The Peculiar Adventures of Rayne Lestange

by SummerRainUnna

William Arthur Weasley fist laid eyes upon Rayne Riddle Lestrange in 1982 on the Hogwarts Express. Rayne was the white sheep of her family, the only daughter of Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange. As her parents, she was expected to be sorted into Slytherin and become a Death Eater. Everyone was very much surprised when quite the opposite transpired…

7. Chapter 7: The Order

*Chapter Six: The Order of the Phoenix*

Rayne walked down the street, reading the piece of parchment with Dumbledore's writing on it. She stopped, looking up at the houses. She focused on the location, the two houses being pushed aside to reveal another house. 12 Grimmauld Place. She pulled her trunk along behind herself, taking out her wand and tapped the door as many locks clicked. The door opened, Rayne stepping inside and closing the door behind herself. She waved her wand down the door as the locks clicked back into place. She looked around at the dismal house, Molly came from a back room.

"Rayne" She whispered. "So glad to see you. Bill just arrived, too"

"Why are we whispering, Mum?" She asked, also lowering her voice.

Molly motioned to the curtains. "Don't want to wake the portrait…dreadful woman"

Rayne didn't ask any further questions. She left her trunk at the side of the door and followed Molly into the dining room. The Weasley children, minus Charlie and Percy, sat around the wood table.

"Look who finally made it" Molly smiled, talking normally now.

Arthur smiled, standing and hugged Rayne.

"So good to see you dear"

Ginny bounded to her, hugging her as she smiled. Bill grinned to her as she sat down.

"Desk job, huh?" She asked.

Bill scoffed slightly, crossing his arms.

"Well, I figured it would be best to be closer to the Order. I do miss the tombs, but this does have its perks. I get to see you as much as I want now"

Rayne smirked to him then looked around the dining room.

"This is a…interesting place" Rayne looked to Molly.

"It will need a cleaning if it is to be inhabited" Molly bustled about, making a verbal list.

"Where is Sirius? Is he here?" Rayne asked.

"Here"

Rayne looked back at the other doorway that led down into the kitchen, Sirius stopped at the threshold and smiled at her.

"Hello again, cousin" Sirius nodded to her.

Rayne smiled slightly, gesturing around the room.

"So, this is your house?" She asked.

"Unfortunately. It is the ancestral home of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black" Sirius almost hissed the words.

He walked to the table, sitting across from her.

"You're looking well, Sirius" Rayne smiled.

"I'm going mad…" He muttered. "Dumbledore wishes for me to stay indoors at all costs…dreadfully boring really.

"It's for the best, I'm sure…"

He scoffed at her, glancing off then looked back to her.

"How have you been fairing?" He asked.

Rayne smiled sadly, starring down at the wooden table.

"Better, I suppose…"

"…What about your nightmares?" Sirius asked.

Rayne snapped her head up, narrowing her eyes at him.

"How did you-"

"Bill informed me…are they still going on?" Sirius asked.

Rayne casted a glance to Bill, moving her eyes back to Sirius.

"They aren't constant, but still there. Lingering I suppose" Rayne leaned back in her chair. "Still about the same"

"…You following Voldemort's orders?" Sirius asked.

She nodded, laughing slightly and glanced to the dishes on the cabinet behind him.

"Yea…It is like, he put the imperius curse on me. Like my body wouldn't follow my mind's command" Rayne shook her head. "It's always the same. Me, turning my wand against Bill or Molly or the twins, or Ginny…or Draco…"

"Rayne" Sirius drew her eyes to him. "The only way you would ever do something like that would be if Voldemort forced you. You would never do such a thing on your free will"

Rayne slowly nodded, biting her trembling lower lip.

"You're different from your family. From our family" Sirius spoke in a stern tone

Rayne nodded in agreement, pressing her wrist to her nose as she sniffled and stood.

"Well, we should get to cleaning. Place is a mess, really" Rayne cleared her throat, fighting back tears.

"There are jinxes and items that need to be cleared up, too" Sirius sighed. "My family was always one for security measures"

Rayne nodded slightly.

"I suppose we should start on the bedrooms first" Rayne looked to Molly as she bustled back into the dining room.

Rayne busied herself with cleaning, stopping when the Order meetings were called or for dinner. Bill was the only Weasley child in the Order, and none of his brothers or sister was very happy about not being allowed to know what was discussed. They constantly bugged both Bill and Rayne for information. But neither swayed. While most meetings were serious and businesslike, she enjoyed them nonetheless.

A new Auror, Tonks, had turned out to be another cousin of hers. She remembered Tonks from Hogwarts, her being two years ahead of Tonks. The two became close in the few weeks that the meetings started. It was nice to be back in the company of Remus as well. Soon Hermione came to stay with them at the house. A short time after most of the bedrooms were cleaned, allowing the family to stop sleeping on plastic tarps over the mattresses.

Rayne yawned, stretching in the bed and sat up, rubbing her eyes. She looked out the window at the dark sky and narrowed her eyes, listening to the frantic whispers coming from the floor above and then the hasty footsteps. Rayne slowly climbed out of bed, trying to stifle another yawn as she looked to the clock 9:30 PM. She walked over to the adjacent bed, shaking Bill.

"Bill. Wake up. Bill?"

Bill opened his eyes, blinking up at her and rubbed his eyes.

"What? What's going on?" He asked.

"Dunno, sounds urgent though. Come on" Rayne walked from the bedroom and peered up the landing.

"Dad? What's happened?" She asked when she heard Arthur's voice.

Arthur peered down to her as Bill walked alongside her, running his hand through his hair.

"Seems Harry was attacked by two Dementors" Arthur said frantically.

"What? But isn't Mundurgus supposed to be-"

"He left his post" Sirius leaned over the rail, hissing.

"The idiot" Rayne sneered. "Is Harry ok?"

"Yes, yes. Dumbledore is going to speak with the Ministry. We've been sending owls, too" Arthur sighed, exasperated. "We're setting up transporting Harry here"

"Do you need Abner?" Rayne asked.

"Yes, yes, send him up. Need all the help we can get" Arthur nodded.

Rayne hurried back into the room, gently waking Abner as he clicked his beak.

"Sorry, Abner, but we've got a job for you…upstairs" Abner flew out of the door at once, swooping up to Arthur.

Rayne and Bill quickly walked up the stairs.

"When will we be able to get him?" Rayne asked.

"A few days' time. Moody is to oversee the transport. Tonks will also be going, and Remus too" Arthur thought for a moment. "Moody has already sent for some other Auror he knows to help with it as well"

Arthur looked to her.

"Rayne, we'll have you give the signal once the rest of us scope out to make sure the path is clear"

Rayne nodded.

"For now, go back to bed and rest. We'll meet tomorrow to get everything together"

Rayne nodded again, slowly making her way back to bed.

The next few days were a blur of planning and strategizing. On the night that Harry was to come, the Aurors set off to Privet Drive. Rayne's station was right outside 12 Grimmauld place, leaned against a lamp post. She waited for her signal, the street bare and quiet. Soon she heard the click of footsteps on the stone, looking over to see Snape approaching her.

"Clear" Was all he said to her.

Rayne held up her wand, red sparks shot out of the tip and exploded into the sky above. There were more footsteps approaching, Bill making his way to her.

"Clear" He nodded.

Again Rayne held up her wand, this time bright green sparks shot up into the dark sky. The three quickly made their way back into the house, now it was up to the Aurors. They sneaked past the front of the home, being careful to not wake the portraits. Going into the dining room, they made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Arthur looked up to them as Rayne and Bill sat beside each other at the end of the table.

"Are they on their way?" He asked.

Rayne nodded.

"Just sent out the signal"

Molly busied herself by setting goblets on the table and taking out bottles of wine to set in the center. Slowly the other members dwindled in. After some time, there was a group of murmurs. Molly hurried up the stairs as the remaining members joined them in the kitchens. Tonks plopped down beside Rayne, looking to her.

"How did it go?" Rayne asked.

"Dreadful. Cold as ice" Tonks sighed.

Rayne smiled at her cousin, passing her a cup of hot tea.

"Thanks" Tonks took a sip, burning her tongue in the process.

Remus made his way to the table, sitting opposite her. Rayne smiled slightly, leaning back in her chair.

"Sounds like a fun time" Rayne laughed gently.

Moody made his way to the table, sitting at the other end and pulled out his flask. He took a drink as Molly bustled back into the kitchen and shut the door, waving her wand as a barrier formed. Wands were waved as parchments, quills and inks appeared.

Snape was giving his reports, droning on in his monotone voice. It brought Rayne right back to her days at Hogwarts in Potions class. Rayne didn't know if it was Snape's voice or her sleeping habits catching up to her, possible a combination of both, but Bill was constantly nudging her leg under the table when her head would loll to the side. After what seemed like hours to Rayne, the meeting was finally adjourned. Molly, Tonks, and Remus showed everyone out. Rayne stretched and yawned.

"Didn't sleep well, Rae?" Bill asked.

Rayne shook her head, standing.

"Haven't slept well in a week now…" Rayne muttered as she walked from the room, not seeing the concerned glance Bill gave her.

Rayne leaned against the hallway wall and watched as Molly descended the stairs and came to Tonks and Remus. They waved their wands as the door locked. Tonks stepped back to examine the door, and Rayne could see what was coming. She tried to make it to her in time, to catch her, but she wasn't fast enough. With a loud thunk, Tonks fell over to troll leg umbrella stand and landed flat on her back.

"Tonks!" Molly yelled.

"I'm sorry! That's the second time I've-" Tonks' voice was quickly drowned out by the shrill shrieks of the portraits, the curtains covering Walburga Black's portrait had flew open as the painting let out deafening shrieks laden with insults.

Remus and Molly tried to force the curtains closed, Rayne quickly helped Tonks stand as she apologized over and over. Molly abandoned the curtains and pulled out her wands, stunning the other portraits until only Walburga's shrieks rang out. Sirius came out of the dining room, nearly knocking both Rayne and Tonks over as he seized the other curtain. They finally got the curtain shut and the house fell silent. Sirius looked back to Rayne, panting.

"Still haven't figured out how to get her off the wall?" He asked in a whisper.

"Sadly, no…" Rayne shook her head.

"Hello Harry, see you've met my mother" Sirius' gaze was now at the stairs where Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins stood.

Rayne shook her head, leading Tonks back down into the kitchen. As Rayne rounded the table, she peered over Bill's shoulder to see what he and Arthur were frantically whispering about. She looked over as Molly led the children into the kitchen and saw the glance she shot at them. Molly cleared her throat lightly, neither looking up from their scroll. Rayne jabbed her elbow into Bill's arm as he looked up at her then over to his mother. Arthur quickly stood, beaming.

"Harry, so nice to see you again" He walked to Harry, shaking his hands as Bill quickly gathered up the rolls of parchment.

"Those parchments should really be cleared away promptly at the end of the meeting" Molly snapped then went to start dinner.

Bill gathered up the parchments and held his wand out.

"Evanesco" The parchments disappeared from sight.

Rayne started clearing away the empty goblets and wine bottles as Harry settled into a chair and started speaking with Mundungus. Rayne waved her wand, the goblets going to the sink.

"If you want dinner before midnight I'll need a hand" Molly raised her voice to the room. "But not you Harry, dear, you've had a long journey"

"What can I do Molly?" Tonks asked happily.

Molly gave a hesitant response.

"Oh, no, no dear. You should rest too"

"No, no I wanna help" Tonks knocked over a chair as she hurried to help Ginny with the cutlery.

Rayne laughed gently, picking the chair back up before walking to the counter and waved her wand. The knives started to chop the meat and vegetables. Rayne moved to help Molly as she instructed the twins to put things on the table. They pulled out their wands.

"Fred, George, no!" Molly yelled. "Just carry them!"

Too late, a large cauldron skidded across the table. Harry, Sirius and Mundungus had to dive out of the way, the cauldron leaving a long black scorch mark on the table. A flagon of butterbeer spilled over the wood, and a knife landed pointed side down where Sirius was. Harry and Sirius were laughing, Molly wheeled to yell at the twins.

"None of your brothers caused this sort of trouble!" Molly's face was slightly pink. "Bill didn't feel the need to apparate every few feet, Charlie didn't charm everything he met, Percy-"

Molly stopped, whirling to face Arthur. Rayne set her hand on Molly's shoulder.

"Let's eat, mum" She led Molly to the table to sit.

Remus started ladling soup into bowls and passing them around the table. There was silence as they ate, soon small conversation breaking out at the table. Rayne heard Molly listing out things that needed to be cleaned, then looked over to Tonks to see her changing her nose to entertain Hermione and Ginny. Rayne smiled slightly, shaking her head then looked back over to Bill as he spoke quietly.

"They're not giving anything away yet…still can't work out whether they believe he's back or not"

"They may prefer to not take sides…" Rayne took a bite of bread.

"I'm sure they'd never go over to You-Know-Who. They've suffered losses too" Arthur shook his head. "Remember that goblin family he murdered last time?"

"I think it depends what they're offered" Remus sighed slightly. "And I don't mean gold, if they're offered freedoms we've been denying them they're going to be tempted…Have you still not had any luck with Ragnok, Bill?"

Bill gave a sigh.

"He's feeling pretty anti-wizard at the moment…Hasn't stopped raging about the Bagman business, reckons the Ministry did a cover-up"

Rayne shook her head, crossing her arms on the table.

"Must be some way to convince him" Rayne looked to Bill.

"I did!" Harry's yell sounded, Rayne looked down the table to him. "I asked Ron and Hermione but they said we're not allowed in the Order, so-"

"And they're quite right, you're too young" Molly was clinching her fists on the arms of the chair, watching Harry.

"Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?" Sirius asked.

Rayne groaned inwardly, Molly and Sirius had been at each other's throats for days now. Seemed the two couldn't stand each other. Soon there was more yelling, coming from Fred and George as they fumed. Molly and Sirius started back up, the two arguing and shouting. Rayne squeezed the bridge of her nose, feeling another headache. Molly was now looking at Arthur for back up. Thankfully, Arthur tried to speak calmly to defuse the tension hanging in the air. Remus, too, spoke quietly. Rayne looked back up, watching as Remus spoke to Harry.

"I want to know what's been going on" Harry said quickly.

"Very well" Rayne could tell it killed Molly to say those words. "Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George. I want you out of this kitchen now"

With that, another uproar happened. Rayne sighed, sinking her head back into her hand. Soon, Molly's voice rang out.

"Fine, Ginny, BED"

Ginny went reluctantly, shouting and fuming as her mother led her from the room. Everyone was silent for a moment. Soon, the Order members were explaining what had happened over these few months. Rayne stayed silent, watching and listening.

"But you're telling people, aren't you?" Harry asked, looking around at the table. "You're letting people know he's back?"

Rayne smiled humorously at that, just like all the others did.

"Well. Since I'm known as a mad mass murderer and the Ministry has a ten thousand galleon bounty on my head I can't really stroll up the street and hand out leaflets" Sirius glanced off.

"And I'm not a very popular dinner guest with most of the community…it's an occupational hazard of being a werewolf" Lupin laughed slightly.

"Tonks and Arthur would lose their jobs if they started shooting their mouths off" Sirius gestured towards them.

Soon the conversation turned to Dumbledore and Voldemort's recruiting of Death Eaters. Rayne could feel herself getting more and more exhausted. She feared that she was going to end up bashing her forehead on the table so sat back in her chair.

"Like what kind of weapon?" Rayne heard Harry ask, she looked over to him now. "Something worse than the Avada Kedavra?"

"That's enough"

Rayne looked past Harry to Molly standing in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I want you in bed, now. All of you" She looked around the table at the children. "You've given Harry plenty of information. Any more and you might as well induct him into the Order"

"I'll join, I want to join" Harry said quickly.

"No" Remus looked at harry. "The Order is comprised only of overage wizards. Wizards who have left school…I think Molly's right, Sirius. We've said enough"

Rayne expected Sirius to argue, but he didn't. Molly gestured the children from the kitchen, leading them to their rooms. Rayne rubbed her forehead then grasped her goblet, taking a few gulps of wine to numb her headache.

Rayne woke early the next morning, still exhausted even with a full sleep. She stood, yawning and stretched as she glanced to Bill still sleeping. Grabbing a pillow, she chucked it at him as it hit his face. He woke up with a slight jolt.

"Wake up, you'll be late for work" Rayne grinned down to him then gasped as he sent the pillow flying into her head.

The two laughed as Bill climbed from his bed to get ready. When they were dressed for the day, Rayne hugged Bill goodbye and he walked from the house. She made her way up the stairs, deciding to skip breakfast and get right to cleaning. She peered into the drawing room as Molly bustled around, getting the supplies ready. She looked over to Rayne, her face covered with a tea towel.

"Ah, Rae, morning. Going to tackle the doxies today. If you could, can you do the couch?" Molly asked.

Rayne nodded, grasping the tea towel she handed to her and tied it around her nose and mouth. She made her way towards the couches, examining them. After a while, the other children made their way into the room and started prepping to tackle the doxies. Rayne kept her mind on the dusty couches, tipping one with her wand. She waved her wand, magically sweeping the debris into the trash bags. She started cleaning off the dust from the fabrics, working quickly and silently. She heard the noise of the others fighting the doxies.

The doorbell rang a few times, Rayne not even looking up from her work. She heard Molly leave the room, and the children clambering to listen. It was then that she heard the house elf's voice, Kreatcher. She looked up now, to watch the elf. He shuffled around, muttering his nonsense. She shook her head, looking back down to her work as she heard Sirius enter. More shouting. Rayne didn't know how much longer she could stand listening to everyone's yelling without going mad. Rayne looked up once again as Sirius glided past her to the tapestry hung on the wall. She had spent many hours starring at it herself over the days. The Black family Tapestry.

"You're not on here?" Harry asked, looking up at Sirius.

"Yes, right there" Sirius pointed to one of the blackened pieces of the tapestry.

Rayne dropped her eyes again, she liked talking about her family about as much as Sirius.

"You're related to Tonks?" Harry asked.

"Yes, her mother, Andromeda, was my favorite cousin. That's where Andromeda was" Sirius pointed to another black mark. "She married a Muggle born, Ted Tonks. Tonks isn't even on the tapestry. Her sisters are there, though. Narcissa and Bellatrix-"

Rayne heard Sirius' voice flatter at the name. Harry turned to look at Rayne now, she stood and walked to the tapestry. She laughed gently, pointing to the bottom of the tapestry. There was a black mark.

"And that's me…" She said bitterly and dropped her arm to her side. "Dear aunt Narcissa told me I was blasted off the tapestry when she heard I was sorted into Gryffindor and started associating myself with the Weasley's…"

Harry watched her, as if hesitant to ask his next question.

"Your mother…" He trailed off.

"Yes. She was one of the people who tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom to insanity…" Rayne said quietly. "Trust me, she wasn't much of a mother if at all. I was mainly raised by nannies at Malfoy Manor. After her imprisonment, Lucius and Narcissa became my guardians"

Rayne starred at the tapestry now.

"They kept trying to make me see reason. I had very different views from them at a young age, even before I ever reached Hogwarts. They hoped Slytherin would straighten me out" Rayne laughed slightly. "As you can tell, that didn't work…I don't regret it though. The only regret I have is that I can't hardly see Draco-"

Rayne cut herself off, feeling the dull pain in her chest again at the mention of her cousin's name. She shook her head of the thoughts, choosing to go on about her cleaning. She heard Sirius whisper to Harry as she left.

"Leave her be, Harry"

Rayne spent the next few days trying to fix a grandfather cloak that shot lightning at anyone that passed by it. She sat in the hallway, pieces of the clock scattered across the carpet. She had her back against the wall, her head leaned back against it too. She huffed, glaring down at the pieces.

"Every one of these pieces is jinxed individually" She muttered. "Take hours to finish this…"

She got to work, slowly countering the jinxes. After an hour, Rayne only managed to sustain a bite from the pendulum bob and a small burn from the ratchet wheel. She blew her hair from her face, eyeing the mechanical parts.

"Alright…should be fine now…" She muttered to herself.

It seemed that putting the clock back together was just as difficult as taking it apart. After another hour, she finally finished with the clock and winded it to the right time. She looked to the clock, waving her hand in front of it. No lightning bolts.

"Alright…one thing down" Rayne breathed.

"Rayne, your dinner is getting cold"

Rayne looked down to Molly at the doorway into the kitchen. Rayne smiled and wiped her hands off.

"Coming Mum, just finished up with this clock" Rayne walked to her, Molly smiling up at her.

"Oh good, at least we can walk down the hall without having to dodge it now…"

Rayne followed Molly down into the kitchen, the rest of the Weasley's and Sirius looked back to her and said their hellos as she sat down. Molly set a plate in front of her as she started eating some potatoes. Rayne half listened to the conversation at the table, Harry's hearing was tomorrow. She perked up slightly, looking to the table.

"Professor Dumbledore doesn't think it a good idea for Sirius to go with you, and I think he is-"Molly started.

Sirius cut her off. "Quite right"

Rayne peered to the two of them, then over to Harry. His face was pale and his eyes full of repressed panic. They were all quiet for the remainder of the meal, everyone on edge for what was to come tomorrow.

Rayne awoke early the next morning and dressed in the silence. She waved her wand as her short hair made itself into a low rolled bun. She made her way downstairs and into the kitchen. Molly was already bustling about to prepare breakfast. Arthur sat at the head of the table, Sirius and Lupin sitting on either side of him. Tonks was sitting off to the side, yawning heavily.

"Morning" She greeted, sitting beside Tonks.

Everyone greeted her back timidly, all worried about Harry's hearing today. Tonks continued to yawn, Rayne peering to her and smiled.

"Tired?" She asked.

"Very…haven't slept all night" Tonks yawned again and shook her head. "Anyway, we're gonna have to be more careful, Scrimgeour-"

Tonks stopped as Harry entered the kitchen, Molly quickly got to her feet and gestured him in.

"Breakfast" She said quickly pulling her wand out.

"Morning Harry" Tonks yawned again.

"Come and sit" Rayne gestured him over, watching how he stiffly walked.

He sat, Molly setting plates of food on the table.

"What would you like dear?" She asked him.

"Now what about Scrimgeour?" Remus asked, looking back over to Tonks.

"Oh, right. He's been asking me and Kingsley funny questions…" Tonks looked over to Remus. "I think he's trying to figure out if the Order is back in place or not. His questions were very vague, too…"

Tonks yawned again.

"I'll tell Dumbledore you can't do night duty, you need to sleep" Rayne looked to her.

"I'll cover for you, Tonks, don't fret" Arthur smiled then turned to speak with Harry.

"Stay here for a spell, you can sleep in my room" Rayne leaned her head against her palm. "Rather you not try to fly or apparate home"

"Good idea" Tonks nodded, trying to stifle another yawn. "Thanks"

"The hearing's on my floor, in Amelia Bones's Office. She's head of the department of magical law enforcement and she's the one that will be questioning you" Arthur nodded to Harry.

"Amelia Bones is okay, she's fair" Tonks nodded too.

"Just don't lose your temper. And be polite and stick to the facts" Sirius finally spoke.

"The laws on your side, even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations" Remus said quietly.

Even with the encouraging words, Rayne could tell the poor boy was as ridged as ever.

"We'll set off early" Arthur stood.

Harry immediately got to his feet, nodding.

"You'll be fine Harry" Rayne smiled at him, he gave her a curt smile back.

Molly hugged Harry as the two made their way from the kitchen. Rayne sighed gently, hoping Harry would come home with good news.

Only a few hours later, Harry returned to the house. All charges against him was dropped, everyone was overjoyed. Fred, George and Ginny were dancing about and chanting. Rayne laughed, watching them dance around the kitchen and clapped gently to the rhythm of their chant.

The house was bustling with activity, Molly running around the kitchen to get things ready. Ron and Hermione were made Gryffindor prefects, and Molly was adamant about throwing them a party. Rayne was at the counter chopping vegetables, smiling as Molly muttered to herself excitedly. People slowly started rolling into the kitchen, speaking happily. Rayne heard Moody's voice, and Molly telling him about the desk in the drawing room.

"Yep, a boggart" He said matter-of-factly.

After more excited conversations, Arthur stood.

"I think a toast is in order. To Ron and Hermione, the Gryffindor prefects!"

Everyone raised their goblets and cheered then started to get their plates of food. More conversation broke out, Rayne sat down beside Bill as he slid a goblet of butterbeer to her.

"I was never a prefect myself" Tonks sighed as she sat down. "My head of house said I lacked certain necessary qualities"

"Like what?" Ginny asked.

"Like behaving herself" Rayne smiled. "Can't tell you how many times Tonks got herself in trouble"

Ginny laughed, Tonks laughing too.

"What about you, Sirius?" Ginny asked, looking down the table.

Sirius let out a laugh.

"They would never make me prefect. Spent too much time in detention with James. Remus was the good boy, he got the badge"

"I suppose Dumbledore expected me to keep them in line…didn't work I'm afraid" Remus smiled. "You were a prefect too, weren't you Rayne?"

"Yes, me and Bill were Gryffindor prefects" Rayne nodded.

"Made head boy and girl too" Molly added, smiling.

After dinner, everyone continued with their own conversations. Molly yawned, standing.

"I'm going to sort out that boggart then turn in for the night" She kissed Arthur's cheek. "I don't want this lot up too late now"

Molly made her way from the kitchen. Rayne noticed Harry following out after her.

"Sirius, Remus. A moment" Moody sounded, the three stood and also walked from the room.

Rayne sat and listened to the others, yawning gently. She looked to Bill.

"I'm turning in myself. Term starts tomorrow" Rayne stretched her arms, standing.

"Night" Bill lifted his hand.

"Night" She walked up the stairs, yawning again.

Sirius, Remus and Moody came back down the stairs quietly, nodding to her as she nodded back. She made her way up into her room and changed her clothes, climbing into the bed. Exhausted as she was, sleep couldn't find her.

Rayne was crouched on the floor in front of Ginny, healing the small cuts and bruises on her. Molly yelled at the twins in the background. Rayne smiled, patting Ginny's knee.

"All patched up"

Ginny smiled to her, standing.

"Thanks, Rae"

"Come on you lot, we'll be late!" Molly yelled.

The portrait was screaming and shrieking, no one bothering with it but instead shouted over it. The black dog came up to Rayne's side, nudging her as she looked down.

"Sirius-"

"Dumbledore said no! It'll be your own head!" Molly yelled.

She hustled everyone from the house, Sirius sticking close to Harry's heels. Rayne followed Molly out as the shrieks of the portrait were cut off. She sighed happily then looked to Molly.

"I'll be off from here, Mum. See you kids at Hogwarts" Rayne kissed Molly's cheek, waving and dissapparated.

Rayne sat at the head table alongside McGonagall, Snape on her other side. The new DADA teacher, Umbridge, was sitting to Snape's other side dressed in all pink. Rayne glanced down to her, the woman wearing a creepily polite smile. Dumbledore stood at his podium, greeting the students.

"We also wish to welcome out new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge"

Umbridge did a sort of half laugh, making Rayne, McGonagall and Snape turn to glance at her.

"And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck" Dumbledore continued.

Umbridge slowly stood, making 'hem, hem' sounds. Everyone stopped to look back at her as she looked around the room and walked up to the podium.

"Thank you, headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright…happy faces smiling up at me" She smiled at the students. "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends"

Rayne watched the woman, looking to McGonagall. McGonagall just shook her head as Umbridge continued with her own speech. There was a few scattered applause as she finished.

"Thank you, Professor Umbridge…most illuminating" Dumbledore looked back to the students, finishing with the rules.

Rayne sat in McGonagall's office, her leg shaking violently back and forth.

"There must be something that can be done…that woman" Rayne shook her head. "I have a very bad feeling about her…"

"We can't cause much of a scene…Dumbledore is already at risk and we cannot jeopardize our positions here, either"

The doors of her office opened, Harry walked inside. He looked from McGonagall to her and walked to the desk.

"I was sent to see you" He explained.

"Sent? By who?" McGonagall leaned forward. Harry handed her the parchment as she took it, reading through it. "…Is it true?"

"…Is what true?" He asked.

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"

"Yes"

"You called her a liar?"

"Yes"

"You told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?"

"Yes"

Rayne hid the smile on her face with her cup of tea, taking a sip.

"Have a biscuit, Potter" McGonagall gestured to the tin.

"Have…what?" He asked, looking up to her.

"A biscuit" She repeated.

Harry hesitantly took a biscuit from the tin, Rayne set her cup down and watched him.

"Harry, you need to be careful…" Rayne stood. "You know where she comes from, who she's reporting to"

McGonagall nodded in agreement, looking back down at the parchment.

"Seems you have detention every day for a week" She read.

"What, Professor can't you-"

"No, I can't. She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention…" McGonagall looked back up to him. "Just remember…tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge"

"But I was telling the truth!" Harry said quickly.

"That does not matter, Harry. Didn't you listen to that woman's speech?" Rayne asked.

"Y-Yes" He gave a hesitant answer. "Progress will be prohibited…and…it means the ministry is trying to interfere a Hogwarts"

McGonagall scoffed. "At least you listen to Miss Granger at any rate…Off you go, Potter"

Harry left, Rayne waited until he shut the door to look back to McGonagall.

"I'll draw up a report. Have ours at the Ministry on alert"

McGonagall nodded to her as she left the office.

Rayne walked down the corridor towards the great hall, her mind still on that woman. She stopped, looking forward to Umbridge standing at the top of a set of stairs, McGonagall a few steps below her and a group of students gathered at the landing.

"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared" Umbridge's voice cut the silence. "Cornelius will want to take immediate action"

Rayne watched the woman turn and glide past her, giving her a polite smile. Rayne quickly walked to McGonagall, lowering her voice.

"What's happened?" She asked.

McGonagall didn't answer her, Rayne grimaced and clinched her fists. This was not good.

The next few days were a whirl. News reports stormed outside Hogwarts to get photos and interviews with Umbridge, Filch nailed a new decree on the wall outside the great hall. Umbridge was named high inquisitor. Rayne sat at her desk, slamming the paper down. Umbridge now strutted around the castle with her clipboard. More and more rules were hammered into the wall. Umbridge started visiting all the classrooms, picking apart each teacher and their lessons.

Rayne made her way from her office and into her classroom as her third year students filed in. Umbridge was in the back corner, holding her clipboard and quill. Rayne walked to her desk and set down her notes.

"Alright class, settle in, settle in" She watched as they pulled out their textbooks, parchments, quills and ink bottles. "Today we are going to start on Egyptian Hieroglyphics, now turn to page-"

"Hem, Hem"

Rayne looked up to the back of the class at Umbridge, the students turning to look at her too.

"You received my note, I trust? Giving the time and date of your inspection?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes, I did" Rayne said curtly, forcing a polite undertone. "Right then, turn to page 26"

Rayne watched Umbridge walk along the desks, looking at the students.

"Small class?" She asked.

"Yes" Rayne responded then looked back to the students. "Now, we are going to be starting off on Phonetic reading"

Rayne held her wand out as the picture came up on the screen. As she started teaching, she kept an eye on Umbridge as she walked around taking notes. Sometimes she would stop and stoop over a student's shoulder, other times she would quietly ask them a question. At the end of the lesson, as the students packed their things, Umbridge came up to her to ask her questions.

"Professor Lestrange…how long have you been a teacher here?" She asked, smiling.

"Five years now" Rayne responded.

"And Dumbledore appointed you…" She trailed off there.

"Yes, he did. I had the opportunity to be a Curse Breaker for Gringotts but decided I'd much rather teach Ancient Runes"

"And I've heard that you regularly stay with the Weasley family?" She asked.

"Yes, I consider them my family" Rayne knew what was coming next, many of the students stopped and were listening.

"And your family…Your mother and father are both in Azkaban, are they not?"

"Yes"

"And, what are they in Azkaban for?"

"Torturing two Aurors to insanity"

"Yes, yes…That's right" Umbridge said, scribbling on the parchment. "You will receive your evaluation within ten days"

"Looking very much forward to it, Professor" Rayne gave her a smile, watching Umbridge stride from the room.

Rayne awoke to the abrupt rapping on her bedroom door. She bolted upright, her hand instinctively going to her wand as she stood and walked to the door. She pulled it open, starring at McGonagall's fear filled eyes.

"Lestrange, come with me. Quickly" She beckoned her.

Rayne grabbed her dressing gown and hastily pulled it on, stumbled after the woman. She looked to Ron holding Harry up, his face ashen and his eyes glazed over.

"What has happened?" Rayne asked, taking Harry's other arm.

"No time here, we must get to the headmaster" McGonagall led them down the corridors.

Rayne stood pacing the room, Harry sitting in a chair in front of her. George, Fred, and Ginny were also there along with Ron. Dumbledore looked to Harry and began pacing himself.

"In the dream, were you standing next to the victim…or looking down at the scene?" Dumbledore asked, not looking back at Harry.

"N-Neither, It was like I…" Harry trailed off. "Will you please just tell me what's happening?"

Rayne looked to him then to Dumbledore as he quickly went over to a portrait.

"Everard, Arthur's on guard duty tonight. Make sure he's found be the right people"

The portrait nodded.

"Sir" Harry's voice was strained.

Dumbledore ignored him, walking to another portrait.

"Phineas. You must go to your portrait at Grimmauld Place. Tell them that Arthur Weasley is gravely injured and his children will be arriving soon by Portkey"

The first portrait came back into his frame.

"They've got him, Albus. It was close, but they think he'll make it" Everard spoke. "What's more, the Dark Lord failed to acquire it"

"He's been sent to St. Mungo's" Another portrait came back into frame.

"Good, we need a warning" Dumbledore looked to Fawkes, the bird flew off. "We'll be sending you to the headquarters, more convenient for the hospital than the Burrow"

"How will we go? Floo powder?" Fred asked.

"No, no. not safe. I have a portkey for you" Dumbledore rummaged through the desk, pulling out a black kettle.

A phoenix feather formed from flames in the center of the room, the feather gently flowing to the ground.

"A warning, Minerva go head her off. Tell her any story" Dumbledore looked to McGonagall, she swept out of the room. "Hurry now, hurry"

They all gathered around, Rayne looking around to make sure they all had a grip on it. They were pulled off the ground, Rayne moving her other arm to wrap protectively around Ginny. They hit solid ground, Rayne panting.

"E-everyone alright?" She asked.

Responses slowly sounded as they stood. Sirius quickly walked to them, looking around to them.

"What's going on? Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured"

"Ask Harry" Fred gestured to him.

"Yea, I want to hear this for myself" George looked to him.

Harry started recounting his vision, when he was done there was silence.

"Is Mum here?" Fred finally asked, looking to Sirius.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened" Sirius looked around at them. "The important thing was to get you away from Umbridge before she could interfere"

"We've got to go to St. Mungo's" Ginny said frantically.

"You can't go tearing off to St. Mungo's" Sirius furrowed his brows.

"Course we can, he's our dad!" Fred yelled.

"And how are you going to explain how you knew Arthur was attacked before the hospital let his wife know?" Sirius shot back.

"What does that matter?" George straightened.

"It matters because we don't want to draw attention to the fact Harry is having visions of things! Have you any idea what the Ministry would make of that information?" Sirius glowered at them.

"Somebody else could have told us" Ginny suggested.

"Like who, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order and the circumstances are fishy enough without his children knowing seconds after the fact. You could seriously damage the Order's" Sirius was cut off.

"We don't care about the damn Order!" Fred bellowed.

"It's our dad dying we're talking about!" George yelled.

"Your father knew what he was getting into! This is why you're not in the Order, you don't understand!" Sirius yelled back.

"Enough!" Rayne screamed, everyone turning to her. "We need to stay here until we hear from Mum, alright? Please."

At this, Fred and George slowly relaxed. Ginny walked to the chair closes to her and sank into it, slowly the others sat around the table. Sirius got bottles of butterbeer for everyone and they sat in silence and drank. After a while, a parchment and a phoenix feather fell onto the table before Rayne. She grasped the parchment, reading it.

"Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St. Mungo's now. Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can, Mum" Rayne sighed gently, passing the letter to Fred as he read it then passed it to George.

No one spoke much, they just sat at the table. Fred started dozing off, his head lolling to one side. Ginny was curled into her chair, resting her head on Rayne's shoulder with her eyes opened. Hours went by, at five in the morning the kitchen doors swung open. Everyone jolted, looking to Molly as she entered. Rayne quickly stood.

"He's going to be all right…We can all go see him later. Bill's sitting with him now" Molly gave a tired smile.

A collective sigh of relief sounded, George and Ginny going to hug their mother.

"Breakfast" Sirius announced loudly. "Let's have breakfast"

Soon the table was laden with plates of eggs, bacon and toast. Rayne then sent everyone to bed, everyone looking like the walking dead.

"Mum, go rest for a few hours" Rayne patted Molly's hand. "I'll cleanup"

Molly started to argue, but Rayne shuffled her from the kitchen. Rayne didn't think she could sleep even if she tried. After she cleaned up, Tonks and Moody came to the house along with the trunks from Hogwarts. Rayne helped them stack them at the bottom of the stairs, everyone waking to dress in their muggle clothing to visit Arthur. After a train ride and short walk, they stepped into St. Mungo's lobby. Rayne stood off to the side, peering around as Molly stood in the line to ask where Arthur's room was.

"Come on, you lot" She motioned them as they set off down a hallway.

They entered the ward, Bill looking up at them as they entered and smiled.

"Just in time" He grinned. "Was about to head out myself, have to get back to work"

"I'll see you out, Bill" Rayne leaned down and hugged Arthur, smiling. "Feeling alright, Dad?"

"Been better, Rae. But I feel fine, don't worry" He beamed up at her. She kissed his cheek.

"I'll be back" Rayne straightened, following Bill out of the ward. She looked to him. "So, how is he really?"

Bill laughed slightly. "Bleeds like mad when they take the bandages off. They're trying to find an antidote now"

"Got him on a blood replenishing potion?" Rayne asked.

"Every hour" Bill nodded.

"Good. How is your desk job going?"

"Boring work really. Parchment after parchment. But it's not so bad I suppose" Bill shrugged.

"Good to hear. Have a nice day at work, when will you drop by again?"

"Be there Christmas morn" Bill grinned down at her, hugging her then stepped from the lobby and out into the street.

Rayne smiled after him and walked back down the halls, glancing to the children outside the ward.

"Mum already banish you, huh?" She asked.

"Tonks and Mad-Eye wanted a word" Fred looked to her.

"Ah" Rayne said and walked past them, making sure to close the door.

She made her way up the ward and to Arthur's bed, Tonks and Moody glancing to her.

"They searched the whole area but they couldn't find the snake anywhere, it just seems to have vanished after it attacked you, Arthur" Tonks continued. "But You-Know-Who can't have expected a snake to get in, can he?"

"I reckon he sent it as a lookout" Moody glowered. "Trying to get a clearer picture of what he's facing. If Arthur hadn't been there the beast would've had more time to look around. So Potter says he saw it all happen?"

He looked to Rayne, she nodded.

"Yes, Dumbledore seems to have been almost waiting for Harry to see something like this…" Rayne trailed off.

"Well, there's something funny about the Potter kid, we all know that" Moody huffed.

"Dumbledore seemed worried about Harry when I spoke to him" Molly looked to them.

"Course he's worried. Boy's seeing things from inside his snake" Moody slammed his cane down. "Obviously, Potter doesn't realize what that means, but if you-know-who is possessing him-"

"He's not possessing the boy" Rayne shot Moody a glare.

"How can we be sure?" Moody shot back.

"Enough of this, its madness. We would surely know if he's possessing Harry, he's under constant watch" Rayne looked around at them, they all except Moody solemnly nodded.

They said nothing else except for goodbye's to Arthur as they departed the ward.

As Christmas drew near, the gloomy house became lively with Christmas decorations and carols. Even Sirius was happily singing and decorating the house with tinsel and holly. On Christmas morning, as Molly was making lunch an owl came carrying a parcel. It was Percy's jumper Molly had sent him, unopened and with no note. Molly had sunk into the nearest chair and sobbed. Fred and George did their best to cheer her up.

"Come on Mum, Percy's nothing more than a humongous pile of rat droppings" Fred muttered to her.

Molly continued sobbing, Rayne smiled at them.

"Go on upstairs for a bit, let her settle" Rayne said gently.

The two nodded, hurrying away from the crying as Remus sat down on Molly's other side. It took the two of them a full 20 minutes to calm her down. Her eyes were still red and nose stuffy when the kids came down for lunch. Bill arrived moments later, smiling.

"Hello all" He greeted, the room filling with responses.

He took his usual seat next to Rayne as they ate lunch, afterwards getting ready to visit Arthur at St. Mungo's. Mundungus turned up with a borrowed car for them to travel in, and they set off for St. Mungo's.

Arthur was soon in hot water, as Molly looked at his changed bandages.

"Arthur" She snapped. "You've had your bandages change. Why are they changed a day early Arthur?"

"Well I…its nothing, really" Arthur stammered.

Molly glowered at him.

"Now don't get upset Molly, but Augustus Pye had an idea…he's the trainee healer, a lovely young chap and very interested in complementary medicine" Arthur babbled out. "These old muggle remedies, called stitches, and they work very well on muggle wounds"

Molly made a snarl sound. Remus quickly strolled over to the man who was bitten by a werewolf, Bill and Rayne quickly stood muttering about tea with Fred and George coming along. Rayne made her way out of the ward, sighing gently.

"Poor Dad's gonna get an earful" She shook her head.

"Coming to get some tea?" Bill asked, Fred and George walking past them.

"I'll join up with you later, something I need to take care of first" Rayne smiled slightly.

Bill nodded in understanding, strolling after the twins. Rayne made her way to the fourth floor, holding her wand and conjured a small bouquet of daises out of her wand as she grasped them. Making her way to the door, she waved her wand as it unlocked and stepped inside. She quietly made her way to the back of the ward and paused, watching Mrs. Longbottom and Neville sitting in chairs alongside the two bed. They looked up to her.

"Forgive me, I didn't know. I didn't mean to intrude" Rayne's grip gently tightened on the flowers.

"No, no, dear. Come, sit with us…" Mrs. Longbottom gestured her over.

Rayne walked to them, sitting and looked to Neville and smiled.

"Having a good holiday, Neville?" She asked gently.

He gave her a small nod. Rayne set the flowers in an empty vase on the bedside table. Her gaze traveled off to look at Alice and Frank in their beds. Rayne's eyes started stinging.

"…I hope you don't shoulder any guilt, dear" Mrs. Longbottom finally spoke.

Rayne looked to her.

"You had nothing to do with what happened. You are not your parents" She said firmly. "You understand this, don't you?"

Rayne gave a slow nod, Neville lifting his head to look at her.

"I've never thought to blame you, Professor"

Rayne smiled, reaching out and ruffled his short hair as he smiled back at her. Mrs. Longbottom stood.

"Let's get back home, Neville" She looked to him as he nodded, standing.

"Oh, Mrs. Longbottom, are you leaving already?" The Healer asked as Mrs. Longbottom and Neville made their way past the screens.

"Neville!" Rayne heard Ron's voice, looking back at the screen. "Have you seen? Lockhart's here! Who've you been visiting?"

Mrs. Longbottom was speaking for a bit, then Ron's voice sounded again.

"What? Is that your dad down the end, Neville?"

Mrs. Longbottom's voice sounded.

"My son and his wife were tortured into insanity by You-Know-Who's followers"

Rayne heard Ginny and Hermione gasp. Alice had stood from her bed and made her way past the screen, there was more talking before Alice glided back past Rayne. Rayne heard Mrs. Longbottom and Neville leave. She slowly walked from behind the curtains, the four looking surprised to see her.

"Rayne? Why are you here?" Ron asked.

"Visiting" Rayne walked to them.

"You knew Neville's parents?" Ginny asked.

"No, not directly" She responded.

"That's what Bellatrix Lestrange got sent to Azkaban for, using the Cruciatus curse on Neville's parents until they lost their minds" Harry said glumly, Rayne nodded.

"Wait, Bellatrix-" Hermione looked from Harry to Rayne.

"Is my mother, yes" She said curtly.

Rayne decided to go back to Hogwarts that night, a few days before term started. Molly seemed worried, but Rayne assured her that she needed to get lessons together. They parted ways, Rayne arriving at Hogshead station and making her way back into the castle. It wasn't until Rayne was inside her bedroom that she sunk to the floor and cried.

The next morning, Rayne sat at the staff table silently starring down at the newspaper. Her blood had run cold, chilling her to the bone. She hands shook as she gripped the paper, her eyes focused on the moving picture. Starring up at her was eyes almost like her own, her mother's. Her mother had escaped from Azkaban along with nine others, including her father and uncle. Rayne's face was flushed, she could hear her heart pounding in her ear.

"Lestrange"

Rayne jolted out of her thoughts, quickly looking to McGonagall who starred at her with concerned eyes.

"Are you alright, dear? You look like you are going to faint…" McGonagall pushed her a plate of toast. "Eat"

Rayne shook her head. She felt if she tried to choke down some food it would only come back up again.

"At least drink some tea" McGonagall slid the cup over to her and, looking to make sure none of the students saw, pulling out a flask from her robes and poured a shot into it. "Drink, Lestrange"

Rayne slowly nodded, holding the cup and drank. The cup shook with her trembling hands as she managed to gulp down the tea.

Months later, Rayne stood in Dumbledore's office listening to Umbridge and Fudge. There were dark circles under her eyes, her hair messier than usual as she half listened to what the Minister of Magic had to say. She tried not to look over at Percy, either, as he quickly took notes. Lack of sleep had Rayne tuning out of the whole conversation, only catching snippets such as broken school rules, an illegal student organization, Hosmeade, and something about corruption. Percy's hearty laugh broke the dullness, he was beaming at the Minister.

"Oh, very good, Minister, very good!" He chuckled.

If Rayne was more sentient, she would punch him. Instead she scowled at him. Umbridge, Fudge and Dumbledore were talking quickly. Suddenly, Umbridge seized a student, Marietta, by the shoulders and shook her. Rayne stepped forward, a hand on her wand. Dumbledore rose, too.

"I cannot allow you to manhandle my students, Dolores" Dumbledore said curtly.

After more talking, Dumbledore gave a small smile.

"Well, the game is up. Would you like a written confession from me?" He asked.

Rayne gave a quick looked to McGonagall and Kingsley. Dumbledore was admitting to forming an army.

"No!" Harry bellowed.

If Rayne was closer to him, she would have elbowed him to stay quiet.

"You will now be escorted back to the Ministry, where you will be formally charged and then sent to Azkaban to await trial!" Fudge grinned.

"Ah" Dumbledore whispered gently. "Yes. Yes, I thought we might hit that little snag"

As Dumbledore continued to speak, McGonagall shot Rayne a look. Slowly, without notice they inched towards Harry and Marietta.

"Enough of this rubbish!" Fudge yelled. "Dawlish, Shacklebolt! Take him!"

There was a blast of silver light around the room and a bang like a gun shot. Rayne grabbed a hold of Marietta as McGonagall snatched Harry. They dodge the blasts as a second went off, dust filling the air. Rayne slowly lowered her arm from her face, starring up at Dumbledore as he walked to them.

"Are you all right?" He asked.

"Think so…" Rayne stood, helping Marietta stand.

Rayne looked around at the destroyed office then down to Fudge, Umbridge, Kingsley and Dawlish on the floor. Dumbledore spoke quickly to McGonagall and Harry. Rayne kept her eyes on the bodies on the floor.

"Headmaster, they're rousing" She muttered as Dawlish stirred.

Fawkes swooped down, Dumbledore grabbing his tail as they disappeared in a flash of fire. Soon, the bodies on the floor awoke and there was a scramble to find Dumbledore.

The next day, a decree was mounted on the wall. Umbridge replaced Dumbledore as head master. The whole day was filled with her voice love loud speakers, listing off her new rules.

Boys and girls are not permitted to be within eight inches of each other.

Those wishing to join the Inquisitorial Squad for extra credit…

Students will be submitted to questioning about suspected illicit activities

Any student in noncompliance will be expelled.

All the pictures were taken down by Filch, the halls empty and silent now. It was unsettling to hear nothing but the sound of your own footsteps. Rayne heard the mumbling of students ahead of her, their footsteps growing near. She lifted her gaze from the floor as Fred and George rounded the corner, they came up short when they saw her.

"Fred, George…don't tell me you're coming back from detention. What on earth did you do?" Rayne asked, crossing her arms.

The two glanced to each other before looking down at the floor, refusing to look at her. Rayne looked past them as Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Harry joined them.

"…All of you were in detention?" Rayne looked around the group of students, suddenly realizing what happened. "You were caught?"

They gave solemn nods. Rayne looked around the group again, noticing how they held their hands. She looked to George and grabbed his hand, turning to show his palm. She sucked in her breath, starring at the freshly scarred skin. Words etched into his skin, spelling out 'I will not break rules'. Rayne's gaze lifted to the others.

"Do you all have this?" Rayne's voice was soft.

They all nodded, Rayne clinching her fist.

"Where is she?" Rayne looked towards the great hall.

"Rayne, you can't" George pulled his hand from her grip.

"If you challenge her she'll end up sacking you" Fred shook his head. "They need you here at the school…"

Rayne scowled, knowing Fred was right.

"…Go on to your common rooms…get some rest, get some medicine for the pain…"

They nodded, walking past her towards Gryffindor Tower. If something wasn't done soon, Rayne would end up killing Umbridge herself.

Rayne made her way down the hallway of the courtyard, her head pounding and her mood sour. She was still raging about finding out about Umbridge's punishments. Now she was receiving many owls from the Daily Prophet wanting an interview about her mother or about Dumbledore's whereabouts. She had torn them all up and put them in the fire.

She stopped, listening to the light sobbing. She looked around, peering forward to a stone bench where a small shadow sat. She walked toward the figure, a young boy peering up at her with tears in his eyes.

"Oh, darling…" She muttered then sat down beside him. "What's wrong dear?"

The boy stuck out his left hand, carved on the back of his hand were words. Trickles of blood sliding down his hand. She grimaced, taking a handkerchief from her pocket and gently dabbed the blood as the boy winced.

"Rae?"

She looked up as Fred and George walked up to them, they looked over to the boy sniveling. George crouched down beside him, Fred leaning against the brick.

"What's your name?" Rayne asked gently.

"M-Michael"

Rayne gently took the cloth off his hand, George pointed to his hand.

"Look, it's already fading" He smiled at Michael.

"You can hardly see ours anymore, and the pain stops after a while" Fred smiled slightly to him.

Michael looked up to them, nodding. Rayne ruffled his hair as he laughed slightly. Harry slowly made his way to them, Rayne looking over. Her head turned as she heard the low 'hem, hem'. Umbridge stood at the doorway.

"As I told you once before, Mr. Potter…naughty children deserve to be punished" She smiled at them, slowly walking away.

Rayne scowled, standing and started forward. George grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"You know, George…I've always felt our futures lay outside the world of academic achievement" Fred crossed his arms.

"Fred…I've been thinking exactly the same thing" George released Rayne's wrist. "Rae, we need some ingredients to make more of our Wildfire Whiz-bangs"

Rayne peered to them.

"Lucky for you I have a full stock on all the ingredients needed for you to make your fireworks in my office" The two grinned at her. "However, as a teacher I cannot allow students to make illicit items on school grounds"

Their grins flattered, they opened their mouth to argue but Rayne silenced them.

"I cannot allow it, no arguing. But, if someone was to find my hidden key behind the family picture frame on the left of my office door and was to enter into my office and take those ingredients without my knowledge then it would be out of my hands" Rayne spoke sternly. "Now, if you boys will excuse me…I must go to the library for a few hours…"

Rayne walked past them, the twin's grins growing wide as they watched her then looked to each other.

The next day was the Theory of Charm's OWLs. Rayne sat in her office, grading papers from her last class. The night prior, someone had broken into her office and stole some ingredients she had. She wondered who would do such a thing with a small smirk on her face. Suddenly, the castle seemed to quake. Rayne looked up from her papers as another quake shook the castle. She gave a short laugh and stood to walk to the window. She threw it open, looking down to the courtyard of the great hall. There was the banging and whirling of fireworks echoing through the grounds. Two figures on broomsticks zoomed out and flew overhead, tossing fireworks behind them. The fireworks went off, creating a large 'W' in the air. She heard the cheering of the students as they gathered out in the courtyard. Smiling, she watched Fred and George circle around a few times. They looked to her and grinned, waving. She waved back, watching as they flew off. She would definitely be getting a howler from Molly when she heard about this. But, it would be worth it at least.

The following days were very interesting indeed. All the students seemed to be taking a page from the twin's book and made Umbridge's life downright dreadful. Nifflers were released into her office on two separate occasions, the creatures destroying it to find nice shiny objects. Dung bombs and stink pellets were always being scattered around the castle. Fred and George's Skiving Snack boxes were put to use to get out of Umbridge's classes. Rayne tried to maintain a mood of decorum, she was a teacher after all, but behind closed doors Rayne would laugh to the point of tears.

Nearing the end of the term, the fifth and seventh year students were buried in studying for their OWLs and NEWTs. Rayne had spent the last few classes for her fifth and seventh years reviewing what they would need to know for their exams. Since Ancient Runes was a theoretical class, the students were lucky to only have one test. Many students had to be treated with a calming draught. Rayne oversaw her small groups of students take their exams, supervised by a group from the Wizarding Examinations Authority. Rayne was not even going to be the one to grade them, a shame really since she wanted to see just how much her students learned.

Wednesday of the second week was drawing to a close, the castle quiet. Rayne checked her watch, it was a little past midnight. The Astronomy exam would be starting by now. Rayne looked up as McGonagall came up the corridor, stopping to meet her. She smiled.

"Lestrange, how are you?" She asked.

Rayne smiled at the older woman. "Very good. It will be nice when the exams are over, I hate seeing the students so stressed"

"Yes, yes, I know the feeling. It's a shame that-what on earth?" McGonagall stopped and turned her head to listen.

Rayne turned her head, too, and heard the commotion coming from outside.

"That sounds like it is coming from Hagrid's hut" Rayne quickly raced past McGonagall and stopped at the window to look out into the darkness. "Professor!" She called.

McGonagall was beside her in an instant, starring out at the darkness where the jets of red lights bounced around.

"What's going on?" Rayne asked.

"Umbridge and the Ministry, no doubt…" McGonagall scowled and pulled out her wand. She marched to the door and threw them open, Rayne behind her as they swept down the lawns.

"How dare you! How dare you!" McGonagall shrieked as they stalked closer to the commotion. "Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such-"

McGonagall stopped short, shoving Rayne to the side as the four stunning spells shot her in her chest. She fell hard onto her back. Rayne scrambled to her feet, grasping her wand.

"Cowards!" She heard Hagrid bellow. "Ruddy Cowards!"

"Get him, get him!" That was Umbridge's voice.

Rayne was crouching beside McGonagall, shaking her.

"Professor, Professor?" She asked. She grimaced, hoisting McGonagall up and pulled her arm over her shoulder. Slowly she made her way back to the castle, listening to the frantic yells of the Ministry employees as they tried to figure out what way Hagrid went. When she made her way to the Hospital wing, she kicked the door open.

"M-Madam Pomfrey, help!" She yelled breathlessly.

Seconds passed before Madame Pomfrey made her way from her office in her dressing gowns. She gave a short gasp and sprinted over to help Rayne lay McGonagall onto an empty bed.

"Minerva…what has happened?" Madame Pomfrey looked at her with wide eyes.

"The Ministry" Rayne had to sit down, struggling to catch her breath. "Four stunning spells right to the chest"

"Oh my" Madame Pomfrey covered her mouth and looked down to McGonagall. "We'll need to transfer her to St. Mungo's"

Rayne nodded. "Yes, yes. I'll get right on it. Please, do what you can for her in the meantime"

"Of course" Madame Pomfrey hurried to a cupboard as Rayne raced off to contact St. Mungo's.

Rayne briskly walked down the street, keeping her eyes forward. She looked around at the houses, 12 Grimmauld Place appearing before her. She quickly made her way up the steps, tapping the door with her wand as it unlocked and opened. She quickly shut the door behind herself and made her way into the kitchen. Kingsley, Moody, Remus, Tonks and Sirius looked up at her.

"Rae? What are you doing here?" Tonks asked. "You look horrible…"

"Thanks…decided to drop by after my visit to St. Mungo's" Rayne sat in one of the chairs.

"St. Mungo's? Why were you there?" Remus watched her.

"Minerva got hit in the chest by four stunning spells. Umbridge and some of her people tried to get Hagrid" Rayne grasped the butterbeer as Sirius pushed it to her. "They say she will be fine, it's a miracle that didn't kill her…"

Rayne took a swig of her drink. Silver light flashed, Rayne covering her eyes. When she lowered her arm, a silvery doe stood before them.

"Sirius? You are alive and well, I'm sure?" Snape's voice echoed from the doe.

"Hello Snivellus" Sirius chided.

"Severus, what's this about?" Moody asked grumpily.

"Potter seems to have had another vision. This time concerning Sirius and the prophecy" Snape voice echoed. "Seems the Dark Lord as put the thoughts that he has you hostage"

"Where is Harry now?" Remus asked.

"Off in the woods with Umbridge. I have reason to believe Potter is on his way to the Ministry now"

Rayne quickly stood.

"We need to get there, quickly"

Tonks nodded and stood, knocking her chair back.

"I must request Sirius stay where he is. Someone must stay behind to report to the Headmaster" Snape's voice echoed

"I will not sit behind while my godson is in danger!" Sirius yelled.

"I will search the forest for any signs of Potter" The does disappeared in a flash of light.

Remus, Kingsley and Moody also stood.

"Let's hurry, no telling what traps he's set for the boy" Kingsley looked around at them, they nodded.

The scenery was a blur as Rayne barreled across London, apparating towards the Ministry. She held her breath, hoping they would not be there too late. White streaks of light sped around her, suddenly she found solid ground and whipped about to take in the scene. Lucius stood with the prophecy in his hands, around the room stood death eaters each with a hostage. Rayne's blood boiled at the sight of their battered bodies. She barreled off, knocking a death eater off his feet and away from Ginny then circled around to do the same to the one holding Hermione. Tonks handled the others, some apparating to dodge her. Rayne held up her wand, throwing spells at those that stood back up.

Blocking a spell, she shot one back at another death eater. Dodging the other spells soaring the room, she quickly gathered Neville, Ron and Luna. She pushed them ahead of her, covering them as Tonks came alongside her to push Ginny and Hermione. They led the students behind some of the large rocks, both of them stopping as they heard the mantic laughter behind them. Rayne's boiling blood seemed to turn to ice in an instant.

"My, my…my" The voice said softly.

Rayne quickly looked back to her mother, Bellatrix, just in time to block a spell sent at Tonks.

"My darling baby" Bellatrix chided. "Come home to mama…"

Rayne scowled and threw a spell at her, Bellatrix blocking it. She laughed as her and Tonks started firing and blocking spells. Back and forth they dueled two on one. Bellatrix fired a spell, Tonks didn't block soon enough. It hit her in her chest, her body crumbling as she hit the rocks and rolled off the small cliff.

"Just you and me, my baby…stop being naughty and come home…" Bellatrix clicked her tongue.

Bellatrix shot a spell at her, Rayne held her wand up. The shield formed, the spell bouncing off it and multiplied as they ricocheted back. Bellatrix had a slight struggle deflecting each spell, her eyes darting around.

"Stupefy!" Rayne yelled and thrusted her wand forward as the shot hit Bellatrix in the chest. She was thrown back, disappearing midair and circle the room. Kingsley shot past Rayne, a blur of white, as he gave chase.

Rayne just barely missed the curse aimed at her, turning as Dolohov swiped his wand. A purple stream of light slashed Rayne from one shoulder down to her hip. She flew back, slamming into the stone wall and fell against the dirt. She listened to the yelling, spells whizzing overhead. She slowly lifted her head, looking at her wand laying feet from her. Slowly she crawled to it, looking up to see Bellatrix apparate on top of a boulder.

"Avada Kedavra!" She yelled and fired at spell at someone near the veil.

Rayne turned, watching as Sirius rocked on his before phasing through the veil.

"No, no. SIRIUS!" She heard Harry's voice, heard him scream out in anguish.

Black dots started forming around her vision, things blurring in and out of focus. She tried to reach her wand, her fingers only clutching dirt as she slipped into blackness.

Rayne slowly woke, her head throbbing gently. She opened her eyes, her blurring vision slowly focusing. She was staring up at a white ceiling. There was the sound of shuffling feet and soft talking. Rayne furrowed her brow, trying to recount how she got here.

"Awake already?"

Rayne looked to the side, Bill sat beside the bed and grinned down at her.

"Morning" He patted her hand gently.

"What happened?" She asked trying to sit up and sucked in a sharp breath, gripping her shoulder.

"Take it easy now" Bill eased her back onto the bed. "You got injured by one of those Death Eaters"

"The prophecy?" She asked quickly.

Bill shook his head.

"It was destroyed. Seems Voldemort showed up, him and Dumbledore fought. Take a look" Bill handed her the paper.

Rayne gripped it, looking to the headline. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Returns"

"Seems Fudge walked in on the tail end of their battle. Saw You-Know-Who with his own eyes. Him and about a hundred Ministry employees. There was no denying it anymore"

Rayne sighed, laying her head back against the pillow.

"And Harry? The kids?" Rayne asked.

"Harry is about as good as he's going to get. The others are all patched up and back at Hogwarts till the end of term" Bill assured her. "The other Order members were treated for their injuries too. You and Tonks seemed to take the brunt of it"

He nodded over a bed, Tonks laid sleeping soundly in a mess of sheets. Rayne smiled, laughing slightly then stared up at the ceiling.

"Sirius…He's really dead?" She asked.

Bill was silent for a moment. "Yes…"

Rayne was quiet, thinking about Harry and the godfather he hardly got to know. She thought of herself and Tonks, losing a cousin they hardly got to know. All at the hand of her mother. Her eyes started stinging, tears threatening to well up in her eyes. Bill gently set his hand over hers, drawing her eyes to him.

"Rest for a bit longer. The Healers said it's likely you and Tonks will get to be released tomorrow" Bill smiled. "I'll be right here when you wake up"

Rayne watched him, smiling gently at him. "Thanks, Bill" She whispered.

"Anytime, Rae" He smiled slightly, watching her fall back asleep.

Many things happened over the next few days. The captured death eaters, including her uncle, were sent to Azkaban. Umbridge was rescued from the forest by Dumbledore, an investigation pending on her. Trelawney was hired back as the Divination teacher. Hagrid was also welcome back with open arms. The Minister of Magic was facing the possibility of resigning. But, most importantly, Dumbledore was reinstated as Headmaster at Hogwarts. He quickly set about undoing all of Umbridge's sanctions and rules, bringing Hogwarts back to how it once was.

Rayne and Tonks were released a few days before the end of term, instead of returning to Hogwarts for a few days Rayne decided to just stay with Tonks. On the last day of term, the two met up with Moody and Remus and they set off for King's Crossing. There, they found Molly, Arthur, Fred and George waiting for the train to roll into the station.

"Oh, Rayne, dear" Molly hugged her tightly, as she had done every time she visited her in the hospital.

"Rayne" The twins said in unison, hugging her too.

"How's the joke shop going?" She asked, grinning to them.

"Booming" Fred grinned back.

"You should come visit us sometime" George smiled.

Rayne looked back as students slowly made their way out of the barrier. Harry, Ron and Hermione came out of the barrier, Ginny following behind them.

"Ron, Ginny!" Molly hurried to them and hugged them. "Harry dear, how are you?"

"Fine" Harry said, feigning a smile.

Rayne walked to him, he looked up at her. She smiled, patting him on the shoulder then looked to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, nodding to them.

"Hello Harry" Remus greeted him, smiling.

"Hi…I didn't expect. What are you all doing here?" Harry asked, looking around to them.

"Well" Rayne started. "We thought we might have a chat with your aunt and uncle"

"I dunno if that's a good idea" Harry said quickly.

"Oh, I think it is" Moody huffed. "That'll be them, will it, Potter?"

Moody inclined his head over to the three Dursleys, eyeing them all.

"Ah, Harry!" Arthur tore himself away from Hermione's parents then looked around. "Well, shall we?"

"Yea, I reckon so, Arthur" Moody adjusted the bowler hat.

Arthur and Moody went first. Rayne and Tonks gave each other a look and smiled, walking after them.

"Good afternoon" Arthur greeted. "You might remember me, my name's Arthur Weasley"

Rayne watched as the muggles shifted uncomfortably, the woman was quickly looking around.

"We thought we'd just have a few words with you about Harry" Arthur continued, a polite smile on his face.

"Yeah" Moody growled. "About how he's treated when he's at your place"

The man turned to Moody.

"I am not aware that it is any of your business what goes on in my house-"

Moody cut him off.

"I expect what you're not aware of would fill several books, Durley.

"Not the point" Tonks spoke now, eyeing the muggles.

"The point is, if we find out you've been mistreating Harry…" Rayne crossed her arms.

"And make no mistake, we'll hear about it" Remus interjected.

"If we get any hint that Potter's been mistreated in any way, you'll have us to answer to" Moody glowered at them.

"Are you threatening me, sir?" Vernon puffed out his chest.

"Yes, I am" Moody said plainly.

"Do I look like the kind of man who can be intimidated?" Vernon snarled.

Moody said nothing, only pushed back his hat to reveal his magic eye. The man leaped back. Moody turned back to Harry.

"So, Potter…give us a shout if you need us. If we don't hear from you for three days in a row, we'll send someone along" Moody turned back to Harry. "Bye, then, Potter" Moody clapped him on the shoulder.

"Take care, Harry. Keep in touch" Lupin smiled.

"Harry, we'll have you away from there as soon as we can" Molly smiled and hugged him.

"See you soon, Harry" Rayne smiled.

"Bye, Harry" Tonks waved.

Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione and then, waving at them all, left the station with his muggle family. Rayne smiled, watching him. Her smile slowly flattered as he walked from sight. It was beginning. The Second Wizarding War.