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.

5. Scientific Hypothesis and Analysis

Awakening Chapter Five: Scientific Hypothesis and Analysis By: Star*dust

A/N: Don't ask about the title; that will make sense towards the end of the chapter. I really am not sure exactly how this is going to turn out. I don't have anything actually detailed so I'm in a way winging it. But, I think it will turn out OK.

A couple of very important notes about the story...

Hermione and Sirius are NOT (And I repeat NOT) going to end up together...I can't believe someone actually suggested that I was going in that direction and there has been much opposition to the Ginny/Draco pairing. Well, let me tell you, I don't often write them, so you won't have to put up with it much and the main reason for their relationship is to create conflict. Don't get all bent out of shape over it. Also, the other relationships are going to be messed up and they all are not permanent situations or anything...

And just another reminder that no matter what the real Harry Potter books bring, I will not in any way change this story, which is already in progress.

Since it's been so outrageously, and unfairly long since the last time I posted I thought I'd give you a quick update on where I last left you...

SUMMARY

Hermione and Kirsten stepped up the competition over Harry. Kirsten eventually won out and Hermione had emotional problems, recalling her parent's murder and dealing with this American invasion. Angie is still having problems...with everything and I left you at the end of the last chapter where Sirius was having a confrontation with Sierra, Hermione's "mother" and the dueling mistress...and someone else...

OK, I think I got some of that stuff cleared up...

* * *

For a moment in time everything was deathly still. The four in the room stood breathlessly staring at one another. Then, quite suddenly, and much to the surprise of both Sierra and Hermione (as well as Sirius) Madame Havairhafpvermin swept across the room and cornered Sirius with shocking efficiency.

Sirius stared down at her wand fearfully. He could hear her breathing heavily. Their eyes met, fearful deep brown eyes, and brilliant gleaming green eyes.

"Explain this," Sierra said appearing suddenly at Sirius's side brandishing his letter. Hermione stood awkwardly separated from the group nervously chewing her lip. "Start talking or I'm summoning Fudge," She ordered as Sirius and Hermione exchanged worried looks. Before either of them could utter a single syllable Madame Havairhafpvermin burst in.

"I think I know how to make this all go away, Sirius." She said frighteningly calm, and extremely anxious all at the same time. "Just give me the key to your vault," Sirius blinked for several minutes, as did the other two in the room. It was all extremely confusing and somewhat shocking.

"Excuse me?" Sirius asked hoarsely.

"You heard exactly what I said. Give. It. To. Me." She said slowly and deliberately.

"Well, I don't exactly have the luxury of carrying it around with me, now do I?" He asked sarcastically. He watched her brow darken with rage. Sierra would have said something at this point but her stepmother wouldn't let her.

"I have a wand to your throat and you still deny me my inheritance? You-"

"WHAT is going on?" Sierra demanded looking from the insane criminal to the insane woman, but she ignored Sierra.

"You can't even use the money! It's just sitting there waiting for it's rightful heir to use it! I know you have access to that money! If you value your freedom give me that KEY!" Sirius tried to shrink away from her. He had now decided that she was absolutely crazy, and another thing was bothering him, why was she here in the first place?

"Look, Gemini—"

"Mrs. Vanessa Havairhafpvermin." Her teeth snapping with every word. Sirius laughed a cold laugh, without mirth.

"That's rich! A match based on pure love, I'm sure!" He said sarcastically.

"If you are implying that I married Pieter out of anything other than—" Gemini, er...Vanessa said.

"You are a gold digging little bitch, and you know it, Sierra knows it, Hermione knows it. What would you need money for now anyway, MRS. HAVAIRHAFPVERMIN?"

"How dare you stand here and insult me in my own house. You are an escaped criminal. You are the world's most wanted man and yet you stand here and insult me, and lie to me. I knew you had absolutely no tact ever since the day you let what's-his-name take over the company! I'm giving you one last chance Sirius, and then I am going to personally make sure you can never stand in my way again."

"Excuse me, but I will decide just exactly what goes on here." Sierra said. "And first you are going to explain to me how you two know each other and then explain to me why the hell you have any contact with my daughter. And then, if you can pull it off, which would be nothing short of a miracle, I might allow you to try and plead with me to not turn you in. But just the chance to argue is very slim so you better start talking."

"First of all," Sirius said removing Gemini's wand and side-stepping her. "If you want to see ANY money I suggest you stay out of this," He said warning his sister who glared icily at him but remained silent.

"This is my older sister, Vanessa Gemini Black...Havairhafpvermin..." Sirius said in a sort of explanatory fashion. "The truth is Gemini, I don't have the key to the vault. I can't really access it in my current condition...however, I do have some money stashed away which can be opened with this," He said pulling a thin gold chain from under his robes. Hermione was frowning and studying it with intensity. On the chain was a gold cross. "This is a key to open a the stash." He said handing it to Gemini. "I'll tell you where it's at when, and only when, you get me out of this."

"You're not ever getting out of this at the rate you're going, Black," Sierra said warningly. Sirius sighed heavily as rubbed his eyes. This was a long day.

"Hermione," He said. "I think I explain the whole story, I need you to send a letter to the Alliance on your fastest owl,"

"To the what?"

"The—never mind, tell Remus we've got a situation at Sierra's and to warn the Alliance,"

"You are not contacting anyone!" Sierra said.

"No, I am," Hermione said quickly running away.

"Get back here!" She screamed starting to go after her and then realizing that Sirius was still was standing in her front hallway. "Fluch!" And she launched into a stream of German swear words. ~*~

"You want to take a walk?" Remus asked Angie late morning on Saturday. "You look like you could use some fresh air."

"Gee, thanks," She said sarcastically.

"No, I'm serious. I think it would do you some good."

"Well why not?" They walked in silence across the grounds. The sun was bright and the weather was still fairly mild.

"What's on your mind?" Remus asked Angie. She didn't say anything but continued to look at the ground. "Hello..." He said trying to make her look at him.

"What?" She asked with a faint smile.

"Tell me what's going on,"

"Nothing is going on," She said quickening her pace slightly.

"Angie, you've got to talk to someone, you can't keep this bottled up inside," The closer he got to Angie the more his concern for her grew. It was increasingly apparent that she was deeply troubled. She was anti-social and often sported dark circles under her eyes. Even Kirsten couldn't figure out a way to completely mask it.

"I don't need to talk," She said flatly. There was no way in hell she was going to discuss her haunting troubles about Sirius, Lily, and James.

"OK, Angie, I've got this problem," He began.

"You've got a problem?" She asked with raised eyebrow. He grinned at her.

"Yes, you see, it's my girlfriend," A grin was slowly spreading across her face.

"What about your girlfriend? Is she unsatisfactory?"

"What!? No!" He said laughing and pulling her into a hug. "The problem is she won't talk to me, even though I know she's really troubled and needs someone to listen to her,"

"Insofar as manifestations of functional deficiencies are agreed by any and all concerned parties to be imperceivable, and are so stipulated, it is incumbent upon said heretofore mentioned parties to exercise the deferment of otherwise pertinent maintenance procedures." Remus blinked.

"Wha—what was that?" She opened her mouth to speak again.

"OK wait...I almost got it..." He seemed to be in deep thought for a moment as Angie was grinning. She found this situation extremely amusing. "Yeah, I got nothing," Remus finally said. Angie laughed.

"Basically, if it ain't broke don't fix it." She said.

"Well why didn't you say that before?"

"You know when I was trying to explain to you where I used to work in America?" Angie asked.

"Yes, I remember being extremely confused about why you would be working for a muggle."

"Yeah, I worked for Lou. He was a lawyer. I got paid for making simple statements like that sound complicated and legal," Remus stared at her for a moment.

"Why?" Before she could reply an owl swooped down and dropped a letter between them. Remus took it. Angie watched as his countenance changed rapidly to concern.

"Damn. You don't happen to have a quill on you, do you?"

"Yeah, what's going on?" She asked handing him one.

"Just some business I have to take care of." He said quickly scribbling a short explanation before sending the owl to the Alliance headquarters. "I'm really sorry, love. I can't explain right now." He said kissing her quickly.

"What are you talking about?" She said as he turned to leave.

"Don't worry, please just trust me. I'll see you tonight...I hope," He added to himself as he quickly strode across the grounds.

~*~

Back at the Havairhafpvermins things were extremely tense as Sirius and Hermione tried to explain how Peter was a whacked out dark lord worshiper. They weren't getting very far and Sirius wished the Alliance would hurry up and arrive.

"Peter was the heroic one who tried to stop you!" Sierra defiantly argued. "There is no way in hell James would have his secret keeper be anyone but YOU! You can't get around it Black. You may have talked my daughter into it but it won't get you anywhere with me!" Sirius was pacing in frustration and Hermione was still nervously chewing her lip.

Suddenly, the buzzer that usually notified the butler who was always waiting in the front hall that there was someone at the gate sounded. They all looked at each other. Sierra looked and saw it was Remus.

"What the hell?" She had time to say before two other people suddenly appeared at his side. "That's Bill Weasley! What is he doing?"

"Bill?" Hermione repeated, extremely confused.

"Who?" Vanessa-Gemini asked.

"Let them in," Hermione said, as Sirius had indicated for her to do.

"While we're in the middle of this?" Sierra asked. Of course, while this discussion was going on inside, outside the three of them had broken through the gates and were rushing to the door. In a second it burst open and the three of them exploded in explanations.

"God Almighty! Help me," Sierra cried tugging at her hair.

"I'll handle this!" A short little woman said stepping in front of Remus and Bill. She had spoken in a sharp voice with a French accent. No one in that room besides Sirius had ever seen her before and it was doubtful a classy neighborhood like this had ever seen her before.

She was a short skinny little thing with short bright red hair that had obviously been dyed. She wore heavy make-up but especially on her eyes, though she was quite a young girl. Her clothes were that of muggles, though not many respectable muggles would have worn them. In the heat of the tale end of summer she was dressed in a halter top that bared her midriff and shoulders and a skirt that belled out at the top of her tall boots.

She looked at Sirius and rolled her eyes. "Here I am, saving your ass as usual. Hello darling, I'm Nicolette Noire." She said smiling sweetly and turning to Sierra. "You must be terribly mixed up, if we were at my place I'd give you something to drink—"

"Excuse me," Sierra said cutting in. "If you don't mind, I'm trying to figure out why I should be allowing the three of you to break into my house without summoning the ministry and most importantly why an escaped convict is in my house and is in correspondence with my daughter."

Nicolette turned to Sirius and Hermione and gave him a look. "She's a bit young for you, isn't she Sirius?" She asked with a grin.

"This is not the place Nikki," He said sharply. She rolled her eyes. "Standard One-Eleven?" She asked. Sirius and Remus exchanged uneasy glances. Nikki swore loudly in French. "Am I missing vital information about this woman?"

"This is Sierra Havairhafpvermin," Remus said.

"You mean the same Sierra Havairhafpvermin on the list?" Nikki asked.

"Just how many Havairhafpvermin's do you think there are?" Bill snapped.

"Good point," Nikki replied.

"What list? What is this? I should have you arrested! Breaking and entering! Conspiring with escaped convicts!"

"We should take her back to headquarters," Nikki said.

"You are NOT taking me anywhere!" Sierra shouted.

"All right, have it your way. How much does she know?" Nikki asked turning to Sirius.

"We've told her most of it, naturally she doesn't believe us."

"I haven't told her about third year yet!" Hermione said.

"Third year? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THIRD YEAR!?!?!" Sierra cried. Her emotions were blazing and her mind was spinning. Nicolette started to speak but Sierra raised her wand and she fell back with a faint "Oh là là!"

"Sierra just calm down," Remus said trying to come towards her.

"Don't move!" Sierra screeched and he stopped short. It seemed as if everyone was looking at Sirius and his mind was racing. There had to be one thing that could convince her. There must have been something.

"Sierra," Sirius began cautiously looking straight into her eyes that were dangerously glinting. "That night, Halloween...you know where I was. You know where I was when Lily and James were murdered. I was..., um, you know....with you..." He said extremely uncomfortably. He was extremely aware that everyone was hanging on his every syllable and he didn't want to get into the subject of what he was doing that night.

"That is true..." Sierra said. "But that doesn't mean anything. You sold them out to the dark lord and when Peter figured you out you finished him off too." She was walking towards him now. Remus had his wand out prepared to do the standard 111 (memory swipe) when suddenly she stopped.

"What is that?" She said sharply. She stepped forward and grasped the gold chain and ring that hung around his neck. She held it in her hand read Angie's father's inscription. "Why do you still have this?"

"What was I supposed to do with it?"

"Why are you wearing it?"

"Hell if I know! She ignored...well, hmm." He said frustrated that he couldn't talk freely to her.

"You mean that she never...you're still...?" Sirius meaningfully glanced at the entourage of people behind them and Sierra let it go and fell back a step.

"Technically, yes," Sirius said softly replying to her question.

"Is that why you're...here?" She asked cautiously.

"No, I have no intention of..." Again he stopped, extremely annoyed with his audience.

"Oh my god,"

"Sierra, Peter is still alive! Think about it, they only found his finger! Not even a piece of a robe. That's impossible, his finger would have vaporized along with the rest of him. Sierra you know I'm not a murderer, god dammit!"

"I don't know..." She said in a confused state. "Who are these people?"

"This is the Alliance," Sirius told her. "We are a small group, of 30 or 40 witches and wizards. They all know about my innocence. Right now our major objective is to recruit members, mostly from our year at Hogwarts, and to find Peter. We have contacts in the ministry. We're working out contacts in the IAA. Dumbledore and McGonagall are a part of it. We're trying to combat You-Know-Who. He's rising again and Peter has to be at his side!"

"Dumbledore?" They all nodded.

"There, you see—" Gemini began but was cut off. Most of them had forgotten she was in the room.

"I almost forgot. What's this about money?" Sierra asked Sirius.

"My inheritance," He said simply. "And Gemini is my sister. She believes she was unfairly cut out of the will."

"I WAS unfairly cut out of the will!"

"You have a sister?" Nicolette, Hermione, and Remus all asked seemingly at once.

"Meet Mrs. Vanessa....*cough* Havairhafpvermin," He said unimpressively. She glared icily at him.

"Wait!" Sierra said cutting in. "Assuming you are innocent-which is doubtful- I still don't understand what that has to do with Hermione,"

"I tried to tell you about third year," Hermione said. "Harry, Ron and I saw Peter alive on the same occasion that we met Sirius. We would have captured Peter right then and there but there was an incident that distracted us," She said looking at Remus. She was unsure if her mother knew that he was a werewolf.

"It was my fault," Remus said. "I transformed,"

"Oh my god! Was anyone hurt? What the hell am I saying? Ok...we're going to put that aside for a second. Why would Peter have been made the secret keeper?"

"Think about it Sierra. Who did you assume was the secret-keeper? Me. Who is the last person anyone would suspect? Not me, not Dumbledore, but who would suspect Peter? Of course the double-crossing fool was happy to take the position? He was handed the Potters, which he handed to the dark lord. Don't you remember how we both went into 'hiding'?" Slowly, and after a long pause she nodded. Sirius exhaled slowly.

"So you believe me?"

"I'll have to require Dumbledore's confirmation, but I suppose it's possible." The tension that had been palpable seemed to have snapped as they all let out long breaths.

"Sorry Sirius," Hermione said softly as she sat on one of the steps. "If I hadn't left out the letter..." She muttered under her breath.

"I'll see if I can't get Dumbledore, shall I?" Remus said and then disappeared.

"Well, I'll just tell you a little more about the Alliance while we wait..." Nikki began.

* * *

Remus hastened up the steps to Dumbledore's office. When he finally reached the top he was quite out of breath and cursing Sirius. However, he didn't pause and wait for a reply to his knock, he rather burst right in, startling Angie who was seated across from the headmaster.

"Good afternoon, Lupin," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "Care to join us?"

"No, I'm afraid I'll have to break it up. You're desperately needed." Dumbledore frowned. Remus didn't want to say anything in front of Angie, but at the same time he didn't want to waste time. So, he quickly went over and whispered to Dumbledore. "Alliance situation at Sierra's. Sirius is being an idiot,"

Dumbledore wore an expression of some surprise as he leaned back to look at Remus(who was looking very grave) "I do apologize Angela. I must leave, but I promise we'll talk later," He said rising from his seat and ushering her out the door.

At the bottom of the stairs Dumbledore set off immediately but Angie grabbed Remus's arm. "What's going on?" She whispered.

"It's nothing. I'll see you tonight,"

"But—"

They were gone.

* * *

The sun was starting to set when they had finally finished discussing it all. Sirius drew Dumbledore aside with a wary look at his sister.

"I don't trust her, can't we just obliviate her?" He asked Dumbledore.

"This is your fault, and you are going to have to accept the consequences," Dumbledore said curtly. He was not at all happy at what had happened. Reluctantly Sirius gave Gemini the small locket along with instructions.

"You remember where Lily and James Potter used to live? You came there and interrupted my meal once..."

"Yes I remember!" She said impatiently.

"The house is in ruins but if you find the fence out back and walk due north from the gate you'll eventually find a small lake and one single weeping willow. At the base of the willow a box is buried there. Knock yourself out," He finished and quickly moved away from her.

Gemini stared wild-eyed at the locket in her hand. "Sierra," She said faintly not taking her eyes off its glinting form. "I won't be in for dinner..." And she grabbed her cloak and left immediately. Sirius watched her go with a dark look.

"I can't believe you're related to that abominable woman!" Hermione remarked to Sirius.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're not related," A mischievous little smile spread across his face as she disapparated. Catching Hermione's eye, he remarked. "I hope she doesn't do something stupid when she finds my chocolate frog card collection!"

* * *

Dumbledore had spoken some short well chosen words to Sirius, basically telling him to get his act together and stay hidden. Tail between his legs, literally, he left with Nikki to go back to Paris.

Hermione, Sierra, Remus and Dumbledore made a strange entrance into dinner at the great hall. All four of them did a very good job at averting their eyes from everyone's gaze and momentarily conversation picked back up to its usual dull roar.

"Guys, I had the most terrible day. Sierra found a letter I left out and Si- " Hermione cut herself off as she noticed Kirsten paying very close attention to her narrative. "Serious problems occurred..." She finished. And sat down slowly. Harry was biting his lip, he knew that they should avoid the subject just in case Kirsten started asking questions, but he had to say something.

"Is everything taken care of?"

"Yes, everything is fine now." Harry and Ron exhaled together and Kirsten looked suspiciously from one to the other.

"What is going on?"

"It's just my grandfather, you wouldn't be interested." Hermione snapped at her. She seemed to be satisfied with that and plowed back into her conversation with Harry, though he kept glancing over at Hermione.

As they five of them were exiting after dinner Harry whispered to Ron. "I'll tell Kirsten that quidditch ends half hour later than it actually does. You two come out to the pitch when practice is over." Ron nodded and led Hermione up to the Gryffindor tower as Harry kissed Kirsten on the cheek.

"Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It got all straightened out. It took all day, but everything is fine now. I'll tell you tonight."

* * *

For the last hour Remus Lupin had been pacing trying to figure out what he should tell Angie. And now he was in front of her door with no story. He knocked and when nothing happened he just opened the door.

Angie was sitting at the table. Something that resembled a notebook was in front of her. It appeared to have a picture inside of it, but as soon as Remus had come inside she snapped it shut and attempted to conceal under a purse.

It was quickly apparent why she hadn't acknowledged the knock on the door as her eyes were red and shone with wetness.

Remus decided not to ask her about it, the subject would most likely cause more tears. Instead he opened up a bottle and poured them each a glass. Angie gratefully accepted and quickly accepted a second.

"Where have you been all day?" She asked, the first words of the night.

"Just some business, don't worry about it," He said taking a drink so he wouldn't have to look at her.

"It must have been pretty serious if Dumbledore was involved."

"It turned out to be nothing. All's well that ends well,"

"Are you avoiding my question?" She asked her eyes narrowing slightly. He coughed uncomfortably. "What aren't you telling me?"

"I think you better have some more of this..." He said pouring her a third glass. She accepted but wasn't fooled.

"I don't appreciate secrets,"

"I'm not asking you about that little item," He said pointing to the exposed corner of her notebook. Her face turned scarlet and she downed the rest of her glass, which caused Remus's countenance to show a slight concern but he remained silent as she poured another. "We're even then. Do you mind if I have a cigarette?" Remus shrugged. He had discovered this habit shortly after they started 'dating'. He didn't really like it, but he wasn't going to stop her.

"It's been a long day without you," She said.

~*~

By chance, on the way up to the castle after Hermione had briefed the other two on the events of the day an owl brought Hermione more news.

Hermione,

I apologize for today. I realize how careless I was...I've decided to focus on some business and lay low for as long as possible.

Until I come back, thank Remus and Sierra for me. Keep an eye on Vanessa and tell Harry and Ron they can get a hold of them through Nicolette.

If YOU really need to talk to me about...certain things, address your letter to Apollo, my middle name.

Don't get discouraged, just think little black dress! –Keep in touch.

~Apollo

Hermione handed the letter to Ron who had been unsuccessfully trying to read it over her shoulder and started to explain to Harry what Sirius had said. Before she got hardly anything out Hermione barely had time to see a flash of blonde hair fly past her before she realized Kirsten had arrived. Ron steered Hermione quickly up toward the common room.

~*~

That night Sirius stared out the open window listening to the pouring rain for what seemed like hours. His mind kept playing the day over and over again and he kept going back to the ring he wore around his neck.

The ring Angie had given him that Halloween night so many years ago. The ring that was supposed to bind them together for life. The same ring that she completely ignored and pretended it had never existed!

Presently, Sirius was in Paris, on the top floor of an old building facing an alley. He was looking out Nikki's bedroom window waiting for her to come upstairs in the wee hours of the morning after the night club she owned had closed.

Nikki was another strange character Sirius had met that he really didn't know how to perceive her. In some ways she was just another trashy woman. But she was educated and usually extremely nice. She was very outgoing, a young cute little girl who had somehow gotten mixed up in all this.

Nicolette Noire was the youngest daughter of four children. She had lived independently since she ran away from home at sixteen. She was a squib and lived like a muggle, except when she was involved in the Alliance. (Which she usually was...)

About two years ago Sirius and gotten her and Bill out of a lot of trouble under some very extraordinary circumstances. After many explanations they agreed to help him in his task which had been appointed by Dumbledore. He was to recruit 'the old crowd' and ever since then, that's what they had been doing.

The Alliance was small, tight knit, and little know. They usually operated illegally, or mostly that way. Their chief goal being to combat death eaters and to find Peter Pettigrew to liberate Sirius. Of course, locating these people, convincing them of Sirius's innocence, and then explaining everything was not an easy job. Currently their members numbered about forty or more. Almost all had other jobs, and many were friends of Nikki's.

Then there was the Nikki factor... It wasn't that Sirius was blind to her good looks, slim and young body and charming (and willing) personality, it was the fact that he wasn't really that interested. The way she looked at him sometimes was a little uncomfortable but usually they both tried to be professional. Right now, she was unofficially involved with the Weasley twins.

At any rate, she certainly looked tempting when she came upstairs and slipped into her skimpy pajamas that night, but Sirius was too caught up in his thoughts of the past to really notice her.

"Hallo!" She said waving a hand in front of his face. "I asked if you want a drink?" It took Sirius a moment to come back to reality before he accepted her offer.

"Where is Sirius tonight? Back at the school?"

"In a way," He replied.

"Tell me how today happened. How did you get in that position?"

"At Sierra's? She found one of my letters to Hermione,"

"Careless,"

"I don't appreciate you pointing that out," He said with a small edge to his voice.

"I was observing your lapse of character is all. I don't know if it was my inferior command of English, but I didn't exactly follow your dialogue with Sierra this afternoon."

"Inferior command of English? I think you speak English better than I do!" Sirius said laughing.

"So... do you care to enlighten me on this little object?" She asked reaching forward and holding up the ring on the chain. Sirius looked down at it a second and then snatched it up and stuffed it inside of his robes.

Nikki was slightly taken aback this sudden action. "Forgive me, I trust that it is not important to anything that is related to the Alliance or you wouldn't deny me such information," She said sitting back and sipping her own drink.

"No, it is no more your business than it is Sierra's!"

"You're so tense, my darling," She said. "Drink, it will calm your nerves." She informed him as she stood and started to massage his shoulders. After quite some time Sirius drew in a large breath.

"I'm sorry for getting angry," He said.

"I am not hurt," She replied. "But if you need someone to talk to..."

"After almost sixteen years I think I can handle it. Thank you though,"

"Sixteen years is a long time to keep something inside of you."

"I'm going to bed!" Sirius declared with that same slight edge he had had before. He stomped off leaving Nikki to nervously chew her lip.

There was suddenly a knock at her door. Sirius froze and Nikki slowly looked at the door. "It's probably my manager..." She whispered. Sirius looked around for something to hide himself behind. The knocker persisted. Nikki indicated the closet with her finger and cursing under his breath Sirius shut himself inside.

Before Nikki got a chance to get to the door it burst open and none other than Fred and George Weasley burst in. "Nicolette!" They both cried running at her and picking her up between them and dancing around, all the while she screamed. All together they made a rather lot of noise.

"What are you two doing here?" She cried happily when they set her down, giving them each a kiss on each cheek, as is the customary French greeting.

"We decided we were missing you like crazy!"

"And we had to come see our favorite, breath-taking, dazzling, wonderful, funny, intelligent....you take it Fred, I'm running out of adjectives," George said.

"I've got plenty... beautiful, spunky, charming, witty—"

"What is it you want?" Nikki cut in.

"Just a small little thing,"

"—fabulous, gorgeous, ravishing, invigorating--"

"Not too much trouble, we'd just like your permission,"

"—cheerful, cunning, incredible, spectacular—"

"We've invented a new product but we need someone to try it on." George explained.

"Oh no! I'm not going anywhere near it. I'm not entirely stupid!" Nikki exclaimed.

"Does that make you a half-wit?" George asked.

"Oh shut your mouth!" Nikki snapped at him.

"--alluring, attracting, captivating, enchanting—"

"Anyway, we wanted to test it on one of the girls." George explained referring to the girls that worked in her night club.

"I will not willing subject them to something of your creation!"

"--glamorous, magnetic, seductive, humorous—"

"But Nikki—"

"Don't you Nikki me! I don't trust you any farther than I can throw you, which I assure you i not very far..."

"—lovely, magnificent, mystifying, lively—"

"Oh Fred, do stop," Nikki said.

"—vivacious, bewitching, spirited, amiable, closest, most bestest friend we have." Fred finished.

"Guys, I can't lose an employee," Nikki explained.

"That's rich!" George cried.

"Nikki, all you have to do is stick your head out the window and take your pick from the group on the corner if you need a new employee." Fred said.

"I---" But she interrupted herself. "Do you hear something?" They all listened and there was a definite thumping sound following suddenly by a loud sort of roar.

"Sirius!" Nikki cried suddenly running to the closet door and quickly opened it. Sirius looked livid as he stepped out and Nikki bit her lip.

"I don't appreciate being locked in a closet and then left there, for better or worse," He said.

"I just got a bit distracted," She said.

"Yes, its so distracting getting your ego boosted by a long stream of complimentary adjectives," Sirius said somewhat bitterly, but he seemed to cheer up considerably quickly.

"Well Sirius, I'm glad to see you've finally come out of the closet." Fred said. "We're very proud of you, and we'll support you all the way. It's not always going to be easy, be we're here for you." George and Fred both looked very serious as Fred made this little speech but Sirius and Nikki lost it, both began cracking up, but Sirius wasn't really in a happy mood, as he recovered from today's events.

"Sirius my good man! How's the world treating you?" George cried clapping him on the back as if a convicted murderer bursting out of one's closet was the most normal thing in the world.

"Like shit, how's it treating you?" Sirius said with dead calmness.

"Apparently you haven't had enough to drink yet darling. Come sit at the table while I get us something to talk over," Nikki said flitting into the other room as the three of them took seats at the small table.

"So, Sirius, does she always wear stuff like this when you're around?" Fred asked with a wink. Sirius shook his head and grinned.

"Dare I ask what you were doing in her closet?" George asked provocatively.

"Nikki is a good friend who is putting me up for the night," Sirius explained.

"Oh Sirius, that's no good, you can't tell us you hadn't noticed..." Sirius couldn't help but grin.

"No, no, I noticed." He assured them as she walked back in with a bottle under one arm and four glasses in her hands. As she served them Fred winked at George.

"So, Nikki, when is the next Alliance meeting?" George asked.

"I'll need to talk to Dumbledore, and I'm supposed to get briefed Monday morning by your father, and I think everyone else who works at the ministry. If I find out any vital information I'll call a meeting, otherwise, I'll try and work one out for the end of the month. I've got to try and find a time when most everyone can come.

"We should be getting another member, if all goes well. Sirius accidentally recruited us Sierra Havairhafpvermin. You're brother can tell you all about it," Nikki informed them.

"I know her. She's Hermione's adopted mother. Dad has worked with her at the ministry too. She does consultant work. I think she specializes in psychiatry and analysis of the mind."

"She's also dueling mistress at the school," Sirius said. "She's been trained to be an auror. Sierra is a very sharp lady."

"Very rich, the only heiress to the Havairhafpvermin estate," Fred said.

"If my sister doesn't get in the way," Sirius mumbled from behind his glass. He chuckled a little thinking of the look on her face when she opened up the box and found a bunch of cards with famous witches and wizards on them.

"So, what exactly happened?" Fred asked leaning closer to Sirius as if the story was going to be extremely exciting.

"Yes, let's hear it," George agreed imitating his brother. Sirius narrowed his eyes and looked from one freckled face to the next.

"It's been a long day and I'd rather not talk about it," Sirius said downing the last of his drink. Fred and George exchanged looks and then leaned casually back in their seats. Sirius curiously inspected the inside of his glass.

"This was good Nikki, what was this?"

"It was just some wine,"

"Huh," Sirius said setting it down. "It didn't really taste like wine..."

"That's because you didn't give yourself time to taste it," She said observing the other three glasses which were still well over half full. Fred looked at his brother; they both narrowed their eyes and looked back at Sirius.

"Well, I'd love to stay up and chat, but I really feel like laying down," Sirius said standing up. For a second he stood there, and then a queer look came over his face and he sort of collapsed back into the chair. Fred and George's eyes sort of bulged and Nikki let out a squeal.

"Sirius! Are you OK?" She asked rushing to him. He was already struggling to get up and trying to shake her off.

"Yeah, I'm fine," He insisted but his steps were shaky and his balance was off.

"Sirius, are you drunk?" Nikki asked him.

"What are you talking about? I'm...fine..." He said rather distantly. He suddenly stiffened and stared straight ahead.

"Sirius what are you looking at?" Nikki asked, but he didn't seem to hear her.

"James?" Sirius asked.

"James?" Nikki repeated. "What are you talking about?"

George turned to Fred. "What d'you suppose we did to him?" He asked.

"I dunno, but this is definitely not the desired effect," Fred replied as Sirius continued to carry on a conversation with no one.

Sirius obviously seemed to think that he was talking to James Potter, or more like James Potter was talking to him. "But James, you don't understand. I hadn't planned to get married.... I'm sorry that you weren't the best man, yeah, I know I promised, but...it just happened James, I'm telling you...No, you were getting killed,... no I couldn't have owled you...no, James, you don't understand you were being murdered..." Sirius started to move and no matter what Nikki said he didn't hear her.

"Sirius, watch out for the chair!" She called but he walked blindly into it and fell over causing Fred and George to break into laughter.

"No, Mrs. Potter, she's lying, I would never try and look up her skirt, you know I'm a good boy," Sirius was now saying from his toppled position on the floor.

"What?" Nikki demanded. "I am NOT Mrs. Potter," She said trying to help him.

"No, Madame Pomprey, I don't WANT to take that medicine!" He was now whining like a little boy as Nikki desperately tried to raise him from the ground. As she decided to give up she suddenly sprung up leaving her to throw her hands in the air.

"Sucker!" He yelled. "Bet you weren't expecting that one you slimy git!" By this time Fred and George had realized that their concoction had not worked but instead had cause Sirius to have hallucinations, naturally they were falling to the floor with laughter.

"Sirius, darling," Nikki said cautiously placing her hand on his arm and leading him towards the bed. "I think you better lay down now."

"Thank you," He said which almost caused Nikki to think his spell was over until... "I know I'm sick but you don't have to make fun of me for it!"

"I know dear," She replied half-heartedly as she forced him to lie down.

"AND DON'T CALL ME SNUFFLES!" He shouted causing her to jump slightly.

"Whatever you say darling," Fred and George broke into more peals of laughter as Nikki rounded on them.

"What. Did. You. Do?"

"Apparently we've still got to make some improvements," George said trying to regain his composure but failing as Sirius started spouting Romeo and Juliet, though he remained laying down.

"You're damn right!" Nikki said. "You've created a hallucinogen!"

~*~

The next day Sirius woke up around two and before he had barely moved he groaned from the unbelievable pain in his head. He blinked and for a split second he thought he was at Angie's apartment in Hogsmeade, but then he realized what year he was in.

Nikki must have heard him because she came over with a glass of water. "Afternoon," She said.

"Oh god," He muttered. "What the hell happened?"

"I'm not exactly sure but you were messed up something awful," She said. "You were talking to James Potter, and quoting Shakespeare and all kinds of random things. You also gave yourself a smart little cut on the cheek when you tripped over the chair last night," Nikki said giggling a little bit as she recalled it.

"What?" He said faintly.

"I nearly summoned the doctor when you started sing,"

"Sing? What was I singing?"

"I think you were singing in Italian," She replied.

* * *

As October wore on they soon stopped worrying about Sirius, although Hermione regularly kept in touch with him. They had other things to think about, quidditch, Hogsmeade, schoolwork, and dueling club!

The first dueling club meeting was just that: a meeting. It was just a short call out for returning members only so that Sierra could get some things explained.

"Welcome back!" Sierra said warmly that Monday night. "I hope everyone had a nice summer," Here she looked at Harry with an expression of pity before continuing. "I trust everyone has adjusted to school life again."

"No Sierra," Ron said sarcastically before changing his voice to that of a small child. "I miss my mommy!" A wave of laughter swept through the room as even Sierra allowed herself a smile at this ridiculous statement.

"Aw, poor Ron," Sierra said in a baby-ish voice. "Maybe we can arrange for your mommy to come tuck you in tonight. Now—" She began with intentions of going on but they were stopped by Ron.

"Really?" He asked, his face lighting up like that of a little child's on his birthday.

"Be quiet Ron. No one wants to hear you anymore." Sierra said with a grin as she shot a silencing charm at him. "And I observe that this year we need to focus on the blocking lessons and the constant vigilance lesson." She noted as her spell hit right on target and Ron began frantically try and speak.

He grabbed Hermione by the shoulders and started shaking her, all the while he was shouting soundlessly. Hermione was laughing too hard for words. Sierra started to speak again but starting laughing at the sight of Ron.

"Seriously," She said. "Ron if you're a good boy we'll let you speak again later." Ron pointed two of his fingers at his eyes and then pointed to Sierra, as a sign of 'I'm watching you' and then they continued.

"Saturday I was thinking we could have our first real meeting. This gives you most of the week to go out and spread the word, recruit new people. Anyone from any year can come and try out, bring your friends. I hope to have a lot of fun this year.

"We'll meet outside on the quidditch pitch if the weather is not too bad, if not meet in the entrance hall and we'll figure something else out. Now, I want to talk about what's coming up...

"Seventh years should be interested to know that this year there will be ministry scouts coming to observe toward the end of the year. This is not just for dueling club, they will be at quidditch matches and may observe some classes, I'm not really sure.

"At the end of this year I hope to have a fun sort of a contest. We'll have prizes and that sort of thing. I think we'll split you into even teams and also have a singles competition for those who want to enter. I'm not really sure how that's going to work but I have all year to think it up.

"Now if there are any questions you can see me in the dueling room on the fourth floor. It's the same place it was last year, but I am hoping that we're going to outgrow that room this year, which is why we're meeting outside. Any questions right now?" Ron's hand immediately shot up into the air. "Anyone else have any questions? Are you sure there are no other questions? OK, you're dismissed, I'll see you Saturday, please make sure that you come back from Hogsmeade in good enough time to eat before the meeting. Thanks you guys!" She said and people started to file out, but Ron was not about to let Sierra get away.

"I don't know, I think I rather like him this way," Sierra said considering her wand. Harry and Hermione were still laughing. "What do you think Ginny?"

"Leave him," She said quickly running out of the room to avoid Ron's angry pursuit. Laughing Sierra undid her spell and Ron looked from her to Harry and Hermione.

"I thought you guys were my friends," He said, trying to look serious but just coming off as hilarious.

"But Ron, you looked so ridiculous trying to talk!" Hermione said.

"You should try not being able to say anything and see how you like it!"

* * *

Wednesday night Harry went off to quidditch practice. He left Kirsten with a kiss on the cheek and he assured Ron he would mention how they all missed Ginny at the Gryffindor table.

After Harry left Hermione and Ron were attempting to read their textbooks but both were somewhat distracted by Kirsten's unusual attitude. She was sitting in the chair chewing her lip with a furrowed brow staring straight ahead. When she hadn't moved for quite some time Ron finally slammed his book shut.

"I can't work like this! What IS the matter with you?" He asked Kirsten.

"It's nothing...how could you tell I was upset?" She asked. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"It's hard to concentrate on one's work when the only movement you've made in the last ten minutes is chew your lip!"

"It's just that...well, no, never mind," She said looking down.

"Come on, we've already bit the hook, you might as well reel in the line," Hermione said to her.

"Hermione, when have you EVER in your life, been fishing?" Ron asked her.

"I don't see how that's relevant to our conversation," She stated.

"I don't see how you can make a comparison to fishing if you've never actually gone fishing,"

"You don't know that I've never been fishing before,"

"Well have you?"

"Maybe,"

"Oh give me a break," Ron said.

"I haven't, so there! But the comparison was that we were fish, not that we were doing the fishing."

"Well, Hermione, just explain to me the last time you were a fish!"

"Excuse me," Kirsten said rather irritably. "I've decided that I'll tell you what's going on, but not if you don't stop arguing about fish! Now, like I was saying... This is quite uncomfortable, but I suppose you two would be the ones to ask. Harry has had girlfriend's before...right?"

"Of course he has." Ron replied.

"Well, I don't know if this is just a European thing or what, but doesn't he ever kiss his girlfriends?"

"What?" Ron and Hermione cried; it was quite an unusual question.

"I apologize for the strange question," Kirsten said. "But it's just that all he does is kiss me on the cheek, and its getting annoying!" Ron narrowed his eyes and Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to the book, or pretended to anyway.

"You mean that you and Harry haven't...kissed yet?" Ron asked unbelieving.

"Well...the first time, doesn't really count because...well, that's a long story... but no matter what I do he won't kiss me on the lips. Doesn't he like me? Is there something wrong with me? Do you guys know something I don't?" Hermione was burning to say something, but she slowly counted to ten, resisting the urge to tell Kirsten exactly what was wrong with her.

Ron looked somewhat dumbfounded. Kirsten may not have had as nice a personality as Hermione but she wasn't a bad person, and she was definitely hot. He could not even begin to comprehend why Harry would not have kissed her yet! Shaking his head he spoke. "I'll try and talk to him, but I think you better just come out and say something." So Kirsten made up her mind that she would confront him tonight after practice.

~*~

"Ginny!" Harry called to his teammate as they were all heading to the locker rooms. She whirled around. A tendril of hair carelessly hung in front of her face which was streaked with mud on one side.

"Yes captain?" She asked with a grin.

"How've you been?" He asked, not entirely sure what he was going to say yet.

"Me, I've been sent flying into the ground at the direction of my quidditch captain."

"Could have been worse," Harry replied. "I was just wondering if your Slytherin experience has been treating you well,"

"Oh." She said shortly, her countenance changing.

"Don't get like that," Harry pleaded. "I'm not going to lecture or pester you. But I really think your brother misses his little sister," A ghost of a smile played on her lips.

"Well, it's his fault! Every time I try to have a conversation it always comes back to Draco,"

"Trust me, the words Draco, or Malfoy, will NOT come up during conversation at the Gryffindor table."

Ginny smiled. "I guess I can alternate."

"Hermione will be glad for some new company I expect. She gets rather tight- lipped around Kirsten."

"Ah, now it's my turn to keep my mouth shut about my friend's significant others," Ginny said referring to the fact that everyone always talked about Draco.

"Don't tell me you have a problem with KIRSTEN!" Harry said suddenly as he spotted her coming toward him. Ginny rolled her eyes and hurried up to the castle.

"Did you have a good practice?" Kirsten asked coming up to Harry and deliberately trying to give him a kiss, which he deftly avoided. Disappointed she fell in beside him as they walked up to the castle.

"We're still not ready for a game, but its getting there."

"I think it was wrong for them to voluntarily give you all this power. It's not good for you," Kirsten said laughing.

"I'm sure their probably cursing their decision," Harry agreed. "So, what's the occasion? Did you just want to surprise me, by meeting me here, or what?"

Kirsten took a deep breath. "We need to talk." She said. They stopped walking.

"Oh."

"It's about the kiss. And lack thereof after that kiss," She said.

"Oh."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I...Kirsten, are you going to break up with me?"

"WHAT?! No, don't be ridiculous."

"Oh." Harry said frowning. "So what is this about?"

Kirsten didn't know what to say so she just burst out. "Why won't you kiss me?" Harry blushed scarlet. "Is there something wrong? Do I have bad breath or something?"

"No, no," Harry said still extremely red. "It's nothing like that..."

"What then?" Kirsten demanded.

"Well...the first time we kissed,"

"You mean the only time," Kirsten muttered.

"Didn't you feel it? You must not have, but... well, there was like this powerful electric shock...and well it kind of hurt," Harry said feeling like this was the most embarrassing and awkward conversation he'd ever had. "And so, sort of automatically I just avoid it. I don't really mean to but..." He chanced a look at Kirsten who suddenly burst out laughing.

"Harry," She said. "Come here," And she pulled him into a kiss by the collar of his shirt.

There was no shock this time.

* * *

Saturday morning Ron and Hermione were busy helping the third years understand what was going on and helping to check that everyone had a permission slip. Remus smiled as he saw Ron rolling his eyes at a retreating third year.

"Hey Professor," Ron and Hermione chimed as Remus came up to them.

"Morning," He replied cheerfully. "Do you have big plans for the day?"

"Yeah-" Ron started but Hermione finished the sentence.

"To stay as far away from Harry and Kirsten as I can!" Remus raised an eyebrow.

"You see, the other night...they had this little talk, and now they are...how shall I put it? A lot more openly affectionate." Remus laughed. Kirsten had explained to Harry that the first time she kissed anyone it always shocked them but afterwards it was fine. She never knew why but suspected it had something to do with her charmed necklace.

"They'll grow out of it," He said. "It's just strange for those two to be dating..."

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Well..." He had started to say because they had known each other so well all those years ago...but he didn't want to have to explain because they were likely to ask what Angie's relationship to Lily and James were and then what would he do? "Um, you know...her being from a different country and all," He said hastily.

"Well she's certainly lowered my opinion of Americans," Hermione said.

"Has she? She is a very intelligent person,"

"Oh bah! She may be smart but she the most deplorable person I have ever met," Remus was slightly taken aback by these words but he hid it well from her while still giving Ron a questioning look.

"Anyway Professor," Ron said loudly, pointedly changing the subject. "What are your plans for the afternoon? Heading over to the village?"

"Yes, I'm escorting Professor Star, I think she needs the fresh air."

"Hey, hey, hey! Getting comfy with the languages professor. Does she whisper French sweet nothings in your ear?" Ron asked fluttering his eyelashes.

"You should talk, look at your brothers!" Remus replied referring to Fred and George.

"I don't even ask about them anymore... but you're changing the subject..."

"Oh no, I am not about to discuss this with you two,"

"So you two are an item!" Hermione squealed with excitement at having found out a new and interesting piece of gossip.

"No." Remus said. "We are good friends."

"Yeah, good friends with special benefits." Ron said to Hermione a large grin on his face.

"Enough of that," Remus said, hoping to God he looked normal.

"OK, but from now on I'm watching you," Ron said.

* * *

Ron, Hermione, Seamus, and the Patil twins hung out most of the day, shopping and chilling with each other. They made fun of Harry and his new American girlfriend and discussed dueling club and quidditch. Harry and Kirsten weren't seen most of the day, but more discomforting was the fact that Ginny and Draco seemed to have gone off on their own too.

Hermione hoped that dueling club would calm Ron's nerves, but it proved to worsen his mood when he walked in a noted his sister and Malfoy sitting next to each other holding hands. Hermione tried to explain that if Ron was going to get this angry over every little thing he would burst an artery before he graduated but that didn't seem to be very important to him. Hermione knew one thing; no matter what they were doing tonight she did not want to be his partner. So, she partnered up with Seamus and left Neville and Dean to work together.

She was watching with interest to see if Harry would choose Ron or Kirsten...the ultimate test. Harry hated his position so he told them to choose which one would be his partner. To his shock Ron and Kirsten decided to work together, saying that Ron wanted to get to know her better...which was true, he had a lot of questions he wanted to ask her about America.

This left Harry to his "fan club" which was somewhat like a group of screaming girls, though tonight they were thankfully not screaming. In the end Harry ended up working with Ginny, who much to Ron's pleasing left Draco to his Slytherin friends.

Once everyone had been paired up Sierra wanted to do a demonstration and let them sort of free "fight" the first night before they got into moves and other more specific details.

"OK, now that we've gone over the rules," Sierra was saying. "I'd like to have a volunteer who think they can handle it. I'm going to show you how to strike first in a duel and upper classes can block if they want, if you're starting out let's just dodge it and we'll get to moves another night. Any volunteers?" No new students wanted to volunteer, naturally and most everyone else rather preferred to not be humiliated by Sierra. There was one adventurous spirit who immediately thrust her hand into the air and smiling Sierra called on its owner.

Kirsten bounced up to where Sierra was standing in front of the room. Sierra positioned her some distance away and started to give instruction. "Now, you all need to watch closely, now Kirsten face me, I'm going to—" But when Kirsten turned toward Sierra the light shown off her necklace and caught Sierra's eye and she stopped short realizing she had made a mistake. "Um..." She turned back to the students. "Is there anyone else who would like to volunteer?" Everyone was frowning and wondering what was going on.

"I'll take her Sierra," Hermione said confidently while Ron was desperately trying to think of some way he could stop this before war broke out.

"No Hermione," Sierra said, not wishing to subject her daughter to the humiliation.

"But...why not?" She asked puzzled.

"Kirsten...perhaps you're not the best candidate for this,"

"But why not? Did I do something wrong?" Kirsten asked.

"No, of course not...it's just..."

"What's the matter Sierra, afraid she might strike first?" Ron asked laughing and joking like he usually did not knowing how dead on the money he was. Sierra forced out a little laugh.

"Ron, you're her partner why don't you come and demonstrate? You know how this works. Why don't you use the silencing charm, painless, and will serve our purpose. Now Kirsten I don't want you to do anything, just let him hit you the first time," Sierra said not being able to resist the temptation to grin as wide as she could.

Sierra knew full well that Ron's wand would fail or his charm would miss or something to the effect. By her own spell had she prevented Kirsten from being hit first in a duel. The necklace Kirsten still wore protected her and gave her the ability to always strike first, it was rather ironic that her own spell had backfired on her just now.

So, Ron, being his usual self purposefully adjusted his robes, his hat, his sleeves, polished his wand on his robes, and just as the class was breaking out in chuckles did Sierra comment.

"We shall never get past the demonstrations at this rate, Ron, do get on with it,"

"OK," Ron said giving his shoulders one last shake and taking a loud audible breath causing Ginny to roll her eyes. Then with a quick wrist and phrase a burst of light shot from his wand headed dead on target at Kirsten hit her necklace with a blinding flash and bounced back and silenced Ron. The class burst into laughter as Ron tried to figure out what happened. Ginny and Hermione were leaning on each other for support because they were laughing so hard.

Once Sierra had recovered herself and the class had settled she undid Ron's charm. "You did that on purpose! I don't know how you did it but you were determined for me to be foiled by my own charm!"

"I did nothing of the sort," Sierra said, trying to look taken aback, after all, she had had some notion of what was going to happen.

"You just like using silencing charms on me. It's become your new favorite hobby," Ron was ranting good-naturedly causing the class to laugh some more. When Ron finally did look at Kirsten she grinned and shrugged.

"Ron, I'll prove it to you...take my wand," Sierra said starting to hand it to Ron before snatching it back. "Wait a minute, I don't trust you, here, you hold it," She said handing it to Draco Malfoy.

"Him? You trust him, but you don't trust me?" Ron asked. Draco raised his eyebrows and spun the wand in his hand as if challenging Ron, and Ginny scowled.

Sierra waved her hand. "Now, I'm wandless so go ahead and try again..." So Ron did and this time the light went right for her stomach but suddenly made a ninety degree turn and hit the hall. Ron frowned and glanced over at Malfoy to see him still holding the wand, then to Hermione but realized that she was too busy laughing at him to have any part in this. Kirsten was silently puzzling over this too.

"Now, you see, don't go blaming me because you don't know how to properly duel," Sierra said taking her wand back.

"Ha, ha. I'm laughing so hard," Ron said sarcastically.

"Anyway," Sierra said. "Ron gave us a nice demonstration of how you are supposed to strike first. I want you all to spread out with plenty of room and bow to each other properly and then both can send one spell. Then, we'll come back here and go over the blocking moves...and maybe we'll have a little contest..." She said winking at Kirsten.

"I'm sorry about making you look dumb, but I swear I didn't do anything," Kirsten said to Ron as they took their places.

"It's all right, because I'm about to get you back," Ron said grinning. He was actually not a bad dueler at all. As it proved he was faster than Kirsten. He shouted his spell first but when he waved his wand nothing happened, unfortunately he was too catch up in the failure of his magic to remember to block the silencing charm that hit him.

At the front of the room Sierra laughed as she watched the scene play out. Then she realized that a first year had hit another first year with a curse and neither or them knew the counter-curse. She had quite forgotten what she was supposed to be doing.

"OK, very good. Now that you've got a bit of a feel for it we're going to go over the blocking moves. Kirsten, I'm going to ask you to come up here again, if you please." She obeyed and Sierra gave her instruction.

"OK, I want you to send me a hex or curse, anything, and I'm going to block it. I want everyone to watch carefully...and then I'll go over it step by step. OK, here we go... Great. Now, wands ready, we're going to practice." After several minutes Sierra spoke again. "Good, now, anyone who strikes first against Kirsten wins fifty points for their house. Volunteers?"

Kirsten was completely struck dumb. Was she picking on her because she was new? Before she knew what was happening Kirsten was facing off with every person. And it didn't take her long to realize that she didn't have to try to block it for their curses and hexes to completely miss her.

Sierra enjoyed herself immensely that night, though that should go without saying.

~*~

At the end of the night Sierra held back Ron, Hermione and Harry. Kirsten was escorted out by roughly one hundred students all trying to ask her questions about her dueling. When Sierra was certain that everyone was out of earshot. "Have any of you heard from Sirius?" She had directed the question to all of them, but looked specifically at her daughter.

Harry and Ron said they had only briefly heard from him to say that he was OK and to wish them luck in the up coming quidditch game. Hermione however looked away and rolled her eyes.

"I wrote him...twice, I think," She said.

"Has he written you back?" Sierra prompted.

"Yes..." Hermione said slowly hoping that Sierra would not demand to LOOK at the letters in question. They were a collection of discussions about certain personages at school.

"Damn him! I knew it!" Sierra said loudly surprising the three students. "He's avoiding me, the damn coward, I should have known he wouldn't discuss...it." Sierra wasn't exactly a tactful person and she rather piqued the curiosity of the students.

"Discuss what?" Hermione asked hopefully as she recalled the wary looks and the strained conversation at her house last Saturday.

"Something that happened long ago. He owes me an explanation, at the very least," Hermione decided to try a different approach for getting information.

"You can't say you blame him for avoiding you if he's trying to hide for the safety of his life...or more likely, his soul,"

"I wrote him letters, just as you have done, you get replies, I don't."

"I could ask him then," Hermione say hopefully, but that was a no go.

"Nice try, slick," Sierra said sarcastically to her daughter. "What you can tell him is I want answers and I won't wait much longer for him to reply. I'll go to other people for information if he doesn't watch it! I'll go wherever he is and beat he information out of him if necessary."

"He's in Paris, at Nikki's...whoever that is," Ron said, happy to finally be joining the conversation.

"Oh is he?" Sierra asked shaking her head and fighting to not make a remark. "Good, I'm going to write to him again—but if I don't get a reply..." Hermione nudged Ron and Harry toward the door.

"See you next week Sierra!" Ron called. Once they were outside Ron and Harry both burst into questions.

"Look!" Hermione shouted quite loudly. "I don't know...all I can tell you is that last weekend Sierra saw the ring that Sirius always wears around a chain on his neck and it was obvious they didn't want to discuss it in front of everyone. Sirius looked very uncomfortable."

"What about Lupin? Was he a part of the conversation?" Ron asked.

"No..."

"I bet he knows something." Harry said. "Sierra said that if Sirius didn't reply she would go to other people for information..." The three stopped walking and looked at each other.

"That's good think Harry," Hermione said truthfully. "I suppose we could go see if he's still in his office..." It was a rather doubtful prospect but they still changed directions and tried anyway.

Harry knocked on the door to Lupin's office and immediately they could hear rummaging around. Inside Remus Lupin was clearing away the empty dishes and things left over from his dinner he had earlier shared with Angie.

"Come in," He said as he cleared away the ash tray. "Oh hello," He said somewhat surprised to see them.

"Sorry to disturb you professor, but we were hoping you could answer some questions for us," Hermione said, rather formally, Harry thought for knowing Remus for four years now.

"Well, have a seat and I'll do what I can..."

Hermione explained the situation, what Sierra had said and reminded Remus of the conversation they had both been witnesses to last Saturday.

"Well," Remus said thoughtfully, he was thinking of what he should say. He thought he might have known something, but he wasn't exactly sure what he should be saying to them... "Tell me your theory, I'm sure you must have one, and I'll confirm or deny it's validity." He decided he was fairly safe with that statement and he might even learn something.

"You do know something!" Ron said hopefully, the three visibly shifted to the edges of their chairs and Remus was tempted to laugh.

"You assume we have a theory," Hermione said critically.

"Don't you always?"

"We do not randomly jump to conclusions based purely on speculation you know!" She said very much trying to defend them.

"Yes you do," Remus assisted annoyingly.

"For your information we have not discussed it enough and we know practically nothing about the situation. We came here for enlightenment."

"Ah," Remus said thoughtfully again. "Well, I have to be honest with you, all I can tell you is a scarce bit of speculation."

"But Sierra said she would start asking questions of other people if Sirius didn't reply!" Hermione said; she was starting to get somewhat annoyed. It was looking as if they would get no information at all.

"If Sierra told me what she knew than I probably could answer a few more questions, but I am in the dark just like you."

"You must at least know where the ring came from?" Harry said, sounding rather desperate.

"I admit that it does look familiar but I could not say where it came from." The three all leaned back in their chairs, seemingly defeated. Then, Hermione spoke.

"Professor, let's be open here. We can lose nothing in speculation. Let's all put our heads together and see what we come up with," Remus laughed.

"Oh no! First of all, if this concerns Sirius, I probably don't WANT to know, and you already know that Sierra does not want you to know, so I think it's better if we let this go. It's probably not important and would be useless if we DID know."

"You just used the word 'know' like way too many times," Ron observed. Harry and Remus laughed at the stupidity and general randomness of the statement and Hermione rolled her eyes.

* * *

Sierra promptly sat down and wrote a letter to Sirius. When she was satisfied that it was punctuated correctly and contained the desired level of nastiness she sent it off with the owl. He was going to talk to her whether he wanted to or not.

~*~

Sirius read Sierra's letters for about the hundredth time and slowly exhaled. He knew he'd have to explain to her...but if he explained to her he might have to explain to other people... and then, there was the whole issue of embarrassment. Whether he liked it or not she was forcing him to recall things he'd rather leave in the past.

He pulled the ring out from under his robes and looked at it gleaming in his hand. It was so small and delicate...but the emotions that bound him to it were strong. (and unfortunately for Sirius, still existent)

Nicole watched Sirius from the opposite side of the room. She knew something that been troubling him for quite some time, but he wouldn't dare open up to her. It drove her crazy! Nicole had done nothing but be kind to Sirius ever since he had saved her three years ago. He'd often lived in her apartment. They had many memories and many tense moments shared over the years and yet he still wouldn't talk to her.

She decided she would try. "What's bothering you?" She asked softly. Sirius slowly replaced the ring. Sirius shook his head. "Talk to me, darling."

"That's alright." There it was. Flat refusal.

"You have to talk to someone."

"I'll get over it," He snapped.

"Every time you get a letter you get moody and bad-tempered...and I never see you reply. Who's writing you?" Sirius felt his cheeks flaming. It was really none of her business anyway!

"Sierra Havairhafpvermin."

"Oh? What's the problem?"

"Nothing." He was trying her patience and she was trying his. She sat there and glared at him for a long minute. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Fine," He snapped. "Give me some parchment and a quill!" She frowned but did as he asked.

" To Sierra Havairhafpvermin,

You've cut me to the quick. I'd rather not discuss the item in question but I realize you have a right to know the whole story. Not in a letter, however, pick a time and place and I'll see what I can do.

Padfoot"

Sirius sat back and decided that was incredibly boring.

"PS By the way, I hate you for this!" He added good naturedly.

"There, I replied to her damn letters!" Sirius said throwing the owl out the window rather harder than necessary. "That's a start," She said to herself. "Have you talked to Remus about Arabella Figg yet?" She asked aloud. Sirius swore.

"Damn it, I keep forgetting... I doubt we'll get anything from that lead though... We should just keep asking in low places. Don't you know any shady guys who'd do anything for a price?" Nikki gave Sirius a death glare.

"No."

"Sorry. I just thought... oh come on, I USED to know those sorts of people."

"Well, that was you."

"OK, let's pursue a different subject shall we?"

* * *

Wednesday night Ginny entered the great hall with Draco as usual, but to Ron's surprise she left him to his own with a short (and painful on Ron's part) kiss. She sat down next to Ron and asked him how his day was with a wink at Harry.

Somewhat stunned, Ron replied and had a nice conversation with his sister. Almost as soon as the food had appeared, Ginny grabbed the food and piled her plate high. Ron stared at his little sister as she inhaled her food, barely chewing.

"Are you trying to make yourself sick? Because, whether you're throwing up or not you're going to practice tonight until you put the quaffle through the hoop every time!" Harry said to her.

"I'm not trying to make myself sick! You should take after my example. We've got to take advantage of every minute of practice we can get! Harry, I hate that the team is taking away time from your individual practice...we need to get as much practicing in as possible! We have to beat Slytherin into the ground, otherwise I could never show my face at the Slytherin table again,"

"Not to be blasphemous or anything," Ron said leaning over to Harry. "But if you lose Ginny might not be able to leave us again..."

"Not a chance," Harry said to Ron who shrugged.

"Come on Harry!" Ginny whined. Harry looked up from his plate of food and he nearly dropped his bite off his fork. Ginny's plate that had just a minute earlier been heaped high with all sorts of food was now nearly sparkling clean. "Less staring like an idiot, more eating like a wolf!"

Five very hurried minutes later Harry was being dragged from the great hall by a very over enthusiastic Ginny. As they reached the pitch, broom in hands Harry decided to take the opportunity to point out the obvious.

"Ginny, I hope you realize that we still have to wait for the rest of the team to show up... And that's going to take about twenty minutes since that's when practice is SUPPOSED to start,"

"We don't have to wait for those sloths! Get on your broom Potter and start blocking!" She commanded as she rushed toward the goal. With a laugh Harry sped after her.

"So what has Malfoy been saying about the upcoming game?" Harry shouted across the pitch to Ginny.

"The cocky bastard thinks he's going to win, but we know better, eh Potter?" Ginny said smoothly putting one past him.

"I guess it's a good thing I'm not our keeper..."

"Harry? While we're alone..." Ginny started stopping in mid-air to talk; which somewhat frightened Harry. He wasn't really sure what was coming. "Have you heard from Sirius?"

"Yes...do me a favor and refer to him as Snuffles...the rest of us do. Anyway, he's in Paris right now with your brothers and another friend. I think he's pretty safe for now."

"Paris? Isn't that where they sited him last time?"

"Well yes, but he was doing business at the time and they've got him pretty well contained. Your brothers, I mean. He's a little shaken up about recent close calls, you know..."

"OK, well, wish him luck for me. Harry, do you think we're ready for this game?"

"No doubt," He said confidently.

"Seriously, do you think?"

"Well...we've worked our asses off, everyone has shown tremendous dedication I don't see why we shouldn't cream them. Slytherin is a good team, no question, but we want it more, and in the end that's what's going to matter. By the way, do you have any tips for me? Has Malfoy been sharing any secrets?" Harry asked interestedly.

"No he hasn't. He's been very careful."

"Ginny...you wouldn't happen to be interested in doing a little detective work would you?" Harry asked with a devilish grin.

"No. I would not." Ginny said flatly. "I may want to rub a victory in Draco's face but I am not going to use him like that! How dare you suggest it! I am better than that, and I thought you were too!"

"Ginny, come on, I didn't mean it like that! I was only kidding," Harry shouted after her, though she didn't look very convinced. "Look Ginny, I apologize, you're right. It isn't right to use Draco like I was CASUALLY suggesting—"

"That's the problem Harry!" Ginny burst out. "If it were anyone else you wouldn't have thought to suggest it CASUALLY or NOT! I don't understand how you can hate one person so much, all of you!"

"Don't give me that!" Harry shouted, his anger rising slightly. "You once hated Malfoy as much as any of the rest of us, but Ginny, the truth is I have good reason to hate Malfoy just as you have good reason to defend him. I realize that you are constantly in a compromising situation but if you just relax and stop taking everything so literally—"

"No, you don't realize what kind of a situation I'm in Harry! It's not right to be caught between two people who you love very much! You think you understand but you don't, because at the end of the day all you can say is you hate Draco Malfoy! You never even gave him a chance!" Ginny was getting angry now. Her face was reddening with anger.

"Draco was nothing but mean to me from the first day on the train to Hogwarts! And before last year he was nothing but mean to you! You can't blame me, it's not my fault Ginny! I didn't put you in this situation, it's all your fault!" They had both lost it, and were now entering a full scale screaming match.

"How is falling in love my fault!?" Ginny screamed. Silence ensued as they both stared at each other breathing deeply. Both were shocked as Ginny's last words echoed over and over in their minds. Truthfully, neither one could believe what she said. Harry desperately wanted to say something but he found his brain and his voice weren't connecting. Suddenly, down below their team members were coming onto the pitch.

With a last look at Ginny, Harry swooped down to meet his teammates. Ginny stayed up in the air for a very long time, trying desperately to get a hold of her emotions. She didn't dare show the rest of them she had been crying...least of all Harry.

Mid-way through Harry's synopsis someone cut in and asked why Ginny wasn't joining them, Harry was rather short, and then continued leaving everyone to exchange looks.

Harry started practice and set up his plays. He prepared to run the first one which had Ginny ultimately scoring. She failed miserably. Harry rubbed his eyes under his glasses thinking this was going to be a long practice.

"Run it again," He commanded. Without so much as a glance his way Ginny obeyed. She was closer this time but she still missed. "Ginny, come here, I want to talk to you," The team's eyes shifted to one another uneasily.

"I'll get it this time Harry." Ginny said trough gritted teeth. And stubbornly she tried and failed once more.

"Gin—"

"No."

"I need to talk to you, NOW," Harry said, feeling he was completely within his jurisdiction as captain.

"No." She repeated defiantly.

"Shall I say it out loud in front of everyone then?" Harry shouted at her, growing angry again. Ginny reddened but refused to look at him. "Shall I tell them what you said? Wouldn't that be something? Ron would hear through the grape vine—"

"You...you..." Ginny was absolutely trembling with rage as she used every ounce of self possessed self control she had to not swear. Slowly and deliberately she flew up to Harry far below everyone else.

"Ginny, I want you to focus on the game. Don't let anything between me and you, or Draco get in the way. I'll just pretend it didn't happen—"

"NO!" She shouted loudly enough so that it caught the attention of those below. "Maybe I didn't exactly plan to say what I said before, but it's the truth. I love Draco Malfoy, and I don't care what the rest of the bloody world thinks!" Again Harry was totally gobsmacked but recovered much more quickly this time.

"Does Draco know about this?" He asked quietly.

"What?" Ginny snapped. A silent exchange of communication went between them. "I've never actually told him that, no."

"Ginny, I want you to know that no matter what my personal reservations on the guy are I know that there is nothing I can do about it. I accept it, I'm not angry, in fact all I really am is astounded. I don't want this to get in the way of your game, or in the way of anything else. I think once you work things out with Draco you have to tell your brother. Ron has the right to hear it from you."

It was Ginny's turn to be shocked beyond words. Then very slowly she began to shake her head. "I don't think I could do that to Ron..."

"Ginny, if he loves you as much as I think he does he'll get over it eventually, just as I'm doing right now. The important thing for the moment is that you focus on this game coming up. I know that you want to win as much as I do and I would hate for their to be tension between us."

"Harry... I don't know what to say...only that I'm sorry I reacted so irrationally earlier..."

"It's OK, I understand, everything is kind of crazy in all of our lives right now. Now, get back out there and run that play! I want it through the hoop!" Ginny smiled and winked. "Oh and Ginny, don't ever hesitate to talk to me about anything. I'll even go with you when you talk to Ron...if you want,"

"Thank you," She whispered and then flew down and performed the play flawlessly.

* * *

Sierra was now meeting with the sixth and seventh years on separate nights from the rest of the students. Thursday night she was in the middle of teaching them how to land on their feet if they were hit with a spell that brought them off the ground when an owl from Sirius arrived.

She was about to pass it off for later when she realized who it was from and like an eager schoolgirl ripped the parchment open and read it excitedly. She was slightly infuriated that she was going to have to take into account several more days of travel until it was possible for her to get some answers.

She grabbed her quill and was about to reply but her quill stopped and hovered over the parchment. This was going to take some careful planning. She had to figure out when she wouldn't have a meeting and when would be safest.

She finally decided that during the Halloween feast would be a perfect opportunity to meet with him. Everyone would be at the feast and they wouldn't run the risk of interference. She still hesitated as it was a little more than two weeks off yet, but finally wrote it down and reluctantly sent off the letter.

She turned back to the students and wished they weren't the upper-classmen. They were so damn nosy, especially her own daughter...

* * *

One night after quidditch practice Harry entered the common room to see his girlfriend pouring over a magazine of Teen Witch Weekly. She seemed to be amusing herself immensely.

She noted his approach with a flick of the eyes in his direction and began to read aloud. "Harry Potter, seventh year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, will be graduating at the end of this year and will become one of the most eligible bachelors of the planet!

And don't give up yet girls. Harry likes a regular kind of girl, after all he was raised by muggles—"

"What the hell are you reading?" Kirsten turned the magazine around flashing Harry with a picture of himself before continuing.

"Give me that!" Harry tried to snatch it but she jerked out of the way and carried on. "Kirsten seriously...this is bad for you!" Harry said finally summoning it with his wand as Kirsten started reading the part about his famous summoning spell during the Triwizard Tournament.

* * *

Sirius sighed; the date was set.

Halloween.

How ironic.

* * *

Ron never wanted to see a pineapple again. NEVER! After much thought out consideration he had decided pineapples must be the root source of ALL evil.

You see, just because Harry and Kirsten were now a couple, it did not stop the bickering between Hermione and Kirsten. And somehow Ron had heard complaining from both girls.

Charms class is what started it all with the pineapples. (Well actually, truth be told what had started it was the temporary crisis which had shut down all transportation and trade with major pineapple producers in the world. So, a great deal of pineapples had built up. And when they could finally ship them out there were much more pineapples than usual. So, Hogwarts, as most people had, took advantage of the outrageous sales retailers had put on the overly ripe pineapples and bought in bulk. Which brings us back to charms...)

Professor Flitwick took advantage of the extra pineapples to provide everyone with one of their own to make it tap dance across their desk. It sounded simple enough and innocent enough the task was actually an extremely taxing one--seeing as pineapples are not accustomed to being taught dance moves.

Neither one of the four could get the blasted thing to move. It would glide, but not tap dance.

"Argh!" Kirsten declared irritably. "This is absolutely stupid!"

"Just because YOU can't do it—" Hermione began.

"You can't do it either!" Kirsten shot back. Harry and Ron exchanged a look. A storm was brewing.

"At least I still appreciate the lesson rather than automatically insist it is stupid because I can't do it!" Ron rolled his eyes and decided he had to do something.

"Look guys! It's happy!" He said turning his pineapple to them. It was wearing a ridiculous grin. It looked absolutely wrong for a piece of fruit. It was so random, however, it had the desired effect of laughter.

Well, aside from the frustration of not being able to do the charm correctly the pineapple wasn't so bad...yet. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, pineapples, pineapples!

Their dueling club meetings were suddenly filled with exploding pineapples. Somehow Sierra got it into her head that it would be a good lesson if she tossed pineapples and everyone took turns hitting it with a spell. And still, no matter what, Kirsten and Hermione's pineapples seemed to explode unnecessarily close to the opposite person.

Pineapples were suddenly starting to get annoying.

It only worsened at dinner. Hermione had this habit of being sickeningly sweet to Harry, as if this would do something to help her case. At any rate, Kirsten tried her hardest to combat anything Hermione did. Kirsten clearly had won and yet they still competed for Harry's attention. Harry didn't know how lucky he was.

"Would you like me to pour some pineapple juice for you Harry?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"Um...sure," Harry said reluctantly, he had given up arguing with her about this things. And besides, if Hermione wanted to do things for him, why try to stop it?

"I'll get it!" Kirsten piped up.

"No, I asked him first," Hermione said angrily.

"I don't care." Kirsten said taking the jug of pineapple juice off the table.

"Fine," Hermione said. Ron was astounded that she had actually let Kirsten win. He was still watching her as she casually speared a pineapple chunk with her fork and then quite suddenly threw it at Kirsten!

In a matter of seconds Kirsten had dumped the jug on Hermione's head and she had countered with an enormous bowl of pineapple chunks. Ron and Harry had both buried their faces in their hands when Professor McGonagall came to the table and subtracted points.

"I would have expected better than this from seventh years and Head Girl! I'm extremely disappointed at your first year behavior." She swept away leaving the great hall to laugh as the two ran from the great hall to clean up.

Ever since then Hermione had scarcely said a word to Harry or Kirsten.

* * *

"Kirsten!" Harry called; somewhat distressed. "Will you hurry up...please?" He begged. There was no reply. Harry was getting tired carrying on conversations with the girls dormitory door. "Kirsten we are going to be late...AGAIN!"

Kirsten had this annoying habit of running up to the dormitory after lunch to "freshen up" and she usually took way too long. Although, it wasn't entirely her fault, she was constantly in the spotlight being Harry Potter's girlfriend. And it didn't help that she was already obsessed with self image.

"Can I at least come in?"

"WHAT!?" A scream came from within. "Stay outside!" She said firmly. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to see her beauty procedures. "I'm coming, I'm coming...I'm COMING!" She quickly opened the door, jumped out and shut it again. "Hi," She breathed, smiling at Harry.

"You look..." He never finished the sentence, rather, he demonstrated with a very expressive gesture. He suddenly pulled away and grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down the stairs.

"We're going to be late."

"No, we're not," Kirsten barely replied when the bell sounded. Kirsten looked up and bit her lip.

Wednesday afternoon Angie duly noted the absence of Harry and Kirsten. When they had class in the morning they were never late, but apparently they seemed to get side-tracked at lunch... Angie sighed and began her lesson before she was interrupted by their rushed arrival.

The class chuckled as they quickly took places in the back. Angie's eyes flashed and she swallowed and continued. At the end of class Angie spoke to the delinquents.

"Since you two enjoy being late you won't mind my keeping you for a moment." Harry swore under her breath. "What seems to be the problem?"

Kirsten looked to Harry who was looking anywhere but at them. The situation was only made ten times worse by the fact that Angie was Kirsten's mother and Harry was Kirsten's boyfriend.

"Well, I won't give you a detention...this time. However, I do believe I have had enough! I trust you two to figure out what is more important to you. In the mean time I sure as hell do not appreciate being interrupted every time we have an afternoon class." Kirsten rolled her eyes and Angie stood abruptly in a rage.

"Harry, you're dismissed!" She snapped with such bite that he did so quickly. Before the door had even shut she started yelling.

"I do not appreciate you trying to undermine my authority by your sassy little eye rolls and your continual streak of tardiness. I know you find the class extremely boring because you know all this but I don't want you skipping just so you can snog with your boyfriend!"

"Harry and I were not snogging, thank you very much. And just because you feel insecure about your job doesn't mean you have to take it out on me!"

"Don't give me that crap!" Angie cried. "I'm having a hard enough time without your input—" She cut off abruptly as students for her next class began entering. "By the way," She called at her daughter's retreating form. "I want to see your work on Hieroglyphics tomorrow night."

"I just started basics last week and you expect me to have a portfolio for you by TOMORROW?"

"You're the one who wastes class time!" Angie snapped. Seething Kirsten exited where Harry was dutifully waiting to take her to her next class.

"What happened?" Harry asked quickening his pace to match Kirsten's angered one.

"My mother expects that this is somehow all my fault! Blaming me for everything just because she's unhappy..." Harry tuned her out, lest he tell her that it was all her fault.

~*~

Kirsten swore again as she blotted her hieroglyphics once again.

"Just how is a person supposed to concentrate on anything when every two seconds you're swearing again?" Hermione asked severely, looking over the top of her book.

"Quit complaining! It's not like you're doing anything important...just reading Romeo and Juliet."

"Maybe it's important to me!" Hermione said slamming her book flat on her lap.

"It's a pretty stupid play if you ask me..."

"No, I didn't ask you. Just because you've never read it—" Angie was approaching to check Kirsten's work and couldn't help overhearing.

"I have too! But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun... blah blah blah, you know, she says Ay me! Then Romeo busts out again. She speaks! O, speak again, bright angel!... And some other shit..." Kirsten concluded.

*"O Romeo, you're so articulate,"* Angie continued the conversation in her mind. It was nearly exactly like what had been said that night so many years before. Her hand flew to her mouth as she was overcome with emotion. She turned and fled the common room.

Outside she broke into a run didn't stop until she was panting against her door. The words kept playing over and over in her mind. She closed her eyes and was transported back to that night. The same words were echoed but contained a much deeper meaning. (A/N: "There's a double meaning in that!")

She could see him and hear him as clearly as if it were yesterday. Her eyes flew open and her heart raced. She rushed for her drink, her comfort...

~*~

Friday October 28th was the beginning of the end for Harry and Kirsten.

"I'm done!" Kirsten proclaimed that morning at breakfast pushing away her half-eaten bowl of pineapple.

"That's all you're going to eat?" Ron asked with an awed look on her face. She started to laugh.

"I'm not hungry," She said with a shrug which only furthered shocked Ron.

"I'm going to go grab my charms textbook, Harry, I'll meet you in class..." She said grabbing her bag.

"Wait," He said standing beside her and placing a hand on her arm.

"What?" She asked, smiling and cocking her head.

"Meet me tonight after class..." He said, his voice a provocative purr.

"What's going to happen tonight?" She asked biting her lip and smiling at the same time.

"You'll see," He said leaning to kiss her. But a roar erupted from the Gryffindor table as most of the students shouted various protests. They both rolled their eyes.

"I'll see you tonight then," Kirsten said turning and leaving. Harry sat back down with a sigh, which caused Hermione to grit her teeth and Ron to crack up laughing.

~*~

At lunch Dean and Ron came around with little banners and various other items promoting a Gryffindor defeat tomorrow at the Quidditch game. "I've talked to Lupin and he's agreed to work on Dumbledore...and I bet you anything we can coax McGonagall into doing the same. You know how she has a soft spot for quidditch," Ron said as he plopped down next to Hermione.

"What are you 'working on Dumbledore' for?" Kirsten asked curiously.

"We're trying to convince him to let the Quidditch team wear their uniforms around school," Ron explained.

"Which is practically irrelevant seeing as the day is half over and the game is late morning tomorrow." Harry said.

"Next time Harry, don't get your hopes down!" Ron said and Harry rolled his eyes.

"So, tell me what's happening tonight?" Kirsten prompted Harry.

"No, it's a surprise."

"Well how am I supposed to know what to wear? How should I style my hair? Should I wear boots or flat shoes?"

"What gives you the idea that we WANT to answer those questions?" Hermione asked over top her book. Kirsten gave her a nasty look.

"Never mind then, I'm going upstairs to freshen up a bit."

"I'll meet you in ten minutes," Harry called after consulting his watch. "Ten minutes is enough, isn't it Hermione?"

"You could never give her enough time...I think if she had it she would spend all one day just preparing for the next!"

~*~

"KIRSTEN!" Harry shouted pounding on the door. "Three minutes, we have three minutes! If you get out here now we can just make it."

"Half a second!" She shouted back.

"Seriously, I CANNOT get a detention!"

"Just hold on, I said!" Looking at his watch again Harry decided he would not wait any more. He turned and sprinted down the staircase. He had a slight mishap at the portrait hole where he tripped and if it hadn't been for that he might have been on time.

However, with the classroom in sight, the bell rang and thus ended his quick pursuit. He stopped, cursed and at a more leisurely pace continued. In a moment her heard the hurried click of Kirsten's boots. She rushed past him into the classroom, her eyes flashing.

"Well, I think you've officially broken your father's record Harry. You've actually had more tardies to a single class than James Potter. Congratulations, see me after class for your detention. Oh excuse me, I meant prize." Angie said rather sarcastically as they took their usual seats in the back.

All through the hour they both pouted in bad spirits. At the end of class, neither Kirsten or Harry moved from their seats and Angie took her sweet time approaching.

"So, what do your other professors usually do when you repeatedly annoy them?" Angie asked sitting herself on a desk. Harry shrugged, glaring at Kirsten who defiantly looked away and straight at her mother. "Harry don't you have a big quidditch game tomorrow?" He did not like the sound of this conversation. "I think you would learn your lesson if you had to serve your detention then."

"WHAT!?!?" Harry shouted leaping from his seat. He had never lost his temper like this to a professor before. "You can't do this Professor Star! The team will absolutely murder me!" And he wasn't going to even THINK about what Malfoy might do. Angie's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Take your seat, Mr. Potter!" She snapped. "However, I did not SAY that you were serving your detention tomorrow, merely that you would learn your lesson. I am not quite that heartless, but you needn't provoke me." Feeling dumb, Harry sat back down again.

"Monday you can serve your detention, and for god's sakes BE. ON. TIME." And with that they left, but instead of going to class, on time, like one would hope the pair went they stopped right outside in the hallway.

"I can't believe you just LEFT me! How could you do something like that to me?" Kirsten shouted. "I thought you cared about me, I thought you were loyal to me! NO! You just left me!"

"Oh, this is RICH!" Harry shouted. "You're mad at me because I left you? You are the one who nearly caused me to miss the game tomorrow!"

"The game! That's all you're concerned about right now? THE GAME?"

"Yeah, and you almost caused me to have to MISS it!"

"Apparently it doesn't matter what I do anymore because you just LEAVE me!"

"Oh yeah, this is ALL my fault, right?" Harry snapped. "You know what? I don't even want to talk to you right now!"

"Good because either do I!" With that Harry started marching off and Kirsten stared after him with a strange look on her face. Suddenly he stopped and turned around, realizing they both had to go to the same class. Kirsten rolled her eyes and stomped off.

* * *

Remus cut himself off with a loud cough as Kirsten stormed in with Harry following. He had heard they were often late to Angie's class, but this was new.

"Do not think you can try your tardy trend in this class," He said causing the class to snicker and look back. Ron was laughing as he turned to the two of them, but instead of sheepish grins they wore stony expressions and Ron's countenance changed too.

After class Harry and Kirsten immediately split up, each one sweeping by the other which caused Ron and Hermione to exchange looks. Involuntarily Hermione felt her hopes rise and her breath catch slightly. Could this mean the end?

*Be careful, Hermione* She warned herself as she went down the stairs eyeing the two retreating forms. *You don't want to be disappointed...*

~*~

That night the common room was all a buzz when Kirsten and Harry erupted into shouts. Each one blaming the other and throwing atrocious insults. In the end both stomped up their stairs to their respectful dormitories and fumed in their beds.

Harry, at least, had something to take his mind off of all this nonsense. He had something much more important. A quidditch game tomorrow, and everything was riding on it. Possibly the most important game of the season and he had to be in the middle of a blazing argument with his girlfriend. His timing was perfect, as usual.

* * *

All weekend the insults flew. Tempers and emotions ran high and Ron's patience was pushed almost to a breaking point. He had heard enough from Harry, Kirsten AND Hermione to last him a life-time! And they kept on continuing. He couldn't sleep and if he did he dreamt they were relentlessly pounding on the door all vying for his attention. All of them asking whose side he was on.

Ron praised God when he woke up Monday morning. Classes meant some escape from the complaints.

Meanwhile in good ol' Paris Nicolette Noire was just waking up to find Sirius Black casually reading the newspaper. She scowled at his calmness and confidence. "Aren't you going back to the school today?" She asked picking up her mail.

"I'm going to have a chat with Sierra during the feast tonight. Hello? Nicolette? Are you listening to me?" Nikki waved her hand to hush him as her eyes danced across a letter.

"Read this, darling, you ought to get a kick out of it," She said lighting her first cigarette. Sirius snatched and hastily read the hurried and excited handwriting of Bill Weasley. In this letter he proclaimed that he was the most brilliant man to ever walk this earth and that one day they should erect a statue to honor his genius. Apparently, he and a small group of men had given birth to some unknown idea that Bill assured would be just as good as sliced bread. He ordered a meeting be called at once.

"What the hell is all that about?" Sirius asked tossing the letter back to her.

"Apparently Billy has had an epiphany."

"Or something..."

"Well," Nikki said grabbing her nearby calendar to consult the month of November. "Talk to the members at the school... I'm looking at sometime during the weekend of the eleventh. You see tonight, no?"

"All right, I'll talk to them, but Dumbledore is going to kick my ass back here when he discovers me in his office."

"Just tell him you are running an errand for me. Oh, that must be the truck. I've to go down and meet it. GEORGES!" She cried calling for her manager as she scrambled down the stairs as quickly as her spiked heels allowed.

By lunch time she was back and looking flushed. "Darling, come downstairs and dine with us, it is just Georges and I, no one else will be here until at least five o'clock." Sirius conceded and allowed himself to be led downstairs where they dined at one of the tables on carry-in.

The place was somewhat of a mess with Halloween decorations half up. There was eerie, festive music playing in the background. And dim lighting. Conversation wasn't much as they breezed through a rather light lunch. But then again, conversation was hindered by the fact that Georges only spoke French and Sirius spoke only a little.

About halfway through the meal the bell rang at the back door leading into the alley. Nikki and Georges exchanged a somewhat bewildered look. She motioned for Georges to get Sirius out of sight.

When she could no longer hear their footsteps on the stairs she opened the door and immediately tried to slam it when she saw the Frenchmen standing on the other side. He was faster then he might have let on and he forced his arm to come between the door and the wall.

"Nicolette!" He pleaded. "I've got to see Gabrielle!"

"Gabrielle is not here!" She shouted, trying to force the door closed, or at least keep him out.

"You lie, you little bitch, let me in!" He shouted.

"Get out of here before I call the police!" Suddenly, a deep bark of a large dog caused Nikki to jump and apparently the man was startled by the oncoming gigantic dog because he immediately jumped back and Nikki slammed the door.

Sirius, in dog-form continued to bark a few more times for effect before transforming. Nikki was laughing, with their success.

"You should be more careful," She advised as they re-entered the large room with their tables.

"So, who was that?"

"Oh, don't worry about it..." Nikki said, not looking at him. He lifted her chin and forced her to look at him. He silently repeated his question. "A trouble-maker who is always trying to see Gabrielle, one of my performers... It's actually her ex-boyfriend."

"He called you some nasty things."

"He's just crazy about Gabrielle, if he thinks she's here..."

"Is he dangerous?" She looked away, she wanted to tell him no and drop the conversation, but that would never work.

"Yeah, he used to come and harass us all,"

"Don't you think you should bring him before the court?" Her mouth dropped open in shock.

"I don't trust the legal system of this country any more than you trust your legal system. I don't want to create more trouble or draw attention to myself."

"So, this man, is Gabrielle's ex-boyfriend? Anything else?" She felt as if his eyes could see right through her head and read her mind.

"Stop!" She shouted stepping away from him. "Yes, we used to be in a relationship, yes, he used to get violent. And no, I do not have some stupid thing for him, that is NOT the reason I won't bring charges against him. Are you satisfied that you know everything there is to know about that aspect of my life?"

"Nikki, I'm sorry..." He said gently touching her arm. A shiver ran down her back at his familiarity. Cautiously she looked into his dark eyes.

"No, it's OK. And thank you, by the way." Nicolette looked up at the man of standing over her. His eyes were looking away at the moment but he was so close. Possibly for the first time in her life a man actually cared about her...for her. Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes shifted and looked into hers...

Before she could control herself she pulled him into a kiss. One moment of sheer bliss before he inevitably pulled away from her. Sirius silently studied her for a moment. Something like anger bubbled inside of him, and still as he watched her nervously folded her arms and looked away, he felt sympathetic.

He had barely started to speak when she interrupted with a loud apology. Her eyes locked on him and he saw anger there. "I'm sorry Sirius! I'm sorry that all you want to do is feel sorry for yourself!"

"Are you implying something?" He asked sharply, forgetting all sympathetic thoughts he might have had.

"I've known you for three years and never once have you opened up to me! You want to sit in the corner and dwell on all the bad things in your life when right here is something good. You know what...I don't even care, it doesn't matter," She said looking away, plainly stating that her words were not true.

"You have no idea what I've been through! How can you blame me for the way I am?"

"We've all been through some shit Sirius!"

"Don't even start! What, do you think that you're the cure for all my problems? I've got news for you, sweetheart, I'm not interested in a little girl, I've got bigger things to deal with!"

"How dare you call me a little girl! I came to your rescue, how many times? I let you sleep in my apartment, give you my food! I've risked everything I have for you!" He shook his head in frustration.

"I've got to go," He said shortly and left leaving her to stand there in shock.

~*~

Outside in the alley, Sirius stayed caught up in his thoughts. Just a short distance away the sounds of the city were loud and imposing but Sirius easily blocked them out. How was he supposed to deal with a girl who was well over a decade younger than he was? How could he have not seen it before, not realized something like this might have happened?

He had let her get too involved in this and now there was no way he could get her out of it. He did care for Nikki, but she knew that nothing could ever happen between them. They lived a life that required them to take risks and hesitation was impossible, and yet she had crossed the line.

Why?

She had just complicated the hell out of things. Sirius was perfectly comfortable with blaming everything on her too. She knew better and he wasn't about to give in her.

~*~

By the time Sirius reached the school he was deep in thought and fuming. He had decided that he was angry at her. Barely stopping to consider his options, since he had arrived early during classes still, he found himself sneaking into one of the passages into the school.

He wasn't worried about any of the thousands of people within such close proximity, somehow, he knew everything would work out and he didn't have to worry.

* * *

At lunch time Ron couldn't stand the tension and he lost his appetite at the sight of freshly cut pineapple, so he found sanctuary in the library. In the back corner near a shelf of books Ron spread out his work station, taking his time for he had plenty of it.

He had just opened a book and his quill was poised to take notes when he spotted Kirsten coming near him. He didn't look up and was perfectly prepared to ignore her every word. She sat down next to him and for a few moments she didn't say anything, no doubt debating over whether or not she should interrupt. Ron was desperately hoping she would just leave, but unfortunately she did not.

"Hi Ron, I'm sorry, but can I just talk? You don't have to say much," She assured him, of course, she always assured him. Ron nodded, though he had still not looked at her. "Do you think I should apologize to Harry? I mean, I know it was his fault, and he deserved everything that happened, but still, I don't know if this is all worth breaking up. I mean, I really do care for Harry, he's a really sweet guy and I mean, come on, it's Harry Potter we're talking about here..." Ron looked up and decided ignoring her wasn't going to work. Setting down his quill he tried to concentrate on her but her boring words about his best friend seemed to all muffle together. "I mean, I definitely feel something every time we kiss, you know? It's like this connection."

*Oh dear God,* Ron thought. *Is she talking about KISSING Harry? I wish she would just shut up!*

"Every time I try to ask Hermione about this she gets all upset, I thought that she would be able to help me out, you know, she knows Harry pretty well..."

*Hello! Best friend, right here, you see me, the one with the freckles, yeah, me. Uh-uh, good. Yeah, best friend.*

"Hermione did say that he's worth apologizing to, and I guess I should be the bigger person."

*The bigger person. What the hell is she talking about? Does she actually believe this is Harry's fault? And Hermione, poor Hermione, this must really be killing her. She would say Harry is worth the apology... And Harry, what has he been thinking all this time? I mean, yeah, she is hot, there's no denying that, but how can he stand this incessant chattering?* Ron nodded and smiled and seemed to catch a little more of the conversation before his thoughts took hold of him again. *I think I'm getting dizzy, I just might puke if she doesn't stop soon... I think the floor is spinning...hold up, did she just use 'stupid' and 'quidditch' in the same sentence? Oh god, I've got to make this stop!*

"Sometimes I just don't get Harry. One minute he can be so romantic and just exactly like Teen Witch Weekly says, but then the next minute all he cares about is his quidditch game! No time for me anymore... He just leaves me, all by myself like he doesn't care for me! I'm glad that I got mad at him. He totally deserved it!"

*Got to stop this! NOW! STOP! Her mouth keeps moving... is everything going black and white? I wonder what would happen...?*

Kirsten was suddenly cut off mid-sentence as Ron leaned over and kissed her right on the lips. Of course, he immediately jerked away from the electric shock that shot through his body. Kirsten was absolutely stunned, and paid no attention to Ron's bewildered look as he delicately felt his lips where he'd been painfully shocked.

~*~

"I can't stand all this anymore!" Harry said tossing his fork on his plate causing Hermione to start.

"What's the matter?" She asked concerned.

"I should go apologize to Kirsten. I can't believe we've been acting to stupid all this time. I mean, it's not that big of a deal. I can get over it, she can get over it and we can move on." Hermione's mouth had gone rather dry.

"Fine Harry, do what you like." She heard herself saying from a faraway place. She remained expressionless as he set off in search of her.

~*~

"What the bloody hell just happened?" Ron asked, a bit loudly for library talk but luckily they were out of range of Madam Pince.

"I think you just kissed me," Kirsten said rather stupidly.

"No shit." Ron said sarcastically. "Did you have lip implants or something? Didn't you feel that shock?"

"Shock..." Kirsten said distantly. She was still somewhat in a swirl from the event that had just transpired.

"Never mind," Ron said hoping she would just breeze over it. He quite had his wits back, and though the 'kiss' had in fact shut her up Ron could not, for the life of him, figure out what he was thinking. He went back to his work, hoping to encourage Kirsten to go back to her normal schedule.

Of course, Ron was not getting very far in his work. It didn't help that she was still sitting next to him. His mind was spinning, trying to figure out what had driven him to kiss her and what had NOT worked about that kiss. Did that always happen? A very distant fringe of a memory appeared of a conversation he'd had with Harry...

"You know..." Kirsten started to speak and Ron was absolutely shocked by her boldness. "That usually happens when I kiss someone...for the first time."

"For the first time?" Ron turned to her with an eyebrow skeptically raised. "So, theoretically if I kissed you again, that wouldn't happen?"

"Theoretically," Kirsten replied.

"What if I don't believe you? I think you're wired...testing me or something..." Kirsten laughed, a clear sound, like the soft tinkling of a bell.

"Sounds to me like you've got a hypothesis you need to test," She replied.

"Like, scientifically?" She nodded and smiled a beautiful, inviting smile brightening her entire face. "So, scientifically, I hypothesize that if I were to kiss you again, theoretically, I would be shocked, because you have some crazy element running through your veins, or something."

"Scientifically, I disagree with your hypothesis and say that you WON'T get shocked again, theoretically. Because factually, my blood is entirely normal and I promise you I am not electrically charged."

"So, shall we agree to disagree then?" Ron asked.

"Well, since we are acting like scientists we could... carry out the experiment..." She bit her lip in what she hoped was an attractive look.

"You mean, test our hypotheses?"

"Yeah, it's just an experiment, right?"

"You are correct." There were several moments of hesitation where they simply looked at each other.

"So..." Kirsten said looking down.

"So..." Ron said, in an equal state of hesitation; then, suddenly he leaned forward and planted a nice big kiss on her delicate lips; and much to Ron's surprise, this was a much more rewarding experience then the previous time. Then, he quickly realized what he was doing and pulled away.

Both looked at each other and inhaled deep breaths before looking away coughing. "Well, I guess your conclusion proves your hypothesis," Ron said not looking at her.

"Yeah, I guess." Kirsten said nervously running her finger along the edge of the table. After several moments of silence Ron threw down in quill in frustration.

"You know..." Ron said.

"Yes?" Kirsten looked up expectantly.

"The scientific method requires that we repeat the experiment to make sure it wasn't a fluke or something."

"You are correct." Kirsten admitted.

"Well, there's no use leaving the experiment unfinished." Ron said as they leaned in to share another forbidden kiss. *Why not?* Ron found himself thinking. *I've already gotten myself in way too much trouble...how much worse can this be?*

After this, the second and a half kiss, they were much quicker to justify the next, pleading that further data needed to be collected on the length of the kiss. Before either realized what was happening they found themselves making out like boyfriend/girlfriend.

~*~

Harry finally realized that Kirsten had to be in the library. As he was entering he rolled his eyes at some girls who were giggling and paying absolutely no attention to him.

"Oh my god! I can't believe they're doing that in the library!"

"Yeah, and isn't that the head boy?" The other giggled.

"Head boy? Who cares about that? Isn't that Harry Potter's girlfriend? The one from America?"

"Oh my god! I can't believe that!" A third cried; and they all three dissolved in laughter. Harry wasn't paying attention to their conversation however. He passed a row of bookshelves and stopped in utter shock.

Ron...and...Kirsten?

* * *

Numb shock and utter unbelieving seeped through Harry as he aimlessly wandered the hallways. It was a haunting image and he found himself thinking crazy thoughts. *I wonder if this is how it felt when Sirius found out Peter was a death-eater.* He felt utterly betrayed, and yet, he wasn't entirely angry, per say. He was more in shock.

He wasn't upset about losing Kirsten, not really. He just felt betrayed, like they were going behind his back. Which, he suddenly realized, they were. Ron and Kirsten? It just didn't make sense.

Harry heard the bell ring and the last scramble of students rush inside their classrooms. He didn't particularly care. He looked up and realized that his subconscious had still managed to transport him to the right hallway.

Methodically he padded down the hallway mulling everything over in his head. Trying to figure out when all this could have happened.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp tug on the back of his cloak. He shouted as he pitched backward and landed in a classroom. Hearing the door slam and realizing he was on the floor he swore VERY loudly. He opened and his and looked upward to see...

Sirius Black?

~*~

The bell rang and everyone was in their seats, except...Potter? Angie could have screamed. How many times did she have to tell him? He was just like his father.

"Has anyone seen Harry?" As if in reply the class turned to look at the door as a loud shout rang in the corridor beyond. "Stay here please, I'll be right back."

~*~

"What the hell was that for?" Harry demanded.

"Very descriptive vocabulary, Potter," Sirius said, ignoring his remark.

"I've heard some extremely creative vocabulary issuing from your mouth, so you've no room to talk." Harry informed Sirius as he brushed off his robes.

"Well, if someone would use his ears I might not have had to pull you in here."

"I've got a lot to think about right now," Harry said. Sirius was suddenly very interested.

"Really? Do tell..." He said leaning against the wall and casting a very inquisitive look to Harry.

"You've heard about what happened last Friday," Harry said. Sirius nodded, he had no less then four letters from the three of them over the weekend all complaining about one aspect or another. "Well, I finally decided I was going to go and apologize to Kirsten." Sirius forced himself not to speak his mind and allow Harry to continue. "Well, you'll never in a million years guess what I'm about to tell you I just witnessed."

"What?" Sirius asked, his mind reeling from possibility.

"Ron and Kirsten in the library—kissing." Before Sirius had time to react the door swung open.

* * *

A/N:*Cackles like a witch*

Thank yous:

SIERRA CHARM: Here, you are first and foremost! I'm glad you finally got to review. I guess Fido the wonder dog was hungry and your reviews were so good he just couldn't resist a good meal the first two times. Well, anyway, the reviews that I DID get were absolutely hilarious, as always. Yes, you have forgotten a lot of this story. Oh well, you'll get everything explained with the rest of the readers I guess. And you, curse you for noticing, you are only one of two whole people who noticed that Harry didn't get shocked! I can't believe I left that part out... but I figured out a way to make it all OK. I can't believe that I originally forgot about that though...that was the whole plan from the very beginning and I totally forgot to put it in there! I'm losing it!!!!! And it's strange that you like to write Dumbledore scenes because I always find those the hardest to write. I am the least like Dumbledore so I never know what he should say...it's really weird. "Hel-LO Angela Star! Wake up and smell the Sirius!" I nearly fell from my chair laughing so hard. Just remember good things come to those who wait and Sirius and Angie have been waiting for almost two decades! Thank you for all your reviews and I hope you liked this chapter...

Hyper Princess: Hey, I understand the school thing. It's an occupation that you can't get fired from. Lol, thanks for your reviews and I hope you enjoy the story.

Hazelmist: Hey, I'm glad somebody commented on Fred and George's invention. I thought I needed something to go right there, so what did I do? I invented an invention of Fred and George Weasley. Well, anyway, hope you like this chapter, thanks for your reviews.

Lily Skylo: Oh my god! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS! I love you! I'm sorry you had to wait so long for me to update when you were used to just reading the story. Yes! I LOVE Sirius! I totally agree with you. I'm really glad that you found The Last Laugh. Thanks for all your reviews, again, I really appreciate it.

Bic Papermate: First of all, I love your name. It's so perfect for an author too! Lol, anyway, thanks so much for the reviews and I'm glad you like the last name Havairhafpvermin. I just decided I needed a last name so I created one. And ever since then I've been trying to figure out what nationality it is. Of course, it's not a real name, so it doesn't really have a nationality but I think it sounds kind of German, or Russia, or Romanian, or something like that. I don't know! It doesn't matter either. All I've been trying to say throughout this whole thing is thank you for your review and I hope you enjoyed the story.

Lily Lupin: Well, I guess this chapter solved your contemplation over who could have been in the hallway. I just thought I'd add his sister in again, just for fun. And, I know Kirsten seems really shallow among other things and now it just gets worse with her and Ron, but anyway, I plan to have her change a little bit... Loved your review!

OriginalProxy: I LOVE YOUR REVIEW. It just made me laugh. Thank you so much, I feel so...honored, that you would spend all that time on something I wrote. Anyway, I'm sorry that you had to wait so long for me to update. I'll try not to do that again, especially since the next chapter is promising major action. Thank you very much, hope to hear from you soon and I hope you don't mind that I added you to the mailing list.

SPW: So, I hope you're bad news...got better? I don't know...anyway, I'm glad that you did review and how did you like your character? Harmony was all jealous, she thinks your character was so cool, but then I reminded her not so nicely that Angie is her character, although she's not really acting like her that much in this story...anyway, Thank you for your reviews and continued support and all that other stuff. Lol. Talk to you later!

Harmony Slytherin: Wow, so much to say to you, so little space. Lol, thanks for your help with chapter five. I think it's absolutely hilarious that the first place I got to write this chapter was on your computer. Ah well, I can't believe it took so long to write! AH! Well, anyway, I'm glad we finally got the time-line mostly figured out. Hopefully I can just start cranking out the scenes...at least that's what I hope will happen... Oh no, I almost forgot about the counting of the times you die laughing in a day. Lol, I remember you telling me about the windows at Memaws! Talk to you later, and thank you for your review. (Isn't that almost like reviewing your own story with someone to address the review and comments to?)

angelina_ballerina: I have to say that is a really cute little name. And I don't plan to stop writing this story until it's finished! Lol, always a good plan right? Sorry it took so long to update, but I do have a life other than this...the problem is, whenever I'm not writing it, I'm thinking about it. Ugh! Lol, anyway, thanks for your review!

Agent-*-Kiwi-*-Snoop: That is really strange that you never got the update for chapter three. I don't know what went wrong...anyway, I'm glad that you realized you hadn't read chapter three before you started in on four. You would have been REALLY confused... And I'm sorry that you had to cheer for nothing in your review, but the review for this chapter you can cheer, except that she doesn't totally believe Sirius...so, I don't know how much cheering you want to do yet. Lol. Thanks for your reviews...they are always amusing.

ltnikki: Yeah, I know what you mean about being worried about Sirius. He is getting into a hell of a lot of trouble all at once. But it has to happen, I don't really know how to avoid it, but I'm sure by now you're all tired of the whole somebody walks in thing...I don't think it happens anymore after this...I don't think. Oh dear, I'm sorry, but at least each one is different. Well, you don't have to feel sorry for Ron anymore. Although you might want to be mad at him...lol, yeah, I really screwed with their relationships. E- mail me anytime!

Chelsey: Well, I posted and now you don't have to wonder anymore. And I don't think this whole walk in on Sirius thing happens again...at least I hope not because I've really exhausted that idea. Lol, thanks for the reviews!

buckbeakbabie: I LOVED your review! Well, I'm flattered that you think there is no such thing as a chapter that's too long, but just imagine how long the chapter would have been if I would have gone to the original cut off. Harmony wanted me to take chapter four all the way to where Ron kisses Kirsten in the library. I think that really would have been too long. Sorry about the cliff-hanger and then the wait and the fact that it wasn't Angie. But I promise this is the last time. It really is...I think. Thanks for your reviews and e-mails, they are always appreciated!

S@bre Bl@ck: I agree that Kirsten is really annoying, right now. She will eventually change and become a major part of the story but right now I have to work on establishing all this stuff with Sirius. Not that I'm complaining, I love writing Sirius scenes... Well, I think I finally have it worked out so that every chapter will end in a cliff-hanger...at least that is my plan. I'm an evil little thing, ain't I? Thanks for your reviews!

Crystal Potter: Wow, I was surprised that you were the first one and the only one who guessed about Gemini. At least you were the only one who said anything about it. I was very proud of you! Lol, I did sort of jump around for a second when I saw your prediction, I was excited that someone caught on! Well, I'm very glad that you are liking this and I hope you liked this chapter too.

coolgurl: Well, thank you sincerely for reading the Last Laugh and I'm glad it inspired you to read Awakening. I can't believe the outrageously long amount of time it took me to update this chapter but summer is coming soon, yeah for summer!!

Moe23: Really am sorry that I left you for so long. I usually try to leave with cliff hangers which makes me feel all the more guilty when it takes me four months to update. I really do apologize for that, thank you for the review and I'm sorry about the cliff-hanger for this chapter...

Astrid: You are DEFINITELY just kidding! Hermione thinks of Sirius like her Dad or something. And yes, you are supposed to hate Kirsten with a passion, but her life does get rather interesting in this story. Lol, thanks for the review.