Seasons Greetings

Harry barely slept a wink that night. His mind seemed to think itself too busy to bother with a triviality like rest. If talking to yourself is the first sign of madness, Harry didn't want to think about what arguing with yourself might indicate.

For hours at a time conflicting thoughts swirled around the room before him.

'You were too hard on her.'

'She deserved everything she got.'

'You should give her a chance.'

'Hasn't she taken enough from you?'

Rubbing his tired, swollen eyes, Harry climbed clumsily to his feet. At the foot of his bed sat several packages, cloaked in the semi-darkness of the Gryffindor dormitory.

'Happy Christmas' he mumbled bitterly to himself.

'Harry your up!' an excited voice cut through the cold air.

It was Ron.

Somehow Ron always managed to be the first Gryffindor awake at Christmas- but Harry hadn't even been asleep.

Had Ron been up all night?

Harry knew that his friend was always excitable at Christmas, but only a complete nutcase would go without rest for the sake of a new jumper and a tin of mince pies.

'I've got the new Canons annual' Ron enthused, not sensing Harry's lack of interest. 'And the new baseball hat, Bill's earning loads now since his promotion.'

Harry grunted and settled himself down on the floor next to his friend, who was already tearing into his third parcel.

'It's from Hermione-oh it's a Quidditch World Cup game!' Ron grinned from ear to ear as he ripped open the casing of his new toy…. 'It's a model of the stadium, with player figurines. Replays all of the World Cup games apparently.'

'Does it even have a model of Krum?' Harry asked coldly.

Ron's grin immediately fell as he tore into his next package with silent fury.

Harry half-heartedly picked up a small, badly wrapped bundle and began picking at its sellotape carelessly.

The two friends sat silently for another five minutes, whilst they each unwrapped their gifts.

Ron, unsurprisingly, found himself to be the owner of yet another maroon jumper. On top of that his mother had sent him two tins of home-made toffee. Hagrid had once again contributed some of his own culinary 'delicacies'.

Harry barely noticed what he had been unwrapping, although he did thank Ron for his box of Honeydukes Christmas Candy. The one thing that held Harry's attention was his gift from Sirius, which was wrapped up in a handwritten note.

'I think we need to talk.'

Inside the note lay a rather tarnished looking silver watch. There was something about this gift that wasn't quite right. Its strap was slender and ornate with pink, jewelled roses winding across its surface. The roman numerals on its face swirled elegantly in a way that unnerved Harry.

 This was a girl's watch.

Harry held the time-piece so tightly that its glass face was in danger of shattering. He wanted nothing more than to turn the stupid thing to dust.

This was supposed to be for her.

What was Sirius trying to do to him?

Was he trying to prove a point?

Harry, admittedly, could not work out why Sirius would have sent the watch to spite him, but he knew his godfather wasn't stupid enough to simply mix up their presents.

Sirius was trying to show Harry where his loyalties lay, and Harry was damned if he was going to let Ebony get the better of him.

During breakfast Harry spoke only to thank Hermione for his gift, though he had no recollection of what the present actually was.

'I thought you'd like it!' Hermione grinned with satisfaction. 'As soon as I saw it I knew you'd love it!'

'I do.' Harry smiled politely. 'I love it.'

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

Ebony awoke to find her brother hovering over her bed with excitement. Her dormitory was otherwise empty; she had no idea who would normally sleep here.

'Happy Christmas!' Sirius beamed.

'Oh, Happy Christmas.' Ebony said sleepily as she sat up.

The sky outside was a blanket of pure whiteness and tiny, shimmering snowflakes danced gracefully upon its breeze before tumbling to the ground below.

This, Ebony decided, was how a perfect Christmas should be. Traditional carols were always full of beautiful wintery images and the appreciation of loved ones; for once the old songs seemed to have come to life. In the few days that she had spent with Sirius before coming to Hogwarts Ebony had been consumed with grief, but now, although she still missed her father enormously, she felt that it was the right time to move on.

Christmas at the Martin house was rarely celebrated as her father had often been away on business. Casting her mind back over the years, Ebony barely remembered a single Christmas when her family had been united. Now she was here with her only remaining relative and the thought was nowhere near as sad as it sounded. Today was going to be a happy day, a day of thanks and celebration-the way Christmas was always intended to be.

Sirius knelt down by Ebony's side and handed her a small, silver box bound with a carelessly tied ribbon.

'I'm not really very good at choosing gifts for girls' Sirius apologised. 'I hope you like it.'

Ebony carefully opened the box and inside she found a delicate silver bracelet.

'I noticed that you only ever wear silver' he explained 'I chose the two charms myself.'

Untangling the bracelet Ebony noticed for the first time the two enamelled figures that hung from the chain, one of an angel and one of a dog.

Noticing his sisters puzzled expression as her fingers played over the shiny dog's surface Sirius confessed.

'I never told you, but the dog that accompanied Remus on his visit to your house was me. I'm an animagus.'

'Oh.' Ebony looked stunned. 'I don't understand. Didn't you want me to meet you then?

'Oh yes.' Sirius replied hastily. 'But Remus thought…Remus and I thought…that it would be fairer to give you a choice rather than a confrontation.'

Ebony considered this for a moment and nodded.

'So the angel…'

'The angel is you. I thought you might like to add one for Mr and Mrs Martin, but you'd probably want to choose those for yourself.'

'And my real mum and dad.' Ebony suggested.

Sirius smiled to himself.

Real.

 Finally the Black family was becoming 'real' to Ebony; she was beginning to accept her past.

But then, was anything in Ebony's past 'real'. After all there was still so much of it that could not be classed as the reality. She still did not know the entire truth of her background. She did not know that Sirius' father was not her 'real' father, making Sirius only partially her 'real' brother.'

Real.

What was the original intention of the word? To separate the truth from all that was fake. But what in Ebony's life could be classed true?

The Martin family had raised her, but that could not alter the bond she shared with her natural mother. Her natural father may have created her, but could that give him authenticity over the man who had raised her? Did a partial flaw in her genes make Sirius any less of a brother?

Sirius realised that in a world full of such questions, the word 'real' had become almost redundant. Nothing in life could be classed as black or white, so why confuse matters with words and triviality.

Sirius pushed himself to his feet. With a gentle sweep of his fingers he pushed a lock of dark hair from his sister's forehead and kissed her lightly.

'I'm just going to give Harry his gift' he explained 'I'll take you down to breakfast when I get back.'

Ebony smiled. 'Ok.' She then dropped her eyes uncomfortably and said 'I'm sorry I didn't get you anything…If I'd known I was coming…'

'It's ok' said Sirius softly. 'I had to dash out myself to choose your gift.'

'Thanks.' Ebony whispered 'It's lovely'

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

Sirius swept along the corridor towards the boy's dormitory. He was not sure how to approach Harry after their last meeting but he was determined to be diplomatic. He realised he was now in a very awkward corner. He could not allow Ebony to alter his relationship with Harry, but he could not allow Harry's behaviour to jeopardise the happiness of his sister. Ebony, so far, was understanding of Harry's feelings, although Sirius thought that this was simply because she had more pressing matters to deal with.

Before entering the dormitory Sirius pushed a hand into his pocket and pulled out a large, square package. As soon as he realised what he was holding in his hand he swore loudly.

'You've given him the wrong package, you bloody twit! The watch must be wrapped in the flipping note instead!'

Inside the boy's room Harry and Ron were both still sat upon the floor, surrounded by mountains of torn up wrapping paper. Ron was engrossed in his new Quidditch game but Sirius noticed that Harry was looking thoroughly miserable.

'Happy Christmas you two' he enthused, hoping that Harry would be feeling slightly better than he had yesterday.

'Oh you remembered me did you?' Harry asked.

'Of course I remembered you' said Sirius edgily. 'I don't know what your problem is but I think we need to talk.'

Harry stood up and faced his godfather, his harsh, emerald eyes shot daggers at Sirius's confused face.

'Yes I know' he said, his voice quiet, yet cutting 'I got your note. Of course this note wasn't meant for me was it?'

Harry dropped the crumpled parchment at Sirius's feet.

Tipping his head back to break free from Harry's glare, Sirius replied. 'I didn't mean to give you that…'

'Really?' Harry cut in with an air of sarcasm 'That's a shame, I quite like girly watches…they suit my physique.'

Sirius strode over to his godson, a look of pure fury upon his pink face. Grabbing Harry by the shoulders, with his face just inches from the boy's he shouted.

'What the bloody hell is your problem? What on earth has gotten into you to make you think that you can talk to me like this?'

Harry looked slightly taken aback. Sirius had never shouted at him before, he hadn't expected it-but then, he hadn't expected Sirius to replace him either.

It dawned on him that maybe he didn't really know Sirius after all. They had only spoken to each other briefly during the time Sirius had spent on the run, and since his release they had barely seen each other at all. Harry had always assumed that he was Sirius's main priority, that they only had each other. Maybe that had been an illusion- maybe Sirius just wasn't what he had hoped him to be.

Harry had always thought of Sirius as a remnant of his father, a part of the same person; never once had he thought about Sirius as a solitary figure, a person with a life beyond his godchild and Azkaban. Who was Sirius Black? What made him the man that he had become?

Harry suddenly felt very alone. If Sirius wasn't the man he had thought him to be, then the godfather he had grown to love didn't really exist.

Maybe it was time to stop clinging to his father's shadow.

'Nothing.' Harry said softly. 'I have no right to talk to you like this. I have no right to talk to you at all, I don't even know you.'

'What?' Sirius asked perplexed. 'Has something happened Harry?'

'No.'

Harry picked the ornamental watch up from the floor and handed it to Black. 'Here, Ebony will be wondering where her present is.'

'What?' Sirius sounded even more confused. 'No, listen, that's not…'

'Sirius?'

Remus Lupin entered the room, his expression was solemn. Sirius noticed that his friend was looking increasingly weary. His shabby robes clung to his thinning figure and his hair hung limply over his lined forehead.

'Merry Christmas Moony!' Sirius said in an exaggerated voice, trying to appear happy, 'Was Santa kind to you?'

A flicker of a grin crossed Remus's face but died before it could turn into a smile.

'Dumbledore has something to ask you, he thought it best to see you before the feast and festivities kick in.'

Sirius waved his hand carelessly. 'He's already seen me about Ebony, you're not a very well informed assistant are you?'

Remus dug his hands into his pockets. 'It's about the…er…Order' he said quietly, hoping not to provide Harry and Ron with surplus information.

'Oh that.' Sirius sounded very bitter. 'Why would he want to talk to me about that?'

Remus nodded in the direction of the door, signalling that he wished to discuss the matter outside.

'Here' Sirius handed the square package to Harry before leaving the room. 'I'll explain at the feast.'

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

Remus and Sirius wandered towards Dumbledore's office. The corridors were deserted; the only audible sound came from the Great Hall where the House-Elves were once again practising their torturous hymns.

'Don't be like that Padfoot.' Remus protested- his friend wore an expression of insult. 'Dumbledore explained why you weren't asked to join before now. He didn't think there was any cause to fully reform the Order.'

'He asked Weasley to join.' Sirius huffed as he dragged his feet across the stone flooring. 'He asked Moody to join, he asked Hagrid to join- hell he even asked Snape to join!'

Sirius stopped abruptly and stood before his friend, his eyes belligerent. 'What was it Remus? Couldn't he trust me? Did he think the nasty 'mass-murderer' might pose a threat?'

'Don't be an idiot!' Remus snapped. 'Dumbledore needed spies, people who could wangle information from the Ministry and from the Death Eaters. He couldn't send too many people out and risk exposure. He knew that Arthur was in a position of authority and Moody has contacts.'

'And we all know what Snape has!' Sirius bit back. 'A bloody great mark on his arm!'

Remus sighed heavily. He should have known that his accursed friend wouldn't back down without throwing one of his trademark tantrums. Speaking softly he replied.

'Dumbledore felt that your time would be best spent else where. Do you forget why you left this castle Padfoot? Would you really have been happy to drop your plans for the Order? Of course not, Dumbledore knew that you wouldn't as well as I do.'

'You said that Dumbledore saw no reason to build the Order, are you saying that he does now?'

Remus pushed his friend forward, directing him back towards the Headmasters office and away from prying ears.

'It appears so. Snape has brought back some worrying, yet vague, information. Dumbledore isn't sure whether it is anything to sweat about, but he reckons we'd be better off safe than sorry.'

'What's going on?' Sirius asked, alarmed.

'Well,' Lupin frowned. 'There is no official news, but it seems that Voldemort has seized Azkaban. Fudge seems to be trying to pass it off as a Dementors revolt, but after what Harry heard…who knows?'

The two friends stopped before the huge gargoyle that guarded the Head's office.

'Snape seems to think that Voldemort has some kind of plan up his sleeve and Dumbledore agrees. It's a pretty high profile building; Voldemort's taking a risk in occupying it. Obviously people will be curious about the fortress's loss but at the moment Fudge's lies mean that the Ministry is playing right into Voldemort's hands '

'Seems silly to risk exposing himself for the sake of a fortress though.' Sirius agreed.

'You know the history of Azkaban' said Remus. 'I don't think Voldemort was really intending on using it as headquarters, I think he's expecting to find something there.'

Sirius looked intrigued but before he could question Remus further, Albus Dumbledore summoned them both into his office.

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

Ebony Martin sat on the edge of her bed, watching the snowflakes dance before her window-pane. Where had Sirius gotten to? Had he forgotten that he was supposed to be taking her to the feast?

When the dormitory door finally opened it was Remus Lupin who entered.

'Merry Christmas, Ebony. I'm sorry but Sirius has been summoned to Dumbledore's office. I promised him that I'd take you down to the feast, though he shouldn't be too long.'

Ebony nodded and followed Lupin into the Great Hall. Unlike the day before, only one table stood in the centre of the Hall. Hermione, Ron and Harry were already seated, as were a few of the teachers. The decorations remained as they were on Christmas Eve, except for added banners and streamers, which all glittered and twinkled in the bright candle-light. The chorus of House-Elves stood at the front of the room 'singing' Silent Night. None of the elves seemed to have grasped the concept of a tune or even the idea of all singing at the same speed.

Remus took Ebony over to the table. The professors were all positioned on the right hand side of the table, with their back to the carollers, and the students on the left.

'Hello Ebony. Merry Christmas!'  Hermione smiled as she shuffled along the platform, allowing Ebony room to sit.

Ebony felt nervous as she sat down amongst the strange faces but Hermione tried her best to put her at ease.

'You know Ron and Harry of course.' Hermione said, casting Harry a warning glace.

'You won't have met Fred and George Weasley though, or Ginny.' Hermione waved a hand towards the Weasley twins and their youngest sibling. 'And this is Neville Longbottom.'

Ebony smiled politely at the chubby boy who sat to her right. It felt strange to be spending Christmas surrounded by strangers, but rather than being frightened Ebony was intrigued. One by one other students and teachers both entered the Great Hall and sat at its solitary table. An extremely large, hairy man sat down by the side of a rather grimy looking professor with a hooked nose and cold, beetle black eyes. Hermione gave Ebony whispered introductions to each of the staff, as well as an Irish boy named Seamus whose mother had apparently been struck down with tongue-pox.

Ebony became fascinated with the new faces around her and felt that she could not wait to find out more about her surroundings. She watched the people around her intently. The Potions master, Professor Snape, seemed very disinterested in his fellow diners but Neville Longbottom seemed to be eyeing him with utmost fear. The Weasley twins were both whispering in what seemed to be a secret code (although even in English their conversation wouldn't have been heard above the shrieking House-Elves) and Lupin and Mc Gonagall both edged away from the Divination professor as though she had something contagious.

Who were these people? What secrets lurked behind their strange behaviour?

Ebony decided that she would ask Hermione after the feast, she did seem to know an awful lot about everything else.

Dumbledore and Sirius were last to enter the hall. Ensuring that everyone was in place, Dumbledore arose and addressed the gathering.

'First off, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas!'

At Dumbledore's words, a large glass, Butterbeer filled; goblet appeared before each diner. The professors each took up their drink with murmurs of 'Happy Christmas.' Ebony noticed that Sirius and Lupin both refrained from clinking goblets with Snape, who did not seem in the slightest bit bothered. The students followed suit, soaking the tablecloth with their clumsy glass-clashing. 

Clearing his throat Dumbledore began to speak again. 'I would also like to welcome Professor Black and his younger sibling, Miss Ebony Martin, to Hogwarts. I hope you with both be very happy here.'

For the first time, Professor Snape glanced across the table at the sister of his enemy. His narrowed, coal-like eyes burned with dislike, his top lip curled into a sneer.

Ebony shuddered.

What had caused this complete stranger to look at her with such contempt? It was bad enough having to put up with Harry, but the teachers as well? It seemed that the people of Hogwarts had already formed an opinion of her, without her even meeting them. What had she done that was so wrong? Somehow she has a feeling that Sirius was to blame.

After lunch, Hermione invited Ebony to join the Gryffindors in their common room. As Harry had already announced his intention to stay behind and talk to Sirius, Ebony gladly accepted.

'So,' said George as the group clambered through the Fat Lady's portrait hole. 'Ebony, would you like a biscuit?'

He held out a small tin of brightly coloured biscuits which he had kept in his pocket and smiled charmingly.

'Canary Creams?' Ebony scoffed. 'Do you think I'm stupid?'

Fred looked impressed; he had never known anyone see through the Canary Cream trick before.

'And anyway,' Ebony continued. 'There a little bit dated aren't they? The French branch of Zonko's sell Rabbit-tooth Raisin Bread now, it's so much better.'

Once inside the common room Fred settled at the twins usual table in the corner, George joined him after pulling up an extra chair and gesturing to Ebony who joined them.

'Would I be right,' Fred whispered 'in thinking that you are a fellow law-breaker.'

Hermione, who had overheard, rolled her eyes 'Well she is Sirius's sister!'

George looked puzzled.

'Yeah, he told me about that map he made' said Ebony.

'The Marauders Map?' George exclaimed. 'Sirius Black made that?'

'With Lupin and James Potter' Ebony told him 'and that Pettigrew git.'

Fred and George both looked extremely amused.

'Well I never!'

'I think we need to have words with Harry, he's been withholding information!'

'Professor Lupin? I'll be damned!'

The twins went into a great sycophantic ramble before asking Ebony,

'So you're a chip off the ol' block then!'

With a grin Ebony stood up and said. 'You'll just have to wait and see.'

She sat down next to Hermione, leaving Fred and George to continue singing the praises of her brother and his old school pals.

'Fancy a chat?' Ebony asked as she sank further into her gingham bean-bag.

Hermione looked surprised. She had never engaged in girly chat in her life. In fact any chatting that didn't involve argument with Ron was very rare indeed.

'Sure' she replied, secretly hoping that Ebony was not going to launch into a conversation about boys or hair-styles.

It began to grow dark outside, although it was still early afternoon. The snow was now beating down more heavily than before. The fire in the Gryffindor common-room blazed brightly, covering the room with its coppery glow. Neville and Seamus had become engrossed in a game of Gobstones, whilst Fred and George raged at their younger brother for not revealing Sirius and Lupin's secret. Ginny joined Hermione and Ebony as Harry had still not returned from his meeting with Sirius.

'Well, I thought it would be good for me to learn as much as I can about this place before term begins.' Ebony explained 'I thought that you'd be a good person to ask for all of the gossip, if you don't mind that is.'

'Oh, of course not!' Hermione seemed positively delighted that someone had asked her to share her intelligence. 'Of course, I don't believe in gossip, but if you'll settle for factual information…'

Ebony screwed up her nose involuntarily.

'Well, Sirius has told me a lot about the castle…but it's the people I'm interested in.'

Hermione smiled. 'Well, I'm sure I can help you. Is there anyone in particular you want to know more about?'

'Yeah.' Ebony nodded 'Professor Snape.'

Hermione seemed taken aback. She had expected Ebony's query to involve Harry and his behaviour.

'So.' Ebony continued. 'What is that bloke's problem?'

Hermione frowned slightly, not knowing where to start.

'Snape's problem? Well, that's a question and a half.'

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

The classroom door swung shut with a bang. Harry was growing inpatient. It was time that he and Sirius had a talk, face to face.

'I'm glad we finally have a chance to chat.' Black began as he perched himself on the edge of a desk.

The Dark Arts classroom was in blackness apart from a single candle that burned by the door. The desks and shelves all stood completely empty due to Lupin's recent departure. The room was icy cold as the fire had not been lit for days. In the background the singing of the House-Elves could still be heard, as could the laughing of the few professors who had remained in the Great Hall for an after-dinner drink.

'Harry,' Sirius's voice was quiet and gentle 'I'm sorry if I have upset you. I didn't realise that you felt this way about me bringing Ebony to Hogwarts.'

'How did you expect me to feel?' Harry asked 'Pleased? Am I supposed to be happy that you have someone else and don't need me anymore?'

'I'll always need you Harry' said Sirius as he crossed the room to where his godson stood in the candlelight.

'Ebony won't replace you Harry. You are my godson, my best friend's child. You are as important to me as anyone. I need you to know that.'

Harry swallowed loudly. He could not stand Sirius talking to him like this, so reasonably. It made him feel small, guilty for acting as he had.

'But you've barely spoken to me since you got back,' he argued, trying to justify his behaviour.

Sirius looked into the emerald pools upon his godson's face.

'You haven't given me a chance.'

Harry knew that what Sirius said was true. He knew that he had been unfair, but still the very thought of Ebony made anger bubble inside him. No matter what his conscience said he could not rid his mind of its misplaced hatred.

'You gave me her present.' Harry sulked. 'You were obviously thinking more about her than me.'

'Her name is Ebony.' Sirius said crossly. 'And that watch was not for her. I found it in the pocket of my old jacket.'

Harry moved further into the classroom, turning his back on Sirius, determined not to look at him.

'So not only do you give me a girls present, but a girls present that you didn't even buy for me. You are so considerate!' he said sarcastically.

'I found it in my pocket because I put it there before my arrest.' Sirius said angrily. 'I had promised its owner that I would fix it.'

'IT'S BROKEN AS WELL?' Harry fumed. 'Well I was certainly struck off Santa's list. What next, the customary lump of coal?'

'You don't want to know where I got it from?' Sirius asked, trying his hardest not to wrap his hands around Harry's throat.

'It was your mothers'

'What?' Harry wheeled around and stared at Sirius.

'Oh so you're interested now are you? But I thought you didn't want something girly and broken!'

Harry saw the hurt in his godfather's eyes. What were they fighting about exactly? A girl that he had not even met. A girl that was a part of Sirius's life long before he was.

'Come on' Sirius put a hand on Harry's shoulder and walked him out of the classroom. 'We'll sort things out later shall we? It's not right to fight on Christmas Day.'

Harry nodded, now feeling guiltier than ever. Before he could apologise to Sirius, he spotted Ebony walking along the corridor towards them. Sirius took a cautionary hold on Harry's arm; he did not want any tantrums now.

'Sirius.' Ebony said, watching Harry with a cautious eye. 'I just wondered if we could spend some time together soon.'

'Well.' Sirius sighed. 'I have to see Dumbledore now; I could meet you in half an hour.'

Ebony nodded. 'I'll go and wait in the common room.'

She turned around and was about to walk off when Harry grabbed onto her arm. She spun around quickly, expecting some sort of attack.

'Wait' said Harry 'I'll come with you if you like.'

Ebony seemed stunned; Sirius nodded his head with a smile that put his sister at ease. Harry was not joking.

'Yes,' she smiled. 'Yes that would be nice.'

The pair walked towards the Gryffindor common room. What they were saying Sirius could not hear, but he was sure that they were not arguing.

Hopefully today would mark the end of the pain and upheaval.

Hopefully things had finally clicked into place.

Hello, only me! I hope I didn't try and put too much into that chapter. I'm determined that this fic is going to have longer chaps than my last two (and many more of them) I'd like to say that I'm aspiring to be a better writer, but actually I am just jealous of people who have massive long fics (I don't care if that sounds fickle...fickleness is one of my better qualities!) Erm….what can I say now….oh yes, please come back and read my next chapter! Lessons will be starting and Ebony will make a couple of dubious friends. I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit Sirius's first lesson in, but that will be quite revealing when it comes along…I can't tell you anymore cos I've lost my plan…oh dear! Anyhow, on with the personal replies:

T1g: Ok, I made Harry nice…for now. I would never, ever, ever, ever kill my beloved Sirius so don't worry about that. I'm so glad that someone cares enough about Ebony to tell me not to kill her!

Lovevanillacreme: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy this chap too!

Polkat: Thank goodness somebody likes Harry-the-prat. I think I made him that way to pay him back for his OOTP stupidity. I think this fic is going to become Delie's revenge-fest! I hope Ebony isn't turning into one of those Mary-Sue things...now I know what they are I'm getting very worried about her!

Wintermoon2: Wow, that's probably my longest review ever! Have a medal! Sorry if I have kept you from writing BFTP, I didn't mean it! (Well, actually I did because now I have lots more time to catch up…and I will, soon, honest!)

Gaul1: Well, as you can see, Harry's being a little bit nicer now, for the time being! I think Dobby's addicted to smoking because Winky drinks all of the Butterbeer…and she stresses him out a lot! Thank you for reading!