Harry nearly shouted with anger as he got caught under another piece of 'cursed' mistletoe. Even Hermione and Ron were getting fed up of having to stop and kiss the girl before carrying on.
"Oh hurry up Harry!" Ron muttered.
"I can't help it!" Harry said. He turned to Lavender Brown. "I'm so sorry about this." He said. She looked equally as annoyed that she was stuck. Harry quickly kissed her and then ran off with Ron and Hermione.
"The sooner we get back into the common room the better. There's no mistletoe there!" Harry said.
"You know, have you noticed Harry's the only one who ever gets stuck under the mistletoe?" Hermione said. Ron stopped dead.
"Do you want me to kiss you?" Ron asked slightly perplexed and worried. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"As nice as that would actually be Ron, I think someone is trying to get Harry into trouble." Hermione said. Ron and Harry started laughing
"With mistletoe?" Harry laughed. Hermione looked at the two boys, obviously irritated.
"Laugh all you want." Hermione said, "I'm just saying that nothing is impossible!" Ron laughed even harder.
"Coming back from the dead is impossible!" Ron laughed. Hermione huffed slightly and turned on her heel. She stormed off down the corridor, leaving Harry laughing and Ron with his mouth open in shock. "What did I say?" Ron asked, he looked at Harry. Harry shrugged.
"Beats me." He told Ron. "But you know Hermione, she gets a bit stressed when we laugh at her plans. She'll be alright by dinner." Harry said. Ron and Harry came to the portrait of the fat lady.
"Portagus" Ron said. The Fat lady opened up and Ginny came running out.
"Ron! What did you do this time?" Ginny ordered.
"What? Nothing!" Ron said defensively. "What did I do?" he added. Ginny rolled her eyes and turned to Harry.
"What did he say to Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"Nothing, just that coming back from the dead was impossible." Harry said. Ginny shook her head and turned to go but let out a short yelp of pain.
"Uh oh-" Ron muttered as he looked up. Ginny and Harry looked up as well.
"Holy Merlin! What is up with these things!" Harry shouted.
"Just get it over with." Ron grumbled. Harry sighed and leant to kiss Ginny. Ron was getting very slightly red. He obviously didn't like the thought of Ginny kissing anyone, let alone his best friend. Harry was quite surprised that Ginny was actually kissing back for longer then was necessary. Ron ended up pulling Ginny away.
"Alright, that's enough, come on Harry." Ron said marching into the common room. Ginny gave Harry a smile and walked off as Harry went into the common room. "We're not going back out there at all!" Ron said.
"Fine by me." Harry said. "I hate mistletoe!" He sat down on one of the sofas.
"Why's that?" Came Rhia's voice. Harry's eyes widened in shock and he looked at Ron, who nodded very slightly. Harry turned around and looked over the back of the sofa. Rhia was standing just behind them. She had a few flakes of snow in her hair and on her clothes. Harry saw Emma, Kara and the other girls from their room talking as they came into the common room.
"Rhia." He said with a grin. Rhia gave him a funny look. Harry pulled her over the sofa, causing Rhia to laugh. He held her next to her protectively.
"Why do you hate mistletoe?" Rhia asked, kissing Harry's cheek. Ron got up from his seat.
"Well I'm off. Got a little homework to do before tomorrow." Ron said before heading quickly to the stairs to the boys dormitory. Rhia watched him curiously.
"What's wrong with Ron?" She asked.
"Nothing." Harry said quickly. Rhia gave him a curious look. Harry offered her a nervous smile, suddenly very glad that Rhia wasn't able to read his thoughts. She seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt as she pulled off her scarf.
"Guess what happened earlier?" Rhia said. Harry took her scarf.
"What?"
"Your dad beat up Snape." Rhia said with a grin. Harry looked at Rhia amazed.
"He didn't!" Harry asked. Rhia nodded. She took off her jacket. "Why?"
"Snape tried to rape your mum." Rhia said with a frown.
"WHAT!" Harry shouted, drawing attention from many people in the room. Rhia put a hand over Harry's mouth as he started ranting.
"Harry, sh!" Rhia said, "Lily is ok, she went home. Madame Pomfrey is back" Rhia said, this was followed by a quick kiss on the lips, which shut Harry up.
"Is mum ok?" Harry asked.
"She's fine. Snape's been suspended." Rhia said. "Until next term anyway." Harry couldn't help grinning. He really hated Snape with a vengence.
"But mum is alright isn't she?" Harry asked, trying to sound worried, but the news that Snape had been suspended suppressed any worry. Rhia grinned and shrugged off her jacket. She rested on Harry.
"Don't worry, I'm so happy that Snape got suspended as well." She said with a grin. Harry wrapped his arms around Rhia and played with her scarf.
"So what happened?" Harry asked, "Like what did dad do?" He said. Rhia smirked and began telling him what she'd seen. All the while Harry played with her scarf and felt progressively more guilty about not telling her about the mistletoe kisses. He knew he should tell her but at the same time he knew he'd hurt her by telling her. It wasn't his fault he was forced to kiss eight, no nine girls because of the stupid mistletoe. Maybe Hermione had a point with the mistletoe thing. Harry held Rhia slightly closer. She'd understand wouldn't she? That it was just mistletoe, he didn't kiss anyone willingly. Harry bit his lip uncertainly and stayed quiet. When Rhia had finished telling him about Snape he just stayed quiet and she let him stay in his thoughts.
"Hey, Rhia." Said someone who pulled Harry out of his thoughts. Rhia and Harry looked at a fifth year boy. He had messy blonde hair and Harry noticed him glancing at Rhia in a way he didn't like. Harry tightened his arms around Rhia. She looked at Harry and smiled at him.
"Yeah?" Rhia asked.
"My friends and I were wondering if Thriller was going to perform again. We would ask the others in the band but…well…" He glanced nervously at Harry. "You're the best looking." He said quickly. Harry took a sharp breath and Rhia looked vaguely surprised.
"Um…thanks" She said slightly stunned. She'd never been told she was better looking then Emma.
"So?" He asked
"We'll ask professor Dumbledore if we can perform again before the holidays. I know Emma and Kara want to get back up on stage again soon." Rhia said. The guy grinned.
"Great." He said. He turned and gave a thumbs up to his friends. Harry pulled Rhia closer, feeling suddenly a lot more protective over her. Rhia giggled.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
"I don't like the way he was looking at you." Harry said. Rhia laughed and gave him a kiss.
"I love you Harry." She said against his lips. "Nothing is going to change that." Harry pulled her in for another kiss.
"Good, because I don't want to lose you." Harry said. Rhia laughed as Harry's hands seemed to slip under her skirt.
"Uh oh." Kaylee said. Rhia and Harry broke apart quickly and looked at the twins.
"What do you want?" Rhia asked.
"Daddy's going to get so angry when he knows that Harry hand his hand-" Kaylee nodded to Rhia's skirt. Rhia closed her eyes slightly annoyed.
"But you aren't going to tell anyone are you?" Harry said like he was talking to a baby. Kaylee rolled her eyes.
"We're not babies." She said. Jessie suddenly tugged on Kaylee's arm and looked straight at Kaylee's eyes. Kaylee frowned and looked at Harry with a side-glance. Harry knew what they were thinking about. Rhia looked at Harry curiously. Kaylee looked at Harry with a dark look on her face.
"What's it worth Harry?" Kaylee said with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Rhia asked, "I'm your sister, you won't tell dad." Rhia said sternly.
"Well, we could tell dad, and Harry will be killed or we could not tell dad. But Harry's got to do something for us or we do something horrible." Kaylee said seriously.
"What are you talking about?" Rhia asked. Jessie bit her bottom lip to stop herself from saying something. Harry made a motion to her to stay quiet. Jessie looked ready to start laughing at any minute.
"Nothing." Kaylee said sweetly. "Harry, so?"
"Fine, I'll do whatever you want. Talk to me later." He muttered. Kaylee went up to Harry.
"Nice doing business with you." She said with her hand extended towards Harry. Harry rolled his eyes and shook her hand. Kaylee took Jessie's hand and they walked off.
"It's a pity that her injury didn't effect their connection" Rhia said, she turned to Harry. "What were they talking about?" She asked.
"Oh nothing" Harry said. He slipped out from under Rhia. "I have to plan the next Quidditch practice." He said before hurrying up to his dorm. He felt too uncomfortable to be around Rhia at that moment.
Jenny walked down Diagon Alley. It was rather empty. It always had been empty since there was the ban on the floo network. Most people were too scared to go out. Jenny pulled her coat about her tighter. She didn't know why she was coming down here. All she knew was that she had to pick something up for Sirius to give to Dumbledore. It was a complex thing but it had to be done. She came to an alley leading off Diagon Alley. Jenny looked around and went down it. It was a narrow alley, barley wide enough for her to walk sideways. She came out of the other side into a bigger alleyway. It was rather dark and smelt slightly of rotting food. She got out her wand and walked down the alleyway slowly. She heard someone shuffling their feet behind her. She turned quickly and pointed her wand at the figure.
"Yeh Jenny Lupin?" He asked.
"Depends on who's asking." Jenny said.
"I'm askin' yeh and if yeh' not Jenny Lupin I suggest you get ou' the alley." He said gruffly.
"Where is it?" She asked.
"I tol' yeh, only if yeh Jenny Lupin." He said.
"I'm Jenny Lupin." Jenny said.
"Prove it." He said. Jenny sighed and looked around the Alley way before lifting up the sleeve of her coat. She revealed the huge black dark mark on her arm. "Tha' don' prove a thing." He said.
"Ask me something then." Jenny said. The man grinned. Jenny could see a few teeth missing.
"'Ow did Remus Lupin die?" He asked. Jenny looked at him darkly. Of all the questions he could have asked, he had to ask that one. Jenny took a deep breath.
"He fell through a veil" Jenny muttered.
"Bingo, here yeh go." He said throwing the package at her. It was a brown wrapped package that was really very light. He suddenly melted into the darkness of the alley. Jenny tucked the package into her pocket and head back to Diagon Alley. Her mind was back on Remus again. Life was starting to resemble some form of normalness, or as normal as Jenny could get things. She walked out in Diagon Alley and looked herself over. She was still clean and presentable. She looked down the shopping area then head up towards the Leaky Cauldron. As she passed a shop selling Quidditch supplies when an auror came walking down towards her. She watched him and recognised the style of robes instantly. The Auror looked at her and smiled.
"Jenny." He said with a smile. Dwight's sparkling blue eyes were directed at her. Jenny smiled. She'd met Dwight a few more times in James' office over the past few weeks. They sometimes spent some time talking, but most of the time they just said hello to each other.
"Hi." She said quietly. Dwight put his hands into the pockets of his auror robes.
"What are you doing out on such a cold day?" He asked.
"Christmas shopping. I still haven't got my son anything." Jenny said. "I'm not entirely sure about what to get a seventeen year old boy." Dwight gave a short laugh.
"Try buying for a girl when you aren't one." Dwight said. Jenny smiled.
"So what are you doing out here in your robes and everything." Jenny said looking at Dwight's robes. She felt a slight feeling of resentment, those were April's robes. Or they should be hers. April had said she didn't want to be an auror anymore, choosing time with her family over making money. No one argued against her. Everyone thought that April deserved it.
"I have patrol." Dwight said. "Well, I don't have to be out here but I was hoping to bump into someone." He said. Jenny looked at him, a tiny alarm going off in her head.
"Did you bump into them?" Jenny asked.
"Yep." Dwight said with a smile. "Where are you headed?" He asked.
"The Leaky Cauldron." Jenny said to him. "Do you want to come and have a drink with me?" She asked. "I'm meeting Sirius and April there."
"That sounds great." Dwight said with a smile. He offered Jenny his arm and she hesitated slightly before putting a hand on his arm and letting him lead the way.
April kissed Sirius again as he tried to take a drink. Sirius grinned and put a hand on April's face.
"Are you ever going to let me have a sip of this butterbeer?" He asked. April laughed slightly.
"Never." She said as she pulled him into another kiss. Sirius grinned as she did and pulled her closer to him. She held onto the front of his shirt as they kissed in the middle of the Leaky Cauldron. When they broke away Sirius grinned at her.
"I'm so glad you're alive!" Sirius said. April laughed.
"So am I." She said. "I missed you so much when I was in the water." They were about to kiss again when the door opened and Jenny came in. April looked up and raised her eyebrows. Jenny was with a man who looked a little like Remus. They were talking and laughing. Jenny was actually laughing and smiling! She was with another man! April frowned slightly.
"Who's that?" Sirius growled to April.
"Um, I think he's my replacement." April said.
"How do you know?" Sirius asked
"His robes." April said. Sirius looked at the man's robes. What was Jenny doing with another man? She was Remus' and Remus' only! She couldn't date anyone else. Was she really over Remus' death so quickly!
"What is she doing with him?" Sirius growled. April looked at Sirius.
"She's trying to get on with her life." April said.
"But if you died I would never go out with anyone ever again." Sirius said. "I wouldn't even consider it." He said. April looked at Sirius and cupped his face with her hand.
"I know." She said kissing his other cheek. Jenny sat down in the seat opposite them.
"Do you mind if I join or do you want more privacy?" Jenny asked. April smiled at her and indicated that she didn't mind either way. Jenny rolled her eyes and sat down. "You don't mind if Dwight joins us do you?"
"Yes-" Sirius started to say but April stamped on his foot. "-Of course we don't mind." He said. Jenny looked at April as Sirius bent under the table. April just gave a forced smile.
"Dwight Turpin." April said. "You were Rank II?" She asked. Dwight nodded and sat down next to Jenny.
"Yeah. You don't mind that I took your job do you?" Dwight asked. April shook her head.
"Of course not. I want to spend more time with my family anyway." April said. Dwight smiled hesitantly. Sirius leant onto the table and looked at Dwight.
"So." Sirius said. Dwight looked at Jenny curiously. Jenny shrugged.
"So what?" Dwight said slowly.
"Family?" Sirius asked.
"One daughter in Hogwarts." Dwight answered. Sirius frowned.
"Wife?" Sirius asked.
"She um, she died last year." Dwight said. Sirius' frown disappeared and was replaced by a scowl.
"Oh, I'm sorry." He said, leaning back.
"It's ok." Dwight said. April looked at Jenny and motioned for her to get rid of Dwight.
"Um, Dwight, could you get some drinks for us please?" Jenny asked Dwight. He smiled.
"Of course, What do you want?" He asked.
"Butterbeer will be fine." Jenny said. "Here, let me pay-"
"No it's fine. I've got this." He said with a smile before heading to the bar.
"Have you got the package?" Sirius asked. Jenny quickly reached into her pocket and got out the small wrapped package.
"Here." She said passing it to Sirius quickly. Sirius took it and put it into his trouser pocket.
"What's the deal with this Auror shit?" He asked, nodding to Dwight, who was standing by the bar. April hit him around the head.
"Auror shit?" She asked, "Are you forgetting I was head auror and James was an auror?" Sirius gave her an apologetic look. April shook her head and turned to Jenny. "Are you and Dwight dating?" April asked.
"No." Jenny said, "I just bumped into him in Diagon Alley and we came for a drink" Jenny said innocently. April was growing slightly frustrated. Jenny had her mental defences up so she couldn't read her mind.
"What about Remus?" Sirius asked. Jenny thought for a while. She had to answer carefully.
"I think…" Jenny said slowly. "That maybe, I should try and gain some kind of normality in my life. Without Bo around it's hard to think about anything but Remus." Jenny said.
"So you date the first auror you see?" Sirius asked. April hit him again. "Ow. You're strong!" April sneered at Sirius in a mocking fashion and looked away.
"Well, I've seen him a few times before at James' office. You know I'm effectively working there now." Jenny said, "I sit in on his and James meetings. And he's helping me keep my mind off Remus." April sighed and reached across the table. She took one of Jenny's cold hands. She smiled slightly.
"As long as you're happy Jenny. I just want to see you happy and I have to admit that you haven't looked so happy since Remus-" She stopped before she upset Jenny. Jenny smiled and gave April's hand a slight squeeze.
"He reminds me a little of Remus." Jenny said. She turned around and looked at Dwight. April looked as well. Dwight had gotten into a conversation with Tom the bartender.
"I thought that too." April said. She looked at Sirius, who was grumbling to himself. "What?" She asked.
"I don't like it." Sirius said. He sat up. "You can't date someone who isn't Remus." He said to Jenny. "You and Remus were meant for each other and you made him a promise to him that you'd love him till death do you part." April hit Sirius again. "OW! April!" He said rubbing the back of his head
"Were you born insensitive?" April asked. Sirius looked vaguely confused. Jenny sat silently as she looked at Sirius. Sirius turned to look at Jenny.
"What?" He asked. "It's the truth though!"
"And what happened to Remus, Sirius?" Jenny asked silently. She was playing with a ring on her finger. It was her engagement ring.
"He died." Sirius said.
"Exactly." Jenny said. "He's not coming back. Can't I at least be a little happy?" She asked.
"Yeah but-" Sirius stopped. He felt a weight against his heart for even bringing this up. He should have kept his doubts to himself.
"I'll see you two soon." Jenny said getting to her feet.
"Jenny." April said standing up. April followed Jenny and stopped her. "Sirius is being really insensitive. We're really pleased that you found someone new but…you know, Sirius, Remus and James were best friends. Sirius is finding it difficult that you found someone new so soon." April said. Jenny sighed dejectedly.
"I know that and you can tell Sirius that Dwight and I aren't dating, we're just friends." Jenny said. April looked at her slightly sceptically.
"Are you sure it's nothing more?" She asked.
"Deadly sure." Jenny said. April nodded and gave Jenny a hug.
"Do you want us to pick up Bo next weekend?" She asked Jenny.
"No, it's fine. I'll go pick him up." Jenny said. April smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Don't get up to anything too naughty." April said as she returned to Sirius. Jenny smiled at April and shook her head. She started out of the door again before remembering Dwight. She turned around and went to the bar.
"Hey." Jenny said. Dwight looked at her.
"Hey, you going anywhere?" Dwight asked.
"Yeah, I was thinking of headed home." Jenny said. Dwight frowned.
"Oh, any reason why?" He asked.
"No, I just don't feel like being here anymore." Jenny said. "I'll see you soon?" She asked. Dwight shook his head.
"Here, let me go with you. It's really unsafe out there." Dwight said. He left a few bronze pieces on the counter and left with Jenny. They went out into Diagon Alley.
"Sorry about Sirius. He's a bit touchy on certain things." Jenny said.
"It's ok. He's just looking out for your own good." Dwight said. "Though I always thought he'd be a lot nicer." He said. Jenny smiled.
"He usually is. It's just that my husband was one of his best friends and he doesn't like seeing me with another man." Jenny said.
"Well I'm hardly going to force you to do anything am I?" Dwight said with a smile. Jenny laughed.
"That's what I tried to tell him. Oh, do you mind if we stop here for a moment?" Jenny asked as she stopped outside a shop that had Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes on the front. Dwight looked at the shop apprehensively.
"Um…sure." He said. Jenny pushed open the door but didn't go in. A shower of water fell onto the spot she would have been if she hadn't stayed where she was. A eighteen year old boy came running into the shop.
"Jenny Lupin!" He said crossing his arms and doing a good impression of his mum. "How dare you make such a mess in my shop?" Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Good afternoon George." She said. George grinned and helped Jenny over the puddle of water.
"What may I do for you?" George asked. He eyed Dwight suspiciously as he came in after Jenny.
"I need a present for Orion or the Black twins." Jenny said. She picked up something that looked like a quill.
"Oh, We have the perfect thing. We've nearly finished it but we'll send it to you when we're done." George said. "Who are you?" George asked Dwight.
"Dwight Turpin. You must be George Weasley?" Dwight asked holding out his hand. George took it.
"Yes."
"I've heard many stories about you. My daughter loves you two." He said. George beamed.
"Thank you." He said.
"Um, Jenny, are you done now?" Dwight asked politely.
"Yeah, I just wanted to come in to say hi." Jenny said. "Say hi to your brother for me." She said to George.
"Ok." George said. "Merry Christmas." He said. Jenny smiled at him and left the shop. Dwight following.
"You know those two?" Dwight asked. Jenny nodded.
"Of course." Jenny said with a laugh. "I've known them since they were about seven years old. A handful at the best of times." She said.
"I'm sure." Dwight said. Jenny looked at Dwight.
"You don't seem very happy about it." She said.
"Well from what my daughter says they seem dangerous." Dwight said.
"They are. Once they turned their little sister into a Smurf." Jenny said.
"A what?" He asked.
"A Smurf?" Jenny asked, "A little blue person about six inches high" Jenny said.
"Oh, right." Dwight said clearly confused. Jenny laughed and linked arms with him.
"Don't worry, it's a muggle thing." Jenny said. Dwight smiled and put his arm around Jenny's shoulders. Jenny tensed for a moment. Dwight gave her a smile and led her a down an alley that opened out into Muggle London.
"So where's your house?" Dwight asked
"Ten minutes from Kings Cross" Jenny said.
"Alright." He said. He led the way through London, he got a few weird stares from some people because of his robes. Jenny suggested he changed into something more Muggle. He just smiled and she laughed.
"Are you ashamed of being what you are?" He asked.
"No, I just don't like drawing attention to myself." Jenny said.
"Ok," He said. "Wait here for a moment." Jenny waited while. She went to the nearest newsagent and went in to buy herself a drink of water. When she came out Dwight was looking around vaguely confused. Her breath caught in her throat. He was wearing a black turtleneck under a tan coloured jacket. He wore some very nice fitting jeans. Dwight found her and smiled. Jenny pulled herself together again and smiled.
"I thought you'd run off." He said.
"No, just thirsty." Jenny said. Dwight smiled. They started walking again. They didn't really talk much as they went to Grimmauld place. Jenny was aware that Dwight wouldn't be able to see the house so she told him she could make her way from the corner of the street.
"I had fun." Jenny said, almost nervously.
"Me too, I'd love to meet up again." Dwight said. Jenny smiled and shrugged casually.
"I think I should be able to do that if I'm not too busy." Jenny said.
"We'll see each other at the Ministry then." Dwight said. Jenny nodded.
"Yeah." She said. There was a slight awkward silence between them. Jenny felt like kicking herself for letting it get to that stage so quickly.
"Well, I better go." Jenny said. She started turning to go back when Dwight took her hand. Jenny looked at Dwight and soon his lips were against hers. She didn't resist against him and let him pull her closer. How she missed being kissed by someone! She missed Remus' kisses, certainly! But Jenny missed general intimacy with someone. She broke the kiss after a while. She gave Dwight a quick shy smile.
"I'll see you soon." She said. Dwight smiled.
"Definitely." He said. Jenny turned and headed back to number twelve Grimmauld place. A small smile playing on her face until an incredible wave of guilt struck her for effectively cheating on Remus.
A/N:-By the way, I've been reading some of To The End, so the adults may act a bit more like their teenage selves, i loved writing their characters....i've said it before and i'll say it again...I miss To The End...Anyway, I'm liking hte beginning of the next chapter. It's got Remus in it :D You'll see why. I'm still very ill, incredibly hungry..i can't eat :( The one weekend that i can't eat i go to 3 of my fav restaurants and Dad cooks my favourite meal :( Never mind, i will FORCE myself to eat it, even if it kills my throat to do so...I WILL EAT!! but then after nearly 3 days of not eating, i'm wondering how much i can actually manage..oh well. Hope you liked this chapter, it was fun to write. You'll start to see Sirius' more sensitive side come out more often, a side that my beta reader calls and i quote 'soooo sweet' even when he's trying to kill some people.