Each day she was gone Sirius' mood darkened. Everyone seemed to be so happy in the house. Harry was going back to Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione were made Prefects, Remus and Tonks were sneaking around trying to keep their relationship secrete. It had been a little over a week sense she left. Remus kept telling him she went on a mission for The Order, but that seemed to make him even moodier. As far a Remus could figure it was either because Holly was gone from him, or the fact that she could leave the house by her own free will.

"I think I did it this time Beaky." Sirius said as he fed Buckbeak. "I really hope she's not gone for good." He patted the Hippogriff lovingly on the head as his sharp teeth bit thought the center of a dead rat. Sirius left the room to see if there was anything to eat in the fridge.

He walked into the kitchen, nobody was there, and he opened the fridge. Suddenly he didn't feel like cooking. He slammed the door to the fridge and leaned against it.

"Something bothering you?" The voice caught him off guard. It was Fred.

"I'm fine." Sirius said beginning to leave the room. Fred took a deep breath and made a very bold move.

"You just missed her."

"What?" Sirius stopped in his tracks.

"You just missed Holly."

"Why didn't she…"

"She was going to, but Mom sent her out for something or other, she'll be back in a bit."

"Thanks. Was she in a good mood?"

"More or less." Fred always thought she was in a good mood.

"Thanks kid." Sirius left.

"Molly, I think I got everything you wanted." Holly said placing two grocery bags on the counter. No one was in the room. "Where did she go? I wasn't gone that long."

Annoyed Holly put the items away and deciding that no one was around, she went up to her room and wanted to take a nap. All that traveling really wore her down.

After a while of lying down, she felt her bed sink next to her. She turned to face the wall, so her back was to whatever just landed next to her. It just moved closer and put it's face against her neck.

"Where were you?" Sirius said.

"Russia."

"Russia? What were you doing in Russia?"

"Visiting Avrik's grave."

"Oh." he said, pausing to think of what to say next. "I didn't know."

"Everyone knew where I was. How did you not…"

"No, I knew where you were. I didn't know that the other day you were upset by…what you were up set by."

"I don't know why, but I'm so emotional lately. I didn't mean what I said about you being miserable."

"I know." she turned over and snuggled closer to him and fell in a peaceful sleep. "Don't fall asleep now."

"I gotta help take the kids to Kings Cross tomorrow."

"I'm going too."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." she said letting out a huge yawn.

"Go to sleep."

"K."

Life a Number Twelve the next day was hectic. Trunks flying everywhere, mainly thanks to the twins, and everyone was at their wits end. Holly was going to escort Fred and George to the train station, following the departure of Harry, Remus and Moody were to follow after she left. Holly wanted to say goodbye to Sirius, but she couldn't find him anywhere.

"So…." Fred started to make conversation on the journey to the station. "What was Hogwarts like when you were there. You know, not that it was that long ago." He covered. George was starting at him with a "what are you doing?" look.

"Well, it was pretty much the same. That's what I've always liked about it. It's very stable, reliable, doesn't change, well that much. A few of the rules came into effect my last year."

"Like what?" George asked, before Fred could make an idiot of himself.

"Like, how boys can't go into the girls dorm on their own. That was all because of James, Harry's father."

"We know that, but what else?"

"You know how student's aren't supposed to use classrooms during Christmas break?"

"Yes." the twins said together.

"That was also because of us."

"Us?"

"Yes, me, Sirius, James, to some extent Peter, and Remus…."

"Lupin?" The twins were astonished that their former Professor would ever do something out of line.

"Yes, Lupin. He could raise hell when he wanted to. Most of the time he left that to Sirius and James."

"Wow. Never look at him the same way. I can't wait to ask…."

"No." Holly said firmly.

"Why not?"

"Because he's not particularly fond of those moments. So just keep it quiet ok?"

"Fine." they said when they arrived at the station. They met up with Harry and Mrs. Weasley, soon joined by everyone else. There was someone else with Harry to. Holly looked at a giant shaggy black dog sitting wagging his tail at Harry's feet. Holly moved over to Remus.

"Please tell me this isn't what I think it is."

"It's exactly what you think it is."

"Who let this happen?"

"No one was going to stop him, and Harry really wanted it."

"Of course he did! But that doesn't mean it's good. Oh when we get back I'm going to…."

"Go easy on him." These words took Holly by surprise. She thought at least Remus would be on her side.

"What?"

"Think of it this way, he hasn't been outside for months. I'm not happy about this either, but for once, let it be. You two just made up. Is it worth getting into another fight?"

"I hate you."

"No matter how much you say it, it still doesn't make it true." she gave him a mean look.

The scarlet engine let out a blast signing that it was time to get on and get to Hogwarts. Everyone said their goodbyes, Fred taking longer than normal, and George practically dragging him onto the train, Sirius even chased down the train until he ran out of platform. Once it was out of sight, everyone started to leave. Molly gave her a look that said, "he's your boyfriend, you get him.", and left with Remus and Moody. The black dog just sat there for a few minutes wagging his tale and staring down the tracks.

"Common boy." Holly said coming up next to him, Sirius the dog licked her hand and followed her happily all the way back home.