merely contented herself to press her hands against her cheek as if to keep her body in check.

"Oh, Harry! You've grown so much. You look just like your father! But I'm sure you're tired of hearing that." Lily choked, trying to smile.

Harry shook his head reassuringly as a tear slipped down his cheek. He was simply glad to hear her voice. It was so soothing, his mother's voice. Gentle and kind, just like he'd always imagined it would be.

"Not from you, Mum. I'm just so glad to see you, to talk to you, I just," Harry stopped.

He couldn't say anymore. He just wanted to stare at his mother forever and forever. He had wanted to do the same when he'd seen her image in the Mirror of Erised. But that had been an illusion. This was real. She was really present, only a few feet away from him.

Just then, Lily Potter broke eye contact with her son and turned to gaze at Molly Weasley, who was slowly descending from her broomstick. Then she turned back to face Harry with a small smile.

"She loves you, Harry. You let her be the mother that I can't be. You will, won't you?" Lily whispered. Harry felt as though he was going to sob right there in front of his mother, but he nodded firmly and choked back his tears.

"I promise, Mum." He whispered.

Lily nodded, then smiled as James Potter stepped beside her. He looked almost the same as he had in his wedding picture, Harry noted. He then realized just how much he looked like his father. It was rather unnerving. No wonder many of his father's old friends had been struck into silence when they'd first seen him. The nose, the face, the hair, they were all his father's.

"Did you say good-bye to Sirius and Remus?" Lily asked quietly.

James nodded silently, then turned to face Harry, his Adam's apple bobbing from the tears he wished to hide from him

"Harry, it's good to see you. I really, I don't know what to say and that's the truth. I hate this. I hate having the chance to come back and not be able to think of anything to say at the time. I know that when I leave, I'll think of a thousand things to say. A thousand things that I wish I could say. There's so many things you should know," James' voice trailed off and he shook his head slowly. "You understand, Harry?" He asked quietly.

Harry let out a shaky laugh.

"Yeah, I do. I feel the same way! I guess I'm just glad that you're here and I can see you and, and just that you're here is enough for me." Harry choked out.

"Oh, Harry, we're always here. Even when you can't see us. We'll never leave you. Ever." Lily whispered, extending her ghostly hand as if to touch him, but withdrawing it as she realized what she was doing.

Harry suddenly gazed upon his parents in amazement, in remembrance. He had remembered something that Martin had told him the first time he'd seen him by the statue of Merlin.

Anyway, I was just keeping an eye on you. Your, ah, well, someone told me to.....I really can't say yet. But, just know, Harry, that the people you love are closer than you think.

"It was you. You asked Martin to look after me." Harry said slowly.

Lily Potter smiled and nodded, while James cleared his throat and shrugged helplessly.

"We weren't sure if the potion would even work, after all, it was Snape." James said spitefully.

Lily frowned and jogged James' elbow, provoking a smile from Harry. James glanced at her, then shrugged.

"Well, it was."

"We owe this to him.. This moment, this time with Harry."

James looked down at the ground and cleared his throat again. It was a familiar position to Harry. He often did it when he knew he was wrong and he was trying to find the words to admit it. But at the same time, there was something different in the gesture. James' fingers were playing with the edges of his cloak. Somehow, he couldn't help but think that he had seen that action before, somewhere.

"You're right, Lily. But anyway, we didn't know if it would even work. We just wanted someone to watch out for you, Harry, in case, in case we weren't able to see you. That's all." James said finally.

"We didn't want Martin to tell you what was to come, in case it didn't work. We didn't want you to get your hopes up." Lily said kindly.

"I appreciate it." Harry said, smiling broadly. "Now that I understand that is. I thought he was just haunting me or something."

Lily and James chuckled, then glanced at each other as their gray figures flickered for a moment. Harry barely heard his father's groan, but he did see clearly the streak of pain that flashed across his mother's face.

"We have to leave now, Harry. But we want you to know that this war isn't over yet. Voldemort won't let us win with just this battle. He'll keep fighting, but you've got to keep fighting just as hard. Keep fighting, Harry." James whispered hoarsely. "Keep fighting. Don't let them win. We'll always be here when you need us. I'm closer than you think." James whispered, running his hands wearily across his eyes for a moment.

Lily rested her ghostly hand on James' arm, then turned to gaze lovingly at Harry as they began to disappear.

"We love you, Harry! We always will! We're always here. Always."

Her voice blended into a whisper as their bodies disappeared into the nothingness that they had appeared from. Harry wanted them to come back. He wanted to hold them, to touch them so badly. But he knew that he would have to wait till he himself died, so that he could be with them forever. Harry's thoughts were mixed up and confused as he stepped away from that spot where his parents had been. It seemed so hard to believe that he had just spoken with his parents. It was only a moment, but he knew that it was a moment well spent. He'd see them again. He was sure of it. His Mum and Dad wouldn't want him to pine for them continuously. Rather, they'd want him to remember them, but not obsess over them. So that he would do, though it would be hard because of this one taste of the thing he so eagerly desired.

Harry stepped away from that place, choosing to walk towards a grinning Ron and Hermione, who were conversing with the ghosts that stood beside them.

"Hey, Harry!" Ron said, waving him over. "This is Roman. He's really cool! He was an Auror in the 1700's! And guess what, this is his girlfriend Genevieve. Wicked, eh?" Ron said cheerily, indicating the ghosts beside him, who smiled kindly at Harry.

Harry smiled and nodded to the ghosts, but his smile faded as quickly as it had come as he stared at the scene behind Ron and Hermione. He quickly pushed through them and walked towards the wall of Hogwarts, walked then ran as panic flooded through his body.

Rhiannon lay on the ground, crimson blood flowering across the front of her robes. Her face was pale and her eyes were closed. Bill was resting behind her, holding her up, clutching her hand desperately, whispering to her frantically. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore stood above them, their faces lined and grim as they gazed upon the two. But there was another figure hovering there, the ghost, the ghost Harry had seen following Rhiannon about Hogwarts so many times in the past.

Harry could barely make out the outline of the ghost. It blended into its surroundings, slowly but surely becoming clearer. Its identity became soon clear, though still foggy, and Harry saw that it was a boy, strands of hair hanging in his face as he gazed upon Rhiannon. He was standing beside her, whispering her name softly, urgently, calling her back. Harry watched as a glimmer began to appear beside the wraith and he stared at it in horror. The boy pushed the glimmer away, pushed it frantically back towards Rhiannon. All too soon, Harry realized what that glimmer was. It was Rhiannon's ghost. She was dying.

"Rhiannon, you can't go now. You've got to stay. Stay, Rhiannon. Stay." The boy whispered his voice low and grave.

Harry watched breathlessly as Snape approached McGonagall and breathlessly handed her a vial filled with a bright green potion. Professor McGonagall, quickly uncorked the vial, though her fingers slipped in her nervousness, she carefully poured the draft into Rhiannon's mouth. McGonagall tossed the empty vial to the ground and pressed her hands to her lips, waiting for any effect.

The waiting seemed to take forever as they stood around her, breathlessly waiting to see if the potion, combined with the boy beside Rhiannon, would make any difference. Ron and Hermione joined Harry in the wait, and they watched Rhiannon's chest slowly rise and fall, rise and fall. Then it began to rise and fall more firmly, more strongly, and her eyes flickered open. Bill's eyes widened and he smiled as he gripped her hand all the more tightly. Harry watched as Rhiannon looked around her, finally allowing her blue eyes to settle upon the ghost above her. As she gazed at him, she smiled wistfully.

"So, you decide to hang around, Cousin?" Rhiannon asked the ghost wryly.

The ghost chuckled and nodded, bending down and running his ghostly hand just above her face.

"Yes. I had to keep you from joining me so soon. I think Bill might have something to say if I took you now." The boy said with a smile, a smile that was slowly becoming familiar to him.

The boy's slight figure, those wide eyes that he'd seen wide open that horrific night, he knew them. It was Cedric Diggory.

Rhiannon gazed at Cedric, a wistful half smile resting on her lips. Slowly, she lay back in Bill's arms, her eyes never leaving Cedric's face.

"Didn't think it would actually work. Didn't think I'd see you again." Rhiannon whispered. Cedric smiled and shrugged.

"Neither did I. I was glad that I was able to see you again, even if it wasn't while I was alive." Cedric said simply.

"That's right. You owed me a summer visit." She whispered, quietly gasping for breath. Cedric smiled wistfully and grasped her hand in his, though Rhiannon shivered with cold.

"I promise I'll make it up to you next year. No more of this hanging around without you knowing it."

Rhiannon shook her head and smiled wistfully.

"I felt you there."

"Can't get anything past you, can I?"

Then the ghost's body flickered like a light-bulb running on low power. Cedric sighed shortly and got to his feet. Rhiannon's eyelids fluttered in confusion and she grasped for his hand.

"You don't have to go now, do you? Not yet." She whispered sadly. Cedric nodded slowly, his eyes downcast.

"Yes. But don't worry. I'll be with you. I've been with you ever since you came to Hogwarts."

Cedric knelt down beside Rhiannon and stared at her. Harry could tell what he was thinking, what he was wishing. All he wanted was to hold her to give her some comfort, wishing he could do anything to help her, but even that, he could not do. Instead he smiled and blew her a kiss, straightened himself, then turned to Bill.

"Kiss her for me won't you?"

Bill nodded silently. A tear slid from Rhiannon's eyes as she closed them, but not before she whispered,

"Good-bye, Cedric."

Cedric shook his head sadly and whispered his reply, so low that Harry couldn't hear. His body had begun to flicker more quickly now as he turned to face Harry, but he still managed to cast a winning smile in his direction.

"Well, Harry. You made it through alive I see. Glad to see it. That was the whole reason that Martin and I hung about this place." Cedric said with a smile.

Harry chuckled uneasily, then gazed at Cedric. He couldn't understand, or rather, he couldn't realize why Cedric was here, why he was speaking to him. Didn't he hold Harry responsible for his death, as Harry did so often?

"Cedric, there aren't any hard feelings are there? I mean, I think that it's my fault that,"

Cedric cut him off with a loud snort.

"You've been listening to Ron too much." He said derisively.

Harry chuckled and shrugged.

"I guess."

Cedric sighed, then shuddered as his body faded slightly. He gave a rueful glance towards the sky, then turned back to face Harry, a serious and urgent look on his face.

"Harry, listen. I don't have much time, but I've got to tell you something. I had no idea I was going to die that day. Never would have dreamed, that it would be my last day alive. But I don't blame you. Voldemort does what he wishes and he doesn't care about accidents. He doesn't believe in them. But let me tell you that the minute I saw him when we went through the Portkey, I knew I was going to die. I did. I mean, why would he leave me alive? I would serve no purpose to him. You know, it's kinda funny," Cedric stopped and he chuckled quietly before continuing. "I thought of you first. You know? I didn't think about how I could be in danger. I just thought, 'Voldemort vs. Harry Potter' and that was it. I was thinking that I should get you out of there before he killed you. But he, he killed me first." Cedric's far-away voice faltered as his body flickered. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't blame yourself, Harry. Because I sure don't. Never did. I don't have much time left, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm going hang around Hogwarts for a while, just to be with everyone."

"It was you wasn't it? That one night when Ron and I heard Professor Flutterae and Professor Snape talking? It was you standing with her." Harry said.

Cedric nodded and smiled.

"Mind you, I didn't show myself very often. Mainly, because I knew everyone would recognize me. No, I left the appearing to Martin. But I did try to help you along as best I could. You understand." Cedric said with a smile. Suddenly, Cedric's ghostly body began to shimmer, then began to disappear slowly.

"So will I never see you again then?" Harry asked quickly as Cedric's limbs disintegrated in wisps of gray smoke.

"C'mon, Harry. What was it Martin said? 'I'll be here. I've been with you the whole time. I'm certainly not gonna skip out on you now.'" Cedric said with a wistful smile as his body faded from sight.

"Thanks, Cedric." Harry choked.

Cedric smiled and nodded, his smiling eyes the last thing Harry saw before the ghost departed completely. Even now that he'd gone, Harry still couldn't believe that Cedric had been in Hogwarts. All that time when he'd assumed that Martin was Cedric, he hadn't been that far off. Cedric had been there, but he hadn't been the one following him around, giving him hints.

A sense of relief washed over Harry as he gazed at the spot where Cedric had been. Cedric didn't blame him. He never had. Even if Harry would never admit it, that was what he had been hoping for. It was the thing that could give him some kind of relief: pardon from Cedric's own lips.

"Ced's really cool, huh? I like him. He's more shy than I am, but that's okay. It's better than nothing. I probably never would have tried to know him if I was still alive. Hufflepuffs are generally a load of duffers anyway, but Ced's an exception."

Harry turned to face Martin Wothes, who was staring wistfully at the spot that Cedric had occupied a moment before, his hands in his smoky, gray pockets.

"You. You were the one who was giving me all the hints and stuff." Harry said, pointing a finger at him. Martin laughed and nodded.

"Bright boy, Harry. Cedric wanted me to do it. Thought that you guys might think he was coming back from the grave to haunt you or something crazy like that." Martin said, a chortle of laughter accompanying his words.

Harry blushed red as he remembered the many conversations he'd had with his friends about that very theory.

"Well, it's not TOO crazy." Harry muttered with an embarrassed air.

For a moment, Martin's eyes widened in surprise, but then he laughed loudly.

"Don't worry about it, Harry! If some freak kept whispering stuff about a mirror in my ear all the time, I would have been a little worried too!" Martin said cheerily. Then his body began to quiver and he looked down at his gray body with a frown. "Damn potions." He muttered.

"What's going on? Why is everyone disappearing?" Harry asked.

"Resurrection spell." Martin said wearily. "We have only forty-five minutes to be some semblance of the people we once were, you know, we can deflect curses and stuff. But only for a certain amount of time. Forty-five minutes was all Snape could get up to." Martin said as he shrugged.

"What is a 'Resurrection Spell'? I've never even heard of it before." Harry asked quickly, praying that Martin didn't disappear before he could answer his question.

"It was a thing Snape and Dumbledore were playing around with for a while, keeping the idea in the back of their heads just in case Voldemort should return to full power. Well, they started working on it for a little bit when they heard that Voldemort had brought back the Garotters. That freaked them out because those things hadn't been seen for hundreds of years and now that they're loose," Martin shook his head sadly before continuing. "After Cedric died, Dumbledore told Snape to start working full-tilt on the potion. Cedric told me later that Snape said that if Voldemort was gonna bring back evil beings from the past, then he sure as hell could bring back the powerful wizards of ages past to counter them." Martin said cheerily.

Harry's eyes widened as he took in Martin's words.

"You mean, Professor Snape saw Cedric too?" He asked wonderingly.

"Yeah. Cedric hung around with Snape a lot during the summer and during the school year. Helped him to get the potion and the spell in working order. He brought suggestions from other wizards from all over so Snape could get it done. He was running late you see, having a hard time getting it made. That was primarily why Dumbledore made Rhiannon the D.A.D.A. teacher, so that she could help Snape. She was high on his priority list because of stuff she'd done in the past. But she wasn't so sure she wanted to do it. She was uneasy about it, mainly because she knew that she had caused all the trouble because she had invented the Master's Mirror and had let it get out of her hands. She was guilty about that and almost quit on Snape." Martin said knowingly.

"So that was what she was talking about when she was talking with Snape in the hallway. He wasn't trying to get her to do anything wrong. He was trying to get her to make a decision, to get back on track with the potion." Harry said in realization. Martin nodded.

"Yeah. She didn't like the idea of bringing back the dead to fight. But Snape and Dumbledore were convinced that it was the only thing they could do to counter the Garotters. I mean, c'mon! WE didn't have any ancient fighters like that to resurrect! All we had were those who fought before us." Martin said with a smile.

"I think it was a great idea. I got saved loads of times by, by my Mum." Harry said slowly. Martin nodded knowingly.

"Yeah, I know. It was a killer spell. That it was. Pity it's gotta end." Martin said. He sighed and raised his transparent hand to his face, watching his fingertips slowly wither away. Then he raised his head, casting Harry a brave, but somewhat quavering smile. "But I think I'll hang around with Ced for a while! Hang out with you guys in Hogwarts. Then who knows? Maybe I'll go see the world. Be a spy for the good wizards and witches! Heaven knows that I can't be killed by Voldemort!" Martin said cheerily. Harry laughed and nodded.

"Yeah. It, it was great to meet you, Martin. Thanks, for everything."

Martin smiled and nodded as his body disappeared slowly.

"It was great to meet you too. Sorry it wasn't under better circumstances. And don't worry. I'll be around. Maybe where you least expect me, just around the corner, on the ceiling, a few yards away, maybe in the bathroom, or in the shower, or maybe I'll just be there." With those final words, changing subtly from joking to serious, Martin faded away from Harry's vision.

"Harry! Hullo, Harry!"

Harry turned around with a grin as he heard Hagrid's voice from high above him. He put his hand above his eyes to block the sun and looked above him. Yards above him was the same giantess who had saved his life when the giants had first arrived. In her hand, rested Hagrid, whom she sat down on the ground in front of Harry. Hagrid gave Harry an immense hug, which Harry returned to the best of his ability, although it felt as though the life were being squeezed out of him.

"It's so good to see you, Hagrid! We were all so worried about you!" Harry gasped as Hagrid released him. Hagrid smiled and wiped away a tear from his eye.

"I know! I hated leavin' yer like tha'. But Dumbledore said I had ter go, so off I went. An' a good thing too! As soon as your ring sent Sirius the signal to come, he flew over ter the Scotland hills with Buckbeak an' picked us up. O'course," Hagrid's forehead furrowed and he looked slightly put out. "I didn't exactly trust 'im, but Dumbledore said 'e was innocent, so I've jest got ter trust him fer now. But that don't mean that I approve. Anyway, I went ahead with Sirius an' Olympe, er, Madame Maxime, an' the giants. Almost took too long in comin'. But it's done. The giants are on our side, Harry. An' lemme tell you, that'll help things considerably, just so long as, er, well, they don't go back ter You-Know-Who." Hagrid said quietly, eyeing the giantess above him. Harry nodded and smiled.

"I'm glad they decided to come. But Hagrid, how did you do it?"

Hagrid's smile faded slightly and he shook his head slightly.

"Tha's fer me an' Dumbledore ter know, Harry. Don't need to worry yerself 'bout tha'." Hagrid said quietly.

Harry frowned slightly in confusion, but fixed his eyes on the giantess above Hagrid. "That one saved my life." Harry said in surprise, pointing up at the giantess, who smiled broadly.

The somber look faded from Hagrid's face and a delighted grin spread across it.

"You mean Minne saved yer? Well, I'll be! Harry, I'd like yer ta meet someone. This here's my Aunt Minne, my mother's sister. Ain't she wonderful?" Hagrid asked, peering up at the giantess. The giantess bent down till her upper body nearly touched the earth and gazed at Harry.

"It is good to meet you, 'arry Potter." Her deep voice boomed. "My nephew has told me much of you."

Harry smiled at the giantess, finding this whole thing hard to believe. But he was happy for Hagrid. After all, he hadn't had any family for the longest time. He was most likely as pleased as punch that he knew at least one of his relatives.

"It's an honor for me as well. Thanks for saving me."

The giantess chuckled, which erupted as a series of earth shaking tremors.

"It was nothing. 'ad 'agrid been his full size he would have done the same." The giantess said, straightening her immense body.

Harry smiled at her again, then glanced curiously at Hagrid.

"Hagrid, where's your mother? Didn't you find her?" Harry asked.

Hagrid's face suddenly became rather red, and he began twisting his large fingers around each other.

"I foun' her. But she didn' want no part in nothin'. She wouldn't come out, not even ter see me." Hagrid choked, a few tears slipping from the corners of his eyes. Harry gazed at his friend in sympathy and placed a hand on the half-giant's large forearm.

"I'm sorry, Hagrid. I really am."

Hagrid choked and nodded.

"Don' be. Nothin' you can do 'bout it. Thanks though, Harry. You take care now. Gotta go talk to Olympe." Hagrid said, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder for a moment before he walked away. Harry smiled as Hagrid walked away, then watched as the immense giantess, Minne, strode off towards her kin, her legs and feet as large as trees, which left great imprints on the grassy lawn.

As Harry turned about to look for some trace of Ron and Hermione, he heard a high-pitched cry, then saw Molly Weasley rushing towards the doors of Hogwarts, which were slowly opening. There, walking towards the crowds of remaining witches and wizards, were Fred and George Weasley, supported by Severus Snape, who walked carefully between them, his white hands holding their shoulders erect. Mrs. Weasley threw herself upon her sons, tears spilling down her cheeks as she held them to her.

"My boys! My boys! I don't care what you do from now on! You can, you can, BLOW UP a Hogwarts bathroom for all I care! You can make your joke shop! Just don't ever leave me again!" She sobbed.

Fred and George, though still pale, grinned happily at each other over their mother's head, but sobered immediately as they saw their father's warning glance. Obediently, the boys sobered and patted their mother on the back as she sobbed into their chests.

"It's okay, Mum." Fred said gently.

"Really! We're alright now!" George finished with a broad grin.

Mrs. Weasley took a step back, rubbing her eyes frantically with the back of her hand as she gazed at them adoringly.

"I know. I know, but it's just, I'm so glad you're back." She sobbed.

The twins' faces became overcome by emotion and a thickness rose in Harry's own throat as the boys reached for their mother again and pulled her to them, their long arms encircling her completely. Harry looked away a moment as tears welled up in his eyes, but he looked back as soon as he could. Arthur Weasley coughed, unsure of what to say or do. Fred and George simply smiled at him as they held their mother, jerking their heads toward him inviting him in. Arthur stepped behind his sons and put his arms around their shoulders, closing his eyes thankfully. Bill and Charlie stepped on either side of their brothers and flung their arms around them and their mother and father. Ron did the same, watching his broken arm carefully as he put his uninjured arm around Fred's shoulder. Percy hung back for a moment, considering etiquette possibly, but he was shoved from behind as Ginny rushed upon her brothers with a loud sob. Fred and George smiled as they ran their hands over their sister's bright red hair. Then George looked fixedly at Percy for a moment, then winked, jerking his head towards his family. Percy smiled and stepped into the circle, accepted and held in his family's arms, though he didn't seem to hold them as closely or as tightly as the others.

Harry smiled happily at the sight before him, then smiled sympathetically at Hermione, who was sitting by herself on the ground, sobbing at the sight. Harry walked slowly over to her and sat down beside her, placing his arm around her. Hermione shook her head and attempted in vain to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"I just, I don't usually cry. It's just, I'm so happy I suppose. I don't know. I just," She wept, leaving her words floundering in her tears. Harry nodded and pulled her close to him.

"I know, Hermione. It's okay, you know. You don't have to explain. I feel the same way." Harry said quietly. Hermione sobbed thankfully and simply grasped his hand tightly.

Finally, the Weasleys released each other and gazed upon each other happily, finally united. It was in that moment that Fred and George's friends rushed upon them in a torrent, screaming their happiness that the twins had been returned to them. Fred and George laughed ecstatically as they pounced upon their friends. Fred's eyes widened immensely as Alicia threw herself on him and planted a kiss upon his lips.

As she pulled away, a vibrant blush resting on her cheeks, Fred stared at her with an awestruck look. A moment later, he whooped and pulled her to him victoriously. George laughed and slapped his brother on the back in a congratulatory way, then looked over his friends' heads, scanning the crowd. He grinned broadly as he saw a jubilant Artemis rush to him, excitement evident in every motion that she executed. He put his arms around her as she approached and held her close, rocking her gently as her arms went around his neck. Then as she began to cry softly, he smiled and placed his red head against her own blonde tresses. Harry smiled wistfully as Artemis reached up and kissed George on the cheek. It wasn't at all as passionate as the one Alicia had given to Fred, but it fit. George blushed red and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh through her tears and made her press him closer to her.

Harry stood on the outskirts of the group, unsure of when to enter in or if he even should. Ron and Bill were being fussed over by Mrs. Weasley and Charlie and Percy were laughing as she did so. Mr. Weasley's vibrant laugh boomed across the courtyard, but at the same time he was gentle as he held his daughter in his arms, stroking her red hair as she hugged him fiercely.

Finally, Fred and George broke free from the crowd, promising to return as soon as possible. Harry grinned as he noticed both of them stop, give a one-two-three-go, then race towards him as fast as they could. They screeched to a halt before plowing into him then threw their long arms around him, giving him an immense, double hug. They released him just before Harry thought he was going to be squeezed to death for sure.

"Great to see you, Harry old boy!" Fred laughed.

"No kiddin'! So good to be walking around again!" George yelled, letting loose a loud whoop in affirmation.

"I'm so glad you guys are okay!" Harry laughed. Fred and George laughed and settled down on a pile of rubble, stretching their legs in satisfaction. Harry did the same, grinning from ear to ear.

"So are we. I must say, it's different seeing things as myself again." George said, eyeing his surroundings. Fred rolled his eyes, but all the same, grinned at his twin.

"I'm just glad that you're out of my head, George."

Fred cast him a look of mock disdain and smacked his arm, chuckling all the while.

"Fred, George, if it's not too much trouble, could you," Harry started.

"Explain some things? Sure." Fred said quickly. Harry nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, finally satisfied that things would start to make sense. "Okay, we'll start from the beginning. After we got to Hogwarts, well, after a while anyway, we went into Rhia's classroom to ask her something about classes," Fred started.

"No, she wasn't kissing anyone!" George said cheerily.

Fred rolled his eyes and slugged his brother in the arm as Harry laughed.

"No, she wasn't doing that, but she was writing some stuff at her desk. She was really into it. I mean, she didn't even answer us when we TALKED to her." Fred said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"So finally, we went up to her desk, ready to pitch some Filibuster fireworks on her desk, just so she'd pay attention! Then we saw the stuff she was writing. It was all this stuff about a 'Resurrection Spell' and the 'Master's Mirror' and stuff. Freaky stuff, honestly." George said.

"Well, she finally saw that we were there, saw that we had seen what she was writing, we forced her to spill everything: that she was helping Snape with the spell, what the spell was for, what the Master's Mirror was, who it had killed, its purpose, and that she had created it. Everything." Fred said seriously, shaking his head.

"We were sworn to secrecy and we never told anyone. EVER. We found out about the secret passageway where Snape and Rhia actually worked on the spell and stuff. Went there a couple times. We liked it. It was a good hide out. Hid lots of Canary Cremes down there." George said with a reminiscent smile. "But anyway, that was where we met Martin. Kinda freaked us out at first, but then it was really wicked! He told us about all this stuff, like other secret passageways and things and some really nifty tricks!" George gushed.

"He gave us the idea to put the constrogo in Snape's room." Fred admitted with a smile. Harry's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"So THAT'S why Martin was there in the first place! He saved Ron from getting his brains bashed out!" Harry said in realization. Fred and George nodded with identical smiles.

"Yeah, he told us about that." Fred said, winking at his twin.

"Scared him pretty bad, that did." George chuckled.

"Then he came and told us after the constrogo drank some of Snape's potions, and we went and got help. We all had a big sympathy party afterwards, I can tell you ." Fred grumbled. George laughed at that and nodded.

"Then the storm came." Fred said, his cheery face suddenly sobering.

"The 'Lucrum Insperatum'." Harry whispered.

Fred and George nodded, all traces of happiness and mirth disappearing from their faces.

"Yeah. That was the first time that Martin wasn't there with us. We didn't know what to do. One minute we were just playing Quidditch, the next, we were lying on the ground beside each other, all cut up and bleeding." Fred said slowly, a far away look in his usually jovial eyes. "Then we went and found Ron. We didn't really care about ourselves that much. But we found Ron and brought him to Rhia. She didn't want us to go back out, but we did." Fred continued.

"We had to find Ginny! She was still out in that mess!" George blurted out. Fred nodded and patted his twin on the back before continuing.

"We found her, but George, he started, well, you explain it, George." Fred said, glancing encouragingly at his brother. George frowned, but took a deep breath and spoke quietly.

"It was pretty bad, Harry. One minute, I was carrying Ginny, I told Freds I was strong enough to carry her, you see. The next minute, I dropped. I felt like I was on fire and I couldn't move and I couldn't see all at the same time. I felt so terrible. The other teachers told me that I screamed and kicked and stuff, but I don't remember it. I don't really remember anything." George closed his eyes and shuddered slightly, then opened them and began to speak again. "Next thing I knew, I was in Snape's dungeon. There were these cots set up, two of 'em for me and Freds. Freds was sitting up talking to Snape and I was just laying there." George's eyes began to stare at nothingness as he relived the experience. "I didn't really remember much that was said. Snape told most of it to Freds, but what I gathered was that me and Fred had been in the very center of the storm and had gotten hit, but I got hit worse than Freds. Really bad. The magic of the storm had somehow paralyzed me inwardly, sorta like it was making me go crazy, or it would or something strange like that. But the point is, when I lost control, Fred would go nuts too because of what Snape called the 'twin effect'. Did anybody tell you about that?" George asked, eyeing Harry. Harry nodded.

"Yeah, Martin told me." He answered. George nodded and shrugged.

"Well, I didn't much like that idea of taking Freds down with me, but Snape explained to us that he had a potion that would keep me okay for a while. He didn't know how much longer I could hold up though." George said softly.

"So the potions stopped working when you collapsed in the hallway?" Harry asked. George blanched at the memory and nodded.

"Yeah. I'd been feeling strange all day and I just went blank when I fell. I couldn't remember anything. Then I remembered hearing someone calling out for Freds and then, and then I could talk to Fred in my mind, sorta. It was bloody weird. It was like we were one person in two different bodies. It was a cool feeling. More than once I wished we could stay like that. I mean, think of how helpful it would be sometimes!" George said enthusiastically, but still with a tired look reflecting in his gaze. "But anyway, the real reason that I broke that day, Snape explained this to us a couple minutes ago, was because of Voldemort. He came. He had cast the 'Lucrum Insperatum' before, and because he had returned, because his magic had returned and we had absorbed that magic in our bodies, we collapsed. It was too much. Too much power, too much evil. It just broke us." George said, glancing at his twin, who nodded simply.

"But wait, one thing. Professor Flutterae didn't really try to help you when you fell. She didn't really try at all. I didn't understand that. Why didn't she help?" Harry interrupted. George nodded knowingly.

"That's precisely the point. She didn't try. See, Snape needed one more ingredient for the spell and the potion to bring back the ghosts. One more that he'd just figured out." George said.

"The spell read, Flesh of two become one, properly joined, ready to fall." Fred recited, nodding enthusiastically. Harry stared at them.

"What?" He asked. Fred nodded.

"That's what Snape said too. What?" Fred repeated with a smile.

"But when he was studying some stuff, trying to figure out what the heck it was, he realized," George said.

" 'Flesh of two become one', me and George under the 'twin effect'. 'Properly joined, ready to fall', when we were joined together and close to dying. That was the ingredient. So me and George collapsing was the only reason that we were able to finish the potion." Fred said.

"So basically, we're heroes!" George said excitedly. Fred nodded vigorously.

"Darn right we are!" Fred said, slinging his arm around his brother's shoulder.

"So, Professor Flutterae just wanted to stabilize you guys, get you close to death then bring you back so Snape could get the ingredient?" Harry asked slowly. Fred and George nodded.

"Bill wasn't in on anything, see. He most likely is NOW, but he didn't know then. Rhia was just trying to get us up to Snape, not trying to help us, because if she helped us, brought us back too early, then Snape couldn't have finished the spell." George said.

"I thought he was trying to kill you when I saw him cutting you guys like that." Harry said, a blush rising on his cheeks. Fred and George nodded with identical smiles.

"Well, don't worry about it!" Fred said.

"If me an' Freds had seen ol' Snape hackin' on you, we would have jumped on him and shoved a Canary Creme down his throat!" George said with a cheerful smile.

Harry laughed, then sobered slowly, thinking over everything that had just been said.

"So Draco was the one who brought the mirror into Hogwarts." He mused. Instantly, Fred and George's faces sobered and they glanced at each other.

"That's a bad business, and no one knows exactly what happened except Draco, but we've got our beliefs as to what happened." Fred said.

"See, that day in Diagon Alley when Draco came in and bad-mouthed you, then left, I felt this pain, this sort of numbing feeling come over me when he left. Something calling my name and just, well, saying all this stuff that frankly, I didn't want to hear." George said, blushing red. "But it all faded soon after and I really didn't give it a second thought." He said.

Harry nodded slowly, remembering the strange look upon George's face, how his iris had been swallowed in the blackness of his pupils.

"My guess is that after Malfoy left us in the shop, the mirror, or You-Know-Who, whoever it was, they told Draco to find and follow Martin. Draco brought it to Martin, and it confronted him, gave him a choice: Follow it or die. Obviously, Martin didn't give in and he was killed. He never really gave us particulars." Fred said somberly.

"Then Draco just took the mirror with him to Hogwarts. No one knew about it. No one sensed it. Not even Dumbledore. Draco just carried it around with him, letting it call out to whomever it chose, which included Artemis and you. Then it was the mirror's power that helped to summon the 'Lucrum Insperatum' and started You-Know-Who's work on the place." George said.

"Just trying to bring Hogwarts down, that's all." Fred grumbled.

"But obviously, little Dracie didn't like hauling around that mirror, after seeing what happened here." George said, glancing at Draco, who Harry could see standing far across the field by himself.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Well, LOOK at him!" George said, jerking his thumb at the Slytherin boy. "You didn't see him rushing to help the Death Eaters, did you? I mean, even Crabbe and Goyle did!" George said.

"Yeah, and look where it got them." Fred muttered, glancing out at the battlefield with a wary eye.

George and Harry followed his gaze and saw one large body lying on the ground, several wizards bending over it. Crabbe lay there, still and frozen, his eyes closed as if in sleep, but Harry knew better. They were closed in death. Goyle was nowhere to be found. Harry looked back, a sick feeling churning in his stomach as he met Fred's gaze.

"Crabbe got killed and Goyle's most likely with the Death Eaters. He won't be forgetting Draco's actions any time soon." Fred said grimly. George shook his red head and let out a sigh.

"Nope. I just wanna know if Malfoy's intentions are really for good. That's all. I mean, he proved himself, but does he mean it? Will he turn on us again?" George mused soberly, glancing at Artemis, then at Draco.

Harry glanced at Draco, standing alone off to the side of the witches and wizards surrounding him. Though there were witches and wizards around him everywhere, he had still managed to stay alone, aloof, his gray eyes challenging anyone to come near him. He looked no different, not changed in the least. He did not even look remorseful for his deeds. Hot fire coursed through Harry's veins as he stared at Malfoy. He wanted to scream at him, hit him, make him pay for his deeds. He had basically killed a student of Hogwarts. Young Jessica didn't do anything to him. But Draco had allowed Voldemort to come into Hogwarts and kill not only Jessica, but many other witches and wizards.

But even as Harry thought this, he cringed as a sliver of sympathy passed through his consciousness. He didn't like to feel that way, not about Draco. Draco didn't deserve his sympathy. He didn't deserve anything from him. Harry's eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he had to do something. But even as he moved forward, he stopped as a familiar creature brushed up against his leg.

Malificent rubbed her soft black fur against his leg, purring loudly, then rubbed against Fred and George's legs. The twins grinned and gave the cat a dual pat. The cat purred in happiness, then stepped daintily away from them.

"Fred! George!"

Fred and George had barely turned around before Lee Jordan jumped on them from behind, causing them to break out in laughter as they wrestled with each other.

Harry smiled, then stood, stepping away from them as the friends talked and laughed. He turned away and watched Malificent with interest as she stepped through the crowds of witches and wizards. Finally she stopped in front of a person and waited, rubbing around his ankles as she did so. Harry's breath then caught in his throat as pale hands reached down and encircled the cat, bringing her into his arms. Sirius Black whispered to the cat as he gently petted the half-moon on her head, his fingers gentle and soothing.

Harry slowly made his way over to them, smiling at the scene before him. Sirius glanced up at him with his pale eyes and smiled.

"She loves attention, I see." Sirius said quietly, glancing at the cat. Harry smiled and petted Malificent under the chin, feeling the purring that stirred deep in her throat as she closed her eyes in pleasure.

"Oh yes. She's very much a beggar."

Sirius nodded his agreement.

"But a very intelligent little beggar. That much is certain." Sirius said slowly as Malificent opened her green eyes and rubbed her head under his chin.

Harry watched as his godfather stroked the cat tenderly. He had changed a great deal since just last year. His long hair had been shorn so that the ends barely touched his shaved chin. His skin was no longer pale, but a crisp brown that set off the paleness of his eyes. One thing Harry knew for sure was that wherever Sirius had been hiding with Remus, there had obviously been a lot of sun. He barely looked like the Sirius Black that Harry had first seen in third year. That man had looked like a living, breathing skeleton. This man had made use of his body in his freedom. He wasn't as skeletal as before, nor as thin. He had changed, and to Harry's satisfaction, he looked nothing like the Sirius Black that the Ministry was looking for, the Sirius Black that the Ministry kept 'Wanted' pictures of in every single issue of the "Daily Prophet". For now, Sirius was safe.

After a few more moments, Sirius smiled, then set the cat on the ground, where she took off across the courtyard. Then he heaved a great sigh and allowed his eyes to scan his godson. Harry stood before him, covered in the grime of battle, but encircled with the glow of victory. Harry's green eyes glowed and he suddenly dropped his head, wincing as he tugged something from his charred, black hand. Then he held out something to Sirius, his eyes twinkling. Sirius lifted his palm and stared in surprise as Harry dropped the black ring, the Sugilatio Flammae into his godfather's hand. Sirius eyed it lovingly, then glanced up at Harry.

"Sure you don't want to keep it? Might come in handy later." He asked with a smile.

A strange look flitted across Harry's face, a look of guilt and of regret. He shook his head.

"I really don't think that I deserve to have it, Sirius. I mean, I basically ignored it the whole time it was trying to help me, to warn me. I think you should take it back." Harry said firmly, but with a saddened edge in his voice. Sirius gazed at him a moment more, then gently grasped Harry's hand and placed the ring in his palm.

"This ring has done more than you know. The entire time you had it on, I could see you, could see the things happening to you. It not only tried to warn you when evil was near, but it helped me keep an eye on you, giving Remus and myself the signal to bring up our forces." Sirius said gravely. Harry gazed at him in astonishment, his eyes wide.

"You mean, you saw everything? Everything?" He whispered.

Sirius nodded slowly and eyed the ring lovingly.

"It's got many secrets, that ring. I've had it for a long time. I only think that it's right that you keep it for now." Sirius said. Harry shook his head as he gazed first at the ring, then at Sirius.

"You're in as much danger as I am. You should keep it." He said, trying to force the ring back into Sirius' hand. But Sirius pushed it away with a scoff.

"Come now, Harry! Don't be an idiot. You know you're in more danger than I am any day. One does not turn down a Sugilatio Flammae, especially not when it is given by Sirius Black." Sirius said firmly, shoving the ring back into Harry's hands. Harry sighed and chuckled as he slipped the ring back onto his scorched hand, wincing as he did so.

"I just can't force you to do anything, can I, Sirius?" Harry asked lightheartedly.

To his surprise, his godfather's eyes softened greatly and he put his hand on Harry's shoulder, his throat constricting slightly as he stared at the boy before him.

"You're just like your father. You know that, Harry? He used to tell me the same thing when we were in school, whenever he thought I was going over the line with one of my practical jokes. Like the time I cast a disfigurement charm on Lucius Malfoy so that it showed him looking like a monster whenever he looked in any mirror in Hogwarts." Sirius laughed loudly and Harry did the same, envisioning a boy who looked very much like Draco staring at his disfigured face in horror. "Of course, he didn't know what it was because every other kid that looked in his or any other mirror just saw their normal selves. Your father wanted me to take the charm off after a couple hours, but I said no way. Why should I ruin that wonderful sight? Lucius Malfoy, screaming like a girl because he looked like a complete idiot. 'Ahhh! A zit! A zit!'" A wistful look came over Sirius' face as he mimicked Malfoy shrilly. "Pretty soon, Malfoy told the head of Slytherin House, who immediately saw what was going on and only because he was a good guesser. I was serving detentions for months." Sirius said, shaking his head. Then he let out a wistful sigh. "Ah, those were the good old days." He said with a mischievous smile.

Harry had thrown his head back in laughter at the thought of his godfather pulling such a prank, and now Sirius looked upon him in a new light. He knew that James was never coming back, knew that Harry was only an identical copy, but not the real James Potter. The real James Potter didn't have those green eyes, which revealed Lily Potter in their depths whenever he smiled, or furrowed his forehead in thought.

Studious Lily, Industrious Lily, Scholarly Lily. She was so different from James in so many ways. She was rather like that one girl that Harry knows. What's her name? Hermione. Yes. Oh, Lily.

And the real James Potter did not possess that lightning bolt scar on his forehead, a mark of power, and at the same time, defiance. But sometimes, sometimes when he glanced sideways at Harry, turned to tell him something, he almost called the boy 'Prongs', forgetting where he was and who he had become.

Sometimes when he looked at Harry, engrossed in conversation with his friends, the past cast shadows over the children of today, and instead became the children of yesterday. James Potter stood in front of Sirius Black, his blue eyes intense as he tried to talk Sirius out of some scheme, the latter standing in front of James looking completely bored, his arms crossed across his chest. Beside Sirius, stood Remus Lupin, looking completely solemn and uncaring about the outcome of the argument, but at the same time, there was a tugging on the corners of his mouth, and his bright eyes twinkled energetically. Beside James, looking back and forth from the combatants, twisting his fingers nervously as he tried to guess the outcome of the argument, stood Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew, before he became a rat, in more ways than one. James suddenly ceased to speak harshly to Sirius as he drew himself up, his blue eyes lighting up as he saw a carefree, nymph-like girl walking towards him, her long red hair bouncing on her shoulders, her green eyes sparkling brightly.

Lily. Whenever Lily came around, James wasn't Prongs anymore. He was a totally different person, perhaps a better person. Perhaps.

But the shadows of the past cannot remain long in the present, and they soon faded from Sirius' view once more and the boy, the son of his friend, stood before him, looking up into his eyes curiously.

"Sirius, did you really confront the Master's Mirror?" Harry asked quietly. Sirius jolted slightly, then straightened, his eyes stonily gazing off into the distance.

"Yes. Although I didn't really realize what it was at the time. All I knew was that it was evil and it was giving me a choice: be evil, serve Voldemort and live, or die a brutal death. I chose death." Sirius spat out. "Then not long after, little Peter gave in to the call of the mirror and began to plot your parents' downfall. It certainly is a cunning creation that." Sirius said with a scoff.

Harry watched him tentatively, then turned slightly to look at Rhiannon, who sat beside Bill on the ground, the color slowly returning to her face. When he turned back, he noticed Sirius was also looking at the young D.A.D.A. teacher.

"She's lucky to be alive. The others were not so lucky." Sirius said grimly. Harry looked at his godfather in surprise.

"The others?" He asked. Sirius looked down knowingly at his godson before looking back at Rhiannon.

"Yes, of course. You didn't think that Rhiannon was the only one working on this?" He asked. Harry nodded slowly.

"The mirror mentioned that there were others."

Sirius nodded knowingly, continuing to eye Rhiannon.

"Did you know them?" Harry asked slowly.

Sirius jolted slightly and eyed the ground before he turned to look down at Harry.

"Yes, I knew them. Some of them more than others. One by one they were killed as the Dark Lord tried to gain control of the mirror. I could do nothing. Dumbledore told me to keep out of it. I don't know why. Flutterae came up with the main concept and worked on it the hardest." Sirius heaved a long sigh. "Now she's the only one left, what with Montgomery killed." Harry frowned and looked up at Sirius.

"Montgomery?" He asked.

Sirius shrugged and looked away. There was a look in his eyes that Harry didn't understand. It was a look of knowing, but also of pain.

"Melinda Montgomery helped Rhiannon build that thing, helped her conceive it. She was one of the younger ones."

"Did you know her?"

A unusual look that Harry could not identify passed over Sirius's face. His lips twisted in a way that could have been showing disgust or pain. He blinked deliberately for a moment, and his Adam's apple bobbed. It looked to Harry like he was searching for something to say.

"Yes, I did. Well." Sirius said shortly.

"Was she in your year?"

"Of course not. Two years younger."

Harry paused, unsure if he should even continue. Sirius's answers had been short, terse. They weren't encouraging answers. But still, Harry decided to press on.

"The Mirror said that she helped you escape from it."

"Did it?" Sirius snarled, his features suddenly becoming animated and sharp. "Well yes, she did. Idiot girl! Found me, warned me of what the Mirror would try to do. I chose death, and she was punished for it. Stupid girl!" Sirius spat fiercely.

Harry drew back slightly as Sirius' eyes became alight in anger and frustration.

"Did you know her parents died earlier this year and then she died after?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Of course I did!" Sirius said angrily. "And I could do nothing! If I could have gotten some protection, if only a little so I could have helped Melinda, I could have saved her from getting killed. But no, she had to be an idiot all those years ago and help me. Never was very smart, that one." Sirius seethed.

"Obviously she was, because she saved you so that you'd be here right now! I wouldn't even know you if she hadn't saved you, Sirius!" Harry said angrily.

Harry had bristled at Sirius's comments about the woman Melinda Montgomery, but his final comment put Harry overboard. True, Harry didn't even know the woman, but he did know that she had saved Sirius for him, that she had given up her life so that he could live for Harry. If it wasn't for her, Harry wouldn't have a godfather. Sirius' eyes softened as Harry spoke and he wearily ran his hands over his face.

"I'm sorry, Harry. It's irritating, knowing that someone who deliberately put their life in danger for yours is in danger, was in danger." Sirius almost whispered.

"There wasn't anything you could have done, Sirius." Harry said quietly.

"Exactly. Damnit! It's irritating being indebted to someone! Especially someone who's dead because of you!" Sirius hissed fiercely.

Harry smiled wistfully.

"Yeah, I know." He whispered.

He did know. He was indebted to so many people for his life, but there was one person's sacrifice that he regretted, one person that he wished he could thank, could make it up to in some way: his Mother. She had given up her life so he could live, but what had he done to make that up to her? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Sirius looked down sharply at Harry, sensing the change in his tone. Almost as if he had read Harry's mind, he said gruffly,

"Your Mother wouldn't want you to regret her choice. She gave up her life so you could live. You're living. That's how you can make it up to her. Keep on living. Don't give up. Don't allow her sacrifice to be in vain."

A lump rose in Harry's throat as he and Sirius stared at each other. That tortured look that Harry had seen that horrible day in third year in the Shrieking Shack had returned to Sirius's eyes. Sirius had lost Harry's father and mother as well. He had known them, had loved them. He and Harry were alike in many ways, but Sirius was making sure that Harry would never have to suffer as much as he had because of the actions of others.

"Harry," Sirius started. His voice was low, almost choked.

But he didn't get to finish his sentence. Remus Lupin approached them tentatively, his fingers running together nervously. It almost looked to Harry that Sirius was thankful to be distracted. Lupin smiled at Harry, then eyed Sirius.

"Sirius, Professor Dumbledore wants to have a few words with you."

"I will be there shortly." Sirius said quietly.

Lupin nodded and turned to Harry with a gentle smile.

"Hullo, Harry. It's wonderful to see that you're alright! I wasn't sure if, well, never mind. You're safe." Lupin said, his soft voice easily expressing his gratitude.

"It's great to see you too, Professor! I'm so glad you're alright!"

Harry grinned and looked over his old professor. Professor Lupin's face was gaunt, perhaps moreso than it had been in Harry's third year when he'd taught Defense against the Dark Arts. His robes seemed to hang off his body, and Harry could clearly see that there was a great distance between the man's flesh and the robes. If Lupin noticed Harry's look of worry as he scrutinized his old professor, he disregarded it and instead turned to Sirius with an incredulous look.

"Sirius, haven't you told him?" He whispered.

"I was just about to, Lupin," Sirius growled. "Until a certain person interrupted me."

Harry frowned and turned sharply to eye Sirius.

"What do you mean? What do you have to tell me?"

"Harry, I've got to go away again. I've got to go away with Remus." Sirius said quietly, a regret so final resting in his eyes that Harry was filled with fear.

"But why? Can't I come with you?" Harry pleaded desperately. "I can't go back to the Dursleys again! I want to come with you! I don't care how dangerous it is! I'll bring my invisibility cloak and I'll be safe! Please, Sirius!"

Sirius wavered visibly, but shook his head firmly.

"Many of my enemies can see through invisibility cloaks, Harry. No, I can't take you. I've already got my hands full now. Other things to deal with on this journey. But," Sirius' eyes narrowed and he raised his fingers thoughtfully to his stubbled chin. "I don't want you staying with those Muggles anymore. I'll see if Professor Dumbledore will speak to the Weasleys about keeping you for the summer if you like. I know it can't make up for my not taking you, Harry, but it's the best I can do." Sirius said sadly, but with determination lacing his words.

Harry heaved a great sigh as he looked up at his godfather in firm resolution. If Sirius was willing for him to stay, then he would stay. He knew what would be best. Besides, life wouldn't be so bad if he was spending it with the Weasleys.

"Alright then." He sighed.

Sirius smiled, then awkwardly placed his thin arms around Harry. Harry in turn, threw his arms around his godfather, squeezing him tightly.

"Will you come back for me?" Harry choked as he squeezed Sirius, tighter, tighter. Sirius in turn did the same. His bony fingers pressed desperately into Harry's back, and he pulled him closer.

"Of course I'll come back. Someday I'll be a free man, and then, then you can come and live with me. We'll be two obnoxious bachelors who never clean the house a nip, who women hate to love. Don't you worry, Harry." Sirius said gruffly as he pulled away from his godson. "I made someone a promise. And I intend to keep it." Sirius said as he winked at Harry, drew the cowl of his cloak up over his head and began to walk away. Harry cocked his head and called to Sirius,

"Who'd you make a promise to?"

Sirius turned around, continuing to walk, though there was a broad smile on his white face.

"A ghost by the name of Prongs." Sirius called, turning back around.

A tightness rose in Harry's throat as he stared after his godfather, knowing that his father had made Sirius promise to look after him, to take care of him and make sure he came to no harm. If Harry knew his godfather at all, he knew that Sirius would do that, even if it came to extremes.

Harry slowly turned to face Professor Lupin and smiled wanly. Lupin did not return the smile right away. There was a moistness resting in his eyes and his hands hung limply at his side as he watched Sirius depart. It looked to Harry, that he wanted to call out to Sirius, to say something more, but a minute later the look had disappeared and he had turned to smile warmly at Harry.

"It'll be alright, Harry. I'll see that he doesn't come to harm." Lupin said sincerely.

"Thanks, Professor." Harry said quietly.

There was silence for a moment before Lupin peered fixedly at Harry.

"Harry, things are going to get bad very soon. And, well, the next time, I might not be there to help you." Lupin said quietly.

"But we'll have someone, we'll have Dumbledore?" Harry said slowly, his confusion sprinkling his words. Lupin ran a hand through his hair wearily, a familiar gesture to Harry. He often did it when he was worried.

"I don't know, Harry. You shouldn't count on having anyone to protect you from now on. It would just be safer for you to assume the worst and plan accordingly. It may be the only way you'll escape another massacre like this." Lupin looked out across the battlefield wearily. "You should just be prepared. Be observant."

"Let me guess? Constant vigilance?" Harry said quietly, a weary tone in his voice.

Lupin turned to eye him sharply, then smiled.

"Ah, I see you remember some of Alastor Moody's more repeated bits of advice."

"Yes, even though it wasn't really Moody." Harry countered.

"Nevertheless, even if it had truly been Moody, he would have said the same, constantly." Lupin said with a smile. Harry nodded in submission, then was still a moment, thinking.

"Hey, do you want to see Ron and Hermione? I'm sure they'd love to see you, see that you're okay!"

Lupin brightened visibly, though he tried to look indifferent.

"Truly?"

"Why are you so surprised?"

Lupin shrugged with an embarrassed air.

"I haven't gotten used to the fact that some people care whether I come or go."

Harry smiled broadly and motioned towards Lupin.

"C'mon, Professor."

Harry lead his old Professor through the crowds of witches and wizards who were talking to each other animatedly. Ron and Hermione were leaning up against one of Hogwarts' remaining walls speaking to each other quietly. Artemis and Ginny Weasley sat beside them on the grass, but they weren't listening. Both of the girls' eyes were closed and Ginny's head rested on Artemis' shoulder. Lupin smiled down at the sleeping girls, then sheepishly looked up at Ron and Hermione. Hermione blushed as she sprung upright, but Ron simply straightened and grinned at Lupin.

"It's good to see you, Professor!" Ron said enthusiastically.

"We didn't know what had happened to you! Where you were!" Hermione said quickly.

Lupin smiled and shrugged, fingering the tattered ends of his robes.

"Well, I'm alright. I'll have to go back into hiding, but it won't be for long. There's going to be another attack and we'll have to counter it." Lupin said soberly.

"Do you know when or where?" Ron asked, his grin fading.

"I'm afraid I don't. But I have to manage to gather more forces soon. We mustn't be left unprepared." Lupin said, firmness lacing his words.

"No, of course not." Hermione murmured, looking slightly dazed by the news.

Harry understood how she felt. He had just finished a battle. He didn't even want to think about the next one. He was suddenly jolted out of his thoughts as Bill Weasley passed them, helping Rhiannon to stand from her place on the ground. The paleness had faded from Rhiannon's face and her eyes were once more alight with that fierce energy that Harry admired.

"Professor Lupin, this is our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Rhiannon Flutterae." Harry said suddenly, indicating the young teacher.

Lupin turned to face Rhiannon, and slight smile curved across Rhiannon's lips as she slowly raised her hand. Harry watched as a similar smile spread across Lupin's lips as he accepted Rhiannon's small hand and shook it.

"Professor, your reputation precedes you." Lupin said quietly.

"I was just about to say the same about you, Professor." Rhiannon said, blushing slightly.

"Which is hardly true. I'm not nearly that interesting. Congratulations on the success of your plan. We couldn't have done it without your help." Lupin said sincerely.

Rhiannon's blush grew redder and she shrugged.

"I was only doing as I was bid."

Harry watched as the two continued to talk. There was something curious about this. When Lupin had looked at Rhiannon, and their eyes had met, they seemed to already know each other. Harry couldn't explain how he came to that conclusion. There had been a look in their eyes that betrayed them.

"Tell me, Professor, what have you covered this year? Have you covered Bean-Nighes or Leshies yet?" Lupin asked seriously, crossing his arms across his chest.

Rhiannon shook her head and leaned back against the wall.

"I'm afraid not. I felt that Bean-Nighes would be suitable for a lighter discussion in sixth year. You know, during mid-term when the children are sick of studying." Rhiannon said with a smile.

A smile flitted across Lupin's face as he continued.

"What about the jinn?"

"No, not yet. I was wondering if you could give me a few pointers about them though. I've heard through Professor Dumbledore that you're quite the expert."

"Only a trifle."

Harry looked away as the two Defense against the Dark Arts teachers continued to speak about their craft. Instead, he focused on his godfather and Professor Dumbledore, were standing only a little ways away. He leaned up against the wall and looked as indiscreet as possible, so that they would not know that he could hear them. Dumbledore was smiling at Sirius, his eyes twinkling brightly.

"It is a good day, young Black." He said calmly.

Sirius chuckled and shrugged.

"It's a good day, but I'm going to have to disagree with you about the 'young' part, Headmaster." He said shrewdly.

Dumbledore chuckled and clasped his fingers together, waiting for Sirius to continue. Sirius seemed to hesitate from continuing however, and instead, his lips curled into a look of disgust.

"Do I have to, Dumbledore?" He asked, a whining tone entering his voice. Dumbledore simply nodded. Sirius let out an angry scoff. "Bloody hell, Dumbledore! He's that slimy git's kid! He's probably worse!" Sirius protested.

Again, Dumbledore nodded.

"Probably." He concurred.

Sirius glared daggers at Dumbledore.

"Why ME? Why do I have to take care of him, huh?"

"Because he is now in great danger because of his actions." Dumbledore explained patiently.

"Then he should have stayed on Voldemort's good side where he belonged." Sirius snapped. Dumbledore cast a reproving look at Sirius, but said nothing. Sirius rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest. "Fine. Whatever. I'll do it. But you, or somebody, owes me BIG time." Sirius muttered as he strode away swiftly.

Harry couldn't understand what was going on. What did Sirius not want to do? He watched as Sirius strode away from him. He'd just have to ask him later.

Draco Malfoy had just about had enough of all the happiness going on around him. It was frankly, making him sick. Then there were the people coming up to him and thanking him. Bloody hell! He didn't want to be THANKED! He wanted to get OUT of there, just so he could think. Think about what he'd done. Now that he'd totally denounced his father and his ways.

You know what that means don't you? His mind whispered. It means that now you're on the same side as people like goody-goody Granger and Potter. Are you insane?

Draco merely rolled his eyes. If only he hadn't let his defenses down for Artemis, things would have been a lot more simple. Because of that, because he'd trusted her, he'd learned to trust Flutterae. Now look where it had gotten him. Now he was with the people his father called, 'do-gooders with no actual brains in their heads.'

"Oh, what now?" Draco muttered under his breath as he saw the tall form of Sirius Black striding towards him.

Despite his spiteful tone, he couldn't help but be fearful of the man, only a little. After all, it was Sirius Black. He'd supposedly murdered his own childhood friend and tons of other Muggles around him. Not like that was a bad thing, but still. He remembered owling his father about him in third year when Black had escaped. His father didn't know anything about Black.

"Our Master had never mentioned him before," Lucius had mused in his letter. "But then, there were many things we did not know. But if it turns out that Black is our Master's supporter and he shows up, do not hinder him. Let him do what he wishes and get it over with."

Well, obviously Sirius Black was not a supporter of 'Our Master'. He had saved his life. As much as Draco was glad to be alive, he couldn't help but be irritated at the fact that he was in this man's debt. Draco looked up expectantly at the man as he stopped in front of him, his pale eyes gazing down at him. But he said nothing.

"Well? Are you going to do anything or are you just gonna stare?" Draco finally asked impatiently as he watched the man.

Sirius scoffed and glared at the boy.

"Don't act like such an ass. You sound just like your Mother."

Draco's eyes widened, but he did not protest, for the very idea had crossed his own mind as he had said those words. He instead glared at Sirius and pressed his lips together tightly.

"Look, kid," Sirius started.

"Draco Malfoy." Draco cut in.

Sirius took a deep breath and stared at Draco.

"Look, Malfoy, you don't have anywhere to go, and just so you know, this wasn't my fault." Sirius said in one breath.

Draco stared at Black in disbelief. What was he on about? What did he mean, nowhere else to go?

"What are you talking about?" He asked coldly.

"Look, I've done a lot of things I never thought I'd have to do. I've experienced a lot of awful things, but taking you with me and keeping you safe is probably the worst thing I've EVER been forced to do." Sirius snapped. For once in his life, Draco Malfoy was struck into silence. His mouth dropped open as he stared at Sirius. Sirius sighed and threw his hands in the air. "You think I like this? Huh? Do you? Well, I sure as hell hope not, because it's the worst idea I've bloody well ever heard of! But Dumbledore wants me to and frankly, buddy, you have nowhere to go." Sirius spat angrily.

Finally, Draco found his voice and when he did, he exploded.

"ME!! To live with YOU? Dumbledore is off his rocker!"

Sirius scoffed and smacked his hand in his fist.

"I heartily agree! But we can't do anything about it because if you don't come with me, I'll knock you out and then drag you along!" Sirius snarled.

"I don't need ANYONE to tell me where to go and what to do! I'm a Malfoy and," Draco protested.

"PRECISELY why I don't want you along! But we already discussed this, DIDN'T we?" Sirius snapped.

Draco's eyes narrowed to mere slits and he glared at Sirius, then slowly crossed his arms across his chest.

"When do we leave then?"

Sirius scoffed and threw his arms up in the air.

"How the hell should I know? Whenever Lupin says we pull out." He muttered.

"Well, I bloody well hope it's soon. I don't know how much longer I can take all this love." Draco muttered, glaring at the people around him. Sirius merely glared at the boy and shook his head, muttering to himself.

Harry watched his godfather argue with Draco for a moment, before shaking his head and turning back to Ron and Hermione.

"Give it to him, Sirius." Harry muttered under his breath, hoping that his godfather was giving Draco hell for, well, anything.

Harry smiled winningly at his friends, glad that for the moment, the battle was over and that they were safe. Hermione returned the smile, but Ron only managed a sour grimace.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked him.

"Yeah, you look like you just swallowed a toad." Artemis said with a smile as she yawned and got unsteadily to her feet. She settled beside Harry, comfortably slipping her arm around his shoulder.

Harry smiled at her and she returned it before replacing it with a look of concern. Ron simply scoffed, but winced slightly as he moved his arm. It was still paining him, though Madame Pomfrey had performed the 'attaching spell' on it, bringing the bones back together quite painfully. Ron slowly jerked his head to the right of him. His friends turned and clearly saw what he was glaring about. Professor Lupin had left Rhiannon and she, though pale, was VERY much recovered and was laughing at something Bill had said. Bill was perched VERY near to her, never taking his eyes off her for a moment.

"Oh c'mon, Ron. I think it's hopeless. You really can't do anything." Hermione said sensibly. Ron shrugged sadly.

"Yeah, I know, but still. I wish I could do something! I mean, Rhia's NOTHING like Bill! I mean, just LOOK at Bill!" Ron said, jerking his thumb at his older brother. "Long, greasy hair, swanky leather clothes, dangly fang earring, and I know that he's got a tattoo." Ron spat. The others stared at him in amazement. He threw his hands in the air helplessly. "WHAT? He does! It's on his upper arm. He's got the Gryffindor crest on it. Anyway, she doesn't have ANYTHING like that." He said disapprovingly.

Just then, Rhiannon turned towards an inquiring Professor McGonagall and the arm of her robe was caught on one of the bushes beside her. The sleeve jerked up and Ron let loose a strangled cry as the girl's white arm was exposed. There on her upper arm was a brilliant tattoo: a full-bloomed rose with a moon in the background, a beautiful mix of deep red and gold.

Apparently, Rhiannon heard Ron's cry, because she jerked her head towards him, a worried look spread across her face. When she saw that he was perfectly alright, she glanced down at her exposed arm and smiled, jerking the sleeve back over it. She whispered something to Bill, then made her way over to Ron, who glared at her and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Traitor." Ron spat. Rhiannon smiled, but opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"What are you talking about, Ron?" She asked, her eyes twinkling.

"YOU, that's what."

For a moment, Rhiannon's eyes became seriously worried and fearful, afraid perhaps that he was referring to her relation to the mirror, but Ron did not notice it.

"You never told me you had a tattoo." He muttered angrily. Rhiannon's face cleared and was filled with relief. She cast him a grateful smile.

"Oh, Ron. I just forgot to tell you about it. I didn't know I had to tell you ALL that I did to myself. I plan to double pierce my ears soon, alright?" Rhiannon said winningly, winking at him. It did no good. Ron merely glowered in her direction. Rhiannon's face softened and she placed one hand on his shoulder. "Look, Ron, I know you don't like what's going on," She started.

"You're right! I HATE it! It's not fair! I've only just seen you again! Hell, I haven't ever been able to have a decent conversation with you because Fred and George and the others are always taking up your time. And THEN, just when you finally come to Hogwarts, you're my D.A.D.A. teacher, and a bloody good one too, and then I FINALLY think I'll be able to have you to myself somewhat, HE comes!" Ron said accusingly, pointing wildly at Bill. Rhiannon smothered a smile as she saw Ron take another breath and begin again. "And then, he comes and he starts trying to woo you and kiss you and stuff and then POOF! I never see you again! You're always with BILL, or somebody else. It's irritating." Ron said simply.

"Are you done?" Rhiannon asked tentatively. Ron shrugged.

"I guess I just wanted to spend some time with you by myself. I dunno. It's just like it is in my life all the time. I have to share with my siblings." Ron grumbled. Rhiannon smiled gently and squeezed Ron's shoulder.

"Listen, Ron, we can't change the past, but I do want you to be a part of my future. I mean, c'mere." She then pulled Ron close to her and she whispered in his ear. Ron's eyes widened at what she said, then he grinned.

"Bloody hell!" He ejaculated as he pulled away. Then he turned and called to Bill, "HEY, BILL! YOU'RE BLOODY QUICK AREN'T YOU?! YOU DEVIL!"

Rhiannon blushed and pulled at Ron's shoulder.

"So you see? We'll be able to have some time together. I don't intend to leave D.A.D.A. anyway. We're not going away immediately and Bill still has to resolve things with Gringotts. It'll work out, and in the meantime, we'll have some time to ourselves." Rhiannon said with a smile. Ron grinned triumphantly and nodded. "Deal?" Rhiannon asked as she stuck out her hand. Ron looked at it, then stuck out his own callused hand and shook his teacher's.

"Deal." He answered.

Rhiannon smiled, then pulled him to her in a quick hug. He blushed slightly, but held her several minutes before she pulled away. Then from behind them, they heard Remus speaking to a cloaked Sirius,

"We should start talking about when we're going to leave, Sirius." He said patiently. Then Rhiannon turned around and smiled winningly at the wizards.

"I do hope you can stay for just a little longer. You see, there's going to be a wedding."

************************************************************************

Author's Note: Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!! WEDDING BELLS!! *sigh* I just LOVE weddings. Lol. Anywho, I really hoped you guys liked this chapter!!! I personallly think that I overdid it MAJORLY. There are sooooo many clues for what's gonna happen in the next one that I think are rather obvious, but then again, I know what's happening in the next one, so they're probably not THAT obvious. But I'm interested to hear your ideas on it. *chuckles evilly* Can you see the hints??Lol. Seriously though, I hope you enjoyed this chappy. I hope it answered all your questions......or at least most of them. ;-) Come now, I couldn't answer ALL of them!! There's still the sequel to be posted!! LoL! Lemme see, how many chapters are left?? Lemme count......OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! Only TWO!!! Oh NO!!!! *sniffle* I don't want this one to be OVER!!! OH, man am I gonna miss you guys!! But hopefully, the production on the second one will pick up a little more and it will be done soon after. The next chapter is gargantuan, so that should hold you off for a BIT, but not much. I'll just try to space them out as much as I possibly can, buy myself extra time. But even though this story will soon be over, it doesn't mean that I'll quit writing. Heck no! I'll write songfics and such, and of course, I'll be working on the sequel to this and maybe I'll edit my LOTR story or something. I already re-edited my LOTR story, "A New Day", and I was pleased with the finished product. So who knows? I might endeavor to take on my really long LOTR fic, "Aure Entuluva".

And speaking of writing, must get back to you guys on my novel front: I recently finished editing it for the bajillionth time and sent it in yesterday to a friend, who is an editor. I am absolutely giddy with excitement to see what she says, so cross your fingers for me, 'kay guys?? ;-) I am so excited! I really don't wanna reveal too much of the plot here, just in case it doesn't fly, but who knows, I might change my mind. *sigh* It's my baby. Now I understand what professional writers mean when they say that they hate it when their story gets slammed because it feels personal. You put so much into a book, especially your first book. My characters seem SO real, mainly because I've drawn them from personal experiences. I can only hope that I can share them with you soon!! ;-) I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on the progress!! Alright! On to the Thank You's!!!!

Takari4ever: Hey! How are ya? I'm really glad you liked the last chapter! I really enjoyed writing the parts with the ghosts! I'm glad you liked that idea! I wasn't sure if it was gonna fly when I first came up with it. I was trying to keep J.K. Rowling's ideas about ghosts into account, but it all worked out so that I didn't break any rules. Oh man! I LOVE Sirius! Doesn't he just rock? He's just too cool. The part where Draco and Lucius fight and Draco is saved by Sirius is one of my favorite parts of that chapter!! It was so fun and satisfying to write! :-) Thanks so much for your review!! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last!!

bmw: Hello!!! Welcome to my story!!! Thank you so much for your review! Thank you so much for your compliments!!! It's always great to meet someone who writes and takes it seriously! Oh you never know! You keep trucking and you might just get published! That would be so amazing! I'd be so proud of ya! ;-) Thank you so much for your kind words about the story! I was so worried about putting this up at first. I really, seriously thought people would abhor it and I'm continually, genuinely amazed at the kind things people have said about it! It's so amazing! Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the little HP facts. I came up with that idea and thought it would be kinda fun for a chapter...........then people really liked it, so I kept putting it in!! I hope you like this week's!! Thanks so much for your review!! I hope you liked this chapter!!! :-)

Gold Eyed Falcon: Hello!! How are ya?? Lol! I'm glad the last chapter didn't take you a week to read! ;-) Lol! I love Martin! Although he's not in this story very much (he will be more in the sequel) I absolutely love him! He's such a stitch! But yeah, he'll be in the sequel to this a LOT more, and we get to find out some things about him that we don't know about in THIS one. ;-) The scene where Draco stood up to Lucius is probably my favorite scene out of the last chapter. It was so fun and satisfying to write. Lol. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the story!! I aim to please!! ;-) It's so much fun reading what you guys have to say! Thanks for the review!!

Songbreeze Swifteye: Hello! It's great to have you here! Thanks so much for reviewing my story! I'm always really tickled when I get a new reviewer! It just makes me SO happy! Thanks so much for your review! I'm glad you like it!

ElveNdestiNy: Hey! It's great to hear from you!! I figured you were just busy and that was why you hadn't come around in a while. BELIEVE ME, I do know what that's like! Plus it's almost the end of the school year for lots of you guys and you're getting dumped on with school. Understandable. I just kinda have staggered the chapters so that everybody catches up! ;-) Lol! I'm so glad that you like Artemis and Rhiannon! I was so worried when I put this story up that they would be considered Mary-Sues or something worse, although, there's nothing worse than one of your characters being called a Mary-Sue. ;-) But seriously, that was one of the issues that held me back from posting for a while. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to accomplish the task of writing a realistic, likable original character and inserting them plausibly into the HP world. I hope I've managed to succeed. :-) I didn't see the Diggory Kirke connection for a long time EITHER!! Isn't that funny? The Narnia books are some of my ultimate favorite books ever! Aren't they just phenomenal? So awesome. Yeah, I have noticed lots of LOTR stuff or tendencies in other fantasy books. Unfortunately, I think it's unavoidable. That's why I wouldn't trust myself to write original fantasy! ;-) Thank you SO much for all your compliments! I love reading them and as corny as it sounds, I DO blush and I DO appreciate every word! I love writing author's notes actually! I like to try to connect with you guys and, as you said, give the reviewers a better understanding of me. I think you should know your audience, even if it's a small one and know what they like and dislike, even if it has nothing whatsoever to do with your story. It's like writing a letter and then getting tons of replies back. I LOVE writing to you guys! Thanks again for reviewing!

Quiet One: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!!! I'M ANGRY!!!..................C'mon! You really think I would be?? Huh? :-) Of course not! I'm just glad you've arrived! Oh good! I'm really glad that you liked the previous chapter as well as the chapter before that. I wasn't sure how you guys would take to that one. I'm so paranoid. I'm always worrying if I wrote it well, if it was up to MY standards......it's crazy, and YES I am a perfectionist. ;-) It is going to be REALLY exciting when the fifth book comes out! VERY exciting! I can't wait to see how it comes out. Have you seen the cover yet? Very cool. My goodness, Harry's grown over the summer. ;-) It is sad how few people take Latin now. It's such a rich language, but no one realizes it. Of course, I do understand the argument that Spanish is more useful, but Latin has it's advantages, just not as many as Spanish. It is depressing though. :-) Thank you SO much for your kind comments! I will certainly keep you guys updated on the process of my book!! Talk to ya later!! :-)

(THE ORIGINAL) Silver Elf: *chuckles* I couldn't help but do that. Lol! Fortunately, I have never had the problem with logging in and so forth, though I HAVE had the problem with the weird 'site overload' thing. Really, it's quite irritating, but of course, the whole site could be closed down. Should count my blessings. *rolls eyes* I am indeed glad that you are alive!! Though it sounds like just barely. :-) Ahhh, where are Fred and George?? Well, tis rather pointless to answer that question as you've already read THIS chapter, but I will anyway. :-) They were somewhat in a limbo of sorts, waiting for the potion to take full effect. Once Snape got the ingredients for the Resurrection spell, he gave them a second potion, which returned their strength to them. Lol! Right, no killing of Weasleys! ;-) I have seen the second Star Wars and I agree with you on the comparison between Yoda and Dumbledore. It's a very good comparison. Oh yes, weirded is INDEED a word! One that I use frequently. :-)

"omg! lucuis would kill his own son?!? DOWN WITH THE BEAST. forget everything i said earlier...its open playing now."

Oh my gosh! You have NO idea how hard I laughed when I read that part of your review! I was just laughing SO hard! Of course I agree whole-heartedly, but it was just GREAT! Classic. LOL!! Oh you're not a pathetic loser for only seeing TT twice. You and me, we're in the same boat. Lol. I don't have time AND it's not out here anymore. :-( Hmmm, horrible death. I've got my ideas, but I'm not sure I should share them. If I decide to write a horrible death in the sequel to this, I don't wanna give you guys hints. Yes, tis selfish, but still. :-p I agree that Harry should be an animagus. I was quite bummed when I heard that. *sniffle* But it's for the best..........I suppose. Humph. LOL! That's it! I'm really J.K. Rowling and my book is ACTUALLY the fifth book! YES! You're right! Lol! Just playin'! Thank you for your flattering comments though! Way to make me BLUSH!! :-) Actually, as I said above, I've finally finished the immense job of editing it to the best of my ability and will be sending it out as soon as possible. I have just asked a friend (who IS an editor) if she would take a look at it for me. I should hear back from her soon, but I'll definitely keep you guys posted. I actually wanna keep the plot and other details around it quiet for now, just until I get a break.........of course, that's assuming I GET one. But we'll see. I might change my mind. :-) Thanks for your review!!


Torrential Zephyr: T.Z., you naughty ff writer, where have you been!!! Ahhhh, yes........carousing in Paris and Barcelona you lucky duck. You little stinker. I'm so envious. But I do understand about the busy schedule. Totally understand! Don't feel rushed or anything on my account. :-) Hope to hear from you soon!!

Leaf: Hey! I'm really glad you liked the previous chapter! Hope you liked this one just as much! I'm quite fond of Martin myself, so I was really glad that he made another appearance. Better watch out, you might be seeing more of him. Hmmmm. I wonder. I guess I'd never really thought of Petunia just because she's got such a bad attitude towards wizards and witches and she's so opposed to them. But who knows? It could be. GAAAHHHHH! LEAF! YOU STILL HAVEN'T SEEN TT????!!!!! GAAAHH!!! I'M ready to hurt you!!! Lol! Just kiddin'! Lol! You've been watching FotR to keep from getting Legolas deprived as well? Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one. ;-) Although it's not as good because Legolas had so many GREAT shots in the second film. *sigh* Can't wait till it comes out on video. I agree with you! It was really fun to write my novel, a lot of hard work, but still very much worth it. It is my baby. ;-) Truly though, the characters are truly alive in my mind and I hope it gets received well when I send it out. Cross your fingers!!! :-) Thanks so much for your review!! :-)

Moanda: Hey! Don't you hate it when the site poops out and won't let you leave reviews or won't load properly?? I most certainly do. Especially with all this, "The site is busy, come back in a few minutes". Oooookay! But what if I don't HAVE a few minutes?? Hmmmm?? :-) But I'm glad you were persistant!! :-) I agree with you about Snape. I think that he is indeed on the side of good, though he continually appears to be otherwise. I sincerely hope that Snape STAYS good in the books. He's a really fun character to write, mainly because he's such a jerk. Jerks are fun to write. ;-) I agree that Rowling will probably reveal more stuff about Snape in later books. Oh Ron is definetly my favorite character! His family is also my favorite. You're right! They just keep on truckin', loyal all the way, no matter what happens!! No wonder they're all in Gryffindor! How could Ron even THINK that he'd be put into Slytherin!! Lol!! I'm glad you liked the scene between Draco and Lucius. It's such a cool thing, to write an epiphany of a character, a crossroads. I really hope that I didn't make the change sudden, I hope I managed to make it gradual so that he wasn't out of character in that scene. The part where Harry's Mum was fighting alongside him was a very emotional part for me to write. I'm just a very emotional person. I like to tap into the possible feelings of the characters and write what I feel. Oh, I don't think J.K.'s done with Lupin and Sirius. I know that in my sequel to this, they're DEFINETLY not done. There's alot more left to write about Lupin and Sirius. I'm sure J.K. will do more with them in the books though. Hmmm......will George's heart be broken, or will Draco's??? Difficult to answer. We'll just have to see. There WILL be something of a resolution at the end of this story. Sort of. You'll have to decide for yourself when the time comes. :-) I agree with you! *I* wouldn't want to have to make that decision!!! It would definetly be cool to be in the Harry Universe! This is about as close as I will get. ;-) Well, I hope this explained most of the stuff for you!! :-) And if I didn't, don't worry! There's still the sequel!! ;-) Oh don't worry about writing too much in reviews! I do indeed love long reviews!! I love talking to you guys and learning about what you think of the story! It helps the writing process IMMENSELY!!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! Thanks for the review!!!

Hollie: GAHHHH!!! HOLLIE!! *gives Hollie gargantuan hug* How ARE you???!!! Gosh! Where've you been?? Of COURSE I can forgive you! I understand about busy schedules!! Believe ME. :-) I'm just glad you made it here!

"let it suffice to say that this chapter reached a level of excellence I did not know was possible. You're a tremendous writer T.H, really awe-inspiring. The entire chapter was just amazing, you had me on the edge of my chair the entire time. And Jessica's speech at the end... god, I almost cried! So very powerful, the whole thing."

Thank you so much, Hollie!! I was blushing so hard when I read that. Lol! I do a lot of that here it seems. :-) Lucky, ducky, already got her copy reserved. I DON'T!!! I'll probably just have to rent it at my lowly little library. ;-) GAAHH!! TT FIVE TIMES!! Sheesh!!! I envy you!! Yeah, I LOVED the Gollum/Smeagol combat scene. It was SO phenomenal, so cool how they did it. I was wondering how they'd manage to do that before I saw it, and I think they did a spectacular job. Oh yes!! Hail the return of Sirius and Remus!!! I LOVE them. *snigger* I loved the part when Sirius flipped Voldemort off. He's so crude. :-) "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black." Lol. I'm so glad that you like the little Hp facts at the end of the chapters! I think I'm gonna try to keep doing them till the end of the story. They're just fun to put in. :-) Yeah, who would have EVER thought that Ron and Hermione would hook up?? Hmmm. :-)

"And you know what? I'm not that crazy about waiting for june 21 anymore. I honest to god don't see how J.K. Rowling could write something better than this. I'm not exagerating, not trying to like, be all 'oh my gosh, this is good' just to be nice, I'm speaking the honest truth. Your writing is above almost anything I've ever read. And without a shadow of a doubt it's the best work I've read on any fan site. Amazing, simply amazing. The quality of this story has come so far, and that's saying a lot since the first chapter was amazing."

WOW, Hollie. Thank you SO much for that hefty praise! I only hope that I can truly live up to this. Thank you so much. I am so........gosh. Thank you. Thank you SO much. That's really all I can say. It's so amazing to read what you think and to see that you hold such a high regard for me and my stuff. It's truly humbling and amazing, and I only hope that I can continue to write so well. Thank you so much. Every time I get reviews, I'm amazed and honored by your guys' comments. It's so amazing. Thank you so much!!

Kora: Ahhhhh, my dear buddy Kora!!! How are you?? Good I hope! GAH!! Six TIMES!!! How I envy you. :-) I'm stuck here waiting for the stupid dvd and am slowly going through Legolas withdrawal, though I helped it somewhat by watching "Black Hawk Down". He wasn't in it that much, but he's still a cutie. GOSH, what a FAB movie!! So sad, but so good. Fabulous. I recommend it. Awfully bloody, but still good. Poop!! Why no RotK trailer??? That's just not fair. Bummer! Of course that's sort of good. That way, you won't be able to see it so I won't have to be envious of you because you did!! ;-) PJ KILLED LUCIUS????!!!! Omygosh. Mind you, I didn't keep up with that stuff too much, but I DID know about Lucius. That's just wrong. Lol, I'm so glad I make HP bearable for you. I think it's because, you know that I know and have read all the tolkien stuff, all the lewis stuff and know about true fantasy. You know that I won't do anything stupid and won't touch stuff I can't handle. I am not angry or upset that you wrote so much about fantasy and Hp in your last review. I agree with all of it. As much as I like Hp and have grown fond of it and its characters, it will never be TRUE fantasy. That's Tolkien, Lewis, etc. Terry Brooks' Shannara series are definetly LOTR copied, rather obvious, no? ;-) I have read all the things you mentioned here, Screwtape letters, all the Tolkien stuff, and the other novels you listed, with the exception of Anne McCaffery. Just never was very energetic about it. I agree. I think that 13 year olds CAN read Tolkien. Just take it slow guys, it's not that hard. Slowly is the only way to go. Heck, *I* had to take it slow at first! Only the exceptionally talented can read Tolkien fast AND comprehend it's meanings. So no, don't be ashamed that you used the review for a soapbox (lol). I agree with you totally. I'm glad you approved of the reform of Draco. I was worried that I had made his sort-of-reform too quick, he just all of a sudden leapt into it. I hope I didn't do that. Yes, I have unfortunately read many of those stories like that: Draco is the victim and never meant anything he ever said. Of COURSE he did. He was venomous, when you're venomous, you MEAN it. I agree that Draco is a victim in SOME ways, but mainly I think it was the way he was raised, who he was surrounded with. A change doesn't come overnight, and it still hasn't for Draco. He's stood up to his father, but there's a lot more struggles left for him. He can't just be happy-go-lucky Draco all of a sudden. I wouldn't give him the pleasure. ;-) Oh man, do I know what you mean about friends who THINK they're into fantasy, when they really aren't. I have several friends like that. Not online, on ff.net, but still. It's completely obnoxious, especially when they're saying they know so much about it, yet all they've done is watch LOTR and read a few kiddie books about King Arthur, when you've read "The Once and Future King" SEVERAL times now. I do indeed understand that peeve. I do understand. There are gonna be people like that out there who want nothing more than to be the next J.K. Rowling, and some of them, sadly, will get published because there are so many people like that person who refuse to read actual fantasy and so love stuff like theirs. Don't feel insecure because of it. You're a fab writer! Always have been. And I definitely think that if you stick with it, you could be another great writer. I'm positive that if anybody I know gets published, it'll be you. And I'll be so proud to know you. You're not being horrible and elitist and selfish. It's a normal reaction, an understandable reaction. All you can do is be tolerant and work your hardest on YOUR work, on YOUR passion. The aggravation will never stop, there'll still be people out there like that. You've just got to practice tolerance. Believe me, it's HARD!! But worth it. I'm glad you intend upon reading the fifth book. I'm glad. It'll be kinda hard for me, as I've written MY version of the fifth book. I'll probably be stupid and will confuse some of the stuff from mine in hers. Lol. Stupid me.

"if you were the hp author, the world would be right. because you would make everything right. you wouldn't be snobby about it, and you'd thank who you needed to thank, and you just wouldn't let teeny people read your stuff. you'd yell at them for it. i'd like it better if you were the author. you really deserve it."

Kora, you live to make me blush. Gosh, you would have been laughing at how red I was getting and how big my smile was when I read that section of your review. Thank you SO much. It means SO much coming from you and I appreciate it immensely. I hold your opinions in such high regard because you're like the first person who ever reviewed me and have stuck with me ever since I've been here on ff.net. It's such an honor to have your opinion and to be your buddy. :-)

As to the novel........like I said above, I'm not sure if I'll let the plot loose yet. I MIGHT to you, ;-), but who knows. Lol! I hope you don't waste away!!! Lol! I'll try to work SOMETHING out!! Maybe tell you the plot or something! We've really gotta start e-mailing again. ;-)

"i know you'll get something published. even if this in its current incarnation doesn't, you will. you have too much talent not too. the novel world is just a really brutal world. i had workshops about it at a conference this summer. it's like near impossible to get published, especially on the first time out. but this experience will make you all the awesomer, no matter how it turns out. and i'm perfectly confident that some day, i'll pick up a new york times bestseller book by you on a shelf in barnes and nobles."

Again, you would have been laughing at me if you could see my face. Thank you so much, buddy It means so much to me to have your support and your praise! Luv you SOOO much ff.net buddy!!

Okay guys, time for more HP stuff. As in the previous chapter, I'm gonna tell you some stuff about the other HP books. You might want to pay attention to some of these. I might just be putting these in for fun, but some of them might be giving you information about stuff that will happen in my stories later.

In honor of HP and the Order of the Phoenix being released in only a few months *YAY*, I'm going to put this up here for those of you who may not have seen it, though I'm sure many of you have. Here is the official summary for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix":

"I say to you all, once again – in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust."

So spoke Albus Dumbledore at the end of Harry Potter's fourth year at Hogwarts. But as Harry enters his fifth year at wizard school, it seems those bonds have never been more sorely tested. Lord Voldemort's rise has opened a rift in the wizarding world between those who believe the truth about his return, and those who prefer to believe it's all madness and lies – just more trouble from Harry Potter.

Add this to a host of other worries for Harry…

· A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey

· A venomous, disgruntled house-elf

· Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team

· And of course, what every student dreads: end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

…and you'd know what Harry faces during the day. But at night it's even worse, because then he dreams of a single door in a silent corridor. And this door is somehow more terrifying than every other nightmare combined.

In the richest installment yet of J.K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter confronts the unreliability of the very government of the magical world, and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it) Harry finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty, and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages, and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.

~*~

IN ADDITION, the book gives more text of the opening lines:

The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive. ... The only person left outside was a teenage boy who was lying flat on his back...[fades out]

WOW!! I got Ron being Keeper RIGHT!! He was Keeper in MY story too!! Yeah! Hooray for me!!! :-) Hmmm, who d'ya think the venomous house-elf is?? Winky? That would be my guess. *chuckles evill* Can't wait to see who the D.A.D.A. teacher is. She definitely sounds....intersting. :-) And remember guys, somebody big is dying in this book. :-O I think........well, here's my opinion. Hagrid. I've got certain reasons for that, but I wanna know what you all think. Here's some more stuff for ya'll. :-)

Book Five book will be titled "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

Book Five will be 255,000 words - almost a third longer than Goblet of Fire.

In Book Five, we go into a whole new area, physically; an area we've never seen before, a magical world.

In Book Five, Harry has to examine exactly what death means, in even closer ways.

The Dursleys are in Book Five, and there's stuff coming with them that people might not expect.

It's very important to the plot that Harry has his mother's eyes and that her wand was very good for charms.

Harry will never have a dragon for a pet. He might have a different pet in the future, but Rowling isn't dropping hints about what it might be.

Harry has never used the Internet. Dudley is the only one who has a computer, and Harry gets beaten up if he goes too near the keyboard. Wizards don't need to use the Web. They have an even better way to find out what's happening in the outside world, which Rowling says is more fun than the Internet, but she's not giving hints.

The choice between what's right and what's easy will be a pillar of the plot in Harry's last 3 years.

The "Arabella Figg" Dumbledore refers to at the end of book four is indeed the same Mrs. Figg that takes care of Harry for the Dursleys in book one. *I think we all sort of guessed that. :-)*

We'll be seeing Mrs. (Arabella) Figg in Book Five, and we'll find out all about her.

Harry's parents' profession will be a big part of the plot.

We will find out why Voldemort killed Lily and James Potter.

Something HUGE will be revealed about Lily Potter.

We will learn more about why some witches/wizards become ghosts and others do not.

There will be a female Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. (Mrs. Figg?? Yes? No? Maybe? *whispers* Please don't let it be Fleur, please don't let it be Fleur. Sorry, I didn't like her. Thought she was a snot)

We'll see Lupin in Book Five. *YEAH!!*

Rita Skeeter will be back in future books.

Firenze will be back in future books.

Hermione will lighten up in future books.

We will learn more about James' family history in future books

Sorry, if I repeated myself on any of these. My memory's failing. ;-)

Names and Name Origins:

Alastor - Greek God who sought revenge on people. *Hmmmm, significance sighting*

Albus - *I know I did this one, but I wanted to add this info in here. In Latin means white (maybe for white beard). Wisdom. Or.. Governor of Britain at the death of the emperor Pertinax, Decimus Clodius Albinus (Albinus=Albus?) attempted to seize the throne but ended up as Caesar in alliance with another imperial contender, Septimius Severus. After Severus defeated two other rivals (Voldemort and... maybe Slytherin?), the now expendable Albinus was forced into another attempt at usurpation, an attempt that came to an end at the bloody battle of Lyon.

Argus - In Greek mythology, Argus was a monster that had a hundred eyes and was ever-so-watchful.

Arthur - Could represent King Arthur. The legend presents Arthur as a leader in ancient times who defeats the Saxons and other enemies. He thereby unites the people of Britain in peace and harmony.

Figg, Mrs. Arabella - "Fig" means "not literal" and a fig leaf is something that conceals or camoflauges. *Hmm...*

Filch - To "steal."

Fleur Delacour - Means "Flower of the Court" in French.

Fluffy - "Cerebrus" the three-headed dog was the guarder of the underworld in greek mythology.

Gilderoy - A highwayman known for being handsome.

Hermes - The Greek Messenger.

Lockhart - Town in Australia near Wagga Wagga ("Compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf"? LOLOLOL!!).

Lucius - Similar to Lucifer (the devil).

Lupin - Lunar means moon. Lupin means wolf-like. Canis Lupus is the scientific name for wolf.

Malfoy - "Mal foi" means "bad faith" in French. Malfoy has "mal" in it, meaning evil.

Minerva - In Roman Mythology was the Goddess of Wisdom. In Greek Mythology she was the Goddess of War. She gave strict punishments. *Yeah, we know. ;-)*

Mirror of Erised - Erised backwards is desire (as in "you'll see what you desire").

Nagini - 'Naga' is snake in Sanskrit.

Nimbus - "Nimbus" means "cloud." Nimbus was also a god in Greek Mythology.

Norris, Mrs. - A character in one of J.K. Rowling's favorie author's (Jane Austen) books.

Peeves - "Peeve" means "little devil" or something that gets on your nerves (like a pet peeve).

Remus - Brother of Romulous (founder of Rome). They were raised by a female wolf. He was killed by Romulous.

Severus - Sever means "to cut-off". Severe also means cruel, strict. In ancient history, Lucius Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman empire after the tumultuous reign of the emperor Commodus (See Albus) and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of Commodus' murder *if you watched "Gladiator" then you should know this. Yeah, that sweet little kid. Lol.*

Sirius - Named after Sirius Star, or Dog Star. Seen during summer "dog" days.

Skeeter, Rita - "Skeeter" is short for "mosquito." As most people can attest, mosquitos are among the most annoying life-forms on this planet.

Voldemort, Lord - There was a dark wizard in mid-evil times named Voldermortist. In another language, Voldermortist means "Lord of Evil" or "Dark Lord". Legend has it that Voldermortist once tried to destroy Merlin before the time of King Arthur (Mr. Weasley?), by bewitching good people, and simply bribing those who already were evil. Legend has it that Merlin destroyed Voldermortist by using a simple paralyzing charm (full body bind?), fed him to the many-headed-beast (Fluffy?) of the lake, the Lady of the Lake's pet (Giant Squid?), freed the bewitched people, and destroyed the evil men. That was maybe twelve, thirteen years before Arthur (how long it was from Voldemort's destruction until Harry started Hogwarts). In French means "thief of death" (meaning escaping death).

A/N: How 'bout a challenge for ya'll? I knew you'd like one. ;-) House points to whoever can tell me the meaning of the name of Rhiannon's cat, Malificent. I'll give you a hint, it's the predominant language of the HP spells. ;-)

The previous entry on the books was about the Order of the Phoenix. These stuff are CONFIRMED facts about the coming books. *rubs hands together* I can't wait!! :-).

Harry inherited his invisibility cloak from his father James, and James inherited it from HIS father. It's a bit like a family heirloom.

Professor Trelawney's first prediction is a very important piece to the plot.

We are going to be seeing Aragog and the Weasley's wild car again. (YAY!! I must say I'm rather fond of that little Anglia)

There is a connection between where Harry lived with his parents and the founding father of Gryffindor! (Harry lived in Godric's Hollow, and Godric Gryffindor was the establisher of the Gryffindor house! No kidding? You think? *chuckles*)

We'll be hearing more about Crookshanks. (The way JK worded this in her interview made it seem like there's more to Crookshanks than what we think.)

"Dudley's privledged existance STARTS to change for the worse in Book IV." (Hehehe! I wonder what other evil things are going to happen to him!)

In The Connection interview, someone submitted a question to Rowling asking if Snape was ever going to fall in love. J.K. laughed and asked why anyone would ever want to fall in love with him. Then she went on to say that she was very stunned that this question was asked and we would find out why in Book 7. *:o) Hmmmmmm, lovin' for Snape?? Maybe??*

Did Harry ever used magic on Dudley in the real world?
Not so far (hint). -J.K. Rowling

Rowling has said that by the series' end, "you do feel a sense of resolution. You find out what happens to the survivors, to those characters who live through all seven books. I know that sounds very ominous. You get a sense of what happens to them subsequently."

Thanks again for reading and reviewing, you guys! The next chapter will be out as soon as I finish editing it and writing thank you's to the reviews for this chapter. ;-)

Love ya!!

T.H.