Harry's eyes were getting quite heavy as he sat on the sofa in the common room. Hermione and Ron had seemed to overcome some sort of barrier in their relationship and were sitting closer then usual, their heads quite close to each other. Though they were closer Harry didn't think they'd kiss but then, he didn't really want to find out. His scar had been tingling all night and he kept having to fight down bursts of anger. Voldemort was incredibly angry with someone or something. There was the sound of the Portrait hole closing. Harry started awake and turned to look towards the entrance. Emma came in with the arms of some fifth year around her.
"I had a great night." The boy said. Emma gave him a smile.
"Alright, night." She said. The boy kissed Emma before going to his dormitory. He looked like he would have liked to stay but Harry was watching them suspiciously. When he'd gone Emma sat down next to Harry.
"Hello brother." She said sweetly.
"Where have you been?" Harry asked.
"None of your business. Do you know how boring fifth years are?" Emma asked.
"I wouldn't know." Harry said. Emma shrugged and looked at Hermione and Ron and smirked.
"Oh just kiss her Ron." Emma said. The two suddenly weren't as close anymore. Ron was blushing a bright red. Emma shook her head and sighed. "Ron, Ron, Ron" Emma said. She got up and left them, passing Hermione on the way. "He's a good kisser." She said to Hermione before heading up to her dormitory.
"Harry, can't you control your sister!" Ron asked vaguely annoyed. Harry shrugged.
"You try keeping her under control! It's impossible." Harry muttered as he stretched out on the sofa. The portrait hole opened and closed again but this time Harry didn't look up. He had his eyes closed and was about to fall asleep when he felt someone sit on him.
"Holy-"
"You swear and I won't give you a good night kiss." Came Rhia's voice. Harry grinned and pulled Rhia down from her sitting position. Rhia giggled and kissed Harry's cheek.
"Where did you go after the ball?" Harry asked.
"I went to see Kaylee." Rhia said. "She got really badly hurt."
"And you're happy about that?" Harry asked, looking at Rhia's grinning face. She seemed a bit too happy. Rhia cuddled up close to Harry.
"I saw mum." She said, her expression getting happier.
"But she's-"
"No." Rhia said shaking her head. "She's alive, she's in your mum's rooms right now. She's alive Harry!" Rhia said happily.
"Who?" Hermione asked, taking her attention away from Ron.
"My mum" Rhia said sitting up so quickly she accidentally elbowed Harry in the chest. "My mum is alive!" She said.
"She's gone delusional." Ron muttered.
"I haven't!" Rhia said. She turned to Harry. "You believe me don't you?" Harry shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess. It might explain why Voldemort is so angry at the moment."
"What?" Rhia asked. "Is your scar-"
"Its ok." Harry said sitting up, "Your mum is alive?" Rhia nodded with a grin
"I was just talking to her and she told me everything." Rhia looked at Hermione. "Apparently your grandparents helped her to recover." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"How?" She asked. "Oh never mind. But she's ok then?" Rhia nodded
"I'm so happy." She said. She just seemed to glow and her happiness was infectious. That and the news that April wasn't actually dead. Harry pulled Rhia closer and put his mouth against hers. Rhia smiled and began to return the kiss.
"Oh please" Ron muttered.
"Well I'm off to bed, good night" Hermione said. Ron gave her a smile and helped her up. Hermione kissed his cheek, feeling slightly self-conscious as Harry and Rhia broke apart.
"Good night Hermione." Harry said. Hermione gave him a small wave and went up the stairs to the girl's dormitories. Ron went up to the boy's dorm, leaving Harry and Rhia on their own.
"We're on our own for once." Rhia whispered.
"I know." Harry said. He closed his eyes and kissed Rhia gently. She gently returned the kiss. Harry felt his body humming slightly. He pulled Rhia down to a lying position and slowly turned so that Rhia was under him. He broke the kiss and looked at Rhia then kissed her neck. Rhia's breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and put a hand in Harry's hair. Harry's hands began to roam Rhia's body. She felt perfectly comfortable but she was still slightly shocked.
"Harry, what are you doing?" She whispered. Harry looked at her and smiled.
"Nothing." He said. He removed his hands and laughed slightly. Rhia looked at him in confused amusement. She leant up and kissed him softly on the lips.
"You know I'm not actually allowed to do anything." Rhia whispered.
"I know" Harry muttered against her lips. Rhia smiled slightly and kissed Harry's cheek.
"I should be getting to sleep." Rhia said.
"Sleep in my bed." Harry said before kissing Rhia's neck again.
"I-I can't." She said.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Because you don't love me." Rhia said then immediately regretted saying it. Harry stopped kissing her and looked at Rhia.
"What makes you say that?" He asked sitting up slightly. Rhia propped herself up on her elbows. Harry fought to keep his concentration on Rhia's eyes. He didn't know what was coming over him but he just wanted to kiss Rhia and be as close to her as he could.
"Because you haven't said it." Rhia said.
"But I do love you." Harry said. "As a friend at first but now even more." Rhia's slight frown softened.
"You do?" She asked. Harry smiled and kissed Rhia's cheek.
"But if you don't want to spend the night with me then-" Harry shrugged. "Good night Rhia." He said. He got up and headed to the dormitory leaving Rhia rather confused on the sofa. He wanted to go back to Rhia but he knew what he was doing. He'd just changed and gotten into his bed when his dormitory door opened up and Rhia looked in. Harry pretended to not notice. She closed the door softly and walked slowly to the bed. She took off her trainers and slipped into the bed next to Harry. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you." Rhia whispered to Harry.
"I love you to, so much." Harry muttered into her hair. Rhia grinned as she closed her eyes and used Harry's shoulder as a pillow.
"I should get going." April said to Lily. Lily nodded and followed April out into the hospital wing. April went to Kaylee's hospital bed where Jessie was asleep next to her. Jessie had completely refused to be separated from her twin at all. Orion was curled up as best as he could manage on the chair next to the bed. His head against the metal bed frame. April and Lily looked at each other with smiles on their faces.
"Don't worry, I look after them as best I can." Lily said putting a hand on April's arm.
"I know." April said. "I missed them so much though. It's weird having all your children at school." Lily laughed and they made their way to the main entrance.
"I'll see you soon." Lily said. April nodded and kissed Lily's cheek.
"Thanks for helping me out." April said.
"Anytime." Lily said. "Now go and see Sirius." Lily said, "Otherwise he might find out some other way. I don't think you want Rhia telling him before you tell him yourself." April smiled.
"Ok, I'm going straight to Grimmauld place." April said. Lily grinned and hugged April.
"Night." She said. April started over the cold grounds. She'd cleaned up and was wearing some of Lily's clothes. Once she got to the gates of Hogwarts she could apparate. She felt some nervousness, how was Sirius going to react to her actually being alive when he thought she was dead. April took a few deep breaths as she got to the gates. She took one step out and apparated straight to Grimmauld place, causing someone to scream and drop a plate. April frowned and turned around as Jenny turned around. Both women grinned.
"April!" Jenny screamed as they went into an embrace.
"Jenny, it's so good to see you." April said. Jenny broke away.
"I heard that you were still alive, I didn't think, oh Merlin, you've got the Death Eaters in such confusion, it's funny." Jenny said. April laughed and hugged Jenny again.
"Where's Sirius?" April asked. Jenny nodded up the stairs.
"In his room." Jenny said, "He rarely comes out except to go to work." April nodded. "Go see him, now!" Jenny said pushing April out of the kitchen. April laughed and nodded.
"Alright, alright." She laughed as she went up the stairs of Grimmauld place. She went up the stairs and down the first landing. She knocked on a door.
"Go 'way" came the reply.
"Sirius." April said, "It's me" There was some shuffling in the room. The door opened and Sirius looked at April. His eyes went wide, his face white and he slammed the door. April frowned slightly.
"Sirius?" April asked.
"You're a ghost, I know you are," He said. April opened the door and pushed it open. Sirius was standing in the middle of the room with his palms pressed against his face. April closed the door gently behind her and went to Sirius. She held Sirius' wrists and he flinched.
"You're trying to trick me." He said, he sounded like he was ready to start sobbing.
"Sirius, it's me." April said pulling Sirius' hands away from his face. Sirius had looked much better then this. He had just let himself go. Sirius looked at April and she stared right back. April fought back tears herself. Sirius pulled April into the tightest hug ever. April didn't mind as she held Sirius as tightly as she could. She'd missed his strong arms. The smell of him, the feel of his body. Neither adult wanted to let go of each other. Sirius pressed his mouth against April's freshly washed hair.
"You're really alive." He whispered. April lifted her head and gently touched Sirius' lips with hers. Sirius pulled her closer, if that was possible and pulled April into a fiercely passionate kiss. After the kiss they found themselves on the bed. Sirius brushed some of April's blond hair away from her face and smiled.
"You look awful." April said with a laugh.
"I know." Sirius said, "You did this to me." He said as he kissed April again.
"I didn't mean to." April said quietly. "I tripped."
"Into the sea?" Sirius asked. April nodded. "You are amazing, you know that." He said.
"I know." April said. She pulled Sirius' shirt off him and kissed his chest. Sirius pulled April into a deep kiss. She wrapped her arms around him as he reached for her top. "Be careful, this is Lily's top" She breathed between kisses. Sirius nodded as he kissed April. He broke away for a moment and unbuttoned April's shirt slowly. He looked into April's light brown eyes. He had memorised those eyes and had dreamt of them everyday since he'd been told that she'd died. He felt April's hands at his trousers. She broke eye contact with him first and sat up. She pulled herself free and began buttoning up her shirt again.
"April?" Sirius asked confused.
"You can't" She said. Sirius looked at her confused.
"Why?"
"Because..." April frowned. Sirius lowered April's hands and took April's shirt off. All over her body, across her chest on her stomach were fresh scars and healing wounds. Sirius' eyes widened.
"April, what happened?" Sirius asked, he looked at April. She couldn't look at him. Sirius sat next to April and tried to get her to look at him.
"It's from when I hit the rocks" April said quietly. Sirius pulled April closer as she took a few unsteady breaths.
"It's ok." Sirius said in his usual comforting voice. April pressed herself against Sirius' bare chest and let him hold her.
"I didn't want you to see them." April said. "I knew this would happen if I came back to you and not all the cuts have healed." Sirius looked at April's body and ran his fingers over some of them. He looked at her back, there was a rather pink line running down her back.
"What happened?" Sirius asked. April looked into Sirius' concerned eyes.
"It was the rocks." April said. "I don't know how many I must have hit but whatever happened in the water...I came out covered in cuts, bruises broken limbs, ribs. I'm so glad you hadn't seen me then." Sirius frowned then relaxed slightly.
"I don't care what you look like. As long as you're ok." He said.
"Sirius, I care what I look like. Since I was about thirteen my body...it's like, it's like the one thing that I've been remotely proud of. Now look at it!" April said indicating to her chest and stomach. "It's covered in-" She couldn't continue,
"I love it. No matter what it looks like April, it's just your body. Whether you're pregnant, disfigured or missing limbs, I'll still love you and your body." Sirius said. April looked at Sirius. He was looking at her earnestly. She smiled slightly and pressed herself against Sirius. "We'll have sex tomorrow." He said after a few minutes silence. April started laughing and Sirius grinned.
"You're not angry with me then?" April asked.
"Why would I be April?" He asked.
"Because I went to see Lily first." April said. Sirius thought for a moment.
"Nope. I'm sure you had your reasons." Sirius said. They sat in silence for a few minutes before April kissed Sirius on the lips.
"Why wait until tomorrow to have sex." She said. Sirius grinned and pulled April onto the bed on top of him. April laughed and kissed his chest and let her hands creep down Sirius' chest and abdomen to his trousers. The button was already undone from earlier. She unzipped his flies and started pulling them down along with his boxers he wore underneath. Sirius helped her to take his trousers off them rolled over so that April was under him. Soon her clothes had all gone and they were kissing and touching each other like they'd just discovered how to do it.
Harry was walking through the library stacks of the Hogwarts library. He didn't know what part of the library he was in. He was walking towards a section he knew. The Forbidden section. Where the books that the Students weren't allowed to look at were kept. He went through the stacks and went to a section of books then to one particular book but he couldn't read the name of the book.
Harry woke up slowly. His scar was searing with pain but he didn't couldn't move. He closed his eyes tightly and tried to ignore the pain. He felt the weight of Rhia's body next to him. The room was still pitch black. He took a few deep breaths and pulled Rhia slightly closer to him. She muttered slightly as she slept. Harry kept her close as he tried to sleep again but he kept thinking of his dream. It was similar to the dreams he'd been having the previous year. He had to ignore it or he'd end up killing another person he loved. He wasn't going to pay any heed to this dream. Tell no one and nothing bad would happen.
Jenny was sitting at a table in The Leaky Cauldron. She was getting out of the house to give April and Sirius some room before they began packing to go back to their house in Godric's hollow. Jenny really had nothing to do. She wasn't intending on going back into the Death Eater fold but she knew she would have to go back eventually or if worse came to the worse she'd have to go into hiding. She could always stay at Grimmauld place, that was hidden from everyone except the order. She stared at her tea and sighed.
"Jenny Lupin?" Came a voice. Jenny ignored the voice and moved her hand closer to her cloak pocket where her wand was. Someone came round and sat in front of her. She looked at the man surprisingly.
"Percy?" She asked. He smiled shyly and took off his hornrimmed glasses. He wiped them with the edge of his shirt and put them back on. "What are you doing here?"
"Jenny, I need your help." He said. Jenny frowned. "I know you probably don't trust me and I regret everything I did last year but please hear me out. My parents will listen to you and not to me. There's a rumour going around the Ministry, well, around certain people, that my family are in danger. Could you tell them to go into hiding?" He asked. Jenny looked at him slightly surprised.
"If you tell them then-"
"No, you have to tell them. I'm not allowed near them. I've already tried. Bill ended up nearly cursing me. And tell them Fleur Delacour is in danger as well. Anyone who knows Harry is in danger." He said.
"You're smart aren't you?" Jenny asked. Percy didn't look at Jenny. "We're all aware of the dangers. Fleur has put charms and protections around her apartment. Bill and your parents are safe at the house."
"But-" Jenny pulled Percy closer.
"I'm more aware of what's going on in Voldemort's forces then you, ok Percy, go back to doing what you do best. Go and suck up to the old minister." Jenny said. Percy looked at Jenny.
"I've been dismissed." Percy said.
"Why's that?" Jenny asked. Percy shifted uncomfortably.
"Um...I-I accidentally let some Death Eaters into the ministry last year." Percy said. "And it allowed you-know-who to get in." Jenny looked at Percy before standing up.
"Percy just go home." She said. "There's nothing you can do. Leave this to the adults."
"I am an adult." Percy said indignantly.
"You would like to think that." Jenny said. "But you aren't ready for these kind of responsibilities. I'll talk to James to let you have a job at the ministry but just don't get involved in this business, just do whatever it is you do." Jenny said. Percy nodded quickly and twisted his hands. Jenny was about to leave when Percy called her back.
"What is it?" Jenny said, her patience was waning.
"I'm sorry." He said, "About Remus and April."
"Oh." Jenny said. "Um, thanks but it's ok. I'm over it." Jenny said. Percy nodded quickly and left the Leaky Cauldron. Jenny walked slowly out into Diagon Alley. She pulled her cloak about her and looked around. She thought of Remus, but strangely, unlike in the past it wasn't as painful as it used to be to think about him. Maybe she was accepting the fact he was no longer around. She sighed and disapparated out of Diagon Alley. She found herself in the lobby of the ministry. She made her way towards James' office. Did he know that April was alive yet? Jenny reckoned there was only one way to find out. She vaguely wondered whether there was a replacement head Auror yet. Jenny was in front of James' door when there was a quick coughing behind her.
"Hem Hem" someone coughed. Jenny turned and looked at a short woman. She was slightly chubby and had eyes that stuck out slightly like a frog. Her fingers were short, stubby and fat.
"Do I know you?" Jenny asked.
"May I ask what you are doing here? You are not a member of the ministry."
"Excuse me but I believe that I asked you a question first, wait...Umbridge?" Jenny asked. Umbridge nodded her head.
"Now, answer my question." She said.
"I've come to visit James Potter." Jenny said. She was about to open the door when-
"Have you got an appointment?" Umbridge asked.
"No. I don't need one." Jenny said.
"Yes you do. Now please leave the building before I make you." Umbridge said.
"I'd like to see you try." Jenny said. She knocked on the door. James opened it up and saw Umbridge glaring at Jenny.
"Come in Jenny. Dolores, please continue with your work." James said coldly. Umbridge glared at him.
"The ministry was so much better run when Fudge was minister" She said.
"The ministry may have been better run, but more people were dying and blissfully unaware of Voldemort's return, now get on with regulating werewolves and vampires." James said. James took Jenny's arm and pulled her into his office. He closed the door. Someone was sitting by his desk. It was a man who was bowed over some parchment.
"Who's that?" Jenny asked quietly.
"New Head Auror." James said. "We're going over plans for Auror Recruitment and the most effective ways of getting Death Eaters." Jenny nodded. James indicated for Jenny to follow him to his desk. The man looked up and looked at Jenny. Jenny was slightly surprised that the man was quite free of any injuries. He had light brown hair and pale blue eyes. Apart from his eyes, he reminded Jenny of Remus.
"Jenny, this is Dwight Turpin" James said. "Dwight this is my good friend Jenny Lupin." Dwight smiled and offered his hand
"Nice to meet you." He said. Jenny took his hand and shook it.
"So what have you decided?" James asked. Dwight looked at Jenny uncertainly before turning back to his parchments.
"Well since April's unforeseen death, the department has been in chaos, but you already knew that. But it's getting back on it's feet. We'll have to resume the training of the new trainees. We could take in some trainees that are slightly older but no older then thirty, otherwise they may be too old." Dwight said. James nodded.
"Oh, James, I really need to talk to you about April." Jenny said. James looked at Jenny.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Well, um..." Jenny frowned slightly. "She's alive." James looked at her.
"No it's not possible." James said.
"No seriously! If you don't believe me go to Grimmauld place. She's there with Sirius at the moment." Jenny said.
"Oh thank Merlin." Dwight said. "She can take back her position."
"You're serious?" James asked. Jenny nodded. James grinned. "Brilliant. I'll go and visit them later. So now we have our head auror back." He said.
"I'll finish off this job then I'll stand down." Dwight said. James nodded and sat down. "Also, I was talking to some of the Rank II aurors, and we've agreed that maybe we should try and recruit a few creatures for a while. Like try and get the Goblins on our side, maybe a few Vampires." He said. James looked Jenny.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"Well, if you're trying to get Death Eaters, I don't mind being used." Jenny said. "I mean, that's what I've been doing since the summer." Jenny sat down in a spare chair. Dwight looked at them confused.
"Jenny works undercover for me." James said, noting Dwight's confusion. "She's inside Voldemort's inner circle." Dwight nodded and looked at Jenny suspiciously.
"How do you know we can trust her then?" Dwight asked.
"Because she's been my friend since we were eleven?" James asked Jenny.
"Don't push your luck." Jenny said with a smirk. James smiled.
"Ok, seventeen." James said, "And she was feeling suicidal at the time." Jenny shrugged at that comment.
"In which case, would you like to join the Auror Ranks?" Dwight asked.
"No, it's ok. I work separately." Jenny said. "James, I've been meaning to ask your advice." She said.
"What's that?"
"I've been asked to kill Lily, well, ordered to kill her" Jenny said. James frowned. "And I was wondering what you think I should do? I was going to wait until our next meeting but now seems as good a time as any to ask you" James nodded.
"I think you should wait until out next main meeting." James said. Jenny nodded and sat back. "Is April ok?" James asked after a few seconds.
"Yeah, she's perfectly fine. She was wearing some of Lily's clothes yesterday, so I think your wife knew she was alive all along." James looked at Jenny curiously.
"Why wouldn't she tell me?" James asked.
"Because of her bond with April?" Jenny asked.
"So April's fit enough to go back on duty?" Dwight asked.
"I don't know." Jenny said. There was another knock on the door. James' secretary came running in.
"Sir, Regulation of Magical Creatures needs you now. There's something wrong with their files." He said. James nodded and got up.
"I'll be back in about half an hour. Jenny, do you want to come round for Dinner later?" James asked.
"Yeah, ok"
"Invite Sirius and April as well." James said before leaving the room. Jenny leant back in her seat. She was vaguely aware of Dwight looking at her. Jenny looked at him.
"Yes?" She asked.
"You're not English but you have an English surname." He said.
"I'm Chinese." Jenny said, "My husband died last July." Dwight scowled.
"Oh, how have you coped with it?" Dwight asked. Jenny lifted her arm to show him a bright dark mark on her arm. "Oh, yeah." He said. "Well, I suppose we all have our own ways of coping."
"Why do you say that?" Jenny asked.
"My wife died a year ago." Dwight said. "I have a daughter at Hogwarts called Lisa." Jenny nodded. What should she do? Just keep talking. Best idea.
"I have a son in Hogwarts, he's the head boy." She said almost proudly. Dwight smiled.
"You must be so proud."
"I am, he hasn't had the easiest of life and most of the school doesn't like him." Jenny said. Dwight nodded hesitantly.
"Why?" He asked.
"He has a...thing that makes him different from everyone else." Jenny said. Dwight nodded. "What year is your daughter in?"
"Sixth year Ravenclaw." He said.
"In Harry's year." Jenny said. Dwight nodded. "Well I really should get going." Jenny said. "People may get a bit suspicious if I stay for too long." Dwight stood up and offered a hand to help Jenny up. Jenny took it and stood up.
"I'll hopefully see you around." Dwight said. Jenny smiled slightly and nodded.
"Yeah, it'll be nice." She said. Dwight smiled and Jenny left the office. She left the ministry and stepped out into Muggle London. She pulled her jacket around her tightly. She found herself thinking that Dwight wasn't that bad looking and generally quite nice. She shook her head. No, she was in love with Remus. But Remus was dead, he'd fallen through the veil and it wasn't unusual for people to start falling for other people after their loved ones died.
"But I don't want to see anyone else" Jenny told herself angrily. She was getting angry with herself. This was only the first time she'd ever met Dwight. She sighed and found a quiet place to Apparate to Godric's Hollow. She'd stay there for the afternoon. James wouldn't mind. She got the heating going and lit a fire in the fireplace. The house was quite cold and looked as though no one had actually been in it for a while.
A/N:-Ok, from now on, I will update sundays and thursdays, deffinately. I've just started chapter 35 and i'm on christmas day, so i think that's about 2 or 3 updates a week :D I'm sooooo happy with my story. THANK YOU all for making me change my story line but this story line i'm working on atm is something i've had planned since i started writing Beyond the End . IT's going soooooooooooo well! I get to have my revenge on all you HArry/Rhia shippers and i discovered that i can't actually physically write a Ron/Hermione Scene sooooo anyone who can write to the same kinda level as me AND is a Ron/Hermione shipper. I NEEED your help! DESPERATELY!! I have a scene in chapter 33 that i really need to recitfy so this is my plea! Anyway, i'm tired, i want to sleep and I'm only updating cause a) I'm late with teh update b)I'm in HP mood cause i got PRisoner of Azkaban DVD, again...BRILLIANT movie but i'm really disappoited at how they made the werewolf Lupin...grr...he don't look like a damned werewolf! But the DementorS!! OMG!! scary! I was feeling emotional before watching the movie, i think i must have started crying like a hundred times in that movie today! Ah well....till sunday :) take care and happy thanksgiving to you americans...I'm not sure when it is but i'll say it anyway.