Chapter twelve

Suspension After a Day

Harry, Serena, and Ginny were sitting in the common room, waiting for Remus to get them for their suspension, while Hermione and Ron were doing their job as prefects. They were telling the three off for getting suspended.

"How do you get suspended after ONE DAY of classes? You didn't even make it the full day, we didn't see you guys in charms either! What did you do?" Hermione screamed. She wasn't taking this too well.

"Ginny, Mums gonna go mental! One day! Even Fred and George lasted more than a day!" Ron started. Harry, not wanting to keep taking the screaming began to defend them.

"Okay, you guys want the whole story?" Harry asked impatiently. "Well, when I lost it and attacked Malfoy, Serena, who was asked by Dumbledore to help me control my temper, let it go. Ginny did something to keep Dumbledore from stopping me. Now to make matters worse, Dumbledore said Tonks was a bad influence on me. So I have to ask your Mum to be my guardian, while she's angry no less. Dumbledore won't do it. We have to go to Dumbledore's office as soon as your Mum gets here, I have to ask her to be my godmother, Serena has to ask if she will take care of her because Remus is teaching, and Ginny has to get the fit with all of us because it was my fault for not watching my temper."

"Serena, why didn't you stop him?" Hermione asked, still furious.

"Because it needed to be done." Serena said plainly

"Ginny why did you stop Dumbledore?" Ron asked, curious.

"So Harry would stop blaming himself. As Serena said, it needed to be done." Ginny said simply.

"Why didn't you two stop me?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione.

"Honestly, mate, I was afraid of you! The way you looked scared everybody I think. Even Remus didn't break it up till Ginny said something." Ron said.

"I couldn't break it up Harry. I'm not strong enough to move you. I am just a girl you know." Hermione said, her anger easing. "But you two!" Hermione said, still trying to calm her anger. "You have some weird control with Harry! You can say something, or pat him on the arm and he stops! So in a sense you each got suspended for your own purposes! So stop letting Harry take all the blame!"

"She's right Potter. Me and Ginny could have stopped you, you know." Serena said, smiling again. "did it feel good hitting that slimy git?"

"Brilliant, actually. However I feel I'll be washing my hand for the entire suspension. So much grease to hold that hair back." Harry said laughing.

"Hermione is right, Harry. We could have stopped you but we didn't. Don't take all the blame. We did our fair share." Ginny said. "I wouldn't change a bit of it either. The nerve of Malfoy! To think he had free reign in Remus' class!"

"So I hit him." Harry said.

"I didn't stop you!" Serena said.

"And I stopped Dumbledore!" Ginny said.

"Wow, we all screwed up." Harry said.

"Agreed!" Ginny and Serena, all three of them laughing.

"Geez, how did I turn out so well, with you people as my friends?" Hermione said, laughing herself.

"Mione, me and you just haven't spent enough time together!" Serena said laughing. "Same with Ron, which is why you two aren't suspended! However, look and me, Harry, and Ginny. A few weeks knowing me, I leave for a month, they get so bored that we get suspended after being around each other for a week!" This caused all five to laugh.

"Well I'm glad you think this is funny!" Remus said entering the common room. "I see you do not see the seriousness of this! You three, have managed to break a Hogwarts record, not even managing a whole day before getting suspended!" He looked at Serena and Harry, "You fathers at least managed to make it to the second!"

"That means," Harry said.

"That we beat them!" Serena said

"We beat the marauders!" Ginny screamed.

"Bloody brilliant we are!" Serena said.

"Agreed!" Ginny and Harry said, starting their laughing fit again.

"THIS IS NOT A JOKE!" Remus started angrily, "This is not a game! Your fathers would not have been happy about this! They tried not to get suspended! It meant they went to far! Their goal was to stand at the line, NOT CROSS IT! They wanted their pranks to continue, to keep the laughing around! What will you do to make this school laugh while you are not here? What is the next great prank from home going to be?"

"Good point Moony!" Harry said.

"No more suspensions!" Serena said.

"Harry no more hitting poor slimy gits!" Ginny said.

"Even if the teacher ordered me to kill?" Harry said.

"Yup, we'll stand on the line, no further." Serena said.

"Sounds like we'll need to know where the line is." Harry said.

"Yup, but we have a marauder here!" Ginny said.

"MOONY!" They shouted happily. This was too much for Remus, as he began laughing himself. As he looked at these children he saw the same light he and his friends had in their eyes in those days.

"Forget what I said. Your fathers would have been proud. Sometimes it takes a minute to realize it. I cannot be happy about this though. Serena, you are my goddaughter. Harry, you are my godson. I must be responsible. I cannot be as I wish to be. Next year when you are both seventeen, then I can be happy that you two are the marauders heirs. But right now I have to be a parent. As a parent, that was wrong. Even though I didn't stop it, you could have Serena, or you could have let Dumbledore, Ginny. Harry, you fell to your emotions. I do not think you could have helped it, as these were brewing since that day. Of the three, you are the most innocent and still you were wrong." Remus said. "But that is all the lecture I can give, as you are needed in the headmaster's office. Oh, while you are suspended you are allowed to use magic, so you may do your homework. I will bring it to you in a few days. Now, come on, you three."

They nodded, shrunk their trunks, said goodbye to Hermione and Ron, and followed Remus out. It was a quiet walk mostly, none really knowing what to say. They all knew of Tonks' decision to stay Serena, and they felt as if they were losing a friend. Harry was taking it better than Remus and Ginny, because he knew what it was like to want to be normal. Even he was a little hurt to lose 'Tonks' for Serena but he knew it was her decision. He was happy for her either way.

"Are you sure about it Serena?" Remus asked. He was taking this hardest of all.

"I know you fancied her, Moony, but she wasn't happy. She always felt like people were using her for something she had no control over, like she was only good for that one thing." Serena said. "I'm happy all the time. Truth is, she had a small thing for you. But as I told Harry, she wasn't an adult, even had a crush on him!" She started laughing when Ginny's eyes widened in shock. "Yeah Gin, but she never told him. I didn't say anything until today. She was happiest when her cousin was alive. She wanted to be like him, Moony. A bigger part of her died than you or Harry that day. This is the right choice, and it is mine. I get to be me. Fun, happy, mischievous, and one of the greatest pranksters of Hogwarts."

"We will miss her terribly." Said Ginny. She had tears forming in her eyes.

"No, you won't. Just remember that this is the way she is happy." Serena said. "If Harry had the chance to just be Harry Potter, not the boy who lived, would you take that away from him?"

"No, I would want him to be happy, just being him. Just like I see him." Ginny said.

"Remus?" Serena asked.

"I would want him to be Harry Potter, Prongs' son." Remus said sadly.

"Exactly. That's what I want. She can't be that way. She will always be HER. I have a chance to just be me." Serena said.

"I understand." Ginny said. "As long as you're happy."

"I understand Serena. If this is how you are happy, then I am happy for you." Remus said, smiling. "I will still miss her though, things will not be the same without her."

"Nah, it will be ok." Serena said. "Harry we need a happier subject!"

"Well Black, what do you think?" Harry said smiling.

"Hmm.. think Moony'll adopt us?" Serena said laughing.

"He should. After all we are his best friends children!" Harry said, still smiling.

"Well then we have to get him going on this then!" Serena said happily.

"Oh god, having to raise you both might just kill me!" Remus said, laughing himself.

"C'mon Moony, its not like you'd be taking all three of us!" Ginny said, joining in.

"Yeah, now that," Harry said.

"That could kill anyone," Serena said.

"Even a werewolf!" Ginny finished.

"God help me, you three will be inseparable this summer, wont you?" Remus said, a renewed smiled on his face.

"Definitely." Harry said.

"I'll have to stay with Harry, though. After all my birthday wont be for another year after today!" Serena said.

"Oh my god, Serena you are sixteen today?" Ginny said smiling.

"Yup, early placement at my old school and all!" Serena said laughing. They continued like this until they reached Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was smiling at all of them.

"I see everyone has taken well to your news?" Dumbledore said.

"Of course! What could be better than a Black at Hogwarts again?" Serena said smiling.

"I have managed a story to make up for your, um, her disappearance. However, it will not be a happy story. It will also soften Molly a bit for you three." Dumbledore said. "But first, Miss Black, I ask you to drink this potion." Handing her the potion he smiled at her again. "You will be missed, Nymphadora."

"Well I am always here for those who wish to see!" Serena shouted cheerfully. "Harry, as a final word as your godmother, be a good man. Just be Harry Potter, and you will survive all that is put before you. I have faith if no one else does." She smiled, then looked at Ginny, "You, treat my godson well. He is a special boy, not for the reasons everyone else thinks. You have my blessing and always will. Just don't be too wicked since I'm going to be gone!" she said laughing. She walked up to Remus and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I know this is hard for you, but thank you for taking it so well. If I had a few more years on me I probably would of snatched you up!" She said laughing again, "But as I said, I wasn't happy as Tonks, and now I am happier than ever. And so, as Tonks I say my final farewell!" She said, bowing low, and drank the potion. She made a horrible face after drinking it. Then she looked at everyone smiling. She scrunched her face up, looking like she was concentrating strongly then ran to a mirror.

"WOOOHOOOO!" She screamed.

"What was that Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked.

"I didn't change! I tried to but I didn't change! I'm me!" Serena said, causing everyone to laugh.

"As you asked, Miss Black, you were born today, September 2nd. Here is all of your personal information that ties you to Sirius Black as his daughter." Dumbledore said. "Now, welcome to Hogwarts Miss Black." He smiled at this. Harry, Ginny and Remus still looked a bit sad, but all were smiling.

"Thank You, Headmaster." Serena said. At that exact moment, Mrs. Weasley stepped out of the fire.

"I cannot believe you three!" She started as soon as she saw them "On the first day of school! Suspended! A months detention after being here an hour! What am I going to tell your father, Ginny! And you two!" She said looking at Harry and Serena, "You two should be especially ashamed! In your GODFATHERS CLASS!" She was just getting into her fit when Dumbledore interrupted.

"Molly I ask you to not yell at them now as they have just heard grave news." Dumbledore said, the twinkle gone from his eye. "I am afraid to say Nymphadora is no more. Now, that means that Serena and Harry have lost someone else they have loved as family, and Ginny has lost a good friend as well." Molly stood shocked at this news. "I am sorry to stop you, but the children feel horribly as it is. To add to this at this moment may be too much." Molly began Hugging each child in turn, starting with Ginny and ending with Harry.

"I'm so sorry dears, I had no idea. This doesn't mean I'm not angry, mind you, but I'm sorry for this. Tonks was a good woman, even if I did have a fight with her a time or two." Molly said. Looking over all the children. "I wish this world were better for you children, we never have any good news I'm afraid."

"Molly, with the situation as it is with Harry and Serena, they will need someone to watch over them. As you are aware I have made their punishment to stay at Grimmauld place. I would like to ask you to watch over them. For the most part, all three are very strong, but they will need an adult to help them. Especially at this time of loss. Would you do this?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, of course I will Albus!" Molly said, "I could do nothing else. Will this be all right with you though, Remus? I figured you would want time to mourn yourself."

"I would rather remember her happily, then think of her at the end." Remus said, smiling sadly. "She hadn't been happy since Sirius died. Harry was the person who brought her the closest. As long as I know he and Serena are all right I will be fine. Besides, after seeing what they could do in a day, I don't think I could handle 3 weeks." He laughed at this, "So much like Sirius and James. They truly are their children. And Ginny! She is a marauder in her own right!" He smiled at Ginny, "You should ask them of some of the stories. Even though only a day, they have done quite a lot, and even I have found myself laughing."

"Well Remus, I will not be laughing. I have seen what happens to children after they meet a prank. Remember, that Fred and George are my children." Molly said.

"Ah, but these three surpass those two. I remember even you and Arthur would laugh when James, Sirius, and I would do things, and some of the things they have done would make all of the marauders proud!" Remus said.

"Perhaps, Remus. We were children then, though. All of us must be responsible and raise our children well. I should take them home now, so they can get some rest. Say goodbye children." Molly said. Harry walked to Remus and hugged him.

"I will miss her too, Moony." Harry said. then turned to Dumbledore and smiled. "3 weeks without us. However will this school laugh?"

"I'm sure when you return you will find today's action are not yet forgotten" Dumbledore said, the twinkle returning to his eye. Serena hugged Moony during this talk.

"Don't cry, she's not gone, Moony, not really. She's just happy now." She whispered, Remus nodded. She let go of him and stood beside Harry. "Well Professor, it seems we are off to the world! Any advice for a few bored marauders?"

"Yes, plan, and when you return, be prepared to make us all laugh again. You will be missed." Dumbledore said. Ginny just smiled at Dumbledore, then she looked to Remus.

"Well mate, we lose one to gain another. Sucks huh?" Ginny said. Remus nodded sadly, though chuckling. "Well, at least there is a happy ending right?"

"That's right Ginny. At least there is a happy ending." Remus said.

"Well, we've done all the damage we can do." Harry started.

"At least for three weeks," Serena continued.

"Then to avenge Sirius!" Ginny finished.

"Agreed!" Serena and Harry said smiling. Molly, confused looked at the three children then Dumbledore, then Remus. When no one said anything, she ushered them into the fire and back to Grimmauld place.