"Athena wait!"

I took off, running toward Dumbledore's office, entering without permission I fought to catch my breath. Caring very little that Umbridge was in the room. "Professor, I need to go to the house."

"How dare you barge in here li-"

"Silence!" Dumbledore ordered. "Athena, what is the matter?"

"Something has happened to him. The ring, its a blood ring, it-it burned me and-please!" Something inside me kept screaming something was wrong. Either he was in danger, hurt or worse. I have never felt that it was strong. Glancing down at my hand I still held the burn mark. "Professor I beg of you, I must make sure he is okay."

"Yes, of course, go, report back once you can." Without waiting any time I ran to a floo channel, arriving at the house I frowned at seeing it a mess. "Sirius?" Getting no response, I pulled out my wand. "Slytherin?" Walking into the living room I froze at seeing my dog laying on the ground. Kneeling beside him, I clenched my fist in his fur. He was gone. "I am so sorry boy." Petting him gently, I continued to look around for Sirius. The entire house was a disaster, furniture destroyed, burn marks on the wall, glass everywhere. Jogging upstairs I checked every room, buck beak was nowhere to found either, maybe he took Sirius away. Running back into the living room, I sat beside my wolf. It was horrible to see him like this, he put up a hell of a fight I could tell. Grabbing the curtain I covered him up, wiping the tears off.

"Athena?"

I jumped around to see Sirius standing by the doorway. "Sirius!' Running into his arms, I held onto him, just as quickly I pulled back feeling his entire body. "Are you hurt? What happened?"

"Hey, relax." Cupping my face, he kissed my forehead and hugged me. "Death eaters. Forgive me, I arrived too late he was already gone."

I shook my head. "I don't blame you, he didn't go down without a fight." Looking up at him, I couldn't help but kiss him. It was short, but it was meant for me to reassure myself he really was okay. "Are you sure you are alright?"

He nodded. "I am fine, but how did you know?"

I showed him my ring-less finger. "I was talking with Hermione when the ring began to burn me. I knew something was wrong."

He traced the burn mark, kissing it lightly. "Promise me something."

"What?"

"Don't ever come to my rescue. Had they still been here and I was gone...just promise me." His eyes stared deep into mine, begging I complied.

Giving in I nodded softly. "Promise."

"Thank you."

That night I stayed with him. After we buried Slytherin in the back, under a willow tree, we headed back inside and simply talked, he held me all night. Not that it bothered me in fact it did put me at peace for the moment. I knew marrying him wouldn't be the end of the world, I could make this work. It was the night with him that scared me. I knew this would suck, but I needed to speak with Molly, in hopes she could help me with it. We fell asleep on the couch, me practically laying on him. His arms always remained around me, holding me close and tight.

After explaining everything to Dumbledore, I filled in Hermione and Harry. After reassuring Harry his godfather was fine, they filled me in on a few things. Harry explained his dream, his lessons with Snape, and that Mr. Weasley would be making a full recovery. That night I slept in the common room, seemed I was not destined to sleep in a bed these next days. Harry didn't want any nightmares, so I slept with him on the floor. Hermione walked down after a few moments, saying she couldn't sleep. With me once more being used as a pillow, we fell into a deep slumber.

Upon Molly's demand, the wedding would take place at her home. They had enough land to set everything up. With me still in school, she took charge, I really don't know what I would do without her. Sirius and I have not spoken since his attack from the death eaters. But it turned out it hadn't just been him, there have been other attacks on the order. The fact that they were being easily founded meant a rat in the mix. Hermione, along with Ginny and I had begun to send out the invitations to the weddings. Nobody we didn't want, of course, close family members, and of course my brother. Then came the students, many were going to find out anyway, with their parents being invited and all, so I decided to tell them beforehand.

We were just finishing up the last class before the holiday break began. The day ended on a very good note with Neville successfully producing the Expelliarmus charm. Congratulating the kid, I helped the others finished. He was good, he simply needed to focus. He was easily distracted, not to mention easily scared. Coming back from break I decided I would help him overcome some of those fears, only then will he be better than good.

"You brought them?" I whispered to Hermione.

She lifted her bag. "All of them, even Ian's."

I frowned. "Ian's?" She nodded. "No, I am simply going to let him know Mione. I don't plan on inviting him."

"Why not?"

I really wanted to head slap her. "One I am possibly in love with him. Two if he does feel something, this is going to be hard. Three what am I going to tell Sirius? Sirius meet Ian Gilbert the boy I was supposed to marry." I glared at her as she laughed. "Not funny Hermione."

"Will you relax." Pulling me to the side, she handed me the invitations. "You are overthinking everything. Look yes, you are to marry Sirius, but you two seem to be getting along very well. If the kisses are anything to go by."

I scoffed. "Kisses are nothing compare to what's going to happen Hermione. I am actually scared."

She quickly sobered up. "Have you talked to Ms. Weasley?" I shook my head. "Why don't we floo over tomorrow morning. We are on break that day, we will simply be arriving a day earlier."

"Alright." She stopped me from walking away. "What?"

"Do you feel nothing?"

"So that's it for this lesson." Harry stopped me from replying, as everyone gathered around.

"I will get back to that later." I was actually grateful. I was stumped on what to answer. I mean I had to feel something, those kisses have to mean something. Or maybe I just like kissing, but I never actually wanted to kiss someone. Ian yes, but I mean I could see him and not think about it. With Sirius was different, I saw him and I thought about it. Oh merlin what was wrong with me?!

"Now we will not be meeting again after the holidays." Everyone's disappointment was heard. "So just keep practicing on your own, as best as you can. And-and well-done everyone. Great, great work." We applauded him and for each other, believe it or not, we have gotten rather far with this. Our class had gotten a bit bigger than last week, but at the same time, we were careful in who we could bring. It was just half the year after all, and this was just the beginning. "Ah, before you all leave, there is one more thing. Athena."

I took in a deep breath, before standing beside Hermione. "Now I am going to say this once and only once, I don't know how this was kept a secret, but for that I am grateful. Anyways, Hermione will be passing out some invitations, to something rather important for me. I do wish you will all come, but I believe your parents have all received one as well." One...two...thr-

"Oh my god!" Clarissa gasped. "You're getting married?!"

I nodded. "Three days from now."

"Sirius Black?" Dean asked. "But isn't he older than you? And isn't he Harry's godfather?"

"Why him?" One of the girl twins asked.

Cho took a step forward. "I thought you and Ian were a thing?"

"Okay stop!" That got everyone's attention. "Look marrying Black was not in my plans, hell I hadn't even thought about marriage. I can't undo it, believe me, we have tried. Yes he is older by 18 and yes he is Harry's godfather, but that will not affect us in anything. No one, in school, meaning the students knows of this and I want it to stay that way. I am telling you all because you are my friends. I want to share this with all of you. And no Ian Gilbert and I were never and not a thing."

Clarissa ran over to me, giving me a tight hug. "Congrats!"

She was followed by everyone else. I glanced at Hermione, begging for a little help. "Mione!"

"I am not getting in the middle of that." She laughed, standing clear of the mob.

"Bite me!" Pushing away, I stopped them all. "Thank you, now out. We have already spent too much time here." Glancing towards the back, I smirked as Harry spoke to Cho. "Let's go." After insuring myself that everyone got back safely, I sat in the common room with Hermione and Ron. Glancing at my watch, I leaned back on the couch. "Well, holiday break officially started now. Hey, Ron how's your dad?"

"He is better, he will be home on Christmas."

"That's good."

"So you ready?" Hermione asked.

I groaned, grabbing a pillow and hitting her over the head. "Stop asking me. I don't know. For all I know, I might just be a runaway bride." I blocked the pillow she threw back. "Do not make me hex you." That earned me a slap on the shoulder. "What I do kn-" Just then Harry walked in, a stupid grin on his lips. He didn't say a word, he simply sat in front of the fire, facing us. "He kissed her."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah, he has that stupid look on his face."

Harry glared at us. "I do not!"

"So you deny having kissed Cho?" I asked, to which he shook his head. "Ha!"

"So how was it?" Ron asked.

"Wet." He paused. "I mean she was sorta crying."

Ron chuckled. "That bad at it are you? Ow!" He rubbed the spot I slapped.

"I am sure that Harry's kissing was more than satisfied." Hermione quickly defended. "Cho spends half the time crying these days."

"You'd think a bit of snogging would cheer her up." Ron laughed, quickly sobering at the look Harry gave him.

"Don't you understand how she must be feeling?" Hermione asked, both Ron and Harry gave her clueless looks. "Obviously she is feeling sad about Cedric."

"Confused about liking Harry." I added.

"Guilty about kissing him." Hermione said.

"Conflicted cause Umbridge is treating to sack her mother from the job at the ministry." I mumbled, Remus had informed me of this a few days ago.

"Scared in failing her OWLs, because she is too busy worrying about everything else." Hermione spoke so quickly, even I had trouble understanding her.

Ron let out a long breath. "One person couldn't feel all that. They'd explode."

"You know nothing of women." I chuckled.

Hermione scoffed. "Just because you got the emotions range of a teaspoon."

I raised a brow, sharing looks with each other, we couldn't contain it. Laughter filled up the entire room. It felt good to not worry, to simply be the kids we were. Watching the three laugh in peace, gave me peace. Something I knew will end very soon. After everyone else was asleep, I decided to take a detour, bumping into the one person I was looking for.

"Athena."

Spinning around, I grinned at seeing Snape. "Hello pa!"

He sighed closing his eyes and shaking his head. Something he only did with me, it was as if stopping himself, from scolding me. "What are you doing out of the dorm?"

"I actually wanted to see you." Grabbing his hand, I pulled him into one of the classrooms and sat him down. "We haven't talked almost at all. I haven't seen you, only when in class and you have been ignoring me."

"I have not."

"Yes, you have." Grabbing his hand, I kneeled in front of him. "Pa, did I do something to upset you? Anger you?"

Snape sat me beside him. "No nothing." Pulling me into a hug, he held me. "Right now I need you to keep a distance, Athena. Nothing more than a student and professor."

"But-"

"Do as you are told. After your...wedding I want you to do just that." Without another word he stood and left.

I was confused, hurt, and angry. Why was he acting this way? He was the one that always told me, he would be there for me. He was never this cold towards me. Suddenly I felt cold, the warmth replaced with the same coldness as if a dementor were near. As I exited the classroom, I spotted Snape and Umbridge talking. Sneaking past them, I leaned against the wall and listened.

"Do you have the potion?" Umbridge asked.

"Yes."

"Very good." She giggled. "After the holiday break we will put an end to this."

Hearing her walk away, I allowed myself to breathe. Stepping out of my hiding spot, I came face to face with Snape.

"What did you hear?" He asked. I shook my head. "Athena."

"Nothing, pa-professor. I just exited the classroom." I wouldn't look up at him, I didn't want to him to see the unshed tears. "Excuse me."

"Athena I-" He stopped himself, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Soon you will understand."

With a scoff, I pulled myself away from him and left. It hurt to be so cold towards him. But how else was I to react? It was bad enough he still had to walk me down the aisle, I couldn't tell him not to anymore. Besides, it wouldn't be right if he didn't. I will just have to suck it up and deal with it, hopefully, I do understand.