Awakening

by Stardust3 ANNOYED WAUG.2nd

AU. For seventeen years they've been apart but now she's back and so is Black. When it all comes together it just might prove deadly. And to complicate an already twisted love story, a poem reawakens a murderous spirit. Sequel to The Last Laugh. FINISHED.

2. Past Acquaintances

Awakening Chapter Two: Midnights (A/N: I am totally at a loss for a title. A lot of this takes place at night.) By Star*dust

"Can you believe this letter?" Harry asked Ron that evening. The letter from Kirsten M. Elizabeth Star had been on his mind constantly. He had really received "fan mail" before and it was creepy to think that she would be going to the same school as he was.

It was however rather flattering, but mostly it was just creepy. Imagine that YOU get a letter from someone you never met confessing their undying love for you. *shudders*

"So what are you going to do?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. How do you reply to something like this?" He asked. "And she's coming to the school."

"Did you catch the look on Sirius's face this morning? Something pissed him off,"

"I know, but I haven't really been able to talk to him about anything today. You're family is all going nuts over him. Fred and George think he is the coolest thing since I came six years ago. And Ginny is a little apprehensive about him, which I don't blame her. Your father doesn't really like him but he has an awful lot of questions and Percy is rather fascinated with him. I mean, imagine bringing up how to cook a rat at dinner! Then there is Bill, who acts as if he and Sirius are brothers. I don't understand it. It's so strange, the whole situation.

Ron, I can't help think that I am leading the strangest life of anyone in the entire country. Would you believe that?" Just then Fred burst through Ron's window, rolled over the bed and nearly onto a stunned Harry's lap.

"Yeah, I'll believe it," Ron muttered.

* * *

*Why the hell am I still here?* Sirius thought. He should have been sleeping but was quite used to being deprived of that luxury. This morning's events had kind of put him ill at ease. Mrs. Weasley was right that he should stay far away from Hogwarts.but.

A sound on the stair caught his attention. Looking that direction he saw a trim figure emerge. It was that of a woman, but definitely not Mrs. Weasley, no offense to her though. Ginny wasn't cloaked, which would have been wise for sneaking about, but he could hardly blame her for not wearing one in the heat of August.

She was looking his way to determine whether he was awake or not but he lie still. Then very cautiously she crept out of the house.

*What the hell is she up to?* Sirius wondered. He had never taken her for a trouble-maker before. Oh well, it really wasn't any of his business.

Pausing only briefly on the landing Ginny stealthily sneaked outside where she was promptly intercepted by Draco Malfoy. "What the-" Ginny began but Draco silenced her easily.

Later, when they had found a spot more suitable for talking Ginny began again. "What were you doing?" She questioned.

"Looking for you, you were late," He stated. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You needn't panic when I'm two minutes late, Draco, especially when I'm in my own house." Draco still seemed rather unconvinced. "Oh, wait I forgot, Percy is going to sneak out of his room and take me hostage and force me to listen to him lecture until I die of boredom. Honestly," She said sarcastically.

"Hey, that could happen," Draco said rather seriously. "Either that or your other brother-"

"Which one?"

"The one with the red hair," Draco said sarcastically, and Ginny rolled her eyes again. "Weasley would probably blind you with his shiny head boy badge,"

"Percy doesn't wear his head boy badge anymore, dear," Ginny said slowly.

"Is his name really Percy? I thought it was something with an.an R,"

"No, that would be Ron, you know Harry Potter's best friend,"

"Yeah, that's the one,"

"Yeah," Ginny said agreeing, glad that they had now straightened the whole name thing out. "Wait.Ron is not head boy; he's in your year,"

"Exactly," Draco said agreeing, glad that they had now straightened the whole name thing out.

"Exactly what?" Ginny asked, really confused.

"Ron is head boy, and therefore he can blind you with his shiny head boy badge,"

"WHAT?" Ginny cried. "OK, Draco, Ron is my youngest brother. He's the one in your year, the one who dated Hermione Granger, the one who is always with Harry, that Weasley, not Percy, he WAS head boy but he's not in Hogwarts anymore,"

Draco was frowning and was about to argue when a look of realization dawned on him. "He hasn't told you?"

"Who hasn't told me what?"

"Your brother Ron, trust me, I've got the name right, is head boy this year, and Hermione Granger is head girl. I can't believe he hasn't told you,"

"No, you must be wrong," Ginny said. "Hermione's head girl but."

"Who are you going to believe, me or your brother?"

"That's..now wait.why.?" Ginny was really confused and just as Draco was about to change the subject a look of realization dawned on Ginny's face. "He got a package this morning. He didn't open it all the way, but I remember because he cursed rather loudly at the table."

"Why would he curse? He's head boy," Draco said.

"Don't tell me, you wanted to be head boy," Ginny said, her eyes sparkling.

"Oh come now, what kind of Slytherin would I be?"

"Whatever," Ginny said. "Shall we?" Ginny turned to him with a devilish grin.

"Why do you think I asked you here?" Draco asked with a smirk. He slipped his arm around her waist and they strolled along hillside.

* * *

"What the hell are you doing?" Harry asked jumping up. He had regained his composure.

"Yeah, what's the big idea bursting in here? I do have a thing called a door. We earthlings consider that the normal way to enter a room."

"Thanks I'll remember that for future reference," Fred said getting up and shutting the window and then straightening the bed clothes.

"I don't suppose you care to give us an explanation on why you just burst through my window at almost midnight." Ron said folding his arms and fixing his brother with a stare.

"Not really, but I suppose it's absolutely unavoidable,"

"Yes, since you've already gone and brought us into it."

"I don't really want questions from Mum. I had to leave the poor girl outside; of course, she'll be going to her house so it's all right,"

"Fred, please, get to the point,"

"I doubt if there is one," Harry muttered.

"I promised Mum, I'd be home by eleven," He said looking at the floor. Ron burst out laughing.

"Fred, this is a classic example of why a grown man doesn't live in his parents' house. Where is George by the way?"

"I dunno. I thought he came home already," And then the window flew open and another tall and red-head rolled across the bed and onto the floor.

"I'm OK. I'm O.K." George called from the floor. Ron rolled his eyes.

"O.K., so you missed your curfew, but will someone fill me in on why, in god's name, did you choose to come through the window, ON THE TOP FLOOR?"

"Well, you didn't expect us to go through Mum and Dad's room did you?"

"I dunno, with you two I wouldn't eliminate that possibility,"

"Thank you Ron, my boy, I think we just were complimented," George said, sarcastically, and clapping his younger brother on the back.

"Naturally, since our older relations (whom we had no choice in the matter of being related to) are no longer occupying their quarters in this household their windows are locked, and while climbing up the steep side of a house it is not very feasible to grab one's wand we eventually made it to Ginny's room. However, she was asleep and seeing the light on in your window we concluded that it would be easier to come in through your window, in case we needed assistance in opening it," Fred said quickly and intelligently.

"You're lucky it was unlocked, or I would have left you to hang out there all night," Ron said pushing them out the door. "Be careful of that first step, it creaks," And snapped the door shut.

"Honestly, talk about barging in unannounced!"

* * *

Generally speaking Draco and Ginny's relationship was more or less understood. They didn't speak to each other much; they just knew what the other was thinking. Things between them were understood. Draco was Ginny's rebellious side, and Ginny was Draco's rebellious side.

It wasn't like they were interested in each other for just that simple fact though. Their relationship was usually extremely romantic, but both knew what they wanted, which is why they didn't waste much time with words, but found they could better express themselves in other ways.

It was one of the main reasons Ginny's mother could not stand the fact that the two were together. She hated the fact that Ginny was growing up, and the thought that some boy was kissing her little girl. The rest of the family was just concerned that she was dating a Malfoy, and not a whole lot else.

At any rate they did not plan on breaking up any time soon and Draco insisted on escorting her to her front step. Of course, they had no idea that the window was open and Sirius Black usually didn't sleep. But that really wasn't fair to Draco, because he had no idea that Sirius Black, mass- murder, escaped convict, betrayer, so called death eater was even at the Weasley household, but that was really none of his business.

"Send my love and congratulations to your brother," Draco remarked sarcastically, referring to Ron and his headboy-dom. Ginny laughed.

"I'm sure he'll appreciate it," She remarked.

Inside Sirius couldn't help watching in the shadows with interest. He had heard that Draco and Ginny were dating, it was a huge controversy among most of the students at Hogwarts and the family, even Harry had been rather enraged about it. And Hermione was rather concerned about Ginny. He was a little amused by Ginny sneaking out to her meet this mysterious and rumored Slytherin to the core.

"Will I see you before we go to school?" She asked. He gave a little laugh and wrapped her in his arms.

"Ginny, it's only three days away,"

"I know, but that's a long time. And we don't get to see each other all that much at school since we're in different houses."

"Come sit with me at the feast," Draco said.

"If I can get out of Ron's grasp," She remarked bitterly.

"Who cares about your brother?" Draco asked.

"He IS my brother," Ginny stated. "And he might eventually be your brother- in-law," She added, Sirius visibly shuttered, and Draco's face involuntarily flinched at the statement.

"Who says you have to like someone just because they're family. Look at my family."

"He does annoy the hell out of me, but I don't expect you'd understand our relationship," There was a silence for quite a long time, where Ginny just rested against him.

"Gryffindor is going to flatten Slytherin in Quidditch this year," She said pulling away with a grin. Draco scowled but he was slightly amused. Sirius privately agreed with Ginny, and even Draco had his doubts, Potter was one hell of an opponent.

"Don't be so sure of yourself," He said quickly.

"I suppose you think you're going to single handedly win it for your team," Ginny said sarcastically.

"It's rather rude to put words in my mouth Ginny, but never mind that. I think the bigger threat is the fact that you're going to kill us,"

"Me? Right," She added sarcastically again.

"Of course you are. I taught you everything I know about being a chaser, the rest of them don't stand a chance against you now,"

"You flatter yourself Malfoy," She said playfully. "You may have taught me everything you know but it wasn't just you,"

"Oh, and I suppose you're going to claim that there is talent involved in it?"

"Now YOU'RE putting words in my mouth,"

"So we're even," He said with a shrug.

"First game of the season. You are going down," Draco looked down dejectedly with a sigh like he was going to admit defeat, but he snapped his head up.

"I guess I'll just have to tickle you and carry you away so you never get a chance to play," He said reaching for her. She let out a little scream and he poked her in her side but she firmly removed his hands.

"Shh!" She said half-laughing. "You'll wake everyone,"

"Let them wake up," He said. "I know how much they all hate me and the fact that we're together. Let them wake up and find us out here. Let them know you came to see me,"

"Draco!" She said half alarmed half amused.

"I suppose that would be impractical of me," He said with a sigh. "I guess I'll just have to leave you with a sweet goodbye," And with that he leaned over and gave her a tender kiss and disappeared into the night.

Ginny smiled after him. She had no idea what made him so damned attractive! With a shrug she quietly opened the door and stepped inside and gave a frightened little gasp. She had been discovered.

Sirius Black was leaning casually against the wall, clearly wide awake. She didn't know what to say, many quick lies were flying through her mind. The last thing she wanted was her mother to find out she had gone to see Draco.

"I was just-I-did I wake you?" She finally decided.

"No, it's quite all right; I was awake when you and Mr. Malfoy arrived." Sirius replied.

"Oh, well-" She started to say that she was glad that she hadn't disturbed him but realized what he had said gave a start. "Oh please-"

"There's no need to worry," He said amused. "It's none of my business; however, I can't help but comment. A bit of advice: Never, NEVER mention any kind of commitment around a guy. It just freaks us out, OK, never say anything about the future, or anything, just don't."

Ginny, blinked. "W-what?" She stuttered.

"I know, it's not my place to say, just trust me, I shuttered at your remark about family,"

"OK.I'll, I'll keep that in mind," Ginny said extremely confused and unsure of what to say. "You know, I was just.we were, we're friends, Draco and I, we were just, you know, talking, for like, half an hour or so," Ginny said, stuttering. Sirius just let her trip over her words, grinning knowingly, though she couldn't see it in the dark.

"Indeed?" He said with raised eyebrows. "I was awake when you first left two hours ago,"

"Oh." She said nervously looking down.

"You needn't worry," He added with a little laugh. "I won't say anything," Ginny looked up and studied him as best as she could in the dark. She was beginning to understand why Harry and Ron liked this man so much. Still he was strange and mysterious and a he made her a little uncomfortable. Without a word, she turned and dashed up the stairs.

Sirius laughed and shook his head after her. A Weasley and a Malfoy.odd. But their conversation had given him something else to think about.Ron was head-boy.

* * *

Sirius had decided he was leaving. He had to. There was absolutely no way he could be foolish enough to stay here any longer. It wasn't like this family had extra to go around either.

The guilt was mounting and even spending time with Harry couldn't mask that feeling in the pit of his stomach. Sirius decided he was going to announce that he was leaving at breakfast that morning.

~*~

Ginny yawned as the sunlight annoyingly woke her up. She was about to roll over and go back to sleep when she suddenly remembered something from the night before and sat bolt upright in bed.

She dressed as quickly as possible and ran a comb through her hair. She flew up the stairs to Ron's room and peaked through a crack in the door. Perfect.

It was just as she had hoped. Harry was in the bathroom getting ready for the day and Ron was alone in his room.

"Good morning!" She said cheerfully walking into the room. Ron jumped involuntarily and then rolled his eyes.

"What do you want?" He demanded gruffly, he was still a little groggy.

"I was just wondering if the head boy could tell me how to get to the languages classroom," She said.

"How should I know-what did you call me!?" Ron said interrupting himself and jumping to his feet.

"I was just asking you where the languages classroom was."

"Not that! And you know it!" Ron snapped. "How do you know that?" He demanded.

"More importantly, why haven't you told anyone yet?"

"How did you find out?" Ron repeated. "I didn't tell anyone.the only people who would know would be important people.professors." Ron continued to mumble to himself for a few seconds. Then he looked up at his little sister with a sinister smile. "You saw Malfoy last night didn't you?"

"What are you talking about?" Ginny demanded hoping she sounded offhand and didn't look guilty.

"I should tell Mum," Ron said.

"I should tell Mum you're head boy," Ginny shot back.

"Well at least she won't be mad at me,"

"Worse, she'll be ecstatic,"

"Precisely why I'm not going to tell her yet. I'd rather not go through it, from everyone.and I'd hate to think what Fred and George would say." Ron said. "But anyway, what does it matter?"

"What does it matter?" Ginny exploded. "You're only like the most important person in the school besides Dumbledore! You have special privileges and all kinds of things! Even Draco is jealous!"

"Malfoy's jealous?" Ron asked in mild surprise. "How can I use this to piss him off?" Ron said tapping his finger to his chin in an expression of contemplation.

"Ron!" Ginny snapped. She hated when her family talked about her boyfriend like he was scum. Didn't they care for her feelings at least?

"Oh great, I'm about to get the 'Draco is human too' lecture. But let me tell you Ginny, the only one who can be sure about that is the creator, and even he's not sure,"

"Just shut up," She said angrily.

"Chill out, little sis," Ron said with a grin. "Your face is starting to match your hair," This did absolutely nothing to calm Ginny.

"Whatever," Ginny said and turned to walk out of the room.

"Ginny, wait!" Ron called. "Don't tell anyone. Swear to me you're not going to tell anyone about this. You haven't already.have you?" Ron asked her uncertainly.

"No, except."

"What?" Ron asked paling slightly.

"It's just that Sirius overheard Draco and me talking last night."

"Sirius knows? Great.he's bound to open his big mouth if I don't tell him not to. But how am I supposed to talk to him in private?"

"I don't see why it's such a big deal," Ginny said.

"What's a big deal?" Harry asked coming into the small bedroom. Both Weasleys turned slightly pink.

"Nothing," Ginny replied. "Like I said, it's not a big deal," She gave her brother one last look from top to bottom and left. Ron rolled his eyes after her.

~*~

"Ron, you've another letter from Hermione," Mrs. Weasley informed him at breakfast.

Ron mumbled something that sounded like thank you as he took the letter. "It's open, Mum," Ron said looking at the broken seal.

"It was like that when it arrived," Mrs. Weasley said loudly and quickly. Mr. Weasley gave her a queer look.

"Mum!" Ron cried. "I suppose there's no point in reading it now that you can tell me what she said,"

"I didn't look that close," Mrs. Weasley said putting her nose in the air. "Besides, it's not my fault you never talk to me anymore. How else am I supposed to find out what is going on with you?" Ron looked pointedly at her. "She's the head girl, did you know that?"

"Yes, Mum, I knew that," Ron said with a sigh as he poured some orange juice.

"She wants to know if Harry is the head boy,"

"Harry?" Sirius said. Ginny went to kick him but it was too late. "Ron is the head boy, but surely you knew that," Ginny sighed and put her head in her hands. And everyone, including Ron stared at Sirius. "But.judging by the looks on all of your faces I'd say not," He said nervously taking a long drink.

"Ron?" Mrs. Weasley asked finally looking at her youngest son.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Ron asked.

"No, of course not," Mrs. Weasley said. "But. are you really?"

"No mum, Harry is," Ron said bitterly. Ginny gave her brother a strange look.

"Ronald Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley cried. "I'm so proud! Why didn't you tell me? I would have gotten you something special. Ron! Why are you looking so bitter? You are the head boy!"

"I say, well done!" Percy said. Ron gave his brother a murderous look.

"Well done?" George cried. "You would say that,"

"But this is a downright disgrace!" Fred cried. "An outrage! That makes three in the family! Haven't you learned anything?"

Ron couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. "I'm head boy all right. Head boy of Hogwarts, and my first proclamation as head boy is that we're going to win that quidditch cup this year under the best quidditch captain ever! Go Gryffindor!"

"Honestly, Ron, is quidditch all you can talk about?" Ginny snapped over a loud 'hear hear' from Harry, Sirius, and Mr. Weasley.

"I don't know what you're sulking about. You're on the team so you better be ready for this season!"

"That's right," Harry said. "We're going to start having meetings the first week into school. We'll discuss plays every Tuesday night in the common room until the first time we can start practicing."

"Riveting," Ginny said sarcastically.

"Sirius, are you going to watch the Slytherin match this year?" Harry asked.

"Well." He said very aware of Arthur Weasley. "I really need to stay away from the school this year. I've really been into some trouble lately. This is why I have decided that I am taking myself off today. I cannot trouble you anymore.

"I don't know what I can do to make it up to you all, you have been most kind. I have been a terrible inconvenience and I will be leaving today."

"Well good luck," Mr. Weasley said gruffly standing up and shaking hands with Sirius. "I shall be leaving for work. Don't forget I'll be home for dinner tonight with Jack Pioneer,"

"Of course, we'll be ready," Mrs. Weasley said kissing her husband. With a little salute of sorts he took his leave and Percy followed shortly afterwards.

After they had left Mrs. Weasley cleared the things from the table. "Fred, George, I need to know if you will be joining us for dinner tonight."

"With a head boy, a former head boy, you, dad, and Jack Pioneer?" Fred asked.

"You've got to be joking," George added. "Not that it doesn't sound like jolly good fun!" He added sarcastically.

"Mum, do you happen to know who is in Hogsmeade tonight? Do you happen to know who's performing?" Fred asked with an awed look.

"You are not wasting your money on rubbish like that!" Mrs. Weasley cried.

"We're all grown up Mum, it doesn't matter what you say. We're still going."

She shook her head. "You're right, of course," Then she turned to Ron and Ginny. "Don't you two go growing up on me," She said pulling them into an awkward hug. "Promise me you'll both be careful at school this year and not get into trouble,"

"Mum, I'm head boy; I'm exempt from getting in trouble,"

"Just because you are head boy does not mean that you can go around breaking rules! You have been entrusted with duties to enforce those rules,"

"Yes, I know, but every time Ginny makes me angry I have something to hang over her head," Ron said smirking at his sister.

"Oh Ron, that's silly,"

"You think so?" The two of them walked out of the room teasing each other with Harry following closely behind.

Mrs. Weasley sniffed loudly and tried to conceal her wet eyes from Sirius. "Oh dear, I suppose you think I'm being terribly silly," She rambled. "You wouldn't really know what it's like, not having children of your own,"

"Perhaps, not exactly, but it's just as strange and scary and painful to see Harry, seventeen, and all grown up. I remember his as a toddler, and then I see him as a fourteen year old, and now ready to graduate in a few months, it's not possible. It makes me feel so old," He added totally changing the mood.

* * *

2:00AM.

She was leaving in seven hours. *What the hell am I doing awake?* Angela Star asked herself.

She knew why she couldn't sleep, but she couldn't bear to admit it. If she slept on the eve of returning to her homeland she knew what would be heavy on her mind. She didn't want to dream of it. She didn't want to dream of him.

Of course, lying awake in total darkness with nothing to distract you was just as bad as memory after memory was flying through her mind. Some were happy memories, of the good old days of school, and select memories excluding death eater involvement. Still, some memories that should have been happy were the most painful of all: those of her impromptu wedding and her memory of Sirius laughing, always laughing.

Some were sad. Finding out about Lily and James, about Sirius, about Peter, about their friends, about everything. The horrible shock. And Sirius again.

She remembered the dull grayness of that bathroom she locked herself in. Blurrily she remembered all those little pills and crying with impatient despair as horrible memories robbed her of happiness. And then, the sharp pain mingled with cold steel as the knife ripped through her flesh with the desperation of a crushed soul. Blood poured from her wrist. She remembered watching it shoot out in little spurts, and Josh knocking on the door while she was fading.

She remembered the bitter disappointment to wake up in Hogwarts too. And the "dark years" that followed. The years where she was so negative no one wanted to be around her.

But she had managed to regain sanity and find new life. She lived in relative happiness with Josh and Kirsten for about a year and a half and put up with his crap for another year before regaining her independence and forcing the past behind her, except for Halloween, which was now filled with cursed memories of the deaths of her sister, and death eaters, and terrible loss, and Sirius.always Sirius.

And now, she was suddenly going back and the past was catching up and suffocating her. She cried violently. She knew she couldn't do it. She couldn't go back.

4:00AM

She cried herself to sleep reliving horrible things and fell into torrents of a swirling black world.

7:00AM

The confounded alarm demanded she get up and face her past. Did it understand what that required? Did the alarm know what torture that would put her through?

NO!

"Do not tell me what to do until you have first done it yourself!" She shouted throwing it against the wall.

*My God,* Angie thought. *I'm losing it*

~*~

She was leaving America. Leaving her safe haven. Leaving sanctuary; her hiding place. A panic swept over her as she and Kirsten took their last walk down their hallway to the front door.

*What was I thinking? I can't go back, I CAN'T!* Angie thought desperately. She had stopped and Kirsten turned in the doorway silhouetted by the bright late morning sun shining behind her. Kirsten's golden blond hair positively glowed with color.

"Mom?" She sniffed. As excited as she was, she was sad to leave the house behind, her friends, her school, and life as she knew it.

Angie would have been too, but she couldn't get over her fear. Thos would be one of the most difficult things she had ever done.

"I'm coming," She told Kirsten much more confidently than she felt.

At the door she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and stepped onto the front step. She didn't feel any different so she breathed a sigh of relief, but she hadn't left the country yet.

Turning around she slowly closed the door, looking for the last time upon her house, like a time capsule memories flashed before her and laughter echoed in her ears.

The door closed.

~*~

Kirsten remained silent for the better part of the journey, which would take them most of the day, unfortunately. Angie didn't blame her. The poor thing, Angie had been so caught up with herself and what she was going through (understandably so) she hadn't thought very much about Kirsten lately.

Guilt was starting to mount and Angie worried that she wasn't being a good mother and didn't have Kirsten's best interests in mind. She knew what Kirsten must feel like, but she also realized that she had been unbelievably excited about going to school with Harry Potter, and for most American girls just the chance to VISIT Europe is a thrill much more so to actually LIVE there. But she couldn't bring herself to say anything and in the back of her mind certain things always loomed.

She was in misery. Why did she have to come back? After all these years.why put herself through it again?

*Curse it!* She thought bitterly. *You did this to yourself Angela Star!* She shut her eyes tightly trying to think of anything but what was running through her mind now. But the past gripped her and a cold sweat broke out all over her body.

"Are you feeling well?" Kirsten asked her mother, a concerned look on her face. Angie didn't exactly answer the question.

"Perhaps I should take some medication." Kirsten continued to study her mother for a length of time wearing a slight frown of concentration. She tried desperately to read what was going on in that placid face of her mother's but what Angie was thinking was absolutely unfathomable, except to a select few.

Angie popped two pills in her mouth and settled back in her seat. She was able to relax a bit and soon fell into a much needed rest, but it was a cursed rest that ended all too soon.

She could see herself and feel what was happening. The total numbness of mind and body and the violent cries and screams and becoming ill. The newspapers caring the unbearable news strewn everywhere. The tears, the despair.the blood.

She woke up with a scream and several people were looking at her with concerned faces. "Mother!" Kirsten cried. She was biting her lip.

Angie let out a few shaky breaths and leaned back against her seat trying to calm herself. She realized she held her left wrist in her right hand and immediately dropped it.

Kirsten was now extremely anxious. She might not have been EXTREMELY close with her mother, but she knew her well enough to know that she hadn't been herself for a few days. Today seemed much worse.

Absently Angie felt her left ring finger where a ring would have been. "Get a hold of yourself," She muttered barely audible. The lightheadedness soon passed.

"When do we arrive?" Angie asked anxious to worry about other things.

"About twenty minutes," Kirsten replied. "What will we do when we arrive?"

"I have planned to take the train to London and I think we will probably have to stay overnight at the Leaky Cauldron. We can get some necessary things squared away and take the first train to Hogsmeade in the morning.

"We're having dinner with Sierra Havairhafpvermin; you've met her three times before, and her adopted daughter. Sierra will be your dueling mistress at the school, and I do believe that her daughter is in your year.

"At any rate, Dumbledore, that's the headmaster, is expecting us tomorrow evening. He'll show us around and you'll have most of the day the next day, September 1st, to do whatever you need to before the students arrive for the feast.

"You'll have to get sorted sometime in between there and I hope you'll help me set up the classroom. We can also go and meet all the professors; they should already be there when we arrive.

"That basically sums it up. Are you nervous?" Angie asked, though she was currently overwhelmed with bad memories and an animal type panic there was a little bit of excitement that her daughter would be going to Hogwarts.

"A little," Kirsten admitted. "What about you,"

"A little," Angie replied with what she hoped was a smile that was efficiently masking her fear.

They reached King's Cross Station in London around dusk that evening. Angie shrunk all their suitcases (most of their things like furniture were being shipped and put into storage.) to make carrying them easier.

They walked to the Leaky Cauldron, and this being Kirsten's first trip to London she was bursting with questions. Both were wearing muggle clothing since they had traveled by airplane (the cheapest transport across the ocean)

Kirsten frowned when she saw the Leaky Cauldron; it wasn't exactly what she had expected for an internationally famous inn. Inside they got a few curious looks, but Angie was not worried so much about that, she was more worried that she might run into someone she once knew.

She got a room key and sent their luggage with the bellhop to their rooms, but for the present she wanted to get something to eat and get some shopping done. She led her puzzled daughter out back and before Kirsten could even utter a word the wall was expanding in front of her and admitting one of the most wonderful worlds! She had been to magical places in America (naturally) for shopping and the like but never anything this big all in one place! It was simply awe-inspiring.

"Have I ever told you about Diagon Alley?" Angie asked as they stepped into the bustle. Kirsten shook her head. Her mother never talked about her childhood or her past or any family that she might have had and Kirsten kind of understood that she shouldn't ask questions about it.

"Well, this is Diagon Alley, I think it's the largest all magical place besides the village of Hogsmeade. Everything a witch or wizard needs can be found here.

"We'll get all your school supplies and such first and then we'll eat. The bank, that's Gringotts, you see that big marble building, yes, that's it, it's closed for the day so I'll have to go and re-setup my account there tomorrow before we leave.

"Come dear, we'll get your books first," And she led the way to Flourish and Blotts. They went into several shops including quality quidditch supplies where Angie purchased some handle wax for their brooms. They weren't extremely often used but Angie thought that it was a necessity for every witch and wizard to have a decent broomstick.

After eating at the Leaky Cauldron it was late and they were ready to retire to their room.

"What time does the first train leave for Hogsmeade Station tomorrow?" Angie inquired of Tom the inn-keeper before going upstairs.

"Hogsmeade?" Tom asked. "That would be six AM, and also at Noon. Are you new to London ma'am?" He asked politely.

"No, but I haven't been here for a great many years," Angie replied.

"Well," Tom said with a grin. "Might I suggest that you take the Knight Bus? It's faster and much more comfortable. It might be a trifle more expensive but you don't have a specific time for pick-up," Fearing that the old man was going to get into a long winded of explanation of something she'd ridden before she quickly replied.

"Yes, I had quite forgotten about that particular mode of transport. Thank you very much sir," She said leading Kirsten to their room.

"What is the Knight Bus?" Kirsten asked curiously. Angie briefly explained what it was and they agreed to take the bus in the morning.

Kirsten was absolutely full to the brim with questions lay down and fell asleep before getting a chance to ask anything. She had taken in a lot today.

Angie sighed as she lay wide awake and tried to will herself to sleep by thinking of the awful dark circles that were forming under her tired eyes.

But it was impossible. As proud as she was of the way she handled herself today she couldn't remove the horrid past from her mind and ended up taking a sleeping pill for much needed rest.

* * *

"That wasn't very nice of you to tell everyone," Ron complained. Sirius, Ron, Harry, and Ginny were all sitting outside having a nice cup of tea before Sirius was scheduled to be off.

"Ron, relax. They were going to find out sometime. Why didn't you want them to know in the first place?"

"You saw Fred and George, and then Mum. And Percy complimenting me, it's enough to make a person sick,"

"He's just modest, that's all," Harry said clapping Ron on the back.

"Oh Ron, you're so funny," Ginny said rolling her eyes.

"Well, this is all your fault you know! If you hadn't been out to see Malfoy when you're not supposed to then none of this would have happened,"

"You were out to see Malfoy?" Harry asked turning to an extremely red Ginny.

"Thanks Ron," She said sarcastically.

"I'm not going to comment," Harry said. "I'm going to keep it all to myself," He had had enough of this Malfoy stuff. For nearly a year now they had been dating. What the hell had happened?

"Oh go ahead! Talk about Draco, he deserves it doesn't he?" Ginny shouted at them and then left quickly. She was tired of taking all the dirty looks and nasty little side comments every time Draco was mentioned. Why couldn't they see what she saw in him?

"You have much to learn about girls," Sirius said to the boys.

"Sirius! Sirius! You haven't left yet have you?" Mrs. Weasley called from within.

"No, I'm still here Molly," Sirius said going into the kitchen along with the other two. There they saw the twins. One was standing inspecting himself in a mirror and the other was sitting in a chair getting his hair cut by Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh good," She said. "I was just finishing up George here and I thought that while I had my supplies out you might want a little trim before you go. It will change your appearance which ought to be a plus in your case,"

"In more ways than one," Ron muttered taking in the long straggled mess that hung below his shoulders.

"Yes, I suppose I could do with a trim," Sirius said taking the recently vacated seat.

Mrs. Weasley did more than 'trim' Sirius up. She cut it short and neat on his head and above the ears and gave him a nice close shave. He looked years younger. "Wow, my head feels lighter," Sirius said feeling his smooth face.

"Well, I suppose you're next Ron," Mrs. Weasley said. And in an hours time all of them found themselves with a new hair cut. Then they were quickly assigned to a various household chore in preparation for the dinner planned for that evening.

Ron came in from feeding the chickens and was grumbling to himself. "How does she do it? I don't understand how she somehow always gets us to do what she wants," He said to Harry who shrugged and continued his dusting.

"Well," Sirius said with that tone that everyone knew he was leaving. "I cannot thank everyone enough. Especially you, Molly. I owe you my life, you are a true friend. Somehow, I will make it up to you," Sirius said.

"And the rest of you for graciously accepting me into your household, as I can imagine it must have been quite a shock for you."

"You are welcome anytime you need a place to stay. It does not bother me or Arthur. It is the least we can do for someone who has had such a terrible injustice done to them,"

"Thank you Molly," Sirius said with a nod. To Ron and Harry he tilted his head toward the door and indicated that he wanted them to follow, which they of course did.

"Ron, thank you again, and thanks to your family. I do truly owe you my life. If there is ever anything I can do, or if you ever need someone to talk to you can also count on me."

"Thanks Sirius," Ron said sort of awkwardly. Even after more than three years the whole Sirius situation was strange.

"And Harry, take care of yourself. I don't want you getting into trouble like you do. I know it's not your fault but please watch out. You know I'm always here." Harry nodded and they gave each other a friendly embrace.

"I'm sorry Hermione couldn't be here," Sirius said. "I really shouldn't but I know I'll be around to the school to see you all this year. The best of luck to you all." Just as he was about to apparate Ginny burst out of the house.

"Mr. Black! Wait a minute!" She cried as he spun around. "Mum, has something for you," Sirius frowned and the four of them went back inside.

"I have a few things you'll be needing," Mrs. Weasley said as soon as he came in. "And there's no use refusing because I know you need them." She was packing a boxful of food already.

"I suppose I can't refuse food," Sirius said with a sigh. "And take this," Mrs. Weasley said handing him a small vile. "It's good for what ails you. If you get sick or hurt, this will help. Just a couple drops should suffice,"

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Sirius said sincerely. He knew how expensive that vile probably was and felt slightly guilty, though he knew it was pointless to argue.

Just as Mrs. Weasley was putting a water bottle into the box the clock suddenly started to spin. "ARTHUR!" Mrs. Weasley cried a split second before he and Jack Pioneer head of the department of magical antiquities stepped out of the fire. Sirius, who after more than three years on the run had acquired quick reflexes, turned into a dog in an instant and was quickly let out the door by Ginny with Ron running behind with the basket.

Sirius quickly grabbed the basket, shouted good-bye and disappeared. Ron collapsed on the ground with a sigh and Harry soon joined him. Inside Mrs. Weasley sweetly glazed the incident over and the dinner was filled the monotonous conversation of bewitched pottery and the like.

* * *

Angie roused early despite the sleeping pill though she was a little drowsier then normal.

She had intended to relax a bit with a strong coffee and a Daily Prophet and prep herself for what this day was to bring but she woke her daughter, unintentionally, who had slept rather lightly due to excitement.

"We might as well enjoy and early breakfast," Angie said as Kirsten made herself bust curling her perfectly cut shining blonde hair.

Angie watched her daughter, transfixed. Kirsten was incredibly vain, but you must consider her parents, not to mention the social circles she'd grown up in.

And yet she was incredibly intelligent when she wanted to be, and growing up with the spoiled rich kids she was accustomed to it very often. At any rate, Kirsten was always impeccably dressed and looking stunning.

Angie stopped wondering how she had raised a daughter like Kirsten long enough to prepare herself for the day, which included enlisting Kirsten's expertise on the covering up of those nasty dark circles.

They strolled along Diagon Alley in the cheerful morning sun. Suddenly Kirsten gasped excitedly.

"Look at those robes! They're adorable!" She said interestedly studying the pale blue dress like robe that hung in a dress shop window.

"The color would look rather nice on you," Angie commented. "Let's have a closer look," She said. A half an hour later they emerged with the lovely blue dress robes for Kirsten and a stunning set of crimson robes that Kirsten had talked Angie into buying for herself. Angie couldn't imagine when she'd have occasion to wear them.

"I'm glad we've been spending some time together," Kirsten said honestly to her mother. Angie smiled; the simple words made her feel much better.

"OK, but no more, or I won't be able to get us to Hogsmeade!" Angie said with a laugh.

Kirsten sighed. It wasn't that she didn't get along with her mother it was the fact that she didn't know her mother.

Angie had always been somewhat secretive and not one to show an abundance of emotion.

Kirsten often wondered things about her mother's past. As she had thought before, Angie didn't talk about it, and Kirsten never asked, but that didn't mean she wasn't dreadfully curious. She wanted to know about her relatives. What about her grandparents? Were they here in London, or Hogsmeade? Were they alive? Did she have any Aunts and Uncles, cousins? She wasn't even sure when or why they had come to America.

Originally she thought that her grandparents must have moved to America when Angie was a child and the British accent lingered, but that was not the case seeing as she had gone to school at Hogwarts. But that was really the extent of her knowledge. She had no idea how her and her dad met or when, nothing.

She had met her grandparents on the Thompson side twice when she was small and Josh and Angie were still married. but she hardly remembered it.

Getting off on this train of thought occupied Kirsten for the greater part of the trip on the Knight Bus. There were several things that she wondered about, many that she often puzzled over. It was rather odd that family affairs were at the top of her thought processes rather than school or Harry Potter.

Nevertheless, she found herself wondering about her name. This she often did. Her last name of Star was always puzzling to her since her parents were married for sometime. but come to think of it, they didn't get married for well over two years after she was born. They were married in the United States.but they were together at the time of her birth. Why wouldn't she be named Thompson? (Not that she carried any particular liking for the name, by any means)

Furthermore there was always the middle name mystery. It was the strangest thing of all. She knew she had two middle names, for a fact, and she always signed her name with both initials of 'M' and 'E'. Now the 'E' was Elizabeth but her mother and father flatly refused to tell her what the 'M' stood for.

Angie just never said a word about it, no matter how much Kirsten persisted, and Josh always got extremely angry if she brought it up, so she'd learned not to press the subject.

She had once made a list of possible names that it could be. Her and her friends had gone on the great crusade to discover her middle name but they couldn't find a way to see her birth certificate, so the plan was pretty much a failure.

Indeed this was a great peculiarity and Kirsten was still puzzling over it when they were dropped off on the dreary, yet stifling warm, day of August 31st.

~*~

Angie had mixed emotions when they arrived in Hogsmeade. She was actually surprised to feel a slight bit of happiness at being back, but remembering the happy things that had happened only eventually succeeded in making her feel sad again, but less about Him.and more about her other friends.

She paused momentarily to look sadly up at the sky and consider several things before taking a reassuring deep breath and leading Kirsten through the streets of Hogsmeade.

Surprisingly Angie remembered the way to the Havairhafpvermin estate well and was even getting a little excited about seeing her friend again.

Kirsten had heard about this posh neighborhood and high class estate, but not much prepares you for the sheer sight and size of it. There were extensive grounds all neat and green, not another color in sight, but very well tended. Of course, this could only be viewed through the wrought iron gates at the front entrance to estate, because tall stone walls ran the length of property blocking the view of the grounds from the road.

The Havairhafpvermin's had vast wealth, as they always had. Money ran in the family.

When they arrived and laid eyes on the glum, yet impressive place the gates swung noisily open permitting them to step onto the neat gravel road leading straight up to the front door.

An old style carriage was waiting for them with a well dressed footman holding the door for them. They climbed inside and were escorted to the grand front door. They were not however, greeted by another servant, as one would have expected.

The woman that opened the door was of a much higher class. She was definitely older than Angie but not old enough to be Sierra's mother. (Who had passed away two years earlier anyway...) She was not a servant as was quite obvious from her formal appearance and the several notably large diamonds glittering from various places.

Her smile was not warm and inviting, but rather cunning, and creepy, as one might consider a smile from Draco Malfoy. Without a close look you would have thought that this woman was much younger than she really was, but even her heavily applied make-up could not always hide the obvious effects aging had had on her.

But the oddest thing about this woman was the strong feeling of familiarity. She had long and thick black hair and brilliantly green eyes. Her manner was strong and determined, and that of one who is of great importance.

"Good afternoon," She said formally to them in a sweet and warm voice, her smile though faded as she looked from one blonde to another. "What is your business? I do not believe I have been informed," She continued in the same voice. Nevertheless, Angie received strong vibes of dislike from this woman, and Angie in turn did not like her very much.

"We were invited here by Miss Havairhafpvermin," Angie said striding past the woman and entering the hall that she had not set foot in for over a decade.

"Miss." The woman repeated confused.

"Yes, would you please inform her of our arrival?" Angie said to her, treating her as a servant. The woman's lips pursed as a loud voice called out from above.

"Angie!" Sierra called excitedly from the staircase. "You made it!" She said happily. Sierra looked very funny walking as quickly as she could in her long skirts and high heels.

Angie suddenly felt a little out of place in her simple black robes and signature boots that came to her knees. No one could see the latter fact since they were underneath her aforementioned robes, but that was not the point. At least the boots had given her some height with which to counter the evil woman who now swept from the hallway with a cold look. Sierra in turn gave her a dark look, but said nothing.

"Come along inside," Sierra said brightly turning back to her guests and leading them down a heavily pictured hallway.

They emerged in a bright room that seemed to be made entirely of glass, with windows covering most of the wall and several large skylights in the roof. Sierra, in all her glittering glory, was blinding Angie in the light.

"Have a seat," Sierra instructed Angie and Kirsten. Both obeyed and sat in comfortable chairs while Sierra lazily collapsed onto the couch in a rather unladylike fashion.

"How was your trip?" She asked.

"Agreeable," Angie said not really feeling like talking about it.

"Number Six!" Sierra called suddenly. A house elf seemed to appear from almost nowhere. "Fetch the mademoiselle from her room and I'll take some pumpkin juice. Would you care for anything?" She asked her two guests. Angie took a glass of water and Kirsten declined.

The small elf disappeared and almost instantly another one appeared carrying drinks.

Presently "mademoiselle" as the house elves called her appeared. She was dressed rather formally and looked very pretty as most seventeen year olds do. The dress was very becoming to her and made her look very distinguished, but her hair hung loosely around her shoulders and Kirsten automatically noticed this. Not to mention a few other minor make-up things that only she would notice.

However it was quite clear that the young lady was rich but she was not at all interested in what she looked like, which is something Kirsten prided herself on.

"Has any mail arrived?" She asked immediately and Sierra gave her a frown. She hadn't even paused to say hello.

"No, not in the middle of the day. What makes you think it would?" She replied with a questioningly look.

"It's nothing.I'm just expecting a letter from Ron," She said hastily to her mother.

"Well, anyway," Sierra said. "Angie, this is my daughter Hermione Granger, Hermione this is Angela Star, she's going to be the new Languages professor at the school. And this is her daughter Kirsten, she's going to be in your same year," *Daughter, that word still sounded a little strange even after nearly two years.* Both Hermione and Sierra thought the same thing and their eyes locked for a moment.

"Oh, yes, we've met before," Hermione said shaking Angie's hand and putting on a false sense of interest and happiness.

Kirsten looked at Hermione more closely now. She didn't mean to judge really, she was just used to being around friends who masterfully prepared themselves each day and when one's hair is so obviously split-

"Hello Kirsten," Hermione said with a smile. "It has been quite a while since I saw you last," She remarked simply for the benefit of small talk and breaking any awkward silence that might occur. It wasn't that Kirsten lacked the mental capabilities to have an intelligent and meaningful conversation, Hermione reasoned, it's the fact that she holds no interest in such things.

Hermione hoped she wouldn't have to play best friends with the girl for long. It was all good and well and completely understandable here at the house but she hoped she wouldn't be expected to be buddies at school too. I mean, it kind of came with the head girl position, that you have to help the other students and show them around and whatnot, but she had no desire to have a lasting friendship with this completely shallow girl. Especially with everything else that was weighing on her mind..

Sirius being at the Weasley's wasn't exact good news. In fact it was very risky. And he had been pushing it lately. Hermione found herself biting down on her lip. She decided there was no point in worrying about it just now, things seemed to be going well.

She turned her attention to Angela Star. The previous two or three occasions on which they had met didn't give her much information to go on. She had gathered much more of this information from Sierra.

She didn't exactly sound like professor material and Dumbledore had been rather desperate after the one professor backed out of the job within a week of hiring. The school had been dangerously close to being forced to close its doors last year. The world was becoming increasingly dangerous and the economy was failing. There was never any good news anymore, it was utterly depressing.

But anyway, Hermione wondered what kind of person Angie really was. To Hermione she had always seemed rather stolid. She never seemed to laugh with her heart in it or smile with her eyes. She didn't talk an exceptional amount (not that you much had a chance with her legal guardian, Sierra, around)

Professor Star seemed rather timid and even fragile; she was a thin pale being. She didn't seem to show much emotion with body language either.

All in all Professor Star was a very interesting person. And her daughter was another wonder of strange habits and emotion.

For a brief moment Hermione allowed herself to speculate on which house Kirsten would be placed into at Hogwarts. But she didn't allow herself to hang on to such pointless thoughts.

"Dinner is set for half and hour Miss," a house elf squeaked from the doorway.

"Very good," Sierra said. "Will MADAME-" She said with a slight resentment and terrible sarcasm and over dramatization that made it clear to everyone present that this was not a liked woman. "-be joining us?"

"I have just spoken to her and she will be dressing for dinner this evening," The house elf replied.

"Will she now? How nice of her to join us," Sierra snapped sarcastically. "I don't suppose she'll honor us by being on time," She added more to herself. A dark look quickly passed over Hermione's face.

"Anyway," Sierra said moving on. She glanced down at her cup and then quietly spoke to Angie. "Care for something a bit stronger?" Angie nodded. "Good," Sierra said. "She pointed to her cup and sent the elf off. Then she noticed Hermione who had a look of utter annoyance and arrogance written plainly across her face.

"Oh bother!" Sierra said looking at Hermione. "At least you've convinced father to teach them proper English. But I keep telling you Hermione, setting the house elves free will do absolutely no good,"

"Indeed," She replied curtly. Sierra rolled her eyes, which looked quite out of place with her dignified appearance.

The elf came back bearing the alcoholic beverages which Angie GRATEFULLY accepted. The small talk continued (and continued to bore.)

A faint ringing announced dinner and Hermione gladly led the way.

"Hermione?" Kirsten asked tentatively as they sat down at the lavishly accessorized dining room table.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I was wondering if you could tell me a little about Hogwarts. I'm nervous about not knowing anything or anyone. You know? I just want to know what I can expect."

"Certainly, I understand," Hermione said taking a sip of her pumpkin juice. She was about to continue but they couldn't help paying attention to Sierra. Her tone of voice wasn't normal.

"How long does that woman intend to keep us waiting?" Sierra rambled. "I cannot take much more of her. I will be so glad when I can get away from here. On the other hand I worry about leaving the.WOMAN, here all alone with my father," She inhaled sharply and appeared to be biting her tongue. She glanced at the table in front of her then took a large drink. After this she seemed to calm down.

Kirsten frowned at Hermione but she was in no mood to elaborate. Instead she launched into a detailed description of the houses and prefects and the head girl and boy, etc. She was just about to move on to the professors when the wooden doors burst explosively open.

The same woman who had "greeted" Angie and Kirsten when they first arrived stood with a mad gleam in her eyes. Those sharp green eyes swept across the room.

Then she pulled her robes closely around her and strode to the head of the table her eyes on the empty chair there.

"Where is Pieter?" She asked Sierra referring to Sierra's father, Mr. Havairhafpvermin.

"Shouldn't you know?" Sierra asked. "He's your husband. Or have you misplaced him?" She added sarcastically.

"He's your father!" The woman shouted angrily back. Sierra rose from her chair and was about to argue a loud male voice boomed harshly from seemingly nowhere.

"Quit arguing at the dinner table!" The voice shouted. Both women sat down immediately and fell silent. Sierra glared darkly at the woman who now sat at the head of the table. *So her father wasn't here at the moment. How did that give HER the right to sit at the head of the table?*

"Father?" Sierra asked her eyes looking slightly skyward for a moment. "Aren't you dining with us this evening?"

"I am not feeling well this evening. I will be dining in my chambers shortly,"

"I will come-" Sierra said rising to her feet.

"Don't be ridiculous." He said interrupting. "You have guests,"

"I will come be with you Pieter," The woman said with an icy glare at Sierra. She was enraged that Sierra had beaten her to this suggestion. She was constantly competing for the man's attention.

"I am fine," He said shortly. Her expression turned murderous. "Play hostess in my place," The woman reluctantly took her seat.

"I will come check on you later Father," Sierra said.

"Yes, that would be satisfactory. Thank you my dear, and bring Hermione along,"

"I will come," Hermione replied.

"Enjoy your meal," Was the voice's parting words leaving them utterly alone with this woman.

~*~

"So, Sierra, who all is teaching these days? Anyone I would know?" Angie asked striking up conversation.

"Well, Professor McGonagall is still there, Transfiguration, head of Gryffindor, Deputy Headmistress, you know all that. I swear she hasn't aged a day! And there is Professor Flitwick, Charms, he's an odd little fellow, he came a couple of years after we graduated, and then there is Professor Sprout, herbology, Hagrid is teaching Care of Magical Creatures, who knows who teaching Defense Against the Darks Arts, oh, and here's a name you'll recognize; Severus Snape is teaching potions,"

"What?" Angie cried. "How did he ever get a teaching position? I can't believe Dumbledore trusts him,"

"Well, generally I avoid him, but he's been there for ten years now I think,"

"Wow,"

"Then there's Professor Vector, and Professor Binns, still, and Professor Trelawney, that's Divination, and a couple others who I don't really know,"



"Well, that's interesting."

"Filch is still there with that confounded cat of his!" She added.

"Oh wonderful," Angie said sarcastically.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Kirsten were having their own interesting discussion about the professors. "Try and stay awake in Professor Binns class, it helps if you take notes, and Hagrid teaches Care of Magical Creatures, that is usually fairly interesting, if. you like that sort of thing. Herbology is pretty cool; it's like all hands on activity.

"Transfiguration is awesome, I love it. It's my favorite class, but don't be late and don't misbehave because she is pretty strict. It's really complicated but its fun. And I love my Arithmancy classes, I always learn so much. And let's see, well, we can never really tell what Defense Against the Dark Arts is going to be like.the professors change every year.

"Charms is usually pretty good, it's actually a fairly easy class once you get the hang of it, but what am I telling you this for, you've taken these classes just not at Hogwarts."

Kirsten had been nodding and listening intently to everything Hermione had been saying.

Hermione was in her element and talked through all four courses and Kirsten gratefully listened. In fact, Hermione was right in the middle of a synopsis of the greater points of Hogwarts, A History when they heard Angie's voice rising above theirs.

"I suppose we had better get up to the school. Dumbledore is expecting us,"

"Oh, if you must," Sierra sighed. "I'll call a carriage to take you to the school; it's a rather long walk,"

"If you insist," Angie said.

"OK, dears, I'll see you tomorrow evening, actually Hermione and I will probably come tomorrow afternoon,"

They said their goodbyes and a new wave of nervous excitement swept over Kirsten as she was stepping into the carriage to leave.

Sierra smiled and waved as they carriage started off and the she turned. Kirsten watched her approach the front door where the woman stood looking severe. They seemed to be shouting at one another.

"Mom?" Kirsten asked leaning back. "Who was that unpleasant woman Sierra didn't get along with?"

"I'm not for sure but I think that is the newest wife. She undoubtedly married the old man for his money. Her behavior certainly suggests it. Naturally Sierra would despise the woman. She radiated bad karma anyway,"

"So, what is Hogwarts like? Hermione told me about the classes and the teachers and the people there (but I already knew the people were wonderful because Harry Potter goes there) but she didn't tell me about what it looks like. I head it's a castle," She said excitedly.

Angie had hoped the enthusiastic interest and plenty of wine at dinner would help her love for the castle conquer her emotions but instead it brought on tearful memories and the wine made her feel slightly dizzy.

"Yes, it's a beautiful castle. And the grounds are spectacular. It's the best place to go to school but you are going to see it in a moment so I shan't waste my breath," This seemed enough for Kirsten who stared out the little window on the door.

Angie thought she was going to be sick when she saw the castle. It should have brought back happy memories but instead all she could think of was how He had hurt her. How He had murdered their friends, leaving her all alone in the world.

The carriage halted and Angie burst out of it. Kirsten exited and got their things. Angie was leaning her full weight on the side of the carriage.

She was dizzy and nauseous and she couldn't bring herself to look at the castle. "It's beautiful!" Kirsten exclaimed. "Oh Mom." She had clapped a hand to her heart and looked around at the beautiful landscape.

A gorgeous vermillion sun reflected off the lake. "Look," She said almost breathlessly, as she turned her mother toward the lake. Angie thought she really would get sick but surprisingly the sight took her breath away. The beauty had thankfully made her forget her dizzy spell.

She was momentarily stunned and she was temporarily able to put Him out of her mind. With a new found confidence she turned to the castle, forced a smile and started up the steps.

Just as they reached the doors they were opened and Angie was jolted with surprise as she recognized Professor McGonagall. "Angela Star!" She cried much more emotionally than Angie had ever seen her get. Maybe it was the sunlight, or maybe it was her imagination but it seemed that the Professor's eyes were a little wet.

Fifteen years was more than it seemed, it really had been too long, and when she had left.she was well. recovering from suicide, and she imagined that she hadn't looked too great the last time anyone here had seen her.

"Come along inside, we have been expecting you for quite some time now," McGonagall said resuming her usual attitude.

Kirsten felt her breath leave her as they entered the entrance hall. They toured the castle for four hours (and only seeing about half of the area of the castle) before they were led to Angie's quarters. Surprisingly Angie was able to block most of her memories of Him and focus on other ones as they walked around.

The area resembled a hotel suite. It was warmly decorated with a nice four poster bed in a separate room, a bathroom, and a nice sitting area equipped with a desk and a love seat.

"Kirsten, you can sleep here tonight," Angie said. "When can we see Dumbledore?" Angie asked turning to Professor McGonagall, who bit her lip and glanced at the clock on the wall.

"He was supposed to be in a very important conference earlier," She said uncertainly.

"I'll send my owl then," Angie said quickly letting a medium sized brown owl out of his cage. She wrote a short note to Dumbledore and sent off the owl.

* * *

"I'm telling you something is not right," An aggravated woman said pacing up and down Dumbledore's office. "We've got to find that crystal and we need you to do that,"

"And what about the school? You aren't suggesting that I leave?"

"Dumbledore, the only reason the school hasn't been closed by now is because YOU are here. But we both know damn well what kind of a risk you're taking." She paused and continued in frustration. "If there's another attack I have the authority to shut down.

"But this is not about the school. This is about everyone, wizard and muggle alike.

"Jesus, you of all people know what that crystal can do. You defeated Grindelwald and put it in its place, no one ever thought it would be removed, and now the threat to us is greater than ever. And Fudge doesn't do a damn thing either, he sits in his office and cries all day! You have GOT to step in and do something. The economy is going to hell, no one will come out after the attack in Diagon Alley two years ago, the public is only just now starting to trust us again, and Voldemort is gaining more and more followers."

"And what can I do?" Dumbledore asked calmly from his desk.

"You can replace the confounded fools at the ministry I'm working with, for one. I can't get anything done! And you can get that crystal back."

"That is your department Elizabeth," The gray eyes blazed at him.

"Dammit! If you won't come in willingly I'll shut down the school, make up something and throw Fudge out and immediately call for you to be elected minister."

"Elizabeth Veronika Hoffenmeijer! I will not be spoken to that way. You may be important and powerful as the head of the IAA but I am still your superior. But I am not in the ministry and I am not an Auror, I am a headmaster and I believe that I am serving the best I can from where I sit at this very moment. I'm sorry if you disagree with that,"

"How the hell can you sit here at your desk, calmly and collectively, when right now somewhere out there the dark lord is holding in his hand one of the most powerful magical objects in the entire world!?"

"Miss Hoffenmeijer, you have seriously misjudged me if you believe me to be calm and collected, but right now I see absolutely no reason to abandon my school in this moment of great need,"

Elizabeth stopped and fixed Dumbledore with a cold stare. Fury mixed with respect. Just then an owl fluttered through an open window and dropped Angie's note in his hand.

"I hope you understand that I can still shut down the school is necessary,"

"I hope you will only exercise that power when it really is necessary," Dumbledore said rising and placing the note aside. He meant to end the discussion. "I really cannot help. The most obvious thing to do would be to more closely watch those under surveillance and to step up our insiders and our listening intelligences,"

"And it wouldn't hurt to catch Sirius Black," She added almost to herself.

"No, probably not, but I doubt any information could be obtained from him. I wouldn't focus on that. He will be protected by those he serves," Dumbledore said, choosing his words and expression carefully.

"We know one thing about him. He may have been clever enough to escape Azkaban, but he is not clever enough to keep himself out of sight," Dumbledore felt his emotions rise as he was reminded of the recent sighting of Sirius and his close encounter with Remus and all of the Weasleys. Sirius would no doubt be at the school sometime this year and Dumbledore meant to seriously lecture him. In some ways, he had not aged from the boy he was before he was taken away to Azkaban.

Elizabeth was at the door now. She was not one to beg, or to ask for help, but she was desperate. The wizarding world was not in a state to write home about. She turned to him again. "Please, I'm asking you as a colleague, as a friend, as a student, as someone in need, as a representative of the people, come and work full time. You are trustworthy, you have a work ethic, you are intelligent, and you know who you are and what you are doing. You have experience and background; you have control of yourself and your emotions. Please, I am asking you to come and do justice for the community," Elizabeth spoke with a sincerity that pulled Dumbledore's heartstrings, but he could not abandon the school, not yet.

He sighed heavily. "May I suggest a few capable people in the ministry who I trust fully?"

"No you may not sir!" Elizabeth shouted and stomped out.

"I'm too old for this," Dumbledore said sinking back into his chair.

He picked up the note from Angie and his mood changed considerably as he briefly replied and asked her to come and have tea in his office.

* * *

As both had hoped Angie and Dumbledore both forgot their problems upon seeing one another after these long years.

"My child," Dumbledore said. "You are looking particularly good since the last time I saw you," He said remembering the broken state she was in when she left for America all those years ago.

"Yes, sir, time heals," She said quietly sitting down and pouring tea for them all.

"And Kirsten Star. My, my, I'm sure you'll hear this often, but what a young lady you've become," Dumbledore said his eyes sparkling. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you. I am so very pleased you will be able to spend your last year of education here.

"Before your mother and I get into any mindless chit-chat, I would like to talk to you for a moment about your previous schooling. I understand you were attending a private school in the states?"

"Yes sir,"

"And what classes were you enrolled in?"

"The normal things like Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, Potions, Dark Arts Combat-"

"Combat?" Dumbledore interrupted, which was rather uncharacteristic for him.

"It's not as bad as it sounds," Angie said quickly. "I assure you, I had my misgivings about a class with a title like that but I checked it out before she started there. It is almost the same as the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes here; it just has a different name. Dealings with creatures and warding off hexes and a bit of history, and that sort of thing,"

"Very well then. I expect you had a history of magic class as well?"

"Yes, sir,"

"Did you play Quad-pods?"

"Um. no, sir, at the school girls did not have their own team and it was rather competitive if a girl was to make the team. Not to say that I haven't played."

"What about quidditch? Are you interested in joining a house team?"

"Well, my experiences with quidditch are few, so I would have to say no. I can fly fairly well though. I also took Divination and the study of Ancient Runes and I am also very close to fluently speaking Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and Gobbledegook. I have a vague understanding of about a dozen other languages and I of course will be taking my mothers class this year,"

"You are a very bright young lady. Crème de la crème as the French would put it. That is all very well, I will have you meet with your professors before tomorrow in order to see how far ahead or behind you might be, but I am sure you will adjust easily.

"I will put you down for Divination, Ancient Runes, and Magical Linguistics as your elective classes then. Now, are you ready to be sorted into your house?" Kirsten nervously drew in her breath. She was usually a very confident person but this struck in her a nervous cord.

She nodded rather than speaking her heart pounding as Dumbledore brought the sorting hat toward her. *What is that? It's hideous. I hope I don't have to wear that.* She thought just as the hat was placed on her head, and then some other unpleasant thoughts flicked across her brain.

Angie smiled nervously as she watched her daughter. She was happy to be back just then. She was extremely proud that her daughter would be getting one of the best educations offered.

*I may be old, but I am wise* The sorting hat said to Kirsten as he read her thoughts.

*How can you.can you hear me?* Kirsten thought astonished.

*Of course, I can hear everything in you head. I'm going to place you where you belong.

*My, this is interesting. I had wondered when I would see the next generation,*

*The next generation?* Kirsten thought confused. *Did you know my parents?*

*Oh certainly! A pair of trouble makers if I ever saw one. (A pair, that is.) Mr. Filch is really going to have his hands full. Well, I suppose the only logical place to put you is Gryffindor.

*This is a tough decision. The lineage leads me to wonder. It does tempt me. Ah well, GRYFFINDOR," The hat said loudly, though not nearly the shout that he gave in the great hall.

"Congratulations," Said Dumbledore. "I'm only sorry you didn't get to see him do one of his song and dance numbers. Well, I suppose you can see that tomorrow," Dumbledore continued. Kirsten turned toward her mother who beamed at her.

"That's all I have to do?" She asked.

"That's all," Dumbledore said with a smile. And the conversation turned to current events and years of catch-up before they all decided to retire.

* * *

The next morning Kirsten toured Gryffindor tower. She decided it was a splendid place and then went off to meet with her teachers who asked her a series of boring academic questions. She found out she was ahead in ancient runes and charms. She decided she didn't like professor Trelawney and she was behind in Charms. Transfiguration she was perfectly set up for the next year and potions she was also a little bit ahead, and Snape wasn't even that mean to her, although she didn't know that.

She was really behind in Herbology, though she was pretty sure that this was because she never paid that much attention to the class back in America. She spent about an hour and a half getting lectured by Professor Sprout and felt full of knowledge by the time she went to have lunch with her mother in her quarters.

She had yet to meet the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, but Dumbledore had said he hadn't yet arrived.

"So what do you think so far?" Angie asked as they had a light lunch next to the window.

"I think it's going to be great." Kirsten said. "Mum, do you think Harry will like me?"

"Harry Potter?" Angie asked a little nervously. Kirsten nodded. "I don't know.he sounds like an extremely nice young person, so I shouldn't see why not," Kirsten seemed satisfied so she didn't press the subject any longer.

"How are you mom? Ready to take up the teaching job?"

"I honestly don't know. It's going to be something new. And I have to confess, coming back here has shaken me up a bit. But I think I'll do fine," She said. Just then a knock at the door startled her into dropping her fork.

"I'll get it," Kirsten said jumping up. The door opened and Angie locked eyes with the person on the other side.

"Oh my god," She whispered.

* * *

A/N: There is absolutely no excuse for my delay. I am fully aware of how long it's been since I last updated and in all reality this chapter is about ten pages shorter than it should be and I apologize.

School is the most confoundedly annoying thing that I have ever encountered.

But anyway, as for the next chapter I will make absolutely no promises as to when I will post it. I can only say that I HOPE to get it out sooner than this one. Though I sincerely doubt that will happen.

I apologize in advance.

Now, a few points about the story that you are no doubt puzzling over.

Hermione is adopted, her parents are dead, you will find out how and why that works soon.

Draco and Ginny are dating, get over it, things like this happen.

Elizabeth is mentioned quite often in this story but she is not important until the end, so don't worry about her.

Sirius and Angie obviously have several loose ends. Don't worry they will be all tied up and explained eventually.

If there is anything else that you are confused about please ask me. You can e-mail or leave it in the review, whatever, but I am sure that it will all be explained eventually.

Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me and reviewed. I really would thank you all personally, as was my characteristic before, and sometime I will do that, but I cannot spare the time at this moment.

My sincere apologies for that as you deserve it, and yes, I did say in the first chapter to look for you name at the end, again I apologize, I didn't have the time.

Next chapter, school starts, to be sure there will be plenty of Sirius. Some more character development, I dunno, some romance perhaps. Yes, I think that has to happen in the next chapter.Oh, and how could I forget, we meet the mysterious person X at the door. And some other cursedly annoying things.

Well anyway, thank you all for reading.

~Star*dust