It wasn't long before the Quidditch buzz hit the wizarding school once again; it was the first game of the season and arguably the most anticipated one, Gryffindor vs Slytherin. Rodrick walked down towards the common room brooding, trying and failing to come up with an excuse to skip out on the game. All of them quickly died out due to the fact Tracey was on the team.

He sighed as he entered the room, having given up on skipping out.

That was the moment life seemed to go in his favour. When he looked up his eyes landed on two familiar girls, Greengrass's. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed the pale expression on the younger one, the surprise quickly fritted out to a knowing smile.

Daphne was the first to notice him, he saw a look of relief enter her eyes.

"Rodrick, explain to Tori, why it's risky for her to watch the Quidditch game in her condition," Daphne remarked, her eyes switched between them frantically.

Rodrick chuckled as he watched the younger girl huff.

"It's so boring in the castle!" Astoria pouted, crossing her arms. "I want to watch the game with everyone else!" she lowered her head as she finished.

Rodrick grinned, "Alright," he started, he was tempted to laugh at the look of betrayal on Daphne's face. "I'll stay with you then, how does that sound? You'll feel better by the end of the day as well," he added with a genuine smile.

He turned towards Daphne, he found the girl in thought. Most likely wondering whether she could join them or not.

"You go cheer on Tracey," Rodrick muttered, the girl sighed before agreeing.

Daphne turned towards her sister with a glint in her eyes, "You better behave, you're making him miss the game here, don't give him any more trouble," there was a tone of steel on her voice. She raised her eyebrows at the looks she got in return, the two student's stared at her wide-eyed. "What?"

Rodrick shook his head, "Nothing, just didn't expect you to say all that," he answered, still surprised.

Daphne's eyes quickly softened before she sighed, "You have enough trouble come your way already," she remarked, her eyes twitched when she saw Rodrick stifle back a laugh.

"Sorry, I wasn't referring to that, you made it sound like I actually wanted to watch Quidditch..."

Understanding quickly dawned on the girl at that, "Right, forgot you didn't actually like the game,"

Rodrick had an amused look on his face, "Aren't you a great friend," he spoke out before chuckling as he watched the girl roll her eyes. He turned towards Astoria before noticing a somewhat withdrawn look on her face, "Come on, let's go before everyone else decides to start rushing about"

Astoria looked up before she slowly agreed with a nod.

Rodrick put his cursed arm over the girl's shoulder, starting off the healing part of things before he turned back to Daphne. "I'll see you later, try not to get sick,"

Daphne raised an eyebrow, "Oh so you do care about my health as well?" she replied back sarcastically, the shadow of a smile on her face.

Rodrick's face, however, was quite serious, "Quite a lot actually," he finished before he turned towards the door, leaving a surprised Greengrass behind.

"Ok then..."..."It's too early to lose focus Daphne..." she muttered quietly.

"Are you talking to yourself?" Daphne heard a voice behind her, she turned to find a smirking Blaise, Nott flanking his right.

Daphne rolled her eyes before she moved elsewhere.

"Well, that was rude..." Blaise muttered to himself.

"I wonder where Rodrick disappeared off to?" Nott murmured.

Blaise raised an amused eyebrow at the lanky Slytherin, "You know this is why-" Blaise started before he stifled a laugh as he watched Nott raise his hands exasperatedly.

"I know I know, you don't need to rub it in..." Nott replied irritated.

...

Rodrick walked away from the Slytherin Dungeon before he heard Astoria speak for the first time.

"I am sorry you had to miss the game..." Astoria had a sunken look, her hands were fidgeting around with the hem of her skirt.

Rodrick squeezed the girl's shoulder in an attempt to cheer her up, "Not a big fan of the game, I'd rather spend it inside then watch,"

Astoria met the boy's eyes, "Really?" she asked uncertainly.

Rodrick smiled at the girl before agreeing, "Especially with you," he added on much to the girl's grateful look, "Let's go get something to eat, Daphne won't be around," he finished with a wink.

Astoria beamed a smile back, already planning what sweets to pick out from the hall.

The two entered the great hall, a look of surprise filtered over the young girl's face, she was astonished to find the place so empty of students... It usually held at least half the people in attendance... Today there was barely a sixth of that...

Rodrick chuckled when he saw the look on her face, "It happens every time Quidditch starts up." He remarked to death ears, he shook his head when he found Astoria already pulling desserts onto her plate. He settled down beside the girl before she ruffled her hair.

"That tickles!" She spoke, trying to move her head away.

Rodrick moved his hand away but made sure to keep his cursed arm in contact with her, that was the only way to help her... At least until he could fix it permanently. With that thought in his head, Rodrick took out the shrunken potions book and returned it to its original size.

Astoria eyed the book before she started laughing, "Were you planning to read that during the game?"

Rodrick shrugged, "it get's boring sometimes"

"I am sure it does..." Astoria remarked disbelievingly.

Rodrick noticed her tone before he glared at her mockingly, "Don't make me turn into Daphne," he remarked slowly lowering his gaze towards the desserts on the plate.

Astoria's eyes widened in fear before she started to eat through her dessert fested plate.

Rodrick chuckled before he focused his attention back on the book, he'd already decided to leave the actual spell practice to a more festive day. His previous attempt had shown that most of his failure had stemmed from his lack of magical power, he simply wasn't strong enough to hold it. A magical day seemed to make the process far easier than normal, far more efficient as well. That was the main reason he'd decided to simply focus on finishing the theory part of it. It allowed him to go through it faster and when a magical day came by he can simply try it out. He turned towards the girl and settled on making sure that day happened before the end of her first year. While it would've been wonderful to have her healed by Christmas, her birthday was the much better option, after all, it did fall on Easter. The amount of magic that would flow around the girl would be at its peak on that day. Thinking of Birthday's however, his mood quickly soured remembering his own... he had no intentions of casting any magic during it anymore. While it made his spells far more effective... the bad luck involved... There was a small part of his brain that was convinced his Grandfather's death was his fault, his memories of that dream resounded through his head... he'd denied the reality the mirrors had tried to pass onto him... If he accepted it, it would mean two things. His Grandfather had expected to live longer. And he'd cut his life short.

Rodrick shook his head, even thinking about that seemed to shake his Occulumency, he focused his attention back on the book in front of him before a voice startled the two Slytherins.

"Hello," Luna greeted them cheerfully.

The two Slytherin's quickly raised their heads to the girl, Rodrick raised an eyebrow at her while Astoria greeted the girl back smiling.

"Are you two planning to show up to the game?" she questioned, her head tilted to one side.

Astoria shook her head slowly, "I don't feel too well,"

"I am babysitting," Rodrick added on with a grin, Astoria pouted dramatically before she went back to her sweets. Rodrick found a strange twinkle in the blonde girl's eyes.

Luna quickly turned her attention towards Astoria, "You're really lucky you know," she remarked before she pulled something onto her plate and began to eat.

Astoria turned back from her food, her mouth full as she tried to talk, "Y?" she managed to utter, a few pieces fell out of her mouth.

Rodrick narrowed his eyes slightly, "Watch your manners Tori," he remarked.

Astoria surprisingly looked somewhat embarrassed before she gulped, "Sorry" she remarked sheepishly.

Luna looked amused before she turned towards Rodrick, "Can I stay with you two?"

Rodrick had a thoughtful look on his face before he replied, "Don't you want to watch the game?"

Luna shook her head, "I'd rather spend time with friends,"

Astoria quickly nodded her head at her friend's request, while Rodrick shrugged.

"I don't mind"

Luna's smile widened, "By the way," she remarked.

The two student's turned their gaze towards her.

"Whose Tori?"

...

The end of the Quidditch game wound up happening much faster than Rodrick had expected. He had still been in the Great Hall when he saw some of his housemates enter looking somewhat despondent. A small frown etched its way onto his face when he found Daphne in the same mood.

"Did we lose?" Astoria spoke out, looking upset, she'd been in a conversation with Luna about the Quibbler moments before.

"I think so..." Rodrick murmured as he got up, walking towards Daphne.

Daphne looked up towards him, Rodrick was surprised by the look of relief on her face.

"Hey, are you alright?" Rodrick asked tentatively.

Daphne had been about to answer before Rodrick's eyes widened, Dumbledore had barged through the Great Hall doors, he looked furious about something. Behind him followed several adults, Rodrick glanced Sirius Black among them, his face showed off even more anger than the headmaster. Fudge was further down looking somewhat fearful. The group quickly sped through the hall, no doubt to the headmaster's office.

Rodrick turned towards Daphne, "What the hell happened?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Daphne looked up to his eyes before she replied, "Dementor's attacked,"

Rodrick's blood ran cold at that, his eyes went up and down the girl's body appraising her, he cupped the girl's face then. "Are you-" he asked worried before the girl quickly shook her head, looking flustered.

"I-I am fine Rodrick" she answered, the smile on her face growing.

Rodrick nodded at that, "What about Tracey, where is she?" If anything happened...

Daphne quickly put her hands up, "She's fine... The Slytherins are all fine!"

Rodrick's eyes calmed down at that, "So what exactly happened then? And who won?" he asked, changing his pace of thoughts.

Daphne blinked at him before she chuckled, "Can we sit down first?"

Rodrick stared at her apprehensively before he quickly nodded, he led the girl down to the other's he'd been with for the day.

"So what happened?" Rodrick asked again, impatient.

Daphne shook her head amused before she recalled everything that had occurred.

"Potter caught the snitch," she started with and almost laughed at the disappointed look that marred Rodrick and Tori's face.

"That's 50 points to Gryffindor..." Rodrick grumbled.

Daphne rolled her eyes before she continued, "Seconds after that, Dementors descended on to the pitch," she spoke, her green eyes slowly turning shades darker.

Rodrick sighed at that, "That idiot..."

Daphne raised an eyebrow at that, "Who? Potter?"

"Fudge, if he wasn't so worried about his image he could've avoided this altogether!"

Daphne slowly nodded at that. Rodrick had explained to her Fudge's lack of actions regarding Black.

Astoria joined into the conversation at that, "So who was hurt?" her eyes had a frantic look to them.

Daphne sighed, "Potter, he fell from his broom."

Rodrick closed his eyes at that, it explained why Black had looked so angry. "Well... Black is either getting his freedom back tomorrow or Fudge is getting replaced quickly." A few moment's later Rodrick added on, "What's Malfoy feeling like right? he lost the match but Potter was injured,"

Daphne's face took on a small smile, "Very confused I imagine,"

"Where's Tracey?" Luna asked.

"Most of Slytherin is in the Dungeon right about now," Daphne remarked, "I came here to tell you guy's what had happened"

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at her, "How'd you know we'd be here?"

Daphne's face took on an amused look, her eyes quickly switched over towards her sister.

"Ah right, the candy pitfall," Rodrick muttered.

Luna laughed at that, "You have quite a lot of names don't you Astoria,"

Astoria joined her into the laughter.

Daphne smiled when she noticed her sister looking far better than she did in the morning, she turned towards Rodrick, "Not as much as him, he gets a new one every month,"

Rodrick rolled his eyes at the girl, "Please... I get a new one every week." he finished.

...

That evening, Rodrick left the Slytherin Dungeon intent on visiting The Boy-Who-Fell in the hospital. He set a Disillusionment charm over himself just before he went through the password locked door. Slowly, he made his way towards the Hospital Wing.

When he reached, he picked up two distinct voices talking to each other, looking inside he found Sirius Black sitting beside his godson, admiring the latest version of the Nimbus 2000, it looked smashing.

"I think it's usable," He heard Sirius Black snort, Rodrick silently crept over to the bed opposite Potter and sat against the front edge of it. Sirius looked just about ready to start laughing.

"For wha-" Harry Potter was about to speak before he suddenly turned ahead of him. "I know you're there, Rodrick"

Rodrick's eyes widened slightly before he chuckled, removing the invisibility charm. "Is there a reason you could see me?" he asked.

Harry Potter shrugged, "Experience."

"I am sure it is," Rodrick replied amused. He turned towards Sirius and found the guy staring at him curiously, there was a fond look on the man's face.

"You look better," Rodrick remarked, the man had shaven off most of his beard, his hair didn't look as bad as before and he was wearing better clothing. He still looked a little too skinny, his face still showed signs of his being in Azkaban.

Sirius nodded, "Thanks to you," he muttered.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow, "I don't remember fixing you up," he remarked amusedly.

Sirius shook his head slightly, "You know what I mean,"

Rodrick turned his attention towards Potter and found a similar grateful look on the boy's face although he kept it somewhat hidden.

"What brings you out here?" Harry asked.

Rodrick faked an affronted look on his face, "Am I not allowed to visit an injured classmate?" he gasped dramatically, his hand on his chest for added effect.

Harry Potter rolled his eyes at the act, "As if" he remarked.

Sirius was staring between the two of them wondering what was going on, "Gryffindor, Slytherin rivalry still exists," he spoke, amused. Remembering his own days as a student.

"It's more than that," Harry Potter grumbled.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at him, Sirius did the same but prompted, "How so?"

An irritated look took over his face, "You know all the stories I've been telling you about? Last year and everything,"

Sirius nodded to his grandson, he'd explained most of the second year and the things that occurred and the hilarious ending of the house cup.

"He's responsible for it," Harry Potter added, he frowned at the smile that slowly took over his godfather's face. the man quickly broke out laughing.

"Well done," he remarked towards the Slytherin.

"Whose side are you on..." Harry Potter grumbled, his eyes landed on Rodrick's amused face.

"The troublemaker's side," Sirius remarked, once again remembering his own marauder days.

"Ah but I never get caught," Rodrick added on.

Harry Potter rolled his eyes, "You do, there's just no proof."

"Someone still upset about last year's cup," Rodrick remarked, a twinkle in his eyes.

Harry Potter rolled his eyes, "You're not winning this year..."

"I haven't been trying," Rodrick shrugged.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at that, "No? I've seen the points...Are you sure?" he scoffed, the margin was ridiculous.

Before Rodrick could add on, agitating Harry further, the Gryffindor spoke up.

"Why are you here," he remarked exasperated.

"To check up on you, heard you had a pretty bad fall," Rodrick replied, a serious mask on his face.

"Really?" Harry Potter had a disbelieving look on his face.

It took a few moment's before Rodrick started laughing, "Nah, I heard you got into a fight with the whomping willow"

Sirius Black snorted at that rumor, he was the one who spread it about.

"That's not what happened at all," Harry Potter remarked affronted.

"Yea I agree... Wasn't much of a fight, you got your as-" Rodrick was about to finish before he lost control and started laughing at the look he got from Potter.

...

The three spent a while talking about the happenings that had occurred over the three years, ranging from the troll incident.

"I still can't believe you used an unforgivable!" Harry Potter spoke barely able to hold his laughter.

Rodrick rolled his eyes, "You didn't even know what the spell was, you stood there watching wide eyed as if you'd never seen magic before,"

"Well done on getting away with it" Sirius spoke approvingly.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that, "For a Gryffindor, you're surprisingly ok with that"

Sirius shrugged, "if you didn't get away, you wouldn't have helped me,"

Fair point.

The conversation quickly changed to Harry Potter beating Quirrell.

"Dumbledore hired You-Know-Who?" Sirius spoke disbelieving it.

"He hired a bloody clown," Rodrick grumbled.

"I think he was hired before Voldemort took over," Harry Potter remarked casually, trying to defend his headmaster.

'I doubt that.' Rodrick thought.

It seemed to mollify Black though.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was when the story had reached Remus Lupin's first lesson.

"You turned one of the most dangerous men on the planet to a female?" Sirius remarked disbelief shown all over his face.

Rodrick shared a look with a laughing Potter before he nodded.

"Are you crazy?" Sirius Black asked.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that.

"Merlin... Can you imagine him on his time of the month..."

With that picture in their heads, the two student's shuddered and tried to change the topic.

The last point of discussion, however, turned towards Sirius Black's situation, Rodrick had learned that while the man was certain to be free in the eyes of the public, he had actually already been freed by the ministry. 'That certainly explains why Fudge was so worried... After all, he'd let loose Dementors over a Quidditch game for literally no reason.'

Of course, the most important piece of information was perhaps that while free, Black didn't actually have his fortune yet... Not until either the Wizangamot votes in his favor or they find the 'lost' Black ring,

"So you're stuck then until the ring is found?" Rodrick remarked, an inquisitive look on his face.

Black, however, took on a more irritated one, "I'd find it as soon as Malfoy is willing to relinquish it,"

Harry Potter's face took on a frown at that, "What are you gonna do?"

Sirius, "I am not sure at the moment, if the vote fails I suppose I'll have to settle with the funds in my vault," noticing the look on his godson's face, however, "I wouldn't worry too much, it's quite substantial," he added on winking.

Harry Potter sighed in relief at that, he'd been some what afraid of returning to the Dursleys after enlarging his aunt into a hot air balloon, "Still, Malfoy shouldn't take what isn't his,"

Sirius smiled mischievously, "Oh he can't anymore, not as long as I am free, if the ring is attended to he's in trouble... if it isn't attended to for several more years it'll find it's way back into the Black vault. Then I could simply take it," there was a certain glint in his eyes as he said that.

"It's cursed isn't it" Rodrick drawled.

Sirius didn't say anything to that, although his smile did grow.

"When do you think that will be?" Harry Potter asked, curious.

Sirius furrowed his brows trying to remember, "From what the goblin told me, I imagine it'll be another 4 years? I should be fine until then," the man shrugged.

"I believe I have a curfew to attend to," Rodrick remarked, getting up.

Sirius turned towards the boy, "I hope you don't plan on informing young Draco about that..." the smile still present.

Rodrick rolled his eyes, "Yeah and then you could inform him of my part in giving him the problem in the first place" he spoke shaking his head causing the ex-Azkaban inmate to chuckle. Turning and starting to walk away, however, Rodrick's face took on a smile... already planning something... 'I did warn him if he made it too easy I wouldn't hesitate...'