"What the hell?" Alex stood up, her voice echoing slightly in the nearly empty library. The doorbell had rung, and just about everyone that she knew within the Order was on assignment, or something like it.

Fred and George stood up, disturbing several piled of books and sending them crashing to the floor. Alex winced while the boys ignored them, and followed her as she went to answer the door.

She crept down the stairs, silent while the twins made a loud ruckus bounding down after her. She turned to them as they reached the bottom. "Do you have to be so loud?" They nodded. "It's comes with our title."

"What title?"

The doorbell rang again and Alex shook her head. "Never mind, I don't want to know." She went the rest of the way to the door, and opened it slightly, the twins peeking out behind her.

Mundungus Fletcher stood on the stoop, his expression sheepish and his face grungy and unshaven. The crook's stance was incredibly nervous and slightly dejected, but his entire image brightened as she opened the door fully.

"'Ello. D'you think you could-"

"No Dung," Alex shook her head as she cut him off. "You know what Molly said when you brought those stolen cauldrons here last summer. This is not a safe house for you to stash your stolen goods in."

"How do you know?" Mundungus demanded, striking a pose of indignation. "You weren't even here." Alex sighed, and crossed her arms. "My father told me."

"Well… please? Do it for Ol' Uncle Dung."

Alex shook her head. "Unfortunately for you, I don't have an Uncle Dung, and even if I did I wouldn't do it for him either."

Mundungus shook his head sadly, and as he turned to leave, he muttered, "You dad would'a though." Alex stopped him dead in his tracks as she snapped, "I can't believe you just played that card, you rank piece of rubbish! He wouldn't have, and neither will I. Now get the hell out of here before I put my foot up your ass."

Mundungus sighed as he left. "I don't have a donkey."

Alex glared at his hunched figure as it slouched down the sidewalk. She closed the door as he disappeared from sight.

"Oy," George said as the cornered her, "Don't you think you were a little harsh on him?" Alex shook her head and said, "No."

"How about a little rough on the language then, eh?" Fred suggested. "Eh?" Alex demanded, seizing the opportunity to turn the conversation from Mundungus. "Did you just say 'eh'?"

Fred shrugged. "I think so…?"

Alex shot him a look. "Are you a damn Canadian with all that bloody 'eh' bullshit?" Fred gave her the same look back and countered,"And are you a damn Yankee American with all that bloody swearing?"

Alex shrugged. "No, but I like their movies." With that, she slipped between the two of them and disappeared up the stairs.

The twins looked at each other. "When did this 'eh' stuff come up?" Fred asked. Fred shook his head. "Don't ask me. Weren't we talking about Dung?"

They shrugged in unison, and went off to perfect Alex's tribute flowers.

"Is he gone?" A whisper came from the doorway. The compartment door was slightly open and Neville was peeking through. Hermione stood up as they all stared at him. "Oh Neville! Yes he's gone. That was horrible how he kicked you out. I'm sorry."

Neville shrugged and slid inside as she opened the door. She closed it for him as he sat down. When she closed it, she locked it, suddenly remembering what she had planned on talking to them all about.

"Listen," she spoke carefully, "What do you all think of continuing the D.A.?"

The all stared at her, including Luna who pulled the Quibbler off of her head and eagerly responded, "I think that's a brilliant idea."

Ron swallowed the jelly bean he had in his mouth, and said, "I dunno. What's the need?"

"Well," Hermione said excitedly, "I talked to Professor Dumbledore and he said that it was a good idea. That way, we can possibly cover more advanced defense that we wouldn't otherwise learn in class."

"But what about the younger students?" Harry asked, leaning forward. "Some of them may not be able to do some of more advanced stuff. And some of that is dangerous, what if someone got hurt?"

"Well, that's something that Professor Dumbledore said as well. We would just have to have the option of working on less difficult spells with them. He also wants us to have a Healer. I've talked to someone about being the Healer, and she said that she was going to think about it."

Ginny shrugged. "I don't see why not. It would be fun, and it might give us an opportunity to do very well in our Defense classes." Hermione nodded. "Exactly."

"I agree," Harry said, looking around at them all. The rest of them nodded, or agreed in some way. Hermione smiled. "Good."

Her voice turned slightly nervous. "But there's one hitch… we have to alert everyone to it, just like there's signs up about Quidditch try-outs on the bulletin boards, we have to put up signs that we're here to be joined."

"Does that mean we have to advertise to the Slytherin's as well?" Ron demanded, setting aside his bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Hermione nodded and a round of groans went up.

"Come on," Hermione said, slightly worried that she was going to lose them. "I figure that we can put up a notice on the board in the Great Hall, a really small notice, and then we can say that everyone was aware of it. I mean, some people might actually see it; but we can advertise it as a study group, because that is what it is, right; a study group for Defense Magic? If we really don't want any new members, then that's what we can do. We should have a first meeting though, with all the Original Members and our Healer. That way, we can decide what we really want, and explain what Professor Dumbledore requested. Are we all agreed?"

A slightly reluctant 'yes' went around the room, and Hermione smiled. "Good. We should change into our robes, we're almost there."

When they stepped off the train thirty minutes later, it was comforting to see Hagrid's bulk instead of Grubbly-Planks. "Firs' years! Firs' years o'er here!" The large man smiled down at them as they passed on their way to the so-called 'horseless' carriages.

"Doin' all righ'?" They all nodded, and smiled. "Come an' see me fer some tea soon." He winked down at them. "Firs' years!"

They walked away, and as they climbed into the threstral pulled carriage, Hermione asked, "I wonder what that was about?" Harry shuddered slightly as Hermione and Ron climbed into the carriage before him and he caught sight of the thestrals. He tore his eyes away and followed them in as Ron said, "'Dunno. Probably some new beast he wants us to take a look at."

"Maybe. Harry, are you going to shut the door?" Harry had been staring at one of the thestrals and jumped out of his reverie. "Yeah, sorry." He closed the door, and the carriage set off.

"So," Hermione said, "I never asked you two; how did you do on your OWLS?" Ron turned slightly pink as Harry said confidently, a slight smile on his face, "Enough to do what I want to."

Hermione smiled. "Good for you. Ron, what about you?"

Ron mumbled something, and Hermione started. "What? I couldn't hear you." They were interrupted as the carriage stopped, and they stepped out into a sea of students so loud you couldn't hear yourself think. Hermione didn't even try to ask Ron about his OWLS over the noise.

As they went through the crowd, they notices that it was moving fluidly around a single object at the door; Professor McGonagall. The moment they realized this, and that Hermione pointed it out, the Professor called out their names over the crowd. "Harry Potter! Hermione Granger! Ron Weasley!"

The three of them looked at each other in apprehension; why did she need to talk to them? They made their way out of the crowd to where she was, and when they reached her, she brusquely started moving.

"How were your summers?"

"Uh… fine," Ron stammered out as they went up a flight of stairs.

"And how about your OWLS? Miss. Granger, I believe you received thirteen, am I correct?"

Hermione glowed. "Yes Professor."

"And Potter? Eight was it?"

"Nine Professor."

"And I understand you are going to be taking Advanced Potions?"

Ron stared at Harry and hissed, "Two more years with that git?"

"And you received… eight Mr. Weasley?"

Ron straightened as he realized that her eyes were on him. "Er… yes Professor."

Hermione looked at Ron. "Really? Well done."

Ron blushed slightly, and Harry, catching the blush, muttered, "We need to talk." Ron turned an even fiercer red.

"Well then, here we are… are you quite alright Mr. Weasley? You look a bit flushed." McGonagall turned to them as she stopped them outside the gargoyle that lead to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Er… yes Professor. Harry was just making a joke."

"Well, if you would kindly refrain from doing that on any time except your own… Lemon drops… I would appreciate it," McGonagall said kindly.

Ron stared at the Professors back in utter confusion as she turned to the slowly opening wall. "Uh… did she just call me Lemon Drops?" he hissed. Hermione rolled her eyes. "No. That's the password."

"The password to what?"

McGonagall turned to them, and ordered, "Follow me." She started walking up the stairs that lead to the Headmaster office and they followed her up.

"The password to what?" Ron still wanted to know. Hermione gave him a fierce look, and spoke quickly, "Excuse me, Professor. But where exactly are we going?" As they reached the top, McGonagall replied, "The Headmaster wishes to see you before the feast."

As they listened, Professor Dumbledore seemed to be playing host to quite a few people. Harry suspected that they were the portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses that hung all around the office.

She knocked on the ornate door leading into the office, and all noise abruptly ceased. "Come in Minerva!" The Professor call came from behind the door. Professor McGonagall pushed open the door, and ushered them inside the room. The portraits on the wall were all sleeping soundly.

Harry roved his eyes across the nearly familiar ornaments, remembering the last time he had been in here. It had been right after Sirius had died and he could've sworn that he had broken- yes! It was that lunascope!

He reached forward to pick it up as Hermione and Ron went to stand in front of the Headmasters desk. Dumbledore was watching Harry, his blue eyes igniting in their familiar twinkle as Harry picked up the object, and turned it around wonderingly.

"By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many." Harry remembered that it hadn't been enough to simply destroy the objects, he had wanted to hurt Dumbledore, to make him feel the pain and horror that he had felt. He felt suddenly ashamed.

"Yes Harry that is the one that you threw across the room." Harry jumped so badly he nearly dropped the instrument. He set it down gingerly and came to stand in front of Dumbledore's desk. He hadn't seen the Headmaster since that night, and he realized that he had slightly feared the inevitable confrontation.2

He realized that Hermione and Ron were staring at him. He shrugged at them, and turned to look at Professor Dumbledore. The Headmaster wasn't looking at him anymore. His eyes were trained on a portrait in the corner.

After a moment, he turned back to them, and smiled. "I understand that two of you have had the pleasure of meeting my ward." He saw looks on their faces and chuckled. "Yes, I suppose pleasure isn't quite the right word.

"Experience I'd say; had the experience of meeting Alexandra. Quite the interesting character, isn't she?" Hermione smiled slightly. "Quite, Professor."

"I'm glad you agree with me."

The Headmaster was interrupted by a sneer from the corner. "If you're talking about that French slut that my great-great-grandson fathered," came Phineas Nigellus' voice, "That is now 16, and who just may inherit the entirety of the Black valuables when she is 17 because Sirius was an idiot, you had better tell her to keep her boyfriends out of the upper levels. There was a rat faced little git poking about a couple days ago, and he nearly uncovered-gak." The previous Headmaster suddenly caught the look that all of the other Headmasters were giving him after suddenly coming out of deep sleep, and muttered, "Never mind."

"Thank you for that input Phineas. I will speak with you later. Speaking of Mr. Malfoy…" Ron nearly burst at the seams with laughter at the Headmasters translation of 'rat faced little git' into 'Draco Malfoy.'

"…I understand that there were some issues between yourselves and Mr. Malfoy. I believe that we had talked about this Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore's eyes swiveled to Ron and he immediately stopped laughing, his ears suddenly the color of cherries.

"Yes Professor."

"I know that the three of you have differences with Mr. Malfoy, but under my judgment, I believe he is just slightly misguided. But because he will be residing at the Black Manor during vacation, I expect- Yes Miss. Granger?"

Hermione had raised her hand slightly. "Um… why is he going to be at the Black Manor Professor?" She voiced the other twos silent rage. She had promptly put her hand over Ron's mouth as soon as Professor Dumbledore had spoken. "Doesn't he live at the Malfoy Mansion? And don't they have a vacation house that they go to that he could live at instead, with his mother?"

The Headmaster smiled slightly. "Very good Miss. Granger. Mr. Malfoy will be residing at the Black Manor because the Malfoy Mansion is currently being put under investigation by the Ministry, considering that Lucius Malfoy did indeed turn out to be a supporter of Voldemort after all." He cast his eyes at Harry as he said this. "It is being searched for Dark Magic, and Dark Materials.

"The reason that he will not be residing at the Malfoy summer home is not something that I am entitled to discuss with the three of you. If you really wish to know, you will have to speak with Mr. Malfoy himself.

"Now, I expect a certain level of decency concerning Mr. Malfoy; especially around Alexandra. I understand that a certain fondness has grown between them, and neither of them would appreciate it if any of the three of you felt the need to separate that bond. I think that you should try to get to know Mr. Malfoy, he is really quite a charming young man when you get past his… well, let's just say his distrust of you."

Ron and Harry choked back laughter and Hermione gave them disapproving looks as Dumbledore continued. "I also expect the three of you to be kind to his younger siblings as well. They are new to this school, and just because they are Malfoys does not mean they are 'spawns of the devil' as I believe you have so kindly put it Mr. Weasley." Not only did Ron's ears turn red, but the back of his neck, and his face suddenly looked like a cherry.

He smiled slightly at them, and did an abrupt 360 in the conversation. "Now, Miss. Granger has come to me about continuing with the D.A. Frankly I must say that I am rather flattered that you named it after me. Although, it certainly provided me with the necessity of quick thinking with the Minister when explaining your little ah… meeting that was broken up by Professor Umbridge." He smiled at them again.

"I truly think that it is a very good idea and that it would be wise to continue with it. Miss. Granger, have you spoken with Alexandra about being the Healer?" Hermione shook her head. "No, not personally, but I did give her a letter to her when we left this morning. I asked her to reply by the end of the week."

"Alright then. I guess that you will also be using the Room of Requirement, as you did last year?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. It was perfect." Dumbledore nodded slightly, and said, "Good. If you would permit me, I would like to be at the first meeting, to see exactly what will be going on." Hermione nodded. "That should be fine. We haven't gotten a date set yet though. We have to make sure that everyone wants it to continue."

"Excellent. I suggest you set it up before the Quidditch Season begins though, after that, it will be complicated to figure out a date that would work for everyone. And I expect to see flyers up by the end of the week Miss. Granger, if I remember out discussion correctly?"

Hermione nodded, and Dumbledore smiled at them all. "Well, then. I think our conversation is done. I'll escort the three of you to the Great Hall; I daresay we've probably delayed the feast, and people are becoming quite restless."

He stood up, and motioned them out the door.

"Hey Marie is Remus there?" Alex leaned back as she spoke into the receiver that they had had installed. Remus had recently gotten a job working at a Muggle place. She wasn't quite sure what he did, but he had immediately gotten his own secretary.

"Yes he his. Hold please."

Alex twisted the phone cord in her hand as she waited. She knew he would be furious, but she knew that he understood the importance of keeping this away from Dumbledore. The headmaster… now he would have a fit about it.

"Here he is."

"Thanks Marie."

"You're welcome."

"Alex? Some of the ladies here think that you're my girlfriend."

Alex laughed. "Well, maybe you should get one so we wouldn't have this problem."

"We aren't going to talk about this. What do you need?"

Alex's pleased emotion vanished. "Uh, listen. I got this letter from the school. Actually, you got this letter from the school. Er. You know how I was smoking a lot last year?"

"Not a lot, but yes."

"Well, I," she paused, then spat it out, "I got caught doing it at the end of the year and they want to have a meeting with you and me and them about it."

The other end of the line was silent as the exposure of the secret. Alex twisted the cord, and let it go when Remus finally spoke. It let out it's twist as his voice came over the line. "Is this for Albus or me?"

"Albus."

Remus kept his cool, as he was so good at doing. "We will talk about this when I get home. Are Fred and George there?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Until I get home, you are grounded. Make sure the twins don't get into too much trouble. Goodbye."

Remus hung up the receiver and rubbed his eyes.

"Was that your daughter? They can be brutal." Remus looked up at Marie as she put a paper on her desk.

"No, he replied, taking the paper. "She is one of my friend's daughter. He was a single father and he died recently. It's been a little painful for us all. Her assigned guardian is the Headmaster of a boarding school in Scotland and it started today, and now she is in trouble with her own school… I'm sorry." He stopped himself. "I'm boring you. What is this?"

"No no, it's fine. It's the Carion file, like you asked for."

"Yes, alright. Thank you."

Alex closed her eyes, and rubbed them after setting down the receiver. She was dead, and she was well aware of it. How much did it cost to change your name?

"Welcome all." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes ranged over the vast expanse of Hogwarts students. "To a new year at Hogwarts. We are looking forward to it being as peaceful as possible. I have several announcements before I allow you to indulge in this wonderful feast."

Ron groaned. "Come on… why does he always have to do this before? I'm hungry!"

"You ate half the Food Cart on the train!" Hermione hissed, keeping her eyes on the Headmaster as he explained the basic reminders. "How can you still be hungry?"

"I just am!"

Harry leaned into the conversation. "Just hold it until then."

They focused their attention on the Headmaster as he continued. "After the… experience Professor Umbridge had last year, she has decided to retire. An incident within the Forbidden Forest has clinched her decision, and-" He was cut off by cheers erupting from all sides.

Hermione and Harry looked at each other, vividly remembering the 'incident' with the centaurs at the end of last year.

As the cheers died down, he continued, "…we have thankfully found a replacement. Madam Armelle du Bord originally taught at Beauxbatons, and is now joining us here." A tall, willowy woman with soft blond hair stood up, smiling at them all as the polite applause was cued.

"She'd better be better than Umbridge," Ron muttered. Dean leaned over. "Anybody would be better than Umbridge." Then entire Gryffindor table seemed to nod in agreement.

"I think that that covers it all. So as they say in France, Bon appetite!"

A delicious feast came up onto the table, and everyone ravaged into it.

Hermione stared at Ron as he piled up nearly some of everything onto his plate. "Are you actually going to eat all that?" she demanded. He looked from her, to the plate, then out at all the food. "You're right. I need some more potatoes."

"I didn't say anything about potatoes!" she said disbelievingly as he piled up another scoop of the mashed potatoes. She turned to Harry for some support in the matter, but he was already halfway through his chicken when she spoke.

He looked up at her, and swallowed. "Sorry," he said apologetically, "What were you saying?" She sighed, giving up on the matter. "Nevermind."

About halfway through the dinner, Parvati let out a squeal that could be heard all along the table. Hermione rolled her eyes as they all looked up. "Malfoy."

Malfoy had simply smiled at the Gryffindor as he had passed her.

"What about Malfoy?" Harry demanded.

"He's… grown Harry. And Parvati-" Hermione was cut off by another cry, "And Lavender seemed to have discovered that."

"How has he grown? He still short and scrawny," Ron pointed out. Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's not scrawny anymore. He's what Lavender would call, perfectly lean."

Malfoy finally stopped next to them, and they stopped their conversation.

"Can we help you with something?" Harry asked coldly, the three of them swiveling to look at him. He smirked, his Malfoy attitude back and the change he had had around Alex completely vanished.

"I think that I can help you Potter. I think that you ought to check the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning. I'm well aware of the," he paused and chuckled slightly, then continued, "Snuffles situation."

Harry stood up, his distress at Sirius' death flaring up as rage. "Malfoy you say another word and I'll pummel your face in."

Malfoy looked at him, tilted his head to the side, and said, "For once, I believe you." He sidled out of Harry's reach and back to his table.

Harry watched him go, eyes narrowed behind his glasses. As soon as the Slytherin was safely at his own table, Harry sat back down. "Prat."

Hermione sighed. "What do you think is going to be in the paper?"

Harry shook off his rage. "No idea." Ron swallowed the last of his mashed potatoes and attempted a dry attitude. "It's probably some more crap about Harry."

Harry shrugged. "I hope not."

Hermione spread the latest edition of the Daily Prophet over the table. Two headlines competed for the top spot. One was an article about Malfoy himself, the other held the title "The Lost One."

Personally more intrigued by the article of Malfoy, she ignored the other one for a moment. The headline was 'Results of Malfoy Mansion Raid.' The picture was of four of the Malfoys, watching disdainfully as official looking people carried out many objects. The caption read. 'The Malfoy Family minus Lucius Malfoy (see page 6) stood back as the Ministry carried out many dark and dangerous items from the household.'

She leaned down to read the article.

After the arresting of Lucius Malfoy, the Ministry wisely decided to go into the Malfoy household several weeks ago, and conduct a search for dark objects. Many items were found, and the results have now been released to the public.

"'The Malfoy Mansion," stated the Minister is a public address, "is quite full of items that are magical and deadly in nature. Of the items that we collected, more than half tested positive for Dark Magic."

Continued on pg. A2.

Hermione resigned herself to finishing the article later. She instead turned to the article that had a headshot of Alex next to a shot of a family. When she looked closer, Hermione realized that it was Sirius, next to a young woman who was holding a small baby. She didn't have to guess who the other two were.

She read the article.

Many people are aware that Sirius Black left a family behind when he was sent to Azkaban for the murder of 12 muggles and a single wizard. But what many people are not aware of, is that his child-Alexandra Seraphina Bordeaux-Black-is nearing 17. When Alexandra turns 17, she will begin to inherit both the Black, and Bordeaux legacies. These legacies includes houses in France, Ireland, and Britain, as well as a large sum of money that has been totally estimated to be more than the Malfoy inheritance.

Experts worry that once Alexandra begins the inheritance process, Sirius Black will…

She skimmed the rest until a paragraph caught her eye. She paused, and read it fully.

Although Alexandra is the sole inheritor of the Black legacy, is it possible that Harry Potter will be jealous of the young beauty? Some think that since Potter is the god-son of the murderer, he may become envious of Alexandra, believing that he ought to inherit the legacy.

Hermione sighed, and folded up the paper. Well, that was a brilliant beginning to an already foreseeable horrible day.

AN: Wow… how long has it been? Ages. Well, two more chapters up after this one by the weekend. I don't know if anyone will read them, but we'll see what happens! Thanks for sticking with me! -Alex