A/N: What's this? Another chapter? Can you tell I'm on Annual Leave at the moment? xD

I hope you all enjoy the chapter and thank you so much for the reviews on the past few chapters, I've loved reading them 3

Chapter 44.

The morning after the party, Magnolia was stood in the hallway of Grimmauld Place with her trunk and Kaida, waiting for everyone else to be ready to leave for the train. Everyone was going in groups, Magnolia would be with Harry, Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Sirius. She had already hugged Remus goodbye, who had told her to not think too much on what she had seen the night before.

Mrs Weasley's and Remus' Boggart had plagued Magnolia's dreams. She had rushed out of the room before Remus had even gotten rid of it, she had heard George to try to follow her, but he was told not to by Sirius. If Magnolia hadn't seen what she just had she would have laughed, she had heard George sputter out a reply to Sirius' demand that he left her alone.

Sirius joined her now, grinning at her with pure excitement. Magnolia knew he had had to fight to be able to go with Magnolia and Harry to Kings Cross, and she knew how thrilled he was to just leave the house.

"Feeling better this morning, Princess?"

"I just want to get back to school." Magnolia mumbled, "Not that spending time with you hasn't been great, it has. It's been almost like I'd dreamed it would be like to have a normal, real, family."

Sirius' smile grew, "Same here. Never would've thought I'd have a chance like this. Your dad might not be around, and I might not be able to do everything I should with you as your Godfather, but I've loved what we've done this summer."

"Even the cleaning?"

"Ok, I've loved the games and chats we've had this summer." Sirius laughed.

"Me too."

Sirius pulled Magnolia into a hug then, resting his head on top of hers. Magnolia wrapped her own arms around Sirius and closed her eyes. She really couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts, but she would miss her Godfather a lot.

"Just remember, look after yourself this year. Be careful who you trust," Sirius pulled back a little to look in Magnolia's eyes, "No matter what House. Gryffindor or Slytherin, don't give your trust too easy."

Magnolia smiled at Sirius, it was a small thing that Sirius had done, but it meant a lot. She nodded and rested back into their hug until Harry came downstairs with Mrs Weasley and Tonks. Sirius squeezed her one last time and let her go, turning into Snuffles right before her eyes.

The walk to Kings Cross didn't take long, but Magnolia managed to frustrate Mrs Weasley when she picked up a stick and started playing fetch with Snuffles who had been chasing the pigeons. Snuffles had let out a laughter like bark before he bounded off after the stick, bringing it back to Magnolia with a wag of his tail. Harry had been laughing at the pair, and Magnolia couldn't stop smiling.

When they eventually made it to Platform 9 ¾, Magnolia stopped playing with Snuffles and bent down to his level, giving him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. Behind her, Harry and George were placing her trunk and Kaida onto the train.

"I love you, Snuffles. I'll miss you." Magnolia whispered, tears beginning to fill her eyes.

She hadn't realised how hard it would be to leave Sirius behind. She was going to Hogwarts, she'd have fun with her friends, but Sirius would be left alone. They could write, of course they would, but it wouldn't be the same. She'd miss his hugs and father-like presence around her. Snuffles licked her cheek and yapped at her.

"I'll see you at Christmas?"

Snuffles licked her cheek again, answering her question for her, and Magnolia stood up. She said her final goodbyes to everyone, before stepping on to the train. She stayed by the door as the train pulled away with Harry, watching as Snuffles bounded up the platform as far as he could, until the train turned a corner and Magnolia couldn't see them anymore.

"Well, I better get going. I need to be in the Prefect carriage." Magnolia told her brother.

He just nodded at her, still annoyed that she had been given Prefect and he hadn't. Magnolia rolled her eyes, told him to grow up and grabbed her trunk and Kaida to start walking through the train. Hermione and Ron caught up to her not long after that.

"He'll get over it eventually." Hermione told Magnolia and Ron, "He's had a lot go on this summer. He's going through so much; he's bound to find something to be unhappy about."

Magnolia could have rolled her eyes again at Hermione's defence of her brother. She thought that Hermione was being far too forgiving of Harry. He should be thrilled for her, Hermione, and Ron. They had done a lot and put up with a lot. Magnolia thought the real reason Harry was unhappy was because the spotlight wasn't on him for a change.

As the three walked into the Prefect's carriage, Magnolia glanced around at the crowd that had already made it to the carriage. Magnolia smiled at the Hufflepuff Prefects, Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott. She had spoken to them a little over the years during class. Her gaze was caught however, by her fellow Slytherin Prefect who stood on the opposite side of the carriage on his own. Of course it would be him, who else would it be?

Magnolia smiled as she practically skipped to his side, "Draco! No surprise you got Prefect."

"Potter." Draco nodded slightly and continued to look out the window.

Magnolia frowned, there were plenty of people around, but he didn't have to act this cold towards her. He had grown over summer break, now he was even taller than Magnolia. She stepped closer to him, hoping to be able to talk to him.

"How was your summer?"

"Not as eventful as yours, I'm sure."

Magnolia blinked in surprise, why was he being so cold towards her? He wasn't even looking at her. Magnolia took a deep breath and turned away from him, was he doing this to help her or for some other reason? Draco knew that Magnolia hadn't been ready to tell Harry about the relationship between them, maybe he was acting this way because Ron and Hermione were here?

Magnolia stood a little apart from him when the Head Boy and Girl spoke to the group and gave everyone their instructions and patrolling times. Magnolia was glad when the meeting was finished; she and Draco would do a sweep of the train before they could head back to their own carriage, and Magnolia was looking forward to getting him on his own.

Magnolia could feel the anger in her rising as they walked through the train. Draco continued to ignore her, not even responding when she said his name. Huffing, Magnolia grabbed his hand, only for him to spin around to face her and wrench his hand out of hers like she'd burnt him. Magnolia grimaced at the look on his face, unable to say anything to him like she wanted.

She wanted to yell at him. She wanted to demand an explanation for his behaviour. She wanted to make him feel guilty about treating her like this when she had done nothing wrong. She didn't though. Her insides froze at the fury on Draco's face, directed completely at her. She'd never received a look like that from him, even when they didn't get on.

For the rest of their patrol, Magnolia made sure to stay a few steps behind him. The both of them were obviously in bad moods, already taking points from students for silly little things. When they did make it back to the Slytherin carriage, Draco walked straight past it and disappeared in silence, leaving Magnolia to enter on her own.

"Mags!"

She was instantly enveloped in a group hug, but it did nothing to lessen her anger, in fact it only intensified it. Theo was the first one to realise and shot her a guilty and apologetic look. Her blood boiled at his sorrowful glance.

"You're angry."

"I'm a hell of a lot more than that." Magnolia bit back, "I'm furious. I didn't even know how furious I was with you a lot until now. And I'm confused. And I'm hurt. And I feel completely alone for the first time in such a long time!"

Magnolia's friends grimaced.

"You're not alone, Maggie." Blaise stood next to her, sitting her between him and Theo, "None of us really spoke this summer. We wanted to write to you, we tried at the end of the summer, but our owls kept returning with our letters."

"We thought you were so angry that you didn't even want to read them." Theo added.

"We're really sorry, Maggie." Pansy continued.

"We can't imagine what you've been through this summer." Tracey piped up.

"We were all so worried when we heard about the Dementor attack." Daphne finished.

Magnolia looked around at her friends then, really looked at them. Blaise, Daphne, and Pansy, in particular, looked like they hadn't had a particularly relaxing break. Her anger melted away a little, it wasn't just them she was frustrated with.

"I'm sorry too guys, I shouldn't be taking it out on you." Magnolia looked at her lap, "I'm so glad this summer has finished."

Her friends listened to her then, asking questions and getting angry for her, as she explained to them about her summer with the Dursley's and Harry's dementor attack. She skimmed over everything at Grimmauld Place, instead making it seem like she had spent the rest of the summer at The Burrow with the Weasley's. Magnolia felt better when her friends understood her frustrations and agreed that her brother was being a prat.

Draco wasn't seen again until they were in the Great Hall, sat at the Slytherin table. Magnolia tried to ignore him, like he had done with her, throughout the Sorting. She did steal a few glances towards him though. Sometimes he'd be watching the First Years, other he'd be staring into space with a mournful look on his face, and once… once he was staring straight at Magnolia.

Once the Sorting was completed, Professor Dumbledore stood up and began his usual Start of Year speech. Magnolia frowned when he said that Hagrid's position was being filled for a little while. Professor Dumbledore was interrupted by the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor though. Magnolia felt sick just looking at her; she was covered head to toe in pink and had an obviously fake smile plastered across her lips.

"Thank you, Professor, for those kind words of welcome." Umbridge began, "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking up at me! I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we will be very good friends!"

Magnolia and Theo glanced at each other and sniggered. Magnolia couldn't imagine anyone in this room wanting to become friends with that woman.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them forever.

"The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching. Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress' sake must be discouraged."

Magnolia couldn't believe what she was hearing as Umbridge continued her speech. She felt Theo bump their shoulders together and looked towards him. He leant closer to her, whispering in her ear, so no one around them could hear.

"Is she saying what I think she's saying?"

Magnolia nodded, and whispered back, "Yes. The Ministry is meddling at Hogwarts, and she is their mole."

Later that evening, after the First Years had been shown to their Dorms, Magnolia and Draco were walking around the Castle in a frosty silence. They were patrolling again, and Magnolia was keen to try and talk to Draco.

"You didn't really say how your summer was…" Magnolia began.

"It was fine."

Did, uh, did you do anything special?"

"No."

"Oh, ok." Magnolia sighed, he had never spoken to her like this, "I saw your dad at the-"

"He told me."

Magnolia looked down at the floor.

"Father said you had argued with your cousin. What happened?"

"He was just being an idiot like usual, goading Harry and I."

Draco nodded, "How did they treat you?"

"Not quite as well as they usually do," Magnolia shrugged, "Especially after the Dementor incident."

Draco didn't respond, he just continued walking. Magnolia bit her lip and decided to try to take advantage of the fact that he had actually asked her a question.

"How come you didn't write?"

Draco shrugged, "I was busy."

"With what?"

"Other things."

"Like what?" Magnolia half-laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere between them.

"Like things that don't concern you." Draco snapped, "I think we've done enough. I'm going back to the Common Room."

Magnolia stood still in the hallway. Draco walked away from here without even looking back. What was wrong with him? Huffing, Magnolia shook her head and followed in his footsteps back to the Common Room. When she got there, he was sat in one of the chairs, sullenly looking into the fire. Theo instantly called her over to the Wizarding Chess Board and cast the Muffliato charm around the two of them.

"Are you ok?"

Magnolia shrugged and bit her lip, looking at the pieces in front of them and moving one of her pawns to start their game.

"What's going on, Maggie-Moo?" Theo asked in a silly voice, making Magnolia smile a little.

"I just don't know what's going on with Draco." Magnolia mumbled, even though she knew with the charm surrounding them no one would hear, "He didn't write at all over summer, and since I saw him on the train he's been different. Cold. It feels like there's this huge distance between us now and I don't know what happened.

"The end of last year, we were going so well. He was so sweet, caring, protective. I mean, you saw what he was like at the Final Task. And on the train… I don't know, maybe I was being naïve, but I thought there was shift… I thought we were really serious. I thought he really cared about me."

"I've never seen Draco act like he did with you. He does care about you."

"Maybe you need to remind him of that." Magnolia grumbled, "Can we talk about something else, please? How was your summer?"

Theo grimaced, "Can we talk about something else?"

"That bad?"

"You have no idea." Theo replied, "My dad has been unbearable, it's why I couldn't write to you, or anyone really. Things are happening out there, Mags, that I want nothing to do with. I've already decided to stay here over Christmas break, I think Pansy has too."

"I'm sorry Theo, I didn't know it was that bad at home."

Magnolia knew what Theo was skirting around. Her fears at Grimmauld Place were right; some of her friends had been affected by the Order working covertly, and some of them had been affected by Voldemort himself gaining strength again.

"Do you… do you think…"

Magnolia stopped and shook her head, ignoring Theo's questioning glance. She shouldn't ask him that, she shouldn't make his pain and horror of a summer be about herself and her love life. There truly were more important things.

"Do I think that's why Draco is acting this way to you?" Theo guessed, "I don't know. Maybe. If it is, it's bloody stupid, though."

They changed the subject completely then, before Theo could get annoyed at Draco he said. Both Draco and Magnolia had been told the year before to not hurt the other, and that there would consequences if they did. Theo raised the Muffliato charm so they could talk normally, mainly about the match they were playing and how unfair Magnolia thought it was when Theo won again.

She eventually went to bed, curled up with Kaida in her side, and woke up the following morning feeling more rested then she had over the entirety of the summer. Even her awful first day timetable didn't quell her good mood.

She felt better after talking to Theo the evening before, she knew more of what her friends had gone through, and Pansy had opened up to her in the Dorm as well. The girls were all planning on having a Slumber Party that weekend, usually they would have waited for Christmas, but they all agreed they needed a pamper soon.

The day passed well; Professor Snape told her that her Draught of Peace was 'exceptional', causing Blaise to spill his as he tried to put it in the bottle and Theo to literally to fall off his chair. No one had heard Professor Snape say that about someone's potion before.

Walking into Defence Against the Dark Arts, Magnolia felt her good mood slip a little though. The room felt different. She sat next to Tracey, and the pair glanced at each other with a worried expression. When everyone else was sat, Umbridge appeared still wearing pink completely.

"Well, good afternoon."

Magnolia didn't reply, only a few people did.

"Tut, tut. That won't do, now, will it?" Umbridge said in her sickly-sweet tone, "I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge'. One more time, please. Good afternoon, class."

The rest of the class chorused back at her, but Magnolia sat in silence, already frustrated with the marshmallow stood at the front of the class. When she then instructed the class to put their wands away, Magnolia groaned aloud. She had never had an interesting class after being told that. As Umbridge continued, Magnolia knew the class was going from bad to worse. They were told to read the first chapter of their book, Basics for Beginners.

Magnolia didn't read her chapter though, she didn't even start to, because she had seen Hermione put her hand in the air without opening her own book. She couldn't remember a time when Hermione had ever not opened her book or defied a professor's instruction.

"There's nothing on the course aims about using defensive spells." Hermione said when Umbridge eventually noticed her.

"Using defensive spells? Why, I can't think of a reason you would need to use defensive spells." Umbridge chuckled lightly.

Magnolia scoffed and received an elbow in her side from Tracey at the volume of it. Umbridge shot Magnolia a look, and Magnolia stared back at her, not daring to be the first to look away.

"Surely the whole point of Defence Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione asked.

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?"

"No, but-"

"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. You will be learning about defensive skills in a secure, risk-free way-"

"What use is that?" Harry questioned, "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be in a-"

"Hand, Mr Potter." Umbridge interrupted.

Harry instantly raised his hand, but so had others in the class. Magnolia sat back with a smirk, maybe this class wasn't going to be truly terrible after all.

"And your name is?"

"Dean Thomas."

"Well, Mr Thomas?"

"Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" Dean asked, "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk free."

"I repeat," Umbridge replied, Magnolia could see her getting frustrated now, "do you expect to be attacked during my class?"

"No, but-"

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school, but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class." Umbridge spoke with her forced smile still across her face, "Very irresponsible indeed, not to mention, extremely dangerous half breeds."

"Excuse me!?" Magnolia cried, finally snapping, "If you're talking about Remus Lupin, he was the best professor we ever-"

"Well of course you would think that. From what I am aware of, you're very nearly one of them aren't you?" Umbridge shot a look at Magnolia's stomach, where the scars of the werewolf attack remained, "Now, it is the view of the Ministry, that a theoretical knowledge will be more then sufficient to get you through-"

"And what good's theory in the real world?"

Harry interrupted Umbridge now, stopping her from talking anymore rubbish to the class. Magnolia couldn't believe what that woman had said to her. Her blood was boiling, all she wanted was to curse the sickly smile off that evil woman's face for good.

"This is a school, Mr Potter, not the real world."

"Yeah, don't worry bro." Magnolia called her twin, "Not like the real world has ever posed a threat to us at Hogwarts, huh?"

Harry laughed once, "Yeah, what's the point of being prepared for what's out there, Maggie."

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr Potter."

"Oh yeah?"

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?"

Magnolia could see her twin getting angry now, she could feel her own frustration bubbling at the surface and decided she would take this one.

"Oh, I don't know. What's the name of that guy that's gone after us three out of the past four years?" Magnolia tapped her chin with her finger, "Oh, yeah… that's right… Lord Voldemort."

Almost instantly a number of things happened; Magnolia heard gasps around the room from hearing his name, Umbridge shouted and stood from her desk, Tracey hit her elbow into Magnolia's side again, and a piece of parchment landed in front of Magnolia in the shape of an airplane.

'Stop, now. Please.'

Magnolia looked behind her after she read the note. She recognised the handwriting as Draco's and searched for him in the classroom behind her. He was sat two rows back next to Crabbe and was staring at her with a pleading frown. Magnolia nodded slightly, and turned around again, to listen to the rest of Harry and Umbridge's argument. In the end, Umbridge slapped Harry with a detention and forced everyone to read the chapter.

Magnolia left the class with a headache and told Tracey that she was going for a quick walk to the Lake to get some fresh air before dinner. She needed it; the fresh air and walk helped ease her mind a bit. She paused by the edge of the Lake, just watching it until she decided to head back to the Great Hall for dinner.

Her arm was caught before she got to the Great Hall doors, and she was pulled into a small alcove next to them. Magnolia gasped in shock and ripped her arm away from whoever it was, whipping her wand out at the same time.

"Easy, Princess." Magnolia heard Draco chuckle.

Her body instantly relaxed, he sounded somewhat normal again, like he had with her before the summer break. Magnolia smiled and stepped closer to him but was left confused when he grasped her arms and pushed her back away from him. He had slipped back into the Draco he had been since their return to Hogwarts so quickly that Magnolia felt like she would get whiplash.

"I just wanted to remind you, you're a Prefect." He told her, his tone cold and harsh again, "You can't be talking back to a teacher the way you did earlier. It wouldn't do for you to be on her bad side, Potter."

"You expect me to not stand up for myself?"

"It wasn't you that you were initially standing up for, though was it?" Draco stepped away, towards the entrance of the alcove and glanced back at her before he walked out of it, "I mean it, don't get on her bad side."