With a loud crack Lexi had apparated back into the living room at Black Manor. However, she hadn't expected to see James, Lily, Remus, Katie, and Sirius there waiting for her.

She smiled at them all vaguely and collapsed on the couch behind her, suddenly aware of how tired she was.

"Lex we need to talk," said Sirius quietly sitting next to her.

"Not now love," said Lexi shaking her head, "too tired. I've done enough talking today."

"No," said Sirius firmly.

Lexi turned her face to him, slightly confused at first, but it quickly changed to a hard look of anger.

"Every time we try to talk to you Lexi you avoid it at all costs," said Remus, "You've been putting it off for far too long. You're running out of time."

"Well excuse me if I'm reluctant to pour out my life's story," said Lexi, her eyes blazing dangerously.

"You need to let this out, for your own sake Lexi, it's tearing you apart," said Lily.

"You haven't spoken to anyone about the trial since it happened almost 20 years ago, it's about time you let it out," said James.

"We just want you to talk to us," said Katie, " we were all there we saw it happen."

"Then I would think you'd understand why I wouldn't want to broadcast my personal life to the entire world," said Lexi venomously. "Why don't you give me a megaphone and I'll run outside and shout it to everyone. Maybe I should just go turn myself into Azkaban again hmm? Hand myself over to the Dementors? Believe me that cell was comfy, I absolutely loved hearing the screams at night, and the coldness made it feel positively homelike! I would have preferred the kiss to what my parents did to me! But let's not get into that, Lexi might THINK too hard and hurt her!"

"Lexi calm down . . . " started Remus cautiously.

"DONT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! You wanted me to talk about it? Fine! That's what I'm doing. See I'm letting it all out! I hope you're all happy!"

Then she turned to James and Lily.

"You want me to help Christiana," she said to them, " of course I will , but tell me James how do you help someone who's not willing to be helped hmm? I told her quite plainly to keep it a secret. But of course by now the entire school knows. She put herself in the danger she is in now. She's unknowingly set it all up."

"Lexi please," said James, "that doesn't matter anymore. All that matter's is fixing what has been done."

"You don't GET it do you James? It's not something that CAN be fixed. Now it has to play out. I can't stop Lucius Malfoy whatever he plans on doing! I'm not all powerful James!"

"I know you aren't but you seem to be the only one that knows what's going on!"

"Of course because I just know EVERYTHING right?" Lexi screamed.

Sirius quickly took Lexi in his arms. Her body visibly relaxed as she let out a strangled sob.

"I can't do it," she managed to choke out, " I can't go back."

"Yes you can," said Sirius encouragingly, "you still have the strength in you."


* * *

"So what happened?" asked Harry when the common room had emptied.

"Something happened in Potions. I did something in my head and a cauldron blew up," said Christiana still confused. " I don't know what happened. Those powers aren't supposed to come until I'm 16."

The group of friends sat quietly for a while staring into the fire when Christiana spoke again.

"Mum, Dad, and Aunt Lexi showed up," she said quietly. "So did Lucius Malfoy. He was really angry and he hit Aunt Lexi . . ."

"He did WHAT!" yelled Griffin.

"Griff please keep your voice down," said Christiana urgently. "No one is supposed to know about what happened."

"He HIT her?"

"Griffin please. . . you need to be quiet about it," pleaded Christiana.

"And WHY should I be quiet about it?"

"Griff c'mon . . . just stop yelling," said Harry.

Griffin sat down still seething but remained quiet as Christiana related the rest of the story.

* * *

Days past and though none of them forgot Christiana's story, life at Hogwarts went on as usual. Malfoy seemed particularly smug lately most likely due to the fact that his father has probably told him the whole story.

The holiday break was drawing nearer and Hogwarts had once again outdone itself with decorations. On the last night before the train would head back to King's Cross, Remus approached Kieran telling him to get the Black's, Lupin's, and Potter's together and into his office after the dinner.

"Alright everyone grab a handful of Floo Powder," he instructed when they were all present.

"Uncle Remus where are we going?" asked Skylar taking a handful of the glittering powder.

"Lexi wants you all home tonight," said Remus.

"Why?" asked Kieran.

"Wait let me guess you don't know because she doesn't tell anyone ANYTHING," said Christiana sarcastically.

"Mind your mouth Christiana," said Remus sternly. "Lexi may not give us reasons for her decisions but its best to trust her judgment."

"Yeah whatever," said Christiana stepping into the fire.

"Why is Aunt Lexi calling us home early?" asked Harry when only he Griffin and Kieran remained. "We could just take the train in the morning."

"She says it's too dangerous to risk it," answered Remus gravely.