…Holiday…

We put our things away and relaxed. According to mum, dad was going to be away on assignment for a while but wouldn't say where. "You and dad are being as secretive as the grandparents are about their work." I tell her on the drive back. She only laughed.

I made my way into the kitchen. I greeted Kreacher and opened the fridge to get a snack. Ava and Lucas were in the garage doing a punishment workout for all the things they'd done over the term. Mum was watching them to make sure they did it properly. Ava was being punished for repeated 'attacks' on Draco, and Lucas for repeatedly messing with other students' potions causing mayhem.

I sneak upstairs and began drawing as the winter breeze enters my room. It was way after dark by the time I noticed. I went to the kitchen and found mum fixing me a plate. "She has emerged from the other world." mum jokes pouring me a cup of cocoa. "How was your term?" she asks as she sits across from me with a cup of tea. I begin to eat and tell her about my Draco and Blaise run-ins, Ron and Hermione's fighting, and the Dementors. She stood and checked my face carefully. "You can't see Thestrals, and you feel nothing around dementors." she moved back to her seat. "Wonder what your father would say." she mutters. "Oh, Harry thought he saw a black dog before the dementors attacked him and he fell." I add almost forgetting what he told me. I didn't think it could be a Grimm like everyone else probably would. "I told him it was probably from Hogsmeade." I finish the last of my cocoa. Mum had gone silent. She finally shook her head.

We had a silent Christmas. Dad was able to come back for a short visit before he had to return. Ava launched herself at him. "This brings back memories." he said hugging Ava, but looking at mum. Mum flushed and went into the kitchen. Dad laughed and hugged each one of us. We unwrapped gifts and ate dinner. Kreacher played with and petted the owls. I was organizing my new art supplies and watching Ava closely. She was strangely silent. We were on our way up to bed that night when she stopped outside my door. "Do you think Kreacher and mum have been lonely with no one at home?" she whispers. "No way! Mum's tough. She probably spent her time in her studio like always and visiting her friends." Lucas whispers back as he goes to his room. Izzy shakes her head and nudges the two to their rooms. I enter my room and change for bed.

The next morning, I rush into the kitchen and almost collide into dad. "Whoa. Where are you off to in a rush?" he asks looking at me side eyed. I point at the fruit bowl, a beautifully decorated cake, and the wintry scene outside and back at my camera that was hanging from my neck. "Just like Fae." he shakes his head sadly. I take the pictures and turn back to where he was standing. "I heard from Remus and your mum that you've had a couple interactions with Draco and Blaise." he started, and I froze. "Don't get into trouble. Keep your head." he continued. I nod. He ruffles my hair and strides from the room. I breathe a sigh of relief. I thought I was in trouble for something.

Dad left to return to his assignment a few days later. He waved at us and we watched until he disappeared. We went inside and went to our different activities for the day. I baked in the kitchen and took photos of the delicacies to send to my friends. Izzy was my taste tester. "The mango, chili, lime cake was absolutely delicious, but the orange and grapefruit one was dry and lacked flavor." she stated acting like a food critic. I brandished my spatula at her. "Try a chocolate and orange cake." I order watching her carefully. She cut into it and gasped as the liquid center poured onto the plate. She took a bite and gave me two thumbs up. I cheered victoriously. I cleaned up the mess from decorating and made write Izzy's notes in the sidebars of the food journal I got for Christmas. Ava and Lucas were still on punishment when we boarded the train. They heave a sigh of relief as the station disappears.

…The Escape…

Izzy and I tentatively went up to the common room. We hoped the trio would've apologized already, but there was no such luck. Harry received an anonymous Firebolt and Hermione told Professor McGonagall. Long story short, they boys were shooting daggers at her. We gathered her things and went to the library. "I almost wish I'd gone back home for the holidays. To think they're mad at me because I was concerned about Harry's safety." she huffs as she sits down. "By the way, I had a question for you guys. Professor Lupin is your uncle right.", we nodded, and she continued, "He's a werewolf, isn't he?" We nodded again and she sat back thinking then abandoning whatever it was that she was thinking.

Things didn't improve much as we drew nearer to the next Quidditch match. Hermione split her time between classes, studying and homework, working on Buckbeak's trial case, sleep, crying in the girl's dorm, and visiting the library. The stress of her classes was catching up to her. She was now always seen with red eyes from lack of sleep and crying, and serious eye bags. Ginny wasn't happy with they way Harry and Ron were acting, and she told them that. "Why should we apologize?" Ron said defiantly like a stubborn child. Ginny threw her hands in the air giving up the two-hour debate and leaving the Great Hall. Ron and Harry gave each other exasperated looks.

We were just coming back from potions when we saw Professor McGonagall giving Harry the Firebolt back. We walked up to Harry and Ron as she left. "The broom's fine." Harry mumbles. "Apologize to Hermione. You two have not one clue all the work she's been doing on her own. You two were supposed to help with Buckbeak's case, or did you just forget because you were mad at her?" Izzy asks with her hands on her hips. They looked ashamed and guilty. We follow Izzy as she steps around the two. "Hermione's in the common room by the way!" she yells at them over her shoulder as we ascended the stairs.

The trio were friends again. Just when everything seemed to be settling down there was an intruder in the school. Ron had woken thinking he saw Pettigrew. The castle was thoroughly searched but no sign of the man was found. Then a couple weeks passed, and the Fat Lady was attacked. Once again Pettigrew had escaped. Everyone was on edge. It was mystifying. There was a new portrait put over the Gryffindor common room entrance whilst the Fat Lady's was being fixed. He was as annoying as Professor Lockhart had been. Changing the passwords so often that it was easier to just sleep elsewhere.

We heard Ron screaming in the night again, and everyone rushed to the common room. Professor McGonagall came upstairs to scold everyone. She thought were still up celebrating the recent Quidditch victory. We were all sent to the Great Hall with the rest of the school. Gossip and stories spread like wildfire. I was huddled up with Ginny, Izzy, and Luna in a circle. We talked about the incident until Dumbledore told everyone to go to sleep. We crawled into the sleeping bags he'd made appear. We chatted a bit until we fell asleep.

Pettigrew had escaped again, and Ron and Hermione were arguing because Scabbers had gone missing. "He thinks Crookshanks ate his rat!" Hermione growled when she saw Izzy's confused face. They continued to bicker. Blue who had just dropped off a letter for me hooted at them disapprovingly before flying off. "Dad wants to know if you like the Firebolt he got for you for Christmas." I say to Harry. Ron and Hermione stopped bickering. Harry grabs the letter. Hermione went red and I clears my throat "Dad just wanted to clear up the confusion. He realized he forgot to send a note. He thanks you for being so clear-minded as to get it checked out." Ron and Harry went pink and their heads dropped. None of them looked at each other. I shake my head and gather my things.

I entered the common room and saw Ginny crying. "Buckbeak has been sentenced to death." she cried, and I gave her a comforting hug. It was tough to think that a beautiful creature like Buckbeak would be sentenced to death because of one arrogant prick. We'd finished exams and were relaxing outside. Luna and I were drawing, and Ginny was watching the giant squid. We ate and made our way back to our respective dorms. Izzy shuffled in a bit later.

…Confusion…

The morning after Buckbeak's scheduled death we awoke to find Buckbeak not dead, and Ron in the hospital. No one would say anything about the night's events. Uncle Remus resigned after the parents found out he was a werewolf. Most of the student body didn't seem to mind this bit of information though. "He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!", Ron complained. Hermione shook her head at Ron.

I went to uncle Remus' office before he left. "If you've come to talk me into staying young missy, you'll be fairly disappointed. Besides your mum has invited me to stay with you guys for a bit over the summer." he smiles as he turned around. I laugh. "I'd wanted to convince you to stay but if you truly feel that you should go, I won't stop you. Poor uncle Severus. He'll have to deal with Ava and Lucas by himself next year." I sigh dramatically. "Do you not think I can handle those two by myself." uncle Severus drawls from the doorway. I shake my head. "I just meant that they hardly have begun to misbehave because the two of you were here." I try to sound convincing. Uncle Severus shakes his head giving uncle Remus a sorrowful look "She doesn't believe in me anymore." I get up to leave. "Tried to warn you." As I reached the doorway, I turn back to wave at them.

I make my way back to the common room just as Harry was leaving. "He seems to be waiting for you." I tell Harry as he opened his mouth to speak. I went to the common room.

The year ended and we were on our way home. Izzy ran to mum and dad. Dad looked like he was in trouble for something. I held back talking to Luna and Ginny. Ava and Lucas were back on punishment and were standing by mum. "I'll see you guys next year!" I say giving them both hugs before finally walking towards my family.

…Mum's Anger…

We got home and saw uncle Remus in the living room Ava and Lucas ran over in shock. I take everyone's things upstairs. I come down and sat down on the floor by Izzy. Remus was telling mum about his year as a Professor. Then he told her about the night of Buckbeak's death that didn't happen. My eyes widen as they flicker between the three adults as he recalled what dad had done. "Strangely enough Harry wouldn't let us kill Peter. Said from the stories he's been hearing from Charlotte he'd made up his mind ages ago. That he'd rather let the dementors have Peter." I go red as their gazes land on me. "So I have the same two trouble makers to punish. One for biting someone's leg and not handling a situation properly and the other for telling tales." she smiles. My face pales. I look to uncle Remus and dad for help, but they'd both paled too.

Mum sent the others to their rooms. Dad and uncle Remus were having a mini feud about what details should have been omitted. I slowly inch myself to the back door to escape. "Oh no you don't. We've all played a part in this mess." dad said picking me up and putting me on the couch. I pout and cross my arms. "We could've all escaped." I whine.

Mum came in the room her dark purple eyes looking at the three of us in anger. I shrink down. "You two helped make a map of the school back then that could've helped Peter find and kill Harry at anytime over the past year." she started. "Well it was taken just before we finished our seventh year." dad tried to defend himself but stopped seeing mum's face. "I heard from Hermione that he got it from Fred and George who knicked it from Filch. It was apparently really funny." I stop when dad pinches me.

"You young lady. Just what did you think you were doing telling Harry about Peter?" she questions me now standing before me and looking down at me. "I just saw him looking at the scrapbook Hagrid made, and he wanted to know about the people in the photos. He was practically begging me to tell him." I mumble looking at the floor. Mum's anger finally dissipated. She gave me a hug. "Next time you three need to think more before making some of these grand decisions of yours. No scratch that don't ever let there be a next time." she reaches over and hugs dad and uncle Remus.

The next day dad and uncle Remus went to feed Buckbeak at Grimmauld Place. Dad was on his best behavior around mum. He gave her extra attention and even 'attempted' to cook.

Uncle Remus took Buckbeak with him when he left to continue his journey. Ava finally came off punishment. Lucas came off punishment a while ago, but Ava is Ava. I sent some letters to various cousins. This year Mya Collins, Keith Snape, Benjamin Smith, Adrian Richards, Akio Sato, Alastair Volkov, and Kacela Smith were all to start school this year. We were going to meet up with the cousins to go to the Quidditch final, but dad is grounded still so we can't go.

I sent letters to Luna and Ginny to tell me how the match went. I sent Blue off with the letters and went downstairs for dinner. Dad, Ava, and Lucas were pouting looking at their lasagna sadly. I put some salad on my plate. Mum was acting as if she didn't hear or see the three in front of her begging and pleading. After the main meal was finished, I brought out the jiggly cheesecake I'd made earlier. I gave everyone a slice and Izzy brought the ice cream she'd made. We ate in silence until Kreacher popped into the room. "Disaster at the Quidditch match." he gasps panting. Mum and dad rose immediately. "Isabella and Charlotte are in charge while we're away." mum orders everyone as they throw on their travel cloaks. The door closed behind them.

Ava pushed her food around her plate nibbling at bits and pieces. Izzy stayed with her. I went upstairs. Lucas knocked on my door. "Hey, are you ok? I know you had friends that went." he gave me a hug. I ruffle his hair. I stared at his hair; it was longer than dad's now. "Go on. I'll be fine because I know that my friends will be ok." I state confidently. He walked back out, but wasn't entirely convinced of my mini speech, and honestly, I wasn't convinced either.

Mum and Dad returned the next day looking worn out but very successful. "Your friends are fine. Here are their letters for you." mum said handing me the letters. Izzy read one while I read the other then we switched. "Must you two always do that?" Lucas complains. We look at him simultaneously. He threw his hands in the air and went to the garage to exercise. We shrug at each other and went back to reading the letters. Ginny had decided to take Hermione's advice and be a bit more open and herself around Harry. Luna was just sad that the match and festivities ended like they did.

We went to Diagon Alley to get supplies for the year. Dad kept pointing things out to mum that reminded them of their Hogwarts days. I was taking Art, Music, and Care of Magical Creatures this year. Izzy was taking Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, and Magical Theory. We stopped by the Magical Menagerie to buy Ava a lizard she named Royle and we bought Lucas a screech owl he named Tuvin. We were just on our way home when mum looked around. She told the rest of us to continue home and that she'd be along later. I looked around, Ava was gone. Probably into Knockturn Alley. We went home and sure enough an hour later they appeared. Dad was furious too. Izzy and Lucas hid in my room. Kreacher brought us up some drinks and snacks and stayed put until he was called.

…Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs…

It was raining something terrible. Luna, Izzy, and I took a carriage up to the castle. We were on our way up the stairs to the Great Hall. We sat at our table in the hall. Luna skipped over to her table. Judging from the looks her fellow Ravenclaws gave her, I do believe her things will go missing again. The others came plodding in sopping wet.

The first years entered. The sorting took place. Mya was put in Gryffindor. Ben and Kace were placed in Ravenclaw. Keith was placed in Slytherin. Mya was chattering, still wet from the journey over the lake.

Everyone was either shivering or chattering. Dumbledore gave the sign for the feast to start. We ate and ate as the food warmed us from the inside out. At the end of the feast Dumbledore gave the new rules and regulations. A man walked into the hall. The new man was introduced by Dumbledore as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. There was utter silence as everyone took in the man, Mad Eye Moody. Dumbledore then notified us about the Triwizard Tournament.

We went up to bed. I piggybacked on Izzy instead of walking. We talked lightly about the Tournament. I listened to the sound of rain and fell asleep.

The next morning, we went down to breakfast. I was halfway through my waffles and fruit salad when Hermione and Izzy sat down. Hermione was going on about elf slave labor. I shook my head and went back to my food.

Classes were gloomy with the clouds still hanging overhead. I walked huddled with the other girls. The day went on like this. At dinner there was a bit of scene. Professor Moody transfigured Draco into a ferret and had been bouncing him around.

Harry seemed extremely worried over the next few weeks, but he was getting better at hiding his emotions. There was a sign up in the entrance hall. The Tournament guests were arriving soon. The Great Hall was decorated to the nines for the welcome feast. Classes were too boring as everyone waited excitedly for the arrival. The guests arrived in the most spectacular of fashions.