Hello friends! I managed to do it, I spent my day off writing and here it is! I actually finished it at midnight but didn't publish because I needed sleep for an 8am class! So here is my happy Tuesday gift to you! WE ARE BACK AT HOGWARTS YAY (and noo :( ill miss Lupin and Sirius) Time for the fun to begin, BWHAHA

hope you all have a good rest of your week!

Groaning, Penny rolled over, her bleary eyes searched for what was rubbing her head and found the dark outline above her. Her heart jumped in her chest, but his soft tones reached out to soothe her. "Don't be frightened, Penny, it's me. I'm sorry, I sorely regret having to wake you when you sleep so sweetly, but I need you to get up now."

"Can't I just never go back to school and instead you crawl in with me?" Penny pouted, rubbing her eyes.

He looked down at her then up at the clock before sighing. "Just five minutes," he conceded. Penny squealed in delight, she had not expected him to cave, but it was a wonderful way to spend her last moments in Grimmauld Place.

Scooting over, she pulled open her blanket and allowed him to climb in. Once he'd covered them with the blanket, he reached out and pulled her into his chest, wrapping her with both arms. Engulfed by his warmth was utter bliss to Penny who was feeling increasingly drowsy, but she did not want to waste the short time she had with him sleeping.

"Why can't life always be like this?"

"Like what?" he said in her ear.

"Like I could never be happier than I am in this moment. It's only downhill from here," Penny said, her voice full of too much melancholy for the time of day.

"Life has much more to offer you than a sorry old man like me," replied Lupin and she could hear the frown in his tone.

"Yeah, well I don't care, I don't want anything else from life."

He chuckled softly, the arms around her waist squeezing her a little tighter as he did so. "But I want more for you. If I could ensure you experience even half of it, I would die a happy man."

"Why can't you just believe that you are enough."

"Because I love you too much to accept anything less than everything for you. I missed out on eleven years, Penny, and you do not know how much I regret letting my shame convince me you were better off. I was even so foolish to believe I could be immune to you at Hogwarts. But you were even more enchanting than I ever could have imagined, and then you revealed bits and pieces of what those eleven years had been like, what was robbed from you. . .I can't take back my selfishness, but I won't make the same mistake twice," Lupin said, pressing his mouth against her hair in the tenderest of kisses.

"You make it really hard to argue with you," Penny complained.

"You can't win them all. You're already brilliant, charming, adorable, irresistible and extraordinarily sassy. So let an old man win once in a while."

Tugging herself free of his grip she turned so she could look into his eyes. "But what is it you want me to find? What if I spend all my life searching for something that's not there. I see my classmates, and sometimes I am envious of how carefree they are, but other times it feels all too shallow? They are utterly consumed by something that doesn't last, it frightens me. With you, I don't feel any of that. . ." Penny said, her brows furrowing as she tried to find the words adequate enough to express what she was feeling.

"Yes, youth is rather elusive isn't it?," he said, thoughtfully, pausing before he elaborated. "Youthful passions are fleeting, but that's what makes them alluring, worth seizing. Don't be afraid of them, Penny, for those are the precious things in life. Because you can't get them back or hold onto them is all the more reason to sieze them while you can," Lupin said, his brown eyes glimmering.

"Maybe. . .Either way I know a losing battle when I see one," Penny said, disgruntled.

"You really are a sore loser, aren't you?" he grinned, poking her in the side.

"You would be too if you lost a prize as perfect as you," Penny retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.

With an exaggerated eye roll, he sat up, "Oh don't be so sour, I gave you ten extra minutes in bed, does that not count for anything?"

"Honestly, I think it just made it harder to get out," Penny sighed dramatically.

"Is that so? I guess I will need to be sterner from now on," he said, his eyes flashing with a dangerous mischievousness.

"Mercy!" Penny said, trying to roll away, but Lupin already had her and tossed her over his shoulder, Penny yelling as he stood.

"Mercy? Oh, no, I don't think so," he said, and then he mercilessly began to spin in a circle, so fast, Penny thought she might vomit.

Laughing, crying, screaming, Penny did all of it until he tossed her back on her bed, his chest rumbling with his own laughter.

"Now, do as you're told or we will have to revisit this lesson," he said, his eyebrow raised, and then he left her.

Penny dressed quickly in the black bubble skirt Mrs. Weasley had bought for her, pairing it with red tights and an overlarge sweater. Not wanting to forget anything, she checked her room one last time, closed her trunk and went in search of Fleamont, who seemed to understand it was time to go because when she moved to the bookshelf, he stepped onto her shoulder and curled himself around her neck where he yawned and shut his eyes.

It was peculiar, Penny had never seen Crookshanks do such a thing before, but he fit so perfectly and didn't seem in danger of falling that she left him where he was and made her way down stairs. She found Lupin standing at the door to the toilet, Penny wondering what he was doing, but the loud and violent sound of retching answered her question.

"I think you had a bit too much fun, last night," Penny smirked, peering in and finding Sirius, head in the toilet bowl and Lupin attempting to tie his hair into a bun so he didn't soil it.

"I want you to swear no—" Sirius said, coming up from the toilet in an attempt to say something but he immediately returned to spewing.

"Drink this," Lupin said, handing Sirius a steaming mug before kissing his head. "And don't worry, I'll be sure to tell her to act nothing like you when you were her age. I'll be back in an hour."

Sirius groaned and Lupin got to his feet, allowing Penny to step in and pat Sirius on the head. "Thanks, Sirius. See you at Christmas?" she said hopefully. She'd never had a home she could return to for the holidays, and the prospect excited her. In response, Sirius grabbed her hand and squeezed momentarily before returning to his spewing, Penny laughing as she went to meet Lupin.

Even wrapped in her warm school robes, Penny still shivered when they stepped out into the dark and quiet morning. Lupin clasped her hand in his and led her down the street a ways, their footsteps feeling absurdly loud in the stillness. When they stopped Lupin turned to her and gave her an apologetic smile, they were going to apparate to the portkey Penny would take back to Hogwarts, and Lupin knew she hated side-along apparation.

"I am compelled by your godfather to say—study hard for your exams, tell Harry we miss him and don't forget to cause trouble any chance you get."

Shaking her head in amusement, Penny stepped in close to Lupin, having no delusions about her being able to land on her feet. Lupin held her tightly and was kind enough to count to three before he disapparated, Penny hitting the ground unsteadily when they arrived at their destination. She clung to Lupin for a minute to allow her dizziness to subside, and then looked up, finding the most magical of landscapes.

Before her stood a vast field, the grass in which had a light dusting of snow laying across its expanse, but not so much so that she could not see the long cattails swaying gently in the morning breeze. The sun was rising, casting the field in an ethereal glow that made Penny feel as though she were inside a painting. And in the distance was a small cabin that was encased by a fence and some flower gardens.

"That's my house. I believe I sent you a photo once," Lupin said, answering the question forming in her head.

"You live here? It's breathtaking," Penny said, marveling at the beauty, of it as the sun began to creep over the trees. Having grown up at the Dursley's, Penny was accustomed to the crowded living of the suburbs, where noise and clutter was everything, and green was sparse, except for the perfectly symmetrical patches of grass that lined the sidewalks. It was all very unnatural to Penny. But Lupin's home was unkempt, the land surrounding it volatile, untamed and free. Looking at it, she understood why Lupin had chosen this location, it was far from the prying eyes of the world, of their judgements and prejudices. Here, Lupin was free and surrounded by the beauty of life. It was much like Hogwarts, a kind of magic intertwined in every tree, root and flower.

"It often makes me forget. . ." he said, looking at the scene before him with a kind of longing in his eyes. "I'm glad we made it, I was worried we'd miss sunrise. I've wanted to do this with you for a long time now," he went on, looking down at her with a solemn gaze.

Penny turned to him, her smile wide though chattering, and her eyes bright. "Promise me I can come again sometime."

Leaning down he kissed her head and whispered, "Anytime, love." And then he pulled away and picked up a rusty canteen. "It's about that time. I'll miss you sorely, my only solace is we won't be parted for long. I know you will study hard, but make sure to have some fun too, for me," Lupin smiled, his brown eyes glimmering in the sun that had just broken over the horizon. She wanted very much to reach out to him, but his words faded just like he did as the object in Penny's hand burned and she felt a tugging just behind her navel.

Not but a second later she crashed into the cold, wet snow.

"You know with a little forethought you can land on your feet, Ms. Potter," Professor McGonagall said, looking sternly down at Penny.

"Oh! Good morning, Professor, I wasn't expecting you," Penny said, jumping to her feet and brushing the snow from her.

But Professor McGonagall didn't seem to pay attention to what Penny had said and was instead scrutinizing her appearance rather severely. "It seems the time away has done you some good. I am glad," she said, and for a moment, Penny thought her face softened, but it was gone as soon as her pointer finger reached her square spectacles to straighten them. "But OWLs are not far away, so you will need to commit yourself to some serious study."

"Yes, Professor."

"Now come, I imagine that brother of yours hasn't slept. Unfortunately, to keep the squashed nose of that woman out of business that does not concern her, I will have to take you through a window," Professor McGonagall said with an indignant sniffle. "I trust I need not remind you not to tell Dolores Umbridge where you have been."

"Who do you think I am, Harry?"

Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched ever so slightly before she turned and led Penny to the west side of the quiet castle where she conjured a set of stairs to allow Penny to step into a dark classroom. She made to turn and ask her Professor where she wanted her to go next but her eyes fell upon the tall dark figure of Professor Snape, who was perched on a desk a little ways from Penny, his arms crossed and looking sour.

He appeared to be lost in thought, but his eyes trailed lazily to her face when she straightened herself. His features betrayed surprise for the smallest of seconds as he took in the rest of her. Part of him seemed suspicious, as though he did not believe she were the actual Penny. In all fairness, Penny knew she'd been much skinnier when she left, and she was wearing her hair tied up when she never did that. But she couldn't help but feel his narrowed eyes lingered much longer than he normally might.

"Ogling is rude, you know," Penny blurted out, irritation settling in her chest at the sight of the man.

"Don't flatter yourself, Potter, you are not handsome enough to tempt me. But as to be expected, that godfather of yours demonstrates, yet again, he has no sense, sending you back like this . You look more like you have been away training to join the WWF than one who has just recovered from a highly infectious disease known for keeping one bedridden. But I'm sure Umbridge won't notice," he said scathingly, straightening himself.

"Or she will assume perhaps Madam Pomfrey is a gifted healer."

"None that gifted would be working in this hellscape, now come, I have things I would prefer to be doing."

"Feel free to do them, I don't need you to find my house."

"Is that half-breed capable of nothing? You will not be joining your house, Potter, you are to come to my office so I can tend to your actual maladies."

"Hate to disappoint but that's a hard no from me" Penny said, matter-of-factly.

"Excuse me?" he said, softly, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Spattergroit really took it out of me, you know? I just don't think I have the energy to make it all the way to the dungeons, you'll have to do your tending here," Penny said with an air of feigned exhaustion.

"Don't waste my time, Potter. While Black may be inclined to overindulge you, you will receive no such treatment from me. Now, get going ."

"You heard me, the answer is no, and you can't make me."

"Can't I?" he hissed, advancing on her, his eyes glittering maliciously.

"Oh sure, you can try , but I'm sure Professor Umbridge will be most curious to learn what the commotion is about if you touch me. And if she were to ask, you may find me inclined to secure her support."

Her threat sent his lip curling, but it also had the effect of stopping his advance as he considered her for a long moment. Looking as though he would very much like to hex her, he pulled out his wand and secured the door. Then he pointed angrily at the desk located in the front of the room. Her nose in the air, she pushed past Snape and hopped onto the desk, Snape following her, but when he made to reach out to take her pulse, a loud hissing stopped him in his tracks.

Fleamont was awake, teeth bared and swatting at Snape. If he had any fur, it would be on end. Snape recoiled when the cat connected with his pale hand, drawing blood.

"You cursed mongrel get out of the way," Snape sneered, eyeing the cat with disgust.

Fleamont tried to dive for Snape's face, but Penny caught him around the middle.

"He isn't a mongrel, Sphynxes are very rare and intelligent creatures, and his name is Fleamont," Penny said, patting the cat approvingly on the head, and smirking inwardly at the irritation etched into Snape's face.

"Fascinating," Snape said sardonically. "I'd suggest getting it under control before I do ."

Scowling at the man's threat, Penny turned to her cat. "Buddy, I need his help, why don't you go keep watch at the window to make sure that hag doesn't show up."

Fleamont gave Snape a last distrustful look before hopping from Penny and making for the windowsill where he began prowling back and forth. Snape's black eyes followed it with distaste as Penny readjusted herself. Without a warning, he reached for her neck, two bony fingers pressing into her throat and nearly making her gag.

Penny could feel his gaze on her face, but she looked decidedly away from him, doing her best to ignore him, which was easier said than done. Her ears caught the every rise and fall of his chest, and there was no ignoring the buzzing that occurred between them when he touched her. It made her extremely irritable. She hadn't been conscious when he'd arrived at Grimmauld Place, but he'd made no effort at all to apologize for what he'd said and done. During the time apart, the pain he had caused her had transformed into an unreasonable anger, one that made her dislike everything about him.

"Is there any way to expedite this process?" Penny said, impatiently, her skin crawling beneath him.

"Ask the half-breed, this was his brilliant idea, after all. But naturally, he has no qualms wasting my time and gave zero parameters, so we will begin with twenty minutes," Snape said in a bored tone, waving his wand to conjure a stopwatch.

"Twenty! How about five ," Penny exclaimed, finally looking at him, mouth agape.

"I assure you, Potter, your company gives me little pleasure, so it will be twenty to ensure it works," he drawled, his black eyes doing the avoiding now.

Despite her anger with him, the cruelty of his words were like a stab to her heart—she hated him but was not yet immune to him. Setting her jaw, she turned away to watch Fleamont as Snape seated himself in the chair on the other side of the desk, his slender hand resting itself on the hand nearest him. Penny flinched at the contact, yanking her hand away and turning incredulously on him.

"You can't just go and touch a girl's hand casually," she said, indignantly. "Not when my one true love, Remus touched them not but an hour ago. No—hand touching is sacred, hand touching is supposed to convey something that words cannot; it's for those that feel desperately connected to another."

"Is that so," he said, his jaw clenched and vein throbbing in his head. She watched with some satisfaction as he struggled against himself, trying hard to not explode nor fume about Lupin. "Then where do you suggest I—" but apparently the rest of his sentence was too awkward, and he left it hanging in the air, the fist on the edge of the desk shaking.

"My toes, no wait I'm ticklish. The leg-no that's a bit weird," she muttered to herself. "Fine. I'll just lay down and you can rest your hand on my stomach, we've done that plenty of times and I'm already cold, so your ice-block hands shouldn't be a problem," she went on, laying down on the desk and pulling her sweater up just far enough to reveal the milky skin beneath.

When he didn't budge she clicked her tongue impatiently. As to be expected, his annoyingly cold hand seared her flesh, but she refused to flinch and turned away from him to stare at the window, her heart beating exceptionally fast. She hadn't expected such a strong reaction, but when he'd touched her hand, it had reminded her how unfair it all was. This exchange between them, it was calloused and it reminded her Snape never searched for her, had never reached for her hand unless to reprimand her, and certainly not in the ways she'd always looked and reached for him. Laying on the desk, the distance vast between them,,Penny felt so utterly insignificant, and she hated him for that, for taking away something precious to her.

It would take time, but Penny resolved to fortify her heart against him. She refused to allow him to have power over her anymore. No longer would he be the one she looked for or gave her time to, no longer would he be privy to the feelings she once so carelessly shared with him, when she stupidly believed that it all had some meaning, as though he hadn't always been trying to get rid of her. She'd been such an utter fool chasing after the miserable man like a dumb puppy dog. Shame burned her cheeks as she thought about how again and again he'd shun her, and still she'd kept coming back like the oblivious girl she had been. But it was Penny's turn now, she would leave that naive, desperate girl inside her behind, and in doing so she would free herself from his snare.

As though able to sense the sadness in her, Fleamont abandoned his post and leapt onto the desk to sit stoically on her chest, facing Snape, looking as though he might swipe at the potions master again. Unblinking, the large green eyes watched Snape, as though daring him to try moving his hand. Penny had to bite back a smile at the realization Fleamont was very much like Sirius, and that Sirius would be very happy to know the cat disliked Snape as much as he. She extended her hand to pet her newfound protector allowing her mind to drift and willing time to somehow speed up.

The loud buzzer indicating she was free was like a gunshot at the beginning of a race to Penny—before Snape could even shut the sound off, she'd pushed her shirt down, collected Fleamont, and bolted for the door. She grabbed the doorknob only to realize it was still locked. Leaving her hand on it primed and ready to escape, she waited, not so much looking at the man as she tapped her foot impatiently. The buzzing ceased and was replaced with the scratching of his chair behind her, Snape making no effort to release her. Footsteps trailed ominously across the room coming to a halt just behind Penny. His shadow loomed over her and the breath caught in Penny's chest. He was near enough to touch her, to force her around and prolong her torment.

But he said nothing, he simply stood there, Penny's brain grinding to a halt, utterly confused. She did not understand what he wanted from her, but she did not have it in her to ask him, nor to demand he open the door—she was afraid what her response might provoke. She'd survived the 20 minutes, but just barely. If he pressed her, she did not trust that she could continue to pretend to be unfazed. The pain in her chest would surely seep out of the cracks, humiliating her further.

Penny cursed her own hand, which was trembling on the cold doorknob, giving it a slight rattle, but she could not let it go, not concede her shame to him. So, trying to steady her breathing, she did nothing, the loud ticking of the clock the only sound to be heard. But then he moved, leaning over her, the smell of bergamot crashing into her like a brick wall and suffocating her; he reached for the door, his hand encasing her own—was he grabbing the doorknob or holding her hand? Squeezing her eyes shut, Penny resisted the urge to stomp on his foot and scream at him. After all he'd done, how she'd pleaded—he would hold her hand, as though his words hadn't been the weapon he'd used to cut her down. It was torment like Penny had never known, because half of her still ached to fix things, to allow herself to accept this hand and let it all go. But Snape didn't deserve that because what Penny had realized in her time away was that she was sick of it, sick of not standing up for herself and accepting anything less than an apology. Not anymore, he could no longer beguile and distract her with his gestures; until his mouth uttered the words, she would not accept his hand. He would not get away with passing the responsibility to her, he destroyed it all, he could clean up his mess.

Feeling more certain than she had all day, Penny yanked her hand from beneath his, letting fall into a clenched fist at her side, her chest heaving in rage. If he was surprised, his hand did not betray it, instead he merely opened the door. And then her legs were moving and she was shoving his arm out of the way and ducking around the door, making for the Gryffindor tower without uttering a single word until she reached the hall where she let out a scream and kicked the nearest suit of armor in rage and ran the rest of the way upstairs.

Penny's legs navigated automatically to her brother, but she paused outside the common room, catching her breath and calming herself, otherwise Harry would notice. Pushing Snape from her thoughts, Penny entered, finding his head of untidy hair as soon as she entered the quiet ,common room. It was Sunday and almost everyone would be sleeping in, except for Harry, who got to his feet when he heard the portrait hole snap shut. He grinned at her and they met half-way, smothering the other in a hug. Words were useless to them, being too inadequate to share their feelings, their minds opening without effort and blending together. Being able to share exactly what she felt without having to search for words was soothing for Penny and she stood there, feeling more relaxed than she knew possible. When Harry pulled away, he looked curiously down at the cat under Penny's arm.

Fleamont wiggled free of Penny and jumped onto Harry's shoulder, purring loudly and settling onto his neck.

"Sirius got him for me," she said to his confusion.

"He's a little strange," Harry said, taken aback by the creature.

"Shh! He can hear you. Sirius named him after our Grandpa, Fleamont!"

"What kind of name is Fleamont?"

"The kind you should be glad dad didn't hand down to you," Penny laughed, plopping onto the sofa as Harry pulled the cat from his neck and set him on the floor.

Fleamont looked offended but he quickly became preoccupied with exploring the common room.

"Anyway, why didn't you respond to me the other day? Did you beat Slytherin or what?" Harry's face darkened grimly as he took a seat beside her. "What is it, what happened?" Penny pressed, sitting up a little straighter.

"I've-Umbridge gave me Fred and George a lifetime ban, I'm not on the team anymore. . ."

"A lifetime ban!" Penny said in disbelief. "How, why?"

Being too depressed to revisit the entire situation yet again, Harry let his memories do the speaking. Penny groaned inwardly as she saw how Malfoy, disliking Harry the way he did, had made a jab at their mother and Mrs. Weasley, and how Harry had so stupidly attacked him with every teacher watching. Still, Umbridge deciding on a lifetime ban felt like more of a vendetta than a fitting punishment. The awful reality of it all though, was it killed any hope the Gryffindor team had at winning the cup this year. Harry, Fred and George were definitely their best players.

Though he was trying hard to pretend otherwise, it was obvious to Penny that Harry was devastated by this turn in events making her wish there was some way for her to cheer her up, but she became distracted as several people began to mill their way into the common room, all of them yelling her name when their eyes found her.

"Penny, you little minx, spattergroit looks good on you," Fred said, taking her hand and making her do a twirl as he looked her over approvingly.

"I think I need to get spattergroit," Lavender Brown said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"What happened to you," said Ron, his face contorting as though some awful smell had just reached his nose as he observed Penny.

"Obviously Madam Pomfrey's care is excellent," Hermione said, elbowing Ron in the ribs. "Your complexion does look lovely today," she continued, giving Penny a warm smile.

Seeing Angelina Johnson making her way down the stairs, and wanting very much to avoid being accosted because she needed new players, Penny took Hermione's lead and elbowed George in the ribs, hissing in his ear, "Help me escape."

Following her gaze, comprehension dawned on him, and grabbing Fred, the three of them made a mad dash for the portrait hole, escaping through it just as she yelled, "OI, POTTER."

Heaving from sprinting and laughing, they skidded to a stop.

"C'mon, we can catch up properly in here," said Fred reaching for a door Penny did not recognize.

When they entered, she found a room she didn't know existed in Hogwarts. It was covered with very old look texts and piles of old newspapers, as well as typewriters that sat upon spacious desks covered in piles of parchment. In the corner of the room was a mini-fridge and several very comfy looking bean-bag chairs.

"Where are we?" Penny asked, turning to find Fred and George grinning at her.

"Headquarters," Fred said promptly.

"Headquarters for what?"

"The Hogwarts Howler, of course!" George answered, slapping her on the back.

"You guys started it?" Penny said in a tone of surprise.
"Nah, we couldn't do that without our editor in chief, could we?" said George.

"Been working on some spells to figure out how to distribute it anonymously, and to ensure teachers can't read it," added Fred.

"Any success?" said Penny, picking up a piece of parchment that was laying on the desk before her. Upon first glance, it appeared to be notes from History of Magic about the Goblin Wars, but when she began reading, the parchment turned a vibrant almost offensive red and large curly letters spelling, The Hogwarts Howler slid across it. "Brilliant!" she said, turning to Fred, who had his arm around her shoulder and was watching her with a look of self-satisfaction.

"We know," he grinned.

"Already prepared the first article, too, for your grand return," George said, handing her another piece of paper.

A very reliable source has informed the Hogwarts Howler that reports about 5th-year Gryffindor student Penny Potter, the twin of Harry Potter (vanquisher of You-Know-Who) being said to have "spattergroit", a highly contagious and disgusting illness that causes large purple pustules to plague the body for a week to several months, is in fact a cover story. A source with the Ministry confirmed, last year Penny had been hired by an unidentified task force to procure several items of interest to researchers that the Egyptian Democratic Republic of Magical Beings has kept hidden in their heavily guarded pyramids. Because of the success of that mission, it seems Potter has become an international name and the MACUSA, (spotted on Hogwarts grounds poorly disguised as a pigeon,) visited the office of none other than Albus Dumbledore, to acquire Potter's help on a top-secret mission based in Russia. The Russian Federation of Mages, also known as ROULETTE, is believed to have attempted to sabotage the most recent elections within the MACUSA. What Potter's mission entailed remains top-secret, according to our source, but they were willing to confirm reports that the mission had gone on longer than it was intended because Potter became entangled in a highly questionable love affair with a Russian princess, and had to be to be forcibly ejected from the mission for compromising her loyalty to the cause.

An interesting turn of events, considering Potter was just recently romantically linked to the 4th-year Gryffindor, Ginny Weasley. A heartbreaking development, one likely to ruin the new couple's chances at happiness, no doubt. But according to those close to Potter, she has claimed to have been under a very strong love potion. The Hogwarts Howler looks forward to watching the situation develop.

Reporting dutifully on all things you thought were secret,

—

"Does Ginny—"

" Penny said, turning, rather alarmed, to the twins, feeling as though this piece would only make things worse.

"That bit was my idea," a softer, much more feminine voice said.

Startled, Penny realized she had not heard Ginny enter, but she was standing just beside George, watching Penny with those lovely brown eyes of hers.

"Oh. I didn't-hi," Penny said lamely.

Fred and George snickered, eliciting a stomp on the foot from Penny.

"Hi," Ginny smiled. "I'm glad you're back, it's rather dull without you, and these two were not behaving."

"Excuse me—" the twins protested in unison, but Penny shushed them.

"Are you sure. . ." Penny said, the breath catching in her chest as she looked down at the paper again.

Penny kicked herself for such a stupid greeting, this wasn't how she'd imagined seeing Ginny again. Her brain had convinced her of something much more cool, seductive even. Instead she stood red cheeked and floundering for words. .

"I am. Think about it, Penny, it's the only way to make sure they don't realize it's us," Ginny pointed out, stepping past George to take the parchment from Penny's hand, her soft fingers brushing Penny's.

"She has a point. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you've been the only good gossip lately, if we didn't do this it'd be way too obvious," George said, smirking at the obvious tension in the room.

"We have to make it believable, and it's only fitting—you're the founder, the goss starts and ends with you," Fred said, shoving Penny so she stumbled forward into Ginny.

Scowling at the pair of them over her shoulder, she collected herself and looked tentatively back at Ginny, Fred and George moving across the room to pretend to be preoccupied with some device she didn't know the name of.

"I'm sorry I was such an idiot, I just didn't want to be a nuisance to you, and I wasn't even sure—but I've been thinking lately-" Penny rambled like an idiot, trying to calm her nerves, but all was already lost and she knew she'd ruined it all because Ginny was trying hard not to laugh. "Thats not what I-let me try again."

"Can you just kiss me already," interjected Ginny, stopping Penny dead in her tracks.

Ginny stepped into Penny's bubble, her hand tapping her cheek as her eyes trailed down to Penny's lips. Completely overcome by her desire for Ginny, Penny grabbed her around the waist and pulled her flush against her body, their lips crashing together in a hot, wet tangle. Penny moaned softly into Ginny, squeezing her waist as Ginny plunged her tongue into Penny's eager mouth, twirling it tantalizingly around.

"OI GET A ROOM," the twins yelled, returning Penny and Ginny to reality. They pulled away just slightly so as to see the other, Ginny rolling her eyes as Penny laughed. "We'll catch up properly later," she whispered, biting Penny's bottom lip and tugging, causing Penny's heart to skip a beat.

"You do know we found Penny first," Fred said, sounding mutinous.

"You can grope her all you like on your time , but when she's on the clock—" George said, tapping his watch, his eyebrows raised.

"What is there even left to do? She agreed to the piece, now distribute it," Ginny said impatiently.

"What is left!" Fred repeated, sounding scandalized.

"Only what every good column needs!"

Penny stared at Fred and George who looked right back at them as though it should be obvious. But when neither gave the correct response they sighed in exasperation, "a signature!"

Comprehension dawned on the pair, some sort of pen name was necessary; it was a way to not only leave their mark but a legacy to be handed down. Grabbing a quill Penny began scribbling their names and rearranging letters, thinking hard as she did so. She wanted to represent them, but not point to them, but also encompass the nature of the Hogwarts Howler, seeing and reporting on what others thought were secret.

And then it came to her and she scrawled the name Peregrine and showed it to them.

"Like the falcon?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah! not only will people speculate we are in Ravenclaw, the falcon symbolizes the eyes you never see watching you."

"Penny, you bloody brilliant girl, you! I'd kiss you but you were just snogging my sister and that's nasty," George exclaimed.

The three of them then got to work printing 50 copies, deciding the Hogwarts Howler would use supply to create demand, and then they let it disperse, congratulating themselves by breaking open the mini-fridge and helping themselves to several snacks as they caught up, far from the prying eyes of the now muttering student body.

Being back at Hogwarts was strange, and she could not deny it wasn't painful, but she would not let that stop her, she'd decided, things would be different—she would be different.

there was another Mr. Darcy quote in there, did you notice? ;)