Rockerbaby150: Hopefully this one is a tad better. A'h did it between my AP Government assignment. Thanks for the support. A'h think Rogue has some PMS'ing problems during this chapter and A'h like it. Thank ya for the review.

Blondesquirrel: A'h luv you baby! Just for you A'h grudgingly put in Remy. You better appreciate it, biznach. A'h can totally explain the school gal thing; A'h used to go to an Episcopal School. A'h wore a kilt and blazer each day. We all tended to be a tad nutty and a bit druggy. So sue meh.

P.S. A'h don't like dogs.

MCLBLUE: A'h want to buy you a present. You are just a wonderful review and thank you very much for doing so. Props to you.

Anee: If you have to blink slowly than you missed the bus Darlin'. Yes the did it, and they plan to do it again. A'h have found that A'h can write vulgar and erotic scenes that make you blush. However due to the characters A'h felt that subtle nods would be more beneficial. Why the fuck would Rogue be in any form of contact with Umbridge?

Yeah, this is the second to last chapter peeps. Quick note: I can't make anything indent. Sorry. It's dedicated to my wonderful lova, BlondeSquirrel. Here's to you Babycakes!!

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Rogue hated Christmas. The whole Christmas season. If you asked there was no reason. She watched the snow fall out of the tiny if not only window in the house. The false cheer and commercialism bothered her. She scoffed religion since it offered her nothing but a man who never answered her prayers. Easter did bring her some small pleasure. Jesus died for your sins then came back as a bunny with an ass-load of chocolate. Maybe it wasn't Christmas that the sullen girl hated, but the way it made people act. Case and point.

About a week ago, to abate her boredom Rogue and Sirius were attempting to figure out who could drink the other under the table. Rogue won, but their game ended shortly. This portrait of someone began to speak. It took a few minutes for Rogue to grasp this. Phineas Nigellus had told Sirius that Harry Potter was coming to Number 12 Grimmauld place. Sirius quickly rushed out of the room to the kitchen. Rogue stood and slowly made her way there also.

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"It was—"Harry began, this was even worse than telling McGonagall and Dumbledore. "I had a—a kind of—vision...."

And he told the all that he had seen, though he altered the story so that it sounded as though he had watched from the sidelines as the snake attacked, rather than from behind the snake's own eyes....

Ron who was still very white, gave hi a fleeting look, but did not speak. When Harry had finished, Fred, George, and Ginny continued to stare at him for a moment. Harry did not know whether he was imagining it or not, but he fancied there was something accusatory in their looks. Rogue who was leaning against the door frame was actually glaring at him, or maybe the situation. Her green eyes matched to his and he had to look away.

"Is Mum here?" said Fred, turning to Sirius.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened yet," said Sirius. "The important this was to get you away before Umbridge could interfere. I expect Dumbledore's letting Molly know now."

"We've got to go to St. Mungo's," said Ginny urgently. She looked around at her brothers they were of course still in their pajamas. "Sirius, can you lend us cloaks or anything--?"

"Hang on, you can't go tearing off to St. Mungo's!" said Sirius.

"'Course we can got to St. Mungo's if we want," said Fred, with a mulish expression, "he's our dad!"

"Than, y'all would have to explain how ya knew that he was all broke afore anyone else gets there." Rouge said and walked forward. There was a lit cigarette in her right hand.

"What does that matter?" said George hotly.

"It matters because we don't want to draw attention to the fact that Harry is having visions of things that are happening hundreds of miles away!" said Sirius angrily. "Have you any idea what the Ministry would make of that information?"

Fred and George looked as though they could not care less what the Ministry made of anything. Ron was white-faced and silent. Ginny said, "Somebody else could have told us... We could have heard it somewhere other than Harry...."

"Like who?" said Sirius impatiently. "Listen, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order and the circumstances are fishy enough without his children knowing about it seconds after it happened, you could seriously damage the Order's--"

"We don't care about the dumb Order!" shouted Fred.

"It's our dad dying we're talking about!" yelled George

"Your father knew what he was getting into, and he won't thank you for messing up for the Order!" said Sirius angrily in his turn. "This is how it is—this is why you're not in the Order--- you don't understand—there are things worth dying for!"

"Easy for you to say, stuck here!" bellowed Fred. "I don't see you risking your neck!"

The little color remaining in Sirius's face drained from it. He looked for a moment as though he would quite like to hit Fred, but when he spoke, it was in a voice of determined calm. "I know it's hard, but we've all got to act as though we don't' know anything yet. We've got to stay put, at least until we hear from your mother, all right?"

Fred and George still looked mutinous. Ginny, however took a few steps over to the nearest chair and sank into it. Harry looked at Ron, who made a funny movement somewhere between a nod and shrug, and they sat down too. The twins glared at Sirius for another minute then took sets on either side of Ginny.

"That's right," said Sirius encouragingly, "come on, let's all... let's all have a drink while we're waiting. Accio Butterbeer!"

Things got a little too tense and odd for Rogue who went and fetched the liquor that she and Sirius were drinking. Then the big bird with the message came. Very soon Mrs. Weasley came and everyone got really happy again. Rogue got up and began to make breakfast. She noticed that Sirius and Harry went to go speak in the hall then Sirius came back.

Later everyone had short naps and Rouge went back to her room. When she came down later in the afternoon the house was quiet save for Sirius throwing spare bread crusts into the fire.

"Ya know that there are children starvin' in the streets and here ya are throwin' away food." She mocked as she sat in a vacant chair.

"Sod off, I really don't want to have another lecture thanks." He responded curtly.

"Fine, ya can just sit and brew in yer own juices." She spat back and turned heel and left. The softest mutter of 'asshole' came back into the kitchen.

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Rogue came down the stairs later that evening. She was going to go smoke near the portrait of Mrs. Black. The painting was deathly afraid of fire. She instead spied a certain wizard dragging his trunk down the hallway.

"Running away are we?" she asked as the young wizard stopped short.

"Not running away, no," said Harry shortly, dragging his trunk a few more feet across the room.

"A'h thought that ya are suppose to be all brave and full of valor. If ya were meh A'h would be a little more worried with myself." She chided

"I am not worried about me." said Harry tersely, tugging the trunk over a patch of particularly uneven, moth-eaten carpet right in front of the door.

"Ah, so ya aren't runnin' with your tail between yer legs. Yer bein' noble."

Harry ignored her. "Ya know that if ya run from yer problems they sprint to catch up to ya." Her voice came again. Her speech was grammatically harsh but it was also soothing. Harry stopped for a moment then turned around.

"I'm going to bed. Excuse me."

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Everyone spent the following morning putting up Christmas decorations. Harry could not remember Sirius ever being in such a good mood; he was singing carols, apparently delighted that he was to have company over Christmas. Harry could her his voice echoing up through the flood in the cold and empty drawing room where he was siting alone, watching the sky outside the windows growing whiter, threatening snow. No one had bothered him except for Rogue. She brought him some hot chocolate at around six o'clock right after the doorbell rang.

"So yer just goin' to hole up here for a while Darlin?" she asked and lit a cigarette. Harry looked at the floor and took his warm drink.

"Like you?" he snapped back. She looked at him for a moment. If anything he felt like she was about to swallow him hole.

"A'h ain't here by choice but by circumstance. That's totally different."

Abruptly Hermione came into the room along with Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. Rogue frowned at them all and left.

"I came on the Knight Bus," said Hermione arily, pulling off her jacked before Harry had time to speak.

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How could anyone have dreamed of returning to Privet Drive for Christmas? Sirius's delight at having the house full again, and especially at having Harry back, was infectious. He was no longer their sullen host of the summer; now he seemed determined that everyone should enjoy themselves as much, even Rogue, if not more, than they would have done at Hogwarts, and he worked tirelessly in the run-up to Christmas Day, cleaning and decorating with their help, so that by the time they all went to bed on Christmas Eve the house was barely recognizable. The tarnished chandeliers were no longer hung with cobwebs but with garlands of holly and gold and sliver streamers; magical snow glittered in heaps over the threadbare carpets; a great Christmas tree, obtained by Mundungus and an associate and decorated with live fairies, blocked Sirius's family tree from view; and even the stuffed elf heads on the hall wall wore Father Christmas hats and beards.

Rogue awoke on Christmas afternoon. It was about 12:30. She swore and swung her legs over the side of her bed and knocked things off the bed and onto the floor with a crash. She tilted her head for a moment not knowing what the fuck had happened. Peering at the items closely a tiny voice in her head said "Christmas presents." The concept of actually receiving presents on Christmas was a bit foreign to Rogue. Flashes of the five years and the meager gifts that she and Irene floated through her mind. Rogue disliked thinking of her former mother.

There was a very nice black sweater from Mrs. Weasley with a pretty green 'R' embroidered at the top. Sirius gave her a new lighter with a silver wolf soddered to the front. Lupin gave her a small statue of a dark fairie. Being a light green the statue seemed to glow. A bottle of her potion from Snape. No card or anything. Rogue smirked a bit. The last and largest item was a bit of a confusion. It was a black guitar case and there was a simple acoustic guitar inside. There was a card in the lining.

Rogue,

Hope this is a good enough present for such a lady.

go downstairs.

R

Rogue sat and looked at that card for a few minutes before standing and getting dressed. Walking down the stairs she heard a pair of voices from the kitchen. Her face frowned in concentration then suddenly she recognized both. She silently stormed to the kitchen.

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"'lo Rogue. Have a nice Christmas?" asked Bill Weasley. He was sitting at the table playing cards with the other person in the room. His long hair was pulled back and he was dressed in jeans and a jacket. He looked very relaxed.

"Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee, Chere!" Remy LeBeau called to the goth who was looking for something to impale the Cajun on. His traditional trench coat was hanging on the back of his chair. He was wearing a soft gray long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. He smiled his charming smile that worked the ladies into a frenzy as Rogue marched up to him. With one hit he was sprawled across the table and Rogue was storming out of the kitchen.

"Not sure if Remy deserved dat." Remy said as he rubbed his jaw.

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Upon returning from St. Mungo's Harry, Ron, Hermoine, Ginny and the twins witnessed the oddest thing. They had found Bill in the kitchen playing solitare. Ginny squinted up her face, then in perfect likness of Mrs. Weasley made Bill tell her what was going on. The twins bounded upstairs followed by the rest of the troop. There was in fact a young man talking apparently to himslef. The bathroom door was closed and the boy was leaning against it.

"Oi, Remy. She in there?" Bill called out to the Cajun. Remy gave his famed cocky smile and bowed to his audience.

"Oui, de Chere still be in dere. Remy might 'ave to start singin' carols. Maybe den Chere come out." Remy declared and then pushed his left index finger against the lock. Nothing happened and the Cajun mutant frowned. He turned his head and zeroed in on Hermione. "Pardon et Moi, petite. Could jou do ole Remy une favor? See de Chere locked de door. Maybe you could entra vous?" Hermoine for her part turned beet red and looked at the carpet.

"Um, I suppose." She stammered and then giggled. Moving to the bathroom door she pointed her wand at the lock. Her wand sparked and the door opened. Rogue was sitting above the toilet with her feet on the closed lid. She was reading a book and smoking. She looked up and glared daggers at Hermione.

"Y'all don't have much respect for a gal when she's in the bathroom do ya?" she snapped and marched out. Remy blocked her way and bowed slightly. Harry got the feeling that this was very similar to staring down a Hippogriff.

"Chere, Remy only want to go on a walk wit jou, please?" he queried. Finally Rogue sighed. Coming back a minute later with a black coat they left through the front door.

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The cold snow slushed under Rogue's combat boots. She and Remy had walked to the park in complete silence. Which was rare of the Cajun. In fact Rogue grew a bit worried at his sullen nature. Finally Remy sat himself on a park bench devoid of how cold his butt would get.

"De snow is beautiful no? Jou can't never see dis in N'awlins." He said and lit himself a cigarette. Rogue let those words flow though her mind. Nothing sarcastic nor cryptic in the last statement.

"Remy please tell meh that ya didn't come all this way to tell meh how purty the snow is." Rogue said and stared point blank at the Cajun mutant. He raised his red on black eyes to her sharp green orbs.

"Chere, Remy got to tell jou sumtin'," he said and exhaled. Rogue frowned at him and began her verbal attack.

"Look Remy, A'h don't want to go back to Orleans. A'h am happy here and sides A'h am a wanted gal. And on that note how in the hottest hell did ya find meh. A'h didn't leave a forwarding address. Well?!" Rogue stopped and glared at her former kidnapper and now casual acquaintance. Remy lowered his head and rested his forehead on one of his palms. Finally he spit the cigarette into the small snow bank at his feet.

"Look Rogue," he started. Rogue felt as if she had been slapped. He NEVER used her name. He always teased her and pushed her buttons he was never serious. "Remy wanted to go find jou a bit ago. So Remy went to visit de blind lady who took care of jou for a while. Well when Remy got dere,..." he paused and looked up. "Chere, she was dead. Her neck twisted sumtin' 'orrible. Dere was a bit o paper wit de address jou at in her hand."

Rogue fell to her knees in the snow. She didn't regester the cold or the contact with the ground. Sudden remorse for the blind progative and then resentment and a biter sting of betrayl consumed Rogue. She didn't even realize that she shed tears until Remy was embracing her. The pointless French soothed her baser need to scream at the heavens.

"Mah Gawd," were the only words Rogue was able to choke out.

"Shh, shhh Chere. Don't fret jourself over it. Jour petite frier made sure dat she was buried real proper." crooned Remy as he used his trench-coat sleeve to wipe her cheeks. "Remy just want to make sure dat his best Chere is doin tre bien."

"Sure Remy A'h am absofuckinglutly wonderful." She shouted and took off towards Grimmauld Place. Remy followed but as soon as he entered the small circle of houses he didn't see Rogue. In fact didn't see much since the stunning spell hit him in the back of his pretty little Cajun head.

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It seemed to Harry that Sirius and Rogue had been seperated at birth or something of that nature. Sirius's cheerfulness was evaporating fast now that Christmas was over. As the date of their departure back to Hogwarts drew nearer, he became more and more prone to what Mrs. Weasley called "fits of the sullens," in which he would become taciturn and grumpy, often withdrawing to Buckbeak's room for hours at a time. Rogue who returned from her walk a few days ago, alone had went from bad to worse. She came home and drank until she began to croon out some blues song about someone named Bobby McGee. Then she turned into the wicked bitch of the west. No one got with in a room's radius of her.

Harry did not want to leave Sirius all alone again with only Kreacher for company. In fact, for the first time in his life, he was not looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. Going back to school would meant lacing himself once again under the tyranny of Dolores Umbridge, who had no doubt managed to force through another dozen decrees in their absence. Then there was no Quidditch to look forward to now that he had been banned; there was every likelihood that their burden of homework would increase as the exams grew even nearer; Dumbledore remained as remote as ever; in fact, if it had not been for the D.A., Harry felt he might have gone to Sirius and begged him to let him leave Hogwarts and remain in Grimmauld Place.

Then, on the very last day of the holidays, something happened that made Harry positively dread his return to school.

"Harry dear," said Mrs. Weasley, poking her head into his and Ron's bedroom, where the pair of them were playing wizard chess watched by Hermione, Ginny, and Crookshanks, "could you come down to the kitchen? Professor Snape would like a word with you."

Harry did not immediately register what she had said; one of his castles was engaged in a violent tussle with a pawn of Ron's, and he was egging it on enthusiastically.

"Squash him—squash him, he's only a pawn, you idiot—sorry, Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"

"Professor Snape, dear. In the kitchen. He'd like a word."

Harry's mouth fell open in horror. He looked around at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, all of whom were gaping back at him.

"Snape?" said Harry blankly.

"Professor Snape, dear." Said Mrs. Weasley reprovingly. "Now come on, quickly, he said he can't wait long."

"What's he want with you?" said Ron, looking unnerved as Mrs. Weasley withdrew from the room.

"You haven't done anything, have you?"

"NO!" said Harry indignantly, racking his brains to think what he could have done that would make Snape pursue him to Grimmauld Place. Had his last piece of homework perhaps earned a T?

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'Coffee... it's in the place with the food. Uh the... damnit what the hell is it called?' Rogue thought as she stumbled down the stairs to the first floor of the House of Black. Pushing open the kitchen she didn't even notice the three wizards who were already occupying the dank space. Sirius and Snape were squaring each other up. Vaugly she herd Harry call out to his god-father. She didn't care as she pushed through the two and moved to the pot of coffee hanging over the fire. Both wizards looked at her for a moment and then back to each other.

"I've warned you Snivellus," said Sirius, his face barely a foot from Snape's, "I don't care if Dumbledore thinks youv'e reformed, I know better—."

"Oh, but why don't you tell him so?" whispered Snape. "Or are you afraid he might not take the advice of a man who has been hiding inside his mother's house for six months seriously?"

"Damn raght." Rogue interjected as she stirred sugar in her coffee.

"Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he's delighted his lapdog's working at Hogwarts, isn't he?" Rogue nearly spit out her coffee, but her head was more clear.

"Speaking of dogs," said Snape softly, "did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognized you last time you risked a little jaunt outside? Clever idea, Black, letting yourself seen on a safe station platform... gave you a cast-iron excuse not to leave your hidey-hole in the future, didn't it?"

Sirius raised his wand.

"NO!" Harry and Rogue yelled, vaulting over the table and throwing her mug to the floor and trying to get between them, "Sirius, don't-." "Snape, stop it-"

"Are you calling me a coward?" roared Sirius, trying to push Harry out of the way, but Harry would not budge.

"Why yes, I suppose I am," said Snape ignoring Rogue.

"Harry---get --- out--- of—it!" snarled Sirius, Pushing him out of the way with his free hand. Rogue was then shoved into Severus's chest. He used his free hand to push her smaller body to the side and behind him. There was a slight bong as Rogue's head hit an overhanging pan.

The kitchen door opened and the entire Weasley family, plus Hermione, came inside, all looking very happy, with Mr. Weasley walking proudly in their midst dressed in a pair of striped pajamas covered by a mackintosh.

"Cured!" he announced brightly to the kitchen at large. "Completely cured!"

He and all the other Weasleys froze on the threshold, gazing at the scene in front of them, which was also suspended in mid-action, both Sirius and Snape looking toward the door with their wands pointing into each other's faces. Harry immobile between them, a hand stretched out to each of them, trying to force them apart. Rogue looked to be pushed out of the fight and was rubbing her head as if it hurt.

"Merlin's beard," said Mr. Weasley, the smile sliding off his face, "what's going on here?"

Both Sirius and Snape lowered their wands. Harry looked from one to the other. Each wore an expression of utmost contempt, yet the unexpected entrance of so many witnesses seemed to have brought them to their senses. Shape pocked his wand, grabbed Rogue's forearm, turned his heel and swept back across the kitchen, passing the Weasleys without comment.

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"Ya know a gal could break her arm if a guy yanks at it like that." Rogue said as Snape let go of her arm. He turned with his back to the door and glared at her. She was wearing small black boy shorts and a long sleeved black shirt. For a wild moment Rogue couldn't tell if he wanted to screw her or beat her. He held his hand open revealing a small potion bottle. Rogue grabbed it and drank it down in one swallow. A tiny drop tried to make an exit from her mouth but Rogue grabbed it with her tongue. Snape's expression looked like a predator but with a good deal of restraint. Or not.

With his larger hands he pulled her in close by her shoulders. For a few breathless moments Rogue forgot all that was plaguing her. Snape started the kiss and broke it. Stepping away he looked at the smaller girl critically.

"Have you been ill?" he asked as he pulled on his black cloak and scarf. Rogue looked wary.

"A'h have been mournin' not like ya care." She spat and leaned against the closet door.

"For whom?"

"Nunya."

"Is that a former friend?"

"No." Rogue said and felt very exasperated. "It stands for Nunya business.
"I see," Snape said with out any trace of registering the dis. "If you do move past your grieving period I have some information that you might be interested in."

"Business but no play?" her voice was wavering to a falsetto.

"Do you want the newest information or not?"

"Yer no fun to torment." Rogue stated and reached for his hand. This for some reason always seemed much more emotional that a kiss. 'A'h never got to hold anyone's hand before.' She thought. 'Why the hell is he shakin' mah hand?'

Turning her head Rogue noticed that Lupin had entered the hallway in an attempt to call back the Potions Master.

"Yes Lupin, what do you want?" Snape said in a very bored tone.

"Well, in a vain attempt not to sound like Sirius I am afraid I must ask Severus that you please remember one thing. Harry is not James." Remus said. He looked as bad as Rogue had ever seen him. Patched, thin and worn out, Lupin was not having the best Christmas.

"Say what you will Lupin. The apple never falls far from the tree." And with that the door slammed shut and both Rogue and Lupin were looking at a rapidly melting pile of snow.

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Yeah, another one bites the dust! This is your one more chapter to go warning!! Deal with it. A'h really liked this chapter but what is important is what y'all think. Please review and it will be responded to.

STAY FROSTY

THE GOTH WITCH