Hi everyone! I am so sorry it took so long for this chapter to come up, I've been super busy with my personal life here at home helping my mum with my younger siblings and only getting to see my boyfriend on weekends so it takes up an awful lot of my time. Hopefully, this chapter is long enough to keep you all occupied until I get the next chapter posted, which I have no idea when that will be. The next two chapters coming up and very long, Chapter 3 will be 34 pages of writing prepare yourselves. Anyways, I hope you all forgive my absence and I hope this long chapter makes up for it.

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, both back when I first wrote it on my old laptop; to rewriting it today. We left Fourth Year in a very tear-jerking moment between Anna and Weaver, where Anna said she didn't belong and Weaver was furious with her for saying so telling her she so very much belonged with them after Anna had learnt of her parents demise, which was also the hardest thing I ever had to write, I will admit it brought tears to my eyes not only when I was writing it, but when I read through it before posting again.

Now, I won't keep you any longer. Enjoy :)

T. T. Zoldy


Chapter 1

A Good Day to be With Friends


July 7th, 1993

Romania – Romanian Dragon Sanctuary

It had been almost a week since Anna and Minerva had journeyed to her childhood home to learn the truth about what had happened to Anna's parents, the fact that Weaver and Holly were there with her afterwards; soothed the scar that had formed on her brain that made the truth—she now knew—bearable. It had been Weaver's idea, which she had promptly delivered to Minerva that Anna needed something to distract her wandering thoughts; Minerva had smiled and agreed with the ebony-haired witch when she had brought up the suggestion to send Anna to Romania to spend the day with Charlie and the dragons.

"Anna!" Charlie exclaimed, hugging the witch who had grown so much over the past year.

"Charlie!" She exclaimed, flinging her arms tightly around his neck, hugging him tightly. After what Anna had learnt about her parents, she needed the distraction. She needed to rid her mind of the flash of green light that had killed her father and the bloody mess that had been pooled around her mother that still clung to the back of her eyelids. So, when Weaver had suggested that Anna needed a distraction; Anna had agreed.

She only had one condition, that she was there for only a day. Minerva had simply smiled and nodded curtly before she gave Anna a hug and held out the pot of Floo Powder and Anna vanished in a rush of green flames.

"Merlin!" He exclaimed as he examined her at arm's length. "You're getting big!"

Anna smiled and hugged him tightly once more before she smirked and poked him square in the chest. "You saw me last summer, Charlie, I haven't grown that much." He laughed and kissed her cheek.

"Want to see who's really gotten big?" Anna's eyes lit up.

"Sirrus?" He nodded with a lopsided grin. "Oh, Merlin! Show me!" She squealed and he pulled her along.

A few minutes later, Anna gaped, staring wide-eyed at the large—yet still somehow small—smooth-scaled, copper-coloured dragon with black ridge markings. At the sight of Anna, the dragon wrapped its tail around her waist and picked up the witch, making Charlie nervous as Peruvian Vipertooths had a particular liking for human meals. Charlie gripped his wand and Anna smiled at the dragon who had grown so much over the past year, patting her snout affectionately. "Hello, Sirrus," she smiled brightly and the dragon seemed to recognize her as she set the witch down next to Charlie, unwrapping her tail from Anna's waist.

"I think she remembers you, Anna." Charlie smiled, rolling up his sleeves, showcasing a number of shiny, overlapping burn scars that climbed the length of both his arms.

Anna smirked at Charlie and placed her hands on her hips. "I bloody well hope so, she could've eaten me."

"Want to say hi to Opal?" Anna's eyes lit up and she bounced on the balls of her feet as she squealed with excitement, nodding frantically.

Roughly twenty minutes later, Anna was sitting on top of the fence that kept Opal in her pen, patting her snout affectionately. Charlie was chatting away with another Dragon Trainer as Anna perched gracefully on the fence post. She was grateful for the distraction. She spent the entire day running around and chasing Charlie from dragon pen to dragon pen before she returned to Hogwarts via Floo.

oOoOoOo

Hufflepuff Common Room – Fifth Year Dormitory

That night, Anna excitedly retold the tale of her adventures that day in Romania to Weaver and Holly who listened with great interest and asked Anna questions about the dragons when Anna said their name instead of their species. When the witches tucked in for bed that night, the couple hours of peaceful slumber shattered when Anna began screaming in her sleep.

"Don't touch them! Leave them alone! You wanted me! Take me instead!" She screamed as she tossed and turned. Her screams had awoken Weaver and Holly, who had jumped from their four-posters in a panic, wands were drawn before they ran to Anna's side a moment later, abandoning their wands.

"Anna!" Holly yelled urgently, a tone of near panic in her voice, she gripped Anna's shoulders and began shaking her almost violently, her emerald eyes wide.

"Be gentle with her, Hols!" Weaver exclaimed, shoving her sister aside and crawling over to Anna, gently shaking her awake. "Anna. Anna, wake up!"

Anna's eyes opened, which didn't surprise the Sprout Twins when they opened to reveal stained-glass violet eyes in place of her natural bright blue ones. Vixen was in Anna's place. "Weaver?" They heard the witch whisper, tears brimming in her eyes. Weaver nodded and Vixen sobbed as she pulled the ebony-haired witch down, hugging her tightly. Weaver and Holly didn't understand why Anna was being so clingy, they didn't care about the reasons, their best friend was upset and it was their job to take care of her.

"It's alright love, I'm here." Weaver soothed as she sat on the backs of her thighs, pulling Anna up with her, never letting go of the blackberry-haired witch who seemed to refuse to let go of Weaver altogether as though she'd vanish at any given moment; forever.

"Don't leave me," they heard her whisper through her tears. Weaver wouldn't stop petting her hair—Vixen didn't want her to stop either—as Holly crawled on Anna's four-poster, encasing Anna from behind in a deathly grip, hugging the crying witch tightly.

"We aren't going anywhere love, don't worry." Holly soothed, kissing Anna's hair. "We'll stay with you tonight." Anna nodded against Weaver's neck. The twins shared a look. Their best friend was suffering and they were failing to take care of her as they had promised they would do when Anna was left in their care when she had first learnt of her parents' demise.

Weaver pulled Anna away from her, slowly running her fingers across Anna's forehead to move her messy bangs from her, now, stormy grey eyes. "We'll never leave you; I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." They heard her whisper as her eyes fell into her lap.

Weaver forced Anna to look at her, her emerald eyes looked like they had almost a week ago when Anna had said she didn't belong. Her eyes were flashing in anger. "I intend to keep this promise, Anna." Anna slowly looked up as her eyes flashed violet, slowly Vixen nodded; refusing to argue further.


July 8th, 1993

Hufflepuff Common Room – Fifth Year Girls Dormitory

Anna awoke the next morning to sunshine filtering through the sheer black and yellow curtains that dawned the large windows in the dormitory, she felt breath against her stomach and turned her gaze down to where Weaver had collapsed in her lap sometime the night before, her ebony hair fanned out across Anna's stomach, another breath caught Anna's attention as she found Holly sleeping next to her, using their interlaced fingers as a pillow between her cheek, snoring softly. Anna smiled at her friends, they were so understanding of what was going on, she wanted to tell them about Vixen, scared that they'd ask about the night before; ask about her nightmares.

However, when the twins awoke, they didn't ask, but instead took pokes at one another; Holly teasing Weaver about her hair and Weaver teasing her sister about the cushion scar that ran the length of her cheek that would disappear by that afternoon. They teased Anna about her hair and laughed when one of them tripped over an open trunk. The twins acted like the three of them were sisters, even if only two of them were actually blood-related.

The trio went down to breakfast in the kitchens that were provided for them by Tilly, who greeted them brightly then began scolding Weaver for launching porridge at Holly, who had expected the attack from her sister and promptly ducked; Anna had not been fast enough and got a spoonful of porridge to the face, she playfully glared at Weaver who stuck out her tongue, looking pleased with her new victim rather than her intended target. Weaver spluttered when her pumpkin juice exploded in her face and began laughing when a piece of bacon began chasing around the kitchens. Tilly was scolding Anna, but she was smiling all the same.

After breakfast, Tilly sent them off to play with a thoughtful smile. The moment they left the kitchens; Anna playfully shoved Weaver shouting "Tag!" and the three began running after one another in the corridors, ducking behind pillars and hiding in alcoves to hide from the one who was chasing them before running off again in the opposite direction, whoever was chasing them laughing and turning on their heel to chase after them again.

When the trio rushed past Severus and Minerva—who were leaving the Great Hall—laughing, the pair of Professors shared a look and laughed. Anna pushed open the Entrance Hall doors and ran outside into the Courtyard, Weaver and Holly hot on her heels. When the trio tired of chasing one another, they collapsed on the cobblestone and stared up at the clouds, laughing.

Holly and Weaver did the best they could to distract Anna from her wandering thoughts and Minerva was happy to see the trio at lunch in the Great Hall, chattering and laughing when Holly's soup exploded in her face; Anna and Weaver nearly falling off the bench in raucous laughter that rang throughout the Great Hall. Holly's dark red hair sparked as she glared at the pair of witches, trying to figure out who had done it, the innocent look in Anna's eyes gave her away as the culprit and Anna was suddenly the one spluttering in surprise when her teacup exploded and then laughing and trying to shield herself when one of her lambchops began walloping her on the head repeatedly, making Severus burst into laughter, much to the Head Table's surprise.

After lunch, the trio ran off to their Common Room to grab their brooms, though Holly grabbed a book and followed the pair of witches who had their brooms slung over their shoulders out of the Entrance Hall doors, Anna had a Quaffle—a Christmas gift from Weaver from the year before—tucked under her free arm. The moment Anna and Weaver entered the Courtyard with their brooms they took to the skies, Holly planting her arse on a bench in the shade, opening her book and began reading.

Anna and Weaver took turns throwing the Quaffle at one another and catching it, only once did Weaver drop it and it nearly landed on Holly, making the witch yelp in surprise and she turned her gaze to glare up at the witches, who were laughing.

After dinner, the trio retired to the Common Room; Anna, to play a game of Exploding Snap with Weaver and Wizards Chess with Holly—at the same time—which she was somehow very good at.

When the trio retired for bed that night, Anna still had her nightmares, a couple of hours into the night she'd begin screaming in her sleep and Weaver and Holly would crawl in with her, whispering consoling words. This routine continued for an entire week.


July 14th, 1993

Hufflepuff Common Room

A week later, while Anna was playing Exploding Snap with Weaver, Holly was slumped on a fluffy armchair reading a Muggle novel. Luna flew in through the open window; that the girls kept open in case of mail from their friends. Luna landed on Anna's shoulders with a letter tied to her leg, looking pleased with herself.

Anna recognized James's penmanship almost instantaneously, she gently removed the owl of her burden and Luna gave Anna's fingers an affectionate nip before Anna told her to wait in the Owlery. Luna nodded and spread her wings, soaring out of the open Common Room window once more.

Dear Anna,

I was wondering if maybe you wanted to spend the rest of the summer here at the Manor? I know Holly and Weaver are with you at Hogwarts, I've asked Mum and Dad and they said that the three of you can all stay here at the Manor for the rest of the summer. It's up to the three of you to decide. Send Luna with your reply as soon as you can, Mum and Dad have set up a Portkey to bring you here if you decide to come stay.

Love you,

Jamie

"What did he say, Anna?" Weaver asked, cocking her head to the side as she spluttered in surprise. A card had exploded in front of her, making Anna smirk.

"My point. He wants the three of us to spend the rest of the summer at the Manor with him." Holly squealed as she jumped from her seat.

"Please tell me we're going to spend the summer with him, Hopper!"

"I'll have to ask Minnie first, but I'd love to spend the summer with James and the pair of you at the Manor!" Anna beamed before she spluttered in turn, coughing when a card exploded in a puff of smoke.

"My point," Weaver smirked, Anna momentarily glared at Holly for distracting her.

"You two haven't seen the Manor yet, I know you'll both love it, and Lina will love you both too!"

"Who's Lina?" Holly asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.

"Their House-elf, she's almost as overbearing as Tilly. But she's so sweet and cheerful." Anna smiled.

"My point—Ow!" Weaver exclaimed when a card exploded in her face as Anna threw down a Manticore card, that promptly exploded in her best friends' face, making Anna and Holly laugh.

"My point, you mean?" Weaver shot Anna a glare, that was anything but menacing, a rather playful glint in the depths of her emerald eyes. "So, it's settled then? We're going to Jamie's for the rest of the summer?" The pair of fraternal twins nodded happily, even Weaver as happily nodding even though she had lost—yet another—game of Exploding Snap against Anna.

oOoOoOo

Summer Manor

After the three had discussed their plans with Minerva and Pomona, who had happily agreed then properly reprimanded their children that they behave while in the presence of others, the three ran to pack their trunks as the time approached for them to catch the Portkey to the Summer Manor.

The three stood near the Whomping Willow, that they had made sure to freeze beforehand so it wouldn't bludgeon them to death—as it was rather prone to do; their Portkey had arrived an hour earlier, their Portkey in the disguise of an old boot that took Weaver and Anna a few minutes to convince Holly to even touch. "Hurry Thorn! We're going to miss the Portkey if you keep whinging!" Anna complained, she and Weaver already had a single finger each touching the boot.

"I'm not touching an old bloody boot, Hopper!" Holly snapped, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly.

"C'mon Hols! Quit your whinging! Just touch the bloody boot! You only need a finger!" Weaver snapped. "Hurry!" Holly caved and placed a finger on the boot, just as a blue light flashed and the three felt the hook-like pull in their navels that pulled them all forward and they vanished from sight.

The three landed in a heap moments later in Jamie's backyard. James stood to wait for them with an ear-splitting grin, Thomas and Amos at his side. At the sight of their boyfriends, all three girls squealed and each rushed into their own boyfriends awaiting arms. "Amos! Thomas! What are you two doing here?" Anna exclaimed as Holly, Weaver and Anna exchanged boyfriends simultaneously, giving each of them a hug and a kiss on the cheek in their turn.

James chuckled and smiled at his girlfriend, gripping her waist and pulling her close once more. Thomas smirked and Amos looked smug before the three boys shrugged, three stupid, identical grins plastering their faces. "Figured we'd surprise the three of you, Moony owled us earlier—after he got your reply—and told us to get our arses to the Manor, that the three of you would be relocating here for the rest of the summer," Amos explained, his nose in Holly's flaming dark red hair.

"Are you two spending the night?" Holly asked, raising her brow as amusement flashed across her face, though she was smiling brightly.

Thomas frowned. "Not tonight."

Suddenly, Weaver and Holly caught sight of the Manor behind them, ogling the Manor with identical wide green eyes. "James! This is your house?!"

Anna and the boys laughed before Anna smirked at them. "Told you, you'd like it."

oOoOoOo

Summers Manor – Main Drawing Room

Thomas and Cedric left shortly after dinner. Lina had served the whole family a big feast, which consisted of everyone's favourites, absolutely going overboard to spoil the Young Master and his guests, in celebration to Anna and the Sprout Twins spending the rest of the summer holidays at the manor and the fact that she now had three Young Misses to care for throughout the remainder of the summer.

Situated in the large main drawing room, Weaver, Anna and Holly were playing Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess. James's mother, Star, was knitting on the large sofa watching the three girls play, laughing when a card exploded or Weaver complain about Anna cheating. Lina has chased James to his room for a bath with a rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet. Silence blanketed the room, with the occasional noises of a chess piece being destroyed or a card exploding.

"Say, I just remembered, weren't we supposed to get the boys back for flooding the lavatory in the first year?" Anna asked, raising a brow. Star raised an amused brow at the revelation of someone flooding the girl's lavatory back in Anna's first year.

"Merlin!" Holly exclaimed as her knight destroyed Anna's castle. "That's right! I'd totally forgotten about that!"

"Leave it to Hopper to remember things that happened back in the first year," Weaver said with a smirk, laughing when a card exploded in Anna's face, making the blue-eyed witch splutter in surprise, coughing loudly and wafting the smoke away from her with the frantic wave of her hand.

Anna scrunched up her nose playfully and stuck out her tongue at Weaver before she frowned. "We still need to repay the favour, especially since they decided it would be a laugh to do it on Irys' 12th birthday."

"Merlin," Everyone turned to look at James who was standing partially in the drawing-room, partially in the corridor still, his honey-brown hair dripping from his bath, but he was—thankfully, at least in front of everyone else—fully clothed. "I'd forgotten about that,"

"Master James!" They heard Lina yell from somewhere in the manor.

James suddenly looked like a first-year caught out of bed after curfew and he paled, making Weaver double over laughing. "Oh Merlin, hide me!" Anna and Holly were laughing and his mother was smirking at her son.

"He's in the drawing-room, Lina!"

"Mum!" James exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at his mother, who was grinning broadly at her son.

Pop! Lina appeared looking rather cross with James as she crossed her arms over the newly cleaned pillowcase she wore. "Young Master James is naughty, oh yes he is, running off before Lina can properly dry his hair. Young Master James is lucky Mistress Star doesn't ask Lina to wallop the Young Master with the Daily Prophet again," the violet-eyed House-elf looked to her Mistress almost hopeful that she'd ask for just that. There was a flash of mischief in Lina's eyes that made Anna smile affectionately.

"As a matter of fact, Lina, please feel free to punish James however you see fit for running off," Star smirked and James paled, swearing under his breath before he bolted down the corridor, they heard a door slam somewhere in the manor. Star laughed loudly before she cupped her hands over her mouth to amplify the sound of her voice. "There's no point in trying to hide from her, James! She'll find you easily!" Star called and the three young witches were rolling on their backs laughing once more.

"However, Lina sees fit?" Lina asked, her violet eyes bright with mischief and joy.

"However, you see fit," Star smiled, nodding curtly, sending the young witches left in the drawing-room a smirk a moment later. Lina beamed brightly and began jumping up and down in excitement at being allowed to punish her Young Master for being naughty. Lina beamed brightly at her Mistress and vanished in a small Pop! before they heard James shouting from somewhere in the manor for Lina to stop hitting him with the newspaper. The ladies in the drawing-room all fell over laughing.

oOoOoOo

Summer Manor – Anna's Bedroom

The night was quiet for only a few hours before the screaming began.

"NO! DON'T TOUCH THEM! NO! LEAVE THEM ALONE! YOU WANTED ME! TAKE ME! LEAVE THEM ALONE!" Anna screamed as she tossed and turned violently in her sleep, tears in her eyes as the violent images of her parent's demise played behind her eyelids.

James poked his head out from his bedroom door, he was pale and his green eyes were wide as the screaming continued from down the hall. "Was that Anna?"

"Move!" Weaver hissed as she pushed passed him at a run, running to Anna's room and crawling over to her on the bed, Holly hot on her heels. "Anna? Anna, love, it's alright, we're here."

Anna's eyes slowly opened, their depths a stormy grey as the tears freely slid down her cheeks as she was roused from her nightmare. "Weaver?"

Weaver nodded and simply hugged her tightly. "It's alright love, I'm here." She pet the little witches hair consolingly as Anna burst into a fit of sobs on Weaver's shoulder.

At the sight of James, she frowned and hurriedly wiped her dampened cheeks. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

He frowned and joined Weaver on the bed, helping the ebony-haired witch envelope his girlfriend in his arms. "you don't need to apologize for anything, love. It's not your fault. Would you like to talk about it?" Holly hissed at him and he shot her a glare. "Mum always says that talking about your nightmares makes them easier."

"We're supposed to be making her feel better, Moony!" Holly hissed.

Surprisingly, Anna nodded and sighed heavily. "I know how they died," she whispered, a fresh set of tears spilling over her cheeks. James gaped at her then looked to Holly and Weaver who were nodding solemnly at his unspoken question. "M-my parents," Anna continued. "Th-they died protecting me. The Death Eaters w-wanted me."

"Why would they want you?" James asked and he felt Anna shrug before she let out a loud sob and flung her arms around his neck, sobbing heavily into his pyjama shirt. He pet her hair repeatedly, the action seemed to calm her greatly. "We'll protect you, love. I promise."

Anna looked up at him and he gasped at the sight of watery violet eyes, looking at him as though he'd fade away at any given moment and she held on tightly. "Don't make promises you can't keep." He heard her whisper and his heart sank.


July 21st, 1993

Summer Manor – Clearing in the Orchards

Anna, Weaver, Holly and James had decided to invite Thomas, Cedric and Amos over to the Manor so Anna, Weaver, Thomas and Cedric could practice for the Quidditch Team that year, while Holly and Amos retired to the Manor library to read, much to the blatant teasing of their siblings and best mates. James had been assigned as the referee for their 12 series Quidditch match, which ended with Weaver and Thomas just batting Anna's Quaffle back and forth between the pair of them and Anna chasing Cedric on their brooms, to see who was faster.

Eventually, once the races started, Holly and Amos rejoined them. James and Amos grabbed their brooms and joined in on the races, while Holly took Jamie's place as the referee.

"C'mon Summers! Catch up!" Anna laughed as she was ahead of James during their race. Suddenly, he raced passed her and the shock of the moment caused Anna to nearly lose the tight grip she had on her broom. "Mother of Merlin!" she exclaimed as she gripped the handle to steady herself and sped off after him. The race was deemed a tie after James started reprimanding Holly for saying that Anna had won when James had clearly crossed the finish line first. It took Thomas and Holly both to get Amos to back away from James and it took Anna and Weaver both to calm James down; even the shifting of Vixen's violet eyes hadn't been enough that time. It had been Cedric who had opted for a tie, to try and ease the argument.

Weaver had nearly requested a tie-breaker, but after a moment she went silent when Anna shot her a glare.

Once they all put their brooms away, they all retired to the library; save for Thomas, Cedric and Weaver, who decided to continue practising for the team again that year.

Anna and James were snuggled together on one of the Summer Family Library's many sofas, Amos and Holly were in another across from the couple. Holly had her head leant against Amos's chest; her feet kicked over the back of the sofa. Each had a different book in their hands, Anna had a Muggle novel in her hands, while James had a Defense Against the Dark Arts tomb, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection clutched firmly in one hand, the other was draped over Anna's shoulder.

Suddenly, two owls flew in. Both had letters tied to their legs with great care. The owls landed on the coffee table in the middle of the library. "Luna!" Anna exclaimed, jumping from the sofa and nearly elbowing James in the face at the same time.

"Blimey Anna!" Amos laughed; Holly had her hand firmly over her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Calm down, you nearly elbowed Moony in the face."

Anna gave James an apologetic look and rid Luna of her burden, she looked extremely pleased with herself as though the letter she had been assigned to deliver was important. "James! The other letter is for you!" Anna exclaimed before James leapt from his seat on the sofa, to join his girlfriend on the floor, ridding the other owl of its burden before the owl ruffled its feathers importantly and took flight out the window once more. They were both letters from Hogwarts.

Dear Miss Cloud,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to act as a Prefect for your fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please keep in mind that Prefects may give and deduct points from other students and may give those who need it, detention. On your Common Room bulletin board, there will be the Prefects schedule, decided by the selected Head Boy and Head Girl, of when you must patrol the corridors, the male Prefect of your year will accompany you through your rounds of the castle.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

P.s. Congratulations my dear, I'm so proud of you.

Anna read through the letter again, her mouth slightly open before she quickly seized the envelope and a shiny, shimmery black badge fell out. The golden letter 'P' glinting in the sunlight the library allowed in through the many large windows. "Blimey." she breathed as she stared at the badge on the table, her heart swelling with joy. No matter how many times she had told her Professors that there was no need to put a word in for a Prefect badge, she had been being modest, she had worked so hard for the badge that now sat on the table in front of her and she couldn't have been happier. Merlin, she might cry from happiness.

Holly suddenly squealed with excitement. "Anna! That's a Prefect badge! Jamie! You got one too! Holy shit!" Anna turned to look at James and he was gaping at his own Prefect badge that had fallen on the table. Anna beamed at her boyfriend and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, this is too good," Amos chuckled and smirked at Holly, who playfully glared and slapped his chest.

"If anyone deserves a Prefect badge, it's you, Jamie." She said with a smile when he finally looked up at her. He gave her a boyish grin of gratitude then stood and pulled Anna up with him before he picked her up and spun her around in his arms, she squealed with laughter and the sound had gotten the attention of the rest of the manor. Soon, everyone was in the manor's library asking what all the excitement was about.

"James and Anna have been assigned as Prefects!" Holly exclaimed when Star and Jesse, James's parents, entered the room.

Star looked beside herself with the joyous news. "Oh! What wonderful news!" She exclaimed and hugged Anna and James both tightly. Jesse looked proud of his son and his girlfriend.

"You've both worked so hard for one and if anyone deserves those badges, it's you two." He said, gripping Anna's hand in his own as he shot her a quick wink that made her smile and her eyes momentarily flash violet. Suddenly, his tone became stern. "Just remember, now that you both are Prefects, don't go abusing your badges; they can be taken away easily." Anna's blue eyes returned and she nodded firmly in understanding.

"Holy shit!" Weaver exclaimed at the sight when she, Cedric and Thomas entered the library. "Anna and James got fucking Prefect badges!"

"Weaver," Jesse warned, his tone scolding at her foul language.

Weaver had the grace to look ashamed, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "Sorry, Mr Summers."

Everyone laughed, they all knew that Weaver already had a bad habit of very foul language, much like Anna did, but Anna knew when and when not to use her foul language, which Anna usually reserved for when she was really angry.

"Merlin's pants! I'm so proud of you both!" Star gushed as she pulled them in for another bone-crushing hug of joy. "Lina!"

Pop! "Mistress calls for Lina?"

Star smiled at the violet-eyed House-elf, who took such good care of her family. "Yes, I did, Lina. Can you whip up another delicious feast? We're going to celebrate."

"Celebrate the Young Miss and Young Master?" Star nodded happily as Lina approached Anna and James. At the sight of their badges still laying on the coffee table, Lina squealed with excitement and began jumping with joy, clapping her hands repeatedly. "Oh! Miss Anna and Young Master James have been Prefects! Oh, Lina is so happy! Lina prepares a feast!" She exclaimed, snapping her fingers and vanishing once more with a small Pop!

oOoOoOo

Summer Manor

~ That Evening ~

Lina had gone all out to prepare a feast and to invite all their friends over to celebrate. Weaver, Anna and Holly worked hard to write letters to the rest of the boys.

The rest of the Lot started flooding the drawing-room by late afternoon. Lina made sure that they were all well fed with a good five-course meal before they all ran after one another in Manor corridors, needless to say, there were a lot of places in the Manor to hide, not as many as Hogwarts, but enough to keep the night fun.

When Lina called them for pudding, they all ran after one another on their way back to the dining room. The Manor was filled with children, Star and Jesse enjoyed the company and it made them smile to see James so happy and surrounded by his greatest friends. Even Anna was overly excited at the company, Jesse was happy to see her revert back to her over-enthusiastic self for the evening. Lina was overjoyed to pamper the new Prefects and their friends. A large yellow and black banner hung suspended over the dining room table that was groaning under all the fantastic dishes Lina had made. The banner had a beautiful script in black that read.

Congratulations Hufflepuff Prefects

Weaver even had her Quidditch goggles on her head, askew as they normally were and was rambling excitedly to Thomas how proud she was that their 'Ickle Anna and James' had been made Prefects.

An hour later, found Amos and Holly collapsed in the drawing-room on the largest sofa, fast asleep in one another's arms. Irys, Clover and Mia had collapsed in different armchairs, Anna had giggled and had waved her wand transfiguring three different throw pillows into blankets to cover each of her best friends with while they slept. Thomas and Weaver had vanished to another room in the Manor a half-hour earlier, giggling and laughing, they had yet to return from their escapades. Peter and Cedric had taken the Floo home for the rest of the night, and Al quickly carried Mia in his arms to a spare bedroom for the evening, transfigured blanket in tow.

Anna was sitting on the floor, right in front of Holly, playing with her flaming red hair. "She genuinely cares for you, you know," Anna looked up to smile at Irys, who had awoken and was rubbing her tired blue eyes with both hands, much like Anna did after a good night's sleep.

"I know," Anna smiled.

"Where's Peter?" Irys asked when she took in the people sleeping soundly in the room, noticing that her boyfriend was missing.

"He and Cedric went home for the night, Al just carried Mia to a spare room—I suppose—and Thomas and Weaver vanished somewhere in the Manor half an hour ago," Holly muttered before she turned over and snuggled further into Amos's warmth. Irys frowned at the news of Peter going home.

"And Moony?" Anna gave a bashful laugh and thumbed over her shoulder to the open patio door that led outside.

"Went out for a night fly, was thinking of joining him actually," Irys smiled at her and adjusted the blanket that was covering her, she looked at it with confusion. "I transfigured a few throw pillows," Irys raised her head in understanding as Anna got to her feet.

"Holly and Weaver have been sending me constant owls. I know why you're the only one, besides James, who's not sleeping."

Anna snorted. "What do you think Weaver and Thomas are doing? Napping in a broom closet?" Irys snorted a laugh.

"No, I suppose not, unless they had too much Firewhiskey," Anna raised a brow, intrigued. "Thomas brought some to celebrate, had a couple of glasses myself, which is why I didn't go home, Mum would've killed me."

Anna's eyes solidified to violet as she raised a brow. "And where did Claws get the Firewhiskey?"

"Stole it from his Mum's supply,"

"Oh, Merlin," Lacey's gonna kill him for touching her Firewhiskey, Vixen muttered in their mind. "She's gonna bloody kill the poor lad,"

"Not if she never finds out I touched it," they heard a voice say from the corridor. They turned to spot Weaver and Thomas had finally returned, both looking intoxicated but also rather satisfied.

"I think the pair of you have had enough," Irys laughed as Anna walked over to them with her hand outstretched. Thomas made to grab her hand but she swatted it away and eyed the half-empty bottle of Ogden's Finest in his other hand. Oh, Merlin, it's a bottle of Ogden's, Lacey will notice that missing for sure. Vixen groaned as she slapped her forehead hard. Bloody idiot.

"Fine," he groaned and begrudgingly handed her the bottle. Anna's ocean eyes faded to violet and Vixen smiled.

"Claws, I know your Mum has plenty of Firewhiskey, but next time try to grab something that isn't Ogden's, go get some sleep," Vixen said with a smile as she turned and made her way towards the kitchens to dump the bottle. Once out of view from her friends, Vixen took a long swig from the bottle. Vixen! "Oh relax," she whispered. "I'm emptying the bottle."

Anna's blue eyes returned. "Then I'll empty the bottle with some company because drinking alone is rather sad." Vixen huffed in her mind and crossed her arms over her chest in offence. "I think I'll go find James." You aren't flying a broom under any influence, Miss Cloud! I'm the stupid reckless one, not you! Anna laughed. "Oh relax, Vix. I never said I was going to fly a broom. I just said that I was going to find James." Neither of you is flying under the influence. "I'm sure you did stupid, reckless shit in your youth too, Vix. Let me have my fun." Vixen put her hands up in surrender and vanished into the far corners of Anna's mind to enjoy the taste of Firewhiskey that lingered on her tongue.

Ignoring the already burning sensation she felt in her throat, Anna went off outside in search of James, in the orchards behind the Manor. She found him, passed out beneath a tree and nearly laughed out loud at the sight. She crawled over to him, with the bottle still clutched in one hand. She listened to him sleep peacefully with her lupine hearing, the sound of his heart beating, slow, steady and strong. He opened his eyes and smiled at her sleepily, grabbing her wrist and pulling her down to snuggle with her. She laughed, but sat up, adjusting the bottle in her grip. "Guess what Vixen and I caught Claws and Pads with?" He raised a brow and Anna waved the half-empty bottle of alcohol in her hand.

James shot up to sit next to her, laughing before he scrubbed a hand over his face as it dawned on him. "Oh Merlin, his mum's going kill him for stealing her Firewhiskey."

Anna's violet eyes solidified as Vixen let out a barking laugh that made James smile. "That's what we told him before we took it, want a sip?" she passed the bottle to James after he nodded and took a drink, wincing slightly before he hummed in approval. He passed the bottle back.

"What did they say about you drinking their Firewhiskey, Vix?" he asked as he watched Vixen take another long swig from the bottle, her expression remained indifferent.

"Didn't tell them," Vixen said with a wink before she burped and gave James a wide-eyed apologetic look that made him laugh.

Anna's blue eyes returned as she smiled at her boyfriend. "Figured that instead of Vixen drinking alone like a sad sod sitting in a bloody corner, we'd come to find you and honestly, I'm glad we did, or you'd have been sleeping out here all night." Anna decided to copy Vixen's earlier movements and took a swig from the bottle before she immediately began choking on it. Vixen rolled over in her mind laughing her arse off and James tried his best to stifle a barking laugh with a cough. "Bloody hell, that burns. Oh!" She exclaimed as the burning sensation was replaced with a warmth that pooled in the pit of her stomach and she hummed softly in content at the sensation. She liked this sensation.

"It hurts like Circe going down, but it's not the burning sensation you're after, it's the feeling that comes after the burning," James said as he snatched the bottle and took another swig. "Merlin, this shit is strong." He looked at the bottle's label. "A very good year though,"

"What year?" Anna asked with a raised brow and she snatched the bottle back and took another swig of the amber liquid, humming in content as the warmth in the pit of her stomach grew.

He smiled at her. "1971." Anna's eyes flashed violet and Vixen nodded with a bright smile.

"A very good year indeed, Mister Moony," Vixen said with a smile before she retreated to the back of Anna's mind to give the couple some privacy.

"She's gone now,"

"Good," he growled before their lips locked in a bruising kiss that all too quickly became heated leaving the couple panting for air, the chilly air reflecting their frantic breaths for air. During their kiss, James had pinned her to the damp grass, the now empty bottle of Firewhiskey lay forgotten, his mouth leaving feather-light kisses down her neck, making her shiver. "You know, now that we're Prefects we can use the Prefects bathroom," Anna's blue eyes lit up at the revelation.

"Merlin's pants! You're right, however, it's going to be a bit difficult to explain to the rest of the Lot why we both smell like the same soaps."

"You haven't told the girls about our escapades, have you?" Anna's eyes widened as she shook her head. "I told the guys,"

Anna slapped him on the shoulder, hard. The ends of her blackberry mane sparking, her blue eyes narrowing to slits. "Why in Merlin's name, would you do that?"

"I'm sorry," he chuckled and tried to shield himself from her constant slaps. "We were playing a game of Firewhiskey or Dare for Ced and Tommy's birthday last year and after about three shots of Firewhiskey, I blurted it out. I told them not to tease you about it."

"Teasing everyone else when we catch them in the act is funny, but getting teased about the same thing I can understand why all the girls were crimson when we caught them, it's embarrassing. I know that makes me sound like a bloody hypocrite, but even Vixen agrees. Besides, I bet the only thing the guys asked for was details," she pinned him with a look that had him sheepishly confirming her theory a moment later. "The girls will probably ask for them as well. Well, mostly Weaver and Mia, you know how they are." James laughed and nodded before his kisses began to trail even further down the length of her body. "If you were silently asking, we aren't shagging in your bloody backyard." James actually pouted at this and the sight made Anna cave. "Fine, but strong, and I mean strong Silencing Charms and Protection Wards, I don't want your bloody parents to walk by on a fucking midnight walk to find us in such a compromising position."

He nodded and wasted no time in removing the rest of their clothes with swift nimble fingers before he flung his wand around them, Anna watched as the wards were put up around them and she contributed by casting the strongest silencing charms she could muster. All too soon he was positioning himself and he pushed forward. She gasped at the intrusion and he groaned, his head falling into the crook of her neck. "Fuck," he panted. "I always forget how fucking tight you are," He began a slow and steady pace that had her whimpering for him to go faster within a few minutes. They both felt the little string that connected them, pulling them closer to one another and thrumming in their chests. A bond.

They switched positions and she slammed down on him, they both cried out loudly into the night, he gripped her arse and made her repeat the action until her stomach shone pink at the Contraception Charm, she'd non-verbally and wandlessly cast and they both cried out their release, collapsing in the damp grass, basking in the afterglow of their coupling.

She snuggled her back into his warmth against the cool summer night, practically glowing. "Did you feel it?" She asked quietly. She felt him nod against her back, still panting. "It feels stronger," he nodded again and she giggled. "Mister Moony, are you at a loss for words?" he hesitated with a chuckle before he nodded again and she laughed, turning her body around to face him; burying her face into his scarred chest. "I wish every day could be like today,"

He smiled at her warmly, his green eyes flashing a liquid gold that made her face heat and the smile to grow on her lips. "Me too,"

"Remember you said you wanted to invite everyone over on the 31st?" he nodded and her smile grew as her eyes flashed violet. "Let's do it, make more happy memories with everyone like today. The whole pack." he smiled.

"I like the sound of that. Pack. I always said you'd be my Beta even if you aren't my mate. Now we have a pack." Anna snorted a laugh after a moment of thinking about it. "What?" he chuckled at the sight of his girlfriend laughing, he loved how the corners of her eyes crinkled in laughter and how her eyes would shift to a near sea-green.

"We have a pack of animals," he laughed, nodding in agreement and hugged her tightly, rubbing soft circles on her still-naked shoulder. He kissed her forehead and suggested that they return inside, lest they catch a cold.


July 31st, 1993

Summer Manor – Anna's Bedroom

Anna and James had told Holly and Weaver about their plans to invite the whole Lot over for a swim in the river behind the orchards and the twins had eagerly agreed with beaming smiles. The four spent most of the day preparing everything and owling the rest of the Lot with the plans, which everyone had happily agreed, it had taken a few owls between Anna and Clover to get their feline friend to come since she was spending time with Justin and his family, but after the third owl; she too had agreed.

It had been Jesse's idea to let everyone know to come at different times so the Floo wouldn't be crowded with at least three members of the Lot and Anna had literally slapped herself for not thinking about it herself. Jesse had simply smiled at her and winked saying: "That's probably why neither of you was Sorted into Ravenclaw." He said jokingly and Vixen took over to shoot him a playful glare that made him laugh wholeheartedly and pat her head.

"Very funny, Summers." She mumbled and crossed her arms over her chest, which only made the wizard laugh harder.

"Relax," he smiled. "I'm taking the mickey out of you, you two belong where you were Sorted."

"Damn right," Vixen grinned, placing her hands on her hips defiantly as though he'd try and challenge her.

So, that Saturday afternoon found the drawing-room Floo, erupting in bright green flames every five minutes with a member of the Mischiefous Lot stepping out and brushing themselves of the soot before they swiftly gave everyone a kiss on the cheek in greeting. Irys had nearly tackled Clover to the floor when the auburn-haired witch emerged from the fireplace. "Queenie! Hopper told me that she had to argue with you to get you to come!"

"Sorry, Snow. I was visiting some friends from out of town; haven't seen them in a while." Anna smirked at Clover and the auburn-haired witch caught her smirk, sending the witch a wink when Irys got off of her to tackle Peter, who had just stepped out of the fire.

When Al stepped out of the fire, looking worse for wear; the first thing he said to the rest of the Lot was: "I don't want to talk about it."

It had been a nightmare to get Al to come, not that he didn't want to come, but the Summer parents had to step in to try and convince Al's mum, who just so happened to be Star's older sister, to allow her son to join his friends. Star had threatened her own sister at wand-point that if she didn't let her son join his friends that she'd thoroughly hex her older sister into oblivion or even the next fucking century, it had been rather entertaining to watch from the safety of the corridor until Lina had ushered Anna, James and Weaver back to bed since Holly had already been asleep. In the end, Al was allowed to join in on the fun, but he was rather bitter about it until at least half of the Lot was already in the water.

Irys had brought her camera and a magical wireless radio that she had simply tapped her wand and a wizarding song blared to life on the wizarding wireless, the singer Anna had heard at the Burrow before her third year, Celestina Warbeck, who was singing about potions and falling in love.

"Oh, bloody hell," Thomas cringed when the song came on. "This is bloody sappy."

Irys shot him a glare. "Don't you dare judge Celestina Warbeck! She's my Mum's favourite singer."

"Mrs Weasley's too," Anna chimed in, throwing Thomas a smirk when he cringed further. "Even I enjoy her music," Anna winked to Irys who beamed at her confession.

"Well," Thomas began, sitting down in the grass with his arms crossed over his bare chest. "I don't," Irys actually growled at this and gave Thomas the meanest glare any of them had ever seen her make. Her star-white hair was down in a simple plait today rather than up in its usual messy bun. At his statement, her hair began sparking, until she suddenly smiled and gave Anna a wink as she tapped her wand on the wireless and the volume increased making Anna burst out laughing.

"Bloody hell Snow, please turn it down!" Holly shouted from the other side of the river. She was sitting next to Amos. Amos, Anna and James had suddenly covered their ears, not because they hated the song, but because their Animagus and werewolf forms had sensitive hearing.

Irys tapped her wand on the wireless once more and the volume decreased. She gave the three an apologetic smile and put her wand down next to the wireless and ran to jump in the water. Anna went over to James after his hands had finally left his ears. "You alright, love?" He was sitting next to a tree in the shade with a Muggle novel in his hand he was also the only one still wearing a shirt. All the other boys of the Lot were basking in their pale frames. "You're still wearing your shirt,"

"You know why," he frowned, not tearing his eyes from his book.

"They're just scars, James. You're beautiful. 'Every winner has scars.'" He quirked an eyebrow and glanced at her.

"Who said that?" He asked, playing their game.

"Herbert N. Casson." She smiled.

"Wizard?"

She shook her head with a smile. "Muggle." Suddenly, she grabbed his book and gently marked his page. She gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled. "C'mon," he pulled his shirt over his head and she stood, extending her hand to him. He took it and she pulled him along. The couple jumped into the water, splashing one another and laughing.

Needless to say; it was a good day to be with friends.


I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter to my fifth book like I mentioned before, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, I was so elated to be continuing this series after such a long time that when I finished writing my fourth book I just had to keep writing, I had so many ideas, so many plot twists and turns, so many character developments, it was beautiful.

I've also recently read over my first book and I was cringing the entire time, I never realized how bad at writing I used to be and I'm soooo sorry you all had to witness that, truly. I'll be rewriting that one as well, I believe it needs an upgrade as it has been over six years since I first wrote it and I still can't believe the time has flown by oh so fast. I also enjoy looking at the fact that my skills have improved a lot since that first book all those years ago, but Hufflepuff Hazard and the Hazardous Puff will be getting bigtime upgrades. My second book I will also make longer, which will be a bit difficult seeing as I'm already so far along in the series, but I promise I'll try. :)

T. T. Zoldy