February 11th, 1977

"Mia? Can I talk to you?" James asked softly, sitting next to her in the library. She gave him a tired smile and nodded as Remus, who was on her side, closed his book and looked up.

"What's up, Jamie?"

"It's something Sirius said after Bellatrix," he said slowly. "He said… you'd been hurt before. By Bellatrix."

Mia sucked in a breath. "What?"

"He did," Remus agreed. "We didn't bring it up then, you know, more important issues, but…"

Mia sighed, leaning back in her seat. "I have been. About a week before Fred and I got here, Bellatrix caught me and tortured me for hours. We don't know how long exactly."

"Merlin," Remus whispered. James had gone pale.

"Why didn't you mention it? Were you already fully healed?"

She shrugged. "Not really. I was still pretty bad off, honestly. It just wasn't important, and I knew how to handle it, more or less."

"How long did it take to heal then?"

"Um… I haven't?" she winced as both boys immediately looked furious and shushed them quickly. "I had a healing bond with one of Fred's brothers, and it was cut when we came here. I wasn't sure what else to do aside from take potions, and then Bellatrix got me here, and now Dolohov…"

"Sirius had physical therapy," James pointed out. Mia screwed up her face.

"I'd rather not."

"Why?" Remus asked, frustrated. "If it makes you better, then-,"

"Because I don't need help," she snapped. "Now can we drop it?"

Remus shared a look with James but they fell silent, allowing her to get back to work.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

February 12th, 1977

"I really think all three of you is unnecessary," Mia muttered as they walked.

"We're not taking the chance, Mia," Regulus repeated, holding her to his side as they walked.

"What chance?" she rolled her eyes. "We trust him, remember?"

"You trust him," Avery corrected.

"Yes," she conceded. "But we have to learn to trust each other's opinions." She glanced at Severus. "You told me to trust Avery, and I trust you, so I did."

Avery raised an eyebrow at Severus but said nothing as the boy rolled his eyes.

"I'm just saying," she sighed. "He made an oath on his wand and magic. He's on our side."

"And if someone follows him?" Regulus pointed out. "What if someone gets into the house and kills you?"

She stared. "Well, then I suppose I'd be glad you're not there to put yourselves in danger."

"Mia!" Severus groaned. "Will you please just relax and let us help you for once?"

Mia pouted.

"Thank you."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"Take off your shirt!" Mia grinned.

Avery snorted. "You shouldn't enjoy that so much."

"I'll let you know when I stop," she winked as Rodolphus pulled his shirt over his head and allowed her to draw the runes and paw print. She winced slightly at the burning feeling on her own ribs as her nerves had been on end ever since Dolohov had crucio'd her. Gibbon had been right - he was worse than Bellatrix.

"Sano?"

"I'm fine," she sighed, sitting back into her chair.

"Dolohov was punished," Rodolphus told her. She froze, eyes wide. "He tortured some witch in a classroom, and he's been banned from torture." He looked at her with a frown. "What? What is it?"

"Mia was the witch he tortured," Regulus explained slowly.

"Fuck." He looked her over. "How long?"

She shrugged. "I don't know."

"No more than ten minutes, luckily," Regulus informed him. "I felt it immediately, and I got there and was about to stop it when Gibbon did it for me."

Rodolphus nodded. "That makes sense. He's always been pretty obviously against the Dark Lord."

"That reminds me," Mia sighed. "I told him I'd get back to him."

"You're gonna end this war just because he's not got anymore soldiers," Avery said, amused. Mia rolled her eyes, but she knew she'd collected more death eaters than she'd meant to.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"I was thinking," Mia whispered, drawing patterns softly on Regulus's side. "About the memories, when Fred and I leave, I mean."

"What do you mean?"

"Well… I don't know if it's entirely necessary to remove everyone's memories of us," she admitted. "I thought it was, but I think if maybe I just make everyone take Vows not to change anything and let them know what they need to know, then…"

"Do you really think that'd work?"

Mia thought about it. It wouldn't be a problem for James or Regulus or Avery, she was certain of that. And she'd been hesitant already to remove Remus's memories of her after the Vow he'd taken, so she thought he wouldn't be an issue, either. And then Sirius… he trusted her. His calmness might be crucial when he brought her back, and she felt like he'd be able to calm down for her. So while there might be issues with him, she thought it was possible.

Then, there was the issue of Severus and Rodolphus. Both of them had watched her be hurt, and both had sworn fealty. Still, she had done some research and she was almost completely certain that if they took Vows to do nothing in those instances, magic would rule in her favor and leave them be. So it was possible, at least for Rodolphus. As for Severus…

He'd been horrified when he learned how he'd treated her. Would he be able to do it? Would he be able to bully her relentlessly for six years?

"Perhaps we block Sev's memories… and I have an idea about Frank and Alice that I'd like to work on as well."

"We can tell Severus tomorrow."

She hummed thankfully and cuddled closer, taking in a deep breath and appreciating the comforting smell of him.

"Mia?"

"Yeah?"

Regulus paused, hesitant. "Have you ever been afraid of me?" Mia paused abruptly, like her body had been frozen completely.

"Yes."

She felt him move in shock and light his wand to look at her. "When?"

She shook her head slightly, uncomfortable with the conversation. "You know when I let Severus look into my mind to prove I'm from the future?" he nodded a little. "Well afterward, you were pissed, I'm sure you remember." He snorted at the understatement. "It's not like I thought you'd ever hurt me, and our soul bond prevents you from consciously doing harm to me, but…" she looked away from him, feeling an unreasonable guilt over the way she'd felt that day.

"The look in your eyes… I've never seen you so angry, especially not at me. You refused to let me look away from you and you held me so tightly… I don't know. It startled me, I guess. And then your mood flipped so aggressively and I…" she shook her head. "I've never experienced something like that. I trust you, I'll always trust you, it just scared me."

He stared at her silently for a long moment, looking in her worried eyes. He hadn't realized how she'd felt. He hadn't been so angry or worried before in his life and apparently, it had showed a little too much. He'd been furious with her for risking her mind in such a way. She hadn't known much about Occlumency, the culture around it, and he'd known that. Seeing her so recklessly invite someone else that didn't know enough about it into her mind had terrified him. She didn't seem to know exactly what could be done to one's mind, even accidentally, and he hadn't been able to find the words to explain it.

"There is a lot about Occlumency and Legilimency that you do not know," he told her slowly. "Terrible things can happen to a mind if you are not careful. There is reason that purebloods and some halfbloods are taught both at such a young age. There are countless laws about the use of both as well, but specifically Legilimency. You can destroy a mind much too easily if you are not careful, Mia. That is why I was so terrified. I regret, more than anything, the way I reacted. I… never wanted you to be afraid of me."

Mia shrugged a little, looking away. "I've seen the same look in Sirius before. The first time I met him. He wasn't going to hurt me then, either. It's just scary. You wouldn't let me look away and you were holding me so tightly… but I trust you, Regulus. I love you and I trust you."

"Are you still afraid of me?"

"No," she shook her head quietly. "But I don't doubt that something of the sort will happen again. You seem to think I'm reckless and sometimes, love, you refuse to let me make decisions for myself. I'm sure we'll run into a situation like that again. Next time, we'll talk about it sooner."

"I will never hurt you," he whispered to her. She nodded and pressed her lips lightly to his.

"I know. I love you, Regulus."

"I love you too, Mia."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

February 16th, 1977

"Severus," Mia smiled slightly, gaining his attention. He looked up at her, curious.

"Sano?"

"I've been thinking, and…" she bit her lip. "I'd rather not remove all the memories of Fred and I."

"I see."

"But that means some people would have to take Vows not to change anything, or to do things in certain ways," she explained slowly. Severus nodded a little. He understood.

"And you want me to promise to bully you and your friends for six years," he summarised. She winced but nodded. "Mia," he said, looking pained. "I truly don't know how I could do that."

"Yes, but-,"

"No, you don't understand," he interrupted. "You are my best friend. My family. And you want me to spend six years not only with you as my student, but also mistreating you?"

She nodded quietly. She knew it was a long shot, but she also knew it was something he could do. "Please, Severus."

He stared at her for a long moment. "Fine."

Her eyes lit up happily. "Really?"

"I will do it," he agreed. "But I am not happy."

"You can tell me all about it in twenty one years," she laughed, hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. He'd do just about anything if she just asked, and they both knew it.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

February 18th, 1977

"Mia, I just don't know if this is the best idea," Regulus frowned.

"Don't you trust him?"

"Yes, but remember the last time?" he frowned, referring to when she told Severus.

"We'll tell him together," she promised.

"What about when he doesn't believe you?" Regulus raised an eyebrow. Mia smiled softly.

"Well, I figured we'd just use Veritiserum again."

"We don't have-," he cut off abruptly as she raised her hand, a glass vial lying in her palm. He gave her a suspicious look. "Mia, we ran out."

"Yes," she agreed slowly. "And I put five galleons on the shelf."

"Did you-," Regulus took a deep breath. "Did you steal this from Slughorn?"

She shrugged.

"Mia!"

"The point is," she rolled her eyes as he looked at her, stressed. "We have it and he needs to know. I trust him, and I know he trusts me, but I just… have a feeling. It's important. Besides, someone's gonna let it slip someday, and we might as well get it over with."

Regulus couldn't argue that. Mia had spent some time telling him about her life before she'd arrived and he'd come to the conclusion that she'd brought along the person with the biggest mouth that she knew, possibly aside from Ron. "Fine."

"Good," she grinned, kissing his cheek. "He'll be here in half an hour."

Regulus groaned.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"Sano?" Avery frowned, entering the room slowly. It was empty aside from Mia and Regulus, and they were sitting with Mia in his lap on a chair. Regulus's arms were wrapped tightly around her, and she had a small cup of water sitting on the table next to her, along with a half empty vial of… something.

"Avery," Mia smiled, waving him over. He placed himself in the chair across from them suspiciously.

"Is everything alright?"

"Of course," she promised. He glanced at Regulus for confirmation, and the boy nodded slowly. He was nervous. Regulus was only ever nervous when Mia's safety was at risk, and suddenly Avery was nervous as well. "I've just given a lot of thought to that secret of mine… I feel it's become more dangerous than not to leave you out, and I've always wanted to let you know, anyway."

"Oh?" he blinked. He understood why she refused to tell him, but now he understood Regulus's nerves more. Mia had said whatever she knew could get her killed.

"I'm going to drink this cup of water," she said. "It's got Veritiserum in it. You can have a sip and prove it if you'd like. I encourage it, actually."

Cautious, Avery picked up the cup and took a tiny sip, large enough for just one question.

"What is your name?" Mia asked softly. He felt the potion kick in and the urge to tell the truth overwhelmed him.

"Frederick Avery."

"Good!" She smiled. "I stole it from Slughorn, so I knew it'd work."

"Mia!" Avery stared.

"Let's start with this," she smiled, changing the subject after she drank the entire glass. "I know a lot about Voldemort. Likely more than anyone else. I know his family, his past, his future, and the worst things he's done with magic."

"How?" Avery frowned. Powerful as she was, she was still only a kid, like them. An adult soon, sure, but he had to assume she'd been protected before she got to Hogwarts. Right?

"I'll get to that," she smiled. "Let me tell you what I know first."

"Okay…"

"It's a lot," Regulus told him quietly. "By that I mean it's heavy, and dark."

Avery shifted, becoming vaguely irritated. "Alright."

"Voldemort was born as Tom Marvolo Riddle, you know that much," she said. He nodded, waving her on. That had been their first conversation, the way she'd convinced him of her powers within the light. "You also know that he was the heir of Slytherin. What I didn't tell you was that the Gaunt family had an artifact, the last belonging of Salazar Slytherin. It was a locket," she glanced at Regulus and Avery wondered at how he stiffened. "Tom took this when, after Hogwarts, he killed his grandfather and uncle. It was turned into a Horcrux."

Avery felt his breath leave him suddenly. Had he heard her right?

"This was… I don't know. Not that long ago. Maybe twenty years?" She frowned. "It's a little confusing, the timelines. Anyways, he applied to Hogwarts twice to become the DADA teacher. Both times, he was turned away. The second time, however, we believe he left one in the school."

"The locket?"

"No," Mia shook her head. "He… he made many of them." She paused as Avery processed the information. "We destroyed the locket, and his diary - made by the death of Moaning Myrtle - was destroyed by my friend, Harry, when we were twelve. He didn't realize what it was, of course, and he got lucky with the presence of the just killed Basilisk… Merlin knows he nearly died because of the bloody thing-,"

"The diary?"

She shook her head absently. "The basilisk. He stabbed it with a sword and one of its fangs lodged itself into his arm. He'd have died if Dumbledore's pet phoenix wasn't there to save him."

Avery stared, but Regulus poked her. "Off track, love. If you tell him everything you and Harry did, we'll be here for hours, and we don't have enough Veritiserum for that."

"Right," she nodded, shaking away the memories. "So the locket, the diary…" she paled, biting her lip, and Regulus picked up the story.

"They found another one, sort of," he sighed, rubbing her arms as she fought of some memory that was pulling her into a panic. "At least, it was heavily implied where it was, and they believe it to be Helga Hufflepuff's cup."

"Sano, are you alright?" Avery asked softly, leaning forward a little. She gave him a shaky smile though the truth potion forced the truth and she shook her head.

"It wasn't a great day for me," she tried to laugh, though it came out as more of a sob. "Had to relive it recently, so you'll excuse me if I'm a little… unsteady."

"What happened?"

She paused, taking in a long, deep breath. Regulus shook his head. "He doesn't need to know that."

"I trust him," she said softly before turning back to him. "That day, my friends and I were captured by special Death Eaters called Snatchers with the purpose of catching people who said Voldemort's name. It just slipped out, and I'm not even sure who said it, really. I disfigured Harry, who was who they really wanted, but they brought us all back to Malfoy Manor.

"They found something, the sword Harry used to kill the basilisk, in our things. Thing is, B-Bellatrix was certain she'd had it placed in her vaults, which meant we'd obviously been there, according to her, even though we hadn't. She got extremely upset at that and…"

"She tortured her," Regulus whispered. "For at least six hours, and…"

Mia shook her head, cutting him off as he turned pale and angry. "General torture. Cruciatus and some cursed blades, but I survived."

"Sirius said it had happened before," Avery whispered, looking at her in a very new light. She was stronger than they'd ever given her credit for.

"It's unimportant," she shook her head. "So we figured out that the next one was in her vaults and that one was at Hogwarts, and he's got a familiar that we're certain is a Horcrux, and we've got the sword, so the only problem is breaking into her vaults and then getting into Hogwarts without being killed on sight."

Avery started. "What? Why would they kill you? I'm sure if you told Dumbledore-,"

"Give me a moment," she smiled softly, though the pain lingered in her eyes. "I'm getting to that part. Anyway, I was… very bad off. We managed to escape with the help of a house elf, and I formed a healing bond with a friend." She sighed, looking annoyed and fingering something around her neck. "About a week later, my friend Ron's brother came to visit and give us information we needed and dinner that their mother sent. Well, I had stolen a time turner," she said, waving her hand at her neck and revealing an hourglass filled with unnaturally still sands inside, which were glowing. "Not this one, but a time turner all the same. When we were at Malfoy Manor, I'd fallen," she breathed out roughly.

"And it cracked, though I was unaware of this. And the sands of time are extremely unstable, so when a miniscule explosion touched the broken glass, the entire thing exploded badly. I had glass in my chest," she tilted her head to the side. "I think I've got a scar or two from it, actually. But Ron's brother, Fred, was touching my arm to duck away from the lost game, and so when I was thrown through time he came with me."

Avery's mouth fell open in shock, unsure he heard her correctly. "What?"

She nodded. "It was extremely unsettling. We landed outside of Hogwarts, in the forbidden forest. I thought we were going to be captured and killed, but instead James, Remus, and Sirius found us and took us inside. I went to Madame Pomfrey, and James went to let Dumbledore know what happened, at least from his point of view. We were placed with the Potters, thank god, and sorted," she frowned. "I was Gryffindor last time. I was rather upset to find myself in Slytherin."

"Sano, are you serious?"

"Completely."

"She is," Regulus promised. "She's telling the truth."

"I have to," she shrugged. "The potion."

Avery stared for a long moment, thinking. "When… are you from?"

"I was in 1998 when my time turner blew up," she answered.

"The war… it's still…?"

She sighed. "It ended for thirteen years, Avery. A little longer, actually, before the war itself began again."

"What happened?"

"In 1981, Voldemort found Harry," she sighed. "He's James's son, James and Lily's. They were under a Fidelius, but P-Pettigrew," she stuttered, swearing loudly. "Fuck! I didn't mean to- you can't tell anyone-,"

"Relax, Sano," Regulus sighed warily. "We already know. I'd been going to talk to you about it soon, anyway."

"Fuck," she growled. She shook her head and turned back to the issue at hand. "He was the Secret Keeper. It had been Sirius, but he knew that was too obvious so he traded with Pettigrew. And he gave Voldemort the Potters. Voldemort came and he killed James," she said, looking so pained that Avery regretted asking. "And Lily sacrificed herself to save Harry with some old blood magic. He tried to kill Harry, but it rebounded and hit him instead. He didn't die because of the Horcruxes, but he lost his physical body."

"How did he survive that?" Avery stared. "You can't-,"

"It was Lily's sacrifice," Mia explained tiredly. "The power of love, I'm sure Dumbledore would say, but it was really just old blood magic based on a mother's sacrifice."

"I thought you said you weren't sure?" Regulus frowned. They'd spoken about it nearly two weeks ago, and she'd been uncertain. She gave him a small shrug.

"I've done some reading."

"That was just two weeks ago!"

"I did some reading and then made sure to give the book to Lily," Mia expanded, eyebrow raised. Regulus paused.

"Oh."

"Anyway," Mia shook her head. "Her sacrifice saved Harry again in his first year when Voldemort possessed our DADA teacher and tried to kill him. Still, Voldemort wasn't dead. He kinda… floated around, I guess, until after our third year when Pettigrew managed to find him. Some rather dramatic things happened, and at the end of our fourth year, they managed to kidnap Harry to use his blood in a ritual to bring Voldemort back."

"What ritual?" Avery asked. Mia blinked. She'd asked Harry, and he'd told her what he remembered, but she wasn't sure exactly which one.

"'Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son. Flesh of the servant, willingly given, you will revive your master. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.'"

Both boys stared at her darkly, Regulus shifting to look more closely at her. "Mia, are you sure?"

"That's what Harry told me," she shrugged. "It's not like he was raised in the wizarding world, so he couldn't have gotten it somewhere else."

"Bloody hell," Avery muttered, rubbing his forehead. "How did your friend live through that?"

Mia blinked. "They only cut his arm for it. Besides, Voldemort is obsessed with being the one to personally kill Harry. It gives him a bit of a safety net at school and even during this war."

Avery shifted closer, his hands on his knees as his mind raced. "That ritual calls for all of the blood of an enemy. If he didn't take all of it, he's likely very weak. I'd guess the only thing holding him together are his horcruxes."

Mia stared. "Are you serious?"

"Very," he nodded. "I'm sure I can find you the book when I get home and bring it to you."

"I can probably get Dumbledore to allow us out of the school, if it's for the war effort," she replied before shaking herself a little. "The Veritiserum is wearing off."

"Is there anything else?" he asked nervously. She seemed to consider him for a moment.

"The war didn't start until the end of my fifth year, really," she shrugged. "That's basically when the public accepted that Voldemort was back."

"What took them so long?"

"Fudge," she rolled her eyes. "But he arrived at the ministry while Harry fought Voldemort with multiple other people and since not only he had seen it but just about every important department head and some aurors saw it, he couldn't deny it anymore," she sighed. "He was replaced. And… the next year, Dumbledore died."

Avery was taken aback. Logically everyone understood that Dumbledore was as human as everyone else, but even to Death Eaters, he seemed… untouchable. Immortal.

"He died, and that's really when it began. Sure, things were bad our sixth year, but with the Chief of the Wizengamot, Grand Sorcerer, and Supreme Mugwump dead, the Light lost a lot of standing. The ministry was taken by mid summer, and me, Harry, and our friend Ron all went on the run to find the horcruxes and avoid being arrested."

"Merlin."

"Yeah."

Avery took a few minutes to process, and the couple let him, relaxing back into each other and the chair as Regulus asked if she was okay and she did the same. Her story was a rough one, and hearing about her being hurt had obviously upset Regulus greatly.

"You said you knew Sirius in the future," he began. "Anyone else?"

Mia considered the question. The Veritiserum had worn off by the time she got to Dumbledore's death, but it was really just for proof anyway. "I knew Sirius, and Remus taught DADA in my third year," she smiled softly. "Best teacher we had. I stayed in touch, and he kept in touch with Harry of course, so he was around plenty. I knew Emmaline, too. She's in the Order. Regulus…" she bit her lip. "I'd heard of. Sirius hated talking about him, and we only heard that he was a Death Eater." She leaned back to kiss the boy's ear. It seemed like something he knew but didn't like, and Avery prepared himself. "But when Dumbledore died, the night he died, he and Harry had gone to a cave to retrieve a horcrux," she admitted. "They found a copy instead, with a note basically saying 'fuck you' to Voldemort. It was signed R.A.B."

"Regulus Artcurus Black," Regulus filled in, though Avery didn't need it.

"What… happened?"

Mia sighed, pushing her hair from her face. "As far as we can tell, when we didn't know I'd be taking a trip to the past, we figured he realized what the locket was and made a copy, left the note, and tried to leave." She shook her head. "Harry told us about the cave. It's… bad. There's basically this torture potion you have to drink that shows you your worst fears," she shook her head. "It also makes you desperate for water, and you're surrounded by water. But if you dip your cup into it…"

"What?" Regulus asked, frowning. Apparently, she hadn't explained in this much detail. "Mia, what?"

"Inferi," she muttered. "Pull you in."

Avery was silent, and so was Regulus.

"We figured they'd killed you," she admitted. "They nearly got Harry, but Dumbledore saved him in time."

"So… don't drink the gross murdering water," he sighed. "Got it."

"Regulus!" Mia snapped, slapping his chest lightly. "This isn't a joke."

"I'm not joking!" He snapped back. "You're telling me about my death, Mia, what the fuck do you want me to say?"

Avery shifted uncomfortably. The two bickered constantly, but he'd never been in the room with them before when they were really, truly upset with each other. Mia glanced down at her hands.

"Severus is my potions professor," she muttered, changing the topic. Regulus let her, leaning back and breathing in and out deeply.

"You said your potions professor bullied every child he met and made fun of you for six years."

"Yep."

"You're saying that's Severus."

"Yeah."

"I can't believe that."

Mia snorted. "You can believe that I'm from the future but not that Severus is a little cranky?"

"Yes."

She wrinkled up her nose. "I had to ask him to do it, Avery. He's already done it, so it has to happen."

"Is that how time really works?" Avery asked with a frown. Mia nodded tiredly.

"Whatever has already happened has to happen."

"This is exhausting," Avery told her, and she nodded.

"Yep."

"Did he really agree to treat you like shit for six years?" Avery sighed. He couldn't imagine his friend doing it, and aside from that, it actually upset him to imagine his friend doing it.

"I made him," she shrugged. "It has to happen, Avery."

"That's… horrible."

"Yep."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

February 19th, 1977

"Okay," Mia smiled, looking at her gathered friends. "You're all here for a specific reason. You all know my secret."

The group around her nodded. The Marauders sans Peter, Fabian and Gideon, Severus, Regulus, Avery, and Rodolphus had gathered in the Potter house in the large living room. There were snacks scattered throughout the room and drinks had been passed out by a house elf. It was a Saturday and she wanted to get this all over with as quickly as possible.

"Originally, Fred and I had been going to hide your memories of us," she explained. "But I've decided that's a shit idea."

"That's because it is," James told her, making a face. She nodded firmly. She was in a good mood that no one could rid her of.

"So we've decided to come up with another plan-,"

"Mione has decided," Fred rolled his eyes. "Don't pretend like I was a part of this before yesterday."

Mia blushed but ignored him. "So, we give you an option. Take an Unbreakable Vow to uphold the future and remember us, or you can forget us until we see you again." She paused. "Each Vow will be done in private as they're specific to each person and their futures." She frowned. "Some of you will have simpler Vows than others, but don't worry about that. It's simply because we don't interact much or at all in the future."

The group talked amongst themselves for a minute before Remus spoke up. "Well I can't very well forget, can I?" Everyone looked at him, confused. "I've already taken a Vow."

Mia's eyes widened. "Oh, fuck."

Fred looked at her, deadpan. "Did you honestly forget? It was your idea!"

Mia blushed. "I've been busy."

"Well," Fabian began.

"Count us in," Gideon continued.

"We'd like our memories intact, thank you," Fabian finished, winking at her. Mia grinned brightly as they each kissed one of her cheeks.

"Me as well," Rodolphus frowned. "Though I believe I already know what my Vow includes, yes?" Mia nodded, and he sighed, resigned and stiff.

"Me, too," James smiled.

"And me," Sirius winked. "Can't go forgetting you, can I, kitten?"

"I'd like to remember," Avery sighed.

Already having spoken to Severus, Mia smiled. She was fairly certain she'd be unable to remove Regulus's memories of her after they'd been bonded so she hadn't even considered him. "Let's get to work!"

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Fabian and Gideon were first, and fairly simple. They promised not to speak of her or adult Fred with anyone except those that were present, Lily, and Dumbledore and promised to only use their rings when they needed to.

After them, James walked in, and she bit her lip. He gave her a small smile and grabbed her hand.

"This is going to be about… that night, isn't it?" She nodded. "It's okay."

Regulus placed his wand above them as Mia and James grabbed each other's forearms and began. "Do you, James Charlus Potter, promise to use your ring to go to the future when Voldemort finds you and your family in your home?"

"I do," James whispered. He still seemed reluctant, but she had a feeling he wouldn't break his promise.

"Do you promise to keep the secrets told to you about the future over the time Mia and Fred are here?"

"I do."

"Do you promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, your parents, Lily, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

Mia sighed in relief as the flames fell into their arms as the Vow accepted his promise.

Next up was Sirius.

"Do you, Sirius Orion Black, promise to not avoid your death at the Department of Mysteries?"

Mia shivered.

"I do."

"Do you promise to maintain the future that's been told to you over the time Mia and Fred have been here?"

"I do."

"Do you promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, your parents, Lily, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

And then came Severus.

"Do you, Severus Snape, promise to treat Hermione Granger and the other students poorly for the six years she's at Hogwarts as your student?"

"I- I do."

"Do you promise not to act when you see her hurt in her time as your student or Hermione Granger?"

"I do."

"Do you promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, Charlus and Dorea Potter, Lily, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

Mia was unsure of Avery's Vow since she didn't know him in the future, so what he got was short and to the point.

"Do you, Frederick Avery, promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, Charlus and Dorea Potter, Lily Evans, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

Remus only needed a short Vow to add onto his earlier one, so he went quickly as well.

"Do you, Remus Jacob Lupin, promise to maintain the future that's been told to you over the time Mia and Fred have been here?"

"I do."

"Do you promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, Lily, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

Finally, they reached Rodolphus, the last person. Mia was sitting on her desk now, as they'd been doing the Vows in her office. She bit her lip. This was the one she was looking forward to the least.

"Do you, Rodolphus Lestrange, promise to watch Hermione Granger be tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange in 1998 and do nothing?"

There was a long moment of hesitation. "I do."

"Do you promise not to speak of Mia and Fred after they leave and until they get back to April 19th, 1998 except to those present tonight, Charlus and Dorea Potter, Lily Evans, and Dumbledore?"

"I do."

Mia pulled away as the last tingling strands of fire fell into her arm, burning into her like new veins in her body. Letting out a sigh, she felt herself relax a little.

She didn't have to wipe her friends' memories.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

March 1st, 1977

Mia placed her wand back in the holster, looking at her handiwork. "I'm getting better at this."

"It's practice," Regulus told her as Gibbon put his shirt back on.

"It's fun," she corrected, winking. "Lift your shirt up, maybe you need a touch up."

Gibbon looked at Severus. "Do they always do this?"

"Always," Avery rolled his eyes. "Get used to it."

"Lovely."

Mia pecked Regulus's cheek and pushed herself into his side as he wrapped an arm around her gently before looking at the three boys in front of her. "I spoke with Dumbledore."

"Oh?"

She nodded. "It seems that after the war, the ministry will likely seize the property of known Death Eaters," she explained. "And their vaults for reparations. But I talked with him about it and he's set aside a place for each of you, including Rodolphus, though his wife will have to stay with a friend or, better yet, in Azkaban. He's also set aside a small amount of money so that when the war does end, you'll be fine while he or I prove to them that you're on our side."

"He doesn't need to-,"

"He knows that," she rolled her eyes, waving a hand in front of her impatiently. "He said to think of it as payment for your services."

"Are you sure he's not a Slytherin?"

Mia snorted. "I don't think he deserves Slytherin, disgusting cun-,"

"Mia," Regulus interrupted. She scowled.

"Sorry."

"What's got you so upset with him?" Avery chuckled visibly while the others tried to contain their amusement.

"He's just… so manipulative," she spat at no one in particular. "I didn't see it at first, but it's disgusting. He'd use a child as canon fodder and just…" she huffed. "He's useful politically, but he's a deeply flawed and disgusting human." She felt Regulus rub her arm slowly and took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking again, choosing to ignore the amusement clearly written on her friends' faces. "I have some unresolved issues with him."

"Really?" Severus snorted. "We hadn't noticed."

Mia made a face at him and turned on her heel, nearly knocking Regulus over, and moved into the small library of the Room of Requirement to get away from the boys who were now openly laughing at her.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

March 3rd, 1977

"How are you doing?" Fred asked, placing himself next to her.

"Fine," she shrugged. "I meant to check on you. I know we haven't really… talked much while we've been here."

He gave her a small smile. "Stop feeling guilty. I'm having fun. It's like… almost like having George here, these guys. Pranking makes me feel better."

"So that's why you've been pranking every day for the last week," she laughed.

"No, we've actually got a bet," he chuckled, leaning back into the hard chair. "To see who can do the most pranks without getting detention. Pete's already out, and Sirius nearly got caught yesterday."

"That's ridiculous," Mia laughed brightly. "What happens if it goes on so long that you run out of ideas?"

"Ah," he nodded once. "See, that's why we all wrote down a long list of ideas. We can use any of them, we just have to mark it off if we're planning it."

"So it's not about creativity, but getting caught?" Mia scoffed as he nodded. They were quiet for a long moment before she spoke again. "I've got two rings done."

"How many does that leave?"

"Five."

"When do you think we can go?"

Mia paused. "I don't know. Maybe six months. Maybe less."

"You don't want to leave."

"No."

Fred rubbed her arm in support before he leaned in and spoke softer since they were in the library. "It's hard for me, too. I see why they were so… surprised. About Pete, I mean. He's so sweet. I know you avoid him completely, but he's just… just a kid, just nice."

"He gets Lily killed," Mia reminded him gently. "Sirius goes to prison for twelve years. James… hopefully he makes it. But it's his fault that Harry grew up with the Dursley's. I just… can't forget that."

"I know."

"Reg said that he's… already there. Already coming to meetings."

Fred froze. "Really?"

Mia nodded. "I wasn't sure if I should tell you, I just…"

"No, I- I'm glad," he sighed, rubbing his face. "It's just hard to relate Peter to Wormtail… like that."

"I know."

"It sucks."

"I'm sorry."

OoOoOoOoOoOo